thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-22--Twitter Afire After Trump Camp Breaks With Lawyer: Lasted 'About Half A Scaramucci'

“ Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own , ” Giuliani and campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis said in a statement .
“ She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team .
She is also not a lawyer for the President in his personal capacity.
” Yet just eight days ago , Trump tweeted that Ellis , Powell and two others made up a “ truly great team ” spearheaded by Giuliani to “ defend OUR RIGHT to FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS !
” Ellis has also said Powell is a member of the team .
Powell told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign ’ s press release and will “ continue to represent # WeThePeople who had their votes for Trump and other Republicans stolen by massive voter fraud.
” The move comes after Powell , a regular pundit on the conservative news circuit , spouted a string of particularly outrageous election conspiracy theories .
On Saturday , she went on the right-wing cable channel Newsmax and accused Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ― a Republican and staunch Trump ally ― of being in on electoral crimes that led to the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ biblical ” proportions .
In a Thursday press conference led by Giuliani , Powell claimed without evidence that Venezuela , George Soros , the late Hugo Chávez and others were involved in an elaborate plot to steal the election from Trump .
She has also long promoted the QAnon conspiracy movement that the FBI has identified as a domestic terror threat .
She represented Trump ’ s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn in 2019 as part of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
Twitter critics , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 days as Trump ’ s White House press secretary , let loose after the campaign ’ s sudden pivot :

“Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own,” Giuliani and campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis said in a statement. “She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team. She is also not a lawyer for the President in his personal capacity.”
Yet just eight days ago, Trump tweeted that Ellis, Powell and two others made up a “truly great team” spearheaded by Giuliani to “defend OUR RIGHT to FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS!”
Ellis has also said Powell is a member of the team.
Powell told CBS in a statement that she understands the Trump campaign’s press release and will “continue to represent #WeThePeople who had their votes for Trump and other Republicans stolen by massive voter fraud.”
The move comes after Powell, a regular pundit on the conservative news circuit, spouted a string of particularly outrageous election conspiracy theories. On Saturday, she went on the right-wing cable channel Newsmax and accused Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp ― a Republican and staunch Trump ally ― of being in on electoral crimes that led to the president’s loss, and threatened a lawsuit of “biblical” proportions.
In a Thursday press conference led by Giuliani, Powell claimed without evidence that Venezuela, George Soros, the late Hugo Chávez and others were involved in an elaborate plot to steal the election from Trump. She has also long promoted the QAnon conspiracy movement that the FBI has identified as a domestic terror threat.
She represented Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn in 2019 as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
Twitter critics, including Anthony Scaramucci, who famously served just 11 days as Trump’s White House press secretary, let loose after the campaign’s sudden pivot:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-22--Murkowski Says It's 'Time’ To Begin Biden Transition, Blasts Trump For Election Attacks

Sen. Lisa Murkowski ( R-Alaska ) said Sunday that it ’ s time for President Donald Trump to begin the official transition process before President-elect Joe Biden assumes office in January , lambasting the Trump administration ’ s ongoing efforts to undercut the results of the 2020 election .
“ As states wrap up the 2020 election and certify the results , it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that we respect the integrity of the election process and uphold Americans ’ faith in our electoral system , ” Murkowski wrote on Twitter .
“ President Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the courts have thus far found them without merit.
” The senator , one of just a few congressional GOP lawmakers to openly congratulate Biden , also took aim at Trump ’ s efforts to appeal to Michigan ’ s legislative leaders in an attempt to subvert the democratic process .
The president invited top Republicans from the state to the White House in a last-ditch effort to convince them to halt the certification of the vote , which is expected to take place on Monday .
Shortly after the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would follow the law and saw no evidence to warrant reversing the outcome , in which Biden won Michigan by more than 150,000 votes .
On Sunday , Murkowski called such a move “ unprecedented ” and said the failure of Trump ’ s bevy of lawsuits meant it was time for the president to move on .
“ A pressure campaign on state legislators to influence the electoral outcome is not only unprecedented but inconsistent with our democratic process , ” she said on Twitter .
“ It is time to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump-appointed head of the General Services Administration is still refusing to “ ascertain ” that Biden won the election , which is required before millions of dollars in transition funds — and access to government officials — can be granted .
Democrats have only grown louder with their criticism as the transition continues to stall , although the White House last week rejected any claims that it was slowing the GSA ’ s efforts .
Both the president and his surrogates have continued to spread outright lies about the results of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was widespread fraud associated with mail-in ballots .
Those claims have been rebutted by Democrats and Republicans alike across the nation .

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Sunday that it’s time for President Donald Trump to begin the official transition process before President-elect Joe Biden assumes office in January, lambasting the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to undercut the results of the 2020 election.
“As states wrap up the 2020 election and certify the results, it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that we respect the integrity of the election process and uphold Americans’ faith in our electoral system,” Murkowski wrote on Twitter. “President Trump has had the opportunity to litigate his claims, and the courts have thus far found them without merit.”
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The senator, one of just a few congressional GOP lawmakers to openly congratulate Biden, also took aim at Trump’s efforts to appeal to Michigan’s legislative leaders in an attempt to subvert the democratic process. The president invited top Republicans from the state to the White House in a last-ditch effort to convince them to halt the certification of the vote, which is expected to take place on Monday. Shortly after the meeting, however, the lawmakers said they would follow the law and saw no evidence to warrant reversing the outcome, in which Biden won Michigan by more than 150,000 votes.
On Sunday, Murkowski called such a move “unprecedented” and said the failure of Trump’s bevy of lawsuits meant it was time for the president to move on.
“A pressure campaign on state legislators to influence the electoral outcome is not only unprecedented but inconsistent with our democratic process,” she said on Twitter. “It is time to begin the full and formal transition process.”
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The Trump-appointed head of the General Services Administration is still refusing to “ascertain” that Biden won the election, which is required before millions of dollars in transition funds — and access to government officials — can be granted. Democrats have only grown louder with their criticism as the transition continues to stall, although the White House last week rejected any claims that it was slowing the GSA’s efforts.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-22--Comedian Sarah Cooper Won't Relax Until Biden's Hand Is In The Air 'Taking The Oath'

Popular comedian Sarah Cooper , who boosted her career mocking President Donald Trump on TikTok , can ’ t wait until he ’ s out of office .
“ I hate him so much , ” she told The Guardian in an interview published Sunday .
“ But he has provided my greatest material , ” Cooper added , referring to her hilarious video sketches lip-synching Trump ’ s outrageous comments — like the time he recommended injecting disinfectant to fight COVID-19 .
Cooper ’ s soaring popularity on TikTok — and soon Twitter and YouTube won her a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primed to move on .
Asked if she ever worries that Trump might try to exact some odious revenge on her in the future , she assured : “ I feel that Trump has bigger fish to fry than Sarah Cooper .
I think he has got stuff on his plate , and so I ’ m not super worried that he will come after me.
” But she ’ d be very worried — for everyone — if he had won a second term , she told The Guardian .
I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If he had won , and they kept control of the Senate , we would be going into a fascist state .
I told my sister they would be flying Trump flags with the American flag , and I think ... we ’ d all have to start pretending we loved Trump.
” She isn ’ t celebrating the end of Trump ’ s stay in the White House just yet , however .
“ If an employee gets fired for doing something bad , you usually escort them out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice period , and ... he still has access to everything.
” Cooper said she can ’ t truly relax “ until Biden has raised his hand and is taking the oath ” of office .
Still , she added : “ I do think this probably is it ” for Trump .
“ I ’ m done with him now .
”

Popular comedian Sarah Cooper, who boosted her career mocking President Donald Trump on TikTok, can’t wait until he’s out of office.
“I hate him so much,” she told The Guardian in an interview published Sunday. “But he has provided my greatest material,” Cooper added, referring to her hilarious video sketches lip-synching Trump’s outrageous comments — like the time he recommended injecting disinfectant to fight COVID-19.
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Cooper’s soaring popularity on TikTok — and soon Twitter and YouTube won her a series on Netflix, so she’s primed to move on.
Asked if she ever worries that Trump might try to exact some odious revenge on her in the future, she assured: “I feel that Trump has bigger fish to fry than Sarah Cooper. I think he has got stuff on his plate, and so I’m not super worried that he will come after me.”
But she’d be very worried — for everyone — if he had won a second term, she told The Guardian.
I would be terrified,” she said. “If he had won, and they kept control of the Senate, we would be going into a fascist state. I told my sister they would be flying Trump flags with the American flag, and I think ... we’d all have to start pretending we loved Trump.”
She isn’t celebrating the end of Trump’s stay in the White House just yet, however. “If an employee gets fired for doing something bad, you usually escort them out of the building. But this is a two-month notice period, and ... he still has access to everything.”
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Cooper said she can’t truly relax “until Biden has raised his hand and is taking the oath” of office.
Still, she added: “I do think this probably is it” for Trump. “I’m done with him now.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Major California Donors To Urge Gov. To Pick Woman Of Color To Replace Harris

