thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Battered Louisiana Coast Braces For 1 More: Hurricane Delta

ABBEVILLE , La .
( AP ) — Boarded windows and empty sidewalks made parts of Louisiana ’ s Acadiana region look like empty movie sets as major Hurricane Delta roared ever closer to the U.S. Gulf coast , apparently on track to smash into the same southwestern part of the state where Hurricane Laura blasted ashore six weeks ago .
Forecasters said Delta — the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season — would likely crash ashore late Friday somewhere on southwest Louisiana ’ s coast .
The question was whether it would remain at devastating Category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a still extremely dangerous Category 2 storm — with winds falling below 110 miles per hour ( 177 kph ) .
“ You can always get another house another car but not another life , ” said Hilton Stroder as he and his wife Terry boarded up their Abbeville home with plans to head to their son ’ s house further east .
It marked the sixth time this season that Louisiana has been threatened by tropical storms or hurricanes .
One fizzled at the southeast Louisiana tip and others veered elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southeast Louisiana in June .
And Laura demolished much of the southwestern part of the state on Aug. 27 , causing more than 30 deaths .
Life wasn ’ t at a complete standstill though .
A gas station was doing steady business as people filled their cars and spare gasoline cans and a grocery store served last customers stocking up .
Similar scenes played out not far away in New Iberia , where the few signs of life included cars lined up at a drive-thru daquiri shop and people grabbing food at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bel Edwards noted in a radio show that Delta appeared headed for the area near the Texas state line that was devastated by Laura , including Lake Charles and surrounding Calcasieu Parish , and rural Cameron Parish on the coast .
“ And we ’ ve got people who are very tired , ” he noted .
“ People of Lake Charles and in Cameron Parish have already suffered enough , and then here comes this one , ” said Desi Milligan , who owns an RV park in Cameron that was heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s danger are everywhere in the region .
In nearby Bell City , some debris piles are more than 6 feet ( 2 meters ) high and 75 feet ( 23 meters ) long .
Concerns mounted Friday that Delta ’ s arrival would cause the debris to become airborne , deadly projectiles .
Though homes and farmhouses in the area still stood , many rooftops with lingering damage from Laura were covered in blue tarps .
In Cameron Parish , power poles along Highway 27 in a desolate stretch of marsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none appeared to have been repaired since the August storm .
A few miles down the road , Creole presented a scene of utter devastation under an overcast sky that soon gave way to pouring rain .
Where there used to be buildings , exposed slabs remained .
A church and a convenience store had been reduced to debris , and fences were blown over or completely torn down .
New Orleans , well east of the projected landfall area , was expected to escape Delta ’ s worst impacts .
But tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city on Friday , and local officials said they were preparing for the possibility of tornadoes .
In Abbeville , Tony Russo was loading up on groceries late Thursday .
“ I don ’ t know really any different , ” he replied when asked his reaction to the busy storm season .
“ You ’ re here .
If you love it you stay , “ he said .
But he added with a chuckle : “ 2020 has been a hell of a year .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
ABBEVILLE, La. (AP) — Boarded windows and empty sidewalks made parts of Louisiana’s Acadiana region look like empty movie sets as major Hurricane Delta roared ever closer to the U.S. Gulf coast, apparently on track to smash into the same southwestern part of the state where Hurricane Laura blasted ashore six weeks ago.
Forecasters said Delta — the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season — would likely crash ashore late Friday somewhere on southwest Louisiana’s coast. The question was whether it would remain at devastating Category 3 strength or drop just before landfall to a still extremely dangerous Category 2 storm — with winds falling below 110 miles per hour (177 kph).
Advertisement
Either way, people in this battered coastal region were taking Delta seriously.
“You can always get another house another car but not another life,” said Hilton Stroder as he and his wife Terry boarded up their Abbeville home with plans to head to their son’s house further east.
As Delta churned north-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph) on Thursday night, the National Hurricane Center had a hurricane warning in place for the Gulf Coast extending from High Island, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana.
This Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, satellite image released by NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) shows Hurricane Delta. Forecasts showed Delta had strengthened back into a Category 3 hurricane, expecting to arrive Louisiana on Friday evening. NASA via AP
It marked the sixth time this season that Louisiana has been threatened by tropical storms or hurricanes. One fizzled at the southeast Louisiana tip and others veered elsewhere but Tropical Storm Cristobal caused damage in southeast Louisiana in June. And Laura demolished much of the southwestern part of the state on Aug. 27, causing more than 30 deaths.
Advertisement
Life wasn’t at a complete standstill though. A gas station was doing steady business as people filled their cars and spare gasoline cans and a grocery store served last customers stocking up. Similar scenes played out not far away in New Iberia, where the few signs of life included cars lined up at a drive-thru daquiri shop and people grabbing food at take-out restaurants.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards noted in a radio show that Delta appeared headed for the area near the Texas state line that was devastated by Laura, including Lake Charles and surrounding Calcasieu Parish, and rural Cameron Parish on the coast. “And we’ve got people who are very tired,” he noted.
“People of Lake Charles and in Cameron Parish have already suffered enough, and then here comes this one,” said Desi Milligan, who owns an RV park in Cameron that was heavily damaged by Laura.
Reminders of Laura’s danger are everywhere in the region. In nearby Bell City, some debris piles are more than 6 feet (2 meters) high and 75 feet (23 meters) long. Concerns mounted Friday that Delta’s arrival would cause the debris to become airborne, deadly projectiles.
A business destroyed from Hurricane Laura lies in pieces, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Cameron, La., in advance of Hurricane Delta, which is expected to make landfall Friday. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Advertisement
Though homes and farmhouses in the area still stood, many rooftops with lingering damage from Laura were covered in blue tarps. In Cameron Parish, power poles along Highway 27 in a desolate stretch of marsh were all either broken or leaning — none appeared to have been repaired since the August storm. A few miles down the road, Creole presented a scene of utter devastation under an overcast sky that soon gave way to pouring rain. Where there used to be buildings, exposed slabs remained. A church and a convenience store had been reduced to debris, and fences were blown over or completely torn down.
Delta had already clipped Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 2 hurricane just south of the resort city of Cancún early Wednesday, bringing high winds and heavy rain. No deaths or injuries were reported there.
New Orleans, well east of the projected landfall area, was expected to escape Delta’s worst impacts. But tropical storm force winds were still likely in the city on Friday, and local officials said they were preparing for the possibility of tornadoes.
And in Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency like his counterpart Edwards did in Louisiana. Forecasters said southern Mississippi could see heavy rain and flash flooding.
In Abbeville, Tony Russo was loading up on groceries late Thursday. “I don’t know really any different,” he replied when asked his reaction to the busy storm season. “You’re here. If you love it you stay,“ he said. But he added with a chuckle: “2020 has been a hell of a year.”
Advertisement
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Jordan Klepper Trolls Trump Voters At A ‘COVID Rally,’ And It Gets Awkward Fast

“ The Daily Show ” sent correspondent Jordan Klepper to what he called a “ slightly different kind of superspreader @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s MAGA rallies .
“ These rallies are a known vector @ @ @ @ @ favorite lies , ” Klepper noted as he visited the parking lot of the president @ @ @ @ @ in Pennsylvania .
That ’ s the same day that there was a ceremony in @ @ @ @ @ that has since been linked to multiple coronavirus infections .
But at the rally , @ @ @ @ @ different kind of infection : As he put it , he was there to see @ @ @ @ @ caught Trump ’ s version of reality.
” It appears to be highly contagious : @ @ @ @ @ has since urged those who attended the rally to download an app to assist in @ @ @ @ @ who was there tested positive for COVID-19 .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
“The Daily Show” sent correspondent Jordan Klepper to what he called a “slightly different kind of superspreader event” — one of President Donald Trump’s MAGA rallies.
“These rallies are a known vector for spreading Trump’s favorite lies,” Klepper noted as he visited the parking lot of the president’s Sept. 26 event in Pennsylvania.
Advertisement
That’s the same day that there was a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden that has since been linked to multiple coronavirus infections.
But at the rally, Klepper was contact-tracing for a different kind of infection: As he put it, he was there to see “how many people have caught Trump’s version of reality.”
It appears to be highly contagious:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has since urged those who attended the rally to download an app to assist in contact tracing in case anyone who was there tested positive for COVID-19.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Colbert Finds The Absolute Dumbest Question In Trump’s Fox Business Interview

