thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--The Surprising Truth About How Long Postpartum Depression Lasts

“ It felt like there was this thing in me that took root and grew , ” said Jane , 47 , who asked to use only her first name for this story .
“ Especially feeling suicidal .
Those thoughts had a life of their own.
” As the months passed after giving birth , Jane found herself making clearer and clearer plans for how she ’ d take her own life .
She recalls at one point , when her son was 3 , nearly pointing out an overpass from which she could easily jump while strolling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recoiling .
Not from the thought itself , but from the fact that she had almost casually given her “ secret ” away .
When her son turned 4 , Jane finally recognized her own need to get help and got a prescription for Prozac .
Practically overnight , her thoughts of suicide disappeared .
And despite the fact that it was years after she had given birth , the roots of her depression felt obvious .
“ For me , it could not be more clear that what I had was postpartum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often worried she ’ d sound “ crazy ” if she opened up about what she was experiencing — particularly because she adored her son .
“ It felt almost like my brain was rewired during pregnancy.
” New research published in the journal Pediatrics this week supports what parents like Jane , as well as mental health professionals who specialize in the issue , have long known : that “ postpartum ” depression is not just something that strikes in the weeks and months immediately following childbirth .
It can last for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , up to 80 % of new moms experience some version of the so-called “ baby blues ” in the first few weeks after delivery .
They may feel sad , anxious and cry a lot .
Their moods may shift rapidly as their hormones fluctuate and they learn to care for a vulnerable new infant on extremely little sleep .
Postpartum depression may be more severe ( though not always ) and lasts longer , often appearing weeks after giving birth but sometimes not for a full year — or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even longer .
It builds on a recent scientific review that found up to 50 % of moms with postpartum depression struggle beyond the first year .
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — which sets the guidelines OB-GYNs and other women ’ s health providers often use — recommends at least one screening for postpartum depression using an official tool or questionnaire .
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pediatricians screen for mental health issues in patients at various points in the first six months after they ’ ve given birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to catch those who are struggling , particularly because many patients with postpartum depression are reluctant to speak about what they ’ re experiencing out of a sense that their symptoms somehow mean they are bad parents .
That is why the authors of the new study clearly state that screening within the first year after giving birth is insufficient and that pediatricians should consider assessing patients for at least the first two years after they have a baby .
“ We know that if a PMAD [ perinatal mood and anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue .
The symptoms can become worse , and many women can ride them right into a subsequent pregnancy , ” echoed Paige Bellenbaum , chief external relations officer for The Motherhood Center , a mental health clinic based in New York City .
Even so , Bellenbaum believes far too few pediatricians , OB-GYNs and midwives meet even the current bare minimum recommendations for screening patients for depression and anxiety — to say nothing of assessing how they ’ re doing years down the road .
“ It ’ s egregious how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I can ’ t tell you how many OBGYNs I have spoken to over the years who have said , ‘ Oh , I don ’ t need to screen .
I know my patients well enough to know if they ’ re struggling.
’ ” But she has seen again and again that it is often the patients who appear the most composed and the most able to juggle the demands of a new baby who are struggling the most .
That certainly was the case for Jane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughts wrapped tight around herself for years , even as friends asked how she was doing .
She could not bring herself to open up .
And she could not see clearly beyond the depression she felt rooted inside her .
“ It became my secret , that this alternate element of me was taking root in my brain , ” said Jane .
“ I kept waiting for it to go away .
I thought it would .
When it didn ’ t go away , for a long time I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
And I ’ d just have to live with it .
”

PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou via Getty Images Postpartum depression may last far longer than doctors and patients ever realized.
When Jane gave birth to her baby 10 years ago, she very quickly began experiencing significant postpartum depression. It felt as though her brain had been abruptly “rewired,” and her symptoms grew worse over time.
“It felt like there was this thing in me that took root and grew,” said Jane, 47, who asked to use only her first name for this story. “Especially feeling suicidal. Those thoughts had a life of their own.”
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As the months passed after giving birth, Jane found herself making clearer and clearer plans for how she’d take her own life. She recalls at one point, when her son was 3, nearly pointing out an overpass from which she could easily jump while strolling with her toddler and husband — then immediately recoiling. Not from the thought itself, but from the fact that she had almost casually given her “secret” away.
When her son turned 4, Jane finally recognized her own need to get help and got a prescription for Prozac. Practically overnight, her thoughts of suicide disappeared. And despite the fact that it was years after she had given birth, the roots of her depression felt obvious.
“For me, it could not be more clear that what I had was postpartum depression,” said Jane, who often worried she’d sound “crazy” if she opened up about what she was experiencing — particularly because she adored her son. “It felt almost like my brain was rewired during pregnancy.”
New research published in the journal Pediatrics this week supports what parents like Jane, as well as mental health professionals who specialize in the issue, have long known: that “postpartum” depression is not just something that strikes in the weeks and months immediately following childbirth. It can last for years and grow worse with time.
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In the study, which tracked 5,000 mothers in New York over time, one-quarter of the women experienced elevated depression symptoms at some point in the three years after giving birth.
Of course, up to 80% of new moms experience some version of the so-called “baby blues” in the first few weeks after delivery. They may feel sad, anxious and cry a lot. Their moods may shift rapidly as their hormones fluctuate and they learn to care for a vulnerable new infant on extremely little sleep.
Postpartum depression may be more severe (though not always) and lasts longer, often appearing weeks after giving birth but sometimes not for a full year — or, as this new research suggests, even longer. It builds on a recent scientific review that found up to 50% of moms with postpartum depression struggle beyond the first year.
“'Postpartum' depression is not just something that strikes in the weeks and months immediately following childbirth. It can last for years and grow worse with time.”
Expanding our collective understanding of how long postpartum depression can persist is important largely because of screening.
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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — which sets the guidelines OB-GYNs and other women’s health providers often use — recommends at least one screening for postpartum depression using an official tool or questionnaire. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pediatricians screen for mental health issues in patients at various points in the first six months after they’ve given birth.
But that timeline may not do enough to catch those who are struggling, particularly because many patients with postpartum depression are reluctant to speak about what they’re experiencing out of a sense that their symptoms somehow mean they are bad parents.
That is why the authors of the new study clearly state that screening within the first year after giving birth is insufficient and that pediatricians should consider assessing patients for at least the first two years after they have a baby.
“We know that if a PMAD [perinatal mood and anxiety disorder] is untreated, it can continue. The symptoms can become worse, and many women can ride them right into a subsequent pregnancy,” echoed Paige Bellenbaum, chief external relations officer for The Motherhood Center, a mental health clinic based in New York City.
Even so, Bellenbaum believes far too few pediatricians, OB-GYNs and midwives meet even the current bare minimum recommendations for screening patients for depression and anxiety — to say nothing of assessing how they’re doing years down the road.
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“It’s egregious how few practices do this,” Bellenbaum said. “I can’t tell you how many OBGYNs I have spoken to over the years who have said, ‘Oh, I don’t need to screen. I know my patients well enough to know if they’re struggling.’”
But she has seen again and again that it is often the patients who appear the most composed and the most able to juggle the demands of a new baby who are struggling the most.
That certainly was the case for Jane, who kept her depression and her suicidal thoughts wrapped tight around herself for years, even as friends asked how she was doing. She could not bring herself to open up. And she could not see clearly beyond the depression she felt rooted inside her.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Fauci: Australia Has 'Done Actually Quite Well' Containing COVID-19, Unlike The U.S.

Speaking on a panel sponsored by Australia ’ s University of Melbourne , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the United States had unfortunately lagged behind Oceanic countries in containing COVID-19 .
“ Australia is one of the countries that has done actually quite well , I believe , ” Fauci said on the panel , which was titled “ Conversations on COVID-19 : The Global View.
” “ New Zealand has done well .
Some of the Asian countries have done well ...
I would like to say the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak for themselves .
We ’ ve had ... 8.7 million infections — 225,000 deaths , and we are essentially still going on a day-by-day basis , getting worse and worse.
” Fauci said that Australia ’ s geography may have helped it clamp down on the spread of COVID-19 .
According to the World Health Organization , as of Wednesday , Australia has a little over 27,500 coronavirus cases , while the U.S. faces over 8 million .
“ When you have a country like Australia , which is a gigantic island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain in and out , ” Fauci said .
“ Whereas in the United States , that ’ s not the case .
We have northern and southern borders and the southern border particularly is problematic as Mexico has had a real difficult problem also with COVID-19.
” Fauci speculated that the independent nature of the United States had also led to a situation where every state did what they wanted in a “ free-for-all , ” especially when it came to opening up the U.S. economy .
“ Although there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference states in doing things the way they want to do it , when you ’ re dealing with a pandemic and you say , ‘ We want everybody to do A , B and C , ’ and all of a sudden , state No .
43 does this and state No .
27 does that , it becomes very difficult , ” he said .
Infectious disease expert Sharon Lewin , who is the director of Australia ’ s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and was also on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has states with a degree of independence similar to those in the U.S. — but strong leadership , swiftly closed borders and universal health coverage had made a difference in keeping the pandemic under control .
“ A lot of our policies and our leadership have been driven by science , and that has made things easier here , ” Lewin said .
“ Closing down and opening down the country ... was directly informed by mathematical modeling.
” Lewin added that it wasn ’ t so much the individualism of states in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individualism ” within America that was quite different from Australia .
“ So this idea that you can ’ t tell someone to wear a mask ... but we have universal mask wearing in Melbourne because you ’ re fined a thousand dollars if you ’ re outside not wearing them , ” Lewin said after mentioning how Melboune and the greater Australian state of Victoria was just coming out of a 112-day lockdown .
“ ... That , I gather , would be very difficult in the U.S. ” “ I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentality here , ” Fauci said , adding that , as a physician , it was “ so painful ” to witness how masks had morphed into a political statement in the U.S. “ I mean , if there ’ s one area of life that there should not be divisiveness is in the health of your nation.
” In a not-entirely-inaccurate moment of honesty , Fauci also bemoaned the fact that “ lockdown ” and “ shutdown ” were now loaded terms in the U.S. , and if he recommended similar measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in serious trouble .
”

