shareblue--2020-10-02--Trump heads to the hospital for COVID-19

Donald Trump will spend a `` few days '' at a military hospital after contracting COVID-19 , the White House said Friday , as the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government .
Trump `` remains fatigued , '' his doctor said .
Trump was to depart the White House by helicopter late Friday for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
The White House said the visit was precautionary and that he would work from the hospital 's presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains in good spirits , has mild symptoms , and has been working throughout the day , '' said press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
`` Out of an abundance of caution , and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts , the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days . ''
Earlier Friday the White House said Trump had been injected with an experimental antibody cocktail by the White House physician .
Just a month before the presidential election , Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus came by tweet about 1 a.m. after he had returned from an afternoon political fundraiser .
He had gone ahead , saying nothing to the crowd though knowing he had been exposed to an aide with the disease that has infected millions in America and killed more than a million people worldwide .
First lady Melania Trump also tested positive , the president said , and several others in the White House have , too , prompting concern that the White House or even Trump himself might have spread the virus further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year downplaying the threat of the virus , rarely wearing a protective mask and urging states and cities to `` reopen '' and reduce or eliminate shutdown rules .
The president 's physician said in a memo late Friday that Trump received a dose of an experimental antibody cocktail by Regeneron that is in clinical trials .
Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley said Trump `` remains fatigued but in good spirits '' and that a team of experts was evaluating both the president and first lady in regard to next steps .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a `` mild cough and headache , '' Conley reported , and the remainder of the first family , including the Trumps ' son Barron , who lives at the White House , tested negative .
Both Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have tested negative , their campaign said .
Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for the virus Friday morning and `` remains in good health , '' his spokesman said .
Trump 's Supreme Court nominee , Judge Amy Coney Barrett , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has been on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers , also tested negative , the White House said .
Trump 's diagnosis was sure to have a destabilizing effect in Washington and around the world , raising questions about how far the virus has spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government .
Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus , the White House said a top aide who had traveled with him during the week had tested positive .
`` Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and recovery process immediately , '' Trump tweeted just before 1 a.m. `` We will get through this TOGETHER ! ''
While House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday tried to assure the public that Trump was conducting business as usual , even as he confirmed that the White House knew Hope Hicks , the aide , had tested positive before Trump attended a Thursday fundraiser in New Jersey .
`` I can tell you in terms of Hope Hicks , we discovered that right as Marine One was taking off yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were pulled from the trip , but Trump did not cancel and there was no direct evidence that her illness was connected to his .
Many White House and senior administration officials were undergoing tests Friday , but the full scale of the outbreak around the president may not be known for some time as it can take days for an infection to be detectable by a test .
Officials with the White House Medical Unit were tracing the president 's contacts .
Trump 's reelection campaign said it was putting on hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family but that Pence would resume campaigning since he tested negative .
Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and did not appear ill .
He is 74 years old and clinically obese , putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide .
Trump has been trying all year to convince the American public that the worst of the pandemic is behind them .
In the best of cases , if he develops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cough and breathing trouble , it will likely force him off the campaign trail and puts his participation in the second presidential debate , scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami , into doubt .
Trump 's handling of the pandemic has already been a major flashpoint in his race against Biden , who spent much of the summer off the campaign trail and at his home in Delaware citing concern about the virus .
Biden has since resumed a more active campaign schedule , but with small , socially distanced crowds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , something Trump mocked him for at Tuesday night 's debate .
`` I do n't wear masks like him , '' Trump said of Biden .
`` Every time you see him , he 's got a mask .
He could be speaking 200 feet away from me , and he shows up with the biggest mask I 've ever seen . ''
In a tweet Friday morning , Biden said he and his wife `` send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health and safety of the president and his family . ''
World leaders offered the president and first family their best wishes after their diagnosis , as governments used their case as a reminder for their citizens to wear masks and practice social distancing measures .
Trump 's announcement came hours after he confirmed that Hicks , one of his most trusted and longest-serving aides , had been diagnosed with the virus Thursday .
Hicks began feeling mild symptoms during the plane ride home from a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private information .
She was isolated from other passengers aboard the plane , the person said .
Hicks had been with Trump and other senior staff aboard Marine One and Air Force One en route to that rally and had accompanied the president to Tuesday 's presidential debate in Cleveland , along with members of the Trump family .
The Trump contingent removed their masks during the debate , in violation of the venue rules .
Multiple White House staffers have previously tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Katie Miller , national security adviser Robert O'Brien and one of the president 's personal valets .
An RNC official confirmed Friday that Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel learned she had tested positive Wednesday afternoon .
She has been at her home in Michigan since last Saturday and did not attend the debate .
But Trump has consistently played down concerns about being personally vulnerable .
He has mostly refused to abide by basic public health guidelines — including those issued by his own administration — such as wearing face coverings in public and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of often maskless supporters .
`` I felt no vulnerability whatsoever , '' he told reporters back in May .
As for Trump 's attendance at Thursday 's fundraiser , press secretary Kalleigh McEnany said , `` He socially distanced .
It was an outdoor event , and it was deemed safe by White House Operations for him to attend that event . ''
McEnany and Trump 's social media director Dan Scavino , who were originally set to join him on the trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by other aides .
McEnany briefed the press Thursday morning and made no mention of any suspected illness , raising anew concern about White House transparency .
It is unclear where the Trumps or Hicks may have caught the virus , but in a Fox interview , Trump seemed to suggest it may have been spread by someone in the military or law enforcement in greetings .
The White House began instituting a daily testing regimen for the president 's senior aides after earlier positive cases close to the president .
Anyone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president is also tested every day , including reporters .
Trump is far from the first world leader to test positive for the virus , which previously infected Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who spent a week in the hospital , including three nights in intensive care .
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was hospitalized last month while fighting what he called a `` hellish '' case of COVID-19 .

