thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-28--What's So Hard About Developing A COVID-19 Vaccine? We Asked A Scientist.

No , I think it ’ s highly unrealistic to expect a vaccine by the end of 2020 .
We haven ’ t made any vaccine in that short of time .
That would be a year from January , when we first saw circulation in the U.S. Eighteen months is optimistic .
What would be more realistic , in my view , would be next summer .
But , you know , vaccines can take five to 10 years and longer .
The polio vaccine took 50 years to develop .
Certainly , we ’ ve advanced in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , but I would say , no , the end of this year is completely not feasible , in my view .
However , I would love to be surprised .
What vaccines do is they ’ re introduced into you ― they can be injected , or they can be taken orally , or through any number of other routes ― and they turn on your immune system to make a response to the virus that ’ s in question , in this case SARS-CoV-2 , without making you sick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most importantly , your immune response comes with a wonderful feature called “ memory , ” so it remembers what it ’ s encountered so that whenever it sees that agent again , it will respond .
So that ’ s what a vaccine tries to do ― it tries to produce immune memory without any of the pathogenic or disease consequences of a real infection .
There are many , but the main one is understanding what ’ s needed to protect you from infection .
We ’ ve been talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in fact , there are different components .
There are cells and proteins involved , and so we need to know which is important for the particular virus .
That ’ s one of the reasons that it took 50 years to make a polio vaccine , because people had to figure out what was important .
Now , for this new virus , we don ’ t have the time to do that , so we ’ re making a lot of assumptions about what ’ s important , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , there are many diseases out there that are far less prevalent but nevertheless they kill people .
Companies aren ’ t interested in making vaccines for those diseases because there ’ s no profit to be made .
I think that ’ s a fatal flaw with our vaccine system that has to be fixed and it ’ s why we don ’ t have a vaccine ready for this particular virus .
We could ’ ve , but no company was interested .
Same for antiviral medications .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation we ’ re in right now .
One could think of creative ways to get around that .
Governments can get involved , for sure .
We ’ re hobbled in this country by the political paralysis of our government and its unwillingness to invest in science completely , so that ’ s stymied that .
Now , since this SARS-CoV-2 has emerged , there are new nonprofits that have popped up saying , “ We ’ re going to fund vaccine development.
” In the end , it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there ’ s plenty of money out there to do this .
Think about the money we ’ re spending on recovery in the U.S. ― trillions .
If a fraction of that money had been spent on developing a vaccine , we ’ d be out of this problem .
Unfortunately , they ’ re mostly not even in phase 1 in people .
A handful are in phase 1 and a couple in phase 2 .
Those have been pushed and those are going to be the ones that finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advantage .
Now , whether they work or not is important , obviously , so if they don ’ t work , that ’ s the end of that and the others are going to have to catch up .
The others are not even out of the laboratory .
Some of those may never get out of the lab .
It may turn out there are too many problems developing those .
Others might , but as companies see that other companies have a head start , they might decide not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll lose money .
Many of these companies have never made vaccines before .
Very few companies have , and I think that ’ s a factor .
If you haven ’ t made a vaccine , you ’ re going to have more problems because you don ’ t know what you ’ re doing .
We could take a lesson from the polio vaccine in the 1950s .
It was only about 50 % effective , yet that ’ s what they had so they went ahead with it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids whose parents lined them up for shots weren ’ t protected .
It also meant that companies had rushed production .
In fact , a lot of kids got polio from that early vaccine because it wasn ’ t made properly .
You could imagine that these early SARS-CoV-2 vaccines , because they ’ re rushed through , are not as optimal as they could be and they ’ re not going to be as effective .
In most cases , the vaccine candidates are not infectious so I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
People say , “ Well , if they ’ re rushing it , I ’ m not going to take it , ” and I think that ’ s a valid concern .
What I often say is if you rush a vaccine and there ’ s a problem and you hurt people , then you will never get people to take it for many years .
Once there ’ s a negative view of a vaccine because of some side effect , then people are very reluctant to take it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this is safe .
We can not make shortcuts .
We have to test it in enough people ― thousands of people ― to make sure there are no side effects .
You have to make enough of it .
If we only have one vaccine that turns out to work , it ’ s going to be really hard to make enough doses for everyone .
Another issue is these vaccines are going to have to be cold , probably frozen , and not everywhere has that capability .
Finally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these vaccines need to be injected .
That means you need at least 7 billion needles .
I don ’ t even know if we have 7 billion needles in the world , so I hope someone ’ s thinking about that ahead of time .
And you need people to inject them .
You can ’ t just do it yourself .
You need a trained health care worker , which isn ’ t available everywhere .

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As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the globe, the best hope for truly getting it under control is a vaccine that would protect people from contracting COVID-19. Scientists in the U.S., China, the U.K. and elsewhere are racing to develop a vaccine and there have been some promising signs that one of the many vaccine candidates under development may prove effective against the virus.
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With COVID-19 taking lives and crushing economies around the world, stopping the spread would provide tremendous relief. But the progress of science is characterized more by failure than success. Researchers are working on almost 200 potential vaccines for this coronavirus, and there’s no guarantee any of them will ever work, let alone one that’s ready for wide use within months.
Creating a safe, effective vaccine that quickly would be unprecedented. In addition, no one has ever attempted to produce a new vaccine, distribute it to every corner of the world and carry out an immunization campaign on this scale and with this much speed.
To get a better understanding of the challenges facing vaccine researchers, HuffPost spoke to Vincent Racaniello, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.
Is it realistic to expect a vaccine for the novel coronavirus by this winter?
No, I think it’s highly unrealistic to expect a vaccine by the end of 2020. We haven’t made any vaccine in that short of time. That would be a year from January, when we first saw circulation in the U.S. Eighteen months is optimistic. What would be more realistic, in my view, would be next summer. But, you know, vaccines can take five to 10 years and longer. The polio vaccine took 50 years to develop. Certainly, we’ve advanced in our technology so we can do it faster now, but I would say, no, the end of this year is completely not feasible, in my view. However, I would love to be surprised.
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How would a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine work to prevent people from becoming ill?
What vaccines do is they’re introduced into you ― they can be injected, or they can be taken orally, or through any number of other routes ― and they turn on your immune system to make a response to the virus that’s in question, in this case SARS-CoV-2, without making you sick. Then you have an immune response and, most importantly, your immune response comes with a wonderful feature called “memory,” so it remembers what it’s encountered so that whenever it sees that agent again, it will respond. So that’s what a vaccine tries to do ― it tries to produce immune memory without any of the pathogenic or disease consequences of a real infection.
Is this similar to what the human immune system does itself when it fights off infections?
Absolutely. If you get influenza or a common cold virus or any other virus ― if you survive, of course ― then you have immune memory, and then whenever you encounter the virus again, you should mount a nice response and you should prevent infection entirely. You won’t even know that you’ve encountered the virus.
What are the primary challenges to developing new vaccines for any disease?
There are many, but the main one is understanding what’s needed to protect you from infection. We’ve been talking very generally about the immune response but, in fact, there are different components. There are cells and proteins involved, and so we need to know which is important for the particular virus. That’s one of the reasons that it took 50 years to make a polio vaccine, because people had to figure out what was important. Now, for this new virus, we don’t have the time to do that, so we’re making a lot of assumptions about what’s important, and we hope that they’re right.
How do governments, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and scientists decide how to prioritize the development of vaccines for some diseases over others?
I hate to say, this is very sad and this is an indictment of the whole system for making vaccines, but the main priority is profit.
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The companies that make vaccines, they’re all for-profit companies and they need to see that they can make a profit off of their vaccine. So all the vaccines that we have are there because many, many people are infected with viruses like influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, shingles and polio. They infect a lot of people and the companies can make money from them.
However, there are many diseases out there that are far less prevalent but nevertheless they kill people. Companies aren’t interested in making vaccines for those diseases because there’s no profit to be made. I think that’s a fatal flaw with our vaccine system that has to be fixed and it’s why we don’t have a vaccine ready for this particular virus. We could’ve, but no company was interested. Same for antiviral medications. That’s why we’re in this situation we’re in right now.
One could think of creative ways to get around that. Governments can get involved, for sure. We’re hobbled in this country by the political paralysis of our government and its unwillingness to invest in science completely, so that’s stymied that. Now, since this SARS-CoV-2 has emerged, there are new nonprofits that have popped up saying, “We’re going to fund vaccine development.” In the end, it’s just a matter of someone raising money, and there’s plenty of money out there to do this. Think about the money we’re spending on recovery in the U.S. ― trillions. If a fraction of that money had been spent on developing a vaccine, we’d be out of this problem.
There are no vaccines available for any strains of the coronavirus, including the one that causes COVID-19. Why is that?
After SARS-1 in 2003, it went away. We were able to stop it. The virus disappeared. So most companies said, “We’re not interested in making a vaccine. There’s no market.” But a few academics went ahead and they made an experimental SARS vaccine, but it never got beyond that because there’s no financial support.
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It’s not hard. In fact, it would’ve been not very hard to make a vaccine that could protect against many coronaviruses that come out of bats. But again, no financial backing for that and, even more, no research support. In the U.S., the NIH was not willing to support that kind of fundamental research because its budget is too limited.
There are many novel coronavirus vaccine candidates in development. What will determine which, if any, are used?
Unfortunately, they’re mostly not even in phase 1 in people. A handful are in phase 1 and a couple in phase 2. Those have been pushed and those are going to be the ones that finish first, so they’ll have an advantage. Now, whether they work or not is important, obviously, so if they don’t work, that’s the end of that and the others are going to have to catch up.
The others are not even out of the laboratory. Some of those may never get out of the lab. It may turn out there are too many problems developing those. Others might, but as companies see that other companies have a head start, they might decide not to put resources in it because they’ll lose money. Many of these companies have never made vaccines before. Very few companies have, and I think that’s a factor. If you haven’t made a vaccine, you’re going to have more problems because you don’t know what you’re doing.
All of those things are factors, and then of course production is a factor. I hope we have more than two vaccines because I don’t see how you could make 7 billion vaccine doses with just two companies. I think we need at least 10 vaccines to be able to cover the whole planet.
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What are the potential downsides of deploying vaccines developed quickly during an emergency like the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic?
We could take a lesson from the polio vaccine in the 1950s. It was only about 50% effective, yet that’s what they had so they went ahead with it. And that meant that a lot of kids whose parents lined them up for shots weren’t protected. It also meant that companies had rushed production. In fact, a lot of kids got polio from that early vaccine because it wasn’t made properly. You could imagine that these early SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, because they’re rushed through, are not as optimal as they could be and they’re not going to be as effective. In most cases, the vaccine candidates are not infectious so I’m not too worried about them causing the actual disease.
If you try to scale up vaccine production for hundreds of millions of doses, things could go wrong. Normally, we take a lot of time to do this. Everyone is being assured that we’re doing things in a safe way, but I think there’s still room for things to go wrong when you rush things.
People say, “Well, if they’re rushing it, I’m not going to take it,” and I think that’s a valid concern. What I often say is if you rush a vaccine and there’s a problem and you hurt people, then you will never get people to take it for many years. Once there’s a negative view of a vaccine because of some side effect, then people are very reluctant to take it. We have to make very sure that this is safe. We cannot make shortcuts. We have to test it in enough people ― thousands of people ― to make sure there are no side effects.
If a novel coronavirus vaccine were developed, what would need to happen for it to be deployed widely and safely?
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You need a lot of doses, first of all, because I do not want it to be distributed only to wealthy countries. That’s not the point of vaccines. The developed nations are making the vaccine, but they have to understand they have to share it with everyone, and I do hope that happens here. That’s my primary concern.
You have to make enough of it. If we only have one vaccine that turns out to work, it’s going to be really hard to make enough doses for everyone. Another issue is these vaccines are going to have to be cold, probably frozen, and not everywhere has that capability. Finally, what about the delivery? Most of these vaccines need to be injected. That means you need at least 7 billion needles. I don’t even know if we have 7 billion needles in the world, so I hope someone’s thinking about that ahead of time. And you need people to inject them. You can’t just do it yourself. You need a trained health care worker, which isn’t available everywhere.
Has a vaccination campaign of this scale ever been attempted?
No, never. We’ve never had to immunize everyone. We’ve always had select groups, like for childhood disease where we do mass campaigns. There is no precedent for this, for having to immunize every person on the planet.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Conservative Columnist Spells Out Exactly Who’s To Blame For U.S. Coronavirus Failings

