thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-05--Jill Biden To Push For Debt-Free Community College As First Lady

“ That is what she would like to see .
We have often talked about community colleges as the unsung heroes , ” Kanter said in a conversation with Yahoo News , adding that Biden has strived “ to really help people understand the value proposition and the return on investment and why it ’ s important.
” The focus on education is a natural extension of the work she did after her husband was elected vice president in 2008 , when , as second lady , she became an outspoken advocate for community colleges .
Biden has also spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community college level , and has been an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College since 2009 .
Prior to taking that position , Biden spent about 15 years at Delaware Technical Community College .
Biden , who holds graduate degrees from West Chester University , Villanova University and the University of Delaware , where she earned her doctorate , has long championed community college .
It took her 15 years to finish her own education , including time spent studying at night while raising a family with her husband , who served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has often spoken about how her experience in the classroom — and her personal history — shaped her views on education .
Her students have included single parents , veterans and refugees .
In a 2015 speech before the Community College National Legislative Summit , Biden traced her passion for education to her grandmother , who “ taught at an old-fashioned , one-room schoolhouse.
” Biden recalled how she kept her grandmother ’ s school bell as a treasured heirloom and described the impact she felt from working with students to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is my life ’ s work , ” Biden said in that address .
“ I teach because I love seeing the difference that I hope to make in my students ’ lives .
My goal is to always give them confidence in their own abilities , because I know confidence will carry them well beyond my classroom in whatever they do .
As I work hard every day to inspire my students , it is ultimately they who inspire me.
” President-elect Biden himself has emphasized the fact that his academic credentials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomas that typically pepper the corridors of power in Washington D.C .
He earned an undergraduate degree from a state school , the University of Delaware , and went to law school at Syracuse University .
He and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris of California , were the first presidential ticket since 1984 without an Ivy League degree .
“ What the hell makes you think I need an Ivy League degree to be president ?
” Biden asked .
“ Guys like me , the first in my family to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good as anybody else.
” “ She ’ s ... knowledgeable about the challenges , ” Kanter explained .
“ Why do students leave ?
Why do they drop out ?
What are the barriers that we better work much harder and to get out of the way ?
And I think that ’ s what she ’ s going to say.
” When President Obama convened experts to identify ways to strengthen the workforce , a source familiar with Obama ’ s efforts said the experts “ realized one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community colleges , ” and “ someone said , ‘ Wait… isn ’ t the second lady actually working at one right now ?
’ ” Biden subsequently convened the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges on Oct. 5 , 2010 , which highlighted community colleges ’ role in workforce development and focused on Obama ’ s goal of raising the numbers of college graduates .
Several years later , she crisscrossed the country to promote a community college-to-job-market pipeline program.During her time as second lady , Biden also worked with former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces , an initiative that urged Americans to “ to rally around service members , veterans , and their families and support them through wellness , education , and employment opportunities.
” As first lady , Biden plans to relaunch Joining Forces .
In her new role , Biden is expected to take up other aspects of her husband ’ s education platform , along with her efforts to advocate for debt-free community college and military families .
And in addition to her promise to ensure students — including nontraditional , older learners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to two years without having to dive into their own pockets , Biden has proposed a plan to make all public college and universities tuition-free for students whose families earn less than $ 125,000 , in addition to a suite of education grants with a focus on historically black colleges and universities and institutions dedicated to the Native American community .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON — Dr. Jill Biden has devoted her life to the field of education, and that won’t change when she becomes first lady next month. According to a source close to her, Biden will advocate for debt-free community college.
Dr. Martha Kanter, who served as under secretary of education in the Obama administration and who has known Biden for more than a decade, said she has worked hard to make debt-free community college a reality.
Advertisement
“That is what she would like to see. We have often talked about community colleges as the unsung heroes,” Kanter said in a conversation with Yahoo News, adding that Biden has strived “to really help people understand the value proposition and the return on investment and why it’s important.”
Along with promoting debt-free community college, Biden plans to champion other aspects of the education platform her husband, President-elect Joe Biden, put forth during his campaign for the White House.
The focus on education is a natural extension of the work she did after her husband was elected vice president in 2008, when, as second lady, she became an outspoken advocate for community colleges. Biden has also spent much of her career teaching at the community college level, and has been an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College since 2009. Prior to taking that position, Biden spent about 15 years at Delaware Technical Community College.
“Teaching has always been more than just a job to her — it’s who she is,” said Biden’s spokesperson, Michael LaRosa.
Advertisement
Biden, who holds graduate degrees from West Chester University, Villanova University and the University of Delaware, where she earned her doctorate, has long championed community college. It took her 15 years to finish her own education, including time spent studying at night while raising a family with her husband, who served as a U.S. senator for 36 years.
Biden has often spoken about how her experience in the classroom — and her personal history — shaped her views on education. Her students have included single parents, veterans and refugees. In a 2015 speech before the Community College National Legislative Summit, Biden traced her passion for education to her grandmother, who “taught at an old-fashioned, one-room schoolhouse.” Biden recalled how she kept her grandmother’s school bell as a treasured heirloom and described the impact she felt from working with students to improve their reading skills.
“Teaching is my life’s work,” Biden said in that address. “I teach because I love seeing the difference that I hope to make in my students’ lives. My goal is to always give them confidence in their own abilities, because I know confidence will carry them well beyond my classroom in whatever they do. As I work hard every day to inspire my students, it is ultimately they who inspire me.”
President-elect Biden himself has emphasized the fact that his academic credentials are far different from the Ivy League diplomas that typically pepper the corridors of power in Washington D.C. He earned an undergraduate degree from a state school, the University of Delaware, and went to law school at Syracuse University. He and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, were the first presidential ticket since 1984 without an Ivy League degree.
Advertisement
During a CNN town hall in his hometown of Scranton, Pa., in September, the former vice president noted that, throughout his life he had encountered people who believed people “must be stupid” if they didn’t have a college degree or Ivy League bona fides.
“What the hell makes you think I need an Ivy League degree to be president?” Biden asked. “Guys like me, the first in my family to go to college … we are as good as anybody else.”
According to Kanter, the former undersecretary of education, Jill Biden’sfamiliarity with research showing community college has a unique return on investment would make her a “critical voice.” Kanter also cited Biden’s classroom experience.
“She’s ... knowledgeable about the challenges,” Kanter explained. “Why do students leave? Why do they drop out? What are the barriers that we better work much harder and to get out of the way? And I think that’s what she’s going to say.”
Biden’s background in education was quickly put to use during her time as second lady when the country was recovering from the financial crisis.
Advertisement
When President Obama convened experts to identify ways to strengthen the workforce, a source familiar with Obama’s efforts said the experts “realized one of the most effective tools to jumpstart the economy was community colleges,” and “someone said, ‘Wait… isn’t the second lady actually working at one right now?’”
Biden subsequently convened the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges on Oct. 5, 2010, which highlighted community colleges’ role in workforce development and focused on Obama’s goal of raising the numbers of college graduates. Several years later, she crisscrossed the country to promote a community college-to-job-market pipeline program.During her time as second lady, Biden also worked with former first lady Michelle Obama to launch Joining Forces, an initiative that urged Americans to “to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities.” As first lady, Biden plans to relaunch Joining Forces.
In her new role, Biden is expected to take up other aspects of her husband’s education platform, along with her efforts to advocate for debt-free community college and military families. And in addition to her promise to ensure students — including nontraditional, older learners — can attend community colleges for up to two years without having to dive into their own pockets, Biden has proposed a plan to make all public college and universities tuition-free for students whose families earn less than $125,000, in addition to a suite of education grants with a focus on historically black colleges and universities and institutions dedicated to the Native American community.
Obama had also pushed a plan to make two years of community college free, but it failed to overcome Republican opposition in Congress. President-elect Biden’s proposals will almost certainly face similar hurdles, particularly if Democrats fail to secure a Senate majority in the Georgia runoff elections next month.
Advertisement
As first lady, Biden is unlikely to have an official position in the policy drafting process. A former Biden staffer who worked closely with Biden and requested anonymity to discuss the transition nevertheless said she has an informal but crucial role advising the president-elect.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-05--Trump Reportedly Called GA Gov. Brian Kemp A 'Moron,' A 'Nut Job' In Phone Call To Aides

Trump ’ s increasingly ugly attacks on Kemp are heightening fears within the GOP that the president could threaten the chances of Georgia ’ s two Republican Senate candidates in the state ’ s upcoming runoff election .
Trump has a rally planned for Saturday in Valdosta , Georgia , and nerves are especially frayed over concerns about what might come out of his mouth .
CNN journalist Jeremy Diamond reported Friday on Jake Tapper ’ s “ The Lead ” about Trump ’ s latest Kemp blast .
Trump last Sunday said he was disappointed that Kemp did “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results that Trump has baselessly claimed were rigged .
“ I ’ m ashamed that I endorsed him , ” the president angrily said of Kemp on Fox News .
An irritated Trump reportedly also wondered in his recent phone call why Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler wasn ’ t able to win re-election outright , instead of now having to face a runoff on Jan. 5 .
Republicans are “ on edge ” that more of these kinds of attacks “ could do more harm than good ” and depress GOP voter turnout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wood and Sidney Powell ― formerly embraced , but now shunned , by Trump ’ s campaign ― have even urged Republicans to boycott the Senate vote unless there ’ s a full-scale investigation into the presidential election .
Democrats are eagerly getting in on the action on Twitter and also calling on Republican voters to boycott .
That could create an easier path to victory for Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff , possibly resulting in Democratic control of the Senate .
According to ongoing conspiracy theories being devoured by some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Senate candidates — Loeffler and Sen. David Perdue — are letting Georgia ’ s alleged electoral fraud slide .
In reality , there ’ s absolutely no evidence of any such fraud , nor is there proof that Perdue and Loeffler had anything to do with the fraud , which , again , has not been shown to exist .
Let ’ s speak truth about @ SenLoeffler & @ sendavidperdue .
Why are they doing little or nothing to support efforts by GA citizens to address unlawful election & need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislature ?
If not fixed , I will NOT vote in GA runoff .
Will you ?
— Lin Wood ( @ LLinWood ) November 21 , 2020

