thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--Isaias Downgraded To Tropical Storm After Making Landfall In North Carolina

“ Now that the center has moved further inland into east North Carolina , the winds are now coming back down , so it has been downgraded back to a tropical storm , ” Robbie Berg , a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center , told The Associated Press .
About 80 miles ( 128 kilometers ) north of Ocean Isle Beach , about 30 people were displaced due to a fire at a condominium complex in Surf City , news outlets reported .
It is not clear if the fires were connected to the storm .
No injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think there is going to be a whole lot of weakening , we still think there ’ s going to be very strong and gusty winds that will affect much of the mid-atlantic and the Northeast over the next day or two , ” Berg said .
Rainfall will continue to be a big issue , he added .
The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned oceanside home dwellers to brace for storm surge up to 5 feet ( 1.5 meters ) and up to 8 inches ( 20 centimeters ) of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the coast .
The Carolinas weren ’ t the only states at risk .
“ All those rains could produce flash flooding across portions of the eastern Carolinas and mid-Atlantic , and even in the northeast U.S. , ” said Daniel Brown , senior hurricane specialist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center .
A tropical storm warning extended all the way up to Maine , where flash flooding was possible in some areas on Wednesday .
Isaias ( pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs ) was upgraded again from a tropical storm to a Category 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm , downgraded again , was centered about 25 miles ( 40 kilometers ) northwest of Greenville , North Carolina .
It was moving quickly north northeast over eastern North Carolina at 26 mph ( 41 kph ) and this general motion accompanied by an increase in forward speed is expected through Tuesday .
The center will move into southeastern Virginia around daybreak , near or along the coast of mid-Atlantic states and continue across the northeastern United States later into the evening .
Strong winds and heavy rainfall were expected to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean and roughed up the Bahamas but remained at sea as it brushed past Florida over the weekend , providing some welcome relief to emergency managers who had to accommodate mask-wearing evacuees in storm shelters .
Authorities in Myrtle Beach , South Carolina , ordered swimmers out of the water to avoid rough surf and strong rip currents .
By nightfall , power began to flicker at beachfront hotels as Isaias crossed the last bit of warm water on its path toward the U.S. mainland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gauge on a pier in Myrtle Beach recorded its third highest water level since it was set up in 1976 .
Only Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 pushed more salt water inland .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper warned residents on Monday that the storm could be dangerous regardless of its strength .
He urged those evacuating to turn to shelters as a last resort , citing coronavirus risks and the need to operate shelters at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing .
Ferry operators wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina ’ s Outer Banks on Monday , moving more than 3,500 people and 1,700 vehicles off the island over four days .
Island officials were taking no chances after taking a beating less than a year ago from Hurricane Dorian .
Evacuation orders also have been issued for Hatteras Island north of Ocracoke .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Hurricane Isaias has been downgraded down to a tropical storm after making landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, according to an official with the National Hurricane Center.
The hurricane had touched down just after 11 p.m. on Monday with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (136 km/h). The storm now has maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour (117 km/h).
Advertisement
“Now that the center has moved further inland into east North Carolina, the winds are now coming back down, so it has been downgraded back to a tropical storm,” Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center, told The Associated Press.
The storm set off flooding and sparked five home fires in Ocean Isle Beach, Debbie Smith, the town’s Mayor, told WECT-TV. Firefighters from the town’s fire department were battling the blaze with assistance from Horry County firefighters in South Carolina, Tony Casey, a spokesperson for Horry County Fire Rescue, told The Associated Press.
About 80 miles (128 kilometers) north of Ocean Isle Beach, about 30 people were displaced due to a fire at a condominium complex in Surf City, news outlets reported. It is not clear if the fires were connected to the storm. No injuries have been reported.
A woman walks through floodwaters on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Monday. Sean Rayford via Getty Images
Advertisement
The storm could continue to bring down trees and cause power outages as it moves north along the mid-Atlantic and New England coastline, Berg said.
“We don’t think there is going to be a whole lot of weakening, we still think there’s going to be very strong and gusty winds that will affect much of the mid-atlantic and the Northeast over the next day or two,” Berg said. Rainfall will continue to be a big issue, he added.
Duke Energy reported hundreds of thousands of power outages as heavy rains and winds battered areas including Wrightsville, Kure, and Carolina beaches in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Coastal shops and restaurants closed early, power began to flicker at oceanfront hotels and even the most adventurous of beachgoers abandoned the sand Monday night as newly restrengthened Hurricane Isaias sped toward the Carolinas.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned oceanside home dwellers to brace for storm surge up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) and up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain in spots, as Isaias moved up the coast. The Carolinas weren’t the only states at risk.
Advertisement
“All those rains could produce flash flooding across portions of the eastern Carolinas and mid-Atlantic, and even in the northeast U.S.,” said Daniel Brown, senior hurricane specialist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center. A tropical storm warning extended all the way up to Maine, where flash flooding was possible in some areas on Wednesday.
The center also warned of possible tornadoes in North Carolina early Tuesday, and from eastern Virginia to southern New England later Tuesday.
David Carter owns the Brandon Furniture House store in Downtown #Suffolk.
This is one of several damaged buildings in the area.
City leaders confirm a possible tornado touched down around 3:45a.m.@WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/1A6Bvj2k6X — Kiahnna Patterson (@KPattersonWAVY) August 4, 2020
A look at the damage in Downtown #Suffolk pic.twitter.com/IMyLz1whg9 — Kiahnna Patterson (@KPattersonWAVY) August 4, 2020
Advertisement
Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs) was upgraded again from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane Monday evening. Early Tuesday the storm, downgraded again, was centered about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Greenville, North Carolina. It was moving quickly north northeast over eastern North Carolina at 26 mph (41 kph) and this general motion accompanied by an increase in forward speed is expected through Tuesday.
The center will move into southeastern Virginia around daybreak, near or along the coast of mid-Atlantic states and continue across the northeastern United States later into the evening. Strong winds and heavy rainfall were expected to spread northward along the mid-Atlantic coast Tuesday morning.
Terry Crabtree finishes boarding up the entrance to Downeast Marine in Otway, N.C. as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. (Julia Wall/The News & Observer via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
The storm’s maximum sustained winds dropped from when it hit land to 75 mph with higher gusts but only a gradual weakening is anticipated.
Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 25 miles (40 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (201 km). A wind gust to 64 mph (102 km/h) was recently reported near Bogue, North Carolina.
Advertisement
Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean and roughed up the Bahamas but remained at sea as it brushed past Florida over the weekend, providing some welcome relief to emergency managers who had to accommodate mask-wearing evacuees in storm shelters.
Authorities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, ordered swimmers out of the water to avoid rough surf and strong rip currents. By nightfall, power began to flicker at beachfront hotels as Isaias crossed the last bit of warm water on its path toward the U.S. mainland.
Still, on this part of the South Carolina and North Carolina coasts that has been affected to varying degrees by seven tropical storms or hurricanes since 2014, residents weren’t panicking.
“It’s just going to be a lot of wind and high tide,” said Mike Fuller, who has lived along the coast for more than a decade.
As the storm neared the shore, a gauge on a pier in Myrtle Beach recorded its third highest water level since it was set up in 1976. Only Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 pushed more salt water inland.
Advertisement
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned residents on Monday that the storm could be dangerous regardless of its strength. He urged those evacuating to turn to shelters as a last resort, citing coronavirus risks and the need to operate shelters at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing.
“Whether it’s labeled a tropical storm or a hurricane, you should take this storm seriously, and make sure your family is ready,” Cooper said.
Ferry operators wrapped up evacuations from Ocracoke Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Monday, moving more than 3,500 people and 1,700 vehicles off the island over four days. Island officials were taking no chances after taking a beating less than a year ago from Hurricane Dorian. Evacuation orders also have been issued for Hatteras Island north of Ocracoke.
Since forming last week, Isaias has been buffeted by competing forces both trying to kill and strengthen it, said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy.
“Of all the places it could be, it found the warmest water it could,” which fuels storm development, McNoldy said. “And yet it is struggling.”
Advertisement
That’s because dry air kept working its way into the storm at low and mid-levels, which chokes storms.
Isaias’ passage near Florida over the weekend was particularly unwelcome to authorities already dealing with surging coronavirus caseloads. The storm brought heavy rain and flooding to the state, forcing authorities to close outdoor virus testing sights, as well as beaches and parks. Officials lashed signs to palm trees so they wouldn’t blow away.
About 150 people had to keep masks on while sheltering in Palm Beach County, which had a voluntary evacuation order for people living in homes that can’t withstand dangerous winds, said emergency management spokeswoman Lisa De La Rionda.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-03--Census Bureau To Cut Counting Efforts A Month Short

