Human Rights, Migration & Refugees

Rohingya refugee children attend an open-air Arabic school at Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox's Bazar. Because of the pandemic, such gatherings are no longer possible. Photo: Reuters

Mar 31 2020 - All around the world, the numbers are climbing. Each day registers thousands of new cases and lives lost. In Europe, now the epicenter of the pandemic, governments know that the worst is yet to come and are implementing increasingly restrictive measures to enforce social distancing and isolation. In Coxs Bazar, we have been watching the world and holding our breath for the first confirmed case of Covid-19. With reports of the first confirmed case in the local community in Coxs Bazar, its just a matter of time until the virus reaches the vulnerable population living in cramped conditions in the largest refugee settlement on earth. Thousands of people could die.

One million Rohingya refugees, half of whom are children, have been sheltering in sprawling camps in Coxs Bazar since August 2017, when they were forced to flee their homes in the face of horrific violence. For almost three years, Rohingya refugees have been telling us they want to go home and resume normal life. They want their children to go to school and for families separated by the conflict to be reunited. So far, international attempts to hold Myanmar accountable for alleged crimes against the Rohingya and improve conditions in Rakhine state have failed spectacularly. In short, it will be years until the Rohingya see justice.

As global life grinds to a halt in a bid to contain the coronavirus, we must remember that for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, their lives have already been in limbo for years; it is their status quo, and it will not end with the containment of coronavirus.

If there is one lesson for refugees that we must take away from this crisisit must be that refugee camps, and a life in limbo, should never be considered an acceptable long-term solution. We must challenge perceptions that because the Rohingya in Coxs Bazar escaped Myanmar with their lives, they are safe. The coronavirus is a warning to us that there is not endless time to resolve the issues in Myanmar that would finally allow the Rohingya to return home. While the people and Government of Bangladesh have generously continued to shelter the Rohingya for years, life in the camps is not safe.

Children, in particular girls, are at a high risk of exploitation, violence and trafficking. Rohingya refugees do not have access to livelihood opportunities to help them support their families.

We are now witnessing the impact that coronavirus is having in communities that can social distance, wash hands and have access to strong healthcare systems, yet this virus has still brought them to their knees. In the densely packed camps of Coxs Bazar, options of social distancing or self-isolation are remote, with many refugees living in cramped conditions in makeshift shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin. Even simple hygiene practices such as regular hand washing become complicated feats of logistical planning when access to clean water is severely limited.

The Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian agencies have sprung into action. Rohingya refugees are included in the Governments national plan to respond to Covid-19, food distribution agencies are developing new ways to distribute food that minimises close person to person contact. Rohingya volunteers are mobilising throughout the camps to spread hygiene and prevention messaging that will protect their families and loved ones. Volunteers from the host community are being trained too, supporting everything from delivering awareness trainings to implementing referral mechanisms and medical treatment. The humanitarian agencies in Coxs Bazar have already stripped back to essential-only services like healthcare and food distribution. This is a necessary step to ensure we are reducing the chances of transmission and minimising the impact of this disease on the Rohingya community, but, this decision too, will come at a cost. Just two months ago, the Bangladeshi Government approved the use of the Myanmar school curriculum in the camps, but childrens education will now have to be suspended to contain the coronavirus. Our child-friendly spaces are closed and may be repurposed for medical use if the need arises. Rohingya children are now not only at risk of Covid-19 but will have to face this challenge without access to their regular support systems or safe spaces to play.

