ezorigin--2020-02-03--WHO partners with Google to fight coronavirus misinformation

The World Health Organization is working with Google to ensure that people get facts from WHO first when they search for information about the new virus that recently emerged in China .
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the opening of WHO 's executive board meeting on Monday that social media platforms such as Twitter , Facebook , Tencent , and TikTok have also taken steps to limit the spread of misinformation and rumors about the virus and outbreak that first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December and has now spread to 23 other countries .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Google to make sure people searching for information about coronavirus see WHO information at the top of their search results , '' he said .
WHO officials like Mr. Tedros have heaped praise on China 's response repeatedly in public , echoed Beijing 's calls to avoid panic , sought to reinforce weaker health systems , and worked to dispel rumors that may have prompted xenophobic invective against Chinese citizens and even other Asians .
Ambassador Li Song , deputy permanent representative for China in Geneva , lashed out at flight cancellations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some countries to admit citizens of Hubei Province , where Wuhan is located , saying those moves went against WHO recommendations .
Mr. Li noted how Chinese President Xi Jinping , meeting with Mr. Tedros last week in Beijing , had said the coronavirus epidemic `` ‘ is a devil – we can not let the devil hide.
’ '' '' At the same time , the international community needs to treat the new virus objectively , fairly , calmly , and rationally , and not over-interpret it negatively and pessimistically , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We need facts , not fear .
We need science , not rumors .
We need solidarity , not stigma . ''
Mr. Tedros recounted how his own daughter had advised him against the trip to Beijing , and that he tried to explain to her `` it 's OK , it 's not all over China . ''
`` Even in China , the virus is not evenly spread everywhere , and the risk is not the same , '' he said .
`` When I was in Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities is that our concentrated effort should be in the epicenters , or the sources of the virus . ''
Since the outbreak began , a number of misleading claims and hoaxes about the virus have circulated online .
They include false conspiracy theories that the virus was created in a lab and that vaccines have already been manufactured , exaggerations about the number of sick and dead , and claims about bogus cures .
On Sunday , WHO lamented that the outbreak and response have been accompanied `` by a massive ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it . ''
The report said WHO , the U.N. health agency , was working `` 24 hours a day to identify the most prevalent rumors that can potentially harm the public ’ s health , such as false prevention measures or cures . ''
`` These myths are then refuted with evidence-based information , '' it said , noting that WHO is providing myth busters on its social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tedros also reiterated his decision last week to classify the virus outbreak as a global emergency , saying the move was prompted by increased human-to-human spread of the virus to numerous countries and the fear it could have a significant impact on developing countries with weaker health systems .
As of Monday morning , the outbreak had infected more than 17,300 people , including 17,238 cases and 361 deaths confirmed in China , Mr. Tedros said .
Outside China , there were 151 confirmed cases in 23 countries , and one death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Mr. Tedros said recent outbreaks including the new virus and Ebola demonstrated the shortcomings of the `` binary '' emergency system , calling it `` too restrictive , too simplistic , and not fit for purpose . ''
`` We have a green light , a red light , and nothing in-between , '' he said , adding that WHO was considering options to allow for an `` intermediate level of alert . ''
The WHO executive board , which is starting a six-day meeting , plans to hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .

The World Health Organization is working with Google to ensure that people get facts from WHO first when they search for information about the new virus that recently emerged in China.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the opening of WHO's executive board meeting on Monday that social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Tencent, and TikTok have also taken steps to limit the spread of misinformation and rumors about the virus and outbreak that first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December and has now spread to 23 other countries.
"To that end, we have worked with Google to make sure people searching for information about coronavirus see WHO information at the top of their search results," he said.
WHO officials like Mr. Tedros have heaped praise on China's response repeatedly in public, echoed Beijing's calls to avoid panic, sought to reinforce weaker health systems, and worked to dispel rumors that may have prompted xenophobic invective against Chinese citizens and even other Asians.
Ambassador Li Song, deputy permanent representative for China in Geneva, lashed out at flight cancellations, visa denials, and refusals by some countries to admit citizens of Hubei Province, where Wuhan is located, saying those moves went against WHO recommendations.
Mr. Li noted how Chinese President Xi Jinping, meeting with Mr. Tedros last week in Beijing, had said the coronavirus epidemic "‘is a devil – we cannot let the devil hide.’"
"At the same time, the international community needs to treat the new virus objectively, fairly, calmly, and rationally, and not over-interpret it negatively and pessimistically, or deliberately create panic," Mr. Li said.
"We need facts, not fear. We need science, not rumors. We need solidarity, not stigma."
Mr. Tedros recounted how his own daughter had advised him against the trip to Beijing, and that he tried to explain to her "it's OK, it's not all over China."
"Even in China, the virus is not evenly spread everywhere, and the risk is not the same," he said. "When I was in Beijing, what we had discussed with the authorities is that our concentrated effort should be in the epicenters, or the sources of the virus."
Since the outbreak began, a number of misleading claims and hoaxes about the virus have circulated online. They include false conspiracy theories that the virus was created in a lab and that vaccines have already been manufactured, exaggerations about the number of sick and dead, and claims about bogus cures.
On Sunday, WHO lamented that the outbreak and response have been accompanied "by a massive ‘infodemic’ – an overabundance of information, some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it."
The report said WHO, the U.N. health agency, was working "24 hours a day to identify the most prevalent rumors that can potentially harm the public’s health, such as false prevention measures or cures."
"These myths are then refuted with evidence-based information," it said, noting that WHO is providing myth busters on its social media channels in China and beyond.
Mr. Tedros also reiterated his decision last week to classify the virus outbreak as a global emergency, saying the move was prompted by increased human-to-human spread of the virus to numerous countries and the fear it could have a significant impact on developing countries with weaker health systems.
As of Monday morning, the outbreak had infected more than 17,300 people, including 17,238 cases and 361 deaths confirmed in China, Mr. Tedros said. Outside China, there were 151 confirmed cases in 23 countries, and one death, reported in the Philippines on Sunday, he said.
Mr. Tedros said recent outbreaks including the new virus and Ebola demonstrated the shortcomings of the "binary" emergency system, calling it "too restrictive, too simplistic, and not fit for purpose."
"We have a green light, a red light, and nothing in-between," he said, adding that WHO was considering options to allow for an "intermediate level of alert."
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The WHO executive board, which is starting a six-day meeting, plans to hold a special technical session on the coronavirus Tuesday.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


ezorigin--2020-04-01--Comics are for kids? This Vermont college begs to differ.

