thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Pfizer Says COVID-19 Trial Ends With 95% Efficacy, Will Seek Authorization

( Reuters ) — Pfizer Inc said on Wednesday that final results from the late-stage trial of its COVID-19 vaccine show it was 95 % effective , adding it had the required two-months of safety data and would apply for emergency U.S. authorization within days .
The drugmaker said efficacy of the vaccine developed with German partner BioNTech SE was consistent across age and ethnicity demographics , and that there were no major side effects , a sign that the immunization could be employed broadly around the world .
Efficacy in adults over 65 years , who are at particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 94 % .
The final analysis comes just one week after initial results from the trial showed the vaccine was more than 90 % effective .
The better-than-expected data from the two vaccines , both developed with new technology known as messenger RNA ( mRNA ) , have raised hopes for an end to a resurgent pandemic that has killed more than 1.3 million people globally and wreaked havoc upon economies and daily life .
However , while some groups such as healthcare workers will be prioritized in the United States for vaccinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before large-scale rollouts begin .
Pfizer said on Wednesday there had been 170 cases of the disease in its trial of more 43,000 volunteers , of which 162 were observed in the placebo arm and 8 were in the vaccine group .
It also said the vaccine was well-tolerated and that side effects were mostly mild to moderate and cleared up quickly .
The only severe adverse event that affected more than 2 % of those vaccinated was fatigue , which affected 3.7 % of recipients after the second dose .
Older adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adverse events following vaccination .
The results come as the virus is running rampant in the United States , Europe and elsewhere , placing an enormous strain on healthcare systems with record numbers of new cases and hospitalizations .
The approach of winter in the northern hemisphere in tandem with the holiday season is expected to worsen case numbers as people spend more time indoors and get together for family gatherings .
“ With hundreds of thousands of people around the globe infected every day , we urgently need to get a safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement .
Pfizer and BioNTech also said they plan to submit the data to other regulatory agencies around the world as well as the United States .
They also plan to submit data from the study to a peer-reviewed scientific journal .
Pfizer reiterated it expects to make as many as 50 million vaccine doses this year , enough to protect 25 million people , and then produce up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021 .
Of the dozens of drugmakers and research groups racing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next data release will likely be from AstraZeneca Plc with the University of Oxford in November or December .
Johnson & Johnson says it is on track to deliver data this year .

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(Reuters) - Final results from Pfizer Inc’s PFE.N COVID-19 vaccine trial showed its shot had a 95% success rate and two months of safety data, paving the way for the drugmaker to apply for an emergency U.S. authorization within days, it said on Wednesday.
The efficacy rate of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech BNTX.O is the highest of any candidate in late-stage clinical trials so far, and experts said it was a significant achievement in the race to end the pandemic.
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Pfizer said 170 volunteers in its trial involving over 43,000 people contracted COVID-19 but 162 of them had only been given a placebo, meaning the vaccine was 95% effective. Of the 10 people who had severe COVID-19, one had received the vaccine.
“A first in the history of mankind: less than a year from the sequence of the virus to the large-scale clinical trial of a vaccine, moreover based on a whole new technique,” said Enrico Bucci, biologist at Temple University in Philadelphia. “Today is a special day.”
Pfizer said it expected the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory committee to review and discuss the data in a public meeting that will likely be held in December.
The final analysis comes a week after initial results from the trial showed the vaccine was more than 90% effective. Moderna Inc MRNA.O on Monday released preliminary data for its vaccine, showing 94.5% effectiveness.
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The better-than-expected results from the two vaccines, both developed with new messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, have raised hopes for an end to a pandemic that has killed more than 1.3 million people and wreaked havoc upon economies and daily life.
“These are extraordinary results, and the safety data look good,” said David Spiegelhalter, a professor and expert in risk and evidence communication at the University of Cambridge.
“It would be interesting to see what adverse reactions were reported by the group getting the placebo, since that gives an idea of how much of the adverse effects are due to the vaccination process, and how much is due to the vaccine itself.”
Global shares edged higher on Wednesday as Pfizer’s trial results more than offset concerns around the stubbornly high global infection rate. Pfizer shares rose 2.9% when U.S. markets opened while BioNTech jumped 4%. [MKTS/GLOB]
MOST VULNERABLE
While some groups such as healthcare workers will be prioritized in the United States for vaccinations this year, it will be months before large-scale rollouts begin.
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Distribution of a Pfizer shot is complicated by the need to store it at ultra-cold temperatures of -70 degrees Celsius. It can, however, be kept in a normal fridge for up to five days, or up to 15 days in a thermal shipping box.
Moderna’s vaccine can be stored for up to six months at -20C though it is expected to be stable for 30 days at normal fridge temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36°-46°F).
Pfizer said the efficacy of the vaccine was consistent across different age and ethnic groups, a sign that the immunization could be employed broadly around the world. Efficacy in adults over 65 years was over 94%.
“The 94% protection for older people is key. This is the evidence we needed to ensure that the most vulnerable people are protected,” said Andrew Hill, senior visiting research fellow at the University of Liverpool’s department of pharmacology.
Pfizer said its two-dose vaccine, BNT162b2, was well-tolerated and that side effects were mostly mild to moderate, and cleared up quickly.
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It said the only severe adverse events experienced by volunteers were fatigue and headaches. Out of 8,000 participants, 2% had headaches after the second dose while 3.8% experienced fatigue. Older adults tended to report fewer and milder adverse events.
For its trial, Moderna named five severe side effects experienced by at least 2% of those who received its shot: fatigue at 9.7%, muscle pain at 8.9%, joint pain at 5.2%, headache at 4.5%, pain at 4.1% and redness around the injection site at 2%.
MILLIONS OF DOSES
Pfizer’s final results come as the virus is running rampant around the world, placing an enormous strain on healthcare systems with record numbers of new cases and hospitalizations.
The approach of winter in the northern hemisphere in tandem with the holiday season is expected to worsen case numbers as people spend more time indoors and have family gatherings.
“With hundreds of thousands of people around the globe infected every day, we urgently need to get a safe and effective vaccine to the world,” Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla said.
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Pfizer and BioNTech also said they plan to submit the data to other regulatory agencies around the world and submit data from the study to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Pfizer reiterated that it expects to make as many as 50 million vaccine doses this year, enough to protect 25 million people, and then produce up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
Of the dozens of drugmakers and research groups racing to develop vaccines against COVID-19, the next data release will likely be from AstraZeneca Plc AZN.L with the University of Oxford in November or December. Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N says it is on track to deliver data this year.
Reporting by Michael Erman in Maplewood, N.J.; Additional reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Bengaluru, Caroline Humer in New York, Elizabeth Howcroft and Kate Kelland in London and Emilio Parodi in Milan; Writing by David Clarke; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Pravin Char


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Why Getting A COVID-19 Test Isn't Enough To Have A Safe Holiday

You could take the safest route and strictly quarantine for two weeks before going indoors with others , but if you ’ re traveling or on a tight schedule , a full two-week quarantine may not be so realistic .
More than likely , people will instead ask their guests to take a quick diagnostic test before inviting them inside .
A quick swab of the nose or throat should let you know whether you and your guests are in the clear , right ?
The diagnostic tests currently available can help us catch a good portion of infections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here ’ s why COVID-19 tests can fall short and why you shouldn ’ t totally rely on them prior to holiday celebrations .
With COVID-19 , the incubation period is usually about three to five days , but it can run up to 14 days .
In rarer cases , it ’ s even longer .
This basically means that at any point during the incubation period , you can be infected and potentially shedding the virus , but you still might not test positive .
“ The problem is that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment that it is , ” says Eric Cioe-Peña , the director of global health with Northwell Health in New Hyde Park , New York .
In fact , if you take a test a day or two after being exposed to COVID-19 , you probably won ’ t test positive , even if you have contracted the virus .
Just because you test negative today does not mean you won ’ t tomorrow — the tests only tell you if you ’ re infected at a specific moment in time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cusp of becoming infectious .
Asymptomatic and mild cases can go undetected .
Consequently , infected people with low viral loads could easily receive a false negative test result , providing them with a false sense of security .
Since asymptomatic transmission is fueling a lot of COVID-19 spread , that ’ s not really a risk you want to take .
“ The likelihood , in an asymptomatic person , that you ’ re going to have a result that reflects reality is going to be less likely than if you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Maldonado said .
Cioe-Peña said these tests are really only reliable if you test positive .
Rapid tests produce a lot of false negatives , which is a negative result for someone who is actually infected .
Doctors have seen false negatives in up to 50 % of rapid tests .
Then there are PCR tests , which are much more reliable because they can detect small bits of viral material .
It ’ s estimated that PCR tests produce false negatives anywhere from 2 % to 37 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the rapid tests , but not perfect .
Keep in mind that it often takes longer to get results from a PCR test .
If demand for them is high ( which already seems to be the case ) , labs could get backed up even more .
And remember that tests only tell you if you ’ re infected at the moment you ’ ve been swabbed .
If PCR results take a long time and you don ’ t quarantine while you wait for results , you could still get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan of action ?
If a 14-day , strict quarantine is not in the cards , consider scheduling two tests a few days apart .
( If you ’ re doing the math for Thanksgiving right now , this means you . )
You ’ ll have a better chance of catching the infection if you test multiple times during the incubation period .
For example , if you absolutely must travel to see family , consider taking a test immediately before you travel , and then again three to five days after @

