thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--White House Testing Scheme Was Doomed To Failure From The Start

Instead of using a test with an effective 10 % to 20 % “ false negative ” rate as a screening tool , as it was designed , epidemiology and public health experts said , the White House used it as the sole means of determining whether employees and visitors alike were coronavirus-free ― and rejected other measures , such as masks and social distancing .
That the plan could not work was obvious to him and his colleagues in the field from the start , Schaffner said , but it became obvious to the world in the aftermath of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sept. 26 to celebrate a Supreme Court nomination .
Photographs from the event show indoor receptions with few face masks and no attempts at social distancing .
Numerous attendees have now tested positive for the virus , including Trump himself , first lady Melania Trump , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie and a pair of Republican senators .
“ Using a rapid test is appropriate for screening , certainly .
But it doesn ’ t grant license to then ignore all other precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foolproof , ” said Jeremy Konyndyk , who worked in the Obama administration on the response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak .
“ It needed to be part of a comprehensive strategy .
The White House seems to have used it as a substitute for one.
” “ The man got ill. That means that someone got too close to him , with or without a mask… .
Something broke down .
Something failed , ” said the official , who spoke on condition of anonymity .
The former official then acknowledged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own failure to understand the limits of the protection that the testing provided .
Trump offered that logic during a Sept. 16 news conference in one of his many explanations of why he almost never wore a face mask .
“ We get tested .
I ’ m tested .
I have people tested .
When people come into the Oval Office , it ’ s like a big deal .
No matter who they are ― if they ’ re heads of countries , they all get tested .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different position.
” Trump was referring to the protocol the White House implemented this spring that anyone coming into contact with Trump had to have a negative result from an Abbott Laboratories 15-minute test for the coronavirus .
Whether it was West Wing staff members or reporters in the pooled coverage or crew on Air Force One or donors at his fundraisers paying to get photos taken with him , all would have to undergo a test that involved gathering mucous from their nostrils to search for evidence of the virus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not foolproof indicator of whether someone is contagious .
Though the manufacturer lists an accuracy rate of over 90 % , the test can not , by its nature , show a positive result until there is enough virus in the body to measure .
“ Once you ’ re over the fence , you don ’ t need to wear a mask , ” he said , meaning that people who might have been infectious but had not yet tested positive were free to interact with staff or Trump himself with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
“ If your job is to guard the White House , you have a single-layer defense that is semi-porous.
” “ This is why the whole concept of tests aren ’ t necessarily great , ” Trump said during a May White House meeting with Republican members of Congress , discussing press aide Katie Miller , who had recently contracted COVID-19 .
“ The tests are perfect , but something can happen between a test — where it ’ s good , and then something happens , and all of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tested negative .
And then today , I guess , for some reason , she tested positive.
” This means Trump may have been spreading the virus to others for some days before he admitted he had contracted COVID-19 ― a period that included the White House event to celebrate the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett on Sept. 26 , his debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden on Sept. 29 , his attendance at an indoor fundraiser in a wealthy Minneapolis suburb on Sept. 30 and his hosting of another fundraiser at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey , on Oct. 1 .
“ Selfishness and irresponsibility are the defining characteristics of Donald Trump ’ s overall pandemic response , so it ’ s no surprise that he ’ s treating the current White House outbreak the same way , ” said Josh Schwerin , with the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA .
“ Trump is intentionally putting the people around him in harm ’ s way while still spewing disinformation that endangers millions more .
It is irrefutable that Trump has made this pandemic significantly worse .
”

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WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump and his White House created for themselves a sense of invulnerability based on a flawed coronavirus testing scheme doomed to failure, which has now made the building a disease hot spot.
Instead of using a test with an effective 10% to 20% “false negative” rate as a screening tool, as it was designed, epidemiology and public health experts said, the White House used it as the sole means of determining whether employees and visitors alike were coronavirus-free ― and rejected other measures, such as masks and social distancing.
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“They tried to test their way out of COVID, and you can’t do that,” said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “They were looking for a magical way out, a magic wand.”
That the plan could not work was obvious to him and his colleagues in the field from the start, Schaffner said, but it became obvious to the world in the aftermath of a large gathering at the White House on Sept. 26 to celebrate a Supreme Court nomination. Photographs from the event show indoor receptions with few face masks and no attempts at social distancing. Numerous attendees have now tested positive for the virus, including Trump himself, first lady Melania Trump, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and a pair of Republican senators.
“Using a rapid test is appropriate for screening, certainly. But it doesn’t grant license to then ignore all other precautions. It’s helpful, not foolproof,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, who worked in the Obama administration on the response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak. “It needed to be part of a comprehensive strategy. The White House seems to have used it as a substitute for one.”
One former Trump administration official agreed that the fact that the most protected human on the planet contracted COVID-19 anyway is proof that the system did not work.
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“The man got ill. That means that someone got too close to him, with or without a mask…. Something broke down. Something failed,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The former official then acknowledged that that “something” was likely Trump’s own failure to understand the limits of the protection that the testing provided.
“He has equated having been tested as not being a carrier,” the former official said.
Trump offered that logic during a Sept. 16 news conference in one of his many explanations of why he almost never wore a face mask. “We get tested. I’m tested. I have people tested. When people come into the Oval Office, it’s like a big deal. No matter who they are ― if they’re heads of countries, they all get tested. So I’m in sort of a different position.”
Judge Amy Coney Barrett stands with her family on stage Sept. 26 after a White House news conference at which President Donald Trump announced her as his nominee to the Supreme Court. Several people who attended the gathering have since tested positive for the coronavirus, including the president. Alex Brandon/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump was referring to the protocol the White House implemented this spring that anyone coming into contact with Trump had to have a negative result from an Abbott Laboratories 15-minute test for the coronavirus. Whether it was West Wing staff members or reporters in the pooled coverage or crew on Air Force One or donors at his fundraisers paying to get photos taken with him, all would have to undergo a test that involved gathering mucous from their nostrils to search for evidence of the virus.
The only problem: The test is a not foolproof indicator of whether someone is contagious. Though the manufacturer lists an accuracy rate of over 90%, the test cannot, by its nature, show a positive result until there is enough virus in the body to measure.
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Someone who has been exposed to the virus could be contagious for as long as one to two days before a test will return a positive result, said Eric Feigl-Ding, a public health researcher with the Federation of American Scientists.
He likened it to securing the White House physically with a fence but with no other measures, such as guard dogs or Secret Service agents.
“Once you’re over the fence, you don’t need to wear a mask,” he said, meaning that people who might have been infectious but had not yet tested positive were free to interact with staff or Trump himself with the presumption that they could not spread the disease. “If your job is to guard the White House, you have a single-layer defense that is semi-porous.”
Trump, who, during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta this spring, claimed to have a full understanding of medical issues, appeared not to grasp the implications of how a person could test negative one day but positive the next.
“This is why the whole concept of tests aren’t necessarily great,” Trump said during a May White House meeting with Republican members of Congress, discussing press aide Katie Miller, who had recently contracted COVID-19. “The tests are perfect, but something can happen between a test — where it’s good, and then something happens, and all of a sudden — she was tested very recently and tested negative. And then today, I guess, for some reason, she tested positive.”
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Trump himself, meanwhile, appears to have been lax about his own testing. On July 21, McEnany claimed that Trump did not need to wear a mask, explaining: “The president is the most tested man in America. He’s tested more than anyone, multiple times a day.”
But Trump contradicted her later that day in his own news conference. “I do take probably, on average, a test every two days, three days. I don’t know of any time I’ve taken two tests in one day.”
The White House has refused to disclose the dates and results of Trump’s COVID-19 tests over the past week or reveal how frequently he has been receiving them. “The president is tested regularly,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity.
This means Trump may have been spreading the virus to others for some days before he admitted he had contracted COVID-19 ― a period that included the White House event to celebrate the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett on Sept. 26, his debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden on Sept. 29, his attendance at an indoor fundraiser in a wealthy Minneapolis suburb on Sept. 30 and his hosting of another fundraiser at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Oct. 1.
“Selfishness and irresponsibility are the defining characteristics of Donald Trump’s overall pandemic response, so it’s no surprise that he’s treating the current White House outbreak the same way,” said Josh Schwerin, with the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA. “Trump is intentionally putting the people around him in harm’s way while still spewing disinformation that endangers millions more. It is irrefutable that Trump has made this pandemic significantly worse.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Joy Reid Sums Up Donald Trump’s Mask Removal Stunt With 3 Biting Words

MSNBC ’ s Joy Reid unequivocally condemned President Donald Trump for removing his face mask on his return to the White House on Monday night , saying she was “ disgusted.
” Trump faced backlash over the barefaced stunt he performed in front of the cameras following three days in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment of his coronavirus illness .
“ I am speechless .
I am stunned .
I have to be honest with you , I ’ m disgusted by what I just saw , ” said Reid , host of “ The ReidOut.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just exposed his Secret Service agents , ” who she described as “ true professionals ” who would “ in every moment of their job would take a bullet for the president , not take one from the president.
” “ There are moments in this job when you realize that you are witnessing some of the great horrors of history , ” Reid said on the show , adding : “ This is the most irresponsible thing I ’ ve ever seen a president do.
” Trump faced similar accusations of endangering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he left the hospital to ride around in his armored SUV with Secret Service agents .

