npr--2020-09-21--As U.S. Nears 200,000 Dead, Hospital Staff Reflect On Those Lost

As U.S. Nears 200,000 Dead , Hospital Staff Reflect On Those Lost The U.S. marked 100,000 recorded deaths from COVID-19 on May 27 .
Now it 's preparing to reach 200,000 .
Though the number of daily fatalities has gone down since the highs of spring , COVID-19 still claims the lives of hundreds of people in the U.S. each day .
More are expected to die as the weather gets colder .
For people who work in hospitals , the challenges have n't gone away .
`` I 'm living on adrenaline , '' says Dr. Joseph Varon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Memorial Medical Center .
`` I 'm going and going and going .
And also the sense that if I do n't do what I 'm doing right now , nobody else is going to . ''
Varon supervises a large staff , who are still on edge .
`` I have seen nurses cry in the middle of the day .
I mean , just start crying because they can not cope , '' he tells NPR 's Noel King on Morning Edition .
He makes it through the days by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Staffers made a music video in the COVID-19 unit , just to `` go crazy . ''
In Seattle , Dr. Sachita Shah of Harborview Medical Center says caring for COVID-19 patients is `` just part of our new life . ''
After more than half a year treating COVID-19 patients , `` the thing that I worry about and the thing that 's most different is I worry about health care worker resilience , '' she tells NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly on All Things Considered .
`` You know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency medicine for this .
We serve as witness to all the tragedy of the community .
Working in a trauma center , we 're the canaries in the mine of public health , '' Shah says .
`` I 've seen a lot over the past six months .
And I just worry that 2020 ca n't keep going like this . ''
Rocky Walker , a chaplain at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City , turns to his faith to keep going .
`` Having that faith in God anchoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he tells Morning Edition , `` and always having that to turn back to , knowing that there 's nothing too big for God , nor is there anything too small for God — that is absolutely keeping me [ going ] through this pandemic . ''
Walker often serves as a liaison between patients and families , as hospitals have shut out visitors to curtail possible spread of the virus .
In one case , Walker recalls a `` sort of elderly '' husband and wife who were both admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would n't see each other suffering .
He kept in touch with their family to update their conditions , which kept changing .
Through the constant phone and video calls , Walker got close to the family .
`` This is a family who had already lost two uncles and a cousin .
And now we have mother and father .
And we have [ a ] son who was trying to hold it together for everyone , and he had his own challenges . ''
The husband and wife both died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital .
`` They probably do n't realize it , but they 're there in my heart for the rest of my life , '' Walker says .
Varon , the Houston doctor , remembers a young man who spent eight weeks in his hospital , sick with COVID-19 .
His parents also had the disease — and they had most likely been infected by their son .
The parents died .
But doctors did n't tell the man immediately , Varon says , because he was already depressed and they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young man survived .
On the day he was released from the hospital , he found out his parents had died .
`` He never even made it to the funeral , '' Varon says .
`` I mean , that 's the kind of stuff that will stick with our brains for the rest of our lives because we see it day in and day out . ''
Ryan Benk , Catherine Whelan , Elena Burnett and Peter Granitz produced and edited the audio interviews .

As U.S. Nears 200,000 Dead, Hospital Staff Reflect On Those Lost
Enlarge this image toggle caption David J. Phillip/AP David J. Phillip/AP
The U.S. marked 100,000 recorded deaths from COVID-19 on May 27. Now it's preparing to reach 200,000.
Though the number of daily fatalities has gone down since the highs of spring, COVID-19 still claims the lives of hundreds of people in the U.S. each day. More are expected to die as the weather gets colder.
For people who work in hospitals, the challenges haven't gone away.
"I'm living on adrenaline," says Dr. Joseph Varon, chief of critical care at Houston's United Memorial Medical Center. "I'm going and going and going. And also the sense that if I don't do what I'm doing right now, nobody else is going to."
Varon supervises a large staff, who are still on edge.
"I have seen nurses cry in the middle of the day. I mean, just start crying because they cannot cope," he tells NPR's Noel King on Morning Edition.
He makes it through the days by telling jokes, making fun of things. Staffers made a music video in the COVID-19 unit, just to "go crazy."
In Seattle, Dr. Sachita Shah of Harborview Medical Center says caring for COVID-19 patients is "just part of our new life."
After more than half a year treating COVID-19 patients, "the thing that I worry about and the thing that's most different is I worry about health care worker resilience," she tells NPR's Mary Louise Kelly on All Things Considered.
"You know, we're strong. We train in emergency medicine for this. We serve as witness to all the tragedy of the community. Working in a trauma center, we're the canaries in the mine of public health," Shah says.
"I've seen a lot over the past six months. And I just worry that 2020 can't keep going like this."
Rocky Walker, a chaplain at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, turns to his faith to keep going.
"Having that faith in God anchoring everything that's going on around me," he tells Morning Edition, "and always having that to turn back to, knowing that there's nothing too big for God, nor is there anything too small for God — that is absolutely keeping me [going] through this pandemic."
Walker often serves as a liaison between patients and families, as hospitals have shut out visitors to curtail possible spread of the virus.
In one case, Walker recalls a "sort of elderly" husband and wife who were both admitted, but kept in separate rooms so they wouldn't see each other suffering. He kept in touch with their family to update their conditions, which kept changing.
Through the constant phone and video calls, Walker got close to the family. "This is a family who had already lost two uncles and a cousin. And now we have mother and father. And we have [a] son who was trying to hold it together for everyone, and he had his own challenges."
The husband and wife both died. The family wasn't allowed in the hospital.
"They probably don't realize it, but they're there in my heart for the rest of my life," Walker says.
Varon, the Houston doctor, remembers a young man who spent eight weeks in his hospital, sick with COVID-19. His parents also had the disease — and they had most likely been infected by their son.
The parents died. But doctors didn't tell the man immediately, Varon says, because he was already depressed and they were worried about his mental health.
The young man survived. On the day he was released from the hospital, he found out his parents had died.
"He never even made it to the funeral," Varon says. "I mean, that's the kind of stuff that will stick with our brains for the rest of our lives because we see it day in and day out."
Ryan Benk, Catherine Whelan, Elena Burnett and Peter Granitz produced and edited the audio interviews.


