bonginoreport--2020-12-20--SpaceX Launches Classified Space Satellite Into Orbit For a Total of 26 Launches This Year, a Record

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. — launched a clandestine U.S. spy satellite into space for the National Reconnaissance Office ( NRO ) Saturday ( Dec. 19 ) , marking its 26th rocket of the year .
The mysterious payload , called NROL-108 , lifted off from Pad 39A here at NASA 's Kennedy Space Center at 9 a.m. ( 1400 GMT ) , during a planned three hour launch window .
A used two-stage carried the spy satellite aloft , as part of a government mission called NROL-108 , marking SpaceX 's 26th launch of 2020 , a new record for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liftoff , the booster 's first stage produced some dramatic sonic booms as it made its way back to terra firma , touching down at SpaceX 's Landing Zone-1 ( LZ-1 ) at the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station .
Video : Watch SpaceX 's epic NROL-108 Falcon 9 rocket landing Related : See the evolution of SpaceX 's rockets in pictures Today 's flight was the fifth launch for this particular Falcon 9 first stage .
The booster , designated B1059 , previously lofted two commercial cargo missions to the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into orbit earlier this year , and most recently .
Falcon 9 blasted off into a clear blue sky Saturday morning , a stark change from Thursday ’ s launch attempt .
Thick clouds shrouded the rocket from view that day and ultimately with the rocket ’ s second stage forced SpaceX to postpone the launch .
Several minutes after Falcon 9 leapt off the pad , the rocket ’ s first stage reappeared in the sky , with the iconic sonic booms you expect cracking overhead as the booster descended to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second booster to land on the ground at the Cape ( as opposed to a drone ship at sea ) this year .
( A third landed on land at Vandenberg Air Force base in California following the launch of the Sentinel-6 Earth-observing satellite for NASA in November . )
In fact , it 's now the third trip to LZ-1 for this booster , as the veteran Falcon 9 first stage also returned to land after delivering the CRS-20 mission into orbit earlier this year .
Related : Hitch a ride to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falcon 9 in this awesome video Today 's Falcon 9 launch carried a classified payload into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office ( NRO ) , the government agency that oversees the country ’ s fleet of spy satellites .
Not much is known about the satellite except for the fact that the NRO secured the ride for the top secret cargo through non-traditional means .
Typically , the reconnaissance agency will secure its rides to space via the U.S. Space Force 's National Security Space Launch Program , but this time went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a report from Spaceflight Now .
`` In some cases , the NRO uses alternative methods to procure launch services after making a cumulative assessment of satellite risk tolerance , needed launch dates , available launch capabilities , and cost — all with a purpose of ensuring satellites are safely and securely delivered to orbit in a timely manner , '' .
Another interesting twist is that SpaceX did not conduct a static fire test of its rocket before flight .
Typically , the company holds the rocket down on the pad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure their systems are working as expected prior to liftoff .
It 's rare that SpaceX skips this routine test but is not unheard of .
The mission marks the sixth launch of the year for the NRO , and will be the second overall to fly aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 .
The first was the NROL-76 mission back in May 2017 .
The NROL-108 mission is SpaceX ’ s 50th reflight of a Falcon 9 since the company recovered its first booster in 2015 .
It also marks the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To stick the landing , the booster separated from its upper stage and conducted a series of orbital ballet moves , reorienting itself for landing .
Then it conducted a series of three engine burns to slow itself enough to gently touch down on its designated landing pad , marking the 21st successful land landing for SpaceX .
To facilitate reuse , the company normally relies on its two massive drone ships , named `` Of Course I Still Love You '' and `` Just Read the Instructions , '' the floating platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocean and have enabled SpaceX to launch and subsequently land more rockets .
`` Of Course I Still Love You '' is sidelined for this mission , since the booster is returning to land , while `` Just Read the Instructions '' is currently bringing back a booster from the company 's most recent launch on Dce .
13 .
For that mission , a Falcon 9 rocket launched for the seventh time , .
That booster is one of two that have flown that seven missions and should be sailing back into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's launch .
Once they return to Florida 's Port Canaveral , the landed boosters are transported back to SpaceX facilities , where they 're carefully inspected and repurposed to fly again .
The current iteration of the Falcon 9 was finalized in 2018 .
Known as the Block 5 , it features 1.7 million pounds of thrust as well as some other upgrades that make it capable of rapid reuse .
SpaceX says that each of these boosters can fly as many as 10 times with minor refurbishments in between , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirement .
To date , SpaceX has launched and landed the same booster a maximum of seven times .
According to company founder and CEO , Elon Musk , each Falcon 9 booster is capable of flying at least 10 times with minimal refurbishments in between flights .
We have yet to see one fly that many times , but could see it next year .
Ahead of today 's launch , SpaceX deployed one of its twin fairing catchers , GO Ms. Tree , to fetch the fairing pieces after today 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company 's other fairing recovery vessel , stayed in port for the second mission in a row .
These two boats act as giant , mobile catcher 's mitts , snagging payload fairings — the protective nose cones that surrounds satellites during launch — in their attached nets as they fall back down to Earth .
To that end , SpaceX has installed parachutes and special software in its payload fairings , which consist of two joined pieces .
The fairings are designed to guide themselves to the recovery zone where Ms. Tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them as they fall back to Earth .
If the boats miss or the weather is too poor to attempt a catch , the duo has on board equipment to scoop the fairing pieces up out of the water and carry them back to port for refurbishment .
The company has been successfully reusing the payload fairings , and the last mission — which launched the Sirius XM-7 satellite — was the first flight to feature a refurbished fairing on a non-SpaceX payload .
Typically the company has been reusing fairings on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairing pieces that shrouded the Sirius XM-7 payload as it traveled through the atmosphere previously flew on the Anasis-II mission earlier this summer , which launched a communications satellite for South Korea 's military .
Today 's mission will mark the end of a busy launch year for the Cape .
In total 31 missions have launched from the area this year , and 26 of those have been on SpaceX rockets .
Next year , SpaceX is expected to continue to fill in its fleet of Starlink satellites , launch two more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy-lifters , the .
Follow Amy Thompson on Twitter @ astrogingersnap .
Follow us on Twitter @ Spacedotcom or Facebook .