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MSNBC’s Joy Reid unequivocally condemned President Donald Trump for removing his face mask on his return to the White House on Monday night, saying she was “disgusted.”
Trump faced backlash over the barefaced stunt he performed in front of the cameras following three days in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment of his coronavirus illness.
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“I am speechless. I am stunned. I have to be honest with you, I’m disgusted by what I just saw,” said Reid, host of “The ReidOut.”
“This man is contagious,” she added.
Trump, Reid pointed out, “just exposed his Secret Service agents,” who she described as “true professionals” who would “in every moment of their job would take a bullet for the president, not take one from the president.”
“There are moments in this job when you realize that you are witnessing some of the great horrors of history,” Reid said on the show, adding: “This is the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever seen a president do.”
Trump faced similar accusations of endangering his protective services on Sunday, when he left the hospital to ride around in his armored SUV with Secret Service agents.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--102-Year-Old Warrior Suits Up Hazmat Style To Mail Her Ballot

Good morning !
This is 102-year-old CTU retiree Bea Lumpkin casting her vote-by-mail ballot .
If Bea can do it @ @ @ @ @ .
Vote !

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Good morning! This is 102-year-old CTU retiree Bea Lumpkin casting her vote-by-mail ballot. If Bea can do it, anyone can do it. Vote!


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Michelle Obama Rails Against Trump's Presidency: 'Yes, It Is Racist'

Former first lady Michelle Obama warned American voters just what the next four years could look like in an endorsement video for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , lambasting President Donald Trump for his actions in office that have stoked “ fears about Black and brown Americans.
” In the nearly 25-minute-long video released Tuesday , Obama denounced Trump for being negligent during the COVID-19 crisis and failing to create a plan to save lives .
She criticized his insistence on ignoring social distancing guidelines , holding rallies and other events for his supporters , and lying to the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing protests against racial inequality in America and Trump ’ s response .
She accused the administration of spreading lies about Black and brown people to whip up “ violence and intimidation ” when the protests have been “ overwhelmingly peaceful.
” “ It is frustrating to hear [ for ] some folks that you ’ ve been the beneficiary of privilege , that the color of your skin gives you a head start .
That is the reality for far too many hardworking , decent Americans .
But , right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tap into that frustration and distract from his breathtaking failures by giving folks someone to blame other than them , ” she said .
“ They ’ re stoking fears about Black and brown Americans , lying about how minorities will destroy the suburbs , whipping up violence and intimidation .
And they ’ re pinning it all on what ’ s been an overwhelmingly peaceful movement for racial solidarity .
It ’ s true .
Research backs it up .
Only a tiny fraction of demonstrations have had any violence at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doing is , once again , patently false .
It ’ s morally wrong and yes , it is racist .
But that doesn ’ t mean it won ’ t work , ” she said , before imploring undecided voters to put themselves in her and her ancestors ’ shoes .
“ Imagine how it feels to have suspicion cast on you from the day you were born simply because of the hue of your skin .
To walk around your own country scared that someone ’ s unjustified fear of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s way .
Terrified of what four more years of this kind of division might mean for the safety of you and those you love .
Living with the knowledge that no matter how hard we try , how much good we do in the world , there will be far too many who will never see our humanity .
Who will project on us their own fears of retribution for centuries of injustice and thus only see us as a threat to be restrained.
” “ Racism , fear , division .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy this nation if we don ’ t deal with them head on , ” she said before asking voters from both sides of the aisle to “ please take a moment to pause.
” After her “ Closing Argument ” video was released , Obama tweeted that she had “ weighed whether or not to go public at all , ” but ultimately decided to because she wanted people to hear what ’ s been on her mind .
“ These past few months , I ’ ve been thinking a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in this country — the lack of empathy , the division stoked in times of crisis , the age-old and systemic racism that ’ s been so prominent this summer , ” Obama said at the time .
“ Sometimes they see it on the news .
Sometimes they see it from the White House Rose Garden .
And sometimes they see it from the back seat of a car.
” Trump has made little to no effort to hide his racism and intolerance throughout his presidency , throwing disparaging comments and/or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Native Americans , Muslims , Black people , immigrants , women and people with disabilities .
Throughout the pandemic , he ’ s repeatedly called the coronavirus the “ China virus ” and dubbed COVID-19 the “ kung flu.
” And amid the protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd , Trump described as “ thugs ” the demonstrators who he claimed were responsible for having one of his events canceled in Tulsa , Oklahoma .

Former first lady Michelle Obama warned American voters just what the next four years could look like in an endorsement video for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, lambasting President Donald Trump for his actions in office that have stoked “fears about Black and brown Americans.”
In the nearly 25-minute-long video released Tuesday, Obama denounced Trump for being negligent during the COVID-19 crisis and failing to create a plan to save lives. She criticized his insistence on ignoring social distancing guidelines, holding rallies and other events for his supporters, and lying to the American people.
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She also talked about the ongoing protests against racial inequality in America and Trump’s response. She accused the administration of spreading lies about Black and brown people to whip up “violence and intimidation” when the protests have been “overwhelmingly peaceful.”
“It is frustrating to hear [for] some folks that you’ve been the beneficiary of privilege, that the color of your skin gives you a head start. That is the reality for far too many hardworking, decent Americans. But, right now, the president and his allies are trying to tap into that frustration and distract from his breathtaking failures by giving folks someone to blame other than them,” she said.
“They’re stoking fears about Black and brown Americans, lying about how minorities will destroy the suburbs, whipping up violence and intimidation. And they’re pinning it all on what’s been an overwhelmingly peaceful movement for racial solidarity. It’s true. Research backs it up. Only a tiny fraction of demonstrations have had any violence at all.”
Obama went on to call out Trump’s actions for what they are: racist.
“So what the president is doing is, once again, patently false. It’s morally wrong and yes, it is racist. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work,” she said, before imploring undecided voters to put themselves in her and her ancestors’ shoes.
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“Put yourselves in our shoes for just a moment,” she said, as a “sitting president” is helping to fuel the “scorn” that Black and brown people face on a daily basis.
“Imagine how it feels to have suspicion cast on you from the day you were born simply because of the hue of your skin. To walk around your own country scared that someone’s unjustified fear of you could put you in harm’s way. Terrified of what four more years of this kind of division might mean for the safety of you and those you love. Living with the knowledge that no matter how hard we try, how much good we do in the world, there will be far too many who will never see our humanity. Who will project on us their own fears of retribution for centuries of injustice and thus only see us as a threat to be restrained.”
Obama noted what’s ahead for people of color: more racial slurs, lost job promotions and routine traffic stops gone wrong.
“Racism, fear, division. These are powerful weapons and they can destroy this nation if we don’t deal with them head on,” she said before asking voters from both sides of the aisle to “please take a moment to pause.”
After her “Closing Argument” video was released, Obama tweeted that she had “weighed whether or not to go public at all,” but ultimately decided to because she wanted people to hear what’s been on her mind.
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The truth is, the events of the past few days are a bracing reminder of the tragedy that has been this administration’s response to this crisis. — Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) October 6, 2020
And I’ll be very honest: This is a message I’d planned to release earlier, and after everything that’s happened, I weighed whether or not to go public at all. But I wanted you all to hear what’s been on my mind. — Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) October 6, 2020
Because the drama of the past few days has only emphasized what’s at stake in this election, from the coronavirus to a constant drumbeat of fear, division, and chaos that’s threatening to spiral out of control. — Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) October 6, 2020
This video’s commentary fits with remarks Obama made in late August when she condemned the “systemic racism” coming from the White House in the aftermath of racial unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“These past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about what our kids are seeing every day in this country — the lack of empathy, the division stoked in times of crisis, the age-old and systemic racism that’s been so prominent this summer,” Obama said at the time.
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“Sometimes they see it on the news. Sometimes they see it from the White House Rose Garden. And sometimes they see it from the back seat of a car.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Former GOP Governor Warns Republicans About Trump: Speak Up Or You Are Complicit

After Trump left the hospital and returned to the White House amid his ongoing battle with coronavirus , Whitman wrote @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t speak up are “ complicit.
” She specifically called out Republicans who @ @ @ @ @ president : Whitman , who also served as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under @ @ @ @ @ supported former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
She crossed party lines again @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden , joining a number of prominent Republicans in speaking at the @ @ @ @ @ is also chair of Republicans and Independents for Biden , one of a number of @ @ @ @ @ and Republican Voters Against Trump , which has been working to build a cross-party coalition @ @ @ @ @