The college ’ s growth has helped White River Junction to nurture a vibrant arts community , while CCS students and alumni often volunteer for local nonprofits .
All this on an annual budget of $ 1.1 million .
“ We didn ’ t know it would create such a community , that so much good would materialize out of people ’ s work , ” says Ms. Ollie .
The Center for Cartoon Studies that Ms. Ollie co-founded 15 years ago is inspiring a new generation of cartoonists to learn their art , find a career , and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can earn certificates and a master ’ s degree , and college alumni have found success as illustrators and graphic novelists ; others have worked with educators to embed visuals into complex coursework .
As a child , Michelle Ollie struggled to overcome her dyslexia .
What helped her learn to read was comics , an art form that is now the foundation of what may be the only college in New England dedicated to cartooning , in White River Junction , Vermont .
Diagnosed with dyslexia , Coco Fox ’ s niece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comics .
Now the 14-year-old is reading up a storm , says her aunt .
The comic that had this transformative effect on this young reader is by Michelle Ollie .
The cartoonist had charted her own struggles with childhood dyslexia and showed how she went on to set up what may be the only college in New England to focus entirely on cartooning .
Just as comics inspired Ms. Ollie to read , she ’ s inspiring a new generation of young cartoonists to learn their art , find a career , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms. Fox is one of 27 full-time students enrolled at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction , Vermont .
Classes are held in a former post office building and a nearby former department store in this old railroad village of just over 2,000 people .
Students can earn a one-year certificate , a two-year certificate , or , for those who already hold a bachelor ’ s degree , a Master of Fine Arts .
And just as the school encourages its students to make a difference with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ River Junction to nurture a vibrant arts community , while CCS students and alumni often volunteer for local nonprofits .
( All classes went online on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic , but two campus buildings have remained open as students observe social distancing . )
When Ms. Fox first read “ From the Desk of the President of the Center for Cartoon Studies ” by Ms. Ollie , she was struck by its uplifting message and emotional honesty .
“ The comic was so good that I cried , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought them all home , ” Ms. Fox said .
One copy went to her niece – and a new reader was born .
“ We didn ’ t know it would create such a community , that so much good would materialize out of people ’ s work , ” says Ms. Ollie , who co-founded CCS in 2005 with cartoonist James Sturm .
It runs on an annual budget of $ 1.1 million .
Its 249 graduates include several prize-winning illustrators and graphic novelists ; one , Charles Forsman , recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scripted drama series for Netflix .
The co-founders of CCS never saw that coming .
“ At the beginning , it was about making the case for comics as an art form , a medium , ” says Mr. Sturm .
Today , visual storytelling is everywhere , from online comic strips and anime to graphic novels and richly-illustrated children ’ s books in libraries and bookstores .
Take graphic novels : Publishers put out 12 % more in 2019 , and the young-adult section has grown even faster .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sturm .
CCS ’ s mission doesn ’ t stop at its campus .
Its educators and students have brought the power of comics into a variety of educational settings , ranging from elementary grades to college-level online courses .
“ We tend to see a fair amount of ( CCS students ) who want to lecture or teach or conduct workshops , ” says Ms. Ollie , adding that local schools often request CCS workshops .
“ There ’ s a lot of interest , and it ’ s growing fast.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is What Democracy Looks Like : A Graphic Guide to Governance , ” a CCS comic book , has had three print runs totaling 40,000 copies , and has been used to teach classes in school districts across the country .
Mr. Sturm and his colleagues have led some of these workshops .
Ms. Fox says when she joined one in Columbus , Ohio , a teacher was amazed at how kids responded .
“ She was tearing up , because one of the students in the class , who pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Ms. Fox .
Mr. Sturm said this isn ’ t uncommon .
“ A lot of young students who are on the autism spectrum , parents say comics are their way of connecting with the world , ” he says .
There ’ s a lot more openness from teachers and school officials to the idea of comics as an educational medium than there used to be , adds Ms. Ollie .
That exposure has also led to some unexpected partnerships , including one with Dartmouth College ’ s Thayer School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has an engineering background and was a visiting scholar at Dartmouth , introduced Thayer faculty to CCS alum Katherine Roy , who drew a series of illustrations for a popular online course to explain complex engineering concepts .
“ I wanted to make engineering friendly and accessible , ” says Vicki May , an engineering professor at Dartmouth .
“ We ’ re only beginning to see the application of comics to help many different industries.
” Ms. Ollie agrees .
Some CCS students tell her they want to work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing just how adaptable comics can be .
Take Dan Nott , the lead cartoonist for the democracy comic .
He ’ s working on a graphic novel for Random House , tentatively titled “ Hidden Systems , ” about the infrastructure systems we often take for granted .
Comics start with creativity .
But that ’ s not all that ’ s imparted at CCS : Students learn everything from drawing skills to getting their comics published and promoted , and can tap into a strong network of faculty and peers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little bit of a boot camp , ” Ms. Ollie says .
“ You ’ re creating a lot of material .
You get the idea of building those skills and adapting them.
” She ’ s seen a lot of changes over the last 15 years , both at CCS and in the community , as the cartooning school has helped spark a downtown revival .
“ When we started the school , we had no idea about some of the things we ’ d see happen , ” she says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared the story about her niece .
She cried afterwards in her car , grateful that her work had touched a young girl .
For Ms. Fox , who is due to graduate in May , that experience is a motivator .
Her niece read Jen Wang ’ s “ The Prince and the Dressmaker , ” a 2018 graphic-novel fairy tale , so much that the binding wore down .
“ As someone who writes comics for kids , knowing they could read it so much they could destroy it , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ write every day.
” Editor ’ s note : The photo captions in this story have been updated to correct the spelling of the name of the library at the Center for Cartoon Studies .
It is the Schulz Library .

Frustration and seeming limitations can also be sources of inspiration. For Michelle Ollie, confronting her own personal struggles with learning disabilities opened a door, for herself and others, into the world of cartooning.
The college’s growth has helped White River Junction to nurture a vibrant arts community, while CCS students and alumni often volunteer for local nonprofits. All this on an annual budget of $1.1 million. “We didn’t know it would create such a community, that so much good would materialize out of people’s work,” says Ms. Ollie.
The Center for Cartoon Studies that Ms. Ollie co-founded 15 years ago is inspiring a new generation of cartoonists to learn their art, find a career, and make a difference in their communities. Students can earn certificates and a master’s degree, and college alumni have found success as illustrators and graphic novelists; others have worked with educators to embed visuals into complex coursework.
As a child, Michelle Ollie struggled to overcome her dyslexia. What helped her learn to read was comics, an art form that is now the foundation of what may be the only college in New England dedicated to cartooning, in White River Junction, Vermont.
Diagnosed with dyslexia, Coco Fox’s niece was struggling with reading until she found comics. Now the 14-year-old is reading up a storm, says her aunt.
The comic that had this transformative effect on this young reader is by Michelle Ollie. The cartoonist had charted her own struggles with childhood dyslexia and showed how she went on to set up what may be the only college in New England to focus entirely on cartooning.
Just as comics inspired Ms. Ollie to read, she’s inspiring a new generation of young cartoonists to learn their art, find a career, and make a difference in their communities.
Why We Wrote This Frustration and seeming limitations can also be sources of inspiration. For Michelle Ollie, confronting her own personal struggles with learning disabilities opened a door, for herself and others, into the world of cartooning.
Ms. Fox is one of 27 full-time students enrolled at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont. Classes are held in a former post office building and a nearby former department store in this old railroad village of just over 2,000 people. Students can earn a one-year certificate, a two-year certificate, or, for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree, a Master of Fine Arts.
And just as the school encourages its students to make a difference with their work, its growth has helped White River Junction to nurture a vibrant arts community, while CCS students and alumni often volunteer for local nonprofits. (All classes went online on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but two campus buildings have remained open as students observe social distancing.)
Riley Robinson/Special to The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption Michelle Ollie (right) chats with Tess Scilipoti, a second-year student, at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont, Jan. 25, 2020.
When Ms. Fox first read “From the Desk of the President of the Center for Cartoon Studies” by Ms. Ollie, she was struck by its uplifting message and emotional honesty.
“The comic was so good that I cried, and so I got about 10 copies and brought them all home,” Ms. Fox said. One copy went to her niece – and a new reader was born.
“We didn’t know it would create such a community, that so much good would materialize out of people’s work,” says Ms. Ollie, who co-founded CCS in 2005 with cartoonist James Sturm. It runs on an annual budget of $1.1 million.
Its 249 graduates include several prize-winning illustrators and graphic novelists; one, Charles Forsman, recently had two of his comics adapted as scripted drama series for Netflix.
The co-founders of CCS never saw that coming. “At the beginning, it was about making the case for comics as an art form, a medium,” says Mr. Sturm.
Riley Robinson/Special to The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption A student reads at the Schulz Library at the Center for Cartoon Studies on Jan. 25, 2020, during a rainy afternoon in White River Junction, Vermont. CCS was founded in 2004.
The power of comics
Today, visual storytelling is everywhere, from online comic strips and anime to graphic novels and richly-illustrated children’s books in libraries and bookstores. Take graphic novels: Publishers put out 12% more in 2019, and the young-adult section has grown even faster. “It’s been breathtaking,” says Mr. Sturm.
CCS’s mission doesn’t stop at its campus. Its educators and students have brought the power of comics into a variety of educational settings, ranging from elementary grades to college-level online courses.
“We tend to see a fair amount of (CCS students) who want to lecture or teach or conduct workshops,” says Ms. Ollie, adding that local schools often request CCS workshops. “There’s a lot of interest, and it’s growing fast.”
One popular topic is democracy. “This is What Democracy Looks Like: A Graphic Guide to Governance,” a CCS comic book, has had three print runs totaling 40,000 copies, and has been used to teach classes in school districts across the country.
Mr. Sturm and his colleagues have led some of these workshops. Ms. Fox says when she joined one in Columbus, Ohio, a teacher was amazed at how kids responded. “She was tearing up, because one of the students in the class, who pretty much never talked, drew 10 comics,” says Ms. Fox.
Mr. Sturm said this isn’t uncommon. “A lot of young students who are on the autism spectrum, parents say comics are their way of connecting with the world,” he says.
There’s a lot more openness from teachers and school officials to the idea of comics as an educational medium than there used to be, adds Ms. Ollie.
Riley Robinson/Special to The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption The Schulz Library at the Center for Cartoon Studies is named after the creator of "Peanuts," and includes works by students, faculty, and alumni in its collection.
That exposure has also led to some unexpected partnerships, including one with Dartmouth College’s Thayer School of Engineering in 2016. Ms. Ollie, who has an engineering background and was a visiting scholar at Dartmouth, introduced Thayer faculty to CCS alum Katherine Roy, who drew a series of illustrations for a popular online course to explain complex engineering concepts.
“I wanted to make engineering friendly and accessible,” says Vicki May, an engineering professor at Dartmouth. “We’re only beginning to see the application of comics to help many different industries.”
Ms. Ollie agrees. Some CCS students tell her they want to work with doctors and in other professional fields, showing just how adaptable comics can be.
Take Dan Nott, the lead cartoonist for the democracy comic. He’s working on a graphic novel for Random House, tentatively titled “Hidden Systems,” about the infrastructure systems we often take for granted.
Welcome to boot camp
Comics start with creativity. But that’s not all that’s imparted at CCS: Students learn everything from drawing skills to getting their comics published and promoted, and can tap into a strong network of faculty and peers for collaboration.
“It’s a little bit of a boot camp,” Ms. Ollie says. “You’re creating a lot of material. You get the idea of building those skills and adapting them.”
She’s seen a lot of changes over the last 15 years, both at CCS and in the community, as the cartooning school has helped spark a downtown revival.
“When we started the school, we had no idea about some of the things we’d see happen,” she says. She remembers a talk where Ms. Fox shared the story about her niece. She cried afterwards in her car, grateful that her work had touched a young girl.
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For Ms. Fox, who is due to graduate in May, that experience is a motivator. Her niece read Jen Wang’s “The Prince and the Dressmaker,” a 2018 graphic-novel fairy tale, so much that the binding wore down.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“As someone who writes comics for kids, knowing they could read it so much they could destroy it, that makes you want to get up and write every day.”
Editor’s note: The photo captions in this story have been updated to correct the spelling of the name of the library at the Center for Cartoon Studies. It is the Schulz Library.


