thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-23--16 Of The Most Memorable Moments From The Royal Family's Wild Year

After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their plans , they carried out their last series of official engagements in early March .
As rumors of tension between Prince William and Prince Harry swirled , the brothers and their wives publicly reunited at the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey .
The reunion was highly anticipated , as Meghan and Harry hadn ’ t been publicly photographed with the royal family in some time , due to their North American sabbatical in 2019 .
Royal watchers got more than they expected , as the Cambridges appeared to not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engagement .
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge seemed to only speak to Prince Edward and Sophie , Countess of Wessex , though they were sitting right next to the Sussexes .
The queen ’ s historic speech ended with a message of hope , as she signed off by saying , “ We should take comfort that while we have more still to endure , better days will return .
We will be with our friends again ; we will be with our families again ; we will meet again.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Meghan said in her speech .
“ Breonna Taylor ’ s life mattered , and Philando Castile ’ s life mattered , and Tamir Rice ’ s life mattered , and so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know.
” Both Meghan and Harry continued to highlight the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice causes throughout the year .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made good on their intentions to become financially independent , as news that the couple agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early September .
The royals said that the deal , rumored to have closed at over $ 100 million , would focus on “ creating content that informs but also gives hope.
” Throughout the year , both Meghan and Harry repeatedly called on U.S. citizens to vote ( members of the British royal family are allowed to vote in the U.K. , but the queen must remain politically neutral ) .
Though the two never endorsed a particular political party or candidate , they were still met with backlash — and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stripped .
The duke ’ s decision to keep his diagnosis private was criticized , as were comments he made in March suggesting that the pandemic was being overblown by the media .
Most recently , the Cambridges came under fire for carrying out a three-day , cross-country train tour as cases continued to soar in the U.K. , and for apparently breaking coronavirus rules while on an outing with other family members this past weekend .
While it isn ’ t rare for the royal family to be photographed together , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult but unsafe .
The senior royals were finally able to reunite for a socially distanced photograph at Windsor Castle earlier this month .

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To say that the British royal family experienced change in 2020 is putting things mildly.
The royals faced seismic shifts and shake-ups, drawing parallels to the queen’s challenging “annus horriblis” in 1992, a year in which three royal marriages ended, a fire destroyed parts of Windsor Castle, and royal scandal abounded.
Seeing as the coronavirus pandemic transformed 2020 into a year of grief and hardship, it’s hard to remember that Harry and Meghan’s step back as working members of the royal family was less than 12 months ago.
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There were some lowlights for the royals in 2020: Princes Charles’ and William’s coronavirus diagnoses, more details about William and Harry’s reported feud, and disheartening revelations from privacy lawsuits filed by Meghan Markle.
The royal family also continued its pattern of seemingly excusing Prince Andrew for his involvement with the billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
But throughout the tough year, there were also highlights ― like Queen Elizabeth’s historic coronavirus speech, the Sussexes settling into California and starting their new foundation, the success of Kate Middleton’s “Hold Still” project and Princess Beatrice’s surprise nuptials.
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There were also some moments that seemed to make the world stand still, like when the Duchess of Sussex spoke about experiencing pregnancy loss and people across the world collectively mourned with her.
It was a year of hope, despair, change, calls for justice, endless Zoom meetings, concern for health and for family, praise for essential workers and so much more — for the royals, and for all of us.
Relieve and reexperience the royal family’s momentous year below.
1. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their step back
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in London, one day before their bombshell announcement. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dropped a bombshell on Jan. 8, 2020, a day that will live in royal infamy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they would be stepping back as senior members of the royal family to pursue financial independence and relocate to North America.
The announcement led to negotiations within the royal family and, eventually, a plan for the royal couple going forward.
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2. A Cambridge vs. Sussex showdown to remember
The Sussexes and Cambridges attend the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9. POOL New / Reuters
After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their plans, they carried out their last series of official engagements in early March. As rumors of tension between Prince William and Prince Harry swirled, the brothers and their wives publicly reunited at the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
The reunion was highly anticipated, as Meghan and Harry hadn’t been publicly photographed with the royal family in some time, due to their North American sabbatical in 2019. Royal watchers got more than they expected, as the Cambridges appeared to not even acknowledge Harry and Meghan during the awkward engagement. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge seemed to only speak to Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, though they were sitting right next to the Sussexes.
3. Prince Charles tests positive for COVID-19
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles attend a Commonwealth Day reception on March 9 in London. WPA Pool via Getty Images
As news (and fear) about the coronavirus pandemic began to spread, Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, tested positive for COVID-19 in March. A spokesperson for the prince said that he was only displaying mild symptoms at the time and the royal recovered quickly.
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4. Queen Elizabeth’s historic coronavirus address
On April 5, Queen Elizabeth addressed the nation for reportedly only the fifth time in her reign, besides her annual Christmas address, to thank frontline workers, lift the public’s spirits and provide a sense of calm as the pandemic raged on.
The queen’s historic speech ended with a message of hope, as she signed off by saying, “We should take comfort that while we have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
5. Harry & Meghan officially move to California
Illustration: HuffPost, Images: Getty
After weeks of speculation, Harry and Meghan moved from Vancouver Island to Los Angeles (Meghan’s hometown) in March, just before the borders closed between Canada and the United States due to COVID-19.
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The royals stayed at one of Tyler Perry’s residences, before later relocating to their current home in Montecito, in Santa Barbara County.
6. Tatler’s controversial Kate Middleton article
In May, Kensington Palace issued a scathing rebuttal of a Tatler magazine cover story about Kate Middleton that included anonymous sources denouncing Harry and Meghan’s departure and giving insight into the rumored rift between the Cambridges and Sussexes.
Many questioned the palace’s readiness to condemn the article, despite its frequent silence in the face of racist and sexist press coverage of the Duchess of Sussex over the years.
7. Meghan Markle talks about George Floyd
The Duchess of Sussex recorded a video message about the “absolutely devastating” death of #GeorgeFloyd for students graduating from her former high school in LA. She says: “I am so sorry that you have to grow up in a world where this is still present.” pic.twitter.com/D9Bq2n7kRq — Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) June 4, 2020
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In June, the Duchess of Sussex won praise for speaking about the police killing of George Floyd during a virtual graduation speech for her alma mater in Los Angeles.
“George Floyd’s life mattered,” Meghan said in her speech. “Breonna Taylor’s life mattered, and Philando Castile’s life mattered, and Tamir Rice’s life mattered, and so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know.” Both Meghan and Harry continued to highlight the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice causes throughout the year.
8. Princess Beatrice ties the knot in secret wedding
After lots of rescheduling and multiple delays, Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a small, private ceremony in Windsor in July.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and other family members attended, but notably, Beatrice’s father, Prince Andrew, wasn’t included in the wedding photos that were released to the public.
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10. Harry and Meghan announce Netflix and Spotify deals
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also announced that they would be dropping a special holiday episode before the year is over. Chris Jackson via Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made good on their intentions to become financially independent, as news that the couple agreed to a megawatt deal with Netflix broke in early September. The royals said that the deal, rumored to have closed at over $100 million, would focus on “creating content that informs but also gives hope.”
But taking over TV screens wasn’t enough for the Sussexes, who announced in December that they’d be coming to the heir-waves, too, thanks to another major deal between their own Archewell Audio company and Spotify.
11. The Sussexes encourage voting & Trump responds
“It’s time to not only reflect, but act.” This #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, join #Time100 alumni Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in taking action for the future. pic.twitter.com/JerXHxiZK3 — ABC (@ABCNetwork) September 23, 2020
Throughout the year, both Meghan and Harry repeatedly called on U.S. citizens to vote (members of the British royal family are allowed to vote in the U.K., but the queen must remain politically neutral). Though the two never endorsed a particular political party or candidate, they were still met with backlash — and even calls for their royal titles to be stripped.
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President Donald Trump predictably got involved in the criticism, telling a Daily Mail reporter at a press conference in late September that he was “not a fan” of Meghan. Trump wished Harry “luck ’cause he’s going to need it.”
"I wish a lot of luck to Harry, 'cause he's gonna need it" -- Trump disses Meghan Markle pic.twitter.com/iaJ00T9STw — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 23, 2020
12. Prince William’s COVID-19 diagnosis revealed months later
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Cardiff Castle on Dec. 8 in Cardiff, Wales. Samir Hussein via Getty Images
William faced serious backlash in November after The Sun reported that the Duke of Cambridge had contracted COVID-19 in April, shortly after his father, Prince Charles, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson also tested positive. Kensington Palace offered HuffPost no additional comment on the report, but did not deny it.
The duke’s decision to keep his diagnosis private was criticized, as were comments he made in March suggesting that the pandemic was being overblown by the media. Most recently, the Cambridges came under fire for carrying out a three-day, cross-country train tour as cases continued to soar in the U.K., and for apparently breaking coronavirus rules while on an outing with other family members this past weekend.
13. BBC opens investigation into Princess Diana interview
Princess Diana picture at Highgrove House in July 1986. Tim Graham via Getty Images
The BBC announced in November that it was investigating interviewer Martin Bashir’s shocking interview with Princess Diana a quarter century after it took place. Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, claimed that Bashir used forged documents and dishonest tactics to get the late Princess of Wales to agree to the interview in 1995.
The investigation was opened after journalist Andy Webb uncovered new details about the interview, reportedly that the BBC was aware of Bashir’s dishonest tactics and covered them up.
14. Season 4 of “The Crown” ignites outrage
Season 4 of “The Crown” caused a stir among some politicians, actors and royal experts in November, all of whom called upon Netflix to do a better job of labeling the critically acclaimed series as fiction. The streaming giant responded with a “no.”
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“We have always presented ‘The Crown’ as a drama — and we have every confidence our members understand it’s a work of fiction that’s broadly based on historical events,” Netflix said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. “As a result we have no plans — and see no need — to add a disclaimer.”
15. Meghan Markle writes about her pregnancy loss
The Duchess of Sussex wrote about her pregnancy loss. Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images
The Duchess of Sussex opened up about a subject that would normally seem off-limits for a royal to discuss: miscarriage. In a moving, emotional essay she wrote for The New York Times at the end of November, Meghan spoke about experiencing pregnancy loss in July, the “unbearable grief” that followed, and just how common miscarriage actually is, despite the silence and stigma that surrounds it. 16. The royal family reunites for a very 2020 photo
The royals reunited at Windsor Castle in December. Pool/Samir Hussein via Getty Images
While it isn’t rare for the royal family to be photographed together, the coronavirus pandemic made doing so not only difficult but unsafe. The senior royals were finally able to reunite for a socially distanced photograph at Windsor Castle earlier this month.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-23--British Model Stella Tennant Dies At 50