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Speaking on a panel sponsored by Australia’s University of Melbourne, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the United States had unfortunately lagged behind Oceanic countries in containing COVID-19.
“Australia is one of the countries that has done actually quite well, I believe,” Fauci said on the panel, which was titled “Conversations on COVID-19: The Global View.” “New Zealand has done well. Some of the Asian countries have done well ... I would like to say the same for the U.S., but the numbers speak for themselves. We’ve had ... 8.7 million infections — 225,000 deaths, and we are essentially still going on a day-by-day basis, getting worse and worse.”
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Fauci said that Australia’s geography may have helped it clamp down on the spread of COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, as of Wednesday, Australia has a little over 27,500 coronavirus cases, while the U.S. faces over 8 million.
“When you have a country like Australia, which is a gigantic island, it’s probably easier to contain in and out,” Fauci said. “Whereas in the United States, that’s not the case. We have northern and southern borders and the southern border particularly is problematic as Mexico has had a real difficult problem also with COVID-19.”
Fauci speculated that the independent nature of the United States had also led to a situation where every state did what they wanted in a “free-for-all,” especially when it came to opening up the U.S. economy.
“Although there’s many positive aspects about the independence of the difference states in doing things the way they want to do it, when you’re dealing with a pandemic and you say, ‘We want everybody to do A, B and C,’ and all of a sudden, state No. 43 does this and state No. 27 does that, it becomes very difficult,” he said.
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Infectious disease expert Sharon Lewin, who is the director of Australia’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and was also on the panel, added that Australia also has states with a degree of independence similar to those in the U.S. — but strong leadership, swiftly closed borders and universal health coverage had made a difference in keeping the pandemic under control.
“A lot of our policies and our leadership have been driven by science, and that has made things easier here,” Lewin said. “Closing down and opening down the country ... was directly informed by mathematical modeling.”
Lewin added that it wasn’t so much the individualism of states in the U.S., but the “individual individualism” within America that was quite different from Australia.
“So this idea that you can’t tell someone to wear a mask ... but we have universal mask wearing in Melbourne because you’re fined a thousand dollars if you’re outside not wearing them,” Lewin said after mentioning how Melboune and the greater Australian state of Victoria was just coming out of a 112-day lockdown. “ ... That, I gather, would be very difficult in the U.S.”
“I really wish we could transplant that kind of mentality here,” Fauci said, adding that, as a physician, it was “so painful” to witness how masks had morphed into a political statement in the U.S. “I mean, if there’s one area of life that there should not be divisiveness is in the health of your nation.”
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In a not-entirely-inaccurate moment of honesty, Fauci also bemoaned the fact that “lockdown” and “shutdown” were now loaded terms in the U.S., and if he recommended similar measures as Australia, he’d “be in serious trouble.”
“They’d probably throw tomatoes at me,” he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Pope Foregoes Mask, Blames 'Lady Called COVID' For Social Distancing At Audience

VATICAN CITY ( AP ) — Pope Francis has blamed “ this lady called COVID ” for forcing him to keep his distance again from the faithful during his general audience , which was far smaller than usual amid soaring coronavirus infections in Italy .
Francis again eschewed a protective mask Wednesday even when he greeted a few maskless clergymen at the end of his audience .
While the prelates wore masks throughout the hour-long audience , they took them off when they lined up to shake Francis ’ hand and speak briefly with him one-on-one .
A Vatican official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ COVID-19 response commission , the Rev .
Augusto Zampini , acknowledged Tuesday that at age 83 and with part of his lung removed after an illness in his youth , Francis would be at high risk for complications if he were to become infected .
Zampini said he hoped Francis would don a mask at least when he greeted people during the general audience .
“ We are working on that , ” he said .
Francis has only been seen wearing a mask in public twice : On Sept. 9 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and last week during a two-hour interfaith prayer service in downtown Rome .
While Francis ’ lung condition could explain his reluctance to wear a mask , there has been no comment from the Vatican about why protocol officials allow other people to get close to him without donning face protection .
People who have had private meetings with him recently said no masks were worn and no proof of recent negative virus tests required .
Vatican regulations require masks indoors and out when social distancing can not be guaranteed .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again apologized that he wouldn ’ t descend into the crowd to greet well-wishers because he said doing so would create a crowd around him .
“ And this goes against the precautions we need before this lady called COVID , who does us so much harm , ” Francis said from the stage of the Vatican auditorium .
“ For this reason , please forgive me that I don ’ t go down to greet you .
I greet you from here and I keep you in my heart , and please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me.
” Italy , the first country in the West to be slammed by the pandemic , has seen a sharp rebound in infections in recent weeks that prompted the government to close restaurants and bars at night and shutter theaters , gyms and pools .
Public health officials are urging people to stay home as much as possible .
Francis ’ audience — which in pre-pandemic times would draw thousands of people each week to St. Peter ’ s Square or the auditorium — featured only a few hundred people Wednesday @

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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has blamed “this lady called COVID” for forcing him to keep his distance again from the faithful during his general audience, which was far smaller than usual amid soaring coronavirus infections in Italy.
Francis again eschewed a protective mask Wednesday even when he greeted a few maskless clergymen at the end of his audience. While the prelates wore masks throughout the hour-long audience, they took them off when they lined up to shake Francis’ hand and speak briefly with him one-on-one.
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A Vatican official who is a key member of Francis’ COVID-19 response commission, the Rev. Augusto Zampini, acknowledged Tuesday that at age 83 and with part of his lung removed after an illness in his youth, Francis would be at high risk for complications if he were to become infected.
Zampini said he hoped Francis would don a mask at least when he greeted people during the general audience. “We are working on that,” he said.
Pope Francis shakes hands with Monsignor Luis Maria Rodrigo Ewart as he arrives in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican for his weekly general audience, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Francis has only been seen wearing a mask in public twice: On Sept. 9 as he entered and exited his general audience, and last week during a two-hour interfaith prayer service in downtown Rome.
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While Francis’ lung condition could explain his reluctance to wear a mask, there has been no comment from the Vatican about why protocol officials allow other people to get close to him without donning face protection. People who have had private meetings with him recently said no masks were worn and no proof of recent negative virus tests required. Vatican regulations require masks indoors and out when social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
At the start of the audience, Francis again apologized that he wouldn’t descend into the crowd to greet well-wishers because he said doing so would create a crowd around him.
“And this goes against the precautions we need before this lady called COVID, who does us so much harm,” Francis said from the stage of the Vatican auditorium. “For this reason, please forgive me that I don’t go down to greet you. I greet you from here and I keep you in my heart, and please keep me in your heart and pray for me.”
Pope Francis delivers his blessing to the faithful in a partially empty Paul VI Hall during his weekly general audience on October 28, 2020 in Vatican City, Vatican. Franco Origlia via Getty Images
Italy, the first country in the West to be slammed by the pandemic, has seen a sharp rebound in infections in recent weeks that prompted the government to close restaurants and bars at night and shutter theaters, gyms and pools. Public health officials are urging people to stay home as much as possible.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Here’s What Joe Biden Would Change On COVID-19 Starting Day One

