thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--‘Long Covid’ Damaged My Body. But It Destroyed My Mental Health

Telling our stories is incredibly important .
Not only does it give researchers a steer on what they should study to understand the long-term impacts of this virus , but , in my case , I want to provide a feeling of hope to others suffering .
I want people to know it can get better .
I first came down with a nasty virus in mid-March .
By day four , we called an ambulance ; I had constant dizziness and body pains , and felt as though I was falling through my bed .
However , the paramedics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I didn ’ t present the symptoms back then they were looking for ( difficulty breathing and loss of taste or smell ) , and cautioned me about being taken into hospital , which were starting to become overrun .
Facing a pandemic and a recession , the doom I felt was so intense I could scarcely breathe .
Then , as if that wasn ’ t enough , my aunt was diagnosed with cancer , my uncle died , and I lost my beloved cat .
Over the next seven months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the most extreme , I felt like I was dying – How I imagine being poisoned while being electrocuted would feel .
Through this actual nightmare that seemed never to end , my symptoms continued in surging waves .
The worst was the dizziness , that no amount of lying down would stop .
Sharp searing pains throughout my nervous system rendered me immobile , with skull-crushing headaches and strange burning sensations throughout my legs .
Desperate for relief and help , frustratingly nobody could find anything physically wrong .
To my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my head .
But I knew they were wrong .
The Covid antibody test had just become available , and I decided to take it .
The result was positive .
I ’ d had Covid all along – and felt certain these symptoms were some kind of long-lasting effect .
I found a Facebook group for people suffering like me , and finally felt like I wasn ’ t alone .
But reading their stories terrified me .
Nobody was recovering .
I began to fall into a deep depression .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of my young son ?
How would I work or provide for my family ?
The guilt and sense of utter uselessness was so torturous that at times I will admit , suicide entered my mind .
It was clear though , the physical symptoms were creating the mental anxiety , not the other way around .
My partner Emma was immense .
She took care of me , our son , all the mundane chores , while holding down a busy job .
Lockdown meant we couldn ’ t easily get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me hope and advice by trawling through medical papers from around the world as they were published .
Doctors were now revealing they too were suffering from the same condition .
The medical world had to start taking cases like mine seriously .
I knew we were still learning so much more about this virus , and what ‘ long Covid ’ really is .
Being well enough to work and provide was weighing heavily .
But I was determined to have purpose ; to feel useful again .
So , I simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a desperate state , weak and debilitated , I sought alternative remedies .
I tried a combination of Chinese medicine , a nutritionist , techniques in calming the nervous system , regular meditation , acupuncture and even sessions with a prominent healer .
After months of suffering , and trying everything , my body began to feel a surge of sudden energy , like a long-lost friend .
Seven months on , I have started work and am back into the full swing of things .
The word ‘ gratitude ’ is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My job is part of who I am , and I find some solace in being able to enact that part of my identity .
Virtually all my physical symptoms have gone .
I hope this is permanent .
The mental scars still remain , so I don ’ t take my health for granted .
I ’ ve given up alcohol , coffee and eat a healthy diet .
I ’ m beginning to return to regular exercise and maintain the ritual of daily meditation .
Looking after my mind and body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family .
Long Covid has changed my perspective .
Yes , it destroyed my mental health , but it forced me to reappraise my focus , direction , identity and capacity .
It ’ s been a tough year , but an opportunity to rethink who you are doesn ’ t come around often .

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With the coronavirus crisis now in its tenth month, we’re starting to hear stories from people who, like me, are living with “long Covid.”
Telling our stories is incredibly important. Not only does it give researchers a steer on what they should study to understand the long-term impacts of this virus, but, in my case, I want to provide a feeling of hope to others suffering. I want people to know it can get better.
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I first came down with a nasty virus in mid-March. By day four, we called an ambulance; I had constant dizziness and body pains, and felt as though I was falling through my bed. However, the paramedics insisted I didn’t have Covid as I didn’t present the symptoms back then they were looking for (difficulty breathing and loss of taste or smell), and cautioned me about being taken into hospital, which were starting to become overrun.
Then the company I’d recently started at announced they had to close the London office indefinitely due to the pandemic. The shock, coupled with my symptoms, hit me with an avalanche of stress. Proper stress.
Facing a pandemic and a recession, the doom I felt was so intense I could scarcely breathe. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, my aunt was diagnosed with cancer, my uncle died, and I lost my beloved cat. Over the next seven months my symptoms would relapse five times. At the most extreme, I felt like I was dying – How I imagine being poisoned while being electrocuted would feel.
Through this actual nightmare that seemed never to end, my symptoms continued in surging waves. The worst was the dizziness, that no amount of lying down would stop. Sharp searing pains throughout my nervous system rendered me immobile, with skull-crushing headaches and strange burning sensations throughout my legs. Desperate for relief and help, frustratingly nobody could find anything physically wrong.
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“I found a Facebook group for people suffering like me, and finally felt like I wasn’t alone. But reading their stories terrified me. Nobody was recovering.”
To my dismay, they suggested it was all in my head. But I knew they were wrong. The Covid antibody test had just become available, and I decided to take it. The result was positive. I’d had Covid all along – and felt certain these symptoms were some kind of long-lasting effect.
I found a Facebook group for people suffering like me, and finally felt like I wasn’t alone. But reading their stories terrified me. Nobody was recovering. I began to fall into a deep depression. How would I be able to take care of my young son? How would I work or provide for my family? The guilt and sense of utter uselessness was so torturous that at times I will admit, suicide entered my mind. It was clear though, the physical symptoms were creating the mental anxiety, not the other way around.
My partner Emma was immense. She took care of me, our son, all the mundane chores, while holding down a busy job. Lockdown meant we couldn’t easily get family support, but my mother gave me hope and advice by trawling through medical papers from around the world as they were published. Doctors were now revealing they too were suffering from the same condition. The medical world had to start taking cases like mine seriously.
I knew we were still learning so much more about this virus, and what ‘long Covid’ really is. Being well enough to work and provide was weighing heavily. But I was determined to have purpose; to feel useful again. So, I simply couldn’t give up.
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“After months of suffering, and trying everything, my body began to feel a surge of sudden energy, like a long-lost friend. Hope had returned.”
In a desperate state, weak and debilitated, I sought alternative remedies. I tried a combination of Chinese medicine, a nutritionist, techniques in calming the nervous system, regular meditation, acupuncture and even sessions with a prominent healer. After months of suffering, and trying everything, my body began to feel a surge of sudden energy, like a long-lost friend.
Hope had returned.
Seven months on, I have started work and am back into the full swing of things. The word ‘gratitude’ is so overused. But I am grateful. My job is part of who I am, and I find some solace in being able to enact that part of my identity.
Virtually all my physical symptoms have gone. I hope this is permanent. The mental scars still remain, so I don’t take my health for granted. I’ve given up alcohol, coffee and eat a healthy diet. I’m beginning to return to regular exercise and maintain the ritual of daily meditation. Looking after my mind and body, means I can take care of my family.
Long Covid has changed my perspective. Yes, it destroyed my mental health, but it forced me to reappraise my focus, direction, identity and capacity. It’s been a tough year, but an opportunity to rethink who you are doesn’t come around often.
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That, at least, is something else I can be grateful for.
Dominic Goldman is executive creative director at Above+Beyond


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--‘Astonishing’ Amount Of Masks Thrown Out During Pandemic: Scientists

Based on early data from Italy , the researchers estimated the world would use 129 billion masks each month of the pandemic , according to their article published in June .
However , like plastic bags and packaging , single-use masks would be almost impossible to recycle — the vast majority destined for landfills or littered .
And if only one per cent of the world ’ s masks are disposed of incorrectly , 10 million masks per month weighing close to 90,000 pounds will end up in nature , according to the World Wildlife Fund .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of plastic carried by rivers into oceans each year , washing up on shorelines , entangling wildlife and contaminating drinking water with microplastics .
In the beginning of the pandemic , they ’ d see a mask on the ground occasionally .
They ’ ve both been studying littering and pollution for the last couple of years and wondered if masks would become “ the next cigarette butt ” or if the ones they spotted were just a fluke , Ammendolia said .
As public health officials began to encourage people to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ammendolia and Saturno saw more and more PPE litter — predominantly single-use masks and sanitary wipes — and recorded their daily tallies as part of a scientific survey .
Masks littered near waterways or sewer grates could cause blockages during storms and end up in larger water bodies , like Lake Ontario , said Saturno .
Plus there ’ s the concern used face masks are considered biohazardous materials as they could be carrying the coronavirus .
They want to see more messaging from municipalities educating the public about how to safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plastic bag placed in the garbage .
If the public wore reusable masks , waste would be reduced by 95 per cent , researchers at London ’ s Global University ’ s Plastic Waste Innovation Hub found .
They took into account the additional energy and plastic required to package and transport both types of masks and machine washing of reusable masks .
“ We decided that we not only wanted to build the best mask out there , but we also wanted it to be reusable to reduce our environmental footprint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgeon and co-founder of Dorma Filtration .
“ There is huge demand for it.
” The Montreal-based company is filling orders for 50,000 to 100,000 respirators and is also developing an in-house recycling program that will hopefully roll out in March .