The Census Bureau will end its counting efforts for the 2020 census on Sept. 30 , a month earlier than planned , the bureau ’ s director announced Monday .
The bureau had expected to continue field data collection , which includes door-knocking , phone calls and online responses , until Oct. 31 .
The date had been pushed back from a July 31 deadline after the coronavirus pandemic complicated field operations .
To help meet the earlier deadline , the bureau will include “ enumerator awards and the hiring of more employees to accelerate the completion of data collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of December 31 , 2020 , as required by law and directed by the Secretary of Commerce , ” Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said in a statement .
Ending the data collection earlier might help the bureau meet its legal deadline of providing information to Congress and the White House by the end of the year , but some officials have questioned whether that will be possible now given the setbacks already caused by the pandemic .
“ We are past the window of being able to get those counts by those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fontenot , the bureau ’ s associate director for decennial census programs , said in a July press briefing .
Rumblings of the date change first reported by NPR cited three anonymous Census Bureau employees , one of whom expressed fears of a “ massive undercount ” as a result of the “ impossible ” task of completing the count by the new deadline .
Democrats and civil rights advocates have questioned whether rushing to meet the December deadline will produce an unfair and incorrect count .
Concerns have also been raised about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclude undocumented immigrants from the count , despite the fact that the census is intended to count every person living in the United States .
In an op-ed published in The Washington Post on Monday , Vanita Gupta , the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights , called on Congress to intervene .
Reducing the time for census takers to get in touch with households that didn ’ t participate in the self-response phase of the count has a disproportionate effect on people living in marginalized communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is doing everything it can to sabotage the 2020 census so that it reflects an inaccurate and less diverse portrait of America .
Its latest effort involves quietly compressing the census timeline to all but guarantee a massive undercount , ” she wrote .
“ Rushing census operations , as the administration is attempting to do , ensures the bureau won ’ t count millions of people — especially those hit hardest by the pandemic .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The Census Bureau will end its counting efforts for the 2020 census on Sept. 30, a month earlier than planned, the bureau’s director announced Monday.
The bureau had expected to continue field data collection, which includes door-knocking, phone calls and online responses, until Oct. 31. The date had been pushed back from a July 31 deadline after the coronavirus pandemic complicated field operations.
Advertisement
To help meet the earlier deadline, the bureau will include “enumerator awards and the hiring of more employees to accelerate the completion of data collection and apportionment counts by our statutory deadline of December 31, 2020, as required by law and directed by the Secretary of Commerce,” Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said in a statement.
Ending the data collection earlier might help the bureau meet its legal deadline of providing information to Congress and the White House by the end of the year, but some officials have questioned whether that will be possible now given the setbacks already caused by the pandemic.
“We are past the window of being able to get those counts by those dates at this point,” Albert Fontenot, the bureau’s associate director for decennial census programs, said in a July press briefing.
To date, about 63% of households have responded to the 2020 census.
Rumblings of the date change first reported by NPR cited three anonymous Census Bureau employees, one of whom expressed fears of a “massive undercount” as a result of the “impossible” task of completing the count by the new deadline.
Advertisement
Democrats and civil rights advocates have questioned whether rushing to meet the December deadline will produce an unfair and incorrect count. Concerns have also been raised about President Donald Trump’s order to exclude undocumented immigrants from the count, despite the fact that the census is intended to count every person living in the United States.
In an op-ed published in The Washington Post on Monday, Vanita Gupta, the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, called on Congress to intervene. Reducing the time for census takers to get in touch with households that didn’t participate in the self-response phase of the count has a disproportionate effect on people living in marginalized communities, she said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--D.C. Priest Who Criticized Coronavirus Restrictions Contracts COVID-19

The priest insisted in a YouTube video Saturday that he had followed all the protocols required of him during services , such as wearing a mask and using alcohol to sanitize his hands .
He said he ’ s not sure how he contracted the coronavirus .
“ Somewhere along the lines , we have to accept the fact that we live in a world that is risky , ” Pope said in the video .
“ We can take necessary and prudent precautions , but we ’ ll never completely be able to prevent ourselves from catching a disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
We ’ re all headed eventually for the tomb.
” The priest added that he ’ s “ very sorry for the inconvenience ” that his illness has caused to his parishioners .
He said he ’ s upset that the church has to temporarily shutter as a result of his diagnosis .
Pope has voiced skepticism in recent weeks about the sweeping restrictions that authorities have imposed across the U.S. to fight the COVID-19 pandemic , arguing in the National Catholic Register that many Americans are “ cowering in fear.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” because “ fear is recognized as one of the best ways to control people , to attract viewers , and to sell products , ” he wrote .
“ While we could not recklessly disregard civil ordinances , too many of us were content to hunker down and forego public Mass , ” Pope wrote in the National Catholic Register on July 18 .
“ We must reflect on all that has happened and resolve to never again allow a governor or mayor [ to ] dictate whether , when or how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prudence has its place , but my concern as a pastor and physician of souls is that we are allowing unrelenting fear to drive our response , ” he wrote .
“ Until we as the Church [ confront ] the situation and ‘ man up ’ as Christians should , fear will masquerade as prudence , and folks like me who question whether we ’ ve gone too far will be called irresponsible and even reprehensible.
” Hours before his diagnosis and hospitalization , Pope repeated his position during a segment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio show that he co-hosts .
The priest suggested that many Catholics who haven ’ t been coming to Mass were “ lukewarm.
” The label , which has a negative connotation in Christian circles , is typically used to describe those who are indifferent about their faith .
“ I think a good number or at least half of that number who haven ’ t come were the lukewarm , ” Pope said on the show .
“ We may have lost them forever because , in effect , we said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important than your spiritual health.
’ ” “ I ’ d like to think that perhaps the limited availability [ of seats at Mass ] , as well as underlying conditions , pregnancy , cancer , high blood pressure , all these things might be playing a role in people not being able to return , ” Purvis said .
Purvis added that she believed “ lukewarm ” Catholics would likely have stopped coming to Mass after hearing about the sexual abuse scandal surrounding former D.C. Archbishop Theodore McCarrick , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined he had sexually abused minors as well as adult seminarians .
In March , as the coronavirus began to rapidly spread in the U.S. , the Archdiocese of Washington , like many other U.S. Roman Catholic dioceses , exempted Catholics from the religious obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and other essential holy days .
That dispensation is still in effect .
The vast majority of people diagnosed with COVID-19 experience mild or moderate symptoms , such as a fever and cough .
Others who contract the virus , especially those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , can suffer more severe illnesses or even die of the disease .
Experts believe the virus is significantly more lethal than the seasonal flu .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A Roman Catholic priest who publicly questioned whether coronavirus restrictions have gone too far has been diagnosed with COVID-19, prompting local health officials in Washington, D.C., to instruct some parishioners to quarantine.
Monsignor Charles Pope, of Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Catholic Church, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on July 27, the church said in a statement last week. As of Saturday, Pope was reported to be recovering and self-isolating with fellow priests and a seminarian at his rectory.
Advertisement
The priest insisted in a YouTube video Saturday that he had followed all the protocols required of him during services, such as wearing a mask and using alcohol to sanitize his hands. He said he’s not sure how he contracted the coronavirus.
He continued to voice skepticism about the extent to which normal life has been disrupted to try to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Somewhere along the lines, we have to accept the fact that we live in a world that is risky,” Pope said in the video. “We can take necessary and prudent precautions, but we’ll never completely be able to prevent ourselves from catching a disease, even one that will eventually kill us. We’re all headed eventually for the tomb.”
The priest added that he’s “very sorry for the inconvenience” that his illness has caused to his parishioners. He said he’s upset that the church has to temporarily shutter as a result of his diagnosis.
Advertisement
“That causes me the greatest pain,” he said.
Pope did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
The District of Columbia’s health department director, Dr. LaQuandra S. Nesbitt, said in a Friday letter that parishioners who received communion at the church during certain services from July 25 to July 27 were exposed to the virus and should self-isolate for 14 days.
“DC Health is continuing to work with church leadership to ensure that the guidance and best practices are followed to minimize the risk of COVID-19 among attendees,” Nesbitt wrote.
The health department declined to answer further questions.
Pope has voiced skepticism in recent weeks about the sweeping restrictions that authorities have imposed across the U.S. to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing in the National Catholic Register that many Americans are “cowering in fear.” The virus has become “commercialized” because “fear is recognized as one of the best ways to control people, to attract viewers, and to sell products,” he wrote.
Previous generations were tougher in the face of worldwide outbreaks, he argued, and willing to continue with life as normal. The church, too, has “capitulated” to fear by allowing the government to place restrictions on worship.
Advertisement
“While we could not recklessly disregard civil ordinances, too many of us were content to hunker down and forego public Mass,” Pope wrote in the National Catholic Register on July 18. “We must reflect on all that has happened and resolve to never again allow a governor or mayor [to] dictate whether, when or how we may give the sacraments.”
Pope said that during the pandemic he has offered communion privately and has continued to hear confessions at his church.
“Prudence has its place, but my concern as a pastor and physician of souls is that we are allowing unrelenting fear to drive our response,” he wrote. “Until we as the Church [confront] the situation and ‘man up’ as Christians should, fear will masquerade as prudence, and folks like me who question whether we’ve gone too far will be called irresponsible and even reprehensible.”
A cameraman films members of the clergy arriving for an online Easter Sunday Mass in front of empty pews at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on April 12. EVA HAMBACH via Getty Images
Hours before his diagnosis and hospitalization, Pope repeated his position during a segment on “Morning Glory,” a Catholic radio show that he co-hosts. The priest suggested that many Catholics who haven’t been coming to Mass were “lukewarm.” The label, which has a negative connotation in Christian circles, is typically used to describe those who are indifferent about their faith.
Advertisement
“I think a good number or at least half of that number who haven’t come were the lukewarm,” Pope said on the show. “We may have lost them forever because, in effect, we said, ‘Look, your physical health is more important than your spiritual health.’”
A co-host on the show, Gloria Purvis, argued that there could be many reasons why Catholics were not attending Mass.
“I’d like to think that perhaps the limited availability [of seats at Mass], as well as underlying conditions, pregnancy, cancer, high blood pressure, all these things might be playing a role in people not being able to return,” Purvis said.
Purvis added that she believed “lukewarm” Catholics would likely have stopped coming to Mass after hearing about the sexual abuse scandal surrounding former D.C. Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after a church investigation determined he had sexually abused minors as well as adult seminarians.
“I would think that the lukewarm would have jetted up out of there before this,” she said.
“I don’t want to lose the lukewarm; I still don’t want to lose them,” Pope responded before changing the topic.
Advertisement
In March, as the coronavirus began to rapidly spread in the U.S., the Archdiocese of Washington, like many other U.S. Roman Catholic dioceses, exempted Catholics from the religious obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and other essential holy days. That dispensation is still in effect.
A nun helps distribute hot meals at one of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington's food distribution sites for those in need during the novel coronavirus pandemic on May 29 in Laurel, Maryland. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
The archdiocese has also developed detailed guidelines on how to distribute communion during the pandemic ― requiring clergy to wear face masks and frequently sanitize their hands, and encouraging parishioners to receive the bread in their hands instead of on their tongues.
The vast majority of people diagnosed with COVID-19 experience mild or moderate symptoms, such as a fever and cough. Others who contract the virus, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions, can suffer more severe illnesses or even die of the disease. Experts believe the virus is significantly more lethal than the seasonal flu.
As of Monday, Washington had recorded more than 12,000 confirmed cases of the virus and close to 600 deaths.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--How To Know If Your Own Doctor (Or A Doctor You Might See) Is A Quack

