thedailycaller--2020-12-11--‘I’m Very Nervous’: Trucking Company Owner Details Vaccine Distribution Fears

Mike Kucharski , the co-owner and vice president of JKC Trucking , spoke with the Daily Caller ’ s Samantha Renck about the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process , expected dry ice shortages and more .
Pfizer and Moderna are leading the way for a coronavirus vaccine .
As both companies await approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , distribution logistics are underway .
“ Pfizer ’ s going to ship the product directly Pfizer and directly to carriers [ that ] will ship it out , ” Kucharski said .
“ Moderna ’ s taking a little different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send it to a distribution warehouse.
” ( RELATED : After Months Of Sowing Distrust In The Coronavirus Vaccine , Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Are First In Line To Get It ) “ I am very , very nervous actually because I think a truckload of COVID vaccines is going to be worth as much as a truckload of money , ” he said .
Kucharski also discussed a potential food shortage associated with the vaccine distribution and more .
Check out more from the Daily Caller : Pastor Disappointed In Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We Put Everything On The Line ’ : Michigan Business Owner Speaks Out Against COVID-19 Restrictions

Mike Kucharski, the co-owner and vice president of JKC Trucking, spoke with the Daily Caller’s Samantha Renck about the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process, expected dry ice shortages and more.
Pfizer and Moderna are leading the way for a coronavirus vaccine. As both companies await approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, distribution logistics are underway.
“Pfizer’s going to ship the product directly Pfizer and directly to carriers [that] will ship it out,” Kucharski said. “Moderna’s taking a little different approach. They’re going to send it to a distribution warehouse.” (RELATED: After Months Of Sowing Distrust In The Coronavirus Vaccine, Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Are First In Line To Get It)
Kucharski, who previously spoke out against the “defund the police” movement, discussed his fears of transporting the vaccines.
“I am very, very nervous actually because I think a truckload of COVID vaccines is going to be worth as much as a truckload of money,” he said.
Kucharski also discussed a potential food shortage associated with the vaccine distribution and more.
WATCH:
Check out more from the Daily Caller:
EXCLUSIVE: Guillén Family Attorney Discusses Fort Hood Report, Key Findings
Pastor Disappointed In Obama Over Comments About Evangelical Hispanic Voters
‘We Put Everything On The Line’: Michigan Business Owner Speaks Out Against COVID-19 Restrictions


thedailycaller--2020-12-11--FBI Senior Officials Accused Of Sexual Misconduct In At Least 6 Instances, AP Investigation Reveals

Several high-ranking male FBI officials were accused of sexual misconduct against employees , an Associated Press reported Wednesday .
At least six allegations of sexual misconduct , including assault , over the last five years have been levied against senior FBI officials , the AP investigation found .
The officials at least appear to have dodged discipline , the AP reported .
“ They ’ re sweeping it under the rug , ” a former FBI analyst who asked to only be identified by her first name , Becky , said .
She said she was licked on the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 , the AP reported .
Becky said she was threatened by the same man at least twice before and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the FBI .
“ As the premier law enforcement organization that the FBI holds itself out to be , it ’ s very disheartening when they allow people they know are criminals to retire and pursue careers in law enforcement-related fields , ” the former analyst said , the AP reported .
Several of the officials were transferred or retired , with their pensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims , according to the AP .
Federal law enforcement officials who are disciplined typically don ’ t see an impact in their professional life since they are granted anonymity .
Advocacy groups and Congress have pushed for protections for employees who report misconduct and suggested that an outside agency should review the disciplinary cases , the AP reported .
“ They need a # MeToo moment , ” Democratic California Rep. Jackie Speier said , according to the AP .
“ It doesn ’ t surprise me that , in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still in the Dark Ages.
” The FBI “ maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment ” and claims have resulted in supervisors being removed from positions , the bureau said in a statement , according to the AP .
Severe cases may result in criminal charges , and investigations include “ the credibility of the allegations , the severity of the conduct , and the rank and position of the individuals involved , ” the statement said .
Meanwhile , 17 women in a federal lawsuit are claiming systemic sexual harassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Virginia , the AP reported .
( RELATED : FBI Investigating Netflix ‘ Cheer ’ Star Jerry Harris For Allegedly Soliciting Sex , Photos From Minors , Report Says ) An anonymous , female former FBI employee said in the lawsuit that a special agent in charge “ imprisoned , tortured , harassed , blackmailed , stalked and manipulated ” her into multiple “ non-consensual sexual encounters ” and never faced disciplinary action before retiring in 2016 , the AP reported .
Another woman told federal investigators that the former assistant director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stanton , drunkenly drove a female employee home , then groped her in her apartment building ’ s stairwell , according to an inspector general report obtained by the AP .
And James Hendricks , the former special agent in charge of the office in Albany , New York , sexually harassed eight FBI subordinates , according to the IG , the AP reported .
Hendricks was not named in the IG report , but was later identified by a local newspaper and confirmed by the AP .
The AP noted that its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t report romantic relationships with subordinates .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Several high-ranking male FBI officials were accused of sexual misconduct against employees, an Associated Press reported Wednesday.
At least six allegations of sexual misconduct, including assault, over the last five years have been levied against senior FBI officials, the AP investigation found. The officials at least appear to have dodged discipline, the AP reported.
“They’re sweeping it under the rug,” a former FBI analyst who asked to only be identified by her first name, Becky, said. She said she was licked on the face and groped by a supervisory special agent in 2017, the AP reported.
Becky said she was threatened by the same man at least twice before and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the FBI.
“As the premier law enforcement organization that the FBI holds itself out to be, it’s very disheartening when they allow people they know are criminals to retire and pursue careers in law enforcement-related fields,” the former analyst said, the AP reported.
‘Sweeping it under the rug:’ Sexual misconduct allegations shakes FBI’s senior ranks: https://t.co/zzzzGLgdBy — ABC 7 News – WJLA (@ABC7News) December 10, 2020
Several of the officials were transferred or retired, with their pensions and benefits intact despite probes corroborating the claims, according to the AP. Federal law enforcement officials who are disciplined typically don’t see an impact in their professional life since they are granted anonymity.
Advocacy groups and Congress have pushed for protections for employees who report misconduct and suggested that an outside agency should review the disciplinary cases, the AP reported.
“They need a #MeToo moment,” Democratic California Rep. Jackie Speier said, according to the AP. “It doesn’t surprise me that, in terms of sexual assault and sexual harassment, they are still in the Dark Ages.”
The FBI “maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment” and claims have resulted in supervisors being removed from positions, the bureau said in a statement, according to the AP. Severe cases may result in criminal charges, and investigations include “the credibility of the allegations, the severity of the conduct, and the rank and position of the individuals involved,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, 17 women in a federal lawsuit are claiming systemic sexual harassment at the FBI training academy in Quantico, Virginia, the AP reported. (RELATED: FBI Investigating Netflix ‘Cheer’ Star Jerry Harris For Allegedly Soliciting Sex, Photos From Minors, Report Says)
An anonymous, female former FBI employee said in the lawsuit that a special agent in charge “imprisoned, tortured, harassed, blackmailed, stalked and manipulated” her into multiple “non-consensual sexual encounters” and never faced disciplinary action before retiring in 2016, the AP reported.
Another woman told federal investigators that the former assistant director of the Insider Threat Office, Roger Stanton, drunkenly drove a female employee home, then groped her in her apartment building’s stairwell, according to an inspector general report obtained by the AP.
And James Hendricks, the former special agent in charge of the office in Albany, New York, sexually harassed eight FBI subordinates, according to the IG, the AP reported. Hendricks was not named in the IG report, but was later identified by a local newspaper and confirmed by the AP.
The AP noted that its investigation did not cover FBI officials who didn’t report romantic relationships with subordinates.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-12-11--PATEL: Republicans Are Blowing It In Georgia, And We May All Pay The Price

