npr--2020-12-02--Lawmakers Barrel Ahead On Defense Bill Plans, Balking At Trump Veto Threat

A bipartisan group of lawmakers , including key Republican leaders , are balking at President Trump 's latest threat to veto the annual defense bill , barreling ahead with plans to finalize their plan .
On Tuesday , Trump threatened to veto the critical policy bill if it does n't include a move to repeal a legal protection for social media companies .
But on Wednesday , there was no sign of budging among critical lawmakers who are involved in crafting a final version of the bill .
`` I feel just as passionate about that as he does .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have is , I do n't want it on this bill , '' said Oklahoma Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe , chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a key architect of the legislation .
The massive annual bill sets policy for the Pentagon and military service members — one that , because of its size and importance , passes overwhelmingly nearly every year .
It includes everything from plans on boosting troop levels and equipment to pay increases .
Inhofe said while the defense bill has some language related to Section 230 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the target of Trump 's ire — it does n't repeal it as the president demands .
And Inhofe said he told Trump that directly .
`` We just had an honest disagreement , '' Inhofe said of a recent conversation .
Trump tweeted late Tuesday that Section 230 , which provides the legal protection for technology companies over content from third parties and users , was `` a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity . ''
Senate Majority Whip John Thune , R-S.D.
, said such a repeal should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate Commerce Committee , and not Armed Services .
`` There 's a normal legislative path for doing Section 230 , and a number of good ideas about how to reform it , that would be my preference , '' Thune told Capitol Hill reporters .
In a joint statement , Washington Democratic Rep. Adam Smith , the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee , and Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry , the panel 's top ranking Republican , noted too much is at stake with the legislation to derail efforts now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,200 provisions of the plan to reach an agreement , which addresses hazardous duty pay for servicemembers , military housing improvements and $ 8.4 billion in construction projects .
The House passed its version of the defense bill in July by a vote of 295 to 125 .
`` For 59 straight years , the NDAA has passed because Members of Congress and Presidents of both parties have set aside their own policy objectives and partisan preferences and put the needs of our military personnel and America 's security first , '' they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that again . ''
This is n't the first time Trump has threatened to veto the defense bill .
In June , he said he would veto the bill if it still contained a provision to rename military installations named for figures from the Confederacy .
That effort is contained in both the Senate and House versions of the bill .
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who spearheaded that effort , says it remains in the bill .
Trump previously targeted Warren specifically in his first veto threat .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measure , which is known as the National Defense Authorization Act .
`` He 's not vetoing over Section 230 , '' Warren told reporters .
`` He 's just trying to use the NDAA as a way to punish companies that he thinks are not pushing his propaganda . ''
Thune also noted that Senate approved the defense bill with a large majority of the chamber with Warren 's provision intact .
So he expects a repeat of that support once the bill is finalized .
The Senate approved the measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 14 .
`` My assumption is it would have broad bipartisan support as long as it did n't mess with that issue in some way , '' Thune said .
However , Trump remains a wildcard on whether he would sign off on plan , which could now reject his two veto demands made in recent months .
Inhofe conceded he is n't clear if Trump will back off the threats and sign the bill , or if lawmakers will have a veto-proof majority to override a possible veto .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Inhofe 's counterpart on the Armed Services Committee , Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed , the panel 's top ranking Democrat , also notes Congress has run out of time to even debate a Section 230 repeal within the defense bill .
Members from both chambers began their conference talks several weeks ago .
`` It 's just too late to begin to do thorough legislation on a complex topic like this .
And we have to get the bill done , '' Reed told reporters .
Inhofe was n't alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ultimate fate this year .
If approved this month , it would mark the 60th consecutive year of passage .
If not , it would break a streak that would mark a tough political failure for lawmakers .
However , some say they could also restart talks under the new administration for President-elect Biden next month if the bill fails under the Trump administration .
`` We would essentially have to come back and the new Congress , begin from scratch , '' Reed said , noting it could perhaps be done @ @ @ @

Lawmakers Barrel Ahead On Defense Bill Plans, Not Balking At Trump Veto Threat
Enlarge this image toggle caption Anna Moneymaker/AP Anna Moneymaker/AP
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including key Republican leaders, isn't balking at President Trump's latest threat to veto the annual defense bill, instead barreling ahead with plans to finalize the plan.
On Tuesday, Trump threatened to veto the critical policy bill if it doesn't include a move to repeal a legal protection for social media companies.
But on Wednesday, there was no sign of budging among critical lawmakers who are involved in crafting a final version of the bill.
"I feel just as passionate about that as he does. The only difference of opinion that we have is, I don't want it on this bill," said Oklahoma Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a key architect of the legislation.
The massive annual bill sets policy for the Pentagon and military service members — one that, because of its size and importance, passes overwhelmingly nearly every year. It includes everything from plans on boosting troop levels and equipment to pay increases.
Inhofe said while the defense bill has some language related to Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act — the target of Trump's ire — it doesn't repeal it as the president demands. And Inhofe said he told Trump that directly.
"We just had an honest disagreement," Inhofe said of a recent conversation.
Trump tweeted late Tuesday that Section 230, which provides the legal protection for technology companies over content from third parties and users, was "a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity."
Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said such a repeal should involve the correct committee of jurisdiction, the Senate Commerce Committee, and not Armed Services.
"There's a normal legislative path for doing Section 230, and a number of good ideas about how to reform it, that would be my preference," Thune told Capitol Hill reporters.
In a joint statement, Washington Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry, the panel's top ranking Republican, noted too much is at stake with the legislation to derail efforts now.
They noted they had toiled through 2,200 provisions of the plan to reach an agreement, which addresses hazardous duty pay for servicemembers, military housing improvements and $8.4 billion in construction projects.
The House passed its version of the defense bill in July by a vote of 295 to 125.
"For 59 straight years, the NDAA has passed because Members of Congress and Presidents of both parties have set aside their own policy objectives and partisan preferences and put the needs of our military personnel and America's security first," they said. "The time has come to do that again."
This isn't the first time Trump has threatened to veto the defense bill. In June, he said he would veto the bill if it still contained a provision to rename military installations named for figures from the Confederacy. That effort is contained in both the Senate and House versions of the bill.
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who spearheaded that effort, says it remains in the bill. Trump previously targeted Warren specifically in his first veto threat.
She also blasted Trump's new attack on the measure, which is known as the National Defense Authorization Act.
"He's not vetoing over Section 230," Warren told reporters. "He's just trying to use the NDAA as a way to punish companies that he thinks are not pushing his propaganda."
Thune also noted that Senate approved the defense bill with a large majority of the chamber with Warren's provision intact. So he expects a repeat of that support once the bill is finalized.
The Senate approved the measure in July by a vote of 86 to 14.
"My assumption is it would have broad bipartisan support as long as it didn't mess with that issue in some way," Thune said.
However, Trump remains a wildcard on whether he would sign off on plan, which could now reject his two veto demands made in recent months.
Inhofe conceded he isn't clear if Trump will back off the threats and sign the bill, or if lawmakers will have a veto-proof majority to override a possible veto.
"I don't know that," Inhofe said.
Inhofe's counterpart on the Armed Services Committee, Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the panel's top ranking Democrat, also notes Congress has run out of time to even debate a Section 230 repeal within the defense bill. Members from both chambers began their conference talks several weeks ago.
"It's just too late to begin to do thorough legislation on a complex topic like this. And we have to get the bill done," Reed told reporters.
Inhofe wasn't alone in his confusion on the defense bill's ultimate fate this year.
If approved this month, it would mark the 60th consecutive year of passage. If not, it would break a streak that would mark a tough political failure for lawmakers.
However, some say they could also restart talks under the new administration for President-elect Biden next month if the bill fails under the Trump administration.
"We would essentially have to come back and the new Congress, begin from scratch," Reed said, noting it could perhaps be done "quickly."


