thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--Masks Could Become Illegal In North Carolina (Again) Under KKK-Inspired Law

North Carolina lawmakers attempted in the early hours of Friday morning to undermine the Democratic governor ’ s announcement that face coverings would be required in public to stem the spread of COVID-19 .
Since the 1950s , North Carolina has banned mask-wearing in public , a law aimed at members of the Ku Klux Klan .
That law ran up against guidelines to keep people safe from the coronavirus , and earlier this year , the state voted to exempt citizens from the law until Aug. 1 .
But when Democratic lawmakers attempted to extend that exemption , Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite an increased number of cases in the state .
Democrats say that North Carolina Republicans are invoking the law in an effort to undermine Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper ’ s face mask mandate , set to go into effect on Friday .
“ They are totally out of touch with the problems facing their state , engaged in needless partisan battles while their constituents are looking for real leadership during this crisis , ” Jessica Post , Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president , said in a statement on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to force people to forgo masks to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus , but rather want to avoid them being mandated .
“ We ’ re trying to work out that middle ground to where individuals can feel free to wear masks and can feel free of penalties and of being forced to wear masks , ” Republican state Sen. Ralph Hise said at 3 a.m. Friday .
If the exemption expires on Aug. 1 , though , it would make mask-wearing illegal for people attempting to keep themselves safe from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunocompromised people , and Black people who are at both a higher risk of contracting it and also of being targeted by law enforcement .
Face masks have become an increasingly politicized issue , despite being recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and despite overwhelming ( and nonpartisan ) consensus that wearing a mask is the right call .
One survey showed that nearly 80 % of Americans said they worry that other people ’ s failure to use masks and practice social distancing would worsen the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Republicans and 93 % of Democrats surveyed .
Still , lawmakers across the country who have instituted face mask mandates have encountered extreme hostility .
A lawmaker in Arizona came under fire this week for repeatedly saying “ I can ’ t breathe ” ― the dying words of George Floyd and Eric Garner , two Black men killed by police ― at an anti-face mask rally in Scottsdale .
In an off-the-rails public forum in Palm Beach County , Florida , residents told commissioners that they would be “ punished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devil ’ s laws ” for requiring face masks .
In Orange County , California , anti-mask protesters interrupted a press conference about the importance of wearing face coverings .
In North Carolina , the KKK law is just the latest attempt to undermine public health precautions in the state .
On Wednesday , Republican lawmakers tried and failed to garner enough support in the General Assembly to reopen bars and gyms .
On Thursday , gubernatorial candidate Lieutenant Gov .
Dan Forest ( R ) announced plans to sue Cooper over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in the state .
The editorial board of the Raleigh-based News & Observer called Forest ’ s letter to Cooper “ a 60-yard Hail Mary with a 30-yard arm.
” Cooper , whose handling of the virus has garnered overwhelming support in the state , defended himself against GOP criticism .
“ Tying the hands of public health officials in times of pandemic is dangerous , especially when case counts and hospitalizations are rising , ” he said on Wednesday .
“ State and local officials must be able to take swift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge of patients from overwhelming hospitals and endangering the lives of North Carolinians .
”

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North Carolina lawmakers attempted in the early hours of Friday morning to undermine the Democratic governor’s announcement that face coverings would be required in public to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Since the 1950s, North Carolina has banned mask-wearing in public, a law aimed at members of the Ku Klux Klan. That law ran up against guidelines to keep people safe from the coronavirus, and earlier this year, the state voted to exempt citizens from the law until Aug. 1. But when Democratic lawmakers attempted to extend that exemption, Republicans blocked the effort at around 2 a.m., despite an increased number of cases in the state.
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Democrats say that North Carolina Republicans are invoking the law in an effort to undermine Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s face mask mandate, set to go into effect on Friday.
“They are totally out of touch with the problems facing their state, engaged in needless partisan battles while their constituents are looking for real leadership during this crisis,” Jessica Post, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president, said in a statement on Friday.
Republicans insisted they weren’t trying to force people to forgo masks to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, but rather want to avoid them being mandated.
“We’re trying to work out that middle ground to where individuals can feel free to wear masks and can feel free of penalties and of being forced to wear masks,” Republican state Sen. Ralph Hise said at 3 a.m. Friday.
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If the exemption expires on Aug. 1, though, it would make mask-wearing illegal for people attempting to keep themselves safe from the virus, including the elderly, immunocompromised people, and Black people who are at both a higher risk of contracting it and also of being targeted by law enforcement.
Face masks have become an increasingly politicized issue, despite being recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and despite overwhelming (and nonpartisan) consensus that wearing a mask is the right call. One survey showed that nearly 80% of Americans said they worry that other people’s failure to use masks and practice social distancing would worsen the spread of the coronavirus ― an opinion held by 64% of Republicans and 93% of Democrats surveyed.
Protesters pressuring North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) to reopen the state amid the coronavirus pandemic in Raleigh on May 12, 2020. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Still, lawmakers across the country who have instituted face mask mandates have encountered extreme hostility. A lawmaker in Arizona came under fire this week for repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe” ― the dying words of George Floyd and Eric Garner, two Black men killed by police ― at an anti-face mask rally in Scottsdale. In an off-the-rails public forum in Palm Beach County, Florida, residents told commissioners that they would be “punished by God” and are “obeying the devil’s laws” for requiring face masks. In Orange County, California, anti-mask protesters interrupted a press conference about the importance of wearing face coverings.
In North Carolina, the KKK law is just the latest attempt to undermine public health precautions in the state. On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers tried and failed to garner enough support in the General Assembly to reopen bars and gyms. On Thursday, gubernatorial candidate Lieutenant Gov. Dan Forest (R) announced plans to sue Cooper over executive orders meant to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the state.
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The editorial board of the Raleigh-based News & Observer called Forest’s letter to Cooper “a 60-yard Hail Mary with a 30-yard arm.” Cooper, whose handling of the virus has garnered overwhelming support in the state, defended himself against GOP criticism.
“Tying the hands of public health officials in times of pandemic is dangerous, especially when case counts and hospitalizations are rising,” he said on Wednesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--New York's Stonewall Inn Is Fighting For Survival Amid COVID-19 Crisis

LONDON , June 26 ( Thomson Reuters Foundation ) - The owners of New York City ’ s Stonewall Inn are appealing for help to save the historic LGBT+ bar from closure after more than three months of not trading due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Greenwich Village bar that gave its name to the 1969 uprising , when its patrons fought back during a police raid , needs to raise $ 100,000 to stay afloat and has drawn $ 30,000 since launching the online fundraiser soon after lockdown began .
The demonstrations that followed the raid are widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT+ rights movement , making the inn a place of pilgrimage for many in the community .
Lentz said the funds raised would be used “ for rent and operational expenses , basically , to keep the lights on , ” adding that the bar would be able to reopen on Jul .
6 , but only at 50 % occupancy .
The plight of the world-famous bar highlights the financial strain of global lockdowns on LGBT+ pubs and clubs around the world .
The pandemic could put many gay nightspots out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe spaces to go out and express themselves freely , industry figures say .
Underscoring the Stonewall Inn ’ s historical significance , demonstrators have gathered outside the bar in recent weeks to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement .
And earlier this month , crowds waving the rainbow LGBT+pride flag gathered at the bar to celebrate the Supreme Court ’ s ruling making it illegal for employers to fire workers because they are transgender .
“ It ’ s a living breathing monument and a source of inspiration , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at theUniversity of York who specializes in sexual orientation and human rights .
“ There aren ’ t many publicly visible things that represent that community and the struggle of that community towards achieving equality , ” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone .
In London , the Royal Vauxhall Tavern , one of Britain ’ s leading LGBT+ entertainment venues , has also started fundraising since closing its doors when the country went into lockdown inMarch .
“ We ’ ve lost almost 600,000 pounds ( $ 740,000 ) worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still have our rent and other associated costs to pay at 24,000 pounds a month without any income coming in , ” said James Lindsay , chief executive of the venue .