President Donald Trump on Thursday did multiple Fox interviews , speaking with Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business in the morning @ @ @ @ @ a phone call with Sean Hannity of Fox News at night .
But “ Late @ @ @ @ @ found what may have been the the oddest moment , which came when Bartiromo asked @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 coronavirus infection .
“ The media is out there saying you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Do you feel that you are ?
” “ What kind of question @ @ @ @ @ asked .
“ Do you feel contagious ?
Followup : What does the economy smell @ @ @ @ @ is when ?
” Check out his full monologue below :

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump on Thursday did multiple Fox interviews, speaking with Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business in the morning and rasping his way through a phone call with Sean Hannity of Fox News at night.
But “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert found what may have been the oddest moment of the interactions, which came when Bartiromo asked Trump about his recovery from the COVID-19 coronavirus infection.
Advertisement
“The media is out there saying you’re contagious,” she said. “Do you feel that you are?”
“I don’t think I’m contagious at all,” Trump replied.
The exchange left Colbert stunned.
“What kind of question is that?” he asked. “Do you feel contagious? Follow-up: What does the economy smell like? And how high is when?”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-08--Chris Cuomo Explodes At Trump's 'Virus Of Hate' After Michigan Kidnapping Plot

Six men were arrested and are facing federal charges for plotting to abduct Whitmer , who has been the target of attacks from Trump and his supporters for months over her measures to keep her constituents safe from COVID-19 .
The alleged kidnapping scheme involved a plan to snatch Whitmer from her vacation home and hold a “ treason trial , ” according to an FBI affidavit .
Terrorism , weapons and conspiracy charges were also brought against seven other men , authorities announced Thursday .
Despite tweeting intermittently all day , Trump did not say anything about the alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9:30 p.m. Eastern , during Cuomo ’ s broadcast .
On Trump ’ s silence , Cuomo asked , “ Where is the outrage ?
How is this OK ?
” “ Mr .
Law and Order ?
” he added .
“ What he ignores he empowers on purpose .
And what he said to and about them empowers hate .
It ’ s not just ugly talk on Twitter to people like me .
They wanted to hurt her.
” Cuomo also wondered if Trump would be so quiet “ if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black guys arrested.
” “ He ’ d be saying “ It ’ s a coup , it ’ s a coup , ” Cuomo said .
“ Do you really want this sickness , this virus of hate he is fomenting ?
This isn ’ t Twitter , man .
It ’ s not a stupid YouTube video .
They were planning for a long time to get her .
They were going to meet and train .
They were trying to coordinate with other groups.
” He added : “ Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But why does it seem that all the hateful people are Trump supporters ?
”

Six men were arrested and are facing federal charges for plotting to abduct Whitmer, who has been the target of attacks from Trump and his supporters for months over her measures to keep her constituents safe from COVID-19.
The alleged kidnapping scheme involved a plan to snatch Whitmer from her vacation home and hold a “treason trial,” according to an FBI affidavit. Terrorism, weapons and conspiracy charges were also brought against seven other men, authorities announced Thursday.
Despite tweeting intermittently all day, Trump did not say anything about the alleged terror plot against an elected official until 9:30 p.m. Eastern, during Cuomo’s broadcast.
On Trump’s silence, Cuomo asked, “Where is the outrage? How is this OK?”
“Mr. Law and Order?” he added. “What he ignores he empowers on purpose. And what he said to and about them empowers hate. It’s not just ugly talk on Twitter to people like me. They wanted to hurt her.”
Cuomo also wondered if Trump would be so quiet “if this were a Republican governor and 13 Black guys arrested.”
“He’d be saying “It’s a coup, it’s a coup,” Cuomo said. “Do you really want this sickness, this virus of hate he is fomenting? This isn’t Twitter, man. It’s not a stupid YouTube video. They were planning for a long time to get her. They were going to meet and train. They were trying to coordinate with other groups.”
He added: “Not all Trump supporters are hateful people. But why does it seem that all the hateful people are Trump supporters?”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Trump Takes Sham 'Health Assessment' In Bizarre Fox News Appearance

President Donald Trump said he feels “ really good , really strong , ” yet declined to clearly state whether he had tested negative for the coronavirus in a remote , televised “ health assessment ” performed on Fox News by Dr. Marc Siegel , a frequent Fox News contributor .
The president said he ’ d been “ medication-free ” for the last eight hours in his appearance on host Tucker Carlson ’ s show at 8 p.m. Eastern on Friday night — his first on-screen interview since contracting the coronavirus .
He later revised that claim to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and had taken his “ final doses of just about everything ” that day .
Asked if he had been tested for the virus on Friday , Trump dodged , saying “ I have been retested and I haven ’ t even found out numbers or anything yet — I ’ m at either the bottom of the scale or free.
” Siegel , a pro-Trump internist in New York City , remotely interviewed Trump , who was filmed at the White House , and noted it was “ not officially a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation about coronavirus in his appearances on Fox News .
Trump described his state while at the hospital last weekend as “ tired , you didn ’ t have the same energy level.
” The president credited the fact that he “ got there very early , ” noting that “ one of the doctors thought it would have gotten a lot worse ” if he had not .
Trump tested positive for the coronavirus Thursday of last week and was hospitalized for three days over the weekend .
Since he returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health guidelines to quarantine for at least 10 days following the onset of COVID-19 symptoms — the president has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the illness , calling it a “ blessing from God ” that he was infected and telling Americans “ don ’ t be afraid ” of the virus .
In the Fox News interview , Trump also addressed his widely criticized drive near the hospital to wave to supporters while still hospitalized , saying “ it was a great display of love out there ” and that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hi.
” Trump also claimed that his Secret Service agents — two of whom were in the car with him , risking their health — had “ no problem ” with it .
“ I love the people of this country and I thought it would have been very disrespectful ... if I didn ’ t go out and at least give them a wave , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ m very glad I did it.
” “ I don ’ t know .
They had some big events at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the president said .
” You know , people have contracted it all over the world.
” He went on to downplay the virus yet again , saying that while it ’ s a “ contagious disease , ” people “ generally get better from it , ” and that in regard to coronavirus-related closures , “ the cure is worse than the problem itself.
” Last month , the White House was the location of a coronavirus “ superspreader event , ” per Dr. Anthony Fauci .
Following the Sept. 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Coney Barrett , multiple attendees tested positive for the virus , including the president , first lady Melania Trump and two Republican senators .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump said he feels “really good, really strong,” yet declined to clearly state whether he had tested negative for the coronavirus in a remote, televised “health assessment” performed on Fox News by Dr. Marc Siegel, a frequent Fox News contributor.
The president said he’d been “medication-free” for the last eight hours in his appearance on host Tucker Carlson’s show at 8 p.m. Eastern on Friday night — his first on-screen interview since contracting the coronavirus. He later revised that claim to say he had taken “pretty much nothing” and had taken his “final doses of just about everything” that day.
Advertisement
Asked if he had been tested for the virus on Friday, Trump dodged, saying “I have been retested and I haven’t even found out numbers or anything yet — I’m at either the bottom of the scale or free.”
Siegel, a pro-Trump internist in New York City, remotely interviewed Trump, who was filmed at the White House, and noted it was “not officially a televisit.” The doctor has previously spread misinformation about coronavirus in his appearances on Fox News.
Trump described his state while at the hospital last weekend as “tired, you didn’t have the same energy level.” The president credited the fact that he “got there very early,” noting that “one of the doctors thought it would have gotten a lot worse” if he had not.
Trump tested positive for the coronavirus Thursday of last week and was hospitalized for three days over the weekend. Since he returned to the White House on Monday — flouting public health guidelines to quarantine for at least 10 days following the onset of COVID-19 symptoms — the president has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the illness, calling it a “blessing from God” that he was infected and telling Americans “don’t be afraid” of the virus.
Advertisement
The coronavirus has killed over 213,000 people in the U.S. so far this year.
Trump claims he is no longer taking any medications as of this morning pic.twitter.com/qn8ICrv2js — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 10, 2020
In the Fox News interview, Trump also addressed his widely criticized drive near the hospital to wave to supporters while still hospitalized, saying “it was a great display of love out there” and that he wanted to “go out and say hi.”
Trump also claimed that his Secret Service agents — two of whom were in the car with him, risking their health — had “no problem” with it.
“I love the people of this country and I thought it would have been very disrespectful ... if I didn’t go out and at least give them a wave,” Trump said. “I’m very glad I did it.”
Friday’s Fox News interview extended Trump’s recent tour of right-wing media shows, including phone calls into Sean Hannity’s Fox News program on Thursday and right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh’s show earlier on Friday.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, since Trump left Walter Reed hospital on Monday, his medical team has not held a single press event where reporters could ask questions about the president’s health.
In Friday’s Fox News interview, Trump was asked whether he knew where he’d caught the virus.
“I don’t know. They had some big events at the White House, perhaps there,” the president said. ”You know, people have contracted it all over the world.”
He went on to downplay the virus yet again, saying that while it’s a “contagious disease,” people “generally get better from it,” and that in regard to coronavirus-related closures, “the cure is worse than the problem itself.”
Last month, the White House was the location of a coronavirus “superspreader event,” per Dr. Anthony Fauci. Following the Sept. 26 Rose Garden celebration for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, multiple attendees tested positive for the virus, including the president, first lady Melania Trump and two Republican senators.
Over two dozen people connected to the White House have tested positive in recent days, including former adviser Kellyanne Conway, current adviser Stephen Miller and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who remains hospitalized.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Trump's COVID-19 'Miracle' Treatment Relied On Cells Linked To Aborted Fetus