Donald Trump will spend a “few days” at a military hospital after contracting COVID-19, the White House said Friday, as the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government. Trump “remains fatigued,” his doctor said.
Trump was to depart the White House by helicopter late Friday for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The White House said the visit was precautionary and that he would work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties.
“President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day,” said press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. “Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.”
Earlier Friday the White House said Trump had been injected with an experimental antibody cocktail by the White House physician.
Just a month before the presidential election, Trump’s revelation that he was positive for the virus came by tweet about 1 a.m. after he had returned from an afternoon political fundraiser. He had gone ahead, saying nothing to the crowd though knowing he had been exposed to an aide with the disease that has infected millions in America and killed more than a million people worldwide.
First lady Melania Trump also tested positive, the president said, and several others in the White House have, too, prompting concern that the White House or even Trump himself might have spread the virus further.
Trump has spent much of the year downplaying the threat of the virus, rarely wearing a protective mask and urging states and cities to “reopen” and reduce or eliminate shutdown rules.
The president’s physician said in a memo late Friday that Trump received a dose of an experimental antibody cocktail by Regeneron that is in clinical trials. Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley said Trump “remains fatigued but in good spirits” and that a team of experts was evaluating both the president and first lady in regard to next steps.
The first lady, who is 50, has a “mild cough and headache,” Conley reported, and the remainder of the first family, including the Trumps’ son Barron, who lives at the White House, tested negative.
Both Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have tested negative, their campaign said. Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for the virus Friday morning and “remains in good health,” his spokesman said.
Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who was with him and many others on Saturday and has been on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers, also tested negative, the White House said.
Trump’s diagnosis was sure to have a destabilizing effect in Washington and around the world, raising questions about how far the virus has spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government. Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus, the White House said a top aide who had traveled with him during the week had tested positive.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately,” Trump tweeted just before 1 a.m. “We will get through this TOGETHER!”
While House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday tried to assure the public that Trump was conducting business as usual, even as he confirmed that the White House knew Hope Hicks, the aide, had tested positive before Trump attended a Thursday fundraiser in New Jersey.
“I can tell you in terms of Hope Hicks, we discovered that right as Marine One was taking off yesterday,” said Meadows. Several staffers were pulled from the trip, but Trump did not cancel and there was no direct evidence that her illness was connected to his.
Many White House and senior administration officials were undergoing tests Friday, but the full scale of the outbreak around the president may not be known for some time as it can take days for an infection to be detectable by a test. Officials with the White House Medical Unit were tracing the president’s contacts.
Trump’s reelection campaign said it was putting on hold all events featuring Trump and members of his family but that Pence would resume campaigning since he tested negative.
Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and did not appear ill. He is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide.
Trump has been trying all year to convince the American public that the worst of the pandemic is behind them. In the best of cases, if he develops few symptoms, which can include fever, cough and breathing trouble, it will likely force him off the campaign trail and puts his participation in the second presidential debate, scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami, into doubt.
Trump’s handling of the pandemic has already been a major flashpoint in his race against Biden, who spent much of the summer off the campaign trail and at his home in Delaware citing concern about the virus. Biden has since resumed a more active campaign schedule, but with small, socially distanced crowds. He also regularly wears a mask in public, something Trump mocked him for at Tuesday night’s debate.
“I don’t wear masks like him,” Trump said of Biden. “Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away from me, and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.”
In a tweet Friday morning, Biden said he and his wife “send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
World leaders offered the president and first family their best wishes after their diagnosis, as governments used their case as a reminder for their citizens to wear masks and practice social distancing measures.
Trump’s announcement came hours after he confirmed that Hicks, one of his most trusted and longest-serving aides, had been diagnosed with the virus Thursday. Hicks began feeling mild symptoms during the plane ride home from a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday evening, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private information. She was isolated from other passengers aboard the plane, the person said.
Hicks had been with Trump and other senior staff aboard Marine One and Air Force One en route to that rally and had accompanied the president to Tuesday’s presidential debate in Cleveland, along with members of the Trump family. The Trump contingent removed their masks during the debate, in violation of the venue rules.
Multiple White House staffers have previously tested positive for the virus, including Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, national security adviser Robert O’Brien and one of the president’s personal valets. An RNC official confirmed Friday that Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel learned she had tested positive Wednesday afternoon. She has been at her home in Michigan since last Saturday and did not attend the debate.
But Trump has consistently played down concerns about being personally vulnerable. He has mostly refused to abide by basic public health guidelines — including those issued by his own administration — such as wearing face coverings in public and practicing social distancing. Instead, he has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of often maskless supporters.
“I felt no vulnerability whatsoever,” he told reporters back in May.
As for Trump’s attendance at Thursday’s fundraiser, press secretary Kalleigh McEnany said, “He socially distanced. It was an outdoor event, and it was deemed safe by White House Operations for him to attend that event.”
McEnany and Trump’s social media director Dan Scavino, who were originally set to join him on the trip, were replaced at the last minute by other aides. McEnany briefed the press Thursday morning and made no mention of any suspected illness, raising anew concern about White House transparency.
It is unclear where the Trumps or Hicks may have caught the virus, but in a Fox interview, Trump seemed to suggest it may have been spread by someone in the military or law enforcement in greetings.
The White House began instituting a daily testing regimen for the president’s senior aides after earlier positive cases close to the president. Anyone in close proximity to the president or vice president is also tested every day, including reporters.
Trump is far from the first world leader to test positive for the virus, which previously infected Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who spent a week in the hospital, including three nights in intensive care. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was hospitalized last month while fighting what he called a “hellish” case of COVID-19.


shareblue--2020-10-02--How Trump's new diagnosis could alter the course of the election

Donald Trump 's announcement early Friday that he and Melania Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus sent shockwaves across the country .
Experts say the effect of such news could be a game-changer for the election , shaking up an already contentious race .
In recorded remarks played at the Al Smith Dinner on Thursday night , hours before he announced his diagnosis , Trump said America was rounding a corner in the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I just want to say that the end of the pandemic is in sight , '' Trump said , before adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest years in the history of our country . ''
But observers say this messaging is severely undercut by his diagnosis with a virus he said affected `` virtually nobody . ''
Kathryn Watson , a White House reporter for CBS News , tweeted Friday , `` For all the fun Trump poked at Biden for wearing a big mask and spending too much time in his basement , one candidate will almost certainly be able to continue campaigning around the country and the other will not for a period of time right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump scoffed at Biden during Tuesday 's presidential debate : `` I do n't wear a mask like him .
Every time you see him , he 's got a mask . ''
`` The president 's own callous & resistant policies towards # COVID are related to his condition , '' tweeted Jason Johnson , a political contributor at MSNBC and a professor of global journalism and communication at Morgan State University .
`` Pointing that out is not gloating any more than wishing him well is cheering . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Sarah Reese Jones , managing editor of PoliticusUSA , posted on Twitter .
`` 200,000 plus Americans have died , many of them needlessly — due to Trump 's actions .
We ca n't afford to ignore this while Trump is sick from what he said was nothing more than the flu when others were dying . ''
Logistically , the road to Election Day may look very different due to Trump 's diagnosis .
A statement released Friday by Bill Stepien , Trump 's 2020 campaign manager , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to virtual forums , as will all events involving the first family .
`` All other campaign events will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we will make any relevant announcements in the days ahead , '' Stepien said , adding that Mike Pence will continue his duties as he has tested negative for the virus .
Trump rallies have been canceled , most notably in Florida , which was going to be Trump 's next campaign focus .
Timothy Lynch , an associate professor in American politics at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ability to appeal to the masses and rile up a stadium full of people , an edge he 's long had on Democratic nominee Joe Biden , will now be erased .
`` Trump was much better at energizing crowds in airport hangars than Joe Biden has been , '' he wrote .
`` This advantage is now gone . ''
He also noted that Trump will likely be unable to participate in any more presidential debates .
`` The presidential debates will almost certainly be canceled , which will likely mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynch said .
And this may not help Trump 's image , as he 's already been long seen as less than compassionate towards those suffering from the virus .
A recent poll by the Democracy Fund and UCLA Nationscape Project indicated that while 70 % of Americans see Biden as sympathetic to coronavirus patients , less than half see Trump as sympathetic .
Americans are watching closely to see whether Trump 's pandemic response improves after his illness — or worsens .
And make no mistake : They are watching with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , POTUS 's experience with COVID may determine if he changes his tune and attitude or not , '' said Rep. Nannette Barragan ( D-CA ) in a series of tweets .
`` If he quickly recovers and is symptom free , will he continue to mock those who wear a mask ?
Will he still say ( re .
deaths ) 'it is what it is ' or continue to downplay its danger ?
For his sake and that of our country , I hope not . ''
Some have speculated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild case of the illness and a full recovery to claim that the coronavirus is no worse than the flu .
But experts such as Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright say that wo n't help his election bid — except with the people who were already planning to vote for him .
But , Seawright said , at least Trump 's shocking diagnosis will refocus American voters on the important issues at hand .
`` From now until we get to the election , attention is going to be back where it should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] response , and the impact and on health care , '' Seawright said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s announcement early Friday that he and Melania Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus sent shockwaves across the country.
Experts say the effect of such news could be a game-changer for the election, shaking up an already contentious race.
In recorded remarks played at the Al Smith Dinner on Thursday night, hours before he announced his diagnosis, Trump said America was rounding a corner in the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I just want to say that the end of the pandemic is in sight,” Trump said, before adding that 2021 would be “one of the greatest years in the history of our country.”
But observers say this messaging is severely undercut by his diagnosis with a virus he said affected “virtually nobody.”
Kathryn Watson, a White House reporter for CBS News, tweeted Friday, “For all the fun Trump poked at Biden for wearing a big mask and spending too much time in his basement, one candidate will almost certainly be able to continue campaigning around the country and the other will not for a period of time right before the election.”
Most recently, Trump scoffed at Biden during Tuesday’s presidential debate: “I don’t wear a mask like him. Every time you see him, he’s got a mask.”
“The president’s own callous & resistant policies towards #COVID are related to his condition,” tweeted Jason Johnson, a political contributor at MSNBC and a professor of global journalism and communication at Morgan State University. “Pointing that out is not gloating any more than wishing him well is cheering.”
“We are weeks away from an election,” Sarah Reese Jones, managing editor of PoliticusUSA, posted on Twitter. “200,000 plus Americans have died, many of them needlessly — due to Trump’s actions. We can’t afford to ignore this while Trump is sick from what he said was nothing more than the flu when others were dying.”
Logistically, the road to Election Day may look very different due to Trump’s diagnosis.
A statement released Friday by Bill Stepien, Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, said that all campaign events will be postponed or moved to virtual forums, as will all events involving the first family.
“All other campaign events will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we will make any relevant announcements in the days ahead,” Stepien said, adding that Mike Pence will continue his duties as he has tested negative for the virus.
Trump rallies have been canceled, most notably in Florida, which was going to be Trump’s next campaign focus.
Timothy Lynch, an associate professor in American politics at the University of Melbourne, has suggested that Trump’s ability to appeal to the masses and rile up a stadium full of people, an edge he’s long had on Democratic nominee Joe Biden, will now be erased.
“Trump was much better at energizing crowds in airport hangars than Joe Biden has been,” he wrote. “This advantage is now gone.”
He also noted that Trump will likely be unable to participate in any more presidential debates.
“The presidential debates will almost certainly be canceled, which will likely mean a more civil national debate,” Lynch said.
And this may not help Trump’s image, as he’s already been long seen as less than compassionate towards those suffering from the virus. A recent poll by the Democracy Fund and UCLA Nationscape Project indicated that while 70% of Americans see Biden as sympathetic to coronavirus patients, less than half see Trump as sympathetic.
Americans are watching closely to see whether Trump’s pandemic response improves after his illness — or worsens. And make no mistake: They are watching with an eye to the election.
“Unfortunately, POTUS’s experience with COVID may determine if he changes his tune and attitude or not,” said Rep. Nannette Barragan (D-CA) in a series of tweets. “If he quickly recovers and is symptom free, will he continue to mock those who wear a mask? Will he still say (re. deaths) ‘it is what it is’ or continue to downplay its danger? For his sake and that of our country, I hope not.”
Some have speculated that Trump plans to spin a potentially relatively mild case of the illness and a full recovery to claim that the coronavirus is no worse than the flu. But experts such as Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright say that won’t help his election bid — except with the people who were already planning to vote for him.
But, Seawright said, at least Trump’s shocking diagnosis will refocus American voters on the important issues at hand.
“From now until we get to the election, attention is going to be back where it should be: on COVID, [Trump’s] response, and the impact and on health care,” Seawright said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-02--18 right-wing congressmen refuse to officially condemn QAnon