British Model Stella Tennant Dies At 50

LONDON ( AP ) — Stella Tennant , the aristocratic British model who was a muse to designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace , died suddenly at the age of 50 , her family said Wednesday .
Tennant , the granddaughter of a duke , rose to fame in the 1990s while walking the runway for Versace , Alexander McQueen and other designers .
In a statement , her family said : “ It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant on Dec. 22.
” “ Stella was a wonderful woman and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be greatly missed , ” it said .
The family asked for privacy and said arrangements for a memorial service would be announced later .
They did not disclose her cause of death .
Police Scotland said officers were called to an address in the Scottish Borders town of Duns on Tuesday following the sudden death of a 50-year-old woman .
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances .
The granddaughter of the 11th Duke of Devonshire Andrew Cavendish and his wife Deborah Mitford of a glamorous , unconventional aristocratic family , Tennant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 1990s .
Late in the decade , Lagerfeld announced her as the new face of Chanel , with an exclusive modelling contract , and she became a muse to the designer .
Fashion house Versace paid tribute to Tennant on Twitter , saying : “ Versace is mourning the death of Stella Tennant .
Stella was Gianni Versace ’ s muse for many years and friend of the family .
We will miss you forever Stella .
Rest In Peace.
” “ Stella , I can not believe you are gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have left us way too soon .
We met when you were at the beginning of your career .
I cherish every moment we spent together .
Ciao .
Rest In Peace . ''
“ What sad , horrific news to end this already shocking year ! ''
McCartney wrote in a post on Instagram that included a photo of her and Tennant .
“ Rest in peace , you inspiring woman .
Your soul and inner beauty exceeded the external perfection , Stella . ''
“ From the first time I met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' fashion designer Marc Jacobs said on social media .
“ Her beauty , style and body language combined with her manners , kindness , sense of humor and personality were like no other .
... My condolences to David and her family .
What a terrible , heartbreaking loss . ''

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LONDON (AP) — Stella Tennant, the aristocratic British model who was a muse to designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace, died suddenly at the age of 50, her family said Wednesday.
Tennant, the granddaughter of a duke, rose to fame in the 1990s while walking the runway for Versace, Alexander McQueen and other designers.
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In a statement, her family said: “It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant on Dec. 22.”
“Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed,” it said.
The family asked for privacy and said arrangements for a memorial service would be announced later. They did not disclose her cause of death.
Police Scotland said officers were called to an address in the Scottish Borders town of Duns on Tuesday following the sudden death of a 50-year-old woman. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
The granddaughter of the 11th Duke of Devonshire Andrew Cavendish and his wife Deborah Mitford of a glamorous, unconventional aristocratic family, Tennant was one of the leading British models of the 1990s.
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Late in the decade, Lagerfeld announced her as the new face of Chanel, with an exclusive modelling contract, and she became a muse to the designer.
Fashion house Versace paid tribute to Tennant on Twitter, saying: “Versace is mourning the death of Stella Tennant. Stella was Gianni Versace’s muse for many years and friend of the family. We will miss you forever Stella. Rest In Peace.”
Donatella Versace posted a photo of Tennant on Instagram in a tribute to the model.
“Stella, I cannot believe you are gone," she wrote. “You have left us way too soon. We met when you were at the beginning of your career. I cherish every moment we spent together. Ciao. Rest In Peace."
Stella McCartney said she was “speechless" after hearing the news.
“What sad, horrific news to end this already shocking year!" McCartney wrote in a post on Instagram that included a photo of her and Tennant. “Rest in peace, you inspiring woman. Your soul and inner beauty exceeded the external perfection, Stella."
Tennant also appeared in advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hermes and Burberry.
In 1999, Tennant married French photographer David Lasnet. She is survived by him and their four children.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-23--Wife Shares Heartbreaking Love Letter Husband Wrote Before Dying Of COVID-19

“ He emailed it to me a few days before he was intubated , ” Sonya Kypuros , Loredo ’ s wife , told HuffPost via Facebook , noting that her husband often wrote her romantic notes and brought her “ flowers several times a month.
” “ I want you to know that I am fighting very hard every day for my life .
I do it for you so that I can see you again , ” Loredo ’ s letter read .
“ You are the most important person in my life and I miss you every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always the perfect man I want to be but I do my best , ” the message continued .
“ If I make it through this I promise to be a better man , in God , in life , and as a husband .
You have always deserved the best and if I get a second chance I will do it.
” Loredo also heartbreakingly told his wife , “ If I don ’ t make it I want you to know that I lived a happy wonderful life with you and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the riches in the world .
I also want you to be happy and continue to live your life without me and with no regrets.
” “ Honestly , I don ’ t even know what I ’ m doing , ” Kypuros told HuffPost when asked why she decided to publicly share such an intimate note , but ultimately concluded that she wanted “ to share with everyone the amazing human being that I had the privilege of being married to.
” According to the outlet , Billy Loredo became infected on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife believe the attorney got the virus from his secretary who unknowingly had it , thinking her symptoms were allergies .
Loredo always wore a mask when possible , according to his brother .
Kypuros told HuffPost that she and her husband were always “ precautious ” about staying safe during the pandemic , and says that “ now I am even more hypervigilant.
” “ [ I ’ m ] angry that that the vaccines didn ’ t come out sooner to save Billy , ” she admitted .
“ I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now here to help save our lives , but I can ’ t help to be angry that he didn ’ t get a chance to save his own life.
” “ I believed if [ God ] had let him live then we had a message to serve together about this pandemic and how to educate people to be safe , ” she said in a message .
“ I guess God had bigger plans for Billy , which is why He took his life.
” “ Every one either loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to him in some way , ” Kypuros said .
“ So maybe God needed Billy for a bigger purpose to influence and have an impact on the world.
” Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March , more than 18 million infections have been reported in the U.S. Over 324,000 people in the country have died as a result of the virus .

