huffpost--2020-03-10--Prisons Are Ripe For Coronavirus Outbreak. They’re Not Ready.

As the novel coronavirus has spread across the globe , prisons and jails have consistently been huge problem spots in places where the outbreaks are intense .
As with any “ congregate setting ” ― environments where groups of people are gathered in close proximity to one another , like college dorms and nursing homes ― infectious diseases thrive in correctional facilities .
But the difference in jails and prisons is that residents can neither fully self-quarantine nor leave and be fully quarantined elsewhere .
The U.S. has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases in recent days , with public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread .
The U.S. also has a lot of prisoners ― per capita , more than any other country in the world .
The 2.3 million incarcerated people in the U.S. are scattered across 1,719 state prisons , 109 federal prisons , 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities , 3,163 local jails and 80 Indian Country jails ― on top of military prisons , immigration detention facilities , state psychiatric hospitals , and prisons in U.S. territories , according to the Prison Policy Initiative .
And up to half of them qualify as over-crowded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's all just a recipe for disaster , so when we get no information from them about what their plan is [ it ] makes us nervous .
David Patton , executive director and attorney-in-chief of Federal Defenders of New York It can be difficult for correctional facilities to divide inmates for health reasons ― such as quarantines or separating out more vulnerable populations ― rather than the typical system of dividing them based on security classifications , as Dr. Homer Venters , president of Community Oriented Correctional Health Services , explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ extremely challenging ” during the outbreak of H1N1 , commonly known as swine flu , he wrote .
Swine flu affected prisoners all over the country , including more than 700 prisoners in California alone .
At MDC Brooklyn , inmates and their attorneys have been kept in the dark about plans to combat the coronavirus spread .
Rachel said she ’ s been updating her husband as the situation unfolds , telling him to wash his hands constantly , especially before and after computer use .
On Monday morning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a can of disinfectant powder without any explanation .
“ On top of that , you have all sorts of people who are medically compromised , ” he said .
“ There are a number of people with hepatitis , people with a broad spectrum of medical issues that are not dealt with well even in the best of times .
And you have older inmates , you have people who are in high-risk categories and who are kept in thoroughly unsanitary conditions.
” “ Correctional settings around the nation are often run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarcerated people , ” Venters wrote in his op-ed .
“ The only path to effective management of COVID-19 in these settings is meaningful partnership that starts now , when plans are being designed , not two months from now when cases are being detected .
”

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In China, the coronavirus rocketed through five prisons in three provinces, causing over 500 cases. In Iran, 54,000 inmates were temporarily released as the outbreak in that country spurred concerns the illness would rapidly spread in detention facilities. And this week in Italy, prisoners at 27 facilities rioted in response to quarantine attempts by prison officials desperate to contain the spread of a disease that has infected over 9,000 people there.
As the novel coronavirus has spread across the globe, prisons and jails have consistently been huge problem spots in places where the outbreaks are intense. As with any “congregate setting” ― environments where groups of people are gathered in close proximity to one another, like college dorms and nursing homes ― infectious diseases thrive in correctional facilities. But the difference in jails and prisons is that residents can neither fully self-quarantine nor leave and be fully quarantined elsewhere.
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The U.S. has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases in recent days, with public health officials deeply concerned about a nationwide spread. The U.S. also has a lot of prisoners ― per capita, more than any other country in the world. The 2.3 million incarcerated people in the U.S. are scattered across 1,719 state prisons, 109 federal prisons, 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,163 local jails and 80 Indian Country jails ― on top of military prisons, immigration detention facilities, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in U.S. territories, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. And up to half of them qualify as over-crowded.
The warning lights are already starting to flash. The chief judge for the federal Southern District of New York last week required any inmate coming from the Metropolitan Correctional Center to have a temperature check before being transported to court. Some federal courts in Washington state have postponed jury and grand jury trials.
“When it pops, and it’s about to, it’s going to be really ugly,” said Dr. Josiah Rich, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Brown University in Rhode Island.
And it’s not just the incarcerated who are at risk. Guards, doctors and other prison staff return to their communities after their shifts. Inmates, particularly at jails, rotate in and out of the community.
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The bottom line: Jails and prisons could become hotbeds for infection if public health officials and correctional facility administrators don’t act quickly to put measures in place to diminish that prospect.
Inmates Struggle To Prepare For The Worst
All Rachel could think about as she sat inside the cramped, dirty waiting room at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn was washing her hands.
She had to touch a lot of objects at the heavily trafficked facility ― paperwork, lockers, keys, doorknobs ― before she could visit her husband inside the federal detention center. (She asked to use a pseudonym to protect her husband’s privacy.)
Rachel is pregnant and was on high alert for cleanliness because of coronavirus, which has forced millions of people into lockdown in Italy, where some of her relatives live. Plus, Rachel feared transmitting the virus to inmates in a detention center notorious for its abysmal conditions and operational issues.
Once through processing, Rachel ran straight to the bathroom, but the soap dispenser inside was empty. When she asked a nearby corrections officer for soap, they told her none was available, despite the growing global panic over the deadly virus and federal health officials urging people to wash their hands frequently.
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“It's all just a recipe for disaster, so when we get no information from them about what their plan is [it] makes us nervous.” - David Patton, executive director and attorney-in-chief of Federal Defenders of New York
In fact, hand sanitizer is not allowed inside most jail and prison facilities because it contains alcohol ― even if it’s prisoners themselves making it for just 65 cents an hour.
“It was just not correct for the time we’re living in with this coronavirus scare,” Rachel told HuffPost. “You do not want to be the person responsible for bringing in such a virus.”
A Federal Bureau of Prisons official told HuffPost no known cases of the virus have been reported among its inmates as of now, and the agency maintains that it’s taken all necessary precautions in the event of any kind of outbreak.
Bureau officials said they are providing guidance to health care professionals and have a screening tool in place for use in the event an inmate or staff member is exposed or symptomatic. And there’s an online reporting system.
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Health experts warn, however, that these steps may not be enough.
“Everyone walks to the cafeteria together, walks back through the same hallway, touches the same doorknobs, uses the same showers,” Rich said. “It was pretty clear, as this thing started evolving, that there is person-to-person transmission. It’s also pretty clear that it can spread easily.”
Rich has worked for decades in the Rhode Island correctional system, researching infectious disease and providing medical care for HIV positive inmates and inmates with addiction issues at a maximum security facility.
Many of those incarcerated are older and/or unhealthy, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19 if they become infected. The majority of incarcerated people in the U.S. are between the ages of 31-59, but the number of inmates over the age of 55 increased by a whopping 400% between 1993-2013.
It can be difficult for correctional facilities to divide inmates for health reasons ― such as quarantines or separating out more vulnerable populations ― rather than the typical system of dividing them based on security classifications, as Dr. Homer Venters, president of Community Oriented Correctional Health Services, explained in The Hill last week. This was “extremely challenging” during the outbreak of H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, he wrote. Swine flu affected prisoners all over the country, including more than 700 prisoners in California alone.
At MDC Brooklyn, inmates and their attorneys have been kept in the dark about plans to combat the coronavirus spread. Rachel said she’s been updating her husband as the situation unfolds, telling him to wash his hands constantly, especially before and after computer use. On Monday morning, Rachel said, her husband was handed a can of disinfectant powder without any explanation.
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“They haven’t done anything,” she said. “It’s me telling my husband what to do.”
Rachel said she believes MDC is cleaner than the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, located just five miles north of the Brooklyn facility. Her husband, who was transferred out of MCC about a month ago, said the building is crawling with rodents and pests.
“We understand the potential disaster of this virus,” Rachel said. “If it’s a problem at MDC, I can only imagine what the situation in the Manhattan facility will be like. … My husband woke up with roaches on his face there.”
Inmates at MCC have described horrendous conditions as concerns about COVID-19 have escalated. Some say they haven’t been allowed to shower or do their laundry in weeks and don’t have access to soap or hand sanitizer.
In a statement Sunday, the Federal Defenders of New York wrote that the group was “extremely concerned about the lack of information and planning” at the MCC and MDC.
“You take a baseline of poor conditions and then you add to it,” said David Patton, executive director and attorney-in-chief for the group, a nonprofit focused on defending impoverished people accused of federal crimes. “It’s all just a recipe for disaster, so when we get no information from [officials] about what their plan is, [it] makes us nervous.”
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Detention centers like MDC and MCC, which largely house alleged criminals awaiting trials, are at greater risk during a potential pandemic like coronavirus given the amount of traffic and frequency of people going in and out of the facility, Patton said.
At the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, inmates fear the spread of coronavirus. Just over a year ago, inmates at the same facility were left without heat despite freezing temperatures. Brendan McDermid / Reuters
“On top of that, you have all sorts of people who are medically compromised,” he said. “There are a number of people with hepatitis, people with a broad spectrum of medical issues that are not dealt with well even in the best of times. And you have older inmates, you have people who are in high-risk categories and who are kept in thoroughly unsanitary conditions.”
Rachel worries a coronavirus outbreak in these facilities could result in federal officials restricting visits by family members and legal counsel for inmates.
“The entire population of federal inmates in New York City needs to be treated with respect when it comes to this virus,” she said.
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Preventing A Viral Prison Breakout
The most surefire way to avoid a COVID-19 breakout in a correctional facility is to temporarily release incarcerated people like occurred in Iran, Rich said.
“If we had some rational discussion on the issue, we would conclude what they concluded in Iran ― which is that there are a lot of people behind bars that don’t need to be,” he said.
But that’s not something likely to happen in the U.S., and advocates say measures should be taken in correctional facilities that could halt the spread of infectious disease.
Steps called for by the Federal Defenders of New York include comprehensive testing protocols, greater precautionary measures such as “frequent cleaning and ready availability of soap and tissues,” and ensuring that anyone who tests positive for the virus be quarantined not at prisons but at hospitals.
The group also urges that arrestees be detained only under “extraordinary circumstances” to avoid any new cases from entering prisons or jails.
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In a statement to HuffPost, the Bureau of Prisons denied a shortage of cleaning products, including hand soap, for inmates and staff at MDC and MCC. The bureau said it encourages inmates to wash their hands frequently and plans to discuss the concerns raised by the Federal Defenders of New York.
“At this point in time, visitation has not been limited or suspended in any BOP facility due to COVID-19,” the statement added.
Some legal proceedings have already been affected, with federal courthouses delaying trials.
A key condition to help prevent or limit a coronavirus breakout in prisons is ensuring mutual respect between incarcerated people and those providing preventative care.
“Correctional settings around the nation are often run with tolerance for abuse and neglect of incarcerated people,” Venters wrote in his op-ed. “The only path to effective management of COVID-19 in these settings is meaningful partnership that starts now, when plans are being designed, not two months from now when cases are being detected.”


