npr--2020-11-11--Navajo Nation Combats A New 'Monster': Coronavirus

The Navajo Nation experienced its first wave of the coronavirus in May 2020 .
Like other American communities , its success in containing the virus has been mixed , with the latest advisory from the Nation 's government warning of `` uncontrolled spread '' in 34 Navajo communities .
`` We took our ability to govern ourselves seriously as a sovereign nation , '' Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez told NPR , regarding the early steps to keep people save from the coronavirus .
Officials implemented strict guidelines , including mask and social distancing mandates , as well as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses .
Far more stringent , the Navajo Nation enforced weekend-long lockdowns , closing all businesses and roads to the public every Friday evening through Monday morning .
`` We went as far as to say no non-Navajo visitors — they could pass through , of course , but they could n't visit , '' Nez said .
The Navajo Nation is encompassed by Arizona , Colorado , New Mexico and Utah .
The Navajo had put into place a mask mandate mid-April , but Arizona still does n't have a state-wide mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place just this week .
Nez said this became a problem for the Navajo citizens , and as time wore on , spirits wore down .
`` We are seeing instances of the same fatigue that are happening in this country .
Before , there was an element of fear that kept people home , '' Nez explained .
`` This is changing as we go further and further into this pandemic .
That 's why we are changing up our strategies and fighting this virus . ''
Wednesday , the Navajo Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the surrounding areas .
`` On Tuesday , the state of New Mexico reported 1,266 new cases of COVID-19 , the state of Arizona reported 3,434 new cases , and Utah reported 2,517 , '' Vice President Myron Lizer said in a news release .
`` The safest place to be is at home on the Navajo Nation .
We have to remain optimistic and never lose hope because eventually we will overcome this pandemic . ''
With stores closed over the weekends , citizens had begun traveling to conduct their weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bubble was compromised by citizens bringing the virus back from neighboring states .
With fatigue and complacency settling in , the Navajo Department of Health eased up on weekend regulations .
In October the Navajo were allowed to access essential businesses , with limited hours , over the weekends in hopes of deterring off-nation travel .
`` That played a major factor in keeping these numbers down , seeing these numbers lessen in the communities , going from a lockdown to a curfew , '' Nez said .
Only about half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With cases starting to climb again for the first time since spring , Nez is worried about the upcoming holiday season .
Family and social gatherings are driving the spread throughout the reservation , Nez said .
He is encouraging family and friends to stay home , on and off the reservation alike , until a vaccine comes out .
It is up to the younger population , he said , to do what is right to protect not only themselves , but their elders as well .
`` We framed this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plagued our people , in our creation stories , our traditional stories .
The Navajo people have fought monsters throughout time ; that 's our view and our perspective . ''
Nez explained .
`` Today , we are fighting modern day monsters .
Now we have a new monster , COVID-19 . ''

Navajo Nation Combats A New 'Monster': Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sharon Chischilly/Getty Images Sharon Chischilly/Getty Images
The Navajo Nation experienced its first wave of the coronavirus in May 2020. Like other American communities, its success in containing the virus has been mixed, with the latest advisory from the Nation's government warning of "uncontrolled spread" in 34 Navajo communities.
"We took our ability to govern ourselves seriously as a sovereign nation," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez told NPR, regarding the early steps to keep people safe from the coronavirus.
Officials implemented strict guidelines, including mask and social distancing mandates, as well as a limit on the number of visitors in businesses. Far more stringent, the Navajo Nation enforced weekend-long lockdowns, closing all businesses and roads to the public every Friday evening through Monday morning.
"We went as far as to say no non-Navajo visitors — they could pass through, of course, but they couldn't visit," Nez said.
The Navajo Nation is encompassed by Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The Navajo had put into place a mask mandate mid-April, but Arizona still doesn't have a state-wide mask mandate and Utah's ordinance went into place just this week. Nez said this became a problem for the Navajo citizens, and as time wore on, spirits wore down.
"We are seeing instances of the same fatigue that are happening in this country. Before, there was an element of fear that kept people home,'' Nez explained. "This is changing as we go further and further into this pandemic. That's why we are changing up our strategies and fighting this virus."
Wednesday, the Navajo Nation warned residents about a rise in cases in the surrounding areas.
"On Tuesday, the state of New Mexico reported 1,266 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 3,434 new cases, and Utah reported 2,517," Vice President Myron Lizer said in a news release. "The safest place to be is at home on the Navajo Nation. We have to remain optimistic and never lose hope because eventually we will overcome this pandemic."
With stores closed over the weekends, citizens had begun traveling to conduct their weekend business. Nez said the Navajo Nation bubble was compromised by citizens bringing the virus back from neighboring states.
With fatigue and complacency settling in, the Navajo Department of Health eased up on weekend regulations. In October the Navajo were allowed to access essential businesses, with limited hours, over the weekends in hopes of deterring off-nation travel.
"That played a major factor in keeping these numbers down, seeing these numbers lessen in the communities, going from a lockdown to a curfew," Nez said.
Only about half of the Navajo population reside on the reservation. With cases starting to climb again for the first time since spring, Nez is worried about the upcoming holiday season.
Family and social gatherings are driving the spread throughout the reservation, Nez said. He is encouraging family and friends to stay home, on and off the reservation alike, until a vaccine comes out. It is up to the younger population, he said, to do what is right to protect not only themselves, but their elders as well.
"We framed this virus and compared it to monsters that have plagued our people, in our creation stories, our traditional stories. The Navajo people have fought monsters throughout time; that's our view and our perspective." Nez explained. "Today, we are fighting modern day monsters. Now we have a new monster, COVID-19."


npr--2020-11-12--Pandemic's Deadly Toll Behind Bars Spurs Calls For Change In U.S. Jails And Prisons

Pandemic 's Deadly Toll Behind Bars Spurs Calls For Change In U.S. Jails And Prisons Prisoner 's rights advocates are pleading for more action to help stop the deadly toll taken by the pandemic that has ravaged America 's jails and prisons .
Their calls come as the country grapples with increases in cases and hospitalizations from the coronavirus , forcing states and cities to impose tougher restrictions on public gatherings .
The advocates want faster , early release of older and medically vulnerable inmates , those nearing their parole date , as well as non-violent prisoners with a track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are as bad as ever , '' says attorney Jamie Popper , who works on prisoners ' rights issues in South Carolina and California with the group Root & Rebound , reentry advocates .
`` It shows that the government is failing to protect the most vulnerable people who ca n't protect themselves because of their status as incarcerated people . ''
Masks and cleaning supplies , she says , remain top concerns .
`` There are staff people who are n't wearing masks .
People are terrified because they simply do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the precautions that people on the outside have .
They can wear a mask themselves .
But if there is n't soap , they ca n't clean adequately , '' Popper says .
California , Ohio and Florida have among the highest number of cases in jails and prisons .
Nationally , more than 1,300 inmates and correctional staff have died so far , according UCLA Law 's Covid-19 Behind Bars Project .
A group of New Jersey congressmembers warned the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to stop inmate transfers to the Fort Dix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy and takes other measures .
The prison has the second-highest number of COVID-19 inmate cases among all federal prisons nationwide , according to BOP data .
`` We have received a number of calls of family members of inmates who are concerned and want some kind of compassionate release because of the spike in ( COVID-19 ) cases , '' says Mike Shanahan , spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman ( D-NJ ) , who signed the letter .
`` They 're all concerned . ''
The coronavirus has ripped through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing at least 82 prisoners and 10 staff – so far .
And nine months into the pandemic , not enough prison staff or inmates are wearing masks often enough to protect against the spread of the deadly virus .
That 's the conclusion of a recent report by the prison 's Office of the Inspector General .
IG Roy Wesley also told state lawmakers this week in virtual hearing that employees on the frontlines of protecting anyone entering the state 's prisons simply were n't prepared .
`` Most screeners had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process , '' Wesley testified .
Other failures would seem almost comical if peoples ' lives were n't at stake .
About two-thirds of prison screeners told the IG key tools were broken or faulty .
`` Many staff reported to us that the thermometers they were using stopped working because they ran out of battery power and they did not have fresh batteries available , '' Wesley told lawmakers .
The ongoing mask issue took center stage at that virtual hearing this week .
State Assemblyman Jim Cooper asked the new head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rehabilitation ( CDCR ) Secretary Kathleen Allison , about the inaction on enforcing mask wearing by staff and inmates .
`` So I 'm just trying to figure out , nine months into this , why are we still writing memos and papers ? ''
Cooper asked .
`` Well the most recent memo is to take disciplinary measures , '' Allison told him , adding , `` It has not been released yet . ''
`` I guess that 's my point , we 're far into this , '' Copper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue some six months after the state 's botched transfer of inmates from another state prison to San Quentin , prisoners who inexplicably were not tested before or after arriving .
More than two dozen inmates and a prison staffer died after that transfer .
In a scathing rebuke , a state appeals court last month ruled that San Quentin prison 's handling of the pandemic amounted to `` deliberate indifference '' to the safety and health of inmates .
The court called the prison 's lack of urgency on the virus `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ordered San Quentin to cut its inmate population in half by either releasing or moving some 1,500 inmates .
But inmate rights attorney Jamie Popper says , so far , the state has largely ignored the appeals court 's ruling on San Quentin .
The prison system , overall , she says , is backsliding on early releases .
`` Early release programs are decreasing in the number of people released dramatically .
And the one specially aimed at releasing people with the high medical risk was stopped at the beginning of @ @ @

