thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-15--Trump Audio Shows He Freaked Out Over A Sneeze Even As He Downplayed COVID-19

Journalist Bob Woodward released another damning recording Monday night of an interview with Donald Trump that demonstrated how seriously the president viewed the coronavirus in private while he publicly pushed to reopen businesses .
The two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author and reporter shared the audio interview excerpt during an appearance on “ The Late Show ” with host Stephen Colbert .
Woodward conducted 18 taped interviews with the president for his forthcoming book , “ Rage.
” In the April 13 recording , Trump told Woodward that the coronavirus is “ so easily transmissible , you wouldn ’ t believe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his effort to avoid infection after he was in the same room with a person who sneezed .
“ I was in the White House a couple of days ago , meeting with 10 people in the Oval Office , and a guy sneezed ― innocently , not a horrible , you know just a sneeze .
The entire room bailed out , OK ?
Including me , by the way.
” Publicly , on April 13 , Trump was pushing to relax social distancing measures and reopen businesses across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not comply with what he incorrectly called his “ total ” authority to force state economies to restart .
Woodward wondered on Monday ’ s segment if Trump would feel the same way if a front-row attendee at his packed indoor campaign rally in Henderson , Nevada , on Sunday night had sneezed .
Trump held the event for thousands of guests despite it breaking local laws limiting gatherings to 50 people .
As Woodward reflected on the gravity of Trump ’ s April remarks , he pointed to his reporting that indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office on Jan. 28 about the severity of the pandemic but continued to downplay it .
As of Monday night , more than 194,000 people had died of COVID-19 in the U.S. “ I once asked him , what ’ s the job of the president ?
He said the job is to protect the people .
I agree .
I think most people in the country would , ” Woodward said .
“ He failed to protect the people .
He failed to find a way to tell the truth.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his confession to Woodward that he deliberately misled Americans about the threat of coronavirus .
He admitted on tape on Feb. 7 that the coronavirus was five times deadlier than the flu .
Nevertheless , he continued to downplay it to the public , resist imposing mitigation measures , claim it would magically disappear and then urge schools and businesses to reopen .

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Journalist Bob Woodward released another damning recording Monday night of an interview with Donald Trump that demonstrated how seriously the president viewed the coronavirus in private while he publicly pushed to reopen businesses.
The two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author and reporter shared the audio interview excerpt during an appearance on “The Late Show” with host Stephen Colbert. Woodward conducted 18 taped interviews with the president for his forthcoming book, “Rage.”
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In the April 13 recording, Trump told Woodward that the coronavirus is “so easily transmissible, you wouldn’t believe it,” and he shared an anecdote about his effort to avoid infection after he was in the same room with a person who sneezed.
“I was in the White House a couple of days ago, meeting with 10 people in the Oval Office, and a guy sneezed ― innocently, not a horrible, you know just a sneeze. The entire room bailed out, OK? Including me, by the way.”
TONIGHT! In a Late Show EXCLUSIVE, journalist @realBobWoodward shares a new recording of his interviews with Trump that reveal even more of the President's failures to protect the American people from the Coronavirus. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/Aib8E6ngUO — A Late Show (@colbertlateshow) September 14, 2020
Publicly, on April 13, Trump was pushing to relax social distancing measures and reopen businesses across the country. He also threatened governors who might not comply with what he incorrectly called his “total” authority to force state economies to restart.
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Woodward wondered on Monday’s segment if Trump would feel the same way if a front-row attendee at his packed indoor campaign rally in Henderson, Nevada, on Sunday night had sneezed. Trump held the event for thousands of guests despite it breaking local laws limiting gatherings to 50 people.
As Woodward reflected on the gravity of Trump’s April remarks, he pointed to his reporting that indicated Trump was given specifics in the Oval Office on Jan. 28 about the severity of the pandemic but continued to downplay it. As of Monday night, more than 194,000 people had died of COVID-19 in the U.S.
“I once asked him, what’s the job of the president? He said the job is to protect the people. I agree. I think most people in the country would,” Woodward said. “He failed to protect the people. He failed to find a way to tell the truth.”
Trump has faced a firestorm of criticism over his confession to Woodward that he deliberately misled Americans about the threat of coronavirus. He admitted on tape on Feb. 7 that the coronavirus was five times deadlier than the flu. Nevertheless, he continued to downplay it to the public, resist imposing mitigation measures, claim it would magically disappear and then urge schools and businesses to reopen.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-14--Here's What Chris Evans Has To Say About That NSFW Camera Roll Leak

Now that Chris Evans has your attention , he wants to remind you to vote .
The “ Avengers ” star set off a social media frenzy over the weekend when he reportedly posted an Instagram video featuring a game of Heads Up that inadvertently revealed the contents of his camera roll .
It was quickly removed but not before some of his 5.7 million followers caught a glimpse of a penis pic and a raunchy meme .
On Monday , Evans enlisted the help of the face palm emoji as he embraced his mishap for a noble cause : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and friends alike .
While many fans offered support and urged others to respect the actor ’ s privacy , his “ Avengers ” co-star Mark Ruffalo had some cheeky words of comfort : .
@ ChrisEvans Bro , while Trump is in office there is NOTHING you could possibly do to embarrass yourself .
See ... silver lining .
— Mark Ruffalo ( @ MarkRuffalo ) September 13 , 2020 His Monday evening post earned him a pat on the back from his “ Knives Out ” director Rian Johnson , on-screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Twitter personalities .
I ’ m sure every mathematically possible pun is already in the mentions so I ’ ll just say LISTEN TO THIS MAN .
( And pull that lever ) ( Oh man ) https : //t.co/fOQ66A5ZLU — Rian Johnson ( @ rianjohnson ) September 15 , 2020 Important conversations are happening now .
Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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Now that Chris Evans has your attention, he wants to remind you to vote.
The “Avengers” star set off a social media frenzy over the weekend when he reportedly posted an Instagram video featuring a game of Heads Up that inadvertently revealed the contents of his camera roll. It was quickly removed but not before some of his 5.7 million followers caught a glimpse of a penis pic and a raunchy meme.
On Monday, Evans enlisted the help of the face palm emoji as he embraced his mishap for a noble cause:
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Now that I have your attention
🤦🏻♂🤷🏻♂....
VOTE Nov 3rd!!! — Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) September 15, 2020
He certainly did get attention from fans and friends alike. While many fans offered support and urged others to respect the actor’s privacy, his “Avengers” co-star Mark Ruffalo had some cheeky words of comfort:
.@ChrisEvans Bro, while Trump is in office there is NOTHING you could possibly do to embarrass yourself. See... silver lining. — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 13, 2020
And his brother Scott Evans poked fun:
Was off social media for the day yesterday.
So.
What’d I miss? — Scott Evans (@thescottevans) September 13, 2020
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His Monday evening post earned him a pat on the back from his “Knives Out” director Rian Johnson, on-screen mom Jamie Lee Curtis, fans and other Twitter personalities.
My boy! Proud of him. Got MY attention! — Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) September 15, 2020
I’m sure every mathematically possible pun is already in the mentions so I’ll just say LISTEN TO THIS MAN.
(And pull that lever)
(Oh man) https://t.co/fOQ66A5ZLU — Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) September 15, 2020
chris evans
🍆
く|)へ
〉 bloomberg spending
￣￣┗┓ $100m in florida
┗┓ ヾ👨🏻🦳ｼ
┗┓ ヘ/
┗┓ノ
┗┓ https://t.co/cXS18bi4bb — David Mack (@davidmackau) September 15, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Ohio Bans Public Officials From Closing Houses Of Worship

Ohio ’ s Republican-controlled legislature has pushed through a law that bans local or state officials from ordering all houses of worship in the state or in a particular geographic region to close .
Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine signed the law Wednesday ― even though he hasn ’ t ordered churches to close during the COVID-19 pandemic and has reportedly never contemplated taking such a step , Cleveland.com reported .
The purpose of House Bill 272 is to protect Ohioans ’ freedom of religion in the future , state Sen. Terry Johnson , a co-sponsor of the bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the COVID-19 pandemic , we have seen several states encroach on Americans ’ First Amendment right of worship and assembly , disregarding it completely by forcing the closure of places of worship and religious institutions , ” Johnson said .
“ While I am thankful that no such order was imposed in Ohio , this amendment is a preemptive step should we ever find ourselves in this situation again.
” The law goes into effect this winter , Cleveland.com reported ― when , according to some infectious-disease experts , a second wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
The vote was predominantly split along party lines , with nearly all the Democrats in the state legislature voting against the measure .
House Bill 272 also prohibits public officials from modifying Ohio ’ s election date or plans , except in cases of enemy attack , according to Cleveland.com .
DeWine had postponed Ohio ’ s March primaries because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Houses of worship are already exempted from most of Ohio ’ s coronavirus restrictions , according to The Columbus Dispatch .
The only health policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s mask mandate , which the governor issued in July .
Clergy are still reportedly allowed to officiate services without masks .
Nevertheless , pastors with The Ohio Christian Alliance have asked the governor to exempt churches and other religious organizations from the mask mandate and pledged that they wouldn ’ t order congregants to follow the mandate during services .
“ There ’ s no reason for a health department to be calling a church for what they ’ re doing in their sanctuary during worship , ” Alliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is a First Amendment issue.
” Most states carved out religious exemptions to virus-related stay-at-home orders as COVID-19 started to emerge in the U.S. , according to data collected by the Pew Research Center in April .
Many Americans weren ’ t fans of the wide berth offered to churches during this time , according to a Public Religion Research Institute survey also conducted in April .
About 77 % of those surveyed were against the idea of giving churches and religious organizations exemptions to stay-at-home orders .
As of Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 4,200 confirmed deaths , according to the state ’ s health department .