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--150 Civil Rights Groups Oppose Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett “ is incapable of rendering equal justice under law ” and her nomination to Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s former seat is “ an insult ” to Ginsburg ’ s legacy of being a champion of justice , reads a Tuesday letter signed by 150 civil and human rights groups urging senators to oppose her confirmation .
The letter , led by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights , is 16 pages long and goes into the specifics of Barrett ’ s record of being hostile to health care access , reproductive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employment discrimination , victims of sexual assault and gun safety .
The groups point to Barrett suggesting in 2017 that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional , and her signature on a 2006 advertisement in an Indiana newspaper calling for the end of the legal right to abortion .
In 2016 , Barrett also appeared to criticize Obergefell v. Hodges , the landmark Supreme Court decision that resulted in marriage equality for same-sex couples .
Barrett , who is currently a U.S. appeals court judge , has also made some “ troubling ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
In Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. AutoZone , Barrett ruled against an African-American worker whose employer involuntarily transferred him to another store as part of a practice of assigning African-American employees to stores in African-American neighborhoods .
In Doe v. Purdue University , Barrett wrote an opinion that allowed a male student who was credibly accused of committing sexual assault and suspended from the university to advance a Title IX lawsuit against the university , alleging he was discriminated against because he was a man .
“ The undersigned organizations urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Barrett and allow the president duly chosen in the 2020 general election to fill the existing Supreme Court vacancy , ” concludes the letter , signed by groups including the American Federation of Teachers , Human Rights Campaign , the NAACP and NARAL Pro-Choice America .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) plan to move forward with holding Barrett ’ s confirmation hearing on Oct. 12 , despite at least three Republican senators testing positive for COVID-19 in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Lee and Thom Tillis , are members of the Judiciary Committee and will not have cleared the recommended 14-day quarantine before participating in the hearing .
Lee may also have infected other committee members with COVID-19 after attending a 90-minute committee hearing last Thursday , during which he talked and shouted without a mask on .
McConnell tweeted Monday that the Senate is perfectly capable of holding a “ hybrid ” confirmation hearing for Barrett , meaning , for the first time in history , the Senate would move forward with confirming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participating in a Zoom call .
Judge Barrett ’ s hearings will begin one week from today .
Chairman Graham has all the tools to conduct a hybrid hearing , just like the 150 others the Senate has held this year .
We will not stop working for the American people because Democrats are afraid they may lose a vote .
— Leader McConnell ( @ senatemajldr ) October 6 , 2020 Republicans are eager to confirm Barrett because Trump may lose reelection in November and they want to hurry up and fill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rather than let a potential President Joe Biden fill the lifetime seat .
When the tables were turned in 2016 , Republicans said they wanted to wait until after the election — then almost nine months away — for the new president to nominate a replacement after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia .
Before President Barack Obama even nominated his pick , Merrick Garland , McConnell and Republicans vowed to block any nominee all year .
Garland never got a hearing , let alone a confirmation vote .

Amy Coney Barrett is drawing supreme opposition from national civil and human rights groups. Erin Scott / Reuters
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett “is incapable of rendering equal justice under law” and her nomination to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s former seat is “an insult” to Ginsburg’s legacy of being a champion of justice, reads a Tuesday letter signed by 150 civil and human rights groups urging senators to oppose her confirmation.
The letter, led by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, is 16 pages long and goes into the specifics of Barrett’s record of being hostile to health care access, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, victims of employment discrimination, victims of sexual assault and gun safety.
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The groups point to Barrett suggesting in 2017 that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional, and her signature on a 2006 advertisement in an Indiana newspaper calling for the end of the legal right to abortion. In 2016, Barrett also appeared to criticize Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court decision that resulted in marriage equality for same-sex couples.
The Obergefell dissent “said that those who want same-sex marriage, you have every right to lobby in state legislatures to make that happen, but the dissent’s view was that it wasn’t for the court to decide,” Barrett said in her 2016 remarks. “So I think Obergefell, and what we’re talking about for the future of the court, it’s really a who decides question.”
Barrett, who is currently a U.S. appeals court judge, has also made some “troubling” rulings as a judge, the groups say.
In Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. AutoZone, Barrett ruled against an African-American worker whose employer involuntarily transferred him to another store as part of a practice of assigning African-American employees to stores in African-American neighborhoods. In Doe v. Purdue University, Barrett wrote an opinion that allowed a male student who was credibly accused of committing sexual assault and suspended from the university to advance a Title IX lawsuit against the university, alleging he was discriminated against because he was a man.
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“The undersigned organizations urge the Senate to oppose the confirmation of Judge Barrett and allow the president duly chosen in the 2020 general election to fill the existing Supreme Court vacancy,” concludes the letter, signed by groups including the American Federation of Teachers, Human Rights Campaign, the NAACP and NARAL Pro-Choice America.
Here’s a copy of their letter:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) plan to move forward with holding Barrett’s confirmation hearing on Oct. 12, despite at least three Republican senators testing positive for COVID-19 in the last week.
Two of those senators, Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, are members of the Judiciary Committee and will not have cleared the recommended 14-day quarantine before participating in the hearing. Lee may also have infected other committee members with COVID-19 after attending a 90-minute committee hearing last Thursday, during which he talked and shouted without a mask on.
McConnell tweeted Monday that the Senate is perfectly capable of holding a “hybrid” confirmation hearing for Barrett, meaning, for the first time in history, the Senate would move forward with confirming a Supreme Court nominee with some senators participating in a Zoom call.
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Judge Barrett’s hearings will begin one week from today. Chairman Graham has all the tools to conduct a hybrid hearing, just like the 150 others the Senate has held this year.
We will not stop working for the American people because Democrats are afraid they may lose a vote. — Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) October 6, 2020
Republicans are eager to confirm Barrett because Trump may lose reelection in November and they want to hurry up and fill the Supreme Court seat with his pick, rather than let a potential President Joe Biden fill the lifetime seat.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Facebook Bans All Groups And Pages Openly Affiliated With QAnon In Latest Crackdown

Facebook said Tuesday it would ban all groups , pages and Instagram accounts that openly identify with QAnon , a dramatic escalation in the social media giant ’ s efforts to rein in the spread of the dangerous conspiracy theory .
The shift strengthens an August decision by the tech company to remove QAnon pages that celebrated violence , although that move was seen by many — including Facebook employees — as too lax to stop the spread of pernicious misinformation .
“ Starting today , we will remove any Facebook Pages , Groups and Instagram accounts representing QAnon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Facebook said in a statement .
“ We are starting to enforce this updated policy today and are removing content accordingly , but this work will take time and need to continue in the coming days and weeks.
” The company added : “ We ’ ve been vigilant in enforcing our policy and studying its impact on the platform but we ’ ve seen several issues that led to today ’ s update.
” Facebook said that , although it has been active removing QAnon content that celebrated violence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of real world harm ” would no longer be welcome on the platform .
Facebook pointed to misinformation campaigns around the cause of devastating wildfires on the West Coast that “ diverted attention of local officials from fighting the fires and protecting the public.
” The movement surrounding the QAnon conspiracy theory has also been a prime source of falsehoods about the coronavirus pandemic and measures meant to stop the spread of infections , such as mask-wearing .
“ QAnon messaging changes very quickly and we see networks of supporters build an audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to another , ” Facebook said .
“ We aim to combat this more effectively with this update that strengthens and expands our enforcement against the conspiracy theory movement.
” Support for QAnon , a baseless , convoluted set of conspiracy theories that at its core paints President Donald Trump as a crusader against a network of Satan-worshipping Democrats who traffic children , has surged in recent months since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The belief has been touted by a growing number of Republican candidates for public office ( several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement ) , and hundreds of protests of QAnon supporters erupted across the U.S. earlier this year .
“ Facebook helped the QAnon community grow exponentially — and refused to take appropriate action earlier this year when it would have mattered .
Then , in a publicity stunt a few weeks ago , Facebook announced a crackdown would come , one that gave the QAnon community ample time to change their names , page descriptions and hashtags in order to flout Facebook ’ s enforcement , ” Angelo Carusone , the president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement .
The New York Times notes that QAnon has adapted quickly to Facebook ’ s efforts to clamp down on its messaging , renaming groups to evade bans and toning down messaging to be less overt .
Reuters pointed to examples of pages referring to the movement as “ cue ” rather than Q to avoid moderation .
“ We expect renewed attempts to evade our detection , both in behavior and content shared on our platform , so we will continue to study the impact of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy and enforcement as necessary , ” it said .