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX launched a clandestine U.S. spy satellite into space for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Saturday (Dec. 19) , marking its 26th rocket of the year.
The mysterious payload, called NROL-108, lifted off from Pad 39A here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 9 a.m. (1400 GMT) , during a planned three hour launch window.
A used two-stage Falcon 9 rocket carried the spy satellite aloft, as part of a government mission called NROL-108, marking SpaceX's 26th launch of 2020, a new record for the company. Approximately nine minutes after liftoff, the booster's first stage produced some dramatic sonic booms as it made its way back to terra firma, touching down at SpaceX's Landing Zone-1 (LZ-1) at the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Video: Watch SpaceX's epic NROL-108 Falcon 9 rocket landing
Related: See the evolution of SpaceX's rockets in pictures
Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: SpaceX) (Image credit: SpaceX)
Today's flight was the fifth launch for this particular Falcon 9 first stage. The booster, designated B1059, previously lofted two commercial cargo missions to the International Space Station for NASA, delivered a batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites into orbit earlier this year, and most recently launched an Earth-observing satellite for Argentina .
Falcon 9 blasted off into a clear blue sky Saturday morning, a stark change from Thursday’s launch attempt. Thick clouds shrouded the rocket from view that day and ultimately an issue with the rocket’s second stage forced SpaceX to postpone the launch.
Several minutes after Falcon 9 leapt off the pad, the rocket’s first stage reappeared in the sky, with the iconic sonic booms you expect cracking overhead as the booster descended to the landing site.
B1059 is only the second booster to land on the ground at the Cape (as opposed to a drone ship at sea) this year. (A third landed on land at Vandenberg Air Force base in California following the launch of the Sentinel-6 Earth-observing satellite for NASA in November.) In fact, it's now the third trip to LZ-1 for this booster, as the veteran Falcon 9 first stage also returned to land after delivering the CRS-20 mission into orbit earlier this year.
Related: Hitch a ride to space (and back) on a Falcon 9 in this awesome video
A mystery payload
Today's Falcon 9 launch carried a classified payload into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the government agency that oversees the country’s fleet of spy satellites. Not much is known about the satellite except for the fact that the NRO secured the ride for the top secret cargo through non-traditional means.
Typically, the reconnaissance agency will secure its rides to space via the U.S. Space Force's National Security Space Launch Program, but this time went about it on its own, according to a report from Spaceflight Now .
"In some cases, the NRO uses alternative methods to procure launch services after making a cumulative assessment of satellite risk tolerance, needed launch dates, available launch capabilities, and cost — all with a purpose of ensuring satellites are safely and securely delivered to orbit in a timely manner," the spokesperson told Spaceflight Now .
Another interesting twist is that SpaceX did not conduct a static fire test of its rocket before flight. Typically, the company holds the rocket down on the pad and briefly fires its nine first-stage engines to make sure their systems are working as expected prior to liftoff. It's rare that SpaceX skips this routine test but is not unheard of.
The mission marks the sixth launch of the year for the NRO, and will be the second overall to fly aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. The first was the NROL-76 mission back in May 2017 .
Falcon's flight
Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: SpaceX) (Image credit: SpaceX)
The NROL-108 mission is SpaceX’s 50th reflight of a Falcon 9 since the company recovered its first booster in 2015. It also marks the 70th landing of a Falcon 9. To stick the landing, the booster separated from its upper stage and conducted a series of orbital ballet moves, reorienting itself for landing. Then it conducted a series of three engine burns to slow itself enough to gently touch down on its designated landing pad, marking the 21st successful land landing for SpaceX.
To facilitate reuse, the company normally relies on its two massive drone ships, named "Of Course I Still Love You" and "Just Read the Instructions," the floating platforms are typically stationed out in the Atlantic Ocean and have enabled SpaceX to launch and subsequently land more rockets.
"Of Course I Still Love You" is sidelined for this mission, since the booster is returning to land, while "Just Read the Instructions" is currently bringing back a booster from the company's most recent launch on Dce. 13. For that mission, a Falcon 9 rocket launched for the seventh time, carrying a massive satellite into space for SIrius XM . That booster is one of two that have flown that seven missions and should be sailing back into port around the same time as today's launch.
Once they return to Florida's Port Canaveral, the landed boosters are transported back to SpaceX facilities, where they're carefully inspected and repurposed to fly again.
The current iteration of the Falcon 9 was finalized in 2018. Known as the Block 5 , it features 1.7 million pounds of thrust as well as some other upgrades that make it capable of rapid reuse. SpaceX says that each of these boosters can fly as many as 10 times with minor refurbishments in between, and potentially as many as 100 times before retirement.
To date, SpaceX has launched and landed the same booster a maximum of seven times. According to company founder and CEO, Elon Musk, each Falcon 9 booster is capable of flying at least 10 times with minimal refurbishments in between flights. We have yet to see one fly that many times, but could see it next year.
Rocket fairing recovery
Ahead of today's launch, SpaceX deployed one of its twin fairing catchers, GO Ms. Tree, to fetch the fairing pieces after today's launch. GO Miss Chief, the company's other fairing recovery vessel, stayed in port for the second mission in a row. These two boats act as giant, mobile catcher's mitts, snagging payload fairings — the protective nose cones that surrounds satellites during launch — in their attached nets as they fall back down to Earth.
To that end, SpaceX has installed parachutes and special software in its payload fairings, which consist of two joined pieces. The fairings are designed to guide themselves to the recovery zone where Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief can wait to snag them as they fall back to Earth. If the boats miss or the weather is too poor to attempt a catch, the duo has on board equipment to scoop the fairing pieces up out of the water and carry them back to port for refurbishment.
The company has been successfully reusing the payload fairings, and the last mission — which launched the Sirius XM-7 satellite — was the first flight to feature a refurbished fairing on a non-SpaceX payload. Typically the company has been reusing fairings on its own Starlink missions. One of the fairing pieces that shrouded the Sirius XM-7 payload as it traveled through the atmosphere previously flew on the Anasis-II mission earlier this summer, which launched a communications satellite for South Korea's military.
Today's mission will mark the end of a busy launch year for the Cape. In total 31 missions have launched from the area this year, and 26 of those have been on SpaceX rockets. Next year, SpaceX is expected to continue to fill in its fleet of Starlink satellites, launch two more astronaut missions, and one of its heavy-lifters, the Falcon Heavy .
Follow Amy Thompson on Twitter @astrogingersnap. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook.


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--Saints to Start QB Drew Brees Against Chiefs

Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees `` looked good '' in his first practices since returning from rib fractures and a punctured lung , and is slated to start against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday , coach Sean Payton said .
`` We went off how it felt as he went through a full practice week .
And he ’ s done a good job , '' Payton said after Friday 's practice .
Brees has missed four games since his injury , which occurred when he was sacked against San Francisco .
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' place , going 3-1 .
Even before Brees ' injury , Hill would intermittently take snaps under center to provide New Orleans ' with a change-of-pace , read-option QB .
So he could continue to see snaps at QB as well .
`` We have a number of personnel groupings to give us some flexibility and we ’ ll go from there , '' Payton said .
Payton said Brees would be wearing a protective vest over his torso , but the coach dismissed the idea that the Saints were rushing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wouldn ’ t be playing him if he wasn ’ t healthy and able to function and feeling good and recovered , '' Payton said .
Brees is the NFL 's career leader in yards passing with 79,612 .
He has 565 TD passes to rank second behind only one active QB , Tampa Bay 's Tom Brady , who has 571 .
The Saints ( 10-3 ) enter the weekend tied atop the NFC with Green Bay , but the Packers would own the tie-breaker for the No .
1 playoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — in the conference by virtue of a Week 3 victory in New Orleans .

Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees "looked good" in his first practices since returning from rib fractures and a punctured lung, and is slated to start against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, coach Sean Payton said.
"We went off how it felt as he went through a full practice week. And he’s done a good job," Payton said after Friday's practice.
Brees has missed four games since his injury, which occurred when he was sacked against San Francisco.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Taysom Hill has started in Brees' place, going 3-1. Even before Brees' injury, Hill would intermittently take snaps under center to provide New Orleans' with a change-of-pace, read-option QB. So he could continue to see snaps at QB as well.
"We have a number of personnel groupings to give us some flexibility and we’ll go from there," Payton said.
Payton said Brees would be wearing a protective vest over his torso, but the coach dismissed the idea that the Saints were rushing the 41-year-old QB back from injury.
"We wouldn’t be playing him if he wasn’t healthy and able to function and feeling good and recovered," Payton said.
Brees is the NFL's career leader in yards passing with 79,612. He has 565 TD passes to rank second behind only one active QB, Tampa Bay's Tom Brady, who has 571.
The Saints (10-3) enter the weekend tied atop the NFC with Green Bay, but the Packers would own the tie-breaker for the No. 1 playoff seeding — and the only playoff bye — in the conference by virtue of a Week 3 victory in New Orleans.


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--McConnell Says Coronavirus Relief Deal Reached

The U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Friday , Dec. 18 , 2020 .
Congress is facing down a midnight deadline to pass a pandemic relief measure as part of a massive government spending bill or rush through another stopgap to keep the government funded through at least the weekend while talks continue .
Photographer : Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images Congress reached a deal Sunday on a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package , a long-delayed effort to boost an American health-care system and economy buckling under the weight of the pandemic .
Congressional leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and full-year government spending bill after days of start-and-stop efforts to finish a deal .
They have not yet released text of the more than $ 2 trillion legislation , which they hope to pass in the next day .
`` At long last , we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said on the Senate floor Sunday .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , called the plan a `` package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates . ''
They noted they would soon push for more relief spending after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20 .
Lawmakers plan to pass the relief and funding bill on Monday .
To avoid a government shutdown that would start at 12:01 a.m .
ET on Monday , Congress moved to approve a one-day spending measure that would keep the lights on until 12:01 a.m .
ET on Tuesday .
The House passed the measure Sunday night , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight .
The deal on one of the largest rescue bills in U.S. history follows months of sniping on Capitol Hill over how best to fight a once-in-a-century crisis .
Democrats moved quickly to pass trillions of dollars more in assistance only two months after Congress passed the more than $ 2 trillion CARES Act in March .
The GOP at first downplayed the need for more aid , then in the summer embraced a more limited approach than Democrats desired .
A new round of help can not come soon enough for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to scrape together enough money to afford food and housing during sustained public health restrictions .
`` The American people have a great deal to celebrate in this legislation .
But of course , the agreement we reached is far from perfect , '' Schumer said on Sunday .

watch now
Congress reached a deal Sunday on a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, a long-delayed effort to boost an American health-care system and economy buckling under the weight of the pandemic. Congressional leaders announced agreement on a bill — which would send new federal assistance to households, small businesses and health-care providers for the first time in months and provide $1.4 trillion to fund the government through Sept. 30 — after days of start-and-stop efforts to finish a deal. They released text of the legislation Monday afternoon and aim to pass it before midnight.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) conducts a news conference in the U.S. Capitol after the Senate Republican Policy luncheon on December 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. Caroline Brehman | Getty Images
"At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor Sunday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the plan a "package that delivers urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates." They called the plan inadequate and noted they would soon push for more relief spending after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, wears a protective mask while speaking during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. Ting Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Lawmakers plan to pass the relief and funding bill on Monday. To avoid a government shutdown that would have started at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, Congress approved a one-day spending measure to keep the lights on until 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday. President Donald Trump signed that bill late Sunday, according to a tweet from White House spokesman Judd Deere. The deal on one of the largest rescue bills in U.S. history follows months of sniping on Capitol Hill over how best to fight a once-in-a-century crisis. Democrats moved quickly to pass trillions of dollars more in assistance only two months after Congress passed the more than $2 trillion CARES Act in March. The GOP at first downplayed the need for more aid, then in the summer embraced a more limited approach than Democrats desired. A new round of help cannot come soon enough for the millions of Americans who have tried to scrape together enough money to afford food and housing during sustained public health restrictions. The coming help will not reverse the closures of small businesses across the country or the poverty and hunger that spread for months while Congress failed to act. "The American people have a great deal to celebrate in this legislation. But of course, the agreement we reached is far from perfect," Schumer said.
What's in the bill
The relief plan includes direct payments of $600 to most adults and $600 per child, Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement. The Democrats said it would put $284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program small business loans, and include funds for loans from small and minority-owned lenders. It would direct another $20 billion to small business grants and $15 billion to live event venues. It would also add a $300 federal unemployment supplement and temporarily keep in place pandemic-era programs that expanded unemployment insurance eligibility. It was not immediately clear how long each of those measures would last. If the jobless benefits expansion expires the day after Christmas, 12 million people would lose unemployment insurance.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters on an agreement of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) aid package on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S. December 20, 2020. Ken Cedeno | Reuters