It ’ s not alarmist to state that the future of our country could be defined by the two Georgia Senate races .
We are in an existential moment , and it sure feels like we are floating through it in a daze , without the sense of urgency you would expect if the entire future of your country were on the line .
We just had a tough election , but for those who care about our future , it ’ s past time to wake up from the daze .
Democrats are livid about the Trump era .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Supreme Court picks — even though the process that led to them was started by their own former leader Harry Reid .
They feel wronged by Trump ’ s muscular use of executive authority — even though the president ’ s actions followed a trend that has been growing for a few successive presidential administrations on a bipartisan basis .
Regardless of the merits leading to this perceived case of injustice , it ’ s a fact that many Democrats are out for revenge .
If they have the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pressure on President-elect Joe Biden to enact a pretty extreme agenda is going to be immense .
Will Biden have the strength to push back against this ?
Will he even want to push back ?
The games he played during the campaign on the question of packing the Supreme Court and the fact that his own vice president is all for a more radical agenda do not bode well for those hoping Biden will stand in the way of the radical elements who have all the energy in his party today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America would start by killing the Senate filibuster so they no longer need 60 votes to pass a bill .
They don ’ t need any Republican votes to do that , and once it ’ s done , the Republicans won ’ t be able to stop anything .
First up for grabs would be expanding the Supreme Court to the point that a solid majority of liberal justices are in place to rubber-stamp a newly activist agenda .
The second step would involve adding new , reliably Democratic states to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done without a single Republican vote .
Once the new states and their new Democratic senators are admitted , it would become that much harder for Republicans to retake a majority to roll back the radical agenda .
Once these structural changes are in place , you can name any radical policy goal , and it would have a shot at enactment — without a judicial check to make sure the Constitution was followed .
Socialized medicine , the end of fossil fuels , confiscatory tax levels and a huge reduction in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table .
This scenario may be extreme , but every single part of it has been endorsed by mainstream liberals in recent times .
Stopping this should be priorities number one , two and three .
Stopping it only takes a win or two in two very winnable Georgia Senate races , yet we are not on course to stop it at all .
The Democratic candidates in Georgia are surging and ahead in most recent Georgia polling .
The Republicans are blowing these races .
( RELATED : Here ’ s How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wins In Georgia ) If this trend continues and the Republicans lose in Georgia , leading to radical changes in our country , a lot of people are going to want answers as to how it all happened and who or what is to blame .
That won ’ t be hard to pinpoint .
First , Republicans have been oddly overconfident about these races .
Georgia is no longer a reliably Republican state .
Anyone banking on that is setting themselves up for a loss .
Second , in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tired and emotionally drained .
There seems to be some apathy over these Senate races .
Given what ’ s at stake , that has to change fast .
Finally , and most importantly , we are seeing some horrible Republican infighting with people purporting to act for the president , some of whom are even encouraging Republicans not to vote .
It ’ s not clear what ’ s motivating these people .
Some of it is just standard-issue tension between wings of the Republican party and grumbling among those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a time and place for that sort of thing .
We call them primaries .
They ’ re over .
The choice now is between the candidates we have , however imperfect , and a potentially radical Democratic agenda .
Some people encouraging Georgians not to vote are also raising and making incredible amounts of money off the current situation .
It ’ s not clear if that ’ s what ’ s motivating them , but if these seats are lost , it ’ s a guarantee that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to the bottom of that question .
Some people prominently encouraging Georgia Republicans not to vote are also former Democrats .
Is it beyond the realm of possibility that they are trying to sow discord among Republicans to help their former party ?
In today ’ s politics , you can ’ t rule anything out , as horrible as that would be .
( RELATED : Progressive PAC Urges Trump Supporters To Skip Georgia Elections , While Boosting Efforts To Turn Out Democrats ) Luckily , the president went down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over where he stands .
He endorsed the Republican candidates and encouraged all Georgians to get out and vote for them .
The president ’ s son , Donald Trump Jr. , has been even more aggressive in calling out those purporting to act for his father : “ If you sit back and allow apathy to take over … you are literally giving the Democrats everything that they have hoped for … My father ’ s legacy … everything that he ’ s accomplished is on the table … in this election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Trump guy … you ’ d be foolish to listen to a few individuals who say , ‘ Ah , sit at home.
’ It ’ s as though they ’ re working for the Democrats.
” These Georgia seats are still winnable , but Republicans urgently need to get their act together and explain to any Georgian right of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez what is really on the line .
It ’ s sort of amazing that hasn ’ t happened yet .
There ’ s a good chance the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical left is selling , but that case is not being made clearly enough today .
The result could be a tragic loss leading to a new , more left-wing America .
Neil Patel co-founded The Daily Caller , one of America ’ s fastest-growing online news outlets , which regularly breaks news and distributes it to over 15 million monthly readers .
Patel also co-founded The Daily Caller News Foundation , a nonprofit news company that trains journalists , produces fact-checks and conducts longer-term investigative reporting .
The Daily Caller News Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 300 news outlets , reaching potentially hundreds of millions of people per month .
To find out more about Neil Patel and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists , visit the Creators website at www.creators.com

It’s not alarmist to state that the future of our country could be defined by the two Georgia Senate races. We are in an existential moment, and it sure feels like we are floating through it in a daze, without the sense of urgency you would expect if the entire future of your country were on the line. We just had a tough election, but for those who care about our future, it’s past time to wake up from the daze.
Democrats are livid about the Trump era. They feel wronged by President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court picks — even though the process that led to them was started by their own former leader Harry Reid. They feel wronged by Trump’s muscular use of executive authority — even though the president’s actions followed a trend that has been growing for a few successive presidential administrations on a bipartisan basis.
Regardless of the merits leading to this perceived case of injustice, it’s a fact that many Democrats are out for revenge. If they have the White House, the House and the Senate, the pressure on President-elect Joe Biden to enact a pretty extreme agenda is going to be immense. Will Biden have the strength to push back against this? Will he even want to push back? The games he played during the campaign on the question of packing the Supreme Court and the fact that his own vice president is all for a more radical agenda do not bode well for those hoping Biden will stand in the way of the radical elements who have all the energy in his party today.
A Democratic Senate looking to change America would start by killing the Senate filibuster so they no longer need 60 votes to pass a bill. They don’t need any Republican votes to do that, and once it’s done, the Republicans won’t be able to stop anything. First up for grabs would be expanding the Supreme Court to the point that a solid majority of liberal justices are in place to rubber-stamp a newly activist agenda.
The second step would involve adding new, reliably Democratic states to the Union. This, too, could be done without a single Republican vote. Once the new states and their new Democratic senators are admitted, it would become that much harder for Republicans to retake a majority to roll back the radical agenda.
Once these structural changes are in place, you can name any radical policy goal, and it would have a shot at enactment — without a judicial check to make sure the Constitution was followed. Socialized medicine, the end of fossil fuels, confiscatory tax levels and a huge reduction in military spending would all be on the table.
This scenario may be extreme, but every single part of it has been endorsed by mainstream liberals in recent times. Stopping this should be priorities number one, two and three. Stopping it only takes a win or two in two very winnable Georgia Senate races, yet we are not on course to stop it at all. The Democratic candidates in Georgia are surging and ahead in most recent Georgia polling. The Republicans are blowing these races. (RELATED: Here’s How Republicans Could Pull Off 2 Big Senate Wins In Georgia)
If this trend continues and the Republicans lose in Georgia, leading to radical changes in our country, a lot of people are going to want answers as to how it all happened and who or what is to blame. That won’t be hard to pinpoint.
First, Republicans have been oddly overconfident about these races. Georgia is no longer a reliably Republican state. Anyone banking on that is setting themselves up for a loss.
Second, in the wake of the highly charged national election, people are tired and emotionally drained. There seems to be some apathy over these Senate races. Given what’s at stake, that has to change fast.
Finally, and most importantly, we are seeing some horrible Republican infighting with people purporting to act for the president, some of whom are even encouraging Republicans not to vote. It’s not clear what’s motivating these people. Some of it is just standard-issue tension between wings of the Republican party and grumbling among those who don’t like the nominees. There’s a time and place for that sort of thing. We call them primaries. They’re over. The choice now is between the candidates we have, however imperfect, and a potentially radical Democratic agenda.
Some people encouraging Georgians not to vote are also raising and making incredible amounts of money off the current situation. It’s not clear if that’s what’s motivating them, but if these seats are lost, it’s a guarantee that people will be asking lots of questions to get to the bottom of that question. Some people prominently encouraging Georgia Republicans not to vote are also former Democrats. Is it beyond the realm of possibility that they are trying to sow discord among Republicans to help their former party? In today’s politics, you can’t rule anything out, as horrible as that would be. (RELATED: Progressive PAC Urges Trump Supporters To Skip Georgia Elections, While Boosting Efforts To Turn Out Democrats)
Luckily, the president went down to Georgia to put to bed any debate over where he stands. He endorsed the Republican candidates and encouraged all Georgians to get out and vote for them.
The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., has been even more aggressive in calling out those purporting to act for his father: “If you sit back and allow apathy to take over … you are literally giving the Democrats everything that they have hoped for … My father’s legacy … everything that he’s accomplished is on the table … in this election. So, if you’re a Trump guy … you’d be foolish to listen to a few individuals who say, ‘Ah, sit at home.’ It’s as though they’re working for the Democrats.”
These Georgia seats are still winnable, but Republicans urgently need to get their act together and explain to any Georgian right of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez what is really on the line. It’s sort of amazing that hasn’t happened yet. There’s a good chance the people of Georgia don’t want what the radical left is selling, but that case is not being made clearly enough today. The result could be a tragic loss leading to a new, more left-wing America.
Neil Patel co-founded The Daily Caller, one of America’s fastest-growing online news outlets, which regularly breaks news and distributes it to over 15 million monthly readers. Patel also co-founded The Daily Caller News Foundation, a nonprofit news company that trains journalists, produces fact-checks and conducts longer-term investigative reporting. The Daily Caller News Foundation licenses its content free of charge to over 300 news outlets, reaching potentially hundreds of millions of people per month. To find out more about Neil Patel and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at www.creators.com
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thedailycaller--2020-12-11--Kelly Clarkson Accuses Estranged Husband Of Fraud Amid Divorce

Musician Kelly Clarkson has accused her estranged husband Brandon Blackstock of fraud amid the couple ’ s ongoing divorce battle .
Clarkson accused members of Starstruck Management , including Blackstock and his father , of fraud and “ illegal services , ” according to a report published Thursday by OK !
magazine .
Documents filed in Los Angeles claimed the contract she had with Starstruck Management was a “ fraudulent and subterfuge device ” used to hide “ illegal services , ” the outlet reported .
Clarkson filed the lawsuit a month after Blackstock ’ s father sued the musician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.4 million .
The lawsuit also claimed Clarkson would owe the management company $ 4 million total for her time on “ The Voice ” and “ The Kelly Clarkson Show , ” as previously reported .
( RELATED : Kelly Clarkson Files For Divorce From Brandon Blackstock After Six Years Of Marriage ) “ Over the course of approximately thirteen years , Starstruck developed Clarkson into a mega superstar , ” stated lawyers for Starstruck and the Blackstocks , according to the magazine .
“ By way of example only , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success in terms of numerous hit albums , multiple Grammy wins and nominations , her role on popular television shows like The Voice and her own talk show.
” Clarkson and her legal team have claimed “ based on the wrongful acts and conduct of [ Starstruck Management and the Blackstocks ] … all agreements between the parties , should be declared void and unenforceable , ” according to the outlet .
Clarkson reportedly expects to quit making payments to Starstruck Management and be reimbursed for past payments , the outlet reported .