A coalition of major political donors in California will urge the state ’ s governor , Gavin Newsom ( D ) , to appoint a woman of color to fill Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ’ Senate seat when she assumes office in January , according to a report Sunday evening .
A group of about 150 donors will publish an open letter in the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday , Vox ’ s Recode first reported .
The letter is authored by two groups of prominent political supporters , Electing Women Bay Area and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We urge you to continue this Californian tradition by appointing a woman of color to Vice President-elect Harris ’ s U.S. Senate seat , ” the letter reads .
“ Women of color are the core drivers of electoral progress in our country , and their voices should be heard in the nation ’ s highest governing body.
” They continued : “ California is fortunate to have a strong pipeline of women of color in elected office who are prepared to serve ; as Californians and political supporters , we look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The campaign comes as pressure builds on Newsom to select a replacement when Harris joins President-elect Joe Biden in the White House beginning Jan. 20 .
Media outlets have reported the governor may be leaning toward California Secretary of State Alex Padilla , who would be the first Latino to serve as a U.S. senator in the state ’ s history .
But that pick would prove controversial among some donors and former lawmakers .
“ There ’ s no way that Gavin Newsom should allow anyone other than a Black woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who ’ s only the second Black woman in the history of the U.S. Senate , ” former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown told Politico on Sunday .
“ There should be no contest.
” Whoever is chosen will serve the remainder of Harris ’ term , which expires in 2022 , although they would likely serve in Congress for much longer due to the state ’ s support of Democratic lawmakers .
California ’ s other seat has been held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D ) for nearly 30 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , served for 25 .
Shortly after the election , Newsom said he was just beginning to meet with various interest groups about the appointment , telling reporters he wanted to “ make sure that we are considerate of people ’ s points of view .
”

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A coalition of major political donors in California will urge the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom (D), to appoint a woman of color to fill Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ Senate seat when she assumes office in January, according to a report Sunday evening.
A group of about 150 donors will publish an open letter in the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday, Vox’s Recode first reported. The letter is authored by two groups of prominent political supporters, Electing Women Bay Area and the Los Angeles Women’s Collective.
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“We urge you to continue this Californian tradition by appointing a woman of color to Vice President-elect Harris’s U.S. Senate seat,” the letter reads. “Women of color are the core drivers of electoral progress in our country, and their voices should be heard in the nation’s highest governing body.”
They continued: “California is fortunate to have a strong pipeline of women of color in elected office who are prepared to serve; as Californians and political supporters, we look forward to you selecting one of them.”
The campaign comes as pressure builds on Newsom to select a replacement when Harris joins President-elect Joe Biden in the White House beginning Jan. 20. Media outlets have reported the governor may be leaning toward California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who would be the first Latino to serve as a U.S. senator in the state’s history.
But that pick would prove controversial among some donors and former lawmakers.
“There’s no way that Gavin Newsom should allow anyone other than a Black woman to fill the seat of Harris, who’s only the second Black woman in the history of the U.S. Senate,” former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown told Politico on Sunday. “There should be no contest.”
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Whoever is chosen will serve the remainder of Harris’ term, which expires in 2022, although they would likely serve in Congress for much longer due to the state’s support of Democratic lawmakers. California’s other seat has been held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) for nearly 30 years, and Harris’ predecessor, Barbara Boxer, served for 25.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--John Kasich Stunned GOP Isn't Defending Democracy Against Trump

John Kasich , the former Ohio governor who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016 , said Sunday that he found it “ amazing ” that fellow Republicans are “ sitting on their hands ” and refusing to defend the integrity of the election against President Donald Trump .
Kasich , a frequent Trump critic , said on National Public Radio ’ s “ All Things Considered ” that he believes the lack of action is because Republicans are “ either in complete lockstep ” with Trump — “ or they ’ re afraid of him.
” “ They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primaried ’ or they ’ re afraid they ’ ll be severely criticized , ” Kasich said .
“ It ’ s a pretty remarkable situation ” in which GOP lawmakers are “ frozen in place.
” The GOP ’ s part in enabling Trump is “ extremely disappointing for someone who has been a Republican all of my life , ” he added .
Kasich called Trump ’ s refusal to concede the election to President-elect Joe Biden “ absurd.
” Trump has repeatedly complained of massive fraud without a shred of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election by convincing state lawmakers to disregard the vote .
Biden “ clearly won this election , and it is just sort of amazing to me that Republicans just keep sitting on their hands .
It makes no sense , ” said Kasich , who endorsed Biden and spoke at the Democratic National Convention .
Kasich said the most dangerous aspect of Trump ’ s failure to concede is the hold up in the transition , which threatens national security and the battle against the coronavirus pandemic .

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John Kasich, the former Ohio governor who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said Sunday that he found it “amazing” that fellow Republicans are “sitting on their hands” and refusing to defend the integrity of the election against President Donald Trump.
Kasich, a frequent Trump critic, said on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” that he believes the lack of action is because Republicans are “either in complete lockstep” with Trump — “or they’re afraid of him.”
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“They’re afraid that they’ll be ‘primaried’ or they’re afraid they’ll be severely criticized,” Kasich said. “It’s a pretty remarkable situation” in which GOP lawmakers are “frozen in place.”
The GOP’s part in enabling Trump is “extremely disappointing for someone who has been a Republican all of my life,” he added.
Kasich called Trump’s refusal to concede the election to President-elect Joe Biden “absurd.” Trump has repeatedly complained of massive fraud without a shred of evidence and is seeking to steal the election by convincing state lawmakers to disregard the vote.
Biden “clearly won this election, and it is just sort of amazing to me that Republicans just keep sitting on their hands. It makes no sense,” said Kasich, who endorsed Biden and spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
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Kasich said the most dangerous aspect of Trump’s failure to concede is the hold up in the transition, which threatens national security and the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Lincoln Project Warns That Republicans In Trump's Shadow Are More Dangerous

You think lame duck President Donald Trump is bad ?
The Lincoln Project says in a new ad that Republicans standing behind him are perhaps even more dangerous .
( Watch it below . )
In a video posted Sunday by the never-Trump group of conservatives , a narrator declares that it is time “ to remove the word ‘ republic ’ from the Republican Party.
” “ These hypocrites in office don ’ t care about a republic .
They don ’ t care about our democracy or the constitution they swore on a bible to protect , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( Kentucky ) , Tom Cotton ( Arkansas ) , Marco Rubio ( Florida ) , Ted Cruz ( Texas ) and other Trump apologists flash onto the screen .
“ They are treasonous , unpatriotic , downright despotic.
” Trump , who ’ s forging ahead in a baseless campaign to delegitimize his election defeat to Joe Biden , is dismissed as “ feckless , pathetic and unmoored , ” but “ there are others waiting in the wings , waiting for their turn to dismantle our democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and insecure and self-absorbed .
”

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You think lame duck President Donald Trump is bad? The Lincoln Project says in a new ad that Republicans standing behind him are perhaps even more dangerous. (Watch it below.)
In a video posted Sunday by the never-Trump group of conservatives, a narrator declares that it is time “to remove the word ‘republic’ from the Republican Party.”
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“These hypocrites in office don’t care about a republic. They don’t care about our democracy or the constitution they swore on a bible to protect,” the video continues as images of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), Marco Rubio (Florida), Ted Cruz (Texas) and other Trump apologists flash onto the screen. “They are treasonous, unpatriotic, downright despotic.”
Trump, who’s forging ahead in a baseless campaign to delegitimize his election defeat to Joe Biden, is dismissed as “feckless, pathetic and unmoored,” but “there are others waiting in the wings, waiting for their turn to dismantle our democracy. And they are not so vacuous and insecure and self-absorbed.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--The Pandemic’s Effect On Climate-Changing Pollution Was ‘Just A Tiny Blip’

