npr--2020-11-09--Veterans And Gold Star Families Granted Lifetime Passes To National Parks

As coronavirus cases again surge across the country , the outdoors remains a rare and safe refuge for Americans , particularly for those struggling with anxiety or depression due to the pandemic .
On Wednesday , those hoping to reap the benefits of fresh air and the unseasonably warm weather in much of the country can explore national parks and forests for free in honor of Veterans Day .
And , the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced U.S. military veterans and Gold Star families will be granted a lifetime of free access to national parks , wildlife refuges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Interior .
`` With the utmost respect and gratitude , we are granting Veterans and Gold Star Families free access to the iconic and treasured lands they fought to protect starting this Veterans Day and every single day thereafter , '' said Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt .
The access passes , called America the Beautiful , currently cost $ 80 per year and grant entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands , including Yosemite , Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Memorial .
To get the free pass , veterans must provide some form of identification showing they were enlisted in the armed forces or the U.S.National Guard and Reserves .
Gold Star families are those who have lost an enlisted family member while serving in a war , a military operation outside of the U.S. or in an international terrorist attack .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to visit parks and camps : `` Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adventurers to follow general COVID-19 prevention guidelines including avoiding crowded parks and campgrounds , practicing social distancing , wearing a mask , and washing hands often .
The CDC also recommends visiting parks and recreation areas that are close to home .

Veterans And Gold Star Families Granted Lifetime Passes To National Parks
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rick Bowmer/AP Rick Bowmer/AP
Updated on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9:53 p.m. ET
As coronavirus cases again surge across the country, the outdoors remains a rare and safe refuge for Americans, particularly for those struggling with anxiety or depression due to the pandemic.
On Wednesday, those hoping to reap the benefits of fresh air and the unseasonably warm weather in much of the country can explore national parks and forests for free in honor of Veterans Day.
And the Department of Veterans Affairs announced U.S. military veterans and gold star families will be granted a lifetime of free access to national parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior.
"With the utmost respect and gratitude, we are granting Veterans and Gold Star Families free access to the iconic and treasured lands they fought to protect starting this Veterans Day and every single day thereafter," said Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt.
The access passes, called America the Beautiful, currently cost $80 per year and grant entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Arches and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
To get the free pass, veterans must provide some form of identification showing they were in the armed forces or the U.S. National Guard and Reserves. Gold star families are those who have lost a family member who was serving in a war or a military operation outside of the U.S. or in an international terrorist attack.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to visit parks and camps: "Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy."
The agency advises adventurers to follow general COVID-19 prevention guidelines, including avoiding crowded parks and campgrounds, practicing social distancing, wearing a mask and washing hands often. The CDC also recommends visiting parks and recreation areas that are close to home.


npr--2020-11-09--GOP Tip-Toes Around Acknowledging Biden Win, Trump Election Conspiracy

Congressional Republicans have mostly declined to outwardly acknowledge the widely reported election results that show President-elect Joe Biden leading comfortably in both the popular and electoral vote .
This comes as GOP standard-bearer President Trump continues to baselessly attack the integrity of the election , alleging that fraudulent ballots had robbed him of the White House win .
This was no more evident than on Monday , when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took to the Senate floor to urge Americans to `` respect the rule of law and trust our institutions '' as the full election process was conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet certified their election results .
We have at least one or two states that are already on track for a recount .
And I believe the president may have legal challenges underway in at least five states , '' McConnell said .
Though McConnell is technically correct states have not certified , that process wo n't change the overall result of the election .
And the legal challenges have mostly been dismissed so far .
`` Our institutions are built for this .
We have the system in place to consider concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities and weigh his legal options , '' he continued , declining to adopt Trump 's language alleging outright fraud and a stolen race .
McConnell was far from alone in leaving ambiguous his thoughts on the ultimate outcome of the presidential race .
In fact , several other Senate Republicans echoed McConnell 's remarks , signaling that the caucus will give Trump time to resolve his legal challenges .
`` I think he 's got a right , a constitutional right , if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I think everybody ought to let them play out .
Obviously , we 're going to have a result , not for long , '' Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota , the chamber 's no .
2 Republican , told Capitol Hill pool reporters .
Despite being unable to raise any specific evidence of widespread fraud , Senate Republicans nodded to Trump 's lawyers , saying that it was ultimately up to the president 's legal team to back up his claims .
That includes Sens .
John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri , who like McConnell , said it was fair to give Trump an opportunity to exhaust his legal options .
But neither was certain on the timeline , saying it could even be weeks before Trump 's challenges are resolved .
`` Well , we do n't swear in a new president until January 20 , '' Cornyn , who recently won re-election to a new term , told NPR .
`` I do n't think that 's anything we have control over , we just have to let the process run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Trump has n't conceded by January 20 , then he 'll begin to worry about the lack of a peaceful transition , which Trump has repeatedly declined to endorse .
Blunt , however , does n't think it will take that long , saying that it was possible that the matter could be resolved in a number of days .
`` There are dates for a reason .
Every state has a canvas date for a reason , and every state has an automatic recount for a reason .
And I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates , '' Blunt said .
He added on how much time that would take , `` I would n't think several weeks , but we 'll see . ''
As of Monday evening , only four Republican senators had broken party ranks to congratulate Biden on his win .
Those were : Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , Mitt Romney of Utah , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Ben Sasse of Nebraska , all of whom have been critical of Trump in the past and have previously publicly broken with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR on Monday , Collins said she does not think Trump 's pursuit of legal remedies will impact Biden 's win .
`` The president has legal options that he wants to pursue , and he has every right to do so .
For my part , I think it 's unlikely to change the outcome and I had congratulated President-elect Biden . ''
William Barr , the nation 's attorney general and a Trump ally , on Monday wrote a memo authorizing federal prosecutors to pursue any `` substantial allegations of voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specified that such reviews can be conducted only if there are `` clear and apparently-credible allegations of irregularities that , if true , could potential impact the outcome of a federal election in an individual State . ''
Investigations into more minor claims that , if true , would not affect the outcome of a state 's results , Barr wrote , should be deferred until after the election certification process is completed in mid-December .
In his memo , Barr cautioned that the authorization should not be taken as an indication that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irregularities that would impact the outcome of the election , but instead had been put in place to ensure that all Americans could have `` full confidence in the results of our elections . ''