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LONDON, June 26 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The owners of New York City’s Stonewall Inn are appealing for help to save the historic LGBT+ bar from closure after more than three months of not trading due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Greenwich Village bar that gave its name to the 1969 uprising, when its patrons fought back during a police raid, needs to raise $100,000 to stay afloat and has drawn $30,000 since launching the online fundraiser soon after lockdown began.
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The demonstrations that followed the raid are widely seen as the dawn of the modern LGBT+ rights movement, making the inn a place of pilgrimage for many in the community.
As LGBT+ people prepared to mark Pride this weekend, co-owner Stacy Lentz said the Stonewall Inn was “a living, breathing piece of history.”
Lentz said the funds raised would be used “for rent and operational expenses, basically, to keep the lights on,” adding that the bar would be able to reopen on Jul. 6, but only at 50%occupancy.
The plight of the world-famous bar highlights the financial strain of global lockdowns on LGBT+ pubs and clubs around the world.
Advertisement
The pandemic could put many gay nightspots out of business, leaving their customers with fewer safe spaces to go out and express themselves freely, industry figures say.
Underscoring the Stonewall Inn’s historical significance, demonstrators have gathered outside the bar in recent weeks to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
And earlier this month, crowds waving the rainbow LGBT+pride flag gathered at the bar to celebrate the Supreme Court’s ruling making it illegal for employers to fire workers because they are transgender.
“It’s a living breathing monument and a source of inspiration,” said Paul Johnson, a sociology professor at theUniversity of York who specializes in sexual orientation and human rights.
“There aren’t many publicly visible things that represent that community and the struggle of that community towards achieving equality,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.
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“The Stonewall Inn symbolizes the existence of resistance against oppression and prejudice.”
The Stonewall’s problems are shared by LGBT+ community bars in other major global cities where months-long shutdowns remain in place.
In London, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, one of Britain’s leading LGBT+ entertainment venues, has also started fundraising since closing its doors when the country went into lockdown inMarch.
“We’ve lost almost 600,000 pounds ($740,000) worth of revenue and at the moment we still have our rent and other associated costs to pay at 24,000 pounds a month without any income coming in,” said James Lindsay, chief executive of the venue.
($1 = 0.8098 pounds)
(Reporting by Darnell Christie; Editing by Helen Popper andClaire Cozens. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly.Visit http://news.trust.org)


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--These Are The Most Common Symptoms Of COVID-19 Right Now

The newly added complications aren ’ t exactly “ new ” ― many have pointed them out as symptoms since the beginning of the pandemic .
But each person experiences the virus somewhat differently .
And since the coronavirus is still so new in the medical world , experts are continuing to learn about how the virus behaves and what it does to a person ’ s body .
Part of that includes discovering and vetting symptoms , some of which may not have been well-understood as a main part of the disease at the beginning of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what can you expect if you get sick ?
Here ’ s a quick rundown of some of the most discussed symptoms ― which typically appear two to 14 days after you ’ ve been exposed to the virus ― and how common they might be .
Fever , usually around or above 100 degrees .
Most cases of the coronavirus ― whether they ’ re considered “ mild ” and monitorable at home or they result in hospitalization ― will have a fever associated with it .
The temperature may land around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the higher side could be a sign of a serious case that requires immediate medical attention .
During the recovery process , you may experience varying degrees of the fever .
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that often targets the lungs , which means you may experience a cough and shortness of breath .
These two symptoms were also some of the first issues that experts flagged at the beginning of the pandemic .
People with COVID-19 might find it difficult to walk short or long distances without getting out of breath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause trouble breathing and severe chest pain , which requires immediate medical attention .
These possible symptoms were around long before the CDC quietly added them to its official list .
Health experts flagged stomach problems as an occasional complication early on in the pandemic , but the issues were less discussed than other symptoms .
Research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in March found that patients with COVID-19 experienced digestive issues such as a loss of appetite , diarrhea , vomiting and/or abdominal pain .
What ’ s unique about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a the coronavirus infection .
“ Clinicians must bear in mind that digestive symptoms , such as diarrhea , may be a presenting feature of COVID-19 , and that the index of suspicion may need to be raised earlier in these cases rather than waiting for respiratory symptoms to emerge , ” the researchers wrote in their study .
Perhaps the strangest of all the symptoms , COVID-19 may cause a change in smell or taste .
Doctors in the United Kingdom raised the issue in March , and it gained more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared that they ’ d experienced the symptom .
The CDC added the issue to their official COVID-19 symptom list in May .
Many people could confuse this symptom for that of a cold or flu , and it ’ s also one of the newer ones on the CDC ’ s list .
Since the coronavirus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets , it ’ s important to cover your nose when you sneeze ( as well as your mouth if you cough ) and properly discard all face tissues or anything that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 have also reported skin problems such as hives or rashes .
Skin-related issues can even show up in children with the disease , often as rashes that mimic Kawasaki disease , an inflammatory illness .
These are not listed on the CDC ’ s official list of symptoms as of now , but experts have been noticing them appear in COVID-positive patients for a few months .
Doctors have also noticed that COVID-19 has led to blood clots in severe cases ― even in young people who may not otherwise be at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This can lead to swollen toes ( known as “ COVID toes ” ) , strokes and more serious problems .
One study found that as many as a third of people in the intensive care unit because of COVID-19 experienced clotting .
The virus has also been known to cause pneumonia and lung damage , which can lead to hospitalization .
Nothing at all .
That ’ s right : Sometimes the biggest , most common symptom is no symptom at all ( at least as far as one can physically be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience asymptomatic COVID-19 and not even know they ’ re sick .
This is arguably one of the more insidious forms of the disease because people could accidentally spread it without knowing .

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If there’s one constant truth about the coronavirus, it’s that information about it right now is always evolving. That includes the symptoms you may experience if you’re infected.
Each person experiences the virus somewhat differently. And since the coronavirus is still relatively new to the medical world, experts are continuing to learn about how the virus behaves and what it does to a person’s body. Part of that includes discovering and vetting symptoms, some of which may not have been well-understood as a main part of the disease at the beginning of the pandemic.
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So, as of this moment, what can you expect if you get sick? Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most discussed and understood symptoms ― which typically appear two to 14 days after you’ve been exposed to the virus ― and how common they might be.
(Note: You don’t need to have all of these symptoms to have COVID-19. Think of this as a menu of options, not a guarantee of everything.)
Fever, usually around or above 100 degrees, or chills.
Most cases of the coronavirus ― whether they’re considered “mild” and able to be monitored at home or they result in hospitalization ― will have a fever associated with it. You may also experience chills and body aches.
The temperature may land around 100.5 degrees or higher, and fevers on the higher side could be a sign of a serious case that requires immediate medical attention. During the recovery process, you may experience varying degrees of the fever.
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A cough.
Many people who are infected with COVID-19 will develop a cough, which is typically dry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This symptom can also range from mild to severe, and some people may experience a sore or raw throat as a result.
Shortness of breath.
Shortness of breath has been on the CDC’s main list of symptoms since the beginning of the pandemic and remains one of the hallmark issues.
Many COVID-19 “long-haulers” (people who still experience effects from the disease after they’ve recovered) report struggling with this issue. Tasks that once weren’t difficult, such as climbing stairs or doing yoga, now lead to exhaustion and difficulty breathing.
If you have persistent pain or pressure in your chest, experience severe trouble breathing or start to get bluish lips, seek emergency medical care ASAP.
A new loss of taste or smell.
Perhaps one of the wildest and most disorienting parts of COVID-19 is the loss of taste and smell that can happen in many cases. This was considered a rarer symptom at the start of the pandemic, but was added to the CDC’s official list of symptoms earlier this summer.
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“It’s estimated that around half of COVID-19 patients experience changes to their sense of taste and smell,” Chrissi Kelly, founder of the nonprofit patient advocacy group AbScent, previously told HuffPost. “Most will recover within two to three weeks, but many thousands are still working towards recovery many months later.”
Brothers91 via Getty Images Symptoms of the coronavirus usually appear within two to 14 days after getting infected.
Headaches or neurological problems.
A small preliminary study from China published in April found that some people with COVID-19 experienced problems that affected their central nervous systems. The main issue was headaches, which the CDC also added to their official symptom list in May. The research showed that some people also experienced dizziness and nerve pain.
Some reports suggest COVID-19 has led to other troubling brain problems in some patients, like psychosis and a dementia-like syndrome. A report published in the Lancet in November also suggests that 1 in 5 survivors of COVID-19 will develop a mental health condition ― such as anxiety, depression or insomnia ― within three months of being infected.
Digestive issues.
Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting could all be signs that you’ve been infected with the coronavirus, according to the CDC’s official symptom list. Some research shows that traces of the virus can be found in stool ― sometimes before other, more obvious symptoms even appear.
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A range of skin issues.
Some people with COVID-19 have also reported skin problems such as hives or rashes. Skin-related issues can even show up in children with the disease, often as rashes that mimic Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory illness. These are not listed on the CDC’s official list of symptoms as of now, but experts have been noticing them appear in COVID-positive patients for a few months.
“Skin findings in patients with COVID-19 can be extraordinarily diverse,” Harold Lancer, a board-certified dermatologist, previously told HuffPost. “Hive-like rashes, itchy or not, are the most common. Blotchy, red, migrating spots have also been noted along with areas that look like inflamed eczema, seborrheic dermatitis or perioral dermatitis.”
Blood clots, pneumonia or other severe complications.
Doctors have also noticed that COVID-19 has led to blood clots in severe cases ― even in young people who may not otherwise be at high risk for the medical issue. This can lead to swollen toes (known as “COVID toes”), strokes and more serious problems. One study found that as many as a third of people in the intensive care unit because of COVID-19 experienced clotting. The virus has also been known to cause pneumonia and lung damage, which can lead to hospitalization.
Nothing at all.
That’s right: Sometimes the biggest, most common symptom is no symptom at all (at least as far as one can physically be aware of). Many people can experience asymptomatic COVID-19 and not even know they’re sick. This is arguably one of the more insidious forms of the disease because people could accidentally spread it without knowing.
It’s unknown exactly how many cases are asymptomatic. Some estimates have previously found that up to 80% of cases can be mild or asymptomatic. Other studies show that around 40 to 50% of cases may be attributed to asymptomatic people.
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And being asymptomatic doesn’t mean you’re in the clear: Research is emerging that some people who initially had no symptoms appear to develop signs of minor lung inflammation, similar to walking pneumonia. They just might not realize it if they have no other physical symptoms.
Again, we’re still constantly learning new information about the coronavirus. Until there’s a solid treatment and/or vaccine, we all need to take proper precautions whether we’re showing any of these symptoms or not. Wear your mask, wash your hands and keep your distance.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--Top Public Health Experts Beg Young People To Take COVID-19 Seriously

