vox--2020-04-18--Report: The CDC contaminated its first coronavirus tests, setting US back on testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) failed to follow appropriate manufacturing procedures while developing the United States ’ coronavirus test , resulting in contamination that delayed making tests available nationwide , according to an investigation by the Washington Post ’ s David Willman .
News of the mishap comes as states are grappling with how and when to reopen their economies .
That can ’ t be done safely until widespread testing is available , and experts say the US is woefully behind .
The CDC violated its own standards when developing the testing kits in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ synthetic coronavirus material , the Post reported .
This led to contamination of one of the components used in the tests , which is believed to have caused false positives in the first batch of tests .
The CDC took more than a month to correct the issue , hindering efforts to limit the early spread of the coronavirus in the US .
Federal officials told the Post the Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the development of the original kits , which was first flagged in January when 24 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health departments showed false positives .
The error — and the delay in fixing it — likely contributed to a delay in testing that allowed the virus to spread undetected .
The genetic sequence for the coronavirus , which allowed scientists to begin developing a test to detect it , was made available worldwide on January 12 .
In countries like China , Germany , and South Korea , scientists used this information to make rapid , widespread testing available , which helped officials track the virus and develop containment strategies .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more complex test aimed at distinguishing the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , from other coronaviruses — such as the one that causes SARS .
The test component used to do so was likely the one that was contaminated , the Post reported .
And even though distinguishing SARS-Cov-2 from other coronaviruses was eventually deemed unnecessary , there was a lengthy delay in jettisoning that component .
On February 28 , nearly 50 days after the virus ’ s genetic sequence was made available , the Food and Drug Administration approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used in the US , and an outside contractor manufactured the rest of the tests the agency had planned to provide .
The next day , the first person in the US died from the virus .
Now , there are more than 716,000 confirmed cases and more than 37,000 deaths as of April 18 .
The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Vox , but spokesman Benjamin Haynes told the Post there was insufficient “ quality control ” in its test development and said that diagnostic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by late March .
The United States ’ sluggish testing rollout could have exacerbated the spread of the virus in the country The US began testing slowly , and didn ’ t regularly hit more than 1,000 tests performed daily until nearly mid-March .
Prior to that point , the coronavirus was spreading throughout many communities without reliable detection .
Many states also waited until mid-March to begin ratcheting up social distancing restrictions designed to slow the spread of the virus .
If testing had been available sooner , it may have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far the virus spread by allowing officials to track it , to isolate people confirmed to be infected , and to quarantine anyone those people came into contact with .
“ If there ’ s enough testing around and people are willing to be tested , the brushfires can be identified and put out before the wildfire , ” Jeffrey Martin , an epidemiologist at the University of California San Francisco , told Vox ’ s German Lopez .
“ The only way that a society can function is if the brushfires are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , testing capacity in the US has surged .
But experts say at least three times as many tests would need to be performed daily nationwide before social distancing restrictions could be safely eased .
Without this sort of increase in testing , it will be impossible for officials to assess the decline of the disease with certainty .
“ I want to be able to identify everybody who is even mildly symptomatic , ” Ashish Jha , the director of the Harvard Global Health Institute , told Keith Collins of the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake up one morning and have a sore throat and a fever , I should be able to go get tested .
And then I want to be able to test all of my contacts if I turn out to be positive , so that I can do the test , trace , and isolate strategy that ’ s so critical to allowing us to open up and stay open.
” That ’ s bad news for state governors , who are stuck between protecting public health by continuing stringent statewide quarantines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s shaping up to be a globally catastrophic economic downturn .
Multiple state governors are choosing to ease some restrictions — such as allowing access to parks and golf courses — this week , and regional consortiums of governors say they ’ re working on plans to allow people to go back to work .
But epidemiologists say there ’ s a possibility that states reopening businesses and easing social distancing requirements too quickly could lead to a second wave of cases and deaths — in a worst-case scenario , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead .
With more testing , it would be easier for scientists to determine whether it ’ s safe to return to some semblance of normalcy .
But as state and local officials struggle to get the supplies they need to do widespread testing , it ’ s likely that any reopenings that do occur will carry more risk than they should , and that many Americans should prepare to spend yet more time at home .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contribution to Vox today .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) failed to follow appropriate manufacturing procedures while developing the United States’ coronavirus test, resulting in contamination that delayed making tests available nationwide, according to an investigation by the Washington Post’s David Willman.
News of the mishap comes as states are grappling with how and when to reopen their economies. That can’t be done safely until widespread testing is available, and experts say the US is woefully behind.
The CDC violated its own standards when developing the testing kits in a lab that was also working with synthetic coronavirus material, the Post reported. This led to contamination of one of the components used in the tests, which is believed to have caused false positives in the first batch of tests. The CDC took more than a month to correct the issue, hindering efforts to limit the early spread of the coronavirus in the US.
Federal officials told the Post the Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the development of the original kits, which was first flagged in January when 24 of 26 test kits sent out to public health departments showed false positives.
The error — and the delay in fixing it — likely contributed to a delay in testing that allowed the virus to spread undetected.
The genetic sequence for the coronavirus, which allowed scientists to begin developing a test to detect it, was made available worldwide on January 12. In countries like China, Germany, and South Korea, scientists used this information to make rapid, widespread testing available, which helped officials track the virus and develop containment strategies.
But in the US, scientists developed a more complex test aimed at distinguishing the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, from other coronaviruses — such as the one that causes SARS. The test component used to do so was likely the one that was contaminated, the Post reported. And even though distinguishing SARS-Cov-2 from other coronaviruses was eventually deemed unnecessary, there was a lengthy delay in jettisoning that component.
On February 28, nearly 50 days after the virus’s genetic sequence was made available, the Food and Drug Administration approved the CDC’s existing tests to be used in the US, and an outside contractor manufactured the rest of the tests the agency had planned to provide.
The next day, the first person in the US died from the virus. Now, there are more than 716,000 confirmed cases and more than 37,000 deaths as of April 18.
The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Vox, but spokesman Benjamin Haynes told the Post there was insufficient “quality control” in its test development and said that diagnostic kits were being used in every state by late March.
The United States’ sluggish testing rollout could have exacerbated the spread of the virus in the country
The US began testing slowly, and didn’t regularly hit more than 1,000 tests performed daily until nearly mid-March.
Prior to that point, the coronavirus was spreading throughout many communities without reliable detection. Many states also waited until mid-March to begin ratcheting up social distancing restrictions designed to slow the spread of the virus.
If testing had been available sooner, it may have made a difference in how quickly and how far the virus spread by allowing officials to track it, to isolate people confirmed to be infected, and to quarantine anyone those people came into contact with.
“If there’s enough testing around and people are willing to be tested, the brushfires can be identified and put out before the wildfire,” Jeffrey Martin, an epidemiologist at the University of California San Francisco, told Vox’s German Lopez. “The only way that a society can function is if the brushfires are identified and put out.”
Since mid-March, testing capacity in the US has surged. But experts say at least three times as many tests would need to be performed daily nationwide before social distancing restrictions could be safely eased. Without this sort of increase in testing, it will be impossible for officials to assess the decline of the disease with certainty.
“I want to be able to identify everybody who is even mildly symptomatic,” Ashish Jha, the director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, told Keith Collins of the New York Times. “So when I wake up one morning and have a sore throat and a fever, I should be able to go get tested. And then I want to be able to test all of my contacts if I turn out to be positive, so that I can do the test, trace, and isolate strategy that’s so critical to allowing us to open up and stay open.”
That’s bad news for state governors, who are stuck between protecting public health by continuing stringent statewide quarantines, and being pressured to reopen businesses under what’s shaping up to be a globally catastrophic economic downturn. Multiple state governors are choosing to ease some restrictions — such as allowing access to parks and golf courses — this week, and regional consortiums of governors say they’re working on plans to allow people to go back to work.
But epidemiologists say there’s a possibility that states reopening businesses and easing social distancing requirements too quickly could lead to a second wave of cases and deaths — in a worst-case scenario, that could mean up to 1.7 million Americans dead.
With more testing, it would be easier for scientists to determine whether it’s safe to return to some semblance of normalcy. But as state and local officials struggle to get the supplies they need to do widespread testing, it’s likely that any reopenings that do occur will carry more risk than they should, and that many Americans should prepare to spend yet more time at home.


vox--2020-04-18--Private debt collectors can seize stimulus checks. Some states are trying to stop them.

Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown signed an executive order on Friday that prohibits debt collectors from seizing federal stimulus checks meant to help Americans endure the economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Brown ’ s order is the latest state-level effort to protect the relief measure from being taken by debt collectors under a process known as garnishment — something creditors can legally do given neither Congress nor the Treasury Department took steps to ensure the checks are exempt from seizure .
“ Many Oregonians , through no fault of their own , are struggling to pay their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy essentials like groceries and prescription drugs , ” said Brown in a statement .
“ These recovery checks were meant to provide relief , not reward debt collection agencies for preying on Oregonians who have lost their livelihoods.
” As the Hill notes , Brown ’ s order protects the stimulus checks , which can be up to $ 1,200 for an individual , from garnishment the way other federal aid is , like Social Security , disability , and veterans ’ benefits .
Earlier this week , the governors of Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect stimulus checks from garnishment .
“ That stimulus check should help to pay for the necessities — food , rent , that type of thing , ” said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson after Gov .
Jay Inslee issued a protective proclamation on Tuesday .
“ It should not be garnished to pay for medical bills .
That would not be right.
” Inslee ’ s proclamation suspends statutes allowing for consumer debt collecting through bank account garnishment and wage garnishment , while the Illinois proclamation restricts asset discovery as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the CARES Act that authorized the stimulus , the checks are protected from being collected by most federal and state debt collectors .
( Notably , they ’ re not exempt from unpaid child support . )
But the checks are not shielded from private creditors collecting debt on things like medical bills , credit card bills , or private student loans .
A group of 25 attorneys general wrote a letter to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin last week calling for him to exempt the stimulus checks from private debt collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the American Prospect , the Treasury Department was aware of the debt collection provision , and appears to have given collectors a green light .
Millions of Americans could have their stimulus checks garnished About 70 million consumers report being in debt or being contacted about debt , according to a 2017 survey by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau .
Experts believe millions of Americans are likely to have their stimulus checks garnished by private lenders — and those likely to be targeted are those who need relief the most .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are disproportionately poor , are the ones at greatest risk .
Ironically , those are the same folks who are most in need of the checks and may be most in need of assistance to provide their families shelter , food and medicine , ” Brent Adams of the Woodstock Institute , a Chicago-based economic development agency , told ABC News .
Exacerbating the problem further is that many people who believe they have wrongfully had their bank accounts dipped into won ’ t be able to seek legal recourse any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have closed for nonessential business .
As Dayen reported for the American Prospect last week , it ’ s not just private collectors that are able to garnish the stimulus checks : The Treasury Department “ effectively blessed ” the idea of banks garnishing stimulus checks during a webinar with banking officials earlier in April .
Banks were reportedly told they would be “ first in line ” to take money from the stimulus money to cover things like delinquent loans or past-due fees .
Consumer advocates have been outraged by the maneuver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are desperate to buy food , the idea that anybody would grab [ the $ 1,200 payments ] , let alone the banks they trust with their money , is appalling , ” Lauren Saunders , associate director with the National Consumer Law Center , told the American Prospect .
A number of Democratic senators — as well as Republican Sen. Josh Hawley — have requested the Treasury Department bar private collectors from garnishing the checks .
At the moment , however , it ’ s looking like the only successful efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking place on a state level .
But even in states where governors are taking action , consumer advocates are calling for more sweeping measures .
For example , in Illinois , where Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has announced a suspension of debt collection laws , consumer advocates have called for the governor to issue an order that would force debt collectors like payday lenders to manually , rather than automatically , obtain payment from debtors , and to charge no late fees .
They also called on the governor to threaten to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t comply .
In some states , there are existing laws that could protect the stimulus checks .
Ohio Attorney General David Yost , for example , has warned creditors that the checks can ’ t be garnished under state law .
Nebraska ’ s attorney general told creditors to “ proceed with caution.
” If the purpose of the stimulus really is to help people who have lost income and get them to spend money , it would seem that a federal solution handled by the Treasury Department would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed an executive order on Friday that prohibits debt collectors from seizing federal stimulus checks meant to help Americans endure the economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Brown’s order is the latest state-level effort to protect the relief measure from being taken by debt collectors under a process known as garnishment — something creditors can legally do given neither Congress nor the Treasury Department took steps to ensure the checks are exempt from seizure.
“Many Oregonians, through no fault of their own, are struggling to pay their bills, their rent, or even buy essentials like groceries and prescription drugs,” said Brown in a statement. “These recovery checks were meant to provide relief, not reward debt collection agencies for preying on Oregonians who have lost their livelihoods.”
As the Hill notes, Brown’s order protects the stimulus checks, which can be up to $1,200 for an individual, from garnishment the way other federal aid is, like Social Security, disability, and veterans’ benefits.
Earlier this week, the governors of Illinois and Washington state also signed orders to protect stimulus checks from garnishment. “That stimulus check should help to pay for the necessities — food, rent, that type of thing,” said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson after Gov. Jay Inslee issued a protective proclamation on Tuesday. “It should not be garnished to pay for medical bills. That would not be right.”
Inslee’s proclamation suspends statutes allowing for consumer debt collecting through bank account garnishment and wage garnishment, while the Illinois proclamation restricts asset discovery as well as summons for wage deduction and garnishment.
Under the CARES Act that authorized the stimulus, the checks are protected from being collected by most federal and state debt collectors. (Notably, they’re not exempt from unpaid child support.) But the checks are not shielded from private creditors collecting debt on things like medical bills, credit card bills, or private student loans.
A group of 25 attorneys general wrote a letter to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin last week calling for him to exempt the stimulus checks from private debt collection. But as David Dayen has reported for the American Prospect, the Treasury Department was aware of the debt collection provision, and appears to have given collectors a green light.
Millions of Americans could have their stimulus checks garnished
About 70 million consumers report being in debt or being contacted about debt, according to a 2017 survey by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Experts believe millions of Americans are likely to have their stimulus checks garnished by private lenders — and those likely to be targeted are those who need relief the most.
“The folks who owe people money, who are disproportionately poor, are the ones at greatest risk. Ironically, those are the same folks who are most in need of the checks and may be most in need of assistance to provide their families shelter, food and medicine,” Brent Adams of the Woodstock Institute, a Chicago-based economic development agency, told ABC News.
Exacerbating the problem further is that many people who believe they have wrongfully had their bank accounts dipped into won’t be able to seek legal recourse any time soon, since courts in many states have closed for nonessential business.
As Dayen reported for the American Prospect last week, it’s not just private collectors that are able to garnish the stimulus checks: The Treasury Department “effectively blessed” the idea of banks garnishing stimulus checks during a webinar with banking officials earlier in April. Banks were reportedly told they would be “first in line” to take money from the stimulus money to cover things like delinquent loans or past-due fees.
Consumer advocates have been outraged by the maneuver. “At a time when people are desperate to buy food, the idea that anybody would grab [the $1,200 payments], let alone the banks they trust with their money, is appalling,” Lauren Saunders, associate director with the National Consumer Law Center, told the American Prospect.
A number of Democratic senators — as well as Republican Sen. Josh Hawley — have requested the Treasury Department bar private collectors from garnishing the checks. At the moment, however, it’s looking like the only successful efforts to shield recipients of the stimulus checks is taking place on a state level.
But even in states where governors are taking action, consumer advocates are calling for more sweeping measures. For example, in Illinois, where Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced a suspension of debt collection laws, consumer advocates have called for the governor to issue an order that would force debt collectors like payday lenders to manually, rather than automatically, obtain payment from debtors, and to charge no late fees. They also called on the governor to threaten to take away business licenses from companies that don’t comply.
In some states, there are existing laws that could protect the stimulus checks. Ohio Attorney General David Yost, for example, has warned creditors that the checks can’t be garnished under state law. Nebraska’s attorney general told creditors to “proceed with caution.”
If the purpose of the stimulus really is to help people who have lost income and get them to spend money, it would seem that a federal solution handled by the Treasury Department would be the most efficient way to deal with the issue.