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On Dec. 13, Billy Loredo, a lawyer from Edinburg, Texas, died from COVID-19 at the age of 45.
But he left his wife of 21 years a bittersweet goodbye — a final love letter.
“He emailed it to me a few days before he was intubated,” Sonya Kypuros, Loredo’s wife, told HuffPost via Facebook, noting that her husband often wrote her romantic notes and brought her “flowers several times a month.”
Kypuros said that she felt “sad and afraid” as she read his words.
“It made me fully aware that he knew he might die,” she said.
“I want you to know that I am fighting very hard every day for my life. I do it for you so that I can see you again,” Loredo’s letter read.
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“You are the most important person in my life and I miss you every day. I know I am not always the perfect man I want to be but I do my best,” the message continued. “If I make it through this I promise to be a better man, in God, in life, and as a husband. You have always deserved the best and if I get a second chance I will do it.”
Billy Loredo and Sonya Kypuros. Courtesy of Sonya Kypuros
Loredo also heartbreakingly told his wife, “If I don’t make it I want you to know that I lived a happy wonderful life with you and would never have traded it for all the riches in the world. I also want you to be happy and continue to live your life without me and with no regrets.”
“We had our time and it was wonderful. I love you and miss you very much,” the note concluded. “I will keep fighting. Love, Billy.”
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The note Billy Loredo, a Texas lawyer who died of COVID-19, wrote to his wife, Sonya Kypuros. Sonya Kypuros
“Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m doing,” Kypuros told HuffPost when asked why she decided to publicly share such an intimate note, but ultimately concluded that she wanted “to share with everyone the amazing human being that I had the privilege of being married to.”
“I know I love Bill immensely and he loved me back tremendously,” she added. “So I have been processing this love.”
Last week, Kypuros and her brother-in-law, Dr. Pedro Loredo, a surgeon in Dallas, shared the note with local ABC affiliate WFAA.
According to the outlet, Billy Loredo became infected on Nov. 16. Both his brother and wife believe the attorney got the virus from his secretary who unknowingly had it, thinking her symptoms were allergies.
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Loredo advised his secretary to get tested for COVID-19, and her test came back positive.
Loredo always wore a mask when possible, according to his brother. Kypuros told HuffPost that she and her husband were always “precautious” about staying safe during the pandemic, and says that “now I am even more hypervigilant.”
But she also admits she has mixed feelings about the unfortunate timing of her husband’s illness.
“[I’m] angry that that the vaccines didn’t come out sooner to save Billy,” she admitted. “I know I should be happy that the vaccine is now here to help save our lives, but I can’t help to be angry that he didn’t get a chance to save his own life.”
Kypuros said that while Loredo was in the hospital, she prayed for her husband to survive.
“I believed if [God] had let him live then we had a message to serve together about this pandemic and how to educate people to be safe,” she said in a message. “I guess God had bigger plans for Billy, which is why He took his life.”
Kypuros said that her husband, who had no underlying health issues, “touched so many people’s lives.”
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“Every one either loved him, admired him, or looked up to him in some way,” Kypuros said. “So maybe God needed Billy for a bigger purpose to influence and have an impact on the world.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-23--This Is What Tourism Looks Like In NYC During A Pandemic

Out of all the industries affected by the COVD-19 pandemic , tourism has been one of the hardest hit .
In New York City , many people working in the hospitality , transportation , restaurant and entertainment sectors are using one word : “ devastated.
” It ’ s hard not to agree with them .
New York is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the world .
Tourism is a major contributor to the city and state economies and employs more than 400,000 people within the five boroughs .
With the onset of the pandemic , tourism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt , and the familiar shenanigans ― the crowds , the long lines at museums , the restaurants where it ’ s impossible to get a table ― disappeared with it .
Since the reopening , New York has been slowly coming back to life , as have some elements of the tourism industry .
Double-decker buses reappeared on their sightseeing routes .
Galleries and museums started opening their doors with new safety protocols and limited capacity .
Outdoor dining has proven a big hit for New Yorkers and visitors alike .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries agree on one thing : It will not be the same until international travel is back and Broadway is open .
A somewhat unexpected remedy came from New Yorkers themselves .
Tired of sitting in their apartments , New Yorkers came out to explore their own city in a way they ordinarily never get to experience it ― free of tourists .

Out of all the industries affected by the COVD-19 pandemic, tourism has been one of the hardest hit. In New York City, many people working in the hospitality, transportation, restaurant and entertainment sectors are using one word: “devastated.”
It’s hard not to agree with them. New York is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the world. Tourism is a major contributor to the city and state economies and employs more than 400,000 people within the five boroughs. With the onset of the pandemic, tourism in the city came to an almost complete halt, and the familiar shenanigans ― the crowds, the long lines at museums, the restaurants where it’s impossible to get a table ― disappeared with it.
Since the reopening, New York has been slowly coming back to life, as have some elements of the tourism industry. Double-decker buses reappeared on their sightseeing routes. Galleries and museums started opening their doors with new safety protocols and limited capacity. Outdoor dining has proven a big hit for New Yorkers and visitors alike. But most people in the hospitality and tourism industries agree on one thing: It will not be the same until international travel is back and Broadway is open.
A somewhat unexpected remedy came from New Yorkers themselves. Tired of sitting in their apartments, New Yorkers came out to explore their own city in a way they ordinarily never get to experience it ― free of tourists.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-24--I’m A Health Care Worker Getting The Vaccine. Even I Wonder Who Deserves It Most.

For many , however , that feeling was quickly replaced by shame and guilt .
This week the tension between the haves and have-nots of health care workers finally reached a flashpoint .
Our primal fears manifested in a systemic breakdown reminiscent of “ The Lord of the Flies.
” With the vaccine in limited supply , hospitals have handled the distribution of their first Phase 1a batches very differently .
While no hospital can allocate vaccines based on “ role , ” prioritizing factors like age or location is allowed ― such as anyone over 65 or working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in some ways , brought out the very best of our profession .
This week also saw the worst , as complaints against one another mounted on social media or in hallway whispers .
Those deemed less worthy to be the “ first ” among the first were shamed .
Protests against Stanford Medicine ’ s allocation algorithm , which grossly overlooked doctors in training , sparked a staged protest and a formal apology .
I remember a class debate in middle school on who should have been allowed into the lifeboats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that giving unilateral access to first-class passengers was wrong .
But we couldn ’ t agree on almost any point thereafter .
I argued that families should board first as intact units .
I was ultimately beaten by another student who argued that weak swimmers should have first access .
I tried to point out that this was a false choice : Whether or not you were a strong swimmer , without the lifeboat you would likely die when the ship went down .
So seeing friends at other institutions get vaccinated is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The news of millions of doses of Pfizer ’ s vaccine sitting in a warehouse was insufferable .
At its core is our most primal fear : death .
And yet , bafflingly , it is our recognition that there is something worth more than this fear that also brought us to work every day .
But in this ethical tug-of-war , I found myself asking not whether I qualify , but whether I deserve the vaccine .
As a fellow in the department of medicine , I am still considered a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but do I deserve the chance to get into a lifeboat more than an intern burning through 24-hour ICU shifts ?
I remember what that felt like , exhausted from always standing in the line of fire .
Do I deserve immunity more than elderly sub-specialty attending physicians ?
Statistically speaking , infection with COVID-19 would harm them more , even if their exposure risk is less .
If we ’ re talking about justice , what about hospital housekeepers ( who rarely get the same applause or advocacy ) commuting from higher-risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Do their lives offer more value than mine because I have no dependents ?
All of these groups have compelling cases to make .
It ’ s a dystopian cliché for us to feel pitted against each other for a limited resource due to powers beyond our control .
We should learn from our mistakes and make adjustments when our algorithms fail entire groups of vulnerable people .
Be warned : This is merely a microcosm of the arguments to come when the next waves of vaccines roll out to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raging about politicians receiving the vaccine ahead of front-line health care workers .
Before long , grocery store employees , teachers , transportation workers and other groups critical to our society will join the fray .
Unless we keep the process and expectations transparent , it ’ s going to get ugly .
Still , I am grateful to even be talking about vaccination now while some health care workers in this country continue to scrounge for personal protective equipment .
In the outside world , some are questioning whether they should get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical edition of “ The Hunger Games ” should make that answer obvious , as doctors ( ultimately including me ) take the shots .
Hopefully , in the next few weeks , we ’ ll once again remember that it ’ s COVID-19 we resent , not one another .
After all , in “ The Lord of the Flies , ” we all want to believe we would be Piggy , the one who saw the humanity in others and clung to the conventions of civilization .