What may have been more startling , though , was what the news media found out about Stella Immanuel , the doctor who led the press conference .
Immanuel , who works as a primary care physician and pastor in Houston , doesn ’ t just believe hydroxychloroquine is a valid coronavirus treatment .
She also believes that gynecological issues like endometriosis and cysts are caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches , that alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments and that gay Americans practice “ homosexual terrorism.
” Online , Immanuel hawks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generational curses ” passed on from ancestors and transmitted through the placenta .
The fact that so many Americans may have fallen for claims made by Immanuel and the other doctors ― most of whom are only debatably “ on the frontlines ” of the COVID-19 crisis ― without knowing much about their backgrounds or possible political motives is deeply troubling to Lydia Kang , a practicing physician and co-author of “ Quackery : A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything.
” “ The sex with demons and other claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ to debunk and discredit her as a source , ” he said .
“ If the astroturfers had chosen a less disreputable figure , it might have been more difficult to counter the message.
” ( Astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message or organization , whether it ’ s a political , religious or advertising group , to make it appear as though the message or group had organically sprung from grassroots efforts . )
A few signs your doctor may be pushing some dubious beliefs : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They rely on single-person testimonies , social media or TV endorsements rather than peer-reviewed data .
They say their treatment is a “ miracle cure ” with an unbelievably high success rate .
When the treatment goes wrong , they blame the patient .
How to do your due diligence when selecting a doctor : Look at rating sites with a healthy dose of skepticism .
Find out where they went to medical school and what they studied .
Check to see if their claims are supported by other doctors .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look to see what kind of information they ’ ve shared .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Last week, a group of medical professionals calling themselves America’s Frontline Doctors stood in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and insisted that hydroxychloroquine is a “cure” for the coronavirus despite medical studies to the contrary.
In addition to that claim about the anti-malarial drug, their press conference also pushed such potentially harmful misinformation as the idea that mask-wearing isn’t necessarily a good choice. A day later, Vice President Mike Pence reportedly met with the doctors.
Advertisement
As Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, has said repeatedly, there’s little concrete evidence that hydroxychloroquine is effective as a COVID-19 treatment ― even if President Donald Trump continues to promote it. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration warned against using hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus patients, following reports of “serious heart rhythm problems” and other health issues in those who received the drug.
Still, in part thanks to a retweet by the president, the doctors’ clip went viral. It racked up tens of millions of views, even in the face of a widespread effort by social media companies to remove the video and penalize some who shared it, including presidential son Donald Trump Jr.
What may have been more startling, though, was what the news media found out about Stella Immanuel, the doctor who led the press conference. Immanuel, who works as a primary care physician and pastor in Houston, doesn’t just believe hydroxychloroquine is a valid coronavirus treatment. She also believes that gynecological issues like endometriosis and cysts are caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches, that alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments and that gay Americans practice “homosexual terrorism.” Online, Immanuel hawks a prayer she claims can remove “generational curses” passed on from ancestors and transmitted through the placenta.
The fact that so many Americans may have fallen for claims made by Immanuel and the other doctors ― most of whom are only debatably “on the frontlines” of the COVID-19 crisis ― without knowing much about their backgrounds or possible political motives is deeply troubling to Lydia Kang, a practicing physician and co-author of “Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything.”
Advertisement
“I was incredibly fearful for the health of those people who would trust her for two reasons: Her thinking agreed with their own, and they were looking to a medical professional to substantiate their own beliefs,” Kang told HuffPost.
“Many people feed upon hope, which is important, but it can be frightening when that hope leads to believing things that could be incredibly harmful,” she said.
“It’s very depressing how easily Americans bought into [Dr. Stella] Immanuel’s message even knowing her history of bizarre claims.” - David H. Gorski, a doctor and managing editor of the blog Science-Based Medicine
As unnerving as it was that so many Americans shared the video, it was actually a good thing that Immanuel has a history of using her platform to promote conspiracy theories, said David H. Gorski, a surgical oncologist and professor of surgery at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Gorski is also the managing editor of Science-Based Medicine, a medical blog that exposes non-scientific research and practices.
“The sex with demons and other claims provided the press a good ‘in’ to debunk and discredit her as a source,” he said. “If the astroturfers had chosen a less disreputable figure, it might have been more difficult to counter the message.” (Astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message or organization, whether it’s a political, religious or advertising group, to make it appear as though the message or group had organically sprung from grassroots efforts.)
Advertisement
That being said, Gorski added that “it’s very depressing how easily Americans bought into Immanuel’s message even knowing her history of bizarre claims.”
Still, the fact remains that Immanuel does have a full medical license in Texas, USA Today reported pointing to the Texas Medical Board’s online records. She told the board she has a primary specialty in pediatrics and a secondary specialty in emergency medicine. Her bizarre beliefs and the products she sells on her site may ― or, worse, may not ― come as a surprise to patients she’s had.
It makes you wonder: What kind of questionable beliefs might your doctor have that aren’t endorsed by the medical community ― and how can you dodge doctors like Immanuel the next time you’re in the market for a general practitioner or specialist?
Below, Gorski, Kang and other medical experts share how to tell if a doctor might be a quack.
A few signs your doctor may be pushing some dubious beliefs:
They sell their own supplements and treatments.
It’s a significant warning sign if a doctor puts their patients on unconventional mixes of medications and supplements, some of which they sell, Kang said.
“One major red flag is when a physician directly touts their own brand of medicines or supplements to take out of their own store,” she said. “It’s a serious conflict of interest.”
Advertisement
They rely on single-person testimonies, social media or TV endorsements rather than peer-reviewed data.
Many of the doctors we spoke to cited television’s Mehmet Oz and his show “Dr. Oz” as an example of a physician using their platform to hawk questionable treatments. Though Oz has an Ivy League medical degree, a 2014 study in the peer-reviewed British Medical Journal found that in 40 randomly selected episodes from Oz’s show, his health recommendations were based on evidence just 46% of the time.
If you’re concerned about your doctor making dubious health recommendations, ask yourself if their claims are supported by scientific evidence. In place of hard evidence, your doctor may claim they have anecdotal evidence that something works ― or that it’s been endorsed by this expert or that celebrity, including TV doctors. That’s not enough.
“Be wary if they mention social media endorsements or they talk about testimonials and single-patient stories,” said Arthur Caplan, director of the division of medical ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Any doctor worth their salt should be citing peer-reviewed articles and scientific studies that rely on well-designed clinical trials, not patient anecdotes and their own personal experience, Caplan said.
Advertisement
SDI Productions via Getty Images Be wary of doctors who promise a 100% cure rate or speak in absolutes. For instance, "all mainstream doctors have got it wrong on this subject."
They say their treatment is a “miracle cure” with an unbelievably high success rate.
Be leery of a doctor who promises a 100% (or ridiculously high) cure rate. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is too good to be true, Gorski said. He used the example of certain clinics that claim they have a 90% cure rate for stage IV cancer.
They speak in absolutes.
Does your doctor tend to make sweeping generalizations or speak in absolutes? For example, “All mainstream doctors have it wrong” or “I’m the only one who can help you.” That’s another major red flag, Kang said.
“A good doctor will carefully weigh the pros and cons of any treatment, and are careful about promising anything as a ‘perfect fix,’” she explained.
When the treatment goes wrong, they blame the patient.
Because quack doctors often make overbroad claims about their treatments and products ― “it’s worked for everybody I’ve prescribed it to” ― any instances where the cure-all doesn’t work has to be the patient’s fault.
Advertisement
“They’ll usually blame failure of their treatment on the patient’s failure to adhere to their protocol closely enough,” Gorski said.
How to do your due diligence when selecting a doctor:
Look at rating sites with a healthy dose of skepticism.
To avoid a quack, Googling can be helpful, but stay skeptical when searching, Kang said. Be aware, for instance, that anyone can add a review on those health score websites where you see how many stars your doctor has, just like you would rate a restaurant on Yelp.
People can give a one-star or five-star rating without any proof as to “who they are, whether they actually saw the doctor, or how many times they vote,” Kang said.
Gorski suggested that Yelp-like sites rating medical professionals are inherently biased toward negative reviews.
“Patients should know that it is the very nature of rating sites that those who’ve had a negative experience will be more likely to want to post a review than those who’ve had a positive or at least acceptable or decent experience,” he said.
Advertisement
It’s often wiser to look at ratings put out by medical institutions themselves, Kang said, because they’re usually vetted to ensure that only patients who’ve seen the doctor vote and they vote only once.
Find out where they went to medical school and what they studied.
When sizing up a physician, especially a specialist, look up their credentials. Have they completed the proper training in their specific field?
“For example, a plastic surgeon without true training in plastics (via a residency and/or fellowship) or not board certified in plastic surgery would be a concern,” Kang said.
Coolpicture via Getty Images When a doctor makes an interesting or surprising claim, check to see if it has garnered support from others in the medical community.
Check to see if their claims are supported by other doctors.
If you’re reading up on a treatment a doctor promotes online or elsewhere, look to see if it has garnered support from other doctors. Stay away if the doctor is making health claims outside of peer review and then marketing their product to laypeople.
Advertisement
“Look to see if they’ve published anything and be ready to get a second opinion if you have doubts,” Caplan said. “Are they a solo practice ― no peers checking them? Do they advertise and if so, are they making sweeping promises in their ads?”
If they have a social media presence, look to see what kind of information they’ve shared.
These days, many medical professionals have Twitter or Facebook pages where they comment on trending medical news. If your doctor has a public profile, read it to get a better feel for their beliefs, Kang said.
A quick Google search of Immanuel, the pastor-physician who led the press conference last week, would have pulled up her Twitter page, where she’s been tweeting about witchcraft and “21 day water fasts to demolish satanic embargo to our progress” since as far back as 2012.
Of course, not every social media page is going to be medically focused.
“Keep in mind, not all doctors tweet and Instagram about health topics alone,” Kang said. “They show their personal lives ― we are normal people, after all! we go on vacation and hang out in swimsuits sometimes! ― and political beliefs.”
But if a doctor is selling dubious products to their patients, they’re probably also posting about it, which allows you to weed that person out from the get-go.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--Clorox Won't Have Enough Disinfecting Wipes Until 2021, Its CEO Says