“ We are living — and now dying — in an idiocracy of our own creation , ” conservative columnist Max Boot concluded his latest column for The Washington Post .
Boot acknowledged in the op-ed published Tuesday — headlined “ Welcome to the United States of ’ Idiocracy , ’ ” a reference to the 2006 film of the same name — that it ’ s “ easy , and correct , to blame epic failure ” of the United States ’ response to the coronavirus pandemic “ on abysmal leadership.
” The pundit listed President Donald Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackling the public health crisis that ’ s now killed more than 128,000 people nationwide .
However , the commentator also urged readers ― amid a resurgence of the virus following the easing of lockdown restrictions and subsequent failure in some states to implement proper social distancing measures ― to “ recall the adage that ‘ every nation gets the government it deserves.
’ ” “ Trump and the Trumpy governors did not seize power by force , ” Boot reminded .
“ They were elected by constituents who , in some cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devil.
” Extrapolating from a poll that found 72 % of Republicans and 88 % of Democrats say they wear face masks in public , Boot warned “ you have the makings of an out-of-control pandemic ” if just one-third of those who voted for Trump in 2016 joined 8 million “ similarly irresponsible Democrats ” in not wearing face masks aimed at slowing the spread of the virus .
“ We can and should hold our leaders responsible , but ultimately , we have no one but ourselves to blame , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP four years ago following Trump ’ s election victory .
“ Nobody forced so many Americans to act so recklessly — first by placing their faith in a president who doesn ’ t deserve it , and now in ignoring widely publicized scientific findings , ” the pundit concluded .
“ We are living — and now dying — in an idiocracy of our own creation .
”

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“We are living — and now dying — in an idiocracy of our own creation,” conservative columnist Max Boot concluded his latest column for The Washington Post.
Boot acknowledged in the op-ed published Tuesday — headlined “Welcome to the United States of ’Idiocracy,’” a reference to the 2006 film of the same name — that it’s “easy, and correct, to blame epic failure” of the United States’ response to the coronavirus pandemic “on abysmal leadership.”
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The pundit listed President Donald Trump and his administration’s multiple shortcomings in tackling the public health crisis that’s now killed more than 128,000 people nationwide.
However, the commentator also urged readers ― amid a resurgence of the virus following the easing of lockdown restrictions and subsequent failure in some states to implement proper social distancing measures ― to “recall the adage that ‘every nation gets the government it deserves.’”
“Trump and the Trumpy governors did not seize power by force,” Boot reminded. “They were elected by constituents who, in some cases, see masks as the spawn of the devil.”
Extrapolating from a poll that found 72% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats say they wear face masks in public, Boot warned “you have the makings of an out-of-control pandemic” if just one-third of those who voted for Trump in 2016 joined 8 million “similarly irresponsible Democrats” in not wearing face masks aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.
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“We can and should hold our leaders responsible, but ultimately, we have no one but ourselves to blame,” added Boot, who resigned from the GOP four years ago following Trump’s election victory.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Mark Cuban Mocks Sean Hannity To His Face For Asking Donald Trump Softball Questions

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban poked fun at Fox News ’ Sean Hannity to his face on Tuesday for asking softball questions to Donald Trump , which the president then failed to answer .
During a televised town hall last week , Hannity asked Trump to name his “ top priority items for a second term.
” Trump didn ’ t .
Instead , he rambled on about experience and attacked former national security adviser John Bolton .
Asked what his top priorities for a second term are , Trump ca n't name a single thing pic.twitter.com/fF6xXaDAy0 — Aaron Rupar ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Hannity began criticizing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday , “ Shark Tank ” star Cuban reminded the conservative TV personality of his bizarre exchange with the president .
“ Sean , you gave Donald Trump the ultimate softball question and he couldn ’ t answer it , ” said Cuban .
“ Joe Biden ’ s lost it , ” Hannity responded .
“ He doesn ’ t have a fastball , a curveball , or a slow pitch .
Come on , Mark.
” Cuban then hit back : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump can ’ t answer your questions .
You and every Fox News interviewer gives him the easiest questions and he can ’ t answer them .
Why is that , Sean ?
” Check out the full interview here :

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Billionaire investor Mark Cuban poked fun at Fox News’ Sean Hannity to his face on Tuesday for asking softball questions to Donald Trump, which the president then failed to answer.
During a televised town hall last week, Hannity asked Trump to name his “top priority items for a second term.” Trump didn’t. Instead, he rambled on about experience and attacked former national security adviser John Bolton.
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Check out the clip here:
Asked what his top priorities for a second term are, Trump can't name a single thing pic.twitter.com/fF6xXaDAy0 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 26, 2020
When Hannity began criticizing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday, “Shark Tank” star Cuban reminded the conservative TV personality of his bizarre exchange with the president.
“Sean, you gave Donald Trump the ultimate softball question and he couldn’t answer it,” said Cuban.
“Joe Biden’s lost it,” Hannity responded. “He doesn’t have a fastball, a curveball, or a slow pitch. Come on, Mark.”
Cuban then hit back: “Come on, you know Donald Trump can’t answer your questions. You and every Fox News interviewer gives him the easiest questions and he can’t answer them. Why is that, Sean?”
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Check out the full interview here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Hillary Clinton Uses Barbra Streisand’s Pandemic Question To Taunt Donald Trump

Music icon Barbra Streisand asked via Twitter how Hillary Clinton would have handled the coronavirus pandemic had she won the 2016 election and now been in office : Can you imagine how President Hillary Clinton - a Woman with a powerful mind - would have handled this pandemic ?
Being a mother and grandmother , she would ’ ve instinctively taken care of the public health of the people of the United States .
— Barbra Streisand ( @ BarbraStreisand ) June 29 , 2020 Such a pity that this man who wasn ’ t elected by a majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very small hands .
— Barbra Streisand ( @ BarbraStreisand ) June 29 , 2020 Clinton answered Tuesday with a dig at President Donald Trump ’ s dislike of intelligence briefings and how he reportedly ignored early warnings about the looming public health crisis : Trump has previously claimed he doesn ’ t need to receive daily intelligence briefings because he is “ smart.
” The president continues to face widespread criticism over his administration ’ s response to the public health crisis as the number of new infections soars to record levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 128,000 people nationwide .
Streisand , who campaigned for Clinton four years ago , last month slammed the federal response to the pandemic , describing Trump as ” dangerous to our health.
” “ We can not afford four more years of malice , division and lies , and neither can our planet , ” she said at a virtual fundraiser for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ We don ’ t need a bully as a president who picks fights and rules by retaliation .
Let ’ s face it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold this office.
” “ In this upcoming election , we must bring back dignity and grace , ” she wrote in an op-ed for Variety in March .
Clinton , meanwhile , this week continued speaking out against Trump ’ s pandemic failings by repurposing the slogan he used to campaign against her .