Musician Kelly Clarkson has accused her estranged husband Brandon Blackstock of fraud amid the couple’s ongoing divorce battle.
Clarkson accused members of Starstruck Management, including Blackstock and his father, of fraud and “illegal services,” according to a report published Thursday by OK! magazine. Documents filed in Los Angeles claimed the contract she had with Starstruck Management was a “fraudulent and subterfuge device” used to hide “illegal services,” the outlet reported.
Clarkson filed the lawsuit a month after Blackstock’s father sued the musician, claiming she owed the management company $1.4 million. The lawsuit also claimed Clarkson would owe the management company $4 million total for her time on “The Voice” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” as previously reported. (RELATED: Kelly Clarkson Files For Divorce From Brandon Blackstock After Six Years Of Marriage)
“Over the course of approximately thirteen years, Starstruck developed Clarkson into a mega superstar,” stated lawyers for Starstruck and the Blackstocks, according to the magazine. “By way of example only, Starstruck was instrumental in helping Clarkson achieve success in terms of numerous hit albums, multiple Grammy wins and nominations, her role on popular television shows like The Voice and her own talk show.”
Clarkson and her legal team have claimed “based on the wrongful acts and conduct of [Starstruck Management and the Blackstocks] … all agreements between the parties, should be declared void and unenforceable,” according to the outlet.
Clarkson reportedly expects to quit making payments to Starstruck Management and be reimbursed for past payments, the outlet reported.


thedailycaller--2020-12-11--UPS And FedEx To Prioritize COVID Vaccine Over Holiday Gifts

UPS and FedEx have announced that they plan to deliver millions of COVID-19 vaccines before shipping holiday gifts .
The vaccine will be delivered with extra care including GPS tracking , special labels and priority loading on cargo planes and delivery trucks .
The boxes containing the vaccine will be kept in special boxes that maintain temperatures at 94 degrees below zero , as reported by WJXT News4JAX .
“ We ’ re giving priority to all the vaccine shipments , ” UPS ’ President of Global Health Care Unit Wesley Wheeler said , according to Reuters The two major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Operation Warp Speed and have the capabilities to deliver medical products that are deemed fragile , according to Reuters .
GPS trackers will not only report location , but can also report back temperature , light exposure data and motion , giving teams information needed to ensure that the vaccine is being handled properly , Reuters reported .
The vaccine will also receive a VIP treatment when it comes to loading , getting priority over other packages and the company will inform all drivers who are assigned to carry the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Could Mandate Coronavirus Vaccine With Proposed Legislation ) On Thursday , president of the global healthcare unit at UPS , Wesley Wheeler , told the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce , Science & Transportation , ‘ We ’ re giving priority to all the vaccine shipments , ’ Experts warn that the number of packages slated for delivery could be 5 % more than the capacity carriers currently have , possibly causing a delay in over 700 million gifts and items not arriving on time , according to Reuters .
Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Richard Smith , noted to senators that , “ We deal with the unforeseen every day : weather , traffic…regulatory holds , customs delays .
We don ’ t expect anything that we won ’ t be able to handle .
”

UPS and FedEx have announced that they plan to deliver millions of COVID-19 vaccines before shipping holiday gifts.
The vaccine will be delivered with extra care including GPS tracking, special labels and priority loading on cargo planes and delivery trucks. The boxes containing the vaccine will be kept in special boxes that maintain temperatures at 94 degrees below zero, as reported by WJXT News4JAX.
“We’re giving priority to all the vaccine shipments,” UPS’ President of Global Health Care Unit Wesley Wheeler said, according to Reuters
The two major delivery companies are part of President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed and have the capabilities to deliver medical products that are deemed fragile, according to Reuters.
GPS trackers will not only report location, but can also report back temperature, light exposure data and motion, giving teams information needed to ensure that the vaccine is being handled properly, Reuters reported. The vaccine will also receive a VIP treatment when it comes to loading, getting priority over other packages and the company will inform all drivers who are assigned to carry the vaccine in their trucks. (RELATED: New York Could Mandate Coronavirus Vaccine With Proposed Legislation)
On Thursday, president of the global healthcare unit at UPS, Wesley Wheeler, told the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, ‘We’re giving priority to all the vaccine shipments,’
Our team is prepared to transport COVID-19 vaccines to where they are needed most around the world. ???? pic.twitter.com/BNKipdwNPX — FedEx (@FedEx) December 8, 2020
Experts warn that the number of packages slated for delivery could be 5% more than the capacity carriers currently have, possibly causing a delay in over 700 million gifts and items not arriving on time, according to Reuters.
Executive vice president of global support for Fedex, Richard Smith, noted to senators that, “We deal with the unforeseen every day: weather, traffic…regulatory holds, customs delays. We don’t expect anything that we won’t be able to handle.”


thedailycaller--2020-12-11--Swalwell Spoke At Same 2013 Event As Alleged Chinese Spy Who Worked For Dianne Feinstein

• Rep. Eric Swalwell spoke at an event in 2013 along with a former staffer for Sen. Dianne Feinstein who is alleged to have spied for the Chinese government .
• The group that hosted Swalwell and Russell Lowe , the Feinstein staffer , was led by Christine Fang , who herself is alleged to have worked as a Chinese secret agent from 2011 to 2015 .
• Fang developed close ties to Swalwell , Axios reported this week .
She raised money for his political campaigns and planted an intern in his office .
California Rep. Eric Swalwell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed this week , spoke at a same event in 2013 as another alleged Chinese agent who worked for decades for California Sen. Dianne Feinstein .
The event was hosted by the group led by Christine Fang , a Chinese national whose relationship with Swalwell was the subject of a report published this week by Axios .
There is no indication of wrongdoing on Swalwell ’ s part .
The California State University , East Bay Chinese Student Association hosted both Swalwell and Russell Lowe , who then worked for Feinstein , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year on Feb. 9 , 2013 , according to the group ’ s Facebook page .
Photos from the event show Swalwell and Lowe speaking to a group of dozens of students at the event .
The photo of Lowe shows him holding what appears to be a letter that Feinstein wrote to the student group for its celebration .
The association posted a photo of the letter from Feinstein on its Facebook page .
Swalwell posted a photo of himself at the event on his Twitter account .
Swalwell ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment on whether he knows Lowe .
Politico reported in 2018 that a staffer for Feinstein had for years provided political intelligence to Chinese officials .
He operated at the direction of officials in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco , according to Politico .
Feinstein , who is a longtime member of the Senate Intelligence Committee , issued a statement at the time saying that the FBI had briefed her about the staffer .
She said that the employee did not have access to any classified information , and that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lowe was described as a driver for Feinstein , but he was also a liaison between her office and the Asian-American community in the Bay area .
He attended functions at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco , which has long been known as a hotbed of Chinese spy activity .
The Daily Caller News Foundation identified Lowe in 2018 as the likely Chinese agent working in Feinstein ’ s office .
( RELATED : All Signs Point To One Man As Chinese Spy On Feinstein ’ s Staff ) A photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event hosted by the Chinese Student Association on Sept. 22 , 2011 , along with an unidentified woman and an official seemingly affiliated with the Chinese consulate .
Lowe attended a farewell party for Consul General Gao Zhansheng on March 12 , 2013 , according to the consulate ’ s website .
It is unclear whether Lowe and Fang were aware of the others ’ alleged work for the Chinese government .
U.S. intelligence officials told Axios that Fang worked covertly for China ’ s Ministry of State Security , its main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Feinstein ’ s staffer worked on behalf of the same spy service , Politico reported .
Fang cozied up to multiple California politicos , including Swalwell , Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Judy Chu , according to Axios .
Fang first met Swalwell when he served on the city council in Dublin , California .
According to Axios , she raised money for Swalwell ’ s congressional reelection campaign in 2014 and placed an intern in his congressional office .
Swalwell was briefed by the FBI about Fang ’ s undercover activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off all contact with her after the briefing .
Fang skipped the country in mid-2015 .
Swalwell has refused to discuss the extent of his relationship with Fang , who Axios reported had romantic affairs with the mayors of two cities in the Midwest .
Swalwell initially said he could not talk about the matter because some of the details remain classified .
In interviews with Politico and CNN , he accused the Trump administration of leaking derogatory information about him because he is a vocal critic of President Donald Trump .
Feinstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for comment .
A non-profit group that Lowe co-founded in San Francisco after leaving Feinstein ’ s office also did not respond to an email seeking comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Rep. Eric Swalwell spoke at an event in 2013 along with a former staffer for Sen. Dianne Feinstein who is alleged to have spied for the Chinese government.
The group that hosted Swalwell and Russell Lowe, the Feinstein staffer, was led by Christine Fang, who herself is alleged to have worked as a Chinese secret agent from 2011 to 2015.
Fang developed close ties to Swalwell, Axios reported this week. She raised money for his political campaigns and planted an intern in his office.
California Rep. Eric Swalwell, whose contacts with a Chinese spy were revealed this week, spoke at a same event in 2013 as another alleged Chinese agent who worked for decades for California Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
The event was hosted by the group led by Christine Fang, a Chinese national whose relationship with Swalwell was the subject of a report published this week by Axios. There is no indication of wrongdoing on Swalwell’s part.
The California State University, East Bay Chinese Student Association hosted both Swalwell and Russell Lowe, who then worked for Feinstein, at an event to commemorate the Chinese Lunar New Year on Feb. 9, 2013, according to the group’s Facebook page.
Photos from the event show Swalwell and Lowe speaking to a group of dozens of students at the event. The photo of Lowe shows him holding what appears to be a letter that Feinstein wrote to the student group for its celebration.
The association posted a photo of the letter from Feinstein on its Facebook page.
Swalwell posted a photo of himself at the event on his Twitter account.
Swalwell’s office did not respond to a request for comment on whether he knows Lowe.
Politico reported in 2018 that a staffer for Feinstein had for years provided political intelligence to Chinese officials. He operated at the direction of officials in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, according to Politico.
Feinstein, who is a longtime member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a statement at the time saying that the FBI had briefed her about the staffer. She said that the employee did not have access to any classified information, and that he left her employ after the FBI briefing.
Lowe was described as a driver for Feinstein, but he was also a liaison between her office and the Asian-American community in the Bay area. He attended functions at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, which has long been known as a hotbed of Chinese spy activity.
The Daily Caller News Foundation identified Lowe in 2018 as the likely Chinese agent working in Feinstein’s office. (RELATED: All Signs Point To One Man As Chinese Spy On Feinstein’s Staff)
A photo in the DCNF story shows Lowe at an event hosted by the Chinese Student Association on Sept. 22, 2011, along with an unidentified woman and an official seemingly affiliated with the Chinese consulate.
Lowe attended a farewell party for Consul General Gao Zhansheng on March 12, 2013, according to the consulate’s website.
It is unclear whether Lowe and Fang were aware of the others’ alleged work for the Chinese government.
U.S. intelligence officials told Axios that Fang worked covertly for China’s Ministry of State Security, its main spy service, from 2011 to 2015. Feinstein’s staffer worked on behalf of the same spy service, Politico reported.
Fang cozied up to multiple California politicos, including Swalwell, Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Judy Chu, according to Axios.
Fang first met Swalwell when he served on the city council in Dublin, California.
According to Axios, she raised money for Swalwell’s congressional reelection campaign in 2014 and placed an intern in his congressional office.
Swalwell was briefed by the FBI about Fang’s undercover activity in 2015. He said he cut off all contact with her after the briefing. Fang skipped the country in mid-2015.
Swalwell has refused to discuss the extent of his relationship with Fang, who Axios reported had romantic affairs with the mayors of two cities in the Midwest.
Swalwell initially said he could not talk about the matter because some of the details remain classified. In interviews with Politico and CNN, he accused the Trump administration of leaking derogatory information about him because he is a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.
Feinstein’s office did not respond to request for comment. A non-profit group that Lowe co-founded in San Francisco after leaving Feinstein’s office also did not respond to an email seeking comment.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-12-11--Jerry Falwell Jr. Drops Lawsuit Alleging Defamation By Liberty University