Pandemic's Deadly Toll Behind Bars Spurs Calls For Change In U.S. Jails And Prisons
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Paul Morris /Bloomberg via Getty Images David Paul Morris /Bloomberg via Getty Images
Prisoner's rights advocates are pleading for more action to help stop the deadly toll taken by the pandemic that has ravaged America's jails and prisons.
Their calls come as the country grapples with increases in cases and hospitalizations from the coronavirus, forcing states and cities to impose tougher restrictions on public gatherings.
The advocates want faster, early release of older and medically vulnerable inmates, those nearing their parole date, as well as non-violent prisoners with a track record of good behavior.
"Things are as bad as ever," says attorney Jamie Popper, who works on prisoners' rights issues in South Carolina and California with the group Root & Rebound, reentry advocates. "It shows that the government is failing to protect the most vulnerable people who can't protect themselves because of their status as incarcerated people."
Masks and cleaning supplies, she says, remain top concerns.
"There are staff people who aren't wearing masks. People are terrified because they simply don't have the freedom and power to take the precautions that people on the outside have. They can wear a mask themselves. But if there isn't soap, they can't clean adequately," Popper says.
California, Ohio and Florida have among the highest number of cases in jails and prisons. Nationally, more than 1,300 inmates and correctional staff have died so far, according UCLA Law's Covid-19 Behind Bars Project.
A group of New Jersey congressmembers warned the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to stop inmate transfers to the Fort Dix correctional facility until it implements a testing strategy and takes other measures. The prison has the second-highest number of COVID-19 inmate cases among all federal prisons nationwide, according to BOP data.
"We have received a number of calls of family members of inmates who are concerned and want some kind of compassionate release because of the spike in (COVID-19) cases," says Mike Shanahan, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), who signed the letter. "They're all concerned."
The coronavirus has ripped through California's prisons infecting about 17,000 inmates, killing at least 82 prisoners and 10 staff – so far.
And nine months into the pandemic, not enough prison staff or inmates are wearing masks often enough to protect against the spread of the deadly virus.
That's the conclusion of a recent report by the prison's Office of the Inspector General. IG Roy Wesley also told state lawmakers this week in virtual hearing that employees on the frontlines of protecting anyone entering the state's prisons simply weren't prepared.
"Most screeners had received no training on their prison screening process," Wesley testified.
Other failures would seem almost comical if peoples' lives weren't at stake. About two-thirds of prison screeners told the IG key tools were broken or faulty.
"Many staff reported to us that the thermometers they were using stopped working because they ran out of battery power and they did not have fresh batteries available," Wesley told lawmakers.
The ongoing mask issue took center stage at that virtual hearing this week. State Assemblyman Jim Cooper asked the new head of prisons, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Kathleen Allison, about the inaction on enforcing mask wearing by staff and inmates.
"So I'm just trying to figure out, nine months into this, why are we still writing memos and papers?" Cooper asked.
"Well the most recent memo is to take disciplinary measures," Allison told him, adding, "It has not been released yet."
"I guess that's my point, we're far into this," Copper responded.
In California, the blunders continue some six months after the state's botched transfer of inmates from another state prison to San Quentin, prisoners who inexplicably were not tested before or after arriving. More than two dozen inmates and a prison staffer died after that transfer.
In a scathing rebuke, a state appeals court last month ruled that San Quentin prison's handling of the pandemic amounted to "deliberate indifference" to the safety and health of inmates. The court called the prison's lack of urgency on the virus "morally indefensible and constitutionally untenable." It ordered San Quentin to cut its inmate population in half by either releasing or moving some 1,500 inmates.
But inmate rights attorney Jamie Popper says, so far, the state has largely ignored the appeals court's ruling on San Quentin. The prison system, overall, she says, is backsliding on early releases.
"Early release programs are decreasing in the number of people released dramatically. And the one specially aimed at releasing people with the high medical risk was stopped at the beginning of October."
A spokeswoman for the state's prisons, Dana Simas, declined NPR's interview requests.


npr--2020-11-12--Senate Republicans Back Push For President-Elect Biden To Get Intelligence Briefings

Senate Republicans Back Push For President-Elect Biden To Get Intelligence Briefings Although many Senate Republicans are still resisting recognition of President-elect Joe Biden 's election win , they are signaling support for the former vice president to receive intelligence briefings as part of the transition process .
Sen. James Lankford , R-Okla. , who had said he would look into the matter as part of an oversight role , said he 'll investigate further if the General Services Administration does n't soon start the new intelligence briefings for Biden as part of the transition process .
The GSA has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election to trigger federal aid , office space and expanded briefings for the Biden transition .
Lankford noted during the disputed election in 2000 , both presidential candidates continued to received briefings .
And that should be the case now for Biden and Trump , he said .
`` We should be in the same posture that we were in throughout the whole campaign , with both of them receiving briefings , '' Lankford told reporters Thursday at the Capitol .
Biden received intelligence briefings as a candidate , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Lankford and others spoke about Biden receiving what he did as a candidate but mostly did n't specify whether they thought he should also receive the expanded briefing a president-elect generally would .
The remarks are another reminder of the self-imposed bind for Senate Republicans as they prop up President Trump 's pursuit of false claims of widespread voter fraud while also acknowledging a transition for a new president is underway .
Lankford has said that Biden is likely the winner of the presidential contest but said he wants to back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges .
But Lankford also noted a key concern is tied to the 9/11 Commission , which said a lack of cooperation during the 2000 transition may have hurt preparations that could have thwarted the terrorist attack .
`` I think the information needs to be communicated in some way , '' said Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee .
`` I think he should get the information .
...
I just think it 's part of the transition .
And if in fact he does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need to be able to hit the ground running . ''
Other Republican colleagues , including Sens .
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , Chuck Grassley of Iowa , Roy Blunt of Missouri and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin , hit similar notes on Thursday .
`` I do think they 're gon na have to work that out in very short order , '' Sen. Mike Rounds , R-S.D.
, told Capitol Hill pool reporters .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, agreed Biden should be getting briefings , too .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think he should absolutely be getting intelligence briefings .
The briefings he 's been getting as a candidate should continue , '' Hawley told reporters .
Only four Republican senators so far — Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , Susan Collins of Maine and Ben Sasse of Nebraska — have congratulated the president-elect .
Members such as Collins took the calls to back Biden 's transition a step further , saying he should also be receiving additional GSA support .
She said it would n't preclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` President-elect Biden should be receiving intelligence briefings right now .
That is really important .
It 's probably the most important part of the transition , '' Collins told reporters .
`` In addition , like any apparent winner , he should have access to office space , federal employees , materials , supplies , whatever , but the standard assistance that the apparent winner receives , '' Collins said , adding , `` because we want the president-elect — assuming he prevails — to be ready on Day 1 . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings and other assistance as early as Friday , Lankford noted .
But he 's doubtful the agency will move forward in such short order .
Instead , Lankford said he 's planning to reach out to the agency Friday as part of his oversight role .
Then , he 'll want to look at what the timeline will be to begin the intelligence briefings , again with lessons learned of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks in mind .
`` I want to know what 's their process and how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , '' Lankford said .
`` So for me , this was just an issue of saying let 's learn the lesson of 2000 .
And let 's make sure that both sides are prepared . ''
Biden said earlier this week that while the briefings would be helpful , they are not crucial , and that his transition plans will not be affected .