huffpost--2020-03-10--How Different Countries Are Responding To The Coronavirus Outbreak

An Ipsos poll published on March 4 suggests Canada ’ s approach to the virus appears to be relatively calm .
Among nine countries surveyed ( Australia , Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Russia , the US , the UK , and Vietnam ) , the lowest percentage of people who think the virus poses a high or very high threat to their country is Canada at 21 % .
In comparison , 65 % of Japanese respondents and 49 % in France feel this way , according to the survey .
In the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached 319 , with five reported deaths .
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) said China ’ s move to quarantine about 60 million people in central Hubei province , where Covid-19 originated , in late January helped the rest of the planet prepare .
Gail Carson , head of ISARIC , an international clinical research federation , told HuffPost : “ WHO has shown great leadership in bringing together multiple disciplines from within the research community to develop a research agenda and roadmap to help facilitate a coordinated research response .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ research by China , even whilst in the ‘ eye of the storm ’ has been remarkable and we will learn from their research outputs.
” However , similar moves by Italy ’ s prime minister Giuseppe Conte to isolate millions of people in its northern provinces , and then Monday ’ s extreme decision to lock down the entire country , could prove more difficult to implement in Europe .
While the “ aggressive ” measures were praised by WHO experts , Conte faced criticism after leaks of his government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before they were approved , leading to widespread uncertainty and panic .
“ On Saturday night many people went to Milan station to take the last train to South Italy .
It was an incredible scene , ” one HuffPost Italy editor said .
But the picture is not quite the same in the US , where the efforts of experts at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) to control the virus have been hampered by a confused White House approach .
Donald Trump has been criticized for claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months , only to be contradicted by a medical expert at the same table saying it could take up to 18 months .
“ It ’ s going to disappear , ” Trump said of the coronavirus last Thursday .
“ One day it ’ s like a miracle , it will disappear.
” Trump has also come under fire for reportedly overruling his health officials , who wanted to recommend elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines .
On Friday , the CDC updated its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with severe medical conditions such as heart , lung or kidney disease to “ stay home as much as possible ” and avoid crowds .
But on the whole , ISARIC ’ s Gail Carson said , experts across countries and continents have worked well together .
“ The spirit of collegiality across the clinical research groups across the globe has been humbling and inspiring , ” she added .

An Ipsos poll published on March 4 suggests Canada’s approach to the virus appears to be relatively calm. Among nine countries surveyed (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the US, the UK, and Vietnam), the lowest percentage of people who think the virus poses a high or very high threat to their country is Canada at 21%. In comparison, 65% of Japanese respondents and 49% in France feel this way, according to the survey.
In the UK, the number of confirmed cases has reached 319, with five reported deaths.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said China’s move to quarantine about 60 million people in central Hubei province, where Covid-19 originated, in late January helped the rest of the planet prepare.
Gail Carson, head of ISARIC, an international clinical research federation, told HuffPost: “WHO has shown great leadership in bringing together multiple disciplines from within the research community to develop a research agenda and roadmap to help facilitate a coordinated research response.
“The effort regarding all aspects of research by China, even whilst in the ‘eye of the storm’ has been remarkable and we will learn from their research outputs.”
However, similar moves by Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte to isolate millions of people in its northern provinces, and then Monday’s extreme decision to lock down the entire country, could prove more difficult to implement in Europe.
While the “aggressive” measures were praised by WHO experts, Conte faced criticism after leaks of his government’s draft plans appeared in the press hours before they were approved, leading to widespread uncertainty and panic. “On Saturday night many people went to Milan station to take the last train to South Italy. It was an incredible scene,” one HuffPost Italy editor said.


huffpost--2020-03-09--What Would A Coronavirus Quarantine Mean And How Would It Be Enforced?

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has exceeded 110,000 globally and 500 in the U.S. ( and will likely increase from there ) .
Hard-hit countries like China and Italy have imposed strict measures in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , but there are still many questions about what American authorities have the power to do in a pandemic .
In any quarantine situation , there are big logistical considerations : How will they get food ?
How will other needs be met ?
Will they be alone or with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where do they go if they ’ re homeless ?
Will they be compensated for lost work hours ?
How will their condition be monitored ?
How will the quarantine be enforced ?
“ In the U.S. , what tends to happen is that public health authorities will ask to do a voluntary quarantine before mandatory , ” Katz said .
“ You ’ d be asked to stay in your home .
To do it right , the health department would ensure you have access to food , water , electricity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it through.
” Sometimes the safest and most humane place to quarantine is not your own home , so there are jurisdictions with plans or budgets for external lodging .
One county in the state of Washington announced plans to purchase a motel to house people affected by the coronavirus .
There are liability issues to consider in these circumstances , however .
Such measures may put facilities workers and neighbors at risk ― or even cause further harm to the quarantined , as the Chinese hotel collapse shows .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine are sacrificing for the public good , ” Katz said .
“ Sometimes when we think about quarantine , people take a criminalization tone , like ‘ Oh what did you do wrong ?
’ I think we should think of quarantine like jury duty .
Nobody wants to do it , but we do because it ’ s part of our social contract with our community.
” “ Home quarantine , and even probably most institutional quarantine , depends on voluntary compliance , ” Burris explained .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( by making sure they have good food and can pay their bills if they miss work ) is so important .
Likewise , that ’ s why it is important for the quarantine to make medical sense .
Occasionally you get some bonehead or bad person who breaks quarantine , and in law they can be fined and , in some places , even held under lock and key .
But that is rare.
” What ’ s More Likely In The U.S. “ I think the American public is getting more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We ’ ve been telling people to not panic and to prepare .
But I think it ’ s going to be a bit of a challenge for people to get their heads around what a change in their behavior is going to look like .
”