Grocery shelves won ’ t be fully stocked with Clorox ’ s disinfecting wipes until next year , CEO Benno Dorer told Reuters on Monday , as the world ’ s biggest cleaning products maker struggles with overwhelming pandemic-led demand for its top product .
Since the start of global lockdowns , makers of hygiene goods have seen a sustained boom in sales .
While California-based Clorox typically holds aside excess supply for flu seasons , it says it has been unable to keep up with a six-fold increase in demand for many of its disinfectants .
The company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which includes Glad trash bags and Burt ’ s Bees lip balm .
Supply for most products , like liquid bleach , will improve dramatically over the next four to six months - but not wipes , Dorer said .
Clorox products are used in Uber vehicles and United Airlines planes , and are sold by major retailers like Walmart , Amazon and Kroger .
“ Disinfecting wipes , which are the hottest commodity in the business right now , will probably take longer because it ’ s a very complex supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Many wipes are made from polyester spun lace , a material currently in short supply as it is also used to make personal protective equipment like masks , medical gowns and medical wipes .
“ That entire supply chain is stressed .
... We feel like it ’ s probably going to take until 2021 before we ’ re able to meet all the demand that we have , ” Dorer said .
Dorer had said in May that Clorox expected to see shelves stocked with wipes by this summer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ major ” capital investments so it can ramp up output each quarter , including simplifying its disinfectant product line-up at factories that run 24/7 every day of the year .
Clorox began outsourcing some manufacturing this year to 10 third-party supplies , and plans to keep looking for more .
On Monday , Clorox reported fourth-quarter sales and earnings that widely topped analysts ’ expectations , driven by a 33 % increase in revenue from its health and wellness business , which makes cleaning products and accounts for more than 40 % of @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Grocery shelves won’t be fully stocked with Clorox’s disinfecting wipes until next year, CEO Benno Dorer told Reuters on Monday, as the world’s biggest cleaning products maker struggles with overwhelming pandemic-led demand for its top product.
Since the start of global lockdowns, makers of hygiene goods have seen a sustained boom in sales. While California-based Clorox typically holds aside excess supply for flu seasons, it says it has been unable to keep up with a six-fold increase in demand for many of its disinfectants.
Advertisement
The company is currently understocked across much of its portfolio, which includes Glad trash bags and Burt’s Bees lip balm. Supply for most products, like liquid bleach, will improve dramatically over the next four to six months - but not wipes, Dorer said.
Clorox products are used in Uber vehicles and United Airlines planes, and are sold by major retailers like Walmart, Amazon and Kroger.
“Disinfecting wipes, which are the hottest commodity in the business right now, will probably take longer because it’s a very complex supply chain to make them,” Dorer said. Many wipes are made from polyester spun lace, a material currently in short supply as it is also used to make personal protective equipment like masks, medical gowns and medical wipes.
“That entire supply chain is stressed. ... We feel like it’s probably going to take until 2021 before we’re able to meet all the demand that we have,” Dorer said.
Advertisement
Dorer had said in May that Clorox expected to see shelves stocked with wipes by this summer.
Since then, Clorox has made “major” capital investments so it can ramp up output each quarter, including simplifying its disinfectant product line-up at factories that run 24/7 every day of the year. Clorox began outsourcing some manufacturing this year to 10 third-party supplies, and plans to keep looking for more.
On Monday, Clorox reported fourth-quarter sales and earnings that widely topped analysts’ expectations, driven by a 33% increase in revenue from its health and wellness business, which makes cleaning products and accounts for more than 40% of total sales.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--SEC Investigating Kodak's Announcement Of $765 Million Government Loan: Report

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE - In this Jan. 25 , 2011 file photo , a Kodak logo is shown on a slide projector in Philadelphia .
Embattled photography pioneer Eastman Kodak Co. is nearing the end of a high-stakes patent-infringement fight Thursday , June 30 , 2011 , with tech giants Apple and Research in Motion Ltd. ( AP Photo/Matt Rourke , file ) ( Reuters ) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the circumstances around Eastman Kodak Co ’ s announcement of a $ 765 million government loan to make drugs at its U.S. factories , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The SEC investigation is at an early stage and may not produce allegations of wrongdoing by Kodak or any individuals , the WSJ said , citing people familiar with the matter .
The SEC declined to comment .
A representative for Kodak said it intends to fully cooperate with any potential inquiries .
U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday wrote a letter to the SEC asking that it investigate potential insider trading that happened before the announcement of the $ 765 million loan .
There was heavy trading volume in Kodak shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shares of Kodak surged last week more than 1,000 % , generating a windfall for executives , some of whom received options one day before the deal with President Donald Trump was announced .
The company granted its executive chairman options for 1.75 million shares as the result of what a person familiar with the arrangement described as an “ understanding ” with its board that had previously neither been listed in his employment contract nor made public .
A Kodak representative said that Executive Chairman Jim Continenza has regularly purchased Kodak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has invested more capital in the company than he has earned during his tenure .