ezorigin--2020-04-16--How leaders use emergency powers to target journalists, critics

Health concerns were on artist Danai Ussama ’ s mind when he returned to Thailand last month from a trip to Spain .
He noticed that he and his fellow passengers did not go through medical checks after arriving at Bangkok ’ s airport , and thought it worth noting on his Facebook page .
The airport authorities denied it , lodged a complaint with police , and he was arrested at his gallery in Phuket for violating the Computer Crime Act by allegedly posting false information – an offense punishable by up to five years ' imprisonment and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Associated Press that his Facebook post , though public , was really meant just for a small circle of 40 to 50 people .
Instead it went viral .
He believes the government is afraid its opponents would use his observation as proof it was failing the fight against the coronavirus , and acted against him as a warning to others .
As governments across the world enact emergency measures to keep people at home and stave off the pandemic , some are unhappy about having their missteps publicized .
Others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence critics and tighten control .
“ COVID-19 poses significant threats to government and regime security as it has the potential to expose poor governance and lack of transparency on issues that affect every citizen in a given country , ” said Aim Sinpeng , an assistant professor of political science at the University of Sydney .
“ As the pandemic is a global issue and is constantly on the news around the world , governments have a harder time controlling messages to the public without exposing how little/how much they do in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said in an email interview .
In Cambodia , where Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for 35 years , human rights group LICADHO has documented 24 cases of people being detained for sharing information about the coronavirus .
They include four supporters of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party .
Human Rights Watch also reported the arrest and questioning of a 14-year-old who expressed fears on social media about rumors of positive COVID-19 cases at her school and in her province .
The group withheld more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy .
Hungary ’ s Prime Minister Viktor Orban may have been the most adroit at exploiting the health crisis .
His country ’ s Parliament granted him the power to rule indefinitely by decree , unencumbered by existing laws or judicial or parliamentary restraints .
One aspect of the law ostensibly passed to cope with the coronavirus calls for prison terms of up to five years for those convicted of spreading falsehoods or distorted facts during the emergency .
“ The global health problems caused by COVID-19 require effective measures to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” acknowledged Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic .
“ This includes combating disinformation that may cause panic and social unrest.
” But she said , `` regrettably some governments are using this imperative as a pretext to introduce disproportionate restrictions to press freedom .
This is a counterproductive approach that must stop .
Particularly in times of crisis , we need to protect our precious liberties and rights.
” Lawmakers in the Philippines last month passed special legislation giving President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers .
Mr. Duterte , already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has left thousands dead , has been fiercely belligerent toward critics .
The new law makes “ spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms ” a criminal offense punishable by up to two months in jail and fines of up to $ 19,500 .
At least two reporters have been charged by police with spreading false information about the crisis .
“ It is feared that Duterte will use his increased authority to quell dissent and further pounce on [ his ] political enemies , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political science at the University of the Philippines .
Egypt expelled a correspondent for the British newspaper The Guardian over a report citing a study that challenged the official count of coronavirus cases .
Iraq suspended the operations of the Reuters news agency for three months and imposed a fine of about $ 20,800 for reporting that the actual number of infections and deaths was vastly more than the government acknowledged .
Reuters stood by its story .
In Serbia , police briefly detained journalist Ana Lalic , who wrote about a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions at a large hospital complex .
The clinical center said her article “ disturbed the public and hurt the image of the health organization.
” The government also closed its daily coronavirus news conferences for journalists , asking them to send their questions by email .
It said it 's meant to stop the spread of the virus but rights groups and independent media decried it as a form of censorship .
A state of emergency invoked in late March gives Thailand ’ s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha extraordinary powers to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than a dozen people in Thailand are reported to have been arrested on charges related to spreading coronavirus misinformation .
Thailand ’ s top public health experts deserve credit for their sincere efforts to counter misinformation , said Joel Selway , an associate professor of political science at Brigham Young University , who has published a book on politics and health policy in developing countries .
“ This doesn ’ t mean that the Prayuth-led government would not also take advantage of this to crush political opponents , ” he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest the charge against him , admits to regrets over writing his Facebook post about his airport arrival .
“ If I had known that I would be in so much trouble like this , I wouldn ’ t have written it.
” he said .
“ I have never been arrested nor gone to court before .
I was handcuffed and slept overnight in a police station cell .
I was devastated , actually .
It affects my family and myself .
“ But deep down inside , I would have wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reported by The Associated Press .
AP correspondents Pablo Gorondi in Budapest , Hungary ; Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade , Serbia ; Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh , Cambodia ; Busaba Sivasomboon in Bangkok , and Jim Gomez in Manila , Philippines , contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Health concerns were on artist Danai Ussama’s mind when he returned to Thailand last month from a trip to Spain. He noticed that he and his fellow passengers did not go through medical checks after arriving at Bangkok’s airport, and thought it worth noting on his Facebook page.
The airport authorities denied it, lodged a complaint with police, and he was arrested at his gallery in Phuket for violating the Computer Crime Act by allegedly posting false information – an offense punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of $3,000.
Mr. Danai told The Associated Press that his Facebook post, though public, was really meant just for a small circle of 40 to 50 people. Instead it went viral.
He believes the government is afraid its opponents would use his observation as proof it was failing the fight against the coronavirus, and acted against him as a warning to others.
As governments across the world enact emergency measures to keep people at home and stave off the pandemic, some are unhappy about having their missteps publicized. Others are taking advantage of the crisis to silence critics and tighten control.
“COVID-19 poses significant threats to government and regime security as it has the potential to expose poor governance and lack of transparency on issues that affect every citizen in a given country,” said Aim Sinpeng, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Sydney.
“As the pandemic is a global issue and is constantly on the news around the world, governments have a harder time controlling messages to the public without exposing how little/how much they do in comparison to other countries around the world,” she said in an email interview.
In Cambodia, where Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for 35 years, human rights group LICADHO has documented 24 cases of people being detained for sharing information about the coronavirus.
They include four supporters of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.
Human Rights Watch also reported the arrest and questioning of a 14-year-old who expressed fears on social media about rumors of positive COVID-19 cases at her school and in her province. The group withheld more details to safeguard the girl’s privacy.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban may have been the most adroit at exploiting the health crisis.
His country’s Parliament granted him the power to rule indefinitely by decree, unencumbered by existing laws or judicial or parliamentary restraints. One aspect of the law ostensibly passed to cope with the coronavirus calls for prison terms of up to five years for those convicted of spreading falsehoods or distorted facts during the emergency.