One enormous change would simply be the difference in tone and attitude .
Biden would be unlikely to deny the severity of the pandemic , encourage Americans to ignore basic safety precautions , tout miracle cures or promote advisers who spread misinformation , as Trump has done over the course of the outbreak .
“ I ’ ll reach out to every governor in every state , red and blue , as well as mayors and local officials during the transition , to find out what support they need and how much of it they need .
I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill on my desk by the end of January , with all the resources necessary to see how both our public health and our economic response can be seen through the end , ” Biden said .
Contrast that with Trump ’ s repeated insistence that “ we are rounding the corner ” on the pandemic and the White House ’ s declaration of victory over the virus even as cases rise to record levels and nearly the entire country is trending in the wrong direction .
Compare Biden ’ s plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ statement on Sunday that “ we ’ re not going to control the pandemic.
” Biden would employ a different rhetorical approach , but he ’ d also vowed to make significant substantive changes in the federal response to the spread of COVID-19 .
Americans would hear less from the White House and the president ’ s political appointees , and more from scientists , physicians and officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the Food and Drug Administration , and other key health agencies .
The CDC would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak and the government ’ s response .
“ The current administration has done a lot of stuff .
But it has been kind of haphazard and , in many ways , it ’ s not been based on a strategic plan and it has not leveraged all the people who could help them do what they do , ” said Benjamin .
Testing strategies and contact tracing would also be more coordinated at a national level .
Schools and businesses would have national guidelines as a reference to help them safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national mask mandate , although the White House has limited authority to declare one , so this would require coordination with state and local governments .
Much has been made of the Trump White House closing the pandemic preparedness office that President Barack Obama created and tossing aside the Obama White House ’ s pandemic response playbook .
But that office and that playbook didn ’ t reinvent the way infectious disease outbreaks are managed ; they existed to put best practices in place quickly during an emergency .
The results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little uncertain , and this virus has proved a tenacious foe .
Even the ideal approach isn ’ t likely to produce a rapid turnaround in the pandemic , which has spread to the entire nation and is worsening .
And Biden would still face political opposition from Republicans in Congress , GOP governors and influential conservatives who oppose safety measures like mask-wearing and social distancing , which would translate into resistance to his interventions among their supporters .
If Biden wins the presidential election next week , two and a half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there ’ s a great deal of uncertainty about how the pandemic will progress in that time .
The Trump administration would still be in charge during its lame-duck period and could change strategies in ways that either worsen or improve the situation that the new president would inherit next year .
That ’ s one reason why Biden would use the period between the election and inauguration to begin filling out his plans and choosing personnel to lead the effort , an outside adviser to the Biden campaign told HuffPost .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can clearly do between now and the time he would presumably take office so that they can truly hit the ground running , ” Benjamin noted .
That includes communication with state and local officials and organizations like the American Public Health Association , the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the National Association of County and City Health Officials , he said .
“ A disaster ’ s not the time to be exchanging business cards , so they need to do that now.
” Given the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new one would merely have to stick to the basics to achieve better outcomes , Benjamin said .
“ If they do a competent , traditional emergency preparedness response through the normal leadership function , they will see enormous improvement .
”

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If former Vice President Joe Biden takes up residence in the White House in January, Americans can expect a very different approach to confronting the coronavirus pandemic than they’ve seen from President Donald Trump.
One enormous change would simply be the difference in tone and attitude. Biden would be unlikely to deny the severity of the pandemic, encourage Americans to ignore basic safety precautions, tout miracle cures or promote advisers who spread misinformation, as Trump has done over the course of the outbreak.
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“I’ll immediately put in place a national strategy that will position our country to finally get ahead of this virus and get back our lives,” Biden said in Wilmington, Delaware, last Friday.
“I’ll reach out to every governor in every state, red and blue, as well as mayors and local officials during the transition, to find out what support they need and how much of it they need. I’ll ask the new Congress to put a bill on my desk by the end of January, with all the resources necessary to see how both our public health and our economic response can be seen through the end,” Biden said.
Contrast that with Trump’s repeated insistence that “we are rounding the corner” on the pandemic and the White House’s declaration of victory over the virus even as cases rise to record levels and nearly the entire country is trending in the wrong direction. Compare Biden’s plan to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ statement on Sunday that “we’re not going to control the pandemic.”
Putting Science First
Biden would employ a different rhetorical approach, but he’d also vowed to make significant substantive changes in the federal response to the spread of COVID-19. Americans would hear less from the White House and the president’s political appointees, and more from scientists, physicians and officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and other key health agencies. The CDC would hold daily briefings on the status of the outbreak and the government’s response.
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“They need somebody to take command of the national response whose goal is to resolve the outbreak because resolving the outbreak will improve the economy,” said Georges Benjamin, executive director of the Washington-based American Public Health Association.
Under Biden’s plan, the federal government would take a more hands-on approach to increasing the supplies of vital materials like COVID-19 tests and personal protective equipment for health care workers, including by more aggressively invoking the Defense Production Act to compel companies to manufacture more supplies.
“The current administration has done a lot of stuff. But it has been kind of haphazard and, in many ways, it’s not been based on a strategic plan and it has not leveraged all the people who could help them do what they do,” said Benjamin.
Testing strategies and contact tracing would also be more coordinated at a national level. Schools and businesses would have national guidelines as a reference to help them safely remain open or reopen. Biden favors a national mask mandate, although the White House has limited authority to declare one, so this would require coordination with state and local governments.
All of these are time-tested public health strategies to track and reduce the spread of the virus, instead of improvising and pretending the crisis isn’t real.
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Much has been made of the Trump White House closing the pandemic preparedness office that President Barack Obama created and tossing aside the Obama White House’s pandemic response playbook. But that office and that playbook didn’t reinvent the way infectious disease outbreaks are managed; they existed to put best practices in place quickly during an emergency.
Major Challenges Ahead
That’s not to say a Biden administration would be guaranteed to beat the coronavirus, at least not right away.
The results of public health interventions are always at least a little uncertain, and this virus has proved a tenacious foe. Even the ideal approach isn’t likely to produce a rapid turnaround in the pandemic, which has spread to the entire nation and is worsening. And Biden would still face political opposition from Republicans in Congress, GOP governors and influential conservatives who oppose safety measures like mask-wearing and social distancing, which would translate into resistance to his interventions among their supporters.
Still, the broad outlines of Biden’s coronavirus plan match what the public health and scientific community has been preaching since the outbreak began: masks; social distancing; widespread, easier access to tests; improved contact tracing; and clear, consistent leadership and communication from federal authorities.
If Biden wins the presidential election next week, two and a half months will pass before his inauguration, and there’s a great deal of uncertainty about how the pandemic will progress in that time. The Trump administration would still be in charge during its lame-duck period and could change strategies in ways that either worsen or improve the situation that the new president would inherit next year.
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That’s one reason why Biden would use the period between the election and inauguration to begin filling out his plans and choosing personnel to lead the effort, an outside adviser to the Biden campaign told HuffPost.
“There are some higher-level things that they can clearly do between now and the time he would presumably take office so that they can truly hit the ground running,” Benjamin noted.
Given the Trump administration’s disjointed federal response, a new one would merely have to stick to the basics to achieve better outcomes, Benjamin said. “If they do a competent, traditional emergency preparedness response through the normal leadership function, they will see enormous improvement.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Is It Safe To Get A Massage During The COVID-19 Pandemic? Experts Weigh In.

The American Massage Therapy Association , a nonprofit professional association that connects and advises massage therapists , has all sorts of information online about what studios and therapists can do to keep themselves and their clients safe .
It advises therapists to wear a mask at all times , and studios to space out their appointments to allow for time to clean and to minimize contact in the waiting room , as well as follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces , and more .
A face mask should be worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all this rhetoric about masks right now , and it ’ s really confusing to people — people think they ’ re wearing a mask to protect themselves , so they say , ‘ Well , I ’ ll take my chances , ’ ” he said .
“ But that ’ s not how we should be looking at this .
You ’ re wearing a mask in large part to protect others , like your massage therapist , from you .
That ’ s the point in all of us doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimizes your exposure to others as much as possible “ A lot of massage rooms at big spas are not as well-ventilated as smaller , more mom-and-pop studios , ” said Georgine Nanos , a family physician who specializes in epidemiology in Encinitas , California .
“ Good ventilation is crucial , so do your research beforehand : Is there an air purifier ?
Access to a window ?
Anything at all that can move the air around ?
The more airflow you have , the better.
” Cleanliness counts too , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association ’ s recommendations are not binding , ask your massage studio to go over its procedures with you ahead of time .
Do they change the sheets after every massage ?
Do they sanitize all of the surfaces in the room between clients , including the tables where you put your stuff down ?
The virus is primarily transmitted person-to-person through respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing , and taking deep breaths increases your chances of inhaling those respiratory droplets .
While the risk of inhaling them during your deep breath is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fichtenbaum said , there isn ’ t enough information out there to confirm this .
That ’ s why he thinks it ’ s best to play it safe and lay off the deep breaths while you ’ re getting your treatment .
Pass on the facial or any service that requires you to remove your mask