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Facebook said Tuesday it would ban all groups, pages and Instagram accounts that openly identify with QAnon, a dramatic escalation in the social media giant’s efforts to rein in the spread of the dangerous conspiracy theory.
The shift strengthens an August decision by the tech company to remove QAnon pages that celebrated violence, although that move was seen by many — including Facebook employees — as too lax to stop the spread of pernicious misinformation.
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“Starting today, we will remove any Facebook Pages, Groups and Instagram accounts representing QAnon, even if they contain no violent content,” Facebook said in a statement. “We are starting to enforce this updated policy today and are removing content accordingly, but this work will take time and need to continue in the coming days and weeks.”
The company added: “We’ve been vigilant in enforcing our policy and studying its impact on the platform but we’ve seen several issues that led to today’s update.”
Facebook said that, although it has been active removing QAnon content that celebrated violence, other material “tied to different forms of real world harm” would no longer be welcome on the platform. Facebook pointed to misinformation campaigns around the cause of devastating wildfires on the West Coast that “diverted attention of local officials from fighting the fires and protecting the public.”
We're strengthening our enforcement efforts against the QAnon conspiracy theory movement. Starting today, we will remove any Facebook Pages, Groups and Instagram accounts representing QAnon, even if they contain no violent content. https://t.co/YJb4E46BJf — Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) October 6, 2020
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The movement surrounding the QAnon conspiracy theory has also been a prime source of falsehoods about the coronavirus pandemic and measures meant to stop the spread of infections, such as mask-wearing.
“QAnon messaging changes very quickly and we see networks of supporters build an audience with one message and then quickly pivot to another,” Facebook said. “We aim to combat this more effectively with this update that strengthens and expands our enforcement against the conspiracy theory movement.”
Support for QAnon, a baseless, convoluted set of conspiracy theories that at its core paints President Donald Trump as a crusader against a network of Satan-worshipping Democrats who traffic children, has surged in recent months since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The belief has been touted by a growing number of Republican candidates for public office (several elected Republicans have refused to condemn the movement), and hundreds of protests of QAnon supporters erupted across the U.S. earlier this year.
An internal investigation by Facebook released in August found thousands of groups and pages affiliated with the conspiracy theory with millions of members.
Citing the massive spread of QAnon support, Tuesday’s move was lambasted by some media watchdogs as too little, too late.
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“Facebook helped the QAnon community grow exponentially — and refused to take appropriate action earlier this year when it would have mattered. Then, in a publicity stunt a few weeks ago, Facebook announced a crackdown would come, one that gave the QAnon community ample time to change their names, page descriptions and hashtags in order to flout Facebook’s enforcement,” Angelo Carusone, the president of the watchdog group Media Matters for America, said in a statement.
“In effect,” he said, “Facebook has made the problem worse: First by helping the QAnon community grow exponentially, then by helping them hide.”
The New York Times notes that QAnon has adapted quickly to Facebook’s efforts to clamp down on its messaging, renaming groups to evade bans and toning down messaging to be less overt. Reuters pointed to examples of pages referring to the movement as “cue” rather than Q to avoid moderation.
Facebook said Tuesday it would continue to update its policies to adapt to any efforts to bypass such bans.
“We expect renewed attempts to evade our detection, both in behavior and content shared on our platform, so we will continue to study the impact of our efforts and be ready to update our policy and enforcement as necessary,” it said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Johnny Nash, Singer Of 'I Can See Clearly Now,' Dead At 80

Singer Johnny Nash , who hit No .
1 in 1972 with “ I Can See Clearly Now , ” died on Tuesday at the age of 80 .
Nash died at his home near Houston , his son , Johnny Jr. , confirmed to CBS Los Angeles .
Besides his son , Nash is survived by his wife , Carli .
Although modern audiences associate Nash with reggae , he was born in Houston and had a long career as a pop singer before recording his signature song .
His first hit , 1958′s “ A Very Special Love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charts and was followed 10 years later with the Top 5 hit “ Hold Me Tight , ” which was one of his first dabblings in Jamaican music .
Nash was instrumental in popularizing reggae and signed Bob Marley , Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh to publishing and recording contracts , according to this website biography .
But Nash ’ s best-known song is undoubtedly “ I Can See Clearly Now , ” a 1972 smash that topped the charts for four weeks straight and became a hit again in 1993 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the movie “ Cool Runnings.
” According to his bio , Nash spent much of his last years transferring analog tapes of his songs from the 1970s and 1980s to Pro Tools digital format .

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Singer Johnny Nash, who hit No. 1 in 1972 with “I Can See Clearly Now,” died on Tuesday at the age of 80.
Nash died at his home near Houston, his son, Johnny Jr., confirmed to CBS Los Angeles.
Besides his son, Nash is survived by his wife, Carli.
Although modern audiences associate Nash with reggae, he was born in Houston and had a long career as a pop singer before recording his signature song.
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His first hit, 1958′s “A Very Special Love,” hit No. 23 on the charts and was followed 10 years later with the Top 5 hit “Hold Me Tight,” which was one of his first dabblings in Jamaican music.
Nash was instrumental in popularizing reggae and signed Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh to publishing and recording contracts, according to this website biography.
But Nash’s best-known song is undoubtedly “I Can See Clearly Now,” a 1972 smash that topped the charts for four weeks straight and became a hit again in 1993 when Jimmy Cliff recorded it for the soundtrack of the movie “Cool Runnings.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Poll: Voters Give SCOTUS Nominee Narrowly Positive Marks, But Say Hearings Should Wait

Carlos Barria / Reuters Voters say , 48 % to 41 % , that the Senate should wait until after the election before holding any confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
Registered voters give narrowly positive ratings to Amy Coney Barrett , Donald Trump ’ s nominee for the Supreme Court , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds , but say that hearings for her confirmation should wait until after the election .
Voters approve of Barrett ’ s nomination 46 % to 42 % , the poll finds .
By 43 % to 38 % , a 5-percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d like their senators to vote in favor of her confirmation .
( For comparison , in February 2017 , voters said by a much broader 17-point margin that the Senate should vote to confirm then-nominee Neil Gorsuch .
The reaction to Barrett ’ s nomination is more similar to July 2018 , when voters initially said by a 4-point margin that their senators should vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh — a finding that came prior to assault allegations against him . )
But voters also say , 48 % to 41 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the election before holding any confirmation hearings .
Views are sharply divided along political lines .
An 86 % majority of Republican voters want their senators to vote in favor of Barrett ’ s confirmation , and 78 % say hearings should be held prior to the election .
Just 6 % of Democratic voters say they want their senators to vote for Barrett ’ s confirmation , with just 7 % favoring pre-election hearings .
Barrett has a public record of advocating for limits on abortion , including signing her name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ abortion on demand.
” Just shy of half of voters , 46 % , believe that Barrett thinks the Supreme Court should add more restrictions on abortion , with 18 % saying she favors lifting existing restrictions or keeping restrictions at their existing level .
Another 36 % aren ’ t sure .
Democratic voters are significantly likelier than Republican voters to believe Barrett supports additional restrictions .
Just 27 % of voters say they personally support the Supreme Court adding new restrictions on abortion .
The survey finds voters evenly split @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 43 % saying presidents in the final year of their term should immediately nominate Supreme Court justices if a vacancy occurs and 44 % saying that any vacancies should wait until after the election .
A significant share of voters , 42 % , say that the Supreme Court will be very important to their vote , with Democratic and Republican voters about equally likely to call it very important .
But , as in previous polls , the court continues to rank behind other issues in relative importance .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , say the Supreme Court is among their top three issues for this election , placing it behind the economy ( 45 % ) , the coronavirus ( 43 % ) and health care ( 39 % ) .
Three in 10 Republican voters and 21 % of Democratic voters call the Supreme Court one of their top issues .
The poll was conducted last Tuesday through Sunday , during a slew of breaking news that could shake up voters ’ priorities , including the first general election debate and Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided on which of the presidential candidates would do a better job of choosing Supreme Court nominees , with 45 % saying Joe Biden would and 44 % saying that Trump would .
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups : Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey errors .
YouGov ’ s reports include a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .

Voters say, 48% to 41%, that the Senate should wait until after the election before holding any confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Carlos Barria / Reuters
Registered voters give narrowly positive ratings to Amy Coney Barrett, Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds, but say that hearings for her confirmation should wait until after the election.
Voters approve of Barrett’s nomination 46% to 42%, the poll finds. By 43% to 38%, a 5-percentage point margin, they say they’d like their senators to vote in favor of her confirmation. (For comparison, in February 2017, voters said by a much broader 17-point margin that the Senate should vote to confirm then-nominee Neil Gorsuch. The reaction to Barrett’s nomination is more similar to July 2018, when voters initially said by a 4-point margin that their senators should vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh — a finding that came prior to assault allegations against him.)
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But voters also say, 48% to 41%, that the Senate should wait until after the election before holding any confirmation hearings.
Views are sharply divided along political lines. An 86% majority of Republican voters want their senators to vote in favor of Barrett’s confirmation, and 78% say hearings should be held prior to the election. Just 6% of Democratic voters say they want their senators to vote for Barrett’s confirmation, with just 7% favoring pre-election hearings.
Barrett has a public record of advocating for limits on abortion, including signing her name to a newspaper ad stating opposition to “abortion on demand.” Just shy of half of voters, 46%, believe that Barrett thinks the Supreme Court should add more restrictions on abortion, with 18% saying she favors lifting existing restrictions or keeping restrictions at their existing level. Another 36% aren’t sure.
Democratic voters are significantly likelier than Republican voters to believe Barrett supports additional restrictions. Just 27% of voters say they personally support the Supreme Court adding new restrictions on abortion.
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The survey finds voters evenly split on general protocol for Supreme Court nominations, with 43% saying presidents in the final year of their term should immediately nominate Supreme Court justices if a vacancy occurs and 44% saying that any vacancies should wait until after the election.
A significant share of voters, 42%, say that the Supreme Court will be very important to their vote, with Democratic and Republican voters about equally likely to call it very important. But, as in previous polls, the court continues to rank behind other issues in relative importance.
Only about one-quarter of voters, 24%, say the Supreme Court is among their top three issues for this election, placing it behind the economy (45%), the coronavirus (43%) and health care (39%). Three in 10 Republican voters and 21% of Democratic voters call the Supreme Court one of their top issues.
The poll was conducted last Tuesday through Sunday, during a slew of breaking news that could shake up voters’ priorities, including the first general election debate and Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
Voters are about evenly divided on which of the presidential candidates would do a better job of choosing Supreme Court nominees, with 45% saying Joe Biden would and 44% saying that Trump would.
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Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups:
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted Sept. 29 to Oct. 4 among U.S. adults who are registered voters, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Classic Rock Stars Honor Eddie Van Halen With Twitter Tributes