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Figuring out how to safely see family or friends over the holidays isn’t going to be an easy feat this year.
You could take the safest route and strictly quarantine for two weeks before going indoors with others, but if you’re traveling or on a tight schedule, a full two-week quarantine may not be so realistic.
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More than likely, people will instead ask their guests to take a quick diagnostic test before inviting them inside. A quick swab of the nose or throat should let you know whether you and your guests are in the clear, right?
Not quite, experts say.
The diagnostic tests currently available can help us catch a good portion of infections, but they’re not foolproof. Here’s why COVID-19 tests can fall short and why you shouldn’t totally rely on them prior to holiday celebrations.
The coronavirus has a lengthy incubation period.
Every virus has an incubation period — the amount of time it takes a virus to infect a person’s cells, spread through the body and become infectious.
With COVID-19, the incubation period is usually about three to five days, but it can run up to 14 days. In rarer cases, it’s even longer. This basically means that at any point during the incubation period, you can be infected and potentially shedding the virus, but you still might not test positive.
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“The problem is that the virus is incubating and not shedding until the moment that it is,” says Eric Cioe-Peña, the director of global health with Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, New York.
“If you take a test a day or two after being exposed to COVID-19, you probably won’t test positive, even if you have contracted the virus.”
Could you test negative right before you start actively shedding the virus? Absolutely.
In fact, if you take a test a day or two after being exposed to COVID-19, you probably won’t test positive, even if you have contracted the virus.
Just because you test negative today does not mean you won’t tomorrow — the tests only tell you if you’re infected at a specific moment in time, not if you’re on the cusp of becoming infectious.
“You could completely miss the boat and kind of lure yourself into a false sense of safety,” Cioe-Peña said.
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Asymptomatic and mild cases can go undetected.
Most doctors believe COVID-19 tests work better on symptomatic patients who consistently have high viral loads (which makes it easier to detect an infection).
Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious disease specialist with Stanford Health Care, said the viral loads in asymptomatic and mild cases vary greatly — while some of these patients have remarkably low viral loads, others have moderate to high viral loads.
Consequently, infected people with low viral loads could easily receive a false negative test result, providing them with a false sense of security. Since asymptomatic transmission is fueling a lot of COVID-19 spread, that’s not really a risk you want to take.
Bottom line: A test doesn’t always accurately reflect how infectious someone is, according to Maldonado.
“The likelihood, in an asymptomatic person, that you’re going to have a result that reflects reality is going to be less likely than if you have a person who’s got symptoms,” Maldonado said.
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SeventyFour via Getty Images Don't expect one COVID-19 test to clear you for holiday gatherings, since tests can miss asymptomatic or mild cases.
The tests don’t catch every case.
There are two types of tests available — the PCR tests and the rapid (antigen) tests.
Let’s start with the rapid tests, since that’s likely what most people are going to use. (They’re cheaper and provide quicker results.)
Cioe-Peña said these tests are really only reliable if you test positive. Rapid tests produce a lot of false negatives, which is a negative result for someone who is actually infected. Doctors have seen false negatives in up to 50% of rapid tests.
Then there are PCR tests, which are much more reliable because they can detect small bits of viral material. It’s estimated that PCR tests produce false negatives anywhere from 2% to 37% of the time. They’re more accurate than the rapid tests, but not perfect.
Keep in mind that it often takes longer to get results from a PCR test. If demand for them is high (which already seems to be the case), labs could get backed up even more.
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And remember that tests only tell you if you’re infected at the moment you’ve been swabbed. If PCR results take a long time and you don’t quarantine while you wait for results, you could still get infected.
What’s the best plan of action?
Cioe-Peña said the safest course of action is to strictly quarantine for 14 days, then get tested.
“That negative is really strongly suggestive that you are completely negative,” he said.
If a 14-day, strict quarantine is not in the cards, consider scheduling two tests a few days apart. (If you’re doing the math for Thanksgiving right now, this means you.) You’ll have a better chance of catching the infection if you test multiple times during the incubation period. For example, if you absolutely must travel to see family, consider taking a test immediately before you travel, and then again three to five days after.
Remember, because the tests don’t catch 100% of infections, you and your guests should still adhere to all the other recommended safety measures — wash your hands, keep your distance, stay outdoors and wear a face mask. Or better yet, stay home this year.
“[A negative test] doesn’t give you a pass for the rest of human behavior during the holidays. I worry that we’re in danger of people interpreting it that way,” Cioe-Peña said.
Experts are still learning about COVID-19. The information in this story is what was known or available as of publication, but guidance can change as scientists discover more about the virus. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--FDA Allows 1st Rapid Coronavirus Test That Gives Results At Home

The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for COVID-19 beyond health care facilities and testing sites .
However , the test will require a prescription , likely limiting its initial use .
The company ’ s test allows users to swab themselves to collect a nasal sample .
The sample is then swirled in a vial of laboratory solution that plugs into a portable device .
Results are displayed as lights labeled positive or negative .
To date , the FDA has authorized nearly 300 tests for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swab performed by a health professional and must be processed at laboratories using high-tech equipment .
A handful of tests allow people to collect their own sample at home — a nasal swab or saliva — that ’ s then shipped to a lab , which usually means waiting days for results .
Health experts have called for options to allow people to test themselves at home , reducing turnaround times and the potential spread of the virus to others , including health care workers .
Rapid test results are critical to quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their contacts .
But for months , U.S. testing has been plagued by slow results due to bottlenecks as testing laboratories .
There are other rapid tests but most require a small , special machine operated by a health professional to develop results “ Now , more Americans who may have COVID-19 will be able to take immediate action , based on their results , to protect themselves and those around them , ” Dr. Jeff Shuren , director of the FDA ’ s devices center , said in a statement .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company was doing to develop an at-home flu test , according to the company ’ s website .
Lucira adapted its technology to detect COVID-19 after the outbreak .
The test uses technology similar to genetic laboratory-based tests that are the standard tool for COVID-19 screening .
That ’ s different than most rapid tests currently used in the U.S. , which look for viral proteins called antigens — not the virus itself .
Anyone that tests positive should isolate and seek care from a health professional , the FDA said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but still have coronavirus symptoms should consult a doctor ; a negative result does not rule out COVID-19 infection .
The FDA said Lucira ’ s test was also authorized for use in doctor ’ s offices and testing sites .
Currently all U.S. testing sites must report results to state and federal health authorities tracking the pandemic .
Doctors will be required to report the home test results .
“ If the results are not reported back , it may be difficult to figure out what is happening in the community at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former head of the FDA ’ s testing office , in an interview before the announcement .
More than two dozen companies have been racing for months to develop the first , rapid home-based test for COVID-19 .
However , the FDA outlined a number of study requirements for manufacturers .
These hurdles have less to do with COVID-19 specifically , and more to do with decades-long concerns about whether people without any medical training can accurately screen themselves and interpret the results .
The FDA has only ever approved one home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HIV test .
And even commonplace over-the-counter tests— such as home pregnancy kits — were subject to years of scrutiny before FDA allowed their use in the 1970s .
“ I think increased testing closer to patients , including in the home , is the way of the future , ” said Dr. Robin Patel of the Mayo Clinic , in an interview before the announcement was made .
“ But there are considerations that have to be addressed to make sure that this is done in a safe and effective way.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental products during public health crises .
In normal times , the FDA requires evidence of safety and effectiveness before clearing a new test .
But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be performed entirely at home and delivers results in 30 minutes.
The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for COVID-19 beyond health care facilities and testing sites. However, the test will require a prescription, likely limiting its initial use.
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The FDA granted emergency authorization to the single-use test kit from Lucira Health, a California manufacturer.
The company’s test allows users to swab themselves to collect a nasal sample. The sample is then swirled in a vial of laboratory solution that plugs into a portable device. Results are displayed as lights labeled positive or negative.
To date, the FDA has authorized nearly 300 tests for coronavirus. The vast majority require a nasal swab performed by a health professional and must be processed at laboratories using high-tech equipment. A handful of tests allow people to collect their own sample at home — a nasal swab or saliva — that’s then shipped to a lab, which usually means waiting days for results.
Health experts have called for options to allow people to test themselves at home, reducing turnaround times and the potential spread of the virus to others, including health care workers. Rapid test results are critical to quickly quarantining those who are infected and tracing their contacts. But for months, U.S. testing has been plagued by slow results due to bottlenecks as testing laboratories. There are other rapid tests but most require a small, special machine operated by a health professional to develop results
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“Now, more Americans who may have COVID-19 will be able to take immediate action, based on their results, to protect themselves and those around them,” Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s devices center, said in a statement.
Lucira did not immediately respond to a request for additional details after business hours Tuesday.
The Lucira COVID-19 test grew out of research the company was doing to develop an at-home flu test, according to the company’s website. Lucira adapted its technology to detect COVID-19 after the outbreak.
The test uses technology similar to genetic laboratory-based tests that are the standard tool for COVID-19 screening. That’s different than most rapid tests currently used in the U.S., which look for viral proteins called antigens — not the virus itself.
Anyone that tests positive should isolate and seek care from a health professional, the FDA said in its release. Those who test negative but still have coronavirus symptoms should consult a doctor; a negative result does not rule out COVID-19 infection.
The FDA said Lucira’s test was also authorized for use in doctor’s offices and testing sites. Currently all U.S. testing sites must report results to state and federal health authorities tracking the pandemic. Doctors will be required to report the home test results.
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“If the results are not reported back, it may be difficult to figure out what is happening in the community at large,” said Dr. Alberto Gutierrez, former head of the FDA’s testing office, in an interview before the announcement.
More than two dozen companies have been racing for months to develop the first, rapid home-based test for COVID-19. However, the FDA outlined a number of study requirements for manufacturers.
These hurdles have less to do with COVID-19 specifically, and more to do with decades-long concerns about whether people without any medical training can accurately screen themselves and interpret the results.
The FDA has only ever approved one home test for an infectious disease — an HIV test. And even commonplace over-the-counter tests— such as home pregnancy kits — were subject to years of scrutiny before FDA allowed their use in the 1970s.
Experts say that careful approach is warranted for coronavirus.
“I think increased testing closer to patients, including in the home, is the way of the future,” said Dr. Robin Patel of the Mayo Clinic, in an interview before the announcement was made. “But there are considerations that have to be addressed to make sure that this is done in a safe and effective way.”
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FDA regulators authorized the new test using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental products during public health crises. In normal times, the FDA requires evidence of safety and effectiveness before clearing a new test. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards.
The FDA release did not disclose the test’s accuracy or the study results that regulators used to make the decision.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Medical Leaders Urge Trump To Share COVID-19 Data With Biden