We will do whatever we can to work with the Government of Bangladesh and Rohingya refugees to protect them from Covid-19. But the fact remains, Rohingya children should not be living in these camps. They should not have to fight a global pandemic with the bare minimum needed to survive. They should be at home, at school; playing and learning. At a time when there are more displaced people around the world than ever beforethe coronavirus has exposed how our systems fail the most vulnerable. Our global mechanisms for accountability and the protection of human rights have failed the Rohingya so farit is absolutely essential that we do not fail them again. This is a global pandemic and the virus is now hitting the most vulnerable communities. We must come together. Only a global response will stop the spread of the virus everywhere. This means the international community must step up to offer medical support, testing kits, share data and provide much needed funding to support the response. But stepping up also means so much more than that. When the dust settles, when planes start flying again and the borders re-openwe cannot go back to business as usual, we cannot assume we have endless time to resolve this crisis, that Rohingya children can wait. Rohingya children must be afforded a future of hope and opportunity, like every child deserves. We may not have the power to safeguard against another pandemic. But we do have the power to ensure it isnt the most vulnerable that end up paying the heaviest price.

Athena Rayburn is Save the Childrens Humanitarian Advocacy Manager, based in Coxs Bazar.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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Covid-19 and the Rohingya refugee crisis - Inter Press Service

Its not a zombie apocalypse, but surely some have wondered about the lights staying on during the coronavirus crisis.

Good news: those who generate your electricity, treat your water and collect your trash are still working, even as many Arlington residents with the notable exception of healthcare workers, public safety personnel and grocery store employees, among others stay at home.

There are plans for keeping these unsung heroes safe and on the job, officials say.

Arlingtons Dept. of Environmental Services, which is responsible for waste collection, water service, road maintenance and other critical infrastructure, says it is implementing plans drawn up for disaster situations.

We have implemented acontinuityof operational services plan (COOP) to ensure operations and critical services continue, and are practicing social distancing to protect staff, including staggering start times to avoid large groups, DES spokeswoman Katie OBrien tells ARLnow. Crews are also being encouraged to follow CDC guidelines like washing hands for 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based sanitizer when water isnt available.

Waste collection workers are keeping their distance from one another, when possible, and wearing more protective gear, OBrien said.

Residential trash, recycling and yard waste curbside collection is expected to continue, she noted. Currently, our hauler has suspended bulk curbside collection for residential customers until further notice. This includes furniture, mattresses and any appliances larger than a standard microwave.

To keep water infrastructure everything from water mains to sewer lines to the countys water treatment plant running at a time when everyone is being encouraged to wash their hands frequently, planned maintenance involving water outages are being avoided.

DES has limited or postponed planned water shutdowns to minimize service impacts on customers and focus our resources on maintaining our systems, OBrien said.

Other mitigation steps in place include modified schedules andrear boarding for ART buses, and reduced staff and schedules but continued operations for traffic signal maintenance and repairs, signfabricationand repairs, markings, and meter repairs.

Dominion Energy, meanwhile, says it is prepared for situations like this.

Customers can expect continued, reliable service, said spokeswoman Peggy Fox. Our crews are standing by to respond to any customer-service issues.

That includes outages, like the one the Ballston area experienced earlier today.

Our line workers will still be responding to service interruptions, Fox said. If you experience a power outage, the best way to report it is online or through our mobile app.

On the electricity generation side, power plants are still humming and Dominion says procedures are in place to ensure employee safety and continuity.

We are staffing our power stations to ensure we continue to provide our customers with reliable energy 24/7 [and]have adjusted our staffing plans so employees who perform the same roles are spread across different shifts or days of the week, she said. For employees who cannot work remotely, we are sanitizing our facilities at the end of each shift and encouraging safe hygiene practices.To limit exposure, we have restricted access to our facilities.

As for Dominion workers who become ill with the virus, Fox said that they will be told to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Other employees will step in to ensure essential work gets done, just as they do when a colleague goes on vacation, she said.

Read more here:
Workers Keeping the Power on and the Water Flowing During Coronavirus Crisis - ARLnow

Fraudsters are praying on people's uncertainty and fear to convince them to hand over their money for substandard goods, services they don't need, and scams.

In Lancashire, the county council received a report of a doorstep cold caller in South Ribble who attempted to charge an elderly man 3,500 for power washing his driveway. Trading standards is looking into this issue.

The police have also received reports of door to door sales people offering "home coronavirus testing kits". Please be aware, such items are fake, no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

The police have also received reports of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves and, while this may not be a scam, Trading Standards would warn people against buying these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.

