thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--MLB Commissioner Confident League Can Get Through Season, Playoffs Despite Coronavirus

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says he ’ s confident his sport can get through the regular season and postseason without being stopped by the coronavirus , though not every club might play all 60 games and winning percentage could be used to determine playoff teams .
“ The protocols are a series of little things that people need to do .
We ’ ve had some problems .
In order to be better , it ’ s another series of little things .
I think it ’ s peer pressure .
I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it ’ s the union helping us like Tony Clark helped us yesterday .
And I think it ’ s us managing more aggressively , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t take Rob ’ s comments as a personal attack at all because I know we are doing better and some teams might not be , so hopefully they do better , ” Shoemaker said .
“ If guys are going out to clubs or bars that is irresponsible to say the least , if that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing that which is great from a team standpoint .
We want to play baseball.
” “ We feel confident by the time we get to Detroit on Monday , that we will have control of this , ” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said .
“ The thinking was that we ’ re flying there and it just didn ’ t make sense to just then fly back and be on a plane again.
” “ I think it ’ s a top-down thing , ” Yankees pitcher James Paxton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your leadership is showing how important it is and you ’ ve got the front office like we have here taking it very seriously , I think that then that ’ ll trickle down to the players taking it seriously.
” “ This is kind of a day-to-day thing right now , ” Manfred said .
“ You ’ ve just got to get up in the morning and figure out a way to keep going through another day to stay safe for people.
” “ We ’ ve got to be flexible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Look , this is one of the reasons that we revisited the issue off the expanded playoffs .
If it turns out that some guys play 60 , some guys play 58 , they have this new thing called winning percentage .
We can sort that out.
” In another rule change that started this weekend , all doubleheaders for the rest of the season will have a pair of seven-inning games rather than nine-inning contests .
The first twinbill under the 2020 change will be between Cincinnati and Detroit at Comerica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
“ It ’ s just too long together and extended periods inside a clubhouse .
As we ’ ve had to move to rescheduling and been forced into some doubleheaders , I think the reality just became that we should do everything we can to shorten those days up from a health perspective , ” he said .
MLB said no Phillies players have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week and while three staff members have tested positive , it appeared two were attributable to false positives and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the positive test , may not have contracted COVID-19 from the Marlins .
The Phillies were permitted to access Citizens Bank Park for staggered workouts beginning Saturday .
“ There ’ s risk in everything we do , ” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said .
“ I know that we ’ ve done a ― knock on wood ― a really good job of controlling our atmosphere here .
And I think it ’ s important that everyone does that .
You can ’ t slip up , you can ’ t make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost your organization the game of baseball and everything .
”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says he’s confident his sport can get through the regular season and postseason without being stopped by the coronavirus, though not every club might play all 60 games and winning percentage could be used to determine playoff teams.
During an interview Saturday with The Associated Press, Manfred said Major League Baseball knows which player introduced COVID-19 into the clubhouse of the Miami Marlins. Miami and Philadelphia both postponed games for an entire week.
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“I think that if everybody does what they are supposed to do, we can continue to play, have a credible season and get through the postseason,” Manfred said.
Just 1 1/2 weeks into a pandemic-delayed regular season shortened from 162 games per team to 60, the coronavirus has forced 19 postponements in 11 days, including St. Louis’ three-game weekend series at Milwaukee.
The virus also prompted at least two more players to opt out Saturday: Brewers All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Miami second baseman Isan Díaz.
At least 18 Marlins players have been infected along with three St. Louis Cardinals. One St. Louis player has an inconclusive test.
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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, left, speaks with fans as he arrives at Nationals Park for the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals opening day baseball game, Thursday, July 23, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Manfred had what he said was a constructive conversation Friday with union head Tony Clark, and expects stepped-up efforts by players and teams to adhere to special virus protocols put in place by MLB and the players’ association.
“It is what the public health experts have been saying from the beginning about this, that there is no one big magic fix,” Manfred said.
“The protocols are a series of little things that people need to do. We’ve had some problems. In order to be better, it’s another series of little things. I think it’s peer pressure. I think it’s players taking personal responsibility. I think it’s the union helping us like Tony Clark helped us yesterday. And I think it’s us managing more aggressively,” he said.
Still, he does expect more issues.
“I don’t think it’s realistic to think that we’re not going to have any more positive tests,” Manfred said. “We’re going to be fluid. We think it’s manageable.”
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Boston said left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez will miss the entire season because of heart inflammation caused by COVID-19. He has been on the injured list since mid-July and has not pitched this season.
Miami, which last played July 26 at Philadelphia, was set to resume its schedule Tuesday at Baltimore. The Phillies are due back Monday at Yankee Stadium.
Toronto missed its weekend series against the Phillies. Blue Jays pitcher Matt Shoemaker was against a bubble-environment such as the NBA and MLS are using and understood Manfred’s urging of stricter adherence.
“I don’t take Rob’s comments as a personal attack at all because I know we are doing better and some teams might not be, so hopefully they do better,” Shoemaker said. “If guys are going out to clubs or bars that is irresponsible to say the least, if that’s what happened. We have guys not doing that which is great from a team standpoint. We want to play baseball.”
The entire Cardinals-Brewers series at Miller Park was scrapped. After two St. Louis players tested positive, the whole Cardinals team was given rapids tests Friday and saliva samples were sent to an MLB laboratory.
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St. Louis will play four games at Detroit from Tuesday through Thursday, including a doubleheader Wednesday, rather than two games at Comerica Park followed by two at Busch Stadium.
“We feel confident by the time we get to Detroit on Monday, that we will have control of this,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “The thinking was that we’re flying there and it just didn’t make sense to just then fly back and be on a plane again.”
MLB-mandated monitors have been accompanying teams on the road since Wednesday in an effort to cause stricter adherence to the protocols.
“I think it’s a top-down thing,” Yankees pitcher James Paxton said. “I think that if your leadership is showing how important it is and you’ve got the front office like we have here taking it very seriously, I think that then that’ll trickle down to the players taking it seriously.”
Given all the schedule changes, MLB is considering whether active rosters should remain at 30 rather than decrease to 28 on Thursday, as scheduled. No decision has been made.
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“This is kind of a day-to-day thing right now,” Manfred said. “You’ve just got to get up in the morning and figure out a way to keep going through another day to stay safe for people.”
FILE - In this Friday, July 24, 2020, file photo, Miami Marlins' Jesus Aguilar, right, celebrates a 5-2 win with teammates following a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS
There’s a chance not all teams will be able to get in 60 regular-season games.
“We’ve got to be flexible on that,” Manfred said. “Look, this is one of the reasons that we revisited the issue off the expanded playoffs. If it turns out that some guys play 60, some guys play 58, they have this new thing called winning percentage. We can sort that out.”
In another rule change that started this weekend, all doubleheaders for the rest of the season will have a pair of seven-inning games rather than nine-inning contests. The first twinbill under the 2020 change will be between Cincinnati and Detroit at Comerica Park on Sunday following a rainout on Saturday.
“Doubleheaders were problematic from a health perspective from the very beginning of our planning. That’s why we were reluctant to get into scheduling a bunch of doubleheaders just to play more games,” Manfred said.
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“It’s just too long together and extended periods inside a clubhouse. As we’ve had to move to rescheduling and been forced into some doubleheaders, I think the reality just became that we should do everything we can to shorten those days up from a health perspective,” he said.
MLB said no Phillies players have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week and while three staff members have tested positive, it appeared two were attributable to false positives and the third, based on the timing of the positive test, may not have contracted COVID-19 from the Marlins. The Phillies were permitted to access Citizens Bank Park for staggered workouts beginning Saturday.
“There’s risk in everything we do,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said. “I know that we’ve done a ― knock on wood ― a really good job of controlling our atmosphere here. And I think it’s important that everyone does that. You can’t slip up, you can’t make a bad decision because it can really cost your organization the game of baseball and everything.”
MLB rescheduled the postponed Phillies-Yankees games of this week for next week, in New York on Monday and Tuesday and in Philadelphia on Wednesday and Thursday. New York’s game at Tampa Bay on Thursday was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on Aug. 8.
“What the virus has taught us is this is a day-by-day, week-by-week situation that we live in,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
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Miami will play a four-game series in Baltimore from Tuesday through Thursday, with one game a doubleheader. The Marlins will be the home team for two games.
MLB said it will reschedule the missed Yankees-Orioles game and Marlins-Phillies series. In addition, Manfred says players and coaches should take advantage of the open seats in the stands near the dugouts and bullpens in order to spread out.
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AP Sports Writers Jay Cohen, Rob Gillies, Rob Maaddi, Steve Megargee, Jake Seiner and Steven Wine contributed to this report.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Financially Struggling Zoos Could Be Latest Pandemic Victims