With growing evidence that young people are some of the primary spreaders of COVID-19 , the country ’ s top public health experts pleaded with them to adhere to safety protocols .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the infectious disease expert advising the Trump administration on its coronavirus response , and Dr. Robert Redfield , the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , both issued similar warnings at Friday ’ s coronavirus task force briefing .
“ The overwhelming majority now of people getting infected are young people , likely the people that you see in the clips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoying themselves , ” Fauci said , noting that he , too , remembers feeling “ invulnerable ” when he was young .
But he warned , “ if you get infected , you will infect someone else , who clearly will infect someone else.
” “ Ultimately , you will infect someone who ’ s vulnerable , ” Fauci continued , emphasizing that many young people are asymptomatic after the virus infects them .
“ That may be somebody ’ s grandmother or grandfather , uncle who ’ s on chemotherapy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or a child who has leukemia.
” The spread of the coronavirus among young people is especially evident in states that are experiencing major surges in new cases .
In Arizona , for one , people ages 20-44 account for nearly half of all cases , and in Florida , the median age of someone testing positive for COVID-19 dropped from 65 in March to 35 .
The phenomenon is prevalent across much of the South , where many governors speedily reopened their economies at the urging of President Donald Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the millennials and those that are under 40 , ” Redfield said Friday .
“ It ’ s really important that this group really commit themselves to these practices to protect those at risk , ” he said , advocating the “ very powerful weapons ” of masks and good hand hygiene .
“ And it ’ s not just the elderly that are at risk , ” he continued .
“ Many of us may have friends and colleagues that are younger that may not advertise their underlying co-morbidities , ” Redfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as examples .
“ We do know that we have people in the younger age groups with significant Type 1 diabetes and may also have individuals with significant obesity , ” she said .
“ We know that those are risk factors , so risk factors go with your co-morbidity , not necessarily with your age .
”

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With growing evidence that young people are some of the primary spreaders of COVID-19, the country’s top public health experts pleaded with them to adhere to safety protocols.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert advising the Trump administration on its coronavirus response, and Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both issued similar warnings at Friday’s coronavirus task force briefing.
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“The overwhelming majority now of people getting infected are young people, likely the people that you see in the clips in the paper or out in crowds enjoying themselves,” Fauci said, noting that he, too, remembers feeling “invulnerable” when he was young. But he warned, “if you get infected, you will infect someone else, who clearly will infect someone else.”
“Ultimately, you will infect someone who’s vulnerable,” Fauci continued, emphasizing that many young people are asymptomatic after the virus infects them. “That may be somebody’s grandmother or grandfather, uncle who’s on chemotherapy and who’s on radiation or chemotherapy, or a child who has leukemia.”
The spread of the coronavirus among young people is especially evident in states that are experiencing major surges in new cases. In Arizona, for one, people ages 20-44 account for nearly half of all cases, and in Florida, the median age of someone testing positive for COVID-19 dropped from 65 in March to 35. The phenomenon is prevalent across much of the South, where many governors speedily reopened their economies at the urging of President Donald Trump.
“I also want to appeal to the millennials and those that are under 40,” Redfield said Friday. “It’s really important that this group really commit themselves to these practices to protect those at risk,” he said, advocating the “very powerful weapons” of masks and good hand hygiene.
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“And it’s not just the elderly that are at risk,” he continued. “Many of us may have friends and colleagues that are younger that may not advertise their underlying co-morbidities,” Redfield said, listing diabetes and immune deficiencies as examples.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, made a similar plea at Friday’s press conference.
“We do know that we have people in the younger age groups with significant Type 1 diabetes and may also have individuals with significant obesity,” she said. “We know that those are risk factors, so risk factors go with your co-morbidity, not necessarily with your age.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--Texas, Florida Shutter Bars As COVID-19 Shatters Records

The governors of Texas and Florida both ordered bars closed across their states Friday as confirmed COVID-19 cases there continue to hit record highs .
The sweeping action marks a reversal of what critics worried was a rush to reopen following coronavirus shutdowns earlier this year .
Bars are especially dangerous environments for the spread of the disease .
“ Effective immediately , the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide , ” wrote Halsey Beshears , secretary of the state ’ s Department of Business & Professional Regulation .
Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of coronavirus Friday ― an increase of 7.8 % for the total cases in the state , and easily besting the previous record of 5,508 , set just two days prior .
In Texas , new rules limit bars to takeout and delivery only , while restaurants are limited to 50 % capacity .
The state also shut down rafting and tubing businesses Friday and restricted outdoor gatherings to less than 100 people .
“ As I said from the start , if the positivity rate rose above 10 % , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 , ” Gov .
Greg Abbott ( R ) said in a release .
“ At this time , it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities , including Texans congregating in bars.
” Notably , Texas ’ order specifically exempts indoor religious services from the occupancy limit , even though such gatherings are responsible for many of the “ superspreading ” events where large numbers of people fall ill .
Earlier this month , 236 members of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after attending services there .
As cases rise rapidly in Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) is facing explosive accusations of “ cooking the books ” by the state ’ s former leading COVID-19 data scientist , Rebekah Jones , who says DeSantis is trying to minimize the true impact of the disease .
Jones says she was fired in in May for refusing to distort data .
In May , the state shut down a web portal where consumers could report businesses for failing to follow COVID-19 guidelines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the point that the portal was no longer needed , but Department of Business and Professional Regulation records obtained by the outlet show they ’ d actually doubled from April to May .
DeSantis , who was one of the last governors to issue stay-at-home orders in April , previously blamed the surge on an increase in testing .
Clarification : Language has been amended to indicate that the percentage increase of cases in Florida is for the total number of cases , not the number of new , daily cases .

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The governors of Texas and Florida both ordered bars closed across their states Friday as confirmed COVID-19 cases there continue to hit record highs.
The sweeping action marks a reversal of what critics worried was a rush to reopen following coronavirus shutdowns earlier this year. Bars are especially dangerous environments for the spread of the disease.
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Florida announced the decision via tweet.
“Effective immediately, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide,” wrote Halsey Beshears, secretary of the state’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Florida reported a record high of 8,942 new cases of coronavirus Friday ― an increase of 7.8% for the total cases in the state, and easily besting the previous record of 5,508, set just two days prior.
In Texas, new rules limit bars to takeout and delivery only, while restaurants are limited to 50% capacity. The state also shut down rafting and tubing businesses Friday and restricted outdoor gatherings to less than 100 people.
“As I said from the start, if the positivity rate rose above 10%, the State of Texas would take further action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said in a release. “At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars.”
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Notably, Texas’ order specifically exempts indoor religious services from the occupancy limit, even though such gatherings are responsible for many of the “superspreading” events where large numbers of people fall ill. Earlier this month, 236 members of a church congregation in eastern Oregon became sick after attending services there.
As cases rise rapidly in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is facing explosive accusations of “cooking the books” by the state’s former leading COVID-19 data scientist, Rebekah Jones, who says DeSantis is trying to minimize the true impact of the disease. Jones says she was fired in in May for refusing to distort data.
In May, the state shut down a web portal where consumers could report businesses for failing to follow COVID-19 guidelines. A spokeswoman told WLRN reports had decreased to the point that the portal was no longer needed, but Department of Business and Professional Regulation records obtained by the outlet show they’d actually doubled from April to May.
DeSantis, who was one of the last governors to issue stay-at-home orders in April, previously blamed the surge on an increase in testing.
Clarification: Language has been amended to indicate that the percentage increase of cases in Florida is for the total number of cases, not the number of new, daily cases.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--NYPD Announced Internal Review After Black Man's Violent Arrest. 3 Months Later, Silence.