Alarm bells went off among environmental scientists in February, as COVID-19 spread across Europe and inched toward North America.
Professor Tony Walker was still teaching in full lecture halls at Dalhousie University when he connected with a team of Portuguese researchers to investigate a parallel crisis about to unfold.
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“We saw the writing on the wall,” Walker told HuffPost Canada.
“A global pandemic, 7.7 billion people. There’ll be a lot of masks.”
Based on early data from Italy, the researchers estimated the world would use 129 billion masks each month of the pandemic, according to their article published in June. However, like plastic bags and packaging, single-use masks would be almost impossible to recycle — the vast majority destined for landfills or littered.
And if only one per cent of the world’s masks are disposed of incorrectly, 10 million masks per month weighing close to 90,000 pounds will end up in nature, according to the World Wildlife Fund. That’s on top of the 52 billion pounds of plastic carried by rivers into oceans each year, washing up on shorelines, entangling wildlife and contaminating drinking water with microplastics.
Plastic gloves, face masks and other waste in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of southern France on May 21, 2020. Operation Mer Propre via AP
This personal protective equipment (PPE) waste could also be contaminated with COVID-19, which can live on plastic for up to three days, said Walker.
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“Indeed, mismanaged PPE can contribute to global plastic contamination but also act as potential vectors of the COVID-19 disease,” Walker and University of Aveiro researchers Joana Prata, Ana Silva, Armando Duarte and Teresa Rocha-Santos wrote in their article.
The amount of waste Canada would generate if the 37 million of us all relied on single-use masks to stop the spread of COVID-19 is staggering.
The researchers estimated one person will use about 17 masks a month, each roughly the equivalent weight of a maple leaf, or about 3.5 grams.
HuffPost crunched the numbers. In Canada that would mean:
Every hour, we use about 6,700 pounds’ worth of masks — the weight of four large bull moose;
Every week, we use one million pounds’ worth of masks — the weight of three blue whales, the world’s heaviest animal;
And every year, we use 59 million pounds’ worth of masks — the weight of three Eiffel Towers.
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These “enormous, astonishing” amounts of masks are on the conservative side, Walker said.
“I would say now our paper grossly underestimated the numbers.”
Health Canada, for example, estimated the country produced 50 million pounds of face mask waste in the first four months of the pandemic alone.
‘Thrown around like candy wrappers’
When Toronto went into lockdown in March, partners and environmental scientists Justine Ammendolia and Jacquelyn Saturno broke up the monotony with walks around their neighbourhood.
Environmental scientists Justine Ammendolia, left, and Jacquelyn Saturno collect personal protective equipment waste in their Toronto neighbourhood as part of a research study. Jacquelyn Saturno/Supplied
In the beginning of the pandemic, they’d see a mask on the ground occasionally. They’ve both been studying littering and pollution for the last couple of years and wondered if masks would become “the next cigarette butt” or if the ones they spotted were just a fluke, Ammendolia said.
As public health officials began to encourage people to wear masks to stop the spread of COVID-19, Ammendolia and Saturno saw more and more PPE litter — predominantly single-use masks and sanitary wipes — and recorded their daily tallies as part of a scientific survey.
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In a four-week period, the pair recorded 1,300 items littered along a trail, in a few commercial parking lots, and on five-kilometre routes through their west end neighbourhood and around downtown hospitals.
“The numbers are one thing, but it doesn’t describe the problems in the environment,” Ammendolia said.
Masks littered near waterways or sewer grates could cause blockages during storms and end up in larger water bodies, like Lake Ontario, said Saturno. Plus there’s the concern used face masks are considered biohazardous materials as they could be carrying the coronavirus.
“Which is shocking to see around the hospital districts, how much we’ve been able to find,” Saturno said.
“What took us off guard was the lack of regard in the city,” Ammendolia added. “Masks and gloves are thrown around like candy wrappers.”
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A mask and other personal protective equipment waste, such as sanitary wipes, Justine Ammendolia and Jacquelyn Saturno found during walks in Toronto. Jacquelyn Saturno/Supplied
They want to see more messaging from municipalities educating the public about how to safely dispose of PPE — in a tied plastic bag placed in the garbage.
And single-use plastic products aren’t necessary to protect against COVID-19, Saturno noted. Handwashing with soap and water and wearing reusable cotton masks are just as effective.
If the public wore reusable masks, waste would be reduced by 95 per cent, researchers at London’s Global University’s Plastic Waste Innovation Hub found. They took into account the additional energy and plastic required to package and transport both types of masks and machine washing of reusable masks.
In an effort to make PPE for healthcare workers compostable and recyclable, the federal government invited groups to submit ideas this fall and will grant money to successful applicants to develop the products. Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada said it received 90 proposals.
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Winnipeg-based Precision ADM has created a reusable respirator for health-care workers. Precision ADM/handout
Winnipeg-based Precision ADM, a digital manufacturing firm, has begun shipping its first batch of 3D-printed N95 respirators, which health-care workers can sanitize and reuse up to 30 times, said Graeme Findlay, director of marketing. They’ll replace disposable masks that have to be thrown out between patients.
The company anticipates one N95 respirator will replace 120 to 300 disposable masks over the course of 30 shifts. Some components of the respirators are even recyclable.
Dorma Filtration has developed a N99 respirator (which filters out 99 per cent of aerosols) that also can be used 30 times, and is entirely recyclable.
“We decided that we not only wanted to build the best mask out there, but we also wanted it to be reusable to reduce our environmental footprint,” said Dr. René Caissie, a surgeon and co-founder of Dorma Filtration. “There is huge demand for it.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Fauci Warns Christmas May Bring More COVID-19 Cases Than Thanksgiving

Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that Christmas and Hanukkah may bring more COVID-19 cases than the surge anticipated from Thanksgiving due to the number of days people are likely to spend celebrating with family and friends .
The nation ’ s top infectious disease specialist shared some of his concerns with CNN ’ s John Berman on Monday , as hospitals across the country begin to report a rise of cases following the Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day holiday .
“ My concerns , John , are the same thing of the concerns that I had about Thanksgiving , only this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a longer holiday , ” Fauci said of the upcoming festivities , which stretch into New Year ’ s Eve .
“ I think it can be even more of a challenge than what we saw with Thanksgiving .
So I hope that people realize that and understand that as difficult as this is , nobody wants to modify , if not , essentially shut down , their holiday season , but we live in a very critical time in this country right now , ” he added .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the facts and the data .
This is tough going for all of us.
” Dr. Fauci says his concerns about Christmas “ may be more compounded ” than Thanksgiving “ because it ’ s a longer holiday.
” “ We ’ re at a very critical time in this country right now .
We ’ ve got to not walk away from the facts and the data .
This is tough going for all of us ” pic.twitter.com/71Peq61Af3 — New Day ( @ NewDay ) December 7 , 2020 “ Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a really dark time for us , ” he said while encouraging people to wear masks , even if they don ’ t believe they are at risk of having the virus .
The virus continues to spread across the country , in some places reaching unprecedented highs in terms of case numbers , deaths and hospitalizations .
“ You could actually see our positive test rate stop growing day-over-day for about 10 days , and then at about five to seven days , which is the typical incubation period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rocket , ” he said , according to MassLive .
“ The hospital system ’ s ability to serve patients and support their staff is being compromised.
” The U.S. lost 15,000 people to the coronavirus last week , making it the deadliest week due to the coronavirus since April , Reuters reported Monday .
The states with the highest number of cases per capita , with more than 700 people diagnosed for every 100,000 residents , were Rhode Island and Indiana .
The states with the highest deaths per capita were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states with the highest total deaths were Texas and Illinois .
Both those states reported more than 1,200 deaths .

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Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that Christmas and Hanukkah may bring more COVID-19 cases than the surge anticipated from Thanksgiving due to the number of days people are likely to spend celebrating with family and friends.
The nation’s top infectious disease specialist shared some of his concerns with CNN’s John Berman on Monday, as hospitals across the country begin to report a rise of cases following the Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day holiday.
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“My concerns, John, are the same thing of the concerns that I had about Thanksgiving, only this may be even more compounded because it’s a longer holiday,” Fauci said of the upcoming festivities, which stretch into New Year’s Eve.
“I think it can be even more of a challenge than what we saw with Thanksgiving. So I hope that people realize that and understand that as difficult as this is, nobody wants to modify, if not, essentially shut down, their holiday season, but we live in a very critical time in this country right now,” he added. “We’ve got to not walk away from the facts and the data. This is tough going for all of us.”
Dr. Fauci says his concerns about Christmas “may be more compounded” than Thanksgiving “because it’s a longer holiday.”
“We’re at a very critical time in this country right now. We’ve got to not walk away from the facts and the data. This is tough going for all of us” pic.twitter.com/71Peq61Af3 — New Day (@NewDay) December 7, 2020
Fauci repeated his concerns Monday at a press conference with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
“Without substantial mitigation, the middle of January could be a really dark time for us,” he said while encouraging people to wear masks, even if they don’t believe they are at risk of having the virus.
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The virus continues to spread across the country, in some places reaching unprecedented highs in terms of case numbers, deaths and hospitalizations.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) said Monday that his state’s recent surge in cases can already be linked to Thanksgiving.
“You could actually see our positive test rate stop growing day-over-day for about 10 days, and then at about five to seven days, which is the typical incubation period, after Thanksgiving, they took off like a rocket,” he said, according to MassLive. “The hospital system’s ability to serve patients and support their staff is being compromised.”
The U.S. lost 15,000 people to the coronavirus last week, making it the deadliest week due to the coronavirus since April, Reuters reported Monday.
The states with the highest number of cases per capita, with more than 700 people diagnosed for every 100,000 residents, were Rhode Island and Indiana. The states with the highest deaths per capita were South Dakota and North Dakota, while the states with the highest total deaths were Texas and Illinois. Both those states reported more than 1,200 deaths.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Indian Bride Tests Positive For COVID-19, Gets Married In Hazmat Suit