vox--2020-04-18--How to get your stimulus check, and other key questions, answered

The IRS officially deposited the first wave of direct stimulus payments last weekend , the agency announced on Twitter .
The one-time “ Economic Impact Payments , ” which could be as much as $ 1,200 for an individual and $ 2,400 for a couple , are part of a recent stimulus package approved by Congress to help workers and businesses combat the widespread economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak .
People with children are eligible for an additional $ 500 per child under the age of 17 .
The payments are slated to be sent via either direct deposit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they won ’ t be subject to taxes themselves .
As the IRS starts sending out payments , many questions have emerged about who will qualify for them and the timing around their distribution .
Vox has some answers , below .
Who will receive the $ 1,200 direct payments ?
Direct payments will be distributed based on the adjusted gross income reported on an individual or couple ’ s 2018 and 2019 tax returns , broken down as follows : • Most adults who make less than an adjusted gross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 1,200 one-time payment .
Payments will go out to individuals whose income is as much as $ 99,000 , but those bringing in more than $ 75,000 won ’ t receive the full amount .
• Married couples without children will receive a total of $ 2,400 if their joint income is less than $ 150,000 annually .
Payments will go out to couples whose income is as much as $ 198,000 , but those bringing in more than $ 150,000 won ’ t receive the full amount .
• Households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for each child if the parent ’ s or parents ’ income qualifies for these payments and if the child is under age 17 .
• Taxpayers who have filed as “ head of household ” in the past will receive the full $ 1,200 if their income is less than $ 112,500 .
Payments will go out to heads of household whose income is as much as $ 136,500 , but those bringing in more than $ 112,500 won ’ t receive the full amount .
• The amount of the direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75,000 and couples making more than $ 150,000 will decrease $ 5 per every $ 100 an individual makes over $ 75,000 .
An individual with an income of $ 85,000 , for example , would receive a $ 700 payment .
• Those who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 will need to complete a separate online form in order to receive the direct payment .
Individuals must also have a Social Security number to qualify for a direct payment .
For more information , check out this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Who will not be eligible for a direct payment ?
• Adults who are claimed as dependents by other adults , including many college students , will not be eligible for a direct payment .
• As Vox ’ s Nicole Narea reports , many immigrants are excluded from the program .
People in households that include unauthorized immigrants are among those that could be cut out of the program , unless one of the partners in the household has served in the military in the past year .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but do not have legal status are also not eligible .
How can I obtain my direct payment ?
• For many adults , there ’ s no additional action required to obtain the direct payment : If people have filed a tax return in 2018 and 2019 , and included their direct deposit information in these filings , the payment will be automatically deposited by the IRS in the coming weeks .
• For those who have filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 , who did not include direct deposit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has an online tool that people can use to submit these details and expedite their payment .
The “ Get My Payment ” tool is now live on the IRS website , though it has encountered some glitches since its recent launch .
If you ’ re having trouble getting through , check back in the coming days as the agency works on updating the information it has on file and addressing the issues that have come up .
Those without bank information on file with the IRS who do not fill out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the mail .
• For those who have not filed tax returns in either year who receive Social Security or benefits , there is no need for an additional tax return .
The IRS will use the information in existing files to send the payment .
The agency intends to begin sending payments to Social Security beneficiaries who have direct deposit set up beginning in late April .
• For those who have not filed a tax return for either of those years because their gross income is below the $ 12,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they aren ’ t required to file taxes , the IRS now provides an online form for people to submit their information so they can receive these payments .
That form can be accessed through this link .
Information required for this form includes one ’ s Social Security number , name , address , and details about dependents .
Completing this form does not put people on the hook for any taxes , but it is required to obtain the direct payment , and including bank account deposit information can expedite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this question depends on if you have filed taxes in 2018 or 2019 .
• If you have filed taxes in either of those years — and the IRS has your bank account information — the direct payments are expected to be shared via direct deposit within the next few weeks .
The IRS began depositing these payments in the second week of April , and an estimated 80 million payments have been deposited already , according to the Treasury Department .
• The IRS is also able to mail checks directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return , but mailed checks are expected to take up to 20 weeks , or five months .
The Post indicates that individuals receiving checks by mail may not get them until as late as September .
The earliest round of checks distributed via mail will be sent in early May .
Checks will be mailed out to the lowest-income individuals first and later waves will be staggered based on income as well .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vox today .

The IRS officially deposited the first wave of direct stimulus payments last weekend, the agency announced on Twitter.
The one-time “Economic Impact Payments,” which could be as much as $1,200 for an individual and $2,400 for a couple, are part of a recent stimulus package approved by Congress to help workers and businesses combat the widespread economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak. People with children are eligible for an additional $500 per child under the age of 17.
The payments are slated to be sent via either direct deposit or the mail in the coming months, and they won’t be subject to taxes themselves.
As the IRS starts sending out payments, many questions have emerged about who will qualify for them and the timing around their distribution. Vox has some answers, below.
Who will receive the $1,200 direct payments?
Direct payments will be distributed based on the adjusted gross income reported on an individual or couple’s 2018 and 2019 tax returns, broken down as follows:
Most adults who make less than an adjusted gross income of $75,000 annually will receive a $1,200 one-time payment. Payments will go out to individuals whose income is as much as $99,000, but those bringing in more than $75,000 won’t receive the full amount.
Married couples without children will receive a total of $2,400 if their joint income is less than $150,000 annually. Payments will go out to couples whose income is as much as $198,000, but those bringing in more than $150,000 won’t receive the full amount.
Households with children will also receive $500 for each child if the parent’s or parents’ income qualifies for these payments and if the child is under age 17.
Taxpayers who have filed as “head of household” in the past will receive the full $1,200 if their income is less than $112,500. Payments will go out to heads of household whose income is as much as $136,500, but those bringing in more than $112,500 won’t receive the full amount.
The amount of the direct payments for individuals making more than $75,000 and couples making more than $150,000 will decrease $5 per every $100 an individual makes over $75,000. An individual with an income of $85,000, for example, would receive a $700 payment.
Those who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 will need to complete a separate online form in order to receive the direct payment. Individuals must also have a Social Security number to qualify for a direct payment.
For more information, check out this explainer from Vox’s Dylan Matthews.
Who will not be eligible for a direct payment?
Adults who are claimed as dependents by other adults, including many college students, will not be eligible for a direct payment.
As Vox’s Nicole Narea reports, many immigrants are excluded from the program. People in households that include unauthorized immigrants are among those that could be cut out of the program, unless one of the partners in the household has served in the military in the past year. According to the Associated Press, immigrants who pay taxes but do not have legal status are also not eligible.
How can I obtain my direct payment?
For many adults, there’s no additional action required to obtain the direct payment: If people have filed a tax return in 2018 and 2019, and included their direct deposit information in these filings, the payment will be automatically deposited by the IRS in the coming weeks.
For those who have filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019, who did not include direct deposit information in those filings, the IRS has an online tool that people can use to submit these details and expedite their payment. The “Get My Payment” tool is now live on the IRS website, though it has encountered some glitches since its recent launch. If you’re having trouble getting through, check back in the coming days as the agency works on updating the information it has on file and addressing the issues that have come up.
Those without bank information on file with the IRS who do not fill out this form can expect to receive payments in the mail.
For those who have not filed tax returns in either year who receive Social Security or benefits, there is no need for an additional tax return. The IRS will use the information in existing files to send the payment. The agency intends to begin sending payments to Social Security beneficiaries who have direct deposit set up beginning in late April.
For those who have not filed a tax return for either of those years because their gross income is below the $12,200 threshold or for other reasons that mean they aren’t required to file taxes, the IRS now provides an online form for people to submit their information so they can receive these payments. That form can be accessed through this link.
Information required for this form includes one’s Social Security number, name, address, and details about dependents. Completing this form does not put people on the hook for any taxes, but it is required to obtain the direct payment, and including bank account deposit information can expedite the processing of that payment.
When will people receive direct payments?
The answer to this question depends on if you have filed taxes in 2018 or 2019.