The extraordinary rebuke , weighing in on the White House post-election transition fray , came in an open letter from three leading healthcare organizations as state and local governments scrambled to fight the virus in the absence of a coordinated national strategy .
“ Real-time data and information on the supply of therapeutics , testing supplies , personal protective equipment , ventilators , hospital bed capacity and workforce availability to plan for further deployment of the nation ’ s assets needs to be shared to save countless lives , ” said the letter , signed by heads of the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the American Hospitals Association .
The letter was published a day after Biden , the victor in the tumultuous Nov. 3 election that Trump has refused to concede , warned “ more people may die ” if the incumbent president keeps blocking a smooth succession to the next administration in January .
Dr. Vivek Murthy , co-chair of Biden ’ s COVID-19 taskforce , said Tuesday he and other medical advisers had been unable to discuss the pandemic with current administration officials , an obstacle that could compromise the U.S. response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases this fall has stricken even rural areas that had dodged the worst of the pandemic over the summer .
Government officials in at least 17 states representing both ends of America ’ s political divide have issued sweeping new public health mandates this month .
These range from stricter limits on social gatherings and non-essential businesses to new requirements for wearing masks in public places .
“ We need some fundamental public health measures that everyone should be adhering to , not a disjointed , ‘ One state says one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Fauci said in a New York Times interview .
Health experts say greater social mixing and indoor gatherings during the holiday season , combined with colder weather , will accelerate the COVID-19 surge that has sent infections and hospitalizations to record levels in recent weeks .
Forty-one U.S. states have reported daily record increases in COVID-19 cases in November , 20 have registered new all-time highs in coronavirus-related deaths from day to day , and 26 have reported new peaks in hospitalizations , according to a Reuters tally of public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social gatherings , health officials this week linked a Nov. 7 wedding that drew some 300 guests to a private location near the town of Ritzville in eastern Washington state to at least 17 COVID-19 infections and two subsequent outbreaks .
In a sign of strains on hospital workers , over 700 nurses at St. Mary Medical Center in eastern Pennsylvania went on strike Tuesday to protest staffing levels they said were too thinly stretched to provide adequate patient care .
The two-day walkout was called after the hospital and the Pennsylvania Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in talks over working conditions as rising COVID-19 admissions pushed the facility near capacity , the union said .
The governors of Ohio and Maryland on Tuesday became the latest to place curfews on bars and restaurants to reduce the virus ’ spread this winter , while the prospect of a widely available vaccine is still months away .
“ We ’ re not shutting down , we ’ re slowing down , ” Mike DeWine of Ohio said in unveiling the 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew in his state .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this under control.
” The United States crossed 11 million total infections on Sunday , just eight days after reaching the 10 million mark .
The Midwest remains the hardest-hit U.S. region during the latest wave of infections , reporting almost half-million cases in the week ending on Monday .
The number of coronavirus patients hospitalized in the United States climbed to a record of 73,140 on Monday , and hospitalizations have increased over 46 % in past 14 days , according to a Reuters tally .

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(Reuters) — The U.S. medical establishment on Tuesday urged President Donald Trump to share critical COVID-19 data with President-elect Joe Biden’s team to avoid needless, deadly lags in tackling a raging pandemic that is threatening to overwhelm hospitals nationwide.
The extraordinary rebuke, weighing in on the White House post-election transition fray, came in an open letter from three leading healthcare organizations as state and local governments scrambled to fight the virus in the absence of a coordinated national strategy.
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“Real-time data and information on the supply of therapeutics, testing supplies, personal protective equipment, ventilators, hospital bed capacity and workforce availability to plan for further deployment of the nation’s assets needs to be shared to save countless lives,” said the letter, signed by heads of the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association and the American Hospitals Association.
The letter was published a day after Biden, the victor in the tumultuous Nov. 3 election that Trump has refused to concede, warned “more people may die” if the incumbent president keeps blocking a smooth succession to the next administration in January.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, co-chair of Biden’s COVID-19 taskforce, said Tuesday he and other medical advisers had been unable to discuss the pandemic with current administration officials, an obstacle that could compromise the U.S. response to the virus.
The soaring rate of new cases this fall has stricken even rural areas that had dodged the worst of the pandemic over the summer. Government officials in at least 17 states representing both ends of America’s political divide have issued sweeping new public health mandates this month. These range from stricter limits on social gatherings and non-essential businesses to new requirements for wearing masks in public places.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease specialist, said the country would be better served by a “uniform approach” to fighting the pandemic.
“We need some fundamental public health measures that everyone should be adhering to, not a disjointed, ‘One state says one thing, another state says another thing,’” Fauci said in a New York Times interview.
Health experts say greater social mixing and indoor gatherings during the holiday season, combined with colder weather, will accelerate the COVID-19 surge that has sent infections and hospitalizations to record levels in recent weeks.
SUPERSPEADER WEDDING
Forty-one U.S. states have reported daily record increases in COVID-19 cases in November, 20 have registered new all-time highs in coronavirus-related deaths from day to day, and 26 have reported new peaks in hospitalizations, according to a Reuters tally of public health data.
Twenty-five states reported 10% of COVID-19 diagnostic tests coming back positive for the week ending on Sunday, Nov. 15. The World Health Organization considers a positivity rate above 5% to be concerning.
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Illustrating the risks of large social gatherings, health officials this week linked a Nov. 7 wedding that drew some 300 guests to a private location near the town of Ritzville in eastern Washington state to at least 17 COVID-19 infections and two subsequent outbreaks.
In a sign of strains on hospital workers, over 700 nurses at St. Mary Medical Center in eastern Pennsylvania went on strike Tuesday to protest staffing levels they said were too thinly stretched to provide adequate patient care.
The two-day walkout was called after the hospital and the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals deadlocked in talks over working conditions as rising COVID-19 admissions pushed the facility near capacity, the union said.
The governors of Ohio and Maryland on Tuesday became the latest to place curfews on bars and restaurants to reduce the virus’ spread this winter, while the prospect of a widely available vaccine is still months away.
“We’re not shutting down, we’re slowing down,” Mike DeWine of Ohio said in unveiling the 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew in his state. “We have to flatten this curve again and get this under control.”
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A similar curfew ordered by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan was accompanied by new restrictions limiting indoor capacity of businesses and organizations to 50% of normal.
“We are in a war right now and the virus is winning,” Hogan told reporters.
MIDWEST HARDEST HIT
The United States crossed 11 million total infections on Sunday, just eight days after reaching the 10 million mark. The Midwest remains the hardest-hit U.S. region during the latest wave of infections, reporting almost half-million cases in the week ending on Monday.
The number of coronavirus patients hospitalized in the United States climbed to a record of 73,140 on Monday, and hospitalizations have increased over 46% in past 14 days, according to a Reuters tally.
Several state officials also have urged citizens to exercise caution around the Thanksgiving holiday and not travel or socialize with extended family for the traditional indoor feast.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was even more forward-looking in her holiday warnings, announcing on Tuesday that the city’s Mardi Gras parades would be canceled in February.
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“Experts are predicting a ‘winter spike’ in cases this winter in December and January – right when our carnival calendars get rolling,” Cantrell said on the city’s website.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Trump Posts News So Fake That Tucker Carlson Had To Apologize For It

President Donald Trump posted some fake news on Tuesday night , sharing a Fox News story by Tucker Carlson that Carlson himself had already apologized for broadcasting .
Trump ’ s tweet linked to a report by Carlson claiming that dead people had voted in Georgia , a state won by President-elect Joe Biden .
“ DEAD PEOPLE VOTED ” Trump shout-tweeted with a link to Carlson ’ s report , which noted in the first line that Carlson had to correct it .
The initial story claimed that the late James Blalock had voted in the 2020 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who voted under the name “ Mrs .
James Blalock.
” Atlanta ’ s 11Alive News broke the story after simply knocking on the widow ’ s door to ask her about the vote .
“ He ’ s not voting .
He didn ’ t vote , ” Agnes Blalock told the station .
“ It was me.
” 11Alive ’ s Brendan Keefe said on Twitter that of the four supposed dead voters in Georgia that were highlighted by the Trump campaign , two were alive , one was dead but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under investigation .
Georgia officials said that despite Trump ’ s claims to the contrary there was no evidence of any widespread fraud in the state , which went Democratic in a presidential contest for the first time since 1992 .