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Music icon Barbra Streisand asked via Twitter how Hillary Clinton would have handled the coronavirus pandemic had she won the 2016 election and now been in office:
Can you imagine how President Hillary Clinton - a Woman with a powerful mind - would have handled this pandemic?
Being a mother and grandmother, she would’ve instinctively taken care of the public health of the people of the United States. — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) June 29, 2020
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She wouldn’t have ignored the pandemic plans, cut the CDC and defunded the World Health Organization. — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) June 29, 2020
Such a pity that this man who wasn’t elected by a majority of the people holds our lives in his very small hands. — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) June 29, 2020
Clinton answered Tuesday with a dig at President Donald Trump’s dislike of intelligence briefings and how he reportedly ignored early warnings about the looming public health crisis:
I would have read my damn briefs, Barbra, that's for sure. https://t.co/YSZS0Lvqo9 — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 30, 2020
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Trump has previously claimed he doesn’t need to receive daily intelligence briefings because he is “smart.”
The president continues to face widespread criticism over his administration’s response to the public health crisis as the number of new infections soars to record levels.
The virus has now killed more than 128,000 people nationwide.
Streisand, who campaigned for Clinton four years ago, last month slammed the federal response to the pandemic, describing Trump as ”dangerous to our health.”
“We cannot afford four more years of malice, division and lies, and neither can our planet,” she said at a virtual fundraiser for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. “We don’t need a bully as a president who picks fights and rules by retaliation. Let’s face it: Trump is unfit mentally and morally to hold this office.”
Streisand has in the past called Trump a “conman.”
“In this upcoming election, we must bring back dignity and grace,” she wrote in an op-ed for Variety in March.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Trump Tried To Give Himself A New Nickname. It Really Didn’t Go Well.

President Donald Trump tried to give himself a new nickname Tuesday on Twitter .
In an all-caps tweet , he called himself “ the lone warrior , ” complete with an exclamation point on the end .
One of his sons agreed : Eric Trump wrote on Twitter , “ you truly are ” but added , “ it ’ s why America loves and appreciated you.
” Trump ’ s “ lone warrior ” declaration comes amid allegations he knew for months about a Russian military unit paying bounties to Afghan militants for killing American soldiers .
Trump invited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting after he ’ d reportedly been informed .
Trump has also fashioned himself as a warrior against the coronavirus , in March declaring himself a “ wartime president ” due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
But with the virus surging , former Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that Trump “ has surrendered , waved the white flag and left the battlefield.
” Trump also avoided military service during the Vietnam War via medical deferments for bone spurs .
The president ’ s critics on Twitter were quick to remind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wartime president , and the greatest battle you 've been presented with is Coronavirus .
You 're the worst `` warrior '' ever .
pic.twitter.com/qHIZjGlmx0 — Rebecca D'sister ( @ rlmades ) June 30 , 2020 trump was a `` lone Warrior '' during Vietnam .
He stayed at home `` alone '' while the real warriors served .
Lone warrior , my ass .
He is a damn coward .
— American Veteran ( @ amvetsupport ) June 30 , 2020 Trump seems to be calling himself `` The Lone Warrior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of sense .
1 .
He is n't a warrior .
He dodged the war with bone spurs .
2 .
Maybe he wants to be like `` The Lone Ranger , '' but the Lone Ranger at least wore a f***ing mask .
— Nick Jack Pappas ( @ Pappiness ) June 30 , 2020 He 's never been in a war .
Coronavirus does n't even count because he kept telling Governors to take care of it .
Best I can tell he 's the Lone Warrior of the Porcelain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — NancySara🌼🌱🌙✒ ( @ NancySara_78 ) June 30 , 2020 The reason Trump is THE LONE WARRIOR is that nobody in our military wants to follow a coward .
— Derek Cressman ( @ DerekCressman ) June 30 , 2020

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President Donald Trump tried to give himself a new nickname Tuesday on Twitter.
In an all-caps tweet, he called himself “the lone warrior,” complete with an exclamation point on the end.
One of his sons agreed: Eric Trump wrote on Twitter, “you truly are” but added, “it’s why America loves and appreciated you.”
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Trump’s “lone warrior” declaration comes amid allegations he knew for months about a Russian military unit paying bounties to Afghan militants for killing American soldiers. Trump invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to a G-7 meeting after he’d reportedly been informed.
Trump has also fashioned himself as a warrior against the coronavirus, in March declaring himself a “wartime president” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But with the virus surging, former Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that Trump “has surrendered, waved the white flag and left the battlefield.”
Trump also avoided military service during the Vietnam War via medical deferments for bone spurs.
The president’s critics on Twitter were quick to remind of him that history:
THE LONE RACIST, INCOMPETENT, TRAITOROUS WARRIOR!
Fixed it for you @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/pKa8rf9iVT — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) June 30, 2020
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You call yourself a wartime president, and the greatest battle you've been presented with is Coronavirus.
You're the worst "warrior" ever. pic.twitter.com/qHIZjGlmx0 — Rebecca D'sister (@rlmades) June 30, 2020
trump was a "lone Warrior" during Vietnam. He stayed at home "alone" while the real warriors served. Lone warrior, my ass. He is a damn coward. — American Veteran (@amvetsupport) June 30, 2020
Trump seems to be calling himself "The Lone Warrior," which doesn't make a lot of sense.
1. He isn't a warrior. He dodged the war with bone spurs.
2. Maybe he wants to be like "The Lone Ranger," but the Lone Ranger at least wore a f***ing mask. — Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) June 30, 2020
You have Russia and China. You’re not completely alone. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) June 30, 2020
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He's never been in a war. Coronavirus doesn't even count because he kept telling Governors to take care of it.
Best I can tell he's the Lone Warrior of the Porcelain Throne and that's about it. — NancySara🌼🌱🌙✒ (@NancySara_78) June 30, 2020
The lone warrior hiding in his bunker. pic.twitter.com/hUvinqM9kM — Happy Canadian (@macarthur54) June 30, 2020
The reason Trump is THE LONE WARRIOR is that nobody in our military wants to follow a coward. — Derek Cressman (@DerekCressman) June 30, 2020
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The Lone Warrior?! What does that even mean? — Ron Clements (@Ron_Clements) June 30, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--A QAnon Supporter Just Beat A Republican Congressman in Colorado

Lauren Boebert , a restaurant owner who encourages her employees to openly carry firearms while working and has expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory , won the Republican primary in Colorado ’ s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday night , ousting incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton .
Boebert will face Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush , a former state representative , in the November general election .
The seat , which covers Colorado ’ s Western Slope , leans toward the GOP but not overwhelmingly .
Tipton defeated Mitsch Bush in 2018 , 52 % to 44 % .
Lauren Boebert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado ’ s 3rd Congressional District , first drew national attention for encouraging employees to carry firearms at the restaurant she owns in Rifle , Colorado .
“ Not even multiple endorsements from President Trump could save Congressman Scott Tipton from his extreme , QAnon caucus challenger , ” she said .
“ Washington Republicans should immediately disavow Lauren Boebert and her extremist , dangerous conspiracy theories.
” Boebert is the third QAnon supporter to take first place in a GOP primary vote this cycle , following Jo Rae Perkins ’ victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Oregon and Marjorie Greene ’ s first-place finish in a primary for a deeply conservative House seat in northwest Georgia .
( Greene still needs to win an Aug. 11 runoff election to claim the party ’ s nomination . )
But Boebert is the first QAnon supporter to win in a potentially competitive seat .
GOP leaders disavowed Green and endorsed her opponent in the runoff , John Cowan , after Politico reported on racist and anti-Semitic statements she made in Facebook videos .
“ We ’ ll get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disavow dangerous conspiracy theorists like Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff who have pushed without evidence their wild-eyed claims that the president of the United States of America is actually a secret Russian double agent under control of the Kremlin , ” NRCC spokesperson Bob Salera said .
QAnon is a sprawling and nonsensical conspiracy theory that originated on an obscure message board and alleges President Donald Trump has actually teamed up with former special prosecutor Robert Mueller in order to investigate the so-called deep state and an international ring of child sex traffickers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent figures in Hollywood .
Q , the anonymous message board poster behind the theory , has made multiple false predictions , including suggesting the arrest of Hillary Clinton was imminent .
Nonetheless , the conspiracy theory has spread among Trump supporters and to Republican candidates like Boebert .
“ I hope that this is real , ” she said on a QAnon-friendly radio show , according to a report by Colorado Public Radio .
“ It only means America is getting stronger and better , and people are returning to conservative values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am for.
” Boebert did not heavily promote her belief in QAnon .
Her lone television ad of the race attacked Tipton for supporting a coronavirus relief bill , which would have allowed aid to go to local governments , that was also supported by members of the progressive “ Squad ” led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) .
Boebert also went viral in conservative circles last year for challenging Democratic presidential candidate Beto O ’ Rourke after he called for mandatory buybacks of assault weapons , and she drew attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Shooters Grill in aptly named Rifle , Colorado , in May in violation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions .
Tipton , who had narrowly survived several previous primary challengers , had outraised Boebert by a healthy margin but had not aired any television advertising in the runup to the election .