Meanwhile, school meal scam reports are emerging. Parents are being asked to provide bank details to retain a free school meal entitlement. People should never do this and report these scams to the county council.

County Coun. Albert Atkinson, cabinet member for technical services, rural affairs and waste management, said: "There really is no limit to the lengths fraudsters will go in order to con people out of their money.

"Unfortunately, they are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak to scam vulnerable people.

"We're doing everything we can to make people aware of these scams as they are reported. I'd urge people to be particularly vigilant at the moment and keep a look out for their neighbours.

"Always say no to cold callers, and be suspicious of any unsolicited communications via phone, email or post.

"People can always call our Citizen's Advice Consumer Helpline if they're unsure and need advice, or to report a scam.

"Keep an eye on our Scambuster Stan Facebook page for the latest scam alerts."

Other national and international scams include

Callers and emailers advising that they have coronavirus symptoms, have large amounts of money waiting in a bank account to be claimed and asking people to email for further information at which point they may part with key personal details, leading to them losing money via the scam.

A fraudulent COVID-19 tax refund offer. People are being invited to click on a link to a bogus government web page and complete with key personal/financial details

Scam emails claiming to be from researchers asking for donations - downloading to a fake Microsoft login page requesting email and passwords.

Fraudulent sellers offering facemasks and other safety equipment. People should always use known, reputable online suppliers. Trading standards recommends that any transactions over 100 should be paid by credit card for extra protection.

Hackers are sending emails pretending to be from the World Health Organisation. The email claims that the attached document details how recipients can prevent the spread of the disease. Clicking on the attachment gives the hackers the opportunity to infect the computer with malicious software. If you would like to read information given out by the WHO, go directly to their official website.

Trading Standards advice is to be alert. Never respond to emails if you don't know the sender and don't click on links and divulge personal details.

County Coun. Atkinson added: "Suspicious websites and fake emails are also being used to spread scams around.

"Don't act on the emails if you don't know the sender or think the email looks suspicious. Never click on the link.

"Please check with Trading standards if you are unsure."

Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133 or at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/.

Lancashire County Council's Safe Trader Scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to http://www.safetrader.org.uk.

Follow the Scambuster Stan Facebook page to keep up-to-date with all the latest scam alerts: https://www.facebook.com/StanleyDards/

See the rest here:
Public urged to 'be on their guard' against coronavirus-related scams as fraudsters target vulnerable - Burnley Express

People in Lancashire are being warned to watch out for a fresh wave of coronavirus-inspired scams.

Trading standards experts say fraudsters are preying on peoples uncertainty and fear to convince them to hand over their money for substandard goods, services they dont need, and scams.

In Lancashire, Trading Standards received a report of a doorstep cold caller in South Ribble who attempted to charge an elderly man 3,500 for power washing his driveway. Trading standards is looking into this issue.

The police have also received reports of door-to-door sales people offering home Coronavirus testing kits. Experts say these items are fake, and no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

There have also been reports of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves and, whilst this may not be a scam, Trading Standards would warn people against buying these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.

Meanwhile, school meal scam reports are emerging. Parents are being asked to provide bank details to retain a free school meal entitlement. People should never do this and report these scams to the county council.

County Councillor Albert Atkinson, cabinet member for technical services, rural affairs and waste management, said: There really is no limit to the lengths fraudsters will go in order to con people out of their money.

Unfortunately, they are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak to scam vulnerable people.

Were doing everything we can to make people aware of these scams as they are reported. Id urge people to be particularly vigilant at the moment and keep a look out for their neighbours.

Always say no to cold callers, and be suspicious of any unsolicited communications via phone, email or post.

People can always call our Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline if theyre unsure and need advice, or to report a scam.

Keep an eye on our Scambuster Stan Facebook page for the latest scam alerts.