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2011 file photo, a Kodak logo is shown on a slide projector in Philadelphia. Embattled photography pioneer Eastman Kodak Co. is nearing the end of a high-stakes patent-infringement fight Thursday, June 30, 2011, with tech giants Apple and Research in Motion Ltd. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file) ASSOCIATED PRESS
(Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the circumstances around Eastman Kodak Co’s announcement of a $765 million government loan to make drugs at its U.S. factories, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
The company’s shares were down 2% at $14.64.
The SEC investigation is at an early stage and may not produce allegations of wrongdoing by Kodak or any individuals, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Advertisement
The SEC declined to comment. A representative for Kodak said it intends to fully cooperate with any potential inquiries.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday wrote a letter to the SEC asking that it investigate potential insider trading that happened before the announcement of the $765 million loan.
There was heavy trading volume in Kodak shares the day before the loan was announced. Shares of Kodak surged last week more than 1,000%, generating a windfall for executives, some of whom received options one day before the deal with President Donald Trump was announced.
The company granted its executive chairman options for 1.75 million shares as the result of what a person familiar with the arrangement described as an “understanding” with its board that had previously neither been listed in his employment contract nor made public.
Advertisement
A Kodak representative said that Executive Chairman Jim Continenza has regularly purchased Kodak shares since joining the company in 2013 and has invested more capital in the company than he has earned during his tenure.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--Onions Recalled From All 50 States Due To Salmonella Outbreak

Federal health officials say an outbreak of salmonella infecting nearly 400 people in more than 30 states has been linked @ @ @ @ @ identified a California company as the likely source .
The Food and Drug Administration said @ @ @ @ @ that Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield , California , has notified the food agency that @ @ @ @ @ varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions because @ @ @ @ @ .
This recall would include red , white , yellow , and sweet onions from @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that Salmonella Newport has sickened @ @ @ @ @ 60 in the hospital .
There have been no deaths linked to the outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ 10 and has since grown .
The agency says the illnesses began between mid-June and @ @ @ @ @ Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses that have a @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. outbreak , that agency said Thursday .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Federal health officials say an outbreak of salmonella infecting nearly 400 people in more than 30 states has been linked to red onions, and identified a California company as the likely source.
The Food and Drug Administration said in a statement on Friday that Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California, has notified the food agency that it will be recalling all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions because of the risk of cross-contamination.
Advertisement
This recall would include red, white, yellow, and sweet onions from Thomson International, the agency said.
Thomson couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that Salmonella Newport has sickened 396 people and landed nearly 60 in the hospital. There have been no deaths linked to the outbreak, which was first identified July 10 and has since grown. The agency says the illnesses began between mid-June and mid-July.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses that have a genetic fingerprint closely related to the U.S. outbreak, that agency said Thursday.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--How You May Be Able To Get COVID-19 Test Results Faster

“ Efforts are underway nationwide to stand up more lab capacity and to procure more test platforms and reagents , which will help meet the demand and need for quick results in the coming weeks , ” she continued .
“ COVID-19 is going to be with us for the foreseeable future and our country needs to invest in developing new labs and other testing capabilities.
” “ After a health professional orders a COVID-19 test and a sample is taken with a swab , it must be transported in a sterile container to a lab for analysis .
Tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in commercial , private and academic labs as well as state and county health labs , ” Smith said .
“ Test results can be delayed for a number of reasons , including transportation if a sample has to be transported to a lab in another location.
” Check out what people are saying on Twitter .
Sometimes Twitter has the world ’ s most transparent , honest and up-to-date reviews .
Before I went to get a coronavirus test in New York City , I did some sleuthing to see what people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
The location I ultimately went to had a decent number of Twitter replies from patients saying they got their results back in a few days .
Other urgent care centers were being tagged by people complaining that it had been upwards of two weeks with no results .
It ’ s worth poking around on social media to get a sense of what people are experiencing in your community .
Call your doctor and see what they recommend .
“ If someone is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has been exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to be tested , they should contact their physician for guidance .
Your doctor can assess your symptoms and direct you to a local testing center , ” she explained .
Look for locations that offer rapid tests .
Dean recommended researching your city and rapid COVID-19 testing to see if a location near you offers these tests .
Your city or state should also have a website where you can find testing centers , which may indicate if they have rapid tests or not .
Call testing centers and ask what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you live can have an impact .
This isn ’ t a tip on getting results faster , but rather something to keep in mind : When it comes down to it , where you ’ re getting tested matters .
The higher the number of cases in your area , the more backlog you ’ ll likely experience .
Of course , none of this is certain ― every city and state is different .
The most important thing is to get tested , regardless of how long results will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus or have been exposed to someone who has it .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The most painful thing about taking a COVID-19 test isn’t necessarily the swab that practically extends to your brain (while that’s not fun, it’s not terrible). It’s the painstaking amount of time it takes to get the results back.
There are a few main reasons why lab results take so long, according to experts. First and foremost is the sheer number of people getting tests.
Advertisement
“As COVID-19 cases have surged in many areas of the United States, so too has the number of people requesting tests,” said Kristin Dean, the associate medical director at Doctor on Demand.
The rising demand has so far outweighed the number of labs and health care workers who able to process the results in a timely manner.
“There are still a finite number of labs and analyzers in existing labs that have the capability to the analyze a COVID-19 test sample,” said Karen Smith, system vice president of laboratory services at CommonSpirit Health.
“Efforts are underway nationwide to stand up more lab capacity and to procure more test platforms and reagents, which will help meet the demand and need for quick results in the coming weeks,” she continued. “COVID-19 is going to be with us for the foreseeable future and our country needs to invest in developing new labs and other testing capabilities.”
Advertisement
The process of transporting samples from testing sites and doctors offices to offsite labs can also cause slower results.
“After a health professional orders a COVID-19 test and a sample is taken with a swab, it must be transported in a sterile container to a lab for analysis. Tests are conducted in our own laboratories or in commercial, private and academic labs as well as state and county health labs,” Smith said. “Test results can be delayed for a number of reasons, including transportation if a sample has to be transported to a lab in another location.”
But with that in mind, here are some ways you might be able to get your lab work faster.
jarun011 via Getty Images
Check out what people are saying on Twitter.
Sometimes Twitter has the world’s most transparent, honest and up-to-date reviews. Before I went to get a coronavirus test in New York City, I did some sleuthing to see what people were saying about the testing places near me. The location I ultimately went to had a decent number of Twitter replies from patients saying they got their results back in a few days. Other urgent care centers were being tagged by people complaining that it had been upwards of two weeks with no results. It’s worth poking around on social media to get a sense of what people are experiencing in your community.
Call your doctor and see what they recommend.
Your primary care physician may have advice or insight on where to get tested, Smith said.
“If someone is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and would like to be tested, they should contact their physician for guidance. Your doctor can assess your symptoms and direct you to a local testing center,” she explained.
Advertisement
Look for locations that offer rapid tests.
Chances are you’ll get a swab up your nose when being tested for COVID-19 test — aka a PCR test.
PCR testing is the most common and reliable way to detect COVID-19, but there are some other options if you desperately need results sooner, Dean said.
“There are also alternative testing types to the PCR testing, these ‘rapid’ tests can provide results same day,” she said.
However, she added that, “It is important to caution that early rapid tests were not as reliable in terms of ruling out an active COVID-19 infection” — meaning that rapid tests are more likely to produce false or inconclusive results.
Dean recommended researching your city and rapid COVID-19 testing to see if a location near you offers these tests. Your city or state should also have a website where you can find testing centers, which may indicate if they have rapid tests or not.
Call testing centers and ask what their turnaround is like.
In addition to calling your doctor, you can also phone testing centers directly and ask about their COVID-19 testing practices.
Advertisement
“You can call your local testing sites to request information about the turnaround time for results as well as any restrictions on who can be tested at that location,” Dean said.
Understand that where you live can have an impact.
This isn’t a tip on getting results faster, but rather something to keep in mind: When it comes down to it, where you’re getting tested matters. The higher the number of cases in your area, the more backlog you’ll likely experience.
“The ability to expedite the testing process will likely vary by geographic region,” Dean said. “Areas with more testing accessibility will have additional resources available to residents, while areas with surging COVID-19 cases may not have as much ability to rapidly process testing.”
Of course, none of this is certain ― every city and state is different. The most important thing is to get tested, regardless of how long results will take, if you think you have the coronavirus or have been exposed to someone who has it.
And, as always, continue to wear your mask and socially distance. That will help prevent you and others from having to deal with the disease in the future.
Advertisement
Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus. The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time, but it’s possible guidance around COVID-19 could change as scientists discover more about the virus. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--Twitter Users Mock Trump For Mispronouncing Yosemite