Seventeen House Republicans and one conservative independent voted against a resolution on Friday to condemn the QAnon conspiracy movement .
The non-binding resolution , offered by three Republicans and three Democrats , put the House on record as opposing QAnon and rejecting `` the conspiracy theories it promotes . ''
It passed on a 371 to 18 vote The `` nay '' votes came from Reps. Justin Amash ( I-MI ) , Jodey Arrington ( R-SC ) , Brian Babin ( R-TX ) , Rob Bishop ( R-UT ) , Mo Brooks ( R-AL ) , Michael Burgess ( R-TX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Warren Davidson ( R-OH ) , Jeff Duncan ( R-SC ) , Drew Ferguson ( R-GA ) , Bill Flores ( R-TX ) , Paul Gosar ( R-AZ ) , Mike Kelly ( R-PA ) , Steve King ( R-IA ) , Ralph Norman ( R-SC ) , Scott Perry ( R-PA ) , Thomas Tiffany ( R-WI ) , and Daniel Webster ( R-FL ) .
Rep. Andy Harris ( R-MD ) voted `` present . ''
Rep. Thomas Massie ( R-KY ) tweeted on Thursday that he would miss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on his opposition to `` election year gimmicks '' that `` do n't carry the force of law . ''
Rep. Pete Olson ( R-TX ) voted for the resolution , but tweeted on Friday afternoon that it was a `` waste '' of time that kept him from attending a high school football game .
The baseless QAnon conspiracy claims that a large group of powerful politicians — mostly Democrats — are running an international child trafficking ring and working to undermine Donald Trump .
The FBI last year labeled it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for Friday 's resolution , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made headlines last month after he headlined a fundraiser for Lauren Boebert , a candidate in Colorado 's 3rd Congressional District who has embraced the QAnon conspiracy .
Rep. Ken Buck ( R-CO ) , who also voted for the resolution , was on the host committee for that fundraising event .
The National Republican Congressional Committee lists Boebert among its endorsed `` Young Guns '' candidates .
McCarthy has also embraced Marjorie Taylor Greene , a pro-QAnon Republican candidate in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent Foundation .

Seventeen House Republicans and one conservative independent voted against a resolution on Friday to condemn the QAnon conspiracy movement.
The non-binding resolution, offered by three Republicans and three Democrats, put the House on record as opposing QAnon and rejecting “the conspiracy theories it promotes.” It passed on a 371 to 18 vote
The “nay” votes came from Reps. Justin Amash (I-MI), Jodey Arrington (R-SC), Brian Babin (R-TX), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Bill Flores (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Steve King (R-IA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Scott Perry (R-PA), Thomas Tiffany (R-WI), and Daniel Webster (R-FL).
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) voted “present.” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) tweeted on Thursday that he would miss the vote, but opposed the resolution, based on his opposition to “election year gimmicks” that “don’t carry the force of law.”
Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) voted for the resolution, but tweeted on Friday afternoon that it was a “waste” of time that kept him from attending a high school football game.
The baseless QAnon conspiracy claims that a large group of powerful politicians — mostly Democrats — are running an international child trafficking ring and working to undermine Donald Trump. The FBI last year labeled it a domestic terrorism threat.
Though he voted for Friday’s resolution, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made headlines last month after he headlined a fundraiser for Lauren Boebert, a candidate in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District who has embraced the QAnon conspiracy.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), who also voted for the resolution, was on the host committee for that fundraising event.
The National Republican Congressional Committee lists Boebert among its endorsed “Young Guns” candidates.
McCarthy has also embraced Marjorie Taylor Greene, a pro-QAnon Republican candidate in Georgia.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-02--Biden campaign rushes to test everyone after White House kept virus diagnoses secret

The Joe Biden campaign is utilizing `` rapid testing capability '' to test everyone who attended the presidential debate on Tuesday night with the candidate after it found out about Donald Trump 's positive coronavirus test result from the media , according to reports .
The Trump campaign did not alert the Biden campaign that Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus , sources told Politico , the Hill , and CNN , leaving the Biden campaign to trace the former vice president 's guests .
The Biden campaign is not taking any chances .
It has `` rapid testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate , '' a source close to the situation told Politico .
Sen. Chris Coons ( D-DE ) and Rep. Tim Ryan ( D-OH ) had traveled with Joe Biden to the debate , and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester ( D-DE ) also attended the event .
All three have been tested .
Coons tested negative , while Blunt Rochester is awaiting test results , the Delaware News Journal reported .
Ryan was tested and is also awaiting results , WFMJ reported .
He slammed Trump 's family , who refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico that they `` endangered other people . ''
`` Not one of 'em wore masks .
It was obnoxious when I saw it that night , but after having a Q-Tip jammed down my nose again , I 'm angry at them , '' the congressman said .
`` It 's the height of arrogance .
It 's dangerous .
They endangered other people .
They were up on the stage where Joe Biden was . ''
Ryan said he had to get tested quickly in Washington , D.C. , before flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other lawmakers who attended the debate with Biden included Rep. Ruben Gallego ( D-AZ ) and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti .
As of Friday , it was unclear whether they had been tested .
Neither presidential campaign immediately responded to requests for comment .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Joe Biden campaign is utilizing “rapid testing capability” to test everyone who attended the presidential debate on Tuesday night with the candidate after it found out about Donald Trump’s positive coronavirus test result from the media, according to reports.
The Trump campaign did not alert the Biden campaign that Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus, sources told Politico, the Hill, and CNN, leaving the Biden campaign to trace the former vice president’s guests.
The Biden campaign is not taking any chances. It has “rapid testing capability and is testing everyone who attended the debate,” a source close to the situation told Politico.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) had traveled with Joe Biden to the debate, and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) also attended the event. All three have been tested.
Coons tested negative, while Blunt Rochester is awaiting test results, the Delaware News Journal reported.
Ryan was tested and is also awaiting results, WFMJ reported. He slammed Trump’s family, who refused to wear masks during the debate, telling Politico that they “endangered other people.”
“Not one of ’em wore masks. It was obnoxious when I saw it that night, but after having a Q-Tip jammed down my nose again, I’m angry at them,” the congressman said. “It’s the height of arrogance. It’s dangerous. They endangered other people. They were up on the stage where Joe Biden was.”
Ryan said he had to get tested quickly in Washington, D.C., before flying home to see his wife and children.
Other lawmakers who attended the debate with Biden included Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. As of Friday, it was unclear whether they had been tested.
Neither presidential campaign immediately responded to requests for comment.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-02--32 times Trump mocked Biden for following coronavirus safety guidelines