“The global health problems caused by COVID-19 require effective measures to protect people’s health and lives,” acknowledged Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic. “This includes combating disinformation that may cause panic and social unrest.”
But she said, "regrettably some governments are using this imperative as a pretext to introduce disproportionate restrictions to press freedom. This is a counterproductive approach that must stop. Particularly in times of crisis, we need to protect our precious liberties and rights.”
Lawmakers in the Philippines last month passed special legislation giving President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers.
Mr. Duterte, already criticized for a brutal war on drugs that has left thousands dead, has been fiercely belligerent toward critics. The new law makes “spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms” a criminal offense punishable by up to two months in jail and fines of up to $19,500.
At least two reporters have been charged by police with spreading false information about the crisis.
“It is feared that Duterte will use his increased authority to quell dissent and further pounce on [his] political enemies,” said Aries Arugay, associate professor of political science at the University of the Philippines.
Egypt expelled a correspondent for the British newspaper The Guardian over a report citing a study that challenged the official count of coronavirus cases. Iraq suspended the operations of the Reuters news agency for three months and imposed a fine of about $20,800 for reporting that the actual number of infections and deaths was vastly more than the government acknowledged. Reuters stood by its story.
In Serbia, police briefly detained journalist Ana Lalic, who wrote about a lack of protective equipment and “chaotic” conditions at a large hospital complex. The clinical center said her article “disturbed the public and hurt the image of the health organization.”
The government also closed its daily coronavirus news conferences for journalists, asking them to send their questions by email. It said it's meant to stop the spread of the virus but rights groups and independent media decried it as a form of censorship.
A state of emergency invoked in late March gives Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha extraordinary powers to fight COVID-19, including censoring the media.
More than a dozen people in Thailand are reported to have been arrested on charges related to spreading coronavirus misinformation.
Thailand’s top public health experts deserve credit for their sincere efforts to counter misinformation, said Joel Selway, an associate professor of political science at Brigham Young University, who has published a book on politics and health policy in developing countries.
“This doesn’t mean that the Prayuth-led government would not also take advantage of this to crush political opponents,” he added.
Artist Danai, who said he will contest the charge against him, admits to regrets over writing his Facebook post about his airport arrival.
“If I had known that I would be in so much trouble like this, I wouldn’t have written it.” he said. “I have never been arrested nor gone to court before. I was handcuffed and slept overnight in a police station cell. I was devastated, actually. It affects my family and myself.
“But deep down inside, I would have wanted to write it anyway.”
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP correspondents Pablo Gorondi in Budapest, Hungary; Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia; Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Busaba Sivasomboon in Bangkok, and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


ezorigin--2020-06-11--Humans are a (mostly) kind species. A Dutch historian offers proof.

During the coronavirus pandemic , millions of people are staying home in part to protect the most vulnerable members of their communities from COVID-19 .
When they do venture out , many don masks , which do less to protect them than to shield any strangers with whom they might inadvertently come into contact .
Perhaps the time is ripe to consider the provocative thesis of Dutch historian Rutger Bregman ’ s new book , “ Humankind : A Hopeful History.
” His “ radical idea ” ?
That “ most people , deep down , are pretty decent.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the opposite has been assumed to be true : “ There is a persistent myth that by their very nature humans are selfish , aggressive and quick to panic.
” Many of our institutions reflect the view of humanity articulated by 17th-century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes , who believed that without a strong ruler , human beings would revert to “ a condition of war of all against all.
” For his part , Bregman is more aligned with the work of Enlightenment thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau , who regarded civilization itself as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime , and other horrors that didn ’ t exist when Homo sapiens lived in a “ state of nature.
” William Golding ’ s classic 1954 novel “ Lord of the Flies ” dramatized the Hobbesian view , depicting British schoolboys who devolve into savagery after being stranded on an island .
But in an impressive feat of research , Bregman unearthed a long-forgotten real-life version of “ Lord of the Flies ” with an entirely different outcome .
In 1965 , six boys from the South Pacific archipelago kingdom Tonga were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 15 months .
Unlike Ralph , Jack , Piggy , and their schoolmates in Golding 's novel , the children from Tonga worked together to survive until they were rescued .
In their isolation , they created systems for growing food , collecting rainwater , and exercising , and they took turns tending a fire they managed to keep lit for more than a year .
Imagine if this were the story generations of young students were taught in school , Bregman muses .
In a similar , more modern example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with producers who must constantly stir up drama to create ratings-worthy conflict ) to series that have failed ( after producers throw groups of strangers together only to find that everyone gets along just fine ) .
The problem with the pessimistic Hobbesian view , the author insists , is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy .
“ If we believe most people can ’ t be trusted , that ’ s how we ’ ll treat each other , to everyone ’ s detriment , ” he writes .
Bregman is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reassessments of historical events and in studies from the sciences and social sciences , observing that the preponderance of evidence demonstrates that people are much more inclined toward good than toward evil .
He debunks a number of long-held beliefs , such as the claim – a pillar of decades of Psychology 101 classes – that dozens of bystanders witnessed the 1964 murder of Queens resident Kitty Genovese without calling the police or coming to her aid .
Bregman presents his findings in a chatty , engaging style that evokes Malcolm Gladwell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a cherry-picked quality to the information he presents .
There is also a fair amount of generalization and oversimplification .
For instance , the author acknowledges a human predisposition for tribalism and xenophobia , but argues that most Nazis fought because they didn ’ t want to let down their comrades , not because they subscribed to Nazi ideology .
His summary of World War II as a “ heroic struggle in which friendship , loyalty , solidarity – humanity ’ s best qualities – inspired millions of ordinary men to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels woefully inadequate .
Additionally , Bregman tosses off some claims that seem unfounded , like landscape architect Carl Theodor Sørensen ’ s assertion ( in a section extolling the benefits of unregulated , raw play spaces ) that the “ sandboxes , slides , [ and ] swings ” of today ’ s playgrounds are “ a bureaucrat ’ s dream and a child ’ s nightmare.
” That would have been news to my kids .
Despite its flaws , “ Humankind ” is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for how we run our governments , workplaces , schools , and correctional facilities .
Bregman admiringly profiles two cushy prisons in Norway that have more in common with Club Med than with any American penitentiary .
He notes a recidivism rate of 20 percent , compared with 60 percent for American prisons ; furthermore , because the majority of the ex-convicts find employment and stay out of prison , they end up costing the system far less money .
Bregman aims to prove that most people are not driven by self-interest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that view remains , my first thought upon reading of the cost savings in Norway was this : If there ’ s any hope for the institutional change Bregman advocates – from reforming overly punitive penal systems to granting workers and students more autonomy – fiscal arguments like that one will likely carry the most weight .