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--CDC Panel Says Frontline Essential Workers And Those Age 75+ Should Get Vaccine First

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel voted 13-1 Sunday to put `` frontline essential workers '' and people 75 years of age and older next in line to be eligible to receive a vaccine against Covid-19 .
That so-called phase 1b group is estimated to include about 49 million people , or nearly 15 % of Americans , according to the CDC 's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices .
The committee included frontline essential workers such as firefighters , police officers , teachers , corrections officers and others in the phase 1b group , but relegated `` other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The full list of frontline essential workers covered by the recommendation also includes all educational staff , including daycare workers , food and agricultural workers , manufacturing workers , U.S. postal service employees , public transit workers and grocery store workers , according to ACIP 's provided list .
These workers `` are in sectors essential to the functioning of society and are at substantially higher risk of exposure '' to Covid , ACIP said .
`` I would like to note that the persons 75 years and older represent 8 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have a very high death rate .
Frontline essential workers have high exposures .
They include a disproportionate share of racial and ethnic persons who also have a disproportionate share of hospitalizations , '' Dr. Katherine Poehling , a member of the committee , said after the vote .
Dr. Henry Bernstein of Northwell Cohen Children 's Medical Center , who voted against Sunday 's recommendation , explained that he was in favor of including those 65 years of age and older .
Phase 1c should include persons between the ages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ages of 16 and 64 who have high-risk underlying conditions and remaining essential workers , ACIP also recommended Sunday .
That 's 129 million Americans , according to ACIP , or over one-third of the country .
Those remaining essential workers include transportation and logistics workers , food service workers , construction workers , finance workers , IT and communications workers , energy workers , media personnel , legal workers , engineers and wastewater workers , ACIP said .
And underlying conditions for prioritization purposes includes obesity , cancer , smoking and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendations will now go to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield , who typically accepts the committee 's recommendations , setting federal guidance on how states should implement distribution of the scarce doses .
But state officials are charged with the final say on distribution .
The CDC earlier this month recommended that states first prioritize health-care workers and long-term care facility residents during the initial rollout of the vaccines .
The decision of what groups to prioritize over others is an excruciating one , many voting members of the committee said Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equity and the latest science guide states ' plans .
The committee was asked to thread the needle between competing values of the need to prioritize essential workers , who keep society functioning , and the need to protect society 's most vulnerable members , the elderly .
But the CDC 's Dr. Kathleen Dooling noted that the order in which those groups are vaccinated will ultimately have little impact on the dynamics of the outbreak , based on the latest modelling .
`` Differences between strategies is minimal , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slightly more deaths , while vaccinating younger adults first , essential workers and younger adults with high-risk conditions , averts slightly more infections . ''
She added that the most important factor is `` actually the timing of the vaccine introduction related to increases in Covid-19 cases . ''
She said that further emphasizes the need to practice social distancing and mask wearing to reduce spread while scarce doses of vaccines are distributed .
`` We are faced with the situation , at least in the short term , where we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Dr. Nancy Messonnier , director of the CDC 's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , said Sunday to open the all-day meeting .
`` What that means is that there will be difficult choices about who gets that vaccine first . ''
The U.S. currently projects it will have enough vaccine doses for 20 million people in December , 30 million in January and 50 million in February , Messonnier said .
Phase 1a includes at least 24 million people , phase 1b will add another 49 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 129 million .
Dr. Amanda Cohn of the CDC noted that projections should not be assumed to be exact and many factors could change vaccine availability .
While older adults are more likely to die of Covid , they can also more easily isolate and protect themselves from being infected than frontline essential workers can , some committee members noted .
Dr. Peter Szilagyi of the University of California , Los Angeles said one reason to prioritize essential workers is that minority communities are disproportionately represented among essential workers .
Communities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately hard by Covid , dying at much higher rates than white Americans .
However , the committee noted that racial and ethnic minorities are less represented in the frontline sub-group of essential workers than in the broader group .
But the broader group of essential workers includes another 57 million people and including them in phase 1b would mean the demand for vaccine would far outstrip supply , thereby passing along the hard decisions of prioritization to stressed state and local officials .
Dr. Jeff Duchin , public health officer of Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to adequately fund local public health departments that are actually turning vaccines into vaccinations .
`` Resources are needed for public health vaccination clinics to ensure equitable access to vaccines across communities and populations , '' he said .
`` There is a critical and immediate need for adequate funding and resources for vaccine program implementation . ''
Several committee members said they do n't expect all states to absolutely adhere to the federal guidance and that , in fact , they should be adjusted to the state of the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers are prioritized in phase 1b , the CDC 's Dr. Kathleen Dooling said it might make sense , depending on local outbreaks , to simultaneously inoculate inmates , as well .
Dr. Christine Hahn of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists said that local and state officials will undoubtedly stray from the federal guidance .
The most important thing , Hahn said , is that the CDC provide enough guidance to avoid `` paralysis by analysis '' at the local level .
`` There is no way we 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we need to message clearly that there 's going to be local decisions , because the worst thing that can happen is we leave vaccines in the freezer because we are afraid to move into that next group and keep going , '' she said .
`` We have to have faith in our local public health officials and state health officials to do the right thing '' '' This is not black and white , '' Dr. Amanda Cohn of the CDC added .
`` They will absolutely vary by local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revisit their recommended prioritizations .
Dr. Grace Lee of Stanford University School of Medicine said the committee might need to be flexible if , for example , vaccine manufacturers face interruptions and are unable to supply as many doses as projected .
`` I am hoping that by the time phase 1c comes along that we will have enough doses , but I did want to reflect that if , for some reason , we do n't have enough doses , '' Lee said , `` I think we have to be prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we do n't know where we 're going to be in another month as those phases roll out . ''