Before Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday , he spent months mocking Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden for following the administration 's own coronavirus safety guidelines .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the public to `` maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people who do n't live in your household , '' and to wear masks to lower the risk of transmitting COVID-19 .
The public health agency 's `` Events and Gatherings : Readiness and Planning Tool '' specifically states that , large in-person gatherings `` where it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 6 feet apart '' and where people `` [ do ] not wear cloth face coverings '' pose the highest risk of spreading the coronavirus .
`` Organizers should continue to assess , based on current conditions , whether to postpone , cancel , or significantly reduce the number of attendees for gatherings , '' the CDC said in another guideline from July .
Biden and his associates have so far attempted to follow those guidelines closely , throughout the pandemic .
In response , Trump has mocked the former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past several months , even as recently as Tuesday 's presidential debate , which was held just days before Trump tested positive for the virus .
On Friday afternoon , Biden 's camp announced he had tested negative , after having shared the debate stage with Trump .
As far back as May , as the pandemic was ravaging large sections of the United States , Trump mocked Biden , repeatedly dinging his decision to wear a mask .
On May 12 , Trump retweeted a post by `` The Ingraham Angle '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Basement Is a 'Gift ' For Biden . ''
The former vice president had been in lockdown at his home in Delaware , like many others , to help slow the spread of the virus .
Trump also retweeted a post making fun of Biden in a mask on May 25 , and one day later made similar remarks during a press briefing on May 26 .
On June 3 , Trump mocked Biden for wearing masks during an interview with Brian Kilmeade on the Fox Radio Network .
`` I saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time in a while , I have n't seen his face for a long time , '' he joked .
`` Sleepy Joe Biden refuses to leave his basement 'sanctuary ' and tell his Radical Left BOSSES that they are heading in the wrong direction .
Tell them to get out of Seattle now .
Liberal Governor @ JayInslee is looking 'the fool ' .
LAW & ORDER ! ''
Trump tweeted on June 11 , referring to a spate of anti-racism protests in the city .
In an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 , Trump said , `` I see Biden .
It 's like his whole face is covered .
It 's like he put a knapsack over his face .
He probably likes it that way .
He feels good that way because he does .
He seems to feel good in a mask , you know , feels better than he does without the mask , which is a strange situation . ''
On June 19 , Trump retweeted another Biden-basement comment .
Trump mentioned Biden staying in the basement again during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next day , June 20 , and an interview with Fox News ' John Roberts that same day .
On June 25 , Trump retweeted Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , who had mocked Biden for `` finally [ leaving ] the basement . ''
Trump made further comments about Biden having a mask on during an interview with Eric Bolling of Sinclair Broadcast Group on July 1 .
`` I see Biden walking up on a stage where there 's nobody around and the audience is 25 , 30 , 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And he speaks and he has a mask on and you ca n't even understand what he 's saying or he takes it off up there .
When there 's nobody around I do n't see any reason to be wearing it . ''
In an interview with CBS News ’ Catherine Herridge on July 14 , Trump said Biden had `` the largest mask I 've ever seen . ''
Trump additionally told Fox News ' Chris Wallace in an interview on July 19 , `` Biden ca n't put two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He goes up — he repeats — they ask him questions .
He reads a teleprompter and then he goes back into his basement . ''
`` Was in the Great State of Texas this week and explained that the Radical Left Do Nothing Democrats , headed up by their great leader , Sleepy Joe Biden ( who never leaves his basement ) , are strongly against 'Oil , Gas , Guns , & God ' .
Must be tough to win Texas on that platform ! ''
Trump tweeted on Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an Aug. 12 interview with Eric Bolling of Sinclair Broadcast Group .
He also retweeted conservative political operative Ford O ’ Connell quoting a Washington Times article about Biden hiding in a basement that same day .
Trump taunted Biden about being in a basement on Aug. 28 and twice again on Aug. 17 .
On Aug. 28 , Trump retweeted McDaniel saying , `` If Joe Biden had his way , he would stay in the basement forever . ''
`` Joe Biden is coming out of the basement earlier than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people told him he has no choice , his poll numbers are PLUNGING !
Going to Pittsburgh , where I have helped industry to a record last year , & then back to his basement for an extended period , '' Trump tweeted on Aug. 30 .
In an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Aug. 31 , Trump told the host , `` Do n't forget , Biden was n't going to come out of his basement until the election . ''
On Sept. 2 , Trump tweeted : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the likes of which we have never seen before .
The last thing our country needs is a Low Energy Individual , especially when surrounded by High Energy Chess Players scattered all over the world .
He 's back in his basement now - no schedule ! ''
`` We have Labor Day weekend coming up but did you ever see a man that likes a mask as much as him ?
And then he makes a speech and he always has it not always but a lot of times he has it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it gives him a feeling of security , '' he added .
In another rally in Latrobe , Pennsylvania , on Sept. 3 , Trump said of Biden : `` He famously told a voter I want you to look in my eyes when he 's not wearing the mask because I 've never seen a man that like the mask more . ''
During Sept. 8 in a rally in Winston-Salem , North Carolina , Trump made fun of Biden 's `` circles , '' appearing to refer to the former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` You ever see the gyms with the circles ? ''
Trump said , mocking Biden for observing social distancing guidelines of placing people 6 feet apart .
During a press conference and speech in Michigan on Sept. 10 , Trump again mocked Biden for staying in his basement .
In a Minden , Nevada campaign rally on Sept. 12 , Trump said Biden was `` in his damn basement again .
No , he 's in his basement .
He 's in his basement . ''
And during a separate press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Joe Biden is sleeping or whatever he 's doing in his basement .
He does n't seem to come out a lot . ''
During a campaign rally in Moon Township , Pennsylvania , on Sept. 22 , Trump said : `` Do you ever see sleepy Joe with the little circles ?
It puts him very far away , so far away and then he comes up with the mask .
He 's like 100 yards from the nearest human being he 's got a — he feels good about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , it 'll be him and I on the stage .
Is he going to walk in with a mask ?
I 'll be honest , he feels good about — he feels good about the mask and that 's OK. '' '' You know what , whatever makes you feel good , '' he added .
`` He feels good .
He feels good .
I mean honestly , what the hell did he spend all that money on the plastic surgery if he 's going to cover it up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold on .
No , I think he 'll come in with a mask .
I do n't know .
You have no — I have no idea . ''
During a Black economic empowerment event in Atlanta on Sept. 26 , Trump told the audience that Biden was `` staying in again today . ''
`` This guy never goes out .
It 's terrible huh ?
… If I lose to a man who does n't campaign ...
I do n't know , '' Trump said .
And in the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential debate , Trump once more mocked Biden for wearing a mask — days before being diagnosed with COVID-19 himself .
`` Every time you see him , he ’ s got a mask .
He could be speaking 200 feet away from it .
And he shows up with the biggest mask I ’ ve ever seen , '' Trump said .
Published with permission from The American Independent Foundation .