npr--2020-12-03--A Pandemic Reprieve For Mountain Resorts And For Skiers

A Pandemic Reprieve For Mountain Resorts And For Skiers Leaders in the winter sports industry have worked to ensure that ski resorts across the country could safely open this winter .
Measures such as mask mandates and social distancing are in place .
A limited number of guests are allowed each day .
And many resorts require guests to reserve their days on the slopes ahead of time .
Every year , over 50 million visitors escape to America 's 470 mountain resorts to ski and snowboard .
The industry generates $ 55 billion annually and supports over a half-million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season came to a halt .
An estimated $ 2 billion was lost when 93 % of ski resorts closed as the coronavirus began to envelop the nation .
Alterra Mountain Company and Vail Resorts are two of the biggest names in the skiing and snowboarding .
Both mountain monoliths have been preparing for the new season since they were forced to shut down in March .
They released their plan for the season months ago .
`` We knew it would look different .
And one of the big things we realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that our guests understood what it was going to look like , '' said Sara Olson , vice president of communication at Vail Resorts .
`` That is why we focused so much on putting out a plan ahead of time and then communicating with guests along the way . ''
This season , both Alterra and Vail prioritize season pass holders , their most loyal customers .
Season pass sales allow resorts to lock in revenue , which brings them some stability as the season starts .
Resorts will sell single-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total number of daily visitors , according to Rusty Gregory , Alterra 's chief executive officer .
Numerous data sets are considered to decide how many tickets can be sold .
Planners take into account the number of season passes sold , where the passholders live , what resorts they 've visited in the past , the type of terrain at each mountain , and snow conditions .
`` We can run algorithms against that to determine within some reasonable degree of accuracy , how many pass holders are likely to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gregory said .
`` Then we take the reduced capacities that we 're holding ourselves to , to make sure that people can maintain adequate social distancing , and we put all that together . ''
Limiting the number of visitors each day is easy enough ; math does most of the work .
But ski resorts are held to the same health regulations as other businesses , Gregory and Olson said .
Alterra and Vail both have staff dedicated to make sure visitors wear masks and stay six feet apart .
Pat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been snowboarding for 25 years .
He currently lives in South Lake Tahoe , Nev. , and has spent several days riding at Sierra at Tahoe , a resort just over the state line in California .
Moore said things on the hill seem pretty cool .
Everyone follows the rules to ensure the mountain stays open .
`` I would say that when we were at the resort that was the safest that I 've felt other than being home , '' he said .
`` We 've been seeing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , keeping people safely distanced , making sure people are wearing their masks . ''
The mountains can provide people with a much-needed release from the pandemic stress .
Which may be why guests are so eager to follow the rules .
With amenities like indoor dining closed , everyone is eating outside .
Some skiers and riders are even taking to the parking lots to eat their lunch , Moore said .
The personal responsibility visitors have demonstrated during the early season is promising , Olson said .
Many guests politely remind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to stay six feet apart .
Neither the staff nor visitors want to see the season end until the snow is gone .
`` If we 've learned anything during this pandemic , it 's that people want to be outdoors , '' Olson said .
`` It is the one reprieve that people are able to have during this pandemic .
...
The ski season looks different this year , but the skiing and riding is the same . ''

A Pandemic Reprieve For Mountain Resorts And For Skiers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Christian Pondella/Mammoth Mountain Christian Pondella/Mammoth Mountain
Leaders in the winter sports industry have worked to ensure that ski resorts across the country could safely open this winter. Measures such as mask mandates and social distancing are in place. A limited number of guests are allowed each day. And many resorts require guests to reserve their days on the slopes ahead of time.
Every year, over 50 million visitors escape to America's 470 mountain resorts to ski and snowboard. The industry generates $55 billion annually and supports over a half-million jobs. But last spring, the season came to a halt. An estimated $2 billion was lost when 93% of ski resorts closed as the coronavirus began to envelop the nation.
Alterra Mountain Company and Vail Resorts are two of the biggest names in the skiing and snowboarding. Both mountain monoliths have been preparing for the new season since they were forced to shut down in March. They released their plan for the season months ago.
"We knew it would look different. And one of the big things we realized is that we would need to make sure that our guests understood what it was going to look like," said Sara Olson, vice president of communication at Vail Resorts. "That is why we focused so much on putting out a plan ahead of time and then communicating with guests along the way."
This season, both Alterra and Vail prioritize season pass holders, their most loyal customers. Season pass sales allow resorts to lock in revenue, which brings them some stability as the season starts.
Resorts will sell single-day lift tickets, but they are limiting the total number of daily visitors, according to Rusty Gregory, Alterra's chief executive officer. Numerous data sets are considered to decide how many tickets can be sold. Planners take into account the number of season passes sold, where the passholders live, what resorts they've visited in the past, the type of terrain at each mountain, and snow conditions.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Peter Morning/Mammoth Mountain Peter Morning/Mammoth Mountain
"We can run algorithms against that to determine within some reasonable degree of accuracy, how many pass holders are likely to show up on a given day," Gregory said. "Then we take the reduced capacities that we're holding ourselves to, to make sure that people can maintain adequate social distancing, and we put all that together."
Limiting the number of visitors each day is easy enough; math does most of the work. But ski resorts are held to the same health regulations as other businesses, Gregory and Olson said. Alterra and Vail both have staff dedicated to make sure visitors wear masks and stay six feet apart.
Pat Moore is a New Hampshire native who has been snowboarding for 25 years. He currently lives in South Lake Tahoe, Nev., and has spent several days riding at Sierra at Tahoe, a resort just over the state line in California. Moore said things on the hill seem pretty cool. Everyone follows the rules to ensure the mountain stays open.
"I would say that when we were at the resort that was the safest that I've felt other than being home," he said. "We've been seeing a lot of additional employees and infrastructure around, keeping people safely distanced, making sure people are wearing their masks."
The mountains can provide people with a much-needed release from the pandemic stress. Which may be why guests are so eager to follow the rules. With amenities like indoor dining closed, everyone is eating outside. Some skiers and riders are even taking to the parking lots to eat their lunch, Moore said.
The personal responsibility visitors have demonstrated during the early season is promising, Olson said. Many guests politely remind one another to keep their masks on and to stay six feet apart. Neither the staff nor visitors want to see the season end until the snow is gone.
"If we've learned anything during this pandemic, it's that people want to be outdoors," Olson said. "It is the one reprieve that people are able to have during this pandemic. ... The ski season looks different this year, but the skiing and riding is the same."


npr--2020-12-03--How Rich Countries Are 'Hoarding' The World's Vaccines, In Charts