Other national and international scams include

Callers and emailers advising that they have coronavirus symptoms, have large amounts of money waiting in a bank account to be claimed and asking people to email for further information at which point they may part with key personal details, leading to them losing money via the scam.

A fraudulent COVID-19 tax refund offer. People are being invited to click on a link to a bogus government web page and complete with key personal/financial details

Scam emails claiming to be from researchers asking for donations - downloading to a fake Microsoft login page requesting email and passwords.

Fraudulent sellers offering facemasks and other safety equipment. People should always use known, reputable online suppliers. Trading standards recommends that any transactions over 100 should be paid by credit card for extra protection.

Hackers are sending emails pretending to be from the World Health Organisation. The email claims that the attached document details how recipients can prevent the spread of the disease. Clicking on the attachment gives the hackers the opportunity to infect the computer with malicious software. If you would like to read information given out by the WHO, go directly to their official website.

Trading Standards advice is to be alert. Never respond to emails if you dont know the sender and dont click on links and divulge personal details.

County Councillor Atkinson added: Suspicious websites and fake emails are also being used to spread scams around.

Dont act on the emails if you dont know the sender or think the email looks suspicious. Never click on the link.

Please check with Trading standards if you are unsure.

Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133 or at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/.

Lancashire County Councils Safe Trader Scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to http://www.safetrader.org.uk.

Follow the Scambuster Stan Facebook page to keep up-to-date with all the latest scam alerts: https://www.facebook.com/StanleyDards/

Continued here:
Trading standards officers in Lancashire warn of a wave of coronavirus-related doorstep scams - Leyland Guardian

Susan K. Barnett, Opinion contributor Published 5:00 a.m. ET March 4, 2020 | Updated 7:39 a.m. ET March 4, 2020

When people ask how to protect themselves against the spread of COVID-19, one of the first suggestions from doctors is washing your hands. Here are the do's and don'ts. USA TODAY

We cant build a wall around a germ. But we can wash our hands, and our government can help countries trying to improve their health facilities.

Never has my odd obsession with the lack of access to safe water,toiletsand soap around the world become more relevant to the headlines. Because nowhere is the absence of WASH (water/sanitation/hygiene) more abominable than in hundreds of thousands of health care facilitieswhere infections are supposed to go to die.

With all this hand-wringing about the new coronavirus, two things need to happen.

First, this virus has no cure, no vaccine, no treatment other than resting, hydrating, cough medicine and painrelief. You get sick, you feel crummy. You wait it out and try not to get anyone else sick. But the better option is to not get sick in the first place. There are only two ways to be on the offensive: Avoid sick people, which makes a big presumption that they and you know theyre sick, and the singlemost important thing you can do wash your hands.

Many illnesses start when hands become contaminated with disease-causing bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus. Contamination happens all around us, every day after using the toilet, shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, changing a diaper and touching contaminated surfaces. (If you want to get grossed out, consider that germs from a cough can travel as far as13 feet,and though most of the bacteria die within 10 seconds, some survive up to 45 minutes, leaving plenty of time to spread disease.)

All of us subconsciously touch our hands to our eyes, nose and mouth, giving germs access to our bodies, making us sick. Hand washing with soap effectively removes bacteria and viruses before they can enter our body and spread to others.

Second, the world is finally waking up, nearly 200 years after Florence Nightingale found that 10 times more soldiers were dying of typhus, typhoid, cholera and dysentery than from wounds sustained in battle, due to unsanitary conditions in hospitals.

The first United Nations global baseline report, released in 2019, analyzed data from over 560,000 health care facilities in 125 countries and shows the widespread lack of safe health care:

2 billion people must rely on facilities that lack basic water servicesand 1.5 billion people on facilities without sanitation service.

45% of health care facilities in theleast developed countries lack basic water services, and 21% of them have no sanitation services.

49% of facilities in sub-Saharan Africa lack basic water services.

64% of health care facilities in Eastern and Southeastern Asia lack basic hygiene services.