The COVID-19 treatment President Donald Trump has referred to as a miracle was developed using cells derived from an aborted fetus — a process he has severely curtailed in government-funded medical research to woo the evangelical vote .
Among the treatments Trump received was Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ’ experimental cocktail of monoclonal antibodies , which is not yet approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
In a video Wednesday , Trump called the Regeneron treatment “ the key ” to his bounce back from a COVID-19 infection .
He called it “ like unbelievable.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I caught [ COVID-19 ] .
I think it was a blessing in disguise , ” Trump said in the video .
“ I caught it , I heard about this drug , I said , ‘ Let me take it ’ … and it was incredible the way it worked.
” Yet the development of the drug is directly at odds with Trump ’ s stance against using fetal tissue cells in medical research .
That stance has been a key to his support from the evangelical community , which opposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was given , Remdesivir , was also developed using cells originally derived from the tissue of an aborted fetus .
In addition , three coronavirus vaccines under development are also using cell lines developed from fetal tissue in research , according to The New York Times .
All have received federal funding .
The Regeneron treatment ’ s efficacy was tested in a lab using HEK 293T cells .
That cell line was originally derived from the kidney tissue of a fetus aborted in the Netherlands in the 1970s , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test “ candidates ’ ability to neutralize the virus ” and helped researchers to “ determine the best two antibodies , ” which make up the REGN-COV2 cocktail , a spokesperson told CBS News .
The Trump administration last year suspended federal funding for most new scientific research projects involving fetal tissue from abortions , despite pleas from scientists .
Fetal tissue has been instrumental in developing treatments or cures for polio , cystic fibrosis and hemophilia , among many other conditions .
“ Promoting the dignity of human life from conception to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top priorities of President Trump ’ s administration , ” the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement at the time .
Dr. Deepak Srivastava , a pediatric cardiologist who led the International Society for Stem Cell Research until recently , criticized the administration ’ s hypocritical position .
“ If they oppose this research , they should be willing to not take a drug that was developed using that , ” he told the Times .
“ It ’ s not ethically sound to say , ‘ Just because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , it ’ s okay if it ’ s going to save my life , ’ ” Lawrence Goldstein , a neuroscientist at the University of California , San Diego , who has used fetal tissue in his research , told the Times of Trump : “ Hypocrisy has never bothered the man , as near as I can tell.
” The anti-abortion Charlotte Lozier Institute issued a statement to CBS pointing out that there was no actual tissue in the treatments Trump received and that he was not given any medicines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human life.
” That ’ s also true of medical research that Trump has blocked .
The institute did not address the issue of using cells derived from the tissue of an aborted fetus to test the treatment used on Trump , CBS pointed out .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The COVID-19 treatment President Donald Trump has referred to as a miracle was developed using cells derived from an aborted fetus — a process he has severely curtailed in government-funded medical research to woo the evangelical vote.
Trump last week referred to new COVID-19 treatments, including those he had received, as “miracles coming down from God.”
Advertisement
Among the treatments Trump received was Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ experimental cocktail of monoclonal antibodies, which is not yet approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In a video Wednesday, Trump called the Regeneron treatment “the key” to his bounce back from a COVID-19 infection. He called it “like unbelievable.”
“I think this was a blessing from God that I caught [COVID-19]. I think it was a blessing in disguise,” Trump said in the video. “I caught it, I heard about this drug, I said, ‘Let me take it’ … and it was incredible the way it worked.”
Yet the development of the drug is directly at odds with Trump’s stance against using fetal tissue cells in medical research. That stance has been a key to his support from the evangelical community, which opposes abortion.
A second antiviral drug Trump was given, Remdesivir, was also developed using cells originally derived from the tissue of an aborted fetus. In addition, three coronavirus vaccines under development are also using cell lines developed from fetal tissue in research, according to The New York Times. All have received federal funding.
Advertisement
The Regeneron treatment’s efficacy was tested in a lab using HEK 293T cells. That cell line was originally derived from the kidney tissue of a fetus aborted in the Netherlands in the 1970s, according to the company.
Regeneron CEO Dr. Leonard Schleifer attends a March 2 meeting with President Donald Trump, members of the Coronavirus Task Force and pharmaceutical executives at the White House. Andrew Harnik/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The cells were used to test “candidates’ ability to neutralize the virus” and helped researchers to “determine the best two antibodies,” which make up the REGN-COV2 cocktail, a spokesperson told CBS News.
The antiviral drug Remdesivir, also given to Trump, used the same HEK293T cells in its research to develop a treatment for COVID-19.
Regeneron’s link to fetal tissue was first reported in the MIT Technology Review. To create the therapeutic miracles Trump extols, apparently “God employs cell lines derived from human fetal tissue,” the publication noted.
Advertisement
The Trump administration last year suspended federal funding for most new scientific research projects involving fetal tissue from abortions, despite pleas from scientists. Fetal tissue has been instrumental in developing treatments or cures for polio, cystic fibrosis and hemophilia, among many other conditions.
“Promoting the dignity of human life from conception to natural death is one of the very top priorities of President Trump’s administration,” the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement at the time.
A Trump administration spokesperson told CBS News that use of the fetal tissue was acceptable in the president’s case because the research predated Trump’s policy.
“A product made using extant cell lines that existed before June 5, 2019, would not implicate the administration’s policy,” the spokesperson said.
Dr. Deepak Srivastava, a pediatric cardiologist who led the International Society for Stem Cell Research until recently, criticized the administration’s hypocritical position. “If they oppose this research, they should be willing to not take a drug that was developed using that,” he told the Times. “It’s not ethically sound to say, ‘Just because they’re made a long time ago, it’s okay if it’s going to save my life,’”
Advertisement
Lawrence Goldstein, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Diego, who has used fetal tissue in his research, told the Times of Trump: “Hypocrisy has never bothered the man, as near as I can tell.”
Anti-abortion groups have been largely mum on Trump praising his ability to benefit from cutting-edge treatment despite its links to fetal tissue.
The anti-abortion Charlotte Lozier Institute issued a statement to CBS pointing out that there was no actual tissue in the treatments Trump received and that he was not given any medicines that directly “involved the destruction of human life.” That’s also true of medical research that Trump has blocked.
The institute did not address the issue of using cells derived from the tissue of an aborted fetus to test the treatment used on Trump, CBS pointed out.
Trump has called Regereron a “cure” for COVID-19, which has also come under heavy fire.
“It’s absolutely irresponsible for the president to be calling it a cure,” Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University, told CBSN. “We can’t tell about a drug’s efficacy based on its performance in one patient.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--South Carolina Senate Debate Canceled After Lindsey Graham Refuses To Take COVID-19 Test