As nations went into lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 , factories halted and cars sat idle , clearing the skies above polluted cities and sending climate-changing emissions to historic lows .
Concentrations of carbon dioxide , the biggest and most significant driver of climate change , soared past 415 parts per million last year , a level never before experienced in human history .
The pandemic-induced lockdowns at the start of this year reduced daily global CO2 emissions by up to 17 % compared to the mean daily level in 2019 , the study found .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely only between 4.2 % and 7.5 % compared to the previous year .
At a global scale , the research concluded , “ an emission reduction of this magnitude will not cause atmospheric CO2 levels to decrease ; they will merely increase at a slightly reduced rate.
” “ The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago , when the temperature was 2-3°C warmer and sea level was 10-20 meters higher than now , ” Taalas said .
“ But there weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ super-potent greenhouse gas , is surging at a rate ( shown in black ) that matches an extreme warming scenario ( red ) .
While 40 % of methane comes from natural sources , 60 % is generated by humans , mostly from industrial farming and oil and gas development .
Concentrations of methane , a more potent heat-trapper than CO2 during its first two decades in the atmosphere , surged by a near-record rate last year to 1,877 parts per billion .
Levels were 260 % higher than in the year 1750 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas drilling began adding prodigious volumes of methane to the atmosphere .
Nitrous oxide , a greenhouse gas that also depletes the ozone layer , reached 332 parts per billion last year , a level 123 % higher than preindustrial levels .
The annual increase from 2018 to 2019 was slightly smaller than the jump from 2017 to 2018 .
But the yearly growth rate was on par with the average over the past 10 years , making last year ’ s decrease nothing to celebrate .
The WMO study comes a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total U.S. emissions to fall 9.2 % , the lowest level since 1983 .
But carbon released by extreme wildfires across the American West this year lowered the net drop in emissions to 6.4 % .
Efforts to reduce climate-changing emissions ― through renewable electricity , electric vehicles and more efficient energy use ― contributed just 1 % to the total drop , the report found .
At the global scale , an emission reduction of this magnitude will not cause atmospheric CO2 levels to decrease ; they will merely increase at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ are in line with what we would expect , ” said Mathias Vuille , an atmospheric scientist at the State University of New York at Albany who did not work on either study .
“ It would take a sustained reduction over a long period of time to see a change in the greenhouse gas concentration trajectory , ” he said .
“ The fact that this pandemic barely made a dent in the increase of the greenhouse gas concentrations shows how difficult it will be going forward to try and eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs .
The European Union directed billions of its stimulus spending to green projects .
In September , China , the world ’ s top emitter , announced plans to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2060 .
This month , U.S. voters elected Democrat Joe Biden as the country ’ s next leader , replacing President Donald Trump , a fossil fuel extremist who sought to radically increase emissions , with a political moderate who campaigned on reaching net-zero emission by 2050 .
“ We must heighten our ambition to climate restoration on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published in The Guardian , read .
“ We urge governments and companies to start acting , not only to reach net zero as soon as possible , but to achieve restoration as well .
And we urge every citizen to do what they can to make the dream of restoration a reality .
”

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As nations went into lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, factories halted and cars sat idle, clearing the skies above polluted cities and sending climate-changing emissions to historic lows.
But the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere ― the accumulation of past and current emissions ― remained virtually unchanged, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s annual estimate released Monday.
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“The lockdown-related fall in emissions is just a tiny blip on the long-term graph,” WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in a statement. “We need a sustained flattening of the curve.”
Concentrations of carbon dioxide, the biggest and most significant driver of climate change, soared past 415 parts per million last year, a level never before experienced in human history. The pandemic-induced lockdowns at the start of this year reduced daily global CO2 emissions by up to 17% compared to the mean daily level in 2019, the study found. But the total worldwide reduction for the year is likely only between 4.2% and 7.5% compared to the previous year.
At a global scale, the research concluded, “an emission reduction of this magnitude will not cause atmospheric CO2 levels to decrease; they will merely increase at a slightly reduced rate.”
“The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2-3°C warmer and sea level was 10-20 meters higher than now,” Taalas said. “But there weren’t 7.7 billion inhabitants.”
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Methane, a super-potent greenhouse gas, is surging at a rate (shown in black) that matches an extreme warming scenario (red). While 40% of methane comes from natural sources, 60% is generated by humans, mostly from industrial farming and oil and gas development. WMO
Concentrations of methane, a more potent heat-trapper than CO2 during its first two decades in the atmosphere, surged by a near-record rate last year to 1,877 parts per billion. Levels were 260% higher than in the year 1750, before industrial farming and oil and gas drilling began adding prodigious volumes of methane to the atmosphere.
Nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that also depletes the ozone layer, reached 332 parts per billion last year, a level 123% higher than preindustrial levels. The annual increase from 2018 to 2019 was slightly smaller than the jump from 2017 to 2018. But the yearly growth rate was on par with the average over the past 10 years, making last year’s decrease nothing to celebrate.
The WMO study comes a week after the energy research firm BloombergNEF projected total U.S. emissions to fall 9.2%, the lowest level since 1983. But carbon released by extreme wildfires across the American West this year lowered the net drop in emissions to 6.4%. Efforts to reduce climate-changing emissions ― through renewable electricity, electric vehicles and more efficient energy use ― contributed just 1% to the total drop, the report found.
“At the global scale, an emission reduction of this magnitude will not cause atmospheric CO2 levels to decrease; they will merely increase at a slightly reduced rate.”
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The combined findings paint a bleak picture of the decades ahead. With few exceptions, major emitting nations tempered policies to reduce pollution in the coronavirus’ wake in hopes of quickly revving stalled economies.
The research results “are in line with what we would expect,” said Mathias Vuille, an atmospheric scientist at the State University of New York at Albany who did not work on either study.
“It would take a sustained reduction over a long period of time to see a change in the greenhouse gas concentration trajectory,” he said. “The fact that this pandemic barely made a dent in the increase of the greenhouse gas concentrations shows how difficult it will be going forward to try and eventually stabilize concentrations.”
There are some promising signs. The European Union directed billions of its stimulus spending to green projects. In September, China, the world’s top emitter, announced plans to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2060. This month, U.S. voters elected Democrat Joe Biden as the country’s next leader, replacing President Donald Trump, a fossil fuel extremist who sought to radically increase emissions, with a political moderate who campaigned on reaching net-zero emission by 2050.
Yet averting catastrophic warming requires not just reaching net-zero emissions but removing the gases that have already accumulated in the atmosphere, more than a dozen scientists and activists wrote in a public letter this month.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Creator Patrick Quinn Dies At Age 37

NEW YORK ( Reuters ) - Patrick Quinn , whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign , died on Sunday at age 37 , seven years after his diagnosis , supporters announced on Facebook .
Quinn , who was born and grew up in Yonkers , New York , was co-founder of the campaign that raised more than $ 220 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , more commonly known as Lou Gehrig ’ s Disease , his Facebook page said .
He was diagnosed with ALS on March 8 , 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALS Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder Patrick Quinn is seen with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly in 2017 .
Quinn died on Sunday at age 37 .
“ It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning , ” his supporters said on Facebook .
“ We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS.
” Condolences to the Quinn family poured in on social media , with many expressing gratitude for the spotlight he drew to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cure .
The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in the summer of 2014 , when people around the world posted videos and photos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their heads and challenging others to do the same while urging donations for ALS research .
Pete Frates , a former Boston College baseball player whose Ice Bucket Challenge raised millions for ALS research , died last December at the age of 34 .
He 's seen in 2015 .
Roughly 12,000 to 15,000 Americans may have ALS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention .
An estimated 5 % to 10 % of ALS cases are believed to be hereditary , but the cause is unknown and there is no cure .
Among Quinn ’ s many honors for raising awareness of ALS and promoting research was a nomination with fellow ALS activist Peter Frates as “ Person of the Year ” by Time magazine .
Frates died last year at age 34 , seven years after his diagnosis .

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Patrick Quinn, whose personal battle with ALS helped power the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraising campaign, died on Sunday at age 37, seven years after his diagnosis, supporters announced on Facebook.
Quinn, who was born and grew up in Yonkers, New York, was co-founder of the campaign that raised more than $220 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, his Facebook page said.
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He was diagnosed with ALS on March 8, 2013, according to his Facebook page.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder Patrick Quinn is seen with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly in 2017. Quinn died on Sunday at age 37. Gary Gershoff via Getty Images
“It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning,” his supporters said on Facebook. “We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS.”
Condolences to the Quinn family poured in on social media, with many expressing gratitude for the spotlight he drew to the disease and the need to find a cure.
The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media in the summer of 2014, when people around the world posted videos and photos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their heads and challenging others to do the same while urging donations for ALS research.
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Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball player whose Ice Bucket Challenge raised millions for ALS research, died last December at the age of 34. He's seen in 2015. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roughly 12,000 to 15,000 Americans may have ALS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 5% to 10% of ALS cases are believed to be hereditary, but the cause is unknown and there is no cure.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Florida Man Wrestles His Puppy From Alligator's Jaws In Stunning Video

Richard Wilbanks , 74 , acted swiftly when his 3-month-old pup Gunner was snatched by an alligator in the backyard pond of his home in Estero , near South Florida ’ s Gulf Coast .
In a stunning video , Wilbanks wrestles the young gator in waist-deep water , bringing it above the surface and prying open its jaws to release the King Charles Cavalier spaniel .
“ We were just out walking by the pond , ” Wilbanks told CNN , “ and it came out of the water like a missile .
I never thought an alligator could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick.
” Acting on adrenaline or instinct , Wilbanks said he just “ automatically jumped into the water.
” He said he sustained some injuries to his hands and went to the doctor for a tetanus shot to be safe .
Gunner had one small puncture wound to his belly , but is doing fine after a trip to the vet , Wilbanks said .
Wilbanks told WINK News that he understands this is the alligator ’ s home and does not want it removed from the pond .
He urged other pet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the water ’ s edge .
The dramatic encounter was caught on camera thanks to a partnership between the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fSTOP Foundation as part of a campaign called “ Sharing the Landscape.
” Its mission is to help the community understand and appreciate the wildlife they live near and help reduce conflicts .
Meredith Budd , the regional policy director of the Florida Wildlife Federation , said the cameras typically capture videos of deer or bobcats .
It ’ s not often they catch something like what Wilbanks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a shared landscape , ” Budd said .
“ We don ’ t just want to tolerate wildlife , but , rather , we want to thrive with wildlife on a shared landscape.
” Louise Wilbanks , Richard ’ s wife , told WINK the incident has given them a new appreciation for the wildlife near their homes .
“ We do need to be aware they are wild animals .
They ’ re not here for our benefit .
We ’ re very lucky to share this space with them , @ @ @ @