Before Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday, he spent months mocking Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden for following the administration’s own coronavirus safety guidelines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the public to “maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people who don’t live in your household,” and to wear masks to lower the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
The public health agency’s “Events and Gatherings: Readiness and Planning Tool” specifically states that large in-person gatherings “where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart” and where people “[do] not wear cloth face coverings” pose the highest risk of spreading the coronavirus.
“Organizers should continue to assess, based on current conditions, whether to postpone, cancel, or significantly reduce the number of attendees for gatherings,” the CDC said in another guideline from July.
Biden and his associates have so far attempted to follow those guidelines closely, throughout the pandemic. In response, Trump has mocked the former vice president at least 32 times over the past several months, even as recently as Tuesday’s presidential debate, which was held just days before Trump tested positive for the virus.
On Friday afternoon, Biden’s camp announced he had tested negative, after having shared the debate stage with Trump.
May
As far back as May, as the pandemic was ravaging large sections of the United States, Trump mocked Biden, repeatedly dinging his decision to wear a mask.
On May 12, Trump retweeted a post by “The Ingraham Angle” account that claimed “Being Locked in a Basement Is a ‘Gift’ For Biden.” The former vice president had been in lockdown at his home in Delaware, like many others, to help slow the spread of the virus.
Trump also retweeted a post making fun of Biden in a mask on May 25, and one day later made similar remarks during a press briefing on May 26.
June
On June 3, Trump mocked Biden for wearing masks during an interview with Brian Kilmeade on the Fox Radio Network. “I saw today, he took his mask off for the first time in a while, I haven’t seen his face for a long time,” he joked.
“Sleepy Joe Biden refuses to leave his basement ‘sanctuary’ and tell his Radical Left BOSSES that they are heading in the wrong direction. Tell them to get out of Seattle now. Liberal Governor @JayInslee is looking ‘the fool’. LAW & ORDER!” Trump tweeted on June 11, referring to a spate of anti-racism protests in the city.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on June 17, Trump said, “I see Biden. It’s like his whole face is covered. It’s like he put a knapsack over his face. He probably likes it that way. He feels good that way because he does. He seems to feel good in a mask, you know, feels better than he does without the mask, which is a strange situation.”
On June 19, Trump retweeted another Biden-basement comment. Trump mentioned Biden staying in the basement again during a Tulsa, Oklahoma, rally the next day, June 20, and an interview with Fox News’ John Roberts that same day.
On June 25, Trump retweeted Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who had mocked Biden for “finally [leaving] the basement.”
McDaniel recently tested positive for coronavirus.
July
Trump made further comments about Biden having a mask on during an interview with Eric Bolling of Sinclair Broadcast Group on July 1. “I see Biden walking up on a stage where there’s nobody around and the audience is 25, 30, 40 feet away,” he said. “And he speaks and he has a mask on and you can’t even understand what he’s saying or he takes it off up there. When there’s nobody around I don’t see any reason to be wearing it.”
In an interview with CBS News’ Catherine Herridge on July 14, Trump said Biden had “the largest mask I’ve ever seen.”
Trump additionally told Fox News’ Chris Wallace in an interview on July 19, “Biden can’t put two sentences together. They wheel him out. He goes up — he repeats — they ask him questions. He reads a teleprompter and then he goes back into his basement.”
August
“Was in the Great State of Texas this week and explained that the Radical Left Do Nothing Democrats, headed up by their great leader, Sleepy Joe Biden (who never leaves his basement), are strongly against ‘Oil, Gas, Guns, & God’. Must be tough to win Texas on that platform!” Trump tweeted on Aug. 2.
Trump made another Biden-basement comment in an Aug. 12 interview with Eric Bolling of Sinclair Broadcast Group. He also retweeted conservative political operative Ford O’Connell quoting a Washington Times article about Biden hiding in a basement that same day.
Trump taunted Biden about being in a basement on Aug. 28 and twice again on Aug. 17.
On Aug. 28, Trump retweeted McDaniel saying, “If Joe Biden had his way, he would stay in the basement forever.”
“Joe Biden is coming out of the basement earlier than his hoped for ten days because his people told him he has no choice, his poll numbers are PLUNGING! Going to Pittsburgh, where I have helped industry to a record last year, & then back to his basement for an extended period,” Trump tweeted on Aug. 30.
In an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Aug. 31, Trump told the host, “Don’t forget, Biden wasn’t going to come out of his basement until the election.”
September
On Sept. 2, Trump tweeted: “Joe Biden is a Low Energy Candidate the likes of which we have never seen before. The last thing our country needs is a Low Energy Individual, especially when surrounded by High Energy Chess Players scattered all over the world. He’s back in his basement now – no schedule!”
In another rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 3, Trump said of Biden: “He famously told a voter I want you to look in my eyes when he’s not wearing the mask because I’ve never seen a man that likes the mask more.”
“We have Labor Day weekend coming up but did you ever see a man that likes a mask as much as him? And then he makes a speech and he always has it not always but a lot of times he has it hanging down because you know what, it gives him a feeling of security,” he added.
During a Sept. 8 rally in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Trump made fun of Biden’s “circles,” appearing to refer to the former vice president’s event in a Pennsylvania gymnasium.
“You ever see the gyms with the circles?” Trump said, mocking Biden for observing social distancing guidelines of placing people 6 feet apart.
During a press conference and speech in Michigan on Sept. 10, Trump again mocked Biden for staying in his basement.
In a Minden, Nevada campaign rally on Sept. 12, Trump said Biden was “in his damn basement again. No, he’s in his basement. He’s in his basement.”
And during a separate press gaggle on Sept. 12, Trump said: “Joe Biden is sleeping or whatever he’s doing in his basement. He doesn’t seem to come out a lot.”
During a campaign rally in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 22, Trump said: “Do you ever see sleepy Joe with the little circles? It puts him very far away, so far away and then he comes up with the mask. He’s like 100 yards from the nearest human being he’s got a — he feels good about the mask. I wonder in the debate, it’ll be him and I on the stage. Is he going to walk in with a mask? I’ll be honest, he feels good about — he feels good about the mask and that’s OK.”
“You know what, whatever makes you feel good,” he added. “He feels good. He feels good. I mean honestly, what the hell did he spend all that money on the plastic surgery if he’s going to cover it up with a mask? Seriously. Oh, hold on. No, I think he’ll come in with a mask. I don’t know. You have no — I have no idea.”
During a Black economic empowerment event in Atlanta on Sept. 26, Trump told the audience that Biden was “staying in again today.”
“This guy never goes out. It’s terrible huh? … If I lose to a man who doesn’t campaign… I don’t know,” Trump said.
And in the most recent example, during Tuesday’s presidential debate, Trump once more mocked Biden for wearing a mask — days before being diagnosed with COVID-19 himself.
“Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away from it. And he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen,” Trump said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-02--White House becomes COVID hot spot with at least 5 positive tests — so far