Friday ’ s debate between South Carolina ’ s U.S. Senate candidates was canceled after Republican incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham declined to take a coronavirus test .
Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison asked that Graham take the test before their second debate after news broke that Graham had been in close proximity to Sen. Mike Lee ( R-Utah ) , who announced last week that he tested positive for the coronavirus .
Instead of a debate , the two candidates agreed to do separate televised interviews Friday night .
Harrison ’ s spokesperson , Guy King , told The Greenville News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsey has failed to take a simple coronavirus test.
” Graham ’ s campaign issued its own statement to the News , blaming Harrison , who they said “ declined to participate in [ the debate ] at the last minute.
” In Friday night ’ s appearance on WLTX , Harrison lauded GOP Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , John Cornyn of Texas and Vice President Mike Pence for “ being responsible ” and getting tested for COVID-19 .
Graham , he said , “ thinks he ’ s special enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested for the disease .
Graham was one of several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who held a 90-minute hearing with Lee earlier this month .
Sen. Thom Tillis ( R-N.C. ) , another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee , also tested positive for the coronavirus .
More than a dozen people in President Donald Trump ’ s orbit have now tested positive for the coronavirus .
At their first debate last week , Harrison brought his own plexiglass shield to protect himself from possible infection .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Friday’s debate between South Carolina’s U.S. Senate candidates was canceled after Republican incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham declined to take a coronavirus test.
Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison asked that Graham take the test before their second debate after news broke that Graham had been in close proximity to Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who announced last week that he tested positive for the coronavirus.
Advertisement
Instead of a debate, the two candidates agreed to do separate televised interviews Friday night. Harrison’s spokesperson, Guy King, told The Greenville News that the campaign was “disappointed that Lindsey has failed to take a simple coronavirus test.”
Graham’s campaign issued its own statement to the News, blaming Harrison, who they said “declined to participate in [the debate] at the last minute.”
In Friday night’s appearance on WLTX, Harrison lauded GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Cornyn of Texas and Vice President Mike Pence for “being responsible” and getting tested for COVID-19. Graham, he said, “thinks he’s special enough that he can’t” get tested for the disease.
Why won't you take the test, Lindsey? https://t.co/dEVXUuBWqA — Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) October 9, 2020
Advertisement
Graham was one of several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who held a 90-minute hearing with Lee earlier this month. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also tested positive for the coronavirus.
More than a dozen people in President Donald Trump’s orbit have now tested positive for the coronavirus.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Trump's Last-Minute Push For Legally Tenuous Prescription Drug Cards

The cost of the program — the money itself , as well as the costs of producing the debit cards , sending out letters , and building a database to track cards and health outcomes — is nearly $ 8 billion .
The administration has indicated that it will cover the costs of the cards by dipping into Medicare funds , although the exact funding arrangement is not clear .
A senior White House official confirmed to HuffPost on Thursday that the administration had been working for months on a deal with the pharmaceutical industry to lower drug prices by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one-time debit cards that the industry would finance .
When that deal fell apart , as The New York Times first reported , the administration came up with this plan to finance the debit cards on its own .
Twisting The Law , Or Maybe Just Breaking It The administration says it has the authority to distribute and use funds to finance the drug cards , without an appropriation or any other kind of authorization from Congress , because of power it has under an amendment to the Social Security Act ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to a law Congress passed in 1967 .
( People are probably more familiar with the preceding section : 401 ( k ) . )
The Trump administration claims it can offset the cost of the drug cards with the savings from yet another planned initiative ― specifically , a proposal to reduce Medicare spending on drugs by using the lower prices negotiated by governments in some other countries .
But that international pricing program is not yet in place , and many experts doubt it ever will be because it still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurdles and is almost certain to face court challenges .
The Trump administration says the drug cards will test whether giving seniors extra money increases the likelihood that they take medications they need .
But there is zero mystery about whether that will happen , experts pointed out .
It will ― and there are years of research to show it .
What Are We Trying To Learn ?
But there are no signs that the administration has designed the program in that way ― or that it even has mechanisms in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would need to draw those kinds of conclusions about health outcomes .
Edwin Park , a research professor at Georgetown University who has been working on health care policy since he served in the Clinton administration , said there are many unanswered questions right now .
“ Logistically , for the cards itself , how is CMS going to track individuals ?
” he asked .
“ How is the card even going to be used in conjunction with Part D plans ?
How do pharmacies process these cards ?
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” What it surely does have something to do with is Trump ’ s poor poll numbers among seniors .
According to two recent polls , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leads Trump by more than 20 percentage points among voters who are 65 and older .
This demographic , almost always the most reliable voters , went for Trump in 2016 by a margin of 53 % to 44 % .
So it ’ s important for his reelection campaign to turn this group around in the closing weeks , hence his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seniors .
We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
In a gambit to boost President Donald Trump’s flagging poll numbers among seniors, the Trump administration is hastily assembling a plan that would put $200 debit cards for prescription drugs in the hands of most Medicare beneficiaries.
But the authority they’re using to bypass Congress is shaky at best, and illegal at worst, according to a number of legal and policy experts who spoke to HuffPost this week.
Advertisement
As first reported by Politico’s Dan Diamond, administration officials want to send roughly 39 million seniors a special debit card that can be used at pharmacies to pay for medications. The cards, worth $200 each, would go out between the end of October and the end of the year.
In case the political ramifications weren’t clear enough, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to spend about $19 million on letters — to be sent out before Election Day — informing seniors that they’ll be receiving this debit card as a result of Trump’s efforts.
The cost of the program — the money itself, as well as the costs of producing the debit cards, sending out letters, and building a database to track cards and health outcomes — is nearly $8 billion. The administration has indicated that it will cover the costs of the cards by dipping into Medicare funds, although the exact funding arrangement is not clear.
But if this seems like the government’s version of robbing Peter to pay Paul, just so Trump can claim right before the election that he’s lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, the White House claims the program could actually save Medicare money and improve health outcomes.
Advertisement
A senior White House official confirmed to HuffPost on Thursday that the administration had been working for months on a deal with the pharmaceutical industry to lower drug prices by Election Day, potentially including the distribution of one-time debit cards that the industry would finance. When that deal fell apart, as The New York Times first reported, the administration came up with this plan to finance the debit cards on its own.
Twisting The Law, Or Maybe Just Breaking It
The administration says it has the authority to distribute and use funds to finance the drug cards, without an appropriation or any other kind of authorization from Congress, because of power it has under an amendment to the Social Security Act ― specifically, Section 402, which dates back to a law Congress passed in 1967. (People are probably more familiar with the preceding section: 401(k).)
Under Section 402 waivers, the Department of Health and Human Services can conduct certain kinds of experiments to try out potential improvements in Medicare. But these test projects have to satisfy certain conditions.
One criterion is budget neutrality. A demonstration project can’t simply call for spending more money; it has to reduce spending or, at the very least, pay for itself.
The Trump administration claims it can offset the cost of the drug cards with the savings from yet another planned initiative ― specifically, a proposal to reduce Medicare spending on drugs by using the lower prices negotiated by governments in some other countries. But that international pricing program is not yet in place, and many experts doubt it ever will be because it still has to clear a number of regulatory hurdles and is almost certain to face court challenges.
Advertisement
“There’s no pretense that these drug cards are in some sense budget-neutral,” said Eliot Fishman, a former HHS official during the Obama administration who is now senior director for health policy at the liberal health care advocacy group FamiliesUSA.
Past Is Prologue
Another criterion for Section 402 waivers is that the projects are supposed to be real, meaningful experiments, designed to test unknown propositions that can guide policy in the future. Among the recent examples is a test of “disease management” programs during the George W. Bush administration.
The hope was that those programs would yield big savings. They didn’t. Both Medicare and private insurance took note and backed off plans to integrate such payment designs into their policies.
The Trump administration says the drug cards will test whether giving seniors extra money increases the likelihood that they take medications they need. But there is zero mystery about whether that will happen, experts pointed out. It will ― and there are years of research to show it.
“It is hard to see this as a research and demonstration project, unless your question is whether giving $200 to people immediately before an election gets them to vote for you,” said Timothy Jost, a professor emeritus and expert on health care law at Washington and Lee University.
Advertisement
What Are We Trying To Learn?
The real tell here, experts said, is the design of the Trump administration’s “experiment.” A serious effort to test whether the debit cards increase the use of necessary medications would require some kind of control group ― ideally, a group that didn’t get the money whose behavior could then serve as a basis for comparison.
But there are no signs that the administration has designed the program in that way ― or that it even has mechanisms in place to track and then collect the data it would need to draw those kinds of conclusions about health outcomes.
Edwin Park, a research professor at Georgetown University who has been working on health care policy since he served in the Clinton administration, said there are many unanswered questions right now. “Logistically, for the cards itself, how is CMS going to track individuals?” he asked. “How is the card even going to be used in conjunction with Part D plans? How do pharmacies process these cards? They are doing this completely on the fly apparently.”
Park said it seemed extremely unlikely that the administration has answered these questions, given Politico’s report that HHS scrambled to devise this rationale in September as part of a last-minute, desperate attempt to give Trump a drug pricing initiative that he could deploy before the election.
“The design will make it nearly impossible to learn anything of value,” said Stacie Dusetzina, a health policy professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “It is frustrating to see a proposal to spend so much on something that will not provide lasting benefits for patients and that ultimately will leave us with more questions than answers.”
Advertisement
It’s All Politics
Process questions aside, experts said that the drug card proposal completely distorts the purpose of Section 402, which was to encourage improvements in the way Medicare deals with health care providers, insurers and states.
Past administrations certainly stretched that authority. The Bush administration used a questionable 402 demonstration to shore up Part D drug plans when that program was first launching. The Obama administration used a 402 initiative to mitigate deep cuts to private Medicare Advantage plans that were part of the Affordable Care Act. The Government Accountability Office investigated that demonstration and determined, after the fact, that the Obama administration violated Section 402’s intent.
But even those two efforts had plausible justifications ― trying to stabilize the Medicare program as a whole. They weren’t simply plans to deliver an immediate and timely financial benefit to Medicare recipients right as they were voting on the president’s reelection.
To Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, it’s a “shameless stunt that steals billions from Medicare in order to fund a legally dubious scheme that’s clearly intended to benefit President Trump’s campaign right before Election Day.”
“If the president were serious,” Pallone continued in a statement on Thursday, “he would work with Democrats to follow through on his campaign promise to empower Medicare to ‘negotiate like crazy’ to lower drug prices. Instead, he’s stealing taxpayer funds for a one-time gimmicky ploy that won’t do anything to meaningfully lower drug prices for Americans.”
Advertisement
Fishman, the former Obama HHS official, called it a “naked effort to buy seniors’ votes.”
“This has nothing to do with trying to improve the program,” he said.
What it surely does have something to do with is Trump’s poor poll numbers among seniors. According to two recent polls, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leads Trump by more than 20 percentage points among voters who are 65 and older. This demographic, almost always the most reliable voters, went for Trump in 2016 by a margin of 53% to 44%. So it’s important for his reelection campaign to turn this group around in the closing weeks, hence his renewed focus on prescription drug spending among seniors.
The irony is that reducing drug prices was the one area of health policy that the Trump administration had taken seriously. In addition to promising executive actions, the administration at times indicated strong support for legislation moving through Congress.
But last year Trump threatened to veto legislation that passed the House, following months of direct negotiations with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and he has not pushed hard ― or, at least, not hard enough ― to promote bipartisan legislation in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other leaders have been blocking a vote.
“Some of the [proposed] changes could have been more impactful, helping not just on a one-time basis but on an ongoing basis,” said Rachel Sachs, a law professor and expert on the drug industry at Washington University in St. Louis. “There are things they could have done. And they’re choosing to push something that appears to be a political stunt instead.”
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting ― or suspicious! ― campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Trump Is Going All Out In Right-Wing Media To Convince People He’s ‘Cured’ Of COVID-19

