thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Mike Pence, Wife Karen, Surgeon General Get COVID-19 Vaccines

But five days into the largest vaccination campaign in the nation ’ s history , Trump has held no public events to trumpet the rollout .
He hasn ’ t been inoculated himself .
He has tweeted only twice about the shot .
Pence , meanwhile , has taken center stage — touring a vaccine production facility this week and receiving a dose himself on live television Friday morning .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said Thursday that they will get vaccinated in the next few days .
Trump ’ s relative silence comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat in the Nov. 3 election and embraces increasingly extreme efforts to overturn the people ’ s will .
He ’ s pushed aside the plans of aides who wanted him to be the public face of the vaccination campaign , eschewing visits to labs and production facilities to thank workers , or hosting efforts to build public confidence in the shot , according to people familiar with the conversations .
“ The President ’ s relatively low profile on the COVID response since the election is curious and counter to Mr. Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Gostin , who has criticized Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic in the past , said that he “ deserves a great deal of credit ” for Operation Warp Speed and placing a bet on two vaccines that use groundbreaking mRNA technology .
But many Trump aides are puzzled by his low profile now that the vaccine is actually being injected .
They see it as a missed opportunity for the president , who leaves office at noon on Jan. 20 , to claim credit for helping oversee the speedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to finally contain the virus that has killed more than 310,000 Americans .
Trump himself has tried to minimize any credit that might go to his successor , President-elect Joe Biden , who will preside over the bulk of the nationwide injection campaign next year .
Biden expects to receive his shot as soon as next week .
Despite Trump ’ s claims , FDA scientists were the ones who came up with the idea for Operation Warp Speed , the White House-backed effort through which millions of doses of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they are still being evaluated .
And much of the groundwork for the shots was laid over the past decade , including through research on messenger RNA , or mRNA , used in the vaccines developed by both Pfizer and Moderna .
Pfizer developed its vaccine outside Operation Warp Speed but is partnering with the federal government on manufacturing and distribution .
A survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only about half of Americans want to get the vaccine as soon as possible .
Another quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while the remaining quarter say they aren ’ t interested .
Some simply oppose vaccines in general .
Others are concerned that the injections have been rushed and want to see how the rollout goes .
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , there is not yet enough information to determine whether those who have had COVID-19 , like Trump , should get the vaccine .
Still , Fauci recommended that Trump take it publicly without delay .
“ Even though the president himself was infected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that likely would be protective , we ’ re not sure how long that protection lasts .
So , to be doubly sure , I would recommend that he get vaccinated as well as the vice president , ” Fauci told ABC News .
Presidents and their family members have often made a display of their vaccinations to boost public confidence .
President Dwight Eisenhower highlighted that one of his grandchildren was among the first wave of American children vaccinated for polio .
In 2009 , President Barack Obama and his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who were in a higher risk group , for the swine flu .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the vaccine is safe.
In remarks after his shot, Pence called the speed with which the vaccine was developed “a medical miracle.”
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“The American people can be confident: we have one and perhaps within hours two” safe vaccines,” Pence said, referring to expected FDA approval for Moderna’s vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine was the first to be approved.
“Building confidence in the vaccine is what brings us here this morning,” he added.
Pence’s wife Karen and Surgeon General Jerome Adams also received shots during the televised White House event.
President Donald Trump’s administration helped deliver vaccinations against the coronavirus earlier than even some in his administration thought possible, launching Operation Warp Speed — the government campaign to help swiftly develop and distribute vaccines — this spring with great fanfare in the White House Rose Garden.
But five days into the largest vaccination campaign in the nation’s history, Trump has held no public events to trumpet the rollout. He hasn’t been inoculated himself. He has tweeted only twice about the shot. Pence, meanwhile, has taken center stage — touring a vaccine production facility this week and receiving a dose himself on live television Friday morning. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said Thursday that they will get vaccinated in the next few days.
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Trump’s relative silence comes as he continues to stew about his defeat in the Nov. 3 election and embraces increasingly extreme efforts to overturn the people’s will. He’s pushed aside the plans of aides who wanted him to be the public face of the vaccination campaign, eschewing visits to labs and production facilities to thank workers, or hosting efforts to build public confidence in the shot, according to people familiar with the conversations.
The sheepish approach has been surprising, especially for a president rarely shy to take credit, said Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown Law who focuses on public health.
“The President’s relatively low profile on the COVID response since the election is curious and counter to Mr. Trump’s own interests,” he said. Gostin, who has criticized Trump’s handling of the pandemic in the past, said that he “deserves a great deal of credit” for Operation Warp Speed and placing a bet on two vaccines that use groundbreaking mRNA technology.
“Having exhibited leadership in the vaccines’ development, he should take great pride in publicly demonstrating his trust in COVID vaccines,” he said.
Trump did appear at a White House “summit” ahead of the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine last week. That event included an introductory video highlighting the past comments of those — including top government infectious-disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci — who doubted a shot would be ready this year.
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But many Trump aides are puzzled by his low profile now that the vaccine is actually being injected. They see it as a missed opportunity for the president, who leaves office at noon on Jan. 20, to claim credit for helping oversee the speedy development and deployment of the vaccine that is expected to finally contain the virus that has killed more than 310,000 Americans.
Surgeon General Jerome Adams receives a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Washington. Vice President Mike Pence, his wife Karen Pence also participated. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump himself has tried to minimize any credit that might go to his successor, President-elect Joe Biden, who will preside over the bulk of the nationwide injection campaign next year. Biden expects to receive his shot as soon as next week.
“Don’t let Joe Biden take credit for the vaccines,” Trump has told reporters. “Don’t let him take credit for the vaccines because the vaccines were me, and I pushed people harder than they’ve ever been pushed before.”
Despite Trump’s claims, FDA scientists were the ones who came up with the idea for Operation Warp Speed, the White House-backed effort through which millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines and treatments are being manufactured even as they are still being evaluated. And much of the groundwork for the shots was laid over the past decade, including through research on messenger RNA, or mRNA, used in the vaccines developed by both Pfizer and Moderna. Pfizer developed its vaccine outside Operation Warp Speed but is partnering with the federal government on manufacturing and distribution.
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Trump’s low-key approach could have an impact on public health. Dr. Antony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told NBC News this week that 75% to 85% of the nation needs to be vaccinated to achieve “herd immunity,” making the public education campaign about the vaccine’s safety all the more pressing.
A survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only about half of Americans want to get the vaccine as soon as possible. Another quarter of the public isn’t sure, while the remaining quarter say they aren’t interested. Some simply oppose vaccines in general. Others are concerned that the injections have been rushed and want to see how the rollout goes.
While senior officials are beginning to make plans to receive the vaccine in public to help build public confidence, Trump, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 in October, is taking his time.
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is not yet enough information to determine whether those who have had COVID-19, like Trump, should get the vaccine. Still, Fauci recommended that Trump take it publicly without delay.
“Even though the president himself was infected, and he has, likely, antibodies that likely would be protective, we’re not sure how long that protection lasts. So, to be doubly sure, I would recommend that he get vaccinated as well as the vice president,” Fauci told ABC News.
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It was not clear whether first lady Melania Trump, who came down with COVID-19 at the same time as her husband, would be vaccinated.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters this week that Trump, who has previously spread misinformation about other vaccines, was trying to send a message about priorities by delaying his own inoculation.
“The president wants to send a parallel message which is, you know, our long-term care facility residents and our front-line workers are paramount in importance,” she said.
Gostin disagreed. ”It will be enormously damaging to public trust in the vaccine if President Trump isn’t visibly enthusiastic, including getting his shot on national television,” he argued. “It simply isn’t good enough to have Vice President Pence as a proxy.”
Presidents and their family members have often made a display of their vaccinations to boost public confidence. President Dwight Eisenhower highlighted that one of his grandchildren was among the first wave of American children vaccinated for polio. In 2009, President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, vaccinated both their young daughters, who were in a higher risk group, for the swine flu.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf: ‘We Have Failed’ With Light-Touch COVID-19 Policy

STOCKHOLM , Dec 17 ( Reuters ) - Sweden ’ s king said his country had failed in its handling of COVID-19 , in a sharp criticism of pandemic policy partly blamed for a high death toll among the elderly .
Carl XVI Gustaf , whose son and daughter-in-law tested positive last month , used an annual royal Christmas TV special to highlight the growing impact of the virus , in a rare intervention from a monarch whose duties are largely ceremonial .
Sweden has stood out from most countries by shunning lockdowns and face masks , leaving schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainly on voluntary social distancing and hygiene recommendations to slow the spread .
An official commission said on Tuesday systemic shortcomings in elderly care coupled with inadequate measures from the government and agencies contributed to Sweden ’ s particularly high death toll in nursing homes .
“ I believe we have failed , ” the king said in an excerpt from the program broadcast by SVT on Wednesday .
The full show airs on Dec. 21 .
“ We have had a large number of deaths and that is terrible .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden has registered more than 7,800 deaths , a much higher per capita rate than its Nordic neighbors but lower than in Britain , Italy , Spain or France , which have all opted for lockdowns .
The 74-year-old king has no formal political power and rarely comments on current and political issues , though he has addressed the nation to offer encouragement during the outbreak .
In the spring , the government ’ s response to the pandemic was widely supported by Swedes who carried on much as normal while most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll - particularly among elderly residents of care homes - has drawn increasing criticism .
A poll in daily Dagens Nyheter on Thursday showed around a third of Swedes expressed a high level of confidence in authorities ’ handling of the pandemic , down from 42 % in Marchand a peak of 56 % after the summer lull in infections .