I ’ m just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen .
@ @ @ @ @ hard battle with his cancer right to the very end .
Eddie was one of @ @ @ @ @ person , a really great friend .
Rest In Peace my dear friend till we @ @ @ @

I’m just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen. He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end. Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/Qs8tsLPANJ


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Congressional Panel Details Big Tech's Abuses, Urges Tougher Laws

( Reuters ) A U.S. House of Representatives panel looking into abuses of market power by four of the biggest technology companies found they used “ killer acquisitions ” to smite rivals , charged exorbitant fees , and forced small businesses into “ oppressive ” contracts in the name of profit .
The scathing 449-page report describes dozens of instances where Alphabet Inc ’ s GOOGL.O Google , Apple Inc AAPL.O , Amazon.com AMZN.O , and Facebook FB.O misused their power , revealing corporate cultures apparently bent on doing what they could to hold on to their dominance over large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it simply , companies that once were scrappy , underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of monopolies we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons , ” the report said .
After more than a year of an investigation involving 1.3 million documents and more than 300 interviews , the committee led by Democratic Congressman David Cicilline found companies running marketplaces where they also competed , creating “ a position that enables them to write one set of rules for others , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the presidential election on Nov. 3 , the content of the report became increasingly political with Republicans and Democrats seeking to use it to build up their credibility in the fight against the market domination of the biggest tech companies .
That said , Congress is unlikely to act on the findings this year .
Ultimately , the report reflects the views of the Democratic majority in the House , and two other reports were expected to be authored by Republican members on the panel , two sources told Reuters earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress to allow antitrust enforcers more leeway in stopping companies from purchasing potential rivals , something that is now difficult .
Facebook ’ s acquisition of Instagram in 2012 is an example of this .
Instagram at the time was small and insignificant , but Facebook ’ s Mark Zuckerberg saw its potential and noted that it was “ building networks that are competitive with our own ” and “ could be very disruptive to us , ” the report said .
As part of the report , the committee staff drew up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
The suggestions ranged from the aggressive , such as potentially barring companies like Amazon.com from operating the markets in which it also competes , to the less controversial , like increasing the budgets of the agencies that enforce antitrust law : the Justice Department ’ s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission .

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(Reuters) A U.S. House of Representatives panel looking into abuses of market power by four of the biggest technology companies found they used “killer acquisitions” to smite rivals, charged exorbitant fees, and forced small businesses into “oppressive” contracts in the name of profit.
The scathing 449-page report describes dozens of instances where Alphabet Inc’s GOOGL.O Google, Apple Inc AAPL.O, Amazon.com AMZN.O, and Facebook FB.O misused their power, revealing corporate cultures apparently bent on doing what they could to hold on to their dominance over large portions of the internet.
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“To put it simply, companies that once were scrappy, underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of monopolies we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons,” the report said.
After more than a year of an investigation involving 1.3 million documents and more than 300 interviews, the committee led by Democratic Congressman David Cicilline found companies running marketplaces where they also competed, creating “a position that enables them to write one set of rules for others, while they play by another.”
Coming so close to the presidential election on Nov. 3, the content of the report became increasingly political with Republicans and Democrats seeking to use it to build up their credibility in the fight against the market domination of the biggest tech companies.
That said, Congress is unlikely to act on the findings this year.
Ultimately, the report reflects the views of the Democratic majority in the House, and two other reports were expected to be authored by Republican members on the panel, two sources told Reuters earlier in the day.
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The report urged Congress to allow antitrust enforcers more leeway in stopping companies from purchasing potential rivals, something that is now difficult.
Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram in 2012 is an example of this. Instagram at the time was small and insignificant, but Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg saw its potential and noted that it was “building networks that are competitive with our own” and “could be very disruptive to us,” the report said.
As part of the report, the committee staff drew up a menu of potential changes in antitrust law. The suggestions ranged from the aggressive, such as potentially barring companies like Amazon.com from operating the markets in which it also competes, to the less controversial, like increasing the budgets of the agencies that enforce antitrust law: the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Ex-Jail Employees Who Played 'Baby Shark' On Repeat Facing Cruelty Charges

OKLAHOMA CITY ( AP ) — Two former Oklahoma jail employees and their supervisor face misdemeanor cruelty charges after investigators found they forced inmates to stand handcuffed for hours and listen to the children ’ s song “ Baby Shark ” on repeat , a prosecutor said Monday .
At least four inmates were secured to a wall with their hands cuffed behind them while the song played on a loop at a loud volume for hours , The Oklahoman reported .
The separate incidents occurred in November and December , according to court records .
The misdemeanor charges were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees Gregory Cornell Butler Jr. and Christian Charles Miles , both 21 , and their supervisor , Christopher Raymond Hendershott , 50 .
“ It was unfortunate that I could not find a felony statute to fit this fact scenario , ” Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said .
“ I would have preferred filing a felony on this behavior.
” Butler and Miles are accused of imposing the discipline and Hendershott is accused of knowing about it but not stopping it , the newspaper reported .
Court records do not list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff P.D .
Taylor said Monday that Butler and Miles resigned during an internal investigation and that Hendershott retired .
“ We don ’ t tolerate it , ” Taylor said of the mistreatment .
“ We always did an excellent job policing ourselves.
” The “ Baby Shark ” song gained huge popularity two years ago after the company Pinkfong released its first video online .
The video has since been viewed more than 6.5 billion times .

artisteer via Getty Images
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two former Oklahoma jail employees and their supervisor face misdemeanor cruelty charges after investigators found they forced inmates to stand handcuffed for hours and listen to the children’s song “Baby Shark” on repeat, a prosecutor said Monday.
At least four inmates were secured to a wall with their hands cuffed behind them while the song played on a loop at a loud volume for hours, The Oklahoman reported. The separate incidents occurred in November and December, according to court records.
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The misdemeanor charges were filed Monday against former Oklahoma County jail employees Gregory Cornell Butler Jr. and Christian Charles Miles, both 21, and their supervisor, Christopher Raymond Hendershott, 50.
“It was unfortunate that I could not find a felony statute to fit this fact scenario,” Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said. “I would have preferred filing a felony on this behavior.”
Butler and Miles are accused of imposing the discipline and Hendershott is accused of knowing about it but not stopping it, the newspaper reported. Court records do not list an attorney for any of them.
Sheriff P.D. Taylor said Monday that Butler and Miles resigned during an internal investigation and that Hendershott retired.
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“We don’t tolerate it,” Taylor said of the mistreatment. “We always did an excellent job policing ourselves.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Fed’s Powell: Lack Of Further Stimulus Imperils Economic Recovery