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Living through a pandemic is incredibly unnerving, so it’s only natural to crave a soothing massage to help ease the tension. And now that many parts of the country no longer have COVID-19 restrictions ― even though cases are rising and we’re entering a third wave ― some people may want to act on that urge.
But even though getting a massage is technically allowed right now, is doing so actually a good idea?
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Experts say that, like many things in the COVID-19 era, it depends. If you are high-risk or are frequently in contact with someone who is high-risk, it’s best to minimize close contact with other people as best as you can.
Outside of that, if you do choose to go, you need to take proper precautions and understand the stakes at play. There is a bit of risk involved no matter what, namely the result of coming within 6 feet of another person.
“Whenever you have two people coming together, there’s always a risk that somebody will be infected, even if you both don’t have any symptoms,” said Carl Fichtenbaum, an epidemiologist with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s division of infectious diseases.
When you get a spa treatment, that risk goes both ways: You are potentially exposing yourself to the virus, and potentially spreading it to your therapist. But Fichtenbaum said people don’t need to entirely rule out getting a massage when both parties are taking the proper safety precautions.
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“People need a way to relieve their stress right now, and I don’t want to fault people for doing that,” he said.
The American Massage Therapy Association, a nonprofit professional association that connects and advises massage therapists, has all sorts of information online about what studios and therapists can do to keep themselves and their clients safe. It advises therapists to wear a mask at all times, and studios to space out their appointments to allow for time to clean and to minimize contact in the waiting room, as well as follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and more.
The only problem? The AMTA’s suggestions are just that: suggestions. Official regulations vary by state and locality, and some rules may be less strict depending on where you live. Fichtenbaum recommends going by your own personal safety measures.
Here’s what those should include:
A face mask should be worn at all times
You should wear a mask at all times during your massage, even when you’re facing down, Fichtenbaum said. Your therapist should be wearing one too.
“There’s all this rhetoric about masks right now, and it’s really confusing to people — people think they’re wearing a mask to protect themselves, so they say, ‘Well, I’ll take my chances,’” he said. “But that’s not how we should be looking at this. You’re wearing a mask in large part to protect others, like your massage therapist, from you. That’s the point in all of us doing this together.”
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Pick a location that minimizes your exposure to others as much as possible
Choosing a good place to get your treatment is another crucial component of massage safety — especially because not all spas are equal.
Fichtenbaum’s general rule of thumb is that getting a massage at your own home is the safest option, and after that, smaller massage studios are better than bigger spas.
“Ultimately, the more people there are around, the more likely there will be someone who is infected, so limiting exposure is your best bet,” Fichtenbaum said.
To make an at-home appointment, ask your local massage studio if they do house calls or know others who do. You can also book an appointment with an online massage service. Check out each company’s COVID-19 standards before you make your selection.
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The most important task, aside from making sure you sanitize everything and wear your mask, is to pick a spot in your home that has good airflow. Set up shop outside if that’s an option for you; otherwise, place the massage table near an open window.
If inviting a massage therapist into your home is not for you, then going to a smaller local studio may be the next best thing for airflow as well.
“A lot of massage rooms at big spas are not as well-ventilated as smaller, more mom-and-pop studios,” said Georgine Nanos, a family physician who specializes in epidemiology in Encinitas, California. “Good ventilation is crucial, so do your research beforehand: Is there an air purifier? Access to a window? Anything at all that can move the air around? The more airflow you have, the better.”
Cleanliness counts too, of course. Since the American Massage Therapy Association’s recommendations are not binding, ask your massage studio to go over its procedures with you ahead of time. Do they change the sheets after every massage? Do they sanitize all of the surfaces in the room between clients, including the tables where you put your stuff down?
Surfaces don’t seem to be the main mode of COVID-19 transmission, “but still, it’s reasonable to be prudent,” Fichtenbaum said. “There has to be consideration for all of the sanitizing procedures to make sure that none of the surfaces are contaminated no matter what.”
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Consider skipping the essential oils
It’s probably best to forgo aromatic massage oils, Fichtenbaum said. Because they smell so rejuvenating, they often encourage people to breathe in deeply — but that’s probably not the best thing to do during the pandemic, he advised.
The virus is primarily transmitted person-to-person through respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing, and taking deep breaths increases your chances of inhaling those respiratory droplets. While the risk of inhaling them during your deep breath is likely lower with a mask on, Fichtenbaum said, there isn’t enough information out there to confirm this. That’s why he thinks it’s best to play it safe and lay off the deep breaths while you’re getting your treatment.
kazmulka via Getty Images
Don’t get a massage if you’re sick
If you feel under the weather or even have the vaguest of vague symptoms, cancel your massage immediately.
Any potential COVID-19 symptoms ― like a fever or chills, a cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ― are enough to warrant a cancellation. The same courtesy should go for any other illness as well, like the flu or a general cold.
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Pass on the facial or any service that requires you to remove your mask
Your best bet when deciding on a spa treatment is to apply the mask rule: If you have to take off your face covering, some experts say it may be best to skip it.
Fichtenbaum recommends skipping facials entirely because, by definition, you’re unprotected during a facial — so the risk factor goes up by a lot.
Ultimately, getting a massage or other spa treatments comes down to how comfortable you feel taking certain risks, Nanos said. Like many options in the COVID-19 era, nothing is going to be 100% safe — but that doesn’t mean that well-being treatments need to be totally off the table.
“We’re living through incredibly stressful times, and in many people, that stress and anxiety is manifesting itself in physical tension — so I support getting as safe a massage as you can to help manage that pain,” Nanos said.
And while you’re looking after your well-being with a massage, make sure you’re taking other health measures as well. That includes wearing a face mask in all public areas, washing your hands, staying home if you’re sick and getting your flu shot.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Hundreds Of Trump Supporters Waited Hours In The Cold For Buses After Omaha Rally

President Donald Trump ’ s rally at Eppley Airfield in Omaha , Nebraska , ended around 9 p.m. Tuesday , but hundreds of attendees wouldn ’ t make their way out of the freezing cold until a few hours later .
As Trump jetted away on Air Force One , his supporters lined up to wait for buses to take them back to their cars , which were parked miles away from the event .
But the buses , organized by the Trump campaign , were staggeringly slow to return .
There were plenty of buses , the campaign told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuck in traffic after the rally because the two-lane airport access road was limited to one direction .
“ Because of the sheer size of the crowd , we deployed 40 shuttle buses instead of the normal 15 , but local road closures and resulting congestion caused delays , ” Samantha Zager , a spokesperson for the Trump campaign , said in a statement .
If you ’ re waiting on someone who attended the @ realDonaldTrump rally in # Omaha , it may be a while until they get on a bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small roadway to the private side of Eppley Airfield is backed up and buses were having trouble getting through .
We saw this : pic.twitter.com/DTRKnH5lkb — Aaron Sanderford ( @ asanderford ) October 28 , 2020 The temperature dropped as low as 31 degrees Tuesday night .
At least two people received help from police , including an elderly woman warming up in the back of a police cruiser and a young boy , according to the World-Herald .
The last person was loaded onto a shuttle bus at the rally site shortly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vehicle and pedestrian traffic continued in the area until about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday , police said .
“ Those needing medical attention were contacted by medics over the duration of the event , not just at the end , ” a police spokesperson said in a statement .
“ Many people elected to walk back to the parking areas instead of waiting for a bus , ” the spokesperson added .
“ The shortest walk to the nearest parking lot was approximately 2.5 miles .
... Officers assisted in giving rides to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk .
Many people underestimated the distance from the event back to the parking lot on foot.
” The Omaha Airport Authority said six people ― not seven , as police said ― were transported to hospitals throughout the event .
A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment about what led the rallygoers to require medical attention or at what point during the night they received it .
Thousands of people packed Trump ’ s outdoor rally in Omaha on Tuesday .
Though the campaign checked attendees ’ temperatures and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the crowd opted not to wear them , prompting concerns over the possibility of the coronavirus spreading .
COVID-19 cases have reached record highs in Nebraska in recent weeks as infection rates surge across dozens of states .
But Trump told the crowd in Omaha that the U.S. was “ turning that corner ” on the pandemic .
“ I ’ m standing here freezing , ” the president told the rallygoers , many of whom would be doing the same for another three hours after he wrapped up his speech .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Get the hell out and vote.
” “ Leaving thousands of Nebraskans stranded in the cold captures the entire Trump administration , ” Kleeb tweeted .
“ I hope those responsible for the poor planning to feed Trump ’ s ego will be held accountable and that fellow Nebraskans turn out to vote to end this chaos .
”

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President Donald Trump’s rally at Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, ended around 9 p.m. Tuesday, but hundreds of attendees wouldn’t make their way out of the freezing cold until a few hours later.
As Trump jetted away on Air Force One, his supporters lined up to wait for buses to take them back to their cars, which were parked miles away from the event.
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But the buses, organized by the Trump campaign, were staggeringly slow to return. There were plenty of buses, the campaign told the Omaha World-Herald, but they were stuck in traffic after the rally because the two-lane airport access road was limited to one direction.
“Because of the sheer size of the crowd, we deployed 40 shuttle buses instead of the normal 15, but local road closures and resulting congestion caused delays,” Samantha Zager, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said in a statement.
If you’re waiting on someone who attended the @realDonaldTrump rally in #Omaha, it may be a while until they get on a bus and get out. Traffic along the small roadway to the private side of Eppley Airfield is backed up and buses were having trouble getting through. We saw this: pic.twitter.com/DTRKnH5lkb — Aaron Sanderford (@asanderford) October 28, 2020
The temperature dropped as low as 31 degrees Tuesday night. At least two people received help from police, including an elderly woman warming up in the back of a police cruiser and a young boy, according to the World-Herald.
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“We need at least 30 more buses,” one Omaha police officer told CNN after the rally, reportedly shaking his head at the chaotic scene.
The last person was loaded onto a shuttle bus at the rally site shortly before midnight, Omaha police told HuffPost. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic continued in the area until about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Thirty people were “contacted for medical reasons” and a total of seven people were transported to hospitals “with a variety of medical conditions,” Omaha police told HuffPost, citing preliminary reports.
“Those needing medical attention were contacted by medics over the duration of the event, not just at the end,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
Thousands of people left out in the cold and stranded in #Omaha, #Nebraska after a #Trump rally. I’m told the shuttles aren’t operating & there aren’t enough busses. Police didn’t seem to know what to do. Some walked. I saw at least one woman getting medical attention. pic.twitter.com/oIkmixaZt0 — Jeff Paul (@Jeff_Paul) October 28, 2020
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“Many people elected to walk back to the parking areas instead of waiting for a bus,” the spokesperson added. “The shortest walk to the nearest parking lot was approximately 2.5 miles. ... Officers assisted in giving rides to elderly and infirm people who elected to walk. Many people underestimated the distance from the event back to the parking lot on foot.”
The Omaha Airport Authority said six people ― not seven, as police said ― were transported to hospitals throughout the event. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment about what led the rallygoers to require medical attention or at what point during the night they received it.
CHI Health’s university campus in Ohama treated five people with “minor complaints,” a spokesperson for the medical center told HuffPost.
The Trump campaign made “tents, heaters, generators, hot cocoa, and handwarmers available to guests” at the “guest departure location,” Zager said in her statement Wednesday.
“We always strive to provide the best guest experience at our events and we care about their safety,” she added.
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Thousands of people packed Trump’s outdoor rally in Omaha on Tuesday. Though the campaign checked attendees’ temperatures and provided them with masks, many people in the crowd opted not to wear them, prompting concerns over the possibility of the coronavirus spreading.
COVID-19 cases have reached record highs in Nebraska in recent weeks as infection rates surge across dozens of states. But Trump told the crowd in Omaha that the U.S. was “turning that corner” on the pandemic.
Trump joked about the frigid conditions at one point during his rally Tuesday.
“I’m standing here freezing,” the president told the rallygoers, many of whom would be doing the same for another three hours after he wrapped up his speech. “I ask you one little favor: Get the hell out and vote.”
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb on Wednesday bashed the Trump campaign for its “poor planning.”
“Leaving thousands of Nebraskans stranded in the cold captures the entire Trump administration,” Kleeb tweeted. “I hope those responsible for the poor planning to feed Trump’s ego will be held accountable and that fellow Nebraskans turn out to vote to end this chaos.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--'Anonymous' Author Behind Anti-Trump 'Resistance' Op-Ed And Book Identified