Broken sinks at a health care facility in rural Ethiopia in 2019.(Photo: Haik Kocharian)

This report means that the ability to prevent and contain any number of outbreaks, including coronavirus, the most recent, is deeply, deeply compromised.

During the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak that also put the world on edge, Ebola killed 11,000 people, in part because family members were handling the bodies of the sick and deceased, but they did not have access to water and soap to adequately wash their hands.

The toll was deadliest for medicalworkers. Ebola deaths were 103 timeshigher in health care workers in Sierra Leone than in the general population and42 timeshigher in Guinea. Liberia lost 8%of its health workforce, in part because they did not have access to adequate WASH, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Exposed and unprotected: I work at the airport in the eye of the coronavirus storm without health insurance

The situation has not improved. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Ebola is still killing and threatening its neighbors, 50% of health care facilities have no water,59% have no sanitation services, and just 62% have soap and water or hand sanitizer at points of care.

As for the Wuhan coronavirus, more than 3,000 Chinese health care workers have come down with it. Coulda lack of hand washing again be a contributing factor?

According to the World Health Organization and Lancet data, nearly1 in 6 patients acquires an infection inside a health care facility in developing countries and 1 in 15 acquires a hospital infection in developed nations that they didnt have on arrival. Notably, according to WHO, 61% of health workersdo not adhere to recommended hand hygiene practices.

Hygiene behavior change is needed. As is soap and water.

We cant build a wall around a germ. But our government can take action. In January, WHO Director-GeneralTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesuscited the absence of water, toilets, soap and waste management in health care facilities among the most urgent global challenges this decade.

Health Care New Deal: Trump's terrible coronavirus response hands 2020 Democrats a chance to show they can lead

Our government would be wise to helpcountries trying to improve their health facilities. Each of us can make sure that our member of Congress, which holds the power of the purse, knows that we understand that global health is our health. Congress must commit American technical support and resources, including funding.

If you have access to soap and water, andif you are reading this you likely do,use it. Dont scoff and wait for a vaccine that is at least 18 months away, if it exists at all. Hand washing is the single most effective means of removing germs, avoiding getting sickand preventing the spread of infection to others.

As WHO'sTedros said, "If you can't do the basics, forget the rest. Prevention, prevention, prevention."

Susan K. Barnett,a former journalist with ABC News and NBC News, is founder of Cause Communicationsand part of the Global Water 2020 initiative. Follow her on Twitter:@susankbarnett

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To fight the coronavirus, wash your hands and support clean water access around the world - USA TODAY

Some of the shows fantastical elements (the musical number Sarah imagines as she tries to impress potential investors) work better than others (repeated cuts to Sarah and Addie fighting in a shadowy boxing ring), but Madam C.J. Walkers story is one that deserves to be told on a large platform.

Feel Good

Starts streaming: March 19

Given the recent trend for small-screen redemption arcs (hello BoJack Horseman and The Good Place), there is something reassuring about the slow progress being made by the characters in Feel Good. This is the debut show from the comedian Mae Martin, whom you may recognize from her very good set on Netflixs Comedians of the World. She plays Mae, who is also a comedian, also a Canadian living in London and also a recovering addict. Mae meets George (Charlotte Ritchie), whos never dated a woman before and looks like Englands rose, according to Mae. After only a few weeks, the pair are living together. But George resists coming out to her family and friends, Mae tries to hide her addiction, and it doesnt seem to be getting any easier. How toxic of a relationship is too toxic to endure? The same question is posed to Maes relationship with her mother, played by the scene-stealing Lisa Kudrow.

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

Starts streaming: March 25

Im always on the hunt for new documentaries that arent about murder, cults or murder and cults, so I was excited to see this Netflix production executive-produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. We meet the campers and counselors of Camp Jened, a camp in the Catskills for teenagers with disabilities, in the summer of 1971. With long hair and longer sideburns, the kids play sports and lounge around smoking cigarettes, playing guitar and flirting. But the normalcy of this teenage leisure time is quite radical when its available to people who live for the rest of the year in a world not built for them. We helped empower each other that the status quo is not what it needed to be, says Judy Heumann, a counselor who went on to found the advocacy group Disabled in Action. As 70s countercultural persuasions dovetailed with the civil rights movements of the era, Jened alumni started creating change on a national scale for people with disabilities.