npr--2020-09-21--McConnell Reiterates Pledge To Vote On Trump's Supreme Court Nominee This Year

McConnell Reiterates Pledge To Vote On Trump 's Supreme Court Nominee This Year Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated his plans to move forward on President Trump 's nominee to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
`` The Senate will vote on this nomination this year , '' McConnell , R-Ky. , said Monday on the Senate floor .
He did n't say whether the vote would come before the election , or in a lame duck-session of Congress that occurs after the November election and before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump told reporters he would probably announce his pick on Saturday .
He is considering a group of five female candidates .
Trump repeated his preference that the Senate vote on the nominee before the Nov. 3 election .
McConnell pushed back at those who argued that with just weeks left before the election the Senate ca n't complete the confirmation process , saying there are 43 days until the election and 104 until the end of this session of Congress .
`` The Senate has more than sufficient time to process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that perfectly clear . ''
He cited several Supreme Court confirmation votes — including Ginsburg 's — that took place within a similar or shorter period of time .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , slammed Republicans for acting on the vacancy this close to the election , saying they 've `` made a mockery of their previous positions '' in 2016 when McConnell blocked action on President Barack Obama 's nominee , Merrick Garland , to fill a vacancy due to the death of Justice Antonin Scalia .
But McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not analogous to the 2016 instance because there was divided government then .
He said voters elected a GOP majority in the Senate in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because Republicans touted their plan to work with the president on his nominations to the federal judiciary .
`` Perhaps more than any other single issue , the American people strengthened this Senate majority to keep confirming this president 's impressive judicial nominees who respect our Constitution and understand the proper role of a judge , '' McConnell said .
So far two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — have said they do not believe the Senate should take up the president 's nomination before the election .
If another two GOP senators joined them and opposed the vote , McConnell would be unable to proceed — or he could be forced to postpone action until after the election when they might be open to backing the president 's nominee .
The chances of that continued to dim Monday night , though , when another moderate Republican came out in favor of a vote .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , `` Should a qualified nominee who meets this criteria be put forward , I will vote to confirm . ''
Retiring Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said over the weekend he too would support his party in voting on a nominee in an election year .
Schumer said the vacancy on the high court puts `` everything on the line '' — listing health care , same-sex marriage , reproductive rights , workers ' rights and voting rights .
`` If you care about these things and the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and this vacancy , mean everything . ''

McConnell Reiterates Pledge To Vote On Trump's Supreme Court Nominee This Year
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Updated at 7:58 p.m. ET
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated his plans to move forward on President Trump's nominee to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"The Senate will vote on this nomination this year," McConnell, R-Ky., said Monday on the Senate floor. He didn't say whether the vote would come before the election, or in a lame duck-session of Congress that occurs after the November election and before the start of a new session in 2021.
Trump told reporters he would probably announce his pick on Saturday. He is considering a group of five female candidates. Trump repeated his preference that the Senate vote on the nominee before the Nov. 3 election.
McConnell pushed back at those who argued that with just weeks left before the election the Senate can't complete the confirmation process, saying there are 43 days until the election and 104 until the end of this session of Congress.
"The Senate has more than sufficient time to process the nomination. History and precedent make that perfectly clear." He cited several Supreme Court confirmation votes — including Ginsburg's — that took place within a similar or shorter period of time.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., slammed Republicans for acting on the vacancy this close to the election, saying they've "made a mockery of their previous positions" in 2016 when McConnell blocked action on President Barack Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, to fill a vacancy due to the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
But McConnell maintains that the situation this year is not analogous to the 2016 instance because there was divided government then. He said voters elected a GOP majority in the Senate in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because Republicans touted their plan to work with the president on his nominations to the federal judiciary.
"Perhaps more than any other single issue, the American people strengthened this Senate majority to keep confirming this president's impressive judicial nominees who respect our Constitution and understand the proper role of a judge," McConnell said.
So far two Senate Republicans — Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — have said they do not believe the Senate should take up the president's nomination before the election. If another two GOP senators joined them and opposed the vote, McConnell would be unable to proceed — or he could be forced to postpone action until after the election when they might be open to backing the president's nominee.
The chances of that continued to dim Monday night, though, when another moderate Republican came out in favor of a vote. Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado said in a statement, "Should a qualified nominee who meets this criteria be put forward, I will vote to confirm."
Retiring Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said over the weekend he too would support his party in voting on a nominee in an election year.
Schumer said the vacancy on the high court puts "everything on the line" — listing health care, same-sex marriage, reproductive rights, workers' rights and voting rights. "If you care about these things and the kind of country we live in — this election, and this vacancy, mean everything."


npr--2020-09-21--Shop For A Pair Of Shoes To Go With That Bread. Grocery Chain, DSW Team Up

Shop For A Pair Of Shoes To Go With That Bread .
Grocery Chain , DSW Team Up Sure , you go to the grocery store for milk , bread , frozen foods and chips .
But how about shopping for the latest shoe fashions while you 're at it ?
Hy-Vee , a Midwestern supermarket chain , announced on Monday that DSW shoe outlets are opening in six of its grocery stores in Minnesota .
Shoppers will be able to try on shoes , then order online .
This is the latest example of shops within shops .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by being where customers shop the most .
Kohl 's did a similar initiative last year with the Aldi grocery chain .
Hy-Vee first announced its partnership with DSW in April .
This is n't its first dance with the fashion industry .
The regional supermarket chain previously partnered with apparel brand F & F , but last year it was replaced with clothing brand Joe Fresh .
The first two DSW `` shop-in-shops '' opened this month in the Minneapolis area .
The remaining four will open by the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parent company , intends to launch dozens more in 2021 .
The shop-in-shops will be located at the front of each Hy-Vee store .
The grocer hopes to attract shoppers who favor Target and Walmart .
Hy-Vee is n't collecting rent from DSW , but it will receive a percentage of DSW 's sales as part of the deal , Bill Jordan , chief growth officer at Designer Brands , told CNN Business .
DSW views this as an opportunity to expand throughout the Midwest .
Hy-Vee has over 270 stores in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DSW was looking for a way to make shoe shopping more accessible , and grocery stores are a main shopping haven , especially during the pandemic .
Adedayo Akala is an intern on the NPR Business Desk .