During the coronavirus pandemic, millions of people are staying home in part to protect the most vulnerable members of their communities from COVID-19. When they do venture out, many don masks, which do less to protect them than to shield any strangers with whom they might inadvertently come into contact. Perhaps the time is ripe to consider the provocative thesis of Dutch historian Rutger Bregman’s new book, “Humankind: A Hopeful History.” His “radical idea”? That “most people, deep down, are pretty decent.”
For far too long, Bregman argues, the opposite has been assumed to be true: “There is a persistent myth that by their very nature humans are selfish, aggressive and quick to panic.” Many of our institutions reflect the view of humanity articulated by 17th-century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who believed that without a strong ruler, human beings would revert to “a condition of war of all against all.” For his part, Bregman is more aligned with the work of Enlightenment thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who regarded civilization itself as the corrupting force, introducing war, crime, and other horrors that didn’t exist when Homo sapiens lived in a “state of nature.”
William Golding’s classic 1954 novel “Lord of the Flies” dramatized the Hobbesian view, depicting British schoolboys who devolve into savagery after being stranded on an island. But in an impressive feat of research, Bregman unearthed a long-forgotten real-life version of “Lord of the Flies” with an entirely different outcome. In 1965, six boys from the South Pacific archipelago kingdom Tonga were shipwrecked on a remote, deserted island for 15 months. Unlike Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and their schoolmates in Golding's novel, the children from Tonga worked together to survive until they were rescued. In their isolation, they created systems for growing food, collecting rainwater, and exercising, and they took turns tending a fire they managed to keep lit for more than a year.
Imagine if this were the story generations of young students were taught in school, Bregman muses. In a similar, more modern example, he compares successful reality TV shows (with producers who must constantly stir up drama to create ratings-worthy conflict) to series that have failed (after producers throw groups of strangers together only to find that everyone gets along just fine). The problem with the pessimistic Hobbesian view, the author insists, is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. “If we believe most people can’t be trusted, that’s how we’ll treat each other, to everyone’s detriment,” he writes.
Bregman is not naive; he grounds his arguments in reassessments of historical events and in studies from the sciences and social sciences, observing that the preponderance of evidence demonstrates that people are much more inclined toward good than toward evil. He debunks a number of long-held beliefs, such as the claim – a pillar of decades of Psychology 101 classes – that dozens of bystanders witnessed the 1964 murder of Queens resident Kitty Genovese without calling the police or coming to her aid.
Bregman presents his findings in a chatty, engaging style that evokes Malcolm Gladwell. As in Gladwell’s work, there is a cherry-picked quality to the information he presents. There is also a fair amount of generalization and oversimplification. For instance, the author acknowledges a human predisposition for tribalism and xenophobia, but argues that most Nazis fought because they didn’t want to let down their comrades, not because they subscribed to Nazi ideology. His summary of World War II as a “heroic struggle in which friendship, loyalty, solidarity – humanity’s best qualities – inspired millions of ordinary men to perpetrate the worst massacre in history” feels woefully inadequate.
Additionally, Bregman tosses off some claims that seem unfounded, like landscape architect Carl Theodor Sørensen’s assertion (in a section extolling the benefits of unregulated, raw play spaces) that the “sandboxes, slides, [and] swings” of today’s playgrounds are “a bureaucrat’s dream and a child’s nightmare.” That would have been news to my kids.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Despite its flaws, “Humankind” is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, one whose bold argument has potentially far-reaching implications for how we run our governments, workplaces, schools, and correctional facilities. Bregman admiringly profiles two cushy prisons in Norway that have more in common with Club Med than with any American penitentiary. He notes a recidivism rate of 20 percent, compared with 60 percent for American prisons; furthermore, because the majority of the ex-convicts find employment and stay out of prison, they end up costing the system far less money.
Bregman aims to prove that most people are not driven by self-interest. In perhaps a measure of how entrenched that view remains, my first thought upon reading of the cost savings in Norway was this: If there’s any hope for the institutional change Bregman advocates – from reforming overly punitive penal systems to granting workers and students more autonomy – fiscal arguments like that one will likely carry the most weight.


ezorigin--2020-05-26--How Latin American slums are leading the fight against COVID-19

Huddled over sewing machines in their cramped homes in Mare , a sprawling complex of favelas in Rio de Janeiro , about 50 women are on a mission to make 280,000 free face masks within the next two months .
Two for each of the area 's 140,000 slum residents .
The women – the majority of whom lost their jobs to the coronavirus pandemic – watched videos on how to make face masks , and are being paid above the market rate , said Andreza Lopes , who coordinates the project for the nonprofit Redes da Mare .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are financially responsible for their homes , '' Ms. Lopes said over the phone , adding that the project is backed by three Brazilian banks .
`` Now they are very happy , and grateful to be working on something that has a higher purpose . ''
The project is one of dozens of initiatives taking place in shanty towns across the region – from Brazil to Venezuela , Colombia to Mexico – as poor communities come together to help the most vulnerable during the pandemic .
Latin America is emerging as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The respiratory disease is spreading quickly through the region , claiming the lives of more than 31,000 people and infecting more than 570,000 , according to a tally by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
Across Latin America and the Caribbean , about 113 million people – nearly 1 in 5 – live in slums , where health experts say COVID-19 infection rates tend to be higher due to poor nutrition , cramped housing , and ill health .
But many slum dwellers say they have received little or no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic and health fallout , leaving them to fend for themselves and community leaders to fill the gaps .
`` It 's a very tragic situation right now ... nothing significant is being done by the state , '' said Alessandra Orofino , head of the Brazilian nonprofit Nossas , which works in favelas and creates technology tools for social movements .
A spokesman for Brazil 's health ministry did not reply to a request for comment .
With limited access to sanitation and millions of people crammed together in close quarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic , health experts say .
`` In those places where you have high human density , and you have overcrowding ... you have a perfect environment for transmission , '' said Federico Costa , an infectious disease expert and professor at Brazil 's Federal University of Bahia .
In the poor neighborhoods of Argentina 's capital Buenos Aires , for example , COVID-19 infection rates are nearly 30 % higher than in other parts of the city , government figures show .
In Brazil , where Johns Hopkins University has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading the WHO to label the country the latest coronavirus hotspot – about 15 million people live in favelas .
`` It 's 140,000 people in just over four kilometers [ about 2 1/2 miles ] ... how do you social distance in this context ? ''
asked Ms. Lopes about the situation in Mare .
Nossas is helping community groups in Rio 's favelas to set up crowdfunding campaigns to raise money to combat COVID-19 .
In late April , the nonprofit and other local groups hosted a live streamed concert featuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bred in the favelas .
The concert , with over 8 million online views , raised about $ 50,000 to buy and deliver food parcels and hygiene kits to Rio 's favela residents , said Ms. Orofino , the head of Nossas .
`` Favelas have built resilience over time and are now deploying that , '' she said .
`` We do n't think by any means that this crowdfunding and self-organizing is going to halt COVID-19 .
It 's just that we do n't have the time to wait for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the outbreak , some governments in the region have been delivering food parcels and cash payments to vulnerable communities .
Colombia has allocated $ 120 million to help three million informal economy workers , while in Argentina the government has announced low-income workers would receive a one-time payment of $ 147 .
Chile has announced emergency cash transfers that will reach about 4.5 million people , and the Dominican Republic has allocated cash payments to 1.5 million families .
Meanwhile , Argentina , Ecuador , and Colombia have banned utility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , and in Peru low-income homes were told they could postpone payment of utility bills .
But many slum dwellers say that 's not enough .
Street vendors and other informal workers who have lost their jobs due to lockdown measures have taken to the streets in several cities , including in Bogota in Colombia and the Chilean capital Santiago , to demand government help .
After a deadly police raid in a Rio favela earlier this month , residents complained that the government was offering little aid to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police operations .
As residents and activists call for more state aid , they are also tapping into neighborhood networks to reach out to the people most in need .
As Mexican officials began urging people to stay home in March to contain the outbreak , HIV-positive transgender activist Kenya Cuevas saw that many homeless people and drug users in downtown Mexico City were going hungry .
`` It annoyed me .
So , I decided I 'd better do something , '' she said in a phone interview .
Ms. Cuevas set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private donor to feed the homeless and other vulnerable groups , serving about 240 meals a week since the start of April .
The shelter for trans sex workers that she runs in the city 's north is also feeding neighbors affected by the pandemic , giving out nearly 80 meals a day , according to the United Nations .
`` As trans women , we know how to love and to love our neighbor , '' said Ms. Cuevas .
`` We have always had that quality . ''
City officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Mexico City 's more than 480 soup kitchens remain open and the government is doing mobile medical checkups in areas with high numbers of homeless people .
In Bogota 's southern hillside slums , among the hardest hit are Venezuelan migrants who rely on daily cash-in-hand earnings as street sellers .
Unable to make an income during Colombia 's strict coronavirus lockdown , many have been relying on their support networks of fellow migrants , who keep in touch on Facebook and WhatsApp .
When Venezuelan Milsen Solano heard that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrant , got kicked out of his flat in April , she took him in to live with her and her family in their small apartment in downtown Bogota .
`` He does n't have the money to pay his rent , '' said Ms. Solano .
`` If six people already live here , another person can , too .
You have to help when you can . ''
This story was reported by Thomson Reuters Foundation .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s free .