“ We have already lost the bulk of our summer revenue and are living off whatever reserves we have left , but they are going to run out at some point , ” said Joel Parrott , president of the Oakland Zoo , home to 750 large animals .
The zoo and hundreds of others across the country were ordered to close in March — the start of the busiest season for most animal parks — forcing administrators to deal with the pandemic ’ s financial impact through layoffs and pay cuts .
Even as they reopen , zoos and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few visitors , prompting administrators to plead for support from their communities to avoid permanent closure .
The Oakland Zoo has laid off more than 100 employees , primarily those who work with guests .
Another 200 who care for animals and provide veterinary services and safety for the public and animals are still working and represent part of the zoo ’ s $ 1.2 million a month in costs , Parrott said .
California officials this month allowed the zoo to reopen its outdoor areas Wednesday , but the animal park still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 90 % of revenue through tickets , concessions , rides , gifts and parties .
But attendance and revenue in Oakland — and around the country — are falling short .
About 75 % of the 220 U.S. zoos and aquariums represented by the association have reopened , but without additional assistance , they ’ re facing “ very difficult decisions about further furloughs or layoffs and then ultimately about their survival , ” Ashe said .
Six in 10 members applied for assistance from the federal government ’ s coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs out this month .
Dino Ferri , president of the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden , said he wakes up at night trying to figure out how he will make up the $ 1.5 million his park lost during its two-month closure that ended in May .
Normally those are the busiest months for the zoo , which depends on visitors for 80 % of its revenue .
The Sanford , Florida , zoo is home to 350 animals and is visited by 40,000 school kids each year .
With schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists , the zoo is struggling to bring in even half of the $ 450,000 a month it needs to keep the park running , Ferri said .
The park is now allowed to open to as many as 1,000 people at a time and Ferri had hoped for a busy summer , but only about 350 visitors a day are showing up .
“ People are afraid , ” Ferri said .
“ We expected a boom from people who are not traveling and are doing staycations , but the uptick in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the stuff on the news are keeping people at home.
” “ We ’ re looking at cutting our education department and at more salary reductions across the board , more layoffs , ” Ferri said .
“ We just have to keep trying to stop the bleed.
” In Seward , Alaska , three-quarters of past visitors to the Alaska SeaLife Center — an aquarium and research center that runs Alaska ’ s only marine mammal rescue program — have been tourists who arrive by plane or cruise ship .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to see the octopus , and the site ’ s rare Steller sea lions .
SeaLife Center President and CEO Tara Riemer said the aquarium , built partly with funds from a settlement after the Exxon Valdez oil spill , is seeing only about 25 % of its typical number of pre-pandemic visitors .
She expects a $ 3 million budget shortfall this year .
“ If we don ’ t have enough money to make it through the winter , we have no option but to send these animals away and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Closing zoos and aquariums is an expensive task .
Just finding new homes for animals is now even more complicated with so few flights and so many animal parks and aquariums struggling financially .
Riemer said she remains optimistic .
She and her staff are focused on raising at least $ 2 million by the end of September by reaching out to foundations , seeking government grants and turning to Alaskans and others for support .

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Since the coronavirus pandemic began keeping visitors at home, the jaguars and chimpanzees at the Oakland Zoo have enjoyed the quiet, venturing out to areas of their exhibits they usually avoid.
The bears and petting pigs miss the children, though, and are seeking more attention from zookeepers.
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Some things, however, haven’t changed. The $55,000 in daily animal food costs have put the nearly 100-year-old zoo in a dire financial situation.
“We have already lost the bulk of our summer revenue and are living off whatever reserves we have left, but they are going to run out at some point,” said Joel Parrott, president of the Oakland Zoo, home to 750 large animals.
The zoo and hundreds of others across the country were ordered to close in March — the start of the busiest season for most animal parks — forcing administrators to deal with the pandemic’s financial impact through layoffs and pay cuts. Even as they reopen, zoos and aquariums from Alaska to Florida are seeing few visitors, prompting administrators to plead for support from their communities to avoid permanent closure.
The Oakland Zoo has laid off more than 100 employees, primarily those who work with guests. Another 200 who care for animals and provide veterinary services and safety for the public and animals are still working and represent part of the zoo’s $1.2 million a month in costs, Parrott said.
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Zoo worker Alyssa Watt feeds camels at the Oakland Zoo, July 2, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. ASSOCIATED PRESS
California officials this month allowed the zoo to reopen its outdoor areas Wednesday, but the animal park still faces a big challenge. Guests provide more than 90% of revenue through tickets, concessions, rides, gifts and parties. But attendance and revenue in Oakland — and around the country — are falling short.
“Members are hitting 20% to 50% of their normal revenue targets,” said Dan Ashe, president of the national Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
About 75% of the 220 U.S. zoos and aquariums represented by the association have reopened, but without additional assistance, they’re facing “very difficult decisions about further furloughs or layoffs and then ultimately about their survival,” Ashe said. Six in 10 members applied for assistance from the federal government’s coronavirus relief package, but that financial support runs out this month.
Dino Ferri, president of the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden, said he wakes up at night trying to figure out how he will make up the $1.5 million his park lost during its two-month closure that ended in May. Normally those are the busiest months for the zoo, which depends on visitors for 80% of its revenue.
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A chimpanzee peers out of enclosure behind a sign displaying the species is vulnerable to Covid-19 at the Oakland Zoo on July 2, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Sanford, Florida, zoo is home to 350 animals and is visited by 40,000 school kids each year. With schools closed, major events canceled and few tourists, the zoo is struggling to bring in even half of the $450,000 a month it needs to keep the park running, Ferri said.
The park is now allowed to open to as many as 1,000 people at a time and Ferri had hoped for a busy summer, but only about 350 visitors a day are showing up.
“People are afraid,” Ferri said. “We expected a boom from people who are not traveling and are doing staycations, but the uptick in cases in the state of Florida and all the stuff on the news are keeping people at home.”
As a result, he has laid off 40% of staff, cut leadership team salaries, including his own, and launched a campaign to raise $1.5 million by December to restore the zoo’s operating budget to pre-virus levels.
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“We’re looking at cutting our education department and at more salary reductions across the board, more layoffs,” Ferri said. “We just have to keep trying to stop the bleed.”
In Seward, Alaska, three-quarters of past visitors to the Alaska SeaLife Center — an aquarium and research center that runs Alaska’s only marine mammal rescue program — have been tourists who arrive by plane or cruise ship. With most cruises canceled, there are few people to see the octopus, and the site’s rare Steller sea lions.
SeaLife Center President and CEO Tara Riemer said the aquarium, built partly with funds from a settlement after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, is seeing only about 25% of its typical number of pre-pandemic visitors. She expects a $3 million budget shortfall this year.
“If we don’t have enough money to make it through the winter, we have no option but to send these animals away and close the facility,” Riemer said.
A bear swims in his habitat at the Oakland Zoo on July 2, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Closing zoos and aquariums is an expensive task. Just finding new homes for animals is now even more complicated with so few flights and so many animal parks and aquariums struggling financially.
SeaLife has not laid off any staff but it has significantly lowered expenses by freezing the hiring of seasonal and other workers and cutting salaries by 10%.
Riemer said she remains optimistic. She and her staff are focused on raising at least $2 million by the end of September by reaching out to foundations, seeking government grants and turning to Alaskans and others for support.
The city of Seward has pledged $500,000 if the center raises $1.3 million. In a heartening sign, the center sold 500 new memberships, costing from $60 to $155 each, in a single day — more than a quarter of the number normally purchased in a year.
“I am optimistic that we’ll be able to pull together these funds because there are a lot of people in Alaska who are trying to figure out how to help us,” Riemer said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Barron Trump's Private School Barred From In-Person Learning Until Oct. 1

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald Trump insists that schools reopen so students can go back to their classrooms , but the Maryland private school where his son Barron is enrolled is among those under county orders to stay closed .
Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles said his order to stay closed for in-person instruction through Oct. 1 and to conduct online classes only will be reevaluated before Oct. 1 to determine whether it should be extended , terminated or amended .
Gayles noted increases in transmission rates for COVID-19 — the disease caused by the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbia and Virginia , particularly in younger age groups .
“ Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic , we have based our decisions on science and data , ” Gayles said in a news release announcing the decision late Friday .
“ At this point the data does not suggest that in-person instruction is safe for students or teachers.
” Barron , 14 , is due to enter ninth grade at St. Andrew ’ s Episcopal School in Potomac , Maryland , which is located in Montgomery County .
The 2020-2021 school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
St. Andrews has been preparing for two different options : distance learning or a hybrid model with students learning both on an off campus .
The school had planned to make a final decision the week of Aug. 10 and notify families , according to a note on the school website .
Trump argues that children are being harmed by being away from the classroom .
Federal medical experts have said decisions about reopening schools should be made locally .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan criticized the Montgomery County order , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and parents , not politicians .
The White House and St. Andrew ’ s Episcopal School did not immediately return requests for comment late Saturday on the Montgomery County order .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump insists that schools reopen so students can go back to their classrooms, but the Maryland private school where his son Barron is enrolled is among those under county orders to stay closed.
Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles said his order to stay closed for in-person instruction through Oct. 1 and to conduct online classes only will be reevaluated before Oct. 1 to determine whether it should be extended, terminated or amended.
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Gayles noted increases in transmission rates for COVID-19 — the disease caused by the virus — in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia, particularly in younger age groups.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have based our decisions on science and data,” Gayles said in a news release announcing the decision late Friday. “At this point the data does not suggest that in-person instruction is safe for students or teachers.”
Barron, 14, is due to enter ninth grade at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, which is located in Montgomery County. The 2020-2021 school year is slated to begin Sept. 8.
St. Andrews has been preparing for two different options: distance learning or a hybrid model with students learning both on an off campus. The school had planned to make a final decision the week of Aug. 10 and notify families, according to a note on the school website.
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Trump argues that children are being harmed by being away from the classroom. Federal medical experts have said decisions about reopening schools should be made locally.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan criticized the Montgomery County order, saying those decisions should be made by schools and parents, not politicians.
The White House and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School did not immediately return requests for comment late Saturday on the Montgomery County order.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-01--Lawmaker With COVID: My Health Choices Are Up To Me. Critics: That's What Women Assert.

Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-Texas ) tweeted that his course of treatment battling COVID-19 is up to him and his doctor — not “ government bureaucrats.
” Funny , critics pointed out , that ’ s exactly what women want when it comes to reproductive health .
Gohmert , who is opposed to abortion rights and believes women should carry unwanted pregnancies to term , has been slammed on Twitter for defending his own health care choices since he tested positive Wednesday for COVID-19 .
His anti-abortion beliefs are on the extreme end of the spectrum .
He once told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain-dead fetus to term “ just in case.
” Gohmert has decided to take hydroxychloroquine — the anti-malarial drug often touted by President Donald Trump .
Studies have found that the drug has proven to be ineffective against the novel coronavirus , — and risky .
It can trigger fatal heart arrhythmia .
Gohmert ’ s “ pro-life ” stance may be undermined now by the fact that he long refused to wear a mask to stem the spread of COVID-19 and protect lives .
He insisted last month that he didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have the virus .
Gohmert discovered he was COVID-19 positive when he was tested before a planned trip with Trump .
Bizarrely , he speculated that he may have contracted the virus because he has recently used a mask .
Rep. Eric Swalwell ( D-Calif. ) wished Gohmert well in a tweet Saturday , then added sarcastically : “ And thank you for standing with millions of women who don ’ t want you coming between them and decisions they make with their doctor.
” He added : “ How about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor ’ s office and we stay out of yours.
” Wishing you well , Louie !
And thank you for standing with millions of women who don ’ t want you coming between them and decisions they make with their doctor .
How about this : you stay out of their doctor ’ s office and we stay out of yours .
https : //t.co/WiX89l8NXa — Rep. Eric Swalwell ( @ RepSwalwell ) August 1 , 2020 Bookmarking this for the next time you want to tell a woman how to manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was decided as the best course of action between my doctor and me -- not by government bureaucrats.
” — Wear A Mask .
It ’ s not that hard .
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ( @ KeepingSunny ) July 31 , 2020 I came here to say that , as a woman , I absolutely understand that medical decisions made between him and his doctor are none of my business .
He should try the same .
— Ambitious Bitches Get Shit Done ( @ StarinaJohnson ) August 1 , 2020 Louie Gohmert just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no government bureaucrat should have any say inside a doctor 's office ; and that also applies to all women !
— Robert C. Evans ( @ evansrc717 ) August 1 , 2020 Ah , so he does believe in healthcare being decided between someone and their doctor and not by government bureaucrats after all .
Fascinating .
https : //t.co/nqImAmtkTR — Renee Bracey Sherman ( @ RBraceySherman ) August 1 , 2020

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Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) tweeted that his course of treatment battling COVID-19 is up to him and his doctor — not “government bureaucrats.”
Funny, critics pointed out, that’s exactly what women want when it comes to reproductive health.
Gohmert, who is opposed to abortion rights and believes women should carry unwanted pregnancies to term, has been slammed on Twitter for defending his own health care choices since he tested positive Wednesday for COVID-19. His anti-abortion beliefs are on the extreme end of the spectrum. He once told a woman she should have carried her brain-dead fetus to term “just in case.”
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Gohmert has decided to take hydroxychloroquine — the anti-malarial drug often touted by President Donald Trump. Studies have found that the drug has proven to be ineffective against the novel coronavirus. In some patients, it can trigger fatal heart arrhythmia.
Gohmert’s “pro-life” stance may also be undermined by the fact that he’s long refused to wear a mask to stem the spread of COVID-19 and protect lives. He insisted last month that he didn’t need a mask because he didn’t have the virus. Gohmert discovered he was COVID-19 positive when he was tested before a planned trip with Trump.
Bizarrely, he speculated that he may have contracted the virus because he has recently used a mask.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) wished Gohmert well in a tweet Saturday, then added sarcastically: “And thank you for standing with millions of women who don’t want you coming between them and decisions they make with their doctor.”
Wishing you well, Louie! And thank you for standing with millions of women who don’t want you coming between them and decisions they make with their doctor. How about this: you stay out of their doctor’s office and we stay out of yours. https://t.co/WiX89l8NXa — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 1, 2020
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That was a flood of similar responses:
Ahhhh but never ok when a woman and her doctor decides best course of action....without government intrusion 🤷🏽♀ https://t.co/vf839DhNC5 — Rep. Ina Minjarez (@vote4ina) August 1, 2020
Bookmarking this for the next time you want to tell a woman how to manage her reproductive care:
“It is what was decided as the best course of action between my doctor and me--not by government bureaucrats.” — Wear A Mask. It’s not that hard. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@KeepingSunny) July 31, 2020
Wow welcome to NARAL Louie — Erin too ambitious Ryan (@morninggloria) August 1, 2020
I came here to say that, as a woman, I absolutely understand that medical decisions made between him and his doctor are none of my business. He should try the same. — Ambitious Bitches Get Shit Done (@StarinaJohnson) August 1, 2020
Louie Gohmert just came out as Pro-Choice! Yes indeed no government bureaucrat should have any say inside a doctor's office; and that also applies to all women! — Robert C. Evans (@evansrc717) August 1, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-01--After Fauci Touts Europe's More Effective COVID-19 Tactics, Trump Says He's 'Wrong!'

President Donald Trump on Saturday further shared his own interpretation of the coronavirus crisis , lashing out at Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , for explaining how Europe has been more successful at containing COVID-19 than the U.S. has .
“ Wrong !
” Trump tweeted from his golf resort in Potomac Falls , Virginia .
He again brought up the rate of testing in the U.S. , which he has repeatedly claimed “ creates ” more cases , arguing that the situation only looks worse here because more data is gathered .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , which is the highest national death toll in the world and nearly 23 % of global coronavirus fatalities in a country with just 4 % of the world ’ s population .
Wrong !
We have more cases because we have tested far more than any other country , 60,000,000 .
If we tested less , there would be less cases .
How did Italy , France & Spain do ?
Now Europe sadly has flare ups .
Most of our governors worked hard & smart .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : //t.co/hhwYOrnWZn — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 1 , 2020 Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , testified before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis on Friday .
He said America ’ s economic and activity shutdowns didn ’ t go nearly as far as Europe ’ s did , and that states lifted restrictions too soon .
“ If you look at what happened in Europe , when they shut down or locked down or went to shelter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it — they really did it to the tune of about 95 % -plus of the country , ” Fauci testified .
The U.S. , on the other hand , “ really functionally shut down only about 50 % in the sense of the totality of the country.
” When restrictions were lifted in the U.S. , the virus transmission rates were still significantly higher than Europe ’ s .
“ We started off with a very difficult baseline of transmission that was going on at the time that we tried to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said some states did not “ strictly ” comply with recommended health guidelines , while others ignored them as people were “ congregating in crowds and not wearing masks.
” As an illustration of the consequences , Fauci pointed a chart ( pictured below ) displayed by the subcommittee chairman , Rep. Jim Clyburn ( D-S.C. ) .
The top line of the chart represents the trajectory of the virus in the U.S. ; the lines far below represent cases in Europe , Canada and Japan .
As Fauci spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack in a tweet , again blaming the increase in U.S. cases on testing , and calling the numbers “ Lamestream media gold.
” Somebody please tell Congressman Clyburn , who doesn ’ t have a clue , that the chart he put up indicating more CASES for the U.S. than Europe , is because we do MUCH MORE testing than any other country in the World .
If we had no testing , or bad testing , we would show very few CASES.. — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) July @ @ @

President Donald Trump on Saturday further shared his own interpretation of the coronavirus crisis, lashing out at Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, for explaining how Europe has been more successful at containing COVID-19 than the U.S. has.
“Wrong!” Trump tweeted from his golf resort in Potomac Falls, Virginia. He again brought up the rate of testing in the U.S., which he has repeatedly claimed “creates” more cases, arguing that the situation only looks worse here because more data is gathered.
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More than 154,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S., which is the highest national death toll in the world and nearly 23% of global coronavirus fatalities in a country with just 4% of the world’s population.
Wrong! We have more cases because we have tested far more than any other country, 60,000,000. If we tested less, there would be less cases. How did Italy, France & Spain do? Now Europe sadly has flare ups. Most of our governors worked hard & smart. We will come back STRONG!
:: https://t.co/hhwYOrnWZn — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2020
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis on Friday.
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He said America’s economic and activity shutdowns didn’t go nearly as far as Europe’s did, and that states lifted restrictions too soon.
“If you look at what happened in Europe, when they shut down or locked down or went to shelter in place — however you want to describe it — they really did it to the tune of about 95%-plus of the country,” Fauci testified. The U.S., on the other hand, “really functionally shut down only about 50% in the sense of the totality of the country.”
When restrictions were lifted in the U.S., the virus transmission rates were still significantly higher than Europe’s. “We started off with a very difficult baseline of transmission that was going on at the time that we tried to open up the country,” Fauci testified.
He also said some states did not “strictly” comply with recommended health guidelines, while others ignored them as people were “congregating in crowds and not wearing masks.”
As an illustration of the consequences, Fauci pointed a chart (pictured below) displayed by the subcommittee chairman, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). The top line of the chart represents the trajectory of the virus in the U.S.; the lines far below represent cases in Europe, Canada and Japan.
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Rep. James Clyburn, (D-S.C.) displays a chart that Anthony Fauci referenced while testifying before a House subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis on Friday. Pool via Getty Images
As Fauci spoke on Friday, Trump went on the attack in a tweet, again blaming the increase in U.S. cases on testing, and calling the numbers “Lamestream media gold.”
Somebody please tell Congressman Clyburn, who doesn’t have a clue, that the chart he put up indicating more CASES for the U.S. than Europe, is because we do MUCH MORE testing than any other country in the World. If we had no testing, or bad testing, we would show very few CASES.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 31, 2020
We have more Cases because we do more Testing. It’s Lamestream Media Gold! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2020
As of Saturday, the U.S. had recorded 4.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misstated Clyburn’s title.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Trump Warns That 'Jobs Will Disappear' If Biden Is Elected. Jaws Drop.