Trump’s increasingly ugly attacks on Kemp are heightening fears within the GOP that the president could threaten the chances of Georgia’s two Republican Senate candidates in the state’s upcoming runoff election. Trump has a rally planned for Saturday in Valdosta, Georgia, and nerves are especially frayed over concerns about what might come out of his mouth.
Advertisement
CNN journalist Jeremy Diamond reported Friday on Jake Tapper’s “The Lead” about Trump’s latest Kemp blast. Trump last Sunday said he was disappointed that Kemp did “absolutely nothing” to overturn presidential election results that Trump has baselessly claimed were rigged. “I’m ashamed that I endorsed him,” the president angrily said of Kemp on Fox News.
An irritated Trump reportedly also wondered in his recent phone call why Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler wasn’t able to win re-election outright, instead of now having to face a runoff on Jan. 5.
Republicans are “on edge” that more of these kinds of attacks “could do more harm than good” and depress GOP voter turnout, Diamond noted.
Tapper characterized the situation as “madness, absolute madness.” (Check out the video up top.)
Fringe attorneys Lin Wood and Sidney Powell ― formerly embraced, but now shunned, by Trump’s campaign ― have even urged Republicans to boycott the Senate vote unless there’s a full-scale investigation into the presidential election. Democrats are eagerly getting in on the action on Twitter and also calling on Republican voters to boycott. That could create an easier path to victory for Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, possibly resulting in Democratic control of the Senate.
Advertisement
According to ongoing conspiracy theories being devoured by some Make America Great Again disciples, the Republican Senate candidates — Loeffler and Sen. David Perdue — are letting Georgia’s alleged electoral fraud slide. In reality, there’s absolutely no evidence of any such fraud, nor is there proof that Perdue and Loeffler had anything to do with the fraud, which, again, has not been shown to exist.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-05--Trump Presses Own Election Grievances At Rally For Georgia Senators

VALDOSTA , Georgia ( AP ) — President Donald Trump pressed his own grievances over losing the presidential election at a rally Saturday in Georgia , spreading baseless allegations of misconduct in last month ’ s vote , even as he pushed supporters to cast ballots for a pair of Republican Senate candidates in the state ’ s Jan. 5 runoff election that will decide the balance of power in Washington once President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month .
Republicans need one victory to maintain their Senate majority .
Democrats need a Georgia sweep to force a 50-50 Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tiebreaking majority vote .
Party officials had hoped the president would dedicate his energy to imploring their supporters to vote in the Jan. 5 election , when Perdue and Loeffler try to hold off Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , respectively .
“ I want to stay on presidential , ” Trumps said minutes into his speech .
“ But I got to get to these two.
” He praised the GOP lawmakers , Perdue for his support for military spending and Loeffler for pushing for early coronavirus relief spending .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ own defeat .
Trump pulled out a piece of paper and read a list of his electoral achievements , including falsely asserting he won Georgia and the White House .
Biden carried the state by 12,670 votes and won a record 81 million votes nationally .
Trump continued to reiterate his unsubstantiated claims of fraud , despite his own administration assessing the election to have been conducted without any major issues .
Hours before the event , Trump asked Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp in a phone call to order the legislative session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior government official in Georgia with knowledge of the call who was not authorized to discuss the private conversation and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
A person close to the White House who was briefed on the matter verified that account of the call .
Kemp , in a tweet , said Trump also asked him to order an audit of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes in his state , a step Kemp is not empowered to take because he has no authority to interfere in the electoral process on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are refusing to do what you ask , ” he complained in a tweet , as if speaking with Kemp .
“ What are they hiding ?
At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature .
That you can easily , and immediately , do.
” Trump ’ s personal contact with the governor demonstrated he is intent on amplifying his conspiratorial and debunked theories of electoral fraud even as Georgia Republicans want him to turn his focus to the Jan. 5 runoff election and encourage their supporters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor does not have the authority to order a signature audit , an audit was initiated by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and it triggered a full hand recount that confirmed President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory in Georgia .
The race has been certified for Biden and affirmed by the state ’ s Republican election officials as a fairly conducted and counted vote , with none of the systemic errors Trump alleges .
But after two pro-Trump lawyers this past week questioned whether voting again is even worth it — in echoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of widespread voter fraud — even Vice President Mike Pence betrayed concerns that the Republican coalition could crack under the force of Trump ’ s grievances .
Few Republicans in Washington or Georgia believe wide swaths of the electorate in this newfound battleground would opt out of voting because of Trump ’ s false claims or his denigration of the Georgia governor and secretary of state for certifying Biden ’ s victory in the state .
The risk for the GOP is that it wouldn ’ t take much of a drop-off to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the presidential contest : Biden won Georgia by about 12,500 votes out of 5 million cast .
There ’ s enough noise to explain why Pence felt the need to confront the matter head on after two Trump loyalists floated the idea of the president ’ s supporters bailing on Perdue and Loeffler .
“ I think there ’ s some issues with our election and more investigation needs to be done , ” Mann said , adding that he doesn ’ t think Perdue and Loeffler have done enough to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
“ I want to see what happens between now and January , ” Mann said .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
VALDOSTA, Georgia (AP) — President Donald Trump is pressing his grievances over losing the presidential election, using a weekend rally to spread baseless allegations of misconduct in last month’s voting in Georgia and beyond even as he pushed supporters to turn out for a pair of Republican Senate candidates in a runoff election in January.
“Let them steal Georgia again, you’ll never be able to look yourself in the mirror,” Trump told rallygoers.
Advertisement
Trump’s 100-minute rally before thousands of largely maskless supporters came not long after he was rebuffed by Georgia’s Republican governor in his astounding call for a special legislative session to give him the state’s electoral votes, even though President-elect Joe Biden won more votes than any other candidate.
The Jan. 5 Senate runoffs in Georgia will determine the balance of power in Washington after Biden takes office. Republicans in the state are worried that Trump is stoking so much suspicion about Georgia elections that voters will think the system is rigged and decide to sit out the two races.
The latest futile attempt to subvert the presidential election results continued Trump’s unprecedented campaign to undermine confidence in the democratic process, but overshadowed his stated purpose in traveling to Georgia — boosting Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
Republicans need one victory to maintain their Senate majority. Democrats need a Georgia sweep to force a 50-50 Senate and position Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the tiebreaking vote. Party officials had hoped the president would dedicate his energy to imploring supporters to vote in the runoff, when Perdue and Loeffler try to hold off Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively.
Advertisement
Trump did echo Republican rhetoric that the races amounted to “the most important congressional runoff, probably in American history.” That is only true because he lost.
But after Air Force One landed, it quickly became apparent that Trump was intent on airing his own complaints and stoking baseless doubts about the conduct of last month’s vote, rather than boosting his party.
President Donald Trump addresses the crowd at a rally for U.S. Senators Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., who are both facing runoff elections Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ben Gray) ASSOCIATED PRESS
“I want to stay on presidential,” Trumps said minutes into his speech. “But I got to get to these two.” He praised the GOP lawmakers, Perdue for his support for military spending and Loeffler for pushing for early coronavirus relief spending. But he quickly pivoted back to his own defeat.
Trump pulled out a piece of paper and read a list of his electoral achievements, including falsely asserting he won Georgia and the White House. Biden carried the state by 12,670 votes and won a record 81 million votes nationally. Trump continued to reiterate his unsubstantiated claims of fraud, despite his own administration assessing the election to have been conducted without any major issues.
Advertisement
Chants of “Fight for Trump” drowned out the two senators as they briefly spoke to the crowd.
Hours before the event, Trump asked Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in a phone call to order the legislative session; the governor refused, according to a senior government official in Georgia with knowledge of the call who was not authorized to discuss the private conversation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. A person close to the White House who was briefed on the matter verified that account of the call.
Kemp, in a tweet, said Trump also asked him to order an audit of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes in his state, a step Kemp is not empowered to take because he has no authority to interfere in the electoral process on Trump’s behalf.
Trump, though, vented his frustrations with Kemp on Twitter and at the rally.
“Your people are refusing to do what you ask,” he complained in a tweet, as if speaking with Kemp. “What are they hiding? At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do.”
At the rally, he took aim once again at Kemp, saying he could assure him victory “if he knew what the hell he was doing.”
Trump’s personal contact with the governor demonstrated he is intent on amplifying his conspiratorial and debunked theories of electoral fraud even as Georgia Republicans want him to turn his focus to the runoff and encourage their supporters to get out and vote.
Advertisement
In his tweet, Kemp said: “As I told the President this morning, I’ve publicly called for a signature audit three times (11/20, 11/24, 12/3) to restore confidence in our election process and to ensure that only legal votes are counted in Georgia.”
While the governor does not have the authority to order a signature audit, an audit was initiated by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and it triggered a full hand recount that confirmed Biden’s victory in Georgia. The race has been certified for Biden and affirmed by the state’s Republican election officials as a fairly conducted and counted vote, with none of the systemic errors Trump alleges.
But after two pro-Trump lawyers this past week questioned whether voting again is even worth it — in echoes of the president’s baseless accusations of widespread voter fraud — even Vice President Mike Pence betrayed concerns that the Republican coalition could crack under the force of Trump’s grievances.
“I know we’ve all got our doubts about the last election, and I hear some of you saying, ‘Just don’t vote,’” Pence said Friday while campaigning with Perdue in Savannah. “If you don’t vote, they win.”
Few Republicans in Washington or Georgia believe wide swaths of the electorate in this newfound battleground would opt out of voting because of Trump’s false claims or his denigration of the Georgia governor and secretary of state for certifying Biden’s victory in the state.
Advertisement
The risk for the GOP is that it wouldn’t take much of a drop-off to matter if the runoffs are as close as the presidential contest: Biden won Georgia by about 12,500 votes out of 5 million cast. There’s enough noise to explain why Pence felt the need to confront the matter head on after two Trump loyalists floated the idea of the president’s supporters bailing on Perdue and Loeffler.
Trump’s false claims have resonated with voters such as Barry Mann, a 61-year-old business owner who came to hear Pence in Savannah. Mann hasn’t decided whether he’ll vote for his senators a second time.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-05--Watch Plane's Miraculous Emergency Landing On Minnesota Highway