Shop For A Pair Of Shoes To Go With That Bread. Grocery Chain, DSW Team Up
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nina Westervelt/Bloomberg via Getty Images Nina Westervelt/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sure, you go to the grocery store for milk, bread, frozen foods and chips. But how about shopping for the latest shoe fashions while you're at it?
Hy-Vee, a Midwestern supermarket chain, announced on Monday that DSW shoe outlets are opening in six of its grocery stores in Minnesota. Shoppers will be able to try on shoes, then order online.
This is the latest example of shops within shops. The goal: providing easy access to merchandise by being where customers shop the most. Kohl's did a similar initiative last year with the Aldi grocery chain.
Hy-Vee first announced its partnership with DSW in April. This isn't its first dance with the fashion industry. The regional supermarket chain previously partnered with apparel brand F&F, but last year it was replaced with clothing brand Joe Fresh.
The first two DSW "shop-in-shops" opened this month in the Minneapolis area. The remaining four will open by the end of the month. Designer Brands, DSW's parent company, intends to launch dozens more in 2021.
The shop-in-shops will be located at the front of each Hy-Vee store. The grocer hopes to attract shoppers who favor Target and Walmart. Hy-Vee isn't collecting rent from DSW, but it will receive a percentage of DSW's sales as part of the deal, Bill Jordan, chief growth officer at Designer Brands, told CNN Business.
DSW views this as an opportunity to expand throughout the Midwest. Hy-Vee has over 270 stores in the region, while DSW has 130. DSW was looking for a way to make shoe shopping more accessible, and grocery stores are a main shopping haven, especially during the pandemic.
Adedayo Akala is an intern on the NPR Business Desk.


npr--2020-09-21--Microsoft To Buy Bethesda In $7.5 Billion Deal, Acquiring Fallout, The Elder Scrolls

Microsoft To Buy Bethesda In $ 7.5 Billion Deal , Acquiring Fallout , The Elder Scrolls In what is set to be one of the largest ever acquisitions in the video game industry , Microsoft announced Monday that it has reached a deal to acquire ZeniMax Media , the parent company of popular video game publisher Bethesda Softworks , for $ 7.5 billion .
Once the deal is finalized , Bethesda properties including The Elder Scrolls , Fallout , Wolfenstein , Quake , Starfield and DOOM will be owned by Microsoft .
These series will be added to the Xbox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service which has topped 15 million subscribers .
The Bethesda deal is expected to be finalized in the second half of fiscal year 2021 .
`` With the addition of Bethesda , Microsoft will grow from 15 to 23 creative studio teams and will be adding Bethesda 's iconic franchises to Xbox Game Pass , '' Microsoft wrote in a release .
`` This includes Microsoft 's intent to bring Bethesda 's future games into Xbox Game Pass the same day they launch on Xbox or PC . ''
This deal is three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid for Mojang , the company behind Minecraft , in 2014 .
It will be Microsoft 's most expensive video game acquisition ever .
`` We 're still Bethesda .
We 're still working on the same games we were yesterday , made by the same studios we 've worked with for years , and those games will be published by us , '' Pete Hines , Bethesda 's senior vice president of PR and marketing , said in a blog post .
`` [ The deal ] allows us to make even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incredible partner and offers access to resources that will make us a better publisher and developer . ''
This announcement comes a day before pre-orders of its new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles go live .
Microsoft 's competitor Sony started accepting pre-orders last week for its PlayStation 5 .
`` I think that this announcement has little to no impact on the sales of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X at launch , because the reality is that most of the console gamers have already set their minds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Jijiashvili , a senior analyst who researches video games at Omdia .
`` So , this deal is more of a long-term investment . ''
Jijiashvili said Sony is still in a better position than Microsoft and expects PlayStation consoles to outsell Xbox consoles two-to-one in the first couple of years at least .
Because the deal wo n't be finalized until next year , it wo n't have immediate impacts , he predicted .
However , he said the deal will help make Xbox 's cloud gaming platform more attractive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its kind where Microsoft is really kind of putting its money where its mouth is in terms of wanting to really grow this Xbox ecosystem through subscriptions , '' he said .
`` It is a huge deal . ''
Gamers flocked to social media to react to the news .
Some were excited about the new games coming to Game Pass , while others feared the deal could mean that future Bethesda games would be exclusive to Xbox and PC .
Bethesda currently publishes games on multiple platforms .
The game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement to debut two of its games — Deathloop and Ghostwire : Tokyo — on the PlayStation 5 as `` timed console exclusives '' before they eventually become available on the Xbox , according to Bloomberg .
However , future games like Starfield will be available for Xbox , PC and Microsoft 's Game Pass video-game service , Xbox chief Phil Spencer told Bloomberg : `` We 'll take other consoles on a case-by-case basis . ''
Microsoft and Bethesda representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with over 2,300 employees .
`` Like our original partnership , this one is about more than one system or one screen .
We share a deep belief in the fundamental power of games , in their ability to connect , empower , and bring joy , '' Bethesda Executive Producer Todd Howard wrote in a blog post .
`` And a belief we should bring that to everyone - regardless of who you are , where you live , or what you play on .
Regardless of the screen size , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use one . ''
Jijiashvili said it 's too early to tell what Microsoft will decide in terms of making future Bethesda titles exclusive to its platforms .
However , he said Microsoft would be better off to continue publishing the games on multiple consoles .
Selling $ 60 copies of the games on other platforms while offering the same games with a $ 10 monthly Xbox Game Pass membership would create demand , he said .
Microsoft was also recently a contender in the widely publicized efforts to acquire TikTok , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Walmart .

