thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-07--Jair Bolsonaro's Positive Test Will Only Escalate His Coronavirus Culture War

And with that , it was clear that one of the world ’ s chief coronavirus skeptics ― a man who ’ s inaction and ineptitude have helped foster the planet ’ s second-worst COVID-19 outbreak ― would not change course .
Not even his own infection could inspire empathy for the more than 65,000 Brazilians who have already succumbed to the disease .
Any such hope was always faint , bordering on impossible .
Bolsonaro is not an empathetic man , and he does not change tune .
The desperate calls for him to act like a normal president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has never been , are as futile as the similar pleas directed at U.S. President Donald Trump , the man on whom Bolsonaro has modeled himself , his administration , and his response to the pandemic .
Confusion , chaos and violence ― be it from the state ’ s actions or , in the case of the pandemic , its total lack thereof ― are central to the Bolsonarismo movement .
So the president ’ s positive test will do little to slow the spread of the virus .
Rather , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation worse on every front , as he and his supporters bunker down and the response becomes more politicized and chaotic than it already was .
He did not change his tune when nearly two dozen members of the Brazilian government tested positive for the virus after he headed a contingent traveling to Florida in March to meet with Trump .
He refused to wear a mask until a judge forced him to , and vetoed a push to mandate facial coverings among the Brazilian public .
He has flouted social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and right-wing protesters outside the presidential palace in Brasilia ; this weekend , he met with U.S. ambassador to Brazil Todd Chapman to celebrate the Fourth of July , with nary a mask in sight .
( Chapman has no symptoms but will be tested , the U.S. embassy said . )
Much as in the U.S. ― the only country with more infections and deaths than Brazil ― Bolsonaro ’ s response to the pandemic ( or utter lack thereof ) has created a climate of confusion and polarization around the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad array of social distancing measures and business lockdowns that he has largely undermined .
Public health officials have made recommendations that he has ignored .
Many Brazilians who want to take the pandemic seriously don ’ t know how to ; many others can not afford to .
Many of the rest , particularly those who count themselves as Bolsonaro ’ s most ardent supporters , have no desire to , and at his urging , they have helped turn COVID-19 into just another front in the country ’ s ongoing culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like rain , it will hit you , ” he said , as if to suggest there was nothing one could do to stop it .
His insistence that everyone “ relax ” as he tore off his mask was a return to the same machismo-laden playbook that he and fellow right-winger Trump have relied on in their dismissive approach to the virus .
Bolsonaro ’ s insistence that he was already feeling better thanks to a treatment regime that included hydroxychloroquine was a thinly-veiled attempt to continue advocating for the anti-malarial drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective therapeutic for COVID-19 ― despite no conclusive proof of that and amid concerns that it could harm some users .
His supporters took the cue : Already many have insisted that his positive test is no big deal .
Bolsonaro will recover from the gripezinha ― the little flu ― with ease , several said on social media .
His “ history as an athlete , ” which Bolsonaro previously has suggested would help him should he test positive , will carry him through now , some said .
If his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be no problem , they argue : Hydroxychloroquine will fix it .
“ I am sorry for the more than 1.6 million infected and the fact that we have the worst crisis manager in the world among us , ” Fernando Haddad , the former Sao Paulo mayor who lost the 2018 election to Bolsonaro , tweeted Tuesday .
“ I want everyone to recover , including Bolsonaro .
To the relatives of those who left amid the neglect of the government , my sincere feelings.
” Bolsonaro ’ s bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow him .
His traipsing around Brasilia to eat hot dogs last month drew crowds of adoring supporters and made doing so seem safe ( and at the least made warnings that Brazilians should not do so seem hysterical ) .
His appearances at right-wing demonstrations to shake hands and greet what seems a dwindling base of supporters gave license to other Brazilians to ignore pleas that they socially distance and stay at home .
His belief in the ability of unproven drugs to make up for his own refusal to act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the sick were truly at risk , helped sell the idea that most had nothing to fear .
Bolsonaro ’ s efforts to undermine social distancing and economic lockdowns have worked : Across the country , cities and states have started to reopen bars and restaurants and other businesses , as well .
So have his attempts to turn the pandemic into a political battle rather than a public health problem : His most ardent supporters long ago made it clear they would never take the virus seriously , and they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insistence that it is no big deal .
Worse , many of them have already decided it is their job to fight back against those who do take it seriously .
Last weekend in Rio de Janeiro , a couple angrily confronted public health workers who were conducting virus surveillance efforts in the city .
It ’ s a familiar story for anyone watching from the U.S..
Together , the two nations led by right-wing authoritarians who refuse to take the virus seriously are now responsible for roughly half of the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil , there are still likely months to go before the outbreak reaches its peak .

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As far-right Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro finished announcing on Tuesday that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, he backed away from a small group of reporters and removed the mask covering his face.
“Look at my face,” Bolsonaro said. “There is no need to panic.”
And with that, it was clear that one of the world’s chief coronavirus skeptics ― a man whose inaction and ineptitude have helped foster the planet’s second-worst COVID-19 outbreak ― would not change course. Not even his own infection could inspire empathy for the more than 65,000 Brazilians who have already succumbed to the disease.
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Any such hope was always faint, bordering on impossible. Bolsonaro is not an empathetic man, and he does not change tune. The desperate calls for him to act like a normal president, like someone he isn’t and has never been, are as futile as the similar pleas directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, the man on whom Bolsonaro has modeled himself, his administration, and his response to the pandemic.
Confusion, chaos and violence ― be it from the state’s actions or, in the case of the pandemic, its total lack thereof ― are central to the Bolsonarismo movement. So the president’s positive test will do little to slow the spread of the virus. Rather, his reaction seems likely only to make the situation worse on every front, as he and his supporters bunker down and the response becomes more politicized and chaotic than it already was.
The Brazilian leader has spent the last four months downplaying the virus at every turn, dismissing it as a media conspiracy and a “little flu,” forcing dissenters, including two health ministers, out of his government, and publicly feuding with governors and other public officials who advocated an aggressive response as COVID-19 spread across the country.
He did not change his tune when nearly two dozen members of the Brazilian government tested positive for the virus after he headed a contingent traveling to Florida in March to meet with Trump. He refused to wear a mask until a judge forced him to, and vetoed a push to mandate facial coverings among the Brazilian public. He has flouted social distancing measures to meet with crowds of supporters and right-wing protesters outside the presidential palace in Brasilia; this weekend, he met with U.S. ambassador to Brazil Todd Chapman to celebrate the Fourth of July, with nary a mask in sight. (Chapman has no symptoms but will be tested, the U.S. embassy said.)
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Much as in the U.S. ― the only country with more infections and deaths than Brazil ― Bolsonaro’s response to the pandemic (or utter lack thereof) has created a climate of confusion and polarization around the virus. States and cities have enacted a broad array of social distancing measures and business lockdowns that he has largely undermined. Public health officials have made recommendations that he has ignored.
Many Brazilians who want to take the pandemic seriously don’t know how to; many others cannot afford to. Many of the rest, particularly those who count themselves as Bolsonaro’s most ardent supporters, have no desire to, and at his urging, they have helped turn COVID-19 into just another front in the country’s ongoing culture war.
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has rivaled U.S. President Donald Trump in downplaying the seriousness to the coronavirus pandemic. He has scorned a strong public response to the crisis. And his now-positive test for COVID-19 is unlikely to cause any change in his attitude. Adriano Machado / Reuters
Even when he announced that he tested positive, Bolsonaro treated the disease with disdain.
“This virus is almost like rain, it will hit you,” he said, as if to suggest there was nothing one could do to stop it. His insistence that everyone “relax” as he tore off his mask was a return to the same machismo-laden playbook that he and fellow right-winger Trump have relied on in their dismissive approach to the virus.
Bolsonaro’s insistence that he was already feeling better thanks to a treatment regime that included hydroxychloroquine was a thinly-veiled attempt to continue advocating for the anti-malarial drug that he and Trump have touted as an effective therapeutic for COVID-19 ― despite no conclusive proof of that and amid concerns that it could harm some users.
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Indeed, Bolsonaro has just posted a video touting the supposed healing powers of hydroxychloroquine pic.twitter.com/F5CU4YaHcB — David Biller (@DLBiller) July 7, 2020
His supporters took the cue: Already many have insisted that his positive test is no big deal. Bolsonaro will recover from the gripezinha ― the little flu ― with ease, several said on social media. His “history as an athlete,” which Bolsonaro previously has suggested would help him should he test positive, will carry him through now, some said. If his condition worsens from the mild symptoms, there will be no problem, they argue: Hydroxychloroquine will fix it.
And were he to die, some may see that as just his unavoidable destiny ― Bolsonaro himself proclaimed last month, “Sorry for all the dead, but that’s everyone’s destiny.”
Bolsonaro’s infection, like those of the other 1.6 million Brazilians who have come down with the virus, is inseparable from the larger tragedy that has befallen the nation, one his recklessness and willful incompetence have only worsened.
“I am sorry for the more than 1.6 million infected and the fact that we have the worst crisis manager in the world among us,” Fernando Haddad, the former Sao Paulo mayor who lost the 2018 election to Bolsonaro, tweeted Tuesday. “I want everyone to recover, including Bolsonaro. To the relatives of those who left amid the neglect of the government, my sincere feelings.”
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Bolsonaro insisted Tuesday that he would follow social isolation protocols, suggesting, if only momentarily, that the positive result has at least forced some change of habit from a leader who broke quarantine while waiting for the results of his last test.
But so much of the damage is already done, and so much more seems still to come.
Bolsonaro’s bad example gave ammunition for the population to follow him. His traipsing around Brasilia to eat hot dogs last month drew crowds of adoring supporters and made doing so seem safe (and at the least made warnings that Brazilians should not do so seem hysterical). His appearances at right-wing demonstrations to shake hands and greet what seems a dwindling base of supporters gave license to other Brazilians to ignore pleas that they socially distance and stay at home. His belief in the ability of unproven drugs to make up for his own refusal to act, and his suggestion that only the elderly and the sick were truly at risk, helped sell the idea that most had nothing to fear.
Bolsonaro’s efforts to undermine social distancing and economic lockdowns have worked: Across the country, cities and states have started to reopen bars and restaurants and other businesses, as well. So have his attempts to turn the pandemic into a political battle rather than a public health problem: His most ardent supporters long ago made it clear they would never take the virus seriously, and they will surely continue to echo Bolsonaro’s insistence that it is no big deal. Worse, many of them have already decided it is their job to fight back against those who do take it seriously. Last weekend in Rio de Janeiro, a couple angrily confronted public health workers who were conducting virus surveillance efforts in the city.
Bolsonaro told the supporters who regard him as a mythic, heroic figure that the coronavirus panic was just the latest conspiracy to bring him down. So they treat it that way.
It’s a familiar story for anyone watching from the U.S.. Together, the two nations led by right-wing authoritarians who refuse to take the virus seriously are now responsible for roughly half of the world’s new cases each day. In Brazil, there are still likely months to go before the outbreak reaches its peak.
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But as Bolsonaro’s latest decision not to keep his mask on prove, little seems set to change. It is impossible to humble a movement that views its lack of empathy and humility as their defining qualities.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-07--Facebook Boycott Organizers Call Mark Zuckerberg Meeting A 'Disappointment'