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Ohio’s Republican-controlled legislature has pushed through a law that bans local or state officials from ordering all houses of worship in the state or in a particular geographic region to close.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed the law Wednesday ― even though he hasn’t ordered churches to close during the COVID-19 pandemic and has reportedly never contemplated taking such a step, Cleveland.com reported.
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The purpose of House Bill 272 is to protect Ohioans’ freedom of religion in the future, state Sen. Terry Johnson, a co-sponsor of the bill, told Cincinnati Fox affiliate WXIX.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen several states encroach on Americans’ First Amendment right of worship and assembly, disregarding it completely by forcing the closure of places of worship and religious institutions,” Johnson said. “While I am thankful that no such order was imposed in Ohio, this amendment is a preemptive step should we ever find ourselves in this situation again.”
The law goes into effect this winter, Cleveland.com reported ― when, according to some infectious-disease experts, a second wave of coronavirus cases and deaths could hit the U.S.
The vote was predominantly split along party lines, with nearly all the Democrats in the state legislature voting against the measure.
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House Bill 272 also prohibits public officials from modifying Ohio’s election date or plans, except in cases of enemy attack, according to Cleveland.com. DeWine had postponed Ohio’s March primaries because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation Wednesday that prevents state and local public officials from closing houses of worship. Julie Carr Smyth/Associated Press
Houses of worship are already exempted from most of Ohio’s coronavirus restrictions, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The only health policy related to COVID-19 that touches churchgoers is the state’s mask mandate, which the governor issued in July. Clergy are still reportedly allowed to officiate services without masks.
Nevertheless, pastors with The Ohio Christian Alliance have asked the governor to exempt churches and other religious organizations from the mask mandate and pledged that they wouldn’t order congregants to follow the mandate during services.
“There’s no reason for a health department to be calling a church for what they’re doing in their sanctuary during worship,” Alliance President Chris Long told the Dispatch. “This is a First Amendment issue.”
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Most states carved out religious exemptions to virus-related stay-at-home orders as COVID-19 started to emerge in the U.S., according to data collected by the Pew Research Center in April.
Many Americans weren’t fans of the wide berth offered to churches during this time, according to a Public Religion Research Institute survey also conducted in April. About 77% of those surveyed were against the idea of giving churches and religious organizations exemptions to stay-at-home orders.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Former Pence Staffer And COVID-19 Task Force Member Voting For Joe Biden

AP Photo/Evan Vucci President Donald Trump listens as Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House on April 10 in Washington .
A former aide to Vice President Mike Pence who served on the coronavirus task force said Thursday she ’ s voting for Democratic nominee Joe Biden because of President Donald Trump ’ s “ flat out disregard for human life ” during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Olivia Troye , who served as the homeland security , counterterrorism and coronavirus adviser to Pence for two years , made the remarks to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rhetoric and his own attacks against people in his administration trying to do the work , as well as the promulgation of false narratives and incorrect information of the virus have made this ongoing response a failure , ” she said .
Troye also condemned Trump in a video released by the group Republican Voters Against Trump , saying Trump once mused that the coronavirus was a good thing because he wouldn ’ t have to shake hands with as many people .
Troye says in the video that she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home at night and look myself in the mirror and say , ‘ Are you really making a difference ?
’ ” “ I am voting for Joe Biden because I truly believe we are at a time of constitutional crisis .
At this point it ’ s country over party , ” she concluded .
Troye joins several other Trump administration officials to speak out against the president ahead of the election , including former national security adviser John Bolton and former defense secretary Jim Mattis .
The White House and Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who was miffed over her ouster .
She is “ disgruntled that her detail was cut short because she was no longer capable of keeping up with her day-to-day duties , ” Lt. General Keith Kellogg , Pence ’ s national security adviser , told the Post .
But Troye told the Post she was was deeply involved in the coronavirus task force and helped organize and attend “ every single meeting ” it held from February until July .
She also said that Trump would regularly blindside the task force and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what the members had discussed in meetings with him .
That included his enthusiasm for hydroxychloroquine , his dismissal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and his opposition to protective masks .
Nearly 200,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. , more than in any other country .
Schools , businesses and other gathering places across the country have remained closed for months ― a move Trump blasts as an infringement on people ’ s freedoms but one that local leaders say is necessary due to his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the outbreak and refusal to issue national guidelines .
The disease has had a disproportionate impact on the country ’ s Black , Latinx and Indigenous communities , who die from the virus at rates around five times higher than white Americans do , according to the CDC .

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A former aide to Vice President Mike Pence who served on the coronavirus task force said Thursday she’s voting for Democratic nominee Joe Biden because of President Donald Trump’s “flat out disregard for human life” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Olivia Troye, who served as the homeland security, counterterrorism and coronavirus adviser to Pence for two years, made the remarks to The Washington Post.
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“The president’s rhetoric and his own attacks against people in his administration trying to do the work, as well as the promulgation of false narratives and incorrect information of the virus have made this ongoing response a failure,” she said.
Troye also condemned Trump in a video released by the group Republican Voters Against Trump, saying Trump once mused that the coronavirus was a good thing because he wouldn’t have to shake hands with as many people.
“I don’t like shaking hands with people,” Troye recalled the president saying. “I don’t have to shake hands with these disgusting people.”
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Troye says in the video that she’s a lifelong Republican but would “come home at night and look myself in the mirror and say, ‘Are you really making a difference?’”
“I am voting for Joe Biden because I truly believe we are at a time of constitutional crisis. At this point it’s country over party,” she concluded.
Troye joins several other Trump administration officials to speak out against the president ahead of the election, including former national security adviser John Bolton and former defense secretary Jim Mattis.
The White House and Pence’s office both dismissed Troye as someone who was miffed over her ouster. She is “disgruntled that her detail was cut short because she was no longer capable of keeping up with her day-to-day duties,” Lt. General Keith Kellogg, Pence’s national security adviser, told the Post.
But Troye told the Post she was was deeply involved in the coronavirus task force and helped organize and attend “every single meeting” it held from February until July.
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She also said that Trump would regularly blindside the task force and often tossed out statements that were contrary to what the members had discussed in meetings with him. That included his enthusiasm for hydroxychloroquine, his dismissal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and his opposition to protective masks.
Nearly 200,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S., more than in any other country. Schools, businesses and other gathering places across the country have remained closed for months ― a move Trump blasts as an infringement on people’s freedoms but one that local leaders say is necessary due to his administration’s slow response at the beginning of the outbreak and refusal to issue national guidelines.
The disease has had a disproportionate impact on the country’s Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities, who die from the virus at rates around five times higher than white Americans do, according to the CDC.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Trump Contradicts Experts On Vaccine Timeline

President Donald Trump claimed that a COVID-19 vaccine would be available as soon as October , contradicting the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ ’ s congressional testimony that it would be ready by mid-2021 .

Trump Contradicts Experts On Vaccine Timeline
President Donald Trump claimed that a COVID-19 vaccine would be available as soon as October, contradicting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director’s congressional testimony that it would be ready by mid-2021.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Twisted Sister Tells Anti-Maskers Don’t Use Our Song For 'Moronic Cause'

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) — Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider took to social media to condemn anti-maskers who went into a Florida Target store blaring the group ’ s hit “ We ’ re Not Gon na Take It ” while ripping off their masks .
In a tweet Wednesday , Snider called the stunt “ moronic , ” and shared a video that was recorded by an upset customer inside the Target at Coral Ridge Mall in Fort Lauderdale .
The video had more than 30 million views .
Snider said the group doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use my song for their moronic cause.
” The stunt drew quick action from Broward County officials .
Target was fined for not enforcing the county ’ s mask law and citations were mailed to the protesters , the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported .
Fort Lauderdale resident Chris Nelson told the newspaper that his group , ReOpen South Florida , organized the “ flash mob.
” He also posted a YouTube video of it from their vantage point on Tuesday .
“ In celebration of Burn Your Mask Day we decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and employees of Target !
” the YouTube caption said .
Another woman screamed that a customer should take the mask off .
“ You don ’ t need it , ” she said .
Federal health officials have said masks could effectively halt the spread of COVID-19 and have begged the public to embrace them .
Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , told a committee of U.S. senators on Wednesday that a simple face covering could be more effective than a vaccine in protecting people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved with previous protests related to the coronavirus pandemic .
He staged a protest against beach closures on the Fourth of July .
He shouted about restrictions being intrusions on citizens ’ Fourth Amendment rights during a Broward County news conference .
Police asked him to leave , saying he was causing a disturbance .
He initially resisted but complied after an officer ordered him to place his hands behind his back .
Three people were identified on video and the county mailed them $ 100 citations for failing to wear facial coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 , Broward County spokeswoman Margaret Stapleton told the newspaper .
“ Any additional participants from the video that are able to be identified will also receive $ 100 citations in the mail , ” she said .
Interim Assistant Police Chief Frank Sousa said the group was gone when officers arrived .
But he told the newspaper the protesters had entered the store with their masks on .
Danielle Schumann , a Target corporate spokeswoman , said Target requires shoppers to wear masks inside stores .
The protesters were asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and became disruptive and rude to other shoppers , ” she said .

