npr--2020-12-12--Charley Pride, Country Music's First Major Black Star, Dies At 86

Charley Pride , who sold millions of records and was the first Black performer to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame , among many other honors , has died at age 86 .
A statement posted on the singer 's website said Pride passed away in Dallas , Texas , on Saturday from complications due to COVID-19 .
A sharecropper 's son from Mississippi , Pride became one of the first Black men to become a major star in genre where most of the biggest hitmakers are white .
Rising to prominence in the 1960s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that topped the country music charts , including `` Kiss an Angel Good Mornin ' '' and `` Is Anybody Goin ' to San Antone . ''
Pride had at least 30 no .
1 hits on the country music charts , and won nearly every major award in available to a country musician .
In all , Pride won three Grammys , including `` Best Male Country Vocal Performance '' in 1972 as well as several awards from the Country Music Association , who named him their Entertainer of the Year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 11 at the CMA Awards , where he performed `` Kiss and Angel Good Mornin ' '' with Jimmie Allen .
Alongside his competitive accolades , Pride gained nearly every other honor awarded to someone of his stature in the genre , including inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame , in 2000 , and the Grand Ole Opry — the mecca of country music where Pride first performed in 1967 — in 1993 .
Pride 's accomplishments were n't just confined to the Nashville scene .
Honors came from as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star on the Walk of Fame in 1999 and a lifetime achievement from the Grammy awards in 2017 .
He also reportedly served as the inspiration for the character Tommy Brown – a fictional Black country music performer played by the actor Timothy Brown – in Robert Altman 's sprawling 1975 film Nashville .
Just before he received the Lifetime Achievement Grammy , he told NPR he often resisted the label of pioneer .
`` I 've never seen anything but the staunch American Charley Pride , '' he says .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different descriptions .
They 'll say , 'Charley , how did it feel to be the Jackie Robinson of country music ? '
or 'How did it feel to be first colored country singer ? '
Pride said .
`` It do n't bother me , other than I have to explain it to you — how I maneuvered around all these obstacles to get to where I am today .
I 've got a great-grandson and daughter , and they 're gon na be asking them that too if we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in all these years of trying to get free of all that , you see ? '
Y'all , ' 'them ' and 'us . '
'' Born on March 18 , 1934 in Sledge , Miss.
, Pride grew up less than 300 miles from Nashville , but the road to country music stardom was filled with diversions .
He served in the U.S. Army and pursued a baseball career playing in the segregated Negro American League and the minor leagues , and worked at a smelting plant in Montana , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pride started singing while he was still playing baseball , but did n't move to Nashville right away .
He signed with RCA in 1965 and in 1967 released `` Just Between You and Me , '' which became his first country music top 10 .
From there he never looked back , racking up more than 60 all together over the next decade and a half .

Charley Pride, Country Music's First Major Black Star, Dies At 86
Enlarge this image toggle caption Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMA Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMA
Charley Pride, who sold millions of records and was the first Black performer to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, among many other honors, has died at age 86. A statement posted on the singer's website said Pride died in Dallas on Saturday from complications of COVID-19.
A sharecropper's son from Mississippi, Pride became one of the first Black men to become a major star in a genre where most of the biggest hit-makers are white. Rising to prominence in the 1960s and '70s, Pride recorded dozens of songs that topped the country music charts, including "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin' " and "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone."
Pride had at least 30 No. 1 hits on the country music charts and won nearly every major award available to a country musician. In all, Pride won three Grammys, including Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1972, as well as several awards from the Country Music Association, which named him its Entertainer of the Year in 1971. His final performance was on Nov. 11 at the CMA Awards, where he performed "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin' " with Jimmie Allen.
YouTube
Alongside his competitive accolades, Pride gained nearly every other honor awarded to someone of his stature in the genre, including inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame, in 2000, and the Grand Ole Opry — the mecca of country music, where Pride first performed in 1967 — in 1993.
Pride's accomplishments weren't just confined to the Nashville scene. Honors came from as far away as Hollywood, including a star on the Walk of Fame in 1999 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017. He also reportedly served as the inspiration for the character Tommy Brown — a fictional Black country music performer played by the actor Timothy Brown — in Robert Altman's sprawling 1975 film Nashville.
Just before he received the Lifetime Achievement Grammy, he told NPR he often resisted the label of pioneer.
"I've never seen anything but the staunch American Charley Pride," he says. "When I got into it, they used different descriptions. They'll say, 'Charley, how did it feel to be the Jackie Robinson of country music?' or 'How did it feel to be first colored country singer?' " Pride said.
"It don't bother me, other than I have to explain it to you — how I maneuvered around all these obstacles to get to where I am today. I've got a great-grandson and daughter, and they're gonna be asking them that too if we don't get out of this crutch we all been in all these years of trying to get free of all that, you see? 'Y'all,' 'them' and 'us.' "
Born on March 18, 1934, in Sledge, Miss., Pride grew up less than 300 miles from Nashville, but the road to country music stardom was filled with diversions. He served in the U.S. Army and pursued a baseball career playing in the segregated Negro American League and the minor leagues, and he worked at a smelting plant in Montana, where he started to raise a family.
Pride started singing while he was still playing baseball but didn't move to Nashville right away. He signed with RCA in 1965 and in 1967 released "Just Between You and Me," which became his first country music top 10. From there, he never looked back, racking up more than 60 altogether over the next decade and a half.


npr--2020-12-12--They Ignored Or Deleted The Email From Airbnb. It Was A $15,000 Mistake

They Ignored Or Deleted The Email From Airbnb .
It Was A $ 15,000 Mistake The email began , `` Hosts like you are a foundation of our company . ''
Tom Krones , an Airbnb host based in Austin , swiftly discarded it .
That was Nov. 16 .
Now , Krones says , `` I am totally kicking myself . ''
Since Airbnb made its public debut Thursday on the stock market , shattering expectations and doubling its offering price , regrets are piling up among hosts like Krones , who received the email last month with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Share Program . ''
It landed in the virtual trash heap of scores of hosts who figured it was inconsequential .
Others , like Krones , procrastinated the decision that could have made them thousands of dollars richer in a matter of hours .
`` You know I should probably buy a couple shares just for fun , '' Krones , a software engineer , remembers thinking at the time he read it .
`` But part of me was just like , 'aw , I 'll do it later . '
'' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came and went — until it became too late .
In Galveston , Tex.
, Airbnb host Sharon Milner Honza said she was interested to buy stocks , though the email did not seem urgent at the time .
`` I got one email and of course it was buried in tons of junk emails .
I did n't know it was there until after the fact , '' Milner Honza said .
Sara Shea , who lives in Asheville , North Carolina , is a single mom with toddlers in preschool , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more crushing amid a pandemic .
It was not surprising , then , that the email zipped right by her , she said .
`` I get a ton of spam , a ton of stuff .
And I saw it and I said , 'this is something I need to go back and take a closer look at , ' but I did n't read all the details of it , '' said Shea , who uses the income she makes as an Airbnb host to supplement her marketing job .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of the email , she decided she wanted to invest .
Yet the deadline had passed .
`` This year has been really hard , '' Shea said .
`` So here is just another bowling pin that got knocked down by all of this , '' she said .
Plenty of hosts did not mistake the opportunity .
Thousands received the invitation to by stock ahead of the initial public offering .
The amount of shares each could buy depended on how long they had been Airbnb hosts .
They had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airbnb said the maximum amount of shares a host could buy was 275 .
Demand was so strong , however , that the company lowered the ceiling to 200 shares .
Airbnb host Jino Cabrera in Los Angeles did not waste any time after he was given the greenlight to purchase 200 shares .
He bought all of them .
`` Stocks are not my world at all .
I have n't ever bought a single stock in my life , '' said Cabrera , who works in real estate .
`` My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit .
He was like , 'how are we going to be able to pay for that ? '
And I said , 'We 'll find ways , do n't worry about it . '
'' It was a bet that paid off handsomely .
When the stock price skyrocketed , Cabrera sold all of his shares at $ 144 apiece .
He made nearly $ 15,000 .
`` It was overwhelming .
I was blown away , '' said Cabrera .
He is now celebrating in Las Vegas with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky was left gobsmacked , literally unable to find any words when he was told by an anchor on Bloomberg that his company 's price more than doubled ahead of trading .
To Krones , Chesky 's astonishment provided him a bit of relief .
`` It makes me feel a little bit better about the whole thing , seeing his face and being like , OK , if he did n't know , then I ca n't be expected to know either , ' '' Krones said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfort , Krones said , since he is not a dollar richer today than he was before the IPO .
The same can not be said about Chesky , whose net worth after Airbnb went public went up about $ 7 billion , according to Bloomberg 's Billionaires Index .
Airbnb declined to comment for this story .