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Lauren Boebert, a restaurant owner who encourages her employees to openly carry firearms while working and has expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory, won the Republican primary in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday night, ousting incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton.
Boebert will face Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush, a former state representative, in the November general election. The seat, which covers Colorado’s Western Slope, leans toward the GOP but not overwhelmingly. Tipton defeated Mitsch Bush in 2018, 52% to 44%.
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But GOP voters’ decision to nominate Boebert, whose advocacy for firearms drew national attention and who embraces a debunked conspiracy theory, could revive Democratic hopes of claiming the seat.
Lauren Boebert, who is now the GOP nominee in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, first drew national attention for encouraging employees to carry firearms at the restaurant she owns in Rifle, Colorado. RJ Sangosti via Getty Images
Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, called on national Republicans to immediately disavow Boebert in a statement.
“Not even multiple endorsements from President Trump could save Congressman Scott Tipton from his extreme, QAnon caucus challenger,” she said. “Washington Republicans should immediately disavow Lauren Boebert and her extremist, dangerous conspiracy theories.”
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Boebert is the third QAnon supporter to take first place in a GOP primary vote this cycle, following Jo Rae Perkins’ victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Oregon and Marjorie Greene’s first-place finish in a primary for a deeply conservative House seat in northwest Georgia. (Greene still needs to win an Aug. 11 runoff election to claim the party’s nomination.) But Boebert is the first QAnon supporter to win in a potentially competitive seat.
GOP leaders disavowed Green and endorsed her opponent in the runoff, John Cowan, after Politico reported on racist and anti-Semitic statements she made in Facebook videos.
In a statement, the National Republican Congressional Committee didn’t appear ready to disavow Boebert in the same way.
“We’ll get back to you when Cheri Bustos and the DCCC disavow dangerous conspiracy theorists like Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff who have pushed without evidence their wild-eyed claims that the president of the United States of America is actually a secret Russian double agent under control of the Kremlin,” NRCC spokesperson Bob Salera said.
QAnon is a sprawling and nonsensical conspiracy theory that originated on an obscure message board and alleges President Donald Trump has actually teamed up with former special prosecutor Robert Mueller in order to investigate the so-called deep state and an international ring of child sex traffickers that includes prominent Democratic Party politicians and prominent figures in Hollywood.
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Q, the anonymous message board poster behind the theory, has made multiple false predictions, including suggesting the arrest of Hillary Clinton was imminent. Nonetheless, the conspiracy theory has spread among Trump supporters and to Republican candidates like Boebert.
“I hope that this is real,” she said on a QAnon-friendly radio show, according to a report by Colorado Public Radio. “It only means America is getting stronger and better, and people are returning to conservative values, and that’s what I am for.”
Boebert did not heavily promote her belief in QAnon. Her lone television ad of the race attacked Tipton for supporting a coronavirus relief bill, which would have allowed aid to go to local governments, that was also supported by members of the progressive “Squad” led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
Boebert also went viral in conservative circles last year for challenging Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke after he called for mandatory buybacks of assault weapons, and she drew attention for reopening her bar, the aptly named Shooters Grill in aptly named Rifle, Colorado, in May in violation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
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Tipton, who had narrowly survived several previous primary challengers, had outraised Boebert by a healthy margin but had not aired any television advertising in the runup to the election.
Boebert had just $13,000 on hand as of June 10, according to Federal Election Commission records, compared with $350,000 for Mitsch Bush.
Trump had endorsed Tipton in the primary but was quick to congratulate Boebert on her victory on Tuesday night.
Congratulations on a really great win! https://t.co/rMpFiV6LvY — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--CNN's Anderson Cooper Breaks Down Why Donald Trump’s America Is Now ‘A Pariah State’

Anderson Cooper on Tuesday night tore into the Trump White House ’ s botched response to the coronavirus pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ a pariah state ” following the European Union ’ s travel ban on people from @ @ @ @ @ leader for decades in the study of prevention for infectious disease , the biggest economy @ @ @ @ @ only country to send people to the moon and we can ’ t even fly @ @ @ @ @ now a health hazard , ” the host of CNN ’ s “ Anderson Cooper @ @ @ @ @ also examined the recent record uptick in confirmed cases of COVID-19 , which has prompted @ @ @ @ @ measures , and called out President Donald Trump for repeatedly subverting the idea of wearing @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .

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Anderson Cooper on Tuesday night tore into the Trump White House’s botched response to the coronavirus pandemic and declared the United States “a pariah state” following the European Union’s travel ban on people from America.
“The world leader for decades in the study of prevention for infectious disease, the biggest economy in the world, the only country to send people to the moon and we can’t even fly to Paris because Americans are now a health hazard,” the host of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360°” said.
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Cooper also examined the recent record uptick in confirmed cases of COVID-19, which has prompted some states to reintroduce lockdown measures, and called out President Donald Trump for repeatedly subverting the idea of wearing face masks aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Joe Biden Gives Trump's 'Wartime President' Claim A Savage Reality Check

President Donald Trump once declared himself a “ wartime president ” in the nation ’ s battle against the coronavirus pandemic .
Now his Democratic rival , former Vice President Joe Biden , says the infection ’ s dramatic resurgence ― and the administration ’ s failed response ― means Trump is losing the war .
“ Remember back in March when he called himself a wartime president ?
” Biden asked , then added : “ Remember when he exhorted the nation to ‘ sacrifice together ’ to face an ‘ invisible enemy ’ ?
What happened ?
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it seems the wartime president has surrendered — has waved the white flag and left the field of battle.
” Confirmed infections have jumped by 80 percent , according to The New York Times , with Arizona , Texas and Florida , in particular , seeing a surge in cases .
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Tuesday that the nation could ultimately record 100,000 new cases per day .
Biden agreed , calling the pandemic a “ serious threat ” that must be faced as a country .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he pits us against one another , ” Biden said .
“ We can ’ t continue like this : half-recovering and half-getting-worse , half wearing masks and half rejecting science.
” Biden also said via Twitter that , if elected , he would reach out to Fauci and ask him to continue to serve the country .
“ I ’ ll have the nation ’ s top medical experts and scientists ready to advise our response on day one , ” he said .
“ And I ’ ll actually listen to @ @ @

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President Donald Trump once declared himself a “wartime president” in the nation’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic. Now his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, says the infection’s dramatic resurgence ― and the administration’s failed response ― means Trump is losing the war.
“Remember back in March when he called himself a wartime president?” Biden asked, then added:
“Remember when he exhorted the nation to ‘sacrifice together’ to face an ‘invisible enemy’? What happened? Now it’s almost July, and it seems the wartime president has surrendered — has waved the white flag and left the field of battle.”
Confirmed infections have jumped by 80 percent, according to The New York Times, with Arizona, Texas and Florida, in particular, seeing a surge in cases. Infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Tuesday that the nation could ultimately record 100,000 new cases per day.
Biden agreed, calling the pandemic a “serious threat” that must be faced as a country.
“But the president gives us no direction and he pits us against one another,” Biden said. “We can’t continue like this: half-recovering and half-getting-worse, half wearing masks and half rejecting science.”
Biden also said via Twitter that, if elected, he would reach out to Fauci and ask him to continue to serve the country.
“I’ll have the nation’s top medical experts and scientists ready to advise our response on day one,” he said. “And I’ll actually listen to them.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Despite Some Disapproval, White Evangelicals Haven't Budged On Voting For Trump: Survey