The author Courtesy Of Trisha Pasricha
When the Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer vaccine, pure bliss exploded in hospitals around the nation. My eyes welled up reading my fellow front-line workers’ proclamations of joy on social media upon receiving the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
For many, however, that feeling was quickly replaced by shame and guilt. This week the tension between the haves and have-nots of health care workers finally reached a flashpoint. Our primal fears manifested in a systemic breakdown reminiscent of “The Lord of the Flies.”
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With the vaccine in limited supply, hospitals have handled the distribution of their first Phase 1a batches very differently. While no hospital can allocate vaccines based on “role,” prioritizing factors like age or location is allowed ― such as anyone over 65 or working in the intensive care unit.
Now imagine that there are still not enough vaccines for everyone who fits the prioritized categories.
Some hospitals therefore utilized a lottery system, hoping to ensure equitable access. But immediately there were divisions between people who had tirelessly worked together toward a common goal all year.
The pandemic, in some ways, brought out the very best of our profession. This week also saw the worst, as complaints against one another mounted on social media or in hallway whispers. Those deemed less worthy to be the “first” among the first were shamed. Protests against Stanford Medicine’s allocation algorithm, which grossly overlooked doctors in training, sparked a staged protest and a formal apology.
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Triaging a limited resource highlights the bioethical conflicts between achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people, ensuring justice and equity (particularly as it pertains to marginalized groups), and, of course, doing no harm.
I remember a class debate in middle school on who should have been allowed into the lifeboats of the Titanic. We all agreed that giving unilateral access to first-class passengers was wrong. But we couldn’t agree on almost any point thereafter.
I argued that families should board first as intact units. I was ultimately beaten by another student who argued that weak swimmers should have first access. I tried to point out that this was a false choice: Whether or not you were a strong swimmer, without the lifeboat you would likely die when the ship went down.
And that is precisely what being a front-line worker in 2020 has felt like: being aboard a slowly sinking ship. We all want to escape. Now.
So seeing friends at other institutions get vaccinated is the worst kind of FOMO imaginable. The news of millions of doses of Pfizer’s vaccine sitting in a warehouse was insufferable. At its core is our most primal fear: death. And yet, bafflingly, it is our recognition that there is something worth more than this fear that also brought us to work every day.
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So when my name made it through the lottery qualifying me to sign up for a vaccination appointment last week, I hesitated. Do I deserve this?
In March, when the first wave hit Boston, I volunteered to work the COVID-19 floor’s night shifts for weeks. Next month, I will again be working in inpatient units frequently exposed to COVID-19 patients.
Technically, according to my hospital administration, yes, I qualify for the first batch of vaccines.
But in this ethical tug-of-war, I found myself asking not whether I qualify, but whether I deserve the vaccine. As a fellow in the department of medicine, I am still considered a “trainee” on the front lines, but do I deserve the chance to get into a lifeboat more than an intern burning through 24-hour ICU shifts?
I remember what that felt like, exhausted from always standing in the line of fire. Do I deserve immunity more than elderly sub-specialty attending physicians? Statistically speaking, infection with COVID-19 would harm them more, even if their exposure risk is less.
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If we’re talking about justice, what about hospital housekeepers (who rarely get the same applause or advocacy) commuting from higher-risk communities? Or my colleagues with children? Do their lives offer more value than mine because I have no dependents? All of these groups have compelling cases to make.
More pragmatically, abstaining from the lottery wouldn’t guarantee that my vaccine would reach a “worthier” soul of my choosing — it would simply go to someone who didn’t have my existential crisis.
It’s a dystopian cliché for us to feel pitted against each other for a limited resource due to powers beyond our control. We should learn from our mistakes and make adjustments when our algorithms fail entire groups of vulnerable people.
Be warned: This is merely a microcosm of the arguments to come when the next waves of vaccines roll out to the public. Even now, debates are bitterly raging about politicians receiving the vaccine ahead of front-line health care workers. Before long, grocery store employees, teachers, transportation workers and other groups critical to our society will join the fray.
Unless we keep the process and expectations transparent, it’s going to get ugly. Still, I am grateful to even be talking about vaccination now while some health care workers in this country continue to scrounge for personal protective equipment.
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In the outside world, some are questioning whether they should get the vaccine at all. This special medical edition of “The Hunger Games” should make that answer obvious, as doctors (ultimately including me) take the shots. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, we’ll once again remember that it’s COVID-19 we resent, not one another. After all, in “The Lord of the Flies,” we all want to believe we would be Piggy, the one who saw the humanity in others and clung to the conventions of civilization.
Piggy, as you’ll recall, does not meet with a happy ending.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-23--A Brief Reminder Of Charles Kushner's Creepy Crimes, Through Tweets

Donald Trump ’ s latest flurry of presidential pardons for allies included a family member , Charles Kushner , who was jailed 15 years ago for tax evasion , making illegal campaign donations and tampering with a witness , his brother-in-law , by orchestrating a sex tape with a prostitute and sending it to the man ’ s wife .
Charles Kushner is the father of Trump ’ s son-in-law , Jared Kushner .
His name shot up on Twitter ’ s list of trending topics Wednesday after the White House announced he had been granted clemency , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone , former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and 26 others .
Critics noted Kushner ’ s crimes had been described by the prosecutor , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , as “ one of the most loathsome , disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.
” Kushner pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion , witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations .
He confessed to retaliating against his brother-in-law , who was cooperating with federal authorities , by hiring a prostitute to seduce him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to his sister , the man ’ s wife .
Twitter users , journalists and critics offered a recap of his crimes after his pardon .
His July 2004 takedown of Charles Kushner was one of Chris Christie ’ s most well-publicized triumphs as U.S. Attorney , helping to set the stage for his successful bid for governor several years later pic.twitter.com/fOD6CDySwh — Steve Kornacki ( @ SteveKornacki ) December 24 , 2020 Just trying to contemplate what kind of a person finds out his sister and brother-in-law are cooperating with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prostitute to sleep with his brother in law so he can film it and give the tape to his sister during her son 's engagement party — Jake Tapper ( @ jaketapper ) December 24 , 2020 4/ Christie last year described it as “ one of the most loathsome , disgusting crimes that I prosecuted ... and I was the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey.
” https : //t.co/9rEb3x4QCQ — Jake Tapper ( @ jaketapper ) December 24 , 2020 5/ Charles Kushner served 14 months in prison and has since become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And obviously , his son Jared is the president ’ s son-in-law .
— Jake Tapper ( @ jaketapper ) December 24 , 2020 Charlie Kushner , prosecuted bu Chris Christie , hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law , had it recorded and sent the tape to his sister , just to recap .
https : //t.co/7l3vpKdWy7 — Dustin Racioppi ( @ dracioppi ) December 24 , 2020 “ Kushner paid a prostitute $ 10,000 to lure his brother-in-law to a motel room ... to have sex with him .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kushner sent the lurid tape to his sister , making sure the tape arrived on the day of a family party.
” https : //t.co/n9jwspeYBk — melissa block ( @ NPRmelissablock ) December 24 , 2020 Charles Kushner hatched an elaborate revenge plot in 2003 to target his brother-in-law , who was cooperating with prosecutors .
Kushner hired a prostitute to have sex with his brother-in-law and filmed it .
Kushner then sent the tape of the encounter to his sister .
— Kyle Griffin ( @ kylegriffin1 ) December 24 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GovChristie , who prosecuted Charles Kushner , and whose work on the transition was thrown out and who was excluded from the government because of Jared Kushner 's grudge about it , has to say about @ realDonaldTrump 's pardon of Charles Kushner .
— George Conway ( @ gtconway3d ) December 24 , 2020 The thing about many of these pardons is that they are unnecessary .
Charles Kushner served 14 months in a minimum-security prison camp and was released almost 15 years ago .
These pardons are just `` Eff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A petulant child breaking things bc he can .
https : //t.co/NSN3hMmrxv — The Hoarse Whisperer ( @ TheRealHoarse ) December 24 , 2020 Charles Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 counts of tax evasion , witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations .
After Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison , then-U.S. Attorney @ ChrisChristie said this : pic.twitter.com/z7PSaaitwp — David Gura ( @ davidgura ) December 24 , 2020

