huffpost--2020-05-23--Trump's Push To Open Churches Contradicts Jesus' Teaching To Love Neighbors: Clergy

“ Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential , but have left out houses of worship @ @ @ @ @ right , ” Trump said .
“ So I ’ m correcting this injustice by @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump ’ s push aligns most closely with the priorities of white evangelicals and @ @ @ @ @ evangelical allies , such as the evangelist Franklin Graham and Texas pastor Robert Jeffress .
@ @ @ @ @ than other American religious groups to say they were worried that coronavirus restrictions won ’ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a Pew Research Center survey completed on May 5 .
Nevertheless , @ @ @ @ @ this constituency that state governments will return to normal too quickly .
Around half of @ @ @ @ @ ) say they are more concerned that coronavirus restrictions will be lifted too quickly .

“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out houses of worship. It’s not right,” Trump said. “So I’m correcting this injustice by calling houses of worship essential.”
Trump’s push aligns most closely with the priorities of white evangelicals and quickly drew praise from close evangelical allies, such as the evangelist Franklin Graham and Texas pastor Robert Jeffress. White evangelicals were more likely than other American religious groups to say they were worried that coronavirus restrictions won’t be lifted quickly enough, according to a Pew Research Center survey completed on May 5.
Nevertheless, there is concern even among this constituency that state governments will return to normal too quickly. Around half of white evangelicals (51%) say they are more concerned that coronavirus restrictions will be lifted too quickly.


huffpost--2020-04-02--How The Coronavirus Outbreak Is Affecting People Across The U.S.

Few Americans have been left entirely untouched by the country ’ s efforts to battle the coronavirus outbreak .
In a new HuffPost/YouGov survey , 87 % of the public was making an effort to stay at home , and 89 % said that their daily life had become at least a little different .
As part of our poll , we asked people across the country to tell us in their own words about any ways the outbreak had affected them .
Their answers varied widely in severity .
Some reported relatively mild consequences , from canceled plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid for their health and that of their loved ones .
Others were newly out of work .
A few were in mourning .
Here ’ s a sampling of some of the responses , lightly edited for grammar , clarity and length .
“ I have not left my house in four weeks , and my son who lives next door has come into my house once in that time.
” ― 73-year-old woman “ The school where I work has closed down , and my sister has a probable case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter-in-place order , and some of my doctor ’ s appointments have been canceled.
” ― 37-year-old woman “ I worry about my family since they do not live close .
I worry about shortages and I worry about me .
I am oldest and a high risk .
The president is not to be counted on because he is erratic and I worry about that too.
” ― 66-year-old woman “ Currently not working .
Also , unable to see my daughter , who is a RN .
She will not come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sick.
” ― 54-year-old woman “ I am a midwife .
The risk to myself and my patients has dramatically changed the way we do things .
My husband is out of work due to state regulations for the virus .
My daughter ’ s preschool is closed .
Unable to be close with family during special times.
” ― 33-year-old woman “ I ’ m labeled an essential worker , but when I go to my job at AutoZone , few people are coming in for essential parts .
Also the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joke .
Very few are doing as asked.
” ― 58-year-old woman “ My mom is at high risk so we have been self isolating for a couple of weeks .
My dad is luckily able to work from home most days , but we are stocking up on food .
I am unable to look for a job for fear of bringing the virus home to my mom .
My dad isn ’ t getting as many hours as he used to , so we are getting even more tight on money.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve had to take leave from my job so I don ’ t have to worry about getting it and end up killing my dad .
He is in remission from cancer .
Also , I have to try to go to school online and we don ’ t have good computer speed at home.
” ― 20-year-old man

Few Americans have been left entirely untouched by the country’s efforts to battle the coronavirus outbreak. In a new HuffPost/YouGov survey, 87% of the public was making an effort to stay at home, and 89% said that their daily life had become at least a little different.
As part of our poll, we asked people across the country to tell us in their own words about any ways the outbreak had affected them. Their answers varied widely in severity. Some reported relatively mild consequences, from canceled plans to cabin fever. Some were anxious and afraid for their health and that of their loved ones. Others were newly out of work. A few were in mourning. Here’s a sampling of some of the responses, lightly edited for grammar, clarity and length.
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Alabama
“My son was tested and has not been given his lab results, and it has been three weeks now.” ― 43-year-old woman
Arizona
“Because of this virus, two of our kids don’t have a job.” ― 75-year-old man
“I can’t get anything from any store.” ― 35-year-old woman
Arkansas
“I am immunocompromised and must be quarantined.” ― 39-year-old man
California
“I earn extra money by having a yard sale or swap meet. Now not able to.” ― 68-year-old woman
“My youngest daughter is missing her senior year of high school and my older daughter was pulled home from college.” ― 51-year-old woman
Colorado
“My husband cannot begin a job he was hired for.” ― 34-year-old woman
“Have not gone outside in three weeks.” ― 48-year-old woman
Florida
“A family member has been placed in harm’s way in screening patients.” ― 78-year-old woman
“Can’t work, so no money to pay bills, buy food and essentials.” ― 45-year-old woman
“I have tickets to see the Stones — now postponed.” ― 55-year-old woman
Georgia
“Lost half my income and am very lonely, causing bad mental health.” ― 18-year-old woman
“I have not left my house in four weeks, and my son who lives next door has come into my house once in that time.” ― 73-year-old woman
Illinois
“I fled Chicago to escape infection.” ― 54-year-old woman
“My wife and I both have the mild version. She has MS, so needs to be careful. Plus, we have a toddler at home” ― 36-year-old man
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“The school where I work has closed down, and my sister has a probable case of coronavirus. My state is under a shelter-in-place order, and some of my doctor’s appointments have been canceled.” ― 37-year-old woman
“Locked down and only come out of our rooms for a smoke break at my nursing home” ― 50-year-old man
“Losing gigs and $$, bored as fuck staying at home.” ― 62-year-old man
Iowa
“I am not supposed to go into stores. I have a bad immune system.” ― 53-year-old woman
“I’m elderly, so no way to get groceries or other essentials.” ― 68-year-old woman
Kentucky
“My son and daughters have all been laid off from their jobs.” ― 40-year-old woman
“Reduced work hours. Struggling with schedule changes with only one vehicle in the house, and two people still working and three kids at home” ― 31-year-old woman
“Grandparents in Wuhan, racism.” ― 18-year-old woman
Louisiana
“I cannot find a job or a car.” ― 18-year-old woman
Minnesota
“Business closed, friend sick, friends work in hospital without proper PPE.” ― 53-year-old man
Mississippi
“Some of my clients have lost their jobs and can’t pay me.” ― 27-year-old woman
Montana
“I miss seeing my granddaughter and other family” ― 74-year-old woman
Nebraska
“I am a teacher. My classes have to be online. My husband is also teaching online and both our school-aged children are learning online.” ― 44-year-old woman
Nevada
“I worry about my family since they do not live close. I worry about shortages and I worry about me. I am oldest and a high risk. The president is not to be counted on because he is erratic and I worry about that too.” ― 66-year-old woman
New Jersey
“Currently not working. Also, unable to see my daughter, who is a RN. She will not come in the house for fear I will get sick.” ― 54-year-old woman
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“Friend who is an EMT has contracted it.” ― 46-year-old man
“It’s all the news talks about all day long, causing too much fear and panic.” ― 65-year-old man
New York
“Husband will not let me out of the house! He’s now doing the grocery shopping (UGH!) and is just as compromised as me!” ― 73-year-old woman
“I am a midwife. The risk to myself and my patients has dramatically changed the way we do things. My husband is out of work due to state regulations for the virus. My daughter’s preschool is closed. Unable to be close with family during special times.” ― 33-year-old woman
“My wife and I both have the coronavirus.” ― 41-year-old man
North Carolina
“My anxiety is really bad.” ― 31-year-old woman
“I’m labeled an essential worker, but when I go to my job at AutoZone, few people are coming in for essential parts. Also the social distancing in the store is a joke. Very few are doing as asked.” ― 58-year-old woman
Ohio
“My job is ‘essential’ but there is daily risk of infection.” ― 62-year-old man
“Unable to attend my aunt’s funeral.” ― 48-year-old man
Oregon
“Can’t go to the gym.” ― 58-year-old man
“Can’t do my volunteer work or go out to hear live music.” ― 69-year-old man
“Friend died.” ― 49-year-old woman
Pennsylvania
“Loss of wages due to employers reducing hours. Avoiding transmission caused me to stop ride-share driving, which also lost me income.” ― 42-year-old man
“Realtor offices are closed. Can’t get into my new house” ― 56-year-old woman
“Am confined to an assisted living home.” ― 86-year-old man
“I just got tested today. I’m very sick.” ― 45-year-old woman
South Carolina
“I eat out a lot. Restaurants are closed.” — 57-year-old man
Texas
“My son is in a transition house with 300 others and they are exposed to outsiders. Very dangerous.” ― 72-year-old woman
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Utah
“My mom is at high risk so we have been self isolating for a couple of weeks. My dad is luckily able to work from home most days, but we are stocking up on food. I am unable to look for a job for fear of bringing the virus home to my mom. My dad isn’t getting as many hours as he used to, so we are getting even more tight on money.” ― 22-year-old woman
Virginia
“Being trapped in the house is driving me crazy.” ― 40-year-old man
Washington
“Not used to staying at home day after day.” ― 73-year-old woman
“Restrictions have made it impossible to travel and see our new grandson.” ― 64-year-old man
“Friend died from it.” ― 62-year-old man
West Virginia
“I was laid off.” ― 58-year-old man
Wisconsin


huffpost--2020-04-03--What Social Distancing Is Like For Parents Of Kids With Autism