Don’t even think about messing with this Florida man’s puppy.
Richard Wilbanks, 74, acted swiftly when his 3-month-old pup Gunner was snatched by an alligator in the backyard pond of his home in Estero, near South Florida’s Gulf Coast.
In a stunning video, Wilbanks wrestles the young gator in waist-deep water, bringing it above the surface and prying open its jaws to release the King Charles Cavalier spaniel.
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“We were just out walking by the pond,” Wilbanks told CNN, “and it came out of the water like a missile. I never thought an alligator could be that fast. It was so quick.”
Acting on adrenaline or instinct, Wilbanks said he just “automatically jumped into the water.”
He said he sustained some injuries to his hands and went to the doctor for a tetanus shot to be safe.
Gunner had one small puncture wound to his belly, but is doing fine after a trip to the vet, Wilbanks said.
Wilbanks told WINK News that he understands this is the alligator’s home and does not want it removed from the pond. He urged other pet owners to keep their animals away from the water’s edge.
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The dramatic encounter was caught on camera thanks to a partnership between the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fSTOP Foundation as part of a campaign called “Sharing the Landscape.” Its mission is to help the community understand and appreciate the wildlife they live near and help reduce conflicts.
Meredith Budd, the regional policy director of the Florida Wildlife Federation, said the cameras typically capture videos of deer or bobcats. It’s not often they catch something like what Wilbanks and Gunner went through.
“We live on a shared landscape,” Budd said. “We don’t just want to tolerate wildlife, but, rather, we want to thrive with wildlife on a shared landscape.”
Louise Wilbanks, Richard’s wife, told WINK the incident has given them a new appreciation for the wildlife near their homes.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--WHOOPS! ‘Star Wars’ Fans Spot A Big Goof In Latest ‘Mandalorian’ Episode

The collapse of the Empire seems to have been especially hard on dress codes , as eagle-eyed fans of “ The Mandalorian ” spotted someone definitely out of uniform in the latest episode .
As Mando and crew invade an old Imperial base in “ Chapter 12 : The Siege , ” someone can be seen pressed up against a wall decked out in jeans , a T-shirt and a wristwatch .
Not exactly common attire a long time ago , in a galaxy far , far away .
It was likely a crew member doing a poor job of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it happens at about 18:54 in the episode , which debuted on Disney+ last week : It brings to mind the infamous “ Game of Thrones ” scene in which someone left a coffee cup in view of the cameras .
And it didn ’ t escape fans of “ The Mandalorian ” on social media : Love the unintended Crew member in Yesterday ’ s # Mandalorian .
Got to get that action figure on my Christmas list pic.twitter.com/4mtlSPM4bs — Owen Staton ( @ OwenSGriffiths ) November 21 , 2020 Got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this week 's The # Mandalorian .
Did n't realize they wore blue jeans in a galaxy far , far away .
Found at 18:54.https : //t.co/yxjNfsxnsb pic.twitter.com/jv1Olgyv0p — ʎpooɯ sıɹɔ ( @ crismoody ) November 21 , 2020 Shout out to the crew member in the background of the latest episode of The Mandalorian .
I look forward to reading your extensive in-universe backstory on Wookipedia .
pic.twitter.com/2vqIsXxJ2b — 𝔎𝔯𝔶𝔭𝔱𝔦𝔡 🎃 ( @ thecinemapunk ) November 20 , 2020 @ themandalorian Guy in jeans and gray T-shirt wearing a watch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift tries to avoid shoot out ?
It happens .
pic.twitter.com/42V6iHbNye — Anthony Romero ( @ Anthony51RomerO ) November 20 , 2020 SPOILERS : Apparently # Mandalorian has a Jeans & TShirt day .
Tell me when you see it !
😂 pic.twitter.com/HrZ1jpMnIA — SwittCraft !
❤⚒🤖 ( @ SwittCraft ) November 22 , 2020 What if the crew member in a green shirt & blue jeans became a running gag in the Mandalorian ?
Just once every episode they 're randomly on the edge of the screen .
🤷♂ https : //t.co/EvdjOychdA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Artists ( @ PoliSci_JpR ) November 22 , 2020

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The collapse of the Empire seems to have been especially hard on dress codes, as eagle-eyed fans of “The Mandalorian” spotted someone definitely out of uniform in the latest episode.
As Mando and crew invade an old Imperial base in “Chapter 12: The Siege,” someone can be seen pressed up against a wall decked out in jeans, a T-shirt and a wristwatch.
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Not exactly common attire a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
It was likely a crew member doing a poor job of keeping out of the shot, and it happens at about 18:54 in the episode, which debuted on Disney+ last week:
The Mandalorian Disney
It brings to mind the infamous “Game of Thrones” scene in which someone left a coffee cup in view of the cameras.
And it didn’t escape fans of “The Mandalorian” on social media:
Love the unintended Crew member in Yesterday’s #Mandalorian . Got to get that action figure on my Christmas list pic.twitter.com/4mtlSPM4bs — Owen Staton (@OwenSGriffiths) November 21, 2020
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Got a screen shot of the extra crew member in this week's The #Mandalorian. Didn't realize they wore blue jeans in a galaxy far, far away.
Found at 18:54.https://t.co/yxjNfsxnsb pic.twitter.com/jv1Olgyv0p — ʎpooɯ sıɹɔ (@crismoody) November 21, 2020
Shout out to the crew member in the background of the latest episode of The Mandalorian. I look forward to reading your extensive in-universe backstory on Wookipedia. pic.twitter.com/2vqIsXxJ2b — 𝔎𝔯𝔶𝔭𝔱𝔦𝔡 🎃 (@thecinemapunk) November 20, 2020
@themandalorian
Guy in jeans and gray T-shirt wearing a watch. A Storm Trooper just getting off his shift tries to avoid shoot out ?
It happens. pic.twitter.com/42V6iHbNye — Anthony Romero (@Anthony51RomerO) November 20, 2020
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SPOILERS: Apparently #Mandalorian has a Jeans & TShirt day. Tell me when you see it! 😂 pic.twitter.com/HrZ1jpMnIA — SwittCraft! ❤⚒🤖 (@SwittCraft) November 22, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--How The Coronavirus Is Changing Holiday Plans Across The U.S.

More than half of respondents , 56 % , say they ’ re expecting the upcoming holiday season to be less fun than usual , with 30 % expecting it to be about the same as usual and just 3 % expecting it to be more fun than usual .
One-third expect the holidays to be unusually stressful this year , with 1 % saying they ’ ll be about as stressful as usual and 15 % that they ’ ll be less stressful than usual .
While regret and frustration over the state of the pandemic were common , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to stem the spread of the disease .
“ [ I ] wanted to travel out of state but our stupid governor makes it difficult to live somewhat normal , ” wrote one California man .
Seven in 10 voters say it ’ d be somewhat or very responsible for a person in their community to attend an outdoor gathering with fewer than 10 people , while 53 % it ’ d be responsible for someone to attend an indoor gathering of the same size and 42 % say it ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 10 or more people .
Just 27 % say it ’ d be responsible to attend an indoor gathering of more than 10 people .
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to consider every decision responsible , but the biggest gap comes on the topic of smaller indoor gatherings , with 70 % of GOP voters but just 38 % of Democratic voters considering them at least somewhat responsible .
Roughly half of voters , 47 % , say that the precautions they ’ re taking against the coronavirus during the holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as most others in their community , with 28 % seeing themselves as more concerned than most , and just 17 % saying they ’ re less concerned than most .
Democratic voters are more than twice as likely as Republican voters to describe themselves as more concerned than most around them .
Female Democrats are especially likely to see themselves as more concerned than average .
Relatively few of these differences in risk tolerance , however , appear to have erupted into open conflict .
Just 7 % of voters say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone they know about how to handle holiday plans during the pandemic .
Here ’ s how voters ’ plans have changed , in their own words .
“ Will not be able to love on my 80-year-old mom or see my sister who lives with her .
My son lives in Texas and I am afraid of him catching COVID because he is in an environment that denies COVID is bad , and I miss him and I want to see him but he doesn ’ t have the money to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have the money to send for him.
” ― 54-year-old Florida woman “ We usually have a few large family gatherings .
This year , they will be smaller but equally enjoyable .
Religious observance will continue as usual although church service attendance might be virtual .
Holiday shopping will mostly be done online , but we will do some shopping in person and will purchase a Christmas tree as usual in person .
We will enjoy celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ as we have every year.
” ― @ @ @