They Ignored Or Deleted The Email From Airbnb. It Was A $15,000 Mistake
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Lennihan/AP Mark Lennihan/AP
The email began, "Hosts like you are a foundation of our company." Tom Krones, an Airbnb host based in Austin, Texas, swiftly discarded it. That was Nov. 16.
Now, Krones says, "I am totally kicking myself."
Since Airbnb made its public debut on the stock market Thursday, shattering expectations and doubling its offering price, regrets are piling up among hosts like Krones, who received the email last month with the less-than-enticing subject line "Airbnb's Directed Share Program."
It landed in the virtual trash heap of scores of hosts who figured it was inconsequential. Others, like Krones, procrastinated the decision that could have made them thousands of dollars richer in a matter of hours.
"You know, I should probably buy a couple shares just for fun," Krones, a software engineer, remembers thinking at the time he read it. "But part of me was just like, 'Aw, I'll do it later.' "
As is often the case, later came and went — and it became too late.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Provided by Tom Krones Provided by Tom Krones
In Galveston, Texas, Airbnb host Sharon Milner Honza said she was interested in buying stocks, though the email did not seem urgent at the time.
"I got one email, and of course it was buried in tons of junk emails. I didn't know it was there until after the fact," Milner Honza said.
Sara Shea, who lives in Asheville, N.C., is a single mom with toddlers in preschool, a busy life in normal times and an even more crushing one amid the coronavirus pandemic. It wasn't surprising, then, that the email zipped right by her, she said.
"I get a ton of spam, a ton of stuff. And I saw it and I said, 'This is something I need to go back and take a closer look at,' but I didn't read all the details of it," said Shea, who uses the income she makes as an Airbnb host to supplement her marketing job.
When she did finally read and make sense of the email, she decided she wanted to invest. Yet the deadline had passed.
"This year has been really hard," Shea said. "So here is just another bowling pin that got knocked down by all of this," she said.
Thousands of hosts received the invitation to buy stock ahead of the initial public offering. And plenty of hosts didn't mistake the opportunity.
It was seen as an olive branch to some hosts who remain infuriated over Airbnb's decision to fully refund guests during the pandemic, overriding hosts' cancellation policies. The move sparked breach-of-contract legal battles and left hosts feeling shortchanged.
Whatever the reason, hosts showed their appetite for company stock.
The longer a host had been active with Airbnb, the more shares the host was eligible to purchase, at $68 apiece.
Originally, Airbnb said the maximum number of shares a host could buy was 275. Demand was so strong, however, that the company lowered the ceiling to 200 shares.
Airbnb host Jino Cabrera in Los Angeles did not waste any time after he was given the green light to purchase 200 shares. He bought all of them.
"Stocks are not my world at all. I haven't ever bought a single stock in my life," said Cabrera, who works in real estate. "My partner was kind of mad at me a little bit. He was like, 'How are we going to be able to pay for that?' And I said, 'We'll find ways. Don't worry about it.' "
It was a bet that paid off handsomely. When the stock price skyrocketed, Cabrera sold all of his shares at $144 a pop. He made nearly $15,000.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Jino Cabrera Courtesy of Jino Cabrera
"It was overwhelming. I was blown away," said Cabrera. He is now celebrating in Las Vegas with his partner, an interior decorator.
On Thursday, Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky was left gobsmacked, literally unable to find any words when he was told by an anchor on Bloomberg that his company's price more than doubled ahead of trading.
To Krones, Chesky's astonishment provided him a bit of relief.
"It makes me feel a little bit better about the whole thing, seeing his face and being like, 'OK, if he didn't know, then I can't be expected to know either,' " Krones said.
Of course, it is cold comfort, Krones said, since he is not a dollar richer today than he was before the IPO.
The same cannot be said about Chesky, whose net worth after Airbnb went public increased by about $7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Airbnb declined to comment for this story.


npr--2020-12-12--CDC Advisers Agree With FDA: COVID-19 Vaccine Is OK For Public Use

CDC Advisers Agree With FDA : COVID-19 Vaccine Is OK For Public Use An important federal advisory committee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added its vote of support for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine .
In an emergency meeting Saturday , the CDC 's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend the first COVID-19 vaccine for use for people 16 or older in the U.S , expressing hope that the vaccine would help curb the spread of the disease that has killed more than 295,000 people in the U.S .
This follows the Food and Drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night for this COVID-19 vaccine .
With Saturday 's vote , the CDC 's independent advisory group joins the FDA in determining the vaccine to be safe and effective for use in the U.S. population .
Once the recommendation is approved by CDC director Robert Redfield , the agency will publish it as official guidance .
This is an important step in the federal review process for new vaccines , one that normally would take place before distribution begins .
However , the parent agency , the Department of Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of the CDC committee 's vote .
Boxes of Pfizer vaccine , packed with dry ice , are en route to hospitals around the country , Army Gen. Gustave Perna , leader of Operation Warp Speed , announced Saturday .
In comments after the vote , Dr. José Romero , ACIP chair , noted that the committee 's vote represents the fruition of careful and deliberate work by its group of medical experts carried out over nine months .
`` ACIP has worked to deliver a vaccine to the general public that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues of equity and issues of health care disparity , `` he said .
`` The deliberations have been thorough and in depth — no question that we felt was important was left unturned .
All data was presented to us as we asked for it . ''
Safety has been a major priority during the months of discussion , he noted .
Echoing what many members of the committee said in their comments , Romero expressed personal confidence in the vaccine : `` If and when my turn comes to receive this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hesitance . ''
Of the 14 voting members present for the vote , 11 voted `` yes '' to recommend the vaccine and three recused themselves due to conflicts of interest .
A second vote to amend the adult and child/adolescent vaccination schedules was unanimous .
ACIP had previously voted on , and CDC issued guidance for , how to prioritize the first phase of distribution of the vaccine .
Health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities , such as nursing homes and assisted living , are recommended to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their high risk of getting or dying from the disease .
While , the FDA 's assessment focused on the vaccine 's safety and efficacy standards , the CDC 's advisers also considered the practical implications of administering vaccines .
At an emergency meeting Friday , prior to authorization , the CDC committee peppered Pfizer representatives with questions about the frequency of side effects and potential adverse reactions to receiving the vaccine , which could impact how vaccines get distributed in a workplace .
`` We 're really concerned more about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss work , '' said Dr. Grace Lee , an ACIP member , `` For health care worker vaccination , and given where we are with the pandemic , we need to retain the capacity of our health care delivery system . ''
Nearly 9 % of people who received the Pfizer vaccine reported side effects , including pain at the injection site , fatigue , headache and muscle pain and fevers , explained the CDC 's Dr. Sara Oliver at Friday 's meeting .
These are side effects common to other vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune system is responding to the shot .
The committee recommended the vaccine for people aged 16 and older .
It 's not recommended for children younger than 16 , because of a lack of data for that age group .
Pfizer is currently recruiting children as young as 12 for vaccine trials .
Today 's vote is only the first step in the CDC 's support of the roll-out of the vaccine .
The agency is expected to release detailed communications to state and local health leaders in the coming days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
That guidance should clarify questions about who might be at risk for allergic reactions , and whether pregnant or lactating women should be recommended to receive the vaccine .
This can not come too soon , according to Claire Hannan , the executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers .
`` I urge the ACIP to provide specific guidance on prioritization as soon as possible , '' she said in a public comment at the hearing .
In an interview with NPR , she noted this detailed guidance could help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While distribution plans have been developed and tested , `` there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and we need to see how it 's going to work in real time . ''
Public health officials in states NPR spoke to are celebrating the vaccine 's authorization but caution that actually getting the vaccine to people is still a huge battle .
`` It is a historical moment and it 's really exciting , '' says Kris Ehresmann , who leads infectious disease prevention for the Minnesota Department of Health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people have any time to savor because they 're absolutely too busy getting ready to actually administer the vaccine . ''
She explains that there are many steps to take , including training health care workers to administer the vaccine safely .
She says details about who should get the initial doses of vaccine — and who might be at risk for adverse reactions are incredibly important .
`` A safe vaccine is more than just the product .
It 's the whole process of administration and making sure that the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' she says .
She and immunization managers across the country are waiting eagerly for the CDC to publish its detailed recommendations in a Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report .
It might be up to a week before Minnesota starts inoculating anyone , she says .
Another theme of the ACIP meeting was a dire need for further funding to support state and local immunization efforts , including logistical support and public information campaigns .
Multiple committee members and public commenters raised the concern .
ACIP committee member Dr. Beth Bell compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone into development of vaccine '' with the small sums — around $ 200 million so far — available for distribution .
`` I think the imbalance between that kind of money and the funding that 's been provided for vaccination programs and implementation is really shocking and needs to be corrected , '' she said `` We are not going to be able to protect the American public if we do n't have a way to deliver the vaccines to them . ''