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Donald Trump’s latest flurry of presidential pardons for allies included a family member, Charles Kushner, who was jailed 15 years ago for tax evasion, making illegal campaign donations and tampering with a witness, his brother-in-law, by orchestrating a sex tape with a prostitute and sending it to the man’s wife.
Charles Kushner is the father of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. His name shot up on Twitter’s list of trending topics Wednesday after the White House announced he had been granted clemency, along with Trump’s friend and confidant Roger Stone, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and 26 others.
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Critics noted Kushner’s crimes had been described by the prosecutor, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, as “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.”
Kushner pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations. He confessed to retaliating against his brother-in-law, who was cooperating with federal authorities, by hiring a prostitute to seduce him. He filmed the encounter and sent it to his sister, the man’s wife.
Charles Kushner served 14 months of a two-year sentence in federal prison.
Twitter users, journalists and critics offered a recap of his crimes after his pardon.
His July 2004 takedown of Charles Kushner was one of Chris Christie’s most well-publicized triumphs as U.S. Attorney, helping to set the stage for his successful bid for governor several years later pic.twitter.com/fOD6CDySwh — Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) December 24, 2020
Just trying to contemplate what kind of a person finds out his sister and brother-in-law are cooperating with a US Attorney investigation so he hires a prostitute to sleep with his brother in law so he can film it and give the tape to his sister during her son's engagement party — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 24, 2020
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4/ Christie last year described it as “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted...and I was the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey.” https://t.co/9rEb3x4QCQ — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 24, 2020
5/ Charles Kushner served 14 months in prison and has since become a big donor to outgoing President Trump.
And obviously, his son Jared is the president’s son-in-law. — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 24, 2020
Charlie Kushner, prosecuted bu Chris Christie, hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, had it recorded and sent the tape to his sister, just to recap. https://t.co/7l3vpKdWy7 — Dustin Racioppi (@dracioppi) December 24, 2020
“Kushner paid a prostitute $10,000 to lure his brother-in-law to a motel room ... to have sex with him. A hidden camera recorded the activity, and Kushner sent the lurid tape to his sister, making sure the tape arrived on the day of a family party.”https://t.co/n9jwspeYBk — melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) December 24, 2020
Charles Kushner hatched an elaborate revenge plot in 2003 to target his brother-in-law, who was cooperating with prosecutors. Kushner hired a prostitute to have sex with his brother-in-law and filmed it. Kushner then sent the tape of the encounter to his sister. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 24, 2020
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It will be interesting to see what @GovChristie, who prosecuted Charles Kushner, and whose work on the transition was thrown out and who was excluded from the government because of Jared Kushner's grudge about it, has to say about @realDonaldTrump's pardon of Charles Kushner. — George Conway (@gtconway3d) December 24, 2020
The thing about many of these pardons is that they are unnecessary. Charles Kushner served 14 months in a minimum-security prison camp and was released almost 15 years ago.
These pardons are just "Eff you's" to everyone and everything. A petulant child breaking things bc he can. https://t.co/NSN3hMmrxv — The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) December 24, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-24--Geraldo Rivera Lambastes Trump For Going On Holiday While Stimulus Bill Is In Limbo

Geraldo Rivera ’ s beef with Donald Trump continued to grow Wednesday as the Fox News host criticized the president for leaving the American people “ adrift ” over critical legislation while he jetted off to his Mar-a-Lago resort for the holidays .
“ He ’ s threatening a veto .
He ’ s gone on Christmas holiday .
What the hell are we supposed to do now ?
The president has said this is no good .
What about the defense authorization part of this ?
What about paying the military ?
” Rivera asked on Fox News ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some leadership here , ” he said , taking a swipe at Trump ’ s “ farcical ” comments Tuesday suggesting he might have a second term as he roasted the $ 900 billion coronavirus relief bill that Congress had just sent to the White House for his signature .
On Tuesday , Trump seemed to threaten he wouldn ’ t sign the coronavirus relief package , which lawmakers had finally passed through the House and Senate after months of gridlock .
Trump demanded that the stimulus checks that are part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual to $ 2,000 , even though it was his Republican Party that objected to increasing the direct payments .
And on Wednesday , Trump vetoed the annual National Defense Authorization Act , which allows for pay raises for troops and billions of dollars for military programs and construction .
Trump wanted the bill to include rules against social media companies he claims are biased against him .
He also wanted to remove sections that would permit military bases named after Confederate leaders to be renamed .
He left later Wednesday for Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left town .
“ Is [ House Speaker ] Nancy Pelosi going to meet with [ Senate Majority Leader ] Mitch McConnell ?
Are they going to get together and get a plan ?
What are the American people going to do ?
We are left adrift right now , ” Rivera said .
Rivera , a supporter and old friend of the president , has grown increasingly critical of the president in the weeks since Trump lost the election .
The conservative commentator has repeatedly called on Trump to admit he lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies about widespread voter fraud and make an effort to unite the country instead .

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Geraldo Rivera’s beef with Donald Trump continued to grow Wednesday as the Fox News host criticized the president for leaving the American people “adrift” over critical legislation while he jetted off to his Mar-a-Lago resort for the holidays.
“He’s threatening a veto. He’s gone on Christmas holiday. What the hell are we supposed to do now? The president has said this is no good. What about the defense authorization part of this? What about paying the military?” Rivera asked on Fox News’ “The Five.”
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“We needed some leadership here,” he said, taking a swipe at Trump’s “farcical” comments Tuesday suggesting he might have a second term as he roasted the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill that Congress had just sent to the White House for his signature.
“More importantly, he’s the leader of the free world. Give us some guidance,” Rivera added.
On Tuesday, Trump seemed to threaten he wouldn’t sign the coronavirus relief package, which lawmakers had finally passed through the House and Senate after months of gridlock. Trump demanded that the stimulus checks that are part of the package be increased from $600 per individual to $2,000, even though it was his Republican Party that objected to increasing the direct payments.
And on Wednesday, Trump vetoed the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which allows for pay raises for troops and billions of dollars for military programs and construction. Trump wanted the bill to include rules against social media companies he claims are biased against him. He also wanted to remove sections that would permit military bases named after Confederate leaders to be renamed.
He left later Wednesday for Florida. Most members of Congress have also left town.
“Is [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi going to meet with [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell? Are they going to get together and get a plan? What are the American people going to do? We are left adrift right now,” Rivera said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-24--Latest Round Of Trump Clemency Benefits Manafort, Other Cronies