Gayle was detained in Brooklyn ’ s 69th Precinct for several hours and was charged with resisting officers and obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree .
He was also cited for unlawful marijuana possession in the second degree , though he has said he didn ’ t have any weed on him when he was arrested .
The charges were dismissed in April .
It ’ s unclear what happened to the man Gayle was with in the park .
Video of Gayle ’ s arrest , viewed millions of times on Twitter , garnered national headlines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initial outpouring of support was swift and intense .
But three months later , amid a nationwide reckoning on police brutality and systemic racism , the officers that arrested Gayle remain on active duty and the mental anguish he inherited that night continues to fester .
Gayle , unlike too many other Black people confronted by police , survived the incident .
But that doesn ’ t mean it wasn ’ t traumatic , both physically and mentally .
There ’ s no official national database that keeps track of police shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death , House Democrats proposed police reform legislation that would include the creation of one .
The Washington Post , in 2015 , created its own database of fatal police shootings .
It found Black Americans were shot and killed by police at a much higher rate than white Americans .
But the data doesn ’ t account for non-lethal use of force or misconduct .
‘ Absolutely An Excessive Use Of Force ’ In a notice of claim filed against the city last month , Dickerson alleges a pattern of racial discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supervisors of forcing him to be the arresting officer in Gayle ’ s case in an attempt to “ cover up ” the actions of the officers involved and as retaliation for complaining about being pressured to increase arrests and summons .
‘ We Have To Keep The Pressure On ’ “ We have to keep the pressure on as we continue to fight for Fitzroy Gayle and his family , ” McCall said .
“ These officers need to be perp walked and once that happens , we can jump for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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On a mild Wednesday evening in March, about two weeks before the pandemic all but shut down New York City, 20-year-old Fitzroy Gayle stopped in a park in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Canarsie to unwind on his way home from work.
While responding to a report of shots fired in the area, New York Police Department officers claim they observed Gayle, who is Black, and another man smoking marijuana in the park. The police say Gayle ran away as they approached. Gayle says he simply walked out of the park.
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A bystander captured the subsequent confrontation on her cellphone. Video showed a plainclothes officer pushing Gayle, whose hands are in the air, up against the wall. Gayle repeatedly asks what crime he committed, to which the officer responds, “Stop moving.”
Moments later, at least six additional officers can be seen charging toward the scene before violently forcing Gayle, who is unarmed, to the ground as he cries out for help. “Please, stop! You’re hurting me!” he screams.
Gayle was detained in Brooklyn’s 69th Precinct for several hours and was charged with resisting officers and obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree. He was also cited for unlawful marijuana possession in the second degree, though he has said he didn’t have any weed on him when he was arrested. The charges were dismissed in April. It’s unclear what happened to the man Gayle was with in the park.
Video of Gayle’s arrest, viewed millions of times on Twitter, garnered national headlines and sparked instant outrage. For Gayle, the initial outpouring of support was swift and intense. But three months later, amid a nationwide reckoning on police brutality and systemic racism, the officers that arrested Gayle remain on active duty and the mental anguish he inherited that night continues to fester. Gayle, unlike too many other Black people confronted by police, survived the incident. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t traumatic, both physically and mentally.
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After the NYPD’s announcement of an “internal review” of the arrest a day later, the media largely moved on. Then came the all-consuming news coverage of the coronavirus crisis and the police killing of George Floyd and subsequent widespread protests.
“This case should not be lost in the storm,” Rev. Kevin McCall, the spokesman for Gayle’s family, told HuffPost earlier this month. “Fitzroy Gayle could have been another George Floyd.”
‘We’ve Always Known’
Police incidents like Gayle’s don’t always result in death, but they’re painful, widespread and too often swept under the rug, according to community activists and legal experts.
There’s no official national database that keeps track of police shootings or misconduct. Following Floyd’s death, House Democrats proposed police reform legislation that would include the creation of one. The Washington Post, in 2015, created its own database of fatal police shootings. It found Black Americans were shot and killed by police at a much higher rate than white Americans. But the data doesn’t account for non-lethal use of force or misconduct.
“A lot of the awakening that we’re seeing right now in New York City and across America is that people outside of Black and brown people in working-class and low-income neighborhoods are finding out all the things that we’ve always known,” said Anthonine Pierre, deputy director of Brooklyn Movement Center, a Black-led community organizing group.
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“The role of the media is to take these injustices and make them the problem of more than Black and brown people,” she added.
A protester wearing a mask holds a large Black power raised fist in the middle of a crowd that gathered at Columbus Circle on June 14, 2020, in New York City. Ira L. Black - Corbis via Getty Images
Bystander video, which became especially widespread after the New York police killing of Eric Garner in 2014, has been a powerful tool in shining a light on police brutality, Pierre said. But injustices still occur when there isn’t someone with a cellphone nearby.
“For every Fitzroy Gayle, how many people suffered that fate from the police officers but nobody believed it because you couldn’t see it?” Pierre said.
Last week, the NYPD disbanded its plainclothes unit, which included some of the officers from Gayle’s arrest, according to Gayle’s attorney, Sanford Rubenstein. All of the officers in the 600-person unit were reassigned to other teams within the department, including the detective bureau and the neighborhood policing initiative.
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The officers involved in Gayle’s arrest remain on active duty, a spokesperson for the NYPD told HuffPost earlier this month. Asked for an update on the internal review, the spokesperson said there was none.
NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said during a press conference on March 5 that they “have concerns” about Gayle’s arrest. Shea acknowledged there were some “disturbing points” in the video of the incident. He also accused Gayle of “running” and suggested he felt the officers’ actions may have been warranted.
“This was painful to watch,” de Blasio tweeted the day of the press conference. “We still need to get all the facts about this case and a full investigation is underway, but I don’t like what I saw.”
De Blasio’s office declined to comment for this story.
‘Absolutely An Excessive Use Of Force’
To some legal experts, the conclusion from a review should be obvious: “It was absolutely an excessive use of force,” said Jennvine Wong, an attorney with The Legal Aid Society’s Cop Accountability Project.
“It was also really endemic of what Black and Latinx men especially, especially young men of color, face in New York City: constantly getting stopped for these low-level offenses,” she added. “It is brutal. And it is unjustified.”
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Gayle is still recovering from some of the injuries he sustained during the arrest, including to his neck, knee and ankle, Rubenstein said. He shares the emotional burden of that night with his mother, Daphne Gayle.
“They’re not supposed to treat him like an animal,” Daphne Gayle said during an interview in March with PIX11. “It’s just something I will never forget.”
In this image made from video, New York City police officers forcefully arrest 20-year-old Fitzroy Gayle in the Brooklyn borough of New York, March 4, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Incidents of police brutality can have significant psychological impacts on its victims and people who witness it, such as those who watch it on the news and social media, said Erlanger Turner, an assistant professor of psychology at Pepperdine University and author of “Mental Health Among African Americans.”
Race-related trauma, which includes but isn’t limited to police violence, can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression and may contribute to a higher risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder, Turner said.
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A 2016 study conducted by researchers at Emory University and the University of Washington found that men who live in a neighborhood with aggressive policing tactics and surveillance report more nervousness and feelings of worthlessness.
What’s more, having these cases drag on and go unresolved could increase feelings of hopelessness, Turner said.
“If you sort of continually experience these incidents over time and don’t get help to work through that trauma, it could put you at a much higher risk of developing a diagnosis,” he said.
Allegations Of Racism Within NYPD
On the night of her son’s arrest, Daphne Gayle spent hours at the 69th Precinct desperately seeking information about his case and updates on his release. Officer Terence Dickerson answered her questions as best he could.
Dickerson, who is Black, had been at the precinct when his fellow officers apprehended Gayle earlier that night, but his superiors assigned him to be the arresting officer in the case.
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In a notice of claim filed against the city last month, Dickerson alleges a pattern of racial discrimination within the NYPD. He also accuses his supervisors of forcing him to be the arresting officer in Gayle’s case in an attempt to “cover up” the actions of the officers involved and as retaliation for complaining about being pressured to increase arrests and summons.
Now, Dickerson is being investigated in Gayle’s case even though he had nothing to do with the arrest, Dickerson’s attorney John Scola said.
Dickerson is seeking $5 million in damages from the city.
Asked about Dickerson’s case, the NYPD declined to comment on pending litigation. The NYC Law Department, which handles the city’s legal affairs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
‘We Have To Keep The Pressure On’
Two days after the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges against Gayle, Rubenstein filed a notice of claim against the city on behalf of his client seeking $50 million in damages.
Gayle and his family are calling for the officers to be fired and for the district attorney’s office to file criminal charges against them.
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A spokesman for the district attorney’s office said the office does not comment on investigations.
Encampments continue to grow by City Hall where protesters are demanding a $1 billion cut from the NYPD's budget. STAR MAX/IPx/AP
McCall, who supports calls to defund the police, met last week with representatives from the Commission to Combat Police Corruption, a body whose members are appointed by the mayor to monitor and evaluate the NYPD’s anti-corruption efforts. He said Tuesday that he feels optimistic that justice will eventually be served in Gayle’s case.
“We have to keep the pressure on as we continue to fight for Fitzroy Gayle and his family,” McCall said. “These officers need to be perp walked and once that happens, we can jump for joy and be in a good place.”
As the anti-racism protests unfolded across the country following Floyd’s death, Gayle took action from inside his home, signing petitions and raising awareness on social media. He called Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, to offer support and prayers.
But his physical injuries and the fear that has been resurfaced by the images of police shoving protesters are keeping him from taking his activism to the streets, according to McCall.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--Tom Brady's 'Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself' Raises Eyebrows

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback on Thursday posted a version of FDR ’ s famous quote , “ The only thing we have to fear is fear itself , ” after his team worked out privately again .
The NFL Players Association has recommended that players avoid practicing together as the coronavirus pandemic surges .
Another quote on Instagram from Tom Brady , again practicing with Bucs teammates in Tampa today after NFLPA medical director recommended players not to practice in groups : pic.twitter.com/2wqVT7hN8c — Greg Auman ( @ gregauman ) June 25 , 2020 Brady and the Bucs are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before training camps are scheduled to open next month ― and he has not commented on the intent of his post .
But his message has been interpreted by media outlets as an ill-timed public act of defiance against critics who say he shouldn ’ t be working out in a group .
Given Florida ’ s record number of COVID-19 cases , it ’ s not a good look .
The union ’ s medical director told players to avoid football gatherings “ to have all players and your families as healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brady ’ s post suggests that he takes a dismissive attitude toward the warning — much like a prominent associate of his .
Trump has continued to downplay the virus ’ s risk and has refused to wear a mask despite the recommendations of his own task force doctors .
Brady flouted pandemic laws when he first moved to the area and tried to work out at a public park before being thrown out .
And now this .
HuffPost has reached out to Brady and the Buccaneers for comment .