Donald Trump isn ’ t the first person to mispronounce the name of one of America ’ s most beloved national parks , but the way he did it certainly raised some eyebrows .
It happened Tuesday when the president was signing a new bill called the Great American Outdoors Act , which The Wall Street Journal says will put $ 9.5 million toward deferred maintenance at the country ’ s national parks .
Trump was reading some prepared remarks when he mentioned how Americans ’ eyes will “ widen in amazement ” as they look at glorious natural attractions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sequoia trees at Yosemite National Park , but his pronunciation left a lot to be desired , as it sounded more like “ Yo , Semites.
” To be clear , Yosemite is pronounced “ yoh-SEM-i-tee ” and not “ Semite , ” a term that refers to “ a member of any of various ancient and modern peoples originating in southwestern Asia , including the Akkadians , Canaanites , Phoenicians , Hebrews , and Arabs.
” Although it ’ s fairly obvious the president made a simple mispronunciation and not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that didn ’ t stop the Twitter snark .
My roommate @ NealFAllen kept replaying Trump saying , “ Yo !
Semites !
” for Yosemite .
The first few times he played it , I thought Trump was making a pitch for Semitism , and that while it was stranger and loftier than usual , it must be part of the campaign ’ s re-set .
— ANNE LAMOTT ( @ ANNELAMOTT ) August 4 , 2020 '' Yo , Semite '' is what you say when you 're calling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but forgot his name.
# YoSemite — Mike Glenn ( @ mrglenn ) August 4 , 2020 shame on all of us for expecting him to actually pronounce Yosemite correctly , tbqh — Robbie Couch ( @ robbie_couch ) August 4 , 2020 You don ’ t know .
Maybe he has a friend named Semite and he was just saying “ Yo , Semite.
” — Adam Parkhomenko ( @ AdamParkhomenko ) August 4 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Donald Trump isn’t the first person to mispronounce the name of one of America’s most beloved national parks, but the way he did it certainly raised some eyebrows.
It happened Tuesday when the president was signing a new bill called the Great American Outdoors Act, which The Wall Street Journal says will put $9.5 billion toward deferred maintenance at the country’s national parks.
Advertisement
Trump was reading some prepared remarks when he mentioned how Americans’ eyes will “widen in amazement” as they look at glorious natural attractions like Old Faithful.
Trump also mentioned the sequoia trees at Yosemite National Park, but his pronunciation left a lot to be desired, as it sounded more like “Yo, Semites.”
tfw you’re the president and don’t know how to pronounce “Yosemite” pic.twitter.com/r1oyzrXb6D — DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) August 4, 2020
To be clear, Yosemite is pronounced “yoh-SEM-i-tee” and not “Semite,” a term that refers to “a member of any of various ancient and modern peoples originating in southwestern Asia, including the Akkadians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Arabs.”
Advertisement
Although it’s fairly obvious the president made a simple mispronunciation and not an intentional reference to a particular ethnic group, that didn’t stop the Twitter snark.
I would have pegged him for an anti-yo-semite. https://t.co/i4its9X930 — ralphgarman (@RalphGarman) August 4, 2020
My roommate @NealFAllen kept replaying Trump saying, “Yo! Semites!” for Yosemite. The first few times he played it, I thought Trump was making a pitch for Semitism, and that while it was stranger and loftier than usual, it must be part of the campaign’s re-set. — ANNE LAMOTT (@ANNELAMOTT) August 4, 2020
"Yo, Semite" is what you say when you're calling out to that Jewish guy you know - but forgot his name.#YoSemite — Mike Glenn (@mrglenn) August 4, 2020
shame on all of us for expecting him to actually pronounce Yosemite correctly, tbqh — Robbie Couch (@robbie_couch) August 4, 2020
Advertisement
You don’t know. Maybe he has a friend named Semite and he was just saying “Yo, Semite.” — Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) August 4, 2020
Trump praises "Yo Semite's towering sequoias." pic.twitter.com/t4hyMGIcwY — The American Independent (@AmerIndependent) August 4, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--Julia Louis-Dreyfus Smacks Down 'Veep' Comparisons Of Trump's Axios Video

Donald Trump ’ s wild interview with Axios on Monday night is looking like a case of life imitating art to many people .
The art in question ?
“ Veep , ” Julia Louis-Dreyfus ’ acclaimed HBO sitcom that focuses on a very unqualified politician .
During the 37-minute interview with Jonathan Swan , the president managed to minimize thousands of coronavirus deaths and not offer a single positive comment about recently deceased civil rights leader John Lewis .
However , he sent “ good luck ” to Ghislaine Maxwell , who ’ s accused of sex-trafficking , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , many Twitter users couldn ’ t help but compare the interview to “ Veep.
” Some people even connected the dots to make it clearer .
The “ Veep ” comparisons weren ’ t lost on Louis-Dreyfus , though she wished that wasn ’ t the case .
Others from “ Veep ” also chimed in , including showrunner David Mandel , who felt the comparison between the show ’ s fictional president and the real guy wasn ’ t quite accurate .
Cast member Sam Richardson also noted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show but doubts it would pass muster as a “ Veep ” plot .
Yes , this is like a scene from Veep .
Except on Veep this scene would have been re-written after the table read , because a president being this stupid is too gaggy and unrealistic .
https : //t.co/GH7lnUCuCc — Sam Richardson ( @ SamRichardson ) August 4 , 2020 Other Twitter users pointed out the way the Axios interview was produced seemed to be a “ Veep ” homage .
This is a great thread explaining the technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump interview looks *exactly* like an episode of Veep https : //t.co/KlUbqHSO2n — Keith Stuart ( @ keefstuart ) August 4 , 2020 But one Twitter user put the comparisons between “ Veep ” and Trump in their proper perspective .
While it is funny to compare the Trump intvu w. Swan on Axios to an episode of Veep , pls keep in mind that this is the leader of our country publicly minimizing the deaths of 1,000 Americans a day .
It ’ s sickening .
— Aisha Sultan ( @ AishaS @ @ @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Donald Trump’s wild interview with Axios on Monday night is looking like a case of life imitating art to many people.
The art in question? “Veep,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ acclaimed HBO sitcom that focuses on a very unqualified politician.
Advertisement
During the 37-minute interview with Jonathan Swan, the president managed to minimize thousands of coronavirus deaths and not offer a single positive comment about recently deceased civil rights leader John Lewis. However, he sent “good luck” to Ghislaine Maxwell, who’s accused of sex-trafficking, saying he wishes her well.
As a result, many Twitter users couldn’t help but compare the interview to “Veep.” Some people even connected the dots to make it clearer.
The “Veep” comparisons weren’t lost on Louis-Dreyfus, though she wished that wasn’t the case.
God, I wish this was just a dumb show like ours. https://t.co/n3edLDiqiq — Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) August 4, 2020
Advertisement
Others from “Veep” also chimed in, including showrunner David Mandel, who felt the comparison between the show’s fictional president and the real guy wasn’t quite accurate.
President Jon H Ryan would have only killed 100,000 Americans tops. #veep https://t.co/pOo7EiraBj — David Mandel (@DavidHMandel) August 4, 2020
Cast member Sam Richardson also noted that the Axios interview had some similarities to the show but doubts it would pass muster as a “Veep” plot.
Yes, this is like a scene from Veep. Except on Veep this scene would have been re-written after the table read, because a president being this stupid is too gaggy and unrealistic. https://t.co/GH7lnUCuCc — Sam Richardson (@SamRichardson) August 4, 2020
Other Twitter users pointed out the way the Axios interview was produced seemed to be a “Veep” homage.
Advertisement
This is a great thread explaining the technical and stylistic reasons why the latest catastrophic Trump interview looks *exactly* like an episode of Veep https://t.co/KlUbqHSO2n — Keith Stuart (@keefstuart) August 4, 2020
But one Twitter user put the comparisons between “Veep” and Trump in their proper perspective.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--House Panel Calls New Postmaster General To Explain Mail Delays