The actions , in Trump ’ s waning time at the White House , bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom the president has granted clemency in the last week .
The list from the last two days includes not only multiple people convicted in the investigation into the Trump campaign ’ s ties to Russia but also allies from Congress and other felons whose causes were championed by friends .
Pardons are common in the final stretch of a president ’ s tenure , the recipients largely dependent on the individual whims of the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shucked aside the conventions of the Obama administration , when pardons were largely reserved for drug offenders not known to the general public , and instead bestowed clemency on high-profile contacts and associates who were key figures in an investigation that directly concerned him .
FILE - In this Dec. 12 , 2020 , file photo President Donald Trump stands on the field before the 121st Army-Navy Football Game in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point , N.Y. Trump himself largely keeps to the Oval Office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering scant acknowledgement of the pain and suffering the nation is facing in the darkest hours of the COVID-19 pandemic .
( AP Photo/Andrew Harnik , File ) The pardons Wednesday of Manafort and Roger Stone , who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump , were particularly notable , underscoring the president ’ s desire to chip away at the results and legacy of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
He has now pardoned five people convicted in that investigation , four of them associates like former national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Papadopoulos , both of whom pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Manafort , who led Trump ’ s campaign during a pivotal period in 2016 before being ousted over his ties to Ukraine , was among the first people charged as part of Mueller ’ s investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia .
He was later sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his political consulting work in Ukraine but was released to home confinement last spring because of coronavirus concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close relationship to a man U.S. officials have linked to Russian intelligence , and with whom he shared internal campaign polling data , attracted particular scrutiny during the investigation , though Mueller never charged Manafort or any other Trump associate with conspiring with Russia .
Trump did not pardon Manafort ’ s deputy , Rick Gates , who was sentenced last year to 45 days in prison after extensively cooperating with prosecutors , or former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen , who pleaded guilty to campaign finance crimes related to his efforts to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had sexual relationships with Trump .
Both were also convicted in the Mueller probe .
New York City prosecutors , meanwhile , have been seeking to have the state ’ s highest court revive state mortgage fraud charges against Manafort after a lower court dismissed them on double jeopardy grounds .
A spokesman for District Attorney Cy Vance said the pardon “ underscores the urgent need to hold Mr. Manafort accountable for his crimes against the People of New York.
” Manafort and Stone are hardly conventional pardon recipients , in part because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thumbing their nose at the criminal justice system as their cases were pending .
Manafort was accused of witness tampering even after he was indicted and was accused by prosecutors of lying while trying to earn credit for cooperation .
Stone , who was convicted of lying to Congress about his efforts to gain inside information about the release by WikiLeaks of Russia-hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 campaign , was similarly censured by a judge because of his social media posts .
Prosecutors allege that after Kushner discovered that his brother-in-law was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenge and intimidation scheme .
They say he hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law , then arranged to have a secret recording of the encounter in a New Jersey motel room sent to his own sister , the man ’ s wife .
Trump ’ s legally troubled allies were not the only recipients of clemency .
The list of 29 recipients included people whose pleas for forgiveness have been promoted by people supporting the president throughout his term in office , among them former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , Newsmax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul of Kentucky .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump pardoned more than two dozen people, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, in the latest wave of clemency to benefit longtime associates and supporters.
The actions, in Trump’s waning time at the White House, bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom the president has granted clemency in the last week. The list from the last two days includes not only multiple people convicted in the investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia but also allies from Congress and other felons whose causes were championed by friends.
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Pardons are common in the final stretch of a president’s tenure, the recipients largely dependent on the individual whims of the nation’s chief executive. Trump throughout his administration has shucked aside the conventions of the Obama administration, when pardons were largely reserved for drug offenders not known to the general public, and instead bestowed clemency on high-profile contacts and associates who were key figures in an investigation that directly concerned him.
FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump stands on the field before the 121st Army-Navy Football Game in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. Trump himself largely keeps to the Oval Office, still fighting the Election Day results and offering scant acknowledgement of the pain and suffering the nation is facing in the darkest hours of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Even members of the president’s own party raised eyebrows, with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska issuing a brief statement that said: “This is rotten to the core.”
The pardons Wednesday of Manafort and Roger Stone, who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump, were particularly notable, underscoring the president’s desire to chip away at the results and legacy of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. He has now pardoned five people convicted in that investigation, four of them associates like former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, both of whom pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
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“The pardons from this President are what you would expect to get if you gave the pardon power to a mob boss,” tweeted Andrew Weissmann, a Mueller team member who helped prosecute Manafort.
The pardons from this President are what you would expect to get if you gave the pardon power to a mob boss. — Andrew Weissmann (@AWeissmann_) December 24, 2020
Manafort, who led Trump’s campaign during a pivotal period in 2016 before being ousted over his ties to Ukraine, was among the first people charged as part of Mueller’s investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. He was later sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his political consulting work in Ukraine but was released to home confinement last spring because of coronavirus concerns in the federal prison system.
Though the charges against Manafort did not concern the central thrust of Mueller’s mandate — whether the Trump campaign and Russia colluded to tip the election — he was nonetheless a pivotal figure in the investigation.
His close relationship to a man U.S. officials have linked to Russian intelligence, and with whom he shared internal campaign polling data, attracted particular scrutiny during the investigation, though Mueller never charged Manafort or any other Trump associate with conspiring with Russia.
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Manafort, in a series of tweets, thanked Trump and lavished praise on the outgoing president, declaring that history would show he had accomplished more than any of his predecessors.
Trump did not pardon Manafort’s deputy, Rick Gates, who was sentenced last year to 45 days in prison after extensively cooperating with prosecutors, or former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance crimes related to his efforts to buy the silence of women who said they had sexual relationships with Trump. Both were also convicted in the Mueller probe.
New York City prosecutors, meanwhile, have been seeking to have the state’s highest court revive state mortgage fraud charges against Manafort after a lower court dismissed them on double jeopardy grounds. A spokesman for District Attorney Cy Vance said the pardon “underscores the urgent need to hold Mr. Manafort accountable for his crimes against the People of New York.”
Manafort and Stone are hardly conventional pardon recipients, in part because both were scolded by judges for effectively thumbing their nose at the criminal justice system as their cases were pending. Manafort was accused of witness tampering even after he was indicted and was accused by prosecutors of lying while trying to earn credit for cooperation.
Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress about his efforts to gain inside information about the release by WikiLeaks of Russia-hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 campaign, was similarly censured by a judge because of his social media posts.
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In a statement Wednesday, Stone thanked Trump and alleged that he had been subjected to a “Soviet-style show trial on politically-motivated charges”
Kushner is the father of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009.
Prosecutors allege that after Kushner discovered that his brother-in-law was cooperating with authorities, he hatched a revenge and intimidation scheme. They say he hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have a secret recording of the encounter in a New Jersey motel room sent to his own sister, the man’s wife.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has called it “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he ever prosecuted as U.S. attorney.
Trump’s legally troubled allies were not the only recipients of clemency. The list of 29 recipients included people whose pleas for forgiveness have been promoted by people supporting the president throughout his term in office, among them former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
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One recipient was Topeka Sam, whose case was promoted by Alice Johnson, a criminal justice advocate whom Trump pardoned and who appeared in a Super Bowl ad for him and at the Republican National Convention.
“Ms. Sam’s life is a story of redemption,” the White House said in its release, praising her for helping other women in need.
Others granted clemency included a former county commissioner in Florida who was convicted of taking gifts from people doing business with the county and a community leader in Kentucky who was convicted of federal drug offenses.
____
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Palm Beach, Florida, and Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-24--Trump Threatens COVID Relief Bill, Testing Republicans' Loyalty

On Thursday , House Democrats who also favor $ 2,000 checks will all but dare Republicans to break with Trump , calling up his proposal for a Christmas Eve vote .
The president ’ s last-minute objection could derail critical legislation amid a raging pandemic and deep economic uncertainty .
His attacks risk a federal government shutdown by early next week .
Rather than take the victory of the sweeping aid package , among the biggest in history , Trump is lashing out at GOP leaders over the presidential election — for acknowledging Joe Biden as president-elect and rebuffing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they are tallied in Congress on Jan. 6 .
The president ’ s push to increase direct payments for most Americans from $ 600 to $ 2,000 for individuals and $ 4,000 for couples splits the party with a politically painful loyalty test , including for GOP senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , fighting to retain their seats in the Jan. 5 special election in Georgia .
On a conference call , House Republican lawmakers complained that Trump threw them under the bus , according to one Republican on the private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most had voted for the package and they urged leaders to hit the cable news shows to explain its benefits , the person said .
Trump did not specifically vow to use his veto power , and there may be enough support in Congress to override him if he does .
But the consequences would be severe if Trump upends the legislation .
It would mean no federal aid to struggling Americans and small businesses , and no additional resources to help with vaccine distribution .
To top it off , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overarching funding measure , the government would shut down on Dec. 29 .
The final text of the more than 5,000-page bill was still being prepared by Congress and was not expected to be sent to the White House for Trump ’ s signature before Thursday or Friday , an aide said .
That complicates the schedule ahead .
If Trump vetoes the package or allows it to expire with a “ pocket veto ” at the end of the year , Americans will go without massive amounts of COVID aid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least keep the government running until Biden is sworn into office on Jan. 20 , according to two aides granted anonymity to discuss the private talks .
The House was already set to return Monday , and the Senate Tuesday , for a vote to override Trump ’ s veto of the must-pass defense bill .
Democrats may try again at that time to pass Trump ’ s proposal for $ 2,000 checks , as well as the temporary government funding measure to avert a shutdown , the aides said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rare common cause between Trump and some of the most liberal members of Congress .
Pelosi and Democrats said they fought for the higher stipends during protracted negotiations only to settle on the lower number when Republicans refused .
Pelosi is set to offer the president ’ s proposal Thursday under a procedure that allows just one lawmaker to object to its consideration .
It will be pushed forward during a so-called pro forma session , with few lawmakers expected to attend .
McCarthy and Republicans are poised to object .
Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic relief and only agreed to the big year-end package as time dwindled for a final deal .
Sen. Chuck Schumer , the Senate Democratic leader , said that “ Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open , ” and Congress would step up for more aid after .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Threatening to tank Congress’ massive COVID relief and government funding package, President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger aid checks for Americans is forcing Republicans traditionally wary of such spending into an uncomfortable test of allegiance.
On Thursday, House Democrats who also favor $2,000 checks will all but dare Republicans to break with Trump, calling up his proposal for a Christmas Eve vote. The president’s last-minute objection could derail critical legislation amid a raging pandemic and deep economic uncertainty. His attacks risk a federal government shutdown by early next week.
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“Just when you think you have seen it all,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote Wednesday in a letter to colleagues.
“The entire country knows that it is urgent for the President to sign this bill, both to provide the coronavirus relief and to keep government open.”
Republicans led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have resisted $2,000 checks as too costly. House Republicans are expected to block the vote, but Democrats may try again Monday.
The president’s last-minute objections are setting up a defining showdown with his own Republican Party in his final days in office.
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Rather than take the victory of the sweeping aid package, among the biggest in history, Trump is lashing out at GOP leaders over the presidential election — for acknowledging Joe Biden as president-elect and rebuffing his campaign to dispute the Electoral College results when they are tallied in Congress on Jan. 6.
The president’s push to increase direct payments for most Americans from $600 to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples splits the party with a politically painful loyalty test, including for GOP senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, fighting to retain their seats in the Jan. 5 special election in Georgia.
Republican lawmakers traditionally balk at big spending and many never fully embraced Trump’s populist approach. Their political DNA tells them to oppose a costlier relief package. But now they’re being asked to stand with the president.
FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, speaks during a news conference with other Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, while Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, listens at left. “There will be another major rescue package for the American people," McConnell said in announcing an agreement for a relief bill, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, that would total almost $900 billion. “It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long.” (Nicholas Kamm/Pool Photo via AP, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS
GOP leaders were mostly silent Wednesday, with neither McConnell nor Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, speaking publicly.
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On a conference call, House Republican lawmakers complained that Trump threw them under the bus, according to one Republican on the private call and granted anonymity to discuss it. Most had voted for the package and they urged leaders to hit the cable news shows to explain its benefits, the person said.
McCarthy later sent a letter to colleagues suggesting Republicans would offer their own proposal, picking up on Trump’s own complaints about foreign aid to “reexamine how our tax dollars are spent overseas.”
Democrats were taking advantage of the Republican disarray to apply pressure for a priority. Jon Ossoff, Perdue’s Democratic opponent, tweeted simply on Tuesday night: “$2,000 checks now.”
$2,000 checks now. — Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) December 23, 2020
As Congress left town for the holidays, the year-end package was part of a hard-fought compromise, a massive 5,000-plus page bill that includes the COVID aid and $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and address other priorities.
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The relief bill Trump is criticizing would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses, restaurants, and theaters and money for schools, health care providers, and renters facing eviction.
Even though Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin represented the White House in negotiations, Trump assailed the bipartisan effort in a video he tweeted out Tuesday night, suggesting he may not sign the legislation.
Railing against a range of provisions in the broader government funding package, including foreign aid mainstays included each year, Trump called the bill a “disgrace.”
Trump did not specifically vow to use his veto power, and there may be enough support in Congress to override him if he does. But the consequences would be severe if Trump upends the legislation. It would mean no federal aid to help struggling Americans and small businesses, and no additional resources to help with vaccine distribution. To top it off, because lawmakers linked the pandemic relief bill to an overarching funding measure, the government would shut down on Dec. 29.
The final text of the more than 5,000-page bill was still being prepared by Congress and was not expected to be sent to the White House for Trump’s signature before Thursday or Friday, an aide said.
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That complicates the schedule ahead. If Trump vetoes the package, or allows it to expire with a “pocket veto” at the end of the year, Americans will go without massive amounts of COVID aid.
A resolution could be forced Monday. That’s when a stopgap funding bill Congress approved to keep the government funded while the paperwork was being compiled expires, risking a federal shutdown.
Democrats are considering another stopgap measure to at least keep the government running until Biden is sworn into office on Jan. 20, according to two aides granted anonymity to discuss the private talks.
The House was already set to return Monday, and the Senate Tuesday, for a vote to override Trump’s veto of the must-pass defense bill. Democrats may try again at that time to pass Trump’s proposal for $2,000 checks, as well as the temporary government funding measure to avert a shutdown, the aides said.
The push for bigger payments to Americans drew a rare common cause between Trump and some of the most liberal members of Congress. Pelosi and Democrats said they fought for the higher stipends during protracted negotiations only to settle on the lower number when Republicans refused.
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Pelosi is set to offer the president’s proposal Thursday under a procedure that allows just one lawmaker to object to its consideration. It will be pushed forward during a so-called pro forma session, with few lawmakers expected to attend. McCarthy and Republicans are poised to object.
Republicans have been reluctant to spend more on pandemic relief and only agreed to the big year-end package as time dwindled for a final deal. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, said that “Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open,” and Congress would step up for more aid after.
The Senate cleared the huge relief package by a 92-6 vote after the House approved it by 359-53. Those votes totals would be enough to override a veto should Trump decide to take that step.
Biden applauded lawmakers for their work. He described the package as far from perfect, “but it does provide vital relief at a critical time.”
He also said more relief would be needed in the months ahead.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-23--Chrissy Teigen Writes Openly About Her Body After Pregnancy Loss