Senate Republicans Back Push For President-Elect Biden To Get Intelligence Briefings
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Updated on Friday at 6:20 p.m. ET
Although many Senate Republicans are still resisting recognition of President-elect Joe Biden's election win, they are signaling support for the former vice president to receive intelligence briefings as part of the transition process.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who had said he would look into the matter as part of an oversight role, said he'll investigate further if the General Services Administration doesn't soon start the new intelligence briefings for Biden as part of the transition process.
The GSA has yet to "ascertain" the winner of the presidential election to trigger additional federal aid and office space.
However, a senior administration official clarified on Friday that ascertainment doesn't have to occur for classified briefings to take place. GSA does not control access to classified information, the official said.
Still, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the president's security briefings, said in a statement earlier this week that it "would not have contact with any transition team until notified by the GSA."
Lankford noted during the disputed election in 2000, both presidential candidates continued to received briefings. And that should be the case now for Biden and Trump, he said.
"We should be in the same posture that we were in throughout the whole campaign, with both of them receiving briefings," Lankford told reporters Thursday at the Capitol.
Lankford had also noted on Thursday that then-President Bill Clinton had cooperated during the 2000 election dispute to allow the intelligence briefings, and it was possible President Trump would not allow it.
"That is that is his decision on that, on what actually happens and I'll actually walk through the process and get that from GSA in the days ahead," Lankford said Thursday.
Biden received intelligence briefings as a candidate, but they were limited and occasional, NPR has reported. Lankford and others spoke about Biden receiving what he did as a candidate but mostly didn't specify whether they thought he should also receive the expanded briefing a president-elect generally would.
The remarks are another reminder of the self-imposed bind for Senate Republicans as they prop up President Trump's pursuit of false claims of widespread voter fraud while also acknowledging a transition for a new president is underway.
Lankford has said that Biden is likely the winner of the presidential contest but said he wants to back Trump's effort to exhaust his legal challenges.
But Lankford also noted a key concern is tied to the 9/11 Commission, which said a lack of cooperation more broadly during the 2000 transition may have hurt preparations that could have thwarted the terrorist attack.
"I think the information needs to be communicated in some way," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "I think he should get the information. ... I just think it's part of the transition. And if in fact he does win in the end, I think they need to be able to hit the ground running."
Other Republican colleagues, including Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Roy Blunt of Missouri and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, hit similar notes on Thursday.
"I do think they're gonna have to work that out in very short order," Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., told Capitol Hill pool reporters.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., agreed Biden should be getting briefings, too.
"At this point, at least, I think he should absolutely be getting intelligence briefings. The briefings he's been getting as a candidate should continue," Hawley told reporters.
Only four Republican senators so far — Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Ben Sasse of Nebraska — have congratulated the president-elect.
Members such as Collins took the calls to back Biden's transition a step further, saying he should also be receiving additional GSA support. She said it wouldn't preclude Trump from pursuing his legal challenges.
"President-elect Biden should be receiving intelligence briefings right now. That is really important. It's probably the most important part of the transition," Collins told reporters.
"In addition, like any apparent winner, he should have access to office space, federal employees, materials, supplies, whatever, but the standard assistance that the apparent winner receives," Collins said, adding, "because we want the president-elect — assuming he prevails — to be ready on Day 1."
Before the Trump administration official clarified the GSA remarks to NPR on Friday, Lankford had said the GSA could begin to trigger such briefings and other assistance as early as Friday. But he was doubtful the agency would move forward in such short order.
Instead, Lankford said he was planning to reach out to the agency Friday as part of his oversight role. Then, he'll want to look at what the timeline will be to begin the intelligence briefings, again with lessons learned of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in mind.
"I want to know what's their process and how they're going to try to make that decision," Lankford said. "So for me, this was just an issue of saying let's learn the lesson of 2000. And let's make sure that both sides are prepared."
Biden said earlier this week that while the briefings would be helpful, they are not crucial, and that his transition plans will not be affected.


npr--2020-11-12--Jeffrey Epstein's Former Prosecutors Used 'Poor Judgment' In Deal, DOJ Says

Jeffrey Epstein 's Former Prosecutors Used 'Poor Judgment ' In Deal , DOJ Says Updated at 7:40 p.m .
ET Former federal prosecutors used `` poor judgment '' in crafting the 2008 nonprosecution deal for Jeffrey Epstein but did n't commit professional misconduct or break the law , the Justice Department announced Thursday .
The Office of Professional Responsibility 's investigation , which lasted more than a year , focused on the role of President Trump 's former labor secretary , Alexander Acosta , and other attorneys involved in crafting Epstein 's nonprosecution agreement .
Federal investigators under the supervision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges against Epstein at the request of the Palm Beach police chief and lead detective , who the DOJ report says were dissatisfied with the state attorney 's handling of the case .
Acosta was in charge of what many have called a lenient deal for Epstein .
The deal allowed the wealthy hedge fund manager to avoid harsher federal penalties on allegations he abused underage girls in return for pleading guilty to Florida state charges .
Under the agreement , Epstein served 13 months in Palm Beach County jail with a work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to register as a sex offender .
The Office of Professional Responsibility 's findings in the 13-page executive summary exonerate Acosta and other attorneys from allegations they made this deal under a corrupt bargain with Epstein and his legal team .
There was `` no evidence '' that Acosta 's decision to pursue the deal with Epstein `` was based on corruption or other impermissible considerations , such as Epstein 's wealth , status , or associations , '' the office said in its report summary .
`` Acosta should have ensured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations and before approving the final [ nonprosecution agreement ] , '' it said .
`` The NPA was a unique resolution , and one that required greater oversight and supervision than Acosta provided . ''
Victims were n't informed of , or consulted about , the deal before its signing .
They were left , the report said , `` feeling confused and ill-treated by the government . ''
A Miami Herald investigative report in November 2018 put the case back in the spotlight .
It showed in detail how Epstein coerced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and continued to do so even after the deal with prosecutors .
Acosta faced heavy public scrutiny and calls to resign during his time as labor secretary following the release of the story .
Though he maintained his actions at the time were appropriate , Acosta resigned from his post as secretary in July 2019 after months of scrutiny .
More charges were brought against Epstein by federal prosecutors in New York that same month .
The indictment charged Epstein with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein , who was awaiting trial , died by suicide in his jail cell .
New York federal prosecutors are still digging into Epstein 's network .
Ghislaine Maxwell , a British socialite and longtime friend of Epstein 's , was charged earlier this summer with recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein to abuse .
Maxwell has pleaded not guilty .

Jeffrey Epstein's Former Prosecutors Used 'Poor Judgment' In Deal, DOJ Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Updated at 7:40 p.m. ET
Former federal prosecutors used "poor judgment" in crafting the 2008 nonprosecution deal for Jeffrey Epstein but didn't commit professional misconduct or break the law, the Justice Department announced Thursday.
The Office of Professional Responsibility's investigation, which lasted more than a year, focused on the role of President Trump's former labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, and other attorneys involved in crafting Epstein's nonprosecution agreement.
Federal investigators under the supervision of then-U.S. Attorney Acosta looked into possible charges against Epstein at the request of the Palm Beach police chief and lead detective, who the DOJ report says were dissatisfied with the state attorney's handling of the case.
Acosta was in charge of what many have called a lenient deal for Epstein. The deal allowed the wealthy hedge fund manager to avoid harsher federal penalties on allegations he abused underage girls in return for pleading guilty to Florida state charges.
Under the agreement, Epstein served 13 months in Palm Beach County jail with a work release during the day. He also had to register as a sex offender.
The Office of Professional Responsibility's findings in the 13-page executive summary exonerate Acosta and other attorneys from allegations they made this deal under a corrupt bargain with Epstein and his legal team.
There was "no evidence" that Acosta's decision to pursue the deal with Epstein "was based on corruption or other impermissible considerations, such as Epstein's wealth, status, or associations," the office said in its report summary.
"Acosta should have ensured more effective coordination and communication during the negotiations and before approving the final [nonprosecution agreement]," it said. "The NPA was a unique resolution, and one that required greater oversight and supervision than Acosta provided."
Victims weren't informed of, or consulted about, the deal before its signing. They were left, the report said, "feeling confused and ill-treated by the government."
A Miami Herald investigative report in November 2018 put the case back in the spotlight. It showed in detail how Epstein coerced young girls into engaging in sexual activity and continued to do so even after the deal with prosecutors.
Acosta faced heavy public scrutiny and calls to resign during his time as labor secretary following the release of the story. Though he maintained his actions at the time were appropriate, Acosta resigned from his post as secretary in July 2019 after months of scrutiny.
More charges were brought against Epstein by federal prosecutors in New York that same month. The indictment charged Epstein with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.
On Aug. 10, 2019, Epstein, who was awaiting trial, died by suicide in his jail cell.
New York federal prosecutors are still digging into Epstein's network. Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and longtime friend of Epstein's, was charged earlier this summer with recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein to abuse. Maxwell has pleaded not guilty.
Acosta couldn't be immediately reached for comment.


npr--2020-11-12--Fireworks Of Diwali Spark Worries About Pollution ... And Coronavirus Cases