vox--2020-04-18--Report: Amazon is using “thermal cameras” to monitor warehouse employees for fevers

Evidence-based explanations of the coronavirus crisis , from how it started to how it might end to how to protect yourself and others .
An exclusive Reuters investigation has revealed that Amazon.com is using thermal cameras in warehouses to screen workers for fevers , in hopes of preventing the spread of coronavirus at its facilities in the United States .
Reuters ’ Jeffrey Dastin and Krystal Hu explain that the cameras “ in effect measure how much heat people emit relative to their surroundings ” and “ require less time and contact than forehead thermometers , earlier adopted by Amazon.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Rebecca Heilweil explains , have become a common sight in China , where they ’ re a widely used surveillance tool for tracking infectious diseases .
Their use in US facilities like Amazon fulfillment centers is a more recent development due to coronavirus , and the remote thermal cameras are a still more recent adoption .
The forehead thermometers will remain as a secondary check for workers flagged by the thermal cameras ; some workers quoted by Dastin and Hu reported feeling unsafe about performing the thermometer checks , with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside her warehouse , and employees could not receive masks until after they had entered the building and had their temperatures taken , ” raising social distancing concerns .
Amazon told Reuters the thermal camera measure was taken “ to support the health and safety of our employees , who continue to provide a critical service in our communities.
” It comes after Amazon has faced vocal protests from workers who say the company isn ’ t adequately safeguarding workers at its warehouses and fulfillment centers .
These critiques have garnered a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have become more essential than ever as Americans staying at home turn to online ordering in lieu of brick-and-mortar stores .
As my colleagues Jason Del Rey and Shirin Ghaffary have reported , there have been reported cases of Covid-19 in at least two dozen Amazon facilities in the US .
These reports sparked worker protests demanding that the company “ provide paid leave for any warehouse worker who feels unsafe working through the pandemic ” and “ fully close down and deep-clean a facility if any of its employees are diagnosed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been fired by the company .
This April , the company fired warehouse worker Bashir Mohamed and corporate employees Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa , who all say they were punished for criticizing the company ’ s approach to worker safety .
An earlier firing , of fulfillment center worker Chris Smalls — who organized a mass walkout to demand a shutdown of his center in Staten Island — prompted an investigation from the New York City Commission on Human Rights and a letter of protest from several US senators .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zapolsky , reportedly later dismissed Smalls as “ not smart , or articulate.
” Smalls ’ s walkout was followed by similar actions by staff at the Amazon-owned Whole Foods grocery store chain .
Amazon has raised warehouse pay and pushed new sanitation efforts like “ staggered break times to promote social distancing , ” forehead thermometers , mask distribution , and now , the thermal cameras — but it has resisted demands for fulfillment center shutdowns and paid leave for all ( not just those with symptoms ) .
In one case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day after a worker tested positive .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

An exclusive Reuters investigation has revealed that Amazon.com is using thermal cameras in warehouses to screen workers for fevers, in hopes of preventing the spread of coronavirus at its facilities in the United States.
Reuters’ Jeffrey Dastin and Krystal Hu explain that the cameras “in effect measure how much heat people emit relative to their surroundings” and “require less time and contact than forehead thermometers, earlier adopted by Amazon.”
The forehead thermometers, as Recode’s Rebecca Heilweil explains, have become a common sight in China, where they’re a widely used surveillance tool for tracking infectious diseases. Their use in US facilities like Amazon fulfillment centers is a more recent development due to coronavirus, and the remote thermal cameras are a still more recent adoption.
The forehead thermometers will remain as a secondary check for workers flagged by the thermal cameras; some workers quoted by Dastin and Hu reported feeling unsafe about performing the thermometer checks, with one saying, “a line once formed outside her warehouse, and employees could not receive masks until after they had entered the building and had their temperatures taken,” raising social distancing concerns.
Amazon told Reuters the thermal camera measure was taken “to support the health and safety of our employees, who continue to provide a critical service in our communities.” It comes after Amazon has faced vocal protests from workers who say the company isn’t adequately safeguarding workers at its warehouses and fulfillment centers. These critiques have garnered a great degree of attention, while Amazon deliveries have become more essential than ever as Americans staying at home turn to online ordering in lieu of brick-and-mortar stores.
As my colleagues Jason Del Rey and Shirin Ghaffary have reported, there have been reported cases of Covid-19 in at least two dozen Amazon facilities in the US. These reports sparked worker protests demanding that the company “provide paid leave for any warehouse worker who feels unsafe working through the pandemic” and “fully close down and deep-clean a facility if any of its employees are diagnosed with Covid-19.”
Some of those raising concerns have been fired by the company. This April, the company fired warehouse worker Bashir Mohamed and corporate employees Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, who all say they were punished for criticizing the company’s approach to worker safety. An earlier firing, of fulfillment center worker Chris Smalls — who organized a mass walkout to demand a shutdown of his center in Staten Island — prompted an investigation from the New York City Commission on Human Rights and a letter of protest from several US senators. The company’s general counsel, David Zapolsky, reportedly later dismissed Smalls as “not smart, or articulate.” Smalls’s walkout was followed by similar actions by staff at the Amazon-owned Whole Foods grocery store chain.
Amazon has raised warehouse pay and pushed new sanitation efforts like “staggered break times to promote social distancing,” forehead thermometers, mask distribution, and now, the thermal cameras — but it has resisted demands for fulfillment center shutdowns and paid leave for all (not just those with symptoms). In one case it even reopened a distribution center just one day after a worker tested positive.


vox--2020-04-18--Trump’s new bailout program for farmers and ranchers, explained

President Donald Trump announced at a White House briefing on Friday that his administration will use $ 19 billion in funds already appropriated by Congress to aid farmers and ranchers during the coronavirus crisis .
“ The program will include direct payments to farmers , as well as mass purchases of dairy , meat and agricultural produce to get that food to the people in need , ” Trump said during the briefing .
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program , as the new initiative is called , will involve $ 16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference .
Initial funds will come through $ 6.5 billion in existing funding as part of the Commodity Credit Corporation , a New Deal-era subagency of the US Department of Agriculture tasked with stabilizing the agricultural sector through purchases , sales , and direct payments .
Those CCC funds will be supplemented with an additional $ 9.5 billion in coronavirus funds authorized by Congress through the CARES Act .
In addition to the $ 16 billion in direct payments , Perdue announced , “ the USDA will be purchasing $ 3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meat products to be distributed to Americans in need through our food bank networks , as well as other community and faith-based organizations.
” The new program comes after numerous reports that farmers are dumping milk , abandoning vegetables ready for harvest , and otherwise taking massive losses as they try to stay afloat amid the massive recession .
“ In Wisconsin and Ohio , farmers are dumping thousands of gallons of fresh milk into lagoons and manure pits , ” the New York Times ’ David Yaffe-Bellany and Michael Corkery reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has dug huge ditches to bury 1 million pounds of onions .
And in South Florida , a region that supplies much of the Eastern half of the United States with produce , tractors are crisscrossing bean and cabbage fields , plowing perfectly ripe vegetables back into the soil.
” “ Having to dump milk , or plow under vegetables ready to market is not only financially distressing , but it ’ s heartbreaking as well to those who produce them , ” Perdue said at the press conference .
“ This program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our farmers and ranchers , Mr. President , but will allow for the purchase and distribution of our agricultural abundance in this country to help our fellow Americans in need.
” Sen. John Hoeven ( R-ND ) , who chairs the Senate appropriations subcommittee responsible for agricultural funding , released more details on the new program .
Most of the funding , per his press release , will go to farmers of livestock : $ 5.1 billion to cattle farmers , $ 2.9 billion to dairy farmers , and $ 1.6 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be limited to $ 125,000 per commodity and $ 250,000 per the individual or entity who ’ s benefiting , to limit funds for massive agribusinesses .
They will be calculated as the combination of 85 percent of price losses from January 1 to April 15 , 2020 , and 30 percent of expected losses for the next two quarters after April 15 .
That will cushion some of the blow , but still leave farmers underwater , especially considering expected losses post-April 15 that will only be partially reimbursed .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cut food stamps The $ 3 billion in direct food provision to food banks comes despite Trump and Perdue ’ s efforts to slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) , colloquially known as “ food stamps.
” In 2018 , Perdue proposed a rule kicking 755,000 people off food stamps by tightening work requirements .
The rule was finalized last December , and was set to take effect on April 1 , but a federal judge stayed it , citing coronavirus concerns .
In 2019 , Perdue proposed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ categorical eligibility ” rules that would no longer allow people benefiting from other safety net programs , like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ( TANF ) , to be automatically enrolled in food stamps .
That rule has yet to be finalized .
Most recently , the administration and Congress failed to include an increase in SNAP benefits as part of the CARES Act stimulus legislation , which could have served as a complement to stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment for the poorest Americans as the recession worsens .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNAP are expected to reduce spending by $ 50 billion over 10 years , or about $ 5 billion annually .
That would swamp the $ 3 billion in food allocated to food banks as part of this new initiative to aid farmers .
Advocates for the food stamps program , like Center on Budget and Policy Priorities senior fellow Dottie Rosenbaum , have urged the White House and Department of Agriculture to stop pursuing their rule changes cutting SNAP , especially as more Americans need food assistance now than did when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite their comments on the need to support food stamps , Trump and Perdue have not followed that advice .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