Civil rights organizers calling for an advertising boycott of Facebook said their meeting on Tuesday with company CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg was ultimately a “ disappointment.
” In a scathing statement on the Stop Hate for Profit website , which urges brands to pull Facebook advertising for the month of July , organizers said it “ was abundantly clear in our meeting today that Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook team is not yet ready to address the vitriolic hate on their platform.
” “ Zuckerberg offered the same old defense of white supremacist , antisemitic , Islamophobic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Stop Hate for Profit Coalitions , advertisers and society at large have heard too many times before , ” the statement reads .
The group continued : “ Zuckerberg offered no automatic recourse for advertisers whose content runs alongside hateful posts .
He had no answer for why Facebook recommends hateful groups to users .
He refused to agree to provide an option for victims of hate and harassment to connect with a live Facebook representative ... And he did not offer any tangible plans on how Facebook will address the rampant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Stop Hate for Profit ’ s website lists 10 major demands , including that Facebook submit to regular independent audits and delete public and private groups focused on disinformation , conspiracy theories and white supremacy .
According to the group ’ s statement , Facebook made no attempt to address the majority of these demands during the meeting , aside from the request to hire a civil rights consultant — though neither Zuckerberg nor Sandberg would commit to that role being at the C-suite level , Stop Hate for Profit said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the statement said of the demands , “ especially for one of the world ’ s most innovative companies whose founder coined the term move fast and break things .
Mark Zuckerberg , you aren ’ t breaking things , you are breaking people.
” Members of the Stop Hate for Profit collective , including Color of Change President Rashad Robinson , who had previously accused Zuckerberg of an “ arrogant ” unwillingness to police hate speech , reiterated their disappointment on social media .
Met with Mark Zuckerberg and @ Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have had our demands for years and yet it is abundantly clear that they are not yet ready to address the vitriolic hate on their platform .
— Rashad Robinson ( @ rashadrobinson ) July 7 , 2020 In a Facebook post prior to the meeting , Sandberg acknowledged that the company “ has to get better at finding and removing hateful content ” but was adamant that it had made progress and would release a two-year independent civil rights audit on Thursday .
The NAACP , one of the advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement to HuffPost it “ await [ ed ] the release of tomorrow ’ s civil rights audit report ” and would continue to “ hold Facebook accountable and work for real change .
”

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Civil rights organizers calling for an advertising boycott of Facebook said their meeting on Tuesday with company CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg was ultimately a “disappointment.”
In a scathing statement on the Stop Hate for Profit website, which urges brands to pull Facebook advertising for the month of July, organizers said it “was abundantly clear in our meeting today that Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook team is not yet ready to address the vitriolic hate on their platform.”
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“Zuckerberg offered the same old defense of white supremacist, antisemitic, Islamophobic and other hateful groups on Facebook that the Stop Hate for Profit Coalitions, advertisers and society at large have heard too many times before,” the statement reads.
The group continued: “Zuckerberg offered no automatic recourse for advertisers whose content runs alongside hateful posts. He had no answer for why Facebook recommends hateful groups to users. He refused to agree to provide an option for victims of hate and harassment to connect with a live Facebook representative ... And he did not offer any tangible plans on how Facebook will address the rampant disinformation and violent conspiracies on its platform.”
Stop Hate for Profit’s website lists 10 major demands, including that Facebook submit to regular independent audits and delete public and private groups focused on disinformation, conspiracy theories and white supremacy.
According to the group’s statement, Facebook made no attempt to address the majority of these demands during the meeting, aside from the request to hire a civil rights consultant — though neither Zuckerberg nor Sandberg would commit to that role being at the C-suite level, Stop Hate for Profit said.
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“None of this is hard,” the statement said of the demands, “especially for one of the world’s most innovative companies whose founder coined the term move fast and break things. Mark Zuckerberg, you aren’t breaking things, you are breaking people.”
Members of the Stop Hate for Profit collective, including Color of Change President Rashad Robinson, who had previously accused Zuckerberg of an “arrogant” unwillingness to police hate speech, reiterated their disappointment on social media.
Met with Mark Zuckerberg and @Facebook leadership today. It was a disappointment. They have had our demands for years and yet it is abundantly clear that they are not yet ready to address the vitriolic hate on their platform. — Rashad Robinson (@rashadrobinson) July 7, 2020
.@JGo4Justice: "Instead of committing to a timeline to root out hate and disinformation on Facebook, the company’s leaders delivered the same old talking points to try to placate us without meeting our demands."
2/ #StopHateForProfit #ChangeTheTerms — Free Press (@freepress) July 7, 2020
It cannot be understated that with a stroke of a pen, Facebook could be made safer and better for its users, advertisers and society on a whole. Yet, today they showed they don’t have interest in doing that. — Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) July 7, 2020
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In a Facebook post prior to the meeting, Sandberg acknowledged that the company “has to get better at finding and removing hateful content” but was adamant that it had made progress and would release a two-year independent civil rights audit on Thursday.
The NAACP, one of the advocacy groups comprising Stop Hate for Profit, said in a statement to HuffPost it “await[ed] the release of tomorrow’s civil rights audit report” and would continue to “hold Facebook accountable and work for real change.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-07--Facebook Boycott Organizer Blasts Zuckerberg For 'Lecturing' On Freedom Of Expression

Ahead of a meeting with Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday , the head of one of the groups calling for an advertising boycott on Facebook has spoken out against the social media CEO ’ s “ arrogant ” resistance toward monitoring harmful content on the platform .
According to Robinson , this attitude led Color of Change and similar advocacy groups , including the Anti-Defamation League and the NAACP , to form Stop Hate for Profit , a campaign that is calling for brands to pull Facebook ads for the month of July .
Companies currently participating in the initiative include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The North Face , Unilever and Verizon ( HuffPost ’ s parent company ) .
The Coca-Cola Company and Starbucks were among other companies that did not formally announce their support of Stop Hate for Profit , but said they were going to pause advertising efforts on all social platforms — not merely Facebook .
“ What we have done ... is to go directly to big advertisers who also have not been able to get changes from the platform : advertisers who see their ads on Facebook showing up next to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have watched as Mark Zuckerberg has seen himself as too powerful to have to listen , ” Robinson said .
“ I think it ’ s hitting their pockets and hitting their stock prices .
To be clear , it ’ s not really hitting its bottom line because of how insulated the model is .
But I do think that the cultural significance of so many big brands stepping away is huge.
” Robinson went on to say that he was expecting to confront Zuckerberg on remarks the Facebook CEO had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stating that “ all these advertisers will be back on the platform soon enough.
” “ Facebook needs civil rights expertise in their C suite .
They continue to make policy and products without any kind of understanding of voter suppression , of suppression of voices , ” Robinson said .
“ Mark Zuckerberg spends his time lecturing us on freedom of expression .
It ’ s such an arrogant thing for a billionaire to tell Black activists about freedom of expression , as if the fight for social change and progress that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the baselines of freedom of expression.
” Robinson ’ s remarks coincided with a memo from the Democratic National Committee that accused Facebook of “ underdeveloped and unevenly applied policies , ” as well as a failure to live up to promises the company made after the 2016 election , including efforts to limit extremist content and institute fact-checking measures .
In a Facebook post also published on Tuesday , company COO Sheryl Sandberg said the company ’ s leaders firmly stood against hate speech , were looking forward to meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stop Hate for Profit campaign , and had committed to making change “ not for financial reasons or advertiser pressure , but because it is the right thing to do.
” “ We meet in the context of what may be the largest social movement in US history , and our nation ’ s best and latest chance to act against the racism that has pervaded our country since before our independence , ” Sandberg wrote .
“ It ’ s a big moment for all of us , especially now .
Much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and companies need to take action – and we at Facebook know what a big responsibility we have.
” Sandberg also stressed that an independent civil rights audit of the company would be published on Wednesday , stating that Facebook was “ the first social media company to undertake an audit of this kind.
” Shortly after Sandberg ’ s remarks went public , Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt argued that the release of the audit was far from a “ good-faith effort , ” and that the company was “ shoehorning it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with [ the ] meeting today .
”