Biden wants to raise taxes on the billionaires , so that the middle class and lower classes can have health @ @ @ @ @ wage .
Meanwhile you cut taxes for the ultra wealthy so that your friends could @ @ @ @ @ expense of the middle class .

Biden wants to raise taxes on the billionaires, so that the middle class and lower classes can have health care and a higher minimum wage. Meanwhile you cut taxes for the ultra wealthy so that your friends could have better lives at the expense of the middle class.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Oklahoma City NBA Players Kneel Despite State Lawmaker's Tax Benefit Threat

Every player on the Oklahoma City Thunder took a knee during the national anthem before their Saturday game , following a state lawmaker ’ s threat to rescind the NBA team ’ s tax benefits if players engaged in the protest against racism and police brutality .
Players from the opposing team , the Utah Jazz , also kneeled before the game at Disney ’ s Wide World of Sports in Orlando , Florida .
Thunder guard Chris Paul , the president of the National Basketball Players Association , said later that it was “ special to do that together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiate a deal with the NBA to allow players to wear social justice messages on their jerseys .
Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan said , “ You see a lot of the social injustice that takes place ” in players ’ lives .
“ We just want to be behind these guys in terms of constantly fighting for equality all the way around.
” The action came after state Rep. Sean Roberts , a Republican , threatened to “ reexamine ” the team ’ s tax benefits in Oklahoma if players took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Lives Matter movement , about which he made some wild claims .
“ By kneeling ... the NBA and its players are showing disrespect to the American flag and all it stands for , ” Roberts said a statement .
The “ anti-patriotic act makes clear the NBA ’ s support of the Black Lives Matter group ... its ties to Marxism and its efforts to destroy nuclear families , ” he added , threatening , “ Perhaps we need to re-examine the significant tax benefits the state ... gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Oklahoma.
” NBA rules require players to stand during the anthem , but league Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that he would not enforce the regulation at this moment in history out of “ respect ” for the teams .
Almost all NBA players in the nation have been taking a knee during the anthem since games began on Thursday .

Every player on the Oklahoma City Thunder took a knee during the national anthem before their Saturday game, following a state lawmaker’s threat to rescind the NBA team’s tax benefits if players engaged in the protest against racism and police brutality.
Players from the opposing team, the Utah Jazz, also kneeled before the game at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
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The team posted a video of the protest on Twitter.
Thunder guard Chris Paul, the president of the National Basketball Players Association, said later that it was “special to do that together, as a team.” Paul helped negotiate a deal with the NBA to allow players to wear social justice messages on their jerseys.
Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan said, “You see a lot of the social injustice that takes place” in players’ lives. “We just want to be behind these guys in terms of constantly fighting for equality all the way around.”
The action came after state Rep. Sean Roberts, a Republican, threatened to “reexamine” the team’s tax benefits in Oklahoma if players took a knee. He said the action supports the Black Lives Matter movement, about which he made some wild claims.
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“By kneeling ... the NBA and its players are showing disrespect to the American flag and all it stands for,” Roberts said a statement.
The “anti-patriotic act makes clear the NBA’s support of the Black Lives Matter group ... its ties to Marxism and its efforts to destroy nuclear families,” he added, threatening, “Perhaps we need to re-examine the significant tax benefits the state ... gave the Oklahoma City Thunder organization when they came to Oklahoma.”
NBA rules require players to stand during the anthem, but league Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that he would not enforce the regulation at this moment in history out of “respect” for the teams.
Almost all NBA players in the nation have been taking a knee during the anthem since games began on Thursday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-01--Republican National Convention Says Press Not Welcome, Blames COVID-19

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The vote to renominate President Donald Trump is set to be conducted in private later this month , without members of the press present , a spokeswoman for the Republican National Convention , citing the coronavirus .
While Trump called off the public components of the convention in Florida last month , citing spiking cases of the virus across the country , 336 delegates are scheduled to gather in Charlotte , North Carolina , on Aug. 24 to formally vote to make Trump the GOP standard-bearer once more .
Nominating conventions are traditionally meant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek to leverage the attention the events draw to spread their message to as many voters as possible .
If the GOP decision stands , it will mark the first party nominating convention in modern history to be closed to reporters .
“ Given the health restrictions and limitations in place within the state of North Carolina , we are planning for the Charlotte activities to be closed press Friday , August 21 – Monday , August 24 , ” a convention spokeswoman said .
“ We are happy to let you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working within the parameters set before us by state and local guidelines regarding the number of people who can attend events.
” Privately some GOP delegations have raised logistical issues with traveling to either city , citing the increasing number of jurisdictions imposing mandatory quarantine orders on travelers returning from states experiencing surges in the virus .
The subset of delegates in Charlotte will be casting proxy votes on behalf of the more than 2,500 official delegates to the convention .
Alternate delegates and guests have already been prohibited .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The vote to renominate President Donald Trump is set to be conducted in private later this month, without members of the press present, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Convention, citing the coronavirus.
While Trump called off the public components of the convention in Florida last month, citing spiking cases of the virus across the country, 336 delegates are scheduled to gather in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Aug. 24 to formally vote to make Trump the GOP standard-bearer once more.
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Nominating conventions are traditionally meant to be media bonanzas, as political parties seek to leverage the attention the events draw to spread their message to as many voters as possible. If the GOP decision stands, it will mark the first party nominating convention in modern history to be closed to reporters.
“Given the health restrictions and limitations in place within the state of North Carolina, we are planning for the Charlotte activities to be closed press Friday, August 21 – Monday, August 24,” a convention spokeswoman said. “We are happy to let you know if this changes, but we are working within the parameters set before us by state and local guidelines regarding the number of people who can attend events.”
Privately some GOP delegations have raised logistical issues with traveling to either city, citing the increasing number of jurisdictions imposing mandatory quarantine orders on travelers returning from states experiencing surges in the virus.
The subset of delegates in Charlotte will be casting proxy votes on behalf of the more than 2,500 official delegates to the convention. Alternate delegates and guests have already been prohibited.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Tropical Storm Isaias Nears Virus-Hit Florida After Lashing The Bahamas

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. ( AP ) — Early bands of heavy rain from Isaias lashed Florida ’ s east coast before dawn Sunday as authorities warily eyed the approaching storm , which threatened to snarl efforts to quell surging cases of the coronavirus across the region .
Florida authorities closed beaches , parks and virus testing sites , lashing signs to palm trees so they wouldn ’ t blow away .
The governor said the state is anticipating power outages and asked residents to have a week ’ s supply of water , food and medicine on hand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where people can seek refuge from the storm if necessary , while safely social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus .
In Palm Beach County , about 150 people were in shelters , said emergency management spokeswoman Lisa De La Rionda .
The county has a voluntary evacuation order for those living in mobile or manufactured homes , or those who feel their home can ’ t withstand winds .
“ We don ’ t anticipate many more evacuations , ” she said , adding that the evacuees are physically distant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The center of the storm was forecast to approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday morning , then travel up the state ’ s east coast throughout the day .
Little change was expected in the storm ’ s strength over the next few days , forecasters said .
Heavy rain , flooding and high winds could batter much of the East Coast this week as the system is forecast to track up or just off the Atlantic seaboard .
Despite the approaching storm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aboard a SpaceX capsule is still on track for Sunday afternoon .
Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are preparing to make the first splashdown return in 45 years , after two months docked at the International Space Station .
They are aiming for the Gulf of Mexico just off the Florida Panhandle , and flight controllers are keeping close watch on the storm .
Isaias has already been destructive in the Caribbean : On Thursday , before it became a hurricane , it uprooted trees , destroyed crops and homes and caused widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic and Puerto Rico .
One man died in the Dominican Republic .
In Puerto Rico , the National Guard rescued at least 35 people from floodwaters that swept away one woman , whose body was recovered Saturday .
A man looks on from the front of his house after Tropical Storm Isaias affected the area in Mayaguez , Puerto Rico on July 30 , 2020 .
( Photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO / AFP ) ( Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images ) As the storm moves now toward the southeast coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in effect from Hallandale Beach , Florida , to South Santee River , South Carolina , and for Florida ’ s Lake Okeechobee .
A storm surge watch is in effect for Jupiter Inlet to Ponte Vedra Beach , and from Edisto Beach , South Carolina , to Cape Fear , North Carolina .
Coronavirus cases have surged in Florida in recent weeks , and the added menace of a storm ratcheted up the anxiety .
State-run virus testing sites are closing in areas where the storm might hit because the sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in high winds .
“ The hurricane is not that serious , but I feel that the public is really panicking because it ’ s a hurricane and we ’ re in the middle of a pandemic , ” she said .
Meanwhile , officials in the Bahamas opened shelters for people in Abaco island to help those who have been living in temporary structures since Dorian devastated the area , killing at least 70 people .