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has released an astounding video of a single-engine plane emergency landing on a highway outside the Twin Cities .
No one was injured as the Bellanca Viking plane narrowly dodged two cars , and sideswiped an SUV on I-35 , said officials .
The emergency landing was apparently triggered by engine failure , according to a Facebook post from Ramsey County deputies .
“ While this isn ’ t *quite* what we mean by a ‘ multimodal transportation system , ’ we ’ re glad no one was injured , ” the state department quipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
The tweet referred to the landing as a “ zipper merge.
” ICYMI : A plane landed on 35W last night .
( Yes , really ! )
While this is n't *quite* what we mean by a `` multimodal transportation system , '' we 're glad no one was injured and are impressed by the pilot 's effort to # zippermerge from above !
pic.twitter.com/imPdiQ1wMX — Minnesota Department of Transportation ( @ MnDOT ) December 3 , 2020 Really impressive .
It seems now the only reason he crashed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid crashing into the car he was overtaking ahead .
Not enough room in the passing lane for a plane .
Really impressive landing .
@ kare11 — 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝙾𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 ( @ ChrisEOlive ) December 3 , 2020 Brittany Yurik was the in the vehicle that was struck , according to CBS affiliate WCCO-TV .
( Check out the video up top . )
“ I saw [ the plane ] coming at me probably one second before we collided , ” Yurik told a TV reporter .
Yurik , whose car was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot .
“ He ’ s very kind .
He was very apologetic .
He explained to me what happened .
I just can ’ t believe we ’ re all okay , ” she said .
“ I think he was feeling the same thing.
” The pilot was identified as 52-year-old Craig Gifford of Minneapolis , a competitive aerobatic pilot , who has represented America in the sport in international contests , USA Today reported .
State troopers responded to the scene after “ hearing reports of a plane making an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arden Hills , ” a suburb of St. Paul , said a statement from the Minnesota Highway Patrol .
“ As the plane landed , it crashed into another vehicle that was on I-35W , ” the report added .
“ There were no injuries as a result of this crash.
” The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident .

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has released an astounding video of a single-engine plane making an emergency landing on a highway outside the Twin Cities.
No one was injured as the Bellanca Viking plane narrowly dodged two cars, and sideswiped an SUV on I-35, said officials. The emergency landing was apparently triggered by engine failure, according to a Facebook post from Ramsey County deputies.
Advertisement
“While this isn’t *quite* what we mean by a ‘multimodal transportation system,’ we’re glad no one was injured,” the state department quipped in a tweet after the feat Wednesday night. The tweet referred to the landing as a “zipper merge.”
ICYMI: A plane landed on 35W last night. (Yes, really!)
While this isn't *quite* what we mean by a "multimodal transportation system," we're glad no one was injured and are impressed by the pilot's effort to #zippermerge from above! pic.twitter.com/imPdiQ1wMX — Minnesota Department of Transportation (@MnDOT) December 3, 2020
Really impressive. It seems now the only reason he crashed at all was bc he was trying to avoid crashing into the car he was overtaking ahead. Not enough room in the passing lane for a plane. Really impressive landing. @kare11 — 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝙾𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 (@ChrisEOlive) December 3, 2020
Brittany Yurik was the in the vehicle that was struck, according to CBS affiliate WCCO-TV. (Check out the video up top.)
Advertisement
“I saw [the plane] coming at me probably one second before we collided,” Yurik told a TV reporter.
Yurik, whose car was totaled, said she talked to the pilot. “He’s very kind. He was very apologetic. He explained to me what happened. I just can’t believe we’re all okay,” she said. “I think he was feeling the same thing.”
The pilot was identified as 52-year-old Craig Gifford of Minneapolis, a competitive aerobatic pilot, who has represented America in the sport in international contests, USA Today reported.
State troopers responded to the scene after “hearing reports of a plane making an ‘unexpected landing’ on I-35 in Arden Hills,” a suburb of St. Paul, said a statement from the Minnesota Highway Patrol.
“As the plane landed, it crashed into another vehicle that was on I-35W,” the report added. “There were no injuries as a result of this crash.”
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-05--California On The Brink: COVID-19 Rages And Closures Are Imminent

Those two regions have seen their intensive care unit capacity fall below the 15 % threshold that under a new state stay-at-home order will trigger new restrictions barring all on-site restaurant dining and close hair and nail salons , movie theaters and many other businesses , as well as museums and playgrounds .
If their capacity remains below that level when the data is updated Saturday , the closures will take effect Sunday and stay in effect for at least three weeks .
The new order divides the state into five regions and uses ICU capacity as the trigger for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not congregate with anyone outside their household and must always wear masks when they go outside .
As of Friday night , the 11-county Southern California region had only 13.1 % of its ICU beds available , the California Department of Public Health reported .
The figure was 14.1 % for the San Joaquin Valley region , composed of a dozen counties in the agricultural Central Valley and rural areas of the Sierra Nevada .
But health officers in five of the Bay Area ’ s 11 counties didn ’ t wait .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s stay-at-home order .
The changes begin to take effect Sunday night in San Francisco , Santa Clara , Marin , Alameda , and Contra Costa counties , as well as the city of Berkeley .
“ Our biggest fear all along — that we won ’ t have a bed for you or your mother or your grandmother or grandfather when they get sick — is the reality we ’ ll be facing unless we slow the spread , ” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said .
The Bay Area order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a week longer than the state ’ s timeline , and came as the state recorded another daily record number of new cases with 22,018 .
Hospitalizations topped 9,000 for the first time and ICU patients were at a record 2,152 .
The new shutdowns were a gut-wrenching move for small businesses that have struggled to survive over nearly a year in which they were repeatedly ordered to close , then allowed to reopen but with complex safety precautions .
“ We wear ( face ) shields .
We take temperatures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so everyone feels safe , including our staff and team , ” she told KGO-TV .
“ So I don ’ t understand why it ’ s not enough and I ’ m terribly sad and afraid.
” In the East Bay , Berkeley Bowl ’ s two grocery stores already had laid in stocks of essentials in case of a return of panic buying that was seen after the state issued a strict stay-at-home order in mid-March that later was eased .
The approach “ places our ability to reopen with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has absolutely failed to control the coronavirus and Mono County whose most populous city is 344 miles away , ” said Fred M. Whitaker , chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County .
A man walks under a sign that reads `` Stay Strong Hollywood '' along Hollywood Boulevard on Thursday , April 2 , 2020 , in Los Angeles .
California is in its second week of a statewide lockdown , where schools and nonessential businesses are closed and the governor has ordered people to stay home .
( AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the nation ’ s most populous with 10 million residents , could reach ICU capacity within days .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that could mean people with other life-threatening illnesses , such as strokes and heart attacks , might be unable to get a bed .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Much of California is on the brink of sweeping new restrictions on businesses and activities, a desperate attempt to slow the frighteningly rapid escalation of coronavirus cases that threaten to overwhelm hospitals.
Five San Francisco Bay Area counties imposed a new stay-at-home order for their residents that will take effect Sunday. Southern California and a large swath of the central portion of the state could join this weekend.
Advertisement
Those two regions have seen their intensive care unit capacity fall below the 15% threshold that under a new state stay-at-home order will trigger new restrictions barring all on-site restaurant dining and close hair and nail salons, movie theaters and many other businesses, as well as museums and playgrounds.
If their capacity remains below that level when the data is updated Saturday, the closures will take effect Sunday and stay in effect for at least three weeks.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the new plan Thursday. It is the most restrictive order since he imposed the country’s first statewide stay-at-home rule in March.
The new order divides the state into five regions and uses ICU capacity as the trigger for closures. Newsom also says people may not congregate with anyone outside their household and must always wear masks when they go outside.
Advertisement
As of Friday night, the 11-county Southern California region had only 13.1% of its ICU beds available, the California Department of Public Health reported. The figure was 14.1% for the San Joaquin Valley region, composed of a dozen counties in the agricultural Central Valley and rural areas of the Sierra Nevada.
The other three regions — Greater Sacramento, Northern California, and San Francisco Bay Area — were all around 21%.
But health officers in five of the Bay Area’s 11 counties didn’t wait. On Friday, they adopted the state’s stay-at-home order. The changes begin to take effect Sunday night in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties, as well as the city of Berkeley.
“We don’t think we can wait for the state’s new restrictions to go into effect. ... This is an emergency,” Contra Costa Health Officer Chris Farnitano said.
A woman wearing a mask walks past a sign advising people to stay home for concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic at a MUNI bus stop in San Francisco, Saturday, April 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Advertisement
“Our biggest fear all along — that we won’t have a bed for you or your mother or your grandmother or grandfather when they get sick — is the reality we’ll be facing unless we slow the spread,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said.
The Bay Area order will last at least through Jan. 4, a week longer than the state’s timeline, and came as the state recorded another daily record number of new cases with 22,018. Hospitalizations topped 9,000 for the first time and ICU patients were at a record 2,152.
The new shutdowns were a gut-wrenching move for small businesses that have struggled to survive over nearly a year in which they were repeatedly ordered to close, then allowed to reopen but with complex safety precautions.
Michelle Saunders James was in tears Friday at the thought of closing down her Oakland nail salon just five weeks after reopening it.
“We wear (face) shields. We take temperatures. We do everything we are told to do so everyone feels safe, including our staff and team,” she told KGO-TV. “So I don’t understand why it’s not enough and I’m terribly sad and afraid.”
Advertisement
Under Newsom’s order, retail stores and shopping centers can operate with just 20% customer capacity.
In the East Bay, Berkeley Bowl’s two grocery stores already had laid in stocks of essentials in case of a return of panic buying that was seen after the state issued a strict stay-at-home order in mid-March that later was eased.
“We’ve learned valuable lessons from last time,” general manager Steve Tsujimoto told the San Francisco Chronicle. “We acted proactively and have been warehousing certain select items — toilet paper, sanitizers, wipes, beans, rice, grains, flour, bread — things of that nature.”
Critics say the broad statewide order unfairly lumps too many disparate counties together into regions.
The approach “places our ability to reopen with 10 other counties including Los Angeles County which has absolutely failed to control the coronavirus and Mono County whose most populous city is 344 miles away,” said Fred M. Whitaker, chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County.
Advertisement
The explosive rise in COVID-19 infections that began in October is being blamed largely on people ignoring safety measures and socializing with others.
Berkeley Health Officer Lisa Hernandez said people should not meet in person with anyone they don’t live with, “even in a small group, and even outdoors with precautions.”
“If you have a social bubble, it is now popped,” Hernandez said. “Do not let this be the last holiday with your family.”
A man walks under a sign that reads "Stay Strong Hollywood" along Hollywood Boulevard on Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Los Angeles. California is in its second week of a statewide lockdown, where schools and nonessential businesses are closed and the governor has ordered people to stay home. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles County, the nation’s most populous with 10 million residents, could reach ICU capacity within days. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that could mean people with other life-threatening illnesses, such as strokes and heart attacks, might be unable to get a bed.
Advertisement
The city alone could see more than 11,000 lives lost to the virus by year’s end, the mayor said.
“That means 3,000 additional deaths in a single month. To put that in perspective, it’s a decade of homicides,” Garcetti said. “This is the greatest threat to life in Los Angeles that we have ever faced.”
In the inland Central Valley, Fresno County had just 10 of its 150 ICU beds available. Health officials described a grim picture with hospitals struggling to stay staffed because of coronavirus infections and exposures. One hospital is holding ICU patients in the emergency department until beds open up, Emergency Medical Services Director Daniel Lynch said Friday.
The county has requested help from the state with staffing for a couple of weeks. But so far only one or two additional workers have shown up at three local hospitals as the whole state struggles with staffing.
At Kaweah Delta medical center in Visalia, in Tulare County, there were 18 ICU beds available Friday but only the staff to handle four additional patients, said Keri Noeske, the chief nursing officer. Some 125 employees are out sick or quarantined because of COVID-19.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--China Prepares Large-Scale Rollout Of Coronavirus Vaccines