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STOCKHOLM, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Sweden’s king said his country had failed in its handling of COVID-19, in a sharp criticism of pandemic policy partly blamed for a high death toll among the elderly.
Carl XVI Gustaf, whose son and daughter-in-law tested positive last month, used an annual royal Christmas TV special to highlight the growing impact of the virus, in a rare intervention from a monarch whose duties are largely ceremonial.
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Sweden has stood out from most countries by shunning lockdowns and face masks, leaving schools, restaurants and businesses largely open and relying mainly on voluntary social distancing and hygiene recommendations to slow the spread.
An official commission said on Tuesday systemic shortcomings in elderly care coupled with inadequate measures from the government and agencies contributed to Sweden’s particularly high death toll in nursing homes.
“I believe we have failed,” the king said in an excerpt from the program broadcast by SVT on Wednesday. The full show airs on Dec. 21.
“We have had a large number of deaths and that is terrible. That is something that brings us all suffering.”
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Sweden has registered more than 7,800 deaths, a much higher per capita rate than its Nordic neighbors but lower than in Britain, Italy, Spain or France, which have all opted for lockdowns.
The 74-year-old king has no formal political power and rarely comments on current and political issues, though he has addressed the nation to offer encouragement during the outbreak.
In the spring, the government’s response to the pandemic was widely supported by Swedes who carried on much as normal while most of Europe entered lockdown.
But the rising death toll - particularly among elderly residents of care homes - has drawn increasing criticism.
A poll in daily Dagens Nyheter on Thursday showed around a third of Swedes expressed a high level of confidence in authorities’ handling of the pandemic, down from 42% in Marchand a peak of 56% after the summer lull in infections.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-17--Florida Scientist Vows To Speak COVID-19 'Truth To Power' Despite Police Raid

“ I accepted many months ago that being a whistleblower and critic of Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ’ mismanagement of COVID-19 would likely cost me my freedom , ” Rebekah Jones wrote Wednesday in an opinion piece in the Miami Herald .
“ I never expected armed police to enter my home to take my equipment and point guns at my children.
” 1/ There will be no update today .
At 8:30 am this morning , state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech .
They were serving a warrant on my computer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed a gun in my face .
They pointed guns at my kids.. pic.twitter.com/DE2QfOmtPU — Rebekah Jones , MS , GISP ( @ GeoRebekah ) December 7 , 2020 Jones , the creator and former manager of Florida ’ s online dashboard of COVID-19 data , was fired in May after she discussed filing a whistleblower complaint laying our her accusations that officials pressured her to censor and alter case information to make it more positive .
After her firing , Jones established a “ COVID Action ” website from home with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police officers this month raided her home with guns drawn and removed her tech equipment and cellphone from her house .
A statement from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it was investigating an allegation that Jones may have accessed Health Department information without authorization .
Despite the latest “ Gestapo-like twist , ” Jones wrote , she continues to seek to “ provide Floridians the information and resources needed to make informed decisions during an aggressively anti-science period in American history.
” She won ’ t be cowed , Jones wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , either .
“ To all the would-be whistleblowers considering coming forward , but who might be scared by the raid on my home : Never let the fear of retaliation temper your desire to be a good , honest person , ” she wrote .
“ I will continue to speak truth to power , to provide critical information on coronavirus and environmental issues , and never allow a man so devoid of empathy and humanity ” — meaning DeSantis — “ silence my voice.
” She predicted that true accounts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastating pandemic will become “ more widely known over time ” and that people who have been fired or quit will step forward .
“ The revelations about the state ’ s obstruction during this response will change our democracy forever , ” she concluded .
“ Until then , I will be here , focusing on the data.
” As COVID-19 cases rise , it ’ s more important than ever to remain connected and informed .
Join the HuffPost community today .
( It ’ s free ! )

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“I accepted many months ago that being a whistleblower and critic of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ mismanagement of COVID-19 would likely cost me my freedom,” Rebekah Jones wrote Wednesday in an opinion piece in the Miami Herald. “I never expected armed police to enter my home to take my equipment and point guns at my children.”
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1/
There will be no update today.
At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech.
They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint.
They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids.. pic.twitter.com/DE2QfOmtPU — Rebekah Jones, MS, GISP (@GeoRebekah) December 7, 2020
Jones, the creator and former manager of Florida’s online dashboard of COVID-19 data, was fired in May after she discussed filing a whistleblower complaint laying our her accusations that officials pressured her to censor and alter case information to make it more positive.
After her firing, Jones established a “COVID Action” website from home with a new dashboard continuing to report data. Police officers this month raided her home with guns drawn and removed her tech equipment and cellphone from her house. A statement from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it was investigating an allegation that Jones may have accessed Health Department information without authorization.
Despite the latest “Gestapo-like twist,” Jones wrote, she continues to seek to “provide Floridians the information and resources needed to make informed decisions during an aggressively anti-science period in American history.”
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She won’t be cowed, Jones wrote, and no one else should be, either.
“To all the would-be whistleblowers considering coming forward, but who might be scared by the raid on my home: Never let the fear of retaliation temper your desire to be a good, honest person,” she wrote.
“I will continue to speak truth to power, to provide critical information on coronavirus and environmental issues, and never allow a man so devoid of empathy and humanity” — meaning DeSantis —“silence my voice.”
She predicted that true accounts of what happened in the state during the devastating pandemic will become “more widely known over time” and that people who have been fired or quit will step forward.
“The revelations about the state’s obstruction during this response will change our democracy forever,” she concluded. “Until then, I will be here, focusing on the data.”
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A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--‘Truly, Truly Evil': Tucker Carlson Slammed For Sowing Doubt About COVID-19 Vaccines