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Early bands of heavy rain from Isaias lashed Florida’s east coast before dawn Sunday as authorities warily eyed the approaching storm, which threatened to snarl efforts to quell surging cases of the coronavirus across the region.
Isaias weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm late Saturday afternoon, but was still expected to bring heavy rain and flooding as it barrels toward Florida.
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“Don’t be fooled by the downgrade,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned during a news conference on Saturday after the storm — pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs — spent hours roughing up the Bahamas.
Florida authorities closed beaches, parks and virus testing sites, lashing signs to palm trees so they wouldn’t blow away. The governor said the state is anticipating power outages and asked residents to have a week’s supply of water, food and medicine on hand. Officials wrestled with how to prepare shelters where people can seek refuge from the storm if necessary, while safely social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.
In Palm Beach County, about 150 people were in shelters, said emergency management spokeswoman Lisa De La Rionda. The county has a voluntary evacuation order for those living in mobile or manufactured homes, or those who feel their home can’t withstand winds.
“We don’t anticipate many more evacuations,” she said, adding that the evacuees are physically distant from each other and are wearing masks, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Aug 2 @ 5 AM - Here are the latest Tropical Storm #Isaias threats & impacts for South Florida. You can find out more at https://t.co/DqQi510j9L #flwx pic.twitter.com/7TYmEowb62 — NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) August 2, 2020
Isaias is piling another burden on communities already hard-hit by other storms and sickness.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds declined steadily throughout Saturday, and were at 65 mph by Sunday morning, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory.
The center of the storm was forecast to approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday morning, then travel up the state’s east coast throughout the day. Little change was expected in the storm’s strength over the next few days, forecasters said.
Heavy rain, flooding and high winds could batter much of the East Coast this week as the system is forecast to track up or just off the Atlantic seaboard.
Despite the approaching storm, NASA says the return of two astronauts aboard a SpaceX capsule is still on track for Sunday afternoon. Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are preparing to make the first splashdown return in 45 years, after two months docked at the International Space Station. They are aiming for the Gulf of Mexico just off the Florida Panhandle, and flight controllers are keeping close watch on the storm.
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Isaias has already been destructive in the Caribbean: On Thursday, before it became a hurricane, it uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused widespread flooding and small landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. One man died in the Dominican Republic. In Puerto Rico, the National Guard rescued at least 35 people from floodwaters that swept away one woman, whose body was recovered Saturday.
A man looks on from the front of his house after Tropical Storm Isaias affected the area in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on July 30, 2020. (Photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images) RICARDO ARDUENGO via Getty Images
Isaias snapped trees and knocked out power as it blew through the Bahamas on Saturday and churned toward the Florida coast.
As the storm moves now toward the southeast coast of Florida, a tropical storm warning is in effect from Hallandale Beach, Florida, to South Santee River, South Carolina, and for Florida’s Lake Okeechobee. A storm surge watch is in effect for Jupiter Inlet to Ponte Vedra Beach, and from Edisto Beach, South Carolina, to Cape Fear, North Carolina.
Coronavirus cases have surged in Florida in recent weeks, and the added menace of a storm ratcheted up the anxiety. State-run virus testing sites are closing in areas where the storm might hit because the sites are outdoor tents, which could topple in high winds.
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Natalie Betancur, stocking up at a grocery in Palm Beach Gardens, said that the storm itself doesn’t cause her a great amount of concern.
“The hurricane is not that serious, but I feel that the public is really panicking because it’s a hurricane and we’re in the middle of a pandemic,” she said.
Meanwhile, officials in the Bahamas opened shelters for people in Abaco island to help those who have been living in temporary structures since Dorian devastated the area, killing at least 70 people.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Top Health Official: Time To ‘Move On’ From Hydroxychloroquine Efficacy Claims

Assistant health secretary Adm. Brett Giroir on Sunday rejected claims that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19 , pointing out that there ’ s no evidence so far to show that it is .
Giroir , who led the country ’ s coronavirus testing efforts until June , was asked in an interview on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” if President Donald Trump ’ s continued push for hydroxychloroquine presents a danger to public health .
Hydroxychloroquine initially looked “ very promising ” as a potential COVID-19 treatment , but there are no definitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ At this point in time , there ’ s been five randomized-control placebo-controlled trials that do not show any benefit to hydroxychloroquine , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t recommend that as a treatment .
There ’ s no evidence to show that it is.
” Pressed on whether Trump ’ s messaging might cause confusion , Giroir said he believes doctors won ’ t be influenced by “ whatever ’ s on Twitter ” when deciding how to treat coronavirus patients .
“ There may be circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are ― where a physician may prescribe it for an individual , ” Giroir said .
“ But I think most physicians and prescribers are evidence-based , and they ’ re not influenced by whatever ’ s on Twitter .
... And the evidence just doesn ’ t show that hydroxychloroquine is effective right now.
” Trump has repeatedly undermined his administration ’ s public health officials by peddling hydroxychloroquine as an effective treatment for COVID-19 .
He said in May that he had been taking the unproven drug to prevent contracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retweeted a video of a small group of fringe doctors who call themselves “ America ’ s Frontline Doctors ” decrying coronavirus restrictions and claiming that hydroxychloroquine cures COVID-19 .
The video was removed by Twitter for violating its rules on spreading misinformation about the coronavirus .
Rep. Louie Gohmert , a Texas Republican , announced earlier this week that he had tested positive for the virus and would be taking hydroxychloroquine to treat it .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the country ’ s top infectious disease expert and a member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday that clinical trials have “ consistently ” shown that the drug is not effective in treating COVID-19 .
What ’ s more , the FDA has warned that the drug can lead to fatal heart arrhythmia in some patients .
Giroir called on the U.S. to “ move on ” from hydroxychloroquine and focus on what has been proven to be effective in slowing the spread of the virus : wearing face coverings , washing your hands and avoiding crowds .
“ We know that if you get COVID now , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were in April because our health care providers know how to treat it better , ” he said .
“ We have effective therapies like remdesivir and steroids , promising therapies like immune plasma , and a vaccine really on the horizon .
”

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Assistant health secretary Adm. Brett Giroir on Sunday rejected claims that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19, pointing out that there’s no evidence so far to show that it is.
Giroir, who led the country’s coronavirus testing efforts until June, was asked in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” if President Donald Trump’s continued push for hydroxychloroquine presents a danger to public health.
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Hydroxychloroquine initially looked “very promising” as a potential COVID-19 treatment, but there are no definitive studies of its efficacy, Giroir said.
“At this point in time, there’s been five randomized-control placebo-controlled trials that do not show any benefit to hydroxychloroquine,” he said. “We don’t recommend that as a treatment. There’s no evidence to show that it is.”
Pressed on whether Trump’s messaging might cause confusion, Giroir said he believes doctors won’t be influenced by “whatever’s on Twitter” when deciding how to treat coronavirus patients.
“There may be circumstances ― I don’t know what they are ― where a physician may prescribe it for an individual,” Giroir said. “But I think most physicians and prescribers are evidence-based, and they’re not influenced by whatever’s on Twitter. ... And the evidence just doesn’t show that hydroxychloroquine is effective right now.”
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EXCLUSIVE: Trump's coronavirus testing czar @HHS_ASH says America needs to "move on" from discussing hydroxychloroquine. #MTP
"The evidence just doesn't show hydroxychloroquine is effective, for now." pic.twitter.com/JrQGTGDnfg — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 2, 2020
Trump has repeatedly undermined his administration’s public health officials by peddling hydroxychloroquine as an effective treatment for COVID-19. He said in May that he had been taking the unproven drug to prevent contracting the virus.
Last week, he retweeted a video of a small group of fringe doctors who call themselves “America’s Frontline Doctors” decrying coronavirus restrictions and claiming that hydroxychloroquine cures COVID-19. The video was removed by Twitter for violating its rules on spreading misinformation about the coronavirus.
Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Texas Republican, announced earlier this week that he had tested positive for the virus and would be taking hydroxychloroquine to treat it.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said Wednesday that clinical trials have “consistently” shown that the drug is not effective in treating COVID-19. What’s more, the FDA has warned that the drug can lead to fatal heart arrhythmia in some patients.
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Giroir called on the U.S. to “move on” from hydroxychloroquine and focus on what has been proven to be effective in slowing the spread of the virus: wearing face coverings, washing your hands and avoiding crowds.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Clock Is Ticking On Trump Comeback As Early Voting Nears