For parents of the roughly 1 in 54 children in the United States who have been diagnosed with autism , school closures and stay-at-home orders have brought with them a unique set of challenges .
They ’ re helping kids who so often thrive on routine adjust to a new day-to-day that is changing by the minute .
And in addition to overseeing remote learning , many caregivers are also making sense of what it looks like for their children to receive certain therapies and services remotely .
“ It ’ s like our whole ‘ village ’ has just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My younger daughter was officially diagnosed with autism when she was around 20 months old .
She was considered to be on the more severe side of the spectrum and was nonverbal .
Reese is in first grade now , and she is amazing .
She talks so much now !
She ’ s made so much progress in so many ways .
Like all parents right now , I ’ m worried about her having a regression .
When she was little , I quit my job as a case manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I looked around for a side hustle .
I ’ ve always loved to bake , so I started a cookie company that took off .
I ’ ve been making 400 to 600 cookies a week out of my house , but two weeks ago I had to close my doors .
I couldn ’ t do it while also watching our girls .
I ’ m going to file for unemployment benefits , and my husband has his job ( he ’ s a police officer ) , so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is spreading like wildfire through his department .
But I do wonder how we ’ re going to keep paying for the private therapies our daughter receives .
She gets OT [ occupational therapy ] and speech [ therapy ] in school , and she also gets OT and speech at home .
She gets ABA [ applied behavioral analysis ] therapies several times a week , which lasts for two to three hours a session .
In a way , it ’ s like our whole ‘ village ’ has just ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
Her school district has been amazing , but trying to navigate the telehealth appointments has been pretty frustrating — like , we ’ ll have the laptop on and then be talking through our phones because we can ’ t get the sound to work .
I know that she is missing out on the social component of school .
And I do wonder , when she goes back , what will those interactions be like for her ?
I hope that she ’ s learning enough from us and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re trying to stay positive , but it ’ s hard when there is so much we just don ’ t know .
— Jenn , 39 , Ohio “ Every day he asks if he can go back to school tomorrow.
” We ’ ve tried to have a routine for him at home , but I know that my son misses school and wants to be able to go back .
Every day he asks if he can go back to school tomorrow .
I have explained to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus , but his 4-year-old brain can ’ t process that information well .
California found out that school is out until the fall , and when I heard that my anxiety went up .
I hope that as long as his day is the same each day , he will get used to being at home — and the yelling , the name-calling and the crying will subside .
I know that I have to take each day one day at a time .
Some days will be harder than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California “ She told me : ‘ All of the things I do to help manage my anxiety are gone.
’ ” My daughter is 13 , and she was diagnosed three years ago , which is definitely sort of late in the game .
She ’ s in seventh grade , and she has been home from school for three weeks .
It was like a cascade of cancellations : School was canceled , her bat mitzvah was canceled , choir was canceled .
She had her first big “ autistic meltdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her room , screaming , crying , telling us “ I don ’ t know what I ’ m going to do with myself.
” We definitely like to prepare her before things happen , and there ’ s been so much change for her with absolutely no warning .
She told me : “ All of the things I do to help manage my anxiety are gone.
” Routine is so important to her , and when she doesn ’ t get it , two things tend to happen : She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tendency to kind of sink into an oblivion of screen time .
The first week she was off , which was technically spring break , she spent an inordinate amount of time watching Disney+ — while I also tried to figure out working from home .
Now that “ school ” has started remotely , things are much better .
There are a lot of aspects of this way of learning that actually work better for her , which is nice , although she has other challenges , like dyslexia , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support she gets in the classroom .
I can also see that it ’ s hard for her to figure out the new social “ rules.
” Like , do I initiate that Google Hangout with my friends ?
If they say no , does that mean they don ’ t like me ?
That stuff is hard for any 13-year-old , and I think it can be especially hard for her .
She ’ s an older kid , and she does have access to a phone and social media , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much exposure she has to the news .
It is easy for her to fixate on things , and she has a tendency to internalize .
I told her I was going to talk to you for this , and I asked her if there was anything I should tell you .
She said the hardest part is that there isn ’ t a definitive end .
She wants to know , “ Am I going to go to camp this summer ?
When is choir going to start ?
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to deal with when you have a brain that wants concrete things .
She wants answers .
— Dana , 42 , Colorado

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Millions of children in the United States and around the world are suddenly home from school and largely stuck inside because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has thrust countless families into new and stressful schedules.
For parents of the roughly 1 in 54 children in the United States who have been diagnosed with autism, school closures and stay-at-home orders have brought with them a unique set of challenges. They’re helping kids who so often thrive on routine adjust to a new day-to-day that is changing by the minute. And in addition to overseeing remote learning, many caregivers are also making sense of what it looks like for their children to receive certain therapies and services remotely.
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“We have never experienced anything like this before,” Dr. Malia Beckwith, section chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey, told HuffPost. “It really is unprecedented, and it’s definitely a challenge.”
Children on the spectrum tend to thrive on routines, structure and “social practice,” Beckwith said, which makes this time extremely challenging for those kids and their parents, who in many ways have to now act as teacher, therapist and mom or dad. But she hopes it can also be a source of comfort.
“It’s really about getting that new routine established, and once you have it, I think there’s a lot of hope for how children and families will be able to do,” Beckwith said.
HuffPost spoke with three parents about what it has been like to parent while practicing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic and what they’re thinking about as they look forward.
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“It’s like our whole ‘village’ has just ... stopped.”
I have two girls. My younger daughter was officially diagnosed with autism when she was around 20 months old. She was considered to be on the more severe side of the spectrum and was nonverbal. Reese is in first grade now, and she is amazing. She talks so much now! She’s made so much progress in so many ways. Like all parents right now, I’m worried about her having a regression.
When she was little, I quit my job as a case manager because finding child care was basically impossible. I looked around for a side hustle. I’ve always loved to bake, so I started a cookie company that took off. I’ve been making 400 to 600 cookies a week out of my house, but two weeks ago I had to close my doors. I couldn’t do it while also watching our girls. I’m going to file for unemployment benefits, and my husband has his job (he’s a police officer), so we are fine for now — although COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire through his department. But I do wonder how we’re going to keep paying for the private therapies our daughter receives.
She gets OT [occupational therapy] and speech [therapy] in school, and she also gets OT and speech at home. She gets ABA [applied behavioral analysis] therapies several times a week, which lasts for two to three hours a session. In a way, it’s like our whole ‘village’ has just ... stopped. (At least in person.) Her school district has been amazing, but trying to navigate the telehealth appointments has been pretty frustrating — like, we’ll have the laptop on and then be talking through our phones because we can’t get the sound to work.
I know that she is missing out on the social component of school. And I do wonder, when she goes back, what will those interactions be like for her? I hope that she’s learning enough from us and that she can pick back up again. We’re trying to stay positive, but it’s hard when there is so much we just don’t know. — Jenn, 39, Ohio
“Every day he asks if he can go back to school tomorrow.”
My son, who is 4, has “high-functioning” autism along with ADHD. Like many children on the spectrum, he needs routine. He’s in pre-K, but his school has been out since March 18. With school not in session, his routine is off.
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Every day, throughout the day, he yells. He calls me and my husband and our 7-year-old daughter names. When his routine is off, he has such difficulty expressing himself. He might start spinning or his body will go limp. He will make baby sounds and cry.
We’ve tried to have a routine for him at home, but I know that my son misses school and wants to be able to go back. Every day he asks if he can go back to school tomorrow. I have explained to him that he can’t, because of the coronavirus, but his 4-year-old brain can’t process that information well.
California found out that school is out until the fall, and when I heard that my anxiety went up. I hope that as long as his day is the same each day, he will get used to being at home — and the yelling, the name-calling and the crying will subside. I know that I have to take each day one day at a time. Some days will be harder than others. — Neena, 41, California
“She told me: ‘All of the things I do to help manage my anxiety are gone.’”
My daughter is 13, and she was diagnosed three years ago, which is definitely sort of late in the game. She’s in seventh grade, and she has been home from school for three weeks. It was like a cascade of cancellations: School was canceled, her bat mitzvah was canceled, choir was canceled. She had her first big “autistic meltdown” in over a year: running to her room, screaming, crying, telling us “I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.” We definitely like to prepare her before things happen, and there’s been so much change for her with absolutely no warning. She told me: “All of the things I do to help manage my anxiety are gone.”
Routine is so important to her, and when she doesn’t get it, two things tend to happen: She gets anxious, but she also has a tendency to kind of sink into an oblivion of screen time. The first week she was off, which was technically spring break, she spent an inordinate amount of time watching Disney+ — while I also tried to figure out working from home.
Advertisement
Now that “school” has started remotely, things are much better. There are a lot of aspects of this way of learning that actually work better for her, which is nice, although she has other challenges, like dyslexia, and I know she is missing the extra support she gets in the classroom. I can also see that it’s hard for her to figure out the new social “rules.” Like, do I initiate that Google Hangout with my friends? If they say no, does that mean they don’t like me? That stuff is hard for any 13-year-old, and I think it can be especially hard for her.
She’s an older kid, and she does have access to a phone and social media, so one of the harder things is limiting how much exposure she has to the news. It is easy for her to fixate on things, and she has a tendency to internalize. I told her I was going to talk to you for this, and I asked her if there was anything I should tell you. She said the hardest part is that there isn’t a definitive end. She wants to know, “Am I going to go to camp this summer? When is choir going to start?” There is this perpetual uncertainty that is really hard to deal with when you have a brain that wants concrete things. She wants answers. — Dana, 42, Colorado
Conversations have been edited and condensed.