Microsoft To Buy Bethesda In $7.5 Billion Deal, Acquiring Fallout, The Elder Scrolls
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeenah Moon/Getty Images Jeenah Moon/Getty Images
Updated at 5:01 p.m. ET
In what is set to be one of the largest ever acquisitions in the video game industry, Microsoft announced Monday that it has reached a deal to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of popular video game publisher Bethesda Softworks, for $7.5 billion.
Once the deal is finalized, Bethesda properties including The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Quake, Starfield and DOOM will be owned by Microsoft. These series will be added to the Xbox Game Pass, a subscription-based cloud gaming service which has topped 15 million subscribers.
The Bethesda deal is expected to be finalized in the second half of fiscal year 2021.
"With the addition of Bethesda, Microsoft will grow from 15 to 23 creative studio teams and will be adding Bethesda's iconic franchises to Xbox Game Pass," Microsoft wrote in a release. "This includes Microsoft's intent to bring Bethesda's future games into Xbox Game Pass the same day they launch on Xbox or PC."
This deal is three times the $2.5 billion that Microsoft paid for Mojang, the company behind Minecraft, in 2014. It will be Microsoft's most expensive video game acquisition ever.
"We're still Bethesda. We're still working on the same games we were yesterday, made by the same studios we've worked with for years, and those games will be published by us," Pete Hines, Bethesda's senior vice president of PR and marketing, said in a blog post. "[The deal] allows us to make even better games going forward. Microsoft is an incredible partner and offers access to resources that will make us a better publisher and developer."
This announcement comes a day before pre-orders of its new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles go live. Microsoft's competitor Sony started accepting pre-orders last week for its PlayStation 5.
"I think that this announcement has little to no impact on the sales of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X at launch, because the reality is that most of the console gamers have already set their minds on a particular console," said George Jijiashvili, a senior analyst who researches video games at Omdia. "So, this deal is more of a long-term investment."
Jijiashvili said Sony is still in a better position than Microsoft and expects PlayStation consoles to outsell Xbox consoles two-to-one in the first couple of years at least. Because the deal won't be finalized until next year, it won't have immediate impacts, he predicted.
However, he said the deal will help make Xbox's cloud gaming platform more attractive to gamers.
"This was the first of its kind where Microsoft is really kind of putting its money where its mouth is in terms of wanting to really grow this Xbox ecosystem through subscriptions," he said. "It is a huge deal."
Gamers flocked to social media to react to the news. Some were excited about the new games coming to Game Pass, while others feared the deal could mean that future Bethesda games would be exclusive to Xbox and PC. Bethesda currently publishes games on multiple platforms.
The game publisher will continue to honor a previous agreement to debut two of its games — Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo — on the PlayStation 5 as "timed console exclusives" before they eventually become available on the Xbox, according to Bloomberg.
However, future games like Starfield will be available for Xbox, PC and Microsoft's Game Pass video-game service, Xbox chief Phil Spencer told Bloomberg: "We'll take other consoles on a case-by-case basis."
Microsoft and Bethesda representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the deal, which includes publishing offices and development studios with over 2,300 employees.
"Like our original partnership, this one is about more than one system or one screen. We share a deep belief in the fundamental power of games, in their ability to connect, empower, and bring joy," Bethesda Executive Producer Todd Howard wrote in a blog post. "And a belief we should bring that to everyone - regardless of who you are, where you live, or what you play on. Regardless of the screen size, the controller, or your ability to even use one."
Jijiashvili said it's too early to tell what Microsoft will decide in terms of making future Bethesda titles exclusive to its platforms. However, he said Microsoft would be better off to continue publishing the games on multiple consoles.
Selling $60 copies of the games on other platforms while offering the same games with a $10 monthly Xbox Game Pass membership would create demand, he said.
Microsoft was also recently a contender in the widely publicized efforts to acquire TikTok, but lost out to a bid from Oracle and Walmart.
Reese Oxner is an intern on NPR's News Desk.


npr--2020-09-21--CDC Publishes — Then Withdraws — Guidance On Aerosol Spread Of Coronavirus

CDC Publishes — Then Withdraws — Guidance On Aerosol Spread Of Coronavirus The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted guidance Friday evening saying that aerosol transmission might be one of the `` most common '' ways the coronavirus is spreading — and then took the guidance down on Monday .
The now-deleted updates were notable because so far the CDC has stopped short of saying that the virus is airborne .
The agency says the guidance was a draft version of proposed changes that was posted in error to its website .
The CDC says that it is updating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that causes COVID-19 and that it will post updated language once that process is complete .
Over the weekend , the CDC page `` How COVID-19 Spreads '' included among the most common modes of transmission `` respiratory droplets or small particles , such as those in aerosols , produced when an infected person coughs , sneezes , sings , talks , or breathes . ''
It continued : `` These particles can be inhaled into the nose , mouth , airways , and lungs and cause infection .
This is thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreads . ''
The guidance also stated that these particles might travel farther than 6 feet .
For a few days , researchers who have suspected aerosol transmission for months cheered the update as a long-overdue acknowledgment of accumulating evidence for how the virus transmits , particularly in indoor spaces .
Now the page has reverted to what it said before — that the virus spreads between people in close contact through respiratory droplets .
The page makes no mention of aerosol transmission .
In July , the World Health Organization updated its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists urged it to do so .
WHO 's guidance now states : What 's the difference between respiratory droplets and aerosol particles ?
Respiratory droplets are larger and fall to the ground quickly — hence the 6-feet rule that 's generally considered safe for social distancing amid the pandemic .
Aerosol particles are smaller and can linger in the air , moving with air currents from which they can be inhaled .
An airborne virus is considered to be a virus that spreads in exhaled particles that are small enough to linger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currents , from which they can be breathed in by passersby who then get sick .
Linsey Marr is a professor of civil and environmental engineering who researches airborne transmission at Virginia Tech .
She was excited to see the CDC 's changes on Friday , though she was also surprised at how strongly the new guidance was written — particularly in that it stated plainly that SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus .
Such a classification could require additional precautions in health care settings , she says .
Marr says that the changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant if they are implemented .
`` It means that nationally we need to do something about [ transmission ] beyond 6 feet , which means masks and ventilation and filtration , '' she says .
`` And if we do that , I think we can get a better control on the spread of the virus . ''
The posted and withdrawn transmission guidelines are just the latest in public reversals and controversy at the CDC .
On Friday , the agency reversed its new guidance on testing , published in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been exposed to the coronavirus do n't necessarily need to get tested for infection .
Also last week , Michael Caputo , the top spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services , announced he was taking a leave of absence after a social media tirade in which he falsely accused government scientists of engaging in `` sedition . ''
He had also come under criticism after reports that he and scientific adviser Paul Alexander sought to edit and delay public health reports from the CDC .
Alexander is leaving the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have raised questions about the agency 's consistency and credibility during the coronavirus pandemic .
Dr. Howard Koh is a professor at the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health who served as assistant secretary for health during the Obama administration .
`` The consistent inconsistency in this administration 's guidance on COVID-19 has severely compromised the nation 's trust in our public health agencies , '' Koh said in a statement Monday .
`` During the greatest public health emergency in a century , trust in public health is essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on indefinitely .
To rectify the latest challenge , the CDC must acknowledge that growing scientific evidence indicates the importance of airborne transmission through aerosols , making mask wearing even more critical as we head into the difficult fall and winter season . ''