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel voted 13-1 Sunday to put "frontline essential workers" and people 75 years of age and older next in line to be eligible to receive a vaccine against Covid-19.
That so-called phase 1b group is estimated to include about 49 million people, or nearly 15% of Americans, according to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The committee included frontline essential workers such as firefighters, police officers, teachers, corrections officers and others in the phase 1b group, but relegated "other essential workers" to phase 1c.
The full list of frontline essential workers covered by the recommendation also includes all educational staff, including daycare workers, food and agricultural workers, manufacturing workers, U.S. postal service employees, public transit workers and grocery store workers, according to ACIP's provided list. These workers "are in sectors essential to the functioning of society and are at substantially higher risk of exposure" to Covid, ACIP said.
"I would like to note that the persons 75 years and older represent 8% of the population, 25% of hospitalizations and have a very high death rate. Frontline essential workers have high exposures. They include a disproportionate share of racial and ethnic persons who also have a disproportionate share of hospitalizations," Dr. Katherine Poehling, a member of the committee, said after the vote.
Dr. Henry Bernstein of Northwell Cohen Children's Medical Center, who voted against Sunday's recommendation, explained that he was in favor of including those 65 years of age and older.
Phase 1c should include persons between the ages of 65 and 74, people between the ages of 16 and 64 who have high-risk underlying conditions and remaining essential workers, ACIP also recommended Sunday. That's 129 million Americans, according to ACIP, or over one-third of the country.
Those remaining essential workers include transportation and logistics workers, food service workers, construction workers, finance workers, IT and communications workers, energy workers, media personnel, legal workers, engineers and wastewater workers, ACIP said. And underlying conditions for prioritization purposes includes obesity, cancer, smoking and more, per ACIP.
The committee's recommendations will now go to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, who typically accepts the committee's recommendations, setting federal guidance on how states should implement distribution of the scarce doses. But state officials are charged with the final say on distribution. The CDC earlier this month recommended that states first prioritize health-care workers and long-term care facility residents during the initial rollout of the vaccines.
The decision of what groups to prioritize over others is an excruciating one, many voting members of the committee said Sunday, but it is necessary to ensure that equity and the latest science guide states' plans. The committee was asked to thread the needle between competing values of the need to prioritize essential workers, who keep society functioning, and the need to protect society's most vulnerable members, the elderly.
But the CDC's Dr. Kathleen Dooling noted that the order in which those groups are vaccinated will ultimately have little impact on the dynamics of the outbreak, based on the latest modelling.
"Differences between strategies is minimal," she said. "Vaccinating older adults first averts slightly more deaths, while vaccinating younger adults first, essential workers and younger adults with high-risk conditions, averts slightly more infections."
She added that the most important factor is "actually the timing of the vaccine introduction related to increases in Covid-19 cases." She said that further emphasizes the need to practice social distancing and mask wearing to reduce spread while scarce doses of vaccines are distributed.
"We are faced with the situation, at least in the short term, where we have a limited supply of vaccine available to us," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said Sunday to open the all-day meeting. "What that means is that there will be difficult choices about who gets that vaccine first."
The U.S. currently projects it will have enough vaccine doses for 20 million people in December, 30 million in January and 50 million in February, Messonnier said. Phase 1a includes at least 24 million people, phase 1b will add another 49 million people and phase 1c will broaden eligibility to another 129 million.
Dr. Amanda Cohn of the CDC noted that projections should not be assumed to be exact and many factors could change vaccine availability.
While older adults are more likely to die of Covid, they can also more easily isolate and protect themselves from being infected than frontline essential workers can, some committee members noted. Dr. Peter Szilagyi of the University of California, Los Angeles said one reason to prioritize essential workers is that minority communities are disproportionately represented among essential workers. Communities of color in the U.S. have been hit disproportionately hard by Covid, dying at much higher rates than white Americans.
However, the committee noted that racial and ethnic minorities are less represented in the frontline sub-group of essential workers than in the broader group. But the broader group of essential workers includes another 57 million people and including them in phase 1b would mean the demand for vaccine would far outstrip supply, thereby passing along the hard decisions of prioritization to stressed state and local officials.
Dr. Jeff Duchin, public health officer of Seattle and King County, Washington, emphasized the need to adequately fund local public health departments that are actually turning vaccines into vaccinations.
"Resources are needed for public health vaccination clinics to ensure equitable access to vaccines across communities and populations," he said. "There is a critical and immediate need for adequate funding and resources for vaccine program implementation."
Several committee members said they don't expect all states to absolutely adhere to the federal guidance and that, in fact, they should be adjusted to the state of the local outbreak. For example, while corrections officers are prioritized in phase 1b, the CDC's Dr. Kathleen Dooling said it might make sense, depending on local outbreaks, to simultaneously inoculate inmates, as well.
Dr. Christine Hahn of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists said that local and state officials will undoubtedly stray from the federal guidance. The most important thing, Hahn said, is that the CDC provide enough guidance to avoid "paralysis by analysis" at the local level.
"There is no way we're going to be able to all stay lockstep, and we need to message clearly that there's going to be local decisions, because the worst thing that can happen is we leave vaccines in the freezer because we are afraid to move into that next group and keep going," she said. "We have to have faith in our local public health officials and state health officials to do the right thing"
"This is not black and white," Dr. Amanda Cohn of the CDC added. "They will absolutely vary by local context."
The committee can always revisit their recommended prioritizations. Dr. Grace Lee of Stanford University School of Medicine said the committee might need to be flexible if, for example, vaccine manufacturers face interruptions and are unable to supply as many doses as projected.
"I am hoping that by the time phase 1c comes along that we will have enough doses, but I did want to reflect that if, for some reason, we don't have enough doses," Lee said, "I think we have to be prepared to adapt in the future phases, because we don't know where we're going to be in another month as those phases roll out."


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--Rockets Target U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

Rockets Target U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

On Sunday , at least three Katyusha rockets landed in Baghdad ’ s heavily fortified Green Zone in an attack targeting the US Embassy , according to two Iraqi security officials .
The officials said the embassy 's C-RAM defense system was used to destroy the rockets mid-air but that there was damage caused to property and parked cars .
Sirens alerted workers and residents in the embassy compound inside the zone , which also houses government buildings and foreign missions .
The C-RAM system was installed by the US over the summer as militants increased rocket attacks targeting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mortar , ( C-RAM or counter-RAM ) , is a group of systems used to detect and destroy incoming rockets , artillery , and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their ground targets , and provide early warning .
The US began withdrawing staff from its embassy in Baghdad earlier this month , ahead of the first anniversary of the targeted strike against General Qassim Soleimani in Iraq on January 3rd .
US officials said the decision stemmed from concerns about a possible retaliatory strike .
An anti-rocket system set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and diverted one of the rockets , said one security official whose office is inside the Green Zone .
It is not known yet if there were any casualties .
Washington warned Iraq in September that it would close its embassy in Baghdad if the Iraqi government fails to take necessary steps to end attacks by Iranian-backed militias on American and allied interests in the country .

On Sunday, at least three Katyusha rockets landed in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone in an attack targeting the US Embassy, according to two Iraqi security officials.
The officials said the embassy's C-RAM defense system was used to destroy the rockets mid-air but that there was damage caused to property and parked cars. Sirens alerted workers and residents in the embassy compound inside the zone, which also houses government buildings and foreign missions.
The C-RAM system was installed by the US over the summer as militants increased rocket attacks targeting the embassy. Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar, (C-RAM or counter-RAM), is a group of systems used to detect and destroy incoming rockets, artillery, and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their ground targets, and provide early warning.
CRAM system activated at the US Embassy in Baghdad as a number of rockets were fired at the Green Zone.
Telegram channel linked to #Iran-backed militias was first to post the footages. #Iraq https://t.co/HdgU9PQie7 pic.twitter.com/4DEPvnI9NQ — Baxtiyar Goran (@BaxtiyarGoran) December 20, 2020
The US began withdrawing staff from its embassy in Baghdad earlier this month, ahead of the first anniversary of the targeted strike against General Qassim Soleimani in Iraq on January 3rd. US officials said the decision stemmed from concerns about a possible retaliatory strike.
Video allegedly from tonight’s rocket attack in the Green Zone in Baghdad, #Iraq.. pic.twitter.com/1sfMD6CZPZ — CIA-Simulation Warlord ????? (@zerosum24) December 20, 2020
An anti-rocket system set up to defend the US Embassy fired and diverted one of the rockets, said one security official whose office is inside the Green Zone. It is not known yet if there were any casualties.
Cram just went nutty over the Green Zone in #Baghdad from likely rocket attacks on U.S. forces. pic.twitter.com/EOz4wupRvH — CIA-Simulation Warlord ????? (@zerosum24) December 20, 2020
Washington warned Iraq in September that it would close its embassy in Baghdad if the Iraqi government fails to take necessary steps to end attacks by Iranian-backed militias on American and allied interests in the country.
This is a developing story


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--Mitt Reminds Us That He’s a RINO

Mitt Reminds Us That He’s a RINO

Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday for not yet conceding the election and entertaining what he described as “ nutty and loopy ” conspiracy theories about it .
Speaking with CNN host Jake Tapper on “ State of the Union , ” Romney maintained that not only are Trump ’ s attempts to overturn the election doomed to failure , but that they are tarnishing the last days of his presidency .
“ It ’ s really sad in a lot of respects and embarrassing because the president could , right now , be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a victory lap with regards to the vaccine , ” said Romney .
“ After all , he pushed aggressively to get the vaccine developed and distributed .
That ’ s happening on a quick time frame.
” “ He could be going out championing this extraordinary success , and instead , he ’ s leaving Washington with a whole series of conspiracy theories and things that are so nutty and loopy that people are shaking their head wondering what in the world has gotten into this man ?
I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplishments than this last chapter suggests he ’ s gon na be known for , ” Romney added .
Romney , a frequent Trump critic , has a famously chilly relationship with the president , who has repeatedly accused the senator of being a “ RINO , ” or “ Republican In Name Only.
” Romney has repeatedly criticized Trump for continuing to maintain that he is the true winner of the election , and has said he is “ surprised ” that so many people believe him .
Sen. Mitt Romney ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been a fan of President Donald Trump nor his allegations of voter fraud , ripped Trump ’ s supporters for believing he had a case of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 election .
Speaking with David Axelrod on “ The Axe Files ” Thursday , the former , failed presidential candidate said that Trump ’ s claims of voter fraud were projected long before the election took place , asserting that no evidence has been presented supporting the president ’ s legal team ’ s claim .
“ At this stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of a widespread voter fraud effort that would result in a change in the outcome of the election , ” Romney said , as reported the Daily Mail .
When Axelrod argued that the president has only been making his case through Twitter , Romney expressed surprise over the fact that people believe him .
“ I ’ m surprised that there are as many people as you say that give it credibility even within our own country because the president said before the election that if he were to lose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it would be because of corruption , ” he said .
“ And then a day or two after the election , when the vote was called by the major networks , he indicated that there was massive fraud and that he had been robbed of the victory and that was before any evidence has been gathered.
” Related : Romney Is ‘ Surprised ’ So Many Believe Trump ’ s Voter Fraud Claims The Daily Wire is one of America ’ s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member .