Jerry Falwell Jr. dropped a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against Liberty University , months after a series of scandals forced his resignation as president of the university , the Washington Post reported .
In the lawsuit , Falwell alleges that Liberty University accepted “ salacious and baseless accusations ” against him without an investigation and participated directly in the defamation by making statements about his behavior during a Community Service event , in a press release and in the University ’ s official magazine , according to the Washington Post .
Falwell resigned from his position in August after a Reuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife , Becki Falwell , and a pool attendant , Giancarlo Granda .
Granda provided proof of the affair to Reuters , including text messages and emails .
He said that he had developed an intimate relationship with Becki Falwell and that Jerry Falwell “ enjoyed watching from the corner of the room ” while the two had sex .
( RELATED : Becki Falwell Confirms Affair , Denies That Husband Jerry Was Involved ) In the complaint , Falwell called Granda ’ s allegation that he looked on while the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and defamatory ” lie .
Falwell admitted that his wife had an “ inappropriate intimate relationship ” with Granda in a statement to the Washington Examiner , but claimed he was “ not involved.
” Prior to the Reuters report , Falwell was placed on paid leave after posting an Instagram photo where he was standing with his arm around a woman with both of their pants unzipped .
Falwell , who prohibits Liberty students from drinking alcohol regardless of their age , was holding a dark-colored beverage , which he claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a senior adviser to the anti-Trump Lincoln Project , represents Granda , according to the lawsuit .
The complaint alleged that the Lincoln Project conspired with Granda to harm Falwell ’ s reputation , in part because Falwell is a Trump supporter who is often credited with securing the evangelical vote for the president in 2016 .
The lawsuit also claimed that Falwell was the victim of extortion .
Granda allegedly demanded large sums of money in exchange for his silence about the affair with Becki Falwell .
“ Granda ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the Falwells refused to pay , the lawsuit alleged .
( RELATED : ‘ Appalling ’ : Senior GOP Rep Calls For Falwell ’ s Resignation Over Viral Party Photo ) Liberty University allegedly accepted Granda ’ s story without question and began scrubbing Falwell from campus .
The University allegedly took down portraits of him , removed him from the University website , prohibited staff from speaking with him and banned him from campus .
“ Liberty ’ s actions are antithetical to the teachings of Christ , ” the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has damaged Mr. Falwell ’ s standing among Liberty faculty , students , and alumni , the broader evangelical community , and beyond.
” Falwell demanded a trial by jury in the lawsuit .
His attorneys did not give a reason for withdrawing the suit .
Liberty University did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Jerry Falwell Jr. dropped a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against Liberty University, months after a series of scandals forced his resignation as president of the university, the Washington Post reported.
In the lawsuit, Falwell alleges that Liberty University accepted “salacious and baseless accusations” against him without an investigation and participated directly in the defamation by making statements about his behavior during a Community Service event, in a press release and in the University’s official magazine, according to the Washington Post.
Falwell resigned from his position in August after a Reuters report revealed a 7-year long affair between his wife, Becki Falwell, and a pool attendant, Giancarlo Granda. Granda provided proof of the affair to Reuters, including text messages and emails. He said that he had developed an intimate relationship with Becki Falwell and that Jerry Falwell “enjoyed watching from the corner of the room” while the two had sex. (RELATED: Becki Falwell Confirms Affair, Denies That Husband Jerry Was Involved)
In the complaint, Falwell called Granda’s allegation that he looked on while the two had sex an “outrageous, false, and defamatory” lie. Falwell admitted that his wife had an “inappropriate intimate relationship” with Granda in a statement to the Washington Examiner, but claimed he was “not involved.”
Prior to the Reuters report, Falwell was placed on paid leave after posting an Instagram photo where he was standing with his arm around a woman with both of their pants unzipped. Falwell, who prohibits Liberty students from drinking alcohol regardless of their age, was holding a dark-colored beverage, which he claimed was a “prop.”
Prominent conservatives question Jerry Falwell Jr. vacation photo https://t.co/4MnkQKtrhR pic.twitter.com/mx0dkcJcvh — The Hill (@thehill) August 4, 2020
Kurt Bardella, a senior adviser to the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, represents Granda, according to the lawsuit. The complaint alleged that the Lincoln Project conspired with Granda to harm Falwell’s reputation, in part because Falwell is a Trump supporter who is often credited with securing the evangelical vote for the president in 2016.
The lawsuit also claimed that Falwell was the victim of extortion. Granda allegedly demanded large sums of money in exchange for his silence about the affair with Becki Falwell. “Granda’s behavior became increasingly erratic and threatening” once the Falwells refused to pay, the lawsuit alleged. (RELATED: ‘Appalling’: Senior GOP Rep Calls For Falwell’s Resignation Over Viral Party Photo)
Liberty University allegedly accepted Granda’s story without question and began scrubbing Falwell from campus. The University allegedly took down portraits of him, removed him from the University website, prohibited staff from speaking with him and banned him from campus.
“Liberty’s actions are antithetical to the teachings of Christ,” the lawsuit read. “Liberty’s conduct has damaged Mr. Falwell’s standing among Liberty faculty, students, and alumni, the broader evangelical community, and beyond.”
Falwell demanded a trial by jury in the lawsuit. His attorneys did not give a reason for withdrawing the suit.
“Falwell’s unilateral and voluntary dismissal was not prompted by any payments, promises, or other consideration from Liberty,” Liberty University said in a statement. “The University’s administration and Board of Trustees are pleased that Falwell has dropped his lawsuit and look forward to pressing onward with the work of Liberty’s President and Chancellor Search Committee to find the new leadership to succeed Falwell.”


thedailycaller--2020-12-11--Italy Charges Egyptian Officials With Murder, Kidnapping Of Grad Student