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The House Oversight Committee has invited the new postmaster general to appear at a September hearing to examine operational changes at the U.S .
Postal Service that are causing delays in mail deliveries across the country .
The plan imposed by Louis DeJoy , a Republican fundraiser who took over the top job at the Postal Service in June , eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers and orders that mail be kept until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late .
President Donald Trump has warned that allowing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a “ CORRUPT ELECTION ” that will “ LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY , ” even though there ’ s no evidence that will happen .
Trump , Vice President Mike Pence and other top administration officials frequently vote absentee themselves .
Trump also has called the Postal Service “ a joke ” and said package shipping rates should be at least four times higher for heavy users like Amazon .
But shipping and packages are actually a top revenue generator for the Postal Service , and critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos in retaliation for unflattering coverage in The Washington Post , which Bezos owns .
The Oversight committee intended to have the hearing with DeJoy this week , Maloney said , but was told DeJoy could not attend because of a meeting of the Postal Service ’ s Board of Governors .
DeJoy has confirmed his availability for the September session , she said .
The hearing comes as the Postal Service is reeling from mail delays and financial problems , even as record numbers of mail ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic .
Postal Service officials , bracing for steep losses from the nationwide shutdown caused by the virus , have warned they will run out of money by the end of September without help from Congress .
The service reported a $ 4.5 billion loss for the quarter ending in March , before the full effects of the shutdown sank in , and expects losses totaling more than $ 22 billion over the next 18 months .
“ The Postal Service is in a financially unsustainable position , stemming from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken business model , ″ DeJoy said in a statement last week .
“ We are currently unable to balance our costs with available funding sources to fulfill both our universal service mission and other legal obligations .
Because of this , the Postal Service has experienced over a decade of financial losses , with no end in sight , and we face an impending liquidity crisis.″ Bills approved by the Democratic-controlled House would set aside $ 25 billion to keep the mail flowing , but they remain stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion line of credit for the Postal Service , but it remains unused amid restrictions imposed by the Trump administration .
The Postal Service and Treasury Department announced an agreement in principle on loan terms last week , with a formal agreement expected in the next few weeks .
Even with the loan , the Postal Service “ remains on an unsustainable path and we will continue to focus on improving operational efficiency , ″ DeJoy said .
Besides cutting overtime , the new plan halts late trips that are sometimes needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers are running late , “ they will keep the mail for the next day , ″ Postal Service leaders say in a document obtained by The Associated Press .
“ One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks , ″ another document says .
“ It is essential that the Postal Service not slow down mail or in any way compromise service for veterans , small businesses , rural communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on the mail – including significant numbers who will be relying on the Postal Service to exercise their right to vote , ” a group of Democratic senators wrote in a letter to DeJoy last week .
The senators , including Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Michigan Sen. Gary Peters , the top Democrat on a panel that oversees the Postal Service , said any changes to Postal Service operations “ must be carefully considered to ensure they do not limit service for Americans who rely on the mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a separate letter , Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W.Va. , asked DeJoy to clarify whether the Postal Service plans to close some post offices and reduce hours at others in his rural state .
Signs at some locations announced proposed closures as soon as Aug. 22 or 24 , Manchin said , calling any such action a violation of both federal law and Postal Service rules that require 120 days ’ notice before any closures .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee has invited the new postmaster general to appear at a September hearing to examine operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service that are causing delays in mail deliveries across the country.
The plan imposed by Louis DeJoy, a Republican fundraiser who took over the top job at the Postal Service in June, eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers and orders that mail be kept until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late.
Advertisement
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat who chairs the Oversight panel, said the Sept. 17 hearing will focus on “the need for on-time mail delivery during the ongoing pandemic and upcoming election,” which is expected to include a major expansion of mail-in ballots.
In this Wednesday, May 6, 2020, photo, United States Postal Service carrier Henrietta Dixon gets into her truck to deliver mail in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Donald Trump has warned that allowing more people to vote by mail will result in a “CORRUPT ELECTION” that will “LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY,” even though there’s no evidence that will happen. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other top administration officials frequently vote absentee themselves.
Last week, Trump even floated on Twitter the prospect of delaying the Nov. 3 election — an idea lawmakers from both parties quickly shot down.
Advertisement
Trump said Monday that the cash-strapped Postal Service is ill-equipped to add the expected influx of mail-in ballots to its responsibility to deliver mail and packages from the boom in internet shopping.
“I don’t think the post office is prepared for a thing like this,” Trump said at the White House.
Trump also has called the Postal Service “a joke” and said package shipping rates should be at least four times higher for heavy users like Amazon. But shipping and packages are actually a top revenue generator for the Postal Service, and critics say Trump is merely looking to punish Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos in retaliation for unflattering coverage in The Washington Post, which Bezos owns.
The Oversight committee intended to have the hearing with DeJoy this week, Maloney said, but was told DeJoy could not attend because of a meeting of the Postal Service’s Board of Governors. DeJoy has confirmed his availability for the September session, she said.
The hearing comes as the Postal Service is reeling from mail delays and financial problems, even as record numbers of mail ballots are expected in the presidential election because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Postal Service officials, bracing for steep losses from the nationwide shutdown caused by the virus, have warned they will run out of money by the end of September without help from Congress. The service reported a $4.5 billion loss for the quarter ending in March, before the full effects of the shutdown sank in, and expects losses totaling more than $22 billion over the next 18 months.
Advertisement
“The Postal Service is in a financially unsustainable position, stemming from substantial declines in mail volume and a broken business model,″ DeJoy said in a statement last week. “We are currently unable to balance our costs with available funding sources to fulfill both our universal service mission and other legal obligations. Because of this, the Postal Service has experienced over a decade of financial losses, with no end in sight, and we face an impending liquidity crisis.″
Bills approved by the Democratic-controlled House would set aside $25 billion to keep the mail flowing, but they remain stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. Congress has approved a $10 billion line of credit for the Postal Service, but it remains unused amid restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.
The Postal Service and Treasury Department announced an agreement in principle on loan terms last week, with a formal agreement expected in the next few weeks. Even with the loan, the Postal Service “remains on an unsustainable path and we will continue to focus on improving operational efficiency,″ DeJoy said.
Besides cutting overtime, the new plan halts late trips that are sometimes needed to ensure on-time delivery. If postal distribution centers are running late, “they will keep the mail for the next day,″ Postal Service leaders say in a document obtained by The Associated Press. “One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks,″ another document says.
Democratic lawmakers have demanded answers from DeJoy following complaints from constituents about mail service delays and other problems.
Advertisement
“It is essential that the Postal Service not slow down mail or in any way compromise service for veterans, small businesses, rural communities, seniors and millions of Americans who rely on the mail – including significant numbers who will be relying on the Postal Service to exercise their right to vote,” a group of Democratic senators wrote in a letter to DeJoy last week.
The senators, including Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, the top Democrat on a panel that oversees the Postal Service, said any changes to Postal Service operations “must be carefully considered to ensure they do not limit service for Americans who rely on the mail for essentials, especially during a pandemic.″
In a separate letter, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., asked DeJoy to clarify whether the Postal Service plans to close some post offices and reduce hours at others in his rural state. Signs at some locations announced proposed closures as soon as Aug. 22 or 24, Manchin said, calling any such action a violation of both federal law and Postal Service rules that require 120 days’ notice before any closures.
“In many areas where reliable broadband is not an option, the Postal Service is their only link to medicine, Social Security checks and family members,″ Manchin said. “Under new social distancing mandates, the Postal Service has become even more essential in keeping rural communities connected and economically viable.″


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--Republicans Don't Want Anyone Getting Too Comfy In The Plague Economy