Barr Wades Into Trump's False Voting Claims, Allowing Prosecutors To Investigate
Enlarge this image toggle caption Samuel Corum/Getty Images Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Updated at 10:59 p.m. ET
William Barr, the nation's attorney general and a Trump ally, on Monday wrote a memo authorizing federal prosecutors to pursue any "substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities." He specified that such reviews can be conducted only if there are "clear and apparently-credible allegations of irregularities that, if true, could potentially impact the outcome of a federal election in an individual State."
Investigations into more minor claims that, if true, would not affect the outcome of a state's results, Barr wrote, should be deferred until after the election certification process is completed in mid-December.
In his memo, Barr cautioned that the authorization should not be taken as an indication that the Justice Department has found any voting irregularities that would impact the outcome of the election; instead, the authorization had been put in place to ensure that all Americans could have "full confidence in the results of our elections."
But despite the caveats, the memo marked a step into President Trump's disinformation campaign about voting. Former DOJ officials criticized the memo as partisan and as validating Trump's claims that there are substantial voter irregularities. Republican and Democratic election officials agree there has been no evidence of widespread, even low-level, voting irregularities.
Shortly after the memo was released, Richard Pilger, head of the DOJ's election crimes branch, stepped down from that role in protest over Barr's memo. He announced the departure to colleagues Monday evening.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, congressional Republicans have mostly declined to outwardly acknowledge the widely reported election results that show President-elect Joe Biden leading comfortably in both the popular and electoral vote. This comes as GOP standard-bearer Trump continues to baselessly attack the integrity of the election, alleging that fraudulent ballots had robbed him of the White House win.
This divide was no more evident than on Monday, when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took to the Senate floor to urge Americans to "respect the rule of law and trust our institutions" as the full election process was conducted.
"Obviously, no states have yet certified their election results. We have at least one or two states that are already on track for a recount. And I believe the president may have legal challenges underway in at least five states," McConnell said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Samuel Corum/Getty Images Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Though McConnell is technically correct states have not certified, that process won't change the overall result of the election. And the legal challenges have mostly been dismissed so far.
"Our institutions are built for this. We have the system in place to consider concerns. And President Trump is 100% within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities and weigh his legal options," he continued, declining to adopt Trump's language alleging outright fraud and a stolen race.
McConnell was far from alone in leaving ambiguous his thoughts on the ultimate outcome of the presidential race. In fact, several other Senate Republicans echoed McConnell's remarks, signaling that the caucus will give Trump time to resolve his legal challenges.
"I think he's got a right, a constitutional right, if there are legal challenges they want to make, and I think everybody ought to let them play out. Obviously, we're going to have a result, not for long," Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota, the chamber's No. 2 Republican, told Capitol Hill pool reporters.
Despite being unable to raise any specific evidence of widespread fraud, Senate Republicans nodded to Trump's lawyers, saying that it was ultimately up to the president's legal team to back up his claims.
That includes Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Roy Blunt of Missouri, who like McConnell said it was fair to give Trump an opportunity to exhaust his legal options. But neither was certain on the timeline, saying it could even be weeks before Trump's challenges are resolved.
"Well, we don't swear in a new president until Jan. 20," Cornyn, who just won reelection, told NPR. "I don't think that's anything we have control over, we just have to let the process run its course."
He added that if Trump hasn't conceded by Jan. 20, Inauguration Day, then he'll begin to worry about the lack of a peaceful transition, which Trump has repeatedly declined to endorse.
Blunt, however, doesn't think it will take that long, saying that it was possible that the matter could be resolved within days, not weeks.
"There are dates for a reason. Every state has a canvas date for a reason, and every state has an automatic recount for a reason. And I think president has the rights to use those dates," Blunt said. He added on how much time that would take, "I wouldn't think several weeks, but we'll see."
As of Monday evening, only four Republican senators had broken party ranks to congratulate Biden on his win. Those were: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Ben Sasse of Nebraska, all of whom have been critical of Trump in the past and have previously publicly broken with the president on legislative matters.
Speaking to NPR on Monday, Collins said she does not think Trump's pursuit of legal remedies will impact Biden's win.
"The president has legal options that he wants to pursue, and he has every right to do so. For my part, I think it's unlikely to change the outcome and I had congratulated President-elect Biden."


npr--2020-11-09--Operation Warp Speed's Logistics Chief Weighs In On Vaccine Progress

A top U.S. Army general who is co-leading the federal COVID-19 vaccine initiative anticipates that the first of millions of Americans could start receiving COVID-19 vaccines as soon as next month .
`` I think a safe and effective vaccine will be available initially in December , '' Gen. Gustave Perna told NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly in an interview Monday .
If the Food and Drug Administration authorizes a vaccine by then , `` 10 to 30 million doses of vaccine will be available that we can start distributing . ''
Perna is chief operating officer for Operation Warp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-track the development , manufacture and distribution of COVID-19 drugs and treatments .
In May , he was appointed to co-lead the project , along with the initiative 's chief science adviser , Moncef Slaoui .
Perna 's remarks followed an announcement earlier Monday of promising developments about a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the drug company Pfizer .
Early results suggest that the vaccine is more than 90 % effective in preventing COVID-19 .
`` Great [ news ] to wake up to today , '' he said .
`` When we talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about is , 'How effective was the vaccine at preventing actual disease ? '
`` scientist L.J .
Tan , chief strategist of the nonprofit Immunization Action Coalition , explained to NPR 's Allison Aubrey in September .
In other words , by that definition , if you vaccinated 100 people , at least 90 people would not get the disease , if these early results from Pfizer hold up .
The tens of millions of vaccine doses that Perna says could be available in December is the combined number of vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the two candidates furthest along in clinical trials , could have ready to ship by then .
Being prepared to have large quantities of the COVID-19 candidate vaccines ready for distribution as soon as one is authorized as safe and effective by the FDA has been a major feat of planning and coordination that runs counter to the typical drug and vaccine development process .
`` Generally , you do n't start manufacturing a vaccine until you have an [ approval ] , '' Perna explains .
But waiting for an OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have greatly prolonged the timeline for getting a COVID-19 vaccine out to the public .
So early on , the Operation Warp Speed team invested in manufacturing capacity .
`` We needed brick and mortar , '' Perna says .
`` We needed trained employees .
We needed to have all the materials , and we needed very technical machinery to produce the vaccine . ''
`` We started executing manufacturing requirements in parallel with the development and the trials of the vaccines , '' he says .
Simultaneously pursuing processes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resource-intensive , high-risk strategy .
It 's possible that some pre-manufactured vaccine candidates will not be found to be safe or effective and that those vials would need to be thrown out .
But the strategy makes it possible for some vaccine doses to be available as soon as a vaccine is authorized — and for vaccine production to scale up quickly after that .
If a vaccine is in hand in December , availability `` will expand rapidly in January , February , March , April , '' Perna told NPR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine rollout that could result in most Americans getting access to a shot by mid-2021 .
A four-star general , Perna previously served as the commanding general for the U.S. Army Materiel Command , which manages the Army 's global supply chain .
`` I 'm a professional logistician .
That 's what I 've been doing for 39 years , '' he says .
The military is coordinating the vaccine distribution but will not play a direct role in moving or injecting vaccines on the ground , according to Perna .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the actual distribution , because they know how to do it , '' he says , `` They do it every year , with influenza and other medications and vaccines . ''
Pfizer has an assembly center in Kalamazoo , Mich. , and plans to use private carriers such as UPS and FedEx to deliver vaccines to hospitals and vaccination sites .
Vaccines from Moderna and other Operation Warp Speed candidate vaccines would likely be moved by the medical supply company McKesson , which has a contract with the government to distribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocating initial vaccine supplies to states and jurisdictions , which will then be responsible for getting shots into people 's arms and determining which groups get priority for those first doses .
`` Some of the jurisdictions have thought about mass [ vaccination ] campaigns .
Some are going right to brick-and-mortar and working with CVS and Walgreens .
Some are going to utilize their hospitals , '' and the places people can go to get vaccines may shift as more doses become available , Perna says .
Perna says he has n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team yet but played down suggestions that a change in administration could complicate the work .
`` I believe that the mission we have — to develop , manufacture and deliver safe and effective vaccines — is moving in the right direction , '' Perna says .
`` And I am just going to keep my head down and drive to that and keep going . ''
From Delaware , Biden met with his newly formed COVID-19 advisory board Monday morning .
In remarks after the meeting , he warned Americans to brace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' despite the good news that Pfizer 's vaccine seems to be effective , pending further tests .
`` The projections still indicate we could lose 200,000 more lives in the coming months before a vaccine can be made widely available , '' Biden said , imploring Americans to wear face masks in public .
Until nearly everyone has been vaccinated , he said , `` a mask remains the most potent weapon against the virus . ''