CDC Advisers Agree With FDA: COVID-19 Vaccine Is OK For Public Use
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
An important federal advisory committee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added its vote of support for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
In an emergency meeting Saturday, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend the first COVID-19 vaccine for use for people 16 or older in the U.S, expressing hope that the vaccine would help curb the spread of the disease that has killed more than 295,000 people in the U.S.
This follows the Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization issued Friday night for this COVID-19 vaccine. With Saturday's vote, the CDC's independent advisory group joins the FDA in determining the vaccine to be safe and effective for use in the U.S. population.
Once the recommendation is approved by CDC director Robert Redfield, the agency will publish it as official guidance.
This is an important step in the federal review process for new vaccines, one that normally would take place before distribution begins. However, the parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, decided to move ahead with distribution ahead of the CDC committee's vote. Boxes of Pfizer vaccine, packed with dry ice, are en route to hospitals around the country, Army Gen. Gustave Perna, leader of Operation Warp Speed, announced Saturday.
YouTube
In comments after the vote, Dr. José Romero, ACIP chair, noted that the committee's vote represents the fruition of careful and deliberate work by its group of medical experts carried out over nine months.
"ACIP has worked to deliver a vaccine to the general public that maximizes benefits, minimizes harm, addresses issues of equity and issues of health care disparity, " he said. "The deliberations have been thorough and in depth — no question that we felt was important was left unturned. All data was presented to us as we asked for it."
Safety has been a major priority during the months of discussion, he noted. Echoing what many members of the committee said in their comments, Romero expressed personal confidence in the vaccine: "If and when my turn comes to receive this vaccine, I will receive it without hesitance."
Of the 14 voting members present for the vote, 11 voted "yes" to recommend the vaccine and three recused themselves due to conflicts of interest. A second vote to amend the adult and child/adolescent vaccination schedules was unanimous.
ACIP had previously voted on, and CDC issued guidance for, how to prioritize the first phase of distribution of the vaccine. Health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living, are recommended to be the first to receive COVID-19 vaccines, because of their high risk of getting or dying from the disease.
While, the FDA's assessment focused on the vaccine's safety and efficacy standards, the CDC's advisers also considered the practical implications of administering vaccines. At an emergency meeting Friday, prior to authorization, the CDC committee peppered Pfizer representatives with questions about the frequency of side effects and potential adverse reactions to receiving the vaccine, which could impact how vaccines get distributed in a workplace.
"We're really concerned more about what proportion of the population may need to miss work," said Dr. Grace Lee, an ACIP member, "For health care worker vaccination, and given where we are with the pandemic, we need to retain the capacity of our health care delivery system."
Nearly 9% of people who received the Pfizer vaccine reported side effects, including pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache and muscle pain and fevers, explained the CDC's Dr. Sara Oliver at Friday's meeting. These are side effects common to other vaccines, and indicate that a person's immune system is responding to the shot.
The committee recommended the vaccine for people aged 16 and older. It's not recommended for children younger than 16, because of a lack of data for that age group. Pfizer is currently recruiting children as young as 12 for vaccine trials.
Today's vote is only the first step in the CDC's support of the roll-out of the vaccine. The agency is expected to release detailed communications to state and local health leaders in the coming days, providing guidance for how to distribute the vaccine.
That guidance should clarify questions about who might be at risk for allergic reactions, and whether pregnant or lactating women should be recommended to receive the vaccine.
This cannot come too soon, according to Claire Hannan, the executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.
"I urge the ACIP to provide specific guidance on prioritization as soon as possible," she said in a public comment at the hearing.
In an interview with NPR, she noted this detailed guidance could help work out snags in the process. While distribution plans have been developed and tested, "there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and we need to see how it's going to work in real time."
Public health officials in states NPR spoke to are celebrating the vaccine's authorization but caution that actually getting the vaccine to people is still a huge battle.
"It is a historical moment and it's really exciting," says Kris Ehresmann, who leads infectious disease prevention for the Minnesota Department of Health. "But it's not a moment that people have any time to savor because they're absolutely too busy getting ready to actually administer the vaccine."
She explains that there are many steps to take, including training health care workers to administer the vaccine safely. She says details about who should get the initial doses of vaccine — and who might be at risk for adverse reactions are incredibly important.
"A safe vaccine is more than just the product. It's the whole process of administration and making sure that the right people get it or don't get it," she says.
She and immunization managers across the country are waiting eagerly for the CDC to publish its detailed recommendations in a Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report. It might be up to a week before Minnesota starts inoculating anyone, she says.
Another theme of the ACIP meeting was a dire need for further funding to support state and local immunization efforts, including logistical support and public information campaigns. Multiple committee members and public commenters raised the concern.
ACIP committee member Dr. Beth Bell compared "the billions of dollars that have gone into development of vaccine" with the small sums — around $200 million so far — available for distribution.
"I think the imbalance between that kind of money and the funding that's been provided for vaccination programs and implementation is really shocking and needs to be corrected," she said "We are not going to be able to protect the American public if we don't have a way to deliver the vaccines to them."


npr--2020-12-12--Hong Kong Democracy Activist Jimmy Lai Denied Bail

Democracy activist Jimmy Lai , a prominent Hong Kong media mogul charged with violating a new and controversial national security law , was denied bail Saturday .
Lai , who publishes a tabloid newspaper that 's critical of China , is one of the most high-profile people charged with colluding with a foreign country under a controversial new national security law .
China 's ruling Communist Party has been taking its most prominent critics into custody as it attempts to suppress the pro-democracy movement there .
The law , passed earlier this year by an elite body within China 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : secession , subversion of state power , terrorism and collusion with foreign entities .
The text of the law , imposed by fiat on Hong Kong , was revealed publicly only after it passed .
The 73-year-old Lai was one of several journalists arrested earlier this month , accused of violating terms of their office building 's lease .
On Friday , government officials announced he would be charged with violating the national security law .
At his court appearance on Saturday , a judge denied his request for bail and adjourned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lai 's paper , the Apple Daily .
Prosecutors had requested the postponement , saying it would give time for police to investigate more than 1,000 posts on Lai 's Twitter account .
Specifically , Lai is accused of requesting that a foreign country or institution `` impose sanctions on blockade , or engage in other hostile activities '' against China or Hong Kong , the Apple Daily reported .
He could face a maximum punishment of life in prison .
Lai has publicly commemorated the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of one-party rule in Hong Kong .
`` Yes , it 'll be dangerous , '' he tweeted last month .
`` But let us not be afraid and fight on !
The greater the danger , the more effective we can arouse the world attention . ''
Lai has already been arrested multiple times this year related to his involvement in demonstrations against China 's Communist Party .
His case has gained international attention , sparking comments by prominent U.S. politicians .
Vice President Pence said on Twitter that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to freedom loving people '' everywhere .
Pence called Lai a `` hero '' who has stood up for democracy and the rights of Hong Kong residents , adding : `` # FreeJimmyLai . ''
`` Hong Kong 's National Security Law makes a mockery of justice , '' U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted .
Lai 's only `` crime '' was `` speaking the truth about the Chinese Communist Party 's authoritarianism and fear of freedom , '' Pompeo said , urging charges be dropped .