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Strong financial support from the government and the Federal Reserve have spurred a solid recovery from the pandemic recession , but the rebound may falter without further aid , Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned Tuesday .
Powell said that government support — including expanded unemployment insurance payments , direct payments to most U.S. households , and financial support for small businesses — has so far prevented a recessionary “ downward spiral ” in which job losses would reduce spending , forcing businesses to cut even more jobs .
But the U.S. economy still faces threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downward trends could still emerge , the chairman said .
“ The expansion is still far from complete , ” Powell said in a speech to the National Association for Business Economics , a group of corporate and academic economists .
“ Too little support would lead to a weak recovery , creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses .
Over time , household insolvencies and business bankruptcies would rise , harming the productive capacity of the economy , and holding back wage growth.
” Powell noted that the economic recovery has slowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement in May and June .
Incomes fell in August .
And job growth weakened in September , slowing to just 661,000 , less than half the gains of 1.5 million in August and 1.8 million in September .
The economy has recovered only slightly more than half the 22 million jobs that were lost in March and April .
During a question-and-answer session with economists , Powell noted that the pandemic recession has disproportionately harmed in-person service industries , especially restaurants , bars , hotels , travel companies , movie theaters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage to those industries has left millions of people unemployed , likely for an extended period until they are either finally recalled to their previous jobs or switch to new careers .
“ The right thing to do and the smart thing to do in the long run is to support those people as they return to their old jobs or find new jobs , ” the chairman said .
In recent months , in speeches and in testimony to Congress , Powell has repeatedly urged lawmakers to enact an additional economic aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves into policy debates , but Powell has stressed that the Fed can only lend money to help spur growth .
Actual spending — further aid for small businesses , for example , or another round of stimulus checks for individual Americans — would have to come from Congress .
Though negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on a new spending package are ongoing , prospects for a deal remain dim .
A $ 2 trillion financial rescue package that Congress approved in March , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary , ” Powell said , enabling U.S. households to pay bills and maintain their spending even as unemployment soared to 14.7 % in April .
“ Still , since it appears that many will undergo extended periods of unemployment , there is likely to be a need for further support , ” Powell said .
Powell also acknowledged during the Q & A that women are increasingly being forced to quit jobs to oversee children who are engaged in online schooling .
This trend poses a threat to their careers , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the longer run .
“ The longer it goes on , the more likely there is some lasting damage , ” Powell said .
“ Someone told me the other day , there ’ s no online preschool .
So for many people , and it ’ s a lot of women , it ’ s winding up being in the home with young children , who really should be in school , and you much prefer to be working , so it ’ s a real issue.
” In his prepared remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s new framework for its interest rate policy but provided no new details about how it will work in practice .
Last month , the Fed said it was now seeking to let inflation run above 2 % “ for some time ” before considering higher short-term interest rates .
That is a substantial shift from its previous approach , which potentially involved rate hikes once unemployment fell too low or inflation hit 2 % .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Strong financial support from the government and the Federal Reserve have spurred a solid recovery from the pandemic recession, but the rebound may falter without further aid, Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned Tuesday.
Powell said that government support — including expanded unemployment insurance payments, direct payments to most U.S. households, and financial support for small businesses — has so far prevented a recessionary “downward spiral” in which job losses would reduce spending, forcing businesses to cut even more jobs.
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But the U.S. economy still faces threats, and without further support, those downward trends could still emerge, the chairman said.
“The expansion is still far from complete,” Powell said in a speech to the National Association for Business Economics, a group of corporate and academic economists. “Too little support would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses. Over time, household insolvencies and business bankruptcies would rise, harming the productive capacity of the economy, and holding back wage growth.”
Powell noted that the economic recovery has slowed in recent months compared with its rapid improvement in May and June. Incomes fell in August. And job growth weakened in September, slowing to just 661,000, less than half the gains of 1.5 million in August and 1.8 million in September. The economy has recovered only slightly more than half the 22 million jobs that were lost in March and April.
“A prolonged slowing in the pace of improvement over time could trigger typical recessionary dynamics, as weakness feeds on weakness,” he said.
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During a question-and-answer session with economists, Powell noted that the pandemic recession has disproportionately harmed in-person service industries, especially restaurants, bars, hotels, travel companies, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. The heavy damage to those industries has left millions of people unemployed, likely for an extended period until they are either finally recalled to their previous jobs or switch to new careers.
“The right thing to do and the smart thing to do in the long run is to support those people as they return to their old jobs or find new jobs,” the chairman said.
In recent months, in speeches and in testimony to Congress, Powell has repeatedly urged lawmakers to enact an additional economic aid package. Fed chairs typically avoid inserting themselves into policy debates, but Powell has stressed that the Fed can only lend money to help spur growth.
Actual spending — further aid for small businesses, for example, or another round of stimulus checks for individual Americans — would have to come from Congress. Though negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on a new spending package are ongoing, prospects for a deal remain dim.
A $2 trillion financial rescue package that Congress approved in March, as well as previous aid measures, was “truly extraordinary,” Powell said, enabling U.S. households to pay bills and maintain their spending even as unemployment soared to 14.7% in April.
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Spending on autos and other long-lasting goods is actually higher now than before the pandemic, the Fed chair noted.
“Still, since it appears that many will undergo extended periods of unemployment, there is likely to be a need for further support,” Powell said.
Powell also acknowledged during the Q&A that women are increasingly being forced to quit jobs to oversee children who are engaged in online schooling. This trend poses a threat to their careers, he noted, and to the economy in the longer run.
“The longer it goes on, the more likely there is some lasting damage,” Powell said. “Someone told me the other day, there’s no online preschool. So for many people, and it’s a lot of women, it’s winding up being in the home with young children, who really should be in school, and you much prefer to be working, so it’s a real issue.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--‘Masks Matter’: Joe Biden Puts The Blame On Donald Trump For Contracting COVID-19

“ Look , anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying , ‘ masks don ’ t matter , social distancing doesn ’ t matter , ’ I think is responsible for what happens to them , ” Biden said during an NBC News town hall with Lester Holt .
Biden suggested that if members of the socially distanced audience at the televised event in Miami were to remove their masks and “ all of a sudden got in a gaggle and started talking to one another ” then “ they ’ re taking responsibility that , in fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because every major scientist and doctor and immunologist has said that ’ s a very dangerous thing to do , ” Biden continued .
The former vice president also said he viewed wearing a mask “ not so much as protecting me , but as a patriotic responsibility ” to protect others .
.
@ LesterHoltNBC : `` 65 % of Americans think the president bears some responsibility for contracting this virus .
Do you agree ? ''
Joe Biden : `` Anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying , 'masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't matter , ' I think is responsible . ''
pic.twitter.com/xlOgyaxg61 — MSNBC ( @ MSNBC ) October 6 , 2020 Trump tested positive for the coronavirus last week after months of publicly downplaying the contagion and ignoring his own government ’ s guidelines on wearing masks and social distancing .
He has held multiple crowded campaign rallies featuring maskless fans and has repeatedly mocked Biden for his face coverings .
In private , however , Trump told journalist Bob Woodward in February that he was aware of the “ deadly ” nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 210,000 people in the U.S. Biden , meanwhile , has advocated face masks .
After three days of hospitalization for COVID-19 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Trump returned to the White House on Monday night but faced immediate backlash for removing his mask in front of the cameras , while he was still likely highly contagious .
The Biden campaign pointed out the stark difference between the two candidates ’ views on masks with this tweet :

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President Donald Trump is responsible for contracting COVID-19, Democratic nominee Joe Biden argued on Monday.
“Look, anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying, ‘masks don’t matter, social distancing doesn’t matter,’ I think is responsible for what happens to them,” Biden said during an NBC News town hall with Lester Holt.
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Biden suggested that if members of the socially distanced audience at the televised event in Miami were to remove their masks and “all of a sudden got in a gaggle and started talking to one another” then “they’re taking responsibility that, in fact, they should be held responsible for.”
“Because every major scientist and doctor and immunologist has said that’s a very dangerous thing to do,” Biden continued. The former vice president also said he viewed wearing a mask “not so much as protecting me, but as a patriotic responsibility” to protect others.
Check out Biden’s comments here:
.@LesterHoltNBC: "65% of Americans think the president bears some responsibility for contracting this virus. Do you agree?"
Joe Biden: "Anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying, 'masks don't matter, social distancing doesn't matter,' I think is responsible." pic.twitter.com/xlOgyaxg61 — MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 6, 2020
Trump tested positive for the coronavirus last week after months of publicly downplaying the contagion and ignoring his own government’s guidelines on wearing masks and social distancing. He has held multiple crowded campaign rallies featuring maskless fans and has repeatedly mocked Biden for his face coverings.
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In private, however, Trump told journalist Bob Woodward in February that he was aware of the “deadly” nature of the disease that has now killed more than 210,000 people in the U.S. Biden, meanwhile, has advocated face masks.
After three days of hospitalization for COVID-19 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Trump returned to the White House on Monday night but faced immediate backlash for removing his mask in front of the cameras, while he was still likely highly contagious.
The Biden campaign pointed out the stark difference between the two candidates’ views on masks with this tweet:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Suzanne Vega And Her Love For New York

Suzanne Vega And Her Love For New York

George Holz Suzanne Vega has two livestreaming shows coming up to coincide with the release of her new album .
“ But overall I ’ m just grateful that more people I know haven ’ t been sick .
My mother actually had it , but she wasn ’ t sure if she had it , and then it turned out that she did have it and she had the antibodies .
So I ’ m also grateful that she made it through , ” Vega said .
Prior to the pandemic , Vega had been starring in the off-Broadway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ted & Alice , ” based on the Oscar-nominated 1970 film .
Since the shutdown , she ’ s supported a few different causes by doing live virtual performances from home , which she admits has been “ really weird ” because you have to imagine the audience being there .
On Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 , she ’ ll step out to play two globally livestreaming shows ― also without an audience ― from New York City ’ s Blue Note Jazz Club .
In an effort to support the struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s partnered with over 80 independent promoters , venues and festivals across the U.S. and abroad for the performance .
The gigs coincide with the release of a new career-spanning album , “ An Evening of New York Songs and Stories , ” recorded in 2019 at Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan .
The album features a host of songs she ’ s written about New York City , including “ Ludlow Street ” and “ New York Is My Destination , ” along with her hits “ Luka ” and “ Tom ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say I got the melody first .
The melody got stuck in my head .
Just the way it gets stuck in other people ’ s heads , it got stuck in mine , ” she recalled about the song , which took about two months to write .
“ I was walking down Broadway ... And I thought , ‘ Oh , I ’ d really like to write a song about just an ordinary place that people are sitting in.
’ I used to eat at Tom ’ s Restaurant when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I started to think of it in terms almost like a little film.
” Unlike “ Tom ’ s Diner , ” “ Luka ” doesn ’ t have a catchy singalong chorus .
Told from the perspective of a boy experiencing child abuse , “ Luka ” deals with an intense topic rarely addressed in music .
It was Vega ’ s manager who convinced her to record and release it as a single in 1987 .
Grateful that she did , Vega still frequently hears from people from all over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There was a girl in the Midwest who wrote to me to tell me that her father had been physically abusing her to the point where she had to go to the hospital , ” Vega said .
“ He had broken a bone of hers , and so she was able to tell the doctors what her father had done by referencing the song .
She wrote to me to tell me this , and I was really moved by her story .
I wrote back to her , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alive and that she was able to get out of her situation , and that she had used the song to do that.
” “ More recently , I got a Facebook message from someone from South Korea who had been a homeless teenager .
… Now he ’ s a successful businessman and married and has children , but at that time when it was a hit , he said he had left home because he didn ’ t want to be at home anymore .
He heard the song coming out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street , and even though he didn ’ t really speak English , he listened to the lyrics and he heard it , and he understood the meaning of the song , ” Vega said .
“ And he felt that it saved his life .
He said he felt that there was someone on this Earth who understood what he had experienced , and it ’ s always stayed with him.
” Vega is currently writing music for a new album , which she hopes to release in 2022 .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City amid the pandemic ― “ just what it felt like to be on the streets.
” Although she considers herself “ pretty good ” at songwriting , she wouldn ’ t call the process “ easy.
” She never has .
“ What I mean by that is that even my first song that I wrote when I was 14 years old took me three years to write , ” she said .
“ So it takes me a while to write it .
And then it does come back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear the voices in my mind .
There are certain things that speak to me and I start going , ‘ Oh , I ’ ve got to write this down so I don ’ t forget it .
’ ”