Huddled over sewing machines in their cramped homes in Mare, a sprawling complex of favelas in Rio de Janeiro, about 50 women are on a mission to make 280,000 free face masks within the next two months. Two for each of the area's 140,000 slum residents.
The women – the majority of whom lost their jobs to the coronavirus pandemic – watched videos on how to make face masks, and are being paid above the market rate, said Andreza Lopes, who coordinates the project for the nonprofit Redes da Mare.
"Almost half of the women in Mare are financially responsible for their homes," Ms. Lopes said over the phone, adding that the project is backed by three Brazilian banks. "Now they are very happy, and grateful to be working on something that has a higher purpose."
The project is one of dozens of initiatives taking place in shanty towns across the region – from Brazil to Venezuela, Colombia to Mexico – as poor communities come together to help the most vulnerable during the pandemic.
Latin America is emerging as the new epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The respiratory disease is spreading quickly through the region, claiming the lives of more than 31,000 people and infecting more than 570,000, according to a tally by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Across Latin America and the Caribbean, about 113 million people – nearly 1 in 5 – live in slums, where health experts say COVID-19 infection rates tend to be higher due to poor nutrition, cramped housing, and ill health.
But many slum dwellers say they have received little or no government aid to help them cope with the economic and health fallout, leaving them to fend for themselves and community leaders to fill the gaps.
"It's a very tragic situation right now ... nothing significant is being done by the state," said Alessandra Orofino, head of the Brazilian nonprofit Nossas, which works in favelas and creates technology tools for social movements.
A spokesman for Brazil's health ministry did not reply to a request for comment.
With limited access to sanitation and millions of people crammed together in close quarters, Latin American slums are especially vulnerable to the pandemic, health experts say.
"In those places where you have high human density, and you have overcrowding ... you have a perfect environment for transmission," said Federico Costa, an infectious disease expert and professor at Brazil's Federal University of Bahia.
In the poor neighborhoods of Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, for example, COVID-19 infection rates are nearly 30% higher than in other parts of the city, government figures show.
In Brazil, where Johns Hopkins University has reported more than 22,000 COVID-19 deaths – leading the WHO to label the country the latest coronavirus hotspot – about 15 million people live in favelas.
"It's 140,000 people in just over four kilometers [about 2 1/2 miles] ... how do you social distance in this context?" asked Ms. Lopes about the situation in Mare.
Nossas is helping community groups in Rio's favelas to set up crowdfunding campaigns to raise money to combat COVID-19.
In late April, the nonprofit and other local groups hosted a live streamed concert featuring popular Brazilian musicians – many born and bred in the favelas.
The concert, with over 8 million online views, raised about $50,000 to buy and deliver food parcels and hygiene kits to Rio's favela residents, said Ms. Orofino, the head of Nossas.
"Favelas have built resilience over time and are now deploying that," she said.
"We don't think by any means that this crowdfunding and self-organizing is going to halt COVID-19. It's just that we don't have the time to wait for the state to do something."
Since the start of the outbreak, some governments in the region have been delivering food parcels and cash payments to vulnerable communities.
Colombia has allocated $120 million to help three million informal economy workers, while in Argentina the government has announced low-income workers would receive a one-time payment of $147.
Chile has announced emergency cash transfers that will reach about 4.5 million people, and the Dominican Republic has allocated cash payments to 1.5 million families.
Meanwhile, Argentina, Ecuador, and Colombia have banned utility shut-offs for tenants defaulting on payment during the pandemic, and in Peru low-income homes were told they could postpone payment of utility bills.
But many slum dwellers say that's not enough.
Street vendors and other informal workers who have lost their jobs due to lockdown measures have taken to the streets in several cities, including in Bogota in Colombia and the Chilean capital Santiago, to demand government help.
After a deadly police raid in a Rio favela earlier this month, residents complained that the government was offering little aid to contain the pandemic but was still engaging in violent police operations.
As residents and activists call for more state aid, they are also tapping into neighborhood networks to reach out to the people most in need.
Recommended Why Georgia indictment could pose unique peril for Trump
As Mexican officials began urging people to stay home in March to contain the outbreak, HIV-positive transgender activist Kenya Cuevas saw that many homeless people and drug users in downtown Mexico City were going hungry.
"It annoyed me. So, I decided I'd better do something," she said in a phone interview.
Ms. Cuevas set up a program with support from a private donor to feed the homeless and other vulnerable groups, serving about 240 meals a week since the start of April.
The shelter for trans sex workers that she runs in the city's north is also feeding neighbors affected by the pandemic, giving out nearly 80 meals a day, according to the United Nations.
"As trans women, we know how to love and to love our neighbor," said Ms. Cuevas. "We have always had that quality."
City officials said in a March press conference that 90% of Mexico City's more than 480 soup kitchens remain open and the government is doing mobile medical checkups in areas with high numbers of homeless people.
In Bogota's southern hillside slums, among the hardest hit are Venezuelan migrants who rely on daily cash-in-hand earnings as street sellers.
Unable to make an income during Colombia's strict coronavirus lockdown, many have been relying on their support networks of fellow migrants, who keep in touch on Facebook and WhatsApp.
When Venezuelan Milsen Solano heard that one of her neighbors, an unemployed young migrant, got kicked out of his flat in April, she took him in to live with her and her family in their small apartment in downtown Bogota.
"He doesn't have the money to pay his rent," said Ms. Solano.
"If six people already live here, another person can, too. You have to help when you can."
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


ezorigin--2020-04-22--As EU countries eases restrictions, US debates reopening economy