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Tom Brady quoted President Franklin Delano Roosevelt but wound up sounding more like President Donald Trump.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback on Thursday posted a version of FDR’s famous quote, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” after his team worked out privately again.
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The NFL Players Association has recommended that players avoid practicing together as the coronavirus pandemic surges.
Another quote on Instagram from Tom Brady, again practicing with Bucs teammates in Tampa today after NFLPA medical director recommended players not to practice in groups: pic.twitter.com/2wqVT7hN8c — Greg Auman (@gregauman) June 25, 2020
Brady and the Bucs are not the only team holding informal workouts before training camps are scheduled to open next month ― and he has not commented on the intent of his post.
But his message has been interpreted by media outlets as an ill-timed public act of defiance against critics who say he shouldn’t be working out in a group. Given Florida’s record number of COVID-19 cases, it’s not a good look.
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The union’s medical director told players to avoid football gatherings “to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.”
Brady’s post suggests that he takes a dismissive attitude toward the warning — much like a prominent associate of his.
Trump has continued to downplay the virus’s risk and has refused to wear a mask despite the recommendations of his own task force doctors.
Brady flouted pandemic laws when he first moved to the area and tried to work out at a public park before being thrown out. And now this.
HuffPost has reached out to Brady and the Buccaneers for comment.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--What Our Poop Can Tell Us About The Spread Of Coronavirus

Testing poop in sewage may be an efficient way to monitor the spread of coronavirus ― and it could even predict a second wave .
In Scotland , sewage is being tested for traces of the virus ― specifically , COVID-19 ribonucleic acid ( RNA ) ― as part of a trial monitoring the spread of the infection .
Samples from waste water at treatment works in 14 Scottish will be analyzed by scientists from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA ) .
They hope to use the data to understand how widespread the virus is in Scotland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admissions data .
The theory is that when lots of RNA is present in sewage , it indicates a localized outbreak ― so large numbers of people have the virus in that community .
This includes those who are asymptomatic , meaning they don ’ t have any symptoms at all .
Testing sewage for COVID-19 isn ’ t anything new .
One study found the virus was present in Milan and Turin ’ s sewer systems as early as December 2019 ― two months before the first positive cases were reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials confirmed the virus even existed .
In Paris , back in March , sewage was analyzed for more than a month .
Researchers detected a rise and fall in RNA in the sewers , which correlated with a rise and fall of COVID-19 cases not long after .
Sébastien Wurtzer , a virologist at Eau de Paris , the city ’ s public water utility , told Science Mag such data could help predict a second wave of outbreaks .
In May , a group of researchers from Yale University looked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak in a northeastern metropolitan area in the U.S. and ― sure enough ― found the rise in RNA concentrations in the sewers correlated with a rise in local hospital admissions a few days later .
Their study , which is available as a preprint , concluded that COVID-19 RNA concentrations were “ a leading indicator of community infection ” ahead of testing data and local hospital admissions .
Such findings can help health officials implement public health measures , they said .
For example , if there ’ s a sudden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sewers , a localized mini lockdown could be enforced .
There aren ’ t any confirmed reports of the virus spreading from feces to a person .
And two independent studies from the Netherlands found that while RNA traces of the virus were present in wastewater , once that wastewater had been treated , no traces were present .
Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus .
The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time , but it ’ s possible guidance around COVID-19 could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations .

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Testing poop in sewage may be an efficient way to monitor the spread of coronavirus ― and it could even predict a second wave.
In Scotland, sewage is being tested for traces of the virus ― specifically, COVID-19 ribonucleic acid (RNA) ― as part of a trial monitoring the spread of the infection. Samples from waste water at treatment works in 14 Scottish will be analyzed by scientists from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
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They hope to use the data to understand how widespread the virus is in Scotland, in combination with community testing and hospital admissions data. The theory is that when lots of RNA is present in sewage, it indicates a localized outbreak ― so large numbers of people have the virus in that community. This includes those who are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t have any symptoms at all.
SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage/sludge is predictive of:
a) Community transmission
b) ⬆& ⬇ intensity of #COVID19 outbreak
c) as a leading indicator (by ~5 days) for cases
Our new study w/ @jordan_peccia Ed Kaplan @NathanGrubaugh @WeinbergerDan & othershttps://t.co/cp3rDHLdPq pic.twitter.com/gFtOa1kjFu — Saad B. Omer (@SaadOmer3) May 22, 2020
Testing sewage for COVID-19 isn’t anything new. One study found the virus was present in Milan and Turin’s sewer systems as early as December 2019 ― two months before the first positive cases were reported in Italy. It was also before Chinese officials confirmed the virus even existed.
In Paris, back in March, sewage was analyzed for more than a month. Researchers detected a rise and fall in RNA in the sewers, which correlated with a rise and fall of COVID-19 cases not long after. Sébastien Wurtzer, a virologist at Eau de Paris, the city’s public water utility, told Science Mag such data could help predict a second wave of outbreaks.
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In May, a group of researchers from Yale University looked at concentrations of COVID-19 RNA in sewage during an outbreak in a northeastern metropolitan area in the U.S. and ― sure enough ― found the rise in RNA concentrations in the sewers correlated with a rise in local hospital admissions a few days later.
Their study, which is available as a preprint, concluded that COVID-19 RNA concentrations were “a leading indicator of community infection” ahead of testing data and local hospital admissions.
Such findings can help health officials implement public health measures, they said. For example, if there’s a sudden high concentration of viral RNA in the sewers, a localized mini lockdown could be enforced.
There aren’t any confirmed reports of the virus spreading from feces to a person. And two independent studies from the Netherlands found that while RNA traces of the virus were present in wastewater, once that wastewater had been treated, no traces were present.
This article originally appeared in HuffPost UK.
Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus. The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time, but it’s possible guidance around COVID-19 could change as scientists discover more about the virus. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--This Doctor Is Radically Changing People's Lives By Transforming Their A**holes

He ’ s the founder of Bespoke Surgical , based in Manhattan , and one of the only surgeons in the world whose practice is dedicated to treating and restoring the humble human anus .
Dr. Goldstein ’ s work includes addressing functional problems , like hemorrhoids and anal fissures ; cosmetic concerns , like making a patient ’ s anus look exactly how they dream about it looking ; and sexual issues , like helping patients have anal sex like a porn star ― or just comfortably having anal sex , period .
In the inaugural episode of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s brand new podcast dedicated to exploring sticky questions about love , sex and relationships that you could have never imagined in health class , host Noah Michelson chats with Dr. Goldstein about everything from why he started his specialized practice to what happens when you inject botox into an asshole .
Michelson also chats with two of Dr. Goldstein ’ s patients , David and Tom , and learns why seeking out his intimate expertise has been nothing short of life-changing : New episodes of “ D Is For Desire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world of sex witches , an interview with a man who ’ s had 10,000 sex partners and a look at the joys of period sex , will premiere each Friday .
Subscribe below so you don ’ t miss a single desire-filled minute .
And if you have a question or a comment about the show or a suggestion for an episode , email us at desire @ huffpost.com .
Subscribe to “ D Is For Desire ” on your favorite podcast platform :

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Dr. Evan Goldstein spends a lot of time with assholes.
He’s the founder of Bespoke Surgical, based in Manhattan, and one of the only surgeons in the world whose practice is dedicated to treating and restoring the humble human anus. Dr. Goldstein’s work includes addressing functional problems, like hemorrhoids and anal fissures; cosmetic concerns, like making a patient’s anus look exactly how they dream about it looking; and sexual issues, like helping patients have anal sex like a porn star ― or just comfortably having anal sex, period.
In the inaugural episode of “D Is For Desire,” HuffPost’s brand new podcast dedicated to exploring sticky questions about love, sex and relationships that you could have never imagined in health class, host Noah Michelson chats with Dr. Goldstein about everything from why he started his specialized practice to what happens when you inject botox into an asshole. Michelson also chats with two of Dr. Goldstein’s patients, David and Tom, and learns why seeking out his intimate expertise has been nothing short of life-changing:
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New episodes of “D Is For Desire,” which include a journey into the world of sex witches, an interview with a man who’s had 10,000 sex partners and a look at the joys of period sex, will premiere each Friday. Subscribe below so you don’t miss a single desire-filled minute. And if you have a question or a comment about the show or a suggestion for an episode, email us at desire@huffpost.com.
Subscribe to “D Is For Desire” on your favorite podcast platform:
“D Is For Desire” is produced and edited by Nick Offenberg, Sara Patterson, Becca DeGregorio and Noah Michelson.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--'Morning Joe' Speculates Trump May Quit Before He Gets Fired