TAIPEI , Taiwan ( AP ) — Provincial governments across China are placing orders for experimental , domestically made coronavirus vaccines , though health officials have yet to say how well they work or how they may reach the country ’ s 1.4 billion people .
Developers are speeding up final testing , the Chinese foreign minister said during a U.N. meeting last week , as Britain approved emergency use of Pfizer Inc. ’ s vaccine candidate and providers scrambled to set up distribution .
Even without final approval , more than 1 million health care workers and others in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infection have received experimental vaccines under emergency use permission .
There has been no word on possible side effects .
China ’ s fledgling pharmaceutical industry has at least five vaccines from four producers being tested in more than a dozen countries including Russia , Egypt and Mexico .
Health experts say even if they are successful , the certification process for the United States , Europe , Japan and other developed countries might be too complex for them to be used there .
However , China said it will ensure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One developer , China National Pharmaceutical Group , known as Sinopharm , said in November it applied for final market approval for use of its vaccine in China .
Others have been approved for emergency use on people deemed at high risk of infection .
“ We must be prepared for large-scale production , ” said Vice Premier Sun Chunlan , who has overseen much of the country ’ s response , during a visit Wednesday to developers , according to the official Xinhua News Agency .
The government has yet to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sun said plans call for vaccinating border personnel and other high-risk populations this month .
They say unlike Pfizer ’ s vaccine , which must be kept frozen at temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius ( minus 94 Fahrenheit ) , theirs can be stored at 2 to 8 C ( 36 to 46 F ) .
The Chinese producers have yet to say how they might be distributed .
Health experts question why China is using experimental vaccines on such a vast scale now that the outbreak is largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials previously said China will be able to manufacture 610 million doses by the end of this year and ramp up to 1 billion doses next year .
The government of Jiangsu province , where the major city of Nanjing is located , issued a procurement notice for vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm on Wednesday for emergency use vaccinations .
Authorities in Sichuan province in the west , which has about 85 million people , announced Monday they were already buying vaccines .
An official newspaper in Anhui province , southeast of Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a notice asking whether residents want a vaccine .
In September , Sinovac ’ s CEO said about 3,000 of its employees had taken their vaccine .
He said the company provided tens of thousands of doses to the Beijing city government .
Sinopharm has clinical trials under way in 10 countries including the United Arab Emirates , Egypt , Jordan , Peru and Argentina with nearly 60,000 volunteers .
It has built two facilities in China capable of producing 200 million doses per year .
Sinovac has trials in Brazil , Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data , a study in the science journal the Lancet , showed its candidate produced lower levels of antibodies in people than those who had recovered from COVID-19 .
The company projects it will be able to produce a few hundred million doses of the vaccine by February or March of next year .
Another producer , CanSino , is testing in Russia , Pakistan and Mexico and pursuing partnerships in Latin American countries .
Its vaccine , which has been used on an emergency basis with the Chinese military , uses a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells to generate an immune response .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Provincial governments across China are placing orders for experimental, domestically made coronavirus vaccines, though health officials have yet to say how well they work or how they may reach the country’s 1.4 billion people.
Developers are speeding up final testing, the Chinese foreign minister said during a U.N. meeting last week, as Britain approved emergency use of Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine candidate and providers scrambled to set up distribution.
Advertisement
Even without final approval, more than 1 million health care workers and others in China who are deemed at high risk of infection have received experimental vaccines under emergency use permission. There has been no word on possible side effects.
China’s fledgling pharmaceutical industry has at least five vaccines from four producers being tested in more than a dozen countries including Russia, Egypt and Mexico. Health experts say even if they are successful, the certification process for the United States, Europe, Japan and other developed countries might be too complex for them to be used there. However, China said it will ensure the products are affordable for developing countries.
One developer, China National Pharmaceutical Group, known as Sinopharm, said in November it applied for final market approval for use of its vaccine in China. Others have been approved for emergency use on people deemed at high risk of infection.
“We must be prepared for large-scale production,” said Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who has overseen much of the country’s response, during a visit Wednesday to developers, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
Advertisement
Sun visited one of Sinopharm’s Beijing subsidiary companies; another producer, Sinovac, and a research lab under the National Medical Products Administration, a regulatory agency that approves medical products for public use.
The government has yet to say how many people it plans to vaccinate. Sun said plans call for vaccinating border personnel and other high-risk populations this month.
The companies are using more traditional techniques than Western developers.
They say unlike Pfizer’s vaccine, which must be kept frozen at temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 Fahrenheit), theirs can be stored at 2 to 8 C (36 to 46 F). The Chinese producers have yet to say how they might be distributed.
Health experts question why China is using experimental vaccines on such a vast scale now that the outbreak is largely under control within its borders.
Health officials previously said China will be able to manufacture 610 million doses by the end of this year and ramp up to 1 billion doses next year.
Advertisement
The government of Jiangsu province, where the major city of Nanjing is located, issued a procurement notice for vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm on Wednesday for emergency use vaccinations.
Authorities in Sichuan province in the west, which has about 85 million people, announced Monday they were already buying vaccines. An official newspaper in Anhui province, southeast of Beijing, said a local residential committee issued a notice asking whether residents want a vaccine.
The Sichuan and Anhui announcements said the vaccine, given in two shots, would cost a total of 400 yuan ($60).
Vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm were approved for emergency use in July.
In October, Zhejiang province south of Shanghai offered the public vaccination under emergency use authorization. It said people considered high-risk would get priority.
In November, the Communist Party secretary for Sinopharm said almost 1 million people had received its vaccine.
Advertisement
In September, Sinovac’s CEO said about 3,000 of its employees had taken their vaccine. He said the company provided tens of thousands of doses to the Beijing city government.
Developers have yet to disclose how effective their vaccines are and possible side effects.
Sinopharm has clinical trials under way in 10 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Peru and Argentina with nearly 60,000 volunteers. It has built two facilities in China capable of producing 200 million doses per year.
Sinovac has trials in Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia. Its most recent publicized data, a study in the science journal the Lancet, showed its candidate produced lower levels of antibodies in people than those who had recovered from COVID-19. The company projects it will be able to produce a few hundred million doses of the vaccine by February or March of next year.
Another producer, CanSino, is testing in Russia, Pakistan and Mexico and pursuing partnerships in Latin American countries. Its vaccine, which has been used on an emergency basis with the Chinese military, uses a harmless adenovirus to carry genes into human cells to generate an immune response.
A fourth company, Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biologic Pharmacy Co., is conducting final stage trials across China.
Advertisement
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--Moms Guilt-Trip Kids Who Won't Be Home For The COVID Holidays On 'SNL'