Fox News personality Tucker Carlson was slammed on social media as dangerous , irresponsible and “ truly , truly evil ” for his monologue Thursday night sowing doubt about the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine .
Carlson , on his prime time show , questioned the “ glitzy entrance ” of the vaccine , mocked “ Lord of the Rings ” actor Ian McKellen for receiving it and spotlighted allergic reactions experienced by a handful of people who ’ ve taken the Pfizer/BioNTech shot .
Banners that appeared on screen during Carlson ’ s monologue read “ BAD VACCINE REACTIONS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QUESTIONING THE CORONA VACCINE.
” “ How are the rest of us supposed to respond to a marketing campaign like this ?
” Carlson asked .
“ Well , nervously.
” “ Even if you ’ re strongly supportive of vaccines , and we are , even if you recognize how many millions of lives have been saved over the past 50 years by vaccines , and we do , it all seems a bit much , ” he said .
“ It feels false , because it is .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ better to treat Americans like adults , explain the benefits , be honest about the risks , and let the rest of us decide.
” “ In this country , we control our own bodies .
They ’ re always telling us that , ” he added .
“ But no .
Suddenly , the rules have changed .
On the question of the corona vaccine , our leaders are definitely not pro-choice .
Their view is do what you ’ re told , and don ’ t complain , and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration , which issued emergency authorization for Pfizer ’ s vaccine on Dec. 11 , has published extensive information about the shot , including known side effects .
MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes on Thursday ’ s broadcast of “ All In ” said the big question now is whether the “ right-wing disinformation machine ” that got behind President Donald Trump ’ s false claim of winning the 2020 election ( as many of Fox News ’ personalities have done ) would spread disinformation about the vaccine .
“ My understanding is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that , ” said Hayes .
“ If they decide to do that , then we will have a real problem on our hands.
” At the end of his show tonight , Chris Hayes expressed concern about Tucker dipping his toes in anti-vaxxer garbage : '' My understanding is Tucker Carlson was starting to sorta toy with that .
If they decide to do that , then we will have a real problem on our hands . ''
pic.twitter.com/JMt4mfI3B0 — Justin Baragona ( @ justinbaragona ) December 18 , 2020 On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record for Covid cases and deaths , @ TuckerCarlson is using his platform to tell people there was no surge after Thanksgiving and plenty of reasons not to trust the vaccine .
— Jeremy W. Peters ( @ jwpetersNYT ) December 18 , 2020 Tucker Carlson undermining public confidence in the coronavirus vaccines was obviously the direction things have been headed for some time .
But it ’ s still deeply disturbing to see him use his enormous platform so irresponsibly .
https : //t.co/YCFaZXpDZU — Oliver Darcy ( @ oliverdarcy ) December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most dangerous entities in the country .
Stop giving him Twitter high fives when he says something you agree with once every few months .
He ’ s a bad person !
https : //t.co/FMrWWP3VzW — Erick Fernandez ( @ ErickFernandez ) December 18 , 2020 Tucker Carlson delivered an anti-vaccine rant tonight , which I will not tweet , encouraging millions of people not to trust the COVID vaccine .
It ’ s not complicated : This kind of misinformation will kill people .
Any corporation that advertises on Tucker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ JuddLegum ) December 18 , 2020 There is no “ legitimate news ” portion of Fox News .
The lies and propagandizing of Tucker , Hannity , and Ingraham infect the channel 24 hours a day .
Everyone needs to stop legitimizing their work .
The network should never again be permitted to moderate a presidential debate .
— Judd Legum ( @ JuddLegum ) December 18 , 2020 Tucker Carlson 's shtick is always the same : cherry pick a datum from overwhelming , countervailing evidence , play prophet by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you '' have n't heard about it is because `` the elites '' are “ censoring ” it .
He ’ s an edgelord in a repp tie .
https : //t.co/BAOo3COnek — Justin Miller ( @ justinjm1 ) December 18 , 2020 Keep in mind that Tucker Carlson and the Fox staff will likely try to cut the line to get this vaccine while telling their audience not to take it .
Less than a year ago , they told their viewers to go back to work while keeping their staff remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sleeping Giants ( @ slpng_giants ) December 18 , 2020 Important conversations are happening now .
Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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Fox News personality Tucker Carlson was slammed on social media as dangerous, irresponsible and “truly, truly evil” for his monologue Thursday night sowing doubt about the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.
Carlson, on his prime time show, questioned the “glitzy entrance” of the vaccine, mocked “Lord of the Rings” actor Ian McKellen for receiving it and spotlighted allergic reactions experienced by a handful of people who’ve taken the Pfizer/BioNTech shot.
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Banners that appeared on screen during Carlson’s monologue read “BAD VACCINE REACTIONS” and “THERE WILL BE NO QUESTIONING THE CORONA VACCINE.”
“How are the rest of us supposed to respond to a marketing campaign like this?” Carlson asked. “Well, nervously.”
“Even if you’re strongly supportive of vaccines, and we are, even if you recognize how many millions of lives have been saved over the past 50 years by vaccines, and we do, it all seems a bit much,” he said. “It feels false, because it is. It’s too slick.”
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Carlson said it was “better to treat Americans like adults, explain the benefits, be honest about the risks, and let the rest of us decide.”
“In this country, we control our own bodies. They’re always telling us that,” he added. “But no. Suddenly, the rules have changed. On the question of the corona vaccine, our leaders are definitely not pro-choice. Their view is do what you’re told, and don’t complain, and no uncomfortable questions.”
The Food and Drug Administration, which issued emergency authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine on Dec. 11, has published extensive information about the shot, including known side effects.
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on Thursday’s broadcast of “All In” said the big question now is whether the “right-wing disinformation machine” that got behind President Donald Trump’s false claim of winning the 2020 election (as many of Fox News’ personalities have done) would spread disinformation about the vaccine.
“My understanding is Tucker Carlson was starting to sorta toy with that,” said Hayes. “If they decide to do that, then we will have a real problem on our hands.”
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Check out the clip here:
At the end of his show tonight, Chris Hayes expressed concern about Tucker dipping his toes in anti-vaxxer garbage:
"My understanding is Tucker Carlson was starting to sorta toy with that. If they decide to do that, then we will have a real problem on our hands." pic.twitter.com/JMt4mfI3B0 — Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) December 18, 2020
Carlson was immediately scorned on social media:
What are the odds that Tucker Carlson gets the COVID vaccine himself, despite the fears he drummed up in viewers tonight? — Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) December 18, 2020
In a hotly contested competition for “Most vile and grossly irresponsible person on tv” Tucker Carlson again takes the crown. https://t.co/wOlkiFSRZB — Katharina Borchert (@lyssaslounge) December 18, 2020
Dr. Vin Gupta > Tucker Carlson https://t.co/zkkt5aO2RS — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) December 18, 2020
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If you want to talk about media being an "enemy of the people"@TuckerCarlson is the real deal https://t.co/ptwNPQVfUm — Ned Balme (@NedBalmeLives) December 18, 2020
On the say when the US sets a record for Covid cases and deaths, @TuckerCarlson is using his platform to tell people there was no surge after Thanksgiving and plenty of reasons not to trust the vaccine. — Jeremy W. Peters (@jwpetersNYT) December 18, 2020
This is a blatant lie. Tucker Carlson is lying to undermine public confidence in the coronavirus vaccine. pic.twitter.com/vcwz8onO7a — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 18, 2020
If only the vaccine could tell its audience of 328 million people in the United States not to trust Tucker Carlson. — Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) December 18, 2020
Tucker Carlson undermining public confidence in the coronavirus vaccines was obviously the direction things have been headed for some time. But it’s still deeply disturbing to see him use his enormous platform so irresponsibly. https://t.co/YCFaZXpDZU — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) December 18, 2020
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People die because they believe the clown @TuckerCarlson https://t.co/6leFZToLvR — Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) December 18, 2020
Tucker Carlson is going to get people killed. https://t.co/8w35k6oVTH — Dr. Miranda Yaver (@mirandayaver) December 18, 2020
Tucker Carlson is one of the most dangerous entities in the country. Stop giving him Twitter high fives when he says something you agree with once every few months. He’s a bad person! https://t.co/FMrWWP3VzW — Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) December 18, 2020
Tucker Carlson delivered an anti-vaccine rant tonight, which I will not tweet, encouraging millions of people not to trust the COVID vaccine.
It’s not complicated: This kind of misinformation will kill people.
Any corporation that advertises on Tucker Carlson is complicit. — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 18, 2020
There is no “legitimate news” portion of Fox News. The lies and propagandizing of Tucker, Hannity, and Ingraham infect the channel 24 hours a day.
Everyone needs to stop legitimizing their work.
The network should never again be permitted to moderate a presidential debate. — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 18, 2020
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Tucker Carlson's shtick is always the same: cherry pick a datum from overwhelming, countervailing evidence, play prophet by revealing it, say the reason “you" haven't heard about it is because "the elites" are “censoring” it.
He’s an edgelord in a repp tie. https://t.co/BAOo3COnek — Justin Miller (@justinjm1) December 18, 2020
This is the moment where every single advertiser should decide to no longer support Fox News.
They are very literally undermining public health. https://t.co/ssbQZLGH37 — Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) December 18, 2020
Keep in mind that Tucker Carlson and the Fox staff will likely try to cut the line to get this vaccine while telling their audience not to take it.
Less than a year ago, they told their viewers to go back to work while keeping their staff remote.
Truly, truly evil. — Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) December 18, 2020
If you take medical advice from Tucker Carlson, you’re not going to live very long. https://t.co/ms3TmHWLVb — Kyle Whitmire (@WarOnDumb) December 18, 2020
Where is the vaccine to protect us from people that watch Tucker Carlson and don’t vomit? — John Roberts (@JohnRobertsFun) December 18, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Jill Biden Reveals Why Right-Wing Attack On Her 'Dr.' Title Was 'Such A Surprise'

Future first lady Jill Biden revealed her surprise at being criticized for using the title “ Dr. ” in a lengthy joint interview with her husband , President-elect Joe Biden , that aired on Thursday ’ s episode of “ The Late Show.
” Wall Street Journal columnist Joseph Epstein faced backlash over his op-ed last week in which he called Biden — who has a doctorate in education — “ kiddo ” and suggested she drop the title because it “ sounds and feels fraudulent , not to say a touch comic.
” “ That was such a surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Show ” host Stephen Colbert .
“ It was really the tone of it .
He called me ‘ kiddo.
’ ” “ One of the things I am most proud of is my doctorate , ” added Biden , who plans to continue working as a college professor after her husband enters the White House .
“ I worked so hard for it.
” Biden said she was touched by how many people sprang to her defense — including former first lady Michelle Obama — in the wake of the controversy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News host Tucker Carlson .
Colbert suggested the flap could be a compliment because it was the only thing that people could find about her to criticize .
Colbert then asked the president-elect if “ as the husband who loves this person , did you ever wan na get out a length of pool chain and go full corn pop on these people ?
” Elsewhere in the interview , the president-elect said he had “ great confidence in our son , ” Hunter Biden , who is under federal tax investigation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whipping boy by President Donald Trump and his allies .
“ I am not concerned about any accusations that have been made against him .
It ’ s used to get to me , ” Biden said , describing the attacks as “ foul play.
” Biden called Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , who denounced Trump before the 2016 election and later became one of his staunchest backers , as “ a personal disappointment because I was a personal friend of his.
” But Biden nevertheless vowed to work with Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the body politic ” will fade once he leaves office and many Republicans will then feel “ they have a lot more room ” to work with Democrats .
Colbert asked Biden if there was anything about Trump “ that you could thank him for sincerely.
” “ What he ’ s done getting the vaccine moving has been positive , ” replied Biden .
“ But by and large , he has been a president who ’ s decided that the way he succeeds is by dividing us.
” In other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted the United States would be almost back to normal by Christmas 2021 :