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President Donald Trump posted some fake news on Tuesday night, sharing a Fox News story by Tucker Carlson that Carlson himself had already apologized for broadcasting.
Trump’s tweet linked to a report by Carlson claiming that dead people had voted in Georgia, a state won by President-elect Joe Biden.
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“DEAD PEOPLE VOTED” Trump shout-tweeted with a link to Carlson’s report, which noted in the first line that Carlson had to correct it. The initial story claimed that the late James Blalock had voted in the 2020 election. In reality, it was his widow who voted under the name “Mrs. James Blalock.”
Carlson apologized on the air on Friday.
Atlanta’s 11Alive News broke the story after simply knocking on the widow’s door to ask her about the vote.
“He’s not voting. He didn’t vote,” Agnes Blalock told the station. “It was me.”
11Alive’s Brendan Keefe said on Twitter that of the four supposed dead voters in Georgia that were highlighted by the Trump campaign, two were alive, one was dead but did not vote and a fourth remained under investigation.
Georgia officials said that despite Trump’s claims to the contrary there was no evidence of any widespread fraud in the state, which went Democratic in a presidential contest for the first time since 1992.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Michigander Calls Out Republicans Who Tried To Stop Vote Certification In Epic Takedown

A Michigan entrepreneur ’ s takedown of the two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers who initially voted against certifying the election results is going viral after the two officials swiftly changed course .
“ The Trump stain , the stain of racism that you , William Hartmann and Monica Palmer , have just covered yourself in is going to follow you throughout history , ” said commenter Ned Staebler .
“ Your grandchildren are going to think of you like Bull Connor or George Wallace , ” he added , referring to two notorious Southern segregationists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a city with a predominantly Black population that voted heavily for Democrat Joe Biden over President Donald Trump .
The four-person Wayne County Board of Canvassers deadlocked Tuesday after the two Democrats on the board voted to certify the election results while Hartmann and Palmer voted against it , citing minor , but common , discrepancies in absentee poll books .
Palmer at one point suggested certifying the suburbs , which are mostly white , but not Detroit , while Twitter users uncovered Hartmann ’ s history of sharing racist memes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed course and certified the results after a contentious session in which members of the public weighed in ― including Staebler , who called them “ completely racist ” for trying to disenfranchise the Black voters of Detroit .
“ The law isn ’ t on your side .
History won ’ t be on your side .
Your conscience will not be on your side .
And , lord knows , when you go to meet your maker , your soul is going to be very , very warm.
” Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canvassers rip apart @ HartmannDude and @ monicaspalmer the two members that refused to certify the ballots for the county pic.twitter.com/dKeid3fr6y — Icculus The Brave ( @ FirenzeMike ) November 18 , 2020 Many others spoke up ― and were also outraged , including Wendell Anthony , president of the Detroit NAACP : Head of Detroit NAACP blasts Republican board member on Wayne County Board of Canvassers for saying that she would not certify election results in 80 % -black Detroit , but was ok with the results outside of Detroit : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disgrace.
” pic.twitter.com/8vBaCzslQd — Niraj Warikoo ( @ nwarikoo ) November 18 , 2020 President Donald Trump initially celebrated the disenfranchisement of hundreds of thousands of American voters as “ a beautiful thing ” on Twitter after the initial deadlock .
He has not commented on the reversal that led to the certification of the results .

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A Michigan entrepreneur’s takedown of the two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers who initially voted against certifying the election results is going viral after the two officials swiftly changed course.
“The Trump stain, the stain of racism that you, William Hartmann and Monica Palmer, have just covered yourself in is going to follow you throughout history,” said commenter Ned Staebler.
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“Your grandchildren are going to think of you like Bull Connor or George Wallace,” he added, referring to two notorious Southern segregationists.
Wayne County is home to Detroit, a city with a predominantly Black population that voted heavily for Democrat Joe Biden over President Donald Trump.
The four-person Wayne County Board of Canvassers deadlocked Tuesday after the two Democrats on the board voted to certify the election results while Hartmann and Palmer voted against it, citing minor, but common, discrepancies in absentee poll books.
Palmer at one point suggested certifying the suburbs, which are mostly white, but not Detroit, while Twitter users uncovered Hartmann’s history of sharing racist memes on Facebook.
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The two Republican officials later changed course and certified the results after a contentious session in which members of the public weighed in ― including Staebler, who called them “completely racist” for trying to disenfranchise the Black voters of Detroit.
He concluded:
“The law isn’t on your side. History won’t be on your side. Your conscience will not be on your side. And, lord knows, when you go to meet your maker, your soul is going to be very, very warm.”
See his full takedown here:
Watch @NedStaebler a Wayne County Board Member of Canvassers rip apart @HartmannDude and @monicaspalmer the two members that refused to certify the ballots for the county pic.twitter.com/dKeid3fr6y — Icculus The Brave (@FirenzeMike) November 18, 2020
(The entrepreneur and board member of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. isn’t on the canvassers’ board, despite the tweet’s description.)
Staebler wasn’t alone in his outrage.
Many others spoke up ― and were also outraged, including Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit NAACP:
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Head of Detroit NAACP blasts Republican board member on Wayne County Board of Canvassers for saying that she would not certify election results in 80%-black Detroit, but was ok with the results outside of Detroit: “Shame on you. ... You are a disgrace.” pic.twitter.com/8vBaCzslQd — Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) November 18, 2020
President Donald Trump initially celebrated the disenfranchisement of hundreds of thousands of American voters as “a beautiful thing” on Twitter after the initial deadlock.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Millions Will Lose Unemployment Aid This December Unless Congress Acts Fast

At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in March , Congress sprang into action with new unemployment programs and boosted benefits an unprecedented $ 600 per week .
But lawmakers thought the pandemic would be under control in a matter of months , and the extra money lapsed in July .
Now , even as COVID-19 infections spread wildly , all the other enhanced unemployment programs are set to end .
The looming expiration is part of an epic year-end abyss , with an eviction moratorium , student debt forbearance and a host of tax breaks all disappearing down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an estimate from The Century Foundation , a progressive think tank that has closely tracked unemployment claims this year , more than 7 million workers stand to lose the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits Congress created for Uber drivers and other gig workers without traditional payrolls who normally don ’ t qualify for such aid .
Another 4.6 million workers will lose Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , which was created to help the long-term unemployed who had already exhausted the 26 weeks of regular benefits most states provide .
While 18 states have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 million of those workers , come Dec. 26 those programs will lose federal funding and put further strain on state budgets .
“ Without unemployment benefits and with savings badly depleted , families will be at high risk for food insecurity and loss of their homes , and many may be unable to pay for health care during some of the darkest days of the pandemic , ” The Century Foundation ’ s Andrew Stettner and Elizabeth Pancotti wrote in their analysis .
“ The nation ’ s entire economy will suffer.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin tried to negotiate a coronavirus relief deal that would include an extension of unemployment benefits , another round of direct payments to households , and assistance for the financially-strapped state and local governments .
Those negotiations collapsed shortly before the Nov. 3 election , and now it ’ s not clear if anyone in Washington is even trying to reach an agreement .
With Senate Republicans opposed to a large spending bill , McConnell has stayed out of the negotiations , instead offering up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as a $ 500 billion measure that would give the unemployed an extra $ 300 per week .
Democrats say McConnell ’ s piecemeal approach is inadequate to the massive needs in the country .
“ Cases and hospitalizations are skyrocketing , which will cause the economy to further decline over the next few months , ” Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) said in a statement .
“ In the face of mass death and economic devastation , Mitch McConnell is doing nothing to provide relief to American families.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ For the sake of the country , we ask that you come to the table and work with us to produce an agreement that meets America ’ s needs in this critical time , ” the speaker said in a letter .
Congress has a rich tradition of waiting until the last minute before Christmas to reauthorize extended unemployment benefits , having done so repeatedly in the aftermath of the Great Recession .
In 2013 , Congress finally let the benefits expire ― stranding 1.3 million workers .
Thanks to unrelenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expanded eligibility criteria , vastly more workers would be left hanging if Congress drops benefits in December .
Some of the 7 million receiving gig worker benefits may be able to resume working right away , since they weren ’ t laid off from a formal job .
But with the weather turning cold , coronavirus cases skyrocketing and states imposing new restrictions on commerce , it will probably be harder to make money than it was over the summer .
Lawmakers could address the expiring provisions of the Coronavirus Aid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed in March ( known as the CARES measure ) , as well as potentially other relief measures , in a funding bill that Congress needs to pass by Dec. 11 in order to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government .
The idea of tying coronavirus stimulus to annual appropriations bills has support among rank-and-file members on both sides of the aisle .
But it again would require a deal among top congressional leaders that has proved elusive so far .
“ I thought it might be a good idea if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could reach an agreement ... and wrap it all in one , you create critical mass .
We ’ re not there yet , ” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby ( R-Ala. ) cautioned in an interview on Tuesday .
The bill would still need to be signed by President Donald Trump to become law even if Congress can somehow get it to his desk .
The lame-duck president has been completely consumed with baseless election conspiracies following his loss in the 2020 race .
He ’ s hardly been seen in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official events .