Also arriving:

March 1

Beyond the Mat

Hook

The Shawshank Redemption

There Will Be Blood

March 3

Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis

March 4

Lil Peep: Everybodys Everything

March 6

Ugly Delicious: Season 2

March 11

Dirty Money: Season 2

See the article here:
The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix, Amazon and More in March - The New York Times

Newsflash: Food critics are people, too. Do we love exciting, expensive, exotic meals served on white tablecloths in atmospheres of equipoise and refinement? We do. But equipoise and refinement dont count for much when youre stuck in traffic on the LIE, ravenous and hangry. At moments like that OK, not just moments like that theres only one thing to do: Detour into the nearest strip mall for a quick dose of carbo-comfort from Americas chain restaurants.

Youll never see us give out stars to the following establishments, but each produces at least one menu item that even critics are powerless to resist. Herewith, a few foodstuffs we pretend not to like, but devour when nobodys looking.

Do you remember the first French fry you ever had? Of course you dont. Your memory is obscured by all the millions youve swallowed since. Expect to have it jogged mightily, however, by that temple of fast-casual hamburger-ness called Five Guys, where the fries are so good, its like youre eating them again for the first time. Their potato planks are thin-thick and crunchy-soft, and every order comes with roughly 500 of them. That extra scoop they throw on top of the cupful thats already in the bag makes for a meal-sized side order, pushes calorie counts into the four figures and requires no less than 5 percent of Idahos annual potato crop.

Originally modeled after the boardwalk fries at Thrashers in Ocean City, Maryland, Fives Guys method involves power-washing the starch off of fresh-cut unskinned potatoes before frying them in 100% peanut oil to create a strong outer layer. Next, the fries are allowed to rest, which lets the insides cook to a mashed-potato softness without burning the outsides, and then fried again to produce a divinely crisp result. Steak fries, shoestrings, crinkle cuts and wedges are all fine, but if there are French fries in heaven, Ill bet they come in a red checkerboard, grease-stained paper bag. Scott Vogel

Later this year, the world will mark the 35th anniversary of what to my mind is one of the most spellbinding smells to ever becloud an airport terminal or shopping mall. No mere foodstuff could ever deliver on the promise of that fabled aroma, but the Cinnabon cinnamon roll continues to be my guiltiest of guilty pleasures nonetheless. And Im far from alone. That 880-calorie spiral of pancreatic assault in which a flypaper-sticky, impossibly sweet blend of molten spices finds a perfect foil in slicks of tart cream cheese frosting is now for sale in 50 countries worldwide. Theres a Cinnabon flavored Cream of Wheat, K-cup, creamer, toaster strudel and popcorn. There are Cinnabon candles, mugs, aprons, onesies, socks, pajamas and shirts (including a Bon in the Oven tee thats just perfect for expectant mothers or, for that matter, anyone who eats too many cinnamon rolls.) They are such stuff as dreams are made of. Literally. I once dreamed I was walking a labyrinth as a Zen monk when suddenly my dizzying path morphed before my eyes, enveloping me in a giant coiling Cinnabon. I awoke in shock, but also strangely at peace. Scott Vogel