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Ahead of a meeting with Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday, the head of one of the groups calling for an advertising boycott on Facebook has spoken out against the social media CEO’s “arrogant” resistance toward monitoring harmful content on the platform.
In an interview with The Guardian, Rashad Robinson, president of the nonprofit civil rights group Color of Change, said that Zuckerberg had “thumbed his nose at social justice organizations.”
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According to Robinson, this attitude led Color of Change and similar advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League and the NAACP, to form Stop Hate for Profit, a campaign that is calling for brands to pull Facebook ads for the month of July. Companies currently participating in the initiative include Adidas, Ben & Jerry’s, The North Face, Unilever and Verizon (HuffPost’s parent company). The Coca-Cola Company and Starbucks were among other companies that did not formally announce their support of Stop Hate for Profit, but said they were going to pause advertising efforts on all social platforms — not merely Facebook.
“What we have done ... is to go directly to big advertisers who also have not been able to get changes from the platform: advertisers who see their ads on Facebook showing up next to white supremacist and white nationalist content and who have watched as Mark Zuckerberg has seen himself as too powerful to have to listen,” Robinson said. “I think it’s hitting their pockets and hitting their stock prices. To be clear, it’s not really hitting its bottom line because of how insulated the model is. But I do think that the cultural significance of so many big brands stepping away is huge.”
Robinson went on to say that he was expecting to confront Zuckerberg on remarks the Facebook CEO had privately made, dismissing the boycott and stating that “all these advertisers will be back on the platform soon enough.”
“Facebook needs civil rights expertise in their C suite. They continue to make policy and products without any kind of understanding of voter suppression, of suppression of voices,” Robinson said. “Mark Zuckerberg spends his time lecturing us on freedom of expression. It’s such an arrogant thing for a billionaire to tell Black activists about freedom of expression, as if the fight for social change and progress that Black people have isn’t one of the baselines of freedom of expression.”
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Robinson’s remarks coincided with a memo from the Democratic National Committee that accused Facebook of “underdeveloped and unevenly applied policies,” as well as a failure to live up to promises the company made after the 2016 election, including efforts to limit extremist content and institute fact-checking measures.
In a Facebook post also published on Tuesday, company COO Sheryl Sandberg said the company’s leaders firmly stood against hate speech, were looking forward to meeting with Robinson and the other organizers of the Stop Hate for Profit campaign, and had committed to making change “not for financial reasons or advertiser pressure, but because it is the right thing to do.”
“We meet in the context of what may be the largest social movement in US history, and our nation’s best and latest chance to act against the racism that has pervaded our country since before our independence,” Sandberg wrote. “It’s a big moment for all of us, especially now. Much more than words, people, organizations and companies need to take action – and we at Facebook know what a big responsibility we have.”
Sandberg also stressed that an independent civil rights audit of the company would be published on Wednesday, stating that Facebook was “the first social media company to undertake an audit of this kind.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-07--Trump-Linked Churches Get Big Pandemic Loans

Evangelical churches with ties to President Donald Trump have received at least $ 17.3 million in federal pandemic loans , @ @ @ @ @ .
Evangelical voters will be a crucial voting bloc for Trump in 2020 .

Trump-Linked Churches Get Big Pandemic Loans
Evangelical churches with ties to President Donald Trump have received at least $17.3 million in federal pandemic loans, according to The Washington Post. Evangelical voters will be a crucial voting bloc for Trump in 2020.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--I Planned To Take A Psychedelic Trip To Battle My Anxiety. Then The Pandemic Hit.

I showed up at my therapist ’ s office in January pulsing with big news .
Normally , I ’ d take my time settling in , checking my phone one last time for texts from my children ’ s teachers and making small talk about the parking lot renovations .
But that day , I had barely situated in my usual spot on her blue couch when I announced that I wanted to stop talking about my anxiety .
We could use our time to talk about other things , I said , because I had decided how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
I ’ d read about patients who took the drug and reported dissociation , or a sense of disconnection from one ’ s ordinary reality and usual self .
This happened as a direct result of ketamine journeys , or “ trips ” as they are called .
Although that term made me squeamish ― I was never one for club drugs or raves , which is where ketamine is often taken recreationally , and took pride in my rule-abiding nature ― the studies I researched pointed to an improvement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And often , it happened fast .
My anxiety worsened with my second and third children .
I reluctantly agreed when my husband suggested breakfast out on weekends , but panicked every time one of the kids touched the floor .
It wasn ’ t unusual for me to cart them off to the restroom sink tucked under my arm several times before the food even arrived .
My husband knew better than to suggest a little floor licking was good for their immune systems .
The thing was , logic never played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ever ?
Health gurus , best-selling authors , and celebrities all seemed to be singing the praises of psychedelic medicine .
And when my sister suggested I consider it for my anxiety , I listened .
I came to long for a journey .
I wanted to see and feel what I intuitively understood : that mine was a small place in a vast universe ― that my relatively fluid state of existence was tethered to life as I knew it only by the barest of mystic threads .
I believed I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the journey less crippled by anxiety ― more able , finally , to live .
The medicines were safe and the chance of overdose was miniscule in a controlled setting .
This wasn ’ t a prescription pill I would have to take every day .
It was a three-hour , in-person appointment .
I might only need one .
After an encounter with the medicine , a doctor trained in this type of therapy would talk me through ― or “ integrate ” ― the experience to explore whatever came up during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood , was where the true healing came .
I saw my decision as an arrival at a last resort .
I was determined to carve out a weekend away from my family to have my ketamine experience .
“ Whatever you think it ’ s going to take , ” my husband had said .
My default state of fear had likely exhausted him too .
I was a little nervous about the trip itself , but I had become nearly 100 % convinced of my plan .