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider took to social media to condemn anti-maskers who went into a Florida Target store blaring the group’s hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It” while ripping off their masks.
In a tweet Wednesday, Snider called the stunt “moronic,” and shared a video that was recorded by an upset customer inside the Target at Coral Ridge Mall in Fort Lauderdale. The video had more than 30 million views.
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Snider said the group doesn’t have his “permission or blessing to use my song for their moronic cause.”
The stunt drew quick action from Broward County officials. Target was fined for not enforcing the county’s mask law and citations were mailed to the protesters, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Fort Lauderdale resident Chris Nelson told the newspaper that his group, ReOpen South Florida, organized the “flash mob.” He also posted a YouTube video of it from their vantage point on Tuesday.
“In celebration of Burn Your Mask Day we decided to spread some freedom dust over the shoppers and employees of Target!” the YouTube caption said.
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The small group of anti-maskers approached customers inside the store.
“We’re Americans, breathe,” a woman yelled. “It’s all a lie!”
Another woman screamed that a customer should take the mask off. “You don’t need it,” she said.
If a guest complied, the group cheered.
Federal health officials have said masks could effectively halt the spread of COVID-19 and have begged the public to embrace them. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a committee of U.S. senators on Wednesday that a simple face covering could be more effective than a vaccine in protecting people from the virus.
Nelson has been involved with previous protests related to the coronavirus pandemic. He staged a protest against beach closures on the Fourth of July. He shouted about restrictions being intrusions on citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights during a Broward County news conference. Police asked him to leave, saying he was causing a disturbance. He initially resisted but complied after an officer ordered him to place his hands behind his back.
Three people were identified on video and the county mailed them $100 citations for failing to wear facial coverings in public spaces to help curb the spread of COVID-19, Broward County spokeswoman Margaret Stapleton told the newspaper.
“Any additional participants from the video that are able to be identified will also receive $100 citations in the mail,” she said.
Interim Assistant Police Chief Frank Sousa said the group was gone when officers arrived. But he told the newspaper the protesters had entered the store with their masks on.
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Danielle Schumann, a Target corporate spokeswoman, said Target requires shoppers to wear masks inside stores. The protesters were asked to leave “after they removed their masks and became disruptive and rude to other shoppers,” she said.
Nelson told the Sun Sentinel he will continue to use the Twisted Sister song, despite Snider’s criticism.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--I Was An Evangelical Christian, And I Know Why Many Of Them Resist Logic About COVID-19

JEFF DEAN via Getty Images An anti-mask protester holds up a sign in front of the Ohio Statehouse during a protest in July .
The best testimonies in church were always from addicts and ex-cons who started with , “ If it weren ’ t for God , I might be dead by now.
” In 2020 , I wonder the opposite .
If it weren ’ t for no longer believing , I could be dead by now .
After all , many American Christians are sprinting toward literal mortal danger , toward COVID-19 .
For someone like me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a close relationship with God and to feel this closeness , I believed God would put things in my path to bless me or test me .
Both would make me stronger in my faith .
While at an international missionary base , training to spread the Gospel to people around the world , I was surrounded by people , some in their 50s and 60s , telling me how God wanted to bless me with my own prayer language .
Us Southern Baptists didn ’ t believe speaking in tongues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s one of the beliefs that distinguish between Christian denominations .
People placed their hands on me to pray for me to receive this spiritual language , but nothing was coming from me .
As a Baptist , reading the Bible and being good was the measure of a true Christian .
Now I was surrounded by people who believed there was more .
God was greater .
I just wasn ’ t stepping out in faith and receiving God ’ s gift .
I wasn ’ t letting go .
Later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hand to the sky and commanded the “ demon of intellectualism ” out of me .
I cried .
I wanted that , too .
I was thinking too much , I ’ d been told .
I was putting God in a box by trying to figure him out with logic .
And it was holding me back from him blessing me .
“ Speak out in faith .
Just let it come , ” the leader said .
I decided I needed to break through this rational thinking stifling me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emulated some of the sounds of speaking in tongues I heard coming out of the mouths of the people surrounding me .
As I did , their prayers got louder with excitement .
Adults , leaders , people who had put their lives on the line for God could tell I was being blessed and it roused their souls .
I repeated the same odd five sounds again and again like a child starting to talk .
I ’ d take those few sounds with me as I became a missionary in Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d whisper them under my breath while teaching English as a guise to convert the young Buddhist monks in a temple .
I ’ d let more sounds come out as I prayed over strangers to be miraculously healed of physical sickness .
I would pursue God and take his message to places that were dangerous .
I would repeat “ more of you and less of me.
” I would continue to see intellectualism as counter to what God was trying to teach me .
I ’ d surround myself only with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s miracles and spend less time with family and friends who were “ lukewarm ” non-miracle-believing Christians .
Back then , however , there was no skepticism in me .
And it was seen as a sin to entertain it .
So I ’ m not surprised there are groups of Christians who believe COVID-19 is a hoax , or even if it ’ s not a hoax , God will protect them from it .
In May , a poll by the University of Chicago Divinity School and The Associated Press-NORC Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of evangelical Protestants , a group I ’ d identified as when both a Southern Baptist and charismatic believer , say they think COVID-19 is a message from God .
Not that God caused it , but that he is using it to tell the world to change .
COVID-19 has made groups more vocal , more determined and emboldened to march forward with their mission .
It is the same visceral imperative many of us feel with racial equality .
It ’ s seen as life and death .
Gathering together is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message and be heard .
But accompanied by their belief that God is protecting them against a government mask mandate , these particular groups of Christians are spreading more than the Word of God .
If I hadn ’ t left the charismatic movement that was always requiring God to do tricks and encouraging me to “ walk out in faith , ” I have no doubt I would be attending a church in person .
I have no doubt I ’ d attend purposeful “ God is more powerful than COVID-19 ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the virus .
And I am sure I would stand by any number of explanations used to explain away those who got infected .
The person had a weakened immune system or they were reckless to start with , I ’ d probably think .
Christianity is based on one singular belief : Jesus raised from the dead .
Once you believe in one miracle , the pathway is paved to believe in the next .
Not all branches of faith go as far as handling snakes , but they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overrides our intellect .
That ’ s why , as a young , idealistic Christian who only wanted to grow in my faith , I was prayed over to sever me from my intellectual and rational thinking .

An anti-mask protester holds up a sign in front of the Ohio Statehouse during a protest in July. JEFF DEAN via Getty Images
The best testimonies in church were always from addicts and ex-cons who started with, “If it weren’t for God, I might be dead by now.” In 2020, I wonder the opposite. If it weren’t for no longer believing, I could be dead by now. After all, many American Christians are sprinting toward literal mortal danger, toward COVID-19.
Years ago, after graduating from a Southern Baptist college, I set out to be an overseas missionary. I believed in a savior who died for me and I was diligent in “living for Him.” I encapsulated all the phrases we heard in church: on fire for God, filled with His love.
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For someone like me, whose only desire in life was to have a close relationship with God and to feel this closeness, I believed God would put things in my path to bless me or test me. Both would make me stronger in my faith.
While at an international missionary base, training to spread the Gospel to people around the world, I was surrounded by people, some in their 50s and 60s, telling me how God wanted to bless me with my own prayer language. Us Southern Baptists didn’t believe speaking in tongues was real in modern times. It’s one of the beliefs that distinguish between Christian denominations.
But I wanted God. I wanted this.
People placed their hands on me to pray for me to receive this spiritual language, but nothing was coming from me. As a Baptist, reading the Bible and being good was the measure of a true Christian. Now I was surrounded by people who believed there was more. God was greater. I just wasn’t stepping out in faith and receiving God’s gift. I wasn’t letting go.
“God is perfect. Humans are not.” This was on me, and I was failing.
People at the missionary base noticed I was broken over this. Each night, they gathered around to lay hands on me and implore the Holy Spirit to wash over me and show his love to me.
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With more praying and chatting with people late into the night, they realized what could be blocking me from receiving the gift of tongues: I’d graduated from college.
Later, a leader in the group raised his hand to the sky and commanded the “demon of intellectualism” out of me. I cried. I wanted that, too. I was thinking too much, I’d been told. I was putting God in a box by trying to figure him out with logic. And it was holding me back from him blessing me.
“Speak out in faith. Just let it come,” the leader said. I decided I needed to break through this rational thinking stifling me and so I followed their directions and emulated some of the sounds of speaking in tongues I heard coming out of the mouths of the people surrounding me. As I did, their prayers got louder with excitement. Adults, leaders, people who had put their lives on the line for God could tell I was being blessed and it roused their souls. I repeated the same odd five sounds again and again like a child starting to talk.
I’d take those few sounds with me as I became a missionary in Asia and build on them. I’d whisper them under my breath while teaching English as a guise to convert the young Buddhist monks in a temple. I’d let more sounds come out as I prayed over strangers to be miraculously healed of physical sickness.
I would pursue God and take his message to places that were dangerous. I would repeat “more of you and less of me.” I would continue to see intellectualism as counter to what God was trying to teach me. I’d surround myself only with people who knew the Holy Spirit’s miracles and spend less time with family and friends who were “lukewarm” non-miracle-believing Christians.
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The problem with fervency is it led to in-depth Bible-reading and searching out secondary sources to support my beliefs. Both flung me into a decade of deconversion. I’m currently a skeptic.
Back then, however, there was no skepticism in me. And it was seen as a sin to entertain it. So I’m not surprised there are groups of Christians who believe COVID-19 is a hoax, or even if it’s not a hoax, God will protect them from it.
In May, a poll by the University of Chicago Divinity School and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed 43% of evangelical Protestants, a group I’d identified as when both a Southern Baptist and charismatic believer, say they think COVID-19 is a message from God. Not that God caused it, but that he is using it to tell the world to change.
More than that, 55% of all believers feel God will protect them from the virus.
COVID-19 has made groups more vocal, more determined and emboldened to march forward with their mission. It is the same visceral imperative many of us feel with racial equality. It’s seen as life and death. Gathering together is the best way to get out the message and be heard. But accompanied by their belief that God is protecting them against a government mask mandate, these particular groups of Christians are spreading more than the Word of God.
If I hadn’t left the church, would I believe masks aren’t needed like the doctor and minister Stella Immanuel who preached in front of the Capitol while touting hydroxychloroquine as a cure? Would I be attending outside praise and worship services like the one Sean Feucht led recently, gathering upward of 11,000 unmasked believers?
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If I hadn’t left the charismatic movement that was always requiring God to do tricks and encouraging me to “walk out in faith,” I have no doubt I would be attending a church in person. I have no doubt I’d attend purposeful “God is more powerful than COVID-19” gatherings like the young woman who died from the virus. And I am sure I would stand by any number of explanations used to explain away those who got infected. The person had a weakened immune system or they were reckless to start with, I’d probably think.
Christianity is based on one singular belief: Jesus raised from the dead. Once you believe in one miracle, the pathway is paved to believe in the next. Not all branches of faith go as far as handling snakes, but they’re all rooted in the one miracle that overrides our intellect. That’s why, as a young, idealistic Christian who only wanted to grow in my faith, I was prayed over to sever me from my intellectual and rational thinking.
This global pandemic has revealed there’s already a virus inside some American forms of belief — ones that believe God isn’t powerful enough to exist outside of gatherings or ones who believe this is in God’s plan so he can show his power.
This kind of spiritual terrorism is showing up on a national scale and, as in my own faith journey, only reason can get us out.
Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch!