Operation Warp Speed's Logistics Chief Weighs In On Vaccine Progress
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/AP Chip Somodevilla/AP
A top U.S. Army general who is co-leading the federal COVID-19 vaccine initiative anticipates that the first of millions of Americans could start receiving COVID-19 vaccines as soon as next month.
"I think a safe and effective vaccine will be available initially in December," Gen. Gustave Perna told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly in an interview Monday. If the Food and Drug Administration authorizes a vaccine by then, "10 to 30 million doses of vaccine will be available that we can start distributing."
Perna is chief operating officer for Operation Warp Speed, the government's initiative to fast-track the development, manufacture and distribution of COVID-19 drugs and treatments. In May, he was appointed to co-lead the project, along with the initiative's chief science adviser, Moncef Slaoui.
Perna's remarks followed an announcement earlier Monday of promising developments about a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the drug company Pfizer. Early results suggest that the vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19. "Great [news] to wake up to today," he said.
"When we talk 'vaccine effectiveness,' what we're talking about is, 'How effective was the vaccine at preventing actual disease?' " scientist L.J. Tan, chief strategist of the nonprofit Immunization Action Coalition, explained to NPR's Allison Aubrey in September.
In other words, by that definition, if you vaccinated 100 people, at least 90 people would not get the disease, if these early results from Pfizer hold up.
The tens of millions of vaccine doses that Perna says could be available in December is the combined number of vaccine doses that Pfizer and Moderna, manufacturers of the two candidates furthest along in clinical trials, could have ready to ship by then.
Being prepared to have large quantities of the COVID-19 candidate vaccines ready for distribution as soon as one is authorized as safe and effective by the FDA has been a major feat of planning and coordination that runs counter to the typical drug and vaccine development process.
"Generally, you don't start manufacturing a vaccine until you have an [approval]," Perna explains. But waiting for an OK from the FDA before ramping up production would have greatly prolonged the timeline for getting a COVID-19 vaccine out to the public.
So early on, the Operation Warp Speed team invested in manufacturing capacity. "We needed brick and mortar," Perna says. "We needed trained employees. We needed to have all the materials, and we needed very technical machinery to produce the vaccine."
"We started executing manufacturing requirements in parallel with the development and the trials of the vaccines," he says.
Simultaneously pursuing processes that typically happen one after another is a resource-intensive, high-risk strategy. It's possible that some pre-manufactured vaccine candidates will not be found to be safe or effective and that those vials would need to be thrown out. But the strategy makes it possible for some vaccine doses to be available as soon as a vaccine is authorized — and for vaccine production to scale up quickly after that.
If a vaccine is in hand in December, availability "will expand rapidly in January, February, March, April," Perna told NPR, describing a "steady cadence" of vaccine rollout that could result in most Americans getting access to a shot by mid-2021.
A four-star general, Perna previously served as the commanding general for the U.S. Army Materiel Command, which manages the Army's global supply chain. "I'm a professional logistician. That's what I've been doing for 39 years," he says.
The military is coordinating the vaccine distribution but will not play a direct role in moving or injecting vaccines on the ground, according to Perna. "We're partnering with commercial industry to do the actual distribution, because they know how to do it," he says, "They do it every year, with influenza and other medications and vaccines."
Pfizer has an assembly center in Kalamazoo, Mich., and plans to use private carriers such as UPS and FedEx to deliver vaccines to hospitals and vaccination sites. Vaccines from Moderna and other Operation Warp Speed candidate vaccines would likely be moved by the medical supply company McKesson, which has a contract with the government to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
The government will be allocating initial vaccine supplies to states and jurisdictions, which will then be responsible for getting shots into people's arms and determining which groups get priority for those first doses. "Some of the jurisdictions have thought about mass [vaccination] campaigns. Some are going right to brick-and-mortar and working with CVS and Walgreens. Some are going to utilize their hospitals," and the places people can go to get vaccines may shift as more doses become available, Perna says.
Perna says he hasn't heard from President-elect Joe Biden's transition team yet but played down suggestions that a change in administration could complicate the work. "I believe that the mission we have — to develop, manufacture and deliver safe and effective vaccines — is moving in the right direction," Perna says. "And I am just going to keep my head down and drive to that and keep going."
From Delaware, Biden met with his newly formed COVID-19 advisory board Monday morning. In remarks after the meeting, he warned Americans to brace for "a very dark winter," despite the good news that Pfizer's vaccine seems to be effective, pending further tests.
"The projections still indicate we could lose 200,000 more lives in the coming months before a vaccine can be made widely available," Biden said, imploring Americans to wear face masks in public. Until nearly everyone has been vaccinated, he said, "a mask remains the most potent weapon against the virus."


npr--2020-11-09--Trans And Nonbinary Candidates Set Record Wins In Red And Blue States

Trans And Nonbinary Candidates Set Record Wins In Red And Blue States In the 2020 general election , voters elected six transgender candidates to state office , a historic turn that will increase the number of trans elected officials in state legislatures from four to seven nationwide .
`` For the entire LGBTQ community , but especially for trans people , these victories are incredibly meaningful and indicate a growing level of acceptance that definitely was not there just a few years before , '' says Elliot Imse , Senior Director of Communications at LGBTQ Victory Fund .
Openly trans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Arkansas , California , Colorado , Delaware , Illinois , Kansas , New Hampshire and Vermont .
The LGBTQ Victory Fund reports that the total number of transgender elected officials nationwide will jump from an existing 28 to 32 when new winners take office next year .
Illinois set a milestone electing its first openly transgender person , Jill Rose Quinn , as a judge in Cook County .
Voters in Oklahoma elected Mauree Turner , the first nonbinary person to serve in a state legislature , to state House District 88 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmaker to serve in Oklahoma .
In Delaware , Sarah McBride became the first out trans state senator ever elected in the U.S. Taylor Small became the first openly trans person elected to the Vermont state legislature .
In Kansas , Stephanie Byers became the first openly trans state lawmaker of color elected .
Byers , who is Native American , will represent parts of south Wichita after defeating her Republican challenger with 54 % of the vote in her first run for public office .
Byers is a retired band , orchestra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School where she taught for nearly 30 years .
She said she was relieved to be able to teach at one of the largest high schools in the state without repercussions but worried it would n't be the same when she ran for office this year , calling it `` untried territory in Kansas . ''
`` The only comments that came up were , ' I do n't care about her gender .
What I care about is how she will decide things that will help me and family , ' `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities are the health care needs of Kansans , which are paramount due to the pandemic .
She also wants to reexamine the unemployment system in Kansas , which has been criticized for its slow response as claims soared this year .
`` I 'm still feeling all of this , '' Byers says .
`` I 'm processing through this because I never expected in my lifetime that I would be someone that is making history like this . ''
The results , Byers says , are a sign that our humanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is the best person , '' Byers says , `` not necessarily some sort of identity that becomes a barrier when we look at electing someone . ''
`` It 's inspiring for the trans community .
Ten years ago , no one would have thought that transgender people could win elected office , let alone in Oklahoma or Kansas .
And now , we 're seeing boundaries broken all the time , '' says Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen , Deputy Executive Director at the National Center for Transgender Equality .
While surprising for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Oklahoma and Kansas push back on assumptions about how trans people are viewed .
`` I think openly trans candidates winning in red states just shows that being transgender does n't have to be a liability anymore . ''
Political representation of the trans community is relatively new .
Only in recent years has it become easier for gays and lesbians to win elected offices in the more left-leaning areas of red states , Imse says , and the first transgender person to serve on state legislature was n't elected until 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now also winning in these red states is a great sign because , generally speaking , red states tend to be much more behind blue states in terms of their support for LGBTQ equality , '' says Imse .
In a mark of progress for LGTBQ rights , Heng-Lehtinen says recent elections show that using the transgender community as a wedge issue among voters is n't a winning political strategy .
`` I think it really goes to show that transgender people are everywhere and that when voters get to know a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the issues , '' says Heng-Lehtinen .
While there is still a long way to go in protecting transgender rights , Isme says , the wins are a signal that transgender people are gaining acceptance .
The gains have been hard-won , and the fight for trans rights is far from over .
But the success of so many trans candidates in a time of deep division is an inspiration to the trans and LGBTQ communities .
`` Every single victory has an impact that extends well beyond the boundaries of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won .
It inspires trans people to run in their district or home state and it also humanizes trans people for the American public , which is extremely important in moving equality forward , '' says Isme .
David Garcia is an intern in the KMUW News Lab and a reporter at Wichita State University 's Elliott School of Communication .
Piper McDaniel is an intern on the NPR National Desk .