cindygoff via Getty Images
I showed up at my therapist’s office in January pulsing with big news. Normally, I’d take my time settling in, checking my phone one last time for texts from my children’s teachers and making small talk about the parking lot renovations. But that day, I had barely situated in my usual spot on her blue couch when I announced that I wanted to stop talking about my anxiety. We could use our time to talk about other things, I said, because I had decided how to address the anxiety thing once and for all.
“I am going to do ketamine,” I said.
I thought I saw skepticism on her ever-neutral face, but I pressed on, sharing what I had learned about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, a medically supervised “trip” to heal my psyche.
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I’d read about patients who took the drug and reported dissociation, or a sense of disconnection from one’s ordinary reality and usual self. This happened as a direct result of ketamine journeys, or “trips” as they are called. Although that term made me squeamish ― I was never one for club drugs or raves, which is where ketamine is often taken recreationally, and took pride in my rule-abiding nature ― the studies I researched pointed to an improvement in outlook and mood following ketamine treatment. And often, it happened fast.
My sister is a Yale-trained psychiatrist who has spent years in conferences, training and planning sessions with her peers to understand the mechanisms and benefits of ketamine. She thought my plan had merit. “It’s worth a shot, Nik,” she said.
I used my sister’s background as fodder for the case I made to my therapist that day.
“Okay,” she said when I paused long enough for her to speak, “let me know how I can help.”
Part of me wanted something more from her. Pushback? An alternative? But mostly I was grateful for her support, and knew I’d always have her blue couch to fall back on if ketamine wasn’t the answer.
Plus, by that point, I was desperate. I had come to believe over several years that my anxiety wasn’t going to be talked or meditated away. I’d spent the dark hours of early mornings while my kids were still asleep trying to focus on quieting my mind. I’d tried and failed to be present. I’d spent countless hours in therapy.
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Nothing was working.
“As a kid, I trembled from my shoulders to my knees any time I felt nauseous, sometimes for hours on end. My mom called it 'the shakes,' and she would sit next to me and stroke my hair until it passed.”
Anxiety comes in many forms. Mine is a fear of sickness. There is no rational explanation for it, no formative experience that I can recall. But for as long as I can remember, I have been terrified to be sick, and to be around anyone who is.
As a kid, I trembled from my shoulders to my knees any time I felt nauseous, sometimes for hours on end. My mom called it “the shakes,” and she would sit next to me and stroke my hair until it passed. In high school, I learned the name for one of my fears: emetophobia, or the fear of vomiting.
During and after college, I turned down offers to try bites of meals and sips of drinks. I never touched communal cheese trays. I often scrubbed my hands until my knuckles cracked and bled.
When I became a parent, I kept my distance from sick friends for weeks after their illnesses ended. The year my son was born, I cut a Thanksgiving weekend with family short because my two-year-old nephew threw up in the bathtub.
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“I think he just ran around too much after dinner,” my sister said, a look of sympathy on her face.
“I’m not risking it,” I said, “I’m sorry.” I stuffed my infant son’s diapers into my suitcase and left. My husband held my hand the whole drive home.
My sister understood, too. She’d known me better than anyone else, and as a psychiatrist, she understood the mechanisms in my brain pushing flight over fight wherever illness was concerned. She’d had a front-row seat to my anxiety for our whole lives.
My anxiety worsened with my second and third children. I reluctantly agreed when my husband suggested breakfast out on weekends, but panicked every time one of the kids touched the floor. It wasn’t unusual for me to cart them off to the restroom sink tucked under my arm several times before the food even arrived. My husband knew better than to suggest a little floor licking was good for their immune systems. The thing was, logic never played a role in my anxiety. Does it ever?
Out and about, I caved to dread daily. I exploded when my kids put their chins on the conveyor belt in check-out lines. I schlepped them straight to the Purell after they crossed monkey bars at the park. I’d stormed out of more than one preschool birthday party early because of the inevitable barrage of germs, vowing to myself this party would be the last.
“My anxiety worsened with my second and third children. I reluctantly agreed when my husband suggested breakfast out on weekends, but panicked every time one of the kids touched the floor. It wasn’t unusual for me to cart them off to the restroom sink tucked under my arm several times before the food even arrived.”
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My life seemed forever to hang in the balance of letting my kids be kids and preventing them from getting sick.
Perhaps worst of all: I kissed my children on the tops of their heads, not their faces, to avoid contact with invisible germs.
My husband wasn’t immune either. I’d demand he wash his hands the moment he got home. “Longer,” I’d say, “and don’t forget to scrub under your fingernails.”
My diligence seemed to pay off. When the flu took out most of our street one year, we stayed clear. I attributed this to my insistence on hygiene. I stockpiled latex gloves, face masks, and plastic drop cloths. I prided myself on effective quarantining, long before the word became part of the zeitgeist.
Initially, my therapist helped me to accept my behaviors. She explained how fear is a primal human condition designed to keep us alive. I practiced the plan: acknowledging my fear, and then dismissing it when it was interfering with my life. But no matter how many times I regurgitated my mental mantra ― I’m scared. What’s in my control? What’s the worst that can happen? Breathe. ― I never really calmed.
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Then my six-year-old son started covering his finger with his shirt sleeve to itch his face. He worried that litter on the playground and drinking from the same cup after his younger sisters would make him sick. I sensed I was encouraging his worry, and although my husband could act as a countervailing force on the weekends, the kids spent most of their time with me.
Renowned psychologist and author Dr. Harriet Lerner says, “Anxiety is extremely contagious, but so is calm.” I knew my kids were picking up on my fear and I wanted to learn how to spread more calm.
Health gurus, best-selling authors, and celebrities all seemed to be singing the praises of psychedelic medicine. And when my sister suggested I consider it for my anxiety, I listened. I came to long for a journey. I wanted to see and feel what I intuitively understood: that mine was a small place in a vast universe ― that my relatively fluid state of existence was tethered to life as I knew it only by the barest of mystic threads. I believed I could arrive on the other side of the journey less crippled by anxiety ― more able, finally, to live.
The medicines were safe and the chance of overdose was miniscule in a controlled setting. This wasn’t a prescription pill I would have to take every day. It was a three-hour, in-person appointment. I might only need one. After an encounter with the medicine, a doctor trained in this type of therapy would talk me through ― or “integrate” ― the experience to explore whatever came up during the journey. That part, I understood, was where the true healing came.
I saw my decision as an arrival at a last resort. I was determined to carve out a weekend away from my family to have my ketamine experience. “Whatever you think it’s going to take,” my husband had said. My default state of fear had likely exhausted him too. I was a little nervous about the trip itself, but I had become nearly 100% convinced of my plan.
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Until the coronavirus hit.
Early on, the pandemic didn’t scare me as much as I might have thought. I’d read early reports that the virus mostly spared children, and that half of the world was likely to get it. Some people wouldn’t even know they had it. We can handle a mild respiratory illness, I thought. But as data about younger people falling ill emerged, along with news of the medical system’s harrowing shortages, my anxiety quickly swelled to a fever pitch.
For a few nights after lockdown started, I barely slept. I dreamed of illness and hospitals and death. I shouted a lot during the day. I told my kids about the “bad” and scary things that can happen to people who get the virus. I stood behind them at the sink, my hands guiding theirs in a very slow 20-count wash.
The difference between COVID-19 and the other sicknesses I’ve managed to prevent or curtail is that I cannot control this one. This isn’t a stomach virus contained in the preschool classroom of my youngest child. It’s not another strain of seasonal influenza to be added to this year’s vaccine (not without a miracle, anyway). On some days, the anxiety I feel consumes me from the moment I wake.
But underneath it all, there is also calm. With my whole family at home, in my control, I can relax. A little. It’s been months since my stomach has churned because someone starts crying in the middle of the night. I kiss my kids on the cheek every day.
It’s also the first time in my life I’ve felt normal. In a way, you could say the pandemic granted me permission for my precautions.
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Last month, it dawned on me. This could be my journey. If there were ever a semi-mystical, completely surreal and mind-altering experience that proves undeniably how little control I have and yet delivers me on the other side more whole, coronavirus is it.
“It’s also the first time in my life I’ve felt normal. In a way, you could say the pandemic granted me permission for my precautions.”
No one knows what will happen next, and the best I can do is remain focused on this moment. The notion of “being present” is everywhere. But now, maybe for the first time, I’m finally getting it. Maybe my being present with my family during quarantine will act as its own balm?
Now, I notice a strand of my daughter’s hair sticking to her face while she blows bubbles. I study my son’s eyelashes while he erases and redraws the beak of a cartoon pigeon. I sauté garlic in a pan and make soup for dinner, knowing my husband will be at the table with us because he never left the house.
I have today.
I reached out to my therapist for a Zoom session. I also texted my sister and told her maybe I didn’t need a ketamine journey after all, that coronavirus might be the ticket. It might even be the “drug” I’d been seeking all along.
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“You might be right,” she replied.
Part of me will mourn the end of social distancing and quarantine, which seems like the very protection I’ve been seeking all along. But soon enough, we will reenter the world and I will have to see if my newfound calmness holds strong. I may still choose a psychedelic journey to help me with anxiety one day, but I’m starting to think maybe, just maybe, it won’t be necessary.
Nikki Campo is an essay and humor writer. Connect with her on Twitter @nikkicampo or read more at www.nikkicampo.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--The Difference Between Cheap And Expensive Sunscreens

If you ’ ve ever stood in the sunscreen aisle and felt completely overwhelmed , you already know how hard it can be to choose the right product for your skin .
Considering that we ’ re supposed to be diligent about wearing sunscreen daily , it ’ s a product we should go through quickly ― and that makes it daunting to regularly spend a significant amount of money on it .
But do more affordable options protect us the same way expensive ones do ?
Why would one sunscreen cost so much more ?
“ There is nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products , except that the Supergoop comes in at a much more reasonable price point .
On the flip side , the Supergoop is laden with pore-clogging oils , which are a big no from me , particularly for acne-prone skin , ” Dhingra said .
“ The La Mer , too , has clogging oils in addition to masking fragrance to impart upon it a luxurious smell , which can irritate and cause allergic reactions to manifest since most masking fragrances are alcohol-based.
” Weiss also noted that the differences in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun-blocking ingredients , but rather in the additional “ blend ” of other ingredients that contribute to the feel and look of the product .
“ The initial differences between the two are within the formula and texture , said Loretta Ciraldo , a Miami-based dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care .
“ La Mer sunscreen has a smooth application and is highly moisturizing , while the Supergoop sunscreen has a lighter texture and draws moisture from within , giving skin an overall radiance.
” “ Because the active ingredients are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would say neither should be considered ‘ better , ’ really , ” Weiss said .
“ It becomes a personal preference as to which sunscreen ’ s consistency , ease of application , smell and stickiness is preferred by an individual , ” Weiss said .
Though it might seem like these factors aren ’ t worth paying $ 73 more for , they might actually be more important than you think , as they can all contribute to whether or not you ’ re likely to wear the product every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more expensive product means that it gets you to wear SPF every day , then it would indeed be worth the extra cost .
“ La Mer products , including the sunscreen , also have an extensive development process and technology which translates on the shelf to a hight pricer point , ” Markowitz explained .
“ In this example , I would recommend La Mer for my patients with weather-worn , aged or dry skin because it is a good moisturizing sunscreen that prevents water loss .
I would recommend Supergoop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oily and youthful skin types .
Supergoop is also a good sunscreen for someone who prefers a thinner , lightweight moisturizer.
” In many cases , it ’ s really a matter of personal preference .
It ’ s important to consider which sunscreen feels and looks better on your skin .
You may also consider which product is “ cleaner ” or more sustainable , if that ’ s important to you .
Supergoop , for example , is vegan , cruelty-free , reef-safe and gluten-free , while La Mer is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and SLES , parabens , formaldehydes , formaldehyde-releasing agents , phthalates , mineral oil , retinyl palmitate , coal tar , hydroquinone , triclosan , and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances.
” “ Price rarely matters when it comes to good skin care .
I often find the most costly and high-end products are the ones to cause skin reactions that bring patients to the office , ” Dhingra said , adding that he generally recommends a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc or titanium or a blended sunscreen ( mineral and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clear for most people .