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Nearly 12 million workers will lose federal unemployment benefits on Dec. 26 if lawmakers fail to reach a reauthorization deal.
At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in March, Congress sprang into action with new unemployment programs and boosted benefits an unprecedented $600 per week. But lawmakers thought the pandemic would be under control in a matter of months, and the extra money lapsed in July.
Advertisement
Now, even as COVID-19 infections spread wildly, all the other enhanced unemployment programs are set to end. The looming expiration is part of an epic year-end abyss, with an eviction moratorium, student debt forbearance and a host of tax breaks all disappearing down the hole at the same time.
According to an estimate from The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank that has closely tracked unemployment claims this year, more than 7 million workers stand to lose the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits Congress created for Uber drivers and other gig workers without traditional payrolls who normally don’t qualify for such aid.
Another 4.6 million workers will lose Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which was created to help the long-term unemployed who had already exhausted the 26 weeks of regular benefits most states provide. While 18 states have extended benefit programs that could cover nearly 3 million of those workers, come Dec. 26 those programs will lose federal funding and put further strain on state budgets.
“Without unemployment benefits and with savings badly depleted, families will be at high risk for food insecurity and loss of their homes, and many may be unable to pay for health care during some of the darkest days of the pandemic,” The Century Foundation’s Andrew Stettner and Elizabeth Pancotti wrote in their analysis. “The nation’s entire economy will suffer.”
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For months, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin tried to negotiate a coronavirus relief deal that would include an extension of unemployment benefits, another round of direct payments to households, and assistance for the financially-strapped state and local governments. Those negotiations collapsed shortly before the Nov. 3 election, and now it’s not clear if anyone in Washington is even trying to reach an agreement.
President-elect Joe Biden said Monday that Congress ought to pass a comprehensive bill like the $2 trillion measure Democrats pushed through the House in October. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has called that bill a nonstarter.
With Senate Republicans opposed to a large spending bill, McConnell has stayed out of the negotiations, instead offering up votes on a series of individual proposals, such as a $500 billion measure that would give the unemployed an extra $300 per week. Democrats say McConnell’s piecemeal approach is inadequate to the massive needs in the country.
“Cases and hospitalizations are skyrocketing, which will cause the economy to further decline over the next few months,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in a statement. “In the face of mass death and economic devastation, Mitch McConnell is doing nothing to provide relief to American families.”
On Tuesday, Pelosi demanded McConnell negotiate. “For the sake of the country, we ask that you come to the table and work with us to produce an agreement that meets America’s needs in this critical time,” the speaker said in a letter.
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Congress has a rich tradition of waiting until the last minute before Christmas to reauthorize extended unemployment benefits, having done so repeatedly in the aftermath of the Great Recession. In 2013, Congress finally let the benefits expire ― stranding 1.3 million workers.
Thanks to unrelenting waves of layoffs this year, plus the expanded eligibility criteria, vastly more workers would be left hanging if Congress drops benefits in December. Some of the 7 million receiving gig worker benefits may be able to resume working right away, since they weren’t laid off from a formal job. But with the weather turning cold, coronavirus cases skyrocketing and states imposing new restrictions on commerce, it will probably be harder to make money than it was over the summer.
Lawmakers could address the expiring provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act it passed in March (known as the CARES measure), as well as potentially other relief measures, in a funding bill that Congress needs to pass by Dec. 11 in order to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government. The idea of tying coronavirus stimulus to annual appropriations bills has support among rank-and-file members on both sides of the aisle. But it again would require a deal among top congressional leaders that has proved elusive so far.
“I thought it might be a good idea if the leadership would follow ― if we could reach an agreement ... and wrap it all in one, you create critical mass. We’re not there yet,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) cautioned in an interview on Tuesday.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), another appropriator, agreed. If the benefits included in the CARES Act are allowed to expire, he said, “That would be a very bad day for the country.”
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The bill would still need to be signed by President Donald Trump to become law even if Congress can somehow get it to his desk. The lame-duck president has been completely consumed with baseless election conspiracies following his loss in the 2020 race. He’s hardly been seen in public since the election and has held few official events.
“He said he wanted to go big (with a relief bill) after the election,” Van Hollen said of Trump. “Obviously, that’s a total wildcard at this point.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Michigan GOP Backpedals On Stealing Election For Trump

Republican members of a Michigan county canvassers board struck a last-minute compromise to certify election results after they initially refused @

Michigan GOP Backpedals On Stealing Election For Trump
Republican members of a Michigan county canvassers board struck a last-minute compromise to certify election results after they initially refused.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Jordan Klepper Exposes The Real Problem In Trump’s MAGA World: They Can’t Count

Turns out Jordan Klepper wasn ’ t done trolling President Donald Trump ’ s fans yet .
Klepper , who @ @ @ @ @ s campaign rallies for “ The Daily Show , ” hit last weekend ’ s @ @ @ @ @ that the president ’ s supporters have a bit of a math problem .
“ @ @ @ @ @ MAGA world count ?
” Klepper asked after multiple encounters with Trump supporters who struggled @ @ @ @ @ way-less-than-1-million at the march to attendees who couldn ’ t figure out the election results @ @ @ @ @ had a hard time with the concept of “ one.
” Check out his full @ @ @ @ @ Show ” below :

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Turns out Jordan Klepper wasn’t done trolling President Donald Trump’s fans yet.
Klepper, who had been attending Trump’s campaign rallies for “The Daily Show,” hit last weekend’s Million MAGA March and found that the president’s supporters have a bit of a math problem.
“Can no one in the MAGA world count?” Klepper asked after multiple encounters with Trump supporters who struggled with numbers, from the way-less-than-1-million at the march to attendees who couldn’t figure out the election results.
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One Trump supporter even had a hard time with the concept of “one.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Coronavirus Pandemic Won't Stop NORAD From Tracking Santa This Year

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Children of the world can rest easy .
The global pandemic won ’ t stop them from tracking Santa Claus ’ progress as he delivers gifts around the globe on Christmas Eve .
The North American Aerospace Defense Command has announced that NORAD will track Santa on Dec. 24 , just as it has done for 65 years .
But there will be some changes : Not every child will be able to get through to a volunteer at NORAD ’ s call center to check on Santa ’ s whereabouts , as they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers crowd into a conference room at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs , taking two-hour shifts to answer the phones as eager children call to see if Santa and his sleigh have reached their rooftops .
All together , 1,500 people over 20 hours have participated in the call center in the past , fielding more than 130,000 phone calls , beginning at 6 a.m. Eastern time on Christmas Eve .
This year , due to safety restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic , the number of volunteers has been drastically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer than 10 people per shift .
“ We understand this is a time-honored tradition , and we know undoubtedly there is going to be some disappointment , ” said NORAD spokesman Preston Schlachter .
“ But we ’ re trying to keep it safe for everyone involved.
” So , some callers may be able to once again get through to a member of the military or other volunteer when they dial the NORAD Tracks Santa toll-free number , 1-877-Hi-NORAD .
But others will get a recorded update on Santa ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely be limiting volunteers to people who already work there and their immediate families .
But that could be expanded a bit as the time gets closer .
He said that this year volunteers will answer health questions and have their temperature checked when they arrive , and a cleaning crew will wipe down surfaces throughout the day .
There will be wipes and other supplies available , and between shifts the entire calling area will be sanitized before the next group comes in .
NORAD will track Santa on December 24 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , but there will be some changes .
Faced with concerns about the virus , officials at NORAD have worked for weeks to figure out a way to ensure that the much-beloved tradition could go on .
The military command has been fielding calls since 1955 , when Air Force Col. Harry Shoup — the commander on duty at NORAD ’ s predecessor , the Continental Air Defense Command — fielded a call from a child who dialed a misprinted telephone number in a newspaper department store ad , thinking she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls come from Japan and Europe , and as the day goes on the callers from the U.S. and Canada climb .
In addition to the call center , the NORAD Tracks Santa website — www.noradsanta.org — as well as social media pages , Amazon Alexa , Onstar , and a new mobile app will still be available with up-to-the-minute details on Santa ’ s location .
A social media team will operate from a separate conference room at the base .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Children of the world can rest easy. The global pandemic won’t stop them from tracking Santa Claus’ progress as he delivers gifts around the globe on Christmas Eve.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command has announced that NORAD will track Santa on Dec. 24, just as it has done for 65 years. But there will be some changes: Not every child will be able to get through to a volunteer at NORAD’s call center to check on Santa’s whereabouts, as they have in years before.
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Normally, 150-160 volunteers crowd into a conference room at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, taking two-hour shifts to answer the phones as eager children call to see if Santa and his sleigh have reached their rooftops. All together, 1,500 people over 20 hours have participated in the call center in the past, fielding more than 130,000 phone calls, beginning at 6 a.m. Eastern time on Christmas Eve.
This year, due to safety restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of volunteers has been drastically cut to what NORAD expects will be fewer than 10 people per shift.
In this 2019 file photo, a playbook sits next to a telephone set up in the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
“We understand this is a time-honored tradition, and we know undoubtedly there is going to be some disappointment,” said NORAD spokesman Preston Schlachter. “But we’re trying to keep it safe for everyone involved.”
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So, some callers may be able to once again get through to a member of the military or other volunteer when they dial the NORAD Tracks Santa toll-free number, 1-877-Hi-NORAD. But others will get a recorded update on Santa’s current location.
Schlachter said NORAD will largely be limiting volunteers to people who already work there and their immediate families. But that could be expanded a bit as the time gets closer. He said that this year volunteers will answer health questions and have their temperature checked when they arrive, and a cleaning crew will wipe down surfaces throughout the day. There will be wipes and other supplies available, and between shifts the entire calling area will be sanitized before the next group comes in.
NORAD will track Santa on December 24, just as it has done for 65 years, but there will be some changes. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Faced with concerns about the virus, officials at NORAD have worked for weeks to figure out a way to ensure that the much-beloved tradition could go on.
The military command has been fielding calls since 1955, when Air Force Col. Harry Shoup — the commander on duty at NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command — fielded a call from a child who dialed a misprinted telephone number in a newspaper department store ad, thinking she was calling Santa.
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A fast-thinking Shoup quickly assured his caller that he was. And the tradition began.
Today, most early calls come from Japan and Europe, and as the day goes on the callers from the U.S. and Canada climb.
In addition to the call center, the NORAD Tracks Santa website — www.noradsanta.org — as well as social media pages, Amazon Alexa, Onstar, and a new mobile app will still be available with up-to-the-minute details on Santa’s location. A social media team will operate from a separate conference room at the base.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Michael B. Jordan Revealed As People's 'Sexiest Man Alive' In The Most 2020 Way