huffpost--2020-04-03--The Way The Lucky Ones Live During A Pandemic

Illustration : Damon Dahlen/HuffPost ; Photos : Getty `` There is hope that some good will come out of this tragedy … Perhaps many of us will take a beat and learn to be a little kinder , a little more grateful , a little more thoughtful about the way we move about the world and interact with the people in it . ''
I wake up at 7:45 a.m. and roll out of bed , out of my pajamas and into my day leggings .
I brush my teeth and wash my face and do a 30 to 60-minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve carved out of my tiny living room to use as my “ home gym.
” I check in on Slack with my colleagues .
I write .
( Some days , this goes better than others . )
I Zoom into a meeting .
I cook something ( probably an Alison Roman recipe ) .
Maybe I FaceTime for social interaction .
Maybe I watch something on Netflix .
Maybe I livestream some yoga .
Maybe I run out to buy food and try to stave off a panic attack at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wine .
I take off my day leggings and change back into pajamas .
Some days , the whole schedule thing goes to hell because it can be impossible to be productive during a global crisis and I ’ m just trying not to lose my mind .
I go to bed .
Repeat .
If you ’ re also privileged enough to be able to work remotely and practice social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic , parts of my routine may feel familiar to you .
( It is a truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home must be in want of a banana bread or a sourdough starter , or at least a decent Netflix queue . )
This is how we live now if we ’ re very lucky .
Of course , we — the white-collar working class of New York City and the other cities across the nation and the world that have been hit hardest by this pandemic — are the lucky ones .
The ones who have the great privilege to practice social distancing and work remotely .
The ones who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and maybe even play in .
The ones who have health care .
The ones who have savings and/or access to a regular paycheck .
We can order many essentials online and have them delivered to our doors , or we can mask up and walk a short distance every few days to gather food and pharmacy items by hand , only worrying about trying to stay 6 feet away from others and hoping that the last bag of lentils hasn ’ t been snagged by other shoppers yet .
The beauty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone while surrounded by people .
You can cry on the subway without interruption and share physical space with people on a daily basis that you will never actually know .
Now everyone — friends and strangers alike — must be viewed as potential carriers of a deadly virus , or a potential recipient of whatever dangerous germs you may be carrying around unknowingly .
There is something fundamentally jarring about watching a bustling place become still all at once .
My Apple Health app cruelly reminds me that I ’ m “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was last year , which is … an understatement .
At last check , I had taken just 269 steps today .
On a more normal day , I would be running down four flights of stairs to get out of my home and onto the subway , down another two flights of stairs and then back up again on the other side .
I would pass hundreds of people commuting like me from Brooklyn to Manhattan .
I might traverse three boroughs in one day .
Now , I jog around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my face , turning down side streets to avoid as many human beings as possible .
The sirens seem to get closer with each passing hour .
A few nights ago , I went to take the recycling out — the first time I had left my building in nearly three days — and parked outside , lights flashing , on my normally quiet residential block , was an ambulance .
I wondered who was in there .
I wondered what building they were coming from .
I wondered if they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During our Zoom meeting the next day , my co-worker told us that on her short daily sojourn outside in Manhattan , she had passed at least four ambulances .
Emergency dispatch calls have reached volume levels not seen since 9/11 .
On Wednesday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo referenced a model that projects 16,000 New Yorkers will die from the coronavirus .
You could nearly fill Madison Square Garden with 16,000 people .
If you don ’ t already know someone who is very sick with COVID-19 , you inevitably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York is so small for being so big .
In a city of more than 8.5 million people , you will always run into the ex that smashed your heart into a million tiny pieces .
Now , that uncomfortably small big-ness means you are just waiting for more bad news : for your friend or your family member to test positive , to wake up with chills and body aches , to stop being able to breathe on their own .
I ’ ve been thinking about these words a lot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things aren ’ t great for anyone , but those most vulnerable among us certainly are not OK .
The coronavirus has laid bare the economic inequalities and systemic inadequacies that have always existed in this city and across the country .
More than 10 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in March .
Our health care workers do not have access to enough protective gear .
The richest among us have fled to vacation properties by the beach or the countryside , while the poorest clean our now-empty offices and deliver our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hope that some good will come out of this tragedy .
Perhaps people will finally understand why fighting climate change right now is so imperative .
Perhaps more employers will extend paid sick leave to their contract employees .
Perhaps there will be greater support for policies that decouple health insurance from employment altogether .
Perhaps many of us will take a beat and learn to be a little kinder , a little more grateful , a little more thoughtful about the way we move about the world and interact with the @ @ @ @

I have a new routine.
I wake up at 7:45 a.m. and roll out of bed, out of my pajamas and into my day leggings. I brush my teeth and wash my face and do a 30 to 60-minute workout in a mat-sized space I’ve carved out of my tiny living room to use as my “home gym.” I check in on Slack with my colleagues. I write. (Some days, this goes better than others.) I Zoom into a meeting. I cook something (probably an Alison Roman recipe). Maybe I FaceTime for social interaction. Maybe I watch something on Netflix. Maybe I livestream some yoga. Maybe I run out to buy food and try to stave off a panic attack at the grocery store. I drink a glass of wine. I take off my day leggings and change back into pajamas. Some days, the whole schedule thing goes to hell because it can be impossible to be productive during a global crisis and I’m just trying not to lose my mind. I go to bed. Repeat.
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If you’re also privileged enough to be able to work remotely and practice social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, parts of my routine may feel familiar to you. (It is a truth universally acknowledged that a millennial woman stuck at home must be in want of a banana bread or a sourdough starter, or at least a decent Netflix queue.) This is how we live now if we’re very lucky.
Of course, we — the white-collar working class of New York City and the other cities across the nation and the world that have been hit hardest by this pandemic — are the lucky ones. The ones who have the great privilege to practice social distancing and work remotely. The ones who have apartments that are comfortable enough to work and maybe even play in. The ones who have health care. The ones who have savings and/or access to a regular paycheck. We can order many essentials online and have them delivered to our doors, or we can mask up and walk a short distance every few days to gather food and pharmacy items by hand, only worrying about trying to stay 6 feet away from others and hoping that the last bag of lentils hasn’t been snagged by other shoppers yet.
The beauty of this city is that you can be alone while surrounded by people. You can cry on the subway without interruption and share physical space with people on a daily basis that you will never actually know. Now everyone — friends and strangers alike — must be viewed as potential carriers of a deadly virus, or a potential recipient of whatever dangerous germs you may be carrying around unknowingly.
There is something fundamentally jarring about watching a bustling place become still all at once. My Apple Health app cruelly reminds me that I’m “taking fewer steps on average” than I was last year, which is … an understatement. At last check, I had taken just 269 steps today. On a more normal day, I would be running down four flights of stairs to get out of my home and onto the subway, down another two flights of stairs and then back up again on the other side. I would pass hundreds of people commuting like me from Brooklyn to Manhattan. I might traverse three boroughs in one day. Now, I jog around my neighborhood with a scarf over half of my face, turning down side streets to avoid as many human beings as possible.
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Some telltale signs of city life remain: The muffled sounds of neighbors. The blaring sounds of ambulances. And the fact that you can get a batched cocktail and a roll of toilet paper delivered to your door.
The sirens seem to get closer with each passing hour. A few nights ago, I went to take the recycling out — the first time I had left my building in nearly three days — and parked outside, lights flashing, on my normally quiet residential block, was an ambulance. I wondered who was in there. I wondered what building they were coming from. I wondered if they would ever see their loved ones again. During our Zoom meeting the next day, my co-worker told us that on her short daily sojourn outside in Manhattan, she had passed at least four ambulances. Emergency dispatch calls have reached volume levels not seen since 9/11. On Wednesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo referenced a model that projects 16,000 New Yorkers will die from the coronavirus. You could nearly fill Madison Square Garden with 16,000 people.
If you don’t already know someone who is very sick with COVID-19, you inevitably will. People always say that New York is so small for being so big. In a city of more than 8.5 million people, you will always run into the ex that smashed your heart into a million tiny pieces. Now, that uncomfortably small big-ness means you are just waiting for more bad news: for your friend or your family member to test positive, to wake up with chills and body aches, to stop being able to breathe on their own.
““Things aren’t great, but we’re OK.” I’ve been thinking about these words a lot, especially as it becomes increasingly clear that things aren’t great for anyone, but the most vulnerable among us certainly are not OK.”
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And in the meantime, we are trapped without access to the coping mechanisms so many of us have developed to combat anxiety and depression: namely, human contact with our friends, family members and therapists.
As the instructor of the workout class I was able to stream to my Roku television said the other night, “Things aren’t great, but we’re OK.”
I’ve been thinking about these words a lot, especially as it becomes increasingly clear that things aren’t great for anyone, but those most vulnerable among us certainly are not OK. The coronavirus has laid bare the economic inequalities and systemic inadequacies that have always existed in this city and across the country. More than 10 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in March. Our health care workers do not have access to enough protective gear. The richest among us have fled to vacation properties by the beach or the countryside, while the poorest clean our now-empty offices and deliver our groceries and our Amazon packages.
There is hope that some good will come out of this tragedy. Perhaps people will finally understand why fighting climate change right now is so imperative. Perhaps more employers will extend paid sick leave to their contract employees. Perhaps there will be greater support for policies that decouple health insurance from employment altogether. Perhaps many of us will take a beat and learn to be a little kinder, a little more grateful, a little more thoughtful about the way we move about the world and interact with the people in it.
I can see it now: a day when we’ll emerge from our cramped homes, breathe in the fresh air without a mask on and look around at other people doing the same with understanding instead of fear. What a beautiful day in the neighborhood, we’ll think.
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huffpost--2020-06-21--After Weeks Of Anticipation, Trump Rally Crowd Underwhelms