Fireworks Of Diwali Spark Worries About Pollution ... And Coronavirus Cases New Delhi 's air quality has already reached its worst level this year .
And the Hindu festival of lights , Diwali , which starts this weekend , is likely to make things even worse as the traditional rounds of firecrackers add to the air pollution .
During the five-day festival , revelers set off smoke bombs , sparklers and aerial fireworks that spew clouds of noxious gas .
`` It 's a very critical , dangerous week ahead of us , '' said Delhi-based environmental activist Vimlendu Jha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every year – but especially during a pandemic .
Research illustrates that polluted air is not only bad in general , it 's bad for the transmission and severity of COVID-19 .
Delhi 's annual end-of-year downturn in air quality is due to a mix of exhaust from coal-fired power plants and vehicles , dust from construction sites and smoke from farmers burning crop waste .
The pollutants linger in the air because the summer winds drop off .
One 2018 study concluded that Diwali leads to a `` small but statistically significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's capital .
Addressing concerns about the impact of pollution on COVID-19 cases , Arvind Kejriwal , Delhi 's chief minister , said earlier this month : `` The sky is filled with smoke and because of this the coronavirus situation is worsening . ''
He did not offer proof .
However , studies , including one from Harvard University , have shown that long-term exposure to air pollution not only makes you more vulnerable to COVID-19 but can also lead to worse outcomes .
Another study published in the European journal Cardiovascular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths worldwide can be attributed to air pollution .
`` If both long-term exposure to air pollution and infection with the COVID-19 virus come together then we have an additive adverse effect on health , particularly with respect to the heart and blood vessels , which leads to greater vulnerability and less resilience to COVID-19 , '' Thomas Münzel , one of the authors of the European study , said in a press release .
`` It 's a double jeopardy on your lungs , '' Dr. Pratibha Gogia , a respiratory specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more than 8.5 million total reported cases , second behind the United States .
While new cases in most parts of the country have been on a downward trend in recent weeks , Delhi has been experiencing its deadliest spike in infections .
Gogia said even without COVID-19 , critical care beds at her hospital fill up every winter due to an increase in pollution-related respiratory ailments .
`` So this year the crisis will deepen because half of our intensive care units are filled with corona and the rest will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gogia said .
Like previous years , the government has banned Diwali firecrackers this year , but it 's rarely enforced , said Jha , the environmental activist .
The government has started a campaign urging drivers to turn off their engines at traffic lights to cut vehicular fumes .
Trucks fitted with anti-smog guns are circulating in Delhi , spraying mist to try to clean the air .
But these are all `` Band-Aid solutions , '' Jha said .
The government should focus instead on addressing the root of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include measures such as reducing the number of private vehicles on the road by boosting green public transport , reducing construction activities that spew dust in the air and stopping people from burning garbage in the open , he said .
`` Urgent political action , good governance on the ground , transaction of existing laws — these are the things that the government will need to do urgently , '' Jha said .
Sherry Frosh belongs to a mom 's group that fights pollution .
She said there is one hopeful thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More Delhiites are wearing masks because of COVID-19 , and that might end up protecting them from the pollution , too .
And for a few precious months this spring , when India went under a strict coronavirus lockdown , emptying roads and shutting factories , Delhi residents got a taste of what their skies could look like : deep , clear blue .
`` People were talking about seeing mountains in the distance and great visibility all around .
They got used to [ being outside and hearing ] birds singing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Frosh said .
And so this winter , instead of resigning themselves to the pollution , Frosh said she hopes the pandemic makes Delhiites realize their air quality is an urgent health crisis , too .

Fireworks Of Diwali Spark Worries About Pollution ... And Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Amit Dave/Reuters Amit Dave/Reuters
New Delhi's air quality has already reached its worst level this year. And the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, which starts this weekend, is likely to make things even worse as the traditional rounds of firecrackers add to the air pollution.
During the five-day festival, revelers set off smoke bombs, sparklers and aerial fireworks that spew clouds of noxious gas.
"It's a very critical, dangerous week ahead of us," said Delhi-based environmental activist Vimlendu Jha.
The Diwali fallout is an issue every year – but especially during a pandemic. Research illustrates that polluted air is not only bad in general, it's bad for the transmission and severity of COVID-19.
Delhi's annual end-of-year downturn in air quality is due to a mix of exhaust from coal-fired power plants and vehicles, dust from construction sites and smoke from farmers burning crop waste. The pollutants linger in the air because the summer winds drop off. One 2018 study concluded that Diwali leads to a "small but statistically significant increase" in air pollution in India's capital.
Addressing concerns about the impact of pollution on COVID-19 cases, Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister, said earlier this month: "The sky is filled with smoke and because of this the coronavirus situation is worsening."
He did not offer proof. However, studies, including one from Harvard University, have shown that long-term exposure to air pollution not only makes you more vulnerable to COVID-19 but can also lead to worse outcomes.
Another study published in the European journal Cardiovascular Research estimates that 15% of COVID-19 deaths worldwide can be attributed to air pollution.
"If both long-term exposure to air pollution and infection with the COVID-19 virus come together then we have an additive adverse effect on health, particularly with respect to the heart and blood vessels, which leads to greater vulnerability and less resilience to COVID-19," Thomas Münzel, one of the authors of the European study, said in a press release.
"It's a double jeopardy on your lungs," Dr. Pratibha Gogia, a respiratory specialist in Delhi, told NPR.
India has more than 8.5 million total reported cases, second behind the United States. While new cases in most parts of the country have been on a downward trend in recent weeks, Delhi has been experiencing its deadliest spike in infections.
Gogia said even without COVID-19, critical care beds at her hospital fill up every winter due to an increase in pollution-related respiratory ailments.
"So this year the crisis will deepen because half of our intensive care units are filled with corona and the rest will not be sufficient for routine respiratory problems," Gogia said.
Like previous years, the government has banned Diwali firecrackers this year, but it's rarely enforced, said Jha, the environmental activist.
The government has started a campaign urging drivers to turn off their engines at traffic lights to cut vehicular fumes. Trucks fitted with anti-smog guns are circulating in Delhi, spraying mist to try to clean the air.
But these are all "Band-Aid solutions," Jha said. The government should focus instead on addressing the root of the problem, he said. That could include measures such as reducing the number of private vehicles on the road by boosting green public transport, reducing construction activities that spew dust in the air and stopping people from burning garbage in the open, he said.
"Urgent political action, good governance on the ground, transaction of existing laws — these are the things that the government will need to do urgently," Jha said.
Sherry Frosh belongs to a mom's group that fights pollution. She said there is one hopeful thing that's come out of the pandemic. More Delhiites are wearing masks because of COVID-19, and that might end up protecting them from the pollution, too.
And for a few precious months this spring, when India went under a strict coronavirus lockdown, emptying roads and shutting factories, Delhi residents got a taste of what their skies could look like: deep, clear blue.
"People were talking about seeing mountains in the distance and great visibility all around. They got used to [being outside and hearing] birds singing and smelling flowers and breathing in," Frosh said.
And so this winter, instead of resigning themselves to the pollution, Frosh said she hopes the pandemic makes Delhiites realize their air quality is an urgent health crisis, too.


npr--2020-11-12--Despite ACA Coverage Gains, Millions Still Suffer 'Catastrophic' Health Care Costs

When it comes to worries about high health care costs , having health insurance does n't necessarily spare you , according to a study recently published in JAMA .
Despite the gains in insurance coverage brought by the Affordable Care Act , high health care costs continue to plague many Americans , researchers found .
Around 11 million Americans experienced `` catastrophic medical expenses '' in 2017 , the last year the study covered — and privately insured people represented more than half of those .
`` Catastrophic expenditures '' is a term coined by the World Health Organization that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 40 % of a person 's income after food and housing costs .
During the study period from 2010 to 2017 , 6 million people between 20 and 64 years old with private insurance suffered such financial burdens , and their share of the total who reported them went up from 46 % to nearly 54 % .
The study found an overall decrease in catastrophic expenses by 2017 — in particular people on Medicaid saw a decrease — but not among the privately insured .
Dr. Charles Liu , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` surprising . ''
Despite gains in health insurance , he said , many Americans may still be vulnerable to unmanageable bills , including high premiums and high out-of-pocket costs .
He worries , as a physician , that these costs could discourage people from seeking health care .
`` I think this is going to create a new kind of culture of , ' I do n't go to the doctor because I do n't know what it 's going to cost or I 'm afraid it 'll break the bank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two reasons he thinks people with private insurance are n't seeing better financial protection from huge expenses : high-deductible plans and unavoidable trips to out-of-network facilities such as emergency rooms .
These situations can leave patients on the hook for high bills .
`` A lot of [ employer ] insurers are offering their employees high-deductible plans because health care is so expensive , and that 's the way companies are able to stay afloat , '' Liu said .
`` Even if you reach your out-of-pocket max and you do n't owe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone may still represent more than 40 % of your take-home income . ''
The authors noted that while earlier research had shown benefits of the ACA in helping the lowest income and uninsured groups get health coverage , little was known about its impact on higher earners or people who had private insurance through employers or the individual marketplace .
That group includes people still on the low end of the income spectrum who make too much to qualify for Medicaid or government subsidies ( aka , tax credits ) , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The researchers analyzed income , insurance coverage and spending data from a large sample of American adults .
Low-income , privately insured people had the worst results in the analysis , seeing no benefit from the ACA : They had the highest rate of catastrophic health care spending before the law passed in 2010 and continued to have it in 2017 : 35 % compared with 8 % for people on Medicaid .
Dr. Martin Gaynor , president of the American Society of Health Economists , noted that Americans with private , employer-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the burden '' of higher health care costs when employers find themselves paying higher premiums for reduced benefits , and paying lower wages to their employees as a result .
`` Some economists feel that higher health care costs are the primary reason for stagnating wages for many U.S. workers , '' Gaynor said .
The study noted that , thanks to the ACA 's Medicaid expansion , more than 7 million more Americans enrolled in Medicaid in the study period ( 14 million have been added to Medicaid rolls as of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective in providing affordable care for eligible individuals and families .
`` People who have Medicaid actually had pretty low rates of catastrophic expenditure , '' Liu said , explaining that it has strict caps on how much people can be charged , that premiums are typically zero or very low and it has low out-of-pocket spending caps .
Expanding Medicaid in the 12 states that have yet to expand could help provide better protection from medical expenses in certain groups of people , said Dr. Ellen Meara , a professor of health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Public Health .
`` In the states that did n't expand Medicaid , there 's good evidence that people fall through the cracks in that sense , '' Meara said .
`` The goal of insurance is to protect us against catastrophic costs , and if more than half of the people facing catastrophic costs are privately insured , I think we 're still failing that . ''
Meara also puts prescription drugs high on the list of contributors to financial burdens across all types of insurance , and she expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help change that .
While the Supreme Court is considering arguments in a case that could strike down parts or all of the Affordable Care Act , President-elect Joe Biden has defended and promised to try to build on and improve the law , saying it 's vital to protect Americans ' health coverage .
Expanding insurance coverage may be only a first step in making health care accessible to many Americans , Liu said .
The current health care system , he said , is still `` leaving out a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the continued scrutiny of America 's health care system will improve affordability , telling NPR that `` we have a lot more work to do – more and more reform is needed , more innovative ideas and more support . ''
Kristen Kendrick is a board-certified family physician in Washington , D.C. , and a health and media fellow at NPR and Georgetown University School of Medicine .