Chris McLoughlin via Getty Images Quarantine is different from isolation and social distancing measures.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has exceeded 110,000 globally and 500 in the U.S. (and will likely increase from there). Hard-hit countries like China and Italy have imposed strict measures in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, but there are still many questions about what American authorities have the power to do in a pandemic.
The term “quarantine” has been thrown around a lot lately, as have “isolation” and “social distancing.” But what exactly do these terms mean? What would a quarantine entail in the U.S.? And how is each enforced? HuffPost spoke with experts to find out.
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What ‘Quarantine’ Means
To understand the technical definition of “quarantine,” it’s best to contextualize it alongside other measures taken during epidemics, like isolation and social distancing.
“Isolation is what we do with people who are sick and could potentially transmit their infection to others,” explained Arthur Reingold, the division head of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health.
With isolation, public health officials separate people with symptoms of infection or confirmed diagnoses from the rest of the population, often in a hospital but sometimes at home or elsewhere if they don’t need medical care. Depending on the nature of the illness, isolation may involve special hospital rooms with separate ventilation systems to prevent airborne transmission.
On the other end of the spectrum, social distancing refers to measures to cut down on interactions between people with the goal of slowing the spread of a contagious disease. Such tactics may include avoiding or shutting down public transit, working from home, cutting down on hugs and kisses, or banning spectators from sporting events.
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While the terms are often used interchangeably, quarantine really falls in between these two categories.
“Quarantine is the precautionary isolation of people who there is good reason to believe were exposed to a communicable disease but have not shown signs of infection themselves,” said Scott Burris, professor and director at Temple University’s Center for Public Health Law Research.
The term derives from “quaranta giorni,” which is Italian for “40 days.”
“People arriving in Italy centuries ago had to sit on their boats for 40 days before anchoring to make sure they wouldn’t bring in plague,” Reingold explained. “This became a common practice in major harbors. Eventually, they even had special quarantine boats or stations.”
Under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, the federal government has the power to quarantine or isolate groups of people suspected to be carrying infectious diseases. In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its first federal quarantine in more than 50 years when 195 Americans evacuated from Wuhan, China, flew to California. In general, however, state and local governments tend to be the ones ordering quarantines.
“Public health is a police power, so under the Constitution it’s delegated to the states, which then delegate that to their health departments,” explained Rebecca Katz, the director of Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Science and Security. “Federal quarantine is not common, but it can apply to people coming across international borders and in some cases, between states.”
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Individuals who have reason to believe they may have been exposed to an infectious disease can also choose to self-quarantine, even without a quarantine order from public health officials. Multiple Republican lawmakers have announced plans to do just that after learning an individual they interacted with at the Conservative Political Action Conference later tested positive for COVID-19.
What Quarantine Entails
State and local governments have different policies and practices when it comes to quarantines, which can require a lot of resources. The procedures may also vary depending on an individual’s circumstances and the infection in question, how it’s transmitted and the incubation period. Still, the basic concept remains: Stay in one place until you’re cleared.
“People are either placed in a quarantine facility or asked to stay home,” Burris said. “There are no hard-and-fast rules for who gets what, but usually people who are already home are quarantined there, and people who are for some reason away from home will have to be put somewhere.”
In any quarantine situation, there are big logistical considerations: How will they get food? How will other needs be met? Will they be alone or with a partner, children or roommates? Where do they go if they’re homeless? Will they be compensated for lost work hours? How will their condition be monitored? How will the quarantine be enforced?
“In the U.S., what tends to happen is that public health authorities will ask to do a voluntary quarantine before mandatory,” Katz said. “You’d be asked to stay in your home. To do it right, the health department would ensure you have access to food, water, electricity and the other things you need to make it through.”
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Katz has researched the various quarantine laws in different states and cities. She emphasized the wide range of regulations and practices.
“Regarding food, it’s everything from providing food ― in some cases, some poor public health officer would go out and buy groceries for somebody ― to saying, ‘Good luck! Hope you stocked up on your own,’” she explained.
“It’s also about budget,” she added. “When we compared state quarantine laws a couple years back, only 12 states ― 24% ― had language explicitly in their laws that talked about policy or budget for food and water.”
Some states have provisions about the right to counsel during quarantine, employment protection, choice of medical provider and other concerns, but it seems the majority do not. As of 2018, less than half had language related to plans for “safe and humane” quarantines.
“It’s critical to remember that people under quarantine are sacrificing for the public good.” - Rebecca Katz of Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Science and Security
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Sometimes the safest and most humane place to quarantine is not your own home, so there are jurisdictions with plans or budgets for external lodging. One county in the state of Washington announced plans to purchase a motel to house people affected by the coronavirus. There are liability issues to consider in these circumstances, however. Such measures may put facilities workers and neighbors at risk ― or even cause further harm to the quarantined, as the Chinese hotel collapse shows.
“Quarantine has been a tool for centuries,” Katz explained. “We use it particularly when we don’t have a pharmaceutical intervention, but it’s hard. It’s not used all that often in the U.S. because by definition, you’re curtailing individual rights.”
She added that there are complicated mental health implications, which have begun to manifest in the unprecedented scale of China’s strict quarantine measures.
How Enforcement Works
While U.S. officials are unlikely to impose the stringent regulations seen in China, there are many questions and concerns around the idea of quarantine here. One big question is how it would be enforced.
The answer, unsurprisingly, is that it varies. In most states, breaking a quarantine order counts as a criminal misdemeanor, according to the CDC.
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“Every jurisdiction has different rules in place on what to do with noncompliance,” Katz said. “That could be everything from stationing a cop outside your door to somebody being fined. When South Korea went through MERS and 17,000 people were under quarantine, they changed their rules to increase the fine and jail time for breaking quarantine.”
Fines for breaking quarantine in the U.S. can range from $10 to $5,000. Some state laws also specify multiyear prison sentences. Still, there aren’t many actual examples of such punishments being carried out, and the laws don’t apply to the many people under voluntary quarantine.
Katz believes a big issue with quarantine in the U.S. is the way people view it, which can create a sense of shame and take away any incentives to comply.
“It’s critical to remember that people under quarantine are sacrificing for the public good,” Katz said. “Sometimes when we think about quarantine, people take a criminalization tone, like ‘Oh what did you do wrong?’ I think we should think of quarantine like jury duty. Nobody wants to do it, but we do because it’s part of our social contract with our community.”
Continuing with the jury duty analogy, she noted that states should do whatever they can to make the process as painless as possible ― like creating laws to protect the jobs of people under quarantine, as we do with jurors stuck on lengthy trials, or even offering financial compensation.
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“Home quarantine, and even probably most institutional quarantine, depends on voluntary compliance,” Burris explained. “That’s why making sure that people CAN comply (by making sure they have good food and can pay their bills if they miss work) is so important. Likewise, that’s why it is important for the quarantine to make medical sense. Occasionally you get some bonehead or bad person who breaks quarantine, and in law they can be fined and, in some places, even held under lock and key. But that is rare.”
What’s More Likely In The U.S.
China and Italy have taken strict measures, including isolation and quarantine orders, to contain the spread of COVID-19 there. But they’ve also implemented something called cordon sanitaire.
“Basically, this means no one gets out,” Reingold explained. “There’s an infection in a certain community or city, so they won’t let anyone out to spread the infection elsewhere. In theory, another possibility is called preventive sequestration, which some villages and small towns did in 1918. They didn’t have any of the illness in their towns, so they set up barriers and wouldn’t let anyone in. That way, no one could bring the disease. But it poses challenges.”
While many public health departments in the U.S. have issued voluntary and involuntary quarantine orders for individuals exposed to COVID-19, Reingold believes future measures will probably involve more social distancing.
“We can close down subway systems, cancel sports games and shut down schools,” he noted. “But it doesn’t come without cost to society. Where do kids go in the meantime? Can parents still work? Some of these social distancing measures have enormous economic, political and other social repercussions for people. They impose enormous social change and cost.”
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Ultimately, what happens will depend on the actions of leaders and citizens.


huffpost--2020-03-10--Sanders, Biden Cancel Campaign Rallies Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and former Vice President Joe Biden have canceled Ohio rallies due to the coronavirus outbreak , their campaigns announced Tuesday .
These are the first campaign events in the 2020 presidential election cycle to be canceled because of the virus .
“ We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials , who have communicated concern about holding large , indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak , ” the Sanders campaign said in a statement about the rally in Cleveland that was scheduled to take place Tuesday night .
“ Sen .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight.
” Biden ’ s campaign spokesperson released a similar statement soon after , saying Biden ’ s event was being canceled “ out of an abundance of caution.
” Both campaigns said all future events would be scheduled on a case by case basis , depending on guidance from public health officials .
Alaina Marasa ( left ) and Tobias Riker of La Mirada , California , wear face masks and gloves at a Los Angeles campaign event for Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
Ohio has been proactively recommending against large indoor events .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R ) asked on Tuesday that spectators not be allowed at indoor sports in the state , including high school , professional and collegiate sports .
Over the past week , the Biden and Sanders campaigns have been taking precautions to keep supporters safe at events .
Both offered hand sanitizer at events and have kept in touch with local public safety officials .
The candidates have been more lax with their own safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take pictures with and hug supporters .
Biden said he would be doing fewer “ rope line ” interactions — where he ’ s been known to get very close to supporters — though the former vice president was seen surrounded by voters at an auto factory in Michigan on Tuesday .
More than 760 cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , have been confirmed in the U.S. , and there had been more than two dozen deaths as of Tuesday afternoon .
The Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing , avoid touching their faces and shaking hands .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden have canceled Ohio rallies due to the coronavirus outbreak, their campaigns announced Tuesday.
These are the first campaign events in the 2020 presidential election cycle to be canceled because of the virus.
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“We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak,” the Sanders campaign said in a statement about the rally in Cleveland that was scheduled to take place Tuesday night. “Sen. Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight.”
Biden’s campaign spokesperson released a similar statement soon after, saying Biden’s event was being canceled “out of an abundance of caution.”
Both campaigns said all future events would be scheduled on a case by case basis, depending on guidance from public health officials.
Alaina Marasa (left) and Tobias Riker of La Mirada, California, wear face masks and gloves at a Los Angeles campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday. AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
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Ohio has been proactively recommending against large indoor events. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) asked on Tuesday that spectators not be allowed at indoor sports in the state, including high school, professional and collegiate sports.
Over the past week, the Biden and Sanders campaigns have been taking precautions to keep supporters safe at events. Both offered hand sanitizer at events and have kept in touch with local public safety officials. The candidates have been more lax with their own safety, continuing to shake hands, plus take pictures with and hug supporters.
Biden said he would be doing fewer “rope line” interactions — where he’s been known to get very close to supporters — though the former vice president was seen surrounded by voters at an auto factory in Michigan on Tuesday.