“ Any protesters , anarchists , agitators , looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand , you will not be treated like you have been in New York , Seattle , or Minneapolis , ” the president tweeted Friday .
“ It will be a much different scene !
” Bracing for potential violence at the Trump event , Tulsa Mayor G.T .
Bynum issued an executive order on Thursday declaring a civil emergency ahead of the rally .
Bynum said the city expected tens of thousands of people to flock to the vicinity of the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been involved in destructive and violent behavior in other States ” and who were planning on traveling to Tulsa “ for purposes of causing unrest in and around the city.
” On Saturday afternoon , a peaceful protester wearing an “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” T-shirt was arrested by Tulsa police outside the BOK Center at the behest of Trump ’ s campaign staff .
“ I Can ’ t Breathe ” has become a rallying cry for protesters calling for the end of racism and police brutality following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Black man in Minneapolis who uttered those words as a white police officer knelt on his neck , leading to his death .

“Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis,” the president tweeted Friday. “It will be a much different scene!”
Bracing for potential violence at the Trump event, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum issued an executive order on Thursday declaring a civil emergency ahead of the rally. Bynum said the city expected tens of thousands of people to flock to the vicinity of the event, including “individuals from organized groups who have been involved in destructive and violent behavior in other States” and who were planning on traveling to Tulsa “for purposes of causing unrest in and around the city.”
On Saturday afternoon, a peaceful protester wearing an “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt was arrested by Tulsa police outside the BOK Center at the behest of Trump’s campaign staff. “I Can’t Breathe” has become a rallying cry for protesters calling for the end of racism and police brutality following the death last month of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis who uttered those words as a white police officer knelt on his neck, leading to his death.


huffpost--2020-06-21--Second Wave Of Coronavirus Cases? Experts Say We're Still In The First.

In The Wall Street Journal last week , Vice President Mike Pence wrote in a piece headlined “ There Isn ’ t a Coronavirus ‘ Second Wave ’ ” that the nation is winning the fight against the virus .
Many public health experts , however , suggest it ’ s no time to celebrate .
About 120,000 Americans have died from the new virus and daily counts of new cases in the U.S. are the highest they ’ ve been in more than a month , driven by alarming recent increases in the South and West .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Second wave ” is probably the wrong term to describe what ’ s happening .
“ When you have 20,000-plus infections per day , how can you talk about a second wave ?
” said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health .
“ We ’ re in the first wave .
Let ’ s get out of the first wave before you have a second wave.
” Clearly there was an initial infection peak in April as cases exploded in New York City .
After schools and businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of new cases dropped somewhat .
But “ it ’ s more of a plateau , or a mesa , ” not the trough after a wave , said Caitlin Rivers , a disease researcher at Johns Hopkins University ’ s Center for Health Security .
Scientists generally agree the nation is still in its first wave of coronavirus infections , albeit one that ’ s dipping in some parts of the country while rising in others .
“ This virus is spreading around the United States and hitting different places with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dr. Richard Besser , chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who was acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when a pandemic flu hit the U.S. in 2009 .
Flu seasons sometimes feature a second wave of infections .
But in those cases , the second wave is a distinct new surge in cases from a strain of flu that is different than the strain that caused earlier illnesses .
But Besser said semantics matter , because saying a first wave has passed may give people a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some worry a large wave of coronavirus might occur this fall or winter — after schools reopen , the weather turns colder and less humid , and people huddle inside more .
That would follow seasonal patterns seen with flu and other respiratory viruses .
And such a fall wave could be very bad , given that there ’ s no vaccine or experts think most Americans haven ’ t had the virus .
But the new coronavirus so far has been spreading more episodically and sporadically than flu , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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What’s all this talk about a “second wave” of U.S. coronavirus cases?
In The Wall Street Journal last week, Vice President Mike Pence wrote in a piece headlined “There Isn’t a Coronavirus ‘Second Wave’” that the nation is winning the fight against the virus.
Many public health experts, however, suggest it’s no time to celebrate. About 120,000 Americans have died from the new virus and daily counts of new cases in the U.S. are the highest they’ve been in more than a month, driven by alarming recent increases in the South and West.
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But there is at least one point of agreement: “Second wave” is probably the wrong term to describe what’s happening.
“When you have 20,000-plus infections per day, how can you talk about a second wave?” said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health. “We’re in the first wave. Let’s get out of the first wave before you have a second wave.”
Clearly there was an initial infection peak in April as cases exploded in New York City. After schools and businesses were closed across the country, the rate of new cases dropped somewhat.
But “it’s more of a plateau, or a mesa,” not the trough after a wave, said Caitlin Rivers, a disease researcher at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Health Security.
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Scientists generally agree the nation is still in its first wave of coronavirus infections, albeit one that’s dipping in some parts of the country while rising in others.
“This virus is spreading around the United States and hitting different places with different intensity at different times,” said Dr. Richard Besser, chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who was acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when a pandemic flu hit the U.S. in 2009.
Dr. Arnold Monto, a University of Michigan flu expert, echoed that sentiment.
“What I would call this is continued transmission with flare-ups,” he said.
Flu seasons sometimes feature a second wave of infections. But in those cases, the second wave is a distinct new surge in cases from a strain of flu that is different than the strain that caused earlier illnesses.
That’s not the case in the coronavirus epidemic.
Monto doesn’t think “second wave” really describes what’s happening now, calling it “totally semantics.”
“Second waves are basically in the eye of the beholder,” he said.
But Besser said semantics matter, because saying a first wave has passed may give people a false sense that the worst is over.
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Some worry a large wave of coronavirus might occur this fall or winter — after schools reopen, the weather turns colder and less humid, and people huddle inside more. That would follow seasonal patterns seen with flu and other respiratory viruses. And such a fall wave could be very bad, given that there’s no vaccine or experts think most Americans haven’t had the virus.
But the new coronavirus so far has been spreading more episodically and sporadically than flu, and it may not follow the same playbook.
“It’s very difficult to make a prediction,” Rivers said. “We don’t know the degree to which this virus is seasonal, if at all.”
___
AP medical writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.
___


huffpost--2020-06-21--Trump Camp Lashes Media, 'Radical Protesters' For Lackluster Rally Turnout