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If you’ve ever stood in the sunscreen aisle and felt completely overwhelmed, you already know how hard it can be to choose the right product for your skin. Considering that we’re supposed to be diligent about wearing sunscreen daily, it’s a product we should go through quickly ― and that makes it daunting to regularly spend a significant amount of money on it. But do more affordable options protect us the same way expensive ones do?
“I would say the most important things to look at in sunscreen are the actual active ingredients,” dermatologist Elliot Weiss of Laser and Skin Surgery Center in New York told HuffPost.
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To learn how to understand sunscreen labels, we spoke with Weiss and other dermatologists, who compared and contrasted two similar face sunscreens at two very different price points: one that cost $95, the other $22.
Both are SPF 50, intended for daily use on the face or body, and are relatively similar in size.
Surely, the $95 luxury SPF must be higher quality, right? We’ll find that out below.
Supergoop!/La Mer We compared Supergoop and La Mer sunscreens.
Why would one sunscreen cost so much more?
When reviewing the Supergoop and La Mer sunscreens, dermatologist Nikhil Dhingra of Spring Street Dermatology saw no significant differences in active ingredients.
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“There is nothing that stands out in either of these products, except that the Supergoop comes in at a much more reasonable price point. On the flip side, the Supergoop is laden with pore-clogging oils, which are a big no from me, particularly for acne-prone skin,” Dhingra said. “The La Mer, too, has clogging oils in addition to masking fragrance to impart upon it a luxurious smell, which can irritate and cause allergic reactions to manifest since most masking fragrances are alcohol-based.”
Weiss also noted that the differences in these products are not in the active, sun-blocking ingredients, but rather in the additional “blend” of other ingredients that contribute to the feel and look of the product.
“The initial differences between these two products are the non-active ingredients,” Weiss said. “Each contains a proprietary blend of ingredients to create a more cosmetically pleasing sunscreen formulation.”
“The initial differences between the two are within the formula and texture, said Loretta Ciraldo, a Miami-based dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care. “La Mer sunscreen has a smooth application and is highly moisturizing, while the Supergoop sunscreen has a lighter texture and draws moisture from within, giving skin an overall radiance.”
Do inactive ingredients improve the efficacy?
According to the dermatologists, both La Mer and Supergoop will block the sun the same exact way. The only difference is how the products might feel on your skin.
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“Because the active ingredients are the same between the two products, I would say neither should be considered ‘better,’ really,” Weiss said. “It becomes a personal preference as to which sunscreen’s consistency, ease of application, smell and stickiness is preferred by an individual,” Weiss said.
Though it might seem like these factors aren’t worth paying $73 more for, they might actually be more important than you think, as they can all contribute to whether or not you’re likely to wear the product every day. If the specific formula of a more expensive product means that it gets you to wear SPF every day, then it would indeed be worth the extra cost.
But as Dhingra tells us, it’s also important to recognize another factor that ups the cost of skin care that has nothing to do with formulas at all: Marketing and branding.
“Active sunscreen ingredients are not that varied, from the cheapest drug store products to the most exclusive brands lining the shelves of high end stores,” Dhingra said. “Everything else added carries limited benefit and high risk of untoward reactions.”
Dermatologist Orit Markowitz, director of Pigmented Lesions and Skin Cancer at Mount Sinai, said that brand recognition goes into La Mer’s price point, but notes that there are other things to consider as well.
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“La Mer products, including the sunscreen, also have an extensive development process and technology which translates on the shelf to a hight pricer point,” Markowitz explained. “In this example, I would recommend La Mer for my patients with weather-worn, aged or dry skin because it is a good moisturizing sunscreen that prevents water loss. I would recommend Supergoop for patients that are acne-prone and have oily and youthful skin types. Supergoop is also a good sunscreen for someone who prefers a thinner, lightweight moisturizer.”
In many cases, it’s really a matter of personal preference.
It’s important to consider which sunscreen feels and looks better on your skin. You may also consider which product is “cleaner” or more sustainable, if that’s important to you. Supergoop, for example, is vegan, cruelty-free, reef-safe and gluten-free, while La Mer is also vegan and “free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances.”
“Price rarely matters when it comes to good skin care. I often find the most costly and high-end products are the ones to cause skin reactions that bring patients to the office,” Dhingra said, adding that he generally recommends a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc or titanium or a blended sunscreen (mineral and chemical based) like Elta MD UV Clear for most people.
Ultimately, the things you should consider when choosing a sunscreen all come down to personal preferences and needs, including any sensitivities or allergies a particular individual might have, and your lifestyle.
“Do you like the way it feels on your skin?” Weiss said. “If someone doesn’t like applying the sunscreen or it doesn’t feel good, then inevitably they will not use it as much as they otherwise would.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--COVID Fear Is Keeping Chronically Ill People From Getting Medical Care

Since the coronavirus reached the United States in January , physicians and other medical providers have seen significant reductions in the number of patients they ’ ve treated .
Those numbers began to rebound in May and June , but with COVID-19 infections soaring again around the country , they likely are declining again .
Fear is a major driver of this phenomenon .
Last month , 52 % of those surveyed said they or a family member had skipped needed medical care because they worried about contracting COVID-19 , according to a poll conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp decline in emergency department visits for chest pain and heart attacks and a significant decrease in colorectal cancer screenings , for instance .
David Oberembt , a 39-year-old who had a kidney transplant in 2017 , avoided going to the doctor for weeks , even though he needs to be regularly monitored because of his condition .
He takes immunosuppressive drugs to prevent his body from rejecting the donated kidney , and would be more likely to catch COVID-19 if exposed to the virus .
Oberembt , who lives in Little Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under normal circumstances not to get sick .
He also needs regular blood tests to make sure his body is tolerating the kidney , sees a kidney specialist four times a year and meets with his transplant team once or twice annually .
“ Overall , I was very anxious about the experience , ” Oberembt said .
“ There were no screenings or anything to get into the building and that made me uncomfortable .
I felt comfortable in the actual doctor ’ s offices .
All indications were they were taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was actually the elevator .
What do you do if the doors shut in a crowded elevator and the person next to you starts coughing ?
” Many chronic diseases themselves don ’ t present any increased risk for COVID-19 infection , but people often have other health issues that do , said Kathleen Costello , a nurse practitioner and the associate vice president for health care access at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Waltham , Massachusetts .
MS patients , for example , may be obese because of limited mobility due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical and cognitive disabilities .
For people with MS , the greater risk is that avoiding their doctors , tests and medicines can worsen their conditions , Costello said .
“ There ’ s a small risk that their MS could reactivate if they ’ re not able to get their treatment and they could experience an MS relapse , ” she said .
“ For some people , particularly in areas where there ’ s been a surge of COVID cases , there ’ s reluctance to go out and get an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have labs done , and people are trying to stay away from hospitals unless they absolutely have to be there , for fear that they would be at risk to become infected , ” Costello said .
Vanessa Cruz , 40 , and Cathy McFadden , 53 , are friends who live in the same Bronx , New York , neighborhood .
They both have MS and participate in a local mentoring and support program for people with multiple sclerosis and spinal-cord injuries .
Each has faced this same difficult decision and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after delaying care and experiencing worsening MS symptoms .
Cruz had infusions scheduled in March but postponed them .
Not only was she worried about exposure to the coronavirus at the medical facility , she was afraid of using public transportation , including a free ride service for people with disabilities .
“ I ’ d rather stay home and take my chances than go into the hospital and risk catching something that ’ s fatal , ” she said .
Last month , Cruz finally felt she had to risk exposure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed more medication .
“ When I decided to get the infusion , I had what felt like a small relapse , where I needed help to get out of the tub .
I needed to be carried out , ” she said .
McFadden ’ s dilemma was similar .
The coronavirus pandemic stoked a lot of anxiety for her , she said .
“ I was terrified to get my own mail , ” she said .
“ I was becoming one of those nut jobs .
Then I said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ which isn ’ t good for MS ― stress is our biggest problem.
” Normally , McFadden visits an infusion center every six weeks to receive injections of a drug called natalizumab that , like Cruz ’ s medication , fights against the immune system ’ s attacks on the body that cause and worsen MS .
In the midst of New York ’ s massive coronavirus outbreak , McFadden decided to wait it out and delayed her infusion for three weeks .
“ For me , that ’ s kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine is wearing off .
That ’ s when it was difficult to transfer from the bed to the chair , ” McFadden said .
“ My right hand has a very bad tremor , so when the meds are wearing off , the kitchen is dirty , I ’ m dropping everything , I ’ m hitting myself upside the head , ” she said .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The novel coronavirus pandemic is keeping Americans away from the doctor’s office. For most people, that means little more than postponing a dental checkup or enduring a minor illness at home.
But those with chronic medical conditions ― especially ailments that make them more susceptible to infections like COVID-19 ― face a nerve-wracking choice between staying home and letting their health deteriorate or taking their chances with the virus to get their regular care.
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An estimated 45% of Americans, or about 133 million people, have some kind of chronic medical condition, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis, according to an analysis published in 2018.
These ailments require ongoing care in the form of frequent doctor visits, lab tests, scans, and medications administered in medical facilities. But these facilities are also places where people can contract the coronavirus, making life-or-death decisions about other health care more complicated.
“The stakes are much higher for you” if you have certain chronic diseases like kidney failure, said Joseph Vassalotti, a medical doctor and the chief medical officer of the National Kidney Foundation in New York. “You’re going to be at increased risk for severe COVID-19.”
Since the coronavirus reached the United States in January, physicians and other medical providers have seen significant reductions in the number of patients they’ve treated. Those numbers began to rebound in May and June, but with COVID-19 infections soaring again around the country, they likely are declining again.
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Fear is a major driver of this phenomenon. Last month, 52% of those surveyed said they or a family member had skipped needed medical care because they worried about contracting COVID-19, according to a poll conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Research also shows a sharp decline in emergency department visits for chest pain and heart attacks and a significant decrease in colorectal cancer screenings, for instance.
David Oberembt, a 39-year-old who had a kidney transplant in 2017, avoided going to the doctor for weeks, even though he needs to be regularly monitored because of his condition. He takes immunosuppressive drugs to prevent his body from rejecting the donated kidney, and would be more likely to catch COVID-19 if exposed to the virus.
Oberembt, who lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, must take great care under normal circumstances not to get sick. He also needs regular blood tests to make sure his body is tolerating the kidney, sees a kidney specialist four times a year and meets with his transplant team once or twice annually.
So far, Oberembt has put off all those things. “It’s a calculated risk,” he said. This situation won’t be tenable over a long period of time, though. “I know I can’t put this off forever.”
While he hasn’t taken care of all of those regular appointments, Oberembt experienced symptoms of a skin condition that might have indicated a new kidney problem and felt compelled to see a dermatologist and get some lab work done last month.
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“Overall, I was very anxious about the experience,” Oberembt said. “There were no screenings or anything to get into the building and that made me uncomfortable. I felt comfortable in the actual doctor’s offices. All indications were they were taking the proper precautions. My biggest fear was actually the elevator. What do you do if the doors shut in a crowded elevator and the person next to you starts coughing?”
Many chronic diseases themselves don’t present any increased risk for COVID-19 infection, but people often have other health issues that do, said Kathleen Costello, a nurse practitioner and the associate vice president for health care access at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Waltham, Massachusetts. MS patients, for example, may be obese because of limited mobility due to the autoimmune disease, which causes physical and cognitive disabilities.
For people with MS, the greater risk is that avoiding their doctors, tests and medicines can worsen their conditions, Costello said. “There’s a small risk that their MS could reactivate if they’re not able to get their treatment and they could experience an MS relapse,” she said.
“For some people, particularly in areas where there’s been a surge of COVID cases, there’s reluctance to go out and get an MRI, there’s reluctance to have labs done, and people are trying to stay away from hospitals unless they absolutely have to be there, for fear that they would be at risk to become infected,” Costello said.
Vanessa Cruz, 40, and Cathy McFadden, 53, are friends who live in the same Bronx, New York, neighborhood. They both have MS and participate in a local mentoring and support program for people with multiple sclerosis and spinal-cord injuries. Each has faced this same difficult decision and had to overcome their anxieties about contracting COVID-19 after delaying care and experiencing worsening MS symptoms.
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Cruz visits a medical facility every six months for infusions of a medication called rituximab, which alleviates MS symptoms by resisting the immune system’s attacks on the insulation called myelin that surrounds nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Twice a year, Cruz gets an infusion and then returns two weeks later for a second course.
Cruz had infusions scheduled in March but postponed them. Not only was she worried about exposure to the coronavirus at the medical facility, she was afraid of using public transportation, including a free ride service for people with disabilities. “I’d rather stay home and take my chances than go into the hospital and risk catching something that’s fatal,” she said.
Her symptoms include weakness on her right side that make walking difficult, requiring the use of a power wheelchair outside and a ”rollator″ walker at home. She also experiences fatigue, numbness, leg cramps and pain, speech problems and impaired dexterity. The rituximab helps, but its effectiveness diminishes over time, requiring doses on a regular schedule.
Last month, Cruz finally felt she had to risk exposure to the virus when it became clear she needed more medication. “When I decided to get the infusion, I had what felt like a small relapse, where I needed help to get out of the tub. I needed to be carried out,” she said.
Cruz went prepared with masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, and she asked ahead of time what precautions the facility was taking. It went well, she said.
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McFadden’s dilemma was similar. The coronavirus pandemic stoked a lot of anxiety for her, she said. “I was terrified to get my own mail,” she said. “I was becoming one of those nut jobs. Then I said, ‘I’m making myself crazy,’ which isn’t good for MS ― stress is our biggest problem.”
Normally, McFadden visits an infusion center every six weeks to receive injections of a drug called natalizumab that, like Cruz’s medication, fights against the immune system’s attacks on the body that cause and worsen MS. In the midst of New York’s massive coronavirus outbreak, McFadden decided to wait it out and delayed her infusion for three weeks.
“For me, that’s kind of debilitating. I feel when the medicine is wearing off. That’s when it was difficult to transfer from the bed to the chair,” McFadden said. “My right hand has a very bad tremor, so when the meds are wearing off, the kitchen is dirty, I’m dropping everything, I’m hitting myself upside the head,” she said.
Finally, her nurse practitioner convinced McFadden it was time to get treatment. She, too, worried about transportation to and from the medical office and about riding the elevator in her apartment building, but was satisfied with the safety procedures at the infusion center.
Which is not to say that McFadden’s anxiety has disappeared. Even though she reached the conclusion that leaving her diseases untreated posed a greater immediate risk to her health than the coronavirus did, she’s still wary.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-07--Woman Filmed Coughing On Baby Loses Her School District Job