Four Egyptian National Security Agency officials have been charged for their involvement in the kidnapping and killing of an Italian graduate student in Cairo in 2016 , Italy announced , according to The New York Times .
The murder of Giulio Regeni , a 28-year-old Ph.D. student at Cambridge University in Britain , stemmed from the diplomatic relations between Rome and Cairo , The New York Times reported .
Italian investigators soon found themselves to be alone in trying to determine the cause of Regeni ’ s death following little effort from Egypt to cooperate .
The indictment accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of Regeni , while one was also charged with “ conspiracy to commit aggravated murder ” , according to The New York Times .
“ This is an extremely important result , ” Michele Prestipino Giarritta , Rome ’ s chief prosecutor , said in a hearing before an Italian parliamentary commission .
“ Prosecutors did everything they could to investigate .
We owed it to Giulio ’ s memory.
” The four Egyptian National Security Agency officials charged in connection to the death of Regeni , Maj. Madgi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Col. Uhsam Helmi , will all be tried , according to the Rome prosecutor ’ s office .
Additionally , Sharif would also be tried for the murder of Regeni .
The prosecutors have dropped charges against a fifth suspect , due to insufficient evidence .
The four officials charged have 20 days to present new evidence or request to be heard in the case , according to The Wall Street Journal .
Following this time period , a judge will choose whether or not to move forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expected to occur in Rome next year .
Egypt ’ s prosecutors have said that they had “ emphatic reservations ” and “ did not support ” the Italian decision to press charges , which they claim were made “ without solid evidence ” , according to The New York Times .
This did not deter the Italians from moving forward .
“ We deem to have gathered unambiguous and meaningful evidence on the responsibility of the suspects , ” said Giarritta .
( RELATED : Anti-Establishment Mayor Of Rome Says The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Family ) He noted that , despite the difficult and complex relationship with Egyptian authorities , his investigators were able to determine the context in which Regeni ’ s murder had occurred , with substantial evidence , The New York Times reported .
Several days after he disappeared , Regeni ’ s corpse was found on the side of a road outside of Cairo with cigarette burns , stab wounds , broken bones , bruises and other physical elements that autopsies say were signs of torture .
Regeni had been under surveillance by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Italian prosecutors .
On Thursday , they offered additional evidence that connected Egyptian security officials to the killing .
Highlighting a witness testimony , prosecutors said Regeni was held captive and tortured inside of Egypt ’ s Ministry of Interior in downtown Cairo , in a National Security Agency building , which was several days before his death , The Wall Street Journal reported .
“ Giulio shed a light on Egypt , on what Egypt is really like , ” Paola Deffendi , Regeni ’ s mother , said after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody can see what Egypt ’ s dictatorship is like .
Giulio is like a mirror that shows to the whole world that human rights are being violated in Egypt every day .
”

Four Egyptian National Security Agency officials have been charged for their involvement in the kidnapping and killing of an Italian graduate student in Cairo in 2016, Italy announced, according to The New York Times.
The murder of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old Ph.D. student at Cambridge University in Britain, stemmed from the diplomatic relations between Rome and Cairo, The New York Times reported. Italian investigators soon found themselves to be alone in trying to determine the cause of Regeni’s death following little effort from Egypt to cooperate.
The indictment accused the four officials of the “aggravated kidnapping” of Regeni, while one was also charged with “conspiracy to commit aggravated murder”, according to The New York Times.
“This is an extremely important result,” Michele Prestipino Giarritta, Rome’s chief prosecutor, said in a hearing before an Italian parliamentary commission. “Prosecutors did everything they could to investigate. We owed it to Giulio’s memory.”
Italy announced that four officials with the Egyptian National Security Agency would be tried in connection with the abduction and murder of an Italian doctoral student in Cairo in 2016 https://t.co/V1OFFRCAWT — New York Times World (@nytimesworld) December 10, 2020
The four Egyptian National Security Agency officials charged in connection to the death of Regeni, Maj. Madgi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif, Maj. Gen. Tariq Sabir, Col. Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Col. Uhsam Helmi, will all be tried, according to the Rome prosecutor’s office. Additionally, Sharif would also be tried for the murder of Regeni. The prosecutors have dropped charges against a fifth suspect, due to insufficient evidence.
The four officials charged have 20 days to present new evidence or request to be heard in the case, according to The Wall Street Journal. Following this time period, a judge will choose whether or not to move forward with a trial. The trial would be expected to occur in Rome next year.
Egypt’s prosecutors have said that they had “emphatic reservations” and “did not support” the Italian decision to press charges, which they claim were made “without solid evidence”, according to The New York Times. This did not deter the Italians from moving forward.


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--Sen. Mike Lee Introduces Separate Bill To Amend Section 230

Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee emerged as a leading voice against Big Tech by introducing a bill to hold platforms accountable for viewpoint censorship and supporting a separate bill to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act .
Lee introduced the Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment Act ( S.4975 ) Tuesday in the Senate .
The bill — colloquially called the PROMISE Act — would require social media platforms to disclose their content moderation policies to users and would be barred from moderating certain types of content , according to a press release .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Big Tech companies have every right to be partisan political actors , ” Lee said in a statement .
“ What they don ’ t have a right to do is make promises to consumers that they will provide unbiased platforms and then discriminate against conservatives on those same platforms.
” Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that Big Tech companies like Twitter , Facebook and Google are using their online platforms to blacklist or censor conservative viewpoints .
Twitter flagged the accounts of President Donald Trump and his campaign multiple times for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated its content rules .
Twitter also froze the New York Post ’ s account for more than two weeks after the publication reported on Hunter Biden ’ s alleged laptop .
Facebook took down multiple advertisements by the Susan B. Anthony List , a pro-life organization , and has censored similar content from other pro-life groups .
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg admitted in 2019 there “ clearly was bias ” over the monitoring of pro-life content on the platform , Fox News reported .
Google came under fire earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company ’ s search engine effectively blacklisted an internally-generated list of conservative news outlets , Mediaite reported .
Internal memos obtained by the Daily Caller in 2019 showed that the search engine previously used an “ XPA news blacklist ” tool to single out conservative content .
Lee also issued a statement of support Thursday for the Online Content Policy Modernization Act ( S.4632 ) — introduced by Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham — after consideration of the legislation was postponed .
Graham ’ s bill would reform Section 230 so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderating certain types of content .
Such an overhaul of tech liability protections would almost certainly force companies to change their moderation practices , according to Politico .
( RELATED : Trump Accuses Republicans Of Getting ‘ Cold Feet ’ On Abolishing Section 230 ) “ Facebook and Twitter have claimed political neutrality while practicing political partisanship for far too long .
That is why I would have voted for Senator Graham ’ s legislation to move through the Committee , ” Lee said in a statement .
“ He has worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his bill , and I trust he will continue to work with me to iron out a few others in the coming Congress.
” Republicans have taken a growing interest in overhauling Section 230 .
Trump even called for Section 230 to be “ immediately terminated ” in a Nov. 26 tweet and has said he will veto the annual defense budget if it does not include language abolishing the legal statute .

Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee emerged as a leading voice against Big Tech by introducing a bill to hold platforms accountable for viewpoint censorship and supporting a separate bill to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Lee introduced the Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment Act (S.4975) Tuesday in the Senate. The bill — colloquially called the PROMISE Act — would require social media platforms to disclose their content moderation policies to users and would be barred from moderating certain types of content, according to a press release.
“The billionaires who own our nation’s Big Tech companies have every right to be partisan political actors,” Lee said in a statement. “What they don’t have a right to do is make promises to consumers that they will provide unbiased platforms and then discriminate against conservatives on those same platforms.”
Sen. Lee Introduces PROMISE Act to Hold Big Tech Accountable https://t.co/s54BmYduzD pic.twitter.com/gBrJMEKZd1 — Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 9, 2020
Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that Big Tech companies like Twitter, Facebook and Google are using their online platforms to blacklist or censor conservative viewpoints.
Twitter flagged the accounts of President Donald Trump and his campaign multiple times for election-related posts the social media giant said violated its content rules. Twitter also froze the New York Post’s account for more than two weeks after the publication reported on Hunter Biden’s alleged laptop.
Facebook took down multiple advertisements by the Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization, and has censored similar content from other pro-life groups. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg admitted in 2019 there “clearly was bias” over the monitoring of pro-life content on the platform, Fox News reported.
Google came under fire earlier this year after a command function bug revealed the company’s search engine effectively blacklisted an internally-generated list of conservative news outlets, Mediaite reported. Internal memos obtained by the Daily Caller in 2019 showed that the search engine previously used an “XPA news blacklist” tool to single out conservative content.
Lee also issued a statement of support Thursday for the Online Content Policy Modernization Act (S.4632) — introduced by Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham — after consideration of the legislation was postponed.
WATCH:
Graham’s bill would reform Section 230 so that online platforms could be held liable for moderating certain types of content. Such an overhaul of tech liability protections would almost certainly force companies to change their moderation practices, according to Politico. (RELATED: Trump Accuses Republicans Of Getting ‘Cold Feet’ On Abolishing Section 230)
“Facebook and Twitter have claimed political neutrality while practicing political partisanship for far too long. That is why I would have voted for Senator Graham’s legislation to move through the Committee,” Lee said in a statement. “He has worked with me to iron out some issues in his bill, and I trust he will continue to work with me to iron out a few others in the coming Congress.”
Republicans have taken a growing interest in overhauling Section 230. Trump even called for Section 230 to be “immediately terminated” in a Nov. 26 tweet and has said he will veto the annual defense budget if it does not include language abolishing the legal statute.