President Donald Trump announced at a White House briefing on Friday that his administration will use $19 billion in funds already appropriated by Congress to aid farmers and ranchers during the coronavirus crisis.
“The program will include direct payments to farmers, as well as mass purchases of dairy, meat and agricultural produce to get that food to the people in need,” Trump said during the briefing.
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, as the new initiative is called, will involve $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue explained at the press conference. Initial funds will come through $6.5 billion in existing funding as part of the Commodity Credit Corporation, a New Deal-era subagency of the US Department of Agriculture tasked with stabilizing the agricultural sector through purchases, sales, and direct payments. Those CCC funds will be supplemented with an additional $9.5 billion in coronavirus funds authorized by Congress through the CARES Act.
In addition to the $16 billion in direct payments, Perdue announced, “the USDA will be purchasing $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to be distributed to Americans in need through our food bank networks, as well as other community and faith-based organizations.”
The new program comes after numerous reports that farmers are dumping milk, abandoning vegetables ready for harvest, and otherwise taking massive losses as they try to stay afloat amid the massive recession. “In Wisconsin and Ohio, farmers are dumping thousands of gallons of fresh milk into lagoons and manure pits,” the New York Times’ David Yaffe-Bellany and Michael Corkery reported on April 11. “An Idaho farmer has dug huge ditches to bury 1 million pounds of onions. And in South Florida, a region that supplies much of the Eastern half of the United States with produce, tractors are crisscrossing bean and cabbage fields, plowing perfectly ripe vegetables back into the soil.”
“Having to dump milk, or plow under vegetables ready to market is not only financially distressing, but it’s heartbreaking as well to those who produce them,” Perdue said at the press conference. “This program will not only provide direct financial relief to our farmers and ranchers, Mr. President, but will allow for the purchase and distribution of our agricultural abundance in this country to help our fellow Americans in need.”
Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), who chairs the Senate appropriations subcommittee responsible for agricultural funding, released more details on the new program. Most of the funding, per his press release, will go to farmers of livestock: $5.1 billion to cattle farmers, $2.9 billion to dairy farmers, and $1.6 billion to pig farmers. The payments will be limited to $125,000 per commodity and $250,000 per the individual or entity who’s benefiting, to limit funds for massive agribusinesses. They will be calculated as the combination of 85 percent of price losses from January 1 to April 15, 2020, and 30 percent of expected losses for the next two quarters after April 15.
That will cushion some of the blow, but still leave farmers underwater, especially considering expected losses post-April 15 that will only be partially reimbursed.
At the same time, Trump and Perdue want to cut food stamps
The $3 billion in direct food provision to food banks comes despite Trump and Perdue’s efforts to slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), colloquially known as “food stamps.” In 2018, Perdue proposed a rule kicking 755,000 people off food stamps by tightening work requirements. The rule was finalized last December, and was set to take effect on April 1, but a federal judge stayed it, citing coronavirus concerns.
In 2019, Perdue proposed an even bigger cut by suggesting a change to “categorical eligibility” rules that would no longer allow people benefiting from other safety net programs, like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), to be automatically enrolled in food stamps. That rule has yet to be finalized.
Most recently, the administration and Congress failed to include an increase in SNAP benefits as part of the CARES Act stimulus legislation, which could have served as a complement to stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment for the poorest Americans as the recession worsens.
The Trump administration has said its rule changes to SNAP are expected to reduce spending by $50 billion over 10 years, or about $5 billion annually. That would swamp the $3 billion in food allocated to food banks as part of this new initiative to aid farmers.
Advocates for the food stamps program, like Center on Budget and Policy Priorities senior fellow Dottie Rosenbaum, have urged the White House and Department of Agriculture to stop pursuing their rule changes cutting SNAP, especially as more Americans need food assistance now than did when the rules were proposed. So far, despite their comments on the need to support food stamps, Trump and Perdue have not followed that advice.


vox--2020-04-18--Some governors are easing coronavirus restrictions. Experts say it’s too soon.

A number of governors across the United States are easing coronavirus restrictions in their states or are announcing plans to do so , despite warnings from public health experts that the nation needs better and more widespread Covid-19 testing capacity before severe social distancing measures can be safely scaled back .
Friday , Gov .
Tim Walz of Minnesota reopened golf courses , bait shops , outdoor shooting ranges , parks , trails , driving ranges , and said other outdoor activities will be allowed .
Also on Friday , Gov .
Ron DeSantis of Florida allowed some beaches and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greg Abbott announced imminent plans to reopen state parks , allow retail stores to provide pickups , and to loosen surgery restrictions .
Meanwhile , groups of governors on the East Coast , West Coast , and Midwest announced pacts this week to work together to determine how and when to reopen their regional economies .
The announcements came as President Donald Trump began releasing guidance for governors on ways they could reengage the economy in phases .
Thursday , the president indicated it would be up to state leaders to decide when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in-person work , despite initially saying he has the “ ultimate authority ” on the matter .
With more than 700,000 cases and 37,000 deaths nationwide as of April 18 — as well as 22 million unemployment claims filed nationally in the last four weeks , state leaders weighing their choices are increasingly caught between public health concerns and suffering economies .
The International Monetary Fund has said the “ Great Lockdown ” is likely to cause the largest global economic meltdown since the Great Depression .
But in order to ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be certain that cases are actually decreasing , and that relaxed social distancing does not lead to an uptick in cases .
Vice President Mike Pence said April 17 that the “ best scientists and health experts assess that states today have enough tests to implement the criteria of phase one , if they choose.
” But leading experts disagree .
While the country has come a long way since early March , nationwide testing is still floundering , with levels too low to paint a comprehensive picture of how the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear whether people congregating — as they did at Florida beaches Friday after restrictions were lifted there — is safe .
More robust testing is necessary to ease restrictions According to the Covid Tracking Project , the US has averaged fewer than 150,000 tests per day over the last week .
Researchers at Harvard University estimate that to reopen the US by the middle of May , daily tests would need to be closer to 500,000 to 700,000 .
And other experts argue millions of tests would need to be conducted each day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US — about 20 percent — suggests testing is currently inadequate .
Experts at the World Health Organization have said countries with robust testing find positive results in fewer than 10 percent of tests , the New York Times notes .
This typically indicates a country is testing a wide swath of people , rather than only those who are symptomatic , as US guidelines currently dictate .
To have its confirmed case rate more closely match other countries believed to have similar rates of infection , the US will need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part , this is what social distancing strategies were instituted to help do .
“ The whole point of this social distancing is to buy us time to build up capacity to do the types of public health interventions we know work , ” Natalie Dean , a biostatistics professor at the University of Florida , told Vox ’ s German Lopez .
“ If we ’ re not using this time to scale up testing to the level that we need it to be … we don ’ t have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift things , we ’ re no better equipped than we were before.
” But testing has recently plateaued , which state officials say is due to shortages in testing equipment like nasal swabs , reagents , test kits , testing machines , and personal protective equipment .
Others argue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s narrow testing criteria — which prioritizes testing for vulnerable populations , health care workers and hospitalized patients — is leaving many ineligible for testing , Politico ’ s David Lim reported .
Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robust testing will make it possible to trace the spread of the disease if people return to work .
“ I want to be able to identify everybody who is even mildly symptomatic , ” Ashish Jha , the director of the Harvard Global Health Institute , told Keith Collins of the New York Times .
“ So when I wake up one morning and have a sore throat and a fever , I should be able to go get tested .
And then I want to be able to test all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be positive , so that I can do the test , trace , and isolate strategy that ’ s so critical to allowing us to open up and stay open.
” Epidemiologists say there ’ s a possibility states reopening businesses and easing social distancing requirements too quickly could lead to a second wave of cases and deaths — in a worst-case scenario , that could mean up to 1.7 million Americans dead .
That projection , is of course , based on a number of assumptions that may not be met .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : As scientists learn more about the coronavirus and its spread , there ’ s a chance some intervention could make it possible for the country to safely reopen more quickly .
However , it ’ s more likely that states are far from ready to reopen their economies — and that the public should plan to hunker down for stringent social distancing a little longer .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to @ @ @