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday for not yet conceding the election and entertaining what he described as “nutty and loopy” conspiracy theories about it.
Speaking with CNN host Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” Romney maintained that not only are Trump’s attempts to overturn the election doomed to failure but that they are tarnishing the last days of his presidency.
“It’s really sad in a lot of respects and embarrassing because the president could, right now, be writing the last chapter of this administration with a victory lap with regards to the vaccine,” said Romney. “After all, he pushed aggressively to get the vaccine developed and distributed. That’s happening on a quick time frame.”
“He could be going out championing this extraordinary success, and instead, he’s leaving Washington with a whole series of conspiracy theories and things that are so nutty and loopy that people are shaking their head wondering what in the world has gotten into this man? I think that’s unfortunate because he has more accomplishments than this last chapter suggests he’s gonna be known for,” Romney added.
WATCH:
GOP Sen. Mitt Romney on Pres. Trump's latest efforts to overturn the election: “It’s really sad in a lot of respects and embarrassing … the President could, right now, be writing the last chapter of this administration with a victory lap with regards to the vaccine.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/dJdBMOZneW — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) December 20, 2020
Romney, a frequent Trump critic, has a famously chilly relationship with the president, who has repeatedly accused the senator of being a “RINO,” or “Republican In Name Only.” Romney has repeatedly criticized Trump for continuing to maintain that he is the true winner of the election and has said he is “surprised” that so many people believe him.
As The Daily Wire reported:
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), a man who has never been a fan of President Donald Trump nor his allegations of voter fraud, ripped Trump’s supporters for believing he had a case of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 election. Speaking with David Axelrod on “The Axe Files” Thursday, the former, failed presidential candidate said that Trump’s claims of voter fraud were projected long before the election took place, asserting that no evidence has been presented supporting the president’s legal team’s claim. “At this stage, we haven’t heard any evidence of a widespread voter fraud effort that would result in a change in the outcome of the election,” Romney said, as reported the Daily Mail. When Axelrod argued that the president has only been making his case through Twitter, Romney expressed surprise over the fact that people believe him. “I’m surprised that there are as many people as you say that give it credibility even within our own country because the president said before the election that if he were to lose, it would be because of voter fraud, it would be because of corruption,” he said. “And then a day or two after the election, when the vote was called by the major networks, he indicated that there was massive fraud and that he had been robbed of the victory and that was before any evidence has been gathered.”
Related: Romney Is ‘Surprised’ So Many Believe Trump’s Voter Fraud Claims


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--Tulsi Gabbard’s Bill to Repeal the Patriot Act, Explained

The Patriot Act was passed in 2001 in the wake of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks .
In the name of combatting terrorism , the sweeping law vastly expanded the federal government ’ s surveillance powers and ability to spy on Americans .
In the nearly two decades since , the National Security Agency ’ s mass warrantless surveillance of American citizens was exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden , a key government spying program was declared illegal by a federal court , and only a minuscule percentage of federal spying has been tied to terrorism .
Nevertheless , much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books and in use for decades .
Two members of Congress from opposite sides of the political spectrum want to change that .
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , a progressive Democrat , has just introduced a bill alongside libertarian-leaning Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky to repeal the Patriot Act , revoke much of the FISA Amendments Act , and restore Americans ’ privacy protections .
Their legislation would do the following ( and more ) : • None Ensure that FISA surveillance of Americans can only occur with a warrant based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accountability Office to monitor federal intelligence agencies for compliance The case for this legislation is rooted in privacy rights and the need to restore Fourth Amendment stipulations that protect Americans from being spied on by their government .
“ The Constitution of the United States guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms for every American—including the right to privacy and protection against illegal search and seizure without probable cause , ” Gabbard said .
“ Unfortunately , the so-called Patriot Act and FISA Amendments Act allowed the intelligence community to conduct mass surveillance on Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our emails.
” “ The Patriot Act contains many provisions that violate the Fourth Amendment and have led to a dramatic expansion of our domestic surveillance state , ” Massie added .
`` Our Founding Fathers fought and died to stop the kind of warrantless spying and searches that the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act authorize .
It is long past time to repeal the Patriot Act and reassert the constitutional rights of all Americans.
” As Massie indicates , this legislation is long overdue .
Fortunately , it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given that figures such as Sen. Rand Paul have similarly opposed the Patriot Act and other Fourth Amendment intrusions .
However , the legislation is likely to meet strong opposition from members of both parties ’ establishments , so the chances of it becoming law in the immediate future are , it ’ s fair to say , quite slim .
The biggest reason is that expansions of government power are inherently difficult to roll back .
In times of emergency , citizens acquiesce to sweeping expansions of state power they would never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the emergency has passed , the government retains much of this power , because removing it would require government officials to vote to decrease their own power—something most politicians are unlikely to do .
Thus , government power increases over time as it spikes during crises but never fully recedes .
This cycle is what economist Robert Higgs dubbed the “ ratchet effect.
” And it 's a lesson Americans should keep in mind during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Whether Gabbard and Massie ’ s bill is successful or not , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept extreme intrusions of government power during times of crisis , those invasions of our liberty may well remain on the books for decades to come .

The Patriot Act was passed in 2001 in the wake of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks.
In the name of combatting terrorism, the sweeping law vastly expanded the federal government’s surveillance powers and ability to spy on Americans. In the nearly two decades since, the National Security Agency’s mass warrantless surveillance of American citizens was exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden, a key government spying program was declared illegal by a federal court, and only a minuscule percentage of federal spying has been tied to terrorism.
Nevertheless, much of the Patriot Act has remained on the books and in use for decades. Two members of Congress from opposite sides of the political spectrum want to change that.
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a progressive Democrat, has just introduced a bill alongside libertarian-leaning Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky to repeal the Patriot Act, revoke much of the FISA Amendments Act, and restore Americans’ privacy protections. Their legislation would do the following (and more):
End mass telephone and email data collection with narrow exceptions
Protect federal national security whistleblowers like Edward Snowden
Ensure that FISA surveillance of Americans can only occur with a warrant based on probable cause
Require the Government Accountability Office to monitor federal intelligence agencies for compliance
The case for this legislation is rooted in privacy rights and the need to restore Fourth Amendment stipulations that protect Americans from being spied on by their government.
“The Constitution of the United States guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms for every American—including the right to privacy and protection against illegal search and seizure without probable cause,” Gabbard said. “Unfortunately, the so-called Patriot Act and FISA Amendments Act allowed the intelligence community to conduct mass surveillance on Americans, collecting information about our phone calls and our emails.”
I’m honored to cosponsor a bill to repeal the Patriot Act with my friend across the aisle @TulsiGabbard https://t.co/dU3M53rSm8 — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 16, 2020
“The Patriot Act contains many provisions that violate the Fourth Amendment and have led to a dramatic expansion of our domestic surveillance state,” Massie added. "Our Founding Fathers fought and died to stop the kind of warrantless spying and searches that the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act authorize. It is long past time to repeal the Patriot Act and reassert the constitutional rights of all Americans.”
As Massie indicates, this legislation is long overdue. Fortunately, it may find some allies in the Senate, given that figures such as Sen. Rand Paul have similarly opposed the Patriot Act and other Fourth Amendment intrusions. However, the legislation is likely to meet strong opposition from members of both parties’ establishments, so the chances of it becoming law in the immediate future are, it’s fair to say, quite slim.
Why?
The biggest reason is that expansions of government power are inherently difficult to roll back. In times of emergency, citizens acquiesce to sweeping expansions of state power they would never accept in normal times. But even after the emergency has passed, the government retains much of this power, because removing it would require government officials to vote to decrease their own power—something most politicians are unlikely to do.
Thus, government power increases over time as it spikes during crises but never fully recedes. This cycle is what economist Robert Higgs dubbed the “ratchet effect.” And it's a lesson Americans should keep in mind during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whether Gabbard and Massie’s bill is successful or not, it offers an important reminder. If Americans accept extreme intrusions of government power during times of crisis, those invasions of our liberty may well remain on the books for decades to come.


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--California Sees Record Coronavirus Cases and Deaths Despite Strict Lockdown