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For much of the U.S. this year, the holidays will look anything but normal, a new HuffPost/YouGov survey of registered voters finds.
More than half of respondents, 56%, say they’re expecting the upcoming holiday season to be less fun than usual, with 30% expecting it to be about the same as usual and just 3% expecting it to be more fun than usual. One-third expect the holidays to be unusually stressful this year, with 1% saying they’ll be about as stressful as usual and 15% that they’ll be less stressful than usual.
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Roughly half of those polled say their plans for the upcoming holiday season have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Many say they’re canceling travel, cutting back on spending, rethinking big family gatherings or resorting to Zoom.
“I don’t plan to see anyone other than my immediate family,” wrote one woman in Missouri. “I don’t plan to shop in stores. I really just wish we could skip the holidays this year.”
While regret and frustration over the state of the pandemic were common, some respondents expressed additional resentment over restrictions meant to stem the spread of the disease. “[I] wanted to travel out of state but our stupid governor makes it difficult to live somewhat normal,” wrote one California man.
Others, meanwhile, are grieving the toll the virus has already taken on their families.
“My brother [is] in ICU from COVID-19 complications for over 2 weeks & may not survive,” a woman from Oregon wrote.
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With coronavirus cases spiking across the country, experts are warning against traditional plans like big family dinners indoors. But there’s considerable public disagreement over what sort of holiday plans are responsible in the midst of a pandemic.
Seven in 10 voters say it’d be somewhat or very responsible for a person in their community to attend an outdoor gathering with fewer than 10 people, while 53% it’d be responsible for someone to attend an indoor gathering of the same size and 42% say it’d be responsible to attend an outdoor gathering of 10 or more people. Just 27% say it’d be responsible to attend an indoor gathering of more than 10 people.
Results of a HuffPost/YouGov survey on the 2020 holiday season. HuffPost/YouGov survey
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to consider every decision responsible, but the biggest gap comes on the topic of smaller indoor gatherings, with 70% of GOP voters but just 38% of Democratic voters considering them at least somewhat responsible.
Roughly half of voters, 47%, say that the precautions they’re taking against the coronavirus during the holidays mark them as being about as concerned as most others in their community, with 28% seeing themselves as more concerned than most, and just 17% saying they’re less concerned than most.
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Democratic voters are more than twice as likely as Republican voters to describe themselves as more concerned than most around them. Female Democrats are especially likely to see themselves as more concerned than average.
Relatively few of these differences in risk tolerance, however, appear to have erupted into open conflict. Just 7% of voters say they’ve gotten into an argument with someone they know about how to handle holiday plans during the pandemic.
Here’s how voters’ plans have changed, in their own words.
Responses are lightly edited for length, grammar and clarity.
“I’m scared to be around family for the holidays.” ― 38-year-old Alabama man
“I was supposed to spend Christmas in Australia, but canceled my trip due to COVID.” ― 59-year-old Arkansas woman
“Will not be attending events with certain parts of the family who refuse to take COVID safety measures seriously.” ― 28-year-old Arkansas woman
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“We’re relieved to be obliged to cancel festivities. We’re too damned burned out from the dumpster fires the asshole administration has been setting.” ― 60-year-old Florida woman
“Will not be able to love on my 80-year-old mom or see my sister who lives with her. My son lives in Texas and I am afraid of him catching COVID because he is in an environment that denies COVID is bad, and I miss him and I want to see him but he doesn’t have the money to travel to where I am, and I don’t have the money to send for him.” ― 54-year-old Florida woman
“I will miss the Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner this year.” ― 44-year-old Illinois man
“I’ve had to ask family members if they still would be willing to come if other family members have just exited quarantine from COVID.” ― 60-year-old Indiana woman
“My older brother and his wife live in a town a few hours away. Even though we all take necessary precautions, I don’t think it’s a good idea to travel back and forth for the holidays.” ― 20-year-old Kansas woman
“Unable to have friends over because the doomsayers are exploiting the virus for political gain.” ― 78-year-old Massachusetts woman
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“I have coronavirus so all is canceled.” ― 59-year-old Nebraska woman
“Peanut butter and jelly for Thanksgiving.” ― 77-year-old Nevada man
“I’m in the hospital and will be here through Thanksgiving.” ― 60-year-old New Jersey woman
“I am devastated not to be with my grandbaby on his first Christmas” ― 58-year-old North Carolina woman
“NO family contact, NO home-cooked-with-love meals and leftovers!” ― 53-year-old Ohio woman
“Social distancing, masks, yada yada” ― 68-year-old Pennsylvania man
“I don’t get to see my kids and I might be planning a funeral for my dad, who is currently hospitalized with COVID.” - Survey respondent from West Virginia
“We usually have a few large family gatherings. This year, they will be smaller but equally enjoyable. Religious observance will continue as usual although church service attendance might be virtual. Holiday shopping will mostly be done online, but we will do some shopping in person and will purchase a Christmas tree as usual in person. We will enjoy celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ as we have every year.” ― 82-year-old Pennsylvania man
“We are still trying to decide if we can travel to another state to celebrate with our daughter and her family.” ― 74-year-old South Dakota man
“I’ve had to cancel a bunch of meals with extended family, but that’s cool.” ― 25-year-old Utah man
“Will not spend Thanksgiving or Christmas inside my granddaughter’s home. Will exchange gifts outside.” ― 76-year-old Virginia woman
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“My wife is forced to remain in her birth country of Peru while I have to work here. Her mother needs her assistance because the virus would certainly kill her.” ― 56-year-old Washington man
“I don’t get to see my kids and I might be planning a funeral for my dad, who is currently hospitalized with COVID” ― 48-year-old West Virginia woman
“How the f**k do you think?” ― 28-year-old Wisconsin man
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted Nov. 17-19 among U.S. registered voters, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--How To Close Up Your Pandemic Bubble Without Losing Friends

Friends and family may swear they ’ ll keep to their separate tables or corners of the room beforehand , but at the moment , it ’ s all too easy to fall back into our old habits : Masks get taken off so we can hear each other better , we get closer , we try to sneak in a quick hug goodbye .
We ’ re social animals , after all , and though this has been the longest eight months of many of our lives , we ’ re still acclimating to life with COVID-19 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be more careful with who we interact with , limiting it to those most necessary , ” she said .
“ We need to decrease our inner circles once again until the levels of the virus become more manageable in the population.
” “ The best way to avoid flooding our hospitals is to be responsible , stay with family members , avoid going out if not essential.
” - Jagdish Khubchandani , a professor of public health at New Mexico State University Here ’ s how to effectively prune your social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At this point , you may be realizing that your bubble has gotten big enough to burst .
How do you close up said bubble without losing friends or coming across as judgmental in the process ?
( “ Sorry , you didn ’ t make the cut on my redefined quarantine bubble !
Also , I ’ ve seen your Instagram stories , maybe you should do some pruning , too.
” Please don ’ t take that tack . )
“ We all have different tolerance for risks , varying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― for instance , someone may be living with older parents , ” she said .
“ So , whether you want to bring people into your bubble , kick them out , or send them to bubble purgatory ( i.e.
, quarantine until you join my bubble ) , be upfront , clear , and also patient and understanding of other people ’ s choices.
” 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations .

