Copy Desk Daily, March 12, 2020

"If the tragedy of this administration's assaults on truth and competence are painfully revealed, also bared is our long descent as a culture into a kind of socialized cruelty." NCR's editorial today considers the deficiencies that become glaring as the novel coronavirus, uncertainty and the unseen put world on hold.

How does coronavirus connect to climate change? The significant dip in global emissions that we've seen is good, right? Unfortunately, any supposed silver linings are more likely to complicate progress on the climate in the long run, Jesse Remedios says in EarthBeat's "Burning Questions" feature. "Do NOT get it twisted," he says. "Coronavirus is NOT a good thing. For addressing the climate crisis or anything else. At all."

Global Sisters Report recently had a two-hour discussion with Sr. Patricia Murray, member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and executive director of the International Union of Superiors General. GSR's transcript of the highlights of that conversation give insight into UISG goals for 2020 and the concerns of women religious today: UISG leader speaks on interculturality, increase of sisters on Vatican committees.

"As it turns out, it's harder to study peace than you might think. Or it has been for me." So writes Maggie Paxson, who converted from war reporting to being a peace correspondent. Colman McCarthy, peace teacher and NCR columnist, reviews her new book, The Plateau.

Joys and sorrows from our columnists today. Young Voices contributor Christian Mocek celebrates the promising new medication his wife is taking for cystic fibrosis in Breathe! In praise of a God of possibilities. And for GSR's Sr. Jane Marie Bradish in Milwaukee, it's the morning after a mass shooting: What do we do now?

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