In a series of hilarious and touching Zoom chats on “ Saturday Night Live , ” adult children tell their moms they won ’ t be home for the holidays because of the pandemic .
The moms take it pretty well — not .
“ Oh , honey , you do not need to come home for Christmas .
I just want you to be safe , ” mom Heidi Gardner gently tells her daughter , played by Lauren Holt .
“ And I guess since you won ’ t be coming , I ’ ll just throw your stocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything her daughter owns , including an old track trophy , that she vows to give away to charity When mom Punkie Johnson gets the news from her daughter ( Ego Nwodim ) , she snaps : “ Let ’ s talk about this later — when you ’ ve change your damn mind.
” Mom Kate McKinnon says matter-of-factly to her daughter ( Chloe Fineman ) : “ If you don ’ t love me , Marie , just say so.
” Marie ’ s dad ( Jason Bateman ) pipes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , baby ?
This is your mother here.
” They all eventually settle down because they know staying home is the safest decision .
The sketch concludes with the message on screen : “ Someday soon we will all be together .
Stay safe , from SNL .
”

In a series of hilarious and touching Zoom chats on “Saturday Night Live,” adult children tell their moms they won’t be home for the holidays because of the pandemic.
The moms take it pretty well — not.
“Oh, honey, you do not need to come home for Christmas. I just want you to be safe,” mom Heidi Gardner gently tells her daughter, played by Lauren Holt. “And I guess since you won’t be coming, I’ll just throw your stocking in the fire.”
Advertisement
She soon has everything her daughter owns, including an old track trophy, that she vows to give away to charity
When mom Punkie Johnson gets the news from her daughter (Ego Nwodim), she snaps: “Let’s talk about this later — when you’ve changed your damn mind.”
Mom Kate McKinnon says matter-of-factly to her daughter (Chloe Fineman): “If you don’t love me, Marie, just say so.” Marie’s dad (Jason Bateman) pipes in: “Is your heart not working, baby? This is your mother here.”
They all eventually settle down because they know staying home is the safest decision.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--Most Of California To Enter Sweeping New Virus Lockdown

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) — The vast region of Southern California , much of the San Francisco Bay area and a large swath of the Central Valley are about to be placed under a sweeping new lockdown in an urgent attempt to slow the rapid rise of coronavirus cases .
The California Department of Public Health said Saturday the intensive care unit capacity in Southern California and Central Valley hospitals had fallen below a 15 % threshold that triggers the new measures , which include strict closures for businesses and a ban on gathering with anyone outside of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take effect Sunday evening and remain in place for at least three weeks , meaning the lockdown will cover the Christmas holiday .
Much of the state is on the brink of the same restrictions .
Some counties have opted to impose them even before the mandate kicks in , including five San Francisco Bay Area counties where the measures also take effect starting Sunday .
“ The risk of contracting COVID in the community now is higher now than it has ever been , ” Dr. Eric McDonald , the medical director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
He and other officials urged the public to bear down , heed the rules and help the state get through the latest and worst wave of cases the state has seen .
The measures bar all on-site restaurant dining and close hair and nail salons , movie theaters and many other businesses , as well as museums and playgrounds .
It says people may not congregate with anyone outside their household and must always wear masks when they go outside .
The 11-county Southern California region , which includes the cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had only 12.5 % of its ICU beds available , the California Department of Public Health reported Saturday .
The figure was 8.6 % for the San Joaquin Valley region , composed of a dozen counties in the agricultural Central Valley and rural areas of the Sierra Nevada .
“ We are at a point where surging cases and hospitalizations are not letting up , ” said Dr. Salvador Sandoval , public health officer for the Central Valley city of Merced .
“ I can ’ t emphasize this enough – everyone must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect others.
” But health officers in five of the Bay Area ’ s 11 counties didn ’ t wait .
On Friday , they adopted the state ’ s stay-at-home order .
The changes begin to take effect Sunday night in San Francisco , Santa Clara , Marin , Alameda and Contra Costa counties , as well as the city of Berkeley .
“ Our biggest fear all along — that we won ’ t have a bed for you or your mother or your grandmother or grandfather when they get sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be facing unless we slow the spread , ” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said .
The Bay Area order will last at least through Jan. 4 , a week longer than the state ’ s timeline , and came as the state recorded another daily record number of new cases with 22,018 .
Hospitalizations topped 9,000 for first time , and ICU patients were at a record 2,152 .
The new shutdowns were a gut-wrenching move for small businesses that have struggled to survive over nearly a year in which they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen but with complex safety precautions .
“ We wear ( face ) shields .
We take temperatures .
We do everything we are told to do so everyone feels safe , including our staff and team , ” she told KGO-TV .
“ So I don ’ t understand why it ’ s not enough , and I ’ m terribly sad and afraid.
” “ I feel like it ’ s absurd .
That ’ s how I feel .
It ’ s a joke .
I mean , first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Los Angeles .
And we are geographically isolated and we have no problem ... with overfilled ICU beds , ” said Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham , a Republican who represents San Luis Obispo .
He asked why his county should be lumped in with Southern California counties like Los Angeles and Riverside when the San Luis Obispo hospital has just one COVID patient in the ICU .
The effect on business has already been devastating , he said .
“ We ’ ve got small businesses that are losing everything , everything they @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The vast region of Southern California, much of the San Francisco Bay area and a large swath of the Central Valley are about to be placed under a sweeping new lockdown in an urgent attempt to slow the rapid rise of coronavirus cases.
The California Department of Public Health said Saturday the intensive care unit capacity in Southern California and Central Valley hospitals had fallen below a 15% threshold that triggers the new measures, which include strict closures for businesses and a ban on gathering with anyone outside of your own household. The new measures will take effect Sunday evening and remain in place for at least three weeks, meaning the lockdown will cover the Christmas holiday.
Advertisement
Much of the state is on the brink of the same restrictions. Some counties have opted to impose them even before the mandate kicks in, including five San Francisco Bay Area counties where the measures also take effect starting Sunday.
With a new lockdown looming, many rushed out to supermarkets Saturday and lined up outside salons to squeeze in a haircut before the orders kicked in.
San Francisco resident Michael Duranceau rushed to a market to load up on supplies.
“I’m just stocking up before Sunday — the basics, bread, eggs,” he told KGO-TV, clutching a heavy grocery bag and a baguette.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the new plan Thursday. It is the most restrictive order since he imposed the country’s first statewide stay-at-home rule in March. But the situation is bleaker than in March.
Advertisement
“The risk of contracting COVID in the community now is higher now than it has ever been,” Dr. Eric McDonald, the medical director for San Diego County, told reporters Saturday. He and other officials urged the public to bear down, heed the rules and help the state get through the latest and worst wave of cases the state has seen.
California has tallied a staggering total of 1.3 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started, setting a new daily record on Friday when 25,068 confirmed cases were recorded.
The new order divides the state into five regions and uses ICU capacity as the trigger for closures.
The measures bar all on-site restaurant dining and close hair and nail salons, movie theaters and many other businesses, as well as museums and playgrounds. It says people may not congregate with anyone outside their household and must always wear masks when they go outside.
Under the new order, schools that are currently open can continue to provide in-person instruction; retailers including supermarkets and shopping centers can operate with just 20% customer capacity.
The 11-county Southern California region, which includes the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, had only 12.5% of its ICU beds available, the California Department of Public Health reported Saturday. The figure was 8.6% for the San Joaquin Valley region, composed of a dozen counties in the agricultural Central Valley and rural areas of the Sierra Nevada.
Advertisement
Together the two regions are home to more than half of California’s population of 40 million.
“We are at a point where surging cases and hospitalizations are not letting up,” said Dr. Salvador Sandoval, public health officer for the Central Valley city of Merced. “I can’t emphasize this enough – everyone must take personal steps to protect themselves and protect others.”
The other three regions — Greater Sacramento, Northern California and San Francisco Bay Area — were all around 21% capacity.
But health officers in five of the Bay Area’s 11 counties didn’t wait. On Friday, they adopted the state’s stay-at-home order. The changes begin to take effect Sunday night in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, as well as the city of Berkeley.
“We don’t think we can wait for the state’s new restrictions to go into effect. ... This is an emergency,” Contra Costa Health Officer Chris Farnitano said.
“Our biggest fear all along — that we won’t have a bed for you or your mother or your grandmother or grandfather when they get sick — is the reality we’ll be facing unless we slow the spread,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said.
Advertisement
The Bay Area order will last at least through Jan. 4, a week longer than the state’s timeline, and came as the state recorded another daily record number of new cases with 22,018. Hospitalizations topped 9,000 for first time, and ICU patients were at a record 2,152.
The new shutdowns were a gut-wrenching move for small businesses that have struggled to survive over nearly a year in which they were repeatedly ordered to close, then allowed to reopen but with complex safety precautions.
Michelle Saunders James was in tears Friday at the thought of closing down her Oakland nail salon just five weeks after reopening it.
“We wear (face) shields. We take temperatures. We do everything we are told to do so everyone feels safe, including our staff and team,” she told KGO-TV. “So I don’t understand why it’s not enough, and I’m terribly sad and afraid.”
Critics say the broad statewide order unfairly lumps too many disparate counties together into regions.
Advertisement
“I feel like it’s absurd. That’s how I feel. It’s a joke. I mean, first of all we are 220 miles away from Los Angeles. And we are geographically isolated and we have no problem ... with overfilled ICU beds,” said Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, a Republican who represents San Luis Obispo.
He asked why his county should be lumped in with Southern California counties like Los Angeles and Riverside when the San Luis Obispo hospital has just one COVID patient in the ICU. The effect on business has already been devastating, he said. “We’ve got small businesses that are losing everything, everything they have.”
The explosive rise in COVID-19 infections that began in October is being blamed largely on people ignoring safety measures and socializing with others.
Berkeley Health Officer Lisa Hernandez said people should not meet in person with anyone they don’t live with, “even in a small group, and even outdoors with precautions.”
“If you have a social bubble, it is now popped,” Hernandez said. “Do not let this be the last holiday with your family.”
Advertisement
In the inland Central Valley, Fresno County had just 10 of its 150 ICU beds available. Health officials described a grim picture with hospitals struggling to stay staffed because of coronavirus infections and exposures. One hospital is holding ICU patients in the emergency department until beds open up, Emergency Medical Services Director Daniel Lynch said Friday.
The county has requested help from the state with staffing for a couple of weeks. But so far only one or two additional workers have shown up at three local hospitals as the whole state struggles with staffing.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-05--New Jersey Governor Lashes Rep. Matt 'Putz' Gaetz Over Potential Superspreader Event