huffpost--2020-03-10--Coronavirus Outbreak Disrupts Purim Celebrations In Some Jewish Communities

ASSOCIATED PRESS Student volunteers perform a Purim reading from the Book of Esther for residents under self-quarantine due to potential exposure to the new coronavirus , Monday , March 9 , 2020 , in New Rochelle , N.Y. ( AP Photo/John Minchillo ) NEW YORK ( AP ) — Purim is traditionally one of the most joyous Jewish holidays , but some celebrations in Israel and hard-hit parts of the United States are being scaled back or canceled due to the coronavirus threat .
One of the biggest jolts has come in the city of New Rochelle , a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the rabbi of the Young Israel synagogue has the virus .
The synagogue has been shut down by health authorities and all its Purim festivities canceled .
Dozens of families from the community are in self-quarantine after learning last week that one congregant , a 50-year-old lawyer , had tested positive for the virus .
“ There are some positive elements that can be found in looking at our predicament , ” he wrote .
“ It slows down the pace of our frenetic lives ... .Maybe we always wanted to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle area , where most of the coronavirus deaths in the U.S. have occurred thus far , Temple Beth Am canceled all in-person Purim programming from Sunday through Tuesday .
It planned to send videos and recordings of the services and celebrations to congregation members .
In normal times , Purim is characterized by joyous synagogue gatherings , colorful costumes and raucous street parties .
The holiday marks the victory in ancient times of Persia ’ s Jews over Haman , an adviser to the king who wanted them killed .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averted when Queen Esther , who had previously concealed her Jewish faith from the king , tells her husband about Haman ’ s plot .
In the end , it is Haman who is killed .
In Israel , the arrival of the coronavirus produced a subdued holiday atmosphere .
The government has banned gatherings of more than 5,000 people , resulting in cancellation of Israel ’ s best-known Purim parade , in the city of Holon near Tel Aviv .
Other public celebrations have either been canceled or scaled back .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country from holding their traditional costume parties on Sunday , the last school day before the holiday .
The most popular costume theme this year seemed to be coronavirus - with many children dressed up as doctors and rescue workers , or imitating the thousands of people living in forced quarantine , wearing surgical gloves , robes and masks .
For observant Jews , it is customary to attend readings of the Book of Esther at synagogues , where people in costumes shake noisemakers every time the archvillain Haman ’ s name is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also common .
In Israel , with more than 20,000 people ordered into home quarantine after possible exposure to the virus , many synagogues are livestreaming the reading of the Book of Esther – known to Jews as the megillah – so that people could watch from home .
Some synagogues were holding multiple readings at different times to limit the size of the gatherings .
Worshippers also have been told not to kiss Torah scrolls and to refrain from the custom of kissing their hands after touching a mezuzah , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on doorways .
“ Judaism celebrates the value of life before the ritual aspect , ” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander , president of Ohr Torah Stone , a network of 27 Jewish educational and social service institutions .
Working with Tzohar , a modern Orthodox organization that does outreach programs to secular Jews , he said they together are sponsoring 533 Purim services that are expected to serve some 50,000 people .
“ The whole idea of Purim and everything going on with the coronavirus are really consistent with each other , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ That ’ s what we celebrate , the fact that we can overcome adversity.
” In New Rochelle ’ s Westchester County , 45 student volunteers from a Jewish secondary school were fanning out in teams to read the megillah on Monday evening and during the day Tuesday outside the homes of about 120 families from the community who are quarantined .
“ These volunteers are coming out to help them participate in the holiday and let them know they are not forgotten , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled some youth-oriented celebrations scheduled for Monday evening , and planned to livestream the megillah reading so congregants could watch from home .
Some synagogues in New York City canceled Purim carnivals that had been planned for the weekend .
” Our synagogue went thru the AIDS crisis ― we know what it is to live with a plague , ” Kleinbaum said .
“ We ’ ve had this commitment to having services even when only a few people show up , and we ’ ll continue having them until we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Student volunteers perform a Purim reading from the Book of Esther for residents under self-quarantine due to potential exposure to the new coronavirus, Monday, March 9, 2020, in New Rochelle, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK (AP) — Purim is traditionally one of the most joyous Jewish holidays, but some celebrations in Israel and hard-hit parts of the United States are being scaled back or canceled due to the coronavirus threat.
One of the biggest jolts has come in the city of New Rochelle, a few miles north of New York City, where the rabbi of the Young Israel synagogue has the virus. The synagogue has been shut down by health authorities and all its Purim festivities canceled. Dozens of families from the community are in self-quarantine after learning last week that one congregant, a 50-year-old lawyer, had tested positive for the virus.
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Young Israel’s rabbi, Reuven Fink, wrote an open letter informing congregation members that he subsequently tested positive for the virus and urged them to comply with health officials’ orders regardless of the hardships.
“There are some positive elements that can be found in looking at our predicament,” he wrote. “It slows down the pace of our frenetic lives....Maybe we always wanted to find time to learn Torah.”
In the Seattle area, where most of the coronavirus deaths in the U.S. have occurred thus far, Temple Beth Am canceled all in-person Purim programming from Sunday through Tuesday. It planned to send videos and recordings of the services and celebrations to congregation members.
Another Seattle synagogue, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, canceled a Purim carnival scheduled for Sunday. It was sending resources to children in its preschool and school so they could celebrate at home.
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In normal times, Purim is characterized by joyous synagogue gatherings, colorful costumes and raucous street parties. The holiday marks the victory in ancient times of Persia’s Jews over Haman, an adviser to the king who wanted them killed. According to the story, a mass execution is averted when Queen Esther, who had previously concealed her Jewish faith from the king, tells her husband about Haman’s plot. In the end, it is Haman who is killed.
In Israel, the arrival of the coronavirus produced a subdued holiday atmosphere. The government has banned gatherings of more than 5,000 people, resulting in cancellation of Israel’s best-known Purim parade, in the city of Holon near Tel Aviv. Other public celebrations have either been canceled or scaled back.
The restrictions did not stop schools across the country from holding their traditional costume parties on Sunday, the last school day before the holiday. The most popular costume theme this year seemed to be coronavirus - with many children dressed up as doctors and rescue workers, or imitating the thousands of people living in forced quarantine, wearing surgical gloves, robes and masks.
For observant Jews, it is customary to attend readings of the Book of Esther at synagogues, where people in costumes shake noisemakers every time the archvillain Haman’s name is read. Singing, dancing and drinking are also common.
In Israel, with more than 20,000 people ordered into home quarantine after possible exposure to the virus, many synagogues are livestreaming the reading of the Book of Esther – known to Jews as the megillah – so that people could watch from home. Some synagogues were holding multiple readings at different times to limit the size of the gatherings. Worshippers also have been told not to kiss Torah scrolls and to refrain from the custom of kissing their hands after touching a mezuzah, a small box containing a prayer scroll posted on doorways.
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“Judaism celebrates the value of life before the ritual aspect,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, president of Ohr Torah Stone, a network of 27 Jewish educational and social service institutions. Working with Tzohar, a modern Orthodox organization that does outreach programs to secular Jews, he said they together are sponsoring 533 Purim services that are expected to serve some 50,000 people.
“The whole idea of Purim and everything going on with the coronavirus are really consistent with each other, because Purim was a time of insecurity,” he said. “That’s what we celebrate, the fact that we can overcome adversity.”
In New Rochelle’s Westchester County, 45 student volunteers from a Jewish secondary school were fanning out in teams to read the megillah on Monday evening and during the day Tuesday outside the homes of about 120 families from the community who are quarantined.
The boys were recruited by the Westchester branch of Chabad Lubavitch, an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic movement
Many of the isolated families may not have the traditional handwritten megillah scroll, said Rabbi Motti Seligson, Chabad Lubavitch’s media director.
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“These volunteers are coming out to help them participate in the holiday and let them know they are not forgotten,” he said.
New Rochelle’s Beth El Synagogue canceled some youth-oriented celebrations scheduled for Monday evening, and planned to livestream the megillah reading so congregants could watch from home. Some synagogues in New York City canceled Purim carnivals that had been planned for the weekend.
At Manhattan’s Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum said Purim services, the Megillah reading and a 1980s-themed party were still on track to take place Monday night, although anyone feeling sick was urged to stay home.
Kleinbaum said the synagogue, one of the largest in the country with a primary mission of serving LGBTQ people, has a history of resilience
”Our synagogue went thru the AIDS crisis ― we know what it is to live with a plague,” Kleinbaum said. “We’ve had this commitment to having services even when only a few people show up, and we’ll continue having them until we’re told to shut down.”
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In areas less affected by the outbreak, many synagogues kept their programming on track; for example the Purim carnival at Valley Beth Shalom synagogue in Encino, California.
“I know other communities have made other decisions that I think fairly reflect their thinking,” said the synagogue’s rabbi, Noah Farkas.
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Associated Press Religion Editor Gary Fields in New York and AP correspondent Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.


huffpost--2020-03-10--New York Sending National Guard To Control Coronavirus Spread In NYC Suburb