Miles Taylor has been identified as the author of a notorious anonymous op-ed in The New York Times in 2018 that claimed he was part of a secret “ resistance ” inside President Donald Trump ’ s administration .
“ We do not owe the President our silence , ” he said .
“ We owe him and the American people the truth.
” Taylor served as chief of staff to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen while the agency carried out Trump ’ s policy of separating migrant children from their families .
He later told Telemundo he regretted having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a statement after Taylor revealed his identity , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany labeled the former high-level staffer a “ liar and a coward who chose anonymity over action.
” Taylor addressed his insistence on anonymity in his statement , claiming a desire to focus on the message — not the messenger .
“ Issuing my critiques without attribution forced the President to answer them directly on their merits or not at all , rather than creating distractions through petty insults and name-calling , ” he said .
“ I wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves.
” In the Times op-ed , which was published Sept. 5 , 2018 , the author was identified as a “ senior official ” in the Trump administration and claimed to be one of many people “ working diligently from within to frustrate parts of [ Trump ’ s ] agenda and his worst inclinations.
” The same person also anonymously authored a book , “ A Warning , ” published in 2019 , which , among other behind-the-scenes revelations , claimed that a number of senior officials once considered resigning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s conduct , but ultimately decided against it .
The anonymous author , who had previously said they ’ d reveal their identity before the election , chose to wait until just six days before polls close Nov. 3 to speak out openly .
“ It may be cold comfort in this chaotic era , but Americans should know that there are adults in the room , ” the author wrote in the 2018 op-ed .
“ We fully recognize what is happening .
And we are trying to do what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t. ” After the op-ed came out , Trump called for the author to resign , calling the writer “ gutless ” and demanding that the Times “ turn him/her over to government at once !
” Several officials who have left the Trump administration have since spoken out against the president , including former aide to Vice President Mike Pence and coronavirus task force member Olivia Troye .

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Miles Taylor has been identified as the author of a notorious anonymous op-ed in The New York Times in 2018 that claimed he was part of a secret “resistance” inside President Donald Trump’s administration.
Taylor revealed himself Wednesday in a tweet.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Taylor observed that “Trump sees personal criticism as subversive,” adding, “I take a different view.”
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“We do not owe the President our silence,” he said. “We owe him and the American people the truth.”
Taylor served as chief of staff to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen while the agency carried out Trump’s policy of separating migrant children from their families. He later told Telemundo he regretted having not denounced it at the time.
In a statement after Taylor revealed his identity, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany labeled the former high-level staffer a “liar and a coward who chose anonymity over action.”
Taylor addressed his insistence on anonymity in his statement, claiming a desire to focus on the message — not the messenger.
“Issuing my critiques without attribution forced the President to answer them directly on their merits or not at all, rather than creating distractions through petty insults and name-calling,” he said. “I wanted the attention to be on the arguments themselves.”
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In the Times op-ed, which was published Sept. 5, 2018, the author was identified as a “senior official” in the Trump administration and claimed to be one of many people “working diligently from within to frustrate parts of [Trump’s] agenda and his worst inclinations.”
The same person also anonymously authored a book, “A Warning,” published in 2019, which, among other behind-the-scenes revelations, claimed that a number of senior officials once considered resigning from the administration all together in response to Trump’s conduct, but ultimately decided against it.
The anonymous author, who had previously said they’d reveal their identity before the election, chose to wait until just six days before polls close Nov. 3 to speak out openly.
“It may be cold comfort in this chaotic era, but Americans should know that there are adults in the room,” the author wrote in the 2018 op-ed. “We fully recognize what is happening. And we are trying to do what’s right even when Donald Trump won’t.”
However, the author reportedly expressed doubts in 2019 that this so-called resistance group of “unelected bureaucrats and cabinet appointees” within the White House could fix Trump.
After the op-ed came out, Trump called for the author to resign, calling the writer “gutless” and demanding that the Times “turn him/her over to government at once!”
Several officials who have left the Trump administration have since spoken out against the president, including former aide to Vice President Mike Pence and coronavirus task force member Olivia Troye.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Trump Sticks To Re-Election Rally Strategy As COVID Ravages U.S.

LAS VEGAS/WILMINGTON ( Reuters ) - With less than a week of voting left , President Donald Trump pushed ahead on Wednesday with mass rallies despite a U.S. surge in COVID-19 cases and mounting criticism that he is prioritizing his re-election above the health of his supporters .
The pandemic that has upended life across the United States this year , killing more than 227,000 people , is roaring back in the days leading up to the Nov. 3 contest when Republican Trump faces Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
Biden holds a comfortable lead in national polls , which also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s handling of the largest public health crisis in U.S. living memory .
Polls in battleground states that will likely decide the election are tighter than the national surveys .
After a briefing from public health officials on Wednesday , the former vice president slammed what he called the Trump administration ’ s disregard for safety and failure to develop a plan to contain COVID-19 .
Polls show Americans trust Biden more than Trump to contain the virus .
Biden criticized his rival over reports that hundreds of Trump supporters were stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after a rally in Omaha , Nebraska , on Tuesday night , waiting for campaign shuttle buses to take them back to their cars .
“ It ’ s an image that captured President Trump ’ s whole approach to this crisis ...
He gets his photo-op and then he gets out , ” he said .
Wisconsin broke one-day state records in cases and deaths on Tuesday .
State officials have asked residents to quarantine voluntarily , wear masks and cancel social gatherings with more than five people .
Each of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have drawn several thousand people .
“ There ’ s no way to sugarcoat it - we are facing an urgent crisis and there is an imminent risk to you , your family members , your friends , your neighbors , and the people you care about , ” Governor Tony Evers said .
“ Stay home , Wisconsin.
” “ Rallies are perfect places for so-called super-spreader events , ” said Barun Mathema , an epidemiologist at Columbia University in New York , adding that the risk increases when attendees do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many of the people attending Trump events .
Officials in Michigan and Minnesota told Reuters they identified people who attended Trump campaign events in their states and later tested positive for COVID-19 , though it was not clear if they were first exposed to the virus at the rallies or elsewhere .
Asked whether holding a big rally raised safety concerns given that aides to Pence have tested positive and Wisconsin hospitals are near capacity , Gidley said : “ No , it doesn ’ t ...
The vice president has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They ’ ve obviously contact traced and come to the conclusion it ’ s fine for him to be out on the campaign trail.
” In all , Trump plans to visit 10 states in the last week of the campaign and will host 11 rallies in the final 48 hours , a campaign official said .
“ Covid , Covid , Covid is the unified chant of the Fake News Lamestream Media .
They will talk about nothing else until November 4th , when the Election will be ( hopefully !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
More than 74 million people have cast early in-person and mail ballots , according to data compiled by the U.S .
Elections Project at the University of Florida .
That is a record-setting pace and more than 53 % of the total 2016 turnout .
The huge volume of mail ballots - more than 48 million have already been cast - could take days or weeks to tally , experts say , meaning a winner might not be declared the night of Nov. 3 , when polls close .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have as many as 98 % of ballots counted and publicly reported by midday on the day after the election , according to a New York Times survey of election officials .
Reporting by Jeff Mason in Las Vegas , Eric Scheyder in Wilmington , Delaware , Doina Chiacu and Jason Lange in Washington ; Writing by John Whitesides and Sonya Hepinstall ; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell .

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LAS VEGAS/WILMINGTON (Reuters) - With less than a week of voting left, President Donald Trump pushed ahead on Wednesday with mass rallies despite a U.S. surge in COVID-19 cases and mounting criticism that he is prioritizing his re-election above the health of his supporters.
The pandemic that has upended life across the United States this year, killing more than 227,000 people, is roaring back in the days leading up to the Nov. 3 contest when Republican Trump faces Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
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Biden holds a comfortable lead in national polls, which also show a public increasingly dismayed by Trump’s handling of the largest public health crisis in U.S. living memory. Polls in battleground states that will likely decide the election are tighter than the national surveys.
After a briefing from public health officials on Wednesday, the former vice president slammed what he called the Trump administration’s disregard for safety and failure to develop a plan to contain COVID-19. Polls show Americans trust Biden more than Trump to contain the virus.
“The longer he’s in charge the more reckless he gets,” Biden told reporters, before casting his own vote in Wilmington, Delaware.
Biden criticized his rival over reports that hundreds of Trump supporters were stuck in the cold for up to three hours after a rally in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday night, waiting for campaign shuttle buses to take them back to their cars.
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“It’s an image that captured President Trump’s whole approach to this crisis ... He gets his photo-op and then he gets out,” he said.
The Trump campaign said the problems were due to the unexpectedly large crowds.
Trump’s running mate, Vice President Mike Pence, will campaign on Wednesday in Wisconsin, where a record number of coronavirus cases has prompted the Democratic governor to urge people to stay at home.
Wisconsin broke one-day state records in cases and deaths on Tuesday. State officials have asked residents to quarantine voluntarily, wear masks and cancel social gatherings with more than five people. Each of Trump’s rallies in recent days have drawn several thousand people.
“There’s no way to sugarcoat it - we are facing an urgent crisis and there is an imminent risk to you, your family members, your friends, your neighbors, and the people you care about,” Governor Tony Evers said. “Stay home, Wisconsin.”
‘SUPER-SPREADER EVENTS’
Epidemiologists say rallies posed grave public health risks during the pandemic because people shout and chant, aiding the spread of the virus.
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“Rallies are perfect places for so-called super-spreader events,” said Barun Mathema, an epidemiologist at Columbia University in New York, adding that the risk increases when attendees do not wear masks, which is the case for many of the people attending Trump events.
Officials in Michigan and Minnesota told Reuters they identified people who attended Trump campaign events in their states and later tested positive for COVID-19, though it was not clear if they were first exposed to the virus at the rallies or elsewhere.
Minnesota public health officials have attributed three COVID-19 outbreaks and more than 20 cases to Trump rallies held in the state in September, according to media reports.
The Trump campaign is taking all necessary precautions at the event in Wisconsin, campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley told CNN.
Asked whether holding a big rally raised safety concerns given that aides to Pence have tested positive and Wisconsin hospitals are near capacity, Gidley said: “No, it doesn’t ... The vice president has the best doctors in the world around him. They’ve obviously contact traced and come to the conclusion it’s fine for him to be out on the campaign trail.”
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Reuters/Ipsos polling from Oct. 20-26 shows Biden with a solid lead over Trump, 53%-44%, in Wisconsin, which as a battleground state could help decide the election.
After racing across Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska on Tuesday and staying overnight in Las Vegas, Trump was due to hold airport rallies in Bullhead City, Arizona, and Goodyear, outside Phoenix, Arizona’s biggest city.
He was due to move on to Florida and North Carolina on Thursday, then return to the Midwest on Friday in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
In all, Trump plans to visit 10 states in the last week of the campaign and will host 11 rallies in the final 48 hours, a campaign official said.
A pro-Biden group, Priorities USA Action, said its recent polling in six battleground states found that when people were told Trump was holding large rallies without mask-wearing requirements, most disapproved.
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“He is actually hurting himself by traveling around the country holding these rallies,” said Guy Cecil, who leads the group, a top Democratic super PAC.
Trump on Wednesday accused the media of pushing the coronavirus story to hurt him.
“Covid, Covid, Covid is the unified chant of the Fake News Lamestream Media. They will talk about nothing else until November 4th, when the Election will be (hopefully!) over,” the president wrote on Twitter.
More than 74 million people have cast early in-person and mail ballots, according to data compiled by the U.S. Elections Project at the University of Florida. That is a record-setting pace and more than 53% of the total 2016 turnout. The huge volume of mail ballots - more than 48 million have already been cast - could take days or weeks to tally, experts say, meaning a winner might not be declared the night of Nov. 3, when polls close. Only eight of the 50 states expect to have as many as 98% of ballots counted and publicly reported by midday on the day after the election, according to a New York Times survey of election officials. ___ Reporting by Jeff Mason in Las Vegas, Eric Scheyder in Wilmington, Delaware, Doina Chiacu and Jason Lange in Washington; Writing by John Whitesides and Sonya Hepinstall; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Ocasio-Cortez Says She Privately Called Out Yoho For His Nasty Remark. He Mocked Her.

In July , Yoho was overheard by a reporter for The Hill calling Ocasio-Cortez “ disgusting ” to her face on the steps of the Capitol and , later , a “ fucking bitch ” once she had walked away .
In her conversation with Vanity Fair , Ocasio-Cortez shared that she had actually approached Yoho after the initial insults on the Capitol steps and told him : “ You do that to me again , I won ’ t be so nice next time.
” She felt his actions had entered “ into the zone of harassment , discrimination.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez : “ Oh , boo-hoo.
” Yoho ’ s communications director Brian Kaveney told HuffPost via email that from his “ close proximity to the events of that day/ week , ” Rep. Yoho “ did not say , ‘ Oh , boo-hoo.
’ ” “ He also didn ’ t call her any names the Hill reporter claims to have heard , ” Kaveney wrote .
The aftermath of the exchange led to Yoho not quite apologizing and issuing a statement where he said that “ the offensive name-calling words attributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken to my colleagues ” and “ if they were construed that way , I apologize for their misunderstanding.
” Ocasio-Cortez would later go on to address the incident on the House floor and deliver a powerful speech responding to Yoho ’ s statements about being “ married for 45 years with two daughters ” and someone who is “ very cognizant of the language I use .
”

In July, Yoho was overheard by a reporter for The Hill calling Ocasio-Cortez “disgusting” to her face on the steps of the Capitol and, later, a “fucking bitch” once she had walked away.
In her conversation with Vanity Fair, Ocasio-Cortez shared that she had actually approached Yoho after the initial insults on the Capitol steps and told him: “You do that to me again, I won’t be so nice next time.” She felt his actions had entered “into the zone of harassment, discrimination.” In response, Yoho reportedly told Ocasio-Cortez: “Oh, boo-hoo.”
Yoho’s communications director Brian Kaveney told HuffPost via email that from his “close proximity to the events of that day/ week,” Rep. Yoho “did not say, ‘Oh, boo-hoo.’”
“He also didn’t call her any names the Hill reporter claims to have heard,” Kaveney wrote.
The aftermath of the exchange led to Yoho not quite apologizing and issuing a statement where he said that “the offensive name-calling words attributed to me by the press were never spoken to my colleagues” and “if they were construed that way, I apologize for their misunderstanding.”
Ocasio-Cortez would later go on to address the incident on the House floor and deliver a powerful speech responding to Yoho’s statements about being “married for 45 years with two daughters” and someone who is “very cognizant of the language I use.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--Lindsey Graham Bets His Career On Supreme Court: 'Biggest Challenge I’ve Ever Faced'

Over the last four years in Washington , Graham has latched himself to an unpopular president he once derided as racist and unfit for office ― one who tramples on the type of inclusive and moderate politics had proudly touted for years .
Now , he ’ s running as Trump ’ s top apostle in Congress who always has the president ’ s back and who isn ’ t afraid to scream a little to get things done .
Politically , Barrett ’ s confirmation couldn ’ t have come at a better time for Graham , who led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary Committee .
His closing message to voters in ads and in nightly Fox News appearances , where he makes direct appeals for funds , has mainly focused on the impact of a conservative Supreme Court majority and what he says will happen if Democrats take control of the Senate .
“ I am not getting rid of the filibuster until somebody can demonstrate to me how we can protect the folks who ― if we had gotten rid of the filibuster right now , 28 million people in this country would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told HuffPost , referring to the GOP ’ s repeated failed attempts to eliminate Obamacare .
“ I ’ m tired of the lies .
I ’ m tired of Lindsey Graham not telling the truth.
” For Harrison , a former top aide to House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn who also led the South Carolina Democratic Party , the contours of the Senate race couldn ’ t be more different .
On the trail , he speaks often about growing up in poverty in Orangeburg and access to health care , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Obamacare from a Republican lawsuit that has reached the Supreme Court .
He ’ s also focused on expanding broadband internet access and fixing crumbling schools and bridges .
Most of Harrison ’ s eye-popping haul has already been spent on television and radio ads , which have been impossible to miss .
Based on the sheer amount of political advertising blanketing South Carolina ’ s airwaves , one might think it was a battleground state that could help decide the fate of the Senate and maybe even the presidential race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make history for South Carolina .
It would become the first state in U.S. history to have two Black U.S. senators , an especially noteworthy distinction for a former slave state that was first to declare secession from the Union during the Civil War .
( Sen. Tim Scott is the first African American to be a U.S. senator from South Carolina ; the Republican has said his 2022 reelection bid will be his last . )