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , the Trump administration ’ s lead negotiator for a new relief bill , said Sunday that he and his fellow Republicans agree on the “ concept ” of enhanced unemployment , but they “ want to fix the issue where in some cases people are overpaid and we want to make sure there ’ s the right incentives.
” Democrats think the extra money is appropriate , since it reduces material hardship while allowing people to stay home and avoid being exposed to or spreading the coronavirus .
For many workers , the extra jobless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earned at their job but , the Democrats say , the pandemic itself is so thoroughly wrecking the economy that it ’ s okay if a fraction of the workforce is temporarily able to to get ahead of the game in paying bills .
Most people who ’ ve lost their jobs over the past few months , after all , have actually been on furlough , with the expectation they would return to their jobs eventually .
The proportion of unemployed workers who are on temporary layoff is historically unprecedented .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losers expected to return to their jobs within six months , down from 79 % in April .
Many simply do not have the option of returning to work just yet .
But no matter how much people may love airport bars , they ’ re not going to airports right now , and they ’ re not stopping by Ruby Tuesday for that 7:30 a.m. eye-opener .
Air passenger volumes are still down by more than two-thirds compared to last year .
Ruby Tuesday ’ s remains closed at the Orlando airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic woes afflicting restaurants by tinkering with incentives .
The latest coronavirus relief bill unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) included a provision that would allow businesses to write off the full cost of meals , instead of just half the cost as under current law .
With that tax advantage in hand , a company would be more inclined to tell its executives to go ahead and use their company cards to dine out .
“ We know that more than 5.5 million restaurant workers lost their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of those jobs have been recovered , it is clear more help is needed , ” Sen. Tim Scott ( R-S.C. ) said of the provision .
Its major proponents include President Donald Trump , who has frequently touted it in tweets .
Cail said the extra $ 600 has been a lifeline for him for the last four months .
He hasn ’ t been thriving , but he has been surviving ― making rent , car and utility payments , with plenty of food in the kitchen and the occasional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said he had health insurance until last week .
The most important obstacle to Cail returning to work is still the pandemic itself .
He needs air travel to pick up to enable his employer to reopen .
He could look for another job , of course , but he has well-founded doubts about his prospects in a local labor market with 16.5 % unemployment , bars closed by government order , and ongoing waves of layoffs .
Even before the pandemic , finding a job wasn ’ t easy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit in March , it set the benefits to expire at the end of July .
Lawmakers also created a massive small-business rescue program designed to cover just two months of payroll costs .
Lawmakers did not anticipate how long the pandemic would last .
And even at its start , some Republicans said they thought the extra jobless pay would only make things worse .
Since the extra benefits lapsed , Republicans haven ’ t coalesced around a single proposal to replace them .
In the past , Congress hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits .
The McConnell package would pay $ 200 for two months and then ask states to adjust the federal benefit to 70 % of a worker ’ s ’ previous wage ― though it ’ s not clear if beleaguered state workforce agencies are up to the task of quickly making such calculations .
Some GOP lawmakers say they would be happy with no replacement for the extra jobless aid .
Although Republicans have hyped stories about employers struggling to bring back workers because of the higher benefits , little evidence has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s held back hiring on a large scale .
People who refuse job offers typically lose their benefits , and of the several million benefit recipients who returned to work in June , 70 % did so even though their job pays less .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A fundamental disagreement has prevented Congress from reauthorizing the extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits that lapsed last week.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, the Trump administration’s lead negotiator for a new relief bill, said Sunday that he and his fellow Republicans agree on the “concept” of enhanced unemployment, but they “want to fix the issue where in some cases people are overpaid and we want to make sure there’s the right incentives.”
Advertisement
In other words, Republicans believe the extra $600 is too good, and it’s creating a disincentive for workers to go back to their jobs ― meaning it’s burdening low-wage employers, who would have to raise their pay to compete with the benefits.
Democrats think the extra money is appropriate, since it reduces material hardship while allowing people to stay home and avoid being exposed to or spreading the coronavirus. For many workers, the extra jobless benefits do pay more than what they earned at their job but, the Democrats say, the pandemic itself is so thoroughly wrecking the economy that it’s okay if a fraction of the workforce is temporarily able to to get ahead of the game in paying bills.
Most people who’ve lost their jobs over the past few months, after all, have actually been on furlough, with the expectation they would return to their jobs eventually. The proportion of unemployed workers who are on temporary layoff is historically unprecedented. In June, nearly 60% of job losers expected to return to their jobs within six months, down from 79% in April. Many simply do not have the option of returning to work just yet.
One of them is Thomas Cail, a career bartender who served drinks at the Ruby Tuesday in the Orlando International Airport for six years until the restaurant shut down in March.
Advertisement
Business travelers were Cail’s bread and butter ― people on work trips, armed with green American Express corporate credit cards who never flinched at airport prices. It didn’t even matter what time of day.
“Everybody loves airport bars,” Cail said in an interview. “All the rules go out the door.”
But no matter how much people may love airport bars, they’re not going to airports right now, and they’re not stopping by Ruby Tuesday for that 7:30 a.m. eye-opener. Air passenger volumes are still down by more than two-thirds compared to last year. Ruby Tuesday’s remains closed at the Orlando airport.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (left) and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speak to reporters on Monday about the ongoing negotiations to reach an agreement with lawmakers on a new coronavirus relief bill. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images
Republicans think they can help the economic woes afflicting restaurants by tinkering with incentives. The latest coronavirus relief bill unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) included a provision that would allow businesses to write off the full cost of meals, instead of just half the cost as under current law. With that tax advantage in hand, a company would be more inclined to tell its executives to go ahead and use their company cards to dine out.
“We know that more than 5.5 million restaurant workers lost their jobs as the pandemic hit, and while some of those jobs have been recovered, it is clear more help is needed,” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said of the provision. Its major proponents include President Donald Trump, who has frequently touted it in tweets.
Advertisement
Like the rest of the Republican bill, the status of the business meal deduction is unknown as party leaders hold secret meetings to resolve divisions among GOP lawmakers and hammer out a broader relief bill.
Cail said the extra $600 has been a lifeline for him for the last four months. He hasn’t been thriving, but he has been surviving ― making rent, car and utility payments, with plenty of food in the kitchen and the occasional takeout order. Thanks to his union, he said he had health insurance until last week.
“I know my job will return. I just don’t know when,” he said. “I will return when called. I need to work. I need health insurance. I need to feel useful.”
If Congress replaced the extra $600 with $200, as the recent Senate Republican bill proposes, Cail said he would probably have to sell his car and file for bankruptcy protection to get by.
The most important obstacle to Cail returning to work is still the pandemic itself. He needs air travel to pick up to enable his employer to reopen. He could look for another job, of course, but he has well-founded doubts about his prospects in a local labor market with 16.5% unemployment, bars closed by government order, and ongoing waves of layoffs. Even before the pandemic, finding a job wasn’t easy.
Advertisement
“I’m a high-school-educated, lifelong 48-year-old bartender,” he said. “I’ve applied at more hip, trendy wine rooms and gastro pubs in the city and have never had a callback.”
When Congress created the extra $600 benefit in March, it set the benefits to expire at the end of July. Lawmakers also created a massive small-business rescue program designed to cover just two months of payroll costs. Lawmakers did not anticipate how long the pandemic would last. And even at its start, some Republicans said they thought the extra jobless pay would only make things worse.
“We don’t want to delay a recovery from this crisis by four months,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said during the Senate’s floor debate in March. “Hopefully, we stop this global pandemic, and we stop it soon. You don’t know how soon that will be. I don’t know.”
The federal government has utterly failed to stop the pandemic, thanks partly to Trump prematurely encouraging states to reopen. And the economic recovery could stall out thanks partly to the demise of the extra benefits, which has slashed incomes for more than 25 million people.
By itself, the enhanced benefit of $600 per week works out to $15 an hour for a 40-hour workweek, meaning laid-off workers are receiving nearly double the federal minimum wage on top of their state unemployment benefits, which vary widely but pay less than $400 on average.
Advertisement
Since the extra benefits lapsed, Republicans haven’t coalesced around a single proposal to replace them. In the past, Congress hasn’t added more than $25 to state benefits. The McConnell package would pay $200 for two months and then ask states to adjust the federal benefit to 70% of a worker’s’ previous wage ― though it’s not clear if beleaguered state workforce agencies are up to the task of quickly making such calculations. Some GOP lawmakers say they would be happy with no replacement for the extra jobless aid.
Although Republicans have hyped stories about employers struggling to bring back workers because of the higher benefits, little evidence has emerged that this problem is so widespread that it’s held back hiring on a large scale. People who refuse job offers typically lose their benefits, and of the several million benefit recipients who returned to work in June, 70% did so even though their job pays less.
“I think they’re making the calculation that they’d rather work and try to secure a place with an employer rather than rely on temporary unemployment insurance increases,” said Josh Bivens, director of research at the liberal Economic Policy Institute.
For some workers, their best chance of security may be to remain unemployed until their job can come back.
Shawn Pennington, 45, is the stage manager for the national tour of a Broadway musical. Theaters are closed across the country, and Broadway itself will remain shuttered at least for the rest of 2020.
Advertisement
Pennington said he started as an actor 25 years ago, and in recent years has been able to save money and even buy a house for his parents. He is receiving far less compensation on unemployment than he did working.
“It’s so frustrating when you hear the big talking point that all these people are sitting around not going to work because they’re making more money than they were before,” he said. “For us, there are no jobs to go back to.”
Pennington estimates he could last six months without the extra $600 before he starts going into debt. He’s splitting his time between family members in California and Arizona until shows can resume.
He’s hoping he can hang on to his career until then. It really depends on the coronavirus getting under control.
“We can’t come back until not just us, but audience members feel safe enough,” he said. “I think it’s arguable we will be the last thing back.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-04--NYC Health Commissioner Resigns After 'Disappointment' With Coronavirus Response

New York City ’ s health commissioner abruptly announced her resignation on Tuesday with a letter to the mayor that expressed her “ deep disappointment ” with his handling of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak .
“ I leave my post today with deep disappointment that during the most critical public health crisis in our lifetime , that the Health Department ’ s incomparable disease control expertise was not used to the degree it could have been , ” wrote Dr. Oxiris Barbot , according to a copy of the email obtained by The New York Times .
“ Our experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance and response work .
The city would be well served by having them at the strategic center of the response not in the background.
” NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot announced her resignation on Tuesday in a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio that expressed `` deep disappointment '' with his handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
There have reportedly been tensions between the mayor ’ s office and city health officials since the early days of the outbreak .
Tensions particularly mounted in May when the NYC Health Department was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the responsibility was instead given to the city ’ s public hospital system , NYC Health + Hospitals .
Mayor Bill de Blasio , who appointed Barbot as commissioner in December 2018 , confirmed her resignation at a press briefing Tuesday and announced the appointment of Dr. Dave Chokshi as her replacement .
Chokshi is a former senior leader for NYC Health + Hospitals .
De Blasio called him “ a perfect person for the job.
” He did not acknowledge Barbot ’ s resignation or thank her for her service in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Sometimes things just happen organically , ” de Blasio said in response to a reporter ’ s question on his apparent lack of surprise at Barbot ’ s resignation .
“ It was time for a change.
” When asked about her letter ’ s expressed “ disappointment , ” the mayor argued that her dissatisfaction didn ’ t match the level of success that the city has had in curbing COVID-19 cases .
New York City ’ s number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has continued to fall since its peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicenter of the nation ’ s outbreak .
De Blasio credited wide-scale efforts , and not one individual or department , for the continual drop in cases .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
New York City’s health commissioner abruptly announced her resignation on Tuesday with a letter to the mayor that expressed her “deep disappointment” with his handling of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
“I leave my post today with deep disappointment that during the most critical public health crisis in our lifetime, that the Health Department’s incomparable disease control expertise was not used to the degree it could have been,” wrote Dr. Oxiris Barbot, according to a copy of the email obtained by The New York Times. “Our experts are world renowned for their epidemiology, surveillance and response work. The city would be well served by having them at the strategic center of the response not in the background.”
Advertisement
NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot announced her resignation on Tuesday in a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio that expressed "deep disappointment" with his handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Pacific Press via Getty Images
There have reportedly been tensions between the mayor’s office and city health officials since the early days of the outbreak. Tensions particularly mounted in May when the NYC Health Department was largely stripped of its contact-tracing duties and the responsibility was instead given to the city’s public hospital system, NYC Health + Hospitals.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who appointed Barbot as commissioner in December 2018, confirmed her resignation at a press briefing Tuesday and announced the appointment of Dr. Dave Chokshi as her replacement. Chokshi is a former senior leader for NYC Health + Hospitals. De Blasio called him “a perfect person for the job.” He did not acknowledge Barbot’s resignation or thank her for her service in his office’s written public announcement.
“Sometimes things just happen organically,” de Blasio said in response to a reporter’s question on his apparent lack of surprise at Barbot’s resignation. “It was time for a change.”
Advertisement
When asked about her letter’s expressed “disappointment,” the mayor argued that her dissatisfaction didn’t match the level of success that the city has had in curbing COVID-19 cases.
New York City’s number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has continued to fall since its peak this spring when the city was deemed the epicenter of the nation’s outbreak.