New York ’ s governor announced Tuesday he is sending the National Guard into a New York City suburb to help fight what is believed to be the nation ’ s biggest cluster of coronavirus cases — one of the most dramatic actions yet to control the outbreak in the U.S. Schools , houses of worship and large gathering places will be shuttered for two weeks in a “ containment area ” centered in New Rochelle , and the troops will scrub surfaces and deliver food to the zone , which extends a mile in all directions from a point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cases , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said .
New Rochelle is at the center of an outbreak of 108 cases in Westchester County , out of 173 identified statewide .
New York City has 36 cases , while its population is more than 100 times that of New Rochelle .
In Oakland , California , meanwhile , thousands of increasingly bored and restless passengers aboard a cruise ship struck by the coronavirus waited their turn to get off the vessel and go to U.S. military bases or back to their home countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington state , where at least 19 deaths have been connected to a Seattle-area nursing home , Gov .
Jay Inslee announced new rules for screening health care workers and limiting visitors .
“ If we assume there are 1,000 or more people who have the virus today ... the number of people who are infected will double in five to eight days , ” he warned .
The virus has infected over 700 people in the U.S. and killed at least 27 , with one state after another recording its first infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first coronavirus death .
In California , passengers from the coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess were allowed off the vessel and walked to the bottom of a ramp , where masked officials in yellow protective gear and blue plastic gloves took their temperature and led them to a tent for more screening before they lined up to board a bus .
“ We ’ re trying to stay calm and were trying to stay positive , but it ’ s getting harder and harder .
They can ’ t make up their minds how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger Beryl Ward , 77 , of Santa Fe , New Mexico .
The slow evacuation of the 951-foot ( 290-meter ) ship began Monday with several hundred people let off the ship .
About two dozen people who needed acute medical care were taken off first , though it was unclear how many of them were infected , California emergency authorities said .
Also , more than 200 Canadians on board were flown to a military base in their country , Canadian officials said .
The Grand Princess ship had been held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of evidence that it was the breeding ground for more than 20 infections tied to a previous voyage .
Passengers were mostly confined to their cabins .
She added : “ I ’ m just totally freaked out by that .
It ’ s outrageous .
If that ’ s safe , then why were we stuck in our rooms ?
It ’ s been stressed for the past five days that we ’ re not to have any contact with any other passengers ?
” About 1,100 crew members , 19 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be quarantined and treated aboard the ship , which will dock elsewhere after passengers are unloaded , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said .
He and Oakland ’ s mayor sought to reassure people that no passengers would be exposed to the public before completing quarantine .
Elsewhere around the country , the United Nations said it will close its headquarters in New York to the public and suspend all guided tours .
On Wall Street , stocks climbed higher during the day , recouping some of their staggering losses from the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus 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 .
Most people recover in a matter of weeks , as has happened with three-quarters of those infected in mainland China .

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New York’s governor announced Tuesday he is sending the National Guard into a New York City suburb to help fight what is believed to be the nation’s biggest cluster of coronavirus cases — one of the most dramatic actions yet to control the outbreak in the U.S.
The move came as health authorities contended with alarming concentrations of the disease on both sides of the country and scattered cases in between.
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Schools, houses of worship and large gathering places will be shuttered for two weeks in a “containment area” centered in New Rochelle, and the troops will scrub surfaces and deliver food to the zone, which extends a mile in all directions from a point near a synagogue connected to some of the cases, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
“It is a dramatic action, but it is the largest cluster of cases in the country,” Cuomo said. “The numbers are going up unabated, and we do need a special public health strategy.”
New Rochelle is at the center of an outbreak of 108 cases in Westchester County, out of 173 identified statewide. New York City has 36 cases, while its population is more than 100 times that of New Rochelle.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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In Oakland, California, meanwhile, thousands of increasingly bored and restless passengers aboard a cruise ship struck by the coronavirus waited their turn to get off the vessel and go to U.S. military bases or back to their home countries for two weeks of quarantine. In Washington state, where at least 19 deaths have been connected to a Seattle-area nursing home, Gov. Jay Inslee announced new rules for screening health care workers and limiting visitors.
“If we assume there are 1,000 or more people who have the virus today ... the number of people who are infected will double in five to eight days,” he warned.
The virus has infected over 700 people in the U.S. and killed at least 27, with one state after another recording its first infections in quick succession. New Jersey recorded its first coronavirus death.
In California, passengers from the coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess were allowed off the vessel and walked to the bottom of a ramp, where masked officials in yellow protective gear and blue plastic gloves took their temperature and led them to a tent for more screening before they lined up to board a bus.
After days of being forced to idle off the Northern California coast, the ship docked Monday at Oakland with about 3,500 passengers and crew, including at least 21 who tested positive for the new virus.
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“We’re trying to stay calm and were trying to stay positive, but it’s getting harder and harder. They can’t make up their minds how to keep us safe,” said passenger Beryl Ward, 77, of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The slow evacuation of the 951-foot (290-meter) ship began Monday with several hundred people let off the ship. About two dozen people who needed acute medical care were taken off first, though it was unclear how many of them were infected, California emergency authorities said. Also, more than 200 Canadians on board were flown to a military base in their country, Canadian officials said.
On the ship, about 2,000 passengers, including hundreds of Californians, were still aboard Tuesday morning..
Authorities said foreign passengers would be flown home, while U.S. passengers would be flown or bused to military bases in California, Texas and Georgia for testing and 14-day quarantines.
The Grand Princess cruise ship is shown docked at the Port of Oakland in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, March 10, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The Grand Princess ship had been held off the coast since last week because of evidence that it was the breeding ground for more than 20 infections tied to a previous voyage. Passengers were mostly confined to their cabins.
But Ward’s cabin mate, Carolyn Wright, 63, also of Santa Fe, said she looked out her cabin window as passengers lined up to depart and also saw people in yellow protective clothing, gloves and hazardous materials suits.
“They were queuing up the passengers like cattle,” Wright said. “Everybody was bunched up. They were physically touching each other and they were backed up along the gangplank.”
She added: “I’m just totally freaked out by that. It’s outrageous. If that’s safe, then why were we stuck in our rooms? It’s been stressed for the past five days that we’re not to have any contact with any other passengers?”
About 1,100 crew members, 19 of whom tested positive for the virus, will be quarantined and treated aboard the ship, which will dock elsewhere after passengers are unloaded, Gov. Gavin Newsom said. He and Oakland’s mayor sought to reassure people that no passengers would be exposed to the public before completing quarantine.
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Another Princess ship, the Diamond Princess, was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama, Japan, last month because of the virus. Ultimately, about 700 of the 3,700 people aboard became infected in what experts pronounced a public health failure.
Elsewhere around the country, the United Nations said it will close its headquarters in New York to the public and suspend all guided tours. On Wall Street, stocks climbed higher during the day, recouping some of their staggering losses from the day before,
For most people, the virus 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. Most people recover in a matter of weeks, as has happened with three-quarters of those infected in mainland China.
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Rodriguez reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Janie Har, Jocelyn Gecker and Juliet Williams in San Francisco, Robert Jablon in Los Angeles and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


huffpost--2020-03-10--Immigration Courts Allowed To Post Coronavirus Flyers After Told To Remove Them

The Trump administration told immigration court staffers on Tuesday to put up posters advising the public how to avoid contracting or spreading the new coronavirus , after abruptly ordering them to take down similar signage on Monday .
The Department of Justice , which operates the immigration courts , sent a memo signed by acting Chief Immigration Judge Christopher A. Santoro to supervisory judges ― and the department ’ s media list ― on Tuesday asking the judges to print a set of flyers and post them on courtroom doors .
But less than 24 hours before , Santoro had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the judges union said on Monday .
And the eventual memo encouraging immigration courts to post coronavirus signage did not go out to immigration judges within the union ― only to supervisory judges , according to the National Association of Immigration Judges , which learned about the new DOJ memo via the media .
Union president and immigration judge Ashley Tabaddor told HuffPost that the reversal suggested the department is more responsive to the media than it is to the judges who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus began to spread , the judges union has been asking the Executive Office for Immigration Review , the part of DOJ that runs immigration courts , for additional word on how to handle the situation .
But Tabaddor said the info thus far has been minimal and not tailored to the specific needs of immigration courts as public spaces that see large numbers of individuals from around the world .
So the National Association of Immigration Judges took the matter into its own hands on Monday , encouraging its members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained in both English and Spanish how to combat the spread of the coronavirus that causes the illness COVID-19 .
The posters encouraged people to stay home if sick and wash their hands frequently , among other advice .
Spreading this type of information is vital during the outbreak , particularly in public spaces .
So far , there have been more than 700 cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. Worldwide , there have been more than 115,000 cases reported and more than 4,000 deaths as a result of COVID-19 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrative staff that “ judges do not have the authority to post , or ask you to post , signage for their individual courtrooms or the waiting areas , ” the Miami Herald reported early Tuesday morning .
“ As the Department of Justice continues to work closely with the Vice President ’ s Task Force , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , and State and Local Government leaders regarding the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) situation , we are working to provide you and your immigration court staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Santoro wrote .
“ As Government officials who are in constant contact with the public during the work day , we recognize the need for you to have information to share , and it is critical that such information is accurate and as up-to-date as possible.
” “ Whatever one ’ s view is on any issue that we face in this nation , whatever your personal views are , whatever your ideology is , we can not in this public health crisis play fast and loose with people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe , ” DeLauro said .
“ It is a moral responsibility for us to make sure that everyone is protected .
”