The 33-year-old actor , known best for his performances in “ Creed ” and “ Black Panther , ” was revealed Tuesday night as the winner of this year ’ s title on “ Jimmy Kimmel Live.
” To up the suspense and drive down the risk of spreading COVID-19 , Jordan arrived on stage in a bright yellow hazmat suit and revealed himself only when an audience member correctly guessed who he was .
In an interview with the magazine , Jordan said the women in his family were “ definitely proud of this one.
” “ When my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she collected , and then my mom naturally reads it a lot and my aunts as well .
This is one that they ’ re definitely going to have a special place for , ” he said .
“ My grandma lookin down talkin bout ‘ that ’ s my baby , ’ ” he added in an Instagram post about his new title .
Legend , the 2019 winner , said he was more than happy to pass on the torch .
“ I ’ ve appreciated the whole experience and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of fun with it , but I ’ m so ready to relinquish this title , ” he told People .
In concert with his critically acclaimed acting performances in “ Just Mercy ” and the historic “ Black Panther ” film , Jordan has fought for justice off the screen , too .
He ’ s been an active voice in the Black Lives Matter movement and advocated for voter registration ahead of the 2020 election .
He said he hopes in the coming decade to maybe direct and produce @ @ @ @ @ @

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Michael B. Jordan is People magazine’s 2020 “Sexiest Man Alive.”
The 33-year-old actor, known best for his performances in “Creed” and “Black Panther,” was revealed Tuesday night as the winner of this year’s title on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
To up the suspense and drive down the risk of spreading COVID-19, Jordan arrived on stage in a bright yellow hazmat suit and revealed himself only when an audience member correctly guessed who he was.
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In an interview with the magazine, Jordan said the women in his family were “definitely proud of this one.”
“When my grandmother was alive, it was something that she collected, and then my mom naturally reads it a lot and my aunts as well. This is one that they’re definitely going to have a special place for,” he said.
“My grandma lookin down talkin bout ‘that’s my baby,’” he added in an Instagram post about his new title.
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Jordan joins the likes of John Legend, Idris Elba, Chris Hemsworth, Channing Tatum and David Beckham winning the spot.
Legend, the 2019 winner, said he was more than happy to pass on the torch.
“I’ve appreciated the whole experience and I’ve been trying to have a lot of fun with it, but I’m so ready to relinquish this title,” he told People.
In concert with his critically acclaimed acting performances in “Just Mercy” and the historic “Black Panther” film, Jordan has fought for justice off the screen, too.
He’s been an active voice in the Black Lives Matter movement and advocated for voter registration ahead of the 2020 election.
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He said he hopes in the coming decade to maybe direct and produce more, and act less.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Grocery Chain Backpedals After Encouraging Customers To 'Plan A Super Spread'

An East Coast-based supermarket chain apologized after releasing a holiday-themed advertisement containing what many interpreted as a flippant reference to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Giant Foods , which has stores in Delaware , Maryland , Virginia and Washington , D.C. , unveiled the ad in December ’ s issue of its in-store magazine , Savory .
This was spotted by @ potomacripper -- probably the most tone-deaf Thanksgiving ad campaign possible , given concerns that family feasts will be # COVID19 superspreader events .
And > 40 % of surveyed Americans say they plan to attend a large group feast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garrett ( @ Laurie_Garrett ) November 16 , 2020 Unfortunately , the ad ’ s creators appeared to have overlooked the use of “ superspreader ” as it pertains to COVID-19 .
The non-scientific term is being applied to large events and other situations in which many attendees do not wear masks and social distancing guidelines are ignored .
In those circumstances , an infected person can easily pass the coronavirus along to 10 or more people .
Recent events that have been deemed superspreaders include weddings , college parties and indoor bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event at the White House , during which President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , was also widely described as such .
The ad earned heavy criticism online .
“ DAMN folks , ” one person wrote .
“ There is a marketing guy somewhere sobbing into his coffee.
” Added another : “ Extremely irresponsible .
It truly feels as if the world is upside down.
” We missed this in the pre-holiday excitement .
Thank you for pointing it out .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay safe this holiday season .
— Giant Food ( @ GiantFood ) November 16 , 2020 “ We apologize for our advertisement in Savory which used the language Super Spread to describe an abundance of food , ” a spokesman for the company said in an email statement sent to HuffPost .
“ While , in hindsight , the choice of words was a poor one , Giant had no intentions of insensitivity .
We continue to encourage people to practice safe social distancing practices for celebrating the holidays in line with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention .
“ 2020 has been exceptionally challenging for so many reasons and this year the holidays will be celebrated very differently , ” the email continued .
“ But we hope that food can still be a source of joy and comfort and that the ad reflects that spirit.
” The Giant Food controversy comes as coronavirus cases are on the rise in all 50 states .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoor gatherings with family members and friends this holiday season to curb the spread of COVID-19 .

Giant Food supermarkets sparked major backlash this week over an ad for a "super spread" meal platter. mpi34/MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx
An East Coast-based supermarket chain apologized after releasing a holiday-themed advertisement containing what many interpreted as a flippant reference to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Giant Foods, which has stores in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., unveiled the ad in December’s issue of its in-store magazine, Savory.
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“Hosting? Plan a super spread,” a tagline reads, alongside images of shrimp cocktail, fruit and cheese platters, and a dessert tart.
This was spotted by @potomacripper -- probably the most tone-deaf Thanksgiving ad campaign possible, given concerns that family feasts will be #COVID19 superspreader events. And >40% of surveyed Americans say they plan to attend a large group feast. https://t.co/nGCKUvlJm1 pic.twitter.com/o4m0JmMXtc — Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) November 16, 2020
Unfortunately, the ad’s creators appeared to have overlooked the use of “superspreader” as it pertains to COVID-19. The non-scientific term is being applied to large events and other situations in which many attendees do not wear masks and social distancing guidelines are ignored. In those circumstances, an infected person can easily pass the coronavirus along to 10 or more people.
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The ad earned heavy criticism online. “DAMN folks,” one person wrote. “There is a marketing guy somewhere sobbing into his coffee.” Added another: “Extremely irresponsible. It truly feels as if the world is upside down.”
Giant Food acknowledged the backlash on Twitter late Monday.
We missed this in the pre-holiday excitement. Thank you for pointing it out. This is not the message we intended, please stay safe this holiday season. — Giant Food (@GiantFood) November 16, 2020
By Wednesday, the Maryland-based franchise had issued a full apology.
“We apologize for our advertisement in Savory which used the language Super Spread to describe an abundance of food,” a spokesman for the company said in an email statement sent to HuffPost. “While, in hindsight, the choice of words was a poor one, Giant had no intentions of insensitivity. We continue to encourage people to practice safe social distancing practices for celebrating the holidays in line with” recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“2020 has been exceptionally challenging for so many reasons and this year the holidays will be celebrated very differently,” the email continued. “But we hope that food can still be a source of joy and comfort and that the ad reflects that spirit.”
The Giant Food controversy comes as coronavirus cases are on the rise in all 50 states. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, has repeatedly urged Americans to avoid indoor gatherings with family members and friends this holiday season to curb the spread of COVID-19.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Newlyweds Express Regret As Superspreader Weddings Continue To Fuel Outbreaks

Health officials in Grant County said Monday they are working to notify hundreds who attended the superspreader event near Ritzville , southwest of Spokane , of their need to self-quarantine for two weeks as cases linked to the Nov. 7 nuptials continue to rise .
As of Tuesday evening , nearly 40 people who attended the wedding have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county .
Those cases , in turn , have been linked to two subsequent outbreaks in the area , as well spikes in positive tests for the coronavirus at a long-term care facility and within a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are investigating every positive case , but due to the surge in new cases we are not able to complete all contact tracing at this time , ” the officials said in a statement .
In Ohio , meanwhile , a newlywed couple spoke out this week about how they , as well as nearly half of their 83 wedding guests , fell ill following their Oct. 31 marital ceremony south of Cincinnati .
Those sickened with the virus include three of their grandparents , two of whom had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re getting a call , ” Mikayla Bishop told WLWT of the ongoing cases linked to her nuptials at the Cooper Creek Event Center in Blue Ash .
“ Oh , here ’ s another person .
Here ’ s another person .
Here ’ s another person .
And it starts to take a toll on you.
” Bishop said that she and her new-husband , Anthony , provided face masks and hand sanitizer to all of their guests .
They were shocked to see that hardly anyone was using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came in close contact with others on the dance floor .
A representative of the Cooper Creek Event Center , in an email to HuffPost on Wednesday , maintained that the facility follows its local board of health standards and that signage is posted throughout the site to remind guests to wear a mask .
“ We have found the most challenging of all compliance measures is the commitment of guest behavior and the prevention fatigue that naturally sets in during an event , ” the event center said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to entirely comply with the state ’ s health guidelines , however .
In addition to people being required to maintain six feet of social distancing , mass gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited , including wedding receptions but excluding wedding ceremonies .
Photos of the couple ’ s indoor wedding posted on Facebook show dozens of chairs placed-side-by-side in at least seven rows for the ceremony , appearing to violate the six-feet separation rule that is also recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department , which has been monitoring COVID-19 cases in this area , did not respond to HuffPost ’ s requests for comment Wednesday on the event ’ s safety precautions or confirmed cases related to the wedding .
With COVID-19 cases surging across the state , Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R ) on Monday added additional restrictions on events like wedding receptions and banquets .
These new rules include bans on dancing , self-service bars and buffets .
There are also caps on how many people can be seated at one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks while exchanging vows during their wedding ceremony in a parking lot in Anaheim , Calif .
Couples have had to be more creative about their nuptials in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the pandemic .
As of last week , 177 cases have been linked to the Aug. 7 gathering .
Of those cases , seven people were hospitalized and seven ― four of whom were among those hospitalized ― have died .
None of the people who were hospitalized or died attended the wedding , the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks Friday .