BARAN , India , Dec 7 ( Reuters ) - Traditional Indian wedding finery gave way to hazmat suits and masks in a remote northIndian village , after the bride tested positive for the coronavirus just hours before her marriage , a local health official said .
The couple , whose names were not made public , decided to go ahead with the ceremony on Sunday in the courtyard of the COVID quarantine center in Baran in the western state of Rajasthan -their protective gear giving it an otherworldly feel .
Under a bright red canopy and in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groom exchanged garlands wearing matching blue hazmat suits , visors and face masks .
The priest , looking like an astronaut in a white hazmat suit and matching hood , chanted verses from Hindu scriptures while traditional wedding songs played in the background .
The bride had been admitted to the center , where patients are kept under watch , after she and a family member tested positive , health official Rajendra Meena told Reuters partner ANI .
“ We consulted with the families and they agreed to get married in the quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Afterwards , both bride and groom were placed in isolation at the center , part of a network of quarantine facilities set up in almost every village .
Weddings in India are often an elaborate and noisy affair , with hordes of relatives and other guests taking part in celebrations .
But several states have imposed restrictions around numbers allowed at marriage gatherings .
India has the world ’ s second highest COVID-19 caseload after the United States , with over 9.6 million confirmed cases .
Infections have fallen since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a busy festival season last month , which saw bustling markets and crowded streets full of shoppers .
( Writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar ; editing by Philippa Fletcher )

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BARAN, India, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Traditional Indian wedding finery gave way to hazmat suits and masks in a remote northIndian village, after the bride tested positive for the coronavirus just hours before her marriage, a local health official said.
The couple, whose names were not made public, decided to go ahead with the ceremony on Sunday in the courtyard of the COVID quarantine center in Baran in the western state of Rajasthan -their protective gear giving it an otherworldly feel.
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Under a bright red canopy and in front of the holy fire, the bride and groom exchanged garlands wearing matching blue hazmat suits, visors and face masks.
The priest, looking like an astronaut in a white hazmat suit and matching hood, chanted verses from Hindu scriptures while traditional wedding songs played in the background.
The bride had been admitted to the center, where patients are kept under watch, after she and a family member tested positive, health official Rajendra Meena told Reuters partner ANI.
“We consulted with the families and they agreed to get married in the quarantine center without any elaborate rituals,“he said. Afterwards, both bride and groom were placed in isolation at the center, part of a network of quarantine facilities set up in almost every village.
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Weddings in India are often an elaborate and noisy affair, with hordes of relatives and other guests taking part in celebrations. But several states have imposed restrictions around numbers allowed at marriage gatherings.
India has the world’s second highest COVID-19 caseload after the United States, with over 9.6 million confirmed cases.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Tuesday Is 'V-Day' In Britain; First Citizens Will Get COVID-19 Vaccine

A week after the U.K. became the first Western country to authorize widespread use of a vaccine against COVID-19 , it is preparing to administer its first shots on Tuesday in its war on the virus .
Those 800,000 doses will first go to people over 80 who are either hospitalized or already have outpatient appointments scheduled , along with nursing home workers .
In other words , the National Health Service is saying to the waiting public , in effect : Don ’ t call us , we ’ ll call you .
Only those who have been contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be getting the jab .
“ I don ’ t think people should expect anything over the next few days because the reality is … that for the vast , vast , vast majority of people this will be done in January , February , March , ″ said Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers .
“ And the one thing that we don ’ t want people to get anxious about or concerned about is ‘ Where ’ s my letter ?
’ in December.
” Public health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rollout as they prepare for the unprecedented task of rapidly vaccinating billions of people to end the pandemic that has killed more than 1.5 million worldwide .
While the U.K. has a well-developed infrastructure for delivering vaccines , it is geared to vaccinating groups such as school children or pregnant women , not the entire population .
The U.K. is getting a head start on the project after British regulators on Dec. 2 gave emergency authorization to the vaccine produced by U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and Germany ’ s BioNTech .
U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , alongside rival products developed by U.S. biotechnology company Moderna , and a collaboration between Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca .
On Saturday , Russia began vaccinating thousands of doctors , teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Sputnik V vaccine .
That program is being viewed differently because Russia authorized use of Sputnik V last summer after it was tested in only a few dozen people .
But the vaccine can ’ t arrive soon enough for the U.K. , which has more than 61,000 COVID-19 related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported in Europe .
The U.K. has more than 1.7 million cases .
The 800,000 doses are only a fraction of what is needed .
The government is targeting more than 25 million people , or about 40 % of the population , in the first phase of its vaccination program , which gives first priority to those who are at the highest risk from the disease .
After those over 80 and nursing home workers , the program will be expanded as the supply increases , with the vaccine offered roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting with the oldest people .
Buckingham Palace refused to comment on reports that Queen Elizabeth II , 94 , and her 99-year-old husband , Prince Philip , would be vaccinated and the action publicized in an effort to show that there was nothing to fear from the jab .
In England , the vaccine will be delivered at 50 hospital hubs in the first wave of the program , with more hospitals expected to offer it as the rollout ramps up .
Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales are making their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of devolved administration .
The U.K. has agreed to purchase millions of doses from seven different producers .
Governments around the world are making agreements with multiple developers to ensure they lock in delivery of the products that are ultimately approved for widespread use .

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LONDON (AP) — U.K. health authorities began rolling out the first doses of a widely tested and independently reviewed COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, starting a global immunization program that is expected to gain momentum as more serums win approval.
The first shot came early in the morning at one of a network of hospital hubs around the country where the initial phase of the U.K. program will be rolled out on what has been dubbed “V-Day.”
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Public health officials are asking the public to be patient because only those who are most at risk from COVID-19 will be vaccinated in the early stages. Medical staff will contact people to arrange appointments, and most will have to wait until next year before there is enough vaccine to expand the program.
“I think there’s every chance that we will look back on ... (Tuesday) as marking a decisive turning point in the battle against coronavirus,” said Simon Stevens, the CEO of England’s National Health Service.
This is what the UK's Covid-19 vaccination cards will look like. Britain's healthcare providers are preparing to start administering the first doses of the vaccine tomorrow. https://t.co/cEoDSP06Em — CNN International (@cnni) December 8, 2020
The first recipient was grandmother Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 next week. She received the shot at University Hospital Coventry at 6:31 a.m.
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Keenan says she feels “so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against Covid-19.”
“It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year,” she said.
Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 next week, says she feels “so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19.” ASSOCIATED PRESS
The first 800,000 doses are going to people over 80 who are either hospitalized or already have outpatient appointments scheduled, along with nursing home workers. Others will have to wait their turn.
Among those older Britons scheduled to get vaccinated is Hari Shukla, of Newcastle.
“When I received the telephone call, I was very excited I got the opportunity of joining in and taking part in that,″ he said. “So we are very very pleased and happy and excited as well.″
Buckingham Palace refused to comment on reports that Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, would be vaccinated as a public example of its safety.
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“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr. June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, told the BBC.
Second patient to get the COVID jab at University Hospital Coventry - would you believe it....William Shakespeare from Warwickshire pic.twitter.com/y0LzxgbJ9w — Hugh Pym (@BBCHughPym) December 8, 2020
Public health officials elsewhere are watching Britain’s rollout as they prepare for the unprecedented task of vaccinating billions of people to end a pandemic that has killed more than 1.5 million. While the U.K. has a well-developed infrastructure for delivering vaccines, it is geared to administer them to groups such as school children or pregnant women, not the whole population.
The U.K. is getting a head start on the project after British regulators on Dec. 2 gave emergency authorization to the vaccine produced by U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. U.S. and European Union authorities are also reviewing the vaccine, alongside rival products developed by U.S. biotechnology company Moderna, and a collaboration between Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca.
On Saturday, Russia began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Sputnik V vaccine. That program is being viewed differently because Russia authorized use of Sputnik V last summer after it was tested in only a few dozen people.
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The first shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were delivered to a selected group of U.K. hospitals on Sunday.
At one of those facilities, Croydon University Hospital, south of London, staff members couldn’t so much as touch the vials, but they were thrilled to just have them in the building.
“I’m so proud,” said Louise Coughlan, joint chief pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.
The vaccine can’t arrive soon enough for the U.K., which has more than 61,000 COVID-19-related deaths — more than any other country has reported in Europe. The U.K. has more than 1.7 million cases.
The 800,000 doses are only a fraction of what is needed. The government is targeting more than 25 million people, or about 40% of the population, in the first phase of its vaccination program, which gives first priority to those who are highest risk from the disease.
After those over 80 and nursing home workers, the program will be expanded as the supply increases, with the vaccine offered roughly on the basis of age groups, starting with the oldest people.
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In England, the vaccine will be delivered at 50 hospital hubs in the first wave of the program, with more hospitals expected to offer it as the rollout ramps up. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are making their own plans under the U.K.’s system of devolved administration.
Logistical issues are slowing the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine because it has to be stored at minus-70 degrees Celsius (minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit).
The immunization program will be a “marathon not a sprint,” said professor Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England.
Authorities also are focusing on large-scale distribution points because each package of vaccine contains 975 doses and they don’t want any to be wasted.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Egyptian Man Finds Fortune Hunting Scorpions For Venom

Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters Mohamed Hamdy Boshta , 25-year-old , shows scorpions that he hunted on Egyptian deserts and shores to extract their prized venom for medicinal use , at his company Cairo Venom Company , a project housing thousands scorpions in various farms across the country , in Cairo , Egypt December 6 , 2020 .
Picture taken December 6 , 2020 .
REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany CAIRO , Dec 7 ( Reuters ) - Several years ago , a young Egyptian man abandoned his degree in archaeology to hunt scorpions in the country ’ s deserts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicinal use .
At just 25 years old , Mohamed Hamdy Boshta is now the owner of the Cairo Venom Company - a project housing 80,000 scorpions in various farms across Egypt as well as a range of snakes , also kept for their venom .
Caught using a colored UV light , the scorpions are exposed to a tiny electric current to stimulate the release of the venom , one gram of which can produce between 20,000 and 50,000 doses of antivenom .
A gram of scorpion venom can fetch $ 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. where it is used to make antivenom and a range of other medicines , including for conditions such as hypertension .