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The Trump administration told immigration court staffers on Tuesday to put up posters advising the public how to avoid contracting or spreading the new coronavirus, after abruptly ordering them to take down similar signage on Monday.
The Department of Justice, which operates the immigration courts, sent a memo signed by acting Chief Immigration Judge Christopher A. Santoro to supervisory judges ― and the department’s media list ― on Tuesday asking the judges to print a set of flyers and post them on courtroom doors.
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But less than 24 hours before, Santoro had demanded that court staff take down coronavirus-related posters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the judges union said on Monday.
And the eventual memo encouraging immigration courts to post coronavirus signage did not go out to immigration judges within the union ― only to supervisory judges, according to the National Association of Immigration Judges, which learned about the new DOJ memo via the media. Union president and immigration judge Ashley Tabaddor told HuffPost that the reversal suggested the department is more responsive to the media than it is to the judges who had been pleading for more guidance.
Since the new coronavirus began to spread, the judges union has been asking the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the part of DOJ that runs immigration courts, for additional word on how to handle the situation. But Tabaddor said the info thus far has been minimal and not tailored to the specific needs of immigration courts as public spaces that see large numbers of individuals from around the world.
So the National Association of Immigration Judges took the matter into its own hands on Monday, encouraging its members to post flyers from the CDC that explained in both English and Spanish how to combat the spread of the coronavirus that causes the illness COVID-19. The posters encouraged people to stay home if sick and wash their hands frequently, among other advice.
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Spreading this type of information is vital during the outbreak, particularly in public spaces. So far, there have been more than 700 cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. Worldwide, there have been more than 115,000 cases reported and more than 4,000 deaths as a result of COVID-19.
But later on Monday, Santoro notified court administrative staff that “judges do not have the authority to post, or ask you to post, signage for their individual courtrooms or the waiting areas,” the Miami Herald reported early Tuesday morning.
NAIJ had recommended to immigration judges that they post in courthouses the English and Spanish language versions of the CDC's "Stop the Spread of Germs" and "Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019" posters. EOIR ordered that they be removed. — Immigration Judges (NAIJ) (@Imm_Judges_NAIJ) March 9, 2020
Santoro’s Tuesday memo, shared with the media some hours after the Herald’s report, states that coronavirus-related flyers should be posted and includes attachments of those flyers.
“As the Department of Justice continues to work closely with the Vice President’s Task Force, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and State and Local Government leaders regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, we are working to provide you and your immigration court staff with resources to support your important mission,” Santoro wrote. “As Government officials who are in constant contact with the public during the work day, we recognize the need for you to have information to share, and it is critical that such information is accurate and as up-to-date as possible.”
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DOJ did not respond to a request for comment on why the chief judge ordered that similar flyers be removed on Monday.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) condemned the earlier order during a House hearing on the coronavirus outbreak on Tuesday before DOJ told supervisors to put up posters.
“Whatever one’s view is on any issue that we face in this nation, whatever your personal views are, whatever your ideology is, we cannot in this public health crisis play fast and loose with people’s health no matter [what] we believe,” DeLauro said. “It is a moral responsibility for us to make sure that everyone is protected.”


huffpost--2020-03-10--'You're A Monster!' Colbert Puts 'Idiot' Trump On Notice Over Coronavirus Tweets

So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu .
It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year .
@ @ @ @ @ life & the economy go on .
At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Think about that !

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Stephen Colbert called out President Donald Trump for comparing the COVID-19 coronavirus infections to the flu.
Trump on Monday complained that the flu leads to more illness and death, but “nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on.”
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So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Trump finished with a “think about that!” and so the “Late Show” host did.
“OK, let me think about that,” he said. “You’re a monster.”
The audience cheered.
“Here’s the thing: We can criticize Trump’s golfing and tweeting,” he said. “But when he hunkers down and focuses on the problem, that’s when he really sucks.”
Then he offered some examples from the recent headlines:
TONIGHT: Trump did his worst to calm America's fears about the Coronavirus. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/z1xlzcf2SO — The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) March 10, 2020


huffpost--2020-03-10--D.C. Officials Ask Hundreds To Self-Quarantine After Priest's Coronavirus Diagnosis

Rev .
Timothy Cole , leader of Christ Church , Georgetown , identified himself as a confirmed novel coronavirus patient in a letter to congregants on Sunday .
He received the diagnosis about a week after he participated in Sunday services attended by around 550 people on March 1 , including one service in which he helped distribute Holy Communion .
Parishioners who had contact with Cole have a “ medium risk ” of exposure to the new coronavirus , according to Anjali Talwalkar , senior deputy director for the community health administration at the D.C. Health Department .
Cole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patient .
The department is calling on people who visited Christ Church on Feb. 24 and between Feb. 28 and March 3rd to isolate themselves for 14 days from the last time they visited the church .
“ That is when our case was symptomatic , ” Talwalkar said at a press conference on Monday morning .
“ So anybody who was potentially exposed during that time , out of caution and best practices for disease control , that ’ s the recommendation.
” Cole returned to the capital from a conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 , Volmer said .
The rector felt sick on Feb. 24 but started feeling better later in the week , attending an all-day church council retreat on Feb. 28 .
Cole “ felt fine ” the following Sunday , March 1 , Volmer said .
The rector participated in services that day , handing out Communion at the 11:15 a.m. service .
Cole also urged his parishioners to be diligent about washing their hands to protect themselves from the coronavirus , Volmer said .
On March 3 , Cole visited a doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Volmer said .
Two days later , he was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia .
By March 7 , he was confirmed to have COVID-19 .
“ I want to assure you that I will be okay , ” Cole wrote to his church on Sunday .
“ I am receiving excellent care and am in good spirits under the circumstances.
” Christ Church is located in D.C. ’ s Georgetown neighborhood , less than two miles from the White House .
Founded in 1817 , the congregation currently includes many government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is currently in self-quarantine with his family .
He said many fellow Christ Church attendees have also agreed to quarantine .
The church keeps sanitizing gels on hand for parishioners during services , Volmer said .
It ’ s also common practice for its priests to wash their hands before services .
Communion bread is typically placed into parishioners ’ cupped hands , Volmer said .
The wine is usually distributed through a common chalice .
Some sip from the chalice directly , while others dip the bread into the wine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rev .
Mariann Edgar Budde , bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington , told HuffPost that she has issued new mandatory guidelines on Monday for churches and schools under her watch .
Budde has suspended the distribution of wine during Communion and is requiring priests to use wafers instead of bread .
Physical contact with fellow churchgoers is no longer allowed before , during and after worship , including during the Peace , a moment in the liturgy when parishioners typically greet each other with handshakes and hugs .

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Health officials in Washington, D.C., are urging hundreds of worshippers who recently visited a local Episcopal church to self-quarantine after the parish’s rector tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.
Rev. Timothy Cole, leader of Christ Church, Georgetown, identified himself as a confirmed novel coronavirus patient in a letter to congregants on Sunday. He received the diagnosis about a week after he participated in Sunday services attended by around 550 people on March 1, including one service in which he helped distribute Holy Communion.
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Parishioners who had contact with Cole have a “medium risk” of exposure to the new coronavirus, according to Anjali Talwalkar, senior deputy director for the community health administration at the D.C. Health Department. Cole is the city’s first known coronavirus patient.
The department is calling on people who visited Christ Church on Feb. 24 and between Feb. 28 and March 3rd to isolate themselves for 14 days from the last time they visited the church.
“That is when our case was symptomatic,” Talwalkar said at a press conference on Monday morning. “So anybody who was potentially exposed during that time, out of caution and best practices for disease control, that’s the recommendation.”
Cole is currently in stable condition at a local hospital, church spokesperson Rob Volmer told HuffPost.
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In his letter, the priest urged his congregants to follow the CDC’s coronavirus prevention guidelines.
“There is no need to panic,” the rector wrote.
Mayor Muriel Bowser asked hundreds of Christ Church, Georgetown, parishioners to stay home for 14 days after a rector at the house of worship tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Cole returned to the capital from a conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on Feb. 22, Volmer said. The rector felt sick on Feb. 24 but started feeling better later in the week, attending an all-day church council retreat on Feb. 28.
Cole “felt fine” the following Sunday, March 1, Volmer said. The rector participated in services that day, handing out Communion at the 11:15 a.m. service. Cole also urged his parishioners to be diligent about washing their hands to protect themselves from the coronavirus, Volmer said.
On March 3, Cole visited a doctor and was diagnosed with the flu, Volmer said. Two days later, he was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. By March 7, he was confirmed to have COVID-19.
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“I want to assure you that I will be okay,” Cole wrote to his church on Sunday. “I am receiving excellent care and am in good spirits under the circumstances.”
Christ Church canceled services on March 8 and has indefinitely suspended future gatherings. It’s the first time the church has been shuttered since a fire in the 1800s, CBS reports.
Christ Church is located in D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood, less than two miles from the White House. Founded in 1817, the congregation currently includes many government officials, according to CBS.
Volmer said he is currently in self-quarantine with his family. He said many fellow Christ Church attendees have also agreed to quarantine.
The church keeps sanitizing gels on hand for parishioners during services, Volmer said. It’s also common practice for its priests to wash their hands before services. Communion bread is typically placed into parishioners’ cupped hands, Volmer said. The wine is usually distributed through a common chalice. Some sip from the chalice directly, while others dip the bread into the wine, he said.
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Christ Church has suspended services and meetings after Rev. Timothy Cole tested positive for COVID-19. Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Five people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maryland. At least three D.C. public schools closed Monday over concerns about the virus.
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, told HuffPost that she has issued new mandatory guidelines on Monday for churches and schools under her watch.
Budde has suspended the distribution of wine during Communion and is requiring priests to use wafers instead of bread. Physical contact with fellow churchgoers is no longer allowed before, during and after worship, including during the Peace, a moment in the liturgy when parishioners typically greet each other with handshakes and hugs.
Budde has also instructed parishes to drain water from baptismal fonts and ensure that those leading worship and administering Communion are sanitizing their hands.
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Other religious communities have also made changes to their worship practices in light of the global outbreak of COVID-19.
The novel coronavirus has infected at least 600 people in the U.S., resulting in 26 deaths, The Associated Press reported Monday. Worldwide, over 113,000 people have tested positive for the disease and nearly 4,000 people have died.
Volmer said that Christ Church parishioners are praying for “all those affected, all those in fear, and all those working to find solutions.”