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Despite monthslong efforts to curb public gatherings, health officials across the country still report new coronavirus outbreaks linked to large weddings, including a recent one in Washington state that drew more than 300 people.
Health officials in Grant County said Monday they are working to notify hundreds who attended the superspreader event near Ritzville, southwest of Spokane, of their need to self-quarantine for two weeks as cases linked to the Nov. 7 nuptials continue to rise.
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As of Tuesday evening, nearly 40 people who attended the wedding have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county. Those cases, in turn, have been linked to two subsequent outbreaks in the area, as well spikes in positive tests for the coronavirus at a long-term care facility and within a school district, local health officials said.
“We are investigating every positive case, but due to the surge in new cases we are not able to complete all contact tracing at this time,” the officials said in a statement.
A woman works on a mural that reads "wash hands, be kind" in Seattle amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of miles away, a large recent wedding southwest of Spokane, Washington, is believed to have sparked COVID-19 outbreaks. ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Ohio, meanwhile, a newlywed couple spoke out this week about how they, as well as nearly half of their 83 wedding guests, fell ill following their Oct. 31 marital ceremony south of Cincinnati. Those sickened with the virus include three of their grandparents, two of whom had to be hospitalized.
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“Every single day we’re getting a call,” Mikayla Bishop told WLWT of the ongoing cases linked to her nuptials at the Cooper Creek Event Center in Blue Ash. “Oh, here’s another person. Here’s another person. Here’s another person. And it starts to take a toll on you.”
Bishop said she and her new husband, Anthony, provided face masks and hand sanitizer to all of their guests. They were shocked to see that hardly anyone was using them, however, including people who came in close contact with others on the dance floor.
“That’s what was maybe the superspreader is the dance floor,” Bishop said. “Everybody’s in each other’s face and there’s no masks.”
Newlyweds Mikayla and Anthony Bishop got married in Ohio late last month and said that nearly half of their guests, including themselves, contracted the coronavirus. WLWT/NYPost
The couple said they now feel guilty and want others to learn from their mistakes.
In an email to HuffPost on Wednesday, a representative from the Cooper Creek Event Center maintained that the facility follows its local board of health standards and that signage is posted throughout the site to remind guests to wear a mask.
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The indoor space’s board of heath permits limits capacity to no more than 230 people.
“We have found the most challenging of all compliance measures is the commitment of guest behavior and the prevention fatigue that naturally sets in during an event,” the event center said in a statement.
The center’s rules do not appear to entirely comply with the state’s health guidelines, however. In addition to people being required to maintain 6 feet of social distancing, mass gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, including wedding receptions but excluding wedding ceremonies.
Photos of the couple’s indoor wedding posted on Facebook show dozens of chairs placed side by side in at least seven rows for the ceremony, appearing to violate the 6-feet separation rule that is also recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Brian Kruse, the director of Blue Ash’s parks and recreation department that operates the center, told HuffPost that the seats, grouped in sets of 10 and with these sets distanced 6 feet apart, meet the local board of health standards.
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A representative with the Hamilton County Public Health Department, which has been monitoring COVID-19 cases in this area, did not respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment Wednesday on the event’s safety precautions or confirmed cases related to the wedding.
With COVID-19 cases surging across the state, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on Monday added additional restrictions on events like wedding receptions and banquets. These new rules include bans on dancing, self-service bars and buffets. There are also caps on how many people can be seated at one table.
“We have seen great tragedy associated with such events. It’s not the ceremonies causing the problem. It’s the party afterward,” he said.
Kruse told HuffPost that these new rules will further limit mass gatherings and certain activities at the facility.
A couple holds hands and masks while exchanging vows during their wedding ceremony in a parking lot in Anaheim, California. Couples have had to be more creative about their nuptials in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the pandemic. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Since August, the CDC has been monitoring COVID-19 cases linked to another superspreader wedding of 55 guests in rural Maine. That event sparked outbreaks at a long-term care facility and a correctional facility.
As of last week, 177 cases have been linked to the Aug. 7 gathering. Of those cases, seven people were hospitalized and seven ― four of whom were among those hospitalized ― have died. None of the people who were hospitalized or died attended the wedding, the CDC said in an updated report on the outbreaks Friday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--A Quarter Million Americans Have Died From COVID-19. It Didn't Have To Be This Way.

The milestone reached on Wednesday follows a stunning surge in cases this fall , with the country repeatedly shattering records for daily new case numbers and several states reporting record high hospitalization rates .
President Donald Trump ’ s unwavering insistence that the coronavirus is on its way out couldn ’ t be further from the truth .
Less than two weeks after Trump lost his bid for a second term to President-elect Joe Biden , the U.S. surpassed 11 million cases ― about a fifth of all infections worldwide .
“ We ’ re still facing a very dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , predicting that the death toll will climb as people congregate indoors more and Trump finishes his final weeks in office while downplaying the severity of the disease , dismissing the need for masks and other basic safety measures , refusing to issue national guidelines , insisting that states reopen their economies , and blaming testing for the high rate of cases .
The 250,000 dead-and-counting are the Trump administration ’ s legacy : America ’ s grim mortality statistics are the direct result of political decisions by the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steadily fallen away as other countries proved this disease could be managed .
Trump has repeatedly dismissed the need for masks .
Even when he was infected , he removed his mask in public .
Singapore , South Korea and Hong Kong , among the most densely populated places in the world , have had vanishingly small outbreaks and are now returning to their pre-coronavirus activity .
Within the United States , the severe initial outbreak in New York City seemed to indicate that density was to blame , but the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had a much smaller outbreak .
Caseloads have spiked in states that are heavily suburbanized and rural , including Idaho , North Dakota and Arkansas .
And while America ’ s status as a transportation hub did indeed result in the early arrival of the virus , other countries even closer to the genesis of the outbreak in China have fared far better .
Mongolia , which shares a border with China , hadn ’ t reported a single COVID-19 death by November .
Vietnam , China ’ s neighbor to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatalities .
Germany , Australia and Japan also host large numbers of international travelers , and all have had far less severe outbreaks than the United States .
Since the first confirmed case in late January , Trump has alternated between pretending the virus doesn ’ t exist , downplaying its significance and blaming others for its effects .
While the country was under quarantine — an act of collective self-sacrifice unparalleled in post-World War II history — Trump did next to nothing to develop testing and contact tracing infrastructure .
The incoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump has spent most of his final year in office discrediting public health experts , refusing to wear a mask and holding large super-spreader events at the White House .
He led by example , and America followed .
Biden has vowed to deploy a national mask mandate , but how effective will that be when Trump has politicized safety measures and convinced so many Americans ― including state and local leaders ― that masks aren ’ t important ?
Hope for recovery in the U.S. now almost entirely hinges on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s a lot of optimism around trials showing that Pfizer ’ s vaccine is 90 % effective , and public health experts say that some people could receive it by the end of the year .