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GREENVILLE, S.C. ― Lindsey Graham has a real race on his hands and he knows it.
The Republican senator is being squeezed from all sides as the election nears ― from his left by a well-funded Democratic opponent, Jaime Harrison, an unexpected sensation who hopes a changing electorate and energized Black voters will help turn South Carolina into a purple state. And from his right, allies of Donald Trump, who say he’s not a true believer committed to defending the president and investigating his opponents.
“This is the biggest challenge I’ve faced,” Graham, who has held the seat since 2003, acknowledged on Tuesday at a rally headlined by Vice President Mike Pence. The appearance so late in the race by such a high-profile GOP speaker ― Pence’s first visit to South Carolina in over a year ― signaled the earth may be slowly shifting in what has long been regarded as a GOP stronghold.
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Over the last four years in Washington, Graham has latched himself to an unpopular president he once derided as racist and unfit for office ― one who tramples on the type of inclusive and moderate politics had proudly touted for years. Now, he’s running as Trump’s top apostle in Congress who always has the president’s back and who isn’t afraid to scream a little to get things done.
Polls have shown a surprisingly competitive race in recent weeks, with Graham holding a single-digit lead or tied with Harrison. Even a narrow loss for Harrison would be an impressive feat; Graham won his last reelection contest by more than 15 points.
Graham led the confirmation hearings for Trump's Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett. In 2016, he said a Supreme Court vacancy shouldn't be filled in an election year, even if Republicans hold the White House. Pool via Getty Images
Graham’s saving grace may be the installation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a protege of the late Justice Antonin Scalia whose confirmation on Monday sealed a 6-3 conservative majority for decades. His campaign is banking on his role in the judicial fight to help turn out socially conservative and evangelical voters and deliver him a fourth term.
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Politically, Barrett’s confirmation couldn’t have come at a better time for Graham, who led her hearings as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His closing message to voters in ads and in nightly Fox News appearances, where he makes direct appeals for funds, has mainly focused on the impact of a conservative Supreme Court majority and what he says will happen if Democrats take control of the Senate.
“Judge Barrett sends a message to Christian and pro-life women in America that, yes, there is a seat at the table for you,” Graham said in a Senate floor speech on Monday prior to Barrett’s confirmation.
After being vastly outraised and outspent by his challenger in the past month, the cavalry arrived for Graham this week as Republican groups allied with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) dumped tens of millions of dollars into ads tying Harrison to “liberal Democrats” like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In one ad run by Graham’s campaign, Harrison is shown repeatedly in a conversation with “socialist” Sen. Bernie Sanders, calling the independent senator from Vermont a “champion.”
Other GOP ads accused Harrison of supporting eliminating the filibuster and packing the Supreme Court ― charges he denied at a campaign stop on Monday.
“I am not getting rid of the filibuster until somebody can demonstrate to me how we can protect the folks who ― if we had gotten rid of the filibuster right now, 28 million people in this country would not have gotten health care,” Harrison told HuffPost, referring to the GOP’s repeated failed attempts to eliminate Obamacare. “I’m tired of the lies. I’m tired of Lindsey Graham not telling the truth.”
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Democratic Senate candidate Jaime Harrison broke records for the most money raised by a Senate candidate during the third quarter in political history. LOGAN CYRUS via Getty Images
For Harrison, a former top aide to House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn who also led the South Carolina Democratic Party, the contours of the Senate race couldn’t be more different. On the trail, he speaks often about growing up in poverty in Orangeburg and access to health care, citing closures of rural hospitals and the threat to Obamacare from a Republican lawsuit that has reached the Supreme Court. He’s also focused on expanding broadband internet access and fixing crumbling schools and bridges.
Tweaking Graham for essentially campaigning on Fox News has also become a regular feature in his stump speech.
“Instead of working hard for South Carolina, he sits on TV with Sean Hannity. It shows you where we are in terms of the priority scales,” Harrison said Monday at a campaign stop in Columbia.
His appearance at the “drive-in” rally of about 360 people, according to his aides, offered a vivid example of the hyperlocal campaign Harrison has waged. As the Senate voted on Barrett’s nomination on Monday evening ― a hugely consequential development that dominated the airwaves in Washington ― Harrison delivered a speech that made no mention of it.
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Deborah Breedlove, 65, who served as a South Carolina nominating delegate for Barack Obama in 2008, said she believed Harrison would change her state forever.
“We’ve got so many people crossing over. I think we can end up being a blue state like Virginia,” Breedlove said Monday as she waited to hear Harrison speak in Columbia.
In October, Harrison shattered the record for the highest quarterly fundraising total for a Senate candidate in U.S. history, raising $57 million since July. Graham raised $28 million. (The prior quarterly record was set by former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who raised $38 million in the final quarter of his 2018 Senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz.)
Most of Harrison’s eye-popping haul has already been spent on television and radio ads, which have been impossible to miss. Based on the sheer amount of political advertising blanketing South Carolina’s airwaves, one might think it was a battleground state that could help decide the fate of the Senate and maybe even the presidential race.
Graham, who last week floated the idea of an investigation into the kind of small-dollar donations that are boosting Harrison, was dismissive of the huge sums of money being spent against him. He promised his supporters on Tuesday that the annoying ads would end next week when he wins reelection.
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“To all the people in New York and California, keep wasting your money,” he said.
For Democrats’ long shot bid against Graham to succeed, they’ll need more than just deep pockets. Registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats in the state by about 200,000, meaning that Democrats need to either expand their pool of voters or cut into the GOP’s base to flip the Senate seat. They’re trying to do both.
There are about 1 million nonwhite registered voters in South Carolina. The problem for Democrats is that only about half of them vote regularly. If Harrison can drive historic turnout among the Black community, that would bolster his chances of winning greatly.
“The African American community has yet to vote in numbers that could propel a candidate,” South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Trav Robertson told HuffPost. “There is clearly a path here but the African American community has to be engaged.”
Prominent African Americans who have cut ads for Harrison in the past few weeks include former President Barack Obama and Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis, a South Carolina native. The candidate also campaigned this week with radio personality Charlamagne tha God, a Charleston native and host of “The Breakfast Club,” as well as rapper Common, who toured a Black barbershop and a historically Black university.
Braylen Washington waits for a drive-in campaign rally for Jaime Harrison to begin in North Charleston. The Washington Post via Getty Images
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Meanwhile, Harrison’s campaign has engaged in some political jujitsu by attempting to elevate Bill Bledsoe, a conservative Constitution Party candidate who dropped out of the Senate race in early October, but whose name still appears on the ballot. In television and digital ads, Harrison’s campaign attacked Bledsoe as “too conservative” for the state and overly friendly with Trump.
In another ad, Harrison’s campaign featured a longtime local GOP activist and county party chair disavowing his past support for Graham.
“I don’t feel like I’ve changed,” the activist, Trey Ward, says in the ad. “I didn’t leave Lindsey Graham; he left me.”
Both efforts are a not-so-subtle attempt to lure wary GOP voters away from Graham just when he needs a unified base to defend his seat. However, several conservative critics of Graham are set to endorse him on Wednesday in a late move designed to blunt Harrison’s attacks and defend the GOP’s majority in the Senate.
Trump supporters who gathered to hear Pence speak at a tightly packed airport hanger with little social distancing in Greenville on Tuesday said they appreciated what Graham had done for the president, even if they didn’t get along at first.
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“I really admire Lindsey Graham for his ability to start off being someone who wasn’t crazy for Trump but after getting to meet him ... he’s on board and he’s fired up,” said Albert Spence, who works as a nurse in Clemson.
“Not basing everything on personality but on his performance,” his wife Lisa said in agreement.
Both Graham and Harrison are expected to campaign in South Carolina on the final weekend before Election Day. They’ll also participate in a debate on Friday that was canceled earlier this month after a spat over Graham’s refusal to take a coronavirus test. Harrison demanded he be tested after being in proximity to other GOP senators who tested positive for the disease.
A victory for Harrison on Tuesday would make history for South Carolina. It would become the first state in U.S. history to have two Black U.S. senators, an especially noteworthy distinction for a former slave state that was first to declare secession from the Union during the Civil War. (Sen. Tim Scott is the first African American to be a U.S. senator from South Carolina; the Republican has said his 2022 reelection bid will be his last.)
“The fact that you have a competitive race is the first indication that things have changed,” Ernest McNealy, the president of Allen University, a historically black college in Columbia, said. “Certainly Jaime Harrison will be difficult to categorize ... but the fact that he is an African American and is in a competitive race against a long-serving senator speaks to changes that are afoot not only in the state but in the country.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-28--The Push To Allow Guns At Polling Places Is Straightforward Voter Intimidation