huffpost--2020-03-10--Conservative Columnist Says Trump's Turning Into 'Baghdad Bob' Over Coronavirus

Conservative columnist Max Boot called out President Donald Trump on Monday for delivering misinformation instead of the calm and steady leadership needed as the nation faces the twin crises of the coronavirus outbreak and spasming financial markets .
“ Panic is spreading even faster than the coronavirus because there is no leader to reassure a jittery public , ” Boot wrote in The Washington Post , Boot noted that Trump already lacked credibility before the crisis .
Now , Trump “ has stayed true to incredible form.
” Last month when speaking about the outbreak , Trump claimed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ close to zero ” cases in the U.S. And just last week , Trump claimed : “ We closed it down ; we stopped it.
” Boot even compared Trump to Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf , the ex-Iraqi information minister better known as “ Baghdad Bob ” for his comically false denials about the grim reality of the situation during the U.S.-led invasion in the early 2000s : This is a time that calls for the candor and reassurance of President Franklin D. Roosevelt ’ s ‘ fireside chats.
’ Instead , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baghdad Bob ’ — the Iraqi minister of information who was claiming complete victory even as Saddam Hussein ’ s regime was collapsing in 2003 .

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Conservative columnist Max Boot called out President Donald Trump on Monday for delivering misinformation instead of the calm and steady leadership needed as the nation faces the twin crises of the coronavirus outbreak and spasming financial markets.
“Panic is spreading even faster than the coronavirus because there is no leader to reassure a jittery public,” Boot wrote in The Washington Post,
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Boot noted that Trump already lacked credibility before the crisis. Now, Trump “has stayed true to incredible form.”
Last month when speaking about the outbreak, Trump claimed to have “shut it down” and predicted “close to zero” cases in the U.S. And just last week, Trump claimed: “We closed it down; we stopped it.”
Boot even compared Trump to Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, the ex-Iraqi information minister better known as “Baghdad Bob” for his comically false denials about the grim reality of the situation during the U.S.-led invasion in the early 2000s:


huffpost--2020-03-09--Stocks Plunge Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, Triggering Wall Street Trading Halt

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 7.8 % , its steepest drop since the financial crisis of 2008 , as a free-fall in oil prices and worsening fears of fallout from the spreading coronavirus outbreak seize markets .
The sharp drops triggered the first automatic halts in trading in two decades .
The price of oil plunged nearly 25 % after Saudi Arabia indicated it would ramp up production after Russia refused to production cutbacks in response to falling demand .
Europe fell into a bear market .
U.S. stocks are now down 19 % from the peak they reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lows as investors sought safety .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 2,000 points at one point during the day , or nearly 8 % , and European markets entered a bear market , registering their heaviest losses since the darkest days of the 2008 meltdown , as the damage mounted from the crisis that has closed factories , schools and stores and led to travel bans and unprecedented quarantines .
The market slide came as Italy , the hardest-hit place in Europe , began enforcing a lockdown against 16 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country ’ s population , with masked police officers and soldiers checking travelers ’ documents amid restrictions that affected such daily activities as enjoying a espresso at a cafe or running to the grocery store .
The turmoil is expected to push Italy into recession and weigh on the European economy .
In the U.S. , a cruise ship with a cluster of coronavirus cases that forced it to idle off the California coast for days arrived at the port of Oakland as officials prepared to start bringing passengers to military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their home countries .
The Grand Princess had more than 3,500 people aboard — 21 of them infected with the virus .
The escalating health crisis combined with another , intertwined development — plummeting oil prices — to drag down the market : The price of oil sank nearly 20 % after Russia refused to roll back production in response to virus-depressed demand and Saudi Arabia signaled it will ramp up its own output .
On Wall Street , the S & P 500 plunged 7.4 % in the first few minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halted by the market ’ s circuit breakers , first adopted after the crash of October 1987 and modified over the years to give investors a chance to catch their breath .
The market-wide circuit breakers have been triggered only once before , in 1997 .
After the 15-minute pause , the S & P trimmed its losses but was still down 6.9 % in the late afternoon .
The Dow was down 1,802 points , or 7 % , to 24,062 .
The Nasdaq gave up 6.4 % .
The interest rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonds sank to all-time lows as investors looking for a safe place kept on sinking money into them , even as the return on their investment sank closer and closer to zero .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note plunged to 0.54 % .
Up until last week , it had never been below 1 % .
The carnage in the energy sector was particularly bad .
With benchmark U.S. crude dropping to under $ 32 a barrel , Marathon Oil , Apache Corp. and Diamondback Energy each sank more than 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on track for their worst days since 2008 .
“ We knew it was going to be a hot day , ” said John Spensieri , head of U.S. equity trading at Stifel .
He said that the mood was “ organized chaos ” in the morning but that the trading halt achieved what it was supposed to by stopping the slide .
The coronavirus has infected more than 110,000 people worldwide and killed around 3,900 , leading to factory shutdowns , travel bans , closings of schools and stores , and cancellations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , the number of people infected climbed to around 600 , with at least 25 deaths — at least 19 of them associated with a single Seattle-area nursing home .
Including Monday ’ s drop , the S & P 500 has now lost 18.3 % since setting a record last month .
If it hits 20 % , it would mean the death of what ’ s become the longest-running bull market for U.S. stocks in history , an 11-year run .
Monday marks the 11th anniversary of the market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Traders are increasing betting that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates back to zero to do what it can to help the virus-weakened economy , perhaps as soon as next week .