One of the grimmest symbols of the coronavirus outbreak – a morgue set up in a Madrid skating rink – closed on Wednesday as stores and other businesses reopened in places across Europe , while the U.S. was beset with increasingly partisan disagreements over how and when to restart its economy .
As some governors in the U.S. – largely Republican ones – moved to reopen an ever-wider variety of businesses , others took a more cautious approach and came under mounting pressure from protesters complaining that their livelihoods are being destroyed and their freedom of movement is being infringed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from over in Europe , small shops in Berlin reopened , and restrictions were also relaxed in Denmark and Austria .
In France , long lines formed outside the few McDonald 's drive-thrus that started serving customers again .
Still , many employees and customers were uneasy , suggesting that a return to normal is a long way off .
`` Of course I 'm happy that I can open again and we can keep our heads above water , '' said Galina Hooge , who opened her small Berlin toy store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
But she worried that some Germans still are n't taking the outbreak seriously .
`` Relaxing the rules does n't mean that everything is over .
It 's not over by a long stretch , '' she said .
Across the Atlantic in Savannah , Georgia , where Gov .
Brian Kemp announced that gyms and salons can reopen this week , gym owner Mark Lebos said it would be professional negligence to do so right now .
`` We are not going to be a vector of death and suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has infected over 2.5 million people and killed about 180,000 around the world , including more than 45,000 in the U.S. , according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University from official government figures , though the true numbers are believed to be far higher .
Although some hot spots like Italy , Spain , and New York have seen a drop in daily death tolls and new hospitalizations , other areas are facing a resurgence of the coronavirus .
Singapore , once a model of virus tracking and prevention , saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would extend its lockdown into June .
In California , health officials said two people with coronavirus died in the state weeks before the first reported U.S. death from the disease on Feb. 29 in Washington state .
The finding shows that COVID-19 had been circulating in the U.S. earlier than was previously thought .
The economic fallout from the crisis mounted as oil prices suffered an epic collapse and U.S. stocks registered their worst loss in weeks Tuesday on Wall Street .
The U.S. Senate approved nearly $ 500 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and testing .
In North Carolina , where Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper is keeping in place his stay-home order for at least another week , hundreds marched around the executive mansion on Tuesday .
At the Missouri Capitol , several hundred with the same demands waved the American flag and chanted `` USA !
USA ! ''
And in Wisconsin , GOP legislative leaders asked the state Supreme Court to block an extension of the Democratic governor 's stay-home order .
Spain , one of the world 's worst-hit countries , planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week for the first time in nearly six weeks .
`` I am aware of the tremendous effort that the confinement has demanded of our smallest ones and their families , '' Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said .
The country 's death toll reached nearly 22,000 , behind only the United States and Italy , after 435 more deaths were reported Wednesday .
But the numbers reflected a plateauing of the outbreak .
In another hopeful sign , a large makeshift morgue at an ice rink closed .
India partially eased one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , but health officials fear a surge in cases .
Starting in May , the country is planning to use wristbands fitted with an app to track people 's movements and body temperature .
The technology is aimed at easing the vast manpower needed to track the virus among the country 's 1.3 billion people .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

One of the grimmest symbols of the coronavirus outbreak – a morgue set up in a Madrid skating rink – closed on Wednesday as stores and other businesses reopened in places across Europe, while the U.S. was beset with increasingly partisan disagreements over how and when to restart its economy.
As some governors in the U.S. – largely Republican ones – moved to reopen an ever-wider variety of businesses, others took a more cautious approach and came under mounting pressure from protesters complaining that their livelihoods are being destroyed and their freedom of movement is being infringed on.
With the crisis easing but far from over in Europe, small shops in Berlin reopened, and restrictions were also relaxed in Denmark and Austria. In France, long lines formed outside the few McDonald's drive-thrus that started serving customers again.
Still, many employees and customers were uneasy, suggesting that a return to normal is a long way off.
"Of course I'm happy that I can open again and we can keep our heads above water," said Galina Hooge, who opened her small Berlin toy store for the first time in over a month. But she worried that some Germans still aren't taking the outbreak seriously.
"Relaxing the rules doesn't mean that everything is over. It's not over by a long stretch," she said.
Across the Atlantic in Savannah, Georgia, where Gov. Brian Kemp announced that gyms and salons can reopen this week, gym owner Mark Lebos said it would be professional negligence to do so right now.
"We are not going to be a vector of death and suffering," he said.
The outbreak has infected over 2.5 million people and killed about 180,000 around the world, including more than 45,000 in the U.S., according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University from official government figures, though the true numbers are believed to be far higher.
Although some hot spots like Italy, Spain, and New York have seen a drop in daily death tolls and new hospitalizations, other areas are facing a resurgence of the coronavirus.
Singapore, once a model of virus tracking and prevention, saw an explosion of new cases and announced it would extend its lockdown into June.
In California, health officials said two people with coronavirus died in the state weeks before the first reported U.S. death from the disease on Feb. 29 in Washington state. The finding shows that COVID-19 had been circulating in the U.S. earlier than was previously thought.
The economic fallout from the crisis mounted as oil prices suffered an epic collapse and U.S. stocks registered their worst loss in weeks Tuesday on Wall Street. The U.S. Senate approved nearly $500 billion in coronavirus aid for businesses, hospitals, and testing.
In North Carolina, where Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is keeping in place his stay-home order for at least another week, hundreds marched around the executive mansion on Tuesday. At the Missouri Capitol, several hundred with the same demands waved the American flag and chanted "USA! USA!"
And in Wisconsin, GOP legislative leaders asked the state Supreme Court to block an extension of the Democratic governor's stay-home order.
Spain, one of the world's worst-hit countries, planned to allow children out of their homes next week for the first time in nearly six weeks.
"I am aware of the tremendous effort that the confinement has demanded of our smallest ones and their families," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said.
The country's death toll reached nearly 22,000, behind only the United States and Italy, after 435 more deaths were reported Wednesday. But the numbers reflected a plateauing of the outbreak.
In another hopeful sign, a large makeshift morgue at an ice rink closed.
India partially eased one of the world's strictest lockdowns this week, but health officials fear a surge in cases. Starting in May, the country is planning to use wristbands fitted with an app to track people's movements and body temperature.
The technology is aimed at easing the vast manpower needed to track the virus among the country's 1.3 billion people.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


ezorigin--2020-05-05--Test, trace, isolate: Role of apps in combating coronavirus