On December 4 , a bipartisan group of California legislators sent Gov .
Gavin Newsom a letter urging him to reconsider his order closing outdoor playgrounds as part of his regional stay-at-home order .
“ While we must appropriately consider best practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission , we also must ensure the children across the state are not unfairly deprived of their opportunities for outdoor access and play , ” the legislators wrote .
Newsom ’ s order closing outdoor playgrounds—a response many see as senseless and ineffective , which prompted the governor to rescind it—is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public officials have taken in their attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus .
Other restrictions include a 10 p.m. curfew , bans on outdoor dining and religious gatherings , as well as school closures .
Surveys in recent months have shown California ’ s restrictions are some of the strictest in the US .
Sadly , but perhaps predictably , the regulations do not appear to be working .
State data show California is smashing its previous highs in both COVID-19 cases and deaths .
“ California broke its statewide records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in a single day on Wednesday , ” The Hill reports .
“ The state reported 51,724 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday , breaking the previous record of 42,088 cases , which was just set on Monday , according to a Los Angeles Times tally.
” To put these numbers into perspective , the number of deaths California reported on Wednesday was more than double the daily high in any previous month .
California is hardly the only state suffering from a sharp rise in COVID-19 mortality .
But the figures reinforce emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions are doing little to tame the coronavirus .
As I recently noted , an abundance of academic research suggests there is little to no correlation between lockdown stringency and COVID mortality rates .
This includes a study published on July 21 in The Lancet , research from Tel Aviv University published in October , and a study published in Frontiers in Public Health in November .
‘ I ’ m Not Sure We Know What We ’ re Doing ’ Newsom ’ s decision to reimpose lockdowns in light of the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public officials puzzled .
`` During the first Shelter in Place order , which I wholeheartedly endorsed , the virus was brand new and had the capability of spreading exponentially due to zero immunity and people 's complete lack of awareness , '' San Mateo County Health Officer Scott Morrow recently observed on the county ’ s website .
“ [ That order ] was very much consistent with my long-held views about the judicious use of power.…However , I very quickly rescinded my initial orders shuttering society and focused my new orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic… .
” Morrow implied that many of the actions being taken suggest California officials have learned little since the spring .
“ Just because one has the legal authority to do something , does n't mean one has to use it , or that using it is the best course of action , ” he wrote .
“ What I believed back in May , and what I believe now , is the power and authority to control this pandemic lies primarily in your hands , not mine . ''
Morrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions being imposed across the Golden State .
“ I ’ m not sure we know what we ’ re doing , ” he wrote .
“ I look at surrounding counties who have been much more restrictive than I have been , and wonder what it ’ s bought them.
” Morrow appears to have gleaned an insight once observed by the economist Milton Friedman .
“ One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results , ” Friedman famously observed .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns become more clear .
They cause tremendous and widespread harms—no one disagrees on this point—but the supposed benefits of the policies remain tenuous .
Despite the bevy of evidence they possess , lawmakers continue to embrace restrictions because of bad incentives .
The great economist Ludwig von Mises noted long ago that a great deal of modern social conflict is a struggle over who gets to design the world , individuals or authorities .
Mises believed that individuals , if left to their own devices , would generally make rational decisions based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why he saw few things as dangerous as central planners who seek to supplant individual planning with their own ( despite their knowledge limitations ) in an effort to create a more perfect society .
“ The planner is a potential dictator who wants to deprive all other people of the power to plan and act according to their own plans , ” Mises wrote in Socialism : An Economic and Sociological Analysis .
“ He aims at one thing only : the exclusive absolute pre-eminence of his own plan.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Americans have slipped into poverty since summer .
When one considers the damage government lockdowns have wrought compared to the positive results they ’ ve achieved , one begins to see why Mises saw the unchecked power of authorities as such a threat .

On December 4, a bipartisan group of California legislators sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a letter urging him to reconsider his order closing outdoor playgrounds as part of his regional stay-at-home order.
“While we must appropriately consider best practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we also must ensure the children across the state are not unfairly deprived of their opportunities for outdoor access and play,” the legislators wrote.
Today, we sent another letter to the Governor urging him to reconsider the full closure of playground structures. The local playground may be the only opportunity for some families to “get outdoors,” as advised for physical & mental health. pic.twitter.com/2FB8Oe1CgQ — Lorena Gonzalez (@LorenaSGonzalez) December 4, 2020
Newsom’s order closing outdoor playgrounds—a response many see as senseless and ineffective, which prompted the governor to rescind it—is just one example of the hardline approach California public officials have taken in their attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
Other restrictions include a 10 p.m. curfew, bans on outdoor dining and religious gatherings, as well as school closures. Surveys in recent months have shown California’s restrictions are some of the strictest in the US.
Sadly, but perhaps predictably, the regulations do not appear to be working. State data show California is smashing its previous highs in both COVID-19 cases and deaths.
“California broke its statewide records for both coronavirus cases reported and deaths reported in a single day on Wednesday,” The Hill reports. “The state reported 51,724 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, breaking the previous record of 42,088 cases, which was just set on Monday, according to a Los Angeles Times tally.”
To put these numbers into perspective, the number of deaths California reported on Wednesday was more than double the daily high in any previous month.
State data show CA is smashing previous highs in #Covid_19 cases & deaths, despite having the strictest lockdown in the country.
The total number of deaths yesterday (407) was more than 2x daily high in any other month. pic.twitter.com/RQJ3RqCWBP — Jon Miltimore (@miltimore79) December 17, 2020
California is hardly the only state suffering from a sharp rise in COVID-19 mortality. But the figures reinforce emerging evidence that suggests lockdowns and other government restrictions are doing little to tame the coronavirus.
As I recently noted, an abundance of academic research suggests there is little to no correlation between lockdown stringency and COVID mortality rates. This includes a study published on July 21 in The Lancet, research from Tel Aviv University published in October, and a study published in Frontiers in Public Health in November.
‘I’m Not Sure We Know What We’re Doing’
Newsom’s decision to reimpose lockdowns in light of the evidence we have today has left some California public officials puzzled.
"During the first Shelter in Place order, which I wholeheartedly endorsed, the virus was brand new and had the capability of spreading exponentially due to zero immunity and people's complete lack of awareness," San Mateo County Health Officer Scott Morrow recently observed on the county’s website. “[That order] was very much consistent with my long-held views about the judicious use of power.…However, I very quickly rescinded my initial orders shuttering society and focused my new orders on the personal behaviors that are driving the pandemic… .”
Morrow implied that many of the actions being taken suggest California officials have learned little since the spring.
“Just because one has the legal authority to do something, doesn't mean one has to use it, or that using it is the best course of action,” he wrote. “What I believed back in May, and what I believe now, is the power and authority to control this pandemic lies primarily in your hands, not mine."
Morrow was blunt in his appraisal of the restrictions being imposed across the Golden State.
“I’m not sure we know what we’re doing,” he wrote. “I look at surrounding counties who have been much more restrictive than I have been, and wonder what it’s bought them.”
And don't forget, Florida is the land of old people. The lockdowns kill, not covid. https://t.co/by5ZZWByyu — Mark Stoval (@MarkStoval) December 15, 2020
Why all the media stories hating on Florida now? 1) political, 2) it's been open for months with no disaster, 3) the state ranks 20th in deaths per million, showing YET AGAIN (for the thousandth time) that the merits of lockdowns are unproven. — Jeffrey A Tucker (@jeffreyatucker) December 17, 2020
Morrow appears to have gleaned an insight once observed by the economist Milton Friedman.
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results,” Friedman famously observed.
With every passing week the results of government lockdowns become more clear. They cause tremendous and widespread harms—no one disagrees on this point—but the supposed benefits of the policies remain tenuous. Despite the bevy of evidence they possess, lawmakers continue to embrace restrictions because of bad incentives.
The Costs of Abandoning Freedom
The great economist Ludwig von Mises noted long ago that a great deal of modern social conflict is a struggle over who gets to design the world, individuals or authorities. Mises believed that individuals, if left to their own devices, would generally make rational decisions based on their own self interest. This is why he saw few things as dangerous as central planners who seek to supplant individual planning with their own (despite their knowledge limitations) in an effort to create a more perfect society.
“The planner is a potential dictator who wants to deprive all other people of the power to plan and act according to their own plans,” Mises wrote in Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis. “He aims at one thing only: the exclusive absolute pre-eminence of his own plan.”
The Washington Post reported yesterday that nearly 8 million Americans have slipped into poverty since summer. When one considers the damage government lockdowns have wrought compared to the positive results they’ve achieved, one begins to see why Mises saw the unchecked power of authorities as such a threat.


bonginoreport--2020-12-20--Report: U.S. Colleges See Fall College Enrollment Drop by 400,000 Because of Coronavirus

A National Student Clearinghouse Research Center report on fall enrollment in U.S. colleges reveals that the higher education sector lost 400,000 students this fall because of the coronavirus — twice the rate in 2019 .
Community college enrollment saw the sharpest declines , and freshman enrollment is down 13.1 percent , about steady with the previous report .
Community college enrollment is down 10.1 percent , up from the 9.5 percent decline in the last report .
Public colleges over all lost 4 percent of their enrollment , a concerning fact given public institutions enroll seven out of 10 students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , said Doug Shapiro , executive director of the research center .
“ Almost all students who enrolled in the spring stayed enrolled this fall , ” except those who graduated , Shaprio said during a webinar held to discuss the report .
“ Some of this is driven by a decline in international students , but it ’ s clear that a substantial number of Americans who would have normally attended college stayed away this fall , ” Robert Kelchen , an associate professor of higher education at Seton Hall University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes whether they enroll after the pandemic ends or whether they decide not to go to college.
” “ Those seeing the sharpest of these striking declines in enrollment are community colleges — the institutions that often serve the largest share of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds , ” Michelle Asha Cooper , president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy , said in a statement .
“ While many students may enroll or re-enroll at a later time , we know that delays in enrollment and needing to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ odds that a student will ultimately earn a degree or credential.
” “ We also know that students who need to delay earning a degree or credential must also delay the earnings premium and workforce outcomes associated with educational attainment , both of which could help students and families recover from this crisis and cushion themselves against a future recession , ” Cooper said .
Another Clearinghouse report shows the number of high school graduates going directly to college decreased by 22 percent this fall , and those graduates were mostly low-income and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the decline in community college enrollment , paints the bleak picture that more vulnerable students are simply not going to college , ” Inside Higher Ed reported .
“ That has serious implications for this generation of students , and also for our national economy , ” Shapiro said .
Graduate enrollment rates tell a more positive story — it is up 3.6 percent in the fall .
Four-year , for-profit college enrollment also increased by 5.3 percent and was the only sector to have enrollment grow at both the undergraduate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era also showed male student enrollment fell by 5 percent compared to a .07 decrease in 2019 .
Follow Penny Starr on Twitter or send news tips to pstarr @ breitbart.com