A number of governors across the United States are easing coronavirus restrictions in their states or are announcing plans to do so, despite warnings from public health experts that the nation needs better and more widespread Covid-19 testing capacity before severe social distancing measures can be safely scaled back.
Friday, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota reopened golf courses, bait shops, outdoor shooting ranges, parks, trails, driving ranges, and said other outdoor activities will be allowed. Also on Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida allowed some beaches and parks to reopen and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced imminent plans to reopen state parks, allow retail stores to provide pickups, and to loosen surgery restrictions.
Meanwhile, groups of governors on the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest announced pacts this week to work together to determine how and when to reopen their regional economies.
The announcements came as President Donald Trump began releasing guidance for governors on ways they could reengage the economy in phases. Thursday, the president indicated it would be up to state leaders to decide when to roll back restrictions on social distancing and in-person work, despite initially saying he has the “ultimate authority” on the matter.
With more than 700,000 cases and 37,000 deaths nationwide as of April 18 — as well as 22 million unemployment claims filed nationally in the last four weeks, state leaders weighing their choices are increasingly caught between public health concerns and suffering economies. The International Monetary Fund has said the “Great Lockdown” is likely to cause the largest global economic meltdown since the Great Depression.
But in order to ease restrictions, states would need widespread testing to be certain that cases are actually decreasing, and that relaxed social distancing does not lead to an uptick in cases.
Vice President Mike Pence said April 17 that the “best scientists and health experts assess that states today have enough tests to implement the criteria of phase one, if they choose.” But leading experts disagree. While the country has come a long way since early March, nationwide testing is still floundering, with levels too low to paint a comprehensive picture of how the virus is spreading in states, making it unclear whether people congregating — as they did at Florida beaches Friday after restrictions were lifted there — is safe.
More robust testing is necessary to ease restrictions
According to the Covid Tracking Project, the US has averaged fewer than 150,000 tests per day over the last week. Researchers at Harvard University estimate that to reopen the US by the middle of May, daily tests would need to be closer to 500,000 to 700,000. And other experts argue millions of tests would need to be conducted each day.
And the rate of positive tests in the US — about 20 percent — suggests testing is currently inadequate. Experts at the World Health Organization have said countries with robust testing find positive results in fewer than 10 percent of tests, the New York Times notes. This typically indicates a country is testing a wide swath of people, rather than only those who are symptomatic, as US guidelines currently dictate.
To have its confirmed case rate more closely match other countries believed to have similar rates of infection, the US will need to scale up testing rapidly — and in part, this is what social distancing strategies were instituted to help do.
“The whole point of this social distancing is to buy us time to build up capacity to do the types of public health interventions we know work,” Natalie Dean, a biostatistics professor at the University of Florida, told Vox’s German Lopez. “If we’re not using this time to scale up testing to the level that we need it to be … we don’t have an exit strategy. And then when we lift things, we’re no better equipped than we were before.”
But testing has recently plateaued, which state officials say is due to shortages in testing equipment like nasal swabs, reagents, test kits, testing machines, and personal protective equipment. Others argue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s narrow testing criteria — which prioritizes testing for vulnerable populations, health care workers and hospitalized patients — is leaving many ineligible for testing, Politico’s David Lim reported.
As Vox’s German Lopez noted:
To fix the gaps, experts argue, the federal government needs to relax criteria for testing, invest in new supplies and labs, and better coordinate supply chains to address, among other issues, chokepoints. States, with limited resources and little control of the national supply chain, simply can’t do this all on their own.
Public health officials and experts say that having robust testing will make it possible to trace the spread of the disease if people return to work.
“I want to be able to identify everybody who is even mildly symptomatic,” Ashish Jha, the director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, told Keith Collins of the New York Times. “So when I wake up one morning and have a sore throat and a fever, I should be able to go get tested. And then I want to be able to test all of my contacts if I turn out to be positive, so that I can do the test, trace, and isolate strategy that’s so critical to allowing us to open up and stay open.”
Epidemiologists say there’s a possibility states reopening businesses and easing social distancing requirements too quickly could lead to a second wave of cases and deaths — in a worst-case scenario, that could mean up to 1.7 million Americans dead.
That projection, is of course, based on a number of assumptions that may not be met. And it is possible things could change: As scientists learn more about the coronavirus and its spread, there’s a chance some intervention could make it possible for the country to safely reopen more quickly. However, it’s more likely that states are far from ready to reopen their economies — and that the public should plan to hunker down for stringent social distancing a little longer.


vox--2020-04-18--New CDC data shows Covid-19 is affecting African Americans at exceptionally high rates