A California school district employee who appeared to deliberately cough on a 1-year-old boy in a store last month no longer has her job , according to the school district that employed her .
“ As many know , there have been allegations that a District employee was involved in a videotaped incident in which the person appeared to have intentionally coughed on a baby at a local Yogurtland , ” the Oak Grove School District said in a statement .
“ We want to inform our community that the District employee who was alleged to have engaged in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our District.
” “ The Oak Grove School District ’ s highest priority is the safety of our students and the well-being of all of the children in the community we serve .
We do not tolerate conduct from any employee that compromises any child ’ s safety.
” Last month , the San Jose Police Department said it was searching for an assault suspect described as a white female in her 60s who allegedly coughed on a baby in a San Jose store on June 12 after a dispute with the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation revealed the suspect was upset the female was not maintaining proper social distancing , so the suspect removed her face mask , got close to the baby ’ s face , and coughed 2-3 times , ” a press release from the San Jose Police Department stated at the time .
The child ’ s mother , Mireya Mora , who is Latina , told local news outlets she believed the incident was motivated by race .
“ She said , ‘ So you don ’ t understand , and do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ like I ’ m not even speaking English , ” Mora told NBC Bay Area at the time .
The San Jose Police Department told CNN late last month that the woman accused of coughing on the baby would not be named since there was no warrant for her arrest .
“ We can ’ t release the names of suspects until there is a warrant for their arrest , they were booked into jail , or they were issued a criminal citation , ” San Jose police Sgt .
Enrique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are not sharing additional information at this time .
The investigation is ongoing and we are following up on tips .
”

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A California school district employee who appeared to deliberately cough on a 1-year-old boy in a store last month no longer has her job, according to the school district that employed her.
“As many know, there have been allegations that a District employee was involved in a videotaped incident in which the person appeared to have intentionally coughed on a baby at a local Yogurtland,” the Oak Grove School District said in a statement. “We want to inform our community that the District employee who was alleged to have engaged in this conduct is no longer an employee of our District.”
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“The Oak Grove School District’s highest priority is the safety of our students and the well-being of all of the children in the community we serve. We do not tolerate conduct from any employee that compromises any child’s safety.”
The district did not identify the employee by name.
Last month, the San Jose Police Department said it was searching for an assault suspect described as a white female in her 60s who allegedly coughed on a baby in a San Jose store on June 12 after a dispute with the child’s mother.
“The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect was upset the female was not maintaining proper social distancing, so the suspect removed her face mask, got close to the baby’s face, and coughed 2-3 times,” a press release from the San Jose Police Department stated at the time.
The child’s mother, Mireya Mora, who is Latina, told local news outlets she believed the incident was motivated by race.
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“She said, ‘So you don’t understand, and do you even understand what I’m saying,’ like I’m not even speaking English,” Mora told NBC Bay Area at the time.
The San Jose Police Department told CNN late last month that the woman accused of coughing on the baby would not be named since there was no warrant for her arrest.
“We can’t release the names of suspects until there is a warrant for their arrest, they were booked into jail, or they were issued a criminal citation,” San Jose police Sgt. Enrique Garcia said at the time. “We are not sharing additional information at this time. The investigation is ongoing and we are following up on tips.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-07--Tucker Carlson Accused Of Echoing White Supremacist Talking Points On Fox News

Fox News host Tucker Carlson is getting slammed on social media for an on-screen graphic that echoes a key white supremacist talking point .
With an image on the screen of Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-Ill. ) ― both women of color born overseas ― Carlson ’ s text warned that “ we have to fight to preserve our nation & heritage.
” Critics said the phrase looked like an homage to the infamous “ 14 words , ” or the white supremacist slogan “ we must secure the existence of our people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many were quick to point out the similarities on Twitter : I guess the @ FoxNews graphics producer who handled this segment had to tell @ TuckerCarlson that the chyron didn ’ t have room for all 14 words .
pic.twitter.com/MB3d0oRvvT — Andrew Feinberg ( @ AndrewFeinberg ) July 8 , 2020 Tucker ’ s racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric has caused major sponsors such as Disney , T-Mobile , Papa John ’ s and others to pull their spots from the show .
Fox News said they have not been hurt financially , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the advertisers have simply moved their ads to other shows on the network .