How Rich Countries Are 'Hoarding ' The World 's Vaccines , In Charts Healthcare workers first , along with residents and staff of nursing homes .
Those people should receive the COVID-19 vaccine before anyone else , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday .
That recommendation applies to the U.S .
But what about healthcare workers in other countries ?
Or the elderly with health conditions ?
Should a nurse in Peru , who 's at high risk of catching the virus , be immunized before a person with low risk in the U.S. receives the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisor with the global aid organization Oxfam , thinks that strategy makes sense both scientifically and morally .
`` I work in front of a computer , right now , in the safety of my home , '' he says .
`` I would be happy to withhold taking a vaccine so that a granny with a medical condition in Kuala Lumpur or in Lima , Peru , can get access to the vaccine .
I think a lot of people will feel that way . ''
But , he says , right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Low-risk people in the U.S. will likely be immunized before many high-risk people in poor countries .
`` Part of the reason is that rich countries are hoarding the vaccine supply , '' Lusiani says .
`` It 's understandable , to a certain extent that you want to protect your own people .
That being said , it 's leaving a lot of people out . ''
When the pandemic began , rich countries went on a buying spree .
Some have even called it `` panic buying . ''
These countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase experimental COVID-19 vaccines , even before clinical trials had finished .
The details of many such agreements are not public , NPR has reported .
At the time , no one knew which experimental vaccine would work .
So rich countries were hedging their bets .
But now , it looks like many of the vaccines will be effective .
Vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna appear to be more than 90 % effective .
Both companies have already asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize emergency use of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not too far behind .
Last week , the company said its vaccine was likely about 70 % effective .
When these doses become available over the next year , some wealthy counties will likely end up with more vaccine than they need , says Andrea Taylor , who helps direct the Duke Global Health Innovation Center .
The U.S. will probably have enough doses to vaccinate their population two times over .
And Canada will have enough for their population five times over .
`` Our data show that almost 10 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
`` And the majority of those doses have been purchased by high-income countries . ''
For example , nearly all the Pfizer doses are going to rich countries .
And the initial doses from Moderna are going to go to the U.S. , Taylor says , leaving little vaccine for people in poor countries this year and possibly into 2022 as well .
Some people likely wo n't be immunized until 2023 , Taylor and her colleagues estimate .
`` There are very significant inequalities , '' she says .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close at all over the last couple of months . ''
That said , there 's good news , says Kalipso Chalkidou , who directs global health policy at the Center for Global Development .
Half of the doses of vaccine from AstraZeneca and its partner Oxford University is going to low- and middle-income countries .
At least 500 million doses will go to India and 300 million doses will go COVAX , a World Health Organization initiative that helps poorest countries acquire doses .
For several reasons , the AstraZeneca vaccine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap in accessibility around the world , Chalkidou says .
First off , this vaccine is also easier to transport and store because it requires only refrigeration .
Moderna 's vaccine needs to be stored in a freezer , and Pfizer 's vaccine requires a special type of freezer that many clinics and hospitals do not have .
AstraZeneca is also rapidly scaling up manufacturing by sharing their technology with other vaccine makers .
The company has already made an agreement with the Serum Institute of India , the largest vaccine manufacturer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of doses next year .
Finally , the AstraZeneca vaccine is going to be a lot cheaper than other vaccines .
It will like cost less than a fifth of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines .
`` AstraZeneca has signaled that they want to make this available to people in in poorer countries at the lowest price possible , effectively at a cost .
That 's quite important , '' Chalkidou says .
Because if the world wants to end this pandemic , she says , it needs to produce billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but an affordable one .

How Rich Countries Are 'Hoarding' The World's Vaccines, In Charts
Loading...
Health care workers first, along with residents and staff of nursing homes. Those people should receive the COVID-19 vaccine before anyone else, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.
That recommendation applies to the U.S. But what about health care workers in other countries? Or the elderly with health conditions? Should a nurse in Peru, who's at high risk of catching the virus, be immunized before a person with low risk in the U.S. receives the vaccine?
Niko Lusiani, a senior advisor with the global aid organization Oxfam, thinks that strategy makes sense both scientifically and morally.
About Goats and Soda Goats and Soda is NPR's global health and development blog. We tell stories of life in our changing world, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. And we keep in mind that we're all neighbors in this global village. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Learn more about our team and coverage.
"I work in front of a computer, right now, in the safety of my home," he says. "I would be happy to withhold taking a vaccine so that a granny with a medical condition in Kuala Lumpur or in Lima, Peru, can get access to the vaccine. I think a lot of people will feel that way."
But, he says, right now the opposite will likely occur: Low-risk people in the U.S. will likely be immunized before many high-risk people in poor countries.
"Part of the reason is that rich countries are hoarding the vaccine supply," Lusiani says. "It's understandable, to a certain extent that you want to protect your own people. That being said, it's leaving a lot of people out."
When the pandemic began, rich countries went on a buying spree. Some have even called it "panic buying." These countries started making agreements with pharmaceutical companies to purchase experimental COVID-19 vaccines, even before clinical trials had finished. The details of many such agreements are not public, NPR has reported.
Loading...
At the time, no one knew which experimental vaccine would work. So rich countries were hedging their bets. But now, it looks like many of the vaccines will be effective.
Vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna appear to be more than 90% effective. Both companies have already asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccines. And AstraZeneca is likely not too far behind. Last week, the company said its vaccine was likely about 70% effective.
When these doses become available over the next year, some wealthy counties will likely end up with more vaccine than they need, says Andrea Taylor, who helps direct the Duke Global Health Innovation Center. The U.S. will probably have enough doses to vaccinate their population two times over. And Canada will have enough for their population five times over.
"Our data show that almost 10 billion doses have been reserved," Taylor says. "And the majority of those doses have been purchased by high-income countries."
For example, nearly all the Pfizer doses are going to rich countries. And the initial doses from Moderna are going to go to the U.S., Taylor says, leaving little vaccine for people in poor countries this year and possibly into 2022 as well. Some people likely won't be immunized until 2023, Taylor and her colleagues estimate.
"There are very significant inequalities," she says. "We have really not seen those inequalities close at all over the last couple of months."
That said, there's good news, says Kalipso Chalkidou, who directs global health policy at the Center for Global Development. Half of the doses of vaccine from AstraZeneca and its partner Oxford University is going to low- and middle-income countries. At least 500 million doses will go to India and 300 million doses will go COVAX, a World Health Organization initiative that helps poorest countries acquire doses.
For several reasons, the AstraZeneca vaccine is going to be critical for closing the gap in accessibility around the world, Chalkidou says. First off, this vaccine is also easier to transport and store because it requires only refrigeration. Moderna's vaccine needs to be stored in a freezer, and Pfizer's vaccine requires a special type of freezer that many clinics and hospitals do not have.
AstraZeneca is also rapidly scaling up manufacturing by sharing their technology with other vaccine makers. The company has already made an agreement with the Serum Institute of India, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world, to produce hundreds of millions of doses next year.
Finally, the AstraZeneca vaccine is going to be a lot cheaper than other vaccines. It will like cost less than a fifth of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
"AstraZeneca has signaled that they want to make this available to people in in poorer countries at the lowest price possible, effectively at a cost. That's quite important," Chalkidou says.
Because if the world wants to end this pandemic, she says, it needs to produce billions of doses of not just a vaccine, but an affordable one.


npr--2020-12-03--'There's No Quick Fix For COVID-19,' Cautions Pennsylvania Secretary Of Health

'There 's No Quick Fix For COVID-19 , ' Cautions Pennsylvania Secretary Of Health For all the hope being placed in a coronavirus vaccine , Pennsylvania 's secretary of health delivered a sobering note of caution Thursday on how long it will take to bring the pandemic under control .
A vaccine is `` the light at the end of the tunnel , '' she said , `` but there 's no quick fix to COVID-19 . ''
In an interview with All Things Considered , Dr. Rachel Levine outlined a laundry list of issues that state health officials nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate vaccines appear on the cusp of approval by the Food and Drug Administration .
They cover everything from funding for distribution and how to safely store the vaccine at subzero temperatures , to more basic questions like how many doses will be available and when .
`` There are many things that keep me awake at night in regards to this global pandemic , '' Levine , who is also president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials , told NPR 's Ari Shapiro .
`` This is a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have n't seen anything like this in 102 years , '' she said , referring to the flu pandemic of 1918 .
Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the first vaccines in Pennsylvania and across the country will go to health care workers and residents in long-term care facilities .
CVS and Walgreens will work with Operation Warp Speed — the federal government program to fast-track the development and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines — to administer the vaccine to long-term care residents , Levine said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care workers .
`` We do n't know exactly how many doses we 're going to get in that first shipment , '' she said .
`` We 'll be looking at the end of next week , or certainly when they 're going to be sent out , to know exactly how many doses we 're going to get in the first week . ''
With initial supplies expected to be limited , Levine said officials will need to determine which doctors and nurses will be first in line .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first or only those who treat COVID-19 patients ?
She said the state are finalizing plans that hospitals can use for prioritizing within the priority groups .
One factor beyond her control is funding .
The federal government has spent billions on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine , but Levine said only $ 340 million has been allocated to states for vaccine distribution and administration .
`` It will be essential for the federal government to provide more funding to the states , territories and cities that will be tasked with administering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Levine said Pennsylvania is ready , but she acknowledged the scope of the challenge .
On Thursday alone , she noted , the state was reporting more than 11,000 new infections .
`` The basic public health tool of containment ... is extremely difficult for public health [ officials ] to do when we 're seeing this type of widespread community transmission . ''
A vaccine holds promise , she said , but it wo n't solve the crisis overnight .
She said it could be autumn of 2021 before there are enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is not a quick fix .
And I think that it really shows that we all have to work together and stand united to stop the spread of this virus . ''