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--What It’s Like To Be Held By ICE During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Antony is one of the thousands of immigrants who have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the coronavirus pandemic .
He spoke to HuffPost about his experience in a detention center in New Jersey , one of the facilities that are vulnerable due to the use of common spaces , a lack of room for social distancing , a lack of proper medical attention and guards who might bring the virus in or carry it out .
Immigrants were given face masks only recently , but most of them are forced to reuse single-use masks without being allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those held were not given soap or sanitizers and some were even exposed to pesticides and other toxic substances .
All told , more than 5,000 individuals have contracted the virus while in ICE custody , including more than 800 ICE detainees just in the last week .
In Arizona , more than 200 new cases were reported at one of ICE ’ s facilities .
ICE facilities in Texas , Louisiana , Florida and Virginia have all reported deaths as a result of COVID-19 .
Last month , a 50-year-old Honduran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died after testing positive for COVID-19 .
He was the 19th detainee to die while in ICE custody during the 2020 fiscal year .
This year likely will mark the highest number of immigrant deaths while in ICE custody .
In 2006 , 19 immigrants also died while in custody , which is the highest number of deaths to date .
On a cold January morning , Antony , who was born in the Caribbean , kissed his wife and baby goodbye as he left for work on the East Coast .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t slept much the night before .
His son , less than a year old , was sick , and both parents had been up all night taking care of him .
But Antony had to leave for work to provide for his family .
He was in his car when an unmarked van blocked his way .
The men from the van identified themselves as police and told him he was under arrest .
They took him to an immigration facility in New Jersey , where he stayed with about 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re far away from your family , far away from someone you love and someone who loves you , and they take that away , they tear it away from you just like that , it destroys you .
It destroys your heart , ” Antony told HuffPost through an interpreter .
“ ICE has endangered the lives of our clients and others in their jails by making the indefensible choice to detain them during this pandemic , ” said Katherine Kim , supervising attorney in the immigration law unit at the Legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear track record of failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical care to people in detention , and we continue to be concerned for the health and well-being of our clients.
” “ What we see is a consistent pattern of obfuscation .
[ ICE ] is not transparent about how many people have been tested .
They are not transparent about how many people actually have contracted .
They give numbers , and you ’ re not quite sure if they ’ re people who are facility staff or if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bell said .
“ This is not a time for punishment or making somebody out to be the other evil because of where they come from or because they want to seek safety here .
This is about keeping us all safe , ” Bell said .

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A few weeks into his time in immigrant detention, 35-year-old Antony was diagnosed with the flu. He was born with sickle cell anemia and is immunocompromised, so with COVID-19 spreading throughout the U.S., he was terrified.
If he contracted the coronavirus, it could kill him.
“I was praying a lot,” said Antony, who spoke to HuffPost through an interpreter and is being referred to by a pseudonym to avoid retaliation. “I was telling God to give me the strength and the courage to deal with this situation.”
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Antony is one of the thousands of immigrants who have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the coronavirus pandemic. He spoke to HuffPost about his experience in a detention center in New Jersey, one of the facilities that are vulnerable due to the use of common spaces, a lack of room for social distancing, a lack of proper medical attention and guards who might bring the virus in or carry it out.
(See the video above on Antony’s experience.)
Although ICE officials say the agency is taking precautions to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, including releasing more than 1,000 people, activists say that the facilities remain ill-prepared to protect those detained.
Immigrants were given face masks only recently, but most of them are forced to reuse single-use masks without being allowed to wash them or receive new ones. Those held were not given soap or sanitizers and some were even exposed to pesticides and other toxic substances.
Despite global lockdown measures, ICE continued to detain, transfer and deport immigrants ― including thousands of children ― all of which has contributed to the spread of the coronavirus nationally and globally. Foreign governments who accepted deportees said they brought the coronavirus back with them.
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Antony ultimately tested negative for COVID-19 and was released to be with his family as he awaits court proceedings. But others in the facility did test positive. At least one immigrant tested positive for COVID-19 at the same facility in March.
All told, more than 5,000 individuals have contracted the virus while in ICE custody, including more than 800 ICE detainees just in the last week. In Arizona, more than 200 new cases were reported at one of ICE’s facilities. ICE facilities in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Virginia have all reported deaths as a result of COVID-19.
Last month, a 50-year-old Honduran man held at a Texas immigration facility died after testing positive for COVID-19. He was the 19th detainee to die while in ICE custody during the 2020 fiscal year. This year likely will mark the highest number of immigrant deaths while in ICE custody. In 2006, 19 immigrants also died while in custody, which is the highest number of deaths to date.
“The government is endangering people who are in its custody and doing so in a way that the people are not able to protect themselves,” said Karlyn Kurichety, a supervisory attorney at Al Otro Lado, a social justice legal services organization.
“One death is too many because this is something preventable. This is a government-created situation. We just see the numbers keep increasing, and nothing is being done,” she added.
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A spokesperson for ICE said the agency has taken on “proactive measures include limiting the intake of new detainees, implementing alternative detention programs, social distancing, cohorting, and monitoring and screening detainees for COVID-19,” as well as providing detainees with the “appropriate personal protective equipment.”
“The safety, health, and well-being of its detained population are among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s top priorities. This is made evident by the more than $269 million the agency spends annually on the spectrum of health care services provided to detainees in ICE custody,” the ICE spokesperson told HuffPost in an emailed statement.
Fear And Heartbreak
On a cold January morning, Antony, who was born in the Caribbean, kissed his wife and baby goodbye as he left for work on the East Coast. It was 5 a.m., and he hadn’t slept much the night before. His son, less than a year old, was sick, and both parents had been up all night taking care of him.
But Antony had to leave for work to provide for his family. He was in his car when an unmarked van blocked his way. The men from the van identified themselves as police and told him he was under arrest. They took him to an immigration facility in New Jersey, where he stayed with about 60 other detainees.
“When you’re far away from your family, far away from someone you love and someone who loves you, and they take that away, they tear it away from you just like that, it destroys you. It destroys your heart,” Antony told HuffPost through an interpreter.
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By February, lawyers at the Legal Aid Society, a nonprofit based in New York City, took on Antony’s case advocating for his release.
“ICE has endangered the lives of our clients and others in their jails by making the indefensible choice to detain them during this pandemic,” said Katherine Kim, supervising attorney in the immigration law unit at the Legal Aid Society. “They have a clear track record of failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical care to people in detention, and we continue to be concerned for the health and well-being of our clients.”
Although ICE officials announced an increase in COVID-19 testing, advocates said it was not sufficient as long as people were constantly exposed and left unprotected. Earlier this year, federal judges ordered the release of immigrants who were at higher risk, such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.
“COVID-19 has revealed the fatal flaws and the negligent medical care that ICE has historically provided to people who are detained within its facilities,” said Denise Bell, a researcher at Amnesty International USA. “What’s more disturbing is the carelessness, and I’d even say callousness, with which the government is treating people in its care and custody.”
Lack Of Information And Transparency
Advocates say ICE’s lack of transparency has left them unable to assess the true cost of outbreaks and if the death toll and transmission rate could be higher.
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Immigrants inside the facilities said they were not being told the latest information about the pandemic or how to best protect themselves, causing mass panic among the detainees.
Rebekah Entralgo, the spokesperson for Freedom for Immigrants, an advocacy nonprofit that monitors human rights abuses faced by immigrants detained by ICE, told HuffPost that its hotline continues to receive calls from those inside the facility for the latest news. They have to rely on friends, families or advocates to provide updated information from public health officials or the government.
“What we see is a consistent pattern of obfuscation. [ICE] is not transparent about how many people have been tested. They are not transparent about how many people actually have contracted. They give numbers, and you’re not quite sure if they’re people who are facility staff or if they are people who have been detained,” Bell said.
Immigrants have told advocates that officials inside the facilities have often turned off the TV and taken away newspapers to block information about the pandemic. Detainees who don’t speak English or Spanish are often among the last to find out information from ICE.
“This is not a time for punishment or making somebody out to be the other evil because of where they come from or because they want to seek safety here. This is about keeping us all safe,” Bell said.
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As for Antony, he’s grateful to be home with his wife and children. He doesn’t know what the future holds for him as an undocumented person because his case is ongoing, but for now he plans to keep working and providing for his family.
“Freedom is priceless… . When they take away that freedom, you get destroyed,” he said. “I’m here again with my family, free and trying to do everything possible to push ahead.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Erin Burnett Confronts Trump Campaign Aide To His Face: 'You Don't Have A Plan'