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Fox News host Tucker Carlson is getting slammed on social media for an on-screen graphic that echoes a key white supremacist talking point.
With an image on the screen of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) ― both women of color born overseas ― Carlson’s text warned that “we have to fight to preserve our nation & heritage.”
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Critics said the phrase looked like an homage to the infamous “14 words,” or the white supremacist slogan “we must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.”
Many were quick to point out the similarities on Twitter:
tucker managing to say the 14 words in only 10 https://t.co/R3ukNA14uA — Brendan Karet 🚮 (@bad_takes) July 8, 2020
Just put on a white hood and save us the energy. pic.twitter.com/eSlPOqCpVh — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 8, 2020
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I guess the @FoxNews graphics producer who handled this segment had to tell @TuckerCarlson that the chyron didn’t have room for all 14 words. pic.twitter.com/MB3d0oRvvT — Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) July 8, 2020
Honestly I just don't think Tucker can count 14 words https://t.co/4lFIIy9M93 — Robin Z. (@firepile) July 8, 2020
Tucker must be absolutely fuming that all 14 words wouldn’t fit https://t.co/Abpv6G0CWa — Jeff Yang (@originalspin) July 8, 2020
this is so fucking dangerous and disgusting my god pic.twitter.com/63wtrXyctf — abd varsha (@varsha_venkat_) July 8, 2020
Tucker’s racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric has caused major sponsors such as Disney, T-Mobile, Papa John’s and others to pull their spots from the show.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--Trump's Old Attack On Obama Looks Really Awkward In Light Of New Allegations

President Donald Trump ’ s academic history is coming under scrutiny as a new book alleges he cheated his way into college .
Those accusations are more than a little ironic given his frequent and unsubstantiated claims that former President Barack Obama was a “ terrible student.
” Mary Trump , the president ’ s niece , reportedly writes in Too Much And Never Enough that Trump paid someone to take the SAT to get a high score on his behalf , according to The New York Times .
The White House told Business Insider that the allegations were “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump cheated his way into school paint his own past allegations against Obama in a new light .
“ I heard he was a terrible student , terrible .
How does a bad student go to Columbia and then to Harvard ?
” Trump told The Associated Press in 2011 .
“ I ’ m thinking about it , I ’ m certainly looking into it .
Let him show his records.
” Obama graduated from Columbia with a BA in political science in 1983 and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was the first Black president of Harvard Law Review .
Back in 2012 , Trump also repeatedly demanded that Obama release his school transcripts .
But Trump has refused to release his own academic records and even had his attorney threaten anyone who might reveal them .
Michael Cohen , Trump ’ s longtime personal lawyer who ultimately turned on him , admitted in Congressional testimony that he was ordered by Trump “ to threaten his high school , his colleges and the College Board to never release his grades or SAT @ @ @

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President Donald Trump’s academic history is coming under scrutiny as a new book alleges he cheated his way into college.
Those accusations are more than a little ironic given his frequent and unsubstantiated claims that former President Barack Obama was a “terrible student.”
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Mary Trump, the president’s niece, reportedly writes in Too Much And Never Enough that Trump paid someone to take the SAT to get a high score on his behalf, according to The New York Times.
The White House told Business Insider that the allegations were “completely false.” But the accusations that Trump cheated his way into school paint his own past allegations against Obama in a new light.
“I heard he was a terrible student, terrible. How does a bad student go to Columbia and then to Harvard?” Trump told The Associated Press in 2011. “I’m thinking about it, I’m certainly looking into it. Let him show his records.”
Obama graduated from Columbia with a BA in political science in 1983 and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991. While at Harvard, he was the first Black president of Harvard Law Review.
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Back in 2012, Trump also repeatedly demanded that Obama release his school transcripts. But Trump has refused to release his own academic records and even had his attorney threaten anyone who might reveal them.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--GOP State Lawmaker Demands Americans ‘STOP GETTING TESTED’ For Coronavirus

A GOP state lawmaker in Ohio ― one of several states currently seeing a spike in new coronavirus infections ― urged constituents to “ STOP GETTING TESTED ” for COVID-19 in a Facebook post on Tuesday .
“ Are you tired of living in a dictatorship yet ?
” asked Nino Vitale , who serves in the state ’ s House of Representatives .
Testing for COVID-19 gave “ the government an excuse to claim something is happening that is not happening at the magnitude they say it is happening , ” he claimed .
“ Have you noticed they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases ?
” Vitale added .
“ And they never talk about recoveries .
They just keep adding to numbers they have been feeding us from over 3 months ago !
” The lawmaker shared a graphic detailing where in the state it will be mandatory from Wednesday to wear masks to mitigate the spread of the contagion : Vitale in May said he would not wear a mask ― a measure endorsed and promoted by public health experts worldwide —because the face is the “ image and likeness of God.
” Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the only people I know ” in history “ that wear masks are those trying to get away with a crime .
And this entire mask deal is simply that , a crime against freedom and a crime against humanity .
”

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A GOP state lawmaker in Ohio ― one of several states currently seeing a spike in new coronavirus infections ― urged constituents to “STOP GETTING TESTED” for COVID-19 in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“Are you tired of living in a dictatorship yet?” asked Nino Vitale, who serves in the state’s House of Representatives. Testing for COVID-19 gave “the government an excuse to claim something is happening that is not happening at the magnitude they say it is happening,” he claimed.
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“Have you noticed they never talk about deaths anymore, just cases?” Vitale added. “And they never talk about recoveries. They just keep adding to numbers they have been feeding us from over 3 months ago!”
The lawmaker shared a graphic detailing where in the state it will be mandatory from Wednesday to wear masks to mitigate the spread of the contagion:
Vitale in May said he would not wear a mask ― despite mask-wearing being endorsed and promoted by public health experts worldwide — because the face is the “image and likeness of God.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--Republican Group Uses Reagan's Words To Make A Powerful Case Against Trump

A group of President Donald Trump ’ s critics on the right is out with a new video and this one uses the words of former President Ronald Reagan to make the case against Trump ’ s reelection .
Republican Voters Against Trump typically highlights voices of current GOPers who are fed up with Trump and ready to cross party lines in November to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden .
But this new ad features Reagan , using excerpts from his “ A Vision For America ” speech , given the night before Election Day in 1980 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago with news footage from today to create a damning indictment of the Trump presidency : Republican Voters Against Trump is one of several anti-Trump groups working against his reelection .
Others include The Lincoln Project , best known for producing viral anti-Trump videos , and Republicans for a New President , which is holding a virtual anti-Trump convention at the same time as the Republican National Convention next month .
Earlier this month , alumni from the administration of former President George W. Bush also announced their own PAC to work @ @ @ @ @

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A group of President Donald Trump’s critics on the right is out with a new video and this one uses the words of former President Ronald Reagan to make the case against Trump’s reelection.
Republican Voters Against Trump typically highlights voices of current GOPers who are fed up with Trump and ready to cross party lines in November to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden. But this new ad features Reagan, using excerpts from his “A Vision For America” speech, given the night before Election Day in 1980.
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The video mixes his words from 40 years ago with news footage from today to create a damning indictment of the Trump presidency:
Republican Voters Against Trump is one of several anti-Trump groups working against his reelection. Others include The Lincoln Project, best known for producing viral anti-Trump videos, and Republicans for a New President, which is holding a virtual anti-Trump convention at the same time as the Republican National Convention next month.
Earlier this month, alumni from the administration of former President George W. Bush also announced their own PAC to work in support of Biden.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--Tucker Carlson Calls Combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth A 'Coward' For Not Debating Him

Tucker Carlson renewed his attacks on Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-Ill. ) on Tuesday , calling her a coward for not debating him on his TV show .
Earlier this week , the Fox News host described Duckworth ― a decorated veteran who lost her legs in combat in Iraq ― as “ deeply silly and unimpressive ” and claimed that she and other Democrats hate America .
Does @ TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America ?
— Tammy Duckworth ( @ SenDuckworth ) July 7 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show had contacted Duckworth ’ s office , but she was “ too afraid to defend her own statements on a cable TV show.
” He also said Duckworth ― whose family fought in every major U.S. conflict , including the Revolutionary War ― had no grasp of American history .
“ To morons like Tammy Duckworth , [ George ] Washington is just some old white guy who needs to be erased , ” he said .
Duckworth did not call for Washington to be erased .
In an interview on CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump for focusing on protecting statues , especially Confederate memorials , in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ His priorities are all wrong here , ” she said .
“ He should be talking about what we ’ re going to do to overcome this pandemic.
” When pressed on the statues issue , Duckworth said there should be a “ national dialogue on it at some point ” after the coronavirus threat had passed .
When asked specifically if Washington statues should be removed , she said : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
”

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Tucker Carlson renewed his attacks on Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on Tuesday, calling her a coward for not debating him on his TV show.
Earlier this week, the Fox News host described Duckworth ― a decorated veteran who lost her legs in combat in Iraq ― as “deeply silly and unimpressive” and claimed that she and other Democrats hate America.
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The senator replied:
Does @TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America? — Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) July 7, 2020
On Tuesday, Carlson claimed his show had contacted Duckworth’s office, but she was “too afraid to defend her own statements on a cable TV show.” He also said Duckworth ― whose family fought in every major U.S. conflict, including the Revolutionary War ― had no grasp of American history.
“To morons like Tammy Duckworth, [George] Washington is just some old white guy who needs to be erased,” he said.
Duckworth did not call for Washington to be erased. In an interview on CNN on Sunday, she slammed President Donald Trump for focusing on protecting statues, especially Confederate memorials, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
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“His priorities are all wrong here,” she said. “He should be talking about what we’re going to do to overcome this pandemic.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--Anderson Cooper Rips Trump’s Latest Reality-Defying Boast About Coronavirus