'There's No Quick Fix For COVID-19,' Cautions Pennsylvania Secretary Of Health
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt Slocum/AP Matt Slocum/AP
For all the hope being placed in a coronavirus vaccine, Pennsylvania's secretary of health delivered a sobering note of caution Thursday on how long it will take to bring the pandemic under control. A vaccine is "the light at the end of the tunnel," she said, "but there's no quick fix to COVID-19."
In an interview with All Things Considered, Dr. Rachel Levine outlined a laundry list of issues that state health officials nationwide are racing to resolve now that two separate vaccines appear on the cusp of approval by the Food and Drug Administration. They cover everything from funding for distribution and how to safely store the vaccine at subzero temperatures, to more basic questions like how many doses will be available and when.
"There are many things that keep me awake at night in regards to this global pandemic," Levine, who is also president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, told NPR's Ari Shapiro. "This is a public health emergency of epic proportions, and we haven't seen anything like this in 102 years," she said, referring to the flu pandemic of 1918.
Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first vaccines in Pennsylvania and across the country will go to health care workers and residents in long-term care facilities. CVS and Walgreens will work with Operation Warp Speed — the federal government program to fast-track the development and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines — to administer the vaccine to long-term care residents, Levine said, while the state will manage distribution to health care workers.
"We don't know exactly how many doses we're going to get in that first shipment," she said. "We'll be looking at the end of next week, or certainly when they're going to be sent out, to know exactly how many doses we're going to get in the first week."
With initial supplies expected to be limited, Levine said officials will need to determine which doctors and nurses will be first in line. For example, should older workers get them first or only those who treat COVID-19 patients? She said the state is finalizing plans that hospitals can use for prioritizing within the priority groups.
One factor beyond her control is funding. The federal government has spent billions on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, but Levine said only $340 million has been allocated to states for vaccine distribution and administration.
"It will be essential for the federal government to provide more funding to the states, territories and cities that will be tasked with administering the vaccine," she said.
Levine said Pennsylvania is ready, but she acknowledged the scope of the challenge. On Thursday alone, she noted, the state was reporting more than 11,000 new infections.
"The basic public health tool of containment ... is extremely difficult for public health [officials] to do when we're seeing this type of widespread community transmission."
A vaccine holds promise, she said, but it won't solve the crisis overnight. She said it could be autumn of 2021 before there are enough vaccines for distribution to the general public.
"This is not a quick fix. And I think that it really shows that we all have to work together and stand united to stop the spread of this virus."


npr--2020-12-03--Democrats Push 'Abolition Amendment' To Fully Erase Slavery From U.S. Constitution

Democrats Push 'Abolition Amendment ' To Fully Erase Slavery From U.S. Constitution As the nation grapples with issues of racial injustice and social inequality , lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pushing to remove the so-called slavery loophole from the United States Constitution .
With the adoption and ratification of the 13th Amendment 155 years ago , the practice of slavery formally ended in this country , but it did not strip away all aspects of involuntary servitude .
A joint resolution dubbed the Abolition Amendment , introduced by Democrats in the House and Senate Wednesday , seeks to correct that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' clause from the amendment , which effectively allows members of prison populations to be used as cheap and free labor .
`` Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude , except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted , shall exist within the United States , or any place subject to their jurisdiction , '' Section 1 of the amendment states .
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley , one of the Democrats leading the effort to amend the Constitution , put the change in the context of the overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on the long and difficult challenge of rooting out systemic racism in our nation , ending the slavery loophole in the 13th Amendment is [ a ] critical step in that challenge , '' Merkley said in a statement .
`` Slavery is our nation 's original sin and this loophole has been exploited for far too long to criminalize Black and Brown Americans , '' he said .
Rep. Lacy Clay , D-Mo.
, who is leading the amendment effort in the House , seeks to `` finish the job that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` No American should ever be subject to involuntary servitude , even if they are incarcerated , '' he said .
The measure has more than a dozen cosponsors , however no Republicans in either chamber are currently signed on to measure .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , who caucuses with the Democrats , is a cosponsor .
The minimum estimated annual value of incarcerated labor from U.S. prisons and jails is $ 2 billion , according to the nonprofit Prison Policy Initiative .
And as NPR reported in July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Whole Foods and Victoria 's Secret have used incarcerated populations for their business operations .
The Associated Press , which first reported the news of the congressional push to alter the 13th Amendment , notes that the reliance on prison labor is a generally touted as a way to rehabilitate inmates and provide an environment for teaching them new trade skills .
It 's unlikely the effort will be taken up , let alone passed , before the current session of Congress ends in a few weeks .
But Merkley told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation after the next session starts in January .
Should that happen , a new lead sponsor from the House would be needed , as Clay was defeated during the Democratic primary earlier this year by Cori Bush .
Bush , a nurse and Black Lives Matter activist , won her general election race last month and will enter as a freshman member of the House when Congress convenes in January .
Article V of the Constitution allows for a change in the founding document only after a two-thirds majority of both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a constitutional convention in which two-thirds of state legislatures vote to support the measure .
None of the Constitution 's 27 amendments have been proposed by constitutional convention .

Democrats Push 'Abolition Amendment' To Fully Erase Slavery From U.S. Constitution
Enlarge this image toggle caption bonniej/Getty Images bonniej/Getty Images
As the nation grapples with issues of racial injustice and social inequality, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pushing to remove the so-called slavery loophole from the United States Constitution.
With the adoption and ratification of the 13th Amendment 155 years ago, the practice of slavery formally ended in this country, but it did not strip away all aspects of involuntary servitude.
A joint resolution dubbed the Abolition Amendment, introduced by Democrats in the House and Senate Wednesday, seeks to correct that. It would remove the "punishment" clause from the amendment, which effectively allows members of prison populations to be used as cheap and free labor.
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction," Section 1 of the amendment states.
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, one of the Democrats leading the effort to amend the Constitution, put the change in the context of the overall campaign for justice.
"As we take on the long and difficult challenge of rooting out systemic racism in our nation, ending the slavery loophole in the 13th Amendment is [a] critical step in that challenge," Merkley said in a statement.
"Slavery is our nation's original sin and this loophole has been exploited for far too long to criminalize Black and Brown Americans," he said.
Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Mo., who is leading the amendment effort in the House, seeks to "finish the job that President (Abraham) Lincoln started."
"No American should ever be subject to involuntary servitude, even if they are incarcerated," he said.
The measure has more than a dozen cosponsors, however no Republicans in either chamber are currently signed on to measure. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who caucuses with the Democrats, is a cosponsor.
The minimum estimated annual value of incarcerated labor from U.S. prisons and jails is $2 billion, according to the nonprofit Prison Policy Initiative. And as NPR reported in July, companies like Walmart, AT&T, Whole Foods and Victoria's Secret have used incarcerated populations for their business operations.
The Associated Press, which first reported the news of the congressional push to alter the 13th Amendment, notes that the reliance on prison labor is a generally touted as a way to rehabilitate inmates and provide an environment for teaching them new trade skills.
It's unlikely the effort will be taken up, let alone passed, before the current session of Congress ends in a few weeks. But Merkley told the AP that he hopes to reintroduce the legislation after the next session starts in January.
Should that happen, a new lead sponsor from the House would be needed, as Clay was defeated during the Democratic primary earlier this year by Cori Bush.
Bush, a nurse and Black Lives Matter activist, won her general election race last month and will enter as a freshman member of the House when Congress convenes in January.
Article V of the Constitution allows for a change in the founding document, only after a two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate approve a resolution or by a constitutional convention in which two-thirds of state legislatures vote to support the measure.
Then, three-quarters of state legislatures or conventions must approve the change to become federal law.
None of the Constitution's 27 amendments have been proposed by constitutional convention.