We Are via Getty Images Here’s how to effectively prune your social bubble without coming across as a jerk.
More and more, health experts warn that COVID-19 is being transmitted at the intimate get-togethers many of us believed were relatively safe: Dinner parties with close, trusted friends. Game nights with family members who live in different households. Sleepovers and learning pods with just a handful of kids and parents involved.
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“Right now, we are seeing rampant increases in transmission of the virus within the community, often tied to small gatherings or small outbreaks in controlled settings,” said Kirsten Hokeness, professor and chair of the Department of Science and Technology at Bryant University and an expert in immunology, virology, microbiology and human health and disease.
Some health experts and government officials are calling this kind of transmission “living room spread.” It’s a simple concept: When people from different households and different social bubbles get together indoors sans masks ― to share some wings over a football game, for instance, or to have a dinner party ― they tend to let their guards down.
Friends and family may swear they’ll keep to their separate tables or corners of the room beforehand, but at the moment, it’s all too easy to fall back into our old habits: Masks get taken off so we can hear each other better, we get closer, we try to sneak in a quick hug goodbye. We’re social animals, after all, and though this has been the longest eight months of many of our lives, we’re still acclimating to life with COVID-19.
Still, because the virus can be passed asymptomatically, scenarios like these are scarily easy ways to contract the coronavirus. Your cousin or close friend may appear healthy while still being a carrier of the virus.
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Unlike super-spreader events, “living room spread” or mini spread events make contract tracing increasingly difficult for health department officials, Hokeness said.
“What this means is that we need to be more careful with who we interact with, limiting it to those most necessary,” she said. “We need to decrease our inner circles once again until the levels of the virus become more manageable in the population.”
It’s worth noting that some epidemiologists say it’s impossible to estimate how much social gatherings contribute to community transmission. They stress that large public gatherings remain the biggest culprit. Now that the virus is so widespread, they say it’s become increasingly difficult to pinpoint a single source for an outbreak.
“More and more, our exposures are due to community spread and are not traceable to a single event,” Nicole Peske, chief communications officer for the North Dakota Department of Health, told The New York Times on Monday. “Many individuals are reporting more than one exposure.”
Still, state governments can and are enacting restrictions limiting the number of people allowed to gather in private homes. Given how out of control the virus is now ― new infections surpassed 187,833 on Friday, exceeding the last daily record by more than 10,000, while the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 reached 80,000 ― it couldn’t hurt to scale back on socializing.
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We’re all sick of social distancing, but as we get deeper into the winter months and spend more time indoors, it’s never been more important to keep our social circles as teeny-tiny and antisocial as possible.
“The best way to avoid flooding our hospitals is to be responsible, stay with family members, avoid going out if not essential.” - Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at New Mexico State University
“It’s hard to tell who is a carrier of the virus or who is infected,” said Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at New Mexico State University. “We interact with people from all walks of life, these people also interact with others, and it’s hard to create a circle or keep a track of who interacts with who.”
“The best way to avoid flooding our hospitals is to be responsible, stay with family members, avoid going out if not essential,” he added.
If you’ve let more people into your social bubbles and quarantine pods in the last few months, now is the time to tighten up again. (Plus, with a vaccine now in sight, how depressing would it be to catch the virus mere months before distribution may be possible?)
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Sans a vaccine, face masks and tight-knit social bubbles are the best mechanisms we have to protect ourselves and each other, Hokeness said. Both she and Khubchandani agreed that a maximum of 10 people should be the limitation on the bubble, when you factor in family size, relatives and very close friends.
To be safest, confine your bubble to only those people who live in your household, said Nikole Benders-Hadi, the medical director of behavioral health at Doctor On Demand.
“To further outline the risk, think about the fact that for every new person you come into contact with, you have potentially exposed yourself to an additional 5-10 individuals depending on how isolated (or not) that person may have recently been,” Benders-Hadi said.
We Are via Getty Images Be polite and courteous but firm when pruning your social bubble.
Here’s how to effectively prune your social bubble without coming across as a jerk.
At this point, you may be realizing that your bubble has gotten big enough to burst. How do you close up said bubble without losing friends or coming across as judgmental in the process? (“Sorry, you didn’t make the cut on my redefined quarantine bubble! Also, I’ve seen your Instagram stories, maybe you should do some pruning, too.” Please don’t take that tack.)
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Be polite and courteous, but firm. If they ask why you continue to say you’re unavailable for plans, let them know that for the time being, you’re being extra cautious because of the COVID-19 surge.
“It’s OK to disagree with how others are reacting and responding to this virus, but you should be able to say that for the time being, it’s in the best interest of you and your family to restrict gathering,” Hokeness said.
“You have to be confident enough to surround yourself with people that are like-minded and whom you trust when it comes to how they approach this pandemic,” she added.
It’s important to note that you’re not likely to change people’s minds or behavior in their own lives when you broach this conversation. No need to go into a safety spiel, you’re already excommunicating them from your pandemic pod.
“At this point in the pandemic, everyone has formulated their own opinions [on safety and risks], so certainly try to avoid that confrontation,” Hokeness said. “Instead, you can suggest alternative ways of staying connected such as using online platforms like Zoom or FaceTime to hang out.”
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And let’s be honest: You’ve probably been observing how members of your inner circle have been behaving in their daily lives on social media. That may come into play when you’re deciding who’s pod-caliber.
If it’s someone you’re normally close to, you can always reintroduce them into your pod if you know they’re being mindful of the guidelines.
If that’s the case, be sure you have candid, direct conversations with them about what you’re comfortable and not comfortable with in terms of risks, said Amelia Aldao, a psychologist and anxiety specialist in New York City. Find out what they’re uncomfortable with, too. Your pandemic pod should serve every member’s needs.
“We all have different tolerance for risks, varying health risk factors and unique life circumstances ― for instance, someone may be living with older parents,” she said. “So, whether you want to bring people into your bubble, kick them out, or send them to bubble purgatory (i.e., quarantine until you join my bubble), be upfront, clear, and also patient and understanding of other people’s choices.”
For what it’s worth, if you slipped recently and let your bubble get a little too big, you’re not alone. Humans have an insatiable drive for social connection and we also don’t do well with life uncertainties. This is alien territory for all of us. Given all of that, Aldao thinks slipping into risky behavior was bound to happen.
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“When we’re anxious, we tend to fall into a pattern of dichotomous thinking: We see things as black and white, good or bad, safe or unsafe,” she said. “Entertaining shades of grey or ‘maybes’ tends to fuel our anxiety. There’s comfort in the extremes.”
When we started forming pandemic pods, we began to label people as “safe” without necessarily challenging our assumptions. These precautionary conversations about COVID-19 are not unlike “safe sex” talks in terms of awkwardness. It’s easier to just assume someone has been as cautious or vigilant as we have.
“I think it just became easier to simply assign people the label of ‘safe’ and carry on,” Aldao said.
The therapist added that we’ve done the same with people we’ve deemed unsafe. How many articles have you read bemoaning young people’s active social lives in the midst of the pandemic? You may have presumed the same is true of the Gen Z-ers in your family.
But regardless of how lax you or others may have gotten in recent weeks, now is the time to clamp down, ask questions, generate thoughtful alternatives and also be kind and patient with others.
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“Will this be an easy conversation? No. Will it be awkward? Most likely,” Aldao said. “But, at the end of the day, you want to socialize with those people who care about you and understand your needs.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--West Coast, Hawaii Legislators Call For Rent Relief From Congress

State lawmakers in California , Hawaii , Oregon and Washington are urging Congress to take action and protect the millions of renters facing eviction amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Our constituents can no longer make ends meet due to the pandemic , ” wrote half a dozen legislators , who chair their state legislature ’ s housing committees , in a letter sent Sunday to their Congressional delegations .
The lawmakers called for Congress to provide rental assistance funds for renters , noting that if many people are evicted and end up homeless , this could further worsen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed to prevent a massive eviction crisis that could impede our ability to curb the transmission of COVID-19 , ” the lawmakers wrote .
“ When renters are forced out of their homes , they either end up homeless , or are forced to move into overcrowded , temporary housing that does not allow them to follow the physical distancing urged by public health officials.
” Senator @ Scott_Wiener & I joined with other housing committee chairs from HI , OR & WA to urge Congress to pass rent relief .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to pay rent .
Eviction moratoriums will expire in the next few months .
We need # rentreliefnow .
pic.twitter.com/8d6LGxyO7p — David Chiu ( @ DavidChiu ) November 23 , 2020 The U.S. Census Bureau ’ s survey of American households found that from Oct. 28-Nov. 9 , over 15 million households — or 28 % of renters surveyed — had either “ no confidence ” or only “ slight confidence ” of being able to pay next month ’ s rent .
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is set to expire at the end of the year .
The order does not protect renters from having to pay back any unpaid rent from the previous months .
The lawmakers ’ letter warns that the policy “ only delays a massive wave of evictions.
” Several states have passed their own eviction moratoriums , but many are also set to expire in the coming months — such as California ’ s , which as of now will expire at the end of January .
Meanwhile , Congress has yet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring .
Some unemployment benefits that Congress had included are set to expire in end of December , potentially affecting millions of people .
A subsequent coronavirus relief package , the HEROES Act , was passed by the Democratic-led House , but has stalled in the Republican-led Senate .
It included $ 100 billion in emergency rental assistance .
The western states represented by the letter-writing lawmakers already had serious housing crises before the pandemic hit .
California , where about one-quarter of the nation ’ s homeless people reside , saw several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years : In Alameda County , where Oakland is located , the number of homeless people ballooned by 43 % from 2017 to 2019 .
In Los Angeles , homelessness rose 12 % from 2018 to 2019 alone .
The U.S. has seen a precipitous rise in coronavirus cases , recording an average over 150,000 COVID-19 cases per day last week .
Over 12.3 million people in the U.S. have contracted the virus , and more than 257,000 have died from it so far .
CORRECTION : A previous version of this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits would expire in December — in fact , that already expired in July , and separate benefits are set to expire at the end of the year .