Despite ACA Coverage Gains, Millions Still Suffer 'Catastrophic' Health Care Costs
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
When it comes to worries about high health care costs, having health insurance doesn't necessarily spare you, according to a study recently published in JAMA.
Despite the gains in insurance coverage brought by the Affordable Care Act, high health care costs continue to plague many Americans, researchers found. Around 11 million Americans experienced "catastrophic medical expenses" in 2017, the last year the study covered — and privately insured people represented more than half of those.
"Catastrophic expenditures" is a term coined by the World Health Organization that refers to health care spending of more than 40% of a person's income after food and housing costs.
During the study period from 2010 to 2017, 6 million people between 20 and 64 years old with private insurance suffered such financial burdens, and their share of the total who reported them went up from 46% to nearly 54%. The study found an overall decrease in catastrophic expenses by 2017 — in particular people on Medicaid saw a decrease — but not among the privately insured.
Dr. Charles Liu, one of the study authors, called the results "surprising."
Despite gains in health insurance, he said, many Americans may still be vulnerable to unmanageable bills, including high premiums and high out-of-pocket costs. He worries, as a physician, that these costs could discourage people from seeking health care.
"I think this is going to create a new kind of culture of, 'I don't go to the doctor because I don't know what it's going to cost or I'm afraid it'll break the bank,' " he said.
Liu cited two reasons he thinks people with private insurance aren't seeing better financial protection from huge expenses: high-deductible plans and unavoidable trips to out-of-network facilities such as emergency rooms. These situations can leave patients on the hook for high bills.
"A lot of [employer] insurers are offering their employees high-deductible plans because health care is so expensive, and that's the way companies are able to stay afloat," Liu said. "Even if you reach your out-of-pocket max and you don't owe any more than that, that number alone may still represent more than 40% of your take-home income."
The authors noted that while earlier research had shown benefits of the ACA in helping the lowest income and uninsured groups get health coverage, little was known about its impact on higher earners or people who had private insurance through employers or the individual marketplace. That group includes people still on the low end of the income spectrum who make too much to qualify for Medicaid or government subsidies (aka, tax credits), which were two fundamentals of the ACA.
The researchers analyzed income, insurance coverage and spending data from a large sample of American adults.
Low-income, privately insured people had the worst results in the analysis, seeing no benefit from the ACA: They had the highest rate of catastrophic health care spending before the law passed in 2010 and continued to have it in 2017: 35% compared with 8% for people on Medicaid.
Dr. Martin Gaynor, president of the American Society of Health Economists, noted that Americans with private, employer-based health care have long been "bearing the burden" of higher health care costs when employers find themselves paying higher premiums for reduced benefits, and paying lower wages to their employees as a result.
"Some economists feel that higher health care costs are the primary reason for stagnating wages for many U.S. workers," Gaynor said.
The study noted that, thanks to the ACA's Medicaid expansion, more than 7 million more Americans enrolled in Medicaid in the study period (14 million have been added to Medicaid rolls as of 2020). The public insurance has been effective in providing affordable care for eligible individuals and families.
"People who have Medicaid actually had pretty low rates of catastrophic expenditure," Liu said, explaining that it has strict caps on how much people can be charged, that premiums are typically zero or very low and it has low out-of-pocket spending caps.
Expanding Medicaid in the 12 states that have yet to expand could help provide better protection from medical expenses in certain groups of people, said Dr. Ellen Meara, a professor of health policy at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
"In the states that didn't expand Medicaid, there's good evidence that people fall through the cracks in that sense," Meara said. "The goal of insurance is to protect us against catastrophic costs, and if more than half of the people facing catastrophic costs are privately insured, I think we're still failing that."
Meara also puts prescription drugs high on the list of contributors to financial burdens across all types of insurance, and she expects to see more pressure on elected officials to help change that.
While the Supreme Court is considering arguments in a case that could strike down parts or all of the Affordable Care Act, President-elect Joe Biden has defended and promised to try to build on and improve the law, saying it's vital to protect Americans' health coverage.
Expanding insurance coverage may be only a first step in making health care accessible to many Americans, Liu said. The current health care system, he said, is still "leaving out a lot of people."
Liu's hopeful that the continued scrutiny of America's health care system will improve affordability, telling NPR that "we have a lot more work to do – more and more reform is needed, more innovative ideas and more support."
Kristen Kendrick is a board-certified family physician in Washington, D.C., and a health and media fellow at NPR and Georgetown University School of Medicine.


npr--2020-11-12--Twitter Keeps Some Measures It Says Slowed Election Misinformation

Twitter Keeps Some Measures It Says Slowed Election Misinformation Twitter said on Thursday that it would maintain some of the changes it had made to slow down the spread of election misinformation , saying they were working as intended .
Before Election Day , Twitter , Facebook and other social networks had announced a cascade of measures billed as protecting the integrity of the voting process .
For Twitter , those included more prominent warning labels on misleading or disputed claims and limiting how such claims can be shared .
Twitter said on Thursday that between Oct. 27 and Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets as containing `` disputed and potentially misleading '' information about the election .
That represented 0.2 % of all tweets related to the U.S. election in that time frame .
However , the company declined to say how that compared with the volume of tweets labeled before Oct. 27 .
Of those 300,000 tweets , Twitter hid almost 500 behind warnings that users had to click past to read .
In order to reply to those tweets or share them , users had to add their own comments — a requirement intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter removed those tweets from recommendation by its algorithms .
In all , 74 % of users who saw labeled tweets did so after the labels were applied .
`` These enforcement actions remain part of our continued strategy to add context and limit the spread of misleading information about election processes around the world on Twitter , '' Twitter officials Vijaya Gadde and Kayvon Beykpour wrote in a blog post on Thursday .
Perhaps the most noticeable impact was on President Trump 's account .
Twitter hid more than a dozen of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day and Nov. 7 , when major media outlets called the election for former Vice President Joe Biden .
The platform has stopped using the more aggressive labels since then but has continued to put notices on many of Trump 's tweets in which he makes unsupported claims of voter fraud .
Still , false claims and conspiracy theories continue to circulate online .
That has left experts who track online misinformation questioning how effective warning labels are , noting that social media companies do not provide much data to quantify their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some insight into that question .
It said it had seen a 29 % reduction in `` quote tweeting '' of labeled tweets — where users add their own commentary — which it attributed to a prompt warning users who tried to share them that they might be spreading misleading information .
That kind of extra step before sharing is what social networks call `` friction . ''
Adding friction is a significant change for Twitter , which has long prioritized the rapid flow of information and making it easier for users to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced as temporary that it now says will stay in place is a screen prompting people to quote tweet rather than simply retweet a post .
The prompt reduced retweeting and increased quote tweeting but collectively led to a 20 % reduction in sharing tweets , the company said .
`` This change introduced some friction , and gave people an extra moment to consider why and what they were adding to the conversation , '' the company officials wrote in their blog post .
`` In short , this change slowed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overall reduction in the amount of sharing on the service . ''
Some changes Twitter put in place for the election are being rolled back , however .
For example , the company will resume recommending tweets from people whom users do not already follow .
`` While we had initially hoped that this would help reduce the potential for misleading information to spread on our service , we did not observe a statistically significant difference in misinformation prevalence as a result of this change , '' the officials wrote .