Anderson Cooper had to go to the tape to believe it .
On Tuesday , the CNN host said he “ didn ’ t actually believe ” that President Donald Trump had made his latest claim about the coronavirus pandemic until he checked the recording .
Trump earlier in the day bragged the U.S. was “ in a good place ” in the public health crisis , even as multiple states saw a spike in the new confirmed number of cases of COVID-19 and some areas reintroduced lockdown measures .
“ Does that sound like reality , that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked Cooper .
“ Those are his actual words , ” he continued .
“ I didn ’ t actually believe it when I first heard it , but it ’ s on tape.
” Cooper highlighted Trump ’ s disconnect from reality , hammering the president for pushing people to resume their normal lives while himself living in a “ biological bunker ” where “ not even the sound of your own leading experts ” can get through .
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Anderson Cooper had to go to the tape to believe it.
On Tuesday, the CNN host said he “didn’t actually believe” that President Donald Trump had made his latest claim about the coronavirus pandemic until he checked the recording.
Trump earlier in the day bragged the U.S. was “in a good place” in the public health crisis, even as multiple states saw a spike in the new confirmed number of cases of COVID-19 and some areas reintroduced lockdown measures.
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“Does that sound like reality, that we’re in a good place?” asked Cooper.
“Those are his actual words,” he continued. “I didn’t actually believe it when I first heard it, but it’s on tape.”
Cooper highlighted Trump’s disconnect from reality, hammering the president for pushing people to resume their normal lives while himself living in a “biological bunker” where “not even the sound of your own leading experts” can get through.
Check out Cooper’s full monologue here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-07--Chief Justice John Roberts Was Hospitalized Last Month After A Fall

Chief Justice John Roberts was hospitalized overnight after falling near his home last month , a Supreme Court spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday .
“ The Chief Justice was treated at a hospital on June 21 for an injury to his forehead sustained in a fall while walking for exercise near his home , ” the spokesperson said .
“ The injury required sutures , and out of an abundance of caution , he stayed in the hospital overnight and was discharged the next morning .
His doctors ruled out a seizure .
They believe the fall was likely due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post was the first to report the news .
The outlet , citing a tipster , said the fall happened on June 21 at the Chevy Chase Club in Maryland and said the Supreme Court justice ’ s head was “ covered in blood ” after the incident .
The chief justice did not publicly disclose the matter until the Post asked the Supreme Court about the incident .
Roberts , 65 , has had health scares before and suffered seizures in 1993 and 2007 .
After the 2007 event , the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neurological evaluation which revealed no cause for concern , ” Reuters reported at the time .

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Chief Justice John Roberts was hospitalized overnight after falling near his home last month, a Supreme Court spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
“The Chief Justice was treated at a hospital on June 21 for an injury to his forehead sustained in a fall while walking for exercise near his home,” the spokesperson said. “The injury required sutures, and out of an abundance of caution, he stayed in the hospital overnight and was discharged the next morning. His doctors ruled out a seizure. They believe the fall was likely due to light-headedness caused by dehydration.”
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The Washington Post was the first to report the news. The outlet, citing a tipster, said the fall happened on June 21 at the Chevy Chase Club in Maryland and said the Supreme Court justice’s head was “covered in blood” after the incident.
The chief justice did not publicly disclose the matter until the Post asked the Supreme Court about the incident.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-08--Amy Kennedy Defeats Democratic Machine In South Jersey House Primary

When former public school teacher Amy Kennedy declared victory to a crowd of supporters in Northfield , New Jersey on Tuesday night , she identified herself as an agent of change .
Kennedy , who won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey ’ s 2nd Congressional District , is now poised to help the party retake a seat currently held by Rep. Jeff Van Drew , a conservative Democrat who switched to the GOP in December .
But her win is also a sign of upheaval in Garden State politics .
Kennedy defeated political science professor Brigid Harrison , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey machine run by insurance executive George Norcross III .
“ This is a complete smackdown of the type of nasty , dirty politics , machine politics , negative campaigning , conservative messaging that has for so long been at the center of South Jersey politics , ” said Sue Altman , director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance , a progressive group that endorsed Kennedy and has mounted a fight against Norcross ’ s network to push state politics leftward .
Norcross holds sway over an array of elected officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who jointly steer the direction of politics in South Jersey and divide its spoils .
More than two-thirds of the $ 1.6 billion in the state ’ s corporate tax incentives for Camden , New Jersey went to Norcross ’ s businesses , charities and allies .
Norcross ’ s influence appears to have helped kill the development of what would have been the impoverished city ’ s first full-service supermarket .
He has also mobilized his loyalists in the state legislature to oppose New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy ’ s effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s millionaires .
( Murphy has convened a task force to investigate the state ’ s tax break program . )
While Norcross never explicitly endorsed Harrison , his sway ensured her preferential placement on the ballot across New Jersey ’ s 2nd .
A super PAC associated with him spent nearly $ 500,000 on her behalf as well .
Kennedy is “ independent , ” he said .
She “ thinks for herself , acts for herself and will represent South Jersey in a way that it ’ s never been represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also highlights the sometimes inelegant compromises needed to overpower entrenched political machines .
The ideological differences between Harrison and Kennedy are hard to spot .
Kennedy even ran to Harrison ’ s right on marijuana , backing the drug ’ s decriminalization and opposing its outright legalization .
And not just anyone can defeat the machine .
Like Murphy , a wealthy former Goldman Sachs executive , Kennedy had the benefit of personal largesse , to say nothing of the weight of the Kennedy family name .
Her husband , former Rhode Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy .
Patrick , a recovering drug and alcohol addict , has attracted scrutiny for his lucrative work on behalf of addiction treatment companies , some of which contribute heavily to his foundation .
( Patrick is also an outspoken critic of marijuana legalization . )
“ Right now we have a dialogue with her campaign , ” Altman said .
“ We can certainly continue to make sure she represents the most cutting edge of the progressive community ’ s ideas.
” Altman ’ s work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her from a state Senate hearing about the controversial corporate tax break program in November .
Critics believe that the decision to remove Altman , who was led past Norcross on her way out , reflected the influence of Norcross over his friend and ally , state Senate President Stephen Sweeney .
On Tuesday , the tables had turned .
Norcross extended a message of congratulations to Kennedy , Altman ’ s preferred candidate .
He didn ’ t reach out to Altman to congratulate her on the win , but the progressive @ @ @ @ @ @

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When former public school teacher Amy Kennedy declared victory to a crowd of supporters in Northfield, New Jersey on Tuesday night, she identified herself as an agent of change.
“What the results tonight clearly show is that people here in South Jersey are ready for change,” Kennedy said.
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Kennedy, who won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, is now poised to help the party retake a seat currently held by Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a conservative Democrat who switched to the GOP in December. But her win is also a sign of upheaval in Garden State politics. Kennedy defeated political science professor Brigid Harrison, who had the support of the fearsome South Jersey machine run by insurance executive George Norcross III.
“This is a complete smackdown of the type of nasty, dirty politics, machine politics, negative campaigning, conservative messaging that has for so long been at the center of South Jersey politics,” said Sue Altman, director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, a progressive group that endorsed Kennedy and has mounted a fight against Norcross’s network to push state politics leftward. (The New Jersey Working Families Alliance is the state-level affiliate of the Working Families Party, a national left-wing organization.)
Amy Kennedy will now take on Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), a former Democrat who switched parties and is a top target for national Democrats. Amy Kennedy for Congress/Facebook
Altman noted that Van Drew was a longtime fixture in Norcross’s machine before he switched parties.
“What we have now is an opportunity for change, a breath of fresh air,” she said.
Norcross holds sway over an array of elected officials, county parties, lobbyists and labor leaders who jointly steer the direction of politics in South Jersey and divide its spoils. More than two-thirds of the $1.6 billion in the state’s corporate tax incentives for Camden, New Jersey went to Norcross’s businesses, charities and allies.
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Norcross’s influence appears to have helped kill the development of what would have been the impoverished city’s first full-service supermarket. He has also mobilized his loyalists in the state legislature to oppose New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s effort to raise taxes on the state’s millionaires. (Murphy has convened a task force to investigate the state’s tax break program.)
While Norcross never explicitly endorsed Harrison, his sway ensured her preferential placement on the ballot across New Jersey’s 2nd. A super PAC associated with him spent nearly $500,000 on her behalf as well.
Murphy, who endorsed Kennedy, alluded to the state-level implications of Kennedy’s win at the victory celebration on Tuesday night.
Kennedy is “independent,” he said. She “thinks for herself, acts for herself and will represent South Jersey in a way that it’s never been represented before.”
But Kennedy’s victory also highlights the sometimes inelegant compromises needed to overpower entrenched political machines. The ideological differences between Harrison and Kennedy are hard to spot. Kennedy even ran to Harrison’s right on marijuana, backing the drug’s decriminalization and opposing its outright legalization.
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And not just anyone can defeat the machine. Like Murphy, a wealthy former Goldman Sachs executive, Kennedy had the benefit of personal largesse, to say nothing of the weight of the Kennedy family name. Her husband, former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, is the son of the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy. Patrick, a recovering drug and alcohol addict, has attracted scrutiny for his lucrative work on behalf of addiction treatment companies, some of which contribute heavily to his foundation. (Patrick is also an outspoken critic of marijuana legalization.)
“Right now we have a dialogue with her campaign,” Altman said. “We can certainly continue to make sure she represents the most cutting edge of the progressive community’s ideas.”
Altman’s work made national news when state troopers removed her from a state Senate hearing about the controversial corporate tax break program in November. Critics believe that the decision to remove Altman, who was led past Norcross on her way out, reflected the influence of Norcross over his friend and ally, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
On Tuesday, the tables had turned. Norcross extended a message of congratulations to Kennedy, Altman’s preferred candidate. He didn’t reach out to Altman to congratulate her on the win, but the progressive leader wasn’t surprised.
“George Norcross will congratulate me when pigs fly,” she said.