Large sections of the upper stands were clearly empty at President Donald Trump ’ s rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , on Saturday , following days of campaign boasts that the venue would be packed to overflowing because some 1 million people had requested tickets to the event .
Trump had planned to deliver comments ahead of the rally to an overflow group of supporters outside the BOK Center .
But just a smattering of people were waiting , and Trump canceled the appearance .
The campaign claimed that Trump ’ s outdoor speech was canceled because of protests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting up the media and protesters as fall guys for the rally ’ s mediocre turnout .
“ Protesters interfered with supporters , even blocking access to the metal detectors , which prevented people from entering the rally , ” campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement .
“ Radical protesters , coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media , attempted to frighten off the president ’ s supporters.
” Three Associated Press journalists who covered the rally said they did not see protesters blocking people from entering the event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , ” Trump campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp also blamed protesters for the underwhelming attendance .
But host Chris Wallace pushed back on her claim .
“ You guys were so far off that you had planned an outdoor rally and there wasn ’ t an overflow crowd , ” Wallace said .
“ Protesters did not stop people from coming to that rally .
The fact is that people didn ’ t show up.
” Schlapp doubled down on her claim , stating that protesters “ absolutely ” prevented people from traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 5.3 million people watched the event online .
The campaign later emphasized in a statement that millions of viewers watched Trump “ across all of the campaign ’ s digital media channels.
” “ The media , which encouraged protesters and bombarded Americans for more than a week with dire warnings against attending a Trump rally , are still unable to prevent President Trump from reaching the people , ” the statement added .
Trump said Monday that his campaign was expecting a “ record-setting crowd ” at the rally .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat , and we certainly won ’ t in Oklahoma , ” he added .
He said the campaign planned to also use the convention hall next to the rally arena to handle the crowds — adding 40,000 extra spaces to the 19,000-capacity BOK Center .
Social media has been buzzing over the last week about a plot by TikTok users to convince hordes of voters to request tickets to the Tulsa rally — and then not show up .

Large sections of the upper stands were clearly empty at President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, following days of campaign boasts that the venue would be packed to overflowing because some 1 million people had requested tickets to the event.
Trump had planned to deliver comments ahead of the rally to an overflow group of supporters outside the BOK Center. But just a smattering of people were waiting, and Trump canceled the appearance. The campaign claimed that Trump’s outdoor speech was canceled because of protests, a position that appeared to already be setting up the media and protesters as fall guys for the rally’s mediocre turnout.
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“Protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally,” campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. “Radical protesters, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the president’s supporters.”
Three Associated Press journalists who covered the rally said they did not see protesters blocking people from entering the event.
The Trump campaign had touted more than 1 million people requested tickets to the rally. Now it’s texting supporters there’s “still space!” as pictures show empty seats inside and an overflow crowd that never materialized
https://t.co/pRaHqdYQ2y — Jon Passantino (@passantino) June 20, 2020
During an interview with “Fox News Sunday,” Trump campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp also blamed protesters for the underwhelming attendance. But host Chris Wallace pushed back on her claim.
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“You guys were so far off that you had planned an outdoor rally and there wasn’t an overflow crowd,” Wallace said. “Protesters did not stop people from coming to that rally. The fact is that people didn’t show up.”
Schlapp doubled down on her claim, stating that protesters “absolutely” prevented people from traveling to the rally. She added that over 5.3 million people watched the event online.
"You guys were so far off that you had planned an outdoor rally, and there wasn't an overflow crowd ... the fact is, people didn't show up" -- Chris Wallace grills Trump campaign spokesperson Mercedes Schlapp on Trump's underwhelming Tulsa crowd pic.twitter.com/1wdWK7Cpta — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 21, 2020
Trump on Saturday also blamed the media for the empty seats at his rally.
“The media was saying, ‘Don’t come,’” he told the far-less-than-capacity crowd.
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale echoed Murtaugh’s statement, blaming “radical protesters” who he said had been “fueled by a week of apocalyptic media coverage.”
The campaign later emphasized in a statement that millions of viewers watched Trump “across all of the campaign’s digital media channels.”
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“The media, which encouraged protesters and bombarded Americans for more than a week with dire warnings against attending a Trump rally, are still unable to prevent President Trump from reaching the people,” the statement added.
Trump said Monday that his campaign was expecting a “record-setting crowd” at the rally. “We’ve never had an empty seat, and we certainly won’t in Oklahoma,” he added.
He said the campaign planned to also use the convention hall next to the rally arena to handle the crowds — adding 40,000 extra spaces to the 19,000-capacity BOK Center.
The Tulsa fire marshal reported that fewer than 6,200 tickets were scanned for the rally.
President Trump on rally this Saturday in Oklahoma: "We expect to have, you know, it's like a record-setting crowd. We've never had an empty seat and we certainly won't in Oklahoma." pic.twitter.com/9Lh4YtEo4m — CSPAN (@cspan) June 15, 2020
Social media has been buzzing over the last week about a plot by TikTok users to convince hordes of voters to request tickets to the Tulsa rally — and then not show up.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) referred to the TikTok plot in a tweet mocking Parscale on Saturday. “Shout out to Zoomers,” she wrote. “Y’all make me so proud.”
Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID
Shout out to Zoomers. Y’all make me so proud. ☺ https://t.co/jGrp5bSZ9T — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 21, 2020


huffpost--2020-03-19--Walmart’s Emergency Sick Leave Is Not Good Enough

Walmart workers told HuffPost they still feel pressure to come in and interact with big crowds of customers as the epidemic spreads ; some said they ’ d like to stay home but couldn ’ t afford to do so .
With the pandemic likely to continue for months , Walmart workers who are older or immunocompromised , or close to those who are , could be at high-risk .
Walmart announced its emergency policy on March 10 .
It gives staff 14 days of paid sick leave if they ’ re diagnosed with the coronavirus or officially placed under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After that , workers can take longer-term leave , if they qualify , and earn up to $ 200 per week .
It ’ s not much , considering that a copayment to the emergency room under the company ’ s health plan is $ 300 , according to a document reviewed by HuffPost .
All Walmart was doing was getting rid of its usual penalties on those who call in sick .
Typically workers are allowed five such “ occurrences ” in a six-month period , after which they can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home because they are unable to work or feel uncomfortable going to work , their job is protected and they will not be penalized for up to 14 days , or longer with a doctor ’ s note , according to one document .
“ I do not feel protected from this virus at work , ” she wrote in an email to HuffPost .
“ I see people using their hands to wipe their noses and touching stuff on shelves .
People are touching us on the arms and they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions .
I ’ ve seen many associates coughing and not covering their mouths .
I haven ’ t called out yet because I can ’ t afford to be off for two weeks without pay .
Especially if I have to be out if I end up getting infected.
” “ It ’ s not as nice as they make it seem in the press release , ” said one associate from Tacoma , Washington , who wants to stay home right now rather than risk getting sick at the crowded store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one of the most severe coronavirus outbreaks in the country .