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Future first lady Jill Biden revealed her surprise at being criticized for using the title “Dr.” in a lengthy joint interview with her husband, President-elect Joe Biden, that aired on Thursday’s episode of “The Late Show.”
Wall Street Journal columnist Joseph Epstein faced backlash over his op-ed last week in which he called Biden — who has a doctorate in education — “kiddo” and suggested she drop the title because it “sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic.”
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“That was such a surprise,” Biden told “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert. “It was really the tone of it. He called me ‘kiddo.’”
“One of the things I am most proud of is my doctorate,” added Biden, who plans to continue working as a college professor after her husband enters the White House. “I worked so hard for it.”
“I was just overwhelmed by how gracious people were to me,” said Biden.
Colbert suggested the flap could be a compliment because it was the only thing that people could find about her to criticize.
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“OK, I’ll take it that way,” Biden replied, laughing.
Colbert then asked the president-elect if “as the husband who loves this person, did you ever wanna get out a length of pool chain and go full corn pop on these people?”
“The answer is it’s close,” he replied. Said Jill Biden: “The answer is no.”
“I have been suppressing my Irishness for a long time,” he added.
Check out the video here:
Elsewhere in the interview, the president-elect said he had “great confidence in our son,” Hunter Biden, who is under federal tax investigation and who has been used as a right-wing whipping boy by President Donald Trump and his allies.
“I am not concerned about any accusations that have been made against him. It’s used to get to me,” Biden said, describing the attacks as “foul play.”
Biden called Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who denounced Trump before the 2016 election and later became one of his staunchest backers, as “a personal disappointment because I was a personal friend of his.”
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But Biden nevertheless vowed to work with Republicans, predicting Trump’s impact “on the body politic” will fade once he leaves office and many Republicans will then feel “they have a lot more room” to work with Democrats.
Colbert asked Biden if there was anything about Trump “that you could thank him for sincerely.”
“What he’s done getting the vaccine moving has been positive,” replied Biden. “But by and large, he has been a president who’s decided that the way he succeeds is by dividing us.”
Check out that part of the interview here:
In other segments of the interview, the president-elect predicted the United States would be almost back to normal by Christmas 2021:
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Mitt Romney: It's Extraordinary Trump Hasn't Mentioned Suspected Russia Cyberattack

Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) said Thursday it was extraordinary that President Donald Trump hasn ’ t said a single word about the cyberattack on U.S. agencies believed to be orchestrated by the Kremlin .
Nor has Trump apparently complained to Russian President Vladimir Putin .
“ In this setting , not to have the White House aggressively speaking out and protesting and taking punitive action is really quite extraordinary , ” Romney also told Olivier Knox on SiriusXM .
Romney said the operation exposes the nation ’ s cyberwarfare readiness as extraordinarily weak , and that Russia thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight back from a cyber standpoint that they do this with impunity .
So our national security is extraordinarily vulnerable , ” he added .
When White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany was asked Tuesday about the massive hack , she said the White House was “ taking a hard look into this , ” CNBC reported .
In contrast , President-elect Joe Biden put nations that would attack the U.S. on notice and said his administration would make cybersecurity a top priority .
“ Our adversaries should know that , as president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of cyber assaults on our nation , ” Biden added .

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said Thursday it was extraordinary that President Donald Trump hasn’t said a single word about the cyberattack on U.S. agencies believed to be orchestrated by the Kremlin. Nor has Trump apparently complained to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a tweet posted on Thursday, Romney called White House inaction and silence inexcusable:
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“In this setting, not to have the White House aggressively speaking out and protesting and taking punitive action is really quite extraordinary,” Romney also told Olivier Knox on SiriusXM.
Romney said the operation exposes the nation’s cyberwarfare readiness as extraordinarily weak, and that Russia thinks “so little of our ability to fight back from a cyber standpoint that they do this with impunity. So our national security is extraordinarily vulnerable,” he added.
When White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany was asked Tuesday about the massive hack, she said the White House was “taking a hard look into this,” CNBC reported.
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In contrast, President-elect Joe Biden put nations that would attack the U.S. on notice and said his administration would make cybersecurity a top priority.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Scathing Supercut Shows How Republicans Keep Moving The Goal Posts On Trump’s Defeat

Republicans said they 'll stop trying to overturn the election after ... Ballots are counted Recounts States certify results Supreme @ @ @ @ @ will they really ever stop ?
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Chris Christie Spells It Out For Longtime Friend Donald Trump: Accept Defeat

Chris Christie , the GOP former governor of New Jersey and decadeslong friend of Donald Trump , said Thursday that it was high time for the president to give up his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat .
“ Whenever anybody loses an election , party or individual , there ’ s great disappointment , ” Christie told CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo .
“ But elections have consequences , and this one was clearly won by President-elect Biden by the same margin in the Electoral College that President Trump won four years ago and by even more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christie said Trump ’ s legal team — whom he described last month as “ a national embarrassment ” — had not presented any evidence “ that shows me , as a former prosecutor , that there ’ s any fraud that would change the result of the election.
” “ It ’ s time for us to accept that defeat , ” Christie continued , encouraging Republicans to instead celebrate the “ many victories ” the GOP had down the ticket on Nov. 3 .
“ We had a great night except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so we need to accept that and we need to move on.
” Cuomo asked Christie how he plans to respond to the criticism he will now almost certainly face from whom the anchor calls “ ReTrumplicans , ” or the president ’ s most sycophantic supporters .
“ What I say is , I ’ m a person who relies on the facts , ” Christie said .
“ And the facts are that every one of these lawsuits have been thrown out of court ” due to lack of evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , then “ I ’ d be on your show tonight yelling and screaming ” about it .
Later in the interview , Cuomo asked Christie if it was hard “ to be friends with somebody who you know is lying about something as serious as an election being rigged and saying that there ’ s proof , that it ’ s proven , that it happened , that he won and you know he knows that ’ s all bullshit ?
” “ I ’ ve been his friend for 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this about me : I stand next to friends even when they ’ re wrong , even when they make mistakes , ” the former governor said .

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Chris Christie, the GOP former governor of New Jersey and decadeslong friend of Donald Trump, said Thursday that it was high time for the president to give up his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat.
“Whenever anybody loses an election, party or individual, there’s great disappointment,” Christie told CNN’s Chris Cuomo. “But elections have consequences, and this one was clearly won by President-elect Biden by the same margin in the Electoral College that President Trump won four years ago and by even more, nearly double, the popular vote.”
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Christie said Trump’s legal team — whom he described last month as “a national embarrassment” — had not presented any evidence “that shows me, as a former prosecutor, that there’s any fraud that would change the result of the election.”
“It’s time for us to accept that defeat,” Christie continued, encouraging Republicans to instead celebrate the “many victories” the GOP had down the ticket on Nov. 3. “We had a great night except at the top of the ticket, and so we need to accept that and we need to move on.”
Cuomo asked Christie how he plans to respond to the criticism he will now almost certainly face from whom the anchor calls “ReTrumplicans,” or the president’s most sycophantic supporters.
“What I say is, I’m a person who relies on the facts,” Christie said. “And the facts are that every one of these lawsuits have been thrown out of court” due to lack of evidence.
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If there were evidence, Christie added, then “I’d be on your show tonight yelling and screaming” about it.
Later in the interview, Cuomo asked Christie if it was hard “to be friends with somebody who you know is lying about something as serious as an election being rigged and saying that there’s proof, that it’s proven, that it happened, that he won and you know he knows that’s all bullshit?”
“I’ve been his friend for 20 years, and I think you know this about me: I stand next to friends even when they’re wrong, even when they make mistakes,” the former governor said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Health Secretary Alex Azar Says His Wife Has COVID-19

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told staffers at the agency Thursday that his wife , Jennifer , tested positive for COVID-19 , according to Politico .
“ Today , my family learned that my wife Jennifer has tested positive for COVID-19 , ” Azar wrote in an email to staff obtained by the publication .
“ I will be carrying out the duties of my office while strictly adhering to CDC guidelines for essential workers , continuing to practice social distancing , wearing a mask and monitoring for any symptoms.
” Azar added he had been tested “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so “ until my exposure period has concluded.
” His wife ’ s infection is the latest to hit Washington ’ s inner circle .
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt tested positive for the coronavirus this week , as did several members of Congress ( at least 44 Capitol Hill lawmakers have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic ) .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said this week that he would quarantine after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus .
Infection rates have continued to surge around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as promising news about two vaccines , from Pfizer and Moderna , arrives .
More than 3,600 people in the U.S. died of COVID-19 on Wednesday , and more than 245,000 others tested positive that day , both records that reflect ongoing concerns as the nation prepares for the winter holidays .
In California , health officials were warning of rapidly depleting intensive care unit beds , saying Thursday just 3 % were available as of that morning .
At the same time , doses of Pfizer ’ s vaccine have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers and Americans in long-term care homes , a significant milestone in the fight against the virus .
A second vaccine from Moderna has gained a key endorsement from a panel at the Food and Drug Administration , paving the way for its approval within days .