Suzanne Vega has two livestreaming shows coming up to coincide with the release of her new album. George Holz
Suzanne Vega has been in New York City since the coronavirus pandemic hit, hunkering down to write new music and playing the occasional live show from home.
“I’m doing OK,” she told HuffPost when asked how everything’s been going these last several months.
“The most shocking thing, I think, has been Hal Willner’s death, because I knew him, and I felt very grieved about that,” she said referring to her friend, the late “Saturday Night Live” music producer, who died in April after experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
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“But overall I’m just grateful that more people I know haven’t been sick. My mother actually had it, but she wasn’t sure if she had it, and then it turned out that she did have it and she had the antibodies. So I’m also grateful that she made it through,” Vega said.
Prior to the pandemic, Vega had been starring in the off-Broadway musical, “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” based on the Oscar-nominated 1970 film. Since the shutdown, she’s supported a few different causes by doing live virtual performances from home, which she admits has been “really weird” because you have to imagine the audience being there.
On Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, she’ll step out to play two globally livestreaming shows ― also without an audience ― from New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club. In an effort to support the struggling independent live music industry, she’s partnered with over 80 independent promoters, venues and festivals across the U.S. and abroad for the performance.
The gigs coincide with the release of a new career-spanning album, “An Evening of New York Songs and Stories,” recorded in 2019 at Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan. The album features a host of songs she’s written about New York City, including “Ludlow Street” and “New York Is My Destination,” along with her hits “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner.”
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Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk music revival of the early 1980s. George Holz
Vega wrote “Tom’s Diner” more than 30 years ago, but she can still remember composing the track as if it were yesterday.
“I’d say I got the melody first. The melody got stuck in my head. Just the way it gets stuck in other people’s heads, it got stuck in mine,” she recalled about the song, which took about two months to write. “I was walking down Broadway ... And I thought, ‘Oh, I’d really like to write a song about just an ordinary place that people are sitting in.’ I used to eat at Tom’s Restaurant when I went to Barnard College, and so I started to think of it in terms almost like a little film.”
Vega sang about New York's Tom's Restaurant, which would later be featured as an exterior in "Seinfeld." Alexi Rosenfeld via Getty Images
Unlike “Tom’s Diner,” “Luka” doesn’t have a catchy singalong chorus. Told from the perspective of a boy experiencing child abuse, “Luka” deals with an intense topic rarely addressed in music. It was Vega’s manager who convinced her to record and release it as a single in 1987. Grateful that she did, Vega still frequently hears from people from all over the world about the impact of song.
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“There was a girl in the Midwest who wrote to me to tell me that her father had been physically abusing her to the point where she had to go to the hospital,” Vega said. “He had broken a bone of hers, and so she was able to tell the doctors what her father had done by referencing the song. She wrote to me to tell me this, and I was really moved by her story. I wrote back to her, and I felt very grateful that she was alive and that she was able to get out of her situation, and that she had used the song to do that.”
“More recently, I got a Facebook message from someone from South Korea who had been a homeless teenager. … Now he’s a successful businessman and married and has children, but at that time when it was a hit, he said he had left home because he didn’t want to be at home anymore. He heard the song coming out of a speaker in a store in the street, and even though he didn’t really speak English, he listened to the lyrics and he heard it, and he understood the meaning of the song,” Vega said. “And he felt that it saved his life. He said he felt that there was someone on this Earth who understood what he had experienced, and it’s always stayed with him.”
Vega is currently writing music for a new album, which she hopes to release in 2022. She’s been gathering ideas inspired by New York City amid the pandemic ― “just what it felt like to be on the streets.” Although she considers herself “pretty good” at songwriting, she wouldn’t call the process “easy.” She never has.
“What I mean by that is that even my first song that I wrote when I was 14 years old took me three years to write,” she said. “So it takes me a while to write it. And then it does come back. I get the inspiration, I hear the voices in my mind. There are certain things that speak to me and I start going, ‘Oh, I’ve got to write this down so I don’t forget it.’”
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In the meantime, she’s looking forward to performing the live shows in New York virtually for fans.
“I’m thinking of keeping it pretty close to the album, but maybe putting in one or two songs that don’t have to do with New York,” Vega said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Chris Evans Rips Apart Trump's 'Reckless' Coronavirus Message

“ Avengers ” star Chris Evans tore into President Donald Trump ’ s message to the nation as he returned to the White House amid his treatment for the coronavirus on Monday .
Trump said he felt better than he did 20 years ago and told Americans “ don ’ t be afraid of the virus , ” which has infected nearly 7.5 million and killed more than 210,000 people in the U.S. Evans , who played Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , described that message as “ reckless ” while pointing out the key advantage Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be afraid of Covid ?
!
You ’ ve been under round-the-clock care by the best doctors using the best drugs .
Do you really think everyone has access to that ?
!
Sadly , I ’ m sure you ’ re aware of that disparity , you just don ’ t care This is reckless to a shocking degree , even for you https : //t.co/H8CGlD9DcZ — Chris Evans ( @ ChrisEvans ) October 5 , 2020 A persistent Trump critic throughout the presidency , Evans has often urged fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other celebrities also slammed Trump ’ s comments about the virus as well as the made-for-TV return to the White House that followed : Over one million people have DIED from Covid , 200 K in the 🇺🇸 The president says we shouldn ’ t be afraid of Covid .
He received ALL the BEST treatments apparently .
I say there is PLENTY to be AFRAID of .
Wearing a MASK is a good start to avoid spreading and getting the virus .
— Jamie Lee Curtis ( @ jamieleecurtis ) October 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical care the president received ?
You have no idea how your body will react once the virus is inside of you .
There are people I knew in this life who aren ’ t here anymore .
Let ’ s have some respect for the “ invisible enemy.
” And some humility .
https : //t.co/XcDGdLyEav — Leslie Odom , Jr. ( @ leslieodomjr ) October 5 , 2020 NOBODY should forget that the president has received medical care that most never will and been given treatment including monoclonal antibodies that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KILLS .
209,000 are dead .
Social distance and WEAR A MASK .
https : //t.co/eWQLqmSRrv — Paul Stanley ( @ PaulStanleyLive ) October 5 , 2020 ALSO ... NOBODY should kid themselves .
The president INSISTED on leaving the hospital BUT he ’ s NOT going home .
He is going to the White House where he has a top medical team ON-SITE !
YOU DON ’ T .
He ’ s on an IV and continues to get experimental drugs .
Social distance .
WEAR YOUR MASK .
— Paul Stanley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 “ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid ” he dares say to those of us who have lost loved ones to Covid .
This man is evil .
https : //t.co/Ap2dlviXz4 — Ava DuVernay ( @ ava ) October 5 , 2020 Trump ’ s bottomless narcissism has led to countless deaths and is a threat to democracy but really ?
No one , not even his family , is going to step forward and say “ Get into bed .
You ’ re really sick.
” That ’ s bleak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ GhostPanther ) October 6 , 2020 “ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid ” America !
With a helicopter at your disposal and access to treatments only a President can get , you too will get though this just fine in time to get back to your state of the art in-house medical facility with 24 hour care and the best doctors around !
https : //t.co/PKkhl3qZHu — Josh Gad ( @ joshgad ) October 5 , 2020 A message from the man who fights Covid with high end medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Reed to a nation forced to battle Covid via Duane Reade .
# VoteHimOut https : //t.co/j6xbToJ741 — Paul Feig ( @ paulfeig ) October 6 , 2020 Everything about this tweet is just so atrocious .
@ realDonaldTrump you ’ re such a vile , poor excuse for a human being .
# TrumpIsANationalDisgrace https : //t.co/Pp3mRAucBp — Shadow Person Dave Bautista ( @ DaveBautista ) October 5 , 2020 Don ’ t be afraid of covid ?
Tell that to the 210,000 families who have lost loved ones .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately affected .
With tens of millions of jobs lost and the economy tanked .
Many of us isolated for months .
You ’ re the cruelest .
# votehimout https : //t.co/QhM47Pa3lx — Mandy Moore ( @ TheMandyMoore ) October 5 , 2020 Me when I was a teenager trying not to cough while cyphing blunts https : //t.co/02uUYi5Qie — iamcardib ( @ iamcardib ) October 6 , 2020 I still have the lung power and I wore less makeup .
This revival is closing November 3rd .
pic.twitter.com/vRQ4LepACv — Patti LuPone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020