Mohamed Hamdy Boshta, 25-year-old, shows scorpions that he hunted on Egyptian deserts and shores to extract their prized venom for medicinal use, at his company Cairo Venom Company, a project housing thousands scorpions in various farms across the country, in Cairo, Egypt December 6, 2020. Picture taken December 6, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters
CAIRO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Several years ago, a young Egyptian man abandoned his degree in archaeology to hunt scorpions in the country’s deserts and shores, extracting their venom for medicinal use.
At just 25 years old, Mohamed Hamdy Boshta is now the owner of the Cairo Venom Company - a project housing 80,000 scorpions in various farms across Egypt as well as a range of snakes, also kept for their venom.
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Caught using a colored UV light, the scorpions are exposed to a tiny electric current to stimulate the release of the venom, one gram of which can produce between 20,000 and 50,000 doses of antivenom.
A gram of scorpion venom can fetch $10,000 and Boshta exports it to Europe and the U.S. where it is used to make antivenom and a range of other medicines, including for conditions such as hypertension.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--How Often We'll Need To Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19

One question on a lot of people ’ s minds is whether we ’ ll have to have the vaccine more than once or whether a one-off will be enough to keep us immune for years to come .
The short answer is : we don ’ t really know at this stage .
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine , which is the first but probably won ’ t be the last to be approved for use in the UK , was developed and trialled within a rapid timeframe .
As part of this process , tens of thousands of people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials have only been happening this year , we ’ re still waiting to find out how long the trial participants ’ immunity lasts .
The matter of how often we ’ ll need the vaccine is a “ really important question , ” says Daniel Altmann , a professor from the department of immunology and inflammation at Imperial College London .
“ If we can come through the huge challenge of efficient , mass distribution and vaccination with a high level of uptake ― and none of these is a sure thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large scale monitoring to understand stability of immunity , ” he explains .
“ This won ’ t be a simple one-size-fits-all answer .
Durability may be different with : age , obesity , prior infection , genetics .
So we need to keep checking .
We ’ ll then know if we need to re-immunize at one year , two years , etc.
” The answers won ’ t be the same for the different vaccines , Altmann says .
But one positive is that there ’ s no reason to assume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with mutations , like we do with the flu jab .
We ’ re told to have a new flu vaccine each year because there are differing variants of the virus circulating annually ― so a vaccine that might work one year won ’ t necessarily work the next .
But Altmann says right now , there ’ s no reason to assume this is a problem for COVID-19 .
“ Though of course , ” he adds , “ as we start to impose immune selection pressure on the virus , escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as we put pressure on the virus through having the vaccine , it may try to find new ways to survive .
It could mutate to find ways to infect us again .
A spokesperson for Pfizer told HuffPost UK that the question of how often people will need to be vaccinated is one the company continues to explore .
“ Study participants will continue to be monitored for long-term protection and safety for an additional two years after their second dose , ” the official said .
It ’ s important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to both provide boosting doses if needed and to address potential changes in the virus ( for example , if it mutates ) , the spokesperson added .
“ The good news is that mRNA technology provides the greatest opportunity to do both.
” Experts are still learning about COVID-19 .
The information in this story is what was known or available as of publication , but guidance can change as scientists discover more about the virus .
Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations @

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Every Monday, HuffPost UK is answering questions on COVID-19 and health in a feature published online. You can submit a question here. This week, HuffPost UK reader Pat asked: “Do we need the COVID vaccine every year?”
With a workable Covid-19 vaccine approved and already being rolled out, people are looking to the future.
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One question on a lot of people’s minds is whether we’ll have to have the vaccine more than once or whether a one-off will be enough to keep us immune for years to come. The short answer is: we don’t really know at this stage.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which is the first but probably won’t be the last to be approved for use in the UK, was developed and trialled within a rapid timeframe.
As part of this process, tens of thousands of people were vaccinated in trials – however because the trials have only been happening this year, we’re still waiting to find out how long the trial participants’ immunity lasts.
Dado Ruvic / Reuters
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The matter of how often we’ll need the vaccine is a “really important question,” says Daniel Altmann, a professor from the department of immunology and inflammation at Imperial College London.
“If we can come through the huge challenge of efficient, mass distribution and vaccination with a high level of uptake ― and none of these is a sure thing ― the next question will be some large scale monitoring to understand stability of immunity,” he explains.
“This won’t be a simple one-size-fits-all answer. Durability may be different with: age, obesity, prior infection, genetics. So we need to keep checking. We’ll then know if we need to re-immunize at one year, two years, etc.”
The answers won’t be the same for the different vaccines, Altmann says. But one positive is that there’s no reason to assume we’ll have to keep dealing with mutations, like we do with the flu jab.
We’re told to have a new flu vaccine each year because there are differing variants of the virus circulating annually ― so a vaccine that might work one year won’t necessarily work the next.
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But Altmann says right now, there’s no reason to assume this is a problem for COVID-19. “Though of course,” he adds, “as we start to impose immune selection pressure on the virus, escape mutants may indeed emerge.”
This means that as we put pressure on the virus through having the vaccine, it may try to find new ways to survive. It could mutate to find ways to infect us again.
Евгения Матвеец via Getty Images
A spokesperson for Pfizer told HuffPost UK that the question of how often people will need to be vaccinated is one the company continues to explore.
“Study participants will continue to be monitored for long-term protection and safety for an additional two years after their second dose,” the official said.
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“Pfizer and BioNTech plan to submit the full efficacy and safety data from our Phase 3 trial for peer-review in a scientific journal once the data is complete and analyzed.”
It’s important to have a vaccine technology that allows us to both provide boosting doses if needed and to address potential changes in the virus (for example, if it mutates), the spokesperson added. “The good news is that mRNA technology provides the greatest opportunity to do both.”
This article originally appeared in HuffPost UK.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Ivanka Tweets 'Amazing' Photo Of Donald Trump At Mt. Rushmore. Twitter Loses It.

The outgoing leader ’ s daughter and adviser called the picture , which showed her father grinning below the famous @ @ @ @ @ , Thomas Jefferson , Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln during his visit there on July @ @ @ @ @ Trump has history with the massive sculpture that fits right in with his bombast , @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln on numerous occasions .
South Dakota Gov .
and Trump disciple Kristi Noem said @ @ @ @ @ had inquired about getting his mug included on the mountain .
He said it was @ @ @ @ @ and the then-congresswoman believed he was serious .
The White House actually inquired about the @ @ @ @ @ to a New York Times report in August , though Trump called it “ fake @ @ @

The outgoing leader’s daughter and adviser called the picture, which showed her father grinning below the famous carved busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln during his visit there on July 3, “amazing.”
Trump has history with the massive sculpture that fits right in with his bombast, which includes comparing himself to Lincoln on numerous occasions. South Dakota Gov. and Trump disciple Kristi Noem said back in 2018 that Trump had inquired about getting his mug included on the mountain. He said it was his “dream,” and the then-congresswoman believed he was serious. The White House actually inquired about the possibility last year, according to a New York Times report in August, though Trump called it “fake news.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Trump Trade Adviser Violated Hatch Act With Biden Attacks, Watchdog Says

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro repeatedly violated a federal law that prohibits some members of the federal government from engaging in political activity , the U.S. Office of Special Counsel reported Monday .
Navarro , one of the White House ’ s most vocal Trump defenders , violated the Hatch Act during TV interviews and on social media leading up to the Nov. 3 election in which he bashed then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , the OSC stated in its report .
Navarro ’ s violations were “ knowing and willful ” since all White House employees receive mandatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act , according to OSC ’ s report .
What ’ s more , Navarro was made aware that the OSC was investigating him for potential Hatch Act violations in July and yet he continued to attack Biden in his official capacity in at least five subsequent interviews .
Under the Hatch Act , violations made by senior officials appointed by the president are referred to the president for disciplinary action , making it unlikely that Navarro will face any consequences for his actions under Trump .
“ Navarro often attacked Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times accused him of being ‘ compromised ’ and susceptible to being ‘ bought ’ by China , ” the OSC wrote in its report .
“ His comments were directed at undermining Mr. Biden ’ s presidential candidacy and persuading voters not to support him in the 2020 election.
” The report lays out six examples of TV interviews in which Navarro violated the Hatch Act ― five of which occurred on Fox News ( the other , on MSNBC ) .
In one instance , Navarro disparaged Biden as “ Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday Morning Futures ” in September .
“ So , Beijing Biden vs. Made in America Donald J. Trump , I think that ’ s one of the stark differences between the two sides , ” Navarro told host Maria Bartiromo .
Democrats “ won ’ t say the word China virus , ” he added .
“ If you try to say it , they cancel you .
And the reason is , the whole Biden Democratic Party strategy , it ’ s a dangerous one for them and for us because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame Donald J. Trump on the pandemic.
” The OSC also outlined several instances in which Navarro used his official Twitter account to attack Biden in an attempt to influence the election .
Over a dozen members of the Trump White House ― including Ivanka Trump , the president ’ s eldest daughter and senior adviser ― have been accused of violating the Hatch Act over the last few years .
In 2019 , the OSC recommended then-White House counselor Kellyanne Conway be removed from federal service after repeatedly violating the act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for potential Hatch Act violations after he addressed the Republican National Convention in August while on a taxpayer-funded trip to Jerusalem .