Its hard to convey how monumental P.F. Changs felt when it firstdebuted in the mid-1990s. Outside of big cities, most Americans conception of Chinese food had been shaped by their local takeout spots; in bounced P.F. Changs, a slightly kitschy but soaring palace of dark woods, gianthorse sculptures and fusions pan-Asian dishes re-engineered for broad appeal, yet still incrediblyfresh tasting.(As an aside, co-founder Philip Chiangs mom, Cecelia Chiang, opened the country's first influential Chinese restaurant, The Mandarin, in San Francisco in 1961). The P.F. Changs on the edge ofWestburys Source Mall had a buzzyenergy, its bar and half-moon boothsalways packed. From the very beginning, thelettuce wraps were the most-ordered menu item (still are), an appetizer thatbasically paved the way for every keto-friendly wrap in their wake: A chocolate-hued crumble of gingery, soy-splashedground chicken that you spooned onto crisp petals oficeberg lettuce and dripped all over as you reduced them to nothing.Nowadays,P.F. Changs often feels half-empty, a sad state that mirrors the malls where they're usually found, but I still stand for the lettuce wraps; they're always a little too salty but their sameness over the decades is both acomfortand a feat of consistency. pfchangs.com Corin Hirsch

Choosing the Shackburger feels like a little bit of a cop-out, because universal love for Shake Shack crosses multiple class and coolness borders. I'm allergic to lines, so I never had one of these back when theoriginal Shake Shack opened in Manhattan's Madison Square Park in the early 2000s I could see the fits of bliss as I walked through the park, though, where the chain's famous hot dogs were devoured by the thousands. Years later, I had my first (single) Shackburger, neatly wedged into a brown paper sleeve with a romaine leaf peekingfrom its side, and was propelled headlong into love. The slightly tangy, secret "ShackSauce" smeared onto eachcheeseburgerhelps it vault above its competition; the LaFrieda patty is always drippy; and it's basically about asperfect a quick lunch that exists. Washing it down with anything less than a chocolate (or salted caramel)shake is heresy, and so is waiting on line. Embrace the app: Your quarry will be waiting when you show up. shackshack.com Corin Hirsch

If theres a Chipotle around, it means that there is a source of fresh, wholesome, responsibly sourced and delicious food, prepared to my individual specifications and rarely topping $10. My go-to order (and I go to it a few times a month) is brown rice (here, delicate and subtly cilantro-ed), grilled chicken (always and only dark meat, which is why I fell in love in the first place), pinto beans (which I think go a bit better with chicken than do the equally accomplished black beans), mild salsa (whose tomatoes are always red) and a final filip of medium salsa. Corn salsa, crema, guacamole might also find their way into my bowl. I very occasionally swap out the rice for salad. The coup de grace? They give me a cup that I can fill with seltzer for free. Erica Marcus

Now this is a guilty pleasure. But consider that all fried chicken is, for me at least, a very occasional treat. Certainly Popeyes is better than the fried chicken at that other national chain. The truth is its better than the fried chicken at many better restaurants too. The crust, whether regular or spicy, is crunchy and substantial, but always in the service of the meat beneath, which is juicy whether thigh, leg, wing or even breast. Its also worth pointing out that at a proper restaurant, you have to content yourself with whatever combination of parts the kitchen has deemed an order, but at Popeyes I can order as many thighs as my heart desires. Of the sides at Popeyes, only the biscuit can hold a candle to the chicken. But considering that a biscuit has 260 calories and 26 grams of carbs and a thigh has, respectively, 280 and 7, you might as well go for the extra thigh. If Im thinking clearly I might order a couple of extras for Day 2 because the only thing better than hot fried chicken is cold fried chicken. Erica Marcus

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By Corin Hirsch, Erica Marcus & Scott Vogel

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Newsday critics share fast food they actually love - Newsday

The annual Readers Choice contest is a fun contest for our readers to choose their favorites and is a big deal for our winners. Thousands of our readers cast their online vote every year for their favorites.

We are excited to be able to host this online ballot year after year. It gives local businesses a chance to shine while providing a fun opportunity for southern Illinois residents to vote for their favorites and show support. For some local businesses, this ballot is the perfect opportunity to let the region know who they are and what they provide. We do take some ribbing regarding the publics perception of what makes a business the best but lets take this contest for what it is: A popular vote promotion, an excellent marketing opportunity for local businesses, and an advertising support method for the Southern Illinoisan.It is a special honor to be voted as the best, second place or even honorable mention.