There is an unmistakable effort underway to intimidate voters — specifically Democratic voters — when they go to the polls .
The president himself has repeatedly threatened to send law enforcement to voting locations to hunt for supposed voter fraud , while more organic efforts include bullhorns , honking cars with Trump flags , and shouting confrontations directed at people lined up at early polling stations in blue or purple areas .
Bringing and displaying weapons at voting sites is one facet of potential intimidation that ’ s emerged in the weeks leading up to Election Day .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show up at the polls with guns : a development election officials fear will create an unsafe environment for other voters to cast their ballots .
In one swing state , an effort to limit the presence of guns at polling locations was met with a court fight and a standoff between the state ’ s election officials and some members of law enforcement .
Each state has specific laws around whether guns are permitted at voting locations — but only about a dozen states explicitly ban open and/or concealed carry of firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing a gun to vote can hinge on a technicality , like whether the polling place is a church , school or government building .
“ There ’ s a continuum of intimidation , ” Horwitz continued , and “ a certain segment of the gun-owning population — these really extreme gun rights radicals — think that bringing a gun to all these places is a political statement .
And that statement is , ‘ I ’ m better than you .
My voice matters more than yours.
’ ” In recognition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls could have on voters , Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced a ban earlier this month on open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling locations on Nov. 3 .
As a swing state , even a few people in Michigan spotting guns at their voting center and deciding that casting their ballot isn ’ t worth the risk could have a significant impact on the election .
Right-wing gun enthusiasts and some law enforcement officials immediately rebelled .
A coalition of pro-gun groups in Michigan sued to prevent its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect ” of the policy was to “ disenfranchise ” voters who support the Second Amendment .
Several law enforcement officials said they would not enforce the ban .
On Tuesday , a judge struck down the open carry ban , a decision Benson said she will appeal .
Regardless of how the legal battle plays out , the organized backlash against the effort to ban open carry at the polls already has some Michigan voters on edge .
On the Facebook pages for two of the pro-gun groups behind the lawsuit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns with them to vote , in part to spite Benson ’ s effort .
Elissa Slotkin , a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan , told Politico that voters have been calling their local election officials and asking , “ What do we do if someone shows up carrying an AK-47 into the polls ?
Who do we call ?
Some of the local law enforcement have already said they won ’ t enforce it .
What do we do ?
” The use of guns as a means of political intimidation isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , a group of heavily armed protesters entered the capitol building to demand an end to the state ’ s COVID-19 stay-at-home orders .
A group of people opposed to Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s ( D ) pandemic precautions are currently recruiting volunteers to show up near the polls on Nov. 3 to collect signatures to recall the governor — who was the recent target of a failed kidnapping plot by militia members .
The risk of voter intimidation is heightened by President Donald Trump ’ s repeated encouragement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has urged his fans to “ go into the poll and watch very carefully , ” a directive that is likely illegal .
Asked to direct white supremacist groups and militias to “ stand down ” in cities where far-right extremists have confronted anti-racist protesters , Trump instead directed the Proud Boys , a violent neo-fascist street gang , to “ stand back and stand by.
” The Trump campaign is aggressively recruiting poll watchers to join the “ Army for Trump , ” to protect the president from Democrats who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poll watchers have to be vetted and approved before the election and there are strict limitations on what they can do at the polls .
The Trump campaign ’ s official poll watching materials acknowledge as much — but the rhetoric that is more immediately available to most voters inaccurately implies that any Trump supporter can show up on a whim and take it upon themselves to referee the election .
Earlier this month , a private security company called Atlas Aegis tried to recruit former members of the military to guard Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from looting and destruction , ” a likely reference to people protesting against the police killing of George Floyd , an unarmed Black man , in Minneapolis in May .
The state ’ s attorney general Keith Ellison reached a settlement with Atlas Aegis , in which the group agreed not to provide election-related security .
In Iowa , also a swing state , election officials are bracing for gun-related voter intimidation as a result of a new state law prohibiting bans on firearms in city or government buildings unless an armed security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new law , there will be more polling places in the state where it is legal for people to bring their guns to vote .
“ It seems like the backlash to the efforts of voter suppression is voter participation , ” she continued , “ which is tremendous , and really the best way to demonstrate that we as citizens aren ’ t going to tolerate efforts to curb or limit our right to vote .

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There is an unmistakable effort underway to intimidate voters — specifically Democratic voters — when they go to the polls. The president himself has repeatedly threatened to send law enforcement to voting locations to hunt for supposed voter fraud, while more organic efforts include bullhorns, honking cars with Trump flags, and shouting confrontations directed at people lined up at early polling stations in blue or purple areas.
Bringing and displaying weapons at voting sites is one facet of potential intimidation that’s emerged in the weeks leading up to Election Day. There is an organized push from right-wing groups to show up at the polls with guns: a development election officials fear will create an unsafe environment for other voters to cast their ballots. In one swing state, an effort to limit the presence of guns at polling locations was met with a court fight and a standoff between the state’s election officials and some members of law enforcement.
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Each state has specific laws around whether guns are permitted at voting locations — but only about a dozen states explicitly ban open and/or concealed carry of firearms at the polls. The legality of bringing a gun to vote can hinge on a technicality, like whether the polling place is a church, school or government building.
But the legal wrangling over who is allowed to arm themselves at which polling locations obscures a more straightforward point: voter intimidation is a federal crime everywhere in the U.S., and many voters would feel intimidated by visibly armed people at their polling places.
“Showing up with a gun with the intent to show it really violates the norms of our democracy,” Josh Horwitz, the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, said in an interview.
“There’s a continuum of intimidation,” Horwitz continued, and “a certain segment of the gun-owning population — these really extreme gun rights radicals — think that bringing a gun to all these places is a political statement. And that statement is, ‘I’m better than you. My voice matters more than yours.’”
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In recognition of the intimidating impact visible weapons at the polls could have on voters, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced a ban earlier this month on open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling locations on Nov. 3. As a swing state, even a few people in Michigan spotting guns at their voting center and deciding that casting their ballot isn’t worth the risk could have a significant impact on the election.
Right-wing gun enthusiasts and some law enforcement officials immediately rebelled. A coalition of pro-gun groups in Michigan sued to prevent its enforcement, claiming that the “practical effect” of the policy was to “disenfranchise” voters who support the Second Amendment. Several law enforcement officials said they would not enforce the ban. On Tuesday, a judge struck down the open carry ban, a decision Benson said she will appeal.
Regardless of how the legal battle plays out, the organized backlash against the effort to ban open carry at the polls already has some Michigan voters on edge. On the Facebook pages for two of the pro-gun groups behind the lawsuit, several people indicated plans to bring visible guns with them to vote, in part to spite Benson’s effort. Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan, told Politico that voters have been calling their local election officials and asking, “What do we do if someone shows up carrying an AK-47 into the polls? Who do we call? Some of the local law enforcement have already said they won’t enforce it. What do we do?”
The use of guns as a means of political intimidation isn’t theoretical in Michigan. Earlier this year, a group of heavily armed protesters entered the capitol building to demand an end to the state’s COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. A group of people opposed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) pandemic precautions are currently recruiting volunteers to show up near the polls on Nov. 3 to collect signatures to recall the governor — who was the recent target of a failed kidnapping plot by militia members.
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The risk of voter intimidation is heightened by President Donald Trump’s repeated encouragement that his supporters partake in the effort. Trump has urged his fans to “go into the poll and watch very carefully,” a directive that is likely illegal. Asked to direct white supremacist groups and militias to “stand down” in cities where far-right extremists have confronted anti-racist protesters, Trump instead directed the Proud Boys, a violent neo-fascist street gang, to “stand back and stand by.”
The Trump campaign is aggressively recruiting poll watchers to join the “Army for Trump,” to protect the president from Democrats who are supposedly trying to steal the election. Poll watchers have to be vetted and approved before the election and there are strict limitations on what they can do at the polls. The Trump campaign’s official poll watching materials acknowledge as much — but the rhetoric that is more immediately available to most voters inaccurately implies that any Trump supporter can show up on a whim and take it upon themselves to referee the election.
Earlier this month, a private security company called Atlas Aegis tried to recruit former members of the military to guard Minnesota polling places, businesses and residences “from looting and destruction,” a likely reference to people protesting against the police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, in Minneapolis in May. The state’s attorney general Keith Ellison reached a settlement with Atlas Aegis, in which the group agreed not to provide election-related security.
In Iowa, also a swing state, election officials are bracing for gun-related voter intimidation as a result of a new state law prohibiting bans on firearms in city or government buildings unless an armed security guard is present. As a result of the new law, there will be more polling places in the state where it is legal for people to bring their guns to vote.
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Not all of the efforts to get guns at the polls are statewide or attracting media attention. In Virginia, a group called the Virginia Citizens Defense League designated Tuesday, Oct. 27, as “gun owners vote early and in person day.”
“Hopefully a lot of other gun owners will be in line with you!” the group wrote on its Facebook page. VCDL, a fringe pro-gun group, is best known for organizing an armed rally in Richmond, Virginia, in January to protest gun control, attended by far-right extremists and neo-Nazis.
Even if most municipalities were to succeed in banning guns from polling sites, the very public fight over lethal weapons where people vote could have a dampening effect on some people’s willingness to show up and cast a ballot.
“The rhetoric around these issues is intentionally voter suppressing — it’s intentionally trying to discourage voters from participating by scaring them away from the polls.” Eliza Sweren-Becker, counsel in the Brennan Center’s voting rights and elections program, said, adding that voters can always flag intimidation concerns with poll workers and call the Election Protection hotline.
“It seems like the backlash to the efforts of voter suppression is voter participation,” she continued, “which is tremendous, and really the best way to demonstrate that we as citizens aren’t going to tolerate efforts to curb or limit our right to vote.