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Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told staffers at the agency Thursday that his wife, Jennifer, tested positive for COVID-19, according to Politico.
“Today, my family learned that my wife Jennifer has tested positive for COVID-19,” Azar wrote in an email to staff obtained by the publication. “I will be carrying out the duties of my office while strictly adhering to CDC guidelines for essential workers, continuing to practice social distancing, wearing a mask and monitoring for any symptoms.”
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Azar added he had been tested “every day” and would continue to do so “until my exposure period has concluded.”
His wife’s infection is the latest to hit Washington’s inner circle. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt tested positive for the coronavirus this week, as did several members of Congress (at least 44 Capitol Hill lawmakers have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic).
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said this week that he would quarantine after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus.
Infection rates have continued to surge around the nation, breaking record after record just as promising news about two vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, arrives. More than 3,600 people in the U.S. died of COVID-19 on Wednesday, and more than 245,000 others tested positive that day, both records that reflect ongoing concerns as the nation prepares for the winter holidays.
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In California, health officials were warning of rapidly depleting intensive care unit beds, saying Thursday just 3% were available as of that morning.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Pelosi, McConnell To Get Coronavirus Vaccine, Urge Members To Do Same

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The top leaders of the U.S. House and Senate will be receiving the coronavirus vaccine this week , and Congress ’ attending physician has informed members that they are all eligible for the shots under “ government continuity ” guidelines .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said Thursday that they will get vaccinated in the next few days .
Pelosi , D-Calif. , is third in the line of succession for the presidency , after President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence .
McConnell , R-Ky. , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but as majority leader , he is in charge of running the Senate .
In a statement Thursday , Pelosi said : “ We must all continue to embrace testing , tracing , treatment , mask wearing and social distancing as the vaccine is being distributed .
It is imperative that we ensure that the vaccine will be free and delivered in a fair , equitable manner to as many Americans as soon as possible and that we accelerate its manufacture , including by invoking the Defense Production Act.
” McConnell said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially aware of the “ extraordinary promise of hope ” vaccines offer .
He said he ’ ll continue to wear a mask and follow other health guidelines .
Dr. Brian P. Monahan , the Capitol physician , sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to make appointments with his office to be vaccinated .
“ Once we have completed the vaccination of the Members , we will follow a process to identify the continuity-essential staff members , ” Monahan said , adding that his office would continue with appointments “ until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The legislative branch of government is rapidly moving to receive the coronavirus vaccine, with both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell getting the shot on Friday and the top Capitol doctor urging all members of Congress to join them.
Both Pelosi and McConnell tweeted photos of themselves receiving the vaccine from the Capitol physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan. Monahan informed lawmakers Thursday evening that they are all eligible for the shots under government continuity guidelines and asked members of the House and Senate to make appointments with his office to be vaccinated.
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The leaders’ vaccinations came hours after Vice President Mike Pence received it on live television and called it a “medical miracle.” The public displays from all three come as top U.S. health officials are trying to convince regular Americans who may be skeptical of the vaccinations to get them and allow the country to rebound from the pandemic.
“Today, with confidence in science & at the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the COVID-19 vaccine,” Pelosi tweeted. “As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus.”
The speaker said in October that she does not like getting shots and even had a hard time getting her ears pieced.
“They have to talk me into the flu shot under great duress each year,” she said. “But if it serves as a model to other people, yes, I would take the vaccine if it is approved by regular order.”
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McConnell tweeted that he had “just received the safe, effective COVID vaccine following continuity-of-government protocols. Vaccines are how we beat this virus.”
On Thursday, McConnell said that as a survivor of childhood polio, “I know both the fear of a disease and the extraordinary promise of hope that vaccines bring.”
It is unclear whether all 535 members of the House and Senate will choose to get the vaccine. Only about half of Americans say they are willing to get it, according to a survey this month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, despite a rigorous federal review process and health officials’ insistence that it is safe.
Several other members of Congress have expressed an eagerness to receive the vaccine, especially as an example to some of their constituents who may be wary. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said Friday that he would also be getting the shot.
Two senators, Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Steve Daines, R-Mont., have been participating in the vaccine trials. But lawmakers are also reluctant to be first to be vaccinated so they’re not seen as jumping the line.
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Pelosi is third in the line of succession for the presidency, after President Donald Trump and Pence. Trump, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 in October, has yet to indicate when or if he will receive the shot.
Monahan, the Capitol physician, said that his office will follow a process to identify “continuity-essential staff members” in Congress after members have been vaccinated. He said his office would continue with appointments “until the small vaccine supply is exhausted.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--James Corden Recaps The Dumpster Fire Of 2020 And Ends On An Optimistic Note

James Corden crammed the events of “ the absolute worst ” year of 2020 into three minutes of airtime .
@ @ @ @ @ , Corden recalled everything people “ may have lost track of ” as the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ including the impeachment of President Donald Trump , the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe @ @ @ @ @ , Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ’ s move stateside and the popularity of Netflix @ @ @ @ @ ” and Hulu ’ s “ Normal People.
” “ The Late Late Show ” @ @ @ @ @ how the COVID-19 vaccine meant the end of the public health crisis is now in @ @ @ @ @ to you and those you hold dear , here ’ s hoping we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ year , ” he concluded .
Check out the video here :

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James Corden crammed the events of “the absolute worst” year of 2020 into three minutes of airtime.
In the whistle-stop segment Thursday, Corden recalled everything people “may have lost track of” as the coronavirus pandemic upended the world — including the impeachment of President Donald Trump, the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s move stateside and the popularity of Netflix’s “Tiger King” and Hulu’s “Normal People.”
“The Late Late Show” host ended optimistically, noting how the COVID-19 vaccine meant the end of the public health crisis is now in sight.
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“Merry Christmas to you and those you hold dear, here’s hoping we’ll be together in person next year,” he concluded.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Seth Meyers Busts A Big Myth About What Republicans Will Be Like Post-Trump

Seth Meyers isn ’ t buying the idea put forward by President-elect Joe Biden and other Democrats that Republicans will @ @ @ @ @ become reasonable again ” after President Donald Trump leaves office .
The host of NBC @ @ @ @ @ ” on Thursday said two key factors will keep the GOP locked into its extremes @ @ @ @ @ , Trump “ will never willingly leave the stage.
” It ’ s “ basically @ @ @ @ @ years , he ’ s going to be tweeting , holding rallies , and calling @ @ @ @ @ three-hour-long therapy sessions.
” And second , Meyers noted , “ Republicans weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no ‘ reasonable ’ to go back to.
” “ A decade @ @ @ @ @ showing up to town halls demanding to see Barack Obama ’ s birth certificate , @ @ @ @ @ the false and racist birther conspiracy promoted by the outgoing president and others .
Important @ @ @ @ @ Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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Seth Meyers isn’t buying the idea put forward by President-elect Joe Biden and other Democrats that Republicans will “just calm down and become reasonable again” after President Donald Trump leaves office.
The host of NBC’s “Late Night” on Thursday said two key factors will keep the GOP locked into its extremes.
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First, Meyers said, Trump “will never willingly leave the stage.”
It’s “basically guaranteed for the next four years, he’s going to be tweeting, holding rallies, and calling into Fox News for those three-hour-long therapy sessions.”
And second, Meyers noted, “Republicans weren’t reasonable before Trump, so there’s no ‘reasonable’ to go back to.”
“A decade ago, they were famously showing up to town halls demanding to see Barack Obama’s birth certificate,” he recalled, referencing the false and racist birther conspiracy promoted by the outgoing president and others.
Check out Meyers’ full monologue here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--People's Christmas Cards This Year Are Just As 2020 As You'd Expect