A National Student Clearinghouse Research Center report on fall enrollment in U.S. colleges reveals that the higher education sector lost 400,000 students this fall because of the coronavirus — twice the rate in 2019.
Inside Higher Ed detailed the report:
Community college enrollment saw the sharpest declines, and freshman enrollment is down 13.1 percent, about steady with the previous report. Community college enrollment is down 10.1 percent, up from the 9.5 percent decline in the last report. Public colleges over all lost 4 percent of their enrollment, a concerning fact given public institutions enroll seven out of 10 students. Continuing students are doing well, though, said Doug Shapiro, executive director of the research center. “Almost all students who enrolled in the spring stayed enrolled this fall,” except those who graduated, Shaprio said during a webinar held to discuss the report.
“Some of this is driven by a decline in international students, but it’s clear that a substantial number of Americans who would have normally attended college stayed away this fall,” Robert Kelchen, an associate professor of higher education at Seton Hall University, said. “The question then becomes whether they enroll after the pandemic ends or whether they decide not to go to college.”
He called the report “astonishing.”
“Those seeing the sharpest of these striking declines in enrollment are community colleges — the institutions that often serve the largest share of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds,” Michelle Asha Cooper, president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, said in a statement. “While many students may enroll or re-enroll at a later time, we know that delays in enrollment and needing to stop out from higher education can decrease the odds that a student will ultimately earn a degree or credential.”
“We also know that students who need to delay earning a degree or credential must also delay the earnings premium and workforce outcomes associated with educational attainment, both of which could help students and families recover from this crisis and cushion themselves against a future recession,” Cooper said.
Another Clearinghouse report shows the number of high school graduates going directly to college decreased by 22 percent this fall, and those graduates were mostly low-income and urban students.
“This, coupled with the decline in community college enrollment, paints the bleak picture that more vulnerable students are simply not going to college,” Inside Higher Ed reported.
“That has serious implications for this generation of students, and also for our national economy,” Shapiro said.
Graduate enrollment rates tell a more positive story — it is up 3.6 percent in the fall. Four-year, for-profit college enrollment also increased by 5.3 percent and was the only sector to have enrollment grow at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Enrollment in the coronavirus era also showed male student enrollment fell by 5 percent compared to a .07 decrease in 2019.
Follow Penny Starr on Twitter or send news tips to pstarr@breitbart.com


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--College Football Playoff Semifinal Moved From Rose Bowl to AT&T Stadium in Texas

PASADENA , Calif. ( AP ) — The College Football Playoff semifinal scheduled for the Rose Bowl will be moved to AT & T Stadium in Arlington , Texas .
The College Football Playoff semifinal scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Jan. 1 is relocating to the Dallas Cowboys ’ stadium in Texas , a move prompted by California ’ s ban on spectators at sporting events during the pandemic .
College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said Saturday night that conference commissioners who make up the CFP management committee and the Tournament of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the “ growing number of COVID-19 cases in Southern California.
” “ The game in Dallas will still be played in the mid-afternoon window on New Year ’ s Day , ” Hancock said in a statement .
“ We are pleased that parents and loved ones will now be able to see their students play in the game.
” The decision , announced about 13 1/2 hours before the playoff field was scheduled to be set Sunday , is just the latest twist during a college football season played through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , know as the Granddaddy of all college football ’ s postseason games , has been played every year since 1916 .
Coaches and school officials with playoff contenders have complained about the Rose Bowl being unable to accommodate players ’ family members because of California ’ s COVID-19 restrictions , put in a place as the state tries to fight a public health crisis that is straining its hospitals .
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly even suggested that if the Fighting Irish were selected to play in the Rose Bowl , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have family attend .
None of the teams in contention to be selected for the playoff are from the western United States .
The Rose Bowl asked the state for an exception to the restriction , but was denied twice , including earlier this week .
The restrictions have been in place since March and UCLA has played its home football games at the Rose Bowl since November , including its regular-season finale Saturday night .
“ We know that the decision was not an easy one to make , ” said David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Executive Director .
“ While we remain confident that a game could have been played at the Rose Bowl Stadium , as evident in the other collegiate and professional games taking place in the region , the projection of COVID-19 cases in the region has continued on an upward trend.
” The other College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 will be held in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl , with current plans to allow 3,000 fans at the Superdome .
The championship game is scheduled for Jan. 11 at Hard Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hancock said it had not yet been determined if the semifinal at AT & T Stadium in Arlington would still be called the Rose Bowl .
The name is part of licensing agreement and is co-owned by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena .
If not , it would be the first time in more than 100 years no Rose Bowl game was played after a college football season .
The first Rose Bowl was played Jan. 1 , 1902 .
The last time the Rose Bowl game was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1942 .
The game between Oregon State and Duke was played in Durham , North Carolina , because the West Coast was deemed unsafe after the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 , 1941 .

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — The College Football Playoff semifinal scheduled for the Rose Bowl will be moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The College Football Playoff semifinal scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Jan. 1 is relocating to the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Texas, a move prompted by California’s ban on spectators at sporting events during the pandemic.
College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said Saturday night that conference commissioners who make up the CFP management committee and the Tournament of Roses mutually agreed to relocate the game because of the “growing number of COVID-19 cases in Southern California.”
“The game in Dallas will still be played in the mid-afternoon window on New Year’s Day,” Hancock said in a statement. “We are pleased that parents and loved ones will now be able to see their students play in the game.”
The decision, announced about 13 1/2 hours before the playoff field was scheduled to be set Sunday, is just the latest twist during a college football season played through myriad COBID-19 disruptions.
The Rose Bowl, know as the Granddaddy of all college football’s postseason games, has been played every year since 1916.
Coaches and school officials with playoff contenders have complained about the Rose Bowl being unable to accommodate players’ family members because of California’s COVID-19 restrictions, put in a place as the state tries to fight a public health crisis that is straining its hospitals.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly even suggested that if the Fighting Irish were selected to play in the Rose Bowl, the school would boycott if players could not have family attend.
None of the teams in contention to be selected for the playoff are from the western United States.
The Rose Bowl asked the state for an exception to the restriction, but was denied twice, including earlier this week. The restrictions have been in place since March and UCLA has played its home football games at the Rose Bowl since November, including its regular-season finale Saturday night.
“We know that the decision was not an easy one to make,” said David Eads, Tournament of Roses CEO and Executive Director. “While we remain confident that a game could have been played at the Rose Bowl Stadium, as evident in the other collegiate and professional games taking place in the region, the projection of COVID-19 cases in the region has continued on an upward trend.”
The other College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 will be held in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl, with current plans to allow 3,000 fans at the Superdome. The championship game is scheduled for Jan. 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Hancock said it had not yet been determined if the semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington would still be called the Rose Bowl. The name is part of licensing agreement and is co-owned by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena.
If not, it would be the first time in more than 100 years no Rose Bowl game was played after a college football season. The first Rose Bowl was played Jan. 1, 1902.
The last time the Rose Bowl game was played outside Pasadena, California, was 1942. The game between Oregon State and Duke was played in Durham, North Carolina, because the West Coast was deemed unsafe after the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
RALPH D. RUSSO, AP


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--Carson Wentz Ready to Leave if He’s Not Eagles’ Starting QB

Carson Wentz ’ s career in Philadelphia may not be over .
As ...

Carson Wentz is prepared to leave the Philadelphia Eagles if he isn’t their starting quarterback.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday, citing sources, that the spurned signal-caller isn’t happy with “the way events have unfolded in the organization” and wants out if he’s going to be a backup.
Wentz, 27, was benched in-game for 2020 second-rounder Jalen Hurts in Week 13 against the Packers amid his worst season since entering the NFL. Through 12 starts this year, he has completed a career-worst 57.4 percent of his passes for 2,620 yards, 16 touchdowns and an NFL-high 15 interceptions.
This report comes a week after sources told ESPN that the organization still has “belief” in Wentz. However, that sentiment may have shifted after the Eagles’ improbable, 24-21 win in Week 14 against the Saints (10-3), during which Hurts looked like a palpable improvement over Wentz. The rookie completed 17 of 30 attempts for one touchdown, zero interceptions and rushed 18 times for 106 yards while quelling the team’s four-game losing streak.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz Getty Images
Wentz will back up Hurts for the second week in a row as the Eagles (4-8-1) take on the Cardinals (7-6) on Sunday. Head coach Doug Pederson has yet to commit to making Hurts the full-time starter, though the move seems inevitable at this point if he continues to play at this level.
“Player and team sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen last weekend that Hurts will remain the starter this season,” Schefter added.
Any option to move on from Wentz would be costly for the Eagles, who recently extended him for $128 million through 2024. The former No. 2 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft carries an enormous $34.7 million cap hit ($59.2 million dead cap) in 2021, which drops to $31.3 million ($24.6 million dead cap) in 2022 and $36.3 million ($15.3 million dead cap) in 2023 according to Spotrac.
His 2022 base salary of $22 million becomes fully guaranteed three days after the new league year begins in March; his $10 million 2021 roster bonus is also paid out at the same time. The Eagles may opt to designate him as a post-June 1 release, in which case they would owe Wentz his 2021 salary, but could spread out his $59.2 million dead cap hit over two years.
If they choose to put him on the trading block, the Eagles would only incur a $33.8 million cap hit that would count against their 2021 cap in full. This would require another team to agree to pay the struggling North Dakota State product’s $25.4 million salary plus a $10 million roster bonus in 2021, which would likely require some incentive from the Philadelphia.
The Eagles currently sit in third place in a soft NFC East behind the Washington Football Team (6-7) and the Giants (5-8).