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State lawmakers in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington are urging Congress to take action and protect the millions of renters facing eviction amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our constituents can no longer make ends meet due to the pandemic,” wrote half a dozen legislators, who chair their state legislature’s housing committees, in a letter sent Sunday to their Congressional delegations.
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The lawmakers called for Congress to provide rental assistance funds for renters, noting that if many people are evicted and end up homeless, this could further worsen the spread of COVID-19.
“Immediate action is needed to prevent a massive eviction crisis that could impede our ability to curb the transmission of COVID-19,” the lawmakers wrote. “When renters are forced out of their homes, they either end up homeless, or are forced to move into overcrowded, temporary housing that does not allow them to follow the physical distancing urged by public health officials.”
Senator @Scott_Wiener & I joined with other housing committee chairs from HI, OR & WA to urge Congress to pass rent relief.
The pandemic is not over. People are struggling to pay rent. Eviction moratoriums will expire in the next few months.
We need #rentreliefnow. pic.twitter.com/8d6LGxyO7p — David Chiu (@DavidChiu) November 23, 2020
The U.S. Census Bureau’s survey of American households found that from Oct. 28-Nov. 9, over 15 million households — or 28% of renters surveyed — had either “no confidence” or only “slight confidence” of being able to pay next month’s rent.
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The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a moratorium on evictions amid the pandemic that is set to expire at the end of the year. The order does not protect renters from having to pay back any unpaid rent from the previous months. The lawmakers’ letter warns that the policy “only delays a massive wave of evictions.”
Several states have passed their own eviction moratoriums, but many are also set to expire in the coming months — such as California’s, which as of now will expire at the end of January.
Meanwhile, Congress has yet to pass another coronavirus relief package since the spring. Some unemployment benefits that Congress had included are set to expire in end of December, potentially affecting millions of people.
A subsequent coronavirus relief package, the HEROES Act, was passed by the Democratic-led House, but has stalled in the Republican-led Senate. It included $100 billion in emergency rental assistance.
The western states represented by the letter-writing lawmakers already had serious housing crises before the pandemic hit. California, where about one-quarter of the nation’s homeless people reside, saw several counties’ unhoused populations spike in recent years: In Alameda County, where Oakland is located, the number of homeless people ballooned by 43% from 2017 to 2019. In Los Angeles, homelessness rose 12% from 2018 to 2019 alone.
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The U.S. has seen a precipitous rise in coronavirus cases, recording an average over 150,000 COVID-19 cases per day last week. Over 12.3 million people in the U.S. have contracted the virus, and more than 257,000 have died from it so far.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Court Rules Tennessee Can Enforce Abortion Ban Based On Down Syndrome Diagnosis

Karen Pulfer Focht / Reuters Part of an anti-abortion law in Tennessee that bans abortion on the basis of race , sex or Down syndrome diagnosis is now in effect .
A Tennessee law outlawing abortion based on a patient ’ s reason for the procedure , including a potential Down syndrome diagnosis or the sex or race of the fetus , can take effect , a federal appeals court has ruled .
The legislation was challenged by the Center for Reproductive Rights , the American Civil Liberties Union , Planned Parenthood Federation of America , and the ACLU of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
The ban was in effect for less than an hour before it was blocked in court .
The ruling Friday by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals allows the reason ban to go immediately into effect .
Another part of the law , which would ban abortion at nearly every stage of pregnancy , starting as early as six weeks , remains blocked .
The groups that brought the lawsuit have asked the court for a temporary restraining order blocking the reason ban again , arguing that it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before viability .
“ These bans are just another way anti-abortion politicians are attempting to limit the constitutional right to abortion care and to create stigma , ” said Nancy Northup , president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights , in a statement .
“ Decisions about whether and when to continue or to end a pregnancy are best made by the individual and their family .
We will continue to fight these bans in the courts.
” More than a dozen states have passed similar reason bans , said Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Guttmacher Institute , which advocates for abortion rights .
Some of the bans have been blocked in the courts ; others are currently in effect .
Four states , which as of now include Tennessee , prohibit abortions on the basis of genetic anomaly or Down syndrome diagnosis .
Eleven states have a sex-selection ban in effect , and four have a race-selection ban in effect .
These types of bans put providers and patients in difficult situations because they force doctors to ask their patients about the reasons for their abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far out of bounds of what you would consider compassionate health care , ” she said .
“ You don ’ t interrogate people for their reason for an abortion , or other health care.
” Reason bans , which have risen in popularity in recent years , are part of a multi-pronged strategy by opponents of abortion rights to reduce access , she said .
“ States are trying to ban abortion at lower gestational ages , trying to ban methods of abortion , trying to ban reasons of abortion ― really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder to get an abortion , ” she said .
“ Instead of looking at the patient ’ s needs and how to get them the care they need , it ’ s much more about questioning the motivations of the patient , ” she said .
“ This law is just another unconstitutional effort to ban abortion in our state , ” Weinberg said in a statement .
“ It does nothing to address the serious concerns of those with disabilities in our community or to ensure that people living with disabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and other services they may need .
”

Part of an anti-abortion law in Tennessee that bans abortion on the basis of race, sex or Down syndrome diagnosis is now in effect. Karen Pulfer Focht / Reuters
A Tennessee law outlawing abortion based on a patient’s reason for the procedure, including a potential Down syndrome diagnosis or the sex or race of the fetus, can take effect, a federal appeals court has ruled.
The measure, dubbed a “reason ban” by reproductive rights advocates, was part of an extreme anti-abortion bill signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee (R) in July.
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The legislation was challenged by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the ACLU of Tennessee on behalf of abortion providers in the state. The ban was in effect for less than an hour before it was blocked in court.
The ruling Friday by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals allows the reason ban to go immediately into effect. Another part of the law, which would ban abortion at nearly every stage of pregnancy, starting as early as six weeks, remains blocked.
The groups that brought the lawsuit have asked the court for a temporary restraining order blocking the reason ban again, arguing that it is a violation of the constitutional right to abortion before viability.
“These bans are just another way anti-abortion politicians are attempting to limit the constitutional right to abortion care and to create stigma,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. “Decisions about whether and when to continue or to end a pregnancy are best made by the individual and their family. We will continue to fight these bans in the courts.”
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More than a dozen states have passed similar reason bans, said Elizabeth Nash, who tracks abortion regulations at the Guttmacher Institute, which advocates for abortion rights. Some of the bans have been blocked in the courts; others are currently in effect.
Four states, which as of now include Tennessee, prohibit abortions on the basis of genetic anomaly or Down syndrome diagnosis. Eleven states have a sex-selection ban in effect, and four have a race-selection ban in effect.
These types of bans put providers and patients in difficult situations because they force doctors to ask their patients about the reasons for their abortion, Nash said.
“This is far out of bounds of what you would consider compassionate health care,” she said. “You don’t interrogate people for their reason for an abortion, or other health care.”
Reason bans, which have risen in popularity in recent years, are part of a multi-pronged strategy by opponents of abortion rights to reduce access, she said.
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“States are trying to ban abortion at lower gestational ages, trying to ban methods of abortion, trying to ban reasons of abortion ― really just trying to make it harder and harder to get an abortion,” she said.
Reason bans are particularly problematic because the emphasis is on the patient’s decision-making process, Nash added.
“Instead of looking at the patient’s needs and how to get them the care they need, it’s much more about questioning the motivations of the patient,” she said.
Hedy Weinberg, ACLU of Tennessee executive director, said the group would continue to fight for people’s ability to make their own decisions about pregnancy without political interference.
“This law is just another unconstitutional effort to ban abortion in our state,” Weinberg said in a statement. “It does nothing to address the serious concerns of those with disabilities in our community or to ensure that people living with disabilities and their families have access to health care and other services they may need.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Trump Administration Finally Clears Way For Biden Transition To Begin