Hong Kong Democracy Activist Jimmy Lai Denied Bail
Enlarge this image toggle caption Anthony Kwan/Getty Images Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Democracy activist Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong media mogul charged with violating a new and controversial national security law, was denied bail Saturday.
Lai, who publishes a tabloid newspaper that's critical of China, is one of the most high-profile people charged with colluding with a foreign country under a controversial new national security law. China's ruling Communist Party has been taking its most prominent critics into custody as it attempts to suppress the pro-democracy movement there.
The law, passed earlier this year by an elite body within China's legislature, criminalizes four types of activity: secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and collusion with foreign entities. The text of the law, imposed by fiat on Hong Kong, was revealed publicly only after it passed.
The 73-year-old Lai was one of several journalists arrested earlier this month, accused of violating terms of their office building's lease. On Friday, government officials announced he would be charged with violating the national security law. At his court appearance on Saturday, a judge denied his request for bail and adjourned the case until April, according to Lai's paper, the Apple Daily.
Prosecutors had requested the postponement, saying it would give time for police to investigate more than 1,000 posts on Lai's Twitter account. Specifically, Lai is accused of requesting that a foreign country or institution "impose sanctions on blockade, or engage in other hostile activities" against China or Hong Kong, the Apple Daily reported. He could face a maximum punishment of life in prison.
Lai has publicly commemorated the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing and has encouraged his followers to fight for the end of one-party rule in Hong Kong. "Yes, it'll be dangerous," he tweeted last month. "But let us not be afraid and fight on! The greater the danger, the more effective we can arouse the world attention."
Lai has already been arrested multiple times this year related to his involvement in demonstrations against China's Communist Party. His case has gained international attention, sparking comments by prominent U.S. politicians. Vice President Pence said on Twitter that the charges against Lai "are an affront to freedom loving people" everywhere. Pence called Lai a "hero" who has stood up for democracy and the rights of Hong Kong residents, adding: "#FreeJimmyLai."
"Hong Kong's National Security Law makes a mockery of justice," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted. Lai's only "crime" was "speaking the truth about the Chinese Communist Party's authoritarianism and fear of freedom," Pompeo said, urging charges be dropped.


npr--2020-12-12--Trump Supporters Rally In Washington Once Again For A 'Million MAGA March'

Trump Supporters Rally In Washington Once Again For A 'Million MAGA March' Thousands of President Trump 's supporters — four weeks after a similar protest — flocked to the nation 's capital for a protest in support of the president and his false claims of a stolen election .
This weekend 's Million MAGA March , along with other named rallies , follows a Nov. 14 protest that brought masses of the president 's supporters to Washington , D.C. , and ended with scattered clashes between rallygoers and counterprotesters .
Several groups who attended last month 's protest marched again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boys , a self-proclaimed `` Western-chauvinist '' organization known for violent confrontations with left-wing protesters .
It 's considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center .
By Saturday evening , Proud Boys and counterprotesters were facing off in scattered skirmishes downtown .
Police tried to separate the two sides .
Counterprotesters also clashed with police at times , DCist reported .
Reporter Jenny Gathright of NPR member station WAMU observed members of the group marching through Freedom Plaza earlier Saturday .
Some of them were holding white power symbols .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman confirmed that as the group gathered in D.C. , one of its leaders , Enrique Tarrio , took a public tour of the White House .
Tarrio posted about his visit to the right-wing social media app Parler .
The White House says that Tarrio did not meet with the president nor was he specifically invited .
Tarrio said the visit `` shows we 've come a long way . ''
Among Saturday 's speakers at the rally was former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who in his first public remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deny President-elect Joe Biden 's victory .
`` People ask me this all the time now , in the last couple of days certainly , on a scale of one to 10 , who 's going to be the next president of the United States .
And I say 1o , Donald J. Trump !
10 ! ''
Flynn told the crowd .
Flynn was pardoned by President Trump late last month .
He pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pillow CEO Mike Lindell and right-wing activist Jack Posobiec .
Elsewhere , right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was spotted on the National Mall .
Jones also attended last month 's march .
Similar to last 's month larger rally , Saturday 's demonstration brought participants into D.C. from far and wide .
Louis Murray , who came from Boston , told WAMU that even if Trump 's legal efforts to overturn the election fail , `` we can still celebrate Trumpism , '' and `` get ready for 2024 . ''
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America , '' Murray told WAMU .
President Trump broadcast his approval of Saturday 's demonstration , tweeting , `` Wow !
Thousands of people forming in Washington ( D.C. ) for Stop the Steal .
Did n't know about this , but I 'll be seeing them !
# MAGA . ''
On Saturday crowds cheered as Marine One flew overhead with the president onboard en route to another event .
During last month 's protest , Trump made an impromptu visit , riding by the rally in his presidential motorcade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists and allies gathered in response at the city 's Black Lives Matter Plaza , a center for activism since the summer .
`` We 're not counterprotesting , '' said Anthony Lorenzo Green , an organizer with Black Lives Matter 's D.C. chapter .
Green told DCist , `` We 're really just trying to create spaces of liberation so folks do n't feel oppressed or bothered or feel like , you know , 'Why are these folks coming to our city bringing this type of violence to our city ? '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , 'No , this is D.C. , this is who we are , we 're resilient , and we 're going to have our joy in the midst of all that may be going on in the city . '
`` On Friday , according to WAMU , Trump supporters and counterprotesters clashed in Black Lives Matter Plaza , which led to several arrests .
Hours after last month 's rally , Trump supporters brawled with counterprotesters , with at least one person stabbed , two police officers injured and at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when cases of the coronavirus have been surging in Washington , D.C. , as in most of the nation .
As in November , many of the participants in the pro-Trump gathering were seen without masks or face coverings .

4 Stabbed, 33 Arrested After Trump Supporters, Counterprotesters Clash In D.C.
Enlarge this image Tyrone Turner Tyrone Turner
Updated at 2:23 p.m. ET Sunday
Thousands of President Trump's supporters — four weeks after a similar protest — flocked to the nation's capital for a protest in support of the president and his false claims of a stolen election.
By Saturday night, clashes between rallygoers and counterprotesters escalated into violence, with four people stabbed and 33 people arrested into Sunday morning. Nine people were transported to hospitals, according to Washington, D.C.'s Fire and EMS Department. Two of the nine were police officers with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Several groups that attended last month's protest marched again on Saturday. Those included the Proud Boys, a self-proclaimed "Western-chauvinist" organization known for violent confrontations with left-wing protesters. It's considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
On Saturday evening, Proud Boys and counterprotesters were facing off in scattered skirmishes downtown. Police tried to separate the two sides. Counterprotesters also clashed with police at times, DCist reported.
About 30 mins ago, an intense skirmish happened when about 30 to 40 Proud Boys emerged from the alley and approached counter protestors from behind. pic.twitter.com/ueD4tfD5lr — Matt Blitz (@WhyBlitz) December 13, 2020
A total of nine injured people were transported from D.C.'s downtown to hospitals after 7 p.m., the fire department said. Police said Sunday that 33 people were arrested between Saturday into Sunday morning, on charges including simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, assault on a police officer, crossing a police line, assault with a dangerous weapon and other charges.
Reporter Jenny Gathright of NPR member station WAMU observed members of the Proud Boys marching through Freedom Plaza earlier Saturday. Some of them were holding up white power symbols.
On Saturday morning, a White House spokesman confirmed that as the group gathered in D.C., one of its leaders, Enrique Tarrio, took a public tour of the White House. Tarrio posted about his visit to the right-wing social media app Parler. The White House says that Tarrio did not meet with the president, nor was he specifically invited. Tarrio said the visit "shows we've come a long way."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR
Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR
Among the speakers at the pro-Trump rally during the day was former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who in his first public remarks since he was pardoned by Trump sought to deny President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
"People ask me this all the time now, in the last couple of days certainly: On a scale of 1 to 10, who's going to be the next president of the United States? And I say 1o, Donald J. Trump! 10!" Flynn told the crowd.
Flynn was pardoned by Trump late last month. He had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Other speakers at the rally included My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell and right-wing activist Jack Posobiec.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR
toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR
Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Elsewhere, right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was spotted on the National Mall. Jones also attended last month's march.
Similar to last's month larger rally, Saturday's demonstration brought participants into D.C. from far and wide. Louis Murray, who came from Boston, told WAMU that even if Trump's legal efforts to overturn the election fail, "we can still celebrate Trumpism" and "get ready for 2024."
"This is a very hopeful day for conservatives in America," Murray told WAMU.
Trump broadcast his approval of Saturday's demonstration, tweeting, "Wow! Thousands of people forming in Washington (D.C.) for Stop the Steal. Didn't know about this, but I'll be seeing them! #MAGA."
On Saturday, crowds cheered as Marine One flew overhead with the president on board en route to another event. During last month's protest, Trump made an impromptu visit, riding by the rally in his presidential motorcade.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR
Enlarge this image Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR
Meanwhile, local Black Lives Matter activists and allies gathered in response at the city's Black Lives Matter Plaza, a center for activism since the summer.
"We're not counterprotesting," said Anthony Lorenzo Green, an organizer with Black Lives Matter's D.C. chapter. Green told DCist, "We're really just trying to create spaces of liberation so folks don't feel oppressed or bothered or feel like, you know, 'Why are these folks coming to our city bringing this type of violence to our city?' We're pushing back against that, saying, 'No, this is D.C. This is who we are, we're resilient and we're going to have our joy in the midst of all that may be going on in the city.' "
Tyrone Turner/WAMU
toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU
toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU
toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR
toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU
On Friday, according to WAMU, Trump supporters and counterprotesters clashed at Black Lives Matter Plaza, which led to several arrests.
Hours after last month's rally, Trump supporters brawled with counterprotesters, with at least one person stabbed, two police officers injured and at least 20 arrests.
Demonstrators are gathering at a time when coronavirus cases have been surging in Washington, D.C., as in most of the United States. As in November, many participants in the pro-Trump gathering were seen without masks or face coverings.
toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR
toggle caption Dee Dwyer for NPR


npr--2020-12-12--What You Need To Know As The First COVID-19 Vaccine Heads Your Way