New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy ( D ) shredded Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) for blithely featuring in an indoor event that could become a COVID-19 superspreader in Jersey City — and warned the health regulation-busting Republican to stay out of his state .
“ Matt — You are not welcome in New Jersey , and frankly I don ’ t ever want you back in this state , ” Murphy said in a tweet Friday .
Gaetz was the featured speaker at a secret “ gala fundraiser ” Thursday for the New York Young Republican Club which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior to another state .
Gaetz filled in for Tea Party supporting former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin , who bailed on the event because of her fears about the pandemic , The New York Times reported .
The event , with dozens of participants packed together in photos , clearly ignored New Jersey ’ s social distancing and mask regulations designed to help stem the spread of deadly COVID-19 amid a record surge of cases in the nation .
Gaetz was also subject to state quarantine rules since he likely flew in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home state of Florida , the Times noted .
“ It is beyond the pale that anyone would willingly endanger people in another state , ” Murphy complained on Twitter Friday .
Murphy added that it is “ also beyond the pale that ‘ Matt Putz ’ — I mean Rep. Matt Gaetz — would participate in this .
What a fool.
” The governor posted a photo of Gaetz in a gas mask on the floor of the House earlier this year .
Gaetz wore the mask to mock restrictions to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the @ NYYRC allegedly snuck into Jersey City to hold a “ gala fundraiser ” – ignoring our social distancing and mask rules .
It is beyond the pale that anyone would willingly endanger people in another state .
Jersey City law enforcement is investigating this matter .
pic.twitter.com/OX2ug8S1e3 — Governor Phil Murphy ( @ GovMurphy ) December 4 , 2020 It is also beyond the pale that Rep Matt Putz – I mean @ RepMattGaetz – would participate in this .
What a fool .
Matt – You are not welcome in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t ever want you back in this state .
pic.twitter.com/j67x9Z2lAf — Governor Phil Murphy ( @ GovMurphy ) December 4 , 2020 The GOP club initially posted on Facebook that the event was being held in Manhattan .
When New York City officials challenged those plans , the Young COVID Republicans referred to critics who are Jewish as “ court Jews ” while also accusing New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo of being antisemitic .
Everyone deserves accurate information about COVID-19 .
Support journalism without a paywall — and keep it free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member today

LOADING ERROR LOADING
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) shredded Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for blithely featuring in an indoor event that could become a COVID-19 superspreader in Jersey City — and warned the health regulation-busting Republican to stay out of his state.
“Matt — You are not welcome in New Jersey, and frankly I don’t ever want you back in this state,” Murphy said in a tweet Friday.
Advertisement
Gaetz was the featured speaker at a secret “gala fundraiser” Thursday for the New York Young Republican Club, which jumped the river to bring their superspreading behavior to another state. Gaetz filled in for tea party-supporting former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who bailed on the event because of her fears about the pandemic, The New York Times reported.
The event, with dozens of participants packed together in photos, clearly ignored New Jersey’s social distancing and mask regulations designed to help stem the spread of deadly COVID-19 amid a record surge of cases in the nation.
Gaetz was also subject to state quarantine rules since he likely flew in from Washington, D.C., or his home state of Florida, the Times noted.
New Jersey law enforcement officials are investigating.
“It is beyond the pale that anyone would willingly endanger people in another state,” Murphy complained on Twitter Friday.
Advertisement
Murphy added that it is “also beyond the pale that ‘Matt Putz’ — I mean Rep. Matt Gaetz — would participate in this. What a fool.”
The governor posted a photo of Gaetz in a gas mask on the floor of the House earlier this year. Gaetz wore the mask to mock restrictions to protect people from COVID-19.
The COVID-19 death toll has reached 281,000 Americans and counting.
Last night, the @NYYRC allegedly snuck into Jersey City to hold a “gala fundraiser” – ignoring our social distancing and mask rules.
It is beyond the pale that anyone would willingly endanger people in another state.
Jersey City law enforcement is investigating this matter. pic.twitter.com/OX2ug8S1e3 — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 4, 2020
It is also beyond the pale that Rep Matt Putz – I mean @RepMattGaetz – would participate in this. What a fool.
Matt – You are not welcome in New Jersey, and frankly I don’t ever want you back in this state. pic.twitter.com/j67x9Z2lAf — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 4, 2020
The GOP club initially posted on Facebook that the event was being held in Manhattan. When New York City officials challenged those plans, the group referred to critics who are Jewish as “court Jews” while also accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of being antisemitic.
Advertisement
A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-05--'MyPillow Guy' Wigs Out At Trump Rally, Says 'People Will Go To Prison' For Georgia Vote

A particularly unhinged rant from President Donald Trump disciple and campaign adviser “ MyPillow Guy ” Mike Lindell made the rounds on Twitter Saturday night .
Lindell insisted people will “ go to prison ” because Georgia voters picked Joe Biden .
“ How do you not put people in prison ?
” Lindell asked in an interview at Trump ’ s Georgia rally Saturday night .
“ They will be going to prison , ” he added , referring to the Georgia results giving a victory to Biden .
Lindell , known for his starring roles in MyPillow ads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out his — and Trump ’ s — plan to snatch the Georgia election from voters .
It ’ s the same basic plan the president rolled out in a phone call to Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp earlier Saturday .
( Kemp explained to the president that he doesn ’ t have the power to overturn an election in a democracy ) .
Then they would grab the entire election , Lindell vowed .
He was a bit fuzzy on details , though .
“ We have to get this governor ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a Congress meeting , whatever they do , their legislators , and pull Georgia down and don ’ t give it to Biden , ” Lindell shouted .
“ It doesn ’ t matter who they give it to ; don ’ t give it to Biden and find out all your corruption.
” He added : “ If you pull down Georgia , Pennsylvania and crooked Nevada , now nobody has 270 [ electoral ] votes , and on December 14 it goes to the [ Electoral College ] vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” There has been absolutely no evidence of election corruption anywhere in the nation .
That ’ s why votes are being certified by states and multiple lawsuits challenging the results have been tossed out of the courts .
Lindell is no stranger to tall tales , however .
The bedding company CEO earlier this year urged Trump to take unproven plant extract oleandrin for COVID-19 , insisting it ’ s “ 100 % effective.
” There ’ s absolutely no public data that oleandrin , an extract from the toxic oleander plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or animals against COVID-19 .
Lindell is an investor in a company that manufactures what some have referred to as the “ snake oil.
” Once Twitter followers got over their concerns about what they characterized as a “ fascist coup ” plot , they rather enjoyed the meltdown .
Wow , he was all over the place .
I 'm not sure if he even understands the talking points .
Did n't he get the memo ?
— Donni Slater ( @ DonniSlater ) December 6 , 2020 '' How do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , Mike , a lot of people will be going to prison , just not the ones you 're thinking about .
— Byron ( @ NotLordByron ) December 6 , 2020 These people are literally plotting to overthrow the government because they lost an election .
This country needs to get real comfortable real fucking fast with putting them in prison for the actual crime they 're committing or this will get MUCH worse — Stephen Oliver ( @ elpandobearrito ) December 6 , 2020