It left Scarborough wondering : “ Does this guy want to be elected president of the United States ?
Does he really want to be there ?
” Scarborough pointed out that Trump had a better instinct for when to keep his mouth shut in 2016 when he won the White House , but “ he ’ s not acting that way now ” as he seeks a second term .
He added that the president is not only “ acting like he doesn ’ t want to get re-elected , he ’ s acting like he really wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down with him.
” Scarborough , who Trump earlier this year sought to smear with a baseless conspiracy theory , conceded his “ far-fetched ” theory didn ’ t make conventional sense , but it was the only way to explain the president ’ s current campaign efforts .
The TV host added , “ This looks like a deliberate attempt to drive his campaign into the ground every day .
He knows what he ’ s doing is going to lower the poll numbers , and they are .
They are collapsing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released Thursday contained especially bad news for Trump , showing him running behind Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , in several of the most politically competitive states .
“ He doesn ’ t want four more years , ” she said .
“ That ’ s clear .
You can tell by his behavior .
His attitude towards the health of the American people , he doesn ’ t want to be there.
” Brzezinski also noted that Trump doesn ’ t like to lose , which led Scarborough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the race before the election ― especially if it looks like Biden will win big .
“ This is not a guy who is acting like he expects to be around on January 21st , 2021 , in the White House .
And he ’ s acting like he ’ s setting everything on fire before he leaves , ” Scarborough said .
He added , “ He ’ s known when to leave the stage before .
… I would not be surprised if he left the stage again.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Trump might say to the American people in his resignation speech ― “ You don ’ t deserve me ” was one key phrase .
Scarborough then suggested Trump would rather leave the presidency and be remembered for scoring one of the biggest political upsets of all time than an incumbent who suffered an especially humiliating loss .
However , he took great pains to remind viewers that it was just a theory and wasn ’ t based on any insider knowledge .
“ He ’ s known when to leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m the only one saying this — I would not be surprised if he left the stage again , ” Scarborough said , reiterating , “ And again , I ’ m the only person saying it .
Don ’ t think it ’ ll happen , but it ’ s a possibility .
”

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President Donald Trump hates being thought of as a loser, but maybe he wouldn’t mind being known as a quitter.
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It left Scarborough wondering: “Does this guy want to be elected president of the United States? Does he really want to be there?”
Scarborough pointed out that Trump had a better instinct for when to keep his mouth shut in 2016 when he won the White House, but “he’s not acting that way now” as he seeks a second term.
He added that the president is not only “acting like he doesn’t want to get re-elected, he’s acting like he really wants to lose badly and take the Republican Party down with him.”
Scarborough, who Trump earlier this year sought to smear with a baseless conspiracy theory, conceded his “far-fetched” theory didn’t make conventional sense, but it was the only way to explain the president’s current campaign efforts.
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“You look at every single move he’s making,” Scarborough said. “And it keeps happening every day.”
The TV host added, “This looks like a deliberate attempt to drive his campaign into the ground every day. He knows what he’s doing is going to lower the poll numbers, and they are. They are collapsing every day.”
A series of polls released Thursday contained especially bad news for Trump, showing him running behind Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in several of the most politically competitive states.
Scarborough’s co-host and wife, Mika Brzenzinski, amplified his hot take.
“He doesn’t want four more years,” she said. “That’s clear. You can tell by his behavior. His attitude towards the health of the American people, he doesn’t want to be there.”
Brzezinski also noted that Trump doesn’t like to lose, which led Scarborough to suggest that the president might consider pulling out of the race before the election ― especially if it looks like Biden will win big.
“This is not a guy who is acting like he expects to be around on January 21st, 2021, in the White House. And he’s acting like he’s setting everything on fire before he leaves,” Scarborough said.
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He added, “He’s known when to leave the stage before. … I would not be surprised if he left the stage again.”
A little later, he riffed on what Trump might say to the American people in his resignation speech ― “You don’t deserve me” was one key phrase.
Scarborough then suggested Trump would rather leave the presidency and be remembered for scoring one of the biggest political upsets of all time than an incumbent who suffered an especially humiliating loss.
However, he took great pains to remind viewers that it was just a theory and wasn’t based on any insider knowledge.
“He’s known when to leave the stage before — again, I’m the only one saying this — I would not be surprised if he left the stage again,” Scarborough said, reiterating, “And again, I’m the only person saying it. Don’t think it’ll happen, but it’s a possibility.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--Ivanka Trump Mocked By Twitter Users While Promoting ‘Skills-Based Hiring’

The White House announced on Friday that it planned to direct the federal government to overhaul its hiring to prioritize a job applicant ’ s skills over a college degree .
That ’ s because it was made by presidential adviser Ivanka Trump ― who , not coincidentally , happens to be the daughter of President Donald Trump .
“ We are modernizing federal hiring to find candidates with the relevant competencies and knowledge , rather than simply recruiting based on degree requirements , ” she told The Associated Press .
“ We encourage employers everywhere to take a look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how initiatives like these can help diversify and strengthen their workforce.
” As you might expect , many Twitter users found Ivanka Trump ’ s promotion of the initiative ironic as both Ivanka Trump and her husband , Jared Kushner , were basically hired only because of their familial connection to the president .
new policy : anyone whose parents had the job can get hired for the job themselves , regardless of qualifications https : //t.co/3aPQBeGx3B — Chris Hayes ( @ chrislhayes ) June 26 , 2020 Does that mean you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with actual intelligence and ability ?
https : //t.co/PVXUrMZtBp — Hart Hanson ( @ HartHanson ) June 26 , 2020 So is this like a `` fill out your own performance review '' thing ?
Because I ca n't see how much of the current administration—the speaker in this video included—got their role based on skills .
https : //t.co/RANRuf0PHR — Neil Kleid ( @ neilkleid ) June 26 , 2020 Some people sympathized with the first daughter .
Others wondered if the whole thing was just a big joke .
They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its face here right ?
Are they just straight-up trolling at this point ?
https : //t.co/2UDakt04mi — Gary Whitta ( @ garywhitta ) June 26 , 2020 One person had a suggestion for how best to appreciate Ivanka Trump ’ s announcement .
If you watch with sound off this looks like a nice PR lady from a boutique assisted living facility for the elderly explaining just how happy Grandpa will be here , and why it makes sense to give them all your money now , in case under their care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old .
https : //t.co/sRpCaXLAte — Michael Marshall Smith ( @ ememess ) June 26 , 2020

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The White House announced on Friday that it planned to direct the federal government to overhaul its hiring to prioritize a job applicant’s skills over a college degree.
But many Twitter users found the administration’s announcement ironic.
That’s because it was made by presidential adviser Ivanka Trump ― who, not coincidentally, happens to be the daughter of President Donald Trump.
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“We are modernizing federal hiring to find candidates with the relevant competencies and knowledge, rather than simply recruiting based on degree requirements,” she told The Associated Press. “We encourage employers everywhere to take a look at their hiring practices and think critically about how initiatives like these can help diversify and strengthen their workforce.”
Today, President @realDonaldTrump will sign an executive order to transform the federal hiring process—and replace one-size-fits-all, degree-based hiring with skills-based hiring.
More from @IvankaTrump: pic.twitter.com/W8xhiyCRBy — The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 26, 2020
As you might expect, many Twitter users found Ivanka Trump’s promotion of the initiative ironic as both Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were basically hired only because of their familial connection to the president.
The snark was fast and furious.
I'm not sure Ivanka Trump is the best spokesperson for "skills-based hiring" https://t.co/a4G5s9dOtC — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 26, 2020
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new policy: anyone whose parents had the job can get hired for the job themselves, regardless of qualifications https://t.co/3aPQBeGx3B — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 26, 2020
Does that mean you all will leave in favor of people with actual intelligence and ability? https://t.co/PVXUrMZtBp — Hart Hanson (@HartHanson) June 26, 2020
If White House hiring were "skills-based" -- this woman wouldn't be within 100 miles of that building. https://t.co/Zl27QZ9xOF — Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) June 26, 2020
So is this like a "fill out your own performance review" thing? Because I can't see how much of the current administration—the speaker in this video included—got their role based on skills. https://t.co/RANRuf0PHR — Neil Kleid (@neilkleid) June 26, 2020
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Some people sympathized with the first daughter.
Very awkward when dad asks you to give a pep talk to employees about new skills-based hiring https://t.co/3PVzW9jyJv — Robyn Urback (@RobynUrback) June 26, 2020
Others wondered if the whole thing was just a big joke.
They have to be aware of the irony on its face here right? Are they just straight-up trolling at this point? https://t.co/2UDakt04mi — Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) June 26, 2020
One person had a suggestion for how best to appreciate Ivanka Trump’s announcement.
If you watch with sound off this looks like a nice PR lady from a boutique assisted living facility for the elderly explaining just how happy Grandpa will be here, and why it makes sense to give them all your money now, in case under their care he lives to be a million years old. https://t.co/sRpCaXLAte — Michael Marshall Smith (@ememess) June 26, 2020
And, yes, someone made a reference to Alanis Morissette’s 1996 hit “Ironic.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--Trump To Nominate Anti-Environment Extremist As Permanent Public Lands Chief