In the four days since President Donald Trump left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , his medical team has not done a single press event where reporters could ask questions about the president ’ s health .
They have provided only a daily letter with scant and sometimes contradictory information , leaving the entire country without any meaningful information about the health of a 74-year-old president who has contracted the novel coronavirus .
The likely absurdity of this performance — not only is Siegel unreliable , but he will conduct the “ exam ” remotely and it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Americans not getting real updates about the president ’ s health 25 days before the election , but there is a high chance they are being actively misled .
Siegel is Fox News ’ go-to source for medical analysis and has appeared on the channel over 300 times since the start of the year .
Throughout the pandemic , he has repeatedly promoted unsubstantiated claims that tend to fit with the White House narrative on coronavirus .
Early on , he downplayed the threat from COVID-19 , telling Fox News host Sean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenario , it could be the flu , ” and promoting the unproven anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for the virus .
Siegel has also continually backed Trump ’ s response to the virus , as well as praised U.S. states that lifted coronavirus lockdowns despite surging cases .
He has pushed to reopen schools and defended Trump for holding campaign rallies and events .
After Trump contracted the virus , Siegel told Carlson that he saw no problem with Trump working from the Oval Office despite being potentially contagious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ News is a natural extension of the symbiotic relationship he has with the channel .
The president has repeatedly turned to Fox News for guidance on the coronavirus , holding private meetings with hosts Carlson and Laura Ingraham about the pandemic and regurgitating talking points he sees on the network .
Trump also hired Scott Atlas , a doctor who frequently appears on Fox News , to be a member of the White House coronavirus task force ― an appointment that medical experts , CDC Director Robert Redfield and dozens of Atlas ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized .
“ Everything he says is false , ” Redfield said about Atlas , according to NBC News .
That depth of the misinformation creates problems beyond the public knowing about Trump ’ s true health status .
The president ’ s public relations campaign has aimed not only to convince people he ’ s recovered already , but that COVID-19 , which has killed over 210,000 Americans , is simply not that dangerous .
Trump and his administration have continually downplayed the seriousness of the virus since the pandemic first hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemingly driven him into a corner , forcing him to pretend he ’ s feeling fine and ready to get back to work ― even though the majority of COVID-19 patients experience symptoms for at least two weeks , with some experiencing symptoms for even longer .
Although he was hospitalized for three days last weekend , Trump returned to the White House on Monday .
The move goes against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s guidelines that those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hypocrisy has put him in a tight spot , creating some truly bizarre situations .
Aside from a nationally televised medical exam done by an unqualified , partisan doctor , Trump has had many moments this past week that have exposed just how desperate he and his administration are to prove he ’ s fully recovered from coronavirus .
Before Trump even left the hospital , he took a joy ride with multiple secret service agents on Sunday to wave to his supporters .
He came under sharp criticism for putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for personal political gain .
Throughout the week , he tweeted several videos of himself giving updates on his condition , including one where he said he believes it was “ a blessing from God ” that he became infected and then falsely touted a “ cure ” for the coronavirus .
Despite being sick with coronavirus himself , Trump announced he will halt all conversations on another COVID-19 relief package until after the presidential election , delaying integral aid to millions .
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said this week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass another COVID-19 stimulus package before the election because the administration is too busy trying to appoint a new Supreme Court justice .
It only took two days before Trump walked back his prior statement , telling right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh on Friday that he “ would like to see a bigger stimulus package ” and is doing “ the exact opposite ” of what he said earlier in the week about stopping relief negotiations .
The second presidential debate , initially set for next week , is currently up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers announced it would be held virtually “ in order to protect the health and safety of all involved.
” The president is still pushing for an in-person debate despite being positive for COVID-19 .
Trump has repeatedly pushed for more rallies ― large gatherings which health experts have warned could further spread the coronavirus ― as the election nears .
He ’ s said multiple times this week that he ’ d like to hold campaign rallies , but nothing has come to fruition .
Instead , he has settled for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limbaugh ’ s show and carefully staged media appearances where sympathetic hosts are ready to push the narrative that neither Biden nor coronavirus can defeat Trump .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
In the four days since President Donald Trump left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, his medical team has not done a single press event where reporters could ask questions about the president’s health. They have provided only a daily letter with scant and sometimes contradictory information, leaving the entire country without any meaningful information about the health of a 74-year-old president who has contracted the novel coronavirus.
Trump has instead undertaken a manic spree of tweets, bizarre prerecorded videos, and appearances on friendly conservative media outlets to proclaim he’s back to full health. This public relations campaign will culminate Friday night in a televised health exam on Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s prime-time show, performed by pro-Trump stalwart Marc Siegel, an internist and frequent Fox News contributor.
Advertisement
The likely absurdity of this performance — not only is Siegel unreliable, but he will conduct the “exam” remotely and it will be pre-recorded — underscores that not only are Americans not getting real updates about the president’s health 25 days before the election, but there is a high chance they are being actively misled.
Siegel is Fox News’ go-to source for medical analysis and has appeared on the channel over 300 times since the start of the year. Throughout the pandemic, he has repeatedly promoted unsubstantiated claims that tend to fit with the White House narrative on coronavirus. Early on, he downplayed the threat from COVID-19, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity in early March that “worst-case scenario, it could be the flu,” and promoting the unproven anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for the virus.
Marc Siegel, an internist and frequent Fox News contributor, downplayed the threat of COVID-19 early in the pandemic. Cindy Ord via Getty Images
Siegel has also continually backed Trump’s response to the virus, as well as praised U.S. states that lifted coronavirus lockdowns despite surging cases. He has pushed to reopen schools and defended Trump for holding campaign rallies and events. After Trump contracted the virus, Siegel told Carlson that he saw no problem with Trump working from the Oval Office despite being potentially contagious.
Advertisement
Trump’s medical stunt on Fox News is a natural extension of the symbiotic relationship he has with the channel. The president has repeatedly turned to Fox News for guidance on the coronavirus, holding private meetings with hosts Carlson and Laura Ingraham about the pandemic and regurgitating talking points he sees on the network.
Trump also hired Scott Atlas, a doctor who frequently appears on Fox News, to be a member of the White House coronavirus task force ― an appointment that medical experts, CDC Director Robert Redfield and dozens of Atlas’ former colleagues at Stanford University have all criticized. “Everything he says is false,” Redfield said about Atlas, according to NBC News.
That depth of the misinformation creates problems beyond the public knowing about Trump’s true health status. The president’s public relations campaign has aimed not only to convince people he’s recovered already, but that COVID-19, which has killed over 210,000 Americans, is simply not that dangerous.
The president has continually pushed the narrative that he’s feeling great despite being hospitalized for three days last weekend and receiving supplemental oxygen. “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life,” Trump tweeted on Monday, adding, “I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”
Trump and his administration have continually downplayed the seriousness of the virus since the pandemic first hit the U.S. Now, his inaction has seemingly driven him into a corner, forcing him to pretend he’s feeling fine and ready to get back to work ― even though the majority of COVID-19 patients experience symptoms for at least two weeks, with some experiencing symptoms for even longer.
Advertisement
Although he was hospitalized for three days last weekend, Trump returned to the White House on Monday. The move goes against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines that those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least 10 days after symptoms first appear.
Trump’s hypocrisy has put him in a tight spot, creating some truly bizarre situations. Aside from a nationally televised medical exam done by an unqualified, partisan doctor, Trump has had many moments this past week that have exposed just how desperate he and his administration are to prove he’s fully recovered from coronavirus.
Before Trump even left the hospital, he took a joy ride with multiple secret service agents on Sunday to wave to his supporters. He came under sharp criticism for putting agents’ lives and health at risk for personal political gain. Throughout the week, he tweeted several videos of himself giving updates on his condition, including one where he said he believes it was “a blessing from God” that he became infected and then falsely touted a “cure” for the coronavirus.
Trump was hoarse and coughing throughout a Thursday phone interview with Hannity. At one point, the president lost his voice while accusing his opponent Joe Biden of “choking like a dog” during last week’s presidential debate.
Despite being sick with coronavirus himself, Trump announced he will halt all conversations on another COVID-19 relief package until after the presidential election, delaying integral aid to millions. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said this week that there isn’t enough time to pass another COVID-19 stimulus package before the election because the administration is too busy trying to appoint a new Supreme Court justice.
Advertisement
It only took two days before Trump walked back his prior statement, telling right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh on Friday that he “would like to see a bigger stimulus package” and is doing “the exact opposite” of what he said earlier in the week about stopping relief negotiations.
The second presidential debate, initially set for next week, is currently up in the air after Trump refused to partake because organizers announced it would be held virtually “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved.” The president is still pushing for an in-person debate despite being positive for COVID-19.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Fox News Doctor To Examine Trump, And Twitter Users Jokingly 'Leak' Footage