What You Need To Know As The First COVID-19 Vaccine Heads Your Way Now that the Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency authorization for the first COVID-19 vaccine to be deployed over the next few days in the U.S. , you may have a lot of questions about what this means for you and the people you love .
Here 's what we know so far : Who specifically is eligible for the vaccine now ?
With more than 2,300 deaths now routinely linked to the coronavirus in the U.S. each day , getting a safe vaccine into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority .
The FDA late Friday issued an emergency use authorization for the vaccine made by Pfizer and German biotech firm BioNTech to be given to people ages 16 and over .
Pfizer has run tests that include more than 44,000 people .
An FDA analysis of the vaccine 's safety and effectiveness on people aged 16 and older found `` no specific safety concerns '' that would preclude the vaccine 's use .
Some mild to moderate side effects are common — mostly swelling , pain , redness at the injection site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolves within about 24 hours .
I 'm not high risk or an essential worker , so how soon can I get vaccinated ?
Not for a while .
The Department of Health and Human Services expects to send 2.9 million doses out in the first push this week .
Those doses are to be divvied up among states based on their population .
Last week , Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar promised that the government would provide enough vaccine for 20 million Americans before the end of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone in the U.S. in the spring — likely not just the Pfizer vaccine but also others that are still in the research pipeline .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed a plan to prioritize the nation 's 21 million health care workers and 3 million residents of long-term care facilities .
States have the final say over which groups are first in line for any vaccine the federal government sends them , but they are expected to go along with the CDC recommendation .
After those two groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 87 essential million workers not involved in front-line health care , then to the 100 million adults with certain high-risk medical conditions and the 50 million people who are 65 years old or older .
If there are a few different vaccines coming , which one is best for me ?
Right now , you do n't have much choice .
Only the Pfizer vaccine has been granted emergency authorization for use .
A vaccine that works in similar ways made by Moderna is expected to get that authorization , too — perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the safety and effectiveness of the two vaccines seem roughly comparable .
Other vaccines under development use different approaches to the same end .
One relies on a harmless virus loaded with a coronavirus gene for a protein that will induce an immune response , and several companies are working on more traditional , weakened-virus vaccines .
Some of the candidate vaccines are single-dose , while others ( including Pfizer 's and Moderna 's ) require two shots , spaced three to four weeks apart for full protection .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Marisa Holubar , an infectious disease physician at Stanford University , tells NPR , `` I think there will be likely some subpopulations in which one vaccine might be better than the other . ''
The FDA guidelines to prescribers , issued Friday , note only that `` immunocompromised persons , including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy , may have a diminished immune response '' to the the Pfizer vaccine .
As more vaccines are evaluated , Holubar says , it may turn out , for example , that elderly people with weakened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one type of vaccine over another .
Or it could be that a company decided not to test a sub-group — say , children under 12 — but another manufacturer did .
Data on which to base those decisions are still emerging .
And some people might opt for a single-dose type of vaccine for logistical reasons , she notes .
Where will I be able to get the vaccine ?
Many doses of Pfizer 's vaccine have already been deployed to the company 's hubs in the U.S. and will now be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operation Warp Speed , the vaccines will be picked up from manufacturers by UPS , FedEx and medical supply company McKesson for delivery to pharmacies , nursing homes , public clinics , hospitals , doctors ' offices , mobile clinics and military facilities .
Initially , states are likely to direct first supplies to larger distribution centers — such as hospitals and long-term care facilities .
The drugstore chains CVS and Walgreens are responsible for delivering the vaccine to nursing homes , which are likely also to be among the first places for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can check out what your state has been planning on Page 25 of this document on vaccine distribution from Duke University and the National Governors Association .
What side effects can I expect from the vaccines ?
In the Pfizer and Moderna trials ( which included an average of two months of follow-up ) , vaccine recipients have reported mild symptoms ( such as sore arms , redness at the injection site , headache or fatigue ) a little more frequently than with flu vaccines , says Dr. Paul Offit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Philadelphia and a member of the FDA 's advisory committee evaluating the vaccines .
Offit says mild to moderate symptoms — similar to the range of side effects seen with the shingles vaccine Shingrix — are to be expected , and people need to understand that .
Vaccine recipients , especially under age 65 , also `` could have fever — including rarely high fever — fatigue , headaches , chills , muscle aches , joint pain , enough so that one could miss a day of work , '' Offit tells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your immune system being vigorous and working for you , '' Offit says .
`` In many ways , it 's a good thing .
But you ca n't have people surprised by this because it is actually a fairly common problem . ''
An FDA-posted fact sheet and prescribing instructions regarding the Pfizer vaccine reports that in one trial , 0.4 % of people who 'd gotten the vaccine had a serious adverse event compared with 0.3 % of those who received a placebo .
A New England Journal of Medicine report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious adverse events as `` low , and similar in both groups . ''
In the U.K. , which began vaccinating with the Pfizer vaccine earlier this week , there have been two or three cases of strong allergic reactions in people who have a significant enough history of severe allergies that at least two routinely carry EpiPens .
The reaction was safely quashed with a shot of epinephrine .
The fact sheet the FDA posted advises health workers to not give the Pfizer vaccine to `` individuals with known history of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to any component of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine . ''
The agency noted in a press briefing Saturday that the warning does not extend to the 1.6 % of people who have had a severe allergic reaction to foods or something in the environment .
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are based on a new model — getting genetic material into people 's cells so that the cells produce proteins that will trigger an immune reaction .
`` There 's no particular reason based on the science to be concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesse Goodman , former FDA chief scientist and now at Georgetown University .
`` But that said , careful monitoring over time will be needed . ''
I 'm pregnant .
What should I do about getting immunized ?
Many vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for pregnant women , but pregnant women were excluded from both the Moderna and Pfizer studies , so no one can say for sure how the vaccine will perform in this group .
Several studies have shown that pregnant women who get COVID-19 are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , so it would be helpful to have more data .
`` We think and hope the vaccines will be useful and safe for pregnant women , '' says Goodman .
`` But we need the studies . ''
The issue came up during the advisory meeting Thursday , and Pfizer said it would be releasing results on toxicity studies in rats in the next few days .
The FDA 's guidance did not preclude offering the vaccine to pregnant women , but experts say there is n't enough information to assess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would merit blanket advice .
Dr. Denise Jamieson , chair of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine , tells NPR 's Laurel Wamsley that because one side effect of the shot can be fever — `` something that we try and avoid in pregnancy — it may be important that if [ vaccinated ] women get a fever , that they treat it with acetaminophen . ''
Beyond that , Jamieson suggests , watch for further guidance as more research emerges and check with your doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Participants in Pfizer 's vaccine studies were mostly adults , and the FDA 's authorization is for people 16 and older .
But , so far , only 163 people in Pfizer 's 44,000-person trial were as young as 16 or 17 , notes Dr. Cody Meissner in an interview with NPR .
He is chief of pediatrics at Tufts University Medical Center and one of the FDA advisory committee members .
Half of that group got the placebo , and none of the participants in the research trial was younger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy of Pediatrics is calling for adding younger people to the vaccine clinical trials .
The FDA 's Dr. Peter Marks , director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research , notes that many 16- and 17-year-olds are working as checkout workers or are otherwise active in their communities , so their risk of contracting the coronavirus can be elevated .
`` We think the known and potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks '' of immunizing this age group , he says .
If I get vaccinated , can I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , not right away .
Studies of the new vaccines only measured whether vaccinated people developed symptoms , not whether they got infected .
It 's possible that they got light infections — not enough to make them ill , but enough to pass the virus on to others .
`` That 's why I tell people when you get vaccinated , continue wearing your mask , '' Carlos Del Rio , a vaccine scientist at Emory University who helped test the Moderna vaccine , recently told NPR .
`` We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually prevents infection . ''
The CDC is calling for those who are immunized to continue wearing masks and practicing safe physical distancing until more is learned .
`` Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations , '' as well as how many people are getting vaccinated and whether the virus is still spreading in communities , it says in an FAQ .
My mom got her first dose and I want to visit .
Are there still safety issues ?
Yes — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full effectiveness .
And for now at least , you should take the same precautions you did before vaccination , says Goodman .
`` Until the population is broadly vaccinated and the outbreak under control , which will take many months , everyone — vaccinated or not — needs to continue to wear masks and practice distancing to protect themselves and others . ''
If I 've had COVID-19 should I get vaccinated anyway ?
It looks like getting vaccinated when you 've been infected in the past is safe — in both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % to 10 % of volunteers turned out to have already been infected .
And many experts say the extra protection of immunization might be helpful .
But the CDC is waiting until there is more information about how long `` natural immunity '' lasts to give advice about that .
How much will getting immunized cost me ?
The government will be providing vaccines for free , but providers will be allowed to charge a fee for giving the shots .
They can recoup the fee from public and private insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover uninsured individuals .
Some of the vaccines further down the pipeline are single shots , but the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses to hit the 95 % effectiveness level .
With other multidose vaccines , people often miss the second shot .
Researchers say they hope that a prior awareness that some mild or moderate side effects are likely will make people less leery of a second shot and that clear messaging about the importance of full vaccination will bring people back .
Additional boosters may be necessary in upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested only over a period of six months , and it is possible immunity could wane .
Is it safe to send kids back to schools ?
It likely will be awhile before any of the COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for use in children — the early vaccines have not been tested in kids under age 16 .
And it 's going to take a long time for vaccination to lower the overall rate of infection in the community and thus lower the likelihood of the coronavirus coming into the schools from outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , the safety of the youngest students has much more to do with whether their school makes sure that students , faculty and staff keep properly distanced and wear masks where appropriate ; provides washing-up areas ; and ensures good ventilation .
`` We know that the vaccine 's been given to tens of thousands of people safely , '' Offit tells NPR regarding the Pfizer vaccine .
`` So we can say , at least with comfort , that it does n't cause an uncommon , serious side effect .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause a very rare serious side effect .
We 'll find that out post-approval .
But I think we know enough .
When you agree to move forward with a product , it 's not whether you know everything .
It 's whether you know enough to say that the benefits outweigh what at this point are theoretical risks . ''
Joanne Silberner , a former health policy correspondent for NPR , is a freelance journalist living in Seattle .