Trans And Nonbinary Candidates Set Record Wins In Red And Blue States
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for GLSEN Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for GLSEN
In the 2020 general election, voters elected six transgender candidates to state office, a historic turn that will increase the number of trans elected officials in state legislatures from four to seven nationwide.
"For the entire LGBTQ community, but especially for trans people, these victories are incredibly meaningful and indicate a growing level of acceptance that definitely was not there just a few years before," says Elliot Imse, Senior Director of Communications at LGBTQ Victory Fund.
Openly trans candidates were elected, or reelected, in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, New Hampshire and Vermont. The LGBTQ Victory Fund reports that the total number of transgender elected officials nationwide will jump from an existing 28 to 32 when new winners take office next year.
Illinois set a milestone electing its first openly transgender person, Jill Rose Quinn, as a judge in Cook County. Voters in Oklahoma elected Mauree Turner, the first nonbinary person to serve in a state legislature, to state House District 88. Turner is also the first Muslim lawmaker to serve in Oklahoma.
In Delaware, Sarah McBride became the first out trans state senator ever elected in the U.S. Taylor Small became the first openly trans person elected to the Vermont state legislature. In Kansas, Stephanie Byers became the first openly trans state lawmaker of color elected.
Byers, who is Native American, will represent parts of south Wichita after defeating her Republican challenger with 54% of the vote in her first run for public office.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carla Eckels/KMUW Carla Eckels/KMUW
Byers is a retired band, orchestra and jazz teacher at Wichita North High School where she taught for nearly 30 years. She said she was relieved to be able to teach at one of the largest high schools in the state without repercussions but worried it wouldn't be the same when she ran for office this year, calling it "untried territory in Kansas."
"The only comments that came up were, 'I don't care about her gender. What I care about is how she will decide things that will help me and family,' " Byers says.
She says her top priorities are the health care needs of Kansans, which are paramount due to the pandemic. She also wants to reexamine the unemployment system in Kansas, which has been criticized for its slow response as claims soared this year.
"I'm still feeling all of this," Byers says. "I'm processing through this because I never expected in my lifetime that I would be someone that is making history like this."
The results, Byers says, are a sign that our humanity has grown.
"It's about who is the best person," Byers says, "not necessarily some sort of identity that becomes a barrier when we look at electing someone."
"It's inspiring for the trans community. Ten years ago, no one would have thought that transgender people could win elected office, let alone in Oklahoma or Kansas. And now, we're seeing boundaries broken all the time," says Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Deputy Executive Director at the National Center for Transgender Equality.
While surprising for some, Heng-Lehtinen says wins in places like Oklahoma and Kansas push back on assumptions about how trans people are viewed. "I think openly trans candidates winning in red states just shows that being transgender doesn't have to be a liability anymore."
Political representation of the trans community is relatively new. Only in recent years has it become easier for gays and lesbians to win elected offices in the more left-leaning areas of red states, Imse says, and the first transgender person to serve on state legislature wasn't elected until 2017.
"The fact that trans candidates are now also winning in these red states is a great sign because, generally speaking, red states tend to be much more behind blue states in terms of their support for LGBTQ equality," says Imse.
In a mark of progress for LGTBQ rights, Heng-Lehtinen says recent elections show that using the transgender community as a wedge issue among voters isn't a winning political strategy.
"I think it really goes to show that transgender people are everywhere and that when voters get to know a candidate, they judge that candidate based on the issues," says Heng-Lehtinen.
While there is still a long way to go in protecting transgender rights, Isme says, the wins are a signal that transgender people are gaining acceptance.
The gains have been hard-won, and the fight for trans rights is far from over. But the success of so many trans candidates in a time of deep division is an inspiration to the trans and LGBTQ communities.
"Every single victory has an impact that extends well beyond the boundaries of a district [where] that trans candidate won. It inspires trans people to run in their district or home state and it also humanizes trans people for the American public, which is extremely important in moving equality forward," says Isme.
David Garcia is an intern in the KMUW News Lab and a reporter at Wichita State University's Elliott School of Communication. Piper McDaniel is an intern on the NPR National Desk.


npr--2020-11-09--How State Sen. Ernie Chambers Helped Keep Nebraska's Electoral College Votes Split

Nebraska is a heavily Republican state .
But for the second time since 2008 , it 's awarding one of its Electoral College votes to a Democrat .
Nebraska is one of only two states to split Electoral College votes .
Nebraska has five .
Two votes go to the overall state winner , while one vote goes to each of the state 's three congressional districts .
The split system was first used in 1992 in an effort to attract candidates to campaign there .
Since then , state Republicans have tried repeatedly to change back to the winner-take-all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But their efforts have often been thwarted by one longtime progressive state senator : Ernie Chambers .
`` Every person who casts a ballot should have the assurance that that vote is going to count , '' Chambers tells Ari Shapiro on All Things Considered .
`` I 've been able , whenever it came up during my time here , to stop them from doing away with that split vote system . ''
The 2nd Congressional District , which includes Omaha and its suburbs , is now seen as a miniature swing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 52 % to Trump 's 46 % last week .
Chambers , 83 , has represented the heavily Black North Omaha area in the unicameral state Legislature since 1971 .
For most of his career he 's been the lone nonwhite person there .
He 's been elected 12 times .
A measure passed in 2000 with Chambers in mind limits lawmakers to two consecutive terms .
Chambers had to take a term off but was reelected in 2012 .
Now he 's approaching his second term limit .
`` As of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2nd District can still be in a position to give that one electoral vote to whoever wins this district , '' Chambers says .
He likens the ability for the 2nd District to have its own Electoral College vote as people getting `` one taste of sweet nectar '' and they 'll `` never get over it . ''
Strategists had mapped out scenarios where Biden and Trump could each have gotten 269 electoral votes , with Omaha being the place to put one of them over the top .
`` Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the feeling they got from realizing that their vote could mean something , '' he says .
State Republicans have tried at least 15 times in the Legislature to bring back the winner-take-all system that would favor Republicans in the presidential election .
Chambers , known as a master of legislative rules and maneuvers , would often halt the Republican efforts by filibustering .
The closest the state came to overturning the split vote system was in 2016 .
`` I was relentless and I would hold their feet to the fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I offer amendments , which I can speak on .
I offer motions under the rules , which I can speak on .
Then senators who felt that what I was saying was right , but were afraid to speak , would yield me time , '' he says .
`` ...
The more time we spent on that one bill , the less time was available for other legislation that the other senators were interested in .
And that was what I 've done throughout my career . ''
Chambers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official biography lists his occupation as `` Defender of the Downtrodden . ''
He 's dedicated much of his legislative efforts to racial justice .
One of his achievements was leading Nebraska to abolish the death penalty in 2015 , though it was later overturned .
He also wrote laws to institute district instead of at-large elections for Omaha 's city council , which helped Black Omahans gain representation , and he helped ban corporal punishment in schools .
He 's courted controversy as well over the decades , such as when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit against God .
The end of his latest term is coming in January .
He 's quick to point out that he 's not retiring , but has been forced out .
Chambers is open to running again , but will be 87 the next time he 's able to run for his longtime seat in 2024 .
He 's not sure what comes next for him .
`` I look at life as an almost infinite series of existential incidents which are strung together like a string of pearls , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long it will be , but if you take each pearl or live each instant as you 're in that instant , there is nothing you can not endure . ''
Sam Gringlas and Justine Kenin produced and edited the audio interview .