CDC Publishes — Then Withdraws — Guidance On Aerosol Spread Of Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bob Edme/AP Bob Edme/AP
Updated at 6:03 p.m. ET
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted guidance Friday evening saying that aerosol transmission might be one of the "most common" ways the coronavirus is spreading — and then took the guidance down on Monday.
The now-deleted updates were notable because so far the CDC has stopped short of saying that the virus is airborne.
The agency says the guidance was a draft version of proposed changes that was posted in error to its website. The CDC says that it is updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 and that it will post updated language once that process is complete.
Over the weekend, the CDC page "How COVID-19 Spreads" included among the most common modes of transmission "respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes."
It continued: "These particles can be inhaled into the nose, mouth, airways, and lungs and cause infection. This is thought to be the main way the virus spreads." The guidance also stated that these particles might travel farther than 6 feet.
For a few days, researchers who have suspected aerosol transmission for months cheered the update as a long-overdue acknowledgment of accumulating evidence for how the virus transmits, particularly in indoor spaces.
Now the page has reverted to what it said before — that the virus spreads between people in close contact through respiratory droplets. The page makes no mention of aerosol transmission.
In July, the World Health Organization updated its guidance on aerosols after more than 200 scientists urged it to do so. WHO's guidance now states:
"There have been reported outbreaks of COVID-19 in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking, or singing. In these outbreaks, aerosol transmission, particularly in these indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out. More studies are urgently needed to investigate such instances and assess their significance for transmission of COVID-19."
What's the difference between respiratory droplets and aerosol particles?
Respiratory droplets are larger and fall to the ground quickly — hence the 6-feet rule that's generally considered safe for social distancing amid the pandemic. Aerosol particles are smaller and can linger in the air, moving with air currents from which they can be inhaled.
An airborne virus is considered to be a virus that spreads in exhaled particles that are small enough to linger in the air and move with air currents, from which they can be breathed in by passersby who then get sick.
Linsey Marr is a professor of civil and environmental engineering who researches airborne transmission at Virginia Tech. She was excited to see the CDC's changes on Friday, though she was also surprised at how strongly the new guidance was written — particularly in that it stated plainly that SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus.
Such a classification could require additional precautions in health care settings, she says.
Marr says that the changes mistakenly posted by the CDC could be significant if they are implemented.
"It means that nationally we need to do something about [transmission] beyond 6 feet, which means masks and ventilation and filtration," she says. "And if we do that, I think we can get a better control on the spread of the virus."
The posted and withdrawn transmission guidelines are just the latest in public reversals and controversy at the CDC.
On Friday, the agency reversed its new guidance on testing, published in August, that suggested people who have possibly been exposed to the coronavirus don't necessarily need to get tested for infection.
Also last week, Michael Caputo, the top spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, announced he was taking a leave of absence after a social media tirade in which he falsely accused government scientists of engaging in "sedition." He had also come under criticism after reports that he and scientific adviser Paul Alexander sought to edit and delay public health reports from the CDC. Alexander is leaving the agency permanently.
These episodes, among others, have raised questions about the agency's consistency and credibility during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Howard Koh is a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who served as assistant secretary for health during the Obama administration.
"The consistent inconsistency in this administration's guidance on COVID-19 has severely compromised the nation's trust in our public health agencies," Koh said in a statement Monday.
"During the greatest public health emergency in a century, trust in public health is essential — without it, this pandemic could go on indefinitely. To rectify the latest challenge, the CDC must acknowledge that growing scientific evidence indicates the importance of airborne transmission through aerosols, making mask wearing even more critical as we head into the difficult fall and winter season."
NPR's Pien Huang contributed to this report.


npr--2020-09-21--Founder Of Zero-Emissions Truck Startup Resigns After Fraud Allegations

