Let me interrupt this gloom to offer... Hope!

Yes, America is suffering needlessly. This may save us. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P4QqAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIwMDcxNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yMDM2MCZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnByb2R1Y3RDb2RlPU5LJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0zMzU2NiZ0ZT0xJnVyaT1ueXQlM0ElMkYlMkZuZXdzbGV0dGVyJTJGYjQzMmQzODktYjIwZS01NzJmLWEwNGEtNzljY2YwODQ4NWE1JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKADy2chBfEDJ32lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0SyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjAwNzE2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTIwMzYwJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTMzNTY2JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-ad-marquee) ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTkwJmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ [NYTimes.com/Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TIaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9jb2x1bW4vbmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIwMDcxNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yMDM2MCZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0zMzU2NiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKADy2chBfEDJ32lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) July 16, 2020 Illustration by Nicolas Ortega; Photograph from Getty Images [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY29sdW1uL25pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2Y_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) By [Nicholas Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY29sdW1uL25pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2Y_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Opinion Columnist Two-thirds of Americans, asked in a poll to describe their feelings about the condition of the United States, offered “fearful”; just 17 percent were “proud.” An astonishing 87 percent [said](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P4QfAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBld3Jlc2VhcmNoLm9yZy9wb2xpdGljcy8yMDIwLzA2LzMwL3B1YmxpY3MtbW9vZC10dXJucy1ncmltLXRydW1wLXRyYWlscy1iaWRlbi1vbi1tb3N0LXBlcnNvbmFsLXRyYWl0cy1tYWpvci1pc3N1ZXMvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjAwNzE2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTIwMzYwJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTMzNTY2JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZ1dG09VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) they were dissatisfied with the state of our country. So let me interrupt the despair to introduce a new thought: Hope. Yes, our nation is a mess, but overlapping catastrophes have also created conditions that may finally let us extricate ourselves from the mire. The grim awareness of national failures — on the coronavirus, racism, health care and jobs — may be a necessary prelude to fixing our country. The last time our economy was this troubled, Herbert Hoover’s failures led to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election with a mandate to revitalize the nation. The result was the New Deal, Social Security and a 35-year burst of inclusive growth that arguably made the United States the richest and most powerful country in the history of the world. In my [Sunday column](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1ibG0tYW1lcmljYS1ob3BlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), which we’re posting early, I argue that we again have a fighting chance to pull off something similar with today’s crises. [Please read and let me know what you think](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1ibG0tYW1lcmljYS1ob3BlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-0) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTg3JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTg5JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTg4JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ How to Avoid Fogging Glasses With a Face Mask In my last newsletter, I mentioned my struggles to keep my reading glasses from fogging up when I’m wearing a face mask. Two readers sent in suggestions, which I pass on: Jyoti said: “Tear off a small piece of a tissue, fold into a small oblong and place under the mask on the bridge of the nose … The tissue absorbs the steam of exhalation.” And Mary suggested: “In the automotive section of a store or online, you can buy Rain-X, which is a spray used for anti-fog on windshields, etc. … Works great on regular glasses.” The Highest-Return Investments Available When I talk to members of Congress about the need to invest in early childhood programs, they sometimes say that we just can’t afford it. I have trouble with that: Why is it that every other advanced country can afford these things, and we are too poverty stricken to do so? [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-1) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTI4ODA4JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTI4ODA5JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTI4ODEwJmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ The other argument is that these programs pay for themselves. [A new study](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xMC9idXNpbmVzcy9zb2NpYWwtcHJvZ3JhbXMtcHJvZml0Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) by two Harvard economists underscores how investments that nurture children (and not just in early childhood) end up with those kids in better jobs, paying more taxes and consuming fewer public services. These are high-return investments even in an economic sense. Which makes our refusal to invest in children not just callous but also financially idiotic. The Most Beautiful Farm in the World I’m in Oregon on [the most beautiful farm in the world](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0S7aHR0cDovL2luc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20va3Jpc3RvZmZhcm1zP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjAwNzE2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTIwMzYwJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTMzNTY2JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), where I grew up. We’ve converted our cherry orchard to a cider apple orchard and wine grapes, and of course things keep going wrong. Lately it was the irrigation system, hence this photo of me trying to fix things: I’m not very good at fixing things, frankly. But I find it refreshing to be doing things with my hands. I love my column writing, but I haven’t proved very successful at fixing Covid-19, fixing Trump, fixing genocide, fixing poverty or anything else. But at least on the farm, the problems are on a scale that I can solve. I can fix the damn irrigation system! If you’re frustrated by the state of the world, I likewise recommend something like this. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-2) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI4Njk1JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI4Njk2JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI4Njk4JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIwMDcxNlcDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ My Twitter Chat If you want to take a look at the farm, and talk about this new column and whatever else is on your mind, join me on Twitter at 1 p.m. Eastern time today, Thursday, for a webcast. I’m at [@NickKristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0S5aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9OaWNrS3Jpc3RvZj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIwMDcxNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yMDM2MCZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0zMzU2NiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKADy2chBfEDJ32lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) and, assuming the internet connection on the farm holds, I’ll also answer any questions you have about the state of America and the world. And if the connection doesn’t hold up, I’ll have one more thing to fix! Trump’s Covid Calculus The resurgence of Covid-19 infections has stalled hopes for an economic rebound, leaving millions of workers unemployed. How is the White House handling Covid-19 policy amidst continuing economic concerns? Join us today at 11 p.m. ET for a call with White House correspondent Maggie Haberman and the DealBook team for a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect in the months ahead. [R.S.V.P. here.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TYaHR0cHM6Ly90aW1lc2V2ZW50cy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9kZWFsYm9va2RlYnJpZWYwNzE2L25ld3NsZXR0ZXI_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Today, I’m an Optimist Readers often think that because I’ve spent much of my career covering poverty, genocide, human trafficking and dictatorships, I must be neurotic and depressed. But side by side with the worst, you often see the best. And sometimes the worst plays midwife to the best. That’s what happened in 1932 when F.D.R. won 57 percent of the vote and brought both chambers of Congress with him, and then used his mandate to push the New Deal and make the United States a better nation. I’m not naïve about the challenges ahead, but I think we have a fighting chance of achieving something similar this time. [Read this column](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1ibG0tYW1lcmljYS1ob3BlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) to see why I cherish hope — not naïve hope but “calloused hope.” You can connect with me on [Facebook](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P4QbAmh0dHBzOi8vbmwubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZi9hL050VmRFMC1zeUV5WmxZR2FqUFNLUFF-fi9BQUFBQVFBfi9SZ1JmS0daYlAwUzBhSFIwY0RvdkwzZDNkeTVtWVdObFltOXZheTVqYjIwdmEzSnBjM1J2Wmo5allXMXdZV2xuYmw5cFpEMDBOU1pwYm5OMFlXNWpaVjlwWkQweE1UTTVOaVp6WldkdFpXNTBYMmxrUFRFMU9EVTBKblZ6WlhKZmFXUTlOakZrWlRobFl6ZzNOalkwTm1NNE9XSXpOMlF4WmpRMU1qUm1OVE5oTldZbWNtVm5hVjlwWkQwM056azRNVEl4TnladWJEMXVhV05vYjJ4aGN5MXJjbWx6ZEc5bUptVnRZejFsWkdsMFgyNXJYekl3TVRrd09EQXpWd051ZVhSQ0NnQW1XLUZGWGJpRW14WlNHMkZzWlhoaGJtUnlZUzV0TG0xaGNtTm9RR2R0WVdsc0xtTnZiVmdFQUFBQUFBfn4_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) or [Instagram](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0S-aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tL25pY2trcmlzdG9mP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjAwNzE2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTIwMzYwJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTMzNTY2JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgoAPLZyEF8QMnfaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). 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By Nicholas Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xMS9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9hbmltYWwtcmlnaHRzLWNydWVsdHkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIwMDcxNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yMDM2MCZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0zMzU2NiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKADy2chBfEDJ32lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xMS9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9hbmltYWwtcmlnaHRzLWNydWVsdHkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIwMDcxNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yMDM2MCZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0zMzU2NiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKADy2chBfEDJ32lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Refusing to Wear a Mask Is Like Driving Drunk Republicans talk a good game about “personal responsibility.” It’s time for President Trump’s supporters to actually display some. By Nicholas Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8wMS9vcGluaW9uL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWZhY2UtbWFza3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIwMDcxNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yMDM2MCZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0zMzU2NiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKADy2chBfEDJ32lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8wMS9vcGluaW9uL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWZhY2UtbWFza3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIwMDcxNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yMDM2MCZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0zMzU2NiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKADy2chBfEDJ32lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) WHAT I’M READING IN THE TIMES [news analysis Your Ancestors Knew Death in Ways You Never Will Some say we’re doomed. But science and public spending have saved us from pandemics worse than this one. By Donald G. McNeil Jr.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xNS9zdW5kYXktcmV2aWV3L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWhpc3RvcnktcGFuZGVtaWNzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xNS9zdW5kYXktcmV2aWV3L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWhpc3RvcnktcGFuZGVtaWNzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [I’m the President of M.I.T. America Needs Foreign Students. The international scholars the administration was threatening to send home are vital to American innovation and competitiveness. By L. Rafael Reif](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xNC9vcGluaW9uL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXRydW1wLWltbWlncmF0aW9uLXN0dWRlbnRzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRg8ve2P0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wNy8xNC9vcGluaW9uL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXRydW1wLWltbWlncmF0aW9uLXN0dWRlbnRzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMDA3MTYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjAzNjAmbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MzM1NjYmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCgA8tnIQXxAyd9pSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-3) Need help? 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