Three months after suffering a pregnancy loss , Chrissy Teigen is opening up about how it affected her body .
“ Even though I ’ m no longer pregnant , every glance in the mirror reminds me of what could have been , ” she captioned the image .
“ And I have no idea why i still have this bump , honestly .
It ’ s frustrating .
But I ’ m proud of where this entire journey took my body and mind in other ways .
I love being pregnant , so so much , and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But she feels lucky , she said , to have her two children Luna , 2 , and Miles , 4 , who are “ transforming into big little people more and more every single day.
” In early October , Teigen and her husband , John Legend , shared news of the heartbreaking loss of their third child ― a son they ’ d named Jack ― after weeks of pregnancy complications .
Teigen has been open about the mental and physical journey she ’ s been on since then .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months had been “ brutal , exhausting , sad , physically challenging , mentally painful bitches , ” but she was beginning to feel like herself again .
“ I already see the leaves as orange instead of grey , realized the sky is indeed blue and not black and horn honks on my forced morning walks only bring me to my knees half the time , ” she wrote .
“ I can make it up my stairs only stopping once or twice instead of every other , and can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as I have the promise john will dry me off .
”

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Three months after suffering a pregnancy loss, Chrissy Teigen is opening up about how it affected her body.
The model and cookbook author shared a recent image of herself Wednesday.
“Even though I’m no longer pregnant, every glance in the mirror reminds me of what could have been,” she captioned the image.
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“And I have no idea why i still have this bump, honestly. It’s frustrating. But I’m proud of where this entire journey took my body and mind in other ways. I love being pregnant, so so much, and I’m sad I never will be again.”
But she feels lucky, she said, to have her two children Luna, 2, and Miles, 4, who are “transforming into big little people more and more every single day.”
In early October, Teigen and her husband, John Legend, shared news of the heartbreaking loss of their third child ― a son they’d named Jack ― after weeks of pregnancy complications.
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Teigen has been open about the mental and physical journey she’s been on since then. Last month, she said the past two months had been “brutal, exhausting, sad, physically challenging, mentally painful bitches,” but she was beginning to feel like herself again.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-24--U.S. Sees Over One Million Air Passengers Ahead Of Christmas

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — Hard-hit California eclipsed 2 million coronavirus cases on Christmas Eve as the U.S. headed into a holiday season of travel and family gatherings that threaten to fuel the deadly outbreak across the nation .
Despite warnings from public health experts to stay home , over 1.19 million travelers passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Wednesday — down by about 40 % from a year ago , but the highest one-day total since the crisis took hold in mid-March .
Airports also recorded around 1 million travelers on each of the five days between last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 21-year-old nursing student at Missouri Western in St. Joseph , was headed Tuesday from Kansas City , Missouri , to Austin , Texas , to go wedding dress shopping with a cousin , who is getting married in November .
She was returning home on Christmas Eve .
She said she was “ kind of ” anxious about traveling during the pandemic .
But she added : “ I feel like I eat healthy and I take a lot of precautions , like sanitizing and washing my hands and wearing my mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will be OK , even if something does happen.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious-disease expert , said he is particularly worried about travel between Christmas and New Year ’ s .
Fauci , who turned 80 on Thursday , said he and his wife would be celebrating his birthday and the holidays with their children on Zoom .
The virus has taken more than 327,000 lives in the U.S. , with over 3,000 deaths per day repeatedly recorded over the past two weeks .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation right now .
People are just not paying attention to public health guidelines , and the evidence for that is in the number of people traveling for the Christmas holiday , ” said Dr. Lee Harrison , a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh .
Americans have high hopes for vaccines — officials had promised that some 20 million people would be vaccinated by year ’ s end .
But as of Wednesday , about 1.1 million Americans had received the first dose of the two-dose inoculations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many .
On Thursday , California became the first state to record 2 million confirmed coronavirus infections , reaching the milestone on Christmas Eve as close to the entire state was under a strict stay-at-home order and hospitals struggled to cope with the biggest crush of cases since the pandemic began .
The first COVID-19 case in California was confirmed Jan. 25 .
It took 292 days to reach 1 million cases on Nov. 11 .
It took 44 days to get to the next million .
California , the most populous state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Its confirmed infection rate — cases per 100,000 people — is lower than the U.S. average , but its nearly 40 million residents mean the outbreak outpaces that of other states in sheer numbers .
More than 18,000 people are in the hospital , and many intensive care units are filled .
“ I wish they could just walk down our unit for a day and look at the faces of some of these patients , ” said Holy Cross nurse Jenny Carrillo , her voice breaking .