What You Need To Know As The First COVID-19 Vaccines Head Your Way
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frank Augstein/AP Frank Augstein/AP
Updated at 4:45 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 21
Now that the Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency authorization for the first COVID-19 vaccines to be deployed in the U.S., you may have a lot of questions about what this means for you and the people you love. Here's what we know so far:
Who specifically is eligible for the vaccine now?
With more than 2,300 deaths now routinely linked to the coronavirus in the U.S. each day, getting a safe vaccine into people's arms has been an urgent priority. The FDA late Friday, Dec. 11, issued an emergency use authorization for the vaccine made by Pfizer and German biotech firm BioNTech to be given to people ages 16 and older. One week later the FDA authorized Moderna's vaccine for emergency use in the U.S. as well. Federal officials anticipate having enough doses of vaccine to immunize around 100 million people in the U.S. by the end of February 2021 — around a third of the U.S. population.
Is the vaccine safe?
Pfizer has run tests that include more than 44,000 people. An FDA analysis of the vaccine's safety and effectiveness on people aged 16 and older found "no specific safety concerns" that would preclude the vaccine's use. Some mild to moderate side effects are common — mostly swelling, pain, redness at the injection site, fatigue and sometimes including fever that resolves within about 24 hours.
I'm not high risk or an essential worker, so how soon can I get vaccinated?
Not for a while. The Department of Health and Human Services expected to send about 2.9 million doses out in the first week. Those doses are to be divvied up among states based on their population. In early December Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar promised that the government would provide enough vaccine for 20 million Americans before the end of the year and says there should be enough in the spring for everyone in the U.S. who wants to be immunized — likely not just the Pfizer vaccine but also others that are still in the research pipeline.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed a plan to prioritize the nation's 21 million health care workers and 3 million residents of long-term care facilities. States have the final say over which groups are first in line for any vaccine the federal government sends them, but they are expected to go along with the CDC recommendation. After those two groups, vaccine is likely to go to the 87 essential million workers not involved in front-line health care — such as teachers, police officers, fire fighters, prison officers and grocery store workers — then to the 100 million adults with certain high-risk medical conditions and people who are 75 years old or older.
If there are a few different vaccines coming, which one is best for me?
Right now, you don't have much choice. Only the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been granted emergency authorization for use. Measures of the safety and effectiveness of the two vaccines seem roughly comparable.
Other vaccines under development use different approaches to the same end. One relies on a harmless virus loaded with a coronavirus gene for a protein that will induce an immune response, and several companies are working on more traditional, weakened-virus vaccines.
Some of the candidate vaccines are single-dose, while others (specifically Pfizer's and Moderna's) require two shots, spaced three to four weeks apart, for full protection. Some of the vaccines must be kept extremely cold.
Dr. Marisa Holubar, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University, tells NPR, "I think there will be likely some subpopulations in which one vaccine might be better than the other."
The FDA's Dec. 11 guidelines to prescribers of the Pfizer vaccine, noted only that "immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response" to the Pfizer vaccine.
As more vaccines are evaluated, Holubar says, it may turn out, for example, that elderly people with weakened immune systems might be more responsive to one type of vaccine over another. A detailed FDA analysis of the Moderna vaccine found that for people ages 18 to 64, the effectiveness is 96%, compared with 86% for people 65 and older.
It might also turn out that a company decided not to test a subgroup — say, children under 12 — but another manufacturer did.
Data on which to base decisions about whether some vaccines are better for different groups are still emerging. And some people might opt for a single-dose type of vaccine for logistical reasons, she notes.
Where will I be able to get the vaccine?
According to Operation Warp Speed, the vaccines will be picked up from manufacturers by UPS, FedEx and medical supply company McKesson for delivery to pharmacies, nursing homes, public clinics, hospitals, doctors' offices, mobile clinics and military facilities.
Initially, states are likely to direct first supplies to larger distribution centers — such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. The drugstore chains CVS and Walgreens are responsible for delivering the vaccine to nursing homes, which are likely also to be among the first places for availability.
States will be in control. You can check out what your state has been planning on Page 25 of this document on vaccine distribution from Duke University and the National Governors Association.
What side effects can I expect from the vaccines?
In the Pfizer and Moderna trials (which included an average of two months of follow-up), vaccine recipients have reported mild symptoms (such as sore arms, redness at the injection site, headache or fatigue) a little more frequently than with flu vaccines, says Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the FDA's advisory committee evaluating the vaccines. Offit says mild to moderate symptoms — similar to the range of side effects seen with the shingles vaccine Shingrix — are to be expected, and people need to understand that.
Vaccine recipients, especially under age 65, "could have fever — including rarely high fever — fatigue, headaches, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, enough so that one could miss a day of work," Offit tells NPR. (Pain at the injection site and fever were apparently more common in the Moderna research trials, than in Pfizer's — reported by 91% of those immunized.)
"But that's just your immune system being vigorous and working for you," Offit says. "In many ways, it's a good thing. But you can't have people surprised by this because it is actually a fairly common problem."
An FDA-posted fact sheet and prescribing instructions regarding the Pfizer vaccine reports that in one trial, 0.4% of people who had gotten the vaccine had a serious adverse event compared with 0.3% of those who received a placebo. A New England Journal of Medicine report published Dec. 10 described the incidence of serious adverse events as "low, and similar in both groups."
In the United Kingdom, which began vaccinating with the Pfizer vaccine in early December, there have been two or three cases of strong allergic reactions in people who have a significant enough history of severe allergies that at least two routinely carry EpiPens. The reaction was safely quashed with a shot of epinephrine.
The fact sheet the FDA posted advises health workers to not give the Pfizer vaccine to "individuals with known history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine." The agency noted in a press briefing after authorization that the warning does not extend to the 1.6% of people who have had a severe allergic reaction to foods or something in the environment.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are based on a new model — getting genetic material into people's cells so that the cells produce proteins that will trigger an immune reaction. "There's no particular reason based on the science to be concerned about long-term side effects," says Dr. Jesse Goodman, former FDA chief scientist and now at Georgetown University. "But that said, careful monitoring over time will be needed."
I'm pregnant. What should I do about getting immunized?
Many vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for pregnant women, but pregnant women were excluded from both the Moderna and Pfizer studies, so no one can say for sure how the vaccine will perform in this group. Several studies have shown that pregnant women who get COVID-19 are more likely to have a worse run of it, so it would be helpful to have more data.
"We think and hope the vaccines will be useful and safe for pregnant women," says Goodman. "But we need the studies."
The issue came up during the FDA advisory meeting regarding Pfizer's vaccine, and the company said it would be releasing results on toxicity studies in rats soon. The FDA's guidance did not preclude offering the vaccine to pregnant women, but experts say there isn't enough information to assess the risks versus benefits in a way that would merit blanket advice.
Dr. Denise Jamieson, chair of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine, tells NPR's Laurel Wamsley that because one side effect of the shot can be fever — "something that we try and avoid in pregnancy — it may be important that if [vaccinated] women get a fever, that they treat it with acetaminophen."
Beyond that, Jamieson suggests, watch for further guidance as more research emerges and check with your doctor about your particular circumstances in the meantime.
What about kids?
Moderna's vaccine has been authorized for use in adults 18 and older. Participants in Pfizer's vaccine studies were also mostly adults, and the FDA's authorization is for people 16 and older. So far, only 163 people in Pfizer's 44,000-person trial were as young as 16 or 17, notes Dr. Cody Meissner in an interview with NPR. He is chief of pediatrics at Tufts University Medical Center and one of the FDA advisory committee members. Half of that group got the placebo, and none of the participants in the research trial was younger than 16, Meissner notes. The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for adding younger people to the vaccine clinical trials.
The FDA's Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, notes that many 16- and 17-year-olds are working as checkout workers or are otherwise active in their communities, so their risk of contracting the coronavirus might be elevated. "We think the known and potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks" of immunizing this age group, he says.
If I get vaccinated, can I go back to life as normal?
No, not right away. Studies of the new vaccines only measured whether vaccinated people developed symptoms, not whether they got infected. It's possible that they got light infections — not enough to make them ill, but enough to pass the virus on to others. "That's why I tell people when you get vaccinated, continue wearing your mask," Dr. Carlos Del Rio, a vaccine scientist at Emory University who helped test the Moderna vaccine, recently told NPR. "We're going to know later if the vaccine actually prevents infection."
The CDC is calling for those who are immunized to continue wearing masks and practicing safe physical distancing until more is learned. "Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations," as well as how many people are getting vaccinated and whether the virus is still spreading in communities, it says in an FAQ.
My mom got her first dose and I want to visit. Are there still safety issues?
Yes — remember, both doses are necessary for full effectiveness. And for now at least, you should take the same precautions you did before vaccination, says Goodman. "Until the population is broadly vaccinated and the outbreak under control, which will take many months, everyone — vaccinated or not — needs to continue to wear masks and practice distancing to protect themselves and others."
If I've had COVID-19, should I get vaccinated anyway?
It looks like getting vaccinated when you've been infected in the past is safe — in both the Pfizer and Moderna trials, about 5% to 10% of volunteers turned out to have had a history of coronavirus infection. And many experts say the extra protection of immunization might be helpful. But the CDC is waiting until there is more information about how long "natural immunity" lasts to give advice about that.
How much will getting immunized cost me?
The government will be providing vaccines for free, but providers will be allowed to charge a fee for giving the shots. They can recoup the fee from public and private insurance plans and from a government fund to cover uninsured individuals.
Will I need a booster shot?
Some of the vaccines further down the pipeline are single shots, but the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses to hit the 94% or 95% effectiveness level. With other multidose vaccines, people often miss the second shot. Researchers say they hope that a prior awareness that some mild or moderate side effects are likely will make people less leery of a second shot and that clear messaging about the importance of full vaccination will bring people back. Additional boosters may be necessary in upcoming years — the current vaccines have been tested only over a period of six months, and it is possible immunity could wane.
Is it safe to send kids back to schools?
It likely will be awhile before any of the COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for use in children — the early vaccines have not been tested in kids under 16. And it's going to take a long time for vaccination to lower the overall rate of infection in the community and thus lower the likelihood of the coronavirus coming into the schools from outside. Infectious disease experts say that for now, the safety of the youngest students has much or more to do with whether their school makes sure that students, faculty and staff keep properly distanced and wear masks where appropriate; provides washing-up areas; and ensures good ventilation.
"We know that the vaccine's been given to tens of thousands of people safely," Offit tells NPR about the vaccines. "So we can say, at least with comfort, that it doesn't cause an uncommon, serious side effect. And that doesn't mean it doesn't cause a very rare serious side effect. We'll find that out post-approval. But I think we know enough. When you agree to move forward with a product, it's not whether you know everything. It's whether you know enough to say that the benefits outweigh what at this point are theoretical risks."
Joanne Silberner, a former health policy correspondent for NPR, is a freelance journalist living in Seattle.