Contact tracing at the White House is in full swing after Donald Trump announced in the early hours of Friday morning that he and Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus .
At least three other people who were at the White House in the last week have tested positive for the virus .
They include : • White House aide Hope Hicks : Hicks tested positive on Thursday after she began to show symptoms of the virus .
Hicks had traveled with Trump to the presidential debate in Ohio on Tuesday , and had been in close contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate .
• Two unnamed people who work in the White House press room : According to CNN 's Brian Stelter , `` A journalist received a preliminary positive result .
And a [ White House ] staffer who sits in the 'lower press ' area received a confirmed positive result . ''
Two other people tested positive for the virus after attending an event in the White House Rose Garden last Saturday .
The event celebrated Trump 's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Sen. Mike Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lee attended the Rose Garden event on Saturday , where he was seen hugging other attendees without wearing a mask .
Before he received his positive test result , Lee had been all over Capitol Hill with lawmakers and reporters .
Lee chose not to wear a mask in many of those encounters .
Notre Dame President John Jenkins also tested positive after attending that same event , where he was seen not wearing a mask .
Ronna McDaniel , the chair of the Republican National Committee , tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not come to light until Friday .
McDaniel was in contact with Trump a week before he and his wife tested positive for the virus , the New York Times reported .
It 's unclear where the White House outbreak started .
The Washington Post 's Robert Costa reported that there were `` at least two private gatherings '' on Saturday around the Barrett nomination announcement that were held indoors with `` very little distancing '' and `` few masks . ''
Multiple White House staffers and lawmakers have been in contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I fully expect that as this virus continues to go on , other people in the White House will certainly have a positive test result , '' White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters on Friday .
Meadows , Vice President Mike Pence , and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone traveled to Capitol Hill with Barrett on Tuesday to meet with Republican senators ahead of Barrett 's nomination .
All three have tested negative for the virus so far , but false negatives are common , and it could take days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
A number of Minnesota Republican lawmakers are also being tested for the virus , as they traveled aboard Air Force One with Trump to campaign events in the state on Wednesday .
Other White House officials traveled with Trump aboard Air Force One on Thursday to a fundraiser in New Jersey , even after learning that Trump had been in contact with Hicks .
At 12:54 a.m. Eastern on Friday morning , Trump tweeted he had tested positive for coronavirus .
The risk that the virus could have spread to Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell from plowing forward with Barrett 's nomination .
`` Full steam ahead with the fair , thorough , timely process that the nominee , the Court , & the country deserve , '' McConnell tweeted on Friday morning .
The Washington Post reported that Senate Republican aides are worried that an outbreak could slow down the nomination process , which Republicans want to have ahead of the Nov. 3 election , as the GOP is at serious risk of losing their majority and the ability to push through a justice before @ @ @ @ @ @

Contact tracing at the White House is in full swing after Donald Trump announced in the early hours of Friday morning that he and Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus.
At least three other people who were at the White House in the last week have tested positive for the virus. They include:
White House aide Hope Hicks: Hicks tested positive on Thursday after she began to show symptoms of the virus. Hicks had traveled with Trump to the presidential debate in Ohio on Tuesday, and had been in close contact with Trump and his family members who attended the debate.
Two unnamed people who work in the White House press room: According to CNN’s Brian Stelter, “A journalist received a preliminary positive result. And a [White House] staffer who sits in the ‘lower press’ area received a confirmed positive result.”
Two other people tested positive for the virus after attending an event in the White House Rose Garden last Saturday. The event celebrated Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) tested positive on Thursday. Lee attended the Rose Garden event on Saturday, where he was seen hugging other attendees without wearing a mask. Before he received his positive test result, Lee had been all over Capitol Hill with lawmakers and reporters. Lee chose not to wear a mask in many of those encounters.
Notre Dame President John Jenkins also tested positive after attending that same event, where he was seen not wearing a mask.
Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the Republican National Committee, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, though that news did not come to light until Friday. McDaniel was in contact with Trump a week before he and his wife tested positive for the virus, the New York Times reported.
It’s unclear where the White House outbreak started.
The Washington Post’s Robert Costa reported that there were “at least two private gatherings” on Saturday around the Barrett nomination announcement that were held indoors with “very little distancing” and “few masks.”
Multiple White House staffers and lawmakers have been in contact with Trump in recent days.
“I fully expect that as this virus continues to go on, other people in the White House will certainly have a positive test result,” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters on Friday.
Meadows, Vice President Mike Pence, and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone traveled to Capitol Hill with Barrett on Tuesday to meet with Republican senators ahead of Barrett’s nomination. All three have tested negative for the virus so far, but false negatives are common, and it could take days for a positive test result to come up.
A number of Minnesota Republican lawmakers are also being tested for the virus, as they traveled aboard Air Force One with Trump to campaign events in the state on Wednesday.
Other White House officials traveled with Trump aboard Air Force One on Thursday to a fundraiser in New Jersey, even after learning that Trump had been in contact with Hicks. At 12:54 a.m. Eastern on Friday morning, Trump tweeted he had tested positive for coronavirus.
The risk that the virus could have spread to Capitol Hill hasn’t stopped Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from plowing forward with Barrett’s nomination.
“Full steam ahead with the fair, thorough, timely process that the nominee, the Court, & the country deserve,” McConnell tweeted on Friday morning.
The Washington Post reported that Senate Republican aides are worried that an outbreak could slow down the nomination process, which Republicans want to have ahead of the Nov. 3 election, as the GOP is at serious risk of losing their majority and the ability to push through a justice before voters’ decisions are known.


shareblue--2020-10-02--Pfizer CEO says 'world will be safer' without Trump claims about vaccine timing

he head of Pfizer , one of the drugmakers racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine , told employees he was disappointed that its work was politicized during this week 's presidential debate and tried to reassure U.S. staff that the company wo n't bend to pressure to move more quickly .
Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla told the employees Thursday that the company is `` moving at the speed of science , '' rather than under any political timing , according to a staff letter obtained by The Associated Press .
`` The only pressure we feel — and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , millions of businesses and hundreds of government officials that are depending on us , '' Bourla wrote .
Despite top U.S. federal health officials repeatedly stating that a vaccine is unlikely to be available widely until mid-2021 , Donald Trump has insisted that a vaccine will be ready before Election Day .
During Tuesday 's debate with former Vice President Joe Biden , Trump said he had talked with the companies whose experimental vaccines are furthest along in testing .
`` I 've spoken to Pfizer , I 've spoken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak to , Moderna , Johnson & Johnson , and others .
They can go faster than that by a lot , '' Trump claimed .
`` It 's become very political . ''
`` We 're weeks away from a vaccine , '' Trump added .
Pfizer has said that by late October it expects to have data from its ongoing late-stage test that could show whether the vaccine is safe and effective .
In his letter to employees , Bourla wrote that the company hopes to have `` a hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year . ''
Those doses could not be distributed until the Food and Drug Administration reviews Pfizer 's data and decides whether to issue what 's called an emergency use authorization .
That would allow distribution of the vaccine on a limited basis , with initial shots expected to go to medical and other frontline workers , nursing homes and people most at risk of catching or becoming seriously ill from the virus .
That 's if the vaccine works .
Boula conceded that 's still unknown , and in the meantime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the process .
`` I ca n't predict exactly when , or even if our vaccine will be approved by the FDA for distribution to the public .
But I do know that the world will be safer if we stop talking about the vaccines ' delivery in political terms , '' he wrote .
People `` do n't know whom or what to believe , '' he wrote .
Moderna 's experimental vaccine , which is also in late-stage trials , will not be ready to seek emergency authorization from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel told the UK 's Financial Times on Wednesday .
Johnson & Johnson just started the final study of its vaccine last week .
And AstraZeneca , which has a candidate in late-stage trials in other countries , has had to put its U.S. study on hold while the FDA reviews a possible safety problem .
Bourla and top executives of eight other companies developing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments pledged in early September not to seek even emergency use authorization , let alone a full approval of their products , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

he head of Pfizer, one of the drugmakers racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine, told employees he was disappointed that its work was politicized during this week’s presidential debate and tried to reassure U.S. staff that the company won’t bend to pressure to move more quickly.
Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla told the employees Thursday that the company is “moving at the speed of science,” rather than under any political timing, according to a staff letter obtained by The Associated Press.
“The only pressure we feel — and it weighs heavy — are the billions of people, millions of businesses and hundreds of government officials that are depending on us,” Bourla wrote.
Despite top U.S. federal health officials repeatedly stating that a vaccine is unlikely to be available widely until mid-2021, Donald Trump has insisted that a vaccine will be ready before Election Day.
During Tuesday’s debate with former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump said he had talked with the companies whose experimental vaccines are furthest along in testing.
“I’ve spoken to Pfizer, I’ve spoken to all of the people that you have to speak to, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and others. They can go faster than that by a lot,” Trump claimed. “It’s become very political.”
“We’re weeks away from a vaccine,” Trump added.
Pfizer has said that by late October it expects to have data from its ongoing late-stage test that could show whether the vaccine is safe and effective. In his letter to employees, Bourla wrote that the company hopes to have “a hundred million doses delivered by the end of the year.”
Those doses could not be distributed until the Food and Drug Administration reviews Pfizer’s data and decides whether to issue what’s called an emergency use authorization. That would allow distribution of the vaccine on a limited basis, with initial shots expected to go to medical and other frontline workers, nursing homes and people most at risk of catching or becoming seriously ill from the virus.
That’s if the vaccine works. Boula conceded that’s still unknown, and in the meantime the political rhetoric is undermining public confidence in the process.
“I can’t predict exactly when, or even if our vaccine will be approved by the FDA for distribution to the public. But I do know that the world will be safer if we stop talking about the vaccines’ delivery in political terms,” he wrote.
People “don’t know whom or what to believe,” he wrote.
Moderna’s experimental vaccine, which is also in late-stage trials, will not be ready to seek emergency authorization from the FDA before at least Nov. 25, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel told the UK’s Financial Times on Wednesday.
Johnson & Johnson just started the final study of its vaccine last week.
And AstraZeneca, which has a candidate in late-stage trials in other countries, has had to put its U.S. study on hold while the FDA reviews a possible safety problem.
Bourla and top executives of eight other companies developing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments pledged in early September not to seek even emergency use authorization, let alone a full approval of their products, until they were proven safe and effective.