How State Sen. Ernie Chambers Helped Keep Nebraska's Electoral College Votes Split
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nati Harnik/AP Nati Harnik/AP
Nebraska is a heavily Republican state. But for the second time since 2008, it's awarding one of its Electoral College votes to a Democrat.
Nebraska is one of only two states to split Electoral College votes. Nebraska has five. Two votes go to the overall state winner, while one vote goes to each of the state's three congressional districts. The split system was first used in 1992 in an effort to attract candidates to campaign there.
Since then, state Republicans have tried repeatedly to change back to the winner-take-all system seen in most other states. But their efforts have often been thwarted by one longtime progressive state senator: Ernie Chambers.
"Every person who casts a ballot should have the assurance that that vote is going to count," Chambers tells Ari Shapiro on All Things Considered. "I've been able, whenever it came up during my time here, to stop them from doing away with that split vote system."
The 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha and its suburbs, is now seen as a miniature swing state. Biden won the district with 52% to Trump's 46% last week.
Chambers, 83, has represented the heavily Black North Omaha area in the unicameral state Legislature since 1971. For most of his career he's been the lone nonwhite person there. He's been elected 12 times. A measure passed in 2000 with Chambers in mind limits lawmakers to two consecutive terms. Chambers had to take a term off but was reelected in 2012. Now he's approaching his second term limit.
"As of the date that I leave, people in the 2nd District can still be in a position to give that one electoral vote to whoever wins this district," Chambers says.
He likens the ability for the 2nd District to have its own Electoral College vote as people getting "one taste of sweet nectar" and they'll "never get over it."
Strategists had mapped out scenarios where Biden and Trump could each have gotten 269 electoral votes, with Omaha being the place to put one of them over the top.
"Maybe the people in the 2nd District liked the feeling they got from realizing that their vote could mean something," he says.
State Republicans have tried at least 15 times in the Legislature to bring back the winner-take-all system that would favor Republicans in the presidential election.
Chambers, known as a master of legislative rules and maneuvers, would often halt the Republican efforts by filibustering. The closest the state came to overturning the split vote system was in 2016.
"I was relentless and I would hold their feet to the fire," Chambers says of that experience.
"I offer amendments, which I can speak on. I offer motions under the rules, which I can speak on. Then senators who felt that what I was saying was right, but were afraid to speak, would yield me time," he says. "... The more time we spent on that one bill, the less time was available for other legislation that the other senators were interested in. And that was what I've done throughout my career."
Chambers is the longest-serving Nebraska state lawmaker. His official biography lists his occupation as "Defender of the Downtrodden." He's dedicated much of his legislative efforts to racial justice. One of his achievements was leading Nebraska to abolish the death penalty in 2015, though it was later overturned. He also wrote laws to institute district instead of at-large elections for Omaha's city council, which helped Black Omahans gain representation, and he helped ban corporal punishment in schools.
He's courted controversy as well over the decades, such as when he compared police to ISIS or filed a lawsuit against God.
The end of his latest term is coming in January. He's quick to point out that he's not retiring, but has been forced out.
Chambers is open to running again, but will be 87 the next time he's able to run for his longtime seat in 2024. He's not sure what comes next for him.
"I look at life as an almost infinite series of existential incidents which are strung together like a string of pearls," he says. "Nobody knows how long it will be, but if you take each pearl or live each instant as you're in that instant, there is nothing you cannot endure."
Sam Gringlas and Justine Kenin produced and edited the audio interview.


npr--2020-11-09--Mexico's President Is Not Sending Biden Congrats — Just Yet

Mexico 's President Is Not Sending Biden Congrats — Just Yet Mexico 's president says he 's not ready to send felicitaciones to President-elect Joe Biden , saying he wants to wait for U.S. authorities to certify Biden formally as the victor .
`` We can not meddle in the politics of other countries .
... We have to be respectful , '' President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday at his regular morning news conference .
His sitting-on-the-sidelines approach puts him in the company of a shrinking group of foreign leaders who have also chosen to stay silent so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil and Kim Jong Un of North Korea .
López Obrador 's diplomatic snub left many Mexicans wondering if his close relationship with President Trump was the reason for his reluctance to acknowledge Biden 's victory .
The two men forged friendly ties despite Trump 's anti-Mexican rhetoric , tariff threats and the pressure he put on Mexico to enact tough migration policies .
`` It is actually evidence of his lack of courage .
Truth is , unlike the immense majority of governments in Latin America , Mexico 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , choosing subservience and appeasement over dignity .
This is just the natural progression of that shameful policy , '' León Krauze , a Univision anchor and analyst , told NPR .
López Obrador has partly justified the holdup by referring back to his failed 2006 presidential run , a loss he protested for weeks and still disputes .
Whatever the reason for his hesitation now , the approach appears to set the stage for a bumpier path with a Democratic administration .
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro , a Democrat from Texas who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up his displeasure in a tweet .
`` This represents a stunning diplomatic failure by Mexico 's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at a time when the incoming Biden Administration is looking to usher in a new era of friendship and cooperation with Mexico . ''
Carlos Bravo Regidor of the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics in Mexico City said that López Obrador is acting on his own behalf .
`` This is the portrayal of a leader who lacks the capacity to understand that a country 's position in international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's national interests and not in his political preferences .
It is mind-boggling but , unfortunately , it is not that surprising , '' Bravo said .

Mexico's President Is Not Sending Biden Congrats — Just Yet
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ismael Rosas/Eyepix Group/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Ismael Rosas/Eyepix Group/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Mexico's president says he's not ready to send felicitaciones to President-elect Joe Biden, saying he wants to wait for U.S. authorities to certify Biden formally as the victor.
"We cannot meddle in the politics of other countries. ... We have to be respectful," President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday at his regular morning news conference.
His sitting-on-the-sidelines approach puts him in the company of a shrinking group of foreign leaders who have also chosen to stay silent so far: Vladimir Putin of Russia, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil and Kim Jong Un of North Korea.
López Obrador's diplomatic snub left many Mexicans wondering if his close relationship with President Trump was the reason for his reluctance to acknowledge Biden's victory.
The two men forged friendly ties despite Trump's anti-Mexican rhetoric, tariff threats and the pressure he put on Mexico to enact tough migration policies.
"It is actually evidence of his lack of courage. Truth is, unlike the immense majority of governments in Latin America, Mexico's president has been consistently afraid of Trump, choosing subservience and appeasement over dignity. This is just the natural progression of that shameful policy," León Krauze, a Univision anchor and analyst, told NPR.
López Obrador has partly justified the holdup by referring back to his failed 2006 presidential run, a loss he protested for weeks and still disputes.
Whatever the reason for his hesitation now, the approach appears to set the stage for a bumpier path with a Democratic administration.
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas who heads the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, summed up his displeasure in a tweet. "This represents a stunning diplomatic failure by Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at a time when the incoming Biden Administration is looking to usher in a new era of friendship and cooperation with Mexico."
Carlos Bravo Regidor of the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics in Mexico City said that López Obrador is acting on his own behalf.
"This is the portrayal of a leader who lacks the capacity to understand that a country's position in international affairs needs to be based on the country's national interests and not in his political preferences. It is mind-boggling but, unfortunately, it is not that surprising," Bravo said.


npr--2020-11-09--How The Coronavirus Has Affected Individual Members Of Congress

How The Coronavirus Has Affected Individual Members Of Congress Updated on November 9 at 5:20 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--2020-11-09--Coronavirus FAQ: Could COVID-19 Ever Be Considered A Preexisting Condition?