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White House trade adviser Peter Navarro repeatedly violated a federal law that prohibits some members of the federal government from engaging in political activity, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel reported Monday.
Navarro, one of the White House’s most vocal Trump defenders, violated the Hatch Act during TV interviews and on social media leading up to the Nov. 3 election in which he bashed then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, the OSC stated in its report.
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Navarro’s violations were “knowing and willful” since all White House employees receive mandatory ethics trainings, including on the Hatch Act, according to OSC’s report. What’s more, Navarro was made aware that the OSC was investigating him for potential Hatch Act violations in July and yet he continued to attack Biden in his official capacity in at least five subsequent interviews.
Under the Hatch Act, violations made by senior officials appointed by the president are referred to the president for disciplinary action, making it unlikely that Navarro will face any consequences for his actions under Trump.
The White House declined to comment.
“Navarro often attacked Mr. Biden about his relationship with China and at times accused him of being ‘compromised’ and susceptible to being ‘bought’ by China,” the OSC wrote in its report. “His comments were directed at undermining Mr. Biden’s presidential candidacy and persuading voters not to support him in the 2020 election.”
The report lays out six examples of TV interviews in which Navarro violated the Hatch Act ― five of which occurred on Fox News (the other, on MSNBC). In one instance, Navarro disparaged Biden as “Beijing Biden” on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” in September.
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“So, Beijing Biden vs. Made in America Donald J. Trump, I think that’s one of the stark differences between the two sides,” Navarro told host Maria Bartiromo.
Democrats “won’t say the word China virus,” he added. “If you try to say it, they cancel you. And the reason is, the whole Biden Democratic Party strategy, it’s a dangerous one for them and for us because it is predicated on being able to blame Donald J. Trump on the pandemic.”
The OSC also outlined several instances in which Navarro used his official Twitter account to attack Biden in an attempt to influence the election.
Over a dozen members of the Trump White House ― including Ivanka Trump, the president’s eldest daughter and senior adviser ― have been accused of violating the Hatch Act over the last few years. In 2019, the OSC recommended then-White House counselor Kellyanne Conway be removed from federal service after repeatedly violating the act.
The OSC announced in October that it was investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for potential Hatch Act violations after he addressed the Republican National Convention in August while on a taxpayer-funded trip to Jerusalem.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--This Is How Trump’s Executions Are Spreading The Coronavirus

STR New / Reuters The execution chamber in Terre Haute , Indiana .
The Trump administration is planning on executing five more people before President-elect Joe Biden takes office .
A few days later , Hall ’ s spiritual adviser Yusuf Ahmed Nur , who performed last rites for Hall while next to two unmasked executioners , tested positive .
Since then , cases have spiked at Federal Correctional Complex , Terre Haute , where all federal executions take place .
As of Monday , over 200 incarcerated people and 21 staff are sick with the virus .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ some ” members of the execution team also tested positive after the execution , though it did not elaborate further .
The government ’ s admission , which was buried in a footnote of a court filing , is evidence of what public health experts and lawyers who represent people on death row have been warning for months : Carrying out executions during a pandemic puts people who live and work in and around the prison at increased risk of contracting a potentially fatal disease .
On Thursday , the government plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was sentenced to death for acting as an accomplice to a crime that occurred when he was 18 years old .
Five of the nine surviving jurors who sentenced Bernard to death now believe he should live , citing information that came out after his trial .
Prisons are some of the most dangerous places to be during the pandemic , as those living within them can not socially distance themselves from others and often lack access to protective gear and cleaning supplies .
Prisons also tend to be crowded and poorly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the largest outbreaks have been linked to correctional facilities .
Until recently , there had not been a federal execution in 17 years .
When the pandemic hit the U.S. , most states paused executions in an effort to contain the spread of the virus .
But in July , the Trump administration resumed federal executions , against the advice of public health experts .
Since then , the government has rushed to put to death eight people , with five more scheduled to die before President-elect Joe Biden , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Jan. 20 .
This is the first time since 1889 that an outgoing administration has carried out a federal execution after losing an election .
Since resuming the killings in July , coronavirus cases have spiked at FCC Terre Haute , as well as in Vigo County , where the prison is located .
( The government has argued in court filings that there is no evidence the spikes were definitively caused by the executions . )
“ At the risk of sounding like a broken record , there is simply no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Cassandra Stubbs , director of the American Civil Liberties Union ’ s Capital Punishment Project , in a statement .
“ The spread of disease that will occur if the wave of five scheduled executions — starting Thursday and scheduled until just before inauguration day — are allowed to take place will have been totally predictable and preventable .
The courts must step in to stop them , protect the people incarcerated at Terre Haute who have no control over the risk the government is subjecting them , and slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each one requires the involvement of an “ execution team ” sourced from Bureau of Prisons staff , usually from out of state .
The roughly 40 people on a team are not required to quarantine once arriving in Indiana or undergo testing for the coronavirus prior to the execution , according to a government filing .
Those individuals also work closely with about 200 FCC Terre Haute prison staff , who provide security and support .
Testing after working an execution is voluntary ; in an affidavit , the prison complex warden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five to seven members of the execution team have elected to be tested prior to returning to their home communities .
Moving forward with Purkey ’ s execution in the middle of the pandemic presented “ an untenable conflict ” for Hartkemeyer by forcing the 68-year-old man with a history of recurring bronchitis and pleurisy to “ decide whether to risk his own life in order to exercise his religious obligation to be present for Mr. Purkey ’ s execution , ” the ACLU wrote in its complaint .
About a week after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffer who had attended meetings in preparation for three executions , including Purkey ’ s , tested positive for COVID-19 .
The staff member did not always wear a mask , a BOP lawyer acknowledged in a court filing .
Asked how many staff and incarcerated individuals he was in contact with in the lead-up to his positive test result , the staff member simply reported , “ ?
Alot .
”