Twitter Keeps Some Measures It Says Slowed Election Misinformation
Enlarge this image toggle caption Twitter Twitter
Twitter said on Thursday that it would maintain some of the changes it had made to slow down the spread of election misinformation, saying they were working as intended.
Before Election Day, Twitter, Facebook and other social networks had announced a cascade of measures billed as protecting the integrity of the voting process.
For Twitter, those included more prominent warning labels on misleading or disputed claims and limiting how such claims can be shared.
Twitter said on Thursday that between Oct. 27 and Nov. 11, it had labeled about 300,000 tweets as containing "disputed and potentially misleading" information about the election. That represented 0.2% of all tweets related to the U.S. election in that time frame. However, the company declined to say how that compared with the volume of tweets labeled before Oct. 27.
Of those 300,000 tweets, Twitter hid almost 500 behind warnings that users had to click past to read. In order to reply to those tweets or share them, users had to add their own comments — a requirement intended to give people pause. Finally, Twitter removed those tweets from recommendation by its algorithms. In all, 74% of users who saw labeled tweets did so after the labels were applied.
"These enforcement actions remain part of our continued strategy to add context and limit the spread of misleading information about election processes around the world on Twitter," Twitter officials Vijaya Gadde and Kayvon Beykpour wrote in a blog post on Thursday.
Perhaps the most noticeable impact was on President Trump's account. Twitter hid more than a dozen of his tweets and retweets behind warnings between Election Day and Nov. 7, when major media outlets called the election for former Vice President Joe Biden. The platform has stopped using the more aggressive labels since then but has continued to put notices on many of Trump's tweets in which he makes unsupported claims of voter fraud.
Still, false claims and conspiracy theories continue to circulate online.
That has left experts who track online misinformation questioning how effective warning labels are, noting that social media companies do not provide much data to quantify their impact.
On Thursday, Twitter gave some insight into that question. It said it had seen a 29% reduction in "quote tweeting" of labeled tweets — where users add their own commentary — which it attributed to a prompt warning users who tried to share them that they might be spreading misleading information.
That kind of extra step before sharing is what social networks call "friction." Adding friction is a significant change for Twitter, which has long prioritized the rapid flow of information and making it easier for users to share.
One change that Twitter had introduced as temporary that it now says will stay in place is a screen prompting people to quote tweet rather than simply retweet a post.
The prompt reduced retweeting and increased quote tweeting but collectively led to a 20% reduction in sharing tweets, the company said.
"This change introduced some friction, and gave people an extra moment to consider why and what they were adding to the conversation," the company officials wrote in their blog post. "In short, this change slowed the spread of misleading information by virtue of an overall reduction in the amount of sharing on the service."
Some changes Twitter put in place for the election are being rolled back, however. For example, the company will resume recommending tweets from people whom users do not already follow.
"While we had initially hoped that this would help reduce the potential for misleading information to spread on our service, we did not observe a statistically significant difference in misinformation prevalence as a result of this change," the officials wrote.


npr--2020-11-12--How The Coronavirus Has Affected Individual Members Of Congress

How The Coronavirus Has Affected Individual Members Of Congress Updated on November 12 at 3:40 p.m .
ET The coronavirus pandemic continues to upend the daily work of Congress , which has seen a series of outbreaks .
Most recently , President Trump , First Lady Melania Trump and several others tested positive following a White House Rose Garden ceremony to announce his nominee , Judge Amy Coney Barrett , as Supreme Court justice .
At least nine Republican members of Congress attended , and several individuals tested positive for the coronavirus infection or were sidelined in quarantines in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , who had attended Senate business the week after the ceremony , then tested positive .
Soon after , Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson , who was n't at the Rose Garden event , also tested positive .
Several more members tested negative , but entered quarantines after exposure at the event , including Sens .
Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Ted Cruz of Texas and Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson .
The new outbreak forced the Senate to recess for two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full chamber vote to allow Republicans to confirm Barrett .
The House was already slated to be away .
This is n't the first spread of the illness for Capitol Hill .
The pandemic sidelined Congress since its March beginnings , as House and Senate leaders delayed bringing back members for several weeks in light of public health guidelines recommending social distancing .
The Senate returned in May , but the much larger House still stayed mostly away as a result of advice from the attending physician to Congress .
That same month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing remote voting and hearings .
So far , the virus has infected about 20 lawmakers and forced dozens more to self-quarantine .
More than 100 members of their staffs and Capitol Hill workers have tested positive .
The initial rash of cases began March 8 , when two Republican lawmakers , Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona , were the first members of Congress to announce self-quarantines .
Both had attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor , Md.
, where an attendee at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , the first two members of Congress said they tested positive for the coronavirus .
Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah both said they developed symptoms after a March 14 vote on a coronavirus relief package .
By October , more than 120 Capitol workers reported a positive test or were presumed so , including more than 40 members of the U.S. Capitol Police .
Earlier this summer , Gary Tibbetts , a longtime staffer for Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida , died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers have taken antibody tests to see if they were previously ill .
Among them , Democratic Sens .
Tim Kaine of Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania both said they tested positive months after experiencing symptoms in the spring .
To stem the flow of new cases , both chambers issued new social distancing guidance .
Also , the U.S. Capitol remains closed to public tours and open only to members , staff , press and official business visitors .
In late July , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also issued a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Texas , who has often rejected mask protocols , tested positive for the coronavirus .
Gohmert had attended several hearings a day before testing and returned to the Capitol following a White House screening that caught his infection .
Gohmert 's case triggered quarantines for five House members , including Arizona Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva .
Days later , Grijalva tested positive , but fully recovered symptom free .
Now , members can be forcibly removed by Capitol Police from House hearings and the floor if they are not wearing masks .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .

Congress and COVID-19: members' cases and quarantines
Enlarge this image toggle caption Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Editor's note: This page is no longer updating as of Dec. 31, 2021.
A number of congressional lawmakers experienced breakthrough COVID-19 infections as coronavirus cases rose nationwide with the spread of the omicron variant.
Earlier in 2021, Congress went months with no coronavirus cases among its members. That came a halt amid a national surge driven by the delta variant, when Republican Reps. Vern Buchanan of Florida and Clay Higgins of Louisiana reported infections in July. Buchanan says he was fully vaccinated, but that was less clear for Higgins.
At least another dozen members followed throughout the fall with news they had also tested positive for coronavirus; many of those infections involving vaccinated Senate and House members.
Before these latest waves, Congress' nearly six-month case pause came after a majority of more than 500 lawmakers were fully vaccinated by January. The Capitol's attending physician then lifted much of the mask mandates that dominated the past year. However, a minority of House Republican members have refused to seek vaccination.
Lawmakers impact by the coronavirus
This new threat arrives after the coronavirus already exacted a large toll on the Capitol.
Last year, the pandemic upended daily work for months, sickening dozens of members and hundreds of workers. A sitting congressman, a member-elect and an aide died.
By February 2021, more than 60 lawmakers and 360 Capitol Hill workers had tested positive, or were presumed so, for the coronavirus, according to NPR's tracker and congressional aides.
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See a list of all members who tested positive or quarantined.
That same month, Rep. Ron Wright, R-Texas, became the first sitting member of Congress to die after a more than two-week battle with COVID-19. In December, Rep.-elect Luke Letlow of Louisiana died days before he was due to be sworn in for a seat that was later filled in April by his widow, Rep. Julia Letlow, following a special election.
And last summer, an aide to Buchanan died from COVID-19.
The rash of infections among members continued at a consistent pace since the pandemic began, with the longest stretch without any such cases lasting about three weeks during recess periods away from Washington, D.C.
But this past March, Capitol Hill began its first month-long stretch without any reported cases or quarantines among members. The most recent positive case before July was reported by Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., on Jan. 29, despite his having received his second dose of the vaccine days earlier.
Another member, House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., reported that she quarantined on Feb. 1. It ended Feb. 8 without a report of a positive test.
January 6 insurrection caused spike in cases on Capitol Hill
Up until this summer, the most recent outbreak of cases on Capitol Hill for members was triggered by the Jan. 6 insurrection, which forced members to cluster together in rooms for several hours. Some House Republicans were seen refusing to wear masks during the ordeal.
Later, Monahan told Congress that at least one of these holding rooms for House members included a lawmaker who was already positive.
More than a half-dozen members quarantined as a result, and several tested positive, including Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey and Brad Schneider of Illinois.
In all, January proved to be one of members' worst month for the coronavirus, with at least 16 lawmakers testing positive. Before the insurrection, the House met to launch a new session before reinstating rules allowing proxy voting.
This, as congressional leaders and lawmakers received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which became available to members in December. The doses were provided to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations, Monahan told members in a Dec. 17 note.
Pandemic impacted congressional operations
Ahead of the vaccinations, both chambers of Congress recessed multiple times last year as the Capitol went largely without a widespread testing program.
The Democratic-controlled House installed emergency proxy voting and remote hearings in May 2020, and Pelosi extended the covered period several times due to the pandemic. It remains in place until at least until mid-August.
In November, Pelosi triggered a broader coronavirus testing program for Congress following new requirement for travelers to the Washington, D.C., area.
Pelosi has previously said with about 75% of House members vaccinated, and several Republicans who refuse to do so, she's unclear when Congress will fully get back to normal.
"One of the most substantial steps that can be taken is that everybody should be vaccinated," Pelosi told reporters in March, later adding, "We need 100% of the members vaccinated, because it just takes one to endanger others."
The pandemic delayed other rituals, such as President Biden's first address before a joint session of Congress, which was held with only 200 socially distanced guests on April 28.
Last year remains a reminder of how quickly outbreaks spiraled out of control among lawmakers.
In December, at least nine House members, including six Republicans, tested positive for the coronavirus. And November proved to be another one of the worst months of the pandemic for Congress, when at least 15 lawmakers said they were infected, including two of the oldest, Republicans Rep. Don Young of Alaska and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
A previous outbreak in September was tied to a White House Rose Garden ceremony to announce Amy Coney Barrett as then-President Donald Trump's Supreme Court justice nominee. Trump, then-first lady Melania Trump and dozens of others in attendance tested positive, including Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
It was one of several instances forcing leaders to change the congressional schedule.
Starting in the first month of the pandemic, in March 2020, House and Senate leaders delayed bringing back members in light of public health guidelines recommending social distancing.
The Senate returned in May 2020, but the much larger House remained mostly away under the advice of Monahan, the Capitol's attending physician. That same month, the House approved its historic rule changes to allow remote voting and hearings.
The first spate of cases began March 8, 2020, when two Republican lawmakers, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, were the first members of Congress to announce self-quarantines. Both attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., where another guest fell ill.
The following week, the first two members of Congress said they tested positive for the coronavirus. Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and then-Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah both said they developed symptoms after a March 14 floor vote on a coronavirus relief package.
By last summer, dozens of Capitol workers reported a positive test or were presumed so, and Gary Tibbetts, a longtime staffer for Buchanan died from COVID-19 on July 24.
Some lawmakers also took antibody tests to see if they were previously infected. They include Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who both said they tested positive months after experiencing symptoms in the spring.
To stem the flow of new cases, both chambers early on issued new social distancing guidance. Also, the U.S. Capitol closed to public tours and remained open only to members, staff, the press and official business visitors, and aside from the Jan. 6 breach by pro-Trump extremists, it has remained so.
In late July 2020, Pelosi also issued a temporary, new mask mandate after Texas GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert, who often rejected such protocols, tested positive. Gohmert had attended several hearings a day earlier and returned to the Capitol following a White House screening that caught his infection.
Gohmert's case triggered quarantines for five House members, including Arizona Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Days later, Grijalva tested positive but fully recovered symptom free. Until recent changes lifting the mask mandates, members could be fined or be forcibly removed by Capitol Police if they are not wearing masks.