Coronavirus FAQ : Could COVID-19 Ever Be Considered A Preexisting Condition ?
Health insurers used to be able to deny coverage – or charge more – for an applicant who had a preexisting medical condition .
That 's the industry term for a condition that could range from allergies to cancer .
The Affordable Care Act changed all that as of 2014 , guaranteeing coverage for those with preexisting conditions .
But now the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments , starting Tuesday , on a case filed to overturn the Affordable Care Act .
And people are wondering : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cause to deny coverage , would a COVID-19 survivor be in jeopardy ?
Before we discuss this question , it 's important to note that you should n't worry ... yet .
It 's unlikely the court will rule on the case before next spring .
And even if the Supreme Court were to overturn the law , existing coverage contracts would likely stay in place for at least a couple of months , said Larry Levitt , executive vice president for health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the FAQ about COVID-19 .
In pre-ACA days , a bout with a virus might not have been considered a preexisting condition .
That 's because many people tend to recover quickly from viruses .
But in a blog post last week , researchers at the Rand Corp. suggested that COVID-19 could be seen differently by insurers .
`` Given the chronic problems [ which can include organ damage , fatigue and confusion ] associated with some COVID-19 cases , it is possible that some insurers would place restrictions on anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' wrote Carter C. Price , Rand 's senior mathematician , and Raffaele Vardavas , a mathematician at Rand who specializes in infectious disease models .
The researchers said that exclusion might also extend to people who did n't have a positive coronavirus test but did test positive for antibodies to the virus , which indicates they had it or were previously exposed .
`` While a mild case of COVID-19 might not be subject to a preexisting clause , that would be up to insurers to determine , '' said Karen Pollitz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private insurance at the Kaiser Family Foundation .
Pollitz added that insurers could also impose a preexisting exclusion for COVID-19 for anyone at higher risk of getting the virus — such as grocery store clerks or ride-share drivers who are exposed to the public and who test frequently to determine if they have COVID-19 .
`` Just a history of frequent testing could be something insurers could act on , '' Pollitz said .
And that 's not all .
Someone who developed anxiety and/or depression since the start of the pandemic might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition .
Twenty years ago , Kaiser surveyed health insurance underwriters and asked about a similar situation : a hypothetical applicant in perfect health except for `` situational depression '' following the death of a spouse .
According to the survey , `` in 60 applications for coverage , this applicant was denied a quarter of the time , and offered coverage with a surcharged premium and/or benefit exclusions 60 % of the time . ''
So both experts and consumers are concerned that invalidating the Affordable Care Act could mean that once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be covered — and such conditions could include COVID-19 .
Then again , protection for those with preexisting conditions is a popular feature for consumers — and , by extension , their elected officials .
If the ACA is overturned , it 's expected that President-elect Joe Biden would work on new ways to offer coverage for people with preexisting conditions .
Fran Kritz is a health policy reporter based in Washington , D.C. , who has contributed to The Washington Post and Kaiser Health News .
Find her on Twitter : @ @

Coronavirus FAQ: Could COVID-19 Ever Be Considered A Preexisting Condition?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
Health insurers used to be able to deny coverage – or charge more – for an applicant who had a preexisting medical condition. That's the industry term for a condition that could range from allergies to cancer.
The Affordable Care Act changed all that as of 2014, guaranteeing coverage for those with preexisting conditions. But now the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments, starting Tuesday, on a case filed to overturn the Affordable Care Act.
And people are wondering: If preexisting conditions were again to become a cause to deny coverage, would a COVID-19 survivor be in jeopardy?
Before we discuss this question, it's important to note that you shouldn't worry ... yet. It's unlikely the court will rule on the case before next spring.
And even if the Supreme Court were to overturn the law, existing coverage contracts would likely stay in place for at least a couple of months, said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation, in a briefing Monday with reporters.
Now on to the FAQ about COVID-19.
In pre-ACA days, a bout with a virus might not have been considered a preexisting condition. That's because many people tend to recover quickly from viruses.
But in a blog post last week, researchers at the Rand Corp. suggested that COVID-19 could be seen differently by insurers. "Given the chronic problems [which can include organ damage, fatigue and confusion] associated with some COVID-19 cases, it is possible that some insurers would place restrictions on anyone who had a confirmed case of COVID-19," wrote Carter C. Price, Rand's senior mathematician, and Raffaele Vardavas, a mathematician at Rand who specializes in infectious disease models.
The researchers said that exclusion might also extend to people who didn't have a positive coronavirus test but did test positive for antibodies to the virus, which indicates they had it or were previously exposed.
"While a mild case of COVID-19 might not be subject to a preexisting clause, that would be up to insurers to determine," said Karen Pollitz, senior fellow, health reform and private insurance at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Pollitz added that insurers could also impose a preexisting exclusion for COVID-19 for anyone at higher risk of getting the virus — such as grocery store clerks or ride-share drivers who are exposed to the public and who test frequently to determine if they have COVID-19.
"Just a history of frequent testing could be something insurers could act on," Pollitz said.
And that's not all. Someone who developed anxiety and/or depression since the start of the pandemic might also be considered to have a preexisting condition. Twenty years ago, Kaiser surveyed health insurance underwriters and asked about a similar situation: a hypothetical applicant in perfect health except for "situational depression" following the death of a spouse. According to the survey, "in 60 applications for coverage, this applicant was denied a quarter of the time, and offered coverage with a surcharged premium and/or benefit exclusions 60% of the time."
So both experts and consumers are concerned that invalidating the Affordable Care Act could mean that once again, individuals with preexisting conditions might not be covered — and such conditions could include COVID-19.
Then again, protection for those with preexisting conditions is a popular feature for consumers — and, by extension, their elected officials. If the ACA is overturned, it's expected that President-elect Joe Biden would work on new ways to offer coverage for people with preexisting conditions.
Fran Kritz is a health policy reporter based in Washington, D.C., who has contributed to The Washington Post and Kaiser Health News. Find her on Twitter: @fkritz


npr--2020-11-09--On Immigration, Biden's Biggest Promises Likely Hinge On Who Controls The Senate

On Immigration , Biden 's Biggest Promises Likely Hinge On Who Controls The Senate When President Trump took office , he quickly unleashed a torrent of immigration policies — including his first `` travel ban '' on people from majority-Muslim countries .
President-elect Joe Biden is now expected to reverse that policy — along with other controversial Trump administration actions — in the first days of his administration .
But other recent changes to the U.S. immigration system may take months , if not years , to unwind .
And experts say Biden 's ability to reshape the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans retain control of the Senate .
The Trump administration has taken more than 400 executive actions , slashing the flow of legal immigrants to a fraction of what it was when he took office , according to Sarah Pierce , a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute , a Washington , D.C. , nonprofit .
`` Protecting DACA is the floor , not the ceiling '' '' The easiest will be those that can be reversed with one administrative action , such as an executive order , but do n't come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said during a conference with reporters on Monday .
Trump policies that could be reversed relatively quickly include the travel bans on people from 13 countries , many of them with majority-Muslim populations .
The Biden administration is also expected to extend DACA , or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals , the Obama-era policy that protects from deportation immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children .
Pierce said the Biden administration is expected to reinstate DACA in full , allowing applications from tens of thousands of immigrants who have become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration tried to terminate the program .
`` We 're glad to see the Biden transition team is preparing to roll back Trump 's policies that have detained , deported and killed immigrants , '' said Greisa Martinez Rosas , the executive director of United We Dream and a DACA recipient .
`` Protecting DACA is the floor , not the ceiling , of what a Biden-Harris administration must do . ''
Many of the Trump administration 's changes to immigration policy were enacted through regulation and may take longer to undo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that allows the government to deny green cards to immigrants who are considered likely to use public benefits .
The incoming president will also confront a challenging situation at the U.S.-Mexico border .
Biden said during the campaign that he wants to lift the Trump administration 's restrictions on asylum for migrants fleeing gangs and domestic violence .
But it 's unclear how the incoming administration would approach a central component of those restrictions known as Remain in Mexico , or , by its official title , the Migrant Protection Protocols .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait for their day in U.S. immigration courts in dangerous Mexican border towns .
Technically , the Biden administration could end Remain in Mexico with the stroke of a pen — but the logistics of what would happen next are more complicated .
`` They really are in a difficult situation politically , '' said Mark Krikorian , executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies , which advocates for lower levels of immigration .
`` Immigration policy that will dwarf anything Trump did '' Krikorian said Remain in Mexico has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If Biden puts a halt to the policy , Krikorian argues , `` that sends the message to people in El Salvador and Honduras and Guatemala that it 's go time , '' potentially creating a new surge of migrants at the southern border .
Ultimately , Biden 's ability to overhaul the nation 's immigration system will depend largely on which party controls the Senate .
The president-elect has promised to send legislation to Congress in the first 100 days of his administration that would create a pathway to citizenship for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country illegally .
But that bill — as well as any other ambitious agenda items that require congressional approval — would face an uphill battle if Republicans retain control of the Senate .
Short of that , a Biden administration could still use its executive authority to reshape the immigration system piece by piece , as the Trump administration has done .
`` The Biden people can undertake a level of change in immigration policy that will dwarf anything Trump did even without getting anything through Congress , '' said Krikorian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more receptive to Biden 's immigration agenda than they were to Trump 's .
But other observers say that 's unlikely .
`` During the Trump administration , immigration was the top policy priority , '' Pierce said .
`` They poured everything they had into enacting their agenda .
I think under a Biden administration , we 're about to see the pace of immigration changes slowed down significantly . ''