shareblue--2020-10-02--GOP leader says Trump 'always' follows distancing rules. This video proves him wrong

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy claimed on Friday that Donald Trump has `` always kept extreme social distancing , '' but video recorded at a `` Latinos for Trump '' roundtable on Sept. 25 shows that the statement is false .
McCarthy denied that Trump had been reckless in his behavior , telling CNN , `` The President always kept extreme social distancing .
Everybody would be tested , whoever was around him . ''
The video taken of Trump at the roundtable event reveals the exact opposite of what McCarthy claimed happened .
Trump did not wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including as he entered and exited the room .
At the roundtable 's conclusion , Trump walked up to supporters and stood within inches of them — much closer than the CDC guidelines ' recommendation of 6 feet of social distancing — and took selfies .
Trump also walked to the edge of the stage and briefly spoke to supporters seated in the first row .
On Friday , Trump announced that he and his wife Melania have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Others who have recently been around Trump also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hope Hicks and Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy claimed on Friday that Donald Trump has “always kept extreme social distancing,” but video recorded at a “Latinos for Trump” roundtable on Sept. 25 shows that the statement is false.
McCarthy denied that Trump had been reckless in his behavior, telling CNN, “The President always kept extreme social distancing. Everybody would be tested, whoever was around him.”
The video taken of Trump at the roundtable event reveals the exact opposite of what McCarthy claimed happened.
Trump did not wear a mask for the entire duration of the event, including as he entered and exited the room.
At the roundtable’s conclusion, Trump walked up to supporters and stood within inches of them — much closer than the CDC guidelines’ recommendation of 6 feet of social distancing — and took selfies. Trump also walked to the edge of the stage and briefly spoke to supporters seated in the first row.
On Friday, Trump announced that he and his wife Melania have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Others who have recently been around Trump also reported positive tests, including senior aide Hope Hicks and Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-02--GOP senator vows retaliation against China for 'giving this virus to' Trump

At 12:54 a.m .
ET on Friday morning , Donald Trump announced , via Twitter , that he and Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus .
The president has mild , cold-like symptoms , according to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows .
News of the Trumps ' positive test results followed the revelation Thursday that White House aide Hope Hicks tested positive after traveling with Trump several times in the past week .
But on Friday , Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) blamed China for Trump contracting the virus — and vowed retaliation .
`` Remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President @ realDonaldTrump and First Lady @ FLOTUS '' Loeffler tweeted on Friday morning .
`` WE MUST HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE . ''
This line of thinking goes along with Trump 's , who has consistently downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic while blaming China for the spread of the virus throughout the United States .
Loeffler has repeatedly downplayed the risks posed by the virus , going as far as accusing Democrats of exaggerating the virus ' impact for political gain .
`` Democrats have dangerously and intentionally misled the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted in February .
`` Here 's the truth : @ realDonaldTrump & his administration are doing a great job working to keep Americans healthy & safe . ''
In May , during a hearing with the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Loeffler accused the Chinese government of orchestrating a `` cover-up . ''
`` I 'm incredibly concerned about the cover-up and the misinformation coming from China and their efforts to suppress life-saving information at the outset of this outbreak , '' she said during a hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor and Pensions Committee .
At the same hearing , Loeffler accused Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a prominent member of the government 's coronavirus response team , of having a `` confrontational '' relationship with the president .
`` There is certainly not a confrontational relationship between me and the president , '' Fauci replied .
`` As I 've mentioned many times , I give advice and opinion based on evidence-based , scientific information . ''
Loeffler is hardly the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced with U.S. elected officials ' mishandling of the virus response , has pointed fingers at China .
Trump has repeatedly blamed China and has referred to the virus with the racist terminology `` Kung Flu '' at campaign events .
Trump 's rhetoric has coincided with an uptick in violence against Asian-Americans .
Republicans ' argument that China deserves 100 % of the blame for the global spread of the virus does n't hold up to scrutiny .
Medical experts have found that multiple strains of virus came to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her public skepticism about the virus 's health risks , Loeffler has n't taken any chances with her personal finances .
After attending a private Senate briefing on the virus in January , Loeffler dumped $ 20 million in stock and invested in stocks that were likely to be profitable due to the pandemic .
The numbers for the United States remain stark .
Since the start of the pandemic , 4,739 people in China have died from the virus , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
In Georgia , Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died from the virus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

At 12:54 a.m. ET on Friday morning, Donald Trump announced, via Twitter, that he and Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus.
The president has mild, cold-like symptoms, according to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
News of the Trumps’ positive test results followed the revelation Thursday that White House aide Hope Hicks tested positive after traveling with Trump several times in the past week.
But on Friday, Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) blamed China for Trump contracting the virus — and vowed retaliation.
“Remember: China gave this virus to our President @realDonaldTrump and First Lady @FLOTUS” Loeffler tweeted on Friday morning. “WE MUST HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.”
This line of thinking goes along with Trump’s, who has consistently downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic while blaming China for the spread of the virus throughout the United States. Loeffler has repeatedly downplayed the risks posed by the virus, going as far as accusing Democrats of exaggerating the virus’ impact for political gain.
“Democrats have dangerously and intentionally misled the American people on #Coronavirus readiness,” Loeffler tweeted in February. “Here’s the truth: @realDonaldTrump & his administration are doing a great job working to keep Americans healthy & safe.”
In May, during a hearing with the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Loeffler accused the Chinese government of orchestrating a “cover-up.”
“I’m incredibly concerned about the cover-up and the misinformation coming from China and their efforts to suppress life-saving information at the outset of this outbreak,” she said during a hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. At the same hearing, Loeffler accused Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a prominent member of the government’s coronavirus response team, of having a “confrontational” relationship with the president. “There is certainly not a confrontational relationship between me and the president,” Fauci replied. “As I’ve mentioned many times, I give advice and opinion based on evidence-based, scientific information.”
Loeffler is hardly the only member of her party who, when faced with U.S. elected officials’ mishandling of the virus response, has pointed fingers at China. Trump has repeatedly blamed China and has referred to the virus with the racist terminology “Kung Flu” at campaign events. Trump’s rhetoric has coincided with an uptick in violence against Asian-Americans.
Republicans’ argument that China deserves 100% of the blame for the global spread of the virus doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Medical experts have found that multiple strains of virus came to the United States from Europe, not Asia.
Despite her public skepticism about the virus’s health risks, Loeffler hasn’t taken any chances with her personal finances. After attending a private Senate briefing on the virus in January, Loeffler dumped $20 million in stock and invested in stocks that were likely to be profitable due to the pandemic.
The numbers for the United States remain stark. Since the start of the pandemic, 4,739 people in China have died from the virus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. In Georgia, Loeffler’s home state, 7,063 people have died from the virus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-03--Kellyanne Conway is latest member of Trump circle to test positive for coronavirus

Donald Trump ’ s former adviser Kellyanne Conway said late Friday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus , days after attending a White House event with several others who have since come down with COVID-19 .
Conway tweeted Friday that she has a `` light cough '' and is `` feeling fine . ''
`` I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians , '' she added .
Conway attended the Rose Garden announcement Saturday where Trump announced his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Among the attendees , Republican Sens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thom Tillis ( NC ) , the president of the University of Notre Dame , as well as Trump himself tested positive Friday for the coronavirus .
Lee and Tillis are both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
Earlier Friday , Tillis , who is up for reelection in November , said in a statement that his rapid antigen test showed that he is infected .
He issued the statement as Trump was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the same illness .
Tillis is routinely seen on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says he has no symptoms but will be isolating .