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Imposes New Lockdowns, Bans Indoor Dining, Large Gatherings

Democratic Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf announced Thursday that the state would begin a three-week partial lockdown on Dec. 12 amidst a rise in coronavirus cases .
“ Today I am announcing additional , temporary COVID-19 protective mitigation measures in the commonwealth , ” Wolf said in a statement .
“ With these measures in place , we hope to accomplish three goals : First , stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth .
Second , keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed .
And third , help Pennsylvania get through the holiday season – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely as possible.
” “ This is a bridge to a better future in Pennsylvania , ” Wolf , who announced Wednesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus , continued .
( RELATED : Alcohol Sales In Pennsylvania Suspended The Night Before Thanksgiving ) The order , which remains in effect through Jan. 4 , prohibits indoor dining but allows for outdoor dining and take-out service to continue .
Indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are also prohibited but outdoor gatherings of up to 50 persons are allowed .
Businesses must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fitness centers can ’ t host any indoor operations .
Religious services are “ specifically excluded , ” but the guidelines encourage churches , synagogues , mosques and other places of worship to find alternative ways to worship that don ’ t include any in-person gatherings .
“ Faith leaders must carefully weigh the health risks to their congregants given the immense amount of community spread of COVID-19 , ” the guidance reads .
As of Thursday , the state has seen more than 12,000 deaths statewide and nearly half a million cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Health .
Just this week alone the state has recorded 1,100 deaths , according to the governor .

Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday that the state would begin a three-week partial lockdown on Dec. 12 amidst a rise in coronavirus cases.
“Today I am announcing additional, temporary COVID-19 protective mitigation measures in the commonwealth,” Wolf said in a statement. “With these measures in place, we hope to accomplish three goals: First, stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Second, keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed. And third, help Pennsylvania get through the holiday season – and closer to a widely available vaccine–as safely as possible.”
“This is a bridge to a better future in Pennsylvania,” Wolf, who announced Wednesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus, continued. (RELATED: Alcohol Sales In Pennsylvania Suspended The Night Before Thanksgiving)
The order, which remains in effect through Jan. 4, prohibits indoor dining but allows for outdoor dining and take-out service to continue.
Indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are also prohibited but outdoor gatherings of up to 50 persons are allowed.
Businesses must operate at half capacity and gyms and fitness centers can’t host any indoor operations.
Religious services are “specifically excluded,” but the guidelines encourage churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship to find alternative ways to worship that don’t include any in-person gatherings.
“Faith leaders must carefully weigh the health risks to their congregants given the immense amount of community spread of COVID-19,” the guidance reads.
As of Thursday, the state has seen more than 12,000 deaths statewide and nearly half a million cases since the pandemic began, according to the Department of Health.
#COVID19 Update (as of 12/10/20 at 12:00 am):
• 11,972 additional positive cases of COVID-19
• 457,289 total cases statewide
• 12,010 deaths statewide
• 2,993,507 patients tested negative to date More information: https://t.co/7pzosEXhEX — PA Department of Health (@PAHealthDept) December 10, 2020
Just this week alone the state has recorded 1,100 deaths, according to the governor.


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--Nearly 50% Approve Of Trump’s Performance, Poll Finds

Almost 50 % of registered voters approved of Donald Trump ’ s performance as president , according to a Hill-HarrisX poll published Thursday .
The poll , which was conducted from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7 , showed that 49 % of respondents favored the president ’ s performance , while 51 % disapproved , according to the Hill-HarrisX poll .
The president has been hovering just below or at 50 % for several months , polls show .
The previous Hill-HarrisX poll , which was conducted from Nov. 27 until Nov. 30 and was the first Hill-HarrisX poll completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of respondents approved of the president ’ s performance while 50 % disapproved .
That approval rating was a two-point increase from an October poll .
The president has an average approval rating of 44.6 % across several polls , according to Real Clear Politics , while 52.4 disapprove of Trump ’ s job performance .
Among Republican voters , 85 % approved of the president , the December Hill-HarrisX poll found .
Conversely , 82 % of the Democratic voters polled disapproved , as did 56 % of independents .
( RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Be Intervening ’ In Texas ’ Supreme Court Election Lawsuit ) The poll was conducted with 3,785 registered voters across the U.S. with a 1.58 percentage point margin of error , according to the Hill-HarrisX poll .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Almost 50% of registered voters approved of Donald Trump’s performance as president, according to a Hill-HarrisX poll published Thursday.
The poll, which was conducted from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7, showed that 49% of respondents favored the president’s performance, while 51% disapproved, according to the Hill-HarrisX poll. The president has been hovering just below or at 50% for several months, polls show.
The previous Hill-HarrisX poll, which was conducted from Nov. 27 until Nov. 30 and was the first Hill-HarrisX poll completed after the election, found 50% of respondents approved of the president’s performance while 50% disapproved. That approval rating was a two-point increase from an October poll.
The president has an average approval rating of 44.6% across several polls, according to Real Clear Politics, while 52.4 disapprove of Trump’s job performance.
Among Republican voters, 85% approved of the president, the December Hill-HarrisX poll found. Conversely, 82% of the Democratic voters polled disapproved, as did 56% of independents. (RELATED: Trump Claims He’ll ‘Be Intervening’ In Texas’ Supreme Court Election Lawsuit)
The poll was conducted with 3,785 registered voters across the U.S. with a 1.58 percentage point margin of error, according to the Hill-HarrisX poll.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--Media Organizations Turn Blind Eye To Struggles Of Black Lives Matter Groups

Despite consistently reporting on the Black Lives Matter movement , major publications failed to cover apparent in-fighting between the global group and local chapters .
A number of local BLM groups have questioned the finances of the global BLM organization , called BLM Global Network ( BLMGN ) .
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported in June that BLMGN spent millions on traveling , compensation and consultant costs for staffers from July 2017 through June 2019 .
During that same time period , BLMGN gave only $ 328,000 to outside groups – and now , ten local chapters are speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting them .
( RELATED : BLM ’ s National Arm Gave Little To Local Chapters While Reaping Millions , Local BLM Chapters Allege In Statement ) But the media seems to be ignoring the local groups ’ concerns .
Major publications including CNN , The New York Times , NBC News , The Washington Post and ABC News are among the national news companies that don ’ t appear to have covered the story .
The local chapters accused BLMGN of giving “ little to no financial support … since the launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Nov. 30 indicated .
None of the publications listed responded to requests for comment from the Daily Caller .
The local chapters speaking out include those in Washington , D.C. , Philadelphia , San Diego and Chicago .
BLM protests have been ongoing throughout 2020 in these four cities since the death of George Floyd in May , among many other areas in the U.S. “ For years there has been inquiry regarding the financial operations of BLMGN and no acceptable process of either public or internal transparency about the unknown millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has certainly increased during this time of pandemic and rebellion , ” the chapters said in a press release at the end of November .
The local chapters ’ issues with BLMGN go further than a lack of monetary help , with accusations expanding to a $ 6.5 million fund allegedly launched in June to support local chapters .
BLMGN started this fund following an increase in donations after Floyd ’ s death , but according to the local chapters , most have not seen money from it .
“ To the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received little to no financial support from BLMGN since the launch in 2013 , ” the local chapters wrote .
“ It was only in the last few months that selected chapters appear to have been invited to apply for a $ 500,000 grant created with resources generated because of the organizing labor of chapters .
This is not the equity and financial accountability we deserve.
” Outlets have ignored the global organization despite numerous red flags .
Co-founder Alicia Garza , for example , launched a new organization this year called “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a fiscally sponsored project of the Chinese Progressive Association , ” according to a donation page linked by the website .
The Chinese Progressive Association sponsored an event that saw the Chinese flag raised over Boston ’ s City Hall last year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chinese Communist Party ’ s creation of the People ’ s Republic of China .
Garza has been featured on CNN , NBC News , The New York Times and more in recent years .
The NYT , for one , declared that Garza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese group ” and accused an article from Heritage Foundation ’ s “ Daily Signal ” of conflating “ two nonprofits with the same name .
”

Despite consistently reporting on the Black Lives Matter movement, major publications failed to cover apparent in-fighting between the global group and local chapters.
A number of local BLM groups have questioned the finances of the global BLM organization, called BLM Global Network (BLMGN). The Daily Caller News Foundation reported in June that BLMGN spent millions on traveling, compensation and consultant costs for staffers from July 2017 through June 2019.
During that same time period, BLMGN gave only $328,000 to outside groups – and now, ten local chapters are speaking out and accusing the organization of not supporting them. (RELATED: BLM’s National Arm Gave Little To Local Chapters While Reaping Millions, Local BLM Chapters Allege In Statement)
But the media seems to be ignoring the local groups’ concerns.
Major publications including CNN, The New York Times, NBC News, The Washington Post and ABC News are among the national news companies that don’t appear to have covered the story. The local chapters accused BLMGN of giving “little to no financial support … since the launch in 2013,” a statement issued on Nov. 30 indicated.
None of the publications listed responded to requests for comment from the Daily Caller.
The local chapters speaking out include those in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, San Diego and Chicago. BLM protests have been ongoing throughout 2020 in these four cities since the death of George Floyd in May, among many other areas in the U.S.
“For years there has been inquiry regarding the financial operations of BLMGN and no acceptable process of either public or internal transparency about the unknown millions of dollars donated to BLMGN, which has certainly increased during this time of pandemic and rebellion,” the chapters said in a press release at the end of November.
The local chapters’ issues with BLMGN go further than a lack of monetary help, with accusations expanding to a $6.5 million fund allegedly launched in June to support local chapters. BLMGN started this fund following an increase in donations after Floyd’s death, but according to the local chapters, most have not seen money from it.
“To the best of our knowledge, most chapters have received little to no financial support from BLMGN since the launch in 2013,” the local chapters wrote. “It was only in the last few months that selected chapters appear to have been invited to apply for a $500,000 grant created with resources generated because of the organizing labor of chapters. This is not the equity and financial accountability we deserve.”
Outlets have ignored the global organization despite numerous red flags. Co-founder Alicia Garza, for example, launched a new organization this year called “Black Futures Lab.”
The organization is “a fiscally sponsored project of the Chinese Progressive Association,” according to a donation page linked by the website. The Chinese Progressive Association sponsored an event that saw the Chinese flag raised over Boston’s City Hall last year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chinese Communist Party’s creation of the People’s Republic of China.
Garza has been featured on CNN, NBC News, The New York Times and more in recent years. The NYT, for one, declared that Garza did not “partner with a pro-Communist Chinese group” and accused an article from Heritage Foundation’s “Daily Signal” of conflating “two nonprofits with the same name.”