President Donald Trump is sick of people thinking he ’ s sick , so he ’ s letting himself be examined live on TV .
He apparently wants to prove it for real Friday night on Tucker Carlson ’ s show by having Dr. Marc Siegel , a Fox News contributor , conduct a medical evaluation of the president during the program .
Anyone expecting an honest , transparent look at the president ’ s health may be slightly disappointed .
Media Matters for America points out that Siegel is known for combining coronavirus misinformation with pro-Trump sycophancy .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skeptical .
Very skeptical .
The fact that Trump thinks getting a `` live medical exam '' ( carried out by a paid FOX shill , not independent examiner ) will matter to voters shows how little he thinks of the public 's intelligence .
Only total rubes would fall for this , and he already has the dumbass vote on lock ... — Tim Wise ( @ timjacobwise ) October 9 , 2020 Rather than have a reality tv `` medical exam '' just have Trump walk around the block .
Live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all know what will happen .
— Kurt `` Mask Up , Vote Early '' Eichenwald ( @ kurteichenwald ) October 9 , 2020 Some wondered why Carlson ’ s show was chosen for the exam but answered their own question .
Others jokingly “ leaked ” photos from the exam .
Did n't know Trump was getting his exam from Dr. Nick from the Simpsons on Fox News this evening .
Seems pretty legit ...
COUGH COUGH pic.twitter.com/15i78kvkH8 — Andrew Goetz ( @ AndrewRGoetz ) October 9 , 2020 Others were reminded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted to ease health concerns ― badly .
Trump 's FOX News medical exam reminds me of Mao swimming the Yangtze river in 1966 to prove he was still fit for the revolution .
The truth is he just floated .
pic.twitter.com/IlxqATltMS — Sirkowski ( @ sirkowski ) October 9 , 2020 Another person had a suggestion on what Trump could do for an encore after the exam .
after his Fox medical exam Trump should attempt to eat more hot dogs than Kobayashi live on TV — john feat .
alan howarth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump is sick of people thinking he’s sick, so he’s letting himself be examined live on TV.
Advertisement
He apparently wants to prove it for real Friday night on Tucker Carlson’s show by having Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News contributor, conduct a medical evaluation of the president during the program.
Anyone expecting an honest, transparent look at the president’s health may be slightly disappointed. Media Matters for America points out that Siegel is known for combining coronavirus misinformation with pro-Trump sycophancy.
As a result, many Twitter users were skeptical. Very skeptical.
Trump’s televised medical exam will be as honest and transparent as Trump’s taxes. https://t.co/3jzkblGpfE — Eric Klinenberg (@EricKlinenberg) October 9, 2020
The fact that Trump thinks getting a "live medical exam" (carried out by a paid FOX shill, not independent examiner) will matter to voters shows how little he thinks of the public's intelligence. Only total rubes would fall for this, and he already has the dumbass vote on lock... — Tim Wise (@timjacobwise) October 9, 2020
Advertisement
Rather than have a reality tv "medical exam" just have Trump walk around the block. Live TV. No cutaways. Because we all know what will happen. — Kurt "Mask Up, Vote Early" Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 9, 2020
Some wondered why Carlson’s show was chosen for the exam but answered their own question.
I wonder why Trump chose Carlson’s show to do his “Medical Exam”...🤔 pic.twitter.com/EtgvbVBnzr — Allen Evangelista (@iFollowAllen) October 9, 2020
Others jokingly “leaked” photos from the exam.
Didn't know Trump was getting his exam from Dr. Nick from the Simpsons on Fox News this evening. Seems pretty legit ... COUGH COUGH pic.twitter.com/15i78kvkH8 — Andrew Goetz (@AndrewRGoetz) October 9, 2020
Trump getting his medical exam on Fox. Umm yeah that’s validating! pic.twitter.com/sZSijI726W — Julie Lerman (@julielerman) October 9, 2020
How I imagine any "exam" involving Trump pic.twitter.com/iVyVbBCRTU — KylaABee (@SquishyCat44) October 9, 2020
Advertisement
BREAKING: Live footage of Trump’s on air “medical exam” pic.twitter.com/YI496fQlaJ — Chris Dougherty (@cdougherty81) October 9, 2020
Others were reminded of a time when another authoritarian ruler attempted to ease health concerns ― badly.
Trump's FOX News medical exam reminds me of Mao swimming the Yangtze river in 1966 to prove he was still fit for the revolution. The truth is he just floated. pic.twitter.com/IlxqATltMS — Sirkowski (@sirkowski) October 9, 2020
Another person had a suggestion on what Trump could do for an encore after the exam.
after his Fox medical exam Trump should attempt to eat more hot dogs than Kobayashi live on TV — john feat. alan howarth (@johnsemley3000) October 9, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Trump To Host In-Person Event At White House A Week After Hospital Visit