President Donald Trump will formally nominated William Perry Pendley , a self-proclaimed “ sagebrush rebel ” with extreme anti-environmental views and a long history of advocating for the sale of federal lands in the West , to serve as director of the Bureau of Land Management .
Pendley was tapped last July for a senior policy position at BLM , an agency of the Department of the Interior , and quickly elevated to acting chief .
The backdoor appointment put him in charge of overseeing 245 million acres of public land — more than 10 % of the entire U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acres .
It also enraged environmentalists and sparked fears of a public lands sell-off .
Pendley , a native of Wyoming , is the former longtime president of Mountain States Legal Foundation , a conservative nonprofit that has pushed for the government to sell off millions of federal acres .
He ’ s written several books about Western land issues , including one titled “ Sagebrush Rebel , ” a reference to the Sagebrush Rebellion movement of the 1970s and ’ 80s that sought to remove lands from federal control .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Review , he wrote : “ Founding Fathers intended all lands owned by the federal government to be sold.
” The Trump administration has vowed not to dispose of public lands .
Yet it has cozied up to members of the pro-land transfer movement and tapped several opponents of federal land policy for high-ranking department positions .
Pendley has dismissed concerns about his stance on federal lands and said his personal views and past statements ― including some that described climate science as “ junk science ” and comparing immigrants to a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leading a bureau .
In a release announcing Trump ’ s intent to nominate him to the director post , the White House said Pendley “ has worked to increase recreational opportunities on and access to our Nation ’ s public lands , heighten concern for the impact of wild horses and burros on public lands , and increase awareness of the Bureau ’ s multiple-use mission.
” Pendley also has ties to Lyndon LaRouche , the late cult leader , convicted fraudster and paranoid conspiracy theorist , as HuffPost first reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Century Science & Technology , a fringe LaRouche magazine loaded with pseudoscience and conspiracy theories , and documents indicate he was at a 1994 conference where two of LaRouche ’ s associates called on anti-environmental groups to help kill Senate support for an international biodiversity treaty .
Pendley dismissed his connections to LaRouche as “ irrelevant.
” Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico , the ranking Democrat on the interior and environment appropriations subcommittee , told HuffPost that Pendley ’ s writings in 21st Century Science & Technology were “ yet another clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the BLM ” and should step down .
“ The Trump Administration should nominate someone who believes in the agency ’ s mission and supports protecting our thriving outdoor recreation economy and iconic wildlife—not a longtime advocate of selling off U.S. public lands to the highest bidder , ” Udall said in an email .
Nearly 100 environmental organizations signed on to a letter in late December demanding Pendley resign or be removed from office .
The groups argued that he poses an “ existential threat ” to America ’ s public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down on his record as the most anti-nature president in U.S. history , ” Kate Kelly , public lands director at the left-leaning Center for American Progress , said in a statement Friday .
“ The nomination of William Perry Pendley sends a clear signal that Trump plans to move ahead with a radical , sweeping , and unpopular sell-off of America ’ s public lands.
” Pendley had voiced interest in becoming BLM ’ s permanent director , telling the Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction , Colorado , in November that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ultimately up to the White House .
The job requires Senate confirmation , meaning Pendley will soon face tough questions under oath from Democrats who say he ’ s unfit to lead the powerful agency .
Pendley ’ s first stint in government was under James Watt , President Ronald Reagan ’ s Interior Department chief , who is widely considered among the most anti-environment Cabinet appointees in U.S. history .
Pendley joined Watt ’ s Interior Department in 1981 as deputy assistant secretary of the Minerals Management Service and has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twin.
” Along with extreme views on federal land policy , Pendley detests the Endangered Species Act , once writing the conservation law seeks “ to kill or prevent anybody from making a living on federal land.
” He has sued the federal government numerous times in the last three decades , railed often against environmental “ terrorists ” and “ eco-fascists , ” and compared the climate crisis to a “ unicorn ” because “ neither exists .
”

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President Donald Trump will formally nominate William Perry Pendley, a self-proclaimed “sagebrush rebel” with extreme anti-environmental views and a long history of advocating for the sale of federal lands in the West, to serve as director of the Bureau of Land Management.
Pendley was tapped last July for a senior policy position at BLM, an agency of the Department of the Interior, and quickly elevated to acting chief. The backdoor appointment put him in charge of overseeing 245 million acres of public land — more than 10% of the entire U.S. landmass — and 700 million subsurface mineral acres. It also enraged environmentalists and sparked fears of a public lands sell-off.
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Pendley, a native of Wyoming, is the former longtime president of Mountain States Legal Foundation, a conservative nonprofit that has pushed for the government to sell off millions of federal acres. He’s written several books about Western land issues, including one titled “Sagebrush Rebel,” a reference to the Sagebrush Rebellion movement of the 1970s and ’80s that sought to remove lands from federal control. In a January 2016 op-ed published by The National Review, he wrote: “Founding Fathers intended all lands owned by the federal government to be sold.”
The Trump administration has vowed not to dispose of public lands. Yet it has cozied up to members of the pro-land transfer movement and tapped several opponents of federal land policy for high-ranking department positions. Pendley has dismissed concerns about his stance on federal lands and said his personal views and past statements ― including some that described climate science as “junk science” and comparing immigrants to a “cancer” ― are “irrelevant” to leading a bureau.
In a release announcing Trump’s intent to nominate him to the director post, the White House said Pendley “has worked to increase recreational opportunities on and access to our Nation’s public lands, heighten concern for the impact of wild horses and burros on public lands, and increase awareness of the Bureau’s multiple-use mission.”
In this photo from Oct. 11, 2019, William Perry Pendley speaks at a conference for journalists in Fort Collins, Colorado. AP Photo/Matthew Brown
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Pendley also has ties to Lyndon LaRouche, the late cult leader, convicted fraudster and paranoid conspiracy theorist, as HuffPost first reported. Pendley published anti-environmental pieces in 21st Century Science & Technology, a fringe LaRouche magazine loaded with pseudoscience and conspiracy theories, and documents indicate he was at a 1994 conference where two of LaRouche’s associates called on anti-environmental groups to help kill Senate support for an international biodiversity treaty. Pendley dismissed his connections to LaRouche as “irrelevant.”
Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, the ranking Democrat on the interior and environment appropriations subcommittee, told HuffPost that Pendley’s writings in 21st Century Science & Technology were “yet another clear sign he should not be in charge of the BLM” and should step down.
“The Trump Administration should nominate someone who believes in the agency’s mission and supports protecting our thriving outdoor recreation economy and iconic wildlife—not a longtime advocate of selling off U.S. public lands to the highest bidder,” Udall said in an email.
Nearly 100 environmental organizations signed on to a letter in late December demanding Pendley resign or be removed from office. The groups argued that he poses an “existential threat” to America’s public lands.
“President Trump is doubling down on his record as the most anti-nature president in U.S. history,” Kate Kelly, public lands director at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, said in a statement Friday. “The nomination of William Perry Pendley sends a clear signal that Trump plans to move ahead with a radical, sweeping, and unpopular sell-off of America’s public lands.”
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Pendley had voiced interest in becoming BLM’s permanent director, telling the Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction, Colorado, in November that he would welcome the opportunity but that it was ultimately up to the White House. The job requires Senate confirmation, meaning Pendley will soon face tough questions under oath from Democrats who say he’s unfit to lead the powerful agency.
Pendley’s first stint in government was under James Watt, President Ronald Reagan’s Interior Department chief, who is widely considered among the most anti-environment Cabinet appointees in U.S. history. Pendley joined Watt’s Interior Department in 1981 as deputy assistant secretary of the Minerals Management Service and has been described as Watt’s “ideological twin.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-26--House Approves Bill To Make D.C. The 51st State In Historic Vote

