Only in America

Nevada’s legalized sex workers say that, so far at least, the pandemic has been good for business. Roxanne Price, 25, theorized that coronavirus fear is reminding people that “life is short” and causing those with “sexual goals to visit sex workers like me sooner rather than later.”

An Oregon police department is asking the public not to dial 911 just because they’ve run out of toilet paper. In a post on its Facebook page, the Newport PD warned citizens that “we cannot bring you toilet paper” and reminded them that “history offers many other options for you in your time of need.” Among the historical examples cited: the ancient Mayans, who “used corn cobs,” and seamen of yore, who “used old rope and anchor lines soaked in saltwater.”

Judge blocks major food stamp cuts

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration last week from forcing an estimated 688,000 adults off of food stamps, arguing that the rule changes would be disastrous amid the fallout from coronavirus. Nineteen states sued the Department of Agriculture over a proposal that would require able-bodied, childless adults to work at least 20 hours a week in order to qualify for food stamps after three months. States could only waive the requirement where the unemployment rate is above the national average, and no lower than 6 percent. The USDA wanted the changes to take effect April 1 despite the coronavirus crisis, but District Judge Beryl Howell of Washington, D.C., imposed an injunction, saying the changes are “likely unlawful because they are arbitrary and capricious.”

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March 20, 2020 THE WEEK