President Donald Trump plans to resume in-person events beginning this weekend , around a week after he was airlifted to Walter Reed hospital to treat his coronavirus symptoms ― and just five days since he was discharged .
On Saturday , the president will attend an in-person event Saturday on the South Lawn of the White House , according to multiple reports .
He is expected to speak “ to peaceful protesters for law and order ” from a White House balcony , ABC News reported Friday .
Two days later , on Monday evening , Trump will hold an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He promised it will be “ very BIG.
” Trump revealed last Friday that he was positive for COVID-19 just hours after a close aide , Hope Hicks , said she had come down with the virus .
He was flown to the presidential hospital suite Friday evening for symptoms that included a fever and difficulty breathing , but checked himself out three days later to return to the White House ― putting staff there at risk .
It remains unclear whether Trump ’ s appearance will adhere to CDC guidelines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe to be around others 10 days after their symptoms first appear if they have been fever-free for 24 hours and their other symptoms — aside from the possible loss of taste or smell — appear to be getting better .
The White House has not been forthcoming about the date of the president ’ s last negative coronavirus test , and we do not know precisely when he began to feel sick .
Walter Reed Dr. Sean Conley gave Trump the all-clear to resume public events by this weekend in a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a patient ’ s symptoms can suddenly worsen in the second week of their illness .
“ I didn ’ t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction , ” he explained .
“ And in doing so , you know , it came off that we were trying to hide something , which wasn ’ t necessarily true.
” Several of those who became sick had attended the president ’ s Supreme Court nomination ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Saturday , Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held outdoors , few people were spotted wearing masks on the lawn or at an indoor gathering afterward .
The president has sought to boost his public image through multiple phone interviews with conservative media , prerecorded videos and a long series of all-caps tweets that have led to speculation about the possible effects of any medication he might be taking .
During a Friday interview with conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh , Trump said he was no longer taking any medication for his illness .
Trump has also pushed for an in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose campaign had agreed to participate in the virtual set-up announced by the Commission on Presidential Debates .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump plans to resume in-person events beginning this weekend, around a week after he was airlifted to Walter Reed hospital to treat his coronavirus symptoms ― and just five days since he was discharged.
On Saturday, the president will attend an in-person event Saturday on the South Lawn of the White House, according to multiple reports. He is expected to speak “to peaceful protesters for law and order” from a White House balcony, ABC News reported Friday.
Advertisement
Hundreds of people are expected at the event, per The New York Times.
Two days later, on Monday evening, Trump will hold an in-person campaign rally in Sanford, Florida. He promised it will be “very BIG.”
Will be in Sanford, Florida on Monday for a very BIG RALLY! https://t.co/TTOlHJT8kr — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
Trump revealed last Friday that he was positive for COVID-19 just hours after a close aide, Hope Hicks, said she had come down with the virus. He was flown to the presidential hospital suite Friday evening for symptoms that included a fever and difficulty breathing, but checked himself out three days later to return to the White House ― putting staff there at risk.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s appearance will adhere to CDC guidelines. The agency says people with COVID-19 are safe to be around others 10 days after their symptoms first appear if they have been fever-free for 24 hours and their other symptoms — aside from the possible loss of taste or smell — appear to be getting better. The White House has not been forthcoming about the date of the president’s last negative coronavirus test, and we do not know precisely when he began to feel sick.
Advertisement
Walter Reed Dr. Sean Conley gave Trump the all-clear to resume public events by this weekend in a letter released Thursday, despite previously warning that a patient’s symptoms can suddenly worsen in the second week of their illness.
Conley, however, has admitted to offering a particularly rosy view of the president’s condition in prior remarks to the press.
“I didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction,” he explained. “And in doing so, you know, it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true.”
Numerous other people in Trump’s orbit have also announced they have the virus, including first lady Melania Trump, former adviser Kellyanne Conway and current adviser Stephen Miller.
Several of those who became sick had attended the president’s Supreme Court nomination ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Saturday, Sept. 26. Although the event was partly held outdoors, few people were spotted wearing masks on the lawn or at an indoor gathering afterward.
Advertisement
This coming Saturday will be the first time Trump has held a public event since announcing his illness.
The president has sought to boost his public image through multiple phone interviews with conservative media, prerecorded videos and a long series of all-caps tweets that have led to speculation about the possible effects of any medication he might be taking. During a Friday interview with conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, Trump said he was no longer taking any medication for his illness.
Trump has also pushed for an in-person debate with Democratic presidential challenger Joe Biden, whose campaign had agreed to participate in the virtual set-up announced by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Biden’s campaign had requested a virtual debate.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--Fauci Says White House 'Superspreader Event' Is Proof Masks Work

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious diseases official , said Friday that President Donald Trump ’ s COVID-19 “ superspreader event ” at the White House is all the proof you need that masks work .
Fauci , one of the lead member ’ s of Trump ’ s coronavirus task force , spoke candidly about the issue in an interview with CBS News Radio .
“ I think the the data speak for themselves , ” Fauci said when host Steven Portnoy noted that Trump and his aides have not , until very recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We had a superspreader event in the White House , and it was in a situation where people were crowded together without wearing masks , ” Fauci continued .
“ So , let the data speak for themselves.
” It wasn ’ t the first time Fauci spoke bluntly about the White House event in question , which Trump held late last month to commemorate his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Few people in attendance wore masks or social distanced , creating a “ dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of transmissibility , ” Fauci said earlier this week .
“ As you might know , I have been very vocal and visible about the fundamental tenets of public health with coronavirus , and that is universal wearing of masks , keeping distance , avoiding crowds , doing things outdoor more than indoor , and washing hands frequently , ” he told the U.K. ’ s Times Radio on Monday .
Around three dozen people with ties to the White House and Capitol Hill have since tested positive for the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that catching the deadly disease was “ a blessing from God .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases official, said Friday that President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 “superspreader event” at the White House is all the proof you need that masks work.
Fauci, one of the lead member’s of Trump’s coronavirus task force, spoke candidly about the issue in an interview with CBS News Radio.
Advertisement
“I think the the data speak for themselves,” Fauci said when host Steven Portnoy noted that Trump and his aides have not, until very recently, been seen wearing masks in public regularly.
“We had a superspreader event in the White House, and it was in a situation where people were crowded together without wearing masks,” Fauci continued. “So, let the data speak for themselves.”
"We had a superspreader event at the White House," Fauci tells @CBSNewsRadio. "The data speak for themselves." pic.twitter.com/svnwkfr6Ag — Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) October 9, 2020
It wasn’t the first time Fauci spoke bluntly about the White House event in question, which Trump held late last month to commemorate his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Few people in attendance wore masks or social distanced, creating a “dangerous situation that can lead to a high risk of transmissibility,” Fauci said earlier this week.
Advertisement
“As you might know, I have been very vocal and visible about the fundamental tenets of public health with coronavirus, and that is universal wearing of masks, keeping distance, avoiding crowds, doing things outdoor more than indoor, and washing hands frequently,” he told the U.K.’s Times Radio on Monday.
Around three dozen people with ties to the White House and Capitol Hill have since tested positive for the coronavirus, including Trump, who said earlier this week that catching the deadly disease was “a blessing from God.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-09--12 Ways People Say Their Anxiety Has Changed During 2020