On Immigration, Biden's Biggest Promises Likely Hinge On Who Controls The Senate
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
When President Trump took office, he quickly unleashed a torrent of immigration policies — including his first "travel ban" on people from majority-Muslim countries.
President-elect Joe Biden is now expected to reverse that policy — along with other controversial Trump administration actions — in the first days of his administration.
But other recent changes to the U.S. immigration system may take months, if not years, to unwind. And experts say Biden's ability to reshape the country's immigration system will be sharply limited if Republicans retain control of the Senate.
The Trump administration has taken more than 400 executive actions, slashing the flow of legal immigrants to a fraction of what it was when he took office, according to Sarah Pierce, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit.
"Protecting DACA is the floor, not the ceiling"
"The easiest will be those that can be reversed with one administrative action, such as an executive order, but don't come with heavy logistical challenges," Pierce said during a conference with reporters on Monday.
Trump policies that could be reversed relatively quickly include the travel bans on people from 13 countries, many of them with majority-Muslim populations.
The Biden administration is also expected to extend DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Obama-era policy that protects from deportation immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children.
Pierce said the Biden administration is expected to reinstate DACA in full, allowing applications from tens of thousands of immigrants who have become eligible since 2017, when the Trump administration tried to terminate the program.
"We're glad to see the Biden transition team is preparing to roll back Trump's policies that have detained, deported and killed immigrants," said Greisa Martinez Rosas, the executive director of United We Dream and a DACA recipient. "Protecting DACA is the floor, not the ceiling, of what a Biden-Harris administration must do."
Confront a challenging situation at the U.S.-Mexico border
Many of the Trump administration's changes to immigration policy were enacted through regulation and may take longer to undo, including the "public charge" rule that allows the government to deny green cards to immigrants who are considered likely to use public benefits.
The incoming president will also confront a challenging situation at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Biden said during the campaign that he wants to lift the Trump administration's restrictions on asylum for migrants fleeing gangs and domestic violence. But it's unclear how the incoming administration would approach a central component of those restrictions known as Remain in Mexico, or, by its official title, the Migrant Protection Protocols. That policy has forced more than 60,000 migrants to wait for their day in U.S. immigration courts in dangerous Mexican border towns.
Technically, the Biden administration could end Remain in Mexico with the stroke of a pen — but the logistics of what would happen next are more complicated.
"They really are in a difficult situation politically," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower levels of immigration.
"Immigration policy that will dwarf anything Trump did"
Krikorian said Remain in Mexico has been successful at deterring migration from Central America. If Biden puts a halt to the policy, Krikorian argues, "that sends the message to people in El Salvador and Honduras and Guatemala that it's go time," potentially creating a new surge of migrants at the southern border.
Ultimately, Biden's ability to overhaul the nation's immigration system will depend largely on which party controls the Senate. The president-elect has promised to send legislation to Congress in the first 100 days of his administration that would create a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally.
But that bill — as well as any other ambitious agenda items that require congressional approval — would face an uphill battle if Republicans retain control of the Senate.
Short of that, a Biden administration could still use its executive authority to reshape the immigration system piece by piece, as the Trump administration has done.
"The Biden people can undertake a level of change in immigration policy that will dwarf anything Trump did even without getting anything through Congress," said Krikorian, who argues that federal courts may be more receptive to Biden's immigration agenda than they were to Trump's.
But other observers say that's unlikely.
"During the Trump administration, immigration was the top policy priority," Pierce said. "They poured everything they had into enacting their agenda. I think under a Biden administration, we're about to see the pace of immigration changes slowed down significantly."


npr--2020-11-09--Evo Morales Makes Triumphant Return To Bolivia

Evo Morales , Bolivia 's first Indigenous president and one of Latin America 's most prominent leftists , has made a triumphant return to his home country after being controversially driven from power one year ago .
The socialist leader crossed the border from Argentina on Monday to begin a 625-mile odyssey through the heartland of his support , accompanied by a festive , flag-flourishing convoy of vehicles .
`` Today is one of the most important days of my life , '' he wrote on Twitter as he embarked on his return journey .
`` To be returning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with happiness . ''
He posted footage and pictures showing a large crowd waiting to welcome him home — including many Indigenous people in hats and brightly colored clothing .
Morales ' return comes one day after Luis Arce , his former economy minister , was sworn in as Bolivia 's president , delivering a major victory to the nation 's socialist movement and its allies .
Arce , 57 , surprised observers last month by winning outright in the first round of the presidential election .
A soft-spoken , low-key figure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is politically polarized , and where the economy and health system have been severely battered by the coronavirus pandemic .
Morales crossed into Bolivia after receiving a ceremonial farewell at the La Quiaca border crossing from his host , friend and political ally , Argentine President Alberto Fernández .
This symbolic show of support for Morales from the leader of South America 's second-largest nation will likely irk the neighborhood 's more right-wing leaders , notably President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil , who has been watching the region tilt leftward with disapproval .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but was ousted last year after a failed attempt to extend his rule by seeking a fourth term .
He left office under pressure from the military , amid mass protests and allegations of election irregularities that are still hotly disputed .
He later claimed he was the victim of a right-wing coup .
President Arce has sought to distance himself from his former boss , and has indicated that Morales will have no role in his government for now .
However , Morales ' high profile return is stoking speculation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come-back in more ways than one .

Evo Morales Makes Triumphant Return To Bolivia
Enlarge this image toggle caption Reynaldo Vargas/Getty Images Reynaldo Vargas/Getty Images
Evo Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous president and one of Latin America's most prominent leftists, has made a triumphant return to his home country after being controversially driven from power one year ago.
The socialist leader crossed the border from Argentina on Monday to begin a 625-mile odyssey through the heartland of his support, accompanied by a festive, flag-flourishing convoy of vehicles.
"Today is one of the most important days of my life," he wrote on Twitter as he embarked on his return journey. "To be returning to the country that I love fills me with happiness." He posted footage and pictures showing a large crowd waiting to welcome him home — including many Indigenous people in hats and brightly colored clothing.
Morales' return comes one day after Luis Arce, his former economy minister, was sworn in as Bolivia's president, delivering a major victory to the nation's socialist movement and its allies.
Arce, 57, surprised observers last month by winning outright in the first round of the presidential election. A soft-spoken, low-key figure, he assumes power in a nation that is politically polarized, and where the economy and health system have been severely battered by the coronavirus pandemic.
Morales crossed into Bolivia after receiving a ceremonial farewell at the La Quiaca border crossing from his host, friend and political ally, Argentine President Alberto Fernández.
This symbolic show of support for Morales from the leader of South America's second-largest nation will likely irk the neighborhood's more right-wing leaders, notably President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, who has been watching the region tilt leftward with disapproval.
Morales led Bolivia for nearly 14 years, but was ousted last year after a failed attempt to extend his rule by seeking a fourth term. He left office under pressure from the military, amid mass protests and allegations of election irregularities that are still hotly disputed. He later claimed he was the victim of a right-wing coup.
President Arce has sought to distance himself from his former boss, and has indicated that Morales will have no role in his government for now. However, Morales' high profile return is stoking speculation that the charismatic former president is making a come-back in more ways than one.


npr--2020-11-09--Police Chief Resigns In Arkansas After 'Death To All Marxist Democrats' Messages