The execution chamber in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Trump administration is planning on executing five more people before President-elect Joe Biden takes office. STR New / Reuters
In late November, as health officials urged the public to avoid travel amid a new wave of coronavirus cases, dozens of people traveled to a federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, for the execution of Orlando Hall. At the time, around 75 incarcerated people and staff at the complex had active cases of COVID-19.
A few days later, Hall’s spiritual adviser Yusuf Ahmed Nur, who performed last rites for Hall while next to two unmasked executioners, tested positive. Since then, cases have spiked at Federal Correctional Complex, Terre Haute, where all federal executions take place. As of Monday, over 200 incarcerated people and 21 staff are sick with the virus. Now, the Department of Justice has admitted that eight members of the approximately 40-person execution team also tested positive after the execution.
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The latest disclosure came in response to a lawsuit brought by two men incarcerated at FCC Terre Haute. They are suing the government to halt executions until the pandemic is under control in order to protect their health.
The government initially said that “some” members of the execution team had tested positive — but the admission was buried in a footnote of a court filing and did not specify how many people had gotten sick. In a subsequent court filing, Bureau of Prisons lawyer Richard Winter said that six members tested positive about a week after returning home and an additional two tested positive more than a week after going home. That at least 20% of the execution team contracted COVID-19 after the most recent execution is evidence of what public health experts and lawyers who represent people on death row have been warning for months: Carrying out executions during a pandemic puts people who live and work in and around the prison at increased risk of contracting a potentially fatal disease.
“There is simply no doubt that these executions spread COVID-19.” - Cassandra Stubbs, ACLU
Lawyers for the two men wrote that the government disclosure offered “compelling evidence of the significant risk that conducting the scheduled executions will spread COVID-19 within FCC Terre Haute (and beyond).”
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In the meantime, the Trump administration is pushing forward with the killings.
On Thursday, the government plans to execute Brandon Bernard, a man who was sentenced to death for acting as an accomplice to a crime that occurred when he was 18 years old. Five of the nine surviving jurors who sentenced Bernard to death now believe he should live, citing information that came out after his trial.
Prisons are some of the most dangerous places to be during the pandemic, as those living within them cannot socially distance themselves from others and often lack access to protective gear and cleaning supplies. Prisons also tend to be crowded and poorly ventilated. Since the pandemic began, many of the largest outbreaks have been linked to correctional facilities.
There is no compelling reason these executions need to be carried out now.
Until recently, there had not been a federal execution in 17 years. When the pandemic hit the U.S., most states paused executions in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. But in July, the Trump administration resumed federal executions, against the advice of public health experts. Since then, the government has rushed to put to death eight people, with five more scheduled to die before President-elect Joe Biden, who opposes the death penalty, takes office on Jan. 20. This is the first time since 1889 that an outgoing administration has carried out a federal execution after losing an election.
Since resuming the killings in July, coronavirus cases have spiked at FCC Terre Haute, as well as in Vigo County, where the prison is located. (The government has argued in court filings that there is no evidence the spikes were definitively caused by the executions.)
The consequences of the government’s rush to execute go far beyond health concerns. Criminal justice leaders have warned that death-row prisoners are being denied access to effective legal representation during the pandemic, and travel restrictions are jeopardizing clemency efforts.
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Still, there are serious public health risks involved with carrying out executions in the midst of a pandemic.
“At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there is simply no doubt that these executions spread COVID-19,” said Cassandra Stubbs, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Capital Punishment Project, in a statement. “The spread of disease that will occur if the wave of five scheduled executions — starting Thursday and scheduled until just before inauguration day — are allowed to take place will have been totally predictable and preventable. The courts must step in to stop them, protect the people incarcerated at Terre Haute who have no control over the risk the government is subjecting them, and slow the senseless suffering of the American people.”
Part of the reason federal executions pose such a high risk of COVID-19 transmission is the number of people involved in the operation.
Each one requires the involvement of an “execution team” sourced from Bureau of Prisons staff, usually from out of state. The roughly 40 people on a team are not required to quarantine once arriving in Indiana or undergo testing for the coronavirus prior to the execution, according to a government filing. Those individuals also work closely with about 200 FCC Terre Haute prison staff, who provide security and support. Testing after working an execution is voluntary; in an affidavit, the prison complex warden said that in the past, only five to seven members of the execution team have elected to be tested prior to returning to their home communities.
Since the government resumed federal executions in July, COVID-19 cases have spiked in FCC Terre Haute. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General
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Others, including lawyers, media, family and demonstrators also gather for each execution, making such occasions prime candidates for superspreader events. The Bureau of Prisons estimates that approximately 50 to 125 people will travel to the prison for each execution.
The risks of carrying out executions during the pandemic were evident from the beginning.
In July, when federal executions first resumed, the ACLU sued the government on behalf of Buddhist priest Seigen Hartkemeyer, the spiritual adviser to Wesley Purkey, who was scheduled to be executed later that month.
Moving forward with Purkey’s execution in the middle of the pandemic presented “an untenable conflict” for Hartkemeyer by forcing the 68-year-old man with a history of recurring bronchitis and pleurisy to “decide whether to risk his own life in order to exercise his religious obligation to be present for Mr. Purkey’s execution,” the ACLU wrote in its complaint.
Family members of the victims of another man who was scheduled for execution in July joined Hartkemeyer in calling for the executions to be delayed until it would be safe to attend.
About a week after the ACLU filed suit, a BOP staffer who had attended meetings in preparation for three executions, including Purkey’s, tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member did not always wear a mask, a BOP lawyer acknowledged in a court filing. Asked how many staff and incarcerated individuals he was in contact with in the lead-up to his positive test result, the staff member simply reported, “? Alot.”
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The Trump administration went forward with the scheduled executions: In the week following the BOP staffer testing positive, Purkey and two other men were put to death.
The rush to execute federal prisoners during the pandemic has also put attorneys in danger.
The two lead attorneys for Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row, both contracted COVID-19 after visiting with her in prison after her execution date was set. Montgomery suffers from mental illness and was a victim of extreme childhood abuse, including incest and sex trafficking by her parents, according to her attorneys.
Both her lawyers reported severe COVID-19 symptoms and were unable to prepare Montgomery’s clemency petition before the deadline. A judge delayed Montgomery’s execution until Jan. 12 — eight days before Biden’s inauguration — to give her attorneys some time to recover.
Robert Owen, a lawyer who has worked with Bernard for the past 20 years, is not planning to attend his execution on Thursday if it proceeds. Owen is in a high-risk group for COVID-19 and doesn’t feel he can take the chance of contracting the disease. “I’m deeply disappointed at that. I’m angry about it,” he said in an interview.
“I know that it can be really important to the client to have counsel present close to, or even at the time of the execution, and I would like to be able to offer that comfort to Brandon,” Owen said. “I’m frustrated that I can’t do it safely.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Joe Biden To Choose Retired General Lloyd Austin For Defense Secretary: Reports

The decision , first reported by Politico on Monday and confirmed by CNN , follows Biden telling reporters just hours earlier that he would announce his pick for defense secretary on Friday .
Austin , who is Black , would be the latest person of color to join the president-elect ’ s Cabinet .
For weeks , confusion and debate steadily grew over Biden ’ s process for choosing a defense secretary .
The longtime front-runner was Michèle Flournoy , a senior Pentagon official under President Barack Obama whom Obama had considered tapping for the top Defense Department post and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job under 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton .
Flournoy would have been the first woman ever to run the intensely male-dominated agency , a big selling point for many national security officials .
She is well-respected across Washington ; on Monday , House Armed Services Committee Chair Rep. Adam Smith ( D-Wash. ) told reporters he had recommended that Biden appoint her .
Some progressives loudly opposed Flournoy , however , highlighting her support of a major naval build-up near China , her ties to the defense industry and her post-government job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reveal its clients .
Activists may claim a win if Politico ’ s reporting proves correct and Flournoy loses out on the Cabinet position .
However , Austin has himself been involved in hawkish policies like arming Syrian rebels , and he sits on the board of directors of weapons producer Raytheon .
National security experts have expressed wariness about choosing Austin , stressing that he has not been out of the military for the required seven years and would therefore need a waiver from Congress to lead the Defense Department .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ second defense secretary in four years to require the wavier , after President Donald Trump chose retired Gen. Jim Mattis to lead the Pentagon in 2017 .
“ From a civil-military relations perspective , this seems like a terrible idea , ” tweeted Rosa Brooks , a former Pentagon official who penned an op-ed in The New York Times calling for Biden to choose a woman to lead the department .
“ Lots of damage during the Trump era .
Especially after Mattis , Kelly , McMaster , Flynn ... .
putting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how wonderful , into the top civilian DoD position sends the worst possible message.
” As a heavy favorite , Flournoy may still be under consideration ― and the criticism Austin has received could drive Biden to make a choice that many Democrats would be happy about , both because of their faith in Flournoy and their wariness of granting Austin the waiver he would need .
Biden is facing increased pressure to diversify his Cabinet .
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus had a heated discussion with his transition team last week over its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Lujan Grisham from consideration for Health and Human Services .
Biden announced this week that he ’ s picked California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for the role instead .
Politico previously reported that members of the Congressional Black Caucus had urged Biden to choose a Black defense secretary and for Black candidates to be “ seriously considered ” for national security jobs in the administration .
Antony Blinken , who is white , is Biden ’ s choice to lead the State Department and Janet Yellen , who is also white , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department .
He is also strongly considering Sally Yates , another white person , to be attorney general .
“ A lot of people are anxiously awaiting to see what the Cabinet looks like once it ’ s completed , ” Rep. Bennie Thompson ( D-Miss . )
, a CBC member , told Politico .
“ But also note the fact that the African American numbers need to be better than what they are at this point .
”

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President-elect Joe Biden has reportedly chosen retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to lead the Pentagon in what seems to be his latest Cabinet pick.
The decision, first reported by Politico on Monday and confirmed by CNN, follows Biden telling reporters just hours earlier that he would announce his pick for defense secretary on Friday. Austin, who is Black, would be the latest person of color to join the president-elect’s Cabinet.
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For weeks, confusion and debate steadily grew over Biden’s process for choosing a defense secretary. The longtime front-runner was Michèle Flournoy, a senior Pentagon official under President Barack Obama whom Obama had considered tapping for the top Defense Department post and who would have almost certainly gotten the job under 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Flournoy would have been the first woman ever to run the intensely male-dominated agency, a big selling point for many national security officials. She is well-respected across Washington; on Monday, House Armed Services Committee Chair Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) told reporters he had recommended that Biden appoint her.
Some progressives loudly opposed Flournoy, however, highlighting her support of a major naval build-up near China, her ties to the defense industry and her post-government job at a for-profit consultancy that has declined to reveal its clients.
Activists may claim a win if Politico’s reporting proves correct and Flournoy loses out on the Cabinet position. However, Austin has himself been involved in hawkish policies like arming Syrian rebels, and he sits on the board of directors of weapons producer Raytheon.
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National security experts have expressed wariness about choosing Austin, stressing that he has not been out of the military for the required seven years and would therefore need a waiver from Congress to lead the Defense Department. If picked, he would be the second defense secretary in four years to require the wavier, after President Donald Trump chose retired Gen. Jim Mattis to lead the Pentagon in 2017.
“From a civil-military relations perspective, this seems like a terrible idea,” tweeted Rosa Brooks, a former Pentagon official who penned an op-ed in The New York Times calling for Biden to choose a woman to lead the department.
“Lots of damage during the Trump era. Especially after Mattis, Kelly, McMaster, Flynn.... putting a recently retired 4 star, no matter how wonderful, into the top civilian DoD position sends the worst possible message.”
Whoa.... Suddenly also hearing names of several recently retired 4 stars suggested as potentially serious contenders for Secretary of Defense. From a civil-military relations perspective, this seems like a terrible idea. 1/ — Rosa Brooks (@brooks_rosa) November 26, 2020
As a heavy favorite, Flournoy may still be under consideration ― and the criticism Austin has received could drive Biden to make a choice that many Democrats would be happy about, both because of their faith in Flournoy and their wariness of granting Austin the waiver he would need.
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The Biden transition team did not immediately reply to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Biden is facing increased pressure to diversify his Cabinet. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus had a heated discussion with his transition team last week over its decision to drop New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham from consideration for Health and Human Services. Biden announced this week that he’s picked California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for the role instead.
Politico previously reported that members of the Congressional Black Caucus had urged Biden to choose a Black defense secretary and for Black candidates to be “seriously considered” for national security jobs in the administration.
Antony Blinken, who is white, is Biden’s choice to lead the State Department and Janet Yellen, who is also white, is his choice to lead the Treasury Department. He is also strongly considering Sally Yates, another white person, to be attorney general.
“A lot of people are anxiously awaiting to see what the Cabinet looks like once it’s completed,” Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), a CBC member, told Politico. “But also note the fact that the African American numbers need to be better than what they are at this point.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Tribes Want Deb Haaland For Interior Secretary. Some Biden Advisers Are Trying To Thwart Her.