1 .
Being at home used to ease my anxiety .
During the pandemic , it ’ s made it worse at times .
2 .
Early on , my anxiety got better because the bad thing I always feared would happen finally did .
“ Pre-pandemic , I used coping methods to help me break through panic attacks — and a lot of time , I used the ‘ light at the end of the tunnel ’ technique .
I would concentrate on something positive coming up in the near future and tell myself , ‘ If you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have a sisters trip coming up !
’ Or , ‘ It ’ s going to be OK !
Your daughter is starting school next week !
’ But COVID dimmed the light on a lot of the things many of us were looking forward to .
It ’ s hard to break free from anxious thoughts when you ’ re consumed with the world falling apart with no end in sight.
” — Goodrich Eckard 4 .
My anxiety has intensified — and it ’ s especially bad right when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waking up anxious almost every day .
It ’ s as if the worry and anxiety is always at the back of my mind even when I sleep and as soon as I wake up , it overwhelms me immediately .
I try to limit how much news I read and watch throughout the day , and I know that having that choice in itself is a privilege considering everything going on in the world.
” ― Debbie Tung 5 .
With all of the police violence against Black people in the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offline to protect my mental health .
6 .
The weight of my responsibilities , both as an individual and as a member of my community , feels especially crushing now .
7 .
At first I was filled with panic , but now I ’ ve adjusted to this new normal .
8 .
The constant uncertainty has been hard to handle , but I ’ ve also found new outlets to soothe my anxiety .
9 .
The pandemic has made me realize how much is outside my control — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ ve found myself catastrophizing more these past few months .
“ My mind immediately goes to the worst-case scenario and that ’ s when things start spiraling for me .
I worry more about my family , my parents who I ’ ve not been able to see for weeks due to local lockdown rules , and how my son could be missing out on so many things .
I try to practice mindfulness , focus on meaningful work , enjoy the time I have at home with my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wonderful simple things we still get to do every day.
” ― Tung 12 .
COVID-19 has amplified the anxious loops of thoughts in my head .
But incorporating new healthy habits has helped .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
With all that’s gone on, even people who may have never struggled with mental health issues like anxiety before are dealing with them now. But what about those who have lived with an anxiety disorder for years, long before 2020 took its toll?
Advertisement
While many people with pre-existing anxiety report their symptoms have worsened in 2020, there’s also a subset who say they’ve been less anxious. For some, it’s because they feel equipped to handle the present moment, thanks to all the time and effort they’ve put into working on their mental health. Others say it’s because they feel less alone knowing so many other people can now relate to their struggle.
“When COVID hit, it felt like the outside world finally matched how I’d been feeling inside, which oddly quieted my mind.” - Kayden Hines
“During COVID, my anxiety improved because everyone else felt anxious too,” illustrator Kayden Hines told HuffPost. “So I finally felt like I was on the same wavelength as everyone else.”
We asked people with anxiety to share the ways in which their mental health has changed over the course of this turbulent year. Here’s what they said.
Advertisement
1. Being at home used to ease my anxiety. During the pandemic, it’s made it worse at times.
“Self-isolation was harder than people would think. It’s easy to assume a person living with anxiety would thrive being forced to avoid stressful situations and thrive in the comfort of our own homes. To some extent, this was true pre-pandemic. But when the isolating isn’t by choice, and it’s to avoid a deadly disease, it can be the cause of panic-inducing thoughts that you can’t escape from.” — Shelby Goodrich Eckard
2. Early on, my anxiety got better because the bad thing I always feared would happen finally did.
“Not that I was predicting a pandemic, but my anxiety always gave me this sinking feeling that something bad was going to happen. When COVID hit, it felt like the outside world finally matched how I’d been feeling inside, which oddly quieted my mind and gave me a sense of clarity.” ― Hines
3. My old coping mechanisms stopped working.
“Pre-pandemic, I used coping methods to help me break through panic attacks — and a lot of time, I used the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ technique. I would concentrate on something positive coming up in the near future and tell myself, ‘If you can just get through this hard moment, you have a sisters trip coming up!’ Or, ‘It’s going to be OK! Your daughter is starting school next week!’ But COVID dimmed the light on a lot of the things many of us were looking forward to. It’s hard to break free from anxious thoughts when you’re consumed with the world falling apart with no end in sight.” — Goodrich Eckard
4. My anxiety has intensified — and it’s especially bad right when I wake up.
“I find myself waking up anxious almost every day. It’s as if the worry and anxiety is always at the back of my mind even when I sleep and as soon as I wake up, it overwhelms me immediately. I try to limit how much news I read and watch throughout the day, and I know that having that choice in itself is a privilege considering everything going on in the world.” ― Debbie Tung
5. With all of the police violence against Black people in the news, I’ve had to stay offline to protect my mental health.
“Racial injustice doesn’t mix well with trauma, so I’ve had to do my mental illness a favor and log off of social media. It’s hard because I know I have a voice and have influence, but it’s absolutely draining and triggering to see people who look just like me being killed in the streets. Daniel Prude’s murder was another reminder that it’s not safe to be Black and mentally ill.” — Sinclair Ceasar III
Catherine McQueen via Getty Images People who already lived with anxiety before the pandemic explain how 2020 has affected their condition.
6. The weight of my responsibilities, both as an individual and as a member of my community, feels especially crushing now.
“As someone with anxiety, I already feel an unrealistic and heavy responsibility on how my actions and words affect others. I spend a lot of time rethinking what I said, what I did, and how I reacted. These thoughts often cause a lot of self-scrutiny. And that’s pre-pandemic. Now, the weight of my choices feels astronomical. It feels life or death because IT IS life or death in so many ways.” ― Goodrich Eckard
7. At first I was filled with panic, but now I’ve adjusted to this new normal.
“The losses worldwide were staggering and devastating. It felt like there was nothing to do except wait for the tsunami wave of disease to hit here, too. Going out for essentials became psychologically exhausting. The empty shelves were alarming, and being in the same space with other people made my heart pound. I began to have panic attacks if I was in a store for longer than a few minutes.
Advertisement
“But as the days have gone by and isolation has become the new normal, I’ve found that I’m having fewer high-anxiety days overall. There’s been less daily stress as I have fewer engagements and obligations. Situations that exacerbated my social anxiety are practically non-existent. Although danger seems to lurk beyond the front door, my home feels like a sanctuary. I do worry that it will be challenging for me to adjust and rejoin the world once there’s a vaccine.” — Marzi Wilson
8. The constant uncertainty has been hard to handle, but I’ve also found new outlets to soothe my anxiety.
“The pandemic has been both a curse and a blessing for my anxiety. Initially, it wasn’t hard to imagine myself living a life in isolation and staying home, as that’s where I feel more comfortable. But as the months went by and the pandemic seemed to be a never-ending nightmare, my anxiety started to stem from not knowing when this will end or when things can go back to feeling normal.
“On the flip side, I started a YouTube channel where I started making connections, having meaningful interactions and even made new friends online because of this community I wouldn’t have found if it wasn’t for the pandemic. In many ways, 2020 has eased my anxiety. And even though sometimes it feels like I’m stuck in a rut, I have to remember to stay positive and find ways to keep my mind occupied and happy.” — Javier Montalvo
9. The pandemic has made me realize how much is outside my control — and that’s weirdly comforting.
“Before COVID, I put a ton of pressure on myself to succeed and attributed my failures to my own shortcomings. Now, I realize that the world can change in a second and that I have to learn to let certain things go. Who knows what is going to happen next. It’s been both scary and freeing to realize that the sense of control I was feeling or seeking was an illusion.” — Hines
Advertisement
10. I’ve found myself catastrophizing more these past few months.
“My mind immediately goes to the worst-case scenario and that’s when things start spiraling for me. I worry more about my family, my parents who I’ve not been able to see for weeks due to local lockdown rules, and how my son could be missing out on so many things. I try to practice mindfulness, focus on meaningful work, enjoy the time I have at home with my son. I try to be grateful for the wonderful simple things we still get to do every day.” ― Tung
“I find myself waking up anxious almost every day. It’s as if the worry and anxiety is always at the back of my mind even when I sleep.” - Debbie Tung
11. My top anxiety triggers have shifted.
“COVID-19 is very scary. I am fortunate enough to be working from home since March. I don’t go out at all and I do not want to ever go back to working in the office. I feel that if I ever catch COVID-19, I will die, which is probably due to my anxiety.
“There’s also the rise of racial inequality events: the murders of Black people by the police; the messages that the president sends to white supremacists, encouraging them to be violent towards us; the children in cages due to current immigration laws. Every time I hear something that has been done or said about this topic I feel extreme anxiety and pain on my chest.” — Sandra Spellman
12. COVID-19 has amplified the anxious loops of thoughts in my head. But incorporating new healthy habits has helped.
“Because of my anxiety, I am usually worried about everything. COVID made it all stronger: Will I lose my job? Will my appointments with my therapist be useful on the phone? How am I supposed to think about my future? How can I sleep normally? Will my friends still want to see me after the quarantine? Will I be able to go out again?
“The fear of being sick is also a big part of the daily anxiety. I don’t want my friends and family to die. I don’t want to get the virus and contaminate them or kill them. The thoughts are darker and darker and it never stops. It gets strong enough to paralyze me in bed.
“So I tried to take action and to add new positive habits in my life. I wanted to get busy and to focus on one day at a time (since we no longer know what tomorrow will be made of) and to have some victories in my days. Even small ones. Being stuck at home all day is the perfect time to start. I started by exercising at home, stopped checking my phone first thing in the mornings and in the evenings, and several other things. I replaced the phone time by reading or sketching for future webcomics. Today, after a few months, the COVID anxiety isn’t as strong as it was ― when, strangely, COVID is stronger than ever in my city in France.” ― Sow Ay