npr--2020-12-03--UK's Approval Of Pfizer Vaccine Should 'Give People Hope', Vaccine Expert Says

UK 's Approval Of Pfizer Vaccine Should 'Give People Hope ' , Vaccine Expert Says The United Kingdom gave emergency approval this week to a COVID-19 vaccine , and plans to begin rolling it out next week .
Though Russia had previously approved a vaccine , the U.K. is the first country where regulators approved a vaccine that is backed by transparent science .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will consider granting its regulatory approval next week .
Pfizer and BioNTech , a German firm , which developed the vaccine , say it is 95 % effective based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To learn more about the vaccine and what the U.K. 's fast approval of it means , NPR spoke with Dr. Richard Hatchett , the chief executive officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations , which develops vaccines against emerging infectious diseases .
This interview has been edited for clarity and length .
What do you think of the news and how do you feel about it ?
I 'm pretty excited .
I think the delivery of vaccines at this speed and with this degree of success is a tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to the power of the scientific community , and industry and governments to come together to address a threat to the world .
I hope it will inspire people and I hope it will give people hope .
By traditional standards of vaccine development , this is fast .
Put that in perspective ?
It 's extraordinary .
We 're three hundred and twenty-three days , if I 'm counting correctly , since the release of the viral sequences .
We 've gone from release of viral sequences to a brand new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a product that now has this conditional licensure in the United Kingdom .
That 's never been done before .
Previously , the fastest time from initiation of a vaccine development effort to an approved product was four years .
Does the speed of development of this vaccine and others give you any pause ?
They have done the early stage trials , and then moved very rapidly into the later stage trials , but in a way that ensures that the later stage trials are large scale .
They have sped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parallel , making investments in manufacturing processes that ordinarily you might delay until you had data from your early stage clinical trials .
They 've taken the risks in the manufacturing process , but not taken risks with the clinical development .
I think it 's really important for people to understand that while the timelines have been compressed , they have n't cut corners with respect to proving safety or efficacy .
In the latest trial of this vaccine , 162 people injected with a placebo contracted the virus , while only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Are those good numbers ?
Having a vaccine that shows 95 % effectiveness , which is in the range of vaccines like the measles vaccine , is as good an outcome as we possibly could have expected .
What are the implications of the UK approving this vaccine before the U.S. ?
Does this put pressure on the U.S. ?
Each national regulatory agency may come to different conclusions—which is normal—because each must make their own benefit—risk assessments .
The FDA will meet on Dec 10 to discuss Emergency Use Authorization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each regulator follow its own processes , and make sound decisions that they can defend in the light of day .
How does the UK plan to roll out the vaccine ?
The government has ordered enough doses to vaccinate 20 million people over time .
The first priority group to receive the vaccine next week will be nursing home residents and their carers .
Once this group has been vaccinated , subsequent groups will be prioritized by age and by underlying health conditions .
Unlike some other vaccines , this one has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What are the implications of that ?
Once you thaw it out and put it into a refrigerator , it has to be used essentially within five days or so , and that is going to be challenging in many environments .
It may be possible to deliver that vaccine in the United States and the United Kingdom and other developed countries , but delivering a vaccine with those cold-chain requirements is going to present tremendous challenges in middle- and lower-income countries where it 's desperately needed as well .
A YouGov poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't confident about the safety of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine .
Do you think public compliance with vaccination will be a problem and , if so , what should the government do about it ?
The increase in recent years of what is known as `` vaccine hesitancy '' is a major concern .
Everybody in the scientific and public health communities has a role to play in building public trust and confidence in vaccines .
That 's why open and transparent communication about the rigorous clinical development processes that generate safety and efficacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No corners are being cut .
Is there anything else that causes you concern here ?
We still need to manufacture these vaccines at scale and we need to deliver them .
That is a huge mountain to climb , and that will take time .
You may have challenges on the manufacturing side that have nothing to do with the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine .
So , we do still have a long way to go before this pandemic is behind us .
People are going to need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect their loved ones from disease , and try to comply with public health recommendations .

U.K.'s Approval Of Pfizer Vaccine Should 'Give People Hope,' Vaccine Expert Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dogukan Keskinkilic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Dogukan Keskinkilic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The United Kingdom gave emergency approval this week to a COVID-19 vaccine and plans to begin rolling it out next week. Though Russia had previously approved a vaccine, the U.K. is the first country where regulators approved a vaccine that is backed by transparent science. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will consider granting its regulatory approval next week.
Pfizer and BioNTech (a German company), which developed the vaccine, say it is 95% effective based on the latest clinical trial involving 43,000 subjects.
To learn more about the vaccine and what the U.K.'s fast approval of it means, NPR spoke with Dr. Richard Hatchett, the chief executive officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which develops vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
What do you think of the news and how do you feel about it?
I'm pretty excited. I think the delivery of vaccines at this speed and with this degree of success is a tremendous testimonial to the power of science, and to the power of the scientific community, and industry and governments to come together to address a threat to the world. I hope it will inspire people and I hope it will give people hope.
By traditional standards of vaccine development, this is fast. Put that in perspective?
It's extraordinary. We're 323 days, if I'm counting correctly, since the release of the viral sequences. We've gone from release of viral sequences to a brand new, previously unknown disease to the delivery of a product that now has this conditional licensure in the United Kingdom. That's never been done before. Previously, the fastest time from initiation of a vaccine development effort to an approved product was four years.
Does the speed of development of this vaccine and others give you any pause?
They have done the early stage trials, and then moved very rapidly into the later stage trials, but in a way that ensures that the later stage trials are large scale. They have sped up the development largely by, in parallel, making investments in manufacturing processes that ordinarily you might delay until you had data from your early stage clinical trials. They've taken the risks in the manufacturing process, but not taken risks with the clinical development. I think it's really important for people to understand that while the timelines have been compressed, they haven't cut corners with respect to proving safety or efficacy.
In the latest trial of this vaccine, 162 people injected with a placebo contracted the virus, while only eight injected with the vaccine contracted it. Are those good numbers?
Having a vaccine that shows 95% effectiveness, which is in the range of vaccines like the measles vaccine, is as good an outcome as we possibly could have expected.
What are the implications of the U.K. approving this vaccine before the U.S.? Does this put pressure on the U.S.?
Each national regulatory agency may come to different conclusions — which is normal — because each must make their own benefit-risk assessments. The FDA will meet on Dec. 10 to discuss emergency use authorization of the vaccine. It's important that each regulator follow its own processes and make sound decisions that they can defend in the light of day.
How does the U.K. plan to roll out the vaccine?
The government has ordered enough doses to vaccinate 20 million people over time. The first priority group to receive the vaccine next week will be nursing home residents and their carers. Once this group has been vaccinated, subsequent groups will be prioritized by age and by underlying health conditions.
Unlike some other vaccines, this one has to be stored at minus 94 degrees F. What are the implications of that?
Once you thaw it out and put it into a refrigerator, it has to be used essentially within five days or so, and that is going to be challenging in many environments. It may be possible to deliver that vaccine in the United States and the United Kingdom and other developed countries, but delivering a vaccine with those cold-chain requirements is going to present tremendous challenges in middle- and lower-income countries where it's desperately needed as well.
A YouGov poll Wednesday found 1 in 5 respondents weren't confident about the safety of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Do you think public compliance with vaccination will be a problem and, if so, what should the government do about it?
The increase in recent years of what is known as "vaccine hesitancy" is a major concern. Everybody in the scientific and public health communities has a role to play in building public trust and confidence in vaccines. That's why open and transparent communication about the rigorous clinical development processes that generate safety and efficacy data for these new vaccines is crucial. No corners are being cut.
Is there anything else that causes you concern here?
We still need to manufacture these vaccines at scale and we need to deliver them. That is a huge mountain to climb, and that will take time. You may have challenges on the manufacturing side that have nothing to do with the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. So, we do still have a long way to go before this pandemic is behind us. People are going to need to continue to protect themselves from disease, protect their loved ones from disease, and try to comply with public health recommendations.