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A quarter of a million Americans have died from COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The milestone reached on Wednesday follows a stunning surge in cases this fall, with the country repeatedly shattering records for daily new case numbers and several states reporting record high hospitalization rates.
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President Donald Trump’s unwavering insistence that the coronavirus is on its way out couldn’t be further from the truth. Less than two weeks after Trump lost his bid for a second term to President-elect Joe Biden, the U.S. surpassed 11 million cases ― about a fifth of all infections worldwide.
“We’re still facing a very dark winter,” President-elect Biden warned Americans last week, predicting that the death toll will climb as people congregate indoors more and Trump finishes his final weeks in office while downplaying the severity of the disease, dismissing the need for masks and other basic safety measures, refusing to issue national guidelines, insisting that states reopen their economies, and blaming testing for the high rate of cases.
The 250,000 dead-and-counting are the Trump administration’s legacy: America’s grim mortality statistics are the direct result of political decisions by the country’s leaders. Every non-political explanation has steadily fallen away as other countries proved this disease could be managed.
Trump has repeatedly dismissed the need for masks. Even when he was infected, he removed his mask in public. Erin Scott / Reuters
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Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong, among the most densely populated places in the world, have had vanishingly small outbreaks and are now returning to their pre-coronavirus activity. Within the United States, the severe initial outbreak in New York City seemed to indicate that density was to blame, but the country’s second densest city, San Francisco, had a much smaller outbreak. Caseloads have spiked in states that are heavily suburbanized and rural, including Idaho, North Dakota and Arkansas.
And while America’s status as a transportation hub did indeed result in the early arrival of the virus, other countries even closer to the genesis of the outbreak in China have fared far better. Mongolia, which shares a border with China, hadn’t reported a single COVID-19 death by November. Vietnam, China’s neighbor to the south, had recorded just over 30 fatalities. Germany, Australia and Japan also host large numbers of international travelers, and all have had far less severe outbreaks than the United States.
Since the first confirmed case in late January, Trump has alternated between pretending the virus doesn’t exist, downplaying its significance and blaming others for its effects. While the country was under quarantine — an act of collective self-sacrifice unparalleled in post-World War II history — Trump did next to nothing to develop testing and contact tracing infrastructure.
The incoming Biden administration has its work cut out. Trump has spent most of his final year in office discrediting public health experts, refusing to wear a mask and holding large super-spreader events at the White House. He led by example, and America followed. Biden has vowed to deploy a national mask mandate, but how effective will that be when Trump has politicized safety measures and convinced so many Americans ― including state and local leaders ― that masks aren’t important?
Hope for recovery in the U.S. now almost entirely hinges on the development and deployment of a coronavirus vaccine. There’s a lot of optimism around trials showing that Pfizer’s vaccine is 90% effective, and public health experts say that some people could receive it by the end of the year.
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Everyone deserves accurate information about COVID-19. Support journalism without a paywall — and keep it free for everyone — by becoming a HuffPost member today.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--California Governor In Hot Water For Attending Dinner Party Amid COVID-19 Surge

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) has found himself in the same hot water that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) was in after her hair salon trip this summer , in his case for a dinner at Napa County ’ s ultra-exclusive French Laundry restaurant that bucked the tenor of his own COVID-19 safety advice .
“ I made a bad mistake .
Instead of sitting down , I should have stood up and walked back out to my car , ” the governor said at a press conference , noting that he didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until he arrived .
“ You can quibble about the guidelines , but the spirit of what I ’ m preaching all the time was contradicted .
I ’ ve got to own that .
So I want to apologize to you.
” It ’ s true that Newsom appears to have acted in accordance with official state rules , which are slightly more relaxed than what he ’ s been urging people to do as cases have skyrocketed in California .
While the party had people from more than three households in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forbid at private gatherings ― the rules don ’ t specify any household limits for restaurant dining .
Newsom also emphasized that they were seated outside , but here ’ s where things get murky .
On Wednesday , Fox 11 Los Angeles published photos it had obtained of the governor and his wife , Jennifer Siebel Newsom , at the dinner , and it looks like an indoors affair .
EXCLUSIVE : We 've obtained photos of Governor Gavin Newsom at the Napa dinner party he 's in hot water over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors the dinner was .
A witness who took photos tells us his group was so loud , the sliding doors had to be closed .
10pm on @ FOXLA pic.twitter.com/gtOVEwa864 — Bill Melugin ( @ BillFOXLA ) November 18 , 2020 The partygoers appear to be gathered in this room pictured on the French Laundry ’ s website .
While the room does open to the outside , potentially allowing for better air circulation , it ’ s a stretch to call this outdoor dining .
Politico deemed it “ a fancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 that the large sliding door to the outside was closed for part of the dinner .
Indoor dining was allowed in Napa County at the time of the dinner , but Newsom appears to have exaggerated the COVID-19 safety measures in place .
His office did not immediately respond to HuffPost ’ s question as to whether Newsom stands by his characterization of the dinner as being outdoors .
Other Wednesday morning revelations have kept the heat on the event .
Even as health officials nationwide urged people not to give in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Medical Association officials , CEO Dustin Corcoran and top lobbyist Janus Norman , went to the party .
The CMA , which is a powerful lobbying presence in the state Capitol , represents around 50,000 physicians in California .
The scandal will probably blow past Newsom , given his otherwise robust pandemic response , but it comes at a time when the state can ’ t afford for people to start bending the rules around group gatherings .
Like most of the country , California has seen a massive surge in new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many counties to close down sectors of the economy again as hospitals brace for a further uptick in cases linked to holiday travel .
Newsom and Pelosi aren ’ t the only California state lawmakers to come under scrutiny for their personal pandemic choices .
Despite travel warnings from the state ’ s health officials , several legislators from California ( and other states ) just flew to Hawaii for a policy conference .

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has found himself in the same hot water that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was in after her hair salon trip this summer, in his case for a dinner at Napa County’s ultra-exclusive French Laundry restaurant that bucked the tenor of his own COVID-19 safety advice.
Newsom apologized Monday for setting a bad example, admitting that the dozen-person birthday dinner he attended for a friend and political adviser on Nov. 6 violated the greater caution he’s been preaching.
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“I made a bad mistake. Instead of sitting down, I should have stood up and walked back out to my car,” the governor said at a press conference, noting that he didn’t realize how many people would be there until he arrived. “You can quibble about the guidelines, but the spirit of what I’m preaching all the time was contradicted. I’ve got to own that. So I want to apologize to you.”
It’s true that Newsom appears to have acted in accordance with official state rules, which are slightly more relaxed than what he’s been urging people to do as cases have skyrocketed in California. While the party had people from more than three households in attendance ― which California’s guidelines forbid at private gatherings ― the rules don’t specify any household limits for restaurant dining.
Newsom also emphasized that they were seated outside, but here’s where things get murky. On Wednesday, Fox 11 Los Angeles published photos it had obtained of the governor and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, at the dinner, and it looks like an indoors affair.
EXCLUSIVE: We've obtained photos of Governor Gavin Newsom at the Napa dinner party he's in hot water over. The photos call into question just how outdoors the dinner was. A witness who took photos tells us his group was so loud, the sliding doors had to be closed. 10pm on @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/gtOVEwa864 — Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) November 18, 2020
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The partygoers appear to be gathered in this room pictured on the French Laundry’s website. While the room does open to the outside, potentially allowing for better air circulation, it’s a stretch to call this outdoor dining. Politico deemed it “a fancy garage.” A source also told Fox 11 that the large sliding door to the outside was closed for part of the dinner.
Indoor dining was allowed in Napa County at the time of the dinner, but Newsom appears to have exaggerated the COVID-19 safety measures in place. His office did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s question as to whether Newsom stands by his characterization of the dinner as being outdoors.
Other Wednesday morning revelations have kept the heat on the event. Even as health officials nationwide urged people not to give in to “pandemic fatigue,” two California Medical Association officials, CEO Dustin Corcoran and top lobbyist Janus Norman, went to the party. The CMA, which is a powerful lobbying presence in the state Capitol, represents around 50,000 physicians in California.
The scandal will probably blow past Newsom, given his otherwise robust pandemic response, but it comes at a time when the state can’t afford for people to start bending the rules around group gatherings. Like most of the country, California has seen a massive surge in new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, forcing many counties to close down sectors of the economy again as hospitals brace for a further uptick in cases linked to holiday travel.
Newsom and Pelosi aren’t the only California state lawmakers to come under scrutiny for their personal pandemic choices. Despite travel warnings from the state’s health officials, several legislators from California (and other states) just flew to Hawaii for a policy conference.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-18--Spike Lee's New Viagra Movie Musical Is Arousing A Lot Of Attention

LOS ANGELES ( Reuters ) - Director Spike Lee , best known for making movies about the experience of being Black in America , is switching course with his first ever musical - on the subject of Viagra .
Lee will direct the as-yet-untitled film from a screenplay he has co-written about the discovery and launch of the erectile dysfunction drug .
It is based on a 2018 article in Esquire magazine called “ All Rise , ” producers said on Tuesday .
Original songs and music will be written by the duo behind the 2008 Tony-award winning rock musical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black artist ’ s journey of self discovery .
The 63-year-old Brooklyn native said in a statement that he had grown up hating musicals despite the efforts of his mother .
“ Finally Going Into My 4th Decade As A Filmmaker I Will Be Directing A DANCIN ’ , ALL SINGIN ’ MUSICAL , ” he added .
Pfizer Inc ’ s Viagra , first marketed in 1998 , was originally developed as a potential treatment for heart-related chest pain .
Lee won his first Oscar in 2019 for the screenplay of Ku @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 50 movies and documentaries include classics such as “ Do the Right Thing , ” “ Malcolm X ” and this year ’ s Vietnam War survivor drama “ Da 5 Bloods .
”

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Director Spike Lee, best known for making movies about the experience of being Black in America, is switching course with his first ever musical - on the subject of Viagra.
Lee will direct the as-yet-untitled film from a screenplay he has co-written about the discovery and launch of the erectile dysfunction drug. It is based on a 2018 article in Esquire magazine called “All Rise,” producers said on Tuesday.
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Original songs and music will be written by the duo behind the 2008 Tony-award winning rock musical “Passing Strange,” about a Black artist’s journey of self discovery.
The 63-year-old Brooklyn native said in a statement that he had grown up hating musicals despite the efforts of his mother. “Finally Going Into My 4th Decade As A Filmmaker I Will Be Directing A DANCIN’, ALL SINGIN’ MUSICAL,” he added.
Pfizer Inc’s Viagra, first marketed in 1998, was originally developed as a potential treatment for heart-related chest pain.
Lee won his first Oscar in 2019 for the screenplay of Ku Klux Klan satire “BlacKkKlansman.” His more than 50 movies and documentaries include classics such as “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X” and this year’s Vietnam War survivor drama “Da 5 Bloods.”