Alex Wong via Getty Images President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the James Brady Briefing Room of the White House on July 30 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Aides are increasingly worried that the 2020 campaign may already be defined as a referendum on Trump ’ s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and will feature a historic shift to remote and early vote options .
The president ’ s campaign is scrambling for a reset , pausing advertisements while struggling to find both a cohesive message and a way to safely put the president on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump added to the tumult by publicly wondering if the election should be delayed while making the unfounded claim that the tilt toward mail-in balloting would lead to widespread voter fraud .
That suggestion drew a rare rebuke from Republicans , many of whom quietly warned the White House that it could be interpreted as an admission that the president was losing and could hurt their chances of retaining the Senate .
“ He ’ s losing and the trajectory of the race is moving away from him , ” said Steve Schmidt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCain ’ s 2008 presidential campaign and an opponent of Trump ’ s reelection .
“ People vote at a moment in time : Even if there is something of a political recovery for the president in October , that is irrelevant for those who already voted.
” The campaign downplayed the ad pause , saying that the new campaign manager , Bill Stepien , wanted to analyze when and where Trump ’ s advertising message was being delivered .
A significant amount of TV ad time has already been reserved from Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign said it would reboot its advertising on Monday .
The purchase was made with an eye on the new electoral calendar .
The old adage that most of America doesn ’ t start paying attention to a campaign until Labor Day has been tossed aside in a year in which the novel coronavirus has killed more than 150,000 people in the U.S. and rewritten the rules of American society .
The new ad campaign will be a national buy but also target states that are among the earliest to vote .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be on states where more than half of the ballots will be cast before Election Day .
It has struggled to land effective blows on Biden .
Trump and his allies have recently sought to tie Biden to the extreme leftist elements of his party , an uneasy fit for a moderate who has been in the public eye for more than four decades .
The campaign has all but pulled the plug on competing in Michigan and , privately , acknowledges deficits in vital battleground states like Florida , Wisconsin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are manageable and smaller than what is reflected in public polling .
They also downplayed the chances of losing reliably Republican states , though Trump did make a campaign stop in Texas last week .
“ A lot of people are going to start voting before Sept. 29 .
The idea that they would not have seen one presidential debate by then , to me , seems ridiculous , ” said former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , a Trump ally .
“ I think we should either move the dates up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s advisers are also trying to re-imagine a campaign without its trademark rallies .
Trump has been traveling to both smaller campaign gatherings and official events in swing states — on Friday , he attended one of each in Florida — and White House aides are readying a calendar full of day trips for the weeks ahead .
The president has noted to advisers that it was later in August 2016 when he brought in Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway to his campaign , the eventual winning campaign leadership combination .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October when FBI Director James Comey announced the reopening of an investigation into Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton , a seismic event that reshaped the race .
As Trump sows doubt about the integrity of the election this year , questions are swirling about access to voting during the pandemic as well as the potential for more foreign electoral interference .
Campaign advisers are increasingly pinning their hopes on the unlikely occurrence of another big October surprise , such as the development of a coronavirus vaccine .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s getting late early.
President Donald Trump is privately reassuring Republicans anxious about his deficits to Democrat Joe Biden, noting there are three months until Election Day and reminding them of the late-breaking events that propelled his 2016 comeback.
But four years later, the dynamics are very different.
Aides are increasingly worried that the 2020 campaign may already be defined as a referendum on Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and will feature a historic shift to remote and early vote options. The president’s campaign is scrambling for a reset, pausing advertisements while struggling to find both a cohesive message and a way to safely put the president on the road in front of voters.
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Trump added to the tumult by publicly wondering if the election should be delayed while making the unfounded claim that the tilt toward mail-in balloting would lead to widespread voter fraud. That suggestion drew a rare rebuke from Republicans, many of whom quietly warned the White House that it could be interpreted as an admission that the president was losing and could hurt their chances of retaining the Senate.
And they warned that time is running out: The first state to hold early voting, the vital battleground of North Carolina, begins the process Sept. 4.
“He’s losing and the trajectory of the race is moving away from him,” said Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser on Republican John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and an opponent of Trump’s reelection. “People vote at a moment in time: Even if there is something of a political recovery for the president in October, that is irrelevant for those who already voted.”
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the James Brady Briefing Room of the White House on July 30, 2020 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong via Getty Images
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A sudden halt in Trump’s expensive television advertisements last week highlighted the campaign’s challenge. It came just two weeks after a staffing shakeup and two months after Trump’s previous campaign manager unleashed a “Death Star” ad blitz on Biden that only coincided with the president’s support falling even further.
The campaign downplayed the ad pause, saying that the new campaign manager, Bill Stepien, wanted to analyze when and where Trump’s advertising message was being delivered. A significant amount of TV ad time has already been reserved from Labor Day until the election, and the campaign said it would reboot its advertising on Monday.
The purchase was made with an eye on the new electoral calendar. The old adage that most of America doesn’t start paying attention to a campaign until Labor Day has been tossed aside in a year in which the novel coronavirus has killed more than 150,000 people in the U.S. and rewritten the rules of American society.
The new ad campaign will be a national buy but also target states that are among the earliest to vote. Trump campaign officials said the focus in August will be on states where more than half of the ballots will be cast before Election Day.
“The digital countdown clock on the wall may say 90-some days, but we all know the calendar is condensed with early voting,” said campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh.
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Still, the Trump campaign has been wavering for weeks.
It has struggled to land effective blows on Biden. Trump and his allies have recently sought to tie Biden to the extreme leftist elements of his party, an uneasy fit for a moderate who has been in the public eye for more than four decades.
The campaign has all but pulled the plug on competing in Michigan and, privately, acknowledges deficits in vital battleground states like Florida, Wisconsin and Arizona, though it insists the margins are manageable and smaller than what is reflected in public polling. They also downplayed the chances of losing reliably Republican states, though Trump did make a campaign stop in Texas last week.
Trump’s support collapsed after the pandemic reached America’s shores and crushed its economy. With the Republican National Convention scaled back and rallies seemingly impossible to hold, Trump is running out of headline-grabbing set pieces to change the momentum of the race.
Many around the president are focused on the debates as perhaps the best chance, pushing for more showdowns with Biden to increase the chance of the former vice president faltering on stage.
“A lot of people are going to start voting before Sept. 29. The idea that they would not have seen one presidential debate by then, to me, seems ridiculous,” said former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Trump ally. “I think we should either move the dates up or add additional debates.”
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The president’s advisers are also trying to re-imagine a campaign without its trademark rallies. Trump has been traveling to both smaller campaign gatherings and official events in swing states — on Friday, he attended one of each in Florida — and White House aides are readying a calendar full of day trips for the weeks ahead.
The convention is also being redrawn. Trump will likely travel several times during the last week of August, when the massive gathering was initially scheduled. He’s expected to stop in North Carolina during one day of the dramatically revised convention.
Trump will also deliver an acceptance speech in a high-profile location on the Thursday of what would have been convention week, according to campaign and White House officials who requested anonymity to discuss planning.
And while Trump has customarily taken a multiweek vacation at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course in August, there is not one currently slated for this month.
The president has noted to advisers that it was later in August 2016 when he brought in Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway to his campaign, the eventual winning campaign leadership combination. But the president was behind until late that October when FBI Director James Comey announced the reopening of an investigation into Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, a seismic event that reshaped the race.
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As Trump sows doubt about the integrity of the election this year, questions are swirling about access to voting during the pandemic as well as the potential for more foreign electoral interference. Campaign advisers are increasingly pinning their hopes on the unlikely occurrence of another big October surprise, such as the development of a coronavirus vaccine.
But some Republicans believe there is still time to make a more effective response to the virus the center of his case for a second term.
“By the speed at which news and events move in 2020, it’s not necessarily the case that he is running out of time,” said Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to President George W. Bush. “Much of the public will not pay attention to what he will say on law and order and the economy until he gets over the COVID hurdle first.”
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Nancy Pelosi Says She Does Not Have Confidence In Dr. Deborah Birx

House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) on Sunday said she does not have confidence in White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Deborah Birx , after reportedly bashing her during a closed-door meeting earlier this week .
On ABC News ’ “ This Week , ” host Martha Raddatz asked Pelosi about a Politico article from Friday , which reported that Pelosi had accused Birx of spreading disinformation about the pandemic .
“ I think [ President Donald Trump ] is spreading disinformation about the virus and she is his appointee , ” Pelosi said .
“ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no.
” JUST IN : “ I think the president has been spreading disinformation about the virus and she is his appointee so , I don ’ t have confidence there , no , ” Speaker Pelosi tells @ MarthaRaddatz when asked is she has confidence in Dr. Deborah Birx .
https : //t.co/HNQgCe39RN pic.twitter.com/ZDZYAjr0cJ — This Week ( @ ThisWeekABC ) August 2 , 2020 According to Politico , Pelosi told Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows that Birx , the response coordinator on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the worst.
” “ Wow , what horrible hands you ’ re in , ” the Democratic leader reportedly said before praising Dr. Anthony Fauci , the country ’ s top infectious disease expert who is also on the task force .
Pelosi ’ s private criticism followed a New York Times report that Birx had been telling Trump in recent months that the coronavirus threat in the U.S. was fading .
Democrats have condemned Trump for repeatedly downplaying the threat of the virus and not taking swift , forceful action to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ optimistic ” that the virus had peaked , according to the Times .
Of course , new outbreaks have erupted across the country since then .
The death toll in the U.S. , which had surpassed 30,000 on April 15 , has climbed to more than 154,000 as of Sunday .
Asked to address Pelosi ’ s comments Sunday , Birx told CNN ’ s “ State Of The Union ” that she has never been called “ non-scientific.
” “ I have tremendous respect for the speaker , ” Birx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her long dedication to the American people .
And I think it was unfortunate that The New York Times wrote this article without speaking to me.
” She continued : “ I could have brought forth the data .
I provide data every single day with an analysis .
...
I have never been called Pollyanna-ish or non-scientific or non-data-driven , and I will stake my 40-year career of those fundamental principles of utilizing data to really implement better programs to save more lives.
” Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Michael Shear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call into question , said Sunday that they asked multiple times to speak with the doctor but she declined .
“ When she declined repeatedly , we also sent her detailed questions through a White House spokesman that she also declined to answer , issuing only a general statement which we included in the story , ” Shear tweeted .
Yes , we tried again and again to speak with Dr. Birx for this story .
When she declined repeatedly , we also sent her detailed questions through a White House spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing only a general statement which we included in the story .
https : //t.co/UyCH41sZvI — Michael D. Shear ( @ shearm ) August 2 , 2020