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Walmart’s new COVID-19 emergency sick leave policy falls short of what’s needed to protect employees and customers, leaving workers afraid they’ll be forced to come to work even if they feel sick, according to a review of internal documents and conversations with staffers across the country.
The company touted its new policy as prioritizing the health of employees, but it actually applies only to a narrow segment of workers ― those who test positive for the coronavirus currently spreading across the world. It doesn’t cover those who feel sick and haven’t been tested, are immunocompromised, or came in close contact with someone who is ill.
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Walmart workers told HuffPost they still feel pressure to come in and interact with big crowds of customers as the epidemic spreads; some said they’d like to stay home but couldn’t afford to do so. With the pandemic likely to continue for months, Walmart workers who are older or immunocompromised, or close to those who are, could be at high-risk.
One 20-year-old associate in the Midwest, who like others quoted in this story asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, said he wasn’t that worried about becoming sick but that he lives with his parents and both have health conditions that put them at risk.
“Several people I work with are in the same condition, they’re at home with family members, people in hospice care,” he said. “People at the store with heart conditions are still coming in.”
Walmart is the largest employer in the private sector, with 1.5 million U.S. employees. It’s also seeing an incredible surge in business right now as panicked Americans stock up on groceries. The moves it makes on sick leave will be both incredibly influential on other major retailers, and with so many workers and such big crowds, a key part of the public health response to the outbreak.
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Walmart announced its emergency policy on March 10. It gives staff 14 days of paid sick leave if they’re diagnosed with the coronavirus or officially placed under quarantine by a government official or doctor. After that, workers can take longer-term leave, if they qualify, and earn up to $200 per week. It’s not much, considering that a copayment to the emergency room under the company’s health plan is $300, according to a document reviewed by HuffPost.
Shoppers stocking up on groceries in a Walmart in Coconut Creek, Florida, last week. mpi04/MediaPunch/IPx
The company’s initial announcement led some workers to believe the policy would apply to those who felt sick or had been in contact with someone ill, even if they had not officially been diagnosed.
“Your health is our priority, and, as we’ve said before, we want any associate who is not feeling well to stay home,” said the press release.
That’s not the case.
In the memo, as well as in subsequent messages to employees reviewed by HuffPost, Walmart makes clear that those who choose to stay home without an official diagnosis would not receive the emergency paid sick leave.
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All Walmart was doing was getting rid of its usual penalties on those who call in sick. Typically workers are allowed five such “occurrences” in a six-month period, after which they can be fired. Now, if they stay home because they are unable to work or feel uncomfortable going to work, their job is protected and they will not be penalized for up to 14 days, or longer with a doctor’s note, according to one document.
“It’s this fake thing designed to telegraph to consumers it’s safe to shop there, but not a benefit that workers are going to be able to access in this moment when things are escalating every day.” - Rachel Deutsch, Center for Popular Democracy
An associate who makes $12 an hour working overnight stocking shelves in Virginia said he’s unsure whether he should quit. “I feel Walmart will not support my personal decision [to] stay home if this gets worse in my area,” he said.
The Virginia associate doesn’t have health insurance and worries about the costs of getting sick. “I also don’t want to be another irresponsible person walking around spreading [coronavirus],” he said.
The details on Walmart's policy. (Sedgewick is a third party that helps manages time-off requests.) Courtesy Walmart associates
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A Walmart worker based in Florida said the policy details were a disappointment. After he first heard about the new policy, he “finally felt like we were put as a priority.”
“We have to endure every major storm, shootings, and whatever other personal problem that arises and still show up to work, otherwise it is held against us,” he said.
But this associate said he was let down once he learned the details. “It seems like this policy was just done to make the company look better without actually doing anything.” he said. “As per usual the shareholders and customers were put above us.”
‘It’s This Fake Thing’
Walmart’s new COVID-19 leave policy as written is overly complex and restrictive, said Rachel Deutsch, supervising attorney for worker justice at the Center for Popular Democracy. (Her organization sometimes teams up with United for Respect, which advocates for Walmart workers.)
HuffPost obtained follow-up memos and FAQ for workers that outlined a labyrinthine process of obtaining paid leave.
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“It’s this fake thing designed to telegraph to consumers it’s safe to shop there, but not a benefit that workers are going to be able to access in this moment when things are escalating every day,” Deutsch said. “There will be people who die who work at Walmart because of this policy.”
If Walmart was serious about protecting workers and customers, the company would trust its workforce and tell them they can stay home and still get paid if they’re feeling unwell or are uncomfortable coming in, Deutsch said.
Still, Walmart received kudos for the policy, as did other employers who announced similar benefits.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc., during a news conference about the coronavirus on Friday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon appeared at a news conference with President Donald Trump last week, pledging the company would do whatever it could to help battle the pandemic.
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Yet the Trump administration and big business lobby pushed to make sure that a federal paid sick leave policy, passed to deal with the public health crisis, would not apply to large companies.
“The carve-outs in this bill show the power of the organized business lobby and lay bare the disingenuous statements of the President, who pledged earlier this week to require the large businesses carved out of the package to provide emergency paid sick and family leave,” Vicki Shabo, a senior fellow at New America, said in a statement Wednesday night condemning the bill.
The lack of universal paid sick leave in the United States has come into the spotlight now, as the country tries to slow the spread of this virus.
It’s low-wage hourly workers like those at Walmart who are mostly likely to have no access to paid time off when they’re ill. More than half of workers at the large companies in the U.S. say they don’t have access to paid leave, according to one recent survey.
Working Through A Pandemic
While many restaurants and stores are closing during the outbreak, Walmart and other grocery and retail stores are remaining open ― and seeing record-breaking sales ― putting workers at risk to serve the public.
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In fact, when Walmart announced its new emergency sick leave policy, it also revealed that an associate in a Kentucky store had tested positive for COVID-19.
Walmart said it would keep that store open.
On Wednesday, Walmart announced it was reducing store hours, placing limits on some essential items and temporarily shutting down its auto centers to deal with the crowds. It is also putting in place special shopping hours for seniors — a policy that, while well-intentioned, may still put vulnerable populations at risk.
These changes come amid an epidemic-driven shopping season that most workers said was more intense than the usual Black Friday rush.
Associates told HuffPost about long lines, mad dashes for toilet paper pallets and even fights breaking out as shoppers panic-buy in the face of the virus.
One associate in a small-town Walmart in Virginia said a line forms at her store before it even opens in the morning. She’s feeling increasingly unsafe.
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“I do not feel protected from this virus at work,” she wrote in an email to HuffPost. “I see people using their hands to wipe their noses and touching stuff on shelves. People are touching us on the arms and they’re directly in front of us when asking questions. I’ve seen many associates coughing and not covering their mouths. I haven’t called out yet because I can’t afford to be off for two weeks without pay. Especially if I have to be out if I end up getting infected.”
She and several other associates pointed out that corporate Walmart workers are working from home. “They don’t seem worried about us, the employees who are holding this company up,” she said.
Walmart did not yet respond to a request for comment, but publicly, the company has stated that its response to the epidemic is evolving, and that they’re making changes as needed. A few workers said their managers were doing their best to make them feel safe by encouraging hand-washing and using hand sanitizer.
Some workers suggested Walmart give them a bonus, at least. Or hazard pay.
“I wish that Walmart would try to give us a bonus of some kind to help alleviate the stress that all of us associates have, but it’s probably never going to happen,” said an associate in Washington state.
It feels impossible to social distance at work, said Brittany Legowski, a 21-year-old associate in Menomonie, Wisconsin who is a member of United for Respect. “The only thing they’ve done is set up hand sanitizer at the front of the store, and I’ve noticed they’re sanitizing the break room more.”
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The Other Sick Leave Policy
Walmart does have a separate paid sick leave policy, launched last year, through which some associates are able to “earn” paid time off after working a certain amount of hours.
All those people technically have the option of staying home unpaid. But for workers earning around $12 an hour, living paycheck to paycheck, that’s no option at all.
“It’s not as nice as they make it seem in the press release,” said one associate from Tacoma, Washington, who wants to stay home right now rather than risk getting sick at the crowded store where he works ― in the center of one of the most severe coronavirus outbreaks in the country.
But he only has about 10 hours of paid sick time saved up. Since he can’t afford to take an unpaid day off, “I might as well wait till I’m actually sick,” he said.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article said that Rachel Deutsch had teamed up with United Food and Commercial Workers. It is United for Respect, which advocates for Walmart workers.
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huffpost--2020-03-19--How Long Will Americans Be Fighting The Coronavirus?

Normally bustling streets are deserted as families hunker down in their homes .
Many of those who do venture out try to stay a safe distance from anyone they encounter , even as they line up to buy now-precious commodities like hand sanitizer .
Parents juggle childcare as schools close , perhaps for the rest of the school year .
And restaurants and bars sit empty as more and more convert to delivery-only options .
Yes , there have been past disease outbreaks that scientists can draw some lessons from but , in those cases , the disease was largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So those models don ’ t precisely apply , ” Morse said .
On Monday , President Donald Trump said the U.S. may be managing the outbreak through July or August .
And New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state ’ s number of coronavirus cases may peak – not end – in 45 days .
The challenge for designing models of what will happen next in the U.S. is that limited testing for COVID-19 means researchers don ’ t know what the starting point is — how many people are already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infect one other person or more ... then the epidemic can take off .
If I infect less than one person and everybody infects less than one person , then the epidemic will decline , ” said Elizabeth Halloran , a disease researcher at the University of Washington .
Based on data from China and from cruise ships , scientists estimate that unless measures are taken to limit the spread , each infected person will infect about 2 or 3 others , leading to an exponential growth of the virus .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every two to five days , as scientists calculate , then a single infected person could lead to 4,142 total infections within a month — assuming nothing is done to break chains of transmission .
Unless such measures are put in place , scientists estimate that between 40 and 80 % of the global population could become infected .
Based on an analysis of data from China , scientists found that the majority of new infections are transmitted by people with mild symptoms who may not even know they ’ re ill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert at Columbia University .
Even if most people recover and only a fraction of total infections are severe enough to require hospitalization — about 14 % , scientists estimate — the sheer scale of the epidemic will put enormous strain on hospitals , healthcare workers and other patients who may see unrelated procedures delayed .
“ The point of the restrictions we have is actually to stretch this out even longer .
We don ’ t want a big peak to come very quickly , ” said Mark Jit , a disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tropical Medicine .
“ It ’ s not like a Hollywood movie with a clear ending where everyone is saved , or everyone dies , quickly.
” Most scientists believe the fight against COVID-19 won ’ t be over until there ’ s an effective vaccine .
But Fauci and other experts say it will be more than a year before a vaccine can be ready for widespread use .
“ The best-case scenario is that we have vaccine in 12 or 18 months and then our lives go back to normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst-case scenario it takes a long time for a vaccine to be developed , and the world is really changed and our lives aren ’ t the same again.
” What may be more feasible is a plan for intermittent restrictions and enhanced monitoring to control the disease , an idea explored in a new study from researchers at Imperial College London .
Once the number of new cases falls below a certain threshold , schools , offices and restaurants could reopen .
But if the number of infections spikes again , restrictions @ @ @ @