npr--2020-12-03--Biden Asks Fauci To Join His Team, Will Urge 100 Days Of Mask-Wearing

Biden Asks Fauci To Join His Team , Will Urge 100 Days Of Mask-Wearing President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday said he has asked the nation 's top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , to become his chief medical adviser and said he plans to call on Americans to wear masks for the first 100 days of his administration .
In an interview with CNN , Biden said he 'll urge Americans to wear masks starting Jan. 20 to reduce the spread of the coronavirus .
Biden said he would use his authority to require masks in federal buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 days to mask , not forever , 100 days .
And I think we 'll see a significant reduction , '' Biden said .
Fauci has had a tense relationship with President Trump as the two clashed over the White House 's pandemic response .
Biden said he asked Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , `` to stay on the exact same role he 's had for the past several presidents . ''
Biden also said he asked Fauci to be his chief medical adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden said he would be `` happy '' to get his coronavirus vaccine publicly , as a way to encourage trust in the vaccine .
`` People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work .
Already the numbers are really staggeringly low , and it matters what the president and vice president do , '' he said .
In the 2020 race against Trump , Biden made responding to the coronavirus pandemic his central campaign pitch to voters .
The virus has already killed nearly 275,000 Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday season imminent , health care experts have urged increased caution to help curb the virus 's spread .

Biden Asks Fauci To Join His Team, Will Urge 100 Days Of Mask-Wearing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images Alex Wong/Getty Images
President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday said he has asked the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, to become his chief medical adviser and said he plans to call on Americans to wear masks for the first 100 days of his administration.
In an interview with CNN, Biden said he'll urge Americans to wear masks starting Jan. 20 to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Biden said he would use his authority to require masks in federal buildings and on interstate transportation.
"Just 100 days to mask, not forever, 100 days. And I think we'll see a significant reduction," Biden said.
Fauci has had a tense relationship with President Trump as the two clashed over the White House's pandemic response.
Biden said he asked Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, "to stay on the exact same role he's had for the past several presidents." Biden also said he asked Fauci to be his chief medical adviser and be part of his COVID-19 team.
Biden said he would be "happy" to get his coronavirus vaccine publicly, as a way to encourage trust in the vaccine.
"People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work. Already the numbers are really staggeringly low, and it matters what the president and vice president do," he said.
In the 2020 race against Trump, Biden made responding to the coronavirus pandemic his central campaign pitch to voters. The virus has already killed nearly 275,000 Americans, and with cold weather and the U.S. holiday season imminent, health care experts have urged increased caution to help curb the virus's spread.


npr--2020-12-03--Facebook Sued By Justice Dept. For Allegedly Discriminating Against U.S. Workers

Facebook Sued By Justice Dept .
For Allegedly Discriminating Against U.S. Workers The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against social media monolith Facebook Thursday , alleging the company `` refused to recruit , consider , or hire qualified and available U.S. workers for over 2,600 positions . ''
According to the lawsuit , Facebook allegedly reserved the positions for temporary visa holders it wanted to sponsor for permanent residency in the U.S .
The average salary of these positions : $ 156,000 .
The lawsuit came after a nearly two-year investigation , according to the Justice Dept .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if companies deny employment opportunities by illegally preferring temporary visa holders , the Department of Justice will hold them accountable , '' Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division said in a statement .
`` Our message to all employers—including those in the technology sector—is clear : you can not illegally prefer to recruit , consider , or hire temporary visa holders over U.S .
workers . ''
A Facebook spokesperson provided NPR with a brief statement : `` Facebook has been cooperating with the [ Department of Justice ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while we dispute the allegations in the complaint , we can not comment further on pending litigation . ''
The Permanent Labor Certification Process ( PERM ) requires employers to prove to the Labor Dept .
that they were unsuccessful in recruiting a qualified U.S. worker for a position before moving to sponsor a temporary visa holder for the job .
According to the Justice Dept .
statement , Facebook allegedly reserved positions for temporary visa holders it wanted to sponsor for permanent residency - a green card .
The suit additionally alleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from U.S. workers by failing to advertise the openings on the company 's careers website , and requiring applicants to apply exclusively by physical mail .
`` The department concluded that , during the relevant period , Facebook received zero or one U.S. worker applicants for 99.7 % of its PERM positions , while comparable positions at Facebook that were advertised on its careers website during a similar time period typically attracted 100 or more applicants each , '' the statement said .
According to the Justice Dept.
, Facebook allegedly violated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against U.S. workers .
The lawsuit is part of the Civil Rights Division 's Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative , established by the Trump administration in 2017 .
Dustin Jones is an intern with NPR 's News Desk .

Facebook Sued By Justice Dept. For Allegedly Discriminating Against U.S. Workers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP
The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against social media monolith Facebook Thursday, alleging the company "refused to recruit, consider, or hire qualified and available U.S. workers for over 2,600 positions."
According to the lawsuit, Facebook allegedly reserved the positions for temporary visa holders it wanted to sponsor for permanent residency in the U.S. The average salary of these positions: $156,000.
The lawsuit came after a nearly two-year investigation, according to the Justice Dept.
"Our message to workers is clear: if companies deny employment opportunities by illegally preferring temporary visa holders, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable," Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division said in a statement. "Our message to all employers—including those in the technology sector—is clear: you cannot illegally prefer to recruit, consider, or hire temporary visa holders over U.S. workers."
A Facebook spokesperson provided NPR with a brief statement: "Facebook has been cooperating with the [Department of Justice] in its review of this issue and while we dispute the allegations in the complaint, we cannot comment further on pending litigation."
The Permanent Labor Certification Process (PERM) requires employers to prove to the Labor Dept. that they were unsuccessful in recruiting a qualified U.S. worker for a position before moving to sponsor a temporary visa holder for the job.
According to the Justice Dept. statement, Facebook allegedly reserved positions for temporary visa holders it wanted to sponsor for permanent residency - a green card. The suit additionally alleges that Facebook attempted to channel these positions away from U.S. workers by failing to advertise the openings on the company's careers website, and requiring applicants to apply exclusively by physical mail.
"The department concluded that, during the relevant period, Facebook received zero or one U.S. worker applicants for 99.7% of its PERM positions, while comparable positions at Facebook that were advertised on its careers website during a similar time period typically attracted 100 or more applicants each," the statement said.
According to the Justice Dept., Facebook allegedly violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by discriminating against U.S. workers. The lawsuit is part of the Civil Rights Division's Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, established by the Trump administration in 2017.
Dustin Jones is an intern with NPR's News Desk.