A particularly unhinged rant from President Donald Trump disciple and campaign adviser “MyPillow Guy” Mike Lindell made the rounds on Twitter Saturday night. Lindell insisted people will “go to prison” because Georgia voters picked Joe Biden.
“How do you not put people in prison?” Lindell asked in an interview at Trump’s Georgia rally Saturday night. “They will be going to prison,” he added, referring to the Georgia results giving a victory to Biden.
Advertisement
Then they would grab the entire election, Lindell vowed. He was a bit fuzzy on details, though.
“We have to get this governor ... Brian Kemp has to give an order to have a Congress meeting, whatever they do, their legislators, and pull Georgia down and don’t give it to Biden,” Lindell shouted. “It doesn’t matter who they give it to; don’t give it to Biden and find out all your corruption.”
He added: “If you pull down Georgia, Pennsylvania and crooked Nevada, now nobody has 270 [electoral] votes, and on December 14 it goes to the [Electoral College] vote and Donald Trump wins the election!”
“Wow! I love your passion and your motivation,” responded the right-wing interviewer.
There has been absolutely no evidence of election corruption anywhere in the nation. That’s why votes are being certified by states and multiple lawsuits challenging the results have been tossed out of the courts.
Advertisement
Lindell is no stranger to tall tales, however. The bedding company CEO earlier this year urged Trump to take unproven plant extract oleandrin for COVID-19, insisting it’s “100% effective.” There’s absolutely no public data that oleandrin, an extract from the toxic oleander plant, has ever been tested in humans or animals against COVID-19. Lindell is an investor in a company that manufactures what some have referred to as the “snake oil.”
Once Twitter followers got over their concerns about what they characterized as a “fascist coup” plot, they rather enjoyed the meltdown.
Who knew? The My Pillow guy turns out to be a raving lunatic... https://t.co/4h7wS2YtLq — Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) December 5, 2020
The mypillow guy is a touch unhinged
pic.twitter.com/tKKgF7XdEx — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) December 5, 2020
Wow, he was all over the place. I'm not sure if he even understands the talking points. Didn't he get the memo? — Donni Slater (@DonniSlater) December 6, 2020
Advertisement
That’s not really “winning” though, is it, Pillow Guy? — Nicole David 💛🐝 (@obbiecole) December 6, 2020
"How do you not put people in prison?" Well, Mike, a lot of people will be going to prison, just not the ones you're thinking about. — Byron (@NotLordByron) December 6, 2020
“I love your passion!” WTF??!! Lindell just said we should throw out the legal votes from THREE STATES!
That’s not “passion,” that’s sedition. — Excuse me, I’m speaking. (@mamaria33) December 5, 2020
These people are literally plotting to overthrow the government because they lost an election.
This country needs to get real comfortable real fucking fast with putting them in prison for the actual crime they're committing or this will get MUCH worse — Stephen Oliver (@elpandobearrito) December 6, 2020
My Pillow guy supporting a fascist coup in the US
Was NOT on my 2020 bingo card https://t.co/sQZvCVQ71I — Andrew J. Padilla 🇵🇷 (@apadillafilm6) December 6, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--Fox News' Jeanine Pirro Rips 'Reptile' William Barr For Not Backing Trump's Election Lies

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night called Attorney General William Barr a “ reptile ” for failing to support Donald Trump ’ s baseless claim that the presidential election he lost was “ rigged.
” Though Barr has been highly praised in the past by the conservative Fox News personality , on Saturday she blasted him as so “ deep ” in the swamp that he can ’ t see beyond his “ fellow reptiles.
” Pirro lashed Barr after Trump plugged her show during his Georgia rally Saturday .
Pirro ’ s fury was triggered because Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no evidence of any widespread election fraud that would change Joe Biden ’ s win .
Pirro insisted it was against protocol to comment on a “ pending ” investigation .
But Barr ’ s clear-cut statement indicated there apparently is no longer an investigation because accusations were examined — and dismissed for a lack of evidence — and the investigation was closed .
Pirro also issued a long list of complaints that the Trump campaign has failed to prove and that courts have dismissed .
She falsely claimed , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halted and that GOP observers were not allowed to watch the counts .
Last year , Pirro praised Barr , comparing him to a “ locomotive ” who won ’ t be pushed “ off track , ” and is “ going to get where he is going.
” There was no immediate response from Barr .

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night called Attorney General William Barr a “reptile” for failing to support Donald Trump’s baseless claim that the presidential election he lost was “rigged.”
Though Barr has been highly praised in the past by the conservative Fox News personality, on Saturday she blasted him as so “deep” in the swamp that he can’t see beyond his “fellow reptiles.”
Advertisement
Pirro lashed Barr after Trump plugged her show during his Georgia rally Saturday.
Pirro’s fury was triggered because Barr issued a statement last week saying there was no evidence of any widespread election fraud that would change Joe Biden’s win.
Pirro insisted it was against protocol to comment on a “pending” investigation. But Barr’s clear-cut statement indicated there apparently is no longer an investigation because accusations were examined — and dismissed for a lack of evidence — and the investigation was closed.
Pirro also issued a long list of complaints that the Trump campaign has failed to prove and that courts have dismissed. She falsely claimed, for example, that the counting of ballots was halted and that GOP observers were not allowed to watch the counts.
Advertisement
Last year, Pirro praised Barr, comparing him to a “locomotive” who won’t be pushed “off track,” and is “going to get where he is going.”
There was no immediate response from Barr.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--Biden To Tap Rochelle Walensky To Lead CDC: Reports

President-elect Joe Biden plans to tap Rochelle Walensky , the head of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital , as his incoming director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Politico and Reuters reported on Sunday evening .
Walensky , also a professor of medicine at Harvard , will replace Dr. Robert Redfield , who was appointed in 2018 and has been one of President Donald Trump ’ s main advisers during the coronavirus pandemic .
The role is sure to be one of the most essential in Biden ’ s incoming administration as the nation reels from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 281,000 people in the United States have died from the virus and the country has shattered records for rates of daily infections , daily fatalities and hospitalizations this month in what officials have declared the worst phase of the pandemic thus far .
Several vaccine candidates have shown promising results and could soon be approved for widespread use , but healthcare leaders have warned the U.S. should prepare for a dark winter .
The CDC has issued more dire public health guidelines in recent weeks , including urging all Americans to adopt “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home .
Biden has been working quickly to assemble his team of health officials before he assumes office on Jan. 20 .
Earlier this month , the president-elect said he had asked Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , to serve as his chief medical adviser as he has done for six previous administrations .
“ I asked him to stay on the exact same role he ’ s had for the past several presidents , and I asked him to be a chief medical adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the COVID team , ” Biden told CNN on Thursday .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced he’s picking Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, as his incoming director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Walensky, also a professor of medicine at Harvard, will replace Dr. Robert Redfield, who was appointed in 2018 and has been one of President Donald Trump’s main advisers during the coronavirus pandemic. Politico and Reuters first reported Walensky’s selection on Sunday evening.
Advertisement
The role is sure to be one of the most essential in Biden’s incoming administration as the nation reels from the threat of COVID-19. More than 281,000 people in the United States have died from the virus and the country has shattered records for rates of daily infections, daily fatalities and hospitalizations this month in what officials have declared the worst phase of the pandemic thus far.
Several vaccine candidates have shown promising results and could soon be approved for widespread use, but healthcare leaders have warned the U.S. should prepare for a dark winter. The CDC has issued more dire public health guidelines in recent weeks, including urging all Americans to adopt “universal mask use” indoors anywhere except at home.
Biden has been working quickly to assemble his team of health officials before he assumes office on Jan. 20. Earlier this month, the president-elect said he had asked Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, to serve as his chief medical adviser as he has done for six previous administrations.
Fauci said he agreed “right on the spot.”
“I asked him to stay on the exact same role he’s had for the past several presidents, and I asked him to be a chief medical adviser for me as well, and be part of the COVID team,” Biden told CNN on Thursday.
Advertisement
Biden on Monday also announced his picks for several other key roles on his health team, including nominating California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and bringing back Vivek Murthy as surgeon general.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--Giuliani Asks Woman To Remove Mask Days Before Virus Diagnosis In Resurfaced Clip

“ I don ’ t want you to do this if you feel uncomfortable , but would you be comfortable @ @ @ @ @ so we can hear you more clearly ?
” Giuliani asked his first witness , @ @ @ @ @ video clip that Twitter users resurfaced following Trump ’ s announcement on Sunday .
Jacob @ @ @ @ @ employee who claimed she witnessed fraudulent activities during ballot processing , asked the panel if @ @ @ @ @ When someone confirmed they could , she left her mask on .