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WASHINGTON (AP) — In a matter of days, millions of Americans have seen their lives upended by measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
Normally bustling streets are deserted as families hunker down in their homes. Many of those who do venture out try to stay a safe distance from anyone they encounter, even as they line up to buy now-precious commodities like hand sanitizer. Parents juggle childcare as schools close, perhaps for the rest of the school year. And restaurants and bars sit empty as more and more convert to delivery-only options.
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How long will this last? Scientists say there isn’t a simple answer.
“In many ways, this situation is unprecedented – we’re trying to take some actions to curb the spread and timing of this pandemic,” said Stephen Morse, a disease researcher at Columbia University in New York.
Yes, there have been past disease outbreaks that scientists can draw some lessons from but, in those cases, the disease was largely allowed to run its course. “So those models don’t precisely apply,” Morse said.
On Monday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. may be managing the outbreak through July or August. And New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state’s number of coronavirus cases may peak – not end – in 45 days.
The overall message is that the country will be fighting the virus outbreak for a matter of months, at least, not days or weeks.
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Each model of how the disease could spread relies on data and assumptions about population dynamics, demographics, health care capacity and other factors, said Rebecca Katz, a public health expert at Georgetown University.
The challenge for designing models of what will happen next in the U.S. is that limited testing for COVID-19 means researchers don’t know what the starting point is — how many people are already infected.
In simplest terms, scientists say that the epidemic will slow when people with infections don’t pass the virus on to others.
“Basically, if I infect one other person or more ... then the epidemic can take off. If I infect less than one person and everybody infects less than one person, then the epidemic will decline,” said Elizabeth Halloran, a disease researcher at the University of Washington.
Based on data from China and from cruise ships, scientists estimate that unless measures are taken to limit the spread, each infected person will infect about 2 or 3 others, leading to an exponential growth of the virus.
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If the virus makes a jump to new person every two to five days, as scientists calculate, then a single infected person could lead to 4,142 total infections within a month — assuming nothing is done to break chains of transmission.
Unless such measures are put in place, scientists estimate that between 40 and 80% of the global population could become infected. Based on an analysis of data from China, scientists found that the majority of new infections are transmitted by people with mild symptoms who may not even know they’re ill, said Jeffrey Shaman, a public health expert at Columbia University.
Even if most people recover and only a fraction of total infections are severe enough to require hospitalization — about 14%, scientists estimate — the sheer scale of the epidemic will put enormous strain on hospitals, healthcare workers and other patients who may see unrelated procedures delayed.
Scientists now agree that measures to break or slow the chains of transmission are crucial to ensure that emergency rooms aren’t quickly overwhelmed by surges in critically ill patients.
If measures like closing schools are successful in slowing disease spread, “we are going to see a hump instead of a peak” in new cases, U.S. government disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a White House briefing.
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In other words, the number of infections will rise more gradually and manageably. But that also means the duration of the outbreak will be prolonged.
“The point of the restrictions we have is actually to stretch this out even longer. We don’t want a big peak to come very quickly,” said Mark Jit, a disease researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. “It’s not like a Hollywood movie with a clear ending where everyone is saved, or everyone dies, quickly.”
So how does this end?
Most scientists believe the fight against COVID-19 won’t be over until there’s an effective vaccine. But Fauci and other experts say it will be more than a year before a vaccine can be ready for widespread use.
“The best-case scenario is that we have vaccine in 12 or 18 months and then our lives go back to normal,” Jit said. “The worst-case scenario it takes a long time for a vaccine to be developed, and the world is really changed and our lives aren’t the same again.”
While we wait, are we all shut-ins for more than a year? Almost no one thinks that’s realistic.
“I don’t think we can maintain social distancing as it is right now for the duration of the epidemic,” said Michael Levy, a University of Pennsylvania disease researcher.
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What may be more feasible is a plan for intermittent restrictions and enhanced monitoring to control the disease, an idea explored in a new study from researchers at Imperial College London. Once the number of new cases falls below a certain threshold, schools, offices and restaurants could reopen. But if the number of infections spikes again, restrictions would be reinstated.
“The analogy of pumping car brakes on an icy road is what we should be thinking about,” Levy said. “You push on the brakes to slow things down, then ease up – but if you skid, you have to pump the brakes again.”
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Follow Christina Larson on Twitter: @larsonchristina
Smith reported from Providence, R.I.
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huffpost--2020-03-19--Another 'Game Of Thrones' Star Appears To Have The Coronavirus

Earlier this week , “ Game of Thrones ” actor Kristofer Hivju announced he tested positive for COVID-19 .
Now , another “ Game of Thrones ” star seems to be doing the same .
In an Instagram post on Wednesday , Indira Varma , who played Ellaria Sand on the HBO show , sent out a message appearing to confirm that she , too , has the illness caused by the coronavirus .
The actor , who was set to star in Chekhov ’ s “ The Seagull ” in London ’ s West End alongside the Mother of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about shows being shut down by the coronavirus outbreak , saying , “ So sad our and so many other shows around the world have gone dark affected by the Covid-19 pandemic .
We hope to be back soon and urge you all ( and the govt ) to support us when we do .
Phoenix/ Seagull rising from the ashes.
” Varma then appeared to say she has COVID-19 , writing , “ I ’ m in bed with it and it ’ s not nice .
Stay safe and healthy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hivju , in his previous message on Instagram saying he had tested positive , added that he was “ in good health ” and implored people to be mindful of those who are at higher risk .
“ Together we can fight this virus and avert a crisis at our hospitals .
Please take care of each other , keep your distance , and stay healthy !
” the actor wrote .

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Earlier this week, “Game of Thrones” actor Kristofer Hivju announced he tested positive for COVID-19. Now, another “Game of Thrones” star seems to be doing the same.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Indira Varma, who played Ellaria Sand on the HBO show, sent out a message appearing to confirm that she, too, has the illness caused by the coronavirus.
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The actor, who was set to star in Chekhov’s “The Seagull” in London’s West End alongside the Mother of Dragons herself, Emilia Clarke, wrote about shows being shut down by the coronavirus outbreak, saying, “So sad our and so many other shows around the world have gone dark affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope to be back soon and urge you all (and the govt) to support us when we do. Phoenix/ Seagull rising from the ashes.”
Varma then appeared to say she has COVID-19, writing, “I’m in bed with it and it’s not nice. Stay safe and healthy and be kind to your fellow people.”
Reps for Varma did not immediately return a request for comment.
Hivju, in his previous message on Instagram saying he had tested positive, added that he was “in good health” and implored people to be mindful of those who are at higher risk.
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huffpost--2020-03-19--Protesters Accuse Netanyahu Of Exploiting Pandemic For Power Grab

JERUSALEM ( AP ) — Hundreds of people defied restrictions on large gatherings to protest outside parliament Thursday , while scores of others were blocked by police from reaching the area as they accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s government of exploiting the coronavirus crisis to solidify his power and undermine Israel ’ s democratic foundations .
In recent days , Netanyahu and his surrogates have shut down the Israel ’ s court system just ahead of his trial on corruption charges , have begun using phone-surveillance technology on the public and adjourned parliament until next week .
Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpleasant but necessary steps to deal with the coronavirus pandemic .
But opponents say he is more interested in staying in power as Netanyahu governs in a caretaker role after a third consecutive inconclusive election in under a year .
Police said they arrested three people for violating a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people .
They also blocked a convoy of dozens of cars from entering Jerusalem and prevented dozens of other cars inside Jerusalem from approaching the Knesset building .
Many of the cars honked and hung black flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ good country , good people and we need to remember the foundation upon which this country was built , ” said protester Michal Levi .
“ We have only one country .
That ’ s it .
Don ’ t give up on it.
” Police rejected accusations that they were carrying out Netanyahu ’ s bidding , saying they were following Health Ministry orders meant to curb the spread of the virus .
“ No one is above the law or above public health orders released by the ministry of health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week that Israel ’ s Shin Bet security agency would begin deploying its phone surveillance technology to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in Israel by tracking the moves of those infected .
The order went into effect late Wednesday when the government said it had notified about 400 people that they had come into contact with infected people and should immediately quarantine themselves .
Israel uses phone surveillance in the occupied Palestinian territories , saying it ’ s an important tool to prevent attacks on Israelis , but critics say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tight control .
The surveillance in Israel has sparked widespread criticism from lawmakers and civil rights groups .
The virus has spread to more than 100 countries , infected more than 220,000 people worldwide and killed nearly 10,000 .
For most people , it causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough guidelines that have brought Israel to a standstill .
Many of the measures have been seen elsewhere .
People have been instructed to stay home , tens of thousands are in preventive home quarantine and the borders have been virtually sealed .
Presenting himself as the responsible adult steering the country through an unprecedented emergency , he has defended the tough steps , including the electronic surveillance , as measures he has reluctantly been forced to impose in order to save lives , while his opponents are focused on petty politics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that during his 11 years as prime minister , he had always refused to use surveillance on Israeli citizens .
He said there would be “ maximum oversight ” to protect privacy concerns .
But critics say that is exactly what he has done by allowing Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein , a member of his Likud party , to suspend parliamentary proceedings .
Edelstein has cited technical reasons , but political opponents accuse him of stonewalling on behalf of the prime minister to prevent them from pushing forward with legislation that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an end .
The leaders of the Israel Democracy Institute , a prominent think tank that often conducts research for the government , sent an “ urgent ” appeal to Edelstein to allow the Knesset to resume operations and allow its committees to begin work .
“ The outcome of this decision is that at this critical period – during which Israel is in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis that has dramatically affected all areas of life including the public health and safety , personal freedom and the economy – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , the Knesset , is effectively incapacitated , ” they wrote .