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House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Sunday said she does not have confidence in White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Deborah Birx, after reportedly bashing her during a closed-door meeting earlier this week.
On ABC News’ “This Week,” host Martha Raddatz asked Pelosi about a Politico article from Friday, which reported that Pelosi had accused Birx of spreading disinformation about the pandemic.
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“Do you have confidence in her?” Raddatz asked.
“I think [President Donald Trump] is spreading disinformation about the virus and she is his appointee,” Pelosi said. “So I don’t have confidence there, no.”
JUST IN: “I think the president has been spreading disinformation about the virus and she is his appointee so, I don’t have confidence there, no,” Speaker Pelosi tells @MarthaRaddatz when asked is she has confidence in Dr. Deborah Birx. https://t.co/HNQgCe39RN pic.twitter.com/ZDZYAjr0cJ — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) August 2, 2020
According to Politico, Pelosi told Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows that Birx, the response coordinator on the White House coronavirus task force, was “the worst.”
“Wow, what horrible hands you’re in,” the Democratic leader reportedly said before praising Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert who is also on the task force.
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Pelosi’s private criticism followed a New York Times report that Birx had been telling Trump in recent months that the coronavirus threat in the U.S. was fading. Democrats have condemned Trump for repeatedly downplaying the threat of the virus and not taking swift, forceful action to contain it.
Birx in mid-April had been “optimistic” that the virus had peaked, according to the Times. Of course, new outbreaks have erupted across the country since then. The death toll in the U.S., which had surpassed 30,000 on April 15, has climbed to more than 154,000 as of Sunday.
Asked to address Pelosi’s comments Sunday, Birx told CNN’s “State Of The Union” that she has never been called “non-scientific.”
“I have tremendous respect for the speaker,” Birx said. “I have tremendous respect for her long dedication to the American people. And I think it was unfortunate that The New York Times wrote this article without speaking to me.”
She continued: “I could have brought forth the data. I provide data every single day with an analysis. ... I have never been called Pollyanna-ish or non-scientific or non-data-driven, and I will stake my 40-year career of those fundamental principles of utilizing data to really implement better programs to save more lives.”
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Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Michael Shear, who wrote the report Birx appeared to call into question, said Sunday that they asked multiple times to speak with the doctor but she declined.
“When she declined repeatedly, we also sent her detailed questions through a White House spokesman that she also declined to answer, issuing only a general statement which we included in the story,” Shear tweeted.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Trump Senior Adviser Repeatedly Dodges Question On Foreign Assistance

Jason Miller , a senior adviser on President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign , repeatedly dodged a question about whether the campaign is receiving or will accept foreign assistance .
He called it a “ silly question , ” despite ongoing concerns of foreign interference ahead of the November election .
“ Can you flatly state that the Trump campaign and the administration will not accept foreign assistance this time ?
” host Chris Wallace pressed Miller in an interview on “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ Chris , I said that ’ s an absolutely silly question .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ win this election fair and square , ” Miller said .
Wallace then asked Miller to answer the question for a third time .
Trump was accused of benefiting from Russian interference during the 2016 election .
That country reportedly hacked email accounts belonging to leading Democratic Party figures , published false news stories and sowed public discord in the U.S. political system .
U.S. intelligence officials in February warned House lawmakers that Russia intended to interfere with the 2020 Democratic primaries , as well as the general election .
Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee Joe Biden said that he was receiving classified intelligence briefings that showed that “ Russians are still engaged , trying to delegitimize our electoral process.
” “ China and others are engaged as well in activities that are designed for us to lose confidence in the outcome , ” Biden added .
Trump last summer said that he would accept campaign help from Russia if offered and would not necessarily inform the FBI of such an offer .
He was impeached the following December on charges of abusing power and obstructing Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up incriminating information on his Democratic rivals .
The Senate acquitted him in February .
Miller ’ s initial evasion of Wallace ’ s questions Sunday was part of a difficult interview , with few direct answers ahead of the November election and outstanding concerns about mail-in voting .
“ It seems to me that you hurt your credibility if you don ’ t admit , ‘ Yeah , we ’ re losing , and we got to turn things around , ’ ” Wallace told Miller after he insisted that Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to evidence Wallace pointed to .
Trump recently hinted at delaying the upcoming election out of fraud concerns , but Miller said Trump does not want a delay and denied that the administration is trying to create delays with mail-in ballots , which could sow public distrust in the outcome .
The question came up because Louis DeJoy , the head of the U.S .
Postal Service and a top Republican donor and Trump ally , announced budget cuts last month that critics say could result in mail delays .
“ Isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Postal Service will be overwhelmed ?
That the very infrastructure that you talk about being overwhelmed will be overwhelmed coming up to the election ?
” Wallace asked .
Miller insisted that any delays and chaos won ’ t be the fault of DeJoy ’ s changes but rather will result from Democrats who want to extend the deadline for mail-in ballots .

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Jason Miller, a senior adviser on President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, repeatedly dodged a question about whether the campaign is receiving or will accept foreign assistance. He called it a “silly question,” despite ongoing concerns of foreign interference ahead of the November election.
“Can you flatly state that the Trump campaign and the administration will not accept foreign assistance this time?” host Chris Wallace pressed Miller in an interview on“Fox News Sunday.”
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“Chris, I said that’s an absolutely silly question. We’re going to go and win this election fair and square,” Miller said. Wallace then asked Miller to answer the question for a third time.
Wow. Trump campaign senior adviser is extremely evasive in response to Chris Wallace's question about if the Trump campaign "has received any information from foreign groups, foreign nationals" about the Bidens.
"That's a silly question," he responds, dodging. pic.twitter.com/t8mPwcO2IX — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2020
“There is no foreign assistance that’s happening in this campaign,” Miller finally answered.
Miller recently joined the campaign after serving as a senior communications adviser on Trump’s 2016 election campaign.
Trump was accused of benefiting from Russian interference during the 2016 election. That country reportedly hacked email accounts belonging to leading Democratic Party figures, published false news stories and sowed public discord in the U.S. political system.
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U.S. intelligence officials in February warned House lawmakers that Russia intended to interfere with the 2020 Democratic primaries, as well as the general election.
Last month, former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said that he was receiving classified intelligence briefings that showed that “Russians are still engaged, trying to delegitimize our electoral process.”
“China and others are engaged as well in activities that are designed for us to lose confidence in the outcome,” Biden added.
Trump last summer said that he would accept campaign help from Russia if offered and would not necessarily inform the FBI of such an offer. He was impeached the following December on charges of abusing power and obstructing Congress after he asked Ukraine to help dig up incriminating information on his Democratic rivals. The Senate acquitted him in February.
Miller’s initial evasion of Wallace’s questions Sunday was part of a difficult interview, with few direct answers ahead of the November election and outstanding concerns about mail-in voting.
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Wallace asks Jason Miller if Trump's dismantling of the USPS is part of a strategy to sow doubt about the election results. Miller immediately pivots to bashing Andrew Cuomo. pic.twitter.com/1hEibA2dXi — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2020
“It seems to me that you hurt your credibility if you don’t admit, ‘Yeah, we’re losing, and we got to turn things around,’” Wallace told Miller after he insisted that Trump is doing well in the polls, contrary to evidence Wallace pointed to.
Trump recently hinted at delaying the upcoming election out of fraud concerns, but Miller said Trump does not want a delay and denied that the administration is trying to create delays with mail-in ballots, which could sow public distrust in the outcome.
The question came up because Louis DeJoy, the head of the U.S. Postal Service and a top Republican donor and Trump ally, announced budget cuts last month that critics say could result in mail delays.
“Isn’t the postmaster general increasing the chances that the Postal Service will be overwhelmed? That the very infrastructure that you talk about being overwhelmed will be overwhelmed coming up to the election?” Wallace asked.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--Top Democrat Warns: Trump Will Invoke 'Some Kind Of Emergency' Action To Stay In Office