Evidence-based explanations of the coronavirus crisis , from how it started to how it might end to how to protect yourself and others .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) released new , preliminary nationwide data on Friday , that revealed 30 percent of Covid-19 patients are African American , even though African Americans make up around 13 percent of the population of the United States .
The federal data is far from complete — it ’ s missing racial information on 75 percent of patients in its database .
But it ’ s consistent with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The striking overrepresentation of African Americans among confirmed Covid-19 cases is also seen in what state-by-state data is available , and it underscores that , far from being an “ equalizer , ” the coronavirus pandemic is amplifying preexisting social inequities tied to race , class , and access to the health care system .
The Associated Press reports that based on available state and local data , about a third of US Covid-19 fatalities are of African Americans — although in the areas analyzed , only about 14 percent of the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US states , that together represent under 20 percent of cases nationwide , haven ’ t released demographic data on deaths , according to the AP .
And state-by-state data compiled by Mother Jones shows wide disparities in both infections and fatalities among people of color .
In Wisconsin , for example , African Americans represent 6 percent of the population , but nearly 40 percent of Covid-19 fatalities .
As Vox ’ s Dylan Scott pointed out in his analysis of how coronavirus has taken a hugely disproportionate toll on people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display in the epicenter of the American coronavirus crisis : New York .
“ Black New Yorkers are dying at twice the rate of their white peers ; Latinos in the city are also succumbing to the virus at a much higher rate than white or Asian New Yorkers .
The same trends can be seen in infection and hospitalization rates , too , ” Scott writes .
The disparities are easy to see in this chart from the city ’ s health department : Anyone can be infected with coronavirus , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracting and experiencing severe cases of it .
As Scott explained , that ’ s because exposure to the spread of the virus and the ability to cope with it are a function of things like access to health care and types of jobs that tend to vary based on race : [ T ] here are the more acute reasons ( black and Latino people are being put at risk more in their day-to-day lives ) and then there are the structural reasons ( long-standing economic and health disparities between white people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first , the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in NYC is a useful and disturbing example .
As the New York Times reported last week , bus and subway workers have been hit hard by the coronavirus : 41 dead and more than 6,000 either diagnosed with Covid-19 or self-quarantining because they have symptoms that suggest an infection , as of April 8. Who works for the MTA ?
Black people and Latinos .
They account for more than 60 percent of the agency ’ s workforce in New York City , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerome Adams stirred controversy last week when he implied minority Covid-19 deaths were a matter of personal responsibility rather than part of an ongoing crisis public health experts have said they are struggling to control .
He said during April 10 ’ s White House coronavirus briefing that communities of color “ are not helpless ” in the face of the virus , and said that in addition to observing social distancing and proper hygiene , they should “ avoid alcohol , tobacco , and drugs.
” Adams ’ s comments garnered strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rhetoric has usually not been targeted at general audiences or white communities , and it appeared to hold people of color to a uniquely high bar .
What Adams spent less time discussing , however , was how susceptibility to coronavirus is shaped by a long history of institutional racism and economic inequity in America .
As Vox ’ s Anna North has explained : [ B ] lack Americans are more likely to have underlying conditions because of widespread racism and inequality , experts say .
Many differences in health outcomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to things like adequate time to prepare healthy foods at home ” and “ adequate money to not be working three shifts and have really high stress levels , ” Lynch said — access that white people are just more likely to have .
As [ Fabiola ] Cineas notes , 22 percent of black Americans lived in poverty in 2018 , compared with 9 percent of white Americans .
Beyond poverty , a number of factors contribute to poor health among black people , from racism in medical settings to the physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other forms of housing discrimination have made black Americans more likely to live in neighborhoods affected by environmental contamination , which federal and state officials have been slow to respond to , in turn raising rates of chronic illness .
This makes it clear that policy choices have a huge role to play in determining which people are least protected from the pandemic — and that making changes to these policies will be key in protecting those most vulnerable to threats like Covid-19 .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new, preliminary nationwide data on Friday, that revealed 30 percent of Covid-19 patients are African American, even though African Americans make up around 13 percent of the population of the United States.
The federal data is far from complete — it’s missing racial information on 75 percent of patients in its database. But it’s consistent with other data on race and Covid-19.
The striking overrepresentation of African Americans among confirmed Covid-19 cases is also seen in what state-by-state data is available, and it underscores that, far from being an “equalizer,” the coronavirus pandemic is amplifying preexisting social inequities tied to race, class, and access to the health care system.
The Associated Press reports that based on available state and local data, about a third of US Covid-19 fatalities are of African Americans — although in the areas analyzed, only about 14 percent of the population was African American. About half of US states, that together represent under 20 percent of cases nationwide, haven’t released demographic data on deaths, according to the AP.
And state-by-state data compiled by Mother Jones shows wide disparities in both infections and fatalities among people of color. In Wisconsin, for example, African Americans represent 6 percent of the population, but nearly 40 percent of Covid-19 fatalities.
As Vox’s Dylan Scott pointed out in his analysis of how coronavirus has taken a hugely disproportionate toll on people of color, this trend is vividly on display in the epicenter of the American coronavirus crisis: New York. “Black New Yorkers are dying at twice the rate of their white peers; Latinos in the city are also succumbing to the virus at a much higher rate than white or Asian New Yorkers. The same trends can be seen in infection and hospitalization rates, too,” Scott writes. The disparities are easy to see in this chart from the city’s health department:
Coronavirus isn’t a great equalizer — it’s laying bare our inequities
Anyone can be infected with coronavirus, but certain populations are more vulnerable to both contracting and experiencing severe cases of it. As Scott explained, that’s because exposure to the spread of the virus and the ability to cope with it are a function of things like access to health care and types of jobs that tend to vary based on race:
[T]here are the more acute reasons (black and Latino people are being put at risk more in their day-to-day lives) and then there are the structural reasons (long-standing economic and health disparities between white people and people of color). On the first, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in NYC is a useful and disturbing example. As the New York Times reported last week, bus and subway workers have been hit hard by the coronavirus: 41 dead and more than 6,000 either diagnosed with Covid-19 or self-quarantining because they have symptoms that suggest an infection, as of April 8. Who works for the MTA? Black people and Latinos. They account for more than 60 percent of the agency’s workforce in New York City, according to estimates from 2016.
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams stirred controversy last week when he implied minority Covid-19 deaths were a matter of personal responsibility rather than part of an ongoing crisis public health experts have said they are struggling to control.
He said during April 10’s White House coronavirus briefing that communities of color “are not helpless” in the face of the virus, and said that in addition to observing social distancing and proper hygiene, they should “avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.”
Adams’s comments garnered strong criticism from progressive commentators because that kind of rhetoric has usually not been targeted at general audiences or white communities, and it appeared to hold people of color to a uniquely high bar.
What Adams spent less time discussing, however, was how susceptibility to coronavirus is shaped by a long history of institutional racism and economic inequity in America. As Vox’s Anna North has explained:
[B]lack Americans are more likely to have underlying conditions because of widespread racism and inequality, experts say. Many differences in health outcomes in America are “produced by access to things like adequate time to prepare healthy foods at home” and “adequate money to not be working three shifts and have really high stress levels,” Lynch said — access that white people are just more likely to have. As [Fabiola] Cineas notes, 22 percent of black Americans lived in poverty in 2018, compared with 9 percent of white Americans. Beyond poverty, a number of factors contribute to poor health among black people, from racism in medical settings to the physical health effects of discrimination. Redlining and other forms of housing discrimination have made black Americans more likely to live in neighborhoods affected by environmental contamination, which federal and state officials have been slow to respond to, in turn raising rates of chronic illness.
This makes it clear that policy choices have a huge role to play in determining which people are least protected from the pandemic — and that making changes to these policies will be key in protecting those most vulnerable to threats like Covid-19.


vox--2020-04-19--What we know about a mass shooting in Nova Scotia, Canada

A shooter killed at least 13 people across Nova Scotia , Canada , police said Sunday .
The suspect , a 51-year-old man , died shortly after being apprehended in Enfield , Nova Scotia , a town about 20 miles north of Halifax .
Police believe he is responsible for a series of shootings that began in Portapique — a small town about 60 miles north of Halifax — around 10:30 pm local time Saturday night .
The suspect then is believed to have “ moved across the northern part of the province and committed what appears to be several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather .
For at least a few hours on Sunday morning , the suspect was disguised as a police officer .
Officials aren ’ t yet sure of his motive , but Leather said the “ fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act.
” The suspect was ultimately apprehended at an Enfield gas station Sunday morning , after having switched vehicles .
He was arrested nearly 12 hours after police in Portapique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person with firearms ” Saturday night .
Mass shootings are rare in Canada , particularly when compared to the United States , in large part because of stringent gun laws put in place after a 1989 shooting that left 14 people dead .
Now , a Canadian wishing to own a gun must register it and undergo training , a risk assessment , and a background check .
It ’ s not yet clear whether the suspect ’ s weapon was registered .
The story is still developing .
Here ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so far .
What we know • Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said “ in excess of 10 people have been killed ” in a series of shootings that took place over more than 12 hours Saturday night and Sunday morning .
At least 13 people are believed to have been killed .
• At least one of the suspect ’ s victims was a police officer , Const .
Heidi Stevenson , who had been on the force for 23 years .
• At least one other officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night ; police in Portapique , Nova Scotia received a call about “ a person with firearms ” at 10:30 pm ADT .
• Residents were instructed to shelter in place ; according to the Associated Press , police found “ many dead ” inside a Portapique home .
• A number of homes were lit on fire ; residents reported seeing at least two burning police vehicles as well .
• By early Sunday morning , the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) believed the suspect was near a campground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Portapique .
• The RCMP tweeted Saturday morning the suspect appeared to be dressed as a police officer , and was in possession of what appeared to be am RCMP vehicle — it stressed , however , that the suspect was not a member of the mounted police .
• The suspect traveled south for much of Sunday morning , and acquired a new vehicle somewhere near Milford , a town about 35 miles north of Halifax .
• The RCMP caught up to the suspect , identified as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gas station in Enfield , Nova Scotia .
• The suspect was apprehended after an exchange of fire at 10:40 ADT .
• He died shortly after being taken into police custody .
• On Sunday , Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil called the shooting “ one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province ’ s history , ” and lamented it causing an additional “ heavy burden ” on a community already concerned about the coronavirus .
• A number of other leaders have also expressed condolences , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation.
” What we don ’ t know • The firearm used by the shooter , and whether it was registered • How many people were killed • How many people were wounded • The identities of all of the victims