Nikola founder Trevor Milton has stepped away from his startup , which is working on making tractor trailers powered by hydrogen fuel cells , after he was accused of fraudulently exaggerating the viability of some of his company 's technology .
Milton , who denies the allegations , says he resigned his position as executive chairman of Nikola 's Board of Directors because `` the focus should be on the Company ... not me . ''
He said he intends to defend himself against `` false accusations . ''
The news comes just weeks after Nikola struck a major deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck .
Those plans are still moving forward .
The startup , founded in 2014 , was named after Nikola Tesla and aimed to revolutionize the transportation sector through cutting-edge zero-emissions technology .
That might sound familiar — Milton clearly hoped that his company would follow in the footsteps of another startup named after the famed inventor in confounding skeptics , delighting investors and achieving runaway success .
Like Tesla CEO Elon Musk , Milton had a vision : in his case , of fuel-cell powered big rigs transforming the shipping industry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make that vision real ?
And until the technology is proven , where 's the line between optimistic hype and deception ?
Bloomberg reported that Milton had previously exaggerated the functionality of Nikola tractor trailers .
This month a short seller , Hindenburg Research , went further , calling Nikola `` an intricate fraud built on dozens of lies '' and accusing Milton of misleading partners , investors and customers by , among other things , pretending that non-functioning prototypes were actually viable products .
As a short seller , Hindenburg Research stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company says the allegations are false and misleading .
In one eye-catching allegation , Hindenburg says that a video that appeared to show a Nikola big rig driving actually showed it rolling down a large hill .
Nikola did not deny that the truck in the video was rolling downhill .
However , it maintains that Nikola has since created `` real working hydrogen fuel-cell powered semi trucks . ''
This summer Nikola had a splashy debut on the stock market in June , thanks in part to its announcement of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its focus on semis , but one that was popular with investors .
The stock had rocky performance after that , but got a boost this month after GM announced it would build that pick-up truck , called the Badger , using GM batteries and fuel cells .
Nikola would handle marketing and sales .
GM says it will `` work with Nikola to close the transaction '' move forward with those plans , despite Milton 's departure .

Founder Of Zero-Emissions Truck Startup Resigns After Fraud Allegations
Enlarge this image toggle caption Massimo Pinca/REUTERS Massimo Pinca/REUTERS
Nikola founder Trevor Milton has stepped away from his startup, which is working on making tractor trailers powered by hydrogen fuel cells, after he was accused of fraudulently exaggerating the viability of some of his company's technology.
Milton, who denies the allegations, says he resigned his position as executive chairman of Nikola's Board of Directors because "the focus should be on the Company ... not me." He said he intends to defend himself against "false accusations."
The news comes just weeks after Nikola struck a major deal with GM to build an electric pick-up truck. Those plans are still moving forward.
The startup, founded in 2014, was named after Nikola Tesla and aimed to revolutionize the transportation sector through cutting-edge zero-emissions technology.
That might sound familiar — Milton clearly hoped that his company would follow in the footsteps of another startup named after the famed inventor in confounding skeptics, delighting investors and achieving runaway success.
Like Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Milton had a vision: in his case, of fuel-cell powered big rigs transforming the shipping industry. But did he have the technology to make that vision real? And until the technology is proven, where's the line between optimistic hype and deception?
Bloomberg reported that Milton had previously exaggerated the functionality of Nikola tractor trailers. This month a short seller, Hindenburg Research, went further, calling Nikola "an intricate fraud built on dozens of lies" and accusing Milton of misleading partners, investors and customers by, among other things, pretending that non-functioning prototypes were actually viable products.
As a short seller, Hindenburg Research stands to profit if Nikola stock plummets. The company says the allegations are false and misleading.
In one eye-catching allegation, Hindenburg says that a video that appeared to show a Nikola big rig driving actually showed it rolling down a large hill. Nikola did not deny that the truck in the video was rolling downhill. However, it maintains that Nikola has since created "real working hydrogen fuel-cell powered semi trucks."
This summer Nikola had a splashy debut on the stock market in June, thanks in part to its announcement of an electric pick-up truck — a big departure from its focus on semis, but one that was popular with investors.
The stock had rocky performance after that, but got a boost this month after GM announced it would build that pick-up truck, called the Badger, using GM batteries and fuel cells. Nikola would handle marketing and sales.
GM says it will "work with Nikola to close the transaction" move forward with those plans, despite Milton's departure.


npr--2020-09-21--Beta Brings New Flood Risk To Texas Coast And La., Where Thousands Still Lack Power

Beta Brings New Flood Risk To Texas Coast And La.
, Where Thousands Still Lack Power Tropical Storm Beta 's heavy rainfall and slow movement is raising the risk of flooding `` from the middle Texas coast to southeast Louisiana , '' the National Weather Service said .
Beta is heading for a part of Louisiana where electricity service for thousands of people has n't recovered from being knocked out by Hurricane Laura last month .
Some isolated areas could see 15 inches of rain .
`` Houston saw steady rain for the most part on Sunday , '' Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR 's Newscast unit .
`` But the heaviest weather is expected to hit the northeastern portion of the Texas coast , by early this week . ''
By Monday morning , coastal flooding had already begun along the Gulf of Mexico and in bays near Houston and Galveston , the National Weather Service office in Houston said .
Tropical Storm Beta is about 25 miles southeast of Port O'Connor , Texas , with sustained winds up to 45 mph , the National Hurricane Center said in an update Monday afternoon .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The storm could bring a life-threatening storm surge .
Areas from Port Aransas to Sabine Pass , Texas , are under a surge warning .
The worst-hit spots are projected to see water rise 2 to 4 feet above normal levels , the hurricane center said .
The warning zone centers on Matagorda Bay and Galveston Bay , but it extends south near Corpus Christi and north to the Louisiana border .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency Monday in advance of the storm 's arrival , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problematic in areas that are already recovering from Hurricane Laura and residents should take this threat seriously . ''
`` The storm should finally push east of the area Wednesday afternoon or night , and we 'll see improving conditions at that time , '' according to meteorologist Dan Reilly of the National Weather Service office in Houston .
Beta is forecast to slow down and hug the coastline , with its rainfall presenting a serious threat to low-lying coastal communities .
Through Friday , it will likely drop 5 to 10 inches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas coast to southeastern Louisiana .
`` On the forecast track , the center of Beta will continue to move toward the central coast of Texas today and will likely move inland by tonight , '' the hurricane center said .
`` Beta is forecast to remain close to the coast of southeastern Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday . ''
Beta is heading for some of the same areas affected by Hurricane Laura .
Nearly 9,000 electricity accounts in Louisiana 's Calcasieu and Cameron parishes remain without power from that storm , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landfall just east of the Texas-Louisiana border .
The oncoming storm will likely trigger flash and urban flooding , the weather service said ; it could also spin off one or two tornadoes .
Beta 's name comes from the Greek alphabet — the World Meteorological Organization exhausted its list of Atlantic storm names for the 2020 season after Tropical Storm Wilfred was named last week .
There has already been an Alpha storm – the short-lived system formed near Portugal on Friday .