Police Chief Resigns In Arkansas After 'Death To All Marxist Democrats ' Messages The police chief of a small town in Arkansas resigned Saturday after posts attributed to him calling for violence and harassment against Democrats were widely circulated .
The town 's mayor says the inflammatory remarks do n't reflect the community .
Lang Holland , the now-former police chief of Marshall , Ark.
, posted the messages on Parler , according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette .
The social media site is frequently used by conservatives .
Statements from an account using Holland 's name include `` Death to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no prisoners leave no survivors !
! ''
according to images of the posts that were shared online by reporters from Little Rock TV station KATV .
Another message said , `` Never let them forget they are traitors and have no right to live in this Republic after what they have done '' — a seeming reference to the presidential election .
The profile also shared fringe QAnon conspiracy theories and claimed the election was stolen , NPR 's Hannah Allam reports .
One post shared an image showing Hillary Clinton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison jumpsuits .
The caption said that anything less than hanging them was `` not acceptable . ''
When the posts attracted attention , Holland initially claimed no involvement , according to KATV 's Viktoria Capek .
But he subsequently resigned after being questioned about the messages , Mayor Kevin Elliott said in a news release .
Elliott strongly condemned the posts , saying , `` The Marshall community does not in any way support or condone bullying or threats of violence to anyone of any political persuasion ! ''
Parler has often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter . ''
The site describes itself as a place where one can `` Speak freely and express yourself openly , without fear of being 'deplatformed ' for your views . ''
News of Holland 's resignation comes as violent rhetoric from pro-Trump circles continues after Joe Biden 's win in a hotly contested presidential election .
Twitter permanently suspended an account associated with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon last week after he suggested in a video posted online Thursday that Dr. Anthony Fauci and FBI Director Christopher Wray should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Jr. also fanned flames with his comments calling for his father to wage `` total war over this election . ''
Holland made news earlier this year for refusing to enforce Arkansas Gov .
Asa Hutchinson 's coronavirus mask mandate .
Holland said at the time that he believed the threat of the virus had been overstated .
Holland could n't be immediately reached for comment Monday .
He served as police chief in the town of about 1,330 people for two years .

Police Chief Resigns In Arkansas After 'Death To All Marxist Democrats' Messages
The police chief of a small town in Arkansas resigned Saturday after posts attributed to him calling for violence and harassment against Democrats were widely circulated. The town's mayor says the inflammatory remarks don't reflect the community.
Lang Holland, the now-former police chief of Marshall, Ark., posted the messages on Parler, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The social media site is frequently used by conservatives.
Statements from an account using Holland's name include "Death to all Marxist Democrats" and "Take no prisoners leave no survivors!!" according to images of the posts that were shared online by reporters from Little Rock TV station KATV.
Another message said, "Never let them forget they are traitors and have no right to live in this Republic after what they have done" — a seeming reference to the presidential election.
The profile also shared fringe QAnon conspiracy theories and claimed the election was stolen, NPR's Hannah Allam reports. One post shared an image showing Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and other Democratic figures in prison jumpsuits. The caption said that anything less than hanging them was "not acceptable."
When the posts attracted attention, Holland initially claimed no involvement, according to KATV's Viktoria Capek. But he subsequently resigned after being questioned about the messages, Mayor Kevin Elliott said in a news release.
Elliott strongly condemned the posts, saying, "The Marshall community does not in any way support or condone bullying or threats of violence to anyone of any political persuasion!"
Parler has often been dubbed the "conservative alternative to Twitter." The site describes itself as a place where one can "Speak freely and express yourself openly, without fear of being 'deplatformed' for your views."
News of Holland's resignation comes as violent rhetoric from pro-Trump circles continues after Joe Biden's win in a hotly contested presidential election.
Twitter permanently suspended an account associated with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon last week after he suggested in a video posted online Thursday that Dr. Anthony Fauci and FBI Director Christopher Wray should be beheaded.
Following the election, Donald Trump Jr. also fanned flames with his comments calling for his father to wage "total war over this election."
Holland made news earlier this year for refusing to enforce Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson's coronavirus mask mandate. Holland said at the time that he believed the threat of the virus had been overstated.
Holland couldn't be immediately reached for comment Monday. He served as police chief in the town of about 1,330 people for two years.


npr--2020-11-09--U.S. Confirmed Coronavirus Infections Hit 10 Million

More than 10 million people have now been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus in the United States as the spread of the virus accelerates at an alarming pace across the nation .
The U.S. now accounts for about one-fifth of all of the 50 million infections worldwide , more than any other nation .
The data comes from Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. also is also in the unenviable position of suffering more deaths than any other country .
More than 237,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. , and more than 1,000 are frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This did n't have to happen , '' says Jeffrey Shaman , an infectious disease expert at Columbia University .
The grim milestone comes as the number of new infections is setting records from coast-to-coast in the third and most widespread surge in reported infections since the pandemic began .
And there are many more cases that have occurred but that have not been detected or confirmed , since many people are unaware they are infected .
It took only 10 days for the total tally to increase from 9 million .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per day and could exceed 200,000 new cases per day by Thanksgiving .
`` It 's entered the exponential phase , and that means it 's going to get worse and , frankly , a lot worse before it gets better , '' Dr. Thomas Frieden , a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The Midwest is being hit the hardest , but no part of the nation is being spared .
The spiraling epidemic is pushing hospitals to the limit .
Nearly 57,000 people are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just before many people will travel and many families will gathering for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays , raising fears the spread could intensify even further .
It also comes as the cold weather of winter will force people to spend more time indoors , which is the virus spreads the most .
Flu season is also intensifying .
`` This is a terrible time .
The confluence of factors here is extremely problematic , '' says Frieden .
`` This is a very dangerous time . ''
But while `` this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an opportunity to control the pandemic , '' says Dr. Carlos del Rio , an infectious disease expert at Emory University .
But `` we can not wait until Jan. 21 , '' says Del Rio , referring to the beginning of the Biden administration .
The current administration should take more aggressive steps now , he says .
`` We need a national mask mandate now , '' Del Rio says .
`` We all need to 'step up our game ' and use a face mask all the time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social dancing , wash our hands and avoid crowded congregate and not well ventilated places .
Wearing a face mask should not be a partisan issue , it should be a public health priority . ''

U.S. Confirmed Coronavirus Infections Hit 10 Million
Enlarge this image toggle caption Go Nakamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images Go Nakamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images
More than 10 million people have now been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus in the United States as the spread of the virus accelerates at an alarming pace across the nation.
The U.S. now accounts for about one-fifth of all of the 50 million infections worldwide, more than any other nation. The data comes from Johns Hopkins University.
The U.S. also is also in the unenviable position of suffering more deaths than any other country. More than 237,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S., and more than 1,000 are frequently dying on a daily basis.
"This didn't have to happen," says Jeffrey Shaman, an infectious disease expert at Columbia University.
The grim milestone comes as the number of new infections is setting records from coast-to-coast in the third and most widespread surge in reported infections since the pandemic began. And there are many more cases that have occurred but that have not been detected or confirmed, since many people are unaware they are infected.
It took only 10 days for the total tally to increase from 9 million. The U.S. is currently averaging more than 100,000 cases per day and could exceed 200,000 new cases per day by Thanksgiving.
"It's entered the exponential phase, and that means it's going to get worse and, frankly, a lot worse before it gets better," Dr. Thomas Frieden, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Midwest is being hit the hardest, but no part of the nation is being spared.
The spiraling epidemic is pushing hospitals to the limit. Nearly 57,000 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.
The surge comes just before many people will travel and many families will gathering for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, raising fears the spread could intensify even further. It also comes as the cold weather of winter will force people to spend more time indoors, which is the virus spreads the most. Flu season is also intensifying.
"This is a terrible time. The confluence of factors here is extremely problematic," says Frieden. "This is a very dangerous time."
But while "this is currently out of control, we still have an opportunity to control the pandemic," says Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious disease expert at Emory University.
But "we cannot wait until Jan. 21," says Del Rio, referring to the beginning of the Biden administration. The current administration should take more aggressive steps now, he says.
"We need a national mask mandate now," Del Rio says. "We all need to 'step up our game' and use a face mask all the time we are in a public place, practice social distancing, wash our hands and avoid crowded congregate and not well ventilated places. Wearing a face mask should not be a partisan issue, it should be a public health priority."