“I don’t want you to do this if you feel uncomfortable, but would you be comfortable taking your mask off, so we can hear you more clearly?” Giuliani asked his first witness, Jessy Jacob, in a video clip that Twitter users resurfaced following Trump’s announcement on Sunday.
Jacob, a city of Detroit employee who claimed she witnessed fraudulent activities during ballot processing, asked the panel if she could be heard.
When someone confirmed they could, she left her mask on.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--Biden To Choose Xavier Becerra To Be HHS Secretary: Reports

President-elect Joe Biden has reportedly picked California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the next administration ’ s Department of Health and Human Services , a surprise to many who believed the former Democratic congressman would be chosen to head the Justice Department .
The selection of Becerra — first reported by The New York Times and confirmed by CNN — is a victory for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , which he used to lead .
Latinx lawmakers had been pressing Biden to further diversify his Cabinet and include more Latinx representation .
Biden has so far picked Cuban American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Homeland Security .
“ Everybody ’ s eager to see a Cabinet that reflects America , ” Rep. Vicente Gonzalez ( D-Texas ) said in an interview with HuffPost last week .
“ It would be a huge missed opportunity and disappointment if President Biden failed us in that regard.
” The caucus called on Biden last week to choose New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham to lead HHS , saying the former state health secretary and only Latina governor “ has the vision and drive to see through large projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that possibility fizzled Wednesday after a source close to the transition team told reporters that Lujan Grisham was no longer a front-runner for health secretary and had turned down an offer to lead Biden ’ s Interior Department .
Sen.-elect Ben Ray Luján ( D-N.M. ) confronted incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain and other senior Biden officials for their treatment of Lujan Grisham in a call between transition leaders and caucus members on Thursday .
Klain apologized for the leaks from the transition about the New Mexico governor , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call .
Dozens of caucus members sent a letter to Biden on Wednesday arguing for the president-elect to pick either Becerra or Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez to be the U.S. attorney general .
Becerra created a name for himself mainly on issues of criminal justice and immigration , which would have made him an unsurprising choice for the Justice Department .
But the California attorney general also has a record on health care , most recently acting as the leading Democratic defender of the Affordable Care Act against the latest lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has helped lead his party ’ s charge for women ’ s health and defended LGBTQ access to health care by fighting the Trump administration ’ s “ conscience rule , ” which allowed health providers to refuse treatment to patients for their own moral or religious reasons .
“ I ’ m not sure you could find anyone who has been a stronger defender of the ACA , access to reproductive health care and immigrant rights during the last four years , ” Larry Levitt , executive vice president at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told HuffPost .
As California attorney general , Becerra has also aggressively cracked down on mergers and consolidations in health care as a way to push companies to compete on prices .
In 2018 , he joined an antitrust lawsuit against Sutter Health accusing the company of using its market power to drive up health care costs in Northern California .
He secured a $ 575 million settlement from Sutter at the end of 2019 .
Becerra also sought and supported California legislation that would have given the state ’ s attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care providers .
That legislation did not pass , but reformers have been hoping to try again next year .
“ Becerra was a health care champion in Congress and then he was very active as attorney general of California in using the tools of that office to protect people ’ s health care ― and deal with issues of cost , quality and equity , ” Anthony Wright , executive director of California ’ s statewide consumer advocacy group Health Access , told HuffPost .
“ It went well beyond just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , ” Wright added .
“ He was very aggressive about it.
” Should Becerra become secretary of HHS , he will lead a department that continues to be especially critical during a pandemic that ’ s already killed more than 280,000 people in the country ― particularly Black and brown people .
Becerra served 12 terms in Congress , representing part of Los Angeles before becoming California ’ s first Latino attorney general in 2017 .
As a congressman , he was the first Latino to serve on the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Democratic Caucus .
He vigorously advocated for the Latinx community and worked to reform the immigration system , a mission he continued as state attorney general .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced he’s nominating California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the next administration’s Department of Health and Human Services, a surprise to many who believed the former Democratic congressman would be chosen to head the Justice Department.
The selection of Becerra — first reported by The New York Times and CNN on Sunday — is a victory for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which he used to lead. If confirmed, Becerra will be the first Latino to hold the position of HHS secretary.
Advertisement
Biden on Monday also announced his picks for several other key roles on his health team, including bringing back Vivek Murthy as surgeon general, nominating Dr. Rochelle Walensky to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and tapping Dr. Anthony Fauci to be his chief medical adviser on COVID-19.
“This trusted and accomplished team of leaders will bring the highest level of integrity, scientific rigor, and crisis-management experience to one of the toughest challenges America has ever faced — getting the pandemic under control so that the American people can get back to work, back to their lives, and back to their loved ones,” Biden said in a statement.
Latinx lawmakers had been pressing Biden to further diversify his Cabinet and include more Latinx representation. Biden has picked Cuban American lawyer Alejandro Mayorkas to run the Department of Homeland Security.
“Everybody’s eager to see a Cabinet that reflects America,” Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) said in an interview with HuffPost last week. “It would be a huge missed opportunity and disappointment if President Biden failed us in that regard.”
Advertisement
President-elect Joe Biden has picked Becerra (above) to be his health secretary, putting a defender of the Affordable Care Act in a leading role to oversee his administration’s coronavirus response. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called on Biden last week to choose New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to lead HHS, saying the former state health secretary and only Latina governor “has the vision and drive to see through large projects and effectively lead large organizations.”
But that possibility fizzled Wednesday after a source close to the transition team told reporters that Lujan Grisham was no longer a front-runner for health secretary and had turned down an offer to lead Biden’s Interior Department.
Sen.-elect Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) confronted incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain and other senior Biden officials for their treatment of Lujan Grisham in a call between transition leaders and caucus members on Thursday. Klain apologized for the leaks from the transition about the New Mexico governor, according to a Democrat with knowledge of the call.
Dozens of caucus members sent a letter to Biden on Wednesday arguing for the president-elect to pick either Becerra or Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez to be the U.S. attorney general. Becerra created a name for himself mainly on issues of criminal justice and immigration, which would have made him an unsurprising choice for the Justice Department.
Advertisement
But the California attorney general also has a record on health care, most recently acting as the leading Democratic defender of the Affordable Care Act against the latest lawsuit by Republican attorneys general. In addition, he has helped lead his party’s charge for women’s health and defended LGBTQ access to health care by fighting the Trump administration’s “conscience rule,” which allowed health providers to refuse treatment to patients for their own moral or religious reasons.
“I’m not sure you could find anyone who has been a stronger defender of the ACA, access to reproductive health care and immigrant rights during the last four years,” Larry Levitt, executive vice president at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, told HuffPost.
As California attorney general, Becerra has also aggressively cracked down on mergers and consolidations in health care as a way to push companies to compete on prices. In 2018, he joined an antitrust lawsuit against Sutter Health accusing the company of using its market power to drive up health care costs in Northern California. He secured a $575 million settlement from Sutter at the end of 2019.
Becerra also sought and supported California legislation that would have given the state’s attorney general more power to review mergers involving for-profit health care providers. That legislation did not pass, but reformers have been hoping to try again next year.
“Becerra was a health care champion in Congress and then he was very active as attorney general of California in using the tools of that office to protect people’s health care ― and deal with issues of cost, quality and equity,” Anthony Wright, executive director of California’s statewide consumer advocacy group Health Access, told HuffPost.
Advertisement
“It went well beyond just checking the boxes of what he had to do,” Wright added. “He was very aggressive about it.”
Should Becerra become secretary of HHS, he will lead a department that continues to be especially critical during a pandemic that’s already killed more than 280,000 people in the country ― particularly Black and brown people.
Becerra served 12 terms in Congress, representing part of Los Angeles before becoming California’s first Latino attorney general in 2017. As a congressman, he was the first Latino to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee and also led the House Democratic Caucus. He vigorously advocated for the Latinx community and worked to reform the immigration system, a mission he continued as state attorney general.
“He’s not a health policy wonk, but most HHS secretaries aren’t and don’t need to be,” Levitt said. “He’s a seasoned political hand and shown an ability to speak to the public about complex health issues.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-06--FBI Urges COVID-19 Retests For Those Tested At New Jersey Lab

ASSOCIATED PRESS A nurse uses a swab to perform a coronavirus test in Salt Lake City .
The FBI in New Jersey is asking anyone who received a COVID-19 test at a lab along the Jersey Shore to get retested as soon as possible .
Anyone who received a COVID-19 test at a lab along the New Jersey shore should contact the FBI and be retested as soon as possible , authorities said .
Infinity Diagnostic Laboratory in Ventnor , near Atlantic City , was the subject of a public alert by the federal agency Friday over its administration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid ” finger-prick blood tests .
These blood tests should not be used for diagnosing active coronavirus cases , according to the Food and Drug Administration .
“ Only a test that uses a nasal swab or saliva should be used to diagnose active cases of COVID-19 , ” the FBI said .
Anyone who received a COVID-19 test from the lab is urged to be “ retested as soon as possible.
” Those who received a blood test at the lab are further asked to contact the FBI ’ s victim assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is voluntary but would be useful in a federal investigation , ” the agency said .
The announcement came one day after the lab was raided by federal authorities for undisclosed reasons , NBC New Jersey reported .
An FBI representative , reached by HuffPost on Sunday , would only say that agents were there “ on law enforcement activity.
” They declined further comment due to the investigation being ongoing .
The laboratory could not immediately be reached for comment on Sunday .

A nurse uses a swab to perform a coronavirus test in Salt Lake City. The FBI in New Jersey is asking anyone who received a COVID-19 test at a lab along the Jersey Shore to get retested as soon as possible. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anyone who received a COVID-19 test at a lab along the New Jersey shore should contact the FBI and be retested as soon as possible, authorities said.
Infinity Diagnostic Laboratory in Ventnor, near Atlantic City, was the subject of a public alert by the federal agency Friday over its administration of COVID-19 tests, which apparently included “rapid” finger-prick blood tests. These blood tests should not be used for diagnosing active coronavirus cases, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Advertisement
“Only a test that uses a nasal swab or saliva should be used to diagnose active cases of COVID-19,” the FBI said.
Anyone who received a COVID-19 test from the lab is urged to be “retested as soon as possible.” Those who received a blood test at the lab are further asked to contact the FBI’s victim assistance unit in Newark.
“Your response is voluntary but would be useful in a federal investigation,” the agency said.
The announcement came one day after the lab was raided by federal authorities for undisclosed reasons, NBC New Jersey reported.
An FBI representative, reached by HuffPost on Sunday, would only say that agents were there “on law enforcement activity.” They declined further comment due to the investigation being ongoing.
Advertisement