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn ( D-S.C. ) on Sunday said he believes President Donald Trump won ’ t leave the White House willingly should he lose the election in November and warned that the president might invoke an “ emergency ” action to remain in office .
Clyburn sounded the alarm in an interview with CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” in which he was asked about comments he made earlier in the week that appeared to liken Trump to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler .
“ I feel very strongly that this man has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN .
He said that Trump is like Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more like Hitler .
“ I believe very strongly that [ Trump ] never had any idea about being one to peacefully transfer power , ” Clyburn said .
“ I don ’ t think he plans to leave the White House .
He doesn ’ t plan to have fair and unfettered elections .
I believe that he plans to install himself in some kind of emergency way to continue to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think he plans to leave the White House .
He doesn ’ t plan to have fair and unfettered elections .
I believe that he plans to install himself in some kind of emergency way to continue to hold onto office , ” Democratic Rep. James Clyburn says about Pres .
Trump .
# CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/q0CgdTwWcX — State of the Union ( @ CNNSotu ) August 2 , 2020 “ This is not a perfect democracy , but it ’ s better than any other that exists , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not careful , this country will be lost for our next generation , our children and our grandchildren.
” Recent polls show Trump ’ s support slipping in some areas of the country , and he has argued several times without evidence that the November election will be “ rigged ” because of mail-in voting , which is expected to drastically increase this year because of coronavirus concerns .
Election officials across the country have dismissed Trump ’ s arguments , saying there are many security measures in place to ensure a fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of delaying the election , repeating his unfounded prediction of mail-in voter fraud .
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden warned in April that Trump would try to delay the election .
Voting rights advocates said the Trump administration ’ s assault on the U.S .
Postal Service , including slashing overtime pay for mail carriers , could have disastrous effects in November .
“ We have an underfunded state and local election system and a deliberate slowdown in the Postal Service , ” Wendy Fields , the executive director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
Trump is “ deliberately orchestrating suppression and using the post office as a tool to do it , ” she said .
“ The election is going to be on Nov. 3 , ” he told “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ President Trump wants the election on Nov. 3.
” Trump “ has not looked at delaying any election , ” Meadows said .
He added : “ We ’ ve got to make sure that we do this in a proper way , where we promote absentee ballots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an individual to the ballot box without someone else having the ability to conduct a fraudulent effort .
”

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House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Sunday said he believes President Donald Trump won’t leave the White House willingly should he lose the election in November and warned that the president might invoke an “emergency” action to remain in office.
Clyburn sounded the alarm in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union,” in which he was asked about comments he made earlier in the week on PBS Newshour that appeared to liken Trump to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
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“I feel very strongly that this man has taken on strong-armed tactics,” Clyburn told CNN. He said that Trump is like Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more like Hitler.
“I believe very strongly that [Trump] never had any idea about being one to peacefully transfer power,” Clyburn said. “I don’t think he plans to leave the White House. He doesn’t plan to have fair and unfettered elections. I believe that he plans to install himself in some kind of emergency way to continue to hold onto office.”
“I don’t think he plans to leave the White House. He doesn’t plan to have fair and unfettered elections. I believe that he plans to install himself in some kind of emergency way to continue to hold onto office,” Democratic Rep. James Clyburn says about Pres. Trump. #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/q0CgdTwWcX — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 2, 2020
Clyburn called on Americans to “wake up” and defend democracy before it’s too late.
“This is not a perfect democracy, but it’s better than any other that exists,” he said. He added: “If we are not careful, this country will be lost for our next generation, our children and our grandchildren.”
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Recent polls show Trump’s support slipping in some areas of the country, and he has argued several times without evidence that the November election will be “rigged” because of mail-in voting, which is expected to drastically increase this year because of coronavirus concerns. Election officials across the country have dismissed Trump’s arguments, saying there are many security measures in place to ensure a fair process.
Trump on Thursday floated the idea of delaying the election, repeating his unfounded prediction of mail-in voter fraud. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden warned in April that Trump would try to delay the election.
Top Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, quickly dismissed Trump’s suggestion and vowed the election will take place on Nov. 3 as planned.
Voting rights advocates said the Trump administration’s assault on the U.S. Postal Service, including slashing overtime pay for mail carriers, could have disastrous effects in November.
“We have an underfunded state and local election system and a deliberate slowdown in the Postal Service,” Wendy Fields, the executive director of the Democracy Initiative, told The New York Times. Trump is “deliberately orchestrating suppression and using the post office as a tool to do it,” she said.
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Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller on Sunday downplayed Trump’s suggestion of delaying the election.
“The election is going to be on Nov. 3,” he told “Fox News Sunday.” “President Trump wants the election on Nov. 3.”
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows echoed Miller’s denial in an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Trump “has not looked at delaying any election,” Meadows said. He added: “We’ve got to make sure that we do this in a proper way, where we promote absentee ballots, we make sure that a ballot goes from an individual to the ballot box without someone else having the ability to conduct a fraudulent effort.”
ELECTION DELAYS: @MarkMeadows says it's "Not a good idea for the country" to have #mailinballots but is confident "We’re going to hold an election on November 3."
Adds, “and the president is going to win.” pic.twitter.com/c2BG9oejrW — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 2, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-02--College Athletes Threaten To Skip Season Over COVID-19, Racial Justice Demands

Ethan Miller via Getty Images Logos of schools that were scheduled to participate in the canceled PAC-12 men 's basketball tournament adorn the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas , Nevada , on March 2 .
Athletes from several Pacific-12 schools threatened to sit out the upcoming college football season unless conference officials meet their demands regarding coronavirus safety measures , racial justice and fair treatment of student athletes .
The athletes posted a statement Sunday on The Players ’ Tribune listing several reasons for their potential walkout , casting the NCAA and conference administrators as parties to a system of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement said that the athletes are speaking out because they ’ re “ being asked to play college sports in a pandemic in a system without enforced health and safety standards and without transparency about COVID cases on our teams , the risks to ourselves , our families and our communities.
” Over the last month , several college football programs have encouraged players to return for voluntary workouts , even with the upcoming season in doubt as the virus continues to spread .
Several teams have reported outbreaks , and a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many players have been infected .
Nevertheless , PAC-12 officials announced plans Friday for a 10-game , conference-only season to begin Sept. 26 .
Players called on the PAC-12 to void COVID-19 agreements they signed waiving liability for the conference and school officials , implement better coronavirus safety measures , allow athletes to skip the upcoming season without losing eligibility and implement player-approved health guidelines to be enforced by a player-approved third party .
Their demands also called for racial justice and an end to player exploitation after the pandemic ends .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way the NCAA functions .
Players demand compensation for and fair use of their likenesses , pay cuts for high-earning NCAA officials to rescue suspended programs , health coverage for athletes and an extension of their academic scholarships “ to foster undergraduate and graduate degree completion.
” Players said they are prepared to skip fall workouts and the upcoming season if the NCAA doesn ’ t agree to the demands .
“ # WeAreUnited in our commitment to secure fair treatment for college athletes , ” they said .
“ Due to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opt-out of PAC-12 fall camp and game participation unless the following demands are guaranteed in writing by our conference to protect and benefit both scholarship athletes and walk-ons.
” The PAC-12 said in a statement to HuffPost that it is being “ directed by medical experts ” and that “ any student athlete who chooses not to return to competition for health or safety reasons will have their scholarship protected .
”

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Athletes from several Pacific-12 schools threatened to sit out the upcoming college football season unless conference officials meet their demands regarding coronavirus safety measures, racial justice and fair treatment of student athletes.
The athletes posted a statement Sunday on The Players’ Tribune listing several reasons for their potential walkout, casting the NCAA and conference administrators as parties to a system of racial exploitation.
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“Because NCAA sports exploit college athletes physically, economically and academically and also disproportionately harm Black college athletes, #WeAreUnited,” the athletes’ statement said.
ESPN reported Saturday that the potential boycott could involve “potentially hundreds” of athletes.
Logos of schools that were scheduled to participate in the canceled PAC-12 men's basketball tournament adorn the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 2. Ethan Miller via Getty Images
More than half of all athletes playing Division I football are Black, a 2013 study found. The coronavirus disproportionately affects Black people and communities.
The PAC-12 players’ statement said that the athletes are speaking out because they’re “being asked to play college sports in a pandemic in a system without enforced health and safety standards and without transparency about COVID cases on our teams, the risks to ourselves, our families and our communities.”
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Over the last month, several college football programs have encouraged players to return for voluntary workouts, even with the upcoming season in doubt as the virus continues to spread.
Several teams have reported outbreaks, and a number of them have refused to reveal how many players have been infected. Nevertheless, PAC-12 officials announced plans Friday for a 10-game, conference-only season to begin Sept. 26.
Half of the conference’s schools ― Arizona State, Arizona, California, Stanford, UCLA and USC ― are in states witnessing surging coronavirus cases.
Players called on the PAC-12 to void COVID-19 agreements they signed waiving liability for the conference and school officials, implement better coronavirus safety measures, allow athletes to skip the upcoming season without losing eligibility and implement player-approved health guidelines to be enforced by a player-approved third party.
Their demands also called for racial justice and an end to player exploitation after the pandemic ends. That would mark a revolutionary change in the way the NCAA functions. Players demand compensation for and fair use of their likenesses, pay cuts for high-earning NCAA officials to rescue suspended programs, health coverage for athletes and an extension of their academic scholarships “to foster undergraduate and graduate degree completion.”
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Players said they are prepared to skip fall workouts and the upcoming season if the NCAA doesn’t agree to the demands.
“#WeAreUnited in our commitment to secure fair treatment for college athletes,” they said. “Due to COVID-19 and other serious concerns, we will opt-out of PAC-12 fall camp and game participation unless the following demands are guaranteed in writing by our conference to protect and benefit both scholarship athletes and walk-ons.”