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--Taylor Swift Donates $13,000 To Moms Facing Eviction Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic

Musician Taylor Swift donated $ 13,000 to two moms facing an upcoming eviction amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Swift made the donations after The Washington Post featured both women in an article , according to an article published Thursday by the New York Post .
Shelbie Selewski reportedly makes $ 200 per week on unemployment , according to The Washington Post .
She finally started a GoFundMe to help cover costs , the NYPost reported .
“ I have never thought to make a GoFundMe , but with Christmas approaching I just didn ’ t know what else to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the outlet reported .
“ The money will go directly to keeping our lights on this holiday season and trying to pay some rent so we aren ’ t evicted .
Any leftover money will go toward the kids.
” Swift is reportedly the top donor on Selewski ’ s fundraiser , according to the New York Post .
( RELATED : REPORT : Taylor Swift Donates $ 30,000 To Student Trying To Pay For College ) “ Shelbie , I ’ m sending you this gift after reading about you in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to feel the kind of stress that ’ s been put on you , ” Swift said in her message to Selewski , the outlet reported .
“ I hope you and your beautiful family have a great holiday season .
Love , Taylor.
” Swift also contributed to another womens ’ funds after seeing the story .
“ Nikki , I read about you in the Washington Post and thought it was really brave of you to share your story , ” Swift wrote , according to the outlet .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve had to go through this year and wanted to send you this gift , from one Nashville girl to another .
Love , Taylor.
” You can not like Swift as much as you want , but she really is always looking for ways to directly give back to the community .
I love that about her and is one of her best qualities , honestly .
The holidays are already such a hard time of the year for people , so it ’ s nice to see her stepping @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Musician Taylor Swift donated $13,000 to two moms facing an upcoming eviction amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Swift made the donations after The Washington Post featured both women in an article, according to an article published Thursday by the New York Post.
Taylor Swift makes $13,000 donations to 2 moms on verge of eviction amid pandemic. https://t.co/8H1EeKK80Q — NBC News (@NBCNews) December 9, 2020
Shelbie Selewski reportedly makes $200 per week on unemployment, according to The Washington Post. She finally started a GoFundMe to help cover costs, the NYPost reported.
“I have never thought to make a GoFundMe, but with Christmas approaching I just didn’t know what else to do,” Selewski wrote in her listing, the outlet reported. “The money will go directly to keeping our lights on this holiday season and trying to pay some rent so we aren’t evicted. Any leftover money will go toward the kids.”
Swift is reportedly the top donor on Selewski’s fundraiser, according to the New York Post. (RELATED: REPORT: Taylor Swift Donates $30,000 To Student Trying To Pay For College)
“Shelbie, I’m sending you this gift after reading about you in the Washington Post. No one should have to feel the kind of stress that’s been put on you,” Swift said in her message to Selewski, the outlet reported. “I hope you and your beautiful family have a great holiday season. Love, Taylor.”
Swift also contributed to another womens’ funds after seeing the story.


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--Brewery Owner Spends Over $100,000 To Comply With LA County Outside Dining Regulations

A brewery owner in Los Angeles County spent over $ 100,000 in order to comply with outside dining regulations for breweries only to have bars and breweries be shutdown for at least three weeks .
Brian Avery is the owner of Bravery Brewing in Lancaster , California , where outdoor dining has been banned .
“ We are normally getting ready for our annual Christmas party with our employees to thank them for their hard work but instead we are getting ready to lay them off again , ” Avery said , after receiving the news from the county.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t trust that.
” Avery , like many other restaurant and brewery owners , was forced to lay off employees during the week of Thanksgiving .
( RELATED : Los Angeles Restaurant Owners Protest Outdoor Dining Ban ) “ I don ’ t see us opening until spring , I don ’ t know why you would think otherwise , ” said Avery.
” It ’ s $ 100,000 plus hundreds of hours donated from friends who are plumbers , electricians , and handymen who are helping us through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and labor spent on attempting to comply with LA County regulations .
Check Out More From Daily Caller : Original Bassist Jason Slater For Third Eye Blind Dies At 49 Rush Limbaugh Says United States Is ‘ Trending Towards Secession ’

A brewery owner in Los Angeles County spent over $100,000 in order to comply with outside dining regulations for breweries only to have bars and breweries be shutdown for at least three weeks.
Brian Avery, owner of Bravery Brewing in Lancaster spent over $100,000 to comply with LA County by installing a kitchen in his brewery in order to be allowed to serve outdoors. All for nothing as restaurants/breweries can only serve take-out, no outdoor/indoor dining for 3 weeks pic.twitter.com/4QIip6FGu8 — Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) November 27, 2020
Brian Avery is the owner of Bravery Brewing in Lancaster, California, where outdoor dining has been banned.
“We are normally getting ready for our annual Christmas party with our employees to thank them for their hard work but instead we are getting ready to lay them off again,” Avery said, after receiving the news from the county.”The county is saying three weeks but I don’t trust that.” Avery, like many other restaurant and brewery owners, was forced to lay off employees during the week of Thanksgiving. (RELATED : Los Angeles Restaurant Owners Protest Outdoor Dining Ban)
“I don’t see us opening until spring, I don’t know why you would think otherwise,” said Avery.”It’s $100,000 plus hundreds of hours donated from friends who are plumbers, electricians, and handymen who are helping us through this,” Avery said about the cost and labor spent on attempting to comply with LA County regulations.
WATCH:
Check Out More From Daily Caller :
‘We Are Not Crazy’: California Restaurant Defies Outdoor Dining Ban
Original Bassist Jason Slater For Third Eye Blind Dies At 49
Rush Limbaugh Says United States Is ‘Trending Towards Secession’


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--America Is Capable Of Testing Its Way Out Of Lockdowns Right Now, Panel Concludes

Rapid COVID-19 testing technology currently exists that would allow Americans to nearly instantly know whether they have the virus .
In-home testing , according to a group of experts , is a key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 .
Personal testing up to this point , they argue , has been largely ineffective given regulatory constraints that make a test ’ s results “ pointless.
” In-home testing would allow any person to know quickly whether they had the virus and take the appropriate action to control the spread — and possibly move the U.S. out of lockdowns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes available , will add further protection , they argue .
Routine testing will act as a safe-guard in case the U.S. eventually finds itself facing a new strain of the virus .
Antigen tests , professor of Epidemiology and Immunology at Harvard Michael Mina wrote for Time , are “ extremely effective contagiousness tests ” that detect when a person is most contagious .
A paper strip antigen test , he said , are easy to produce , are cost effective and give the user results in minutes .
And they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mina wrote , could achieve “ vaccine-like herd effects if 50 % of the population could test themselves every 4 days .
“ Unlike vaccines , which stop onward transmission through immunity , testing can do this by giving people the tools to know , in real-time , that they are contagious and thus stop themselves from unknowingly spreading to others , ” Mina wrote .
The cost to mass produce these tests , according to Mina , would require around $ 10 billion from Congress .
Mina explained during a panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of rapid personal testing might sound high , but the money Congress could dole out for the tests would only be a fraction of what the U.S. has already spent .
“ For the average person , these numbers sound like a lot .
A billion dollars is 1-5,000th of what we ’ ve spent already on this virus , or what it ’ s costing us .
It ’ s 1- 1,000th of what they ’ re about to pass.
” “ We keep mopping up the mess when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faucet , ” Mina continued .
Mina added that the Trump administration took a good step forward when it purchased 150 million tests , but he believes they need to ramp it up to nearly 30 million per day .
The U.S. has a lot of eggs in the “ vaccine basket , ” Heritage Foundation Domestic Policy Studies Director Marie Fishpaw told the Daily Caller .
But she also said there are additional tools the country could utilize while waiting for a vaccine to be available to healthy populations .
The current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be performed at home , can take days to produce results , Fishpaw explained .
Right now , the Food and Drug Administration requires these tests to be sent to a certified clinic .
“ Literally , you could run a test for $ 5 and get results in 15 minutes , except you ’ d have to mail it off to get that result .
So , it ’ s requirements like this , which might make sense if it was complicated test to do .
But this is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
“ A vaccine is a high reward strategy , but it ’ s also got a lot of risks associated with it , that the testing does not and the testing could be ramped up quite quickly while we continue to work towards a vaccine , Fishpaw said .
One of the major barriers to regulatory and policy decisions , the panelists agreed , is the fact the U.S. is a democracy .
Paul Romer , co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences , emphasized that “ voters don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out a possible fear that if people receive tests they ’ ll go out and do whatever they want .
However , Romer said , people don ’ t necessarily need to be forced to do the right thing — the focus should be on testing .
( RELATED : Inside The Battle Over Pandemic Policy — What Exactly Does The Science Support ? )
“ If you just let people know , without even forcing any mandates on them , they ’ ll tend to do the right thing , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people they care about , ” Romer said .
Romer added that tests don ’ t come with the same inherent risks associated with vaccines , adding that “ tests don ’ t threaten anybody.
” Heritage Foundation Domestic Policy Fellow Doug Badger pointed to the idea that decision makers are locked in to “ losing strategies.
” These strategies , Badger said , are made worse by the holidays and further intensified by leaders who are seen breaking their own mandates .
“ We see political leaders telling us don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holidays .
And then we read stories about governors and mayors and so forth .
In fact , violating their own orders .
So we ’ re on sort of a failed policy course on the one side .
And on the other side , we ’ re beginning to tell people well , it ’ s your fault , ” he said .
Mina explained a major benefit of testing is that it is “ mutation proof.
” A virus , Mina said , “ can figure out evolutionarily how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ at the very least ” the test could serve as a sort of contingency plan , should the country find itself facing a different strain of the virus .
“ I ’ ve never seen a country go to battle without a contingency plan .
I ’ ve never seen anything won without a contingency plan for the most part , you know , at least nothing important , ” Mina said .
“ These tests must be fast , they must be frequent .
And to do both of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s why we need them at home .
And if you don ’ t have all three of those , the testing is going to be what we ’ re doing already , which is , frankly , pointless from a public health perspective .
”