npr--2020-12-03--California Is Days Away From A Regional Stay-At-Home Order

California Is Days Away From A Regional Stay-At-Home Order California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced most of the state will come under a stricter set of limitations as intensive care units reach near-capacity levels with the latest surge in coronavirus cases .
Regional stay-at-home orders will likely go into effect `` in the next day or two '' in places with less than 15 % ICU availability , Newsom explained in a daily briefing with reporters .
Once it is triggered , the order will remain in effect for at least three weeks and will only be lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The bottom line is , if we do n't act now , our hospital system will be overwhelmed , '' Newsom said .
`` If we do n't act now , we 'll continue to see our death rate climb , more lives lost . ''
The state has been divided into five regions — Northern California , Bay Area , Greater Sacramento , San Joaquin Valley and Southern California — that will individually activate Newsom 's order which prohibits private gatherings of any size , closes many businesses with the exception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical distancing in all public settings .
Personal service businesses , including hair and nail salons will be required to close .
Retail stores will be allowed to remain open but must limit customer capacity to 20 % at any given time .
Restaurants , which had been allowed to serve in-person dining , must return to takeout only .
While announcing the closures , Newsom encouraged people to spend time outdoors `` for your mental health . ''
Beaches , parks and hiking trails will stay open , although municipal leaders can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head off the spread of the virus .
Newsom 's announcement will have a limited impact on much of California , which already has a statewide curfew , banning nonessential movement from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Los Angeles county , the state 's most populous , has already implemented a stay-at-home order and banned in-person dining .
The state plan also comes on the heels of an order by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , who prohibited residents from interacting with anyone outside of their immediate household with the exception of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles also has a curfew and requires anyone traveling into the city to file an online form .
Similarly , the city of San Jose has a 14-day quarantine for people traveling to the area from 150 miles or more away .
All but one of the Bay Area counties are already in the `` purple , '' or most restrictive , tier .
Most people already have been required to work from home .
Although Newsom stressed the `` life and death '' consequences of obeying the latest restrictions , he offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` bend the curve '' of the terrifying surge that has overwhelmed health care delivery systems in recent weeks .
`` This is not a permanent state , '' he repeated .
`` There is a light at the end of the tunnel , '' he added , noting the imminent arrival of coronavirus vaccines .
Newsom reassured residents that officials are `` not anticipating having to do this again . ''
But he added , `` We need to do everything we can to stem the tide . ''
California has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 19,400 deaths .
The number of new cases on Wednesday surpassed all previous records , with 20,759 new reported infections .
Public health officials say the impact of COVID-19 cases that will likely result from travel and gatherings over the Thanksgiving weekend have yet to be recorded .

California Is Days Away From A Regional Stay-At-Home Order
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jae C. Hong/AP Jae C. Hong/AP
Updated at 9:05 p.m. ET
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced most of the state will come under a stricter set of limitations as intensive care units reach near-capacity levels with the latest surge in coronavirus cases.
Regional stay-at-home orders will likely go into effect "in the next day or two" in places with less than 15% ICU availability, Newsom explained in a daily briefing with reporters.
Once it is triggered, the order will remain in effect for at least three weeks and will only be lifted when ICU capacity becomes more available.
"The bottom line is, if we don't act now, our hospital system will be overwhelmed," Newsom said. "If we don't act now, we'll continue to see our death rate climb, more lives lost."
The state has been divided into five regions — Northern California, Bay Area, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California — that will individually activate Newsom's order which prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes many businesses with the exception of critical infrastructure and requires masks and physical distancing in all public settings.
Personal service businesses, including hair and nail salons will be required to close. Retail stores will be allowed to remain open but must limit customer capacity to 20% at any given time. Restaurants, which had been allowed to serve in-person dining, must return to takeout only.
While announcing the closures, Newsom encouraged people to spend time outdoors "for your mental health." Beaches, parks and hiking trails will stay open, although municipal leaders can choose to initiate their own shutdowns to head off the spread of the virus.
Newsom's announcement will have a limited impact on much of California, which already has a statewide curfew, banning nonessential movement from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Los Angeles county, the state's most populous, has already implemented a stay-at-home order and banned in-person dining.
The state plan also comes on the heels of an order by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who prohibited residents from interacting with anyone outside of their immediate household with the exception of those attending protests or religious services. Los Angeles also has a curfew and requires anyone traveling into the city to file an online form.
Similarly, the city of San Jose has a 14-day quarantine for people traveling to the area from 150 miles or more away.
All but one of the Bay Area counties are already in the "purple," or most restrictive, tier. Most people already have been required to work from home.
Although Newsom stressed the "life and death" consequences of obeying the latest restrictions, he offered optimism about the state's ability to "bend the curve" of the terrifying surge that has overwhelmed health care delivery systems in recent weeks.
"This is not a permanent state," he repeated.
"There is a light at the end of the tunnel," he added, noting the imminent arrival of coronavirus vaccines.
Newsom reassured residents that officials are "not anticipating having to do this again."
But he added, "We need to do everything we can to stem the tide."
California has reported more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 19,400 deaths. The number of new cases on Wednesday surpassed all previous records, with 20,759 new reported infections.
Public health officials say the impact of COVID-19 cases that will likely result from travel and gatherings over the Thanksgiving weekend have yet to be recorded.


npr--2020-12-03--Kenosha Protest Shooting Suspect Kyle Rittenhouse Ordered To Stand Trial

A Wisconsin court commissioner overseeing the case of a teenager accused of killing two people and injuring a third during protests in Kenosha , Wis. , this summer , has denied defense attorneys ' request to dismiss two of the six charges facing Kyle Ritttenhouse .
During a preliminary hearing conducted via video link Thursday , Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Loren Keating also said he found enough evidence that support the charges against Rittenhouse , 17 , for the case to proceed to trial .
The Antioch , Ill. , teenager was released from police custody last month and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum and attempted homicide in the wounding of Gaige Grosskreutz .
The shootings took place following days of protests after Jacob Blake , a Black man , was shot several times at close range by Kenosha police .
Blake was left paralyzed .
Keating denied motions to dismiss a felony charge of recklessly endangering the safety of others with a dangerous weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 , a misdemeanor .
An attorney for Rittenhouse , Mark Richards , tried to convince the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-defense and that he broke no laws by possessing the firearm during demonstrations on Aug 25 .
`` We do n't allow teenagers to run around with guns , it 's really that simple , '' Binger said .
`` A teenager in this case killed two people and shot a third , because teenagers should n't be allowed to run around with dangerous weapons because bad things happen . ''
Rittenhouse was seen seated in an office behind his lawyer during the court proceeding with a face covering on .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing .
His case has laid bare the divisions in this country on the issues of race and gun control .
Black Lives Matter supporters have characterized him as a white vigilante and someone who brought an AR-15 rifle to demonstrations , to provoke further violence at demonstrations that were already destructive .
Gun rights supporters champion him as a patriot and someone who was there to help law enforcement protect people and property .
Celebrities including former Silver Spoons actor Ricky Schroder helped raise money toward the $ 2 million bond for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be arraigned Jan. 5 in Kenosha County Circuit Court .