CNN ’ s Erin Burnett challenged Trump 2020 campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh to reveal the details of President Donald Trump ’ s much-hyped — but still unreleased — health care plan .
And when Murtaugh simply pivoted to hailing Trump ’ s accomplishments and attacking Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his health care policies , Burnett summed it up : “ You don ’ t have a plan.
” The exchange on Wednesday ’ s broadcast of “ Outfront ” began when Burnett asked Murtaugh if the health plan Trump touted during his disastrous town hall with ABC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empty campaign promise.
” “ Of course it ’ s real , ” replied Murtaugh .
Instead of teasing any details , he then criticized Biden ’ s plan and the Obama-era Affordable Care Act , and said he wouldn ’ t “ get ahead ” of the White House about any announcement .
“ I understand you don ’ t like the ( Biden ) plan , Tim , but I ’ m merely pointing out that you don ’ t have a plan , ” the anchor said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going have to a plan .
It ’ s going to be better .
I understand the criticisms of Obamacare .
We ’ ve all heard them .
We ’ ve all dealt with it .
You got rid of it and there ’ s been no plan put out to replace it and no specifics .
Why is it taking so long ?
Why is it now going to come right before Election Day ?
” Murtaugh repeated that he would defer to the White House on any announcement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals .
Burnett reminded Murtaugh that “ at least Joe Biden has a plan out there .
President Trump has promised one for three years .
If there was a plan , we would have seen it by now .
Pretty obvious , right ?
” “ I ’ m merely going to say I don ’ t think it ’ s fair to the conversation where you get to say his plan is bad when you don ’ t have your own to defend , ” she said .
Pres .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of August .
It never came .
Now he 's teasing it again and not offering details .
“ I ’ m not going to get ahead of the White House and their plans for the announcement , ” says Tim Murtaugh , Trump campaign communications director .
pic.twitter.com/kWfMTNyiPw — OutFrontCNN ( @ OutFrontCNN ) September 17 , 2020

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CNN’s Erin Burnett challenged Trump 2020 campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh to reveal the details of President Donald Trump’s much-hyped — but still unreleased — health care plan.
And when Murtaugh simply pivoted to hailing Trump’s accomplishments and attacking Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his health care policies, Burnett summed it up: “You don’t have a plan.”
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The exchange on Wednesday’s broadcast of “Outfront” began when Burnett asked Murtaugh if the health plan Trump touted during his disastrous town hall with ABC News Tuesday was “real or just an empty campaign promise.”
“Of course it’s real,” replied Murtaugh. Instead of teasing any details, he then criticized Biden’s plan and the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, and said he wouldn’t “get ahead” of the White House about any announcement.
Burnett hit back:
“I understand you don’t like the (Biden) plan, Tim, but I’m merely pointing out that you don’t have a plan,” the anchor said. “The president has said for three years he’s going have to a plan. It’s going to be better. I understand the criticisms of Obamacare. We’ve all heard them. We’ve all dealt with it. You got rid of it and there’s been no plan put out to replace it and no specifics. Why is it taking so long? Why is it now going to come right before Election Day?”
Murtaugh repeated that he would defer to the White House on any announcement, then resumed attacking Biden’s policy proposals.
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Burnett reminded Murtaugh that “at least Joe Biden has a plan out there. President Trump has promised one for three years. If there was a plan, we would have seen it by now. Pretty obvious, right?”
Murtaugh again attacked Biden’s plan. And Burnett wasn’t having it.
“I’m merely going to say I don’t think it’s fair to the conversation where you get to say his plan is bad when you don’t have your own to defend,” she said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Fed-Up Ex-RNC Chair Absolutely Loses It Over Trump's 'I'm With Stupid' Backers

Michael Steele , former chair of the Republican National Committee , reached new levels of exasperation after President Donald Trump ’ s wild news conference on Wednesday .
Trump claimed he ’ d done a “ great job ” with the coronavirus pandemic despite the U.S. having the world ’ s highest death toll and one of the highest per-capita death rates of the industrialized nations .
But Steele said on MSNBC that Trump ’ s supporters just don ’ t care .
“ I ’ ve talked to enough of them over the last few days .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You know , at this point , it ’ s like , save who you can save because there ’ s only so much you can do .
There ’ s only so much you can say .
The fact that we have to literally beg people to wear a mask to save their own dumb ass from getting sick , I ’ m sorry .
To me , it is beyond the imagination.
” Steele also complained about Trump contradicting his own CDC director , Dr. Robert Redfield , who earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine would not be available to the general public until the second or third quarter of next year , and urged Americans to wear a mask to stop the spread of the infection .
“ The CDC director is telling us the truth and Donald Trump is literally lying to us , ” Steele said .
“ And yet , 40 percent of the country looks at it and goes : ‘ Yeah , I ’ m with stupid.
’ ” Steele said the nation is facing a stark choice in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what more you can take before you say you ’ ve had enough , ” he said .
“ Because , my heavens , this is too much for a country to go through.
” See his full discussion with MSNBC ’ s Brian Williams and The Washington Post ’ s Eugene Robinson above .

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Michael Steele, former chair of the Republican National Committee, reached new levels of exasperation after President Donald Trump’s wild news conference on Wednesday.
Trump claimed he’d done a “great job” with the coronavirus pandemic despite the U.S. having the world’s highest death toll and one of the highest per-capita death rates of the industrialized nations.
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But Steele said on MSNBC that Trump’s supporters just don’t care.
“I’ve talked to enough of them over the last few days. I’m exhausted, I’m exasperated. You know, at this point, it’s like, save who you can save because there’s only so much you can do. There’s only so much you can say. The fact that we have to literally beg people to wear a mask to save their own dumb ass from getting sick, I’m sorry. To me, it is beyond the imagination.”
Steele also complained about Trump contradicting his own CDC director, Dr. Robert Redfield, who earlier in the day said a possible coronavirus vaccine would not be available to the general public until the second or third quarter of next year, and urged Americans to wear a mask to stop the spread of the infection.
“The CDC director is telling us the truth and Donald Trump is literally lying to us,” Steele said. “And yet, 40 percent of the country looks at it and goes: ‘Yeah, I’m with stupid.’”
Steele said the nation is facing a stark choice in the coming election.
“I don’t know what more you can take before you say you’ve had enough,” he said. “Because, my heavens, this is too much for a country to go through.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--'Un-American' Trump Ripped Over Coronavirus Blue State Death Toll Boast

President Donald Trump was called out on Wednesday for bragging that the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus would be lower if one subtracted the deaths from “ blue ” states .
“ The blue states had tremendous death rates , ” Trump said .
“ If you take the blue states out , we ’ re at a level that I don ’ t think anybody in the world would be at , we ’ re really at a very low level.
” Trump ’ s boast wasn ’ t even factually accurate ; as many critics pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would still have one of the world ’ s worst tolls from the virus even without deaths from “ blue ” states .
According to data collected by The New York Times , 3 of the top 6 states in terms of deaths have Republican governors and 5 of the top 10 voted for Trump in 2016 .
In any case , Trump is president of all 50 states , each of which is populated with both Democrats and Republicans .
And the Trump administration ’ s delayed response to the virus ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confession to Bob Woodward that he downplayed the threat early on ― impacted everyone : Trump bothers me in so many ways .
But I really cant stand this -- dividing our country into `` blue states '' and `` red states '' when discussing a virus killing ALL Americans .
It 's just so un-American .
( BTW , 4.9 million Californians voted for Trump in 2016 ) https : //t.co/aYjxQgbXK4 — Michael McFaul ( @ McFaul ) September 17 , 2020 So “ blue states ” and the majority of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become the Carnival Cruise ship .
https : //t.co/Wfgg9Tbcgi — Sherrilyn Ifill ( @ Sifill_LDF ) September 17 , 2020 The deaths in the blue states don ’ t count is one probably the sickest and most honest belief I ’ ve heard Trump express .
— Chris Hayes ( @ chrislhayes ) September 16 , 2020 “ If you take the blue states out ... ” What a fucking asshole .
This needs to be seen to believe .
# UnitedStatesOfAmerica pic.twitter.com/mu8xenSYnD — Alyssa Milano ( @ Alyssa_Milano ) September 17 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States ...
But I ’ ve got news for them ... We are one people . ''
Trump in 2020 : Yeah , whatever .
I do n't care about the Blue States .
I only care about the Red States.https : //t.co/Uzk2kMmPOt — Keith Boykin ( @ keithboykin ) September 17 , 2020 That ’ s just ... f # % & up .
You go ahead and defend him if you want but I live in one of those blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue states .
My parents are in those blue states .
I ’ ve never ever felt indifferent to suffering in red states .
Crisis hits , we ’ re all Americans .
https : //t.co/eXwxqrMQMv — Joe Hill ( @ joe_hill ) September 16 , 2020 Disgusting Trump # COVID19 statement , `` if you take the blue states out , we 're at a level I do n't think anybody in the world would be at . ''
😡 ➡ There is no blue America or no red America .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
pic.twitter.com/xZwNzGcKP2 — Eric Feigl-Ding ( @ DrEricDing ) September 17 , 2020 Contrary to Trump ’ s attempt at deflection , most coronavirus deaths since mid-June have been in red states .
Now , nearly three-quarters are .
Take out blue state deaths and we still have the second-highest death toll globally .
https : //t.co/uxvgKFuShG — Philip Bump ( @ pbump ) September 16 , 2020 Dear @ realDonaldTrump : Please stop dividing us .
We are not the Red States of America .
Or the Blue States of America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the end of the day , we are all Americans .
https : //t.co/WxTjEqATyI — Ted Lieu ( @ tedlieu ) September 16 , 2020 it is sometimes very difficult , still , to believe this person is actually our president .
( though clearly he does n't consider himself my president , since i live in a blue state ) https : //t.co/Rn4jLGSQnu — Emily Dreyfuss ( @ EmilyDreyfuss ) September 16 , 2020 Donald Trump doesn ’ t care when people in Blue States die .
He doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the people in America live in Blue States .
Donald Trump hates America .
https : //t.co/zDJs8puDRK — Jon Cryer ( @ MrJonCryer ) September 16 , 2020 Trump said today that blue states are to blame for COVID deaths .
First , it 's the President 's job to protect the country .
The whole country .
All the states .
Trump failed .
Second , of the six states with the most COVID deaths so far , half have Dem Govs , half have GOP Govs .
pic.twitter.com/QS6vOGFRw8 — Ronald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Why would the president ever — ever — when talking about American COVID deaths , start a sentence with , `` If you take the blue states out ... '' ?
— Kyle Griffin ( @ kylegriffin1 ) September 16 , 2020 If you take out the “ blue states ” and blue cities from federal revenue , the red states collapse .
This is not a game Republicans should be playing .
https : //t.co/bsixWDL24Z — Markos Moulitsas ( @ markos ) September 16 , 2020 '' If you take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remembered as one of the most callous sentiments ever uttered by an American president ... .
if it 's remembered at all .
https : //t.co/5sdB31C5Jb — Tim Alberta ( @ TimAlberta ) September 17 , 2020