But for some reason , some of Biden ’ s advisers have begun anonymously planting the idea in news stories that the Native American congresswoman , who chairs a House subcommittee with oversight of the Interior Department , is not qualified .
What ’ s also puzzling is that these sources say a better candidate is a lesser-known man who is also Native , Michael Connor , despite dozens of tribal leaders telling Biden , publicly and privately , that they back Haaland .
The anonymous slights against Haaland haven ’ t gone unnoticed by her supporters , who say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her being belittled by people in Biden ’ s orbit .
Some prominent Native women have noted the sexism of the anonymous comments , per reporter Julian Brave Noisecat .
Some of Haaland ’ s supporters made similar suggestions to HuffPost privately ; others were willing to go public with their frustrations .
Not only is Haaland equipped for the job , he said , but she embodies the kind of diversity and representation in government that Biden says he wants .
It would be a seismic shift to put a Native American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency that oversees public lands ― the same lands from which Indigenous people were previously forcibly removed by the U.S. government .
“ I think those individuals being anonymous should think that through for themselves , because by going after this person , you ’ re standing in the way of history , ” Grijalva said .
“ We ’ re not going to get it again .
She ’ s real .
She ’ s authentic .
She ’ s legitimate .
And she should have it.
” Shannon Holsey , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin , lamented the “ shroud of elusiveness ” over the anonymous sources criticizing Haaland and floating Connor ’ s name instead .
What ’ s odd about Connor suddenly being pushed , she said , is that so many tribal leaders are united behind Haaland while Connor ’ s name hasn ’ t even come up .
“ If there are truly concerns , in the spirit of transparency , they should put them forward .
I don ’ t know what the issues would be , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years in this kind of shroud .
Why would you start a new transition that way ?
” “ Rep .
Haaland has championed the environment , helped lead efforts to address climate change , and worked to improve the nation-to-nation relationship between our Tribes and the United States – all issues within the Department of the Interior ’ s responsibilities , ” reads the letter .
“ At every turn , she has been a leading voice against the Trump Administration ’ s work to roll back environmental protections ... She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s efforts to cut programs that benefit tribal communities.
” Adding to the confusion over the anonymous attacks on Haaland , Biden last week offered the Interior secretary job to New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham , who has relatively little experience with the public lands and energy issues the Interior Department focuses on .
Grisham turned down the offer , which already made no sense but also would have pitted her against Haaland and Udall , both colleagues from New Mexico .
One source who works closely with tribal leaders on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s transition team who have worked with Connor in the past , and they are trying to push “ a message of there being an alternative Native American ” in an effort to help their former colleague get the Interior post .
“ This is not the will of the tribes who have thrown their weight heavily behind Deb Haaland , who is highly qualified , ” said this source , who requested anonymity to speak freely .
“ This is an age-old classic of divide and conquer where you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the day , you do the thing you want to do.
” We ’ ve lived the past four years in this kind of shroud .
Why would you start a new transition that way ?
Shannon Holsey , president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican tribe A spokesperson for Biden ’ s transition team said he could not confirm or deny that Haaland is under consideration for the Interior post ( she is , but they have to say this ) , but whoever is anonymously criticizing Haaland is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s team .
Regardless of who Biden picks for the post , the surge of momentum behind Haaland for Interior secretary ― not the most flashy job ― is remarkable .
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have thrown their support behind her .
Data for Progress , a progressive think tank , is circulating a petition urging Biden to pick Haaland for the post .
Indigenous-led organizations like NDN Collective and Indigenous Environmental Network have been trying to get the hashtag # DebForInterior trending on Twitter .

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For weeks, leaders of Native American tribes all over the country have been urging President-elect Joe Biden to pick Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to be his interior secretary. So have dozens of members of Congress, including Republicans.
But for some reason, some of Biden’s advisers have begun anonymously planting the idea in news stories that the Native American congresswoman, who chairs a House subcommittee with oversight of the Interior Department, is not qualified. What’s also puzzling is that these sources say a better candidate is a lesser-known man who is also Native, Michael Connor, despite dozens of tribal leaders telling Biden, publicly and privately, that they back Haaland.
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“But her lack of policy experience worries some Biden advisers, who have suggested another Native American candidate: Michael L. Connor, a deputy interior secretary in the Obama administration, whose experience is unquestioned,” reads a New York Times piece in late November.
“But many of Mr. Biden’s advisers fear that she lacks the experience to manage the sprawling complex agency,” reads a second New York Times piece on Thursday.
Another anonymous “conservation source” told The Hill on Wednesday that Haaland’s support by progressive groups could complicate her Senate confirmation. This person suggested Haaland’s support for the Green New Deal, a legislative plan aimed at addressing climate change and economic inequality, could cause problems.
But Biden himself has called the proposal a “crucial framework,” and another top candidate for Interior, Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), supports the plan, too.
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The anonymous slights against Haaland haven’t gone unnoticed by her supporters, who say they are angry and confused to see her being belittled by people in Biden’s orbit. Some prominent Native women have noted the sexism of the anonymous comments, per reporter Julian Brave Noisecat. Some of Haaland’s supporters made similar suggestions to HuffPost privately; others were willing to go public with their frustrations.
“Of course it’s offensive to say she’s not qualified,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Not only is Haaland equipped for the job, he said, but she embodies the kind of diversity and representation in government that Biden says he wants. It would be a seismic shift to put a Native American woman at the helm of the federal agency that oversees public lands ― the same lands from which Indigenous people were previously forcibly removed by the U.S. government.
It would also be historic: The U.S. has never had any Indigenous Cabinet secretaries.
“I think those individuals being anonymous should think that through for themselves, because by going after this person, you’re standing in the way of history,” Grijalva said. “We’re not going to get it again. She’s real. She’s authentic. She’s legitimate. And she should have it.”
He added, “Anything less than that, I think, is really going to create some blowback.”
Rep. Deb Haaland listens to witnesses in a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on July 28. Bill Clark/Pool via REUTERS
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Shannon Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican tribe in Wisconsin, lamented the “shroud of elusiveness” over the anonymous sources criticizing Haaland and floating Connor’s name instead. What’s odd about Connor suddenly being pushed, she said, is that so many tribal leaders are united behind Haaland while Connor’s name hasn’t even come up.
“If there are truly concerns, in the spirit of transparency, they should put them forward. I don’t know what the issues would be,” she said. “We’ve lived the past four years in this kind of shroud. Why would you start a new transition that way?”
Holsey is one of 150 tribal leaders who privately wrote to Biden last week in support of Haaland for interior secretary. HuffPost obtained a copy of the letter and agreed to only excerpt from it.
“Rep. Haaland has championed the environment, helped lead efforts to address climate change, and worked to improve the nation-to-nation relationship between our Tribes and the United States – all issues within the Department of the Interior’s responsibilities,” reads the letter. “At every turn, she has been a leading voice against the Trump Administration’s work to roll back environmental protections ... She has also fought the Trump Administration’s efforts to cut programs that benefit tribal communities.”
It concludes, “As the leaders of sovereign tribal nations, we believe it is long past time that a Native American person serve as Secretary of the Interior. Further, we believe that Congresswoman Deb Haaland is ready to serve as Secretary.”
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Adding to the confusion over the anonymous attacks on Haaland, Biden last week offered the interior secretary job to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has relatively little experience with the public lands and energy issues the Interior Department focuses on. Grisham turned down the offer, which already made no sense but also would have pitted her against Haaland and Udall, both colleagues from New Mexico.
One source who works closely with tribal leaders on federal strategy speculated there are people on Biden’s transition team who have worked with Connor in the past, and they are trying to push “a message of there being an alternative Native American” in an effort to help their former colleague get the Interior post.
“This is not the will of the tribes who have thrown their weight heavily behind Deb Haaland, who is highly qualified,” said this source, who requested anonymity to speak freely. “This is an age-old classic of divide and conquer where you are supposedly working with tribes but, at the end of the day, you do the thing you want to do.”
“We’ve lived the past four years in this kind of shroud. Why would you start a new transition that way?” - Shannon Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican tribe
A spokesperson for Biden’s transition team said he could not confirm or deny that Haaland is under consideration for the Interior post (she is, but they have to say this), but whoever is anonymously criticizing Haaland is not someone authorized to speak for Biden’s team.
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“No one is trying to discount Deb Haaland,” he said.
A Haaland spokesperson declined comment.
Connor, who currently works for the international law firm WilmerHale, did not respond to a request for comment.
Another member of Biden’s transition team emphasized that the team has already been meeting with dozens of tribal leaders, councils and organizations representing Indian Country, and will continue to do so in the coming weeks to strengthen government-to-government relations. The team also recently added a Native American doctor, Dr. Jim Jill, to its COVID-19 advisory board.
Regardless of who Biden picks for the post, the surge of momentum behind Haaland for interior secretary ― not the most flashy job ― is remarkable. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have thrown their support behind her. Data for Progress, a progressive think tank, is circulating a petition urging Biden to pick Haaland for the post. Indigenous-led organizations like NDN Collective and Indigenous Environmental Network have been trying to get the hashtag #DebForInterior trending on Twitter.
Some have come up with hilarious memes to go with it.
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Some Indigenous women angrily defended Haaland on social media and to HuffPost shortly after this story was published.
Melanie Benjamin, chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota, said Biden promised that his administration would have gender parity and diversity unlike any previous administration.
“He promised he would listen to Indian Country,” said Benjamin. “Congresswoman Haaland’s accomplishments are already historic and her qualifications are not in question ... The opportunity for the Biden/Harris team to make this inspired choice is golden. It should not be overtaken by anonymous voices that insult both women and Indian Country.”
“It is offensive that Congresswoman Deb Haaland is being subjected to a sexist whisper campaign that is attempting to undermine her experience,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, executive director of Illuminative, a nonprofit aimed at increasing the visibility of Native people.
“It’s yet another example of how Native women, and women of color, despite having excellent qualifications and broad support, have to continuously fight against sexist narratives that could disqualify them from positions they deserve,” she said. “President-Elect Biden said he would strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship between tribes and his administration. Tribal leaders are endorsing Haaland and are telling the administration she is the best, most qualified candidate for the position. Is the president-elect listening?”
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Meanwhile, groups in New Mexico are still sending letters to Biden backing Haaland. On Saturday, 50 Indigenous, environmental and social justice organizations in the state wrote to Biden saying Haaland is “uniquely qualified” to be interior secretary. This was a day after the All Pueblo Council of Governors formally urged Biden to nominate Haaland, and two weeks after the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council wrote a similar letter.
In the mix of those New Mexico tribes backing Haaland?