The overwhelming majority of white evangelical voters are leaning toward casting their ballots for President Donald Trump in November , even though the religious group ’ s approval of the president has recently dipped , a new Pew Research Center survey has found .
White evangelicals ’ approval of how Trump is handling his job slipped 6 percentage points , from 78 % in April to 72 % , in June , Pew reported in a survey published Tuesday .
The percentage of white evangelicals who “ very strongly ” approved of Trump ’ s performance dropped 8 points during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 59 % .
Regardless of this dip , white evangelicals are still by far the religious group that is most supportive of Trump ’ s performance .
In addition , when researchers asked white evangelical registered voters to reveal what they would do in the ballot box , 82 % of those surveyed said either that they would vote for Trump or that they leaned toward voting for him .
Only 17 % said they would back the presumed Democratic nominee , former Vice President Joe Biden .
Across religious groups ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed a modest uptick in approval for Trump in mid-April .
This “ rallying around the flag , ” likely caused by the coronavirus pandemic , largely fizzled out by the time Pew conducted its mid-June survey .
The rise and fall of Trump ’ s approval among white evangelicals mimicked that trend .
Pew ’ s new survey demonstrates that despite the tumult of recent weeks ― including the administration ’ s controversial dispersal of protesters near the White House to accommodate a photo shoot outside a church ― white evangelicals ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ While this new data does show a modest change in views toward Trump , one continually striking fact is the stability in the data through many major events during his presidency ( impeachment , coronavirus and the Floyd protests , just to name a few recent ones ) , ” Greg Smith , Pew ’ s associate director of research , told HuffPost .
“ The fact that 8 in 10 white evangelical Protestants plan to vote for him ― very similar to the numbers we saw in 2016 ― indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward the president among some of his core supporters , ” Smith said .
White evangelicals ’ political priorities ― their views on abortion rights and the appointment of conservative justices to the Supreme Court ― have long influenced their loyalty to Trump and to the Republican Party .
Many in this religious group associate voting for a Democrat with voting to “ kill babies ” or voting for socialism , which they view as a “ godless ” alternative to capitalism , according to Gerardo Marti , a sociology professor at Davidson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blindspot : Race , Class , Religion , and the Trump Presidency.
” “ They still can ’ t imagine voting for a Democrat , even if it ’ s a Christian Democrat like Joe Biden and even if it ’ s a person with a gentler demeanor , like Joe Biden , ” Marti said .
“ Because for them , after many years , they have cultivated a particular identity , and that identity wraps itself around certain things which they perceive to be biblical and right and true , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pew ’ s survey also offered an early look at how major American religious groups feel about Biden .
The only group in which the majority of respondents said that Biden would be a “ great ” or “ good ” president was Black Protestants .
The unaffiliated are concerned about fundamentalist evangelical beliefs encroaching on the American legal system , which is what they believe could happen if Trump stays in the White House , Marti said .
As a result , they view Biden in a way that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Trump , he said .

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The overwhelming majority of white evangelical voters are leaning toward casting their ballots for President Donald Trump in November, even though the religious group’s approval of the president has recently dipped, a new Pew Research Center survey has found.
White evangelicals’ approval of how Trump is handling his job slipped 6 percentage points, from 78% in April to 72%, in June, Pew reported in a survey published Tuesday. The percentage of white evangelicals who “very strongly” approved of Trump’s performance dropped 8 points during the same period, from 67% to 59%.
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Regardless of this dip, white evangelicals are still by far the religious group that is most supportive of Trump’s performance. In addition, when researchers asked white evangelical registered voters to reveal what they would do in the ballot box, 82% of those surveyed said either that they would vote for Trump or that they leaned toward voting for him. Only 17% said they would back the presumed Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden.
In 2016, 77% of white evangelicals voted for Trump and 16% voted for Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, according to Pew’s postelection survey of validated voters.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks Jan. 3 during an "Evangelicals for Trump" event at King Jesus Church in Miami. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Across religious groups ― even among some Black Protestants ― Pew observed a modest uptick in approval for Trump in mid-April. This “rallying around the flag,” likely caused by the coronavirus pandemic, largely fizzled out by the time Pew conducted its mid-June survey. The rise and fall of Trump’s approval among white evangelicals mimicked that trend.
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Pew’s new survey demonstrates that despite the tumult of recent weeks ― including the administration’s controversial dispersal of protesters near the White House to accommodate a photo shoot outside a church ― white evangelicals’ views about the president have remained positive.
“While this new data does show a modest change in views toward Trump, one continually striking fact is the stability in the data through many major events during his presidency (impeachment, coronavirus and the Floyd protests, just to name a few recent ones),” Greg Smith, Pew’s associate director of research, told HuffPost.
“The fact that 8 in 10 white evangelical Protestants plan to vote for him ― very similar to the numbers we saw in 2016 ― indicates a great deal of stability in views toward the president among some of his core supporters,” Smith said.
Attendees cheer as Trump addresses evangelicals at the Jan. 3 rally in Miami. (Photo by Scott McIntyre/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
White evangelicals’ political priorities ― their views on abortion rights and the appointment of conservative justices to the Supreme Court ― have long influenced their loyalty to Trump and to the Republican Party. Many in this religious group associate voting for a Democrat with voting to “kill babies” or voting for socialism, which they view as a “godless” alternative to capitalism, according to Gerardo Marti, a sociology professor at Davidson College and the author of “American Blindspot: Race, Class, Religion, and the Trump Presidency.”
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White evangelicals may not approve of everything that Trump does or says, but the alternative is unthinkable, Marti said.
“They still can’t imagine voting for a Democrat, even if it’s a Christian Democrat like Joe Biden and even if it’s a person with a gentler demeanor, like Joe Biden,” Marti said. “Because for them, after many years, they have cultivated a particular identity, and that identity wraps itself around certain things which they perceive to be biblical and right and true, and to move away from that is threatening.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, speaks at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 1. Andrew Harnik/Associated Press
White Christians ― including evangelicals, mainline Protestants and Catholics ― signaled that they were planning to vote for Trump. Most Black Protestants and religiously unaffiliated Americans indicated that they would vote for Biden.
Pew’s survey also offered an early look at how major American religious groups feel about Biden. The only group in which the majority of respondents said that Biden would be a “great” or “good” president was Black Protestants.
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The religiously unaffiliated, a fast-growing segment of the Democratic Party, were much less enthusiastic about a Biden presidency. Most said Biden would be an “average” president (39%).
Pew Research Center
The unaffiliated are concerned about fundamentalist evangelical beliefs encroaching on the American legal system, which is what they believe could happen if Trump stays in the White House, Marti said. As a result, they view Biden in a way that’s similar to how some white evangelicals think about Trump, he said.
The unaffiliated may not fully embrace Biden’s candidacy, but the alternative ― four more years of Trump ― is seen as being far worse.
“The Biden campaign is for the most part trusting that there’s going to be enough people motivated, knowing that it’s a binary choice practically speaking, to mark the box or pull the lever for Joe Biden,” Marti said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--As COVID-19 Cases Surge, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Says He Won't Reinstate Restrictions

Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) insisted Tuesday that he would not reintroduce COVID-19 restrictions despite a resurgence of coronavirus cases following a reopening of the state ’ s economy .
“ We ’ re not going back , closing things , ” the governor told reporters , adding that he didn ’ t believe the state ’ s economic reopening was the cause of the virus spread but rather that it was social interactions among younger Floridians .
“ I mean , people going to business is not what ’ s driving it , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the younger folks , I think a lot of it is just more social interactions , and so that ’ s natural.
” The New York Times reported Sunday that Florida ’ s COVID-19 cases had increased fivefold in just two weeks .
The state reported 9,585 new cases on Friday ― a record-breaking daily tally .
In all , more than 150,000 virus cases have been reported in the state .
Amid the spike , Florida officials on Friday barred the sale of alcohol in bars ― and both Miami-Dade and Broward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of July weekend .
DeSantis said , however , that the state would otherwise be going ahead with its reopening plans .
“ We ’ re open .
We know who we need to protect .
Most of the folks in those younger demographics ― although we want them to be mindful of what ’ s going on ― are just simply much , much less at risk than the folks who are in those older age groups .
So , protecting the vulnerable , you know , really is significant , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s top infectious disease expert , said Tuesday that the U.S. could see as many as 100,000 new coronavirus infections daily if states like Florida , Texas and Arizona ― where surges of new infections have recently been reported ― don ’ t take steps to stem the spread .
At least 17 states , including Texas , have put the brakes on their reopening plans as virus cases have spiked .

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) insisted Tuesday that he would not reintroduce COVID-19 restrictions despite a resurgence of coronavirus cases following a reopening of the state’s economy.
“We’re not going back, closing things,” the governor told reporters, adding that he didn’t believe the state’s economic reopening was the cause of the virus spread but rather that it was social interactions among younger Floridians.
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“I mean, people going to business is not what’s driving it,” he said. “I think when you see the younger folks, I think a lot of it is just more social interactions, and so that’s natural.”
“We’re not going back, we’re not closing down.”
@GovRonDeSantis doubling down earlier today that Florida will not be re-entering a statewide lockdown in response to sharp #COVID19 case increases. Says focus is on “protecting vulnerable” populations. @wfla pic.twitter.com/sGNEYH6t2o — victoria price (@WFLAVictoria) June 30, 2020
Amid the spike, Florida officials on Friday barred the sale of alcohol in bars ― and both Miami-Dade and Broward counties shuttered their beaches for the Fourth of July weekend.
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DeSantis said, however, that the state would otherwise be going ahead with its reopening plans.
“We’re open. We know who we need to protect. Most of the folks in those younger demographics ― although we want them to be mindful of what’s going on ― are just simply much, much less at risk than the folks who are in those older age groups. So, protecting the vulnerable, you know, really is significant,” he said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, said Tuesday that the U.S. could see as many as 100,000 new coronavirus infections daily if states like Florida, Texas and Arizona ― where surges of new infections have recently been reported ― don’t take steps to stem the spread.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--The Flag-Hugger-In-Chief Flies A Nonstandard, Cheaper One At Mar-a-Lago

“ To most people who served , this is not the biggest deal in the world , but it should @ @ @ @ @ makes such a huge deal of respecting the flag , who wants states to ban @ @ @ @ @ people who kneel in front of it ‘ sons of bitches , ’ ” said @ @ @ @ @ government relations with the group VoteVets .
The White House did not respond to HuffPost @ @ @ @ @ to fly a nonstandard flag .
The Trump Organization , the president ’ s private @ @ @ @ @ courses and resorts , including Mar-a-Lago , declined to answer questions .
One possible reason @ @ @ @ @ be the cost .
A banner that is 15 feet by 25 feet – the @ @ @ @ @ a dozen years ago when Trump was feuding with Palm Beach over his newly installed @ @ @ @ @ the town code ― costs hundreds of dollars less than one meeting the official standard @ @ @ @ @ feet , according to a HuffPost review of large flag distributors .

