No Home Birth Rule In Philippines

Halloween candy risks; bubble dining; poverty optimism Goats and Soda editor's note Xyza Cruz Bacani for NPR "I didn't even know that law existed!" That's what photojournalist Xyza Cruz Bacani heard from some readers in the Philippines after [her story on the country's no-home-birth policy]( published last week. The policy was put into effect in 2008 with the goal of reducing the country's high number of childbirth-related deaths. It's a controversial policy. Some public health officials say it's a better idea to offer support to women who want to deliver at home rather than impose fines as a punitive measure. Bacani found herself in a difficult position when she went to photograph a pregnant woman only to find she had gone into labor -- and had no way of getting to the nearest hospital, some 11 miles away. Read Bacani's story and see her photos -- and find out how she responded when faced with a photo subject who was about to deliver. [Read the story here.]( Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- COVID questions Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images [What's Up With Bubble Dining? What's The Safest Way To Hand Out Halloween Candy? Can You Get Infected Via Ear Canal?]( Answers to your coronavirus queries about the least risky way to hand out trick-or-treat goodies (catapult, anyone?), the new trend of outdoor restaurant dining in a plastic bubble (sure, it's warm but what about viral particles in the air?) and whether your ears are a potential route for infection. in the news David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images [New Study Points To Invisible Killer Of Infants]( The culprit is air pollution, a problem around the globe -- from homes where people cook using coal or wood to the smoky streets of San Francisco when wildfires were raging. [Why Diversity Training Has Been Suspended At USAID]( The suspension followed an executive order from the Trump administration. It called such workplace programs "divisive," "anti-American," racist against white people and sexist against men if they bring up white privilege, systemic racism and unconscious bias. [This Champion For The Very Poor Is Not Pessimistic. In Fact, He's Optimistic!]( Steve Davis lays out the reasons for his (reasonably) rosy outlook in his new book, Undercurrents: Channeling Outrage to Spark Practical Activism. links we like - COVID-19 has robbed the world's poorest children of [four months of schooling.]( NPR reports. - An annual [harvest festival in Peru]( was canceled this year because of the pandemic. Photojournalist Danielle Villasana shares memories (and images) from her visit a few years ago in The New York Times. - In China it literally was [raining money]( this week. The Guardian reports on the windfall. - [Cecelia Chiang]( who brought elegance and authenticity to American Chinese cooking and taught Chinese cuisine to Julia Child, has died at 100. In 2017, NPR asked her how she lived to be so old. She said: "I always think about the better side, the good side of everything. I never think about, Oh, I'm going to fail. Oh, I cannot do this. Oh, I feel sorry for myself." What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]