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President Donald Trump was called out on Wednesday for bragging that the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus would be lower if one subtracted the deaths from “blue” states.
“The blue states had tremendous death rates,” Trump said. “If you take the blue states out, we’re at a level that I don’t think anybody in the world would be at, we’re really at a very low level.”
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Trump’s boast wasn’t even factually accurate; as many critics pointed out on social media, the United States would still have one of the world’s worst tolls from the virus even without deaths from “blue” states.
According to data collected by The New York Times, 3 of the top 6 states in terms of deaths have Republican governors and 5 of the top 10 voted for Trump in 2016.
In any case, Trump is president of all 50 states, each of which is populated with both Democrats and Republicans. And the Trump administration’s delayed response to the virus ― as well as the president’s confession to Bob Woodward that he downplayed the threat early on ― impacted everyone:
Trump bothers me in so many ways. But I really cant stand this -- dividing our country into "blue states" and "red states" when discussing a virus killing ALL Americans. It's just so un-American. (BTW, 4.9 million Californians voted for Trump in 2016) https://t.co/aYjxQgbXK4 — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) September 17, 2020
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So “blue states” and the majority of the American population that lives in them have become the Carnival Cruise ship. https://t.co/Wfgg9Tbcgi — Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) September 17, 2020
The deaths in the blue states don’t count is one probably the sickest and most honest belief I’ve heard Trump express. — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 16, 2020
“If you take the blue states out...”
What a fucking asshole. This needs to be seen to believe. #UnitedStatesOfAmerica pic.twitter.com/mu8xenSYnD — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 17, 2020
Obama in 2004: "The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States...But I’ve got news for them...We are one people."
Trump in 2020: Yeah, whatever. I don't care about the Blue States. I only care about the Red States.https://t.co/Uzk2kMmPOt — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 17, 2020
That’s just... f#%& up. You go ahead and defend him if you want but I live in one of those blue states. My kids are in those blue states. My parents are in those blue states.
I’ve never ever felt indifferent to suffering in red states. Crisis hits, we’re all Americans. https://t.co/eXwxqrMQMv — Joe Hill (@joe_hill) September 16, 2020
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Disgusting Trump #COVID19 statement, "if you take the blue states out, we're at a level I don't think anybody in the world would be at." 😡
➡ There is no blue America or no red America. There is only the UNITED STATES of America. pic.twitter.com/xZwNzGcKP2 — Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) September 17, 2020
Contrary to Trump’s attempt at deflection, most coronavirus deaths since mid-June have been in red states. Now, nearly three-quarters are.
Take out blue state deaths and we still have the second-highest death toll globally. https://t.co/uxvgKFuShG — Philip Bump (@pbump) September 16, 2020
Dear @realDonaldTrump: Please stop dividing us. We are not the Red States of America. Or the Blue States of America. We are the United States of America. At the end of the day, we are all Americans. https://t.co/WxTjEqATyI — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 16, 2020
it is sometimes very difficult, still, to believe this person is actually our president. (though clearly he doesn't consider himself my president, since i live in a blue state) https://t.co/Rn4jLGSQnu — Emily Dreyfuss (@EmilyDreyfuss) September 16, 2020
Donald Trump doesn’t care when people in Blue States die. He doesn’t even think we count.
Most of the people in America live in Blue States.
Donald Trump hates America. https://t.co/zDJs8puDRK — Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) September 16, 2020
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If you take the blue states out, the south totally won the Civil War. https://t.co/wF1vHtYIrI — Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) September 17, 2020
AMERICA FIRST!*
*Blue states not included. https://t.co/GfGXldPX1x — Jonah Goldberg (@JonahDispatch) September 16, 2020
Trump said today that blue states are to blame for COVID deaths.
First, it's the President's job to protect the country. The whole country. All the states. Trump failed.
Second, of the six states with the most COVID deaths so far, half have Dem Govs, half have GOP Govs. pic.twitter.com/QS6vOGFRw8 — Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) September 16, 2020
If you take the blue states out, nobody died on 9/11. https://t.co/uQEJpiKyXJ — A.R. Moxon (@JuliusGoat) September 16, 2020
Why would the president ever — ever — when talking about American COVID deaths, start a sentence with, "If you take the blue states out..."? — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 16, 2020
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If you take out the “blue states” and blue cities from federal revenue, the red states collapse. This is not a game Republicans should be playing. https://t.co/bsixWDL24Z — Markos Moulitsas (@markos) September 16, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Tucker Carlson Gets Fact-Checked By Facebook And He Seems Really Mad About It

Fox News host Tucker Carlson ’ s penchant for sharing misinformation about the coronavirus earned him a slap on the wrist from Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday ― and he didn ’ t take it well .
A video of Carlson ’ s interview with Chinese virologist Li-Meng Yan was published on his social media accounts Tuesday with the caption “ Chinese whistle-blower to Tucker : This virus was made in a lab & I can prove it.
” Scientists who have studied the virus ’ genetics have overwhelmingly concluded that it originated in wildlife and was not engineered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action against Carlson ’ s post , but it did suspend Yan ’ s account .
Facebook and Instagram hid the content behind a “ false information ” label .
Viewers were advised that the video “ repeats information about COVID-19 that independent fact-checkers say is false.
” The segment can still be viewed after clicking past the warning .
In response , Carlson went on a lengthy tirade Wednesday night about how he had been “ censored ” by Facebook .
He dedicated more than 15 minutes of his program to defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media giant for supposedly bringing an end to free speech .
Tucker argues that Dr. Yan should be taken seriously because she 's been published in The Lancet , in February The Lancet published a letter condemning the very claim Dr. Yan is peddling as unfounded and unscientific https : //t.co/D6RVUwjmJb pic.twitter.com/oiWDKxxVxb — nikki mccann ramírez ( @ NikkiMcR ) September 17 , 2020 “ Facebook still doesn ’ t want you to know that so Facebook suppressed the video , presumably on behalf of the Chinese government , ” Carlson fumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it harder for people to watch the segment and declared the fact-checks invalid because they were written earlier this year , long before Yan appeared on Fox News .
Claims that the coronavirus was man-made or bioengineered were debunked months ago .
The social media platforms cited three fact-checks , two from Factcheck.org , here and here , and another from USA Today .
All deemed the claim false .
Carlson ’ s account also updated the captions of the posts to say that Facebook was trying to censor him .
Yan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that purports to show that SARS-CoV-2 was engineered in a lab .
It was published by two nonprofit groups that The Daily Beast reported are linked to Steve Bannon , President Donald Trump ’ s former top adviser who is currently facing criminal charges for fraud .
The study ’ s findings go against the majority of other research on the subject , which had largely determined that the virus came from natural origins .

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Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s penchant for sharing misinformation about the coronavirus earned him a slap on the wrist from Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday ― and he didn’t take it well.
A video of Carlson’s interview with Chinese virologist Li-Meng Yan was published on his social media accounts Tuesday with the caption “Chinese whistle-blower to Tucker: This virus was made in a lab & I can prove it.”
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Scientists who have studied the virus’ genetics have overwhelmingly concluded that it originated in wildlife and was not engineered in a lab. Twitter did not take action against Carlson’s post, but it did suspend Yan’s account. Facebook and Instagram hid the content behind a “false information” label. Viewers were advised that the video “repeats information about COVID-19 that independent fact-checkers say is false.” The segment can still be viewed after clicking past the warning.
In response, Carlson went on a lengthy tirade Wednesday night about how he had been “censored” by Facebook. He dedicated more than 15 minutes of his program to defending Yan’s claims and bashing the social media giant for supposedly bringing an end to free speech.
Tucker argues that Dr. Yan should be taken seriously because she's been published in The Lancet, in February The Lancet published a letter condemning the very claim Dr. Yan is peddling as unfounded and unscientific https://t.co/D6RVUwjmJb pic.twitter.com/oiWDKxxVxb — nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) September 17, 2020
“Facebook still doesn’t want you to know that so Facebook suppressed the video, presumably on behalf of the Chinese government,” Carlson fumed.
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He also said the warning labels made it harder for people to watch the segment and declared the fact-checks invalid because they were written earlier this year, long before Yan appeared on Fox News.
Claims that the coronavirus was man-made or bioengineered were debunked months ago. The social media platforms cited three fact-checks, two from Factcheck.org, here and here, and another from USA Today. All deemed the claim false.
Carlson’s account also updated the captions of the posts to say that Facebook was trying to censor him.
Tucker Carlson / Instagram
Yan is the co-author of a new study that purports to show that SARS-CoV-2 was engineered in a lab. It was published by two nonprofit groups that The Daily Beast reported are linked to Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump’s former top adviser who is currently facing criminal charges for fraud. The study’s findings go against the majority of other research on the subject, which had largely determined that the virus came from natural origins.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-16--How To Create A Morning Routine That Reduces Anxiety And Stress