“To most people who served, this is not the biggest deal in the world, but it should be, for someone who makes such a huge deal of respecting the flag, who wants states to ban flag burning, and calls people who kneel in front of it ‘sons of bitches,’” said Will Goodwin, director of government relations with the group VoteVets.
The White House did not respond to HuffPost queries about why Trump chooses to fly a nonstandard flag. The Trump Organization, the president’s private company that runs his golf courses and resorts, including Mar-a-Lago, declined to answer questions.
One possible reason for the nonstandard flags could be the cost. A banner that is 15 feet by 25 feet – the size described in news accounts a dozen years ago when Trump was feuding with Palm Beach over his newly installed flag and pole that violated the town code ― costs hundreds of dollars less than one meeting the official standard of 20 feet by 38 feet, according to a HuffPost review of large flag distributors.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--John Hickenlooper Wins Colorado Primary In Key Senate Race

John Hickenlooper has claimed the Democratic nomination for Colorado ’ s Senate race , beating former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in a two-way primary Tuesday , according to The Associated Press .
The former governor will face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner this November in what ’ s expected to be one of the most hotly contested battles of the 2020 election cycle .
Colorado is the Democratic Party ’ s best chance at gaining a Senate seat this year .
President Donald Trump ’ s approval rating in the state has been in the negatives ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done little to separate himself from Trump .
He chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2018 midterm elections , helping to increase the GOP majority in the Senate and cementing himself as a party man .
Gardner endorsed Trump ’ s reelection in early 2019 .
Hickenlooper ’ s win on Tuesday was expected , as he was running 30 percentage points ahead of Romanoff in early polls .
Despite having more of a centrist record as a state lawmaker , Romanoff was campaigning to Hickenlooper ’ s left in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deal and “ Medicare for All.
” But the race saw little progressive energy , and Hickenlooper , who was pushed to run by the national Democratic Party and had the immediate backing of senatorial Democrats ’ campaign arm , rode to victory .
Hickenlooper ran to the center of the Democratic Party , arguing that the Green New Deal would set up the nation for “ failure ” and supporting an expanded Affordable Care Act with a public option for insurance , rather than a universal single-payer system .
He had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun control and immigration , signing universal background checks and bans on high-capacity magazines into law .
The popular two-term former governor ― who won reelection in 2014 , the same year Republicans had higher turnout than Democrats in Colorado — is seen as a strong candidate against Gardner .
He has consistently polled ahead of the incumbent Republican , including an 18-percentage-point lead in a May poll of the race .
But Hickenlooper is not without vulnerabilities .
He threw his hat into the presidential race last year , thinking his brand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear lane in the Democratic primary .
Instead , Hickenlooper found himself lumped in with similar candidates like Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and former Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock , who is now also running for Senate .
None of them gained any traction .
At the time , Hickenlooper was adamant that he didn ’ t want to be a senator , repeatedly stating that he didn ’ t think he ’ d like the job .
He has since had to answer for several gaffes , most notably a resurfaced video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to being whipped on an “ ancient slave ship , ” which he apologized for earlier this month .
Still , Colorado is promising for Democrats .
Two years ago , the party easily held on to the governor ’ s mansion , electing Jared Polis to succeed Hickenlooper , and flipped both chambers of the state Legislature .
A largely suburban state with a growing Latino population and a strong subset of younger voters , Colorado has trended away from its once swing-state status and become increasingly liberal .
After his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Republicans ’ electoral future : “ Donald Trump is about Donald Trump , and what Donald Trump is , is he wants to be the center of attention every single day .
He wants to dominate the news cycle every single day , and good luck trying to get a message out of that .
”

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John Hickenlooper has claimed the Democratic nomination for Colorado’s Senate race, beating former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in a two-way primary Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. The former governor will face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner this November in what’s expected to be one of the most hotly contested battles of the 2020 election cycle.
Colorado is the Democratic Party’s best chance at gaining a Senate seat this year. President Donald Trump’s approval rating in the state has been in the negatives ever since he took office. And Gardner has done little to separate himself from Trump. He chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2018 midterm elections, helping to increase the GOP majority in the Senate and cementing himself as a party man. Gardner endorsed Trump’s reelection in early 2019.
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Hickenlooper’s win on Tuesday was expected, as he was running 30 percentage points ahead of Romanoff in early polls. Despite having more of a centrist record as a state lawmaker, Romanoff was campaigning to Hickenlooper’s left in the primary, backing the Green New Deal and “Medicare for All.”
John Hickenlooper will face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner this November in what's expected to be a hotly contested battle. Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press
But the race saw little progressive energy, and Hickenlooper, who was pushed to run by the national Democratic Party and had the immediate backing of senatorial Democrats’ campaign arm, rode to victory. Hickenlooper ran to the center of the Democratic Party, arguing that the Green New Deal would set up the nation for “failure” and supporting an expanded Affordable Care Act with a public option for insurance, rather than a universal single-payer system. He had a progressive record as governor on issues around gun control and immigration, signing universal background checks and bans on high-capacity magazines into law.
The popular two-term former governor ― who won reelection in 2014, the same year Republicans had higher turnout than Democrats in Colorado — is seen as a strong candidate against Gardner. He has consistently polled ahead of the incumbent Republican, including an 18-percentage-point lead in a May poll of the race.
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But Hickenlooper is not without vulnerabilities. He threw his hat into the presidential race last year, thinking his brand of Mountain West pragmatism would find a clear lane in the Democratic primary. Instead, Hickenlooper found himself lumped in with similar candidates like Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who is now also running for Senate. None of them gained any traction.
At the time, Hickenlooper was adamant that he didn’t want to be a senator, repeatedly stating that he didn’t think he’d like the job. He has since had to answer for several gaffes, most notably a resurfaced video of his 2014 remarks comparing political campaign work to being whipped on an “ancient slave ship,” which he apologized for earlier this month.
Still, Colorado is promising for Democrats. Two years ago, the party easily held on to the governor’s mansion, electing Jared Polis to succeed Hickenlooper, and flipped both chambers of the state Legislature. A largely suburban state with a growing Latino population and a strong subset of younger voters, Colorado has trended away from its once swing-state status and become increasingly liberal.
One of Gardner’s warning signs came in the 2018 midterms when Democrat Jason Crow unseated Republican Rep. Mike Coffman in the suburbs of Denver.
After his loss, Coffman had this to say about Republicans’ electoral future: “Donald Trump is about Donald Trump, and what Donald Trump is, is he wants to be the center of attention every single day. He wants to dominate the news cycle every single day, and good luck trying to get a message out of that.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Martin Gugino, Buffalo Protester Pushed By Police, Released From Hospital

The 75-year-old peaceful protester pushed to the ground by two Buffalo , New York , police officers nearly a month ago has been released from the hospital , his attorney said Tuesday .
After suffering a brain injury and fractured skull , Martin Gugino was released from Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo , and is “ recovering at an undisclosed location in order to ensure his privacy , ” according to his attorney , Kelly Zarcone .
“ Martin wants to thank the entire hospital staff for their exceptional dedication and professionalism .
He received truly outstanding care and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Zarcone said in a statement .
“ I was able to see Martin today and he looks great.
” On June 4 , Gugino was seriously injured during anti-racist protests that have swept the U.S. following the police killing of George Floyd .
Graphic cellphone video that quickly went viral showed Gugino attempting to talk to officers in Buffalo ’ s Niagara Square as police begin to enforce the city ’ s 8 p.m. curfew .
Two officers are seen shoving him and Gugino is seen hitting his head on the pavement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small pool of blood forming around his head .
The officers kept walking .
Following outrage over the video , the two cops seen pushing Gugino ― Robert McCabe , 39 , and Aaron Torgalski , 32 ― were both charged with second-degree assault .
The arrests led to all 57 members of the Buffalo Police Department ’ s Emergency Response Team to resign “ in disgust.
” President Donald Trump further inflamed tensions when he absurdly and without evidence said Gugino “ could be an ANTIFA provocateur.
” And despite video evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the man “ fell harder than he was pushed.
” Gugino “ has been a longtime peaceful protester , human rights advocate and overall fan of the U.S. Constitution for many years , ” Zarcone said in an earlier statement responding to Trump ’ s baseless claim .
“ We are at a loss to understand why the President of the United States would make such dark , dangerous , and untrue accusations against him .
”