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 7.8%, its steepest drop since the financial crisis of 2008, as a free-fall in oil prices and worsening fears of fallout from the spreading coronavirus outbreak seize markets. The sharp drops triggered the first automatic halts in trading in two decades. The price of oil plunged nearly 25% after Saudi Arabia indicated it would ramp up production after Russia refused to production cutbacks in response to falling demand. Europe fell into a bear market. U.S. stocks are now down 19% from the peak they reached last month. Bond yields plumbed new lows as investors sought safety.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below:
Coronavirus fears and a crash in oil prices sent a shudder through financial markets Monday, with stocks plummeting so fast on Wall Street that they triggered the first automatic halt in trading in over two decades.
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 2,000 points at one point during the day, or nearly 8%, and European markets entered a bear market, registering their heaviest losses since the darkest days of the 2008 meltdown, as the damage mounted from the crisis that has closed factories, schools and stores and led to travel bans and unprecedented quarantines.
“The market has had a crisis of confidence,” said Willie Delwiche, investment strategist at Baird.
The market slide came as Italy, the hardest-hit place in Europe, began enforcing a lockdown against 16 million people in the north, or one-quarter of the country’s population, with masked police officers and soldiers checking travelers’ documents amid restrictions that affected such daily activities as enjoying a espresso at a cafe or running to the grocery store. The turmoil is expected to push Italy into recession and weigh on the European economy.
In the U.S., a cruise ship with a cluster of coronavirus cases that forced it to idle off the California coast for days arrived at the port of Oakland as officials prepared to start bringing passengers to military bases for quarantine or get them back to their home countries. The Grand Princess had more than 3,500 people aboard — 21 of them infected with the virus.
The escalating health crisis combined with another, intertwined development — plummeting oil prices — to drag down the market: The price of oil sank nearly 20% after Russia refused to roll back production in response to virus-depressed demand and Saudi Arabia signaled it will ramp up its own output.
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While low oil prices can translate into cheaper gasoline, they wreak havoc on energy companies and countries that count on petroleum revenue, including the No. 1 producer, the U.S.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 plunged 7.4% in the first few minutes after the opening bell before trading was halted by the market’s circuit breakers, first adopted after the crash of October 1987 and modified over the years to give investors a chance to catch their breath. The market-wide circuit breakers have been triggered only once before, in 1997.
After the 15-minute pause, the S&P trimmed its losses but was still down 6.9% in the late afternoon. The Dow was down 1,802 points, or 7%, to 24,062. The Nasdaq gave up 6.4%.
U.S. stocks edged ever closer to a bear market, defined as a drop of 20% from its peak, while a gauge of fear on Wall Street reached its highest level since the 2008 global financial crisis.
Italy’s stock index plunged 11.2%. Britain, France and Germany were down between 7.7% and 8.4%
The interest rate, or yield, on U.S. Treasury bonds sank to all-time lows as investors looking for a safe place kept on sinking money into them, even as the return on their investment sank closer and closer to zero. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note plunged to 0.54%. Up until last week, it had never been below 1%.
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The carnage in the energy sector was particularly bad. With benchmark U.S. crude dropping to under $32 a barrel, Marathon Oil, Apache Corp. and Diamondback Energy each sank more than 40%. Exxon Mobil and Chevron were on track for their worst days since 2008.
“We knew it was going to be a hot day,” said John Spensieri, head of U.S. equity trading at Stifel. He said that the mood was “organized chaos” in the morning but that the trading halt achieved what it was supposed to by stopping the slide.
The coronavirus has infected more than 110,000 people worldwide and killed around 3,900, leading to factory shutdowns, travel bans, closings of schools and stores, and cancellations of conventions and other gatherings. In the U.S., the number of people infected climbed to around 600, with at least 25 deaths — at least 19 of them associated with a single Seattle-area nursing home.
While the crisis is easing in China, where the virus was first detected, fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea, Iran and Italy, and fears are mounting in the United States.
After initially taking an optimistic view on the virus, hoping that it would remain mostly in China and cause just a short-term disruption, investors are realizing they probably underestimated the crisis badly.
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Including Monday’s drop, the S&P 500 has now lost 18.3% since setting a record last month. If it hits 20%, it would mean the death of what’s become the longest-running bull market for U.S. stocks in history, an 11-year run. Monday marks the 11th anniversary of the market hitting bottom after the 2008 financial crisis.
Traders are increasing betting that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates back to zero to do what it can to help the virus-weakened economy, perhaps as soon as next week.
But doubts are rising about how effective lower rates can be this time. They can encourage people and companies to borrow, but they can’t restart factories, restaurants or theme parks shut down because people are quarantined.
The Fed has already cut its benchmark short-term rate to a range of 1% to 1.25%, leaving little room to cut more.
“Central banks are a bit player in the current crisis,’’ Ethan Harris, global economist at Bank of America, wrote in a research report.
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The clamor is growing louder for help from authorities besides central banks.
“Today’s market action may bang some heads together and actually start thinking about the constructive measures the government can take,’’ said Jacob Kirkegaard, senior fellow at the Peterson Institution for International Economics.
Among other things, Kirkegaard said, the government should make sure all Americans get paid sick leave and health care coverage for virus-related ills.
___


huffpost--2020-03-09--Scientific Adviser From 'Contagion' Says The Movie Was A Warning

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread around the globe , the 2011 pandemic movie “ Contagion ” has recaptured the public ’ s interest .
Now , a health expert consulted for the film says parts of the movie ’ s plot should ’ ve served as a warning about future outbreaks .
The film has been praised by some in the scientific community ― then and now ― for being accurate , albeit extreme .
The plot follows the fictional MEV-1 virus , which was rapidly transmitted to people around the world as authorities sought to stem the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tracey McNamara , a veterinary pathologist and professor in pathology at Western University of Health Sciences , assisted “ Contagion ” filmmakers when they made the movie a decade ago .
Last week , she told BuzzFeed News she was not surprised the movie had become popular again .
“ If people are watching it again , and if federal and state officials are watching it again , I hope they ’ re realizing that the movie was really about what can happen with a novel pandemic threat , and I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously , ” she added .
” I wish people had paid closer attention to it when the film came out because it really was a warning to the federal government that this could happen and you need to prepare.
” McNamara said the filmmakers tried to make the fictional virus as realistic as possible .
She was hired in light of her part in the discovery of the West Nile virus outbreak while working as a veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo .
She also played a central role in pushing the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenets of “ Contagion ” as particularly relevant to the current outbreak , which has over 110,000 confirmed cases globally , but has not been classified as a pandemic : The disease ’ s rapid spread via human contact and the lengthy process to produce a vaccine .
In the movie , Kate Winslet ’ s character , who works for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , warns local officials that the danger of the virus ’ spread lay in the fact that the average person touches his or her face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermittently touching other surfaces , such as doorknobs , water fountains , elevator buttons and other people .
In recent weeks , public health officials , politicians and the president have all urged people to refrain from touching their faces , strive to hand-wash regularly and limit personal contact in a bid to slow the person-to-person spread of COVID-19 .
“ In the film , it took a long time to develop a vaccine that wasn ’ t immediately available , and then they had to have a lottery to see if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McNamara told BuzzFeed .
“ That rings true because to get a vaccine to market and approved by the FDA , it ’ s a very lengthy process .
I believe that , yes , people are working hard on the vaccine for the coronavirus , but I think antivirals will be more important in the short term.
” On Sunday , “ Contagion , ” which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow , Matt Damon , Marion Cotillard , Laurence Fishburne and Jude Law , was ranked at No .
5 on iTunes Movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Warner Bros. said the film was listed at No .
270 of its catalog titles until the start of 2020 when it jumped to No .
2 ( behind only the Harry Potter movies ) , per The New York Times .
At the time of the movie ’ s original release , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading voice in the current coronavirus response , described “ Contagion ” as an “ extremely rare possibility of a worst-case scenario.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of “ one of the most accurate movies I have seen on infectious disease outbreaks of any type.
” One of the film ’ s producers , Michael Shamberg , told BuzzFeed the movie was not intended to scare audiences ; it was aimed at scaring “ people into taking precautions ” and to “ scare the infrastructure into doing the right thing .
”

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As the novel coronavirus continues to spread around the globe, the 2011 pandemic movie “Contagion” has recaptured the public’s interest. Now, a health expert consulted for the film says parts of the movie’s plot should’ve served as a warning about future outbreaks.
The film has been praised by some in the scientific community ― then and now ― for being accurate, albeit extreme. The plot follows the fictional MEV-1 virus, which was rapidly transmitted to people around the world as authorities sought to stem the pandemic, panic and flow of misinformation.
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Tracey McNamara, a veterinary pathologist and professor in pathology at Western University of Health Sciences, assisted “Contagion” filmmakers when they made the movie a decade ago. Last week, she told BuzzFeed News she was not surprised the movie had become popular again.
“The movie really rang true, and now that we’re dealing with coronavirus, it really captured when you’re dealing with something unknown,” McNamara said.
“If people are watching it again, and if federal and state officials are watching it again, I hope they’re realizing that the movie was really about what can happen with a novel pandemic threat, and I think people should have taken it much more seriously,” she added. ”I wish people had paid closer attention to it when the film came out because it really was a warning to the federal government that this could happen and you need to prepare.”
McNamara said the filmmakers tried to make the fictional virus as realistic as possible. She was hired in light of her part in the discovery of the West Nile virus outbreak while working as a veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo. She also played a central role in pushing the government to investigate.
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McNamara highlighted two notable tenets of “Contagion” as particularly relevant to the current outbreak, which has over 110,000 confirmed cases globally, but has not been classified as a pandemic: The disease’s rapid spread via human contact and the lengthy process to produce a vaccine.
In the movie, Kate Winslet’s character, who works for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warns local officials that the danger of the virus’ spread lay in the fact that the average person touches his or her face thousands of times a day while also intermittently touching other surfaces, such as doorknobs, water fountains, elevator buttons and other people.
In recent weeks, public health officials, politicians and the president have all urged people to refrain from touching their faces, strive to hand-wash regularly and limit personal contact in a bid to slow the person-to-person spread of COVID-19.
Top health experts have also warned a vaccine might take 18 months.
“In the film, it took a long time to develop a vaccine that wasn’t immediately available, and then they had to have a lottery to see if you would even get the vaccine,” McNamara told BuzzFeed. “That rings true because to get a vaccine to market and approved by the FDA, it’s a very lengthy process. I believe that, yes, people are working hard on the vaccine for the coronavirus, but I think antivirals will be more important in the short term.”
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On Sunday, “Contagion,” which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne and Jude Law, was ranked at No. 5 on iTunes Movie Charts despite its release a decade ago. Warner Bros. said the film was listed at No. 270 of its catalog titles until the start of 2020 when it jumped to No. 2 (behind only the Harry Potter movies), per The New York Times.
At the time of the movie’s original release, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading voice in the current coronavirus response, described “Contagion” as an “extremely rare possibility of a worst-case scenario.” However, he also noted it was one of “one of the most accurate movies I have seen on infectious disease outbreaks of any type.”