In a historic first , the House of Representatives approved a bill on Friday to admit Washington , D.C. , to the union as the 51st state .
If enacted into law , the bill would give the new state full autonomy to pass laws to govern itself and provide its 700,000 residents with voting representation in both chambers of Congress for the first time .
The bill passed by a vote of 232-180 with all but one Democrats in support and every Republican in opposition .
It is the first time in the 219-year history of Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bill to admit it as a state .
To create the state of Douglass Commonwealth , the name the D.C. Council has chosen for the state , the bill would cede the parts of downtown D.C. filled with neoclassical monuments and brutalist federal buildings to serve as the constitutionally necessary independent seat of the federal government .
The rest of the current city , consisting largely of local residential and commercial property , would become the new 51st state .
The bill ’ s passage is a major victory for its chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D ) , the second elected non-voting delegate for the district .
She first brought statehood legislation to the floor of the House for a vote in 1993 , but it failed .
A majority of Democrats and all but one Republican opposed it then .
Its passage 27 years later signals the great changes that have occurred in the country and the Democratic Party since then .
The vote was “ deeply personal , ” Norton said , since her great-grandfather fled from slavery to D.C. where her family has lived ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family has been denied the rights other Americans have been granted , ” she said .
The vote , while historic , was largely symbolic of the growing support for statehood among Democrats .
House Republicans were unanimous in their opposition , labeling the vote an unconstitutional and partisan stunt .
They argued that D.C. did not have enough jobs in manufacturing , logging and mining to be a proper state while proclaiming that “ real Americans ” did not reside in the city .
Republicans instead suggested retroceding the land that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland .
President Donald Trump has previously stated that Republicans would have to be “ very , very stupid ” to support D.C. statehood because the new state would elect two Democratic Party senators .
( He received 4 % of the D.C. vote in 2016 . )
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has called D.C. statehood “ full bore socialism.
” He does not plan to allow a vote on it in the Senate .
Hope for future passage of the statehood legislation rests on Democrats winning control of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Senate bill introduced by Sen. Tom Carper ( D-Del . )
currently has 40 additional co-sponsors , all of whom are Democrats or independents who caucus with Democrats .
Another six Democratic caucus members have not yet signed on to the bill .
The bill would potentially have to surmount a Senate filibuster by securing 60 votes for passage .
But it is unclear whether or not a Democratic majority would eliminate the filibuster upon taking office .
There is a grassroots push by activists to do away with the filibuster and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solely for statehood admissions .
The group 51 for 51 launched a website on Friday to advocate for passing D.C. statehood with 51 votes in the Senate .
The campaign is supported by more than two dozen statehood and progressive groups .
For all of D.C. ’ s history its residents have lived under the authority of the federal government .
Committees in Congress set its laws , overturned laws made by the democratically elected local government and outright eliminated the entire local government for nearly a century .
The president , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the D.C. National Guard and can seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department .
This lack of autonomy was visible in President Donald Trump ’ s deployment of federal forces onto city streets to attack peaceful Black Lives Matter protests and occupy city land against the will of local elected officials .
This federal assault on the city spurred increased interest in D.C. statehood .
Five senators have since co-sponsored the Senate companion bill to the one that passed the House on Friday .
D.C. ’ s historic lack of autonomy has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since the Civil War , the city has maintained a significant Black population .
During the war , the federal government freed the enslaved population of the district .
( Reparations were made to the enslavers , not the newly freed . )
Freed Blacks then flocked to the district as they fled the Confederacy .
By 1870 , one-third of the population was Black .
This was one reason that spurred the federal government to eliminate the city ’ s elected government .
It would not be restored until 1973 .

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In a historic first, the House of Representatives approved a bill on Friday to admit Washington, D.C., to the union as the 51st state. If enacted into law, the bill would give the new state full autonomy to pass laws to govern itself and provide its 700,000 residents with voting representation in both chambers of Congress for the first time.
The bill passed by a vote of 232-180 with all but one Democrats in support and every Republican in opposition. It is the first time in the 219-year history of Washington, D.C., that a chamber of Congress approved a bill to admit it as a state.
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“The people of D.C. not only deserve real self-government, but full representation in the Congress of the United States,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said.
Admitting D.C. as the 51st state “will bring our nation closer to our ideals,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said.
To create the state of Douglass Commonwealth, the name the D.C. Council has chosen for the state, the bill would cede the parts of downtown D.C. filled with neoclassical monuments and brutalist federal buildings to serve as the constitutionally necessary independent seat of the federal government. The rest of the current city, consisting largely of local residential and commercial property, would become the new 51st state.
The bill’s passage is a major victory for its chief sponsor Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), the second elected non-voting delegate for the district. She first brought statehood legislation to the floor of the House for a vote in 1993, but it failed. A majority of Democrats and all but one Republican opposed it then. Its passage 27 years later signals the great changes that have occurred in the country and the Democratic Party since then.
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The vote was “deeply personal,” Norton said, since her great-grandfather fled from slavery to D.C. where her family has lived ever since. “For three generations, my family has been denied the rights other Americans have been granted,” she said.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a news conference on District of Columbia statehood on Capitol Hill on June 16, 2020, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS/Andrew Harnik
“There’s no way to look at it except in its historic context and see it as a turning point in the history of our country,” Norton told HuffPost ahead of the vote.
The vote, while historic, was largely symbolic of the growing support for statehood among Democrats. House Republicans were unanimous in their opposition, labeling the vote an unconstitutional and partisan stunt. They argued that D.C. did not have enough jobs in manufacturing, logging and mining to be a proper state while proclaiming that “real Americans” did not reside in the city. Republicans instead suggested retroceding the land that would become the state of D.C. to Maryland.
To be enacted the bill would need to be approved by the Senate and the president. That is not expected to happen at this moment.
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President Donald Trump has previously stated that Republicans would have to be “very, very stupid” to support D.C. statehood because the new state would elect two Democratic Party senators. (He received 4% of the D.C. vote in 2016.) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has called D.C. statehood “full bore socialism.” He does not plan to allow a vote on it in the Senate.
Hope for future passage of the statehood legislation rests on Democrats winning control of the Senate in the November elections. The Senate bill introduced by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) currently has 40 additional co-sponsors, all of whom are Democrats or independents who caucus with Democrats. Another six Democratic caucus members have not yet signed on to the bill.
The bill would potentially have to surmount a Senate filibuster by securing 60 votes for passage. But it is unclear whether or not a Democratic majority would eliminate the filibuster upon taking office. There is a grassroots push by activists to do away with the filibuster and separately to do away with the filibuster solely for statehood admissions. The group 51 for 51 launched a website on Friday to advocate for passing D.C. statehood with 51 votes in the Senate. The campaign is supported by more than two dozen statehood and progressive groups.
Ahead of historic vote on DC statehood, Mayor Muriel Bowser has commissioned #MuralsDC51, a project to create 51 statehood-, Black history-, and social justice-themed murals across all eight wards in Washington D.C. mpi34/MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx
For all of D.C.’s history its residents have lived under the authority of the federal government. Committees in Congress set its laws, overturned laws made by the democratically elected local government and outright eliminated the entire local government for nearly a century. The president, not the mayor, is in charge of the D.C. National Guard and can seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
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This lack of autonomy was visible in President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal forces onto city streets to attack peaceful Black Lives Matter protests and occupy city land against the will of local elected officials. This federal assault on the city spurred increased interest in D.C. statehood. Five senators have since co-sponsored the Senate companion bill to the one that passed the House on Friday.
D.C.’s historic lack of autonomy has also been intensely tied to its demographics. Since the Civil War, the city has maintained a significant Black population. During the war, the federal government freed the enslaved population of the district. (Reparations were made to the enslavers, not the newly freed.) Freed Blacks then flocked to the district as they fled the Confederacy. By 1870, one-third of the population was Black. This was one reason that spurred the federal government to eliminate the city’s elected government. It would not be restored until 1973.
In the interim, members of Congress ended up setting the laws for the city. Oftentimes these members were belligerent racists like Mississippi Democratic Sen. Theodore Bilbo or South Carolina Democratic Rep. John McMillan. Bilbo desired and obtained the chairmanship of the committee governing D.C. affairs just so he “could keep Washington a segregated city.”
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton presents an American flag with 51 stars, commemorating the possibility of adding D.C. as the 51st state, in her Capitol Hill office on February 18, 2020. Congressional Quarterly via Getty Images
When the city did win back home rule, Congress continued to interfere in its affairs, blocking laws passed by its elected government. It blocked abortion funds in 1988, domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples in 1992, clean needle exchanges in 1996 and the legalization of marijuana in 2014.
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“This is more than just a local issue for the District of Columbia,” Hoyer said. “It is a civil rights issue.”
“When some Americans are denied the full rights of citizenship, it diminishes the rights of all citizens,” he added.
The movement for D.C. statehood is rooted in this desire to get the federal government out of the city’s affairs. It was initially launched by local activists fighting the construction of highways by the federal government that bulldozed neighborhoods and displaced Black communities.
There are many ways that a state can be admitted to the United States, and the D.C. statehood movement has tried many of them.
In 1978, Congress proposed a D.C. statehood constitutional amendment that gave seven years for 38 states to approve the amendment admitting D.C. But only 16 states approved it by the expiration date.
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The first legislative effort for statehood failed when the House rejected a bill proposed by Norton in 1993 by a 277 to 153 vote.
Over the ensuing two-plus decades, institutional opposition among Democrats to D.C. statehood waned, particularly as the party diversified and lost nearly all of its seats held by white Southerners. The last bastion of opposition sat within Maryland and Virginia representatives who feared that a D.C. state could impose a commuter tax to raise revenue.Hoyer, the most powerful of these members, endorsed statehood in 2019.
In 2016, Mayor Muriel Bowser put a statehood referendum on the ballot as part of a newfound effort to gain admission. One of the criteria for admission as a state is that the residents of the requesting territory residents vote to become one. District voters approved with 86% of the vote.
Friday’s vote was the next step in the process of demonstrating support. The real action, however, may have to wait until 2021.