Donald Trump’s former adviser Kellyanne Conway said late Friday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus, days after attending a White House event with several others who have since come down with COVID-19.
Conway tweeted Friday that she has a “light cough” and is “feeling fine.”
“I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians,” she added.
Conway attended the Rose Garden announcement Saturday where Trump announced his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Among the attendees, Republican Sens. Mike Lee (UT) and Thom Tillis (NC), the president of the University of Notre Dame, as well as Trump himself tested positive Friday for the coronavirus. Lee and Tillis are both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Earlier Friday, Tillis, who is up for reelection in November, said in a statement that his rapid antigen test showed that he is infected. He issued the statement as Trump was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the same illness.
Tillis is routinely seen on Capitol Hill wearing a mask. He says he has no symptoms but will be isolating.


shareblue--2020-10-03--Amy Coney Barrett wants doctors to go to jail for providing health care to women

It 's well known that Amy Coney Barrett , Donald Trump 's Supreme Court nominee , is anti-abortion .
However , her views on other reproductive health issues , including fertilization and embryos , go far beyond merely opposing abortion .
Indeed , she once signed onto a full-page ad that called for prosecuting doctors not just for performing abortions , but for discarding unused or frozen embryos .
During her 2017 confirmation hearings for her seat on the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals , Barrett gave the same type of vague , noncommittal answer that has become the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All nominees are united in their belief that what they think about a precedent should not bear on how they decide cases . ''
But her ostensible respect for precedent is undercut by her writing before becoming a judge .
In 2013 , she said that it is `` more legitimate for her to enforce her best understanding rather than a precedent she thinks clearly in conflict with it . ''
With that statement , it is n't hard to imagine she 'd be comfortable overturning Roe v. Wade , the law that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion , even though that has been the precedent for nearly 50 years .
The latest information to emerge about Barrett 's views makes it appear even more likely she 'd help undo that precedent .
Back in 2006 , Coney Barrett was a professor at Notre Dame 's law school .
That year , she and her husband , along with hundreds of others , signed their names to a full-page ad from the St. Joseph County Right to Life .
Besides a call to jail doctors , the ad also called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the Guardian discovered the ad , they reached out to the current executive director of the group , Jackie Appelman .
Appleman admitted that the group believes that the discarding of embryos during in vitro fertilization was the same as having an abortion .
She also reaffirmed that the group `` support [ s ] the criminalization of the doctors who perform abortions . ''
Then , she went on to say that the group would be `` supportive of criminalizing the discarding of frozen embryos or selective reduction through the IVF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly Barrett 's — would throw doctors in jail for assisting with IVF when that process results in embryos that are discarded .
IVF is a common fertility procedure that resulted in over 61,000 births in 2012 , the last year for which data is available .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , assistive reproductive technologies , including IVF , account for 1.7 % of live births in America each year .
However , IVF can often result in leftover embryos , which people may choose to use later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroying those embryos would radically alter the ability of people to control their fertility .
It could mean that people would need to implant all the embryos at once or undergo egg extraction multiple times .
It And it likely would n't stop there .
A law that affirms `` personhood '' or says that life begins at fertilization could also criminalize prescribing certain methods of birth control , as some can potentially prevent implantation of a fertilized egg .
Throwing doctors who perform abortions in jail is a longtime goal of radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed a law saying doctors who performed abortions could face up to 99 years in prison .
That same year , Senate Republicans sought to pass a measure that would have imposed criminal penalties of up to five years in certain situations .
Earlier in 2020 , Mississippi passed a ban that would imprison doctors based on the perceived reasons for an abortion .
Of concern is the fact Barrett did not disclose this in her Senate questionnaire when she was confirmed for the 7th Circuit in 2017 .
And when asked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to answer .
It also does n't appear on her list of publications and public statements she was required to provide in her most recent Senate questionnaire for the Supreme Court nomination .
The omission , combined with a refusal to discuss it , does n't engender confidence in her assertion she will be forthright and respectful of precedent where Roe is concerned .
One-third of Americans say they have used fertility treatments or they know someone else who has .
Almost 60 % of Americans say abortion should be legal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 99 % of women who 've had sexual intercourse have used some form of birth control .
Barrett 's worldview is well out of step with America 's .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

It’s well known that Amy Coney Barrett, Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, is anti-abortion. However, her views on other reproductive health issues, including fertilization and embryos, go far beyond merely opposing abortion. Indeed, she once signed onto a full-page ad that called for prosecuting doctors not just for performing abortions, but for discarding unused or frozen embryos.
During her 2017 confirmation hearings for her seat on the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Barrett gave the same type of vague, noncommittal answer that has become the hallmark of conservative judicial nominees: “All nominees are united in their belief that what they think about a precedent should not bear on how they decide cases.”
But her ostensible respect for precedent is undercut by her writing before becoming a judge.
In 2013, she said that it is “more legitimate for her to enforce her best understanding rather than a precedent she thinks clearly in conflict with it.” With that statement, it isn’t hard to imagine she’d be comfortable overturning Roe v. Wade, the law that established a woman’s legal right to abortion, even though that has been the precedent for nearly 50 years.
The latest information to emerge about Barrett’s views makes it appear even more likely she’d help undo that precedent.
Back in 2006, Coney Barrett was a professor at Notre Dame’s law school. That year, she and her husband, along with hundreds of others, signed their names to a full-page ad from the St. Joseph County Right to Life. Besides a call to jail doctors, the ad also called Roe v. Wade “barbaric.”
When the Guardian discovered the ad, they reached out to the current executive director of the group, Jackie Appelman. Appleman admitted that the group believes that the discarding of embryos during in vitro fertilization was the same as having an abortion. She also reaffirmed that the group “support[s] the criminalization of the doctors who perform abortions.” Then, she went on to say that the group would be “supportive of criminalizing the discarding of frozen embryos or selective reduction through the IVF process.
Appleman’s view — and possibly Barrett’s — would throw doctors in jail for assisting with IVF when that process results in embryos that are discarded. IVF is a common fertility procedure that resulted in over 61,000 births in 2012, the last year for which data is available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assistive reproductive technologies, including IVF, account for 1.7% of live births in America each year.
However, IVF can often result in leftover embryos, which people may choose to use later or not. Criminalizing the act of destroying those embryos would radically alter the ability of people to control their fertility. It could mean that people would need to implant all the embryos at once or undergo egg extraction multiple times. It
And it likely wouldn’t stop there. A law that affirms “personhood” or says that life begins at fertilization could also criminalize prescribing certain methods of birth control, as some can potentially prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
Throwing doctors who perform abortions in jail is a longtime goal of radical anti-abortion activists. In 2019, Alabama passed a law saying doctors who performed abortions could face up to 99 years in prison. That same year, Senate Republicans sought to pass a measure that would have imposed criminal penalties of up to five years in certain situations. Earlier in 2020, Mississippi passed a ban that would imprison doctors based on the perceived reasons for an abortion.
Of concern is the fact Barrett did not disclose this in her Senate questionnaire when she was confirmed for the 7th Circuit in 2017. And when asked about it by reporters on Thursday, she declined to answer. It also doesn’t appear on her list of publications and public statements she was required to provide in her most recent Senate questionnaire for the Supreme Court nomination. The omission, combined with a refusal to discuss it, doesn’t engender confidence in her assertion she will be forthright and respectful of precedent where Roe is concerned.
One-third of Americans say they have used fertility treatments or they know someone else who has. Almost 60% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or nearly all instances. And over 99% of women who’ve had sexual intercourse have used some form of birth control. Barrett’s worldview is well out of step with America’s.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.