npr--2020-11-12--'It's Dangerous To Delay' Transition, Democratic White House Veteran Podesta Says

'It 's Dangerous To Delay ' Transition , Democratic White House Veteran Podesta Says The Trump administration 's stonewalling of President-elect Joe Biden 's transition team poses a serious risk to the U.S. – particularly during a deadly crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic , according to John Podesta , who co-chaired former President Barack Obama 's transition team from 2007-8 .
`` It 's dangerous to delay this , '' Podesta told NPR 's Noel King .
He cited the incoming administration 's need to assess the ongoing response to COVID-19 in the U.S. – the worst-hit country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and an alarming surge in cases and deaths .
Biden 's advisory panel needs to know what plans are being made to distribute a potential vaccine as well as the status of efforts at the Department of Health and Human Services , Podesta said .
He also said there are national security implications , including that Biden is talking to world leaders without any guidance from the State Department .
`` I think it 's just a mess , '' Podesta said .
Biden 's recently announced coronavirus task force needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that when Obama took office in 2008 , he was immediately confronted with a global economic crisis .
Biden insists the delay is n't affecting his transition plans — he said this week that the classified information would be nice to have but is not crucial .
More than a week after the Nov. 3 election and five days since Biden was declared the winner , President Trump for now has ordered officials not to cooperate with a transition that is required by federal law .
The president has said he won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge the results with lawsuits falsely alleging voter fraud , most of which have failed .
For the Biden transition team , being able to access up-to-date information and get accurate budget data from agencies – both to find problems and to uncover `` land mines '' from the exiting Trump administration — `` really is essential , '' Podesta said .
By this time in a normal transition of power , Podesta said , `` the president-elect and vice president-elect should have full access to what the statutes of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to intelligence material . ''
The Biden camp should also be able to send its people into federal agencies , he added .
In 2008 , Podesta said , `` when President-elect Obama was declared the winner in the early hours of the day after the election , the [ General Services Administration ] immediately ascertained that he was the apparent successful candidate .
And we had access to the facilities , the technology , the people . ''
That access included the ability to speak with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort , whom Obama retained from the Bush administration .
Another member of Obama 's team `` spent , you know , just endless hours at the Treasury Department looking at the forecasts , '' according to Podesta .
Past crises have heightened the importance of a successful transition , Podesta said , adding that there has been a movement to strengthen the country 's laws to ensure a smooth and efficient transition .
Podesta notes that Trump bucked that trend in 2016 when his transition team ran into some self-imposed roadblocks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially chosen to lead the effort , but the president fired him and ordered the incoming vice president , Mike Pence , to head the transition .
As Trump seeks to obfuscate the results that would render him a one-term president , only a handful of his fellow Republicans have publicly said they recognize Biden 's victory .
However , a growing number of Republican lawmakers say Biden and Harris should receive intelligence briefings .
`` I do n't think you could find a member of Congress or a senator who really thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will be the next president of the United States , '' Podesta said .
`` Yet they back him up , because I guess they 're afraid of him .
But I think at some point the inevitable becomes , in fact , the inevitable , and he will have to decamp from the White House .
And the transition of power will take place on Jan. 20 , and Vice President Biden , President-elect Biden , will become President Biden . ''
Former President George W. Bush 's transition was delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were litigated .
The 9/11 Commission said the delay slowed the Bush administration in getting its national security team in place , impairing its ability to react to the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks .

'It's Dangerous To Delay' Transition, Democratic White House Veteran Podesta Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images Alex Wong/Getty Images
The Trump administration's stonewalling of President-elect Joe Biden's transition team poses a serious risk to the U.S. – particularly during a deadly crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, according to John Podesta, who co-chaired former President Barack Obama's transition team from 2007-8.
"It's dangerous to delay this," Podesta told NPR's Noel King. He cited the incoming administration's need to assess the ongoing response to COVID-19 in the U.S. – the worst-hit country in the world, with nearly 10.5 million cases and an alarming surge in cases and deaths.
Biden's advisory panel needs to know what plans are being made to distribute a potential vaccine as well as the status of efforts at the Department of Health and Human Services, Podesta said.
He also said there are national security implications, including that Biden is talking to world leaders without any guidance from the State Department.
"I think it's just a mess," Podesta said.
Biden's recently announced coronavirus task force needs to get going, said Podesta, noting that when Obama took office in 2008, he was immediately confronted with a global economic crisis.
Biden insists the delay isn't affecting his transition plans — he said this week that the classified information would be nice to have but is not crucial.
More than a week after the Nov. 3 election and five days since Biden was declared the winner, President Trump for now has ordered officials not to cooperate with a transition that is required by federal law. The president has said he won the election, and he is trying to challenge the results with lawsuits falsely alleging voter fraud, most of which have failed.
For the Biden transition team, being able to access up-to-date information and get accurate budget data from agencies – both to find problems and to uncover "land mines" from the exiting Trump administration — "really is essential," Podesta said.
By this time in a normal transition of power, Podesta said, "the president-elect and vice president-elect should have full access to what the statutes of the United States provide for them. That specifically means access to intelligence material."
The Biden camp should also be able to send its people into federal agencies, he added.
In 2008, Podesta said, "when President-elect Obama was declared the winner in the early hours of the day after the election, the [General Services Administration] immediately ascertained that he was the apparent successful candidate. And we had access to the facilities, the technology, the people."
That access included the ability to speak with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson – a key player in the economic recovery effort, whom Obama retained from the Bush administration. Another member of Obama's team "spent, you know, just endless hours at the Treasury Department looking at the forecasts," according to Podesta.
Past crises have heightened the importance of a successful transition, Podesta said, adding that there has been a movement to strengthen the country's laws to ensure a smooth and efficient transition.
Podesta notes that Trump bucked that trend in 2016 when his transition team ran into some self-imposed roadblocks. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was initially chosen to lead the effort, but the president fired him and ordered the incoming vice president, Mike Pence, to head the transition.
As Trump seeks to obfuscate the results that would render him a one-term president, only a handful of his fellow Republicans have publicly said they recognize Biden's victory. However, a growing number of Republican lawmakers say Biden and Harris should receive intelligence briefings.
"I don't think you could find a member of Congress or a senator who really thinks that there's any chance that Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States," Podesta said. "Yet they back him up, because I guess they're afraid of him. But I think at some point the inevitable becomes, in fact, the inevitable, and he will have to decamp from the White House. And the transition of power will take place on Jan. 20, and Vice President Biden, President-elect Biden, will become President Biden."
Former President George W. Bush's transition was delayed for weeks as the 2000 election results were litigated. The 9/11 Commission said the delay slowed the Bush administration in getting its national security team in place, impairing its ability to react to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.


npr--2020-11-12--'She'll Look Like A Boss': Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Inspires Young Girls

When Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered her victory speech on Saturday night , she spoke directly to a certain slice of the population .
`` Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities , '' Harris said .
Throughout her primary campaign , Harris was known to pay special attention to girls who came to her events , at times offering advice on leadership or encouraging ambition .
If the girls were tiny and shy , she might kneel down and tell them to always hold their chin up .
At one stop , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You are going to lead .
You are brilliant ; you are strong .
I know you hear me .
You remember that , OK ? ''
In March 2019 , Jasmeen Coronado stood up amid a sea of grown-ups at a Harris campaign event in Hemingway , S.C. , and the then-9-year-old quietly asked the candidate this question : `` Is it possible that if I try hard enough in life that I could become president ? ''
`` Absolutely !
Absolutely ! ''
Harris responded .
`` There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think about it , '' she told Jasmeen .
`` We are all born as leaders , and it 's just a matter of when you decide to activate that .
...
Leading up to you being president , understand every day of your life you have an opportunity to lead .
Today , tomorrow , every day of your life . ''
Jasmeen took that message to heart .
Hearing it from a biracial woman has special meaning for her , she says , `` because I myself am biracial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman like , um , doing this stuff just makes me happy to know that there 's people who will stand up for our gender . ''
Paris Bond was 13 when she met Harris last November in Muscatine , Iowa , shortly before Harris dropped out of the primary race .
Paris recalls telling the candidate that she had been elected president of her fifth-grade class on the same day in 2016 that Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate .
`` I remember her telling me a quote , like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something , but do n't be the last , ' `` Paris says .
`` So she was telling me to create my path and inspire other people and little girls like she does . ''
This summer , when then-presidential candidate Joe Biden picked Harris as his running mate , Paris says she and her mother were elated .
`` We were just dancing and holding hands and jumping around , '' Paris says .
`` It was a really joyful moment . ''
Now , Paris considers Harris ' ascension as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young black people , boys and girls , 'cause it shows us that we can do something that we set our mind to . ''
For Sadie Bell of Putney , Vt. , her Harris encounter came during the primary season in April 2019 , she was 12 .
`` I just remember that day being really , really magical , '' she says .
Sadie went to hear Harris speak in neighboring New Hampshire , and afterward she managed to work her way right up next to the candidate .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squeeze past people , '' she explains .
When she got close to Harris , Sadie — worried about her upcoming class presentation on climate change — burst out with this : `` You 're such a good public speaker !
How are you so good ? ''
`` Remember that it 's not about you , '' Harris told Sadie , clasping the girl 's hands and leaning in close .
( This was pre-pandemic , when we could do these things . )
Harris offered this analogy : `` If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` and you know the ship is about to sink and you 're the only one who knows , are you gon na worry about how you look and how you sound ?
No , 'cause the thing that 's most important is that everyone knows what you know . ''
`` I really felt this connection , '' Sadie now says .
When it came time to make her climate change presentation in class , she says , the advice helped : `` I was thinking about being bold and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
As for Harris ' trajectory to the second-highest office in the land , `` it 's a little bit disappointing that it 's 2020 and just now we 're having a woman become vice president , '' Sadie says .
`` But I definitely think it 's also uplifting . ''
And , she adds with a laugh , `` I think that she 'll look like a boss !
Which 'll be very cool . ''
In September 2019 , at the Polk County Steak Fry in Des Moines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jumped in and danced with gusto alongside the Isiserettes , a legendary youth drill-and-drum corps .
`` She hopped right in line , and she started to groove with us , '' says Jonna Coleman , 17 , who has been dancing with the team since she was 7 .
`` She did good for her first time ! ''
reports Jonna 's friend and Isiserettes teammate Dierra Coleman , also 17 .
`` She was trying to , like , replicate our moves , which was pretty funny to see .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she did , for sure . ''
Harris may have had girls like Jonna and Dierra in mind when she said this in her victory speech on Saturday night : `` Dream with ambition , lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not , simply because they 've never seen it before .
But know that we will applaud you every step of the way . ''
`` I think by that she just means , you know , step outside of the box .
Turn right when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left .
Just always expand your mind to new things , because nobody 's gon na expect you to do that because of their image of you . ''
`` And , '' Dierra says , `` you can always , always prove them wrong . ''

'She'll Look Like A Boss': Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Inspires Young Girls
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cory Williams Cory Williams
When Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered her victory speech on Saturday night, she spoke directly to a certain slice of the population.
"Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities," Harris said.
Throughout her primary campaign, Harris was known to pay special attention to girls who came to her events, at times offering advice on leadership or encouraging ambition.
If the girls were tiny and shy, she might kneel down and tell them to always hold their chin up.
At one stop, she gently insisted to a newborn girl, "You are going to lead. You are brilliant; you are strong. I know you hear me. You remember that, OK?"
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frank and Danisha McClary Frank and Danisha McClary
In March 2019, Jasmeen Coronado stood up amid a sea of grown-ups at a Harris campaign event in Hemingway, S.C., and the then-9-year-old quietly asked the candidate this question: "Is it possible that if I try hard enough in life that I could become president?"
"Absolutely! Absolutely!" Harris responded. "There is no question."
"Here's how I think about it," she told Jasmeen. "We are all born as leaders, and it's just a matter of when you decide to activate that. ... Leading up to you being president, understand every day of your life you have an opportunity to lead. Today, tomorrow, every day of your life."
Jasmeen took that message to heart. Hearing it from a biracial woman has special meaning for her, she says, "because I myself am biracial. And the fact that there is a woman like, um, doing this stuff just makes me happy to know that there's people who will stand up for our gender."
Paris Bond was 13 when she met Harris last November in Muscatine, Iowa, shortly before Harris dropped out of the primary race.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Athena Gilbraith Athena Gilbraith
Paris recalls telling the candidate that she had been elected president of her fifth-grade class on the same day in 2016 that Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate.
"I remember her telling me a quote, like, 'You can be the first to do something, but don't be the last,' " Paris says. "So she was telling me to create my path and inspire other people and little girls like she does."
This summer, when then-presidential candidate Joe Biden picked Harris as his running mate, Paris says she and her mother were elated.
"We were just dancing and holding hands and jumping around," Paris says. "It was a really joyful moment."
Now, Paris considers Harris' ascension as vice president-elect "a big breakthrough for young black people, boys and girls, 'cause it shows us that we can do something that we set our mind to."
For Sadie Bell of Putney, Vt., her Harris encounter came during the primary season in April 2019, she was 12.
"I just remember that day being really, really magical," she says.
Sadie went to hear Harris speak in neighboring New Hampshire, and afterward she managed to work her way right up next to the candidate.
"I was small, so I got to squeeze past people," she explains.
When she got close to Harris, Sadie — worried about her upcoming class presentation on climate change — burst out with this: "You're such a good public speaker! How are you so good?"
"Remember that it's not about you," Harris told Sadie, clasping the girl's hands and leaning in close. (This was pre-pandemic, when we could do these things.)
Harris offered this analogy: "If you are on the Titanic," she said, "and you know the ship is about to sink and you're the only one who knows, are you gonna worry about how you look and how you sound? No, 'cause the thing that's most important is that everyone knows what you know."
"I really felt this connection," Sadie now says.
When it came time to make her climate change presentation in class, she says, the advice helped: "I was thinking about being bold and just really getting the message out there."
As for Harris' trajectory to the second-highest office in the land, "it's a little bit disappointing that it's 2020 and just now we're having a woman become vice president," Sadie says. "But I definitely think it's also uplifting."
And, she adds with a laugh, "I think that she'll look like a boss! Which'll be very cool."
In September 2019, at the Polk County Steak Fry in Des Moines, an Iowa presidential campaign ritual, Harris jumped in and danced with gusto alongside the Isiserettes, a legendary youth drill-and-drum corps.
"She hopped right in line, and she started to groove with us," says Jonna Coleman, 17, who has been dancing with the team since she was 7.
"She did good for her first time!" reports Jonna's friend and Isiserettes teammate Dierra Coleman, also 17. "She was trying to, like, replicate our moves, which was pretty funny to see. She definitely stepped the bar up with what she did, for sure."
kansaspolitics YouTube
Harris may have had girls like Jonna and Dierra in mind when she said this in her victory speech on Saturday night: "Dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they've never seen it before. But know that we will applaud you every step of the way."
For Dierra, Harris' intention is clear.
"I think by that she just means, you know, step outside of the box. Turn right when they think you're gonna go left. Just always expand your mind to new things, because nobody's gonna expect you to do that because of their image of you."
"And," Dierra says, "you can always, always prove them wrong."


npr--2020-11-12--Pope Francis Congratulates Biden, Who Will Be The 2nd Catholic President

Pope Francis Congratulates Biden , Who Will Be The 2nd Catholic President Pope Francis , the leader of the Roman Catholic Church , offered his congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden during a call Thursday morning .
According to a statement from the Biden-Harris transition team , the pair discussed some policy areas in which Biden is likely to break from President Trump .
`` The president-elect expressed his desire to work together on the basis of a shared belief in the dignity and equality of all humankind on issues such as caring for the marginalized and the poor , addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities , '' the statement reads .
Francis has been outspoken on these issues and has repeatedly called on global leaders to take more action to confront them .
Biden has laid out ambitious plans to tackle the climate crisis , and he plans to lift the United States ' refugee resettlement cap , which Trump had lowered to a record level .
Biden will be the second Catholic president in U.S. history , following John F. Kennedy .
Known as a deeply devout person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with references to biblical language or the pope .
In the final week of the presidential campaign , for example , Biden quoted an anti-populism passage from the pope 's most recent encyclical .

Pope Francis Congratulates Biden, Who Will Be The 2nd Catholic President
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, offered his congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden during a call Thursday morning.
According to a statement from the Biden-Harris transition team, the pair discussed some policy areas in which Biden is likely to break from President Trump.
"The president-elect expressed his desire to work together on the basis of a shared belief in the dignity and equality of all humankind on issues such as caring for the marginalized and the poor, addressing the crisis of climate change, and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities," the statement reads.
Francis has been outspoken on these issues and has repeatedly called on global leaders to take more action to confront them. Biden has laid out ambitious plans to tackle the climate crisis, and he plans to lift the United States' refugee resettlement cap, which Trump had lowered to a record level.
Biden will be the second Catholic president in U.S. history, following John F. Kennedy.
Known as a deeply devout person of faith, Biden often delivers speeches with references to biblical language or the pope.
In the final week of the presidential campaign, for example, Biden quoted an anti-populism passage from the pope's most recent encyclical.