Who even needs Christmas when soon there 'll be a NEW YEAR ?
Families are celebrating the end of 2020 with Christmas cards and letters that are fitting for this train-wreck lap around the sun ( or as one man called it , the “ longest decade in history ” ) .
Despite the ongoing pandemic , the people of Twitter managed to find some holiday cheer by using their Christmas cards to unite against their common enemy : 2020 .
Here are some of the best efforts rounded up by Twitter .
This is going to be the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell !
pic.twitter.com/dRHxbVcveV — Rebecca Lennon ( @ beckylennon09 ) December 9 , 2020 Omg our 2020 holiday cards are here and they are PERFECT pic.twitter.com/FlDba4bH4K — Danielle Leong ( @ tsunamino ) November 25 , 2020 2020 was an unusual year so we had an unusual holiday card .
Happy holidays from the Meyers !
pic.twitter.com/KfQxePCbGS — David Meyer ( @ MeyerAndGoliath ) December 14 , 2020 The best 2020 holiday card , courtesy of my brother and sister in law pic.twitter.com/4S72fZjnSJ — susan rinkunas 🙋🏼♀ ( @ sueonthetown ) December 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , take a look at my department ’ s 2020 Christmas card !
Photo credit to my 8 year old- we put so much effort into planning the photo we forgot about the photographer !
# TeachAg @ CSIEagles pic.twitter.com/bGJDDaWjJU — Jaysa Fillmore 🦉 ( @ MrsAgTeacher ) December 10 , 2020 Our current second year residents have struck again with another sweetly hilarious holiday card .
Thank you , I love it !
@ CCFPathRes @ Naren_ccf @ DrMNichols @ LADuckMD @ sm_ashour @ Cele_SantosMD @ sarwate_mrinal @ DerekRobertFrew pic.twitter.com/aJQbwZ84yu — Megan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Pretty abrupt ending to the letter in the Christmas card from my aunt and uncle .
pic.twitter.com/wN3cm8KyZa — Alan Bobalik ( @ ABobalik ) December 16 , 2020 This might be the last year I send any .
# christmascard # 2020christmascard pic.twitter.com/rAGSl3tRA6 — AP49 ( @ Firstborn49 ) December 18 , 2020

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Who even needs Christmas when soon there'll be a NEW YEAR?
Families are celebrating the end of 2020 with Christmas cards and letters that are fitting for this train-wreck lap around the sun (or as one man called it, the “longest decade in history”).
Despite the ongoing pandemic, the people of Twitter managed to find some holiday cheer by using their Christmas cards to unite against their common enemy: 2020.
Advertisement
Here are some of the best efforts rounded up by Twitter.
This is going to be the best Christmas card this year, I can tell! pic.twitter.com/dRHxbVcveV — Rebecca Lennon (@beckylennon09) December 9, 2020
Omg our 2020 holiday cards are here and they are PERFECT pic.twitter.com/FlDba4bH4K — Danielle Leong (@tsunamino) November 25, 2020
2020 was an unusual year so we had an unusual holiday card. Happy holidays from the Meyers! pic.twitter.com/KfQxePCbGS — David Meyer (@MeyerAndGoliath) December 14, 2020
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The best 2020 holiday card, courtesy of my brother and sister in law pic.twitter.com/4S72fZjnSJ — susan rinkunas 🙋🏼♀ (@sueonthetown) December 9, 2020
Our company Christmas card. You’re welcome. pic.twitter.com/oHhsOIQzy0 — Taylor Stoker (@taytaygangordie) December 15, 2020
Best Christmas card received so far. pic.twitter.com/sj84s2ygoP — Anne (@annewitha_e) December 14, 2020
If you need a laugh, take a look at my department’s 2020 Christmas card! Photo credit to my 8 year old- we put so much effort into planning the photo we forgot about the photographer! #TeachAg @CSIEagles pic.twitter.com/bGJDDaWjJU — Jaysa Fillmore 🦉 (@MrsAgTeacher) December 10, 2020
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Love our Holiday Card this year!! pic.twitter.com/o2EGaEW3EJ — Melissa Bruno (@melissabruno123) December 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--FDA Approves Moderna's Coronavirus Vaccine, 2nd In U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration moved Friday to grant an emergency use authorization to drugmaker Moderna ’ s coronavirus vaccine , the second one approved for use in the U.S .
The agency ’ s decision came after a daylong meeting of a panel of experts on Thursday to discuss the vaccine ’ s safety , efficacy and side effects .
Twenty panelists voted to formally recommend that the FDA approve the drug for use in Americans age 18 and older , while one abstained .
“ Through the FDA ’ s open and transparent scientific review process , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expedited timeframe while adhering to the rigorous standards for safety , effectiveness , and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization that the American people have come to expect from the FDA , ” the agency ’ s commissioner , Stephen Hahn , said in a statement .
“ These standards and our review process , which are the same we have used in reviewing the first COVID-19 vaccine and intend to use for any other COVID-19 vaccines , included input from independent scientific and public health experts as well as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency ’ s career staff , ” Hahn said .
As with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , a committee within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now issue a recommendation on who should be first to get the shots .
It was among the first companies to secure pledged funding from the U.S. government to help cover research and development of its vaccine .
In return , the federal government is expected to receive 200 million doses , which it will distribute across the country , with the option to acquire an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use mRNA , or messenger RNA , to teach the human body how to recognize the coronavirus ’ s telltale spike protein , which is often shown in illustrations of the virus , in order to trigger a strong immune response when the virus is encountered for real .
Neither drug involves injecting the coronavirus into the body ― just instructions for a small part , which are then quickly broken down .
There is one key difference between them : The Moderna vials do not need to be stored at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna ’ s drug can be kept in regular freezers , making it easier to distribute to facilities that may not have specialized equipment .
Evidence from Moderna ’ s clinical trials suggests that its vaccine protects people not only from getting sick with COVID-19 but also from the worst effects of the virus .
Some of the most common side effects include pain at the site of injection , fatigue , headache and body aches , which dissipate after a day or two .
Never before in medical history have scientists been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine for a novel disease in such a short time ― under one year for both Moderna and Pfizer .
Many other vaccines are still in the pipeline .
The drugs ’ emergency approval has come at a crucial time : The country has already passed 300,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and is now logging well over 3,000 deaths per day as the Christmas and New Year ’ s holidays approach .
Those troubling trends can be expected to continue if Americans gather with friends and family in spite of public health guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their household .

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The Food and Drug Administration moved Friday to grant an emergency use authorization to drugmaker Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine, the second one approved for use in the U.S.
The agency’s decision came after a daylong meeting of a panel of experts on Thursday to discuss the vaccine’s safety, efficacy and side effects. Twenty panelists voted to formally recommend that the FDA approve the drug for use in Americans age 18 and older, while one abstained.
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“Through the FDA’s open and transparent scientific review process, two COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized in an expedited timeframe while adhering to the rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization that the American people have come to expect from the FDA,” the agency’s commissioner, Stephen Hahn, said in a statement.
“These standards and our review process, which are the same we have used in reviewing the first COVID-19 vaccine and intend to use for any other COVID-19 vaccines, included input from independent scientific and public health experts as well as a thorough analysis of the data by the agency’s career staff,” Hahn said.
As with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, a committee within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now issue a recommendation on who should be first to get the shots.
Moderna, a Massachusetts-based company, expects to produce around 20 million doses by the end of this year.
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It was among the first companies to secure pledged funding from the U.S. government to help cover research and development of its vaccine. In return, the federal government is expected to receive 200 million doses, which it will distribute across the country, with the option to acquire an additional 300 million doses.
The Moderna vaccine is administered in two doses and has been found to be nearly 95% effective.
Its design is similar to the vaccine made by Pfizer, which secured approval late last week and started being administered to American patients on Monday.
Both drugs use mRNA, or messenger RNA, to teach the human body how to recognize the coronavirus’s telltale spike protein, which is often shown in illustrations of the virus, in order to trigger a strong immune response when the virus is encountered for real. Neither drug involves injecting the coronavirus into the body ― just instructions for a small part, which are then quickly broken down.
There is one key difference between them: The Moderna vials do not need to be stored at the same super-low temperature as the Pfizer vials. Moderna’s drug can be kept in regular freezers, making it easier to distribute to facilities that may not have specialized equipment.
Pfizer’s drug is also recommended for a slightly wider range of use: The FDA cleared it for people aged 16 and up.
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Evidence from Moderna’s clinical trials suggests that its vaccine protects people not only from getting sick with COVID-19 but also from the worst effects of the virus. Some of the most common side effects include pain at the site of injection, fatigue, headache and body aches, which dissipate after a day or two.
Never before in medical history have scientists been able to design, test and produce a vaccine for a novel disease in such a short time ― under one year for both Moderna and Pfizer. Many other vaccines are still in the pipeline.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Instagram’s Latest Pledge To Counter Vaccine Misinformation Is More Empty PR