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--Pompeo To Speak In Georgia As Senate Run-Offs Loom

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to deliver a speech extolling the Trump administration ’ s foreign policy this week in Georgia , ahead of key Senate run-off elections in the state that will determine control of the upper chamber of Congress .
Pompeo is expected to address threats posed by China in an address to Georgia Tech on Wednesday , the university said .
The speech in Atlanta will come less than a month before the run-off elections for the Georgia Senate seats and follows weekend senatorial campaign appearances in the state by President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media prior to meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah at the State Department , Tuesday , Nov. 24 , 2020 in Washington .
( Saul Loeb/Pool via AP ) Pompeo will discuss “ the China challenge to U.S. national security and academic freedom , ” the university said .
The administration has rapidly and steadily ramped up sanctions against China over the past two years , limiting visas for Chinese researchers , scientists and academics , closing China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese and Hong Kong officials .
Pompeo , who is widely seen as a contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination , has been heavily criticized for departing from the traditionally non-partisan role of the nation ’ s top diplomat by making appearances that have political overtones over the past several months .
Most notably , those include a video address to the Republican National Convention in August that he taped during a trip to Israel .
Although secretaries of state often speak to domestic audiences , Pompeo ’ s RNC speech prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into whether it violated the Hatch Act that bars political appointees from overtly partisan activities .
Pompeo has said a probe is underway , although State Department ethics officials have cleared him .
But , the RNC speech from the roof of a Jerusalem hotel is not the only Pompeo appearance that has raised eyebrows .
Pompeo has spoken at The Villages , a heavily Republican retirement community in the battleground state of Florida , as well as at an Evangelical church in Texas and religious gatherings in Iowa and Florida , over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has spoken several times to conservative religious groups that have taken clear political positions on November ’ s presidential election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden .
Pompeo has yet to unambiguously recognize that Biden won the contest , although the State Department and other federal agencies are now cooperating with the Biden transition team .
Pompeo , who made a point of discussing his outreach to his predecessors when he took over the job from fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson , has yet to publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Antony Blinken .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to deliver a speech extolling the Trump administration’s foreign policy this week in Georgia, ahead of key Senate run-off elections in the state that will determine control of the upper chamber of Congress.
Pompeo is expected to address threats posed by China in an address to Georgia Tech on Wednesday, the university said. The speech in Atlanta will come less than a month before the run-off elections for the Georgia Senate seats and follows weekend senatorial campaign appearances in the state by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media prior to meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah at the State Department, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 in Washington. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pompeo will discuss “the China challenge to U.S. national security and academic freedom,” the university said. The administration has rapidly and steadily ramped up sanctions against China over the past two years, limiting visas for Chinese researchers, scientists and academics, closing China’s consulate in Houston and imposing penalties on Chinese and Hong Kong officials.
Pompeo, who is widely seen as a contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, has been heavily criticized for departing from the traditionally non-partisan role of the nation’s top diplomat by making appearances that have political overtones over the past several months. Most notably, those include a video address to the Republican National Convention in August that he taped during a trip to Israel.
Although secretaries of state often speak to domestic audiences, Pompeo’s RNC speech prompted calls from congressional Democrats for an investigation into whether it violated the Hatch Act that bars political appointees from overtly partisan activities. Pompeo has said a probe is underway, although State Department ethics officials have cleared him.
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But, the RNC speech from the roof of a Jerusalem hotel is not the only Pompeo appearance that has raised eyebrows. Pompeo has spoken at The Villages, a heavily Republican retirement community in the battleground state of Florida, as well as at an Evangelical church in Texas and religious gatherings in Iowa and Florida, over the past 18 months.
In addition, he has spoken several times to conservative religious groups that have taken clear political positions on November’s presidential election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-07--White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany Appears To Admit That Biden Won

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany became the latest member of President Donald Trump ’ s circle who appeared to acknowledge that Joe Biden won the presidential election , despite Trump ’ s false claims of victory .
In an interview on Fox News on Sunday , McEnany noted that if “ we ” lose the two Georgia Senate seats in a January runoff election to Democrats , it will be Kamala Harris “ casting the deciding vote in this country.
” Harris would only cast a deciding Senate vote as vice president .
“ If we lose these two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deciding vote in this country for our government ?
It will be Kamala Harris.
” - the closest we ’ re gon na get to the campaign admitting defeat .
pic.twitter.com/mca6UtYgHM — j.d .
durkin ( @ jiveDurkey ) December 6 , 2020 McEnany used the scenario in a last-ditch argument to convince Georgia ’ s state legislature to overturn Biden ’ s election win in the state and manipulate an electoral vote for Trump .
Trump hasn ’ t conceded the race to Biden .
Though most Republican members of Congress have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing number recognize Biden as the president-elect .
Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said last week in an interview that it “ looks like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will prevail.
” She added : “ I assume the electors will certify that and it will be official .
We , as a nation , will move forward , because we always do.
” Avid Trump supporter Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-Tenn. ) last month referred to Biden as the “ president-elect.
” But her staff said later that she misspoke .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is filing for fraud are frivolous and it wo n't be Mike Pence deciding the tiebreaker .
So she agrees that Biden won the election — mickeyblues !
🇺🇸💙 ( @ Ariannablue219 ) December 7 , 2020

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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany became the latest member of President Donald Trump’s circle who appeared to acknowledge that Joe Biden won the presidential election, despite Trump’s false claims of victory.
In an interview on Fox News on Sunday, McEnany noted that if “we” lose the two Georgia Senate seats in a January runoff election to Democrats, it will be Kamala Harris “casting the deciding vote in this country.” Harris would only cast a deciding Senate vote as vice president.
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“If we lose these two Senate seats, guess whose casting the deciding vote in this country for our government? It will be Kamala Harris.”
- the closest we’re gonna get to the campaign admitting defeat.
pic.twitter.com/mca6UtYgHM — j.d. durkin (@jiveDurkey) December 6, 2020
McEnany used the scenario in a last-ditch argument to convince Georgia’s state legislature to overturn Biden’s election win in the state and manipulate an electoral vote for Trump.
Trump hasn’t conceded the race to Biden. Though most Republican members of Congress have been silent on who won, a growing number recognize Biden as the president-elect.
Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said last week in an interview that it “looks like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will prevail.” She added: “I assume the electors will certify that and it will be official. We, as a nation, will move forward, because we always do.”
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Avid Trump supporter Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) last month referred to Biden as the “president-elect.” But her staff said later that she misspoke.
Yes, it "WILL BE" Kamala Harris because Trump/Pence LOST the election. She's admitted it. — J. StormoGipson, MD (@JStormogipson) December 7, 2020
Works for me. — Lo and Behold. (@AvaAnneMarie) December 6, 2020
Kayleigh concedes! — John Yap (@John_Yap) December 6, 2020
So they’re finally conceding that Biden/Harris defeated Trump/Pence? Interesting. https://t.co/5LVvYXgdWi — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) December 6, 2020
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Boom. Quiet, but boom. — LindaAnnHilton (@LAWHilton) December 6, 2020
A hear a bit of panic coming from her. — That Wonderland of Nature (@cosmicbuttrfly) December 6, 2020
You say that, Kayleigh, like it's a bad thing. — Charlie Kenmore (@Charlie_Kenmore) December 6, 2020
So she confirmed these lawsuits that Trump is filing for fraud are frivolous and it won't be Mike Pence deciding the tiebreaker. So she agrees that Biden won the election — mickeyblues!🇺🇸💙 (@Ariannablue219) December 7, 2020
She's auditioning — Craig (@Executnr) December 6, 2020
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