Beta Brings New Flood Risk To Texas Coast And La., Where Thousands Still Lack Power
Enlarge this image toggle caption NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East
Tropical Storm Beta's heavy rainfall and slow movement is raising the risk of flooding "from the middle Texas coast to southeast Louisiana," the National Weather Service said. Beta is heading for a part of Louisiana where electricity service for thousands of people hasn't recovered from being knocked out by Hurricane Laura last month. Some isolated areas could see 15 inches of rain.
"Houston saw steady rain for the most part on Sunday," Houston Public Media's Matt Harab reported for NPR's Newscast unit. "But the heaviest weather is expected to hit the northeastern portion of the Texas coast, by early this week."
By Monday morning, coastal flooding had already begun along the Gulf of Mexico and in bays near Houston and Galveston, the National Weather Service office in Houston said.
Tropical Storm Beta is about 25 miles southeast of Port O'Connor, Texas, with sustained winds up to 45 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an update Monday afternoon. It's moving northwest at 5 mph.
The storm could bring a life-threatening storm surge. Areas from Port Aransas to Sabine Pass, Texas, are under a surge warning. The worst-hit spots are projected to see water rise 2 to 4 feet above normal levels, the hurricane center said. The warning zone centers on Matagorda Bay and Galveston Bay, but it extends south near Corpus Christi and north to the Louisiana border.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency Monday in advance of the storm's arrival, saying the flood threat "could be especially problematic in areas that are already recovering from Hurricane Laura and residents should take this threat seriously."
"The storm should finally push east of the area Wednesday afternoon or night, and we'll see improving conditions at that time," according to meteorologist Dan Reilly of the National Weather Service office in Houston.
Beta is forecast to slow down and hug the coastline, with its rainfall presenting a serious threat to low-lying coastal communities. Through Friday, it will likely drop 5 to 10 inches of rain as it moves from the Texas coast to southeastern Louisiana.
"On the forecast track, the center of Beta will continue to move toward the central coast of Texas today and will likely move inland by tonight," the hurricane center said. "Beta is forecast to remain close to the coast of southeastern Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday."
Beta is heading for some of the same areas affected by Hurricane Laura. Nearly 9,000 electricity accounts in Louisiana's Calcasieu and Cameron parishes remain without power from that storm, according to regional utility Entergy. Laura made landfall just east of the Texas-Louisiana border.
The oncoming storm will likely trigger flash and urban flooding, the weather service said; it could also spin off one or two tornadoes.
Beta's name comes from the Greek alphabet — the World Meteorological Organization exhausted its list of Atlantic storm names for the 2020 season after Tropical Storm Wilfred was named last week. There has already been an Alpha storm – the short-lived system formed near Portugal on Friday.


npr--2020-09-21--Family Of Man Killed By National Guard In Louisville Files Wrongful Death Suit

Family Of Man Killed By National Guard In Louisville Files Wrongful Death Suit The family of a 53-year-old Black man shot and killed by a National Guard soldier during protests this summer in Louisville , Ky. , is filing a wrongful death lawsuit in the case .
David `` Ya Ya '' McAtee was killed just after midnight on June 1 by a single bullet to the chest while he stood in the doorway of his barbecue stand in the city 's West End as police and National Guard troops enforcing a curfew converged on a crowd nearby .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Guard soldier , who has not been publicly identified .
McAtee 's mother , Odessa Riley , and niece Machelle McAtee — who was at the restaurant the night of her uncle 's death and was hit by pepper balls while inside the doorway — are suing two individual LMPD officers and additional unnamed officers and members of the Kentucky National Guard , an attorney for the family , Steven Romines , tells Amina Elahi of member station WFPL .
The family accuses officers and soldiers of using excessive force and violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was causing the chaos and who was shooting at his customers and his niece , David McAtee stepped out of the kitchen door to try and defend his restaurant , home , family and customers , '' the lawsuit states , according to WDRB television .
The night of McAtee 's death , Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear had ordered the Guard into Louisville 's streets for the first time since 1975 in an effort to quell sometimes violent protests that had erupted over the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year as police served a no-knock warrant at her house .
State and local authorities say security cameras and ballistic evidence indicate that McAtee fired a 9mm handgun at least twice and that two Guard soldiers and two police officers responded with a barrage of 19 rounds .
Romines says McAtee may have fired his weapon as a warning .
Authorities have yet to publicly release results of the investigation .
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for excessive use of force , negligence , trespassing and emotional distress , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a surge in the number of homicides .
McAtee 's nephew , 47-year-old Marvin McAtee , was shot and killed over the weekend near the same 26th and Broadway intersection where the June shooting took place .

Family Of Man Killed By National Guard In Louisville Files Wrongful Death Suit
Enlarge this image toggle caption Darron Cummings/AP Darron Cummings/AP
The family of a 53-year-old Black man shot and killed by a National Guard soldier during protests this summer in Louisville, Ky., is filing a wrongful death lawsuit in the case.
David "Ya Ya" McAtee was killed just after midnight on June 1 by a single bullet to the chest while he stood in the doorway of his barbecue stand in the city's West End as police and National Guard troops enforcing a curfew converged on a crowd nearby. Investigators say the lethal shot was fired by a Guard soldier, who has not been publicly identified.
McAtee's mother, Odessa Riley, and niece Machelle McAtee — who was at the restaurant the night of her uncle's death and was hit by pepper balls while inside the doorway — are suing two individual LMPD officers and additional unnamed officers and members of the Kentucky National Guard, an attorney for the family, Steven Romines, tells Amina Elahi of member station WFPL.
The family accuses officers and soldiers of using excessive force and violating police department policies.
"Unaware of what was causing the chaos and who was shooting at his customers and his niece, David McAtee stepped out of the kitchen door to try and defend his restaurant, home, family and customers," the lawsuit states, according to WDRB television.
The night of McAtee's death, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear had ordered the Guard into Louisville's streets for the first time since 1975 in an effort to quell sometimes violent protests that had erupted over the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black woman who died earlier this year as police served a no-knock warrant at her house.
State and local authorities say security cameras and ballistic evidence indicate that McAtee fired a 9mm handgun at least twice and that two Guard soldiers and two police officers responded with a barrage of 19 rounds. Romines says McAtee may have fired his weapon as a warning.
Authorities have yet to publicly release results of the investigation.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for excessive use of force, negligence, trespassing and emotional distress, according to member station WFPL.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Galofaro/AP Claire Galofaro/AP
Louisville has seen a surge in the number of homicides. McAtee's nephew, 47-year-old Marvin McAtee, was shot and killed over the weekend near the same 26th and Broadway intersection where the June shooting took place.