npr--2020-12-12--Warp Speed Official: 1st Shipments Of COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Delivered On Monday

Warp Speed Official : 1st Shipments Of COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Delivered On Monday Now that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use , federal officials are mobilizing behind a vast effort to distribute the vaccine as soon as possible .
Army Gen. Gustave Perna , chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed , said Saturday that distribution of Pfizer and BioNTech 's vaccine has begun .
During a news conference , Perna explained that shipping containers with the vaccine are already being packed at a Pfizer facility .
`` Within the next 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Pfizer manufacturing facility to the UPS and FedEx hubs , and then it will go out to the 636 locations nationwide which were identified by the states and territories , '' Perna told reporters .
`` We expect 145 sites across all the states to receive vaccine on Monday , another 425 sites on Tuesday , and the final 66 sites on Wednesday , which will complete the initial delivery of the Pfizer orders . ''
His announcement came roughly 12 hours after the FDA formally granted an emergency use authorization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BioNTech .
With the green light , the U.S. became one of just a handful of countries — including the U.K. and Canada — to allow widespread distribution of the two-dose vaccine , which clinical trials have shown to be 95 % effective at preventing the coronavirus .
State governors and health departments have submitted plans for how the vaccine will be allocated .
Those plans give initial priority to two groups : front-line health care workers and residents at long-term care facilities , where Perna estimates that many residents will likely start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
He also said that as early as three weeks from now , the government will be able to ship the Pfizer vaccine to all providers that states have designated for distribution .
The general added that , by the end of the year , he expects there will be enough shipments of the two-dose vaccine to immunize 20 million people .
`` While today we applaud everybody who 's been a part of the team , part of the collaboration , part of the success that brought us here today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Perna said .
`` We are not done until every American has access to the vaccine , until every American that wants it , receives it .
This is our only goal .
We work every day to achieve it . ''
Health officials have cautioned that getting the vaccine to every American who wants one is a process that could stretch well into 2021 .
And even as the vaccine reaches its intended locations , federal officials will also be grappling with another challenge : bolstering public confidence in getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief Stephen Hahn pledged to be among the first to have it administered .
`` I know the meticulousness of the review that the FDA has done , '' Hahn said at a separate briefing Saturday .
`` I will absolutely take this COVID-19 vaccine , pending availability and distribution , because I have complete trust and confidence in the FDA 's career staff 's evaluation . ''
The authorization of the Pfizer vaccine represents a major milestone in the fight against the coronavirus in the U.S. — though it is unlikely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distributed .
A vaccine produced by Moderna , which has been shown 94 % effective , is expected to receive the FDA 's emergency authorization within a week or two , as well .