Emily Murphy , the administrator of the General Services Administration , said the transition between President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden can begin , releasing millions of dollars in funds and clearing the way for a new administration .
“ I have dedicated much of my adult life to public service , and I have always strived to do what is right , ” Murphy wrote in a letter to Biden on Monday .
“ Please know that I came to my decision independently , based on the law and the available facts .
I was never directly or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — including those who work at the White House or GSA — with regard to the substance or timing of my decision.
” I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country .
She has been harassed , threatened , and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her , her family , or employees of GSA .
Our case STRONGLY continues , we will keep up the good ... — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe we will prevail !
Nevertheless , in the best interest of our Country , I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols , and have told my team to do the same .
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 23 , 2020 Biden ’ s campaign released a statement shortly after Murphy ’ s announcement , calling the decision a “ needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation , including getting the pandemic under control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies , ” the Biden-Harris transition executive director , Yohannes Abraham , said in a statement .
“ In the days ahead , transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response , have a full accounting of our national security interests , and gain complete understanding of the Trump administration ’ s efforts to hollow out government agencies.
” The president noted on Twitter that while he still planned to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed the transition should begin “ in the best interest of our country.
” “ I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols , and have told my team to do the same , ” he wrote .
The move will make $ 6.3 million available to Biden and his team to begin the transition process , as well as additional funds to prepare his staff and appointees .
Murphy had drawn widespread ire over her delay in “ ascertaining ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required before millions of dollars in transition funds and access to government officials can begin .
She said , however , that Trump ’ s bevy of court losses and the certification of votes in several battleground states had allowed her to determine that Biden was the likely winner of the election .
Murphy added that she received many threats amid the delay in what she called an “ effort to coerce me into making this determination prematurely , ” although they , too , had not influenced her decision .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with improving federal procurement and property management should place itself above the constitutionally-based election process , ” she wrote Monday .
Several notable figures had lambasted the Trump administration over the delay , saying any further refusal to declare Biden the winner could hamper the country ’ s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic , which has entered its most dangerous stage as the country beings to travel en masse before the holiday season .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said last week he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t gone “ smoothly ” and Biden said “ more people may die ” if Trump kept obstructing the transfer of power .
“ As my chief of staff , Ron Klain , would say … a vaccine is important .
It ’ s of little use until you ’ re vaccinated , ” Biden said last week upon questioning about the rollout of any coronavirus preventative .
“ So how do we get the vaccine , how do we get over 300 million Americans vaccinated ?
What ’ s the game plan @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Emily Murphy, the administrator of the General Services Administration, said the transition between President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden can begin, releasing millions of dollars in funds and clearing the way for a new administration.
“I have dedicated much of my adult life to public service, and I have always strived to do what is right,” Murphy wrote in a letter to Biden on Monday. “Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and the available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official — including those who work at the White House or GSA — with regard to the substance or timing of my decision.”
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Trump thanked Murphy for her work just moments later.
I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country. She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA. Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020
...fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020
Biden’s campaign released a statement shortly after Murphy’s announcement, calling the decision a “needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track.”
“This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies,” the Biden-Harris transition executive director, Yohannes Abraham, said in a statement. “In the days ahead, transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response, have a full accounting of our national security interests, and gain complete understanding of the Trump administration’s efforts to hollow out government agencies.”
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The president noted on Twitter that while he still planned to fight the outcome of the election, he agreed the transition should begin “in the best interest of our country.”
“I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same,” he wrote.
The move will make $6.3 million available to Biden and his team to begin the transition process, as well as additional funds to prepare his staff and appointees.
Murphy had drawn widespread ire over her delay in “ascertaining” that Biden won the election, which is required before millions of dollars in transition funds and access to government officials can begin. She said, however, that Trump’s bevy of court losses and the certification of votes in several battleground states had allowed her to determine that Biden was the likely winner of the election.
Murphy added that she received many threats amid the delay in what she called an “effort to coerce me into making this determination prematurely,” although they, too, had not influenced her decision.
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“I do not think that an agency charged with improving federal procurement and property management should place itself above the constitutionally-based election process,” she wrote Monday.
Several notable figures had lambasted the Trump administration over the delay, saying any further refusal to declare Biden the winner could hamper the country’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has entered its most dangerous stage as the country beings to travel en masse before the holiday season.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said last week he was “concerned” that things hadn’t gone “smoothly” and Biden said “more people may die” if Trump kept obstructing the transfer of power.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Janet Yellen Will Be Joe Biden's Pick For Treasury Secretary: Reports

Yellen , who served for one term as the chair of the Federal Reserve , would make history as the first female secretary of the Department of the Treasury , a particularly influential role now with the economy still reeling from the pandemic .
The 74-year-old economist is used to breaking barriers and will be one of the most experienced economic policy advisers to hold the position , especially compared to current Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , who came to the White House with experience producing films and in banking .
Yellen isn ’ t simply breaking a gender barrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treasury secretary , Yellen would be the only person to have held all three of the most important economic policy positions in government ― running the Fed , the Council of Economic Advisers and then the Treasury Department .
“ She brings a depth of experience that frankly no one else has , ” said Claudia Sahm , a former Federal Reserve economist who served when Yellen was board chair .
Sahm said that Yellen is an exceptional leader who excels in making everyone feel heard and drawing in different perspectives , exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed at the Treasury right now after four years of the Trump administration .
“ We have federal institutions that need to be rebuilt and reenergized.
” As Federal Reserve chair , Yellen was known for bringing more attention to the labor market as a key factor in making decisions about raising interest rates .
And she also spoke up about how family-friendly federal policy could boost the economy .
Though some progressives criticized her for raising rates too soon during the Obama administration , possibly at a time when unemployment rates could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the news on Monday .
“ I ’ m very happy about the Yellen announcement , ” said Heidi Shierholz , who leads the economic policy team at the progressive Economic Policy Institute and served in the Obama administration , citing Yellen ’ s strong performance as Fed chair .
“ One key thing about her : Her decisions are guided by data and evidence , not ideology and not partisanship ― it ’ s data .
It ’ s evidence.
” Sahm said that while she may not have agreed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she believes that they were made in good faith and backed by deliberative thinking .
She also noted that Yellen has made an effort to speak out about diversity and inclusion in economics , a profession that still suffers from an overwhelmingly white , male perspective .
“ We can not do the best for the economy if we don ’ t understand the economy , if we don ’ t look ( at least somewhat ) like the people we are serving , ” Sahm said .
( Sahm herself is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of diversity in the economics world . )
It ’ s a searing point at a moment when the fragile economic recovery from the coronavirus doesn ’ t seem to have made its way to a number of vulnerable communities .
The unemployment rate for Black men , for example , is still in the double-digits even as it has dropped to 6.9 % overall .
Yellen was nominated to the Fed by President Barack Obama and received bipartisan support in 2014 , when 11 Republican senators voted to confirm her .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renominate her in 2018 , a break with precedent .
Some , including this reporter , attributed Trump ’ s ditching of a qualified woman for a man to pure sexism .
Recently , Yellen has advocated for the government to do more to help boost the economy right now .
“ There is a huge amount of suffering out there .
The economy needs the spending , ” Yellen said an interview last month , according to the Journal .
Congressional Republicans are currently holding up any further efforts to stimulate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other measures passed to deal with the coronavirus this spring are set to expire at the end of the year and as the U.S. faces a third surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Janet Yellen to be his treasury secretary, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal and CNBC.
Yellen, who served for one term as the chair of the Federal Reserve, would make history as the first female secretary of the Department of the Treasury, a particularly influential role now with the economy still reeling from the pandemic.
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The 74-year-old economist is used to breaking barriers and will be one of the most experienced economic policy advisers to hold the position, especially compared to current Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who came to the White House with experience producing films and in banking.
She was the first woman to run the White House Council of Economic Advisers and served as a Fed governor in the 1990s.
Yellen isn’t simply breaking a gender barrier. If she’s confirmed as treasury secretary, Yellen would be the only person to have held all three of the most important economic policy positions in government ― running the Fed, the Council of Economic Advisers and then the Treasury Department.
“She brings a depth of experience that frankly no one else has,” said Claudia Sahm, a former Federal Reserve economist who served when Yellen was board chair. Sahm said that Yellen is an exceptional leader who excels in making everyone feel heard and drawing in different perspectives, exactly the kind of fresh perspective and thinking needed at the Treasury right now after four years of the Trump administration. “We have federal institutions that need to be rebuilt and reenergized.”
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As Federal Reserve chair, Yellen was known for bringing more attention to the labor market as a key factor in making decisions about raising interest rates. And she also spoke up about how family-friendly federal policy could boost the economy.
As Treasury secretary, Yellen would have more influence to see those kinds of fiscal policies translate into reality.
Though some progressives criticized her for raising rates too soon during the Obama administration, possibly at a time when unemployment rates could have dropped further, many were heartened by the news on Monday.
“I’m very happy about the Yellen announcement,” said Heidi Shierholz, who leads the economic policy team at the progressive Economic Policy Institute and served in the Obama administration, citing Yellen’s strong performance as Fed chair. “One key thing about her: Her decisions are guided by data and evidence, not ideology and not partisanship ― it’s data. It’s evidence.”
Sahm said that while she may not have agreed with every decision Yellen made as Fed chair, she believes that they were made in good faith and backed by deliberative thinking.
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“She reflects. There is no stone left unturned when she’s getting ready to make a policy decision,” Sahm said.
She also noted that Yellen has made an effort to speak out about diversity and inclusion in economics, a profession that still suffers from an overwhelmingly white, male perspective.
“We cannot do the best for the economy if we don’t understand the economy, if we don’t look (at least somewhat) like the people we are serving,” Sahm said. (Sahm herself is known for her criticisms over the lack of diversity in the economics world.)
It’s a searing point at a moment when the fragile economic recovery from the coronavirus doesn’t seem to have made its way to a number of vulnerable communities. The unemployment rate for Black men, for example, is still in the double-digits even as it has dropped to 6.9% overall.
Yellen was nominated to the Fed by President Barack Obama and received bipartisan support in 2014, when 11 Republican senators voted to confirm her. Many observers were surprised when Trump failed to renominate her in 2018, a break with precedent. Some, including this reporter, attributed Trump’s ditching of a qualified woman for a man to pure sexism.
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Recently, Yellen has advocated for the government to do more to help boost the economy right now. “There is a huge amount of suffering out there. The economy needs the spending,” Yellen said an interview last month, according to the Journal.