Some habits worth trying to incorporate into your morning Those work emails , text messages , Instagram notifications and news @ @ @ @ @ .
If you charge your phone by your bed or use it as an alarm @ @ @ @ @ going to look at it right when you wake up .
Before you know it @ @ @ @ @ in and two minutes of scrolling turns into 20 .
Try charging your phone across @ @ @ @ @ s not within reach .
Or charge it outside of the bedroom and use an @ @ @ @ @ to stick to your morning routine

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It's been one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Explore HuffPost's Bent Not Broken project to learn how the coronavirus has disrupted our mental health, and how to manage our well-being moving forward.
As a person who’s dealt with anxiety since I was a kid, I find that I’m often most anxious first thing in the morning. When I open my eyes, all of the worries and potential stressors that await me flood my mind. The pit in my stomach makes me want to stay in bed as long as I can so I don’t have to face the day ahead.
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Of course, this avoidance only exacerbates what I’m feeling. What alleviates it is just the opposite: Getting up on the earlier side so I have time for my morning routine. These days, that’s making an iced coffee, taking my dog for a walk, following a short workout video, writing my to-do list for the day and ― when time permits ― meditating and journaling.
“Morning routines are powerful and set our pattern for the rest of the day,” Lee Chambers, an environmental psychologist and well-being consultant in Britain, told HuffPost. “A worry-filled morning will often flood into an anxious afternoon.” Conversely, starting the morning with intention creates a sense of calm and confidence that makes the rest of the day seem more manageable.
So how do you create those morning rituals that will quiet your racing mind and stick with them? Below, experts offer some helpful advice.
How to start a solid morning routine
NickyLloyd via Getty Images Be realistic about how much you can dedicate to your morning routine.
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Consider how much time you can realistically carve out for yourself.
“We all have a period of the morning that we have some level of control over,” Chambers said. “For some people, that may be an hour, for others, it may be 20 minutes.”
For example, if you have young kids or a long commute to the office, you may have less time to work with. So figure out what’s realistic for your circumstances.
Waking up earlier may help your mornings feel less frazzled. That said, you shouldn’t force yourself into becoming an early riser at the expense of getting a full night’s rest. Remember that sleep plays a pivotal role in your emotional regulation.
“Often we hear of routines that start in the early hours of the morning,” Chambers said. “For some people, this is a high-energy time and a perfect time to start your routine. But if you’re limiting your sleep or you just don’t function well so early, it is going to be detrimental.”
Experiment to figure out which rituals work best for you.
Finding out which morning routine additions alleviate your anxiety may take some trial and error. What works for your partner, friend or that random influencer you follow on Instagram may or may not work for you.
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“Think about your biggest stressors and problems that trigger your anxiety, and then consider what really helps in these situations,” Chambers said. “Then look to those activities and experiment. There are many ways and methods to exercise, plan, journal, listen and read, and some will feel just right for you.”
Make it easy and enjoyable so you stick with it.
You don’t need to come up with some elaborate 20-step process to reap the benefits of a morning routine (but, hey, if you want to, more power to you).
“Morning routines are most effective when we enjoy them and they are easy to integrate into our lives,” Chambers said. “They are not about completely changing what we do, but adding small, positive changes that compound together.”
“Morning routines are most effective when we enjoy them and they are easy to integrate into our lives.” - Lee Chambers, environmental psychologist and well-being consultant
One way to make the morning smoother? Do some preparation the night before, like laying out your workout clothes, whipping up a make-ahead breakfast or putting your journal by your coffeemaker.
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“Leave things to trigger you to remember, make what you need accessible and craft a space where it is possible,” Chambers said.
But know that you’re not going to execute your routine perfectly every day ― and that’s OK.
You might be on a roll for a couple of weeks and then fall off for a few days. If you mentally prepare for these hiccups, you’ll be less likely to beat yourself up when they happen.
“It’s easy to move into judgment and criticism of yourself when things don’t go as you would have wanted or when you don’t immediately want to jump out of bed in the morning to start a new routine,” said marriage and family therapist Lynsie Seely of Wellspace SF in San Francisco. “Expect that there will be difficult moments and connect with your internal voice that offers kind words and encouragement along the way.”
And when you do follow your routine, give yourself some praise.
“Celebrate a little,” Chambers said. “Similarly, when you miss it, be kind to yourself and get prepared for the following morning.”
Some habits worth trying to incorporate into your morning
Westend61 via Getty Images Here are some expert-recommend practices to reduce anxiety. Experiment to see what works well for you and then narrow it down.
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We asked mental health professionals to recommend some practices that help soothe anxiety. Try out a few of these and check in with how you feel afterwards — but know that it may take some time to see the benefits. Then you can determine if you want to add any to your a.m. routine.
1. Start your day by drinking water.
Before you have your tea or coffee, hydrate with a glass of a water as soon as you wake up.
“It gives us increased cognitive function, allowing us more clarity of mind, can elevate our mood and energy, and promotes more balanced emotional regulation and takes less than a minute,” Chambers said. “And it’s a great habit to stack your next part of the routine into, and you can even prepare your water the evening before.”
2. Walk outside.
Taking a walk outdoors is a calming, grounding way to begin the day.
“It is also great as it gets sunlight into our eyes, stimulating serotonin, which boosts our mood,” Chambers said. “It also ignites our senses, as the wind hits our face, sounds of the environment fill our ears and we smell the external world. It makes us mindful and eases our worries in the process.”
3. Practice gratitude.
Take a moment to reflect on all of the good in your life. You can list a few things in your head, share them with a partner or child, or write them down in a journal.
“Start your day with a grateful heart before you even get up from bed,” said Renato Perez, a Los Angeles psychotherapist. “Start naming all the things you’re grateful for. This could be done through prayer or simply a list you say out loud to the universe or Mother Nature.”
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4. Try to avoid checking your phone first thing.
Those work emails, text messages, Instagram notifications and news alerts can wait a bit. If you charge your phone by your bed or use it as an alarm clock, you’re going to look at it right when you wake up. Before you know it, you’re sucked in and two minutes of scrolling turns into 20. Try charging your phone across the room so it’s not within reach. Or charge it outside of the bedroom and use an alarm clock instead.
“I see so many people who immediately check their work email in the morning, which automatically puts them in ‘work mode’ and makes them feel anxious about the day ahead before they even get out of bed,” said Gina Delucca, a clinical psychologist at Wellspace SF. “Similarly, some people hop on social media or start reading news articles while lying in bed, which may trigger anxiety by reading or seeing something negative or scary.”
That doesn’t mean you have to avoid your phone altogether, which just isn’t realistic for most of us. “But I definitely recommend giving yourself some peace and quiet in the morning before the daily grind begins,” Delucca added.
5. Take some deep breaths.
When you’re anxious, you might notice your breathing is quick and shallow, rather than slow and deep.
“This is a part of our body’s natural stress response, and it coincides with a few of the other physical sensations you may notice when you feel anxious — like rapid heart rate, dizziness and upset stomach,” Delucca said. “While we don’t have voluntary control over some of these bodily sensations, we do have control over our breathing, and we can use our breath to help induce a more relaxed state.”
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“Morning routines are powerful and set our pattern for the rest of the day.” - Lee Chambers, environmental psychologist and well-being consultant
Those deep, nourishing inhalations and exhalations stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, producing a sense of calm.
“To begin, try to spend a few minutes each morning sitting or lying in a comfortable position, closing your eyes and taking a few slow, controlled, deep breaths,” Delucca said. “Try breathing in through your nose and then breathing out through either your nose or mouth. When you inhale, imagine that you are filling up a balloon in your abdomen rather than just breathing into your chest.”
6. Meditate.
“There is no better way to quiet the mind than by practicing meditation,” Perez said. “Start small — two to three minutes — and increment every week.”
When your mind wanders away, which it inevitably will, gently bring it back to your breath.
You can sit in silence, listen to relaxing music, do a guided mediation through an app like Calm, Headspace or Insight Timer, or find one on YouTube
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You can also try repeating a mantra — “I am safe, and I will be OK,” is one Delucca suggested. Or do a body scan: Start at the top of your head, bringing awareness to each body part and releasing tension from that area as you slowly work your way down to your toes.
7. Eat a nourishing breakfast.
“Our mood is highly influenced by what we eat,” Chambers said.
Opt for a balanced breakfast that contains protein, healthful fats, fiber and complex carbohydrates — think a vegetable omelet with avocado toast or oatmeal with nut butter, berries and chia seeds. Refined carbohydrates, such as doughnuts and sugary cereals, can lead to a blood sugar spike and crash, “causing challenges with emotional regulation, which may leave you feeling anxious,” Chambers added. (That said, if the occasional croissant or chocolate chip muffin brings some joy to your morning, it’s totally fine. Food is meant to be enjoyed, after all.)
8. Read a few pages from a book.
Rather than reading news or catching up on your social media feeds early in the morning, Perez recommends picking up a book that inspires you and reading for a few minutes ― even just five pages.
“Find a book that really speaks to you and makes you feel good,” he said.
9. Move your body.
It could be yoga, walking, running, dancing, cycling, strength-training or even stretching.
“When you exercise in the morning, you may notice improved focus and energy during the rest of the day, as well as better sleep at night, which can also help to tame anxiety,” Delucca said. “In addition, exercising in the morning can enhance your mood by giving you a boost of endorphins and a sense of accomplishment at the start of your day.”
It’s worth noting that some people report that certain workouts, especially very intense ones, actually stoke their anxiety rather than reduce it. So just be aware of that.
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“We react differently to exercise, and it is a stressor,” Chambers said. “Exercising with too much intensity for some people can lead them to become fatigued and more likely to feel anxious.”
10. Do some visualization.
A visualization practice can help you set the desired tone for your day. If you’re feeling anxious and distracted, perhaps you’d like to feel calm, focused and empowered instead. Seely recommends calling on a memory that evokes that feeling for you. Tune into the small details and sensations of the experience.
“For example, if I’m visualizing a memory where I hiked up to the peak of a mountain and I’m overlooking the summit, I might notice the details of the incredible view, the sounds of nature around me, the feel of my muscles after climbing the steep terrain, the smell and temperature of the air, the sensation of feeling accomplished, proud, unstoppable,” she said. “Really getting into every sensation of the memory helps your body to soak in the experience and primes your physiology for that particular state of being ― in this example, empowered and ready to take on the day.”
And if you can’t think of a specific memory, allow yourself to daydream and build the desired experience in your imagination.
How to stick to your morning routine
Oscar Wong via Getty Images “You’re more likely to follow through on behavior change when you set clear and specific goals versus vague aspirations," said psychologist Gina Delucca.
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You may think your biggest stumbling blocks are a lack of willpower or hitting the snooze button half a dozen times. But often it “comes down to a lack of clarity with the routine,” Delucca said.
“You’re more likely to follow through on behavior change when you set clear and specific goals versus vague aspirations,” she added.
So instead of saying something general, like, “I want to work out in the morning,” make the goal more concrete: “I’m going to do a virtual yoga class at 7:30 a.m. after I finish my tea.”
Delucca also recommends getting up around the same time each day and outlining what specific activities you want to incorporate into your routine and in what order. It may help to write them down.
“When you do something repeatedly in the same order, you can eventually develop a habit,” Delucca said. “When a habit is formed, you’re not solely relying on how you feel in the moment in terms of your mood, motivation or willpower. Habits feel automatic without any guesswork as to what you should do next.”
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She offered the example of taking a shower. You likely shampoo, condition, shave and wash your body in a specific order without giving it much thought.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-16--Trump Blames Blue States For The Country's High Coronavirus Death Toll