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JERUSALEM (AP) — Hundreds of people defied restrictions on large gatherings to protest outside parliament Thursday, while scores of others were blocked by police from reaching the area as they accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of exploiting the coronavirus crisis to solidify his power and undermine Israel’s democratic foundations.
In recent days, Netanyahu and his surrogates have shut down the Israel’s court system just ahead of his trial on corruption charges, have begun using phone-surveillance technology on the public and adjourned parliament until next week.
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Netanyahu has defended most of these moves as unpleasant but necessary steps to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. But opponents say he is more interested in staying in power as Netanyahu governs in a caretaker role after a third consecutive inconclusive election in under a year.
Outside the Knesset, or parliament, hundreds protested the government’s moves, hoisting banners that said “No to dictatorship,” “Democracy in danger,” and calling Netanyahu the “crime minister.”
Police said they arrested three people for violating a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. They also blocked a convoy of dozens of cars from entering Jerusalem and prevented dozens of other cars inside Jerusalem from approaching the Knesset building. Many of the cars honked and hung black flags out their windows.
Israel is a “good country, good people and we need to remember the foundation upon which this country was built,” said protester Michal Levi. “We have only one country. That’s it. Don’t give up on it.”
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Police rejected accusations that they were carrying out Netanyahu’s bidding, saying they were following Health Ministry orders meant to curb the spread of the virus. “No one is above the law or above public health orders released by the ministry of health,” it said.
At the nearby Supreme Court, justices heard separate challenges to the new mobile-phone tracking edict and the shutdown of the Knesset. Civil rights groups and the opposition Blue and White party filed the cases.
Netanyahu announced this week that Israel’s Shin Bet security agency would begin deploying its phone surveillance technology to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in Israel by tracking the moves of those infected. The order went into effect late Wednesday when the government said it had notified about 400 people that they had come into contact with infected people and should immediately quarantine themselves.
Israel uses phone surveillance in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it’s an important tool to prevent attacks on Israelis, but critics say it’s also aimed at maintaining tight control. The surveillance in Israel has sparked widespread criticism from lawmakers and civil rights groups.
The virus has spread to more than 100 countries, infected more than 220,000 people worldwide and killed nearly 10,000. For most people, it causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.
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Israeli health officials have diagnosed over 500 infections, with a sharp spike of positive tests in the past two days. There have been no deaths.
With the numbers quickly rising, authorities have issued tough guidelines that have brought Israel to a standstill. Many of the measures have been seen elsewhere. People have been instructed to stay home, tens of thousands are in preventive home quarantine and the borders have been virtually sealed.
Netanyahu has thrived in the crisis, delivering stern televised addresses nearly every evening.
Presenting himself as the responsible adult steering the country through an unprecedented emergency, he has defended the tough steps, including the electronic surveillance, as measures he has reluctantly been forced to impose in order to save lives, while his opponents are focused on petty politics.
In a televised interview Wednesday, Netanyahu said that during his 11 years as prime minister, he had always refused to use surveillance on Israeli citizens. He said there would be “maximum oversight” to protect privacy concerns.
“The last thing I will do is harm democracy,” he said.
But critics say that is exactly what he has done by allowing Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, a member of his Likud party, to suspend parliamentary proceedings. Edelstein has cited technical reasons, but political opponents accuse him of stonewalling on behalf of the prime minister to prevent them from pushing forward with legislation that could bring Netanyahu’s time in office to an end.
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After the March 2 election, Netanyahu’s opponents hold a slim majority and are planning on presenting proposals that would impose term limits and block an indicted politician, like Netanyahu, from leading or forming a government.
The leaders of the Israel Democracy Institute, a prominent think tank that often conducts research for the government, sent an “urgent” appeal to Edelstein to allow the Knesset to resume operations and allow its committees to begin work.
Their letter expressed “grave concern” over his moves.
“The outcome of this decision is that at this critical period – during which Israel is in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis that has dramatically affected all areas of life including the public health and safety, personal freedom and the economy – the most important democratic institution in our country, the Knesset, is effectively incapacitated,” they wrote.
President Reuven Rivlin, a figurehead leader who serves as a moral compass for the country, appeared to side with the opposition Blue and White party, calling for an end to deadlock and for the Knesset to resume work.
Following the election, Netanyahu has the support of only 58 lawmakers, leaving him three short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
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Sixty-one lawmakers have come out in support of his opponent, Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz, while one refuses to endorse either side.
Backed by a narrow majority, Gantz, a former military chief, was tasked by Rivlin this week to try to form a new government.
In the meantime, Netanyahu has used a series of executive orders and other tactics to push forward his agenda while preventing parliament from convening.
The phone-surveillance plan was approved by the Cabinet in the middle of the night, without the traditional parliamentary oversight that is customary for such decisions.
Likewise, the courts shutdown also was approved in the middle of the night by Netanyahu’s hand-picked justice minister, just a day before the prime minister’s criminal trial was to begin. The decree, citing the coronavirus, postponed the trial until May.
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In a video statement, Yair Lapid, a senior figure in Blue and White, told Israeli citizens that they “no longer live in a democracy.”


huffpost--2020-03-18--Worried About Your Dog Or Cat And Coronavirus? Here's What To Know

First , for some background : The dog , a 17-year-old Pomeranian , was put in quarantine in late February after his owner contracted COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
The owner has since recovered .
The Pom never showed symptoms , even as it was repeatedly tested during its quarantine .
A total of five tests from its nasal and oral samples reportedly returned “ weak positive ” results for the virus ― but the dog was eventually allowed to go home after samples came back negative .
“ Although the dog from Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , antibodies were not detected in the dog ’ s blood , suggesting the dog may not have been infected , ” Jane Sykes , a professor of small animal medicine at the University of California-Davis school of veterinary medicine , told HuffPost .
“ The tests used to detect the virus have the potential to detect both viable ( ‘ alive ’ ) and nonviable ( ‘ dead ’ ) virus , and any virus detected may be just virus that happens to be contaminating a dog ’ s nose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The dog died on Monday , after being released over the weekend .
( The owner won ’ t allow an autopsy report , so the exact cause of death is unknown , but hey , the little guy was 17 years old . )
The World Health Organization and other experts still say there is no meaningful evidence that pets can spread the infection .
Things could rapidly change , of course , but experts we spoke to stressed the same thing : Your pet isn ’ t likely to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think we are far enough into this pandemic that if animals were , in fact , able to be infected , we would have already heard of a report on an ill dog and/or cats presenting to various veterinary hospitals throughout the world , ” said Jerry Klein , the chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club .

First, for some background: The dog, a 17-year-old Pomeranian, was put in quarantine in late February after his owner contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The owner has since recovered. The Pom never showed symptoms, even as it was repeatedly tested during its quarantine.
A total of five tests from its nasal and oral samples reportedly returned “weak positive” results for the virus ― but the dog was eventually allowed to go home after samples came back negative.
“Although the dog from Hong Kong had multiple weak positive test results for the virus, antibodies were not detected in the dog’s blood, suggesting the dog may not have been infected,” Jane Sykes, a professor of small animal medicine at the University of California-Davis school of veterinary medicine, told HuffPost.
“The tests used to detect the virus have the potential to detect both viable (‘alive’) and nonviable (‘dead’) virus, and any virus detected may be just virus that happens to be contaminating a dog’s nose or haircoat,” she explained.
The dog died on Monday, after being released over the weekend. (The owner won’t allow an autopsy report, so the exact cause of death is unknown, but hey, the little guy was 17 years old.)
The World Health Organization and other experts still say there is no meaningful evidence that pets can spread the infection.
Things could rapidly change, of course, but experts we spoke to stressed the same thing: Your pet isn’t likely to get the coronavirus or give it to you.
“I think we are far enough into this pandemic that if animals were, in fact, able to be infected, we would have already heard of a report on an ill dog and/or cats presenting to various veterinary hospitals throughout the world,” said Jerry Klein, the chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club.