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--Congress Rushes to Pass $2.3 Trillion Spending Deal

The deal includes $ 1.4 trillion in regular federal government spending for 2021 and $ 900 billion in coronavirus relief .
One of the largest relief packages in modern history , it includes an extension of a reimbursement program for federal contractors under Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
The legislation , which represents much of Capitol Hill ’ s unfinished business for the year , was expected to sprint through both chambers .
To avoid a government shutdown , lawmakers must pass the bills before the latest stopgap funding measure runs out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The 2021 annual defense authorization bill remains in limbo , awaiting a possible veto — something the president has threatened — and an override vote by lawmakers . )
“ The American people expect us to do our job , and after many months of work on this legislation , I am hopeful we can swiftly advance the bipartisan package through Congress and on to the President ’ s desk .
Funding the government , including our Armed Forces , is our fundamental responsibility , ” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans and businesses is paramount as our nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic .
This year has been unprecedented in a number of ways .
Completing our work is all the more important .
I urge my colleagues to support this package.
” The House passed its $ 694.6 billion Pentagon spending bill for fiscal 2021 in July as part of a $ 1.3 trillion package .
Senate Republican waited until November to introduce their $ 1.4 trillion spending package , which included $ 696 billion for defense .
According to Monday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legislation funds the request of 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft at $ 1.7 billion ; 96 F-35 aircraft at $ 9.6 billion , which is 17 more than Trump ’ s request and includes 60 F-35As , 10 F-35Bs and 26 F-35Cs ; and 12 F-15EX aircraft at $ 9.6 billion to recapitalize the F-15C/D fleet .
It surpasses Trump ’ s request by $ 189 million for the first five CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopter and long-lead funding for the second five CH-47F Block II Chinooks ; and by $ 141 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 42 UH/HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters .
The bill adds a Virginia-class submarine in its $ 23.3 billion shipbuilding allotment to build 10 Navy vessels .
Those dollars would also buy two DDG-51 guided-missile destroyers ; two SSN-774 attack submarines ; one Columbia-class submarine ; one frigate ; two towing , salvage and rescue ships ; one expeditionary fast transport ; and one amphibious transport dock .
For the Army , it funds upgrades for 271 Stryker combat vehicles at $ 1.16 billion , or $ 375 million over the request ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the M1A2 SEPv3 tank variant for $ 968 million ; provides $ 100 million for the Army National Guard to modernize Humvees ; and funds the Army ’ s request for 1,920 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and 1,334 JLTV companion trailers at $ 884 million .
The bill funds the Army long-range hypersonic weapon at $ 861 million , or $ 60 million above the request ; provides $ 88.1 million above the request for systems integration and testing in support of the Army ’ s mid-range missile development ; and provides $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s enduring Indirect Fire Protection Capability program .
After a series of explosions and fires at Army munitions plants , the bill would provide $ 84 million above the request for safety and environmental upgrades of Army industrial facilities and $ 62 million above the request for Army organic industrial base investments .

WASHINGTON ― Congress is rocketing to pass a massive $2.3 trillion spending package by Monday at 11:59 p.m. that includes pandemic relief and federal spending, with $696 billion for the Pentagon.
The full-year Pentagon spending bill released Monday morning as part of the mega package represents a $2.6 billion increase over the 2020-enacted level but $2.1 billion less than President Donald Trump’s 2021 budget request.
It shakes out to $627.3 billion in base funding and $68.7 billion in wartime overseas contingency operations funding.
The deal includes $1.4 trillion in regular federal government spending for 2021 and $900 billion in coronavirus relief. One of the largest relief packages in modern history, it includes an extension of a reimbursement program for federal contractors under Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
The legislation, which represents much of Capitol Hill’s unfinished business for the year, was expected to sprint through both chambers. To avoid a government shutdown, lawmakers must pass the bills before the latest stopgap funding measure runs out at the end of Dec. 21. (The 2021 annual defense authorization bill remains in limbo, awaiting a possible veto — something the president has threatened — and an override vote by lawmakers.)
“The American people expect us to do our job, and after many months of work on this legislation, I am hopeful we can swiftly advance the bipartisan package through Congress and on to the President’s desk. Funding the government, including our Armed Forces, is our fundamental responsibility,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala.
“Providing relief to struggling Americans and businesses is paramount as our nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. This year has been unprecedented in a number of ways. Completing our work is all the more important. I urge my colleagues to support this package.”
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“I’m incredibly honored that my final legislation as a Member of Congress will provide full-year funding for all of government and deliver urgently-needed coronavirus relief to save lives and livelihoods,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y. “The process was not always smooth, but at the end of the day we secured funding increases for critical priorities and strong emergency relief to crush the virus and put more money in people’s pockets.”
The House passed its $694.6 billion Pentagon spending bill for fiscal 2021 in July as part of a $1.3 trillion package. Senate Republican waited until November to introduce their $1.4 trillion spending package, which included $696 billion for defense.
According to Monday’s summary of the compromise bill, the legislation funds the request of 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft at $1.7 billion; 96 F-35 aircraft at $9.6 billion, which is 17 more than Trump’s request and includes 60 F-35As, 10 F-35Bs and 26 F-35Cs; and 12 F-15EX aircraft at $9.6 billion to recapitalize the F-15C/D fleet.
It also spends $1.6 billion for nine Navy Reserve P-8A Poseidon aircraft that the president did not request.
It surpasses Trump’s request by $189 million for the first five CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopter and long-lead funding for the second five CH-47F Block II Chinooks; and by $141 million above the request to fund a total of 42 UH/HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
It also includes six more V-22 aircraft (for 15 total) at $1.4 billion.
The bill adds a Virginia-class submarine in its $23.3 billion shipbuilding allotment to build 10 Navy vessels. Those dollars would also buy two DDG-51 guided-missile destroyers; two SSN-774 attack submarines; one Columbia-class submarine; one frigate; two towing, salvage and rescue ships; one expeditionary fast transport; and one amphibious transport dock.
It also provides $500 million in incremental funding for LHA 9, a landing helicopter assault ship, and $73 million for advance procurement for one expeditionary sea base.
For the Army, it funds upgrades for 271 Stryker combat vehicles at $1.16 billion, or $375 million over the request; funds upgrades for 89 Abrams tanks to the M1A2 SEPv3 tank variant for $968 million; provides $100 million for the Army National Guard to modernize Humvees; and funds the Army’s request for 1,920 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and 1,334 JLTV companion trailers at $884 million.
The bill funds the Army long-range hypersonic weapon at $861 million, or $60 million above the request; provides $88.1 million above the request for systems integration and testing in support of the Army’s mid-range missile development; and provides $161 million to support the Army’s enduring Indirect Fire Protection Capability program.
After a series of explosions and fires at Army munitions plants, the bill would provide $84 million above the request for safety and environmental upgrades of Army industrial facilities and $62 million above the request for Army organic industrial base investments.
Joe Gould was the senior Pentagon reporter for Defense News, covering the intersection of national security policy, politics and the defense industry. He had previously served as Congress reporter.


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--California Governor Goes Back Into Quarantine

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom will quarantine for 10 days after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 , his @ @ @ @ @ The staffer came into contact with Newsom and a few other colleagues , Newsom ’ @ @ @ @ @ statement to KGO .
Newsom tested negative for the coronavirus on Sunday and is expected @ @ @ @ @ the coming days , his office said .
The governor ’ s office said Newsom @ @ @ @ @ state and CDC guidelines.
” Newsom quarantined for 14 days last month after three of @ @ @ @ @ a California Highway Patrol officer who was diagnosed with the coronavirus .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will quarantine for 10 days after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Sunday night.
The staffer came into contact with Newsom and a few other colleagues, Newsom’s office said in a statement to KGO.
Newsom tested negative for the coronavirus on Sunday and is expected to be tested again in the coming days, his office said.
The governor’s office said Newsom will “continue to follow state and CDC guidelines.”
Newsom quarantined for 14 days last month after three of his children were exposed to a California Highway Patrol officer who was diagnosed with the coronavirus.