As governments around the world consider how to monitor new coronavirus outbreaks while reopening their societies , many are starting to bet on smartphone apps to help stanch the pandemic .
But their decisions on which technologies to use – and how far those allow authorities to peer into private lives – are highlighting some uncomfortable tradeoffs between protecting privacy and public health .
`` There are conflicting interests , '' said Tina White , a Stanford University researcher who first introduced a privacy-protecting approach in February .
`` Governments and public health [ agencies ] want to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 , but people are less likely to download a voluntary app if it is intrusive , she said .
Medical researchers say that containing infectious disease outbreaks boils down to a simple mantra : test , trace , and isolate .
Today , that means identifying people who test positive for the novel coronavirus , tracking down others they might have infected , and preventing further spread by quarantining everyone who might be contagious .
That second step requires an army of healthcare workers to question coronavirus carriers about recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and potentially isolated .
Smartphone apps potentially speed up that process by collecting data about your movements and alerting you if you 've spent time near a confirmed coronavirus carrier .
The more detailed that data , the more it could help regional governments identify and contain emerging disease `` hot spots . ''
But data collected by governments can also be abused by governments – or their private-sector partners .
Some countries and local governments are issuing voluntary government-designed apps that make information directly available to public health authorities .
In Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downloaded such an app touted by the prime minister , who compared it to the ease of applying sunscreen and said more app downloads would bring about a `` more liberated economy and society . ''
Utah is the first U.S. state to embrace a similar approach , one developed by a social media startup previously focused on helping young people hang out with nearby friends .
Both these apps record a digital trail of the strangers an individual encountered .
Utah 's goes even further , using a device 's location to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ user has visited .
The app is `` a tool to help jog the memory of the person who is positive so we can more readily identify where they 've been , who they 've been in contact with , if they choose to allow that , '' said Angela Dunn , Utah 's state epidemiologist .
A competing approach under development by tech giants Apple and Google limits the information collected and anonymizes what it pulls in so that such personalized tracking is n't possible .
Apple and Google have pushed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model , offering an app-building interface they say will work smoothly on billions of phones when the software rolls out sometime in May .
Germany and a growing number of European countries have aligned with that approach , while others , such as France and the UK , have argued for more government access to app data .
Most coronavirus-tracking apps rely on Bluetooth , a decades-old short-range wireless technology , to locate other phones nearby that are running the same app .
The Bluetooth apps keep a temporary record of the signals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the app is later confirmed to have COVID-19 , public health authorities can use that stored data to identify and notify other people who may have been exposed .
Apple and Google say that apps built to their specifications will work across most iPhones and Android devices , eliminating compatibility problems .
They have also forbidden governments to make their apps compulsory and are building in privacy protections to keep stored data out of government and corporate hands and ease concerns about surveillance .
For instance , these apps rely on encrypted `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone ; these are n't stored in government databases and are designed to conceal individual identities and connections .
Public-health officials are n't even in the loop ; these apps would notify users directly of their possible exposure and urge them to get tested .
In the United States , developers are pitching their apps directly to state and local governments .
In Utah , the social media company Twenty sold state officials on an approach combining Bluetooth with satellite-based GPS signals .
That would let trained health workers help connect the dots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's unlikely that automated alerts are going to be enough , '' said Jared Allgood , Twenty 's chief strategy officer and a Utah resident , citing estimates that the peer-to-peer models would need most people participating to be effective .
North and South Dakota are pursuing a similar model after a local startup repurposed its existing Bison Tracker app , originally designed to connect fans of North Dakota State University 's athletic teams .
Regardless of the approach , none of these apps will be effective at breaking chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. can ramp up coronavirus testing and hire more health workers to do manual outreach .
Another big limitation : many people , particularly in vulnerable populations , do n't carry smartphones .
In Singapore , for instance , a large migrant worker population lives in cramped dorms , makes about $ 15 a day , and powers the city 's previously booming construction industry – but smartphone usage in this group is low .
When the Southeast Asian city-state launched its tracing app in March , total confirmed COVID-19 cases were well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a rash of new infections in worker dormitories pushed that number to more than 18,000 , triggering new lockdown policies .
`` If we can find a way to automate some of the detective work with technology , I think that would be a significant help , '' said Nadia Abuelezam , a disease researcher at Boston College .
`` It wo n't be all we need . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Zen Soo in Hong Kong ; Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Utah ; Kelvin Chan in London ; James MacPherson in Bismarck , North Dakota ; and Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls , South Dakota , contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

As governments around the world consider how to monitor new coronavirus outbreaks while reopening their societies, many are starting to bet on smartphone apps to help stanch the pandemic.
But their decisions on which technologies to use – and how far those allow authorities to peer into private lives – are highlighting some uncomfortable tradeoffs between protecting privacy and public health.
"There are conflicting interests," said Tina White, a Stanford University researcher who first introduced a privacy-protecting approach in February. "Governments and public health [agencies] want to be able to track people" to minimize the spread of COVID-19, but people are less likely to download a voluntary app if it is intrusive, she said.
Medical researchers say that containing infectious disease outbreaks boils down to a simple mantra: test, trace, and isolate. Today, that means identifying people who test positive for the novel coronavirus, tracking down others they might have infected, and preventing further spread by quarantining everyone who might be contagious.
That second step requires an army of healthcare workers to question coronavirus carriers about recent contacts so those people can be tested and potentially isolated.
Smartphone apps potentially speed up that process by collecting data about your movements and alerting you if you've spent time near a confirmed coronavirus carrier. The more detailed that data, the more it could help regional governments identify and contain emerging disease "hot spots." But data collected by governments can also be abused by governments – or their private-sector partners.
Some countries and local governments are issuing voluntary government-designed apps that make information directly available to public health authorities.
In Australia, more than 3 million people have downloaded such an app touted by the prime minister, who compared it to the ease of applying sunscreen and said more app downloads would bring about a "more liberated economy and society." Utah is the first U.S. state to embrace a similar approach, one developed by a social media startup previously focused on helping young people hang out with nearby friends.
Both these apps record a digital trail of the strangers an individual encountered. Utah's goes even further, using a device's location to help track which restaurants or stores a user has visited.
The app is "a tool to help jog the memory of the person who is positive so we can more readily identify where they've been, who they've been in contact with, if they choose to allow that," said Angela Dunn, Utah's state epidemiologist.
A competing approach under development by tech giants Apple and Google limits the information collected and anonymizes what it pulls in so that such personalized tracking isn't possible.
Apple and Google have pushed for public health agencies to adopt their privacy-oriented model, offering an app-building interface they say will work smoothly on billions of phones when the software rolls out sometime in May. Germany and a growing number of European countries have aligned with that approach, while others, such as France and the UK, have argued for more government access to app data.
Most coronavirus-tracking apps rely on Bluetooth, a decades-old short-range wireless technology, to locate other phones nearby that are running the same app.
The Bluetooth apps keep a temporary record of the signals they encounter. If one person using the app is later confirmed to have COVID-19, public health authorities can use that stored data to identify and notify other people who may have been exposed.
Apple and Google say that apps built to their specifications will work across most iPhones and Android devices, eliminating compatibility problems. They have also forbidden governments to make their apps compulsory and are building in privacy protections to keep stored data out of government and corporate hands and ease concerns about surveillance.
For instance, these apps rely on encrypted "peer-to-peer" signals sent from phone to phone; these aren't stored in government databases and are designed to conceal individual identities and connections. Public-health officials aren't even in the loop; these apps would notify users directly of their possible exposure and urge them to get tested.
In the United States, developers are pitching their apps directly to state and local governments. In Utah, the social media company Twenty sold state officials on an approach combining Bluetooth with satellite-based GPS signals. That would let trained health workers help connect the dots and discover previously hidden clusters of infection.
"It's unlikely that automated alerts are going to be enough," said Jared Allgood, Twenty's chief strategy officer and a Utah resident, citing estimates that the peer-to-peer models would need most people participating to be effective.
North and South Dakota are pursuing a similar model after a local startup repurposed its existing Bison Tracker app, originally designed to connect fans of North Dakota State University's athletic teams.
Regardless of the approach, none of these apps will be effective at breaking chains of viral infections unless countries like the U.S. can ramp up coronavirus testing and hire more health workers to do manual outreach.
Another big limitation: many people, particularly in vulnerable populations, don't carry smartphones.
In Singapore, for instance, a large migrant worker population lives in cramped dorms, makes about $15 a day, and powers the city's previously booming construction industry – but smartphone usage in this group is low. When the Southeast Asian city-state launched its tracing app in March, total confirmed COVID-19 cases were well under 1,000. Then in early April, a rash of new infections in worker dormitories pushed that number to more than 18,000, triggering new lockdown policies.
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"If we can find a way to automate some of the detective work with technology, I think that would be a significant help," said Nadia Abuelezam, a disease researcher at Boston College. "It won't be all we need."
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Zen Soo in Hong Kong; Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia; Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City, Utah; Kelvin Chan in London; James MacPherson in Bismarck, North Dakota; and Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.