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hard-hit California eclipsed 2 million coronavirus cases on Christmas Eve as the U.S. headed into a holiday season of travel and family gatherings that threaten to fuel the deadly outbreak across the nation.
Despite warnings from public health experts to stay home, over 1.19 million travelers passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Wednesday — down by about 40% from a year ago, but the highest one-day total since the crisis took hold in mid-March.
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Airports also recorded around 1 million travelers on each of the five days between last Friday and Tuesday.
Ember McCauley, a 21-year-old nursing student at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, was headed Tuesday from Kansas City, Missouri, to Austin, Texas, to go wedding dress shopping with a cousin, who is getting married in November. She was returning home on Christmas Eve.
She said she was “kind of” anxious about traveling during the pandemic. But she added: “I feel like I eat healthy and I take a lot of precautions, like sanitizing and washing my hands and wearing my mask all the time. I feel like I will be OK, even if something does happen.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, said he is particularly worried about travel between Christmas and New Year’s. Fauci, who turned 80 on Thursday, said he and his wife would be celebrating his birthday and the holidays with their children on Zoom.
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“We have a big problem,” Fauci told The Washington Post. “Look at the numbers — the numbers are really quite dramatic.”
The virus has taken more than 327,000 lives in the U.S., with over 3,000 deaths per day repeatedly recorded over the past two weeks.
“We’re in a very very difficult situation right now. People are just not paying attention to public health guidelines, and the evidence for that is in the number of people traveling for the Christmas holiday,” said Dr. Lee Harrison, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh.
Americans have high hopes for vaccines — officials had promised that some 20 million people would be vaccinated by year’s end. But as of Wednesday, about 1.1 million Americans had received the first dose of the two-dose inoculations, yet another disappointment in a year of many.
On Thursday, California became the first state to record 2 million confirmed coronavirus infections, reaching the milestone on Christmas Eve as close to the entire state was under a strict stay-at-home order and hospitals struggled to cope with the biggest crush of cases since the pandemic began.
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The first COVID-19 case in California was confirmed Jan. 25. It took 292 days to reach 1 million cases on Nov. 11. It took 44 days to get to the next million.
California, the most populous state, has recorded more than 23,000 COVID-19 deaths. Its confirmed infection rate — cases per 100,000 people — is lower than the U.S. average, but its nearly 40 million residents mean the outbreak outpaces that of other states in sheer numbers. More than 18,000 people are in the hospital, and many intensive care units are filled.
“Watching them suffer is hard,” said Melanie LaMadrid, a nurse at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.
Nurses are exhausted, terrified of what’s next and angry at those who ignore pleas to stay home and stay safe.
“I wish they could just walk down our unit for a day and look at the faces of some of these patients,” said Holy Cross nurse Jenny Carrillo, her voice breaking.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-24--Santa’s ‘Grandchildren’ Spread Joy In Italian Nursing Homes

ALZANO LOMBARDO , Italy ( AP ) — Emotions are running high this holiday season at the Martino Zanchi Foundation nursing home in northern Italy near Bergamo after months of near-total isolation for its residents .
“ Damn !
” Comotti exclaimed when nursing home staff confirmed that her well-wishers - 9-year-old Simon , his sister Marta and mother Alessia - were people she had never met before .
The 81-year-old woman dissolved into tears .
The holiday spirit is descending on the Zanchi nursing home thanks to the so-called “ grandchildren of Santa Claus , ” people who spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite a grim year marked by death and loneliness , the holiday spirit is descending on the Zanchi nursing home , one of the first in Italy to shut its doors to visitors after a COVID-19 case was confirmed in the nearby hospital on Feb. 23 .
The bearers of glad tidings were the so-called “ grandchildren of Santa Claus , ” people who answered a charity ’ s call to spread cheer to elderly nursing home residents , many of whom live far from their families or don ’ t have any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s grandchildren ” program is in its third year .
Last year , it matched 2,550 “ grandchildren ” with residents of 91 nursing homes .
This year , 5,800 gifts were dispatched to 228 nursing homes around the country ― an outpouring that is , in part , a reaction to the devastating toll that the coronavirus has had on the elderly , comprising the majority of Italy ’ s confirmed 70,000 COVID-19 dead .
This was the Zanchi nursing home ’ s first year participating in the “ Santa ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alzano Lombardo , where the home is located , was one of the hardest hit in Bergamo province , where Italy ’ s first domestically transmitted coronavirus infections cases were discovered and touched off the country ’ s deadly spring surge .
Michela Valle , the home ’ s activities coordinator , said her goal wasn ’ t so much about fulfilling elderly Italians ’ wishes for holiday gifts but “ about creating ties.
” The program matched benefactors with 43 Zanchi residents this season .
Valle hopes that one day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in-person meetings .
The recipients wore Santa hats during the virtual visits with their volunteer grandchildren .
They received gifts to unwrap during the calls , too .
Comotti ’ s adoptive family sent her a shawl , just as she had requested .
Tami “ Mario ” Palmiro was thrilled with his baseball cap emblazoned with the name of Bergamo ’ s Atalanta Serie A professional soccer team , provoking a stadium cheer from the 81-year-old , before he , too , broke down in tears .
One of the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she signed up because she was unable to travel home to Italy from California for Christmas this year , and wanted to feel connected .
Another , Caterina Damiano , explained that she had lost both of her grandparents this year “ but I still want to be a grandchild.
” Madaschi said she often found herself moved to tears by the interactions , as the “ nipoti ” and “ nonni ” found common ground .
Many are already creating ties , sometimes with real relatives facilitating contact with the new “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Christmas spirit , the joy of the holiday ― to be able to unwrap and gift , such a normal event in this anomalous period in which we are living , ” she said .
“ It has been a wonderful experience .
To be repeated .
”

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ALZANO LOMBARDO, Italy (AP) — Emotions are running high this holiday season at the Martino Zanchi Foundation nursing home in northern Italy near Bergamo after months of near-total isolation for its residents.
Long-time resident Celestina Comotti was disbelieving as a staff member read aloud a Christmas greeting from a family peering at her expectantly over a video call.
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“Damn!” Comotti exclaimed when nursing home staff confirmed that her well-wishers - 9-year-old Simon, his sister Marta and mother Alessia - were people she had never met before. The 81-year-old woman dissolved into tears.
“I am trembling,” she said, adjusting her eyeglasses.
The holiday spirit is descending on the Zanchi nursing home thanks to the so-called “grandchildren of Santa Claus,” people who spread cheer to elderly nursing home residents. Luca Brano va AP
Despite a grim year marked by death and loneliness, the holiday spirit is descending on the Zanchi nursing home, one of the first in Italy to shut its doors to visitors after a COVID-19 case was confirmed in the nearby hospital on Feb. 23.
The bearers of glad tidings were the so-called “grandchildren of Santa Claus,” people who answered a charity’s call to spread cheer to elderly nursing home residents, many of whom live far from their families or don’t have any family members left.
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The “Santa’s grandchildren” program is in its third year. Last year, it matched 2,550 “grandchildren” with residents of 91 nursing homes. This year, 5,800 gifts were dispatched to 228 nursing homes around the country ― an outpouring that is, in part, a reaction to the devastating toll that the coronavirus has had on the elderly, comprising the majority of Italy’s confirmed 70,000 COVID-19 dead.
This was the Zanchi nursing home’s first year participating in the “Santa’s grandchildren” program. The town of Alzano Lombardo, where the home is located, was one of the hardest hit in Bergamo province, where Italy’s first domestically transmitted coronavirus infections cases were discovered and touched off the country’s deadly spring surge.
Michela Valle, the home’s activities coordinator, said her goal wasn’t so much about fulfilling elderly Italians’ wishes for holiday gifts but “about creating ties.” The program matched benefactors with 43 Zanchi residents this season. Valle hopes that one day, when pandemic eases substantially, there can be in-person meetings.
The recipients wore Santa hats during the virtual visits with their volunteer grandchildren. They received gifts to unwrap during the calls, too. Comotti’s adoptive family sent her a shawl, just as she had requested.
“Blue, like your eyes,” nursing home director Maria Giulia Madaschi said. Comotti laughed happily as the workers wrapped the shawl around her.
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Tami “Mario” Palmiro was thrilled with his baseball cap emblazoned with the name of Bergamo’s Atalanta Serie A professional soccer team, provoking a stadium cheer from the 81-year-old, before he, too, broke down in tears.
Palmiro arrived at the nursing home in August, undergoing a transition more wrenching than usual due to virus-control procedures that strictly limit family visits, Madaschi said.
One of the “grandchildren,” Ilaria Sacco, said she signed up because she was unable to travel home to Italy from California for Christmas this year, and wanted to feel connected. Another, Caterina Damiano, explained that she had lost both of her grandparents this year “but I still want to be a grandchild.”
Madaschi said she often found herself moved to tears by the interactions, as the “nipoti” and “nonni” found common ground. Many are already creating ties, sometimes with real relatives facilitating contact with the new “nipoti.”
“The guests could perceive the Christmas spirit, the joy of the holiday ― to be able to unwrap and gift, such a normal event in this anomalous period in which we are living,” she said. “It has been a wonderful experience. To be repeated.”
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Barry reported from Milan. Charlene Pele contributed from Alzano Lombardo and Alberto Pellaschiar contributed from Rome.
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