Warp Speed Official: 1st Shipments Of COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Delivered On Monday
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frank Augstein/AP Frank Augstein/AP
Updated at 12:50 p.m. ET
Now that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, federal officials are mobilizing behind a vast effort to distribute the vaccine as soon as possible. Army Gen. Gustave Perna, chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, said Saturday that distribution of Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine has begun.
During a news conference, Perna explained that shipping containers with the vaccine are already being packed at a Pfizer facility.
"Within the next 24 hours, they will begin moving vaccine from the Pfizer manufacturing facility to the UPS and FedEx hubs, and then it will go out to the 636 locations nationwide which were identified by the states and territories," Perna told reporters.
"We expect 145 sites across all the states to receive vaccine on Monday, another 425 sites on Tuesday, and the final 66 sites on Wednesday, which will complete the initial delivery of the Pfizer orders."
His announcement came roughly 12 hours after the FDA formally granted an emergency use authorization to the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
With the green light, the U.S. became one of just a handful of countries — including the U.K. and Canada — to allow widespread distribution of the two-dose vaccine, which clinical trials have shown to be 95% effective at preventing the coronavirus.
State governors and health departments have submitted plans for how the vaccine will be allocated. Those plans give initial priority to two groups: front-line health care workers and residents at long-term care facilities, where Perna estimates that many residents will likely start receiving doses toward the end of next week.
He also said that as early as three weeks from now, the government will be able to ship the Pfizer vaccine to all providers that states have designated for distribution. The general added that, by the end of the year, he expects there will be enough shipments of the two-dose vaccine to immunize 20 million people.
"While today we applaud everybody who's been a part of the team, part of the collaboration, part of the success that brought us here today, we know that we are not done," Perna said. "We are not done until every American has access to the vaccine, until every American that wants it, receives it. This is our only goal. We work every day to achieve it."
Health officials have cautioned that getting the vaccine to every American who wants one is a process that could stretch well into 2021. And even as the vaccine reaches its intended locations, federal officials will also be grappling with another challenge: bolstering public confidence in getting it. Toward that end, FDA chief Stephen Hahn pledged to be among the first to have it administered.
"I know the meticulousness of the review that the FDA has done," Hahn said at a separate briefing Saturday. "I will absolutely take this COVID-19 vaccine, pending availability and distribution, because I have complete trust and confidence in the FDA's career staff's evaluation."
The authorization of the Pfizer vaccine represents a major milestone in the fight against the coronavirus in the U.S. — though it is unlikely to be the last vaccine to be authorized and distributed. A vaccine produced by Moderna, which has been shown 94% effective, is expected to receive the FDA's emergency authorization within a week or two, as well.


npr--2020-12-12--After Supreme Court Defeat, Trump's Backers In Congress Are Quiet On What Comes Next

After Supreme Court Defeat , Trump 's Backers In Congress Are Quiet On What Comes Next For weeks , President Trump 's push to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election has soldiered on despite an ever-lengthening string of legal defeats .
But that effort , already sputtering , now appears all but exhausted after the Supreme Court on Friday rejected Texas ' challenge to President-elect Joe Biden 's victory .
The justices ' one-page order is about as definitive an answer as one could expect , with Electoral College delegates set to cast their ballots for president Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP supporters , the decision fails to answer one simple question : What next ?
In a series of tweets posted early Saturday , Trump made clear his disgust with the Supreme Court , which in dismissing the widely derided case said that Texas lacked standing to challenge the results in four battleground states that swung for Biden — Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The president protested that the lawsuit , which he had previously hyped as `` the big one , '' had been so quickly `` thrown out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the many reasons it was brought . ''
The outgoing president vowed to `` fight on ! ''
He did not , however , immediately explain how he and his supporters would proceed , with a heap of courtroom losses in the rear-view mirror and his remaining legal options diminishing by the day .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , too , expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court decision .
Paxton had led the failed effort , joined by 17 other GOP state attorneys general .
In a statement Friday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tirelessly defend the integrity and security of our elections and hold accountable those who shirk established election law for their own convenience . ''
Perhaps the more complex conundrum , though , awaits Trump 's supporters in Congress — most of whom , unlike Trump , won their elections and will still be in office after Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20 .
Of the 196 Republicans in the House , 126 signed on to a brief supporting the lawsuit before it was tossed .
Among those who joined that effort were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana .
Unlike Trump and Paxton , the Twitter feeds of the House Republicans who had signed the brief largely remained silent about Friday 's decision .
The offices of McCarthy and Scalise did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday .
One exception to the prevailing silence was Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas , who , in a statement , said that the Supreme Court had effectively `` closed the books on challenges to the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milestone left in completing the election process will be Congress counting the [ Electoral College ] votes on January 6 , '' Westerman said .
The Democratic speaker of the House , Nancy Pelosi , condemned her colleagues across the aisle for focusing on `` election subversion '' in the midst of a pandemic that has killed nearly 300,000 people in the U.S. '' The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House , '' Pelosi said in a statement .
`` Instead of upholding their oath to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , `` they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions . ''
Unlike their colleagues in the House , several Republican senators had expressed their skepticism about the lawsuit , or outright criticism .
After its rejection , Sen. Ben Sasse , R-Neb.
, emphasized that he was not sorry to see it go .
`` Since Election Night , a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type , 'Chavez rigged the election from the grave ' conspiracy theories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` but every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court — including all three of President Trump 's picks — closed the book on the nonsense . ''
Meanwhile , most Republicans across the country have followed the broader party line in questioning the results of the presidential election , despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud .
In a NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll released earlier this week , just a quarter of Republicans surveyed say they trust the election 's outcome .

After Supreme Court Defeat, Trump's Backers In Congress Are Quiet On What Comes Next
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
For weeks, President Trump's push to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election has soldiered on despite an ever-lengthening string of legal defeats. But that effort, already sputtering, now appears all but exhausted after the Supreme Court on Friday rejected Texas' challenge to President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
The justices' one-page order is about as definitive an answer as one could expect, with Electoral College delegates set to cast their ballots for president Monday. But for the president and his GOP supporters, the decision fails to answer one simple question: What next?
In a series of tweets posted early Saturday, Trump made clear his disgust with the Supreme Court, which in dismissing the widely derided case said that Texas lacked standing to challenge the results in four battleground states that swung for Biden — Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The president protested that the lawsuit, which he had previously hyped as "the big one," had been so quickly "thrown out and gone, without even looking at the many reasons it was brought."
The outgoing president vowed to "fight on!" He did not, however, immediately explain how he and his supporters would proceed, with a heap of courtroom losses in the rear-view mirror and his remaining legal options diminishing by the day.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, too, expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court decision. Paxton had led the failed effort, joined by 17 other GOP state attorneys general. In a statement Friday night, without offering details, Paxton promised "to tirelessly defend the integrity and security of our elections and hold accountable those who shirk established election law for their own convenience."
Perhaps the more complex conundrum, though, awaits Trump's supporters in Congress — most of whom, unlike Trump, won their elections and will still be in office after Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Of the 196 Republicans in the House, 126 signed on to a brief supporting the lawsuit before it was tossed. Among those who joined that effort were the top two Republicans in the House — Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
Unlike Trump and Paxton, the Twitter feeds of the House Republicans who had signed the brief largely remained silent about Friday's decision. The offices of McCarthy and Scalise did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.
One exception to the prevailing silence was Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, who, in a statement, said that the Supreme Court had effectively "closed the books on challenges to the 2020 election results."
"The only milestone left in completing the election process will be Congress counting the [Electoral College] votes on January 6," Westerman said.
The Democratic speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, condemned her colleagues across the aisle for focusing on "election subversion" in the midst of a pandemic that has killed nearly 300,000 people in the U.S.
"The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House," Pelosi said in a statement. "Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution," she said, "they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions."
Unlike their colleagues in the House, several Republican senators had expressed their skepticism about the lawsuit, or outright criticism. After its rejection, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., emphasized that he was not sorry to see it go.
"Since Election Night, a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type, 'Chavez rigged the election from the grave' conspiracy theories," Sasse said in a statement, "but every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court — including all three of President Trump's picks — closed the book on the nonsense."
Meanwhile, most Republicans across the country have followed the broader party line in questioning the results of the presidential election, despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud. In a NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll released earlier this week, just a quarter of Republicans surveyed say they trust the election's outcome.


npr--2020-12-13--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak On Sept. 28 , the world marked a tragic milestone : 1 million deaths from COVID-19 .
That 's according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University .
And public health experts believe the actual toll – the recorded deaths plus the unrecorded deaths – is much higher .
While the number of cases has slowed in many countries that were hit hard early on by coronavirus , the number of new cases continues to increase .
Since early July , new daily cases averaged over 200,000 worldwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January .
At over 16 million cases , the United States leads the world 's COVID-19 crisis .
In late spring and early summer , new COVID-19 cases were largely driven by cases in the Americas .
While the U.S. has consistently had the most new daily cases of coronavirus in the region , Brazil 's new daily cases increased rapidly between May and August .
However , in September , several countries that had previously flattened their curve saw a resurgence in cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , daily case counts have risen swiftly since June .
Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time .
The first chart compares each continent to each other , while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region .
To compare country outbreaks , the chart below graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each country 's totals to date .
This type of visualization highlights a state 's daily growth or decline relative to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In countries like Israel , which is seeing a second wave of case growth after an initial wave in April , the line forms a V-shape , as the initially bent curve spikes upwards again .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.