As two vaccines for the coronavirus reach the U.S. market and are being prepared for widespread distribution , Instagram announced on Thursday that it will direct its users to “ information from credible health authorities ” when they search for terms related to vaccines on the platform .
Entering the term “ vaccine ” into the search bar on Instagram ’ s mobile app does lead to a notice linking to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website with the prompt , “ Looking for Vaccine Info ?
” But for many users , prominently featured in the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts like @ vaccines_kill_ , @ anti.vaccines and @ say_no_to_bill_gates_vaccine .
The reason such pages are ranked among the top search results is not because they ’ re especially popular or have lots of followers ; the third listed above has fewer than 1,000 .
Rather , Instagram ’ s recommendation algorithm has placed them there .
The algorithm is designed to maximize user engagement , and by extension , advertising revenue .
Vaccines go through rigorous testing and evaluation and have been ruled safe by a long list of independent studies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories is still thriving on Instagram , where it has an outsized influence and its content is not only hosted but amplified .
By rewarding such disinformation with promotion , Instagram incentivizes users to produce more of it .
And if a user follows even one of those accounts after a simple “ vaccine ” search , the platform sucks them in even further .
After HuffPost created a new Instagram account and followed a single one of the top-featured anti-vaccine pages , Instagram ’ s algorithm immediately suggested a slew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have repeatedly posted false and misleading information about vaccines .
One argued in a post that vaccines are “ not about a cure but about money and power … ” Another suggested in a video that vaccines cause autism , a myth that medical authorities have debunked repeatedly .
Others claimed that billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates will secretly use vaccines to microchip people , along with other far-right conspiracy theories .
Facebook-owned Instagram vowed back in March 2019 to reduce the spread of vaccine-related misinformation on its platform .
Now , close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when the U.S. is racing to immunize people from a disease that has killed more than 311,000 Americans in less than a year — the platform ’ s continued promotion of anti-vaccune content demonstrates an inability or unwillingness to rein in its algorithm .
Earlier this month , Facebook and Instagram were widely lauded for announcing a new policy to remove posts spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines .
However , that policy does not apply to misinformation about vaccines in general , Facebook confirmed to HuffPost .
In theory , a post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causes autism ” would be taken down , whereas a post falsely claiming “ vaccines cause autism ” would not .
The average daily time Americans spend on Instagram has surged this year , and soon , more people will get news from Instagram than from Twitter .
It ’ s easy to see how users seeking information about vaccines on Instagram could stumble down a rabbit hole of false and fear-mongering anti-vaccine content , pulled along by the recommendation engine .
“ In the past few months , we ’ ve adjusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hashtags that appear to favor high quality accounts , and we will continue investing in this space .
We ’ ve made improvements to search , to help protect our community from content that could be harmful , but our work is not done , ” a Facebook spokesperson told HuffPost in an emailed statement .
“ The order of terms which appear in search is the result of many factors , including what people engaged with , what is most likely to be relevant to that person ’ s search , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , ” the statement continued .
“ This also applies to recommendations , however if an account has continually broken our rules or posted content that is misinformation , they may no longer appear in recommendations across Feed and Explore as well.
” Conspiratorial narratives about the supposedly nefarious interests of key figures and institutions surrounding vaccines are now causing just as much vaccine skepticism as safety concerns are , according to a new report from First Draft , a global nonprofit that researches misinformation .
Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories have been turbocharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been quietly seeping into anti-vaccine communities across Instagram and other platforms .
A growing number of social media users now believe that vaccines are part of a “ deep state ” agenda to brainwash and control humanity .

Mr. Ilkin via Getty Images
As two vaccines for the coronavirus reach the U.S. market and are being prepared for widespread distribution, Instagram announced on Thursday that it will direct its users to “information from credible health authorities” when they search for terms related to vaccines on the platform.
But instead, it is actively steering many toward explicitly anti-vaccine content and misinformation amid a global pandemic.
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Entering the term “vaccine” into the search bar on Instagram’s mobile app does lead to a notice linking to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website with the prompt, “Looking for Vaccine Info?” But for many users, prominently featured in the results beneath that is a lineup of anti-vaccine accounts like @vaccines_kill_, @anti.vaccines and @say_no_to_bill_gates_vaccine.
The reason such pages are ranked among the top search results is not because they’re especially popular or have lots of followers; the third listed above has fewer than 1,000. Rather, Instagram’s recommendation algorithm has placed them there. The algorithm is designed to maximize user engagement, and by extension, advertising revenue.
Vaccines go through rigorous testing and evaluation and have been ruled safe by a long list of independent studies. Yet the anti-vaccine minority pushing falsehoods and conspiracy theories is still thriving on Instagram, where it has an outsized influence and its content is not only hosted but amplified. By rewarding such disinformation with promotion, Instagram incentivizes users to produce more of it.
And if a user follows even one of those accounts after a simple “vaccine” search, the platform sucks them in even further. After HuffPost created a new Instagram account and followed a single one of the top-featured anti-vaccine pages, Instagram’s algorithm immediately suggested a slew of others just like it — including several that have repeatedly posted false and misleading information about vaccines.
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And here are some accounts Instagram recommended to me just now, after I followed a single anti-vax account... pic.twitter.com/dVklfJYDrS — Jesselyn Cook (@JessReports) December 17, 2020
One argued in a post that vaccines are “not about a cure but about money and power …” Another suggested in a video that vaccines cause autism, a myth that medical authorities have debunked repeatedly. Others claimed that billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates will secretly use vaccines to microchip people, along with other far-right conspiracy theories.
Facebook-owned Instagram vowed back in March 2019 to reduce the spread of vaccine-related misinformation on its platform. Now, close to two years later — at a time when the U.S. is racing to immunize people from a disease that has killed more than 311,000 Americans in less than a year — the platform’s continued promotion of anti-vaccune content demonstrates an inability or unwillingness to rein in its algorithm.
Earlier this month, Facebook and Instagram were widely lauded for announcing a new policy to remove posts spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. However, that policy does not apply to misinformation about vaccines in general, Facebook confirmed to HuffPost. In theory, a post that falsely claims “the coronavirus vaccine causes autism” would be taken down, whereas a post falsely claiming “vaccines cause autism” would not.
The average daily time Americans spend on Instagram has surged this year, and soon, more people will get news from Instagram than from Twitter. It’s easy to see how users seeking information about vaccines on Instagram could stumble down a rabbit hole of false and fear-mongering anti-vaccine content, pulled along by the recommendation engine.
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Company officials did not dispute that anti-vaccine accounts would show up in search bars, as HuffPost observed.
“In the past few months, we’ve adjusted search typeahead to improve the accounts and hashtags that appear to favor high quality accounts, and we will continue investing in this space. We’ve made improvements to search, to help protect our community from content that could be harmful, but our work is not done,” a Facebook spokesperson told HuffPost in an emailed statement.
“The order of terms which appear in search is the result of many factors, including what people engaged with, what is most likely to be relevant to that person’s search, or the person’s past behavior for example,” the statement continued. “This also applies to recommendations, however if an account has continually broken our rules or posted content that is misinformation, they may no longer appear in recommendations across Feed and Explore as well.”
Conspiratorial narratives about the supposedly nefarious interests of key figures and institutions surrounding vaccines are now causing just as much vaccine skepticism as safety concerns are, according to a new report from First Draft, a global nonprofit that researches misinformation.
Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories have been turbocharged in recent months by QAnon, which has been quietly seeping into anti-vaccine communities across Instagram and other platforms. A growing number of social media users now believe that vaccines are part of a “deep state” agenda to brainwash and control humanity.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Coronavirus Cases Skyrocket In California Prisons

As the coronavirus spreads rapidly nationwide , the number of COVID-19 cases in California ’ s prisons has risen dramatically in recent weeks , with nearly 1 in 10 people incarcerated there currently infected with the virus .
There are more than 8,800 people incarcerated statewide with active COVID-19 cases — out of more than 91,000 total incarcerated , per the state ’ s corrections department .
That amounts to about 9.6 % of people in prisons currently having the virus .
Across California ’ s 35 prisons , there are over a dozen prisons with COVID-19 outbreaks that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the last two weeks .
And more than 3,000 prison staff currently have the virus .
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ( which was responding on behalf of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s office as well ) told HuffPost that the prison population has been reduced by over 22,000 people since March , bringing the state to its lowest prison population in three decades .
“ They are literally killing people by their indifference , ” said Kate Chatfield , policy director for the Justice Collaborative .
She noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s prisons amid the pandemic were already set to get out within another 180 days or so , and that advocates have been calling for a far more dramatic reduction of cutting the prison population by half .
“ They knew this was going to happen , ” Chatfield added , noting there were deadly COVID-19 outbreaks in California prisons this summer and public health experts warned of a winter resurgence .
“ The level of indifference to human life , the level of neglect is shocking.
” The state corrections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ robust response and mitigation efforts ” to prevent the spread of the virus in its prisons , including mandating masks for all staff , screening the temperatures of those who enter facilities , and testing staff once a week in prisons with outbreaks .
The state has stopped transfers from county jails since late November and has staggered dining and recreation times to allow social distancing in common areas .
However , an inspector general report from November found inconsistent screening of staff in prisons and staffers “ failing to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In a survey at seven prisons , nearly a third of staff members reported seeing staff or incarcerated people failing to properly wear face coverings .
“ The majority of custody staff refused to wear PPE and when this was reported to supervisors , their repeated response was that the mandates were unenforceable because these were adults , ” one anonymous prison staffer in Los Angeles County told the survey .
Meanwhile , the state as a whole has seen an alarming increase in coronavirus cases in recent weeks , leaving it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensive care units statewide this week , per the California Department of Public Health .
Southern California has zero available ICU space .
In California — as in the rest of the country — Black and Latinx people are disproportionately incarcerated , as well as disproportionately hard hit by the virus .
Across the U.S. , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Black and Latinx people are around four times as likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 as white people , and nearly three times as likely to die .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths since the fall , with a total of more than 17 million confirmed cases and over 312,000 dead from the virus so far .
The nation hit a grim single-day record on Wednesday when over 3,600 people died from the virus .