Advertising support is what keeps our products in motion. The Southern is a business that is customer supported by our advertisers and reader membership.Readers Choice is one of our most, if not the most popular section with businesses and customers alike. However, its important that you know that the results are a culmination of popular vote. Every year, we have plenty of businesses that advertise and do not make it to the #1 spot. Every voter and login is only counted once to avoid stuffing the ballots. Every year we improve the program in some form utilizing feedback from businesses and readers alike.

Readers Choice provides an opportunity for local businesses to tout their wares, personalities and services.I have lived in Southern Illinois my whole life and am always pleasantly surprised to find a new unique business that I have never tried before. I hope you will make some new discoveries as well by reviewing the results both online or in our printed section in todays edition. This area is rich with outstanding businesses, individuals, products and services. Readers Choice is a chance to showcase that.

Thank you for your continued support in this program, and make sure to support your local businesses.

Publisher - Southern Illinoisan

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Here are the businesses our readers voted best in Southern Illinois for 2019 - The Southern

Denver health officials see Lincoln Park across from the Colorado Capitol as a rat-infested, disease-harboring public danger they need to clean up.

The few dozen people experiencing homelessness, who have been living there in tents, some for weeks, see it as home.

On Wednesday morning the city used its public health authority to shut down the highly trafficked park and clear out a growing encampment lining East 14th Avenue and Broadway. The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment says the extent of the public health hazard is unclear, but that its seen enough concerning conditions and heard enough complaints that the agency felt it needed to take action.

The park is actually owned by the state, but since its in Denver, city officials are handling the closure and cleanup.

Starting about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, police officers and health workers went tent by tent to about a dozen in all informing people they needed to leave and posting notices that the park is being closed. They handed out plastic bags for people to pack up their belongings.

When we have encumbrances and people staying in this park we cannot see whats going on on the surface here, said Ann Cecchine-Williams, deputy executive director of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. We have to have full access so we can do a deep evaluation of the grounds here and identify all the concerns.

Later in the day, the city posted photos on Twitter showing syringes, propane tanks and blood that they found during their initial cleanup work. Cecchine-Williams said the city has been trying to ensure people living in the park have access to services.

But those camped along the parks periphery said they were shocked by the citys action on Wednesday.

I think this is an excuse to get us homeless people out of here, said Misty Splude, who said she was pregnant and had been living in the park for about three weeks. Where are we going to go now?

Splude said she picked the park to camp at with her partner because its the safest place to be.

You wont get beat up. You wont get robbed. I feel sometimes its safe to be near the cops, she said.

Reiko Nunez said he thought the parks closure was an excuse to evict the people experiencing homeless who have been living there. They have to find us some way to get us up off the property, he said.

Denver public health officials say the park will likely be closed for weeks. Clean-up was expected to begin Wednesday afternoon with power washing. People can still walk along the sidewalks that go through Lincoln Park and around it during the process.

Its not healthy, Cecchine-Williams said. Its not safe and its not humane. As the public health department for the city of Denver, we have a responsibility to address these issues.

She denied that the parks closure was aimed at removing the homeless amid the citys on-again-off-again and now on again enforcement of a camping ban. Thats not whats happening here, she said.

Cecchine-Williams said the city has done two other similar closures and cleanups in the past two years, including one in October 2018 around Catholic Charities downtown and another in April 2019 near the Denver Rescue Mission.

Well reopen the park when we feel that the environment is safe and stable, she said.

This reporting is made possible by our members. You can directly support independent watchdog journalism in Colorado for as little as $5 a month. Start here: coloradosun.com/join

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Where are we going to go now? Denver closes park near Capitol, clears homeless camp citing rats, health hazards - The Colorado Sun

Washing Machine Market 2019: Global Industry Insights by Global Players, Regional Segmentation, Growth, Applications, Major Drivers, Value and Foreseen till 2024

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Washing Machine Market Tipped to Grow at a Steady Pace Over the Forecast Period, 2017 2025 Dagoretti News - Dagoretti News