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The 75-year-old peaceful protester pushed to the ground by two Buffalo, New York, police officers nearly a month ago has been released from the hospital, his attorney said Tuesday.
After suffering a brain injury and fractured skull, Martin Gugino was released from Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, and is “recovering at an undisclosed location in order to ensure his privacy,” according to his attorney, Kelly Zarcone.
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“Martin wants to thank the entire hospital staff for their exceptional dedication and professionalism. He received truly outstanding care and for that, he is grateful,” Zarcone said in a statement. “I was able to see Martin today and he looks great.”
On June 4, Gugino was seriously injured during anti-racist protests that have swept the U.S. following the police killing of George Floyd. Graphic cellphone video that quickly went viral showed Gugino attempting to talk to officers in Buffalo’s Niagara Square as police begin to enforce the city’s 8 p.m. curfew. Two officers are seen shoving him and Gugino is seen hitting his head on the pavement, where he lay motionless with a small pool of blood forming around his head. The officers kept walking.
Following outrage over the video, the two cops seen pushing Gugino ― Robert McCabe, 39, and Aaron Torgalski, 32 ― were both charged with second-degree assault. The arrests led to all 57 members of the Buffalo Police Department’s Emergency Response Team to resign “in disgust.”
President Donald Trump further inflamed tensions when he absurdly and without evidence said Gugino “could be an ANTIFA provocateur.” And despite video evidence showing Gugino’s injury, Trump said the man “fell harder than he was pushed.”
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Gugino “has been a longtime peaceful protester, human rights advocate and overall fan of the U.S. Constitution for many years,” Zarcone said in an earlier statement responding to Trump’s baseless claim. “We are at a loss to understand why the President of the United States would make such dark, dangerous, and untrue accusations against him.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Kayleigh McEnany Mocked After Insisting Trump Is 'Most Informed Person'

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany came in for some skewering for her latest defense of President Donald Trump .
McEnany attempted Tuesday to explain away damning reports that the president was either not briefed or didn ’ t pay attention to intelligence reports that raised concerns the Russian government was paying bounties to Taliban fighters to kill U.S. soldiers .
A reporter asked about reports that the president isn ’ t much of a reader , especially when it comes to his intelligence briefing books : “ The president does read and he also consumes intelligence verbally .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is the most informed person on the planet Earth when it comes to the threats that we face.
” Kayleigh : The President does read and also consumes intelligence verbally .
This President is the most informed person on the planet earth when it comes to the threats that we face pic.twitter.com/tr0e8MU0LN — Acyn Torabi ( @ Acyn ) June 30 , 2020 Considering the president is not known for being a reader but is known for saying things that are clearly false , many Twitter users were skeptical .
So yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been briefed '' on the bounties and today they 're saying `` He 's the most informed person on matters of national security . ''
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 — Jesse ( @ Ackackadack1 ) June 30 , 2020 “ Consuming intelligence verbally ” is what stoners call snacking on edibles and talking horseshit .
Explains a lot , tbf .
https : //t.co/NZOXt5hjTU — Philip O'Connor ( @ philipoconnor ) June 30 , 2020 I ’ m pretty sure that “ Consuming intelligence verbally ” can cause high blood pressure and other secondary infections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of “ verbal intelligence.
” https : //t.co/UHEIJMFBlH — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 ( @ MollyJongFast ) June 30 , 2020 Nothing hammers home the WH talking point that Joe Biden is old and confused quite like insisting that their guy knows how to read .
https : //t.co/TYwXdWOCvy — Brian Tyler Cohen ( @ briantylercohen ) June 30 , 2020 How can she not burst out laughing when she says that `` Donald Trump is the most informed person on Earth '' .
https : //t.co/ydLwWSGFqU — ᴬˢˢᴵˢᵀᴬᴺᵀ ᵀᴼ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴮᴿᴬᴺᶜᴴ ᴹᴳᴿ ᴼᶠ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 The only way Trump would consume intelligence is if his staff told him it was Häagen-Dazs .
https : //t.co/Ju3aM7RMn6 — Emily Brandwin ( @ CIAspygirl ) June 30 , 2020 Can you imagine calling a press conference in one hour with the main talking point being - `` The President Does Read . ''
— Jonathan Gaffney ( @ JGaffneyUSN ) June 30 , 2020 Hearing he can also drink from a glass , but unconfirmed at this point .
@ Acyn https : //t.co/6CC8ySnIM5 — MaTT FLaMMaBLe ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one person had a nagging issue with McEnany ’ s comment ... . ''
On planet Earth '' .
Is she implying the Space Force has discovered something we mortals have not been told ?
https : //t.co/RJDWYvQ9a9 — Andrea R MD ( @ AndreaR9Md ) June 30 , 2020

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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany came in for some skewering for her latest defense of President Donald Trump.
McEnany attempted Tuesday to explain away damning reports that the president was either not briefed or didn’t pay attention to intelligence reports that raised concerns the Russian government was paying bounties to Taliban fighters to kill U.S. soldiers.
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A reporter asked about reports that the president isn’t much of a reader, especially when it comes to his intelligence briefing books:
“The president does read and he also consumes intelligence verbally. This president, I’ll tell you, is the most informed person on the planet Earth when it comes to the threats that we face.”
Kayleigh: The President does read and also consumes intelligence verbally. This President is the most informed person on the planet earth when it comes to the threats that we face pic.twitter.com/tr0e8MU0LN — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) June 30, 2020
Considering the president is not known for being a reader but is known for saying things that are clearly false, many Twitter users were skeptical.
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Very skeptical.
So yesterday they said "The President hasn't been briefed" on the bounties and today they're saying "He's the most informed person on matters of national security."
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 — Jesse (@Ackackadack1) June 30, 2020
“Consuming intelligence verbally” is what stoners call snacking on edibles and talking horseshit.
Explains a lot, tbf. https://t.co/NZOXt5hjTU — Philip O'Connor (@philipoconnor) June 30, 2020
I’m pretty sure that “Consuming intelligence verbally” can cause high blood pressure and other secondary infections. Check with your doctor before beginning a course of “verbal intelligence.” https://t.co/UHEIJMFBlH — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) June 30, 2020
Nothing hammers home the WH talking point that Joe Biden is old and confused quite like insisting that their guy knows how to read. https://t.co/TYwXdWOCvy — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) June 30, 2020
How can she not burst out laughing when she says that "Donald Trump is the most informed person on Earth". https://t.co/ydLwWSGFqU — ᴬˢˢᴵˢᵀᴬᴺᵀ ᵀᴼ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴮᴿᴬᴺᶜᴴ ᴹᴳᴿ ᴼᶠ 🄰🄽🅃🄸🄵🄰 (@billymocolorad2) June 30, 2020
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The only way Trump would consume intelligence is if his staff told him it was Häagen-Dazs. https://t.co/Ju3aM7RMn6 — Emily Brandwin (@CIAspygirl) June 30, 2020
Can you imagine calling a press conference in one hour with the main talking point being - "The President Does Read." — Jonathan Gaffney (@JGaffneyUSN) June 30, 2020
Hearing he can also drink from a glass, but unconfirmed at this point. @Acyn https://t.co/6CC8ySnIM5 — MaTT FLaMMaBLe (@MaTTFLaMMaBLe) June 30, 2020
But one person had a nagging issue with McEnany’s comment ....
"On planet Earth". Is she implying the Space Force has discovered something we mortals have not been told? https://t.co/RJDWYvQ9a9 — Andrea R MD (@AndreaR9Md) June 30, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Obama Photographer Flags Yet Another Wild Difference With The Trump Presidency

Pete Souza , the Obama-era White House photographer , continues to point out the myriad wild ways in which Donald @ @ @ @ @ so far differed from that of his predecessor .
Souza on Tuesday shared this throwback @ @ @ @ @ “ Robert Gibbs , Jay Carney and Josh Earnest never had to hold a press @ @ @ @ @ President reads , ” Souza captioned the Instagram post , naming Obama ’ s three @ @ @ @ @ an obvious dig at current White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany who , earlier in @ @ @ @ @ forced to insist Trump “ does read ” following reports he ignored or was not @ @ @ @ @ fighters received bounties from the Russian government in exchange for killing U.S. troops .
Souza @ @ @ @ @ from his time documenting the Obama administration to explain the process of the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has previously claimed he doesn ’ t require because he ’ s “ smart.
@ @

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Pete Souza, the Obama-era White House photographer, continues to point out the myriad wild ways in which Donald Trump’s presidency has so far differed from that of his predecessor.
Souza on Tuesday shared this throwback image of Obama reading:
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“Robert Gibbs, Jay Carney and Josh Earnest never had to hold a press conference to announce that the President reads,” Souza captioned the Instagram post, naming Obama’s three press secretaries.
It was an obvious dig at current White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany who, earlier in the day, had been forced to insist Trump “does read” following reports he ignored or was not briefed on claims that Taliban fighters received bounties from the Russian government in exchange for killing U.S. troops.
Souza also shared these old images from his time documenting the Obama administration to explain the process of the president’s daily briefing ― which Trump has previously claimed he doesn’t require because he’s “smart.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Most Americans Favor Mask Requirements, Poll Finds