President Donald Trump politicized the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans on Wednesday , placing the blame for the nation ’ s high death toll from coronavirus on “ blue states.
” “ The blue states had tremendous death rates , ” Trump said at a Wednesday press conference on the pandemic .
“ If you take the blue states out , we ’ re at a level that I don ’ t think anybody in the world would be at , we ’ re really at a very low level.
” He told North Carolina , Pennsylvania and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” saying that keeping businesses closed to prevent the spread of the virus is “ hurting people far more than the disease itself.
” The president added that “ the vulnerable are primarily people with medical problems… who are older… so open up your states.
” It ’ s worth noting that there have been significant deaths from coronavirus in states across the country , regardless of their governors ’ political affiliation .
In fact , four out of the top 10 states with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths are led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Massachusetts and Georgia .
The U.S. continues to lead the world with more than 6.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases .
In the first months of the coronavirus ’ s spread in the U.S. , Trump repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus and then urged states to reopen businesses , flouting health experts ’ recommendations .
# COVID19 cases declined in most states in the last 7 days , but COVID-19 is widespread in many areas , particularly in the upper Great Plains , Midwest , and South .
Six states reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
See more data : https : //t.co/CEcelDa6Hb .
pic.twitter.com/564xEJy0BO — CDC ( @ CDCgov ) September 16 , 2020 Trump has similarly politicized his response to natural disasters : As California faced devastating fires in recent weeks , the president slammed the state , led by a Democratic governor , for doing a poor job with forest management and threatened to withhold federal relief funds .
Meanwhile , as Hurricane Laura approached red states along the Gulf of Mexico , Trump stood ready to assist .
On Wednesday , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really good job ” when it came to coronavirus deaths .
“ If you look at all that we ’ ve done and all the lives that we ’ ve saved , ” Trump said , indicating a chart labeled as showing initial projections of the possible number of deaths .
“ This was right at the beginning , this was our prediction , that if we do a really good job , we do 100-240,000 deaths .
And we ’ re below that substantially .
And that ’ d be if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the not-so-good job was done , you ’ d be at 1.5 million .
That ’ s quite a difference.
” More than 196,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 so far , and cases continue to increase .

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President Donald Trump politicized the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans on Wednesday, placing the blame for the nation’s high death toll from coronavirus on “blue states.”
“The blue states had tremendous death rates,” Trump said at a Wednesday press conference on the pandemic. “If you take the blue states out, we’re at a level that I don’t think anybody in the world would be at, we’re really at a very low level.”
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He told North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan to “open up their states,” saying that keeping businesses closed to prevent the spread of the virus is “hurting people far more than the disease itself.” The president added that “the vulnerable are primarily people with medical problems… who are older… so open up your states.”
It’s worth noting that there have been significant deaths from coronavirus in states across the country, regardless of their governors’ political affiliation. In fact, four out of the top 10 states with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths are led by Republican governors: Texas, Florida, Massachusetts and Georgia.
The U.S. continues to lead the world with more than 6.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases. In the first months of the coronavirus’s spread in the U.S., Trump repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus and then urged states to reopen businesses, flouting health experts’ recommendations.
#COVID19 cases declined in most states in the last 7 days, but COVID-19 is widespread in many areas, particularly in the upper Great Plains, Midwest, and South. Six states reported over 10,000 new cases in the last week. See more data: https://t.co/CEcelDa6Hb. pic.twitter.com/564xEJy0BO — CDC (@CDCgov) September 16, 2020
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Trump has similarly politicized his response to natural disasters: As California faced devastating fires in recent weeks, the president slammed the state, led by a Democratic governor, for doing a poor job with forest management and threatened to withhold federal relief funds. Meanwhile, as Hurricane Laura approached red states along the Gulf of Mexico, Trump stood ready to assist.
On Wednesday, the president insisted that the U.S. was doing “a really good job” when it came to coronavirus deaths.
“If you look at all that we’ve done and all the lives that we’ve saved,” Trump said, indicating a chart labeled as showing initial projections of the possible number of deaths. “This was right at the beginning, this was our prediction, that if we do a really good job, we do 100-240,000 deaths. And we’re below that substantially. And that’d be if you do the good job. If the not-so-good job was done, you’d be at 1.5 million. That’s quite a difference.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-16--Eldercare And COVID: How To Help Seniors And The People Who Care For Them

Eldercare has too often been left out of our national health care discussion .
Now , as COVID-19 tears through long-term care facilities , the need for high-quality care has never been more clear .
The disproportionate impact on seniors in long-term care facilities is stark , accounting for 8 % of all COVID-19 cases but 40 % of deaths .
The number of cases in nursing homes has remained high in good part because , even after six months , many facilities still lack the supplies , staff and testing needed to control the virus ’ s spread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― and their caregivers , too .
These caregivers work long hours for low pay ; many work more than one job to make ends meet , increasing transmission between facilities , as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted .
It doesn ’ t have to be this way .
The biggest problems at nursing homes right now reflect three clearly identifiable deficiencies : not enough testing , not enough protective gear and not enough workers .
Fixing these would not put a stop to nursing home COVID-19 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , along the way , improve the quality and safety of eldercare and the lives of the people who provide it .
Join HuffPost Senior Reporter Jonathan Cohn and National Domestic Workers Alliance Executive Director Ai-jen Poo for a discussion on the systemic issues plaguing current care options , and what a better system might look like for seniors and care providers .
The virtual event will take place at 4 p.m .
ET on Thursday , Sept. 24 .
Sign up for the event here .
Ai-jen Poo is the executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of Caring Across Generations , co-Founder of SuperMajority and trustee of the Ford Foundation .
Cohn is the author of ” Sick : The Untold Story of America ’ s Health Care Crisis ― and the People Who Pay the Price ” and the forthcoming ” The Ten Year War : Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage.
” His coverage of health care policy is a go-to for wonks and anyone who wants to better understand how our system works and what could be done to improve it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Domestic Workers Alliance , a nonprofit with 70 local affiliates and more than 200,000 members .
Fortune ’ s 50 World ’ s Greatest Leaders and Time ’ s 100 Most Influential People in the World have both recognized her work , and she was presented with a 2014 MacArthur “ Genius ” Award .

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Eldercare has too often been left out of our national health care discussion. Now, as COVID-19 tears through long-term care facilities, the need for high-quality care has never been more clear.
The disproportionate impact on seniors in long-term care facilities is stark, accounting for 8% of all COVID-19 cases but 40% of deaths. The number of cases in nursing homes has remained high in good part because, even after six months, many facilities still lack the supplies, staff and testing needed to control the virus’s spread. The situation puts senior citizens at risk ― and their caregivers, too.
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These caregivers work long hours for low pay; many work more than one job to make ends meet, increasing transmission between facilities, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The biggest problems at nursing homes right now reflect three clearly identifiable deficiencies: not enough testing, not enough protective gear and not enough workers.
Fixing these would not put a stop to nursing home COVID-19 deaths. But it would almost certainly reduce them and, along the way, improve the quality and safety of eldercare and the lives of the people who provide it.
Join HuffPost Senior Reporter Jonathan Cohn and National Domestic Workers Alliance Executive Director Ai-jen Poo for a discussion on the systemic issues plaguing current care options, and what a better system might look like for seniors and care providers. The virtual event will take place at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 24. Sign up for the event here.
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Ai-jen Poo is the executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, director of Caring Across Generations, co-Founder of SuperMajority and trustee of the Ford Foundation. Ai-jen Poo
Cohn is the author of ”Sick: The Untold Story of America’s Health Care Crisis ― and the People Who Pay the Price” and the forthcoming ”The Ten Year War: Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage.” His coverage of health care policy is a go-to for wonks and anyone who wants to better understand how our system works and what could be done to improve it.