The U.S. Has Lost Control Of The Coronavirus. What Now?

The spread of the virus exceeds our capacity to test, contact trace, and isolate those who test positive. Some public health experts say the only option that remains is a second shutdown. NPR’s Rob Stein reports on what that would look like.

Derek Thompson, writer and editor at The Atlantic, says there’s another part of our virus strategy we may need to rethink. He calls it ‘hygiene theater.’

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John Lewis Fought For Voting Rights His Entire Life. Why His Work Is Still Unfinished

John Lewis, the civil rights icon and late congressman from Georgia who represented Atlanta for more than three decades, spent his life fighting for equal voting rights in America.

Myrna Perez, Director of the Voting Rights and Elections Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, explains why his work remains unfinished.

Lewis spoke to ‘Fresh Air’ in 2009. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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First Phase III Vaccine Trial Underway, Government Seeks Thousands Of Volunteers

This morning in Savannah, Georgia, the first volunteer was injected in a phase-three vaccine trial administered by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. Dr Anthony Fauci hopes that up to 15,000 volunteers will be in place by the end of the week. (Tens of thousands more will be needed for additional vaccine trials.)

It will take months to learn if the vaccine produces an effective immune response. Scientists who’ve studied antibody reactions in coronavirus patients have reason to be optimistic, at least in the short-term.

And Dr Elke Webber, psychology professor at Princeton University, explains why the pandemic may be getting too big to wrap our heads around.

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Expanded Unemployment Set To Expire; Americans Face ‘Utterly Preventable’ Evictions

More than 25 million Americans have been receiving expanded federal unemployment benefits — $600 a week. Those benefits disappear in days.

Congress is unlikely to agree on new package before the end of next week. And temporary moratoriums on evictions are coming to an end in many places around the country.

NPR’s Noel King spoke with Matt Desmond, founder of Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, about what could happen if Congress doesn’t provide more help, and why so many American families were already in trouble before the pandemic.

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The Fight Over Confederate Statues, And How They Could Tell Another Story

Monument Avenue is a large, tree-lined street in Richmond, Virginia that used to have several confederate statues and monuments. In the wake of protests against racism and police brutality, the city has removed most of the. But a monument of Robert E. Lee still stands — for now.

Even before the statues started coming down, WVTF’s Mallory Noe-Payne reports that Richmond residents began reclaiming the space where it stands.

And historian Julian Hayter tells NPR’s Scott Simon there’s a way for confederate statues to tell a different story.

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Voting By Mail Will Increase Dramatically This Year — And It Could Get Messy

Up to 70% of vote this November could be cast by mail. But not all states will allow it.

And a recent NPR survey found that 65,000 absentee or mail-in ballots have been rejected this year for being late.

NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly visited a county in Pennsylvania to see what challenges lay ahead for election night in a critical swing state.

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Masks May Protect Those Wearing Them; Vaccines To Enter Large-Scale Trials

Dr. Anthony Fauci tells NPR he’s glad the President is promoting masks, and hopes more frequent White House briefings will be a source of clear and concise public health messaging.

Experimental coronavirus vaccines are headed for large-scale tests on tens of thousands of people. Multiple companies are preparing to begin those tests, a major hurdle in vaccine development.

We know masks keep us from infecting others with the virus. Now, scientists believe they can also help protect the people wearing them.

And NPR’s Nurith Aizenmann reports that face coverings are one of the surest ways for cities and states to avoid returning to full lockdown measures and could potentially save 40,000 American lives.

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Two current family law trends

Communities throughout the world are going through changes. Just one year ago, we were out and about socializing, going to work, meeting friends at restaurants and carting kids around to extracurricular activities. Today, we are doing our best to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. We are meeting our work counterparts in online meetings, ordering food to eat at home instead of enjoying the ambiance of a restaurant and we are encouraging kids to play in the yard with siblings or neighbors instead of in large tournaments with friends from other communities.

These changes have also impacted the workings of family law matters. Three examples include:

Trend #1: Increased divorce rates.

Although data is not currently available for divorce rates in the United States, it is likely these rates will increase. China, who began dealing with the coronavirus pandemic before the U.S., has data showing increased divorce rates due to the coronavirus. The stress that comes with stay at home and quarantine orders along with financial pressure from loss of employment or cut hours can magnify preexisting problems, potentially increasing the likelihood of divorce.

Trend #2: Custody and visitation issues.

These orders have also impacted child custody arrangements. Is it violating a stay at home or quarantine order to take kids to see their other parent? These are not easy questions to navigate. Parents can help to better ensure they get their time with children by keeping track of any changes. Keep records of missed dates. You can likely request make up time in the future.


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Author: On behalf of Katie L. Lewis, P.C. Family Law

Federal Officers Could Expand Beyond Portland; Trump Searches For Campaign Strategy

In Portland, Oregon, federal agents have been using violent force against protesters. Some protesters have been arrested by officers in unmarked vehicles.

Governor Kate Brown has asked the Department of Homeland Security to step aside, while President Trump threatened to dispatch federal officers to more cities.

NPR’s Mara Liasson reports Trump was hoping to campaign on a thriving economy and a swift end to the pandemic. Surging cases have forced him to change his message — and given Joe Biden an opening.

Ongoing coverage of the Portland protests and police response from our colleagues at Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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