By 62 % to 28 % , Americans say they ’ d favor a government rule in the area where they live requiring people to wear a face mask when they are in public and around other people .
By 69 % to 24 % , they say they ’ d favor local stores instituting policies that require people to wear a face mask while shopping .
The precise level of support varies along both partisan and demographic lines , with Democrats in denser areas most in favor of mask requirements and Republicans in less-dense areas the most resistant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least a small margin , with Republicans in towns and rural areas the only group to oppose a government rule .
A 44 % plurality say doing so equally protects the wearer and others , with 10 % believing it mostly protects the wearer , 27 % that it mostly protects those around the wearer , and 13 % that it carries no benefits at all .
Policies around mask-wearing have often flared into partisan battles .
While Democratic politicians have broadly supported such policies , many Republican lawmakers have disregarded congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP leaders , meanwhile , have publicly advocated for face coverings : Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said on the Senate floor that wearing them protects others and shouldn ’ t carry any stigma , while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California urged Americans to wear masks .
Public opinion follows similar contours .
While the issue is obviously polarized , it ’ s not quite a matter of Democrats versus Republicans ; rather , it finds most Democrats and a substantial bloc of pro-mask Republicans pitted against a swath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP .
Polls often garner responses that are intended more as partisan signalling than as reflections of the respondents ’ true actions or beliefs ― a sure sign that the topics in question have become political footballs .
But even those Americans who are unlikely to wear masks themselves often stop short of the open ideological hostility seen at anti-mask protests .
Those who rarely or never wear masks around others reject the framing as a public health issue , with 72 % saying it ’ s a personal decision , and nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no benefits .
But just 16 % of those infrequent mask-wearers say Trump administration figures shouldn ’ t wear masks , just 11 % view mask-wearing as a sign of weakness and only 27 % say they ’ re at all bothered by seeing others wearing masks .
Still , although mask-wearing has become remarkably common for a practice that was rare in the United States only months ago , it remains far from universal .
Slightly more than half say of Americans say they always wear a mask or other face covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people ― for instance , while grocery shopping ― while an additional 16 % do so most of the time and 23 % once in a while or never .
Only a quarter say they always wear masks while in public but away from others ― for instance , while walking in a quiet area ― while 21 % say they do so most of the time and 48 % that they do so once in a while or never .
About half of those who wear masks in public say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way for wearing one , with 19 % saying they feel they ’ re judged positively and just 9 % that they face negative judgment .
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ methodology are available here .
Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey errors .
YouGov ’ s reports include a model-based margin of error , which rests on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .

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Most Americans favor requirements to wear face masks in public, a HuffPost/YouGov survey finds.
By 62% to 28%, Americans say they’d favor a government rule in the area where they live requiring people to wear a face mask when they are in public and around other people. By 69% to 24%, they say they’d favor local stores instituting policies that require people to wear a face mask while shopping.
Meghan Griffin offers masks, gloves and hand sanitizer in front of a store Monday at the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, New Jersey. New Jersey's indoor shopping malls reopened on Monday from their COVID-19 pause. Seth Wenig/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The precise level of support varies along both partisan and demographic lines, with Democrats in denser areas most in favor of mask requirements and Republicans in less-dense areas the most resistant. Every group favors restrictions in stores by at least a small margin, with Republicans in towns and rural areas the only group to oppose a government rule.
Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Americans say, 62% to 29%, that deciding to wear a mask is a matter of public health rather than personal choice ― a result that’s identical to that of a previous HuffPost/YouGov poll in May.
A 44% plurality say doing so equally protects the wearer and others, with 10% believing it mostly protects the wearer, 27% that it mostly protects those around the wearer, and 13% that it carries no benefits at all.
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Policies around mask-wearing have often flared into partisan battles. While Democratic politicians have broadly supported such policies, many Republican lawmakers have disregarded congressional mask guidelines. A number of other GOP leaders, meanwhile, have publicly advocated for face coverings: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said on the Senate floor that wearing them protects others and shouldn’t carry any stigma, while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California urged Americans to wear masks.
Public opinion follows similar contours. While the issue is obviously polarized, it’s not quite a matter of Democrats versus Republicans; rather, it finds most Democrats and a substantial bloc of pro-mask Republicans pitted against a swath of opposition that stems largely from the GOP.
Polls often garner responses that are intended more as partisan signalling than as reflections of the respondents’ true actions or beliefs ― a sure sign that the topics in question have become political footballs. But even those Americans who are unlikely to wear masks themselves often stop short of the open ideological hostility seen at anti-mask protests. Those who rarely or never wear masks around others reject the framing as a public health issue, with 72% saying it’s a personal decision, and nearly 4 in 10 believe wearing masks carries no benefits. But just 16% of those infrequent mask-wearers say Trump administration figures shouldn’t wear masks, just 11% view mask-wearing as a sign of weakness and only 27% say they’re at all bothered by seeing others wearing masks.
Still, although mask-wearing has become remarkably common for a practice that was rare in the United States only months ago, it remains far from universal. Slightly more than half say of Americans say they always wear a mask or other face covering when they’re in public around other people ― for instance, while grocery shopping ― while an additional 16% do so most of the time and 23% once in a while or never. Only a quarter say they always wear masks while in public but away from others ― for instance, while walking in a quiet area ― while 21% say they do so most of the time and 48% that they do so once in a while or never.
(As we’ve written previously, these numbers deserve a few caveats: They rely on Americans’ self-reports of their own behavior and their own definitions for “most of the time.” They’re also potentially subject to social desirability bias ― people may be inclined to overreport or underreport their mask-wearing if they feel as though their actual behavior isn’t in line with what others think they should be doing.)
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About half of those who wear masks in public say they don’t feel judged in any way for wearing one, with 19% saying they feel they’re judged positively and just 9% that they face negative judgment.
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups.
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted June 17-19 among U.S. adults, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. 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.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Mississippi Governor Signs Bill Abandoning State Flag With Confederate Emblem

Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves ( R ) signed a bill to change the state flag on Tuesday , effectively ending the most prominent display of the Confederate battle emblem in the country .
Mississippi ’ s state flag has sparked controversy for decades for prominently displaying the Confederate symbol , which has long been associated with America ’ s racist history .
Backlash against the flag and other tributes to the Confederacy has grown in recent weeks as people protest racial injustice and police brutality across the country .
Reeves , a Republican , addressed critics of the flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing so would erase state history .
“ This is not a political moment to me but a solemn occasion to lead our Mississippi family to come together and move on , ” Reeves said Tuesday while signing the bill .
“ A flag is a symbol of our past , our present and our future .
For those reasons , we need a new symbol.
” “ Whether you are proud of this step or angry with us over the process , I want you to know that I love you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House and Senate voted on Sunday to officially retire the flag .
It ’ s unclear what the new flag will look like , and the design will be chosen at a later time .
But the legislature said the replacement may not include the Confederate symbol and must use the phrase “ In God We Trust.
” Voters will choose the new flag in November .
Reeves had long resisted speaking about the divisiveness of the flag , often pointing to a 2001 referendum in which nearly two-thirds of voters upheld it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes .
Local lawmakers ’ various efforts to bar the Confederate symbol had failed over the years .
But the debate changed dramatically following the death of George Floyd , a Black man killed by Minneapolis police at the end of May .
“ I know there are people of goodwill who are not happy to see this flag change , ” Reeves said Tuesday .
“ They fear a chain reaction of events erasing our history — a history that is no doubt complicated and imperfect .
… I also understand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , and find a banner that is a better emblem for all Mississippi.
” The Confederate flag has been removed or barred from institutions around the country in recent weeks .
The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy banned the public display of the flag at their installations earlier this month , and NASCAR , a sport popular with a largely white , Southern audience , did the same .

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Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed a bill to change the state flag on Tuesday, effectively ending the most prominent display of the Confederate battle emblem in the country.
Mississippi’s state flag has sparked controversy for decades for prominently displaying the Confederate symbol, which has long been associated with America’s racist history. Backlash against the flag and other tributes to the Confederacy has grown in recent weeks as people protest racial injustice and police brutality across the country.
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Reeves, a Republican, addressed critics of the flag’s removal and their fears that doing so would erase state history.
“This is not a political moment to me but a solemn occasion to lead our Mississippi family to come together and move on,” Reeves said Tuesday while signing the bill. “A flag is a symbol of our past, our present and our future. For those reasons, we need a new symbol.”
“Whether you are proud of this step or angry with us over the process, I want you to know that I love you,” he continued.
BREAKING: Mississippi governor sign bills to remove Confederate emblem from state flag. https://t.co/YnSUChcInE pic.twitter.com/0Y1XXnLvHm — ABC News (@ABC) June 30, 2020
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Mississippi’s House and Senate voted on Sunday to officially retire the flag. It’s unclear what the new flag will look like, and the design will be chosen at a later time. But the legislature said the replacement may not include the Confederate symbol and must use the phrase “In God We Trust.” Voters will choose the new flag in November.
Reeves had long resisted speaking about the divisiveness of the flag, often pointing to a 2001 referendum in which nearly two-thirds of voters upheld it as the state emblem, the Clarion-Ledger notes. Local lawmakers’ various efforts to bar the Confederate symbol had failed over the years.
But the debate changed dramatically following the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis police at the end of May.
“I know there are people of goodwill who are not happy to see this flag change,” Reeves said Tuesday. “They fear a chain reaction of events erasing our history — a history that is no doubt complicated and imperfect. … I also understand the need to commit the 1894 flag to history, and find a banner that is a better emblem for all Mississippi.”
The Confederate flag has been removed or barred from institutions around the country in recent weeks. The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy banned the public display of the flag at their installations earlier this month, and NASCAR, a sport popular with a largely white, Southern audience, did the same.