Rapid COVID-19 testing technology currently exists that would allow Americans to nearly instantly know whether they have the virus.
In-home testing, according to a group of experts, is a key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Personal testing up to this point, they argue, has been largely ineffective given regulatory constraints that make a test’s results “pointless.” In-home testing would allow any person to know quickly whether they had the virus and take the appropriate action to control the spread — and possibly move the U.S. out of lockdowns.
Routine testing, even after a vaccine becomes available, will add further protection, they argue. Routine testing will act as a safe-guard in case the U.S. eventually finds itself facing a new strain of the virus.
Antigen tests, professor of Epidemiology and Immunology at Harvard Michael Mina wrote for Time, are “extremely effective contagiousness tests” that detect when a person is most contagious. A paper strip antigen test, he said, are easy to produce, are cost effective and give the user results in minutes. And they can be done at home. The U.S., Mina wrote, could achieve “vaccine-like herd effects if 50% of the population could test themselves every 4 days.
“Unlike vaccines, which stop onward transmission through immunity, testing can do this by giving people the tools to know, in real-time, that they are contagious and thus stop themselves from unknowingly spreading to others,” Mina wrote.
The cost to mass produce these tests, according to Mina, would require around $10 billion from Congress. Mina explained during a panel discussion Thursday at the Heritage Foundation that the cost of rapid personal testing might sound high, but the money Congress could dole out for the tests would only be a fraction of what the U.S. has already spent.
“For the average person, these numbers sound like a lot. A billion dollars is 1-5,000th of what we’ve spent already on this virus, or what it’s costing us. It’s 1- 1,000th of what they’re about to pass.”
“We keep mopping up the mess when we just need to go turn off the faucet,” Mina continued.
Mina added that the Trump administration took a good step forward when it purchased 150 million tests, but he believes they need to ramp it up to nearly 30 million per day.
HERE IS THE PLAN TO GET US OUT OF THIS #COVID19 WAR • NO lockdowns
• NO waiting for vaccines
• Reverses cases in weeks A true public health approach focused on the ppl To end the public health *WAR* we are in. RAPID At-Home COVID Testing for Allhttps://t.co/vQzaZeVmZv — Michael Mina (@michaelmina_lab) November 18, 2020
The U.S. has a lot of eggs in the “vaccine basket,” Heritage Foundation Domestic Policy Studies Director Marie Fishpaw told the Daily Caller. But she also said there are additional tools the country could utilize while waiting for a vaccine to be available to healthy populations. The current testing system, even for tests that can be performed at home, can take days to produce results, Fishpaw explained. Right now, the Food and Drug Administration requires these tests to be sent to a certified clinic.
“Literally, you could run a test for $5 and get results in 15 minutes, except you’d have to mail it off to get that result. So, it’s requirements like this, which might make sense if it was complicated test to do. But this is not a complicated test to run,” Fishpaw continued.
“A vaccine is a high reward strategy, but it’s also got a lot of risks associated with it, that the testing does not and the testing could be ramped up quite quickly while we continue to work towards a vaccine, Fishpaw said.
One of the major barriers to regulatory and policy decisions, the panelists agreed, is the fact the U.S. is a democracy. Paul Romer, co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, emphasized that “voters don’t like mandates.” He also pointed out a possible fear that if people receive tests they’ll go out and do whatever they want. However, Romer said, people don’t necessarily need to be forced to do the right thing — the focus should be on testing. (RELATED: Inside The Battle Over Pandemic Policy — What Exactly Does The Science Support?)
“If you just let people know, without even forcing any mandates on them, they’ll tend to do the right thing, which is to go isolate and avoid infecting people they care about,” Romer said.
Romer added that tests don’t come with the same inherent risks associated with vaccines, adding that “tests don’t threaten anybody.”
Heritage Foundation Domestic Policy Fellow Doug Badger pointed to the idea that decision makers are locked in to “losing strategies.” These strategies, Badger said, are made worse by the holidays and further intensified by leaders who are seen breaking their own mandates.
“We see political leaders telling us don’t get together with family and friends for the holidays. And then we read stories about governors and mayors and so forth. In fact, violating their own orders. So we’re on sort of a failed policy course on the one side. And on the other side, we’re beginning to tell people well, it’s your fault,” he said.
Mina explained a major benefit of testing is that it is “mutation proof.” A virus, Mina said, “can figure out evolutionarily how to escape the vaccine response.” He argued that “at the very least” the test could serve as a sort of contingency plan, should the country find itself facing a different strain of the virus.
“I’ve never seen a country go to battle without a contingency plan. I’ve never seen anything won without a contingency plan for the most part, you know, at least nothing important,” Mina said.
“These tests must be fast, they must be frequent. And to do both of those, they must be accessible, and that’s why we need them at home. And if you don’t have all three of those, the testing is going to be what we’re doing already, which is, frankly, pointless from a public health perspective.”


thedailycaller--2020-12-10--FACT CHECK: Viral Post Falsely Claims The First UK COVID-19 Vaccine Recipient Is A Crisis Actor

A viral Facebook post claims Margaret Keenan , the first U.K. recipient of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine , is a crisis actor .
There is no evidence Keenan , a retired jewelry store assistant , is a crisis actor .
The post includes photos of two other women that are noticeably younger than Keenan .
The viral post features images of Keenan receiving the COVID-19 vaccine , a woman falling to the ground and a woman ’ s StarNow acting profile that the Facebook user presents as evidence Keenan is a crisis actor .
Keenan , a 90-year-old retired U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person in the U.K. and the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outside a clinical trial on Dec. 8 , according to a National Health Service ( NHS ) press release .
There is , however , no evidence Keenan is a crisis actor .
The caption falsely suggests that the women pictured are the same , despite that not being the case .
( RELATED : Does This Video Show An Anti-Lockdown Protest In London ? )
Liz Scott , the woman shown in the StarNow profile , is visibly younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lists her as having brown eyes , while a video from The Guardian and a photo tweeted by the NHS shows Keenan has blue eyes .
Keenan lives in Coventry , a city that is roughly 100 miles from London , where Scott lists herself as living on her StarNow profile .
The photo of the woman falling down comes from September 2020 , when protesters gathered in London ’ s Trafalgar Square to protest against vaccination and government COVID-19 restrictions , according to a photo from Agence France-Presse .
The woman appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ anyone offered the vaccine is to take it ” in an NHS press release .
Check Your Fact also found no major British media outlets reporting that Keenan works as a “ crisis actor.
” Keenan has been the target of a number of baseless conspiracy theories since receiving her COVID-19 vaccination , according to Vice .
We rate this claim false .

A viral Facebook post claims Margaret Keenan, the first U.K. recipient of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, is a crisis actor.
Verdict: False
There is no evidence Keenan, a retired jewelry store assistant, is a crisis actor. The post includes photos of two other women that are noticeably younger than Keenan.
Fact Check:
The viral post features images of Keenan receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, a woman falling to the ground and a woman’s StarNow acting profile that the Facebook user presents as evidence Keenan is a crisis actor. Keenan, a 90-year-old retired U.K. jewelry store assistant, became the first person in the U.K. and the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outside a clinical trial on Dec. 8, according to a National Health Service (NHS) press release.
There is, however, no evidence Keenan is a crisis actor. The caption falsely suggests that the women pictured are the same, despite that not being the case. (RELATED: Does This Video Show An Anti-Lockdown Protest In London?)
Liz Scott, the woman shown in the StarNow profile, is visibly younger than Keenan. Scott’s profile lists her as having brown eyes, while a video from The Guardian and a photo tweeted by the NHS shows Keenan has blue eyes. Keenan lives in Coventry, a city that is roughly 100 miles from London, where Scott lists herself as living on her StarNow profile.
Meet Maggie: the first person in the world to receive a fully-tested and approved Covid-19 vaccine on the NHS. pic.twitter.com/eb2ijTMSLW — NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) December 8, 2020
The photo of the woman falling down comes from September 2020, when protesters gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square to protest against vaccination and government COVID-19 restrictions, according to a photo from Agence France-Presse. The woman appears noticeably younger than Keenan, who advised for “anyone offered the vaccine is to take it” in an NHS press release.
Check Your Fact also found no major British media outlets reporting that Keenan works as a “crisis actor.” Keenan has been the target of a number of baseless conspiracy theories since receiving her COVID-19 vaccination, according to Vice. We rate this claim false.