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“Avengers” star Chris Evans tore into President Donald Trump’s message to the nation as he returned to the White House amid his treatment for the coronavirus on Monday.
Trump said he felt better than he did 20 years ago and told Americans “don’t be afraid of the virus,” which has infected nearly 7.5 million and killed more than 210,000 people in the U.S.
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Evans, who played Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, described that message as “reckless” while pointing out the key advantage Trump has that ordinary people do not:
Don’t be afraid of Covid?!
You’ve been under round-the-clock care by the best doctors using the best drugs. Do you really think everyone has access to that?!
Sadly, I’m sure you’re aware of that disparity, you just don’t care
This is reckless to a shocking degree, even for you https://t.co/H8CGlD9DcZ — Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) October 5, 2020
A persistent Trump critic throughout the presidency, Evans has often urged fans to get involved and to vote.
Other celebrities also slammed Trump’s comments about the virus as well as the made-for-TV return to the White House that followed:
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Over one million people have DIED from Covid, 200 K in the 🇺🇸 The president says we shouldn’t be afraid of Covid. He received ALL the BEST treatments apparently. I say there is PLENTY to be AFRAID of. Wearing a MASK is a good start to avoid spreading and getting the virus. — Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) October 5, 2020
Because we will receive the medical care the president received? You have no idea how your body will react once the virus is inside of you.
There are people I knew in this life who aren’t here anymore.
Let’s have some respect for the “invisible enemy.” And some humility. https://t.co/XcDGdLyEav — Leslie Odom, Jr. (@leslieodomjr) October 5, 2020
NOBODY should forget that the president has received medical care that most never will and been given treatment including monoclonal antibodies that are unavailable to the general public. COVID KILLS. 209,000 are dead. Social distance and WEAR A MASK. https://t.co/eWQLqmSRrv — Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 5, 2020
ALSO... NOBODY should kid themselves. The president INSISTED on leaving the hospital BUT he’s NOT going home. He is going to the White House where he has a top medical team ON-SITE! YOU DON’T. He’s on an IV and continues to get experimental drugs. Social distance. WEAR YOUR MASK. — Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 5, 2020
“Don’t be afraid of Covid” he dares say to those of us who have lost loved ones to Covid. This man is evil. https://t.co/Ap2dlviXz4 — Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 5, 2020
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Trump’s bottomless narcissism has led to countless deaths and is a threat to democracy but really? No one, not even his family, is going to step forward and say “Get into bed. You’re really sick.” That’s bleak. https://t.co/i9KDqwYspy — Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) October 6, 2020
“Don’t be afraid of Covid” America! With a helicopter at your disposal and access to treatments only a President can get, you too will get though this just fine in time to get back to your state of the art in-house medical facility with 24 hour care and the best doctors around! https://t.co/PKkhl3qZHu — Josh Gad (@joshgad) October 5, 2020
A message from the man who fights Covid with high end medical care paid for by US taxpayers at Walter Reed to a nation forced to battle Covid via Duane Reade. #VoteHimOut https://t.co/j6xbToJ741 — Paul Feig (@paulfeig) October 6, 2020
Everything about this tweet is just so atrocious. @realDonaldTrump you’re such a vile, poor excuse for a human being. #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace https://t.co/Pp3mRAucBp — Shadow Person Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) October 5, 2020
Don’t be afraid of covid? Tell that to the 210,000 families who have lost loved ones. To the Black, Brown and Indigenous folks disproportionately affected. With tens of millions of jobs lost and the economy tanked. Many of us isolated for months. You’re the cruelest. #votehimout https://t.co/QhM47Pa3lx — Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) October 5, 2020
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Me when I was a teenager trying not to cough while cyphing blunts https://t.co/02uUYi5Qie — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 6, 2020
The President of the United States is a biohazard. — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 6, 2020
I still have the lung power and I wore less makeup. This revival is closing November 3rd. pic.twitter.com/vRQ4LepACv — Patti LuPone (@PattiLuPone) October 6, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Stephen Colbert Can’t Get Over This 1 Weird Side Effect Of Trump’s Coronavirus Drugs

“ Late Show ” host Stephen Colbert took a look at the treatments President Donald Trump is receiving to help @ @ @ @ @ and he was a little surprised by what he found .
Among other things , @ @ @ @ @ experimental drug Remdesivir and the steroid drug dexamethasone .
“ I ’ m not a @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
“ But I ’ m pretty sure it ’ s not a @ @ @ @ @ prescribed the high score in a Scrabble game.
” Then , Colbert took a look @ @ @ @ @ effects , which for dexamethasone include “ a feeling of extreme well-being ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ itching around your anus.
” Colbert used that as a chance to play a clip @ @ @ @ @ Ring of Fire ” as a testimonial to the drug .
That one unusual side @ @ @ @ @ gag that burned through the rest of his monologue :

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“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert took a look at the treatments President Donald Trump is receiving to help fight off the coronavirus ― and he was a little surprised by what he found.
Among other things, doctors had given Trump the experimental drug Remdesivir and the steroid drug dexamethasone.
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“I’m not a doctor,” Colbert said on Monday. “But I’m pretty sure it’s not a good sign when you get prescribed the high score in a Scrabble game.”
Then, Colbert took a look at the medications’ side effects, which for dexamethasone include “a feeling of extreme well-being” and “temporary burning, pain and itching around your anus.”
Colbert used that as a chance to play a clip of Johnny Cash performing “Ring of Fire” as a testimonial to the drug. That one unusual side effect also became a running gag that burned through the rest of his monologue:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Trevor Noah: Trump Testing Positive For Coronavirus Isn't Karma

Trevor Noah says it was just a matter of time before President Donald Trump contracted COVID-19 .
In recent months @ @ @ @ @ circle were repeatedly seen attending crowded events while flouting mask-wearing rules and social distancing guidelines @ @ @ @ @ Trump announced his positive test result early Friday morning , a growing number of officials @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s reelection campaign staff and senior White House aides ― have also tested @ @ @ @ @ some people are saying this is karma catching up to Trump , ” “ The @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
“ But guys , a massive outbreak at the White House is @ @ @ @ @ s consequences.
” “ It ’ s not karma to get hit by lightning when @ @ @ @ @ the roof of a skyscraper holding a metal rod while there ’ s lightning .
@ @ @ @ @ do that shit to you .
You did that shit to yourself , ” Noah @ @

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Trevor Noah says it was just a matter of time before President Donald Trump contracted COVID-19.
In recent months, Trump and his inner circle were repeatedly seen attending crowded events while flouting mask-wearing rules and social distancing guidelines. And now, after Trump announced his positive test result early Friday morning, a growing number of officials ― including GOP lawmakers, Trump’s reelection campaign staff and senior White House aides ― have also tested positive.
“I know some people are saying this is karma catching up to Trump,” “The Daily Show” host said on Monday. “But guys, a massive outbreak at the White House is not karma, it’s consequences.”
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“It’s not karma to get hit by lightning when you’re standing on the roof of a skyscraper holding a metal rod while there’s lightning. The universe didn’t do that shit to you. You did that shit to yourself,” Noah added.
Watch his roast below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-06--Sean Hannity Quotes Churchill In Praise Of Coronavirus-Stricken Donald Trump

Sean Hannity once again went to bat for Donald Trump on his widely watched Fox News show Monday night , dubiously comparing the president ’ s leadership during the coronavirus pandemic to that of Britain ’ s Winston Churchill during World War II .
Hannity , an ardent defender of the president , broadcast an excerpt from one of Churchill ’ s wartime speeches in which the late prime minister said he had “ nothing to offer but blood , toil , tears and sweat ” in the pursuit of victory against Nazi Germany .
The Fox personality then attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the war — including going out “ risking his life , being among the people of Great Britain ” — to those of Trump , who tested positive for the coronavirus last week after months of downplaying the contagion and ignoring public health guidelines .
“ In times of great hardship you must fight for survival , ” said Hannity , adding : “ And that is exactly what the president has done during this country ’ s battle against COVID-19.
” Trump drew backlash Monday night after he returned to the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and immediately removed his face mask for the cameras .
The president himself last month likened his public downplaying of the pandemic to Churchill ’ s messaging during the war .

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Sean Hannity once again went to bat for Donald Trump on his widely watched Fox News show Monday night, dubiously comparing the president’s leadership during the coronavirus pandemic to that of Britain’s Winston Churchill during World War II.
Hannity, an ardent defender of the president, broadcast an excerpt from one of Churchill’s wartime speeches in which the late prime minister said he had “nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat” in the pursuit of victory against Nazi Germany.
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The Fox personality then attempted to liken Churchill’s actions during the war — including going out “risking his life, being among the people of Great Britain” — to those of Trump, who tested positive for the coronavirus last week after months of downplaying the contagion and ignoring public health guidelines.
“In times of great hardship you must fight for survival,” said Hannity, adding: “And that is exactly what the president has done during this country’s battle against COVID-19.”
Trump drew backlash Monday night after he returned to the White House following three days of hospitalization for COVID-19 and immediately removed his face mask for the cameras.
The president himself last month likened his public downplaying of the pandemic to Churchill’s messaging during the war.
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