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As the coronavirus spreads rapidly nationwide, the number of COVID-19 cases in California’s prisons has risen dramatically in recent weeks, with nearly 1 in 10 people incarcerated there currently infected with the virus.
There are more than 8,800 people incarcerated statewide with active COVID-19 cases — out of more than 91,000 total incarcerated, per the state’s corrections department. That amounts to about 9.6% of people in prisons currently having the virus.
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Across California’s 35 prisons, there are over a dozen prisons with COVID-19 outbreaks that have each seen hundreds of new cases in just the last two weeks. And more than 3,000 prison staff currently have the virus.
More than 100 people in California’s prisons have died from COVID-19 this year.
In protests last weekend, prisoners advocates called for the state to release more people.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (which was responding on behalf of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office as well) told HuffPost that the prison population has been reduced by over 22,000 people since March, bringing the state to its lowest prison population in three decades.
But advocates say that is evidently not enough, as COVID-19 is spreading rampantly this winter.
“They are literally killing people by their indifference,” said Kate Chatfield, policy director for the Justice Collaborative. She noted that most of the people released from California’s prisons amid the pandemic were already set to get out within another 180 days or so, and that advocates have been calling for a far more dramatic reduction of cutting the prison population by half.
“They knew this was going to happen,” Chatfield added, noting there were deadly COVID-19 outbreaks in California prisons this summer and public health experts warned of a winter resurgence. “The level of indifference to human life, the level of neglect is shocking.”
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COVID-19 cases in California prisons since March. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The state corrections department told HuffPost that it has implemented “robust response and mitigation efforts” to prevent the spread of the virus in its prisons, including mandating masks for all staff, screening the temperatures of those who enter facilities, and testing staff once a week in prisons with outbreaks. The state has stopped transfers from county jails since late November and has staggered dining and recreation times to allow social distancing in common areas.
However, an inspector general report from November found inconsistent screening of staff in prisons and staffers “failing to comply with the department’s face covering directives.” In a survey at seven prisons, nearly a third of staff members reported seeing staff or incarcerated people failing to properly wear face coverings.
“The majority of custody staff refused to wear PPE and when this was reported to supervisors, their repeated response was that the mandates were unenforceable because these were adults,” one anonymous prison staffer in Los Angeles County told the survey.
Meanwhile, the state as a whole has seen an alarming increase in coronavirus cases in recent weeks, leaving it with just 3% remaining capacity in intensive care units statewide this week, per the California Department of Public Health. Southern California has zero available ICU space.
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In California — as in the rest of the country — Black and Latinx people are disproportionately incarcerated, as well as disproportionately hard hit by the virus. Across the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Black and Latinx people are around four times as likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 as white people, and nearly three times as likely to die.
“It’s where mass incarceration smashes into racism in public health,” Chatfield said of COVID-19’s spread behind bars. “In the Black and Latino communities, they’re losing their fathers, husbands, sisters.”
The U.S. has seen a precipitous climb in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths since the fall, with a total of more than 17 million confirmed cases and over 312,000 dead from the virus so far. The nation hit a grim single-day record on Wednesday when over 3,600 people died from the virus.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Rupert Murdoch Gets COVID-19 Shot While Profiting Off Vaccine Misinformation

Rupert Murdoch , the media mogul behind Fox News , received the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday , even as hosts on his network stoke fears about it and spread vaccine misinformation .
“ I would like to thank the keyworkers and the [ National Health Service ] staff who have worked so hard throughout the pandemic , and the amazing scientists who have made this vaccine possible , ” he said in a statement from a representative for News Corp , of which he is chairman .
“ I strongly encourage people around the world to get the vaccine as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking up the vaccine now , but it ’ s a different story on Fox News , which Murdoch founded and currently oversees as the Fox Corporation chairman .
“ Suddenly the COVID vaccine is on the morning shows , touted on celebrity Twitter accounts , and the news about it is uniformly glowing , ” Carlson said before sarcastically adding , “ this stuff is just great , lot of famous people say so.
” He went on to say the vaccine ’ s “ marketing campaign ” seems “ a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is ; it ’ s too slick.
” He also warned his viewers that vaccine proponents would threaten skeptics like him “ unless we take it.
” He warned that two Alaska health care workers had an allergic reaction to the vaccine , the first doses of which have already been given to 2.9 million people across the U.S. Carlson is a huge moneymaker for Fox News and , in turn , for Murdoch .
Earlier this year , he became the most-watched on-air personality in cable news history , with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingraham , another one of Fox News ’ most well-known hosts , is also spreading vaccine misinformation .
Earlier this week , she posited on her show that people in North and South Dakota don ’ t need to get the COVID-19 vaccine because they ’ re nearing herd immunity status , a claim that is dangerous and untrue .
“ People want to get vaccinated , they want to get vaccinated , but in that case it wouldn ’ t be necessary , ” she said of the Dakotas .
The doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her false claim have both been called out for spreading misinformation about the pandemic .
Dr. Ramin Oskoui , a cardiologist , has argued that “ masks do not work ” and “ social distancing doesn ’ t work , ” citing a study that the authors say he took out of context .
The other , cancer researcher Dr. Harvey Risch , is one of the lone medical professionals pushing hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the disease , despite no evidence to back up his claims and the serious risk the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also brought quack doctors on to her radio show to warn Americans that they ’ re “ becoming guinea pigs in a huge gene experiment conducted on humans ” by receiving the vaccine , adding that those who take it are “ going to go to your doom.
” As false as they are , anti-vaccine talking points are an easy fit with Murdoch ’ s Fox News audience .
According to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll in May , half of all Americans who name Fox News as their primary television news source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Gates is scheming to use COVID-19 vaccinations as a method of implanting microchips in people so that he can track their every movement .

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Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul behind Fox News, received the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, even as hosts on his network stoke fears about it and spread vaccine misinformation.
Murdoch, 89, received the coronavirus vaccine in the United Kingdom, where people over 80 years of age are among those deemed priority recipients.
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“I would like to thank the keyworkers and the [National Health Service] staff who have worked so hard throughout the pandemic, and the amazing scientists who have made this vaccine possible,” he said in a statement from a representative for News Corp, of which he is chairman. “I strongly encourage people around the world to get the vaccine as it becomes available.”
Murdoch may be talking up the vaccine now, but it’s a different story on Fox News, which Murdoch founded and currently oversees as the Fox Corporation chairman.
Tucker Carlson, arguably the network’s biggest star, veered into anti-vaccine territory on his show Thursday night.
“Suddenly the COVID vaccine is on the morning shows, touted on celebrity Twitter accounts, and the news about it is uniformly glowing,” Carlson said before sarcastically adding, “this stuff is just great, lot of famous people say so.”
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He went on to say the vaccine’s “marketing campaign” seems “a bit much, it feels false, because it is; it’s too slick.” He also warned his viewers that vaccine proponents would threaten skeptics like him “unless we take it.” He warned that two Alaska health care workers had an allergic reaction to the vaccine, the first doses of which have already been given to 2.9 million people across the U.S.
Carlson is a huge moneymaker for Fox News and, in turn, for Murdoch. Earlier this year, he became the most-watched on-air personality in cable news history, with an average 4.33 million viewers every night
Laura Ingraham, another one of Fox News’ most well-known hosts, is also spreading vaccine misinformation. Earlier this week, she posited on her show that people in North and South Dakota don’t need to get the COVID-19 vaccine because they’re nearing herd immunity status, a claim that is dangerous and untrue.
“People want to get vaccinated, they want to get vaccinated, but in that case it wouldn’t be necessary,” she said of the Dakotas.
The doctors she had on air to lend credence to her false claim have both been called out for spreading misinformation about the pandemic. Dr. Ramin Oskoui, a cardiologist, has argued that “masks do not work” and “social distancing doesn’t work,” citing a study that the authors say he took out of context. The other, cancer researcher Dr. Harvey Risch, is one of the lone medical professionals pushing hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the disease, despite no evidence to back up his claims and the serious risk the drug poses for patients.
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Ingraham has also brought quack doctors on to her radio show to warn Americans that they’re “becoming guinea pigs in a huge gene experiment conducted on humans” by receiving the vaccine, adding that those who take it are “going to go to your doom.”
As false as they are, anti-vaccine talking points are an easy fit with Murdoch’s Fox News audience. According to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll in May, half of all Americans who name Fox News as their primary television news source believe the conspiracy theory that tech billionaire Bill Gates is scheming to use COVID-19 vaccinations as a method of implanting microchips in people so that he can track their every movement.