A shooter killed at least 18 people across Nova Scotia, Canada, police said Monday.
The suspect, a 51-year-old man, died shortly after being apprehended in Enfield, Nova Scotia, a town about 20 miles north of Halifax. Police believe he was responsible for a series of shootings that began in Portapique — a small town about 60 miles north of Halifax — around 10:30 pm local time Saturday night. As of Monday, officials said they were conducting investigations at 16 sites across Nova Scotia.
For at least a few hours on Sunday morning, the suspect was disguised as a police officer. Officials aren’t yet sure of his motive, but Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said Sunday the fact that “this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act.”
The suspect was ultimately apprehended at an Enfield gas station Sunday morning, after having switched vehicles. He was killed about 12 hours after police in Portapique first received a complaint about “a person with firearms” Saturday night.
Mass shootings are rare in Canada, particularly compared with the United States, in large part because stringent gun laws were enacted after a 1989 shooting that left 14 people dead. Now, any Canadian wishing to own a gun must register the firearm and undergo training, a risk assessment, and a background check. It’s not yet clear whether the suspect’s weapon was registered.
Monday, politicians faced a number of questions about new gun control legislation. In response, Canadian Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair promised that Parliament will bring forward new gun control legislation “as quickly as possible” once it returns from a coronavirus-related recess.
The story is still developing. Here’s what we know, and don’t know, so far.
What we know
What we don’t know


vox--2020-04-19--Why Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro joined a protest calling for a military coup

In a head-spinning political maneuver , Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joined demonstrations held in Brasilia on Sunday to protest coronavirus-related lockdowns and to call for a military coup .
Political observers say the protesters were right-wing Bolsonaro supporters who called for military intervention on behalf of the president because they view the country ’ s supreme court and legislature as obstacles to his campaign against pandemic lockdown measures , despite the fact that the country has more than 35,000 confirmed cases and over 2,300 deaths as of April 19 .
“ Now it is the people in power .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s your obligation to fight for your country , ” Bolsonaro said , standing on a pickup truck outside the Army headquarters .
“ We don ’ t want to negotiate anything .
We want action for Brazil.
” Political commentators say it ’ s unlikely that Bolsonaro literally hoped to foment a coup with his incendiary remarks outside the Army headquarters , but rather saw the protest as an opportunity to mobilize his political base .
The president has become increasingly isolated politically due to his resistance to approaching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice , and clashes with politicians issuing quarantine orders at the state level .
“ More likely today was a ‘ Let ’ s keep the base motivated ’ maneuver than an explicit declaration of intent for supporters ’ goals , ” tweeted Brian Winter , the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly .
However , Winter also pointed out that Bolsonaro ’ s family has raised the idea of a “ self-coup ” in the past , viewing the intervention of the military as a way to enhance power for the president and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ’ s speech was only the latest gesture of Bolsonaro ’ s hostility for the national government .
On Thursday , Bolsonaro fired his popular health minister , Luiz Henrique Mandetta , because Mandetta urged Brazilians to observe social distancing and to stay indoors .
The dismissal came after weeks of the two offering diverging prescriptions for how the public should act to slow the spread of the virus , and raised the ire of many Brazilians .
Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the virus , calling it a “ little flu ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it because they can be dunked in sewage and “ don ’ t catch a thing.
” The president has also frequently defied social distancing guidelines from his own administration , and has opposed lockdowns initiated by governors of states , accusing them of exploiting the pandemic for political gain .
In other words , much like what has happened in the United States , Bolsonaro has turned the coronavirus crisis into a polarizing culture war .
And increasingly , he has cast those who take it too seriously , in his view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the public favored the health minister ’ s approach to dealing with the coronavirus crisis over Bolsonaro ’ s denialism , and when the minister was fired many of the president ’ s opponents banged pots on their balconies in a show of anger .
But Bolsonaro ’ s right-wing base has also been emboldened , and has used public protests in recent weeks to rally behind him .
This weekend , hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Rio de Janeiro , Sao Paulo , and Brasilia and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
The president ’ s supporters argue his approach for dealing with the virus is better for the country ’ s long-term health , particularly on the economic front .
“ Either we just have the pandemic , which is already a lot , or we have the pandemic and chaos , ” said Anderson Moraes , a state legislator who supported the protests , according to Al Jazeera English .
“ For sure , lives are more important than anything else , but we can ’ t take decisions today without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s critics argue his support for the protesters is a sign of authoritarian tendencies .
“ Bolsonaro is merely applying a strategy that has been adopted by numerous populists with autocratic tendencies before him , like [ the late Venezuelan president Hugo ] Chávez & [ Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor ] Orbán , ” Oliver Stuenkel , an international relations professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo , tweeted Sunday .
“ Pro-regime protests do not occur in healthy democracies .
They are the product of a leader asking his followers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

In a head-spinning political maneuver, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joined demonstrations held in Brasilia on Sunday to protest coronavirus-related lockdowns and to call for a military coup.
Political observers say the protesters were right-wing Bolsonaro supporters who called for military intervention on behalf of the president because they view the country’s supreme court and legislature as obstacles to his campaign against pandemic lockdown measures, despite the fact that the country has more than 35,000 confirmed cases and over 2,300 deaths as of April 19.
“Now it is the people in power. It’s more than your right — it’s your obligation to fight for your country,” Bolsonaro said, standing on a pickup truck outside the Army headquarters. “We don’t want to negotiate anything. We want action for Brazil.”
Political commentators say it’s unlikely that Bolsonaro literally hoped to foment a coup with his incendiary remarks outside the Army headquarters, but rather saw the protest as an opportunity to mobilize his political base. The president has become increasingly isolated politically due to his resistance to approaching the pandemic in accordance with medical and scientific advice, and clashes with politicians issuing quarantine orders at the state level.
“More likely today was a ‘Let’s keep the base motivated’ maneuver than an explicit declaration of intent for supporters’ goals,” tweeted Brian Winter, the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.
However, Winter also pointed out that Bolsonaro’s family has raised the idea of a “self-coup” in the past, viewing the intervention of the military as a way to enhance power for the president and do away with constraints on civilian rule.
Bolsonaro has long opposed strict coronavirus measures
Sunday’s speech was only the latest gesture of Bolsonaro’s hostility for the national government. On Thursday, Bolsonaro fired his popular health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, because Mandetta urged Brazilians to observe social distancing and to stay indoors. The dismissal came after weeks of the two offering diverging prescriptions for how the public should act to slow the spread of the virus, and raised the ire of many Brazilians.
Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the virus, calling it a “little flu” and arguing that Brazilians are well-suited for it because they can be dunked in sewage and “don’t catch a thing.” The president has also frequently defied social distancing guidelines from his own administration, and has opposed lockdowns initiated by governors of states, accusing them of exploiting the pandemic for political gain.
In other words, much like what has happened in the United States, Bolsonaro has turned the coronavirus crisis into a polarizing culture war. And increasingly, he has cast those who take it too seriously, in his view, as political adversaries.
An overwhelming majority of the public favored the health minister’s approach to dealing with the coronavirus crisis over Bolsonaro’s denialism, and when the minister was fired many of the president’s opponents banged pots on their balconies in a show of anger.
But Bolsonaro’s right-wing base has also been emboldened, and has used public protests in recent weeks to rally behind him. This weekend, hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia and called for governors to resign for their lockdown measures. The president’s supporters argue his approach for dealing with the virus is better for the country’s long-term health, particularly on the economic front.
“Either we just have the pandemic, which is already a lot, or we have the pandemic and chaos,” said Anderson Moraes, a state legislator who supported the protests, according to Al Jazeera English. “For sure, lives are more important than anything else, but we can’t take decisions today without thinking about tomorrow.”
But Bolsonaro’s critics argue his support for the protesters is a sign of authoritarian tendencies.
“Bolsonaro is merely applying a strategy that has been adopted by numerous populists with autocratic tendencies before him, like [the late Venezuelan president Hugo] Chávez & [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orbán,” Oliver Stuenkel, an international relations professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, tweeted Sunday. “Pro-regime protests do not occur in healthy democracies. They are the product of a leader asking his followers to attack a chosen enemy.”