npr--2020-09-21--Stopgap Spending Bill Hits Snag Over Farm Aid Days Before Shutdown Deadline

Republicans are rejecting a short-term spending bill released Monday after Democrats chose not to include federal farm assistance in the legislation which is meant to avert a government shutdown at the end of September .
There has been bipartisan agreement for weeks on the need for a basic spending stopgap .
The disagreement over the bill released Monday means lawmakers have less than two weeks to reach an agreement before federal funding runs out .
Democrats called the legislation `` non-controversial '' and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , promised to craft bipartisan spending bills by the time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to end in December — punting the battle over funding priorities until after the election .
`` The Continuing Resolution introduced today will avert a catastrophic shutdown in the middle of the ongoing pandemic , wildfires and hurricanes , and keep government open until December 11 , when we plan to have bipartisan legislation to fund the government for this fiscal year , '' Pelosi said in a statement .
But Republicans say the bill is far from conflict-free .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , called it a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out key relief and support that American farmers need . ''
GOP lawmakers say the bill released Monday was supposed to include aid for farmers that was requested by the White House .
The last minute uncertainty adds to an already toxic political environment on Capitol Hill .
Democrats and Republicans have been bitterly at odds over coronavirus relief and tensions have boiled over in recent days following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and McConnell 's plans to move forward with the confirmation process for the president 's nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom Cole of Oklahoma , one of the top GOP members of the House Appropriations Committee , appeared to be blindsided by the lack of farmer aid .
`` The text we just received removes key provisions agreed upon related to the Commodity Credit Corporation and an extension of the Pandemic-EBT food assistance program , '' Cole said about the provisions under debate at a hearing on the legislation .
`` This is an unfortunate and unnecessary outcome . ''
Democrats say they removed the farm aid , which was backed by President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was backed by Democrats , in keeping with the plan to keep the legislation clear of any political priorities .
Evan Hollander , a spokesman for House Appropriations Committee chairwoman Nita Lowey , D-N.Y. , called the farm aid a political demand from Trump .
Hollander said in a tweet that `` @ HouseDemocrats already passed more than $ 30 billion in targeted and tailored emergency aid to farm country . ''
He added , `` this GOP proposal is n't about farmers — it 's about a political slush fund for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats may have enough votes to approve a spending bill this week without votes from Republicans .
McConnell did not say he planned to block the legislation .
That means Senate leaders could choose to ignore the bill or amend it to add back the provisions they want in the package .
Doing so would require the House to re-vote on the updated version of the bill .
The House is expected to vote as early as Tuesday on the legislation .
Congress is scheduled to be in session for roughly 5 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Stopgap Spending Bill Hits Snag Over Farm Aid Days Before Shutdown Deadline
Enlarge this image toggle caption Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Republicans are rejecting a short-term spending bill released Monday after Democrats chose not to include federal farm assistance in the legislation which is meant to avert a government shutdown at the end of September.
There has been bipartisan agreement for weeks on the need for a basic spending stopgap. The disagreement over the bill released Monday means lawmakers have less than two weeks to reach an agreement before federal funding runs out.
Democrats called the legislation "non-controversial" and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., promised to craft bipartisan spending bills by the time the stop-gap, or Continuing Resolution, is set to end in December — punting the battle over funding priorities until after the election.
"The Continuing Resolution introduced today will avert a catastrophic shutdown in the middle of the ongoing pandemic, wildfires and hurricanes, and keep government open until December 11, when we plan to have bipartisan legislation to fund the government for this fiscal year," Pelosi said in a statement.
But Republicans say the bill is far from conflict-free.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called it a "rough draft" that "shamefully leaves out key relief and support that American farmers need."
GOP lawmakers say the bill released Monday was supposed to include aid for farmers that was requested by the White House.
The last minute uncertainty adds to an already toxic political environment on Capitol Hill. Democrats and Republicans have been bitterly at odds over coronavirus relief and tensions have boiled over in recent days following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and McConnell's plans to move forward with the confirmation process for the president's nominee weeks before the election.
Republicans Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, one of the top GOP members of the House Appropriations Committee, appeared to be blindsided by the lack of farmer aid.
"The text we just received removes key provisions agreed upon related to the Commodity Credit Corporation and an extension of the Pandemic-EBT food assistance program," Cole said about the provisions under debate at a hearing on the legislation. "This is an unfortunate and unnecessary outcome."
Democrats say they removed the farm aid, which was backed by President Trump, and the food aid, which was backed by Democrats, in keeping with the plan to keep the legislation clear of any political priorities. Evan Hollander, a spokesman for House Appropriations Committee chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., called the farm aid a political demand from Trump.
Hollander said in a tweet that "@HouseDemocrats already passed more than $30 billion in targeted and tailored emergency aid to farm country." He added, "this GOP proposal isn't about farmers — it's about a political slush fund for the Trump re-election campaign."
House Democrats may have enough votes to approve a spending bill this week without votes from Republicans. McConnell did not say he planned to block the legislation. That means Senate leaders could choose to ignore the bill or amend it to add back the provisions they want in the package.
Doing so would require the House to re-vote on the updated version of the bill.
The House is expected to vote as early as Tuesday on the legislation. Congress is scheduled to be in session for roughly 5 days between the vote and the funding deadline.