Kenosha Protest Shooting Suspect Kyle Rittenhouse Ordered To Stand Trial
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy Antioch Police Department /AP Courtesy Antioch Police Department /AP
A Wisconsin court commissioner overseeing the case of a teenager accused of killing two people and injuring a third during protests in Kenosha, Wis., this summer, has denied defense attorneys' request to dismiss two of the six charges facing Kyle Ritttenhouse.
During a preliminary hearing conducted via video link Thursday, Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Loren Keating also said he found enough evidence that support the charges against Rittenhouse, 17, for the case to proceed to trial.
The Antioch, Ill., teenager was released from police custody last month and faces homicide charges in the killings of Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum and attempted homicide in the wounding of Gaige Grosskreutz.
The shootings took place following days of protests after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot several times at close range by Kenosha police. Blake was left paralyzed.
Keating denied motions to dismiss a felony charge of recklessly endangering the safety of others with a dangerous weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, a misdemeanor.
An attorney for Rittenhouse, Mark Richards, tried to convince the court that the teenager was acting in self-defense and that he broke no laws by possessing the firearm during demonstrations on Aug 25.
Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger disagreed.
"We don't allow teenagers to run around with guns, it's really that simple," Binger said. "A teenager in this case killed two people and shot a third, because teenagers shouldn't be allowed to run around with dangerous weapons because bad things happen."
Rittenhouse was seen seated in an office behind his lawyer during the court proceeding with a face covering on. He was not called upon to testify during the hearing.
His case has laid bare the divisions in this country on the issues of race and gun control.
Black Lives Matter supporters have characterized him as a white vigilante and someone who brought an AR-15 rifle to demonstrations, to provoke further violence at demonstrations that were already destructive.
Gun rights supporters champion him as a patriot and someone who was there to help law enforcement protect people and property. Celebrities including former Silver Spoons actor Ricky Schroder helped raise money toward the $2 million bond for Rittenhouse's release.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 5 in Kenosha County Circuit Court.


npr--2020-12-03--Vaccine Cards And Second-Dose Reminders Are Part Of Warp Speed's Immunization Plan

Vaccine Cards And Second-Dose Reminders Are Part Of Warp Speed 's Immunization Plan Millions of Americans who are expected to receive the new COVID-19 vaccinations in coming months will need to take two doses of the drug – and the U.S. government says it will issue a vaccine card and use other tools to help people follow through with their immunizations .
`` We 've set up everything [ in ] a draconian process , where when we sent out the ancillary kits which have needles and syringes , we 've included paper cards to be filled out and ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their next vaccine due date , '' Army Gen. Gustave Perna , Warp Speed 's chief operating officer , said at a briefing Wednesday .
People who receive the vaccine cards will be encouraged to take a photo of them or keep them in their wallet , Perna said .
Images of a sample vaccine card that were circulated after the briefing show that it will record a recipient 's first and last name and date of birth along with the dates on which they received a dose of the vaccine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine 's name and maker – crucial details , to ensure people get the correct second dose to complete their immunization .
Dr. Moncef Slaoui , Warp Speed 's chief adviser , said , `` It will be very important ... for all Americans who get the Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine to have their first vaccine dose and then come back either three or four weeks later to get their second vaccine dose , to complete the immunization schedule . ''
Perna repeatedly described the dosage-tracking element as a `` draconian '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
He noted that Operation Warp Speed , the federal effort to bring COVID-19 vaccines to the public , must be mindful of a variety of state laws regarding medical information and notifications .
States will also run their own notification programs — another important part of the plan to make sure Americans are properly vaccinated .
`` We do know that pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens have established very elaborate tracking systems to set up appointments , notify people when their second shots are required , '' Perna said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , `` we have capability and capacity to send second-dose messages out only if and when it 's in collaboration with the states ' laws and regulations and policies . ''
Once the vaccines are distributed , they will be administered in a variety of settings , from pharmacies and doctors ' offices to health clinics and special vaccination sites .
Perna said the federal operation is taking a `` triple-canopy approach '' to make the vaccination process effective .
`` And we 're doing our best to capture everybody to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
As Slaoui noted , other vaccines that are currently in the trial pipeline could do away with the two-dose requirement .
He highlighted a Johnson & Johnson vaccine candidate , saying some 28,000 people have now been recruited for a Phase III trial .
`` The breakthrough that we hope with this vaccine is that it 's a one-shot vaccine with very fast efficacy achieved , '' Slaoui said .
If it 's successful as a single dose , he added , there would be `` 100 % compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will get one shot to get the full vaccination schedule . ''
Citing the need to ensure that the American public is confident that any vaccine that makes its way through the trial and testing process is safe and effective , Slaoui stated , `` Vaccines are useless if they are not used to vaccinate people . ''
COVID-19 has now killed some 275,000 people in the U.S. , with more than 14 million cases reported in the country , according to Johns Hopkins University .
News of several promising vaccines has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in the U.S. , which is by far the worst-hit country in the world .
Slaoui says he 's confident the U.S. will be able to carry out tens of millions of vaccinations between now and early 2021 .
Between the middle of December and the end of February , Slaoui said , `` We will have potentially immunized 100 million people , which is really more or less the size of the significant at-risk population , '' such as the elderly , front-line workers and people with health conditions that increase @ @ @

Vaccine Cards And Second-Dose Reminders Are Part Of Warp Speed's Immunization Plan
Enlarge this image toggle caption EJ Hersom/Defense.gov EJ Hersom/Defense.gov
Millions of Americans who are expected to receive the new COVID-19 vaccinations in coming months will need to take two doses of the drug – and the U.S. government says it will issue a vaccine card and use other tools to help people follow through with their immunizations.
"We've set up everything [in] a draconian process, where when we sent out the ancillary kits which have needles and syringes, we've included paper cards to be filled out and ... given to the individuals, reminding them of their next vaccine due date," Army Gen. Gustave Perna, Warp Speed's chief operating officer, said at a briefing Wednesday.
People who receive the vaccine cards will be encouraged to take a photo of them or keep them in their wallet, Perna said.
Images of a sample vaccine card that were circulated after the briefing show that it will record a recipient's first and last name and date of birth along with the dates on which they received a dose of the vaccine. There are also spaces to record the vaccine's name and maker – crucial details, to ensure people get the correct second dose to complete their immunization.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, Warp Speed's chief adviser, said, "It will be very important ... for all Americans who get the Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine to have their first vaccine dose and then come back either three or four weeks later to get their second vaccine dose, to complete the immunization schedule."
Perna repeatedly described the dosage-tracking element as a "draconian" part of protecting millions of Americans against the coronavirus. He noted that Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort to bring COVID-19 vaccines to the public, must be mindful of a variety of state laws regarding medical information and notifications.
States will also run their own notification programs — another important part of the plan to make sure Americans are properly vaccinated.
"We do know that pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens have established very elaborate tracking systems to set up appointments, notify people when their second shots are required," Perna said.
At the federal level, he added, "we have capability and capacity to send second-dose messages out only if and when it's in collaboration with the states' laws and regulations and policies."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia/U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia/U.S. Air Force
Once the vaccines are distributed, they will be administered in a variety of settings, from pharmacies and doctors' offices to health clinics and special vaccination sites.
Perna said the federal operation is taking a "triple-canopy approach" to make the vaccination process effective. "And we're doing our best to capture everybody to ensure that they get their second dose," he added.
As Slaoui noted, other vaccines that are currently in the trial pipeline could do away with the two-dose requirement. He highlighted a Johnson & Johnson vaccine candidate, saying some 28,000 people have now been recruited for a Phase III trial.
"The breakthrough that we hope with this vaccine is that it's a one-shot vaccine with very fast efficacy achieved," Slaoui said. If it's successful as a single dose, he added, there would be "100% compliance, so to speak, since everybody will get one shot to get the full vaccination schedule."
Citing the need to ensure that the American public is confident that any vaccine that makes its way through the trial and testing process is safe and effective, Slaoui stated, "Vaccines are useless if they are not used to vaccinate people."
COVID-19 has now killed some 275,000 people in the U.S., with more than 14 million cases reported in the country, according to Johns Hopkins University.
News of several promising vaccines has been a rare source of optimism about the outbreak in the U.S., which is by far the worst-hit country in the world. Slaoui says he's confident the U.S. will be able to carry out tens of millions of vaccinations between now and early 2021.
Between the middle of December and the end of February, Slaoui said, "We will have potentially immunized 100 million people, which is really more or less the size of the significant at-risk population," such as the elderly, front-line workers and people with health conditions that increase their risk.