csmonitor--2020-11-25--No bookstores or haircuts? Europeans question pandemic edicts.

“ Even if we can ’ t say that all French people are interested in culture , there is certainly a great literary tradition in France and a love for real books , ” says Bruno Péquignot , a sociology professor emeritus .
“ People will never put books in the trash can ; always next to it , in case someone wants to take them .
It ’ s a form of respect.
” One concern is that consumers will permanently move to online platforms or chains .
But small businesses are banking on consumers ’ love for tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some governments created lists of essential items – forcing small businesses selling products like clothing , books , and toys to temporarily close , and large chains to block off such items to shoppers .
During spring in the U.K. , gardeners couldn ’ t shop for seeds or compost , items deemed “ nonessential.
” In France , bookstores were off-limits , and residents were allowed to spend just one hour outside their homes for any reason .
So with “ COVID fatigue ” rampant after the first wave of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task of making rules to curb COVID-19 ’ s spread that the public could abide , without bringing the economy to a standstill .
There they were , wedged between the sprinkles and the chocolate chips : a set of candles .
Niamh O ’ Brien knew they weren ’ t vital to her boyfriend ’ s birthday celebration that evening , but they were mere inches from reach .
Unfortunately , a stretch of red-and-white tape prevented her from going down this supermarket aisle ; a plastic sheet draped over the shelves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France ’ s second lockdown , Ms. O ’ Brien had a choice – buck the tradition this year , or duck under the tape and grab them .
“ I asked the shop clerk if I could get the candles and he said no , so I asked if he could take them for me , but he said he wasn ’ t allowed , ” says Ms. O ’ Brien , who was shopping in an E.Leclerc superstore in Toulouse .
“ So I snuck under the barrier , lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I also grabbed a birthday banner.
” As France tapers off restrictions implemented to fight the second wave of the pandemic , the government has had the challenging task of making rules that the public could abide , without bringing the economy to a standstill .
This past spring , residents were limited to one hour outside their homes , for any reason .
But with “ COVID fatigue ” rampant , governments in Europe have been taking a softer approach to restrictions .
In November , schools , transportation , and public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In some parts of the U.K. and France , governments created lists of essential items , forcing small businesses selling products like clothing , books , and toys to temporarily close , and large chains to block off certain items to shoppers .
The idea is to minimize people ’ s close contact with others and keep residents at home .
But many shoppers and store owners said the decision to close certain establishments was misguided , and unfairly targets culture , entertainment , and self-care .
There is also concern that shoppers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain stores in the suburbs , a possible long-term consequence for consumption habits long after lockdowns have been lifted .
“ The government says if we open bookstores we ’ ll have to open hair salons , florists and so-on , or that if people respect the lockdown we can have our small businesses back , ” says Pierre Dutilleul , the managing director of the French Publishers Association , SNE .
“ It ’ s incomprehensible and absurd .
When you can ’ t explain a decision , it probably means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” OK , what if we do it like this ?
The debate over essential items exploded in France at the end of October , when the government announced that independent bookstores would need to shutter while large chains and superstores – many of which sell books – were allowed to remain open .
Booksellers called it a gross injustice , and the government finally decided that supermarkets and general stores would need to block off nonessential items – not only books but toys , clothing , and games – starting Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supermarkets taping off nonessential items during a brief two-week “ firebreak ” or “ circuit breaker ” lockdown , ending Nov. 9 .
“ It ’ s a straightforward matter of fairness , ” said First Minister Mark Drakeford at the end of October .
“ We are in this together in Wales.
” But such attempts to appease small business owners have felt like small favors for many , who say that the decision to close their shops feels arbitrary and contradictory , given all they ’ ve learned about social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People can congregate in large stores without anyone monitoring them , whereas we could easily allow just one or two customers inside at a time , ” says Christine Durietz , the manager of Le Dragon Savant , a children ’ s books and toy store in the east of Paris .
“ In the end it ’ s the responsibility of each individual .
But I do feel like we ’ ve been unfairly reprimanded.
” That is the general feeling among garden store owners in England , who were placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s spring lockdown .
When hardware stores – selling gardening products alongside building materials – were allowed to remain open , it caused “ great unease in the garden industry , ” says Peter Hulatt , Camden Garden Centre ’ s managing director in London .
Most garden store shopping takes place outdoors , making it safer and easier to implement social distancing between customers .
And , like bookstores in France , nurseries are considered sacred to British life ; gardening , a British obsession .
The home garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has only strengthened during the pandemic .
Sales of houseplants have soared among apartment-dwellers , and garden stores have been a lifeline for those seeking community , acting as “ a place of solace and meeting , ” says Camden Garden Centre employee Lawrence Tynan .
The gardening industry was finally able to convince the government to add its stores to the “ essential ” list in the country ’ s second lockdown , beginning Nov. 5 and ending Dec. 2 .
Garden stores “ tap into the psyche of the British public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the economy is difficult , everyone goes into nest-building mode .
… It ’ s about making where you live a better place to be .
In lockdown , that ’ s magnified 10 times.
” An eye on the holidays While the U.K. recorded a COVID-19 death total on Tuesday that was the highest since early May , the new case rate has been falling .
All nonessential businesses in the U.K. , including gyms and personal care services , will be allowed to open next week , in the run-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French President Emmanuel Macron said that the worst of the second wave was over , and announced that nonessential businesses could reopen Nov. 28 under strict health protocols .
But independent shop owners haven ’ t waited for news about the end of restrictions to jump-start sales .
A growing number on both sides of the channel have joined the Click and Collect system , where consumers can purchase items online and pick them up at the store .
It ’ s an alternative to online platforms like Amazon , which Paris Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of our bookstores and neighborhood life.
” In mid-November , Amazon had agreed to push back Black Friday sales to Dec. 4 , in the expectation that nonessential businesses would be allowed to open by then .
But Click and Collect isn ’ t a cure-all to the concerns of independent shop owners .
According to the CPME , a union that represents France ’ s small and medium-sized businesses , only 15 % of very small businesses are selling their products through online platforms , even if 82 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French businesses are already abandoning Click and Collect , as the costs of employing more staff to accommodate the demand for online orders has caused more losses than gains .
“ We ’ ll reach 20 % of our average monthly sales in November , ” says Ms. Durietz of Le Dragon Savant , “ if we ’ re lucky.
” Even as France lifts restrictions on nonessential items , some customers may have already changed their shopping habits .
“ If it takes two days to receive a book we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local stores are closed and we have to drive 40 minutes to get to the superstore , we ’ ll buy everything we need [ there ] , including books , ” says Mr. Dutilleul of the SNE .
“ People will get in the habit , and in the future will start shopping this way.
” Small business owners across Europe are banking on consumers ’ love for tradition to carry them through this rough patch .
In France , booksellers will rely on the continued desire for real books , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only expected to reach 8.6 % in 2020 .
“ Even if we can ’ t say that all French people are interested in culture , there is certainly a great literary tradition in France and a love for real books , ” says Bruno Péquignot , a sociology professor emeritus who studies culture at the University of Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle .
“ People will never put books in the trash can ; always next to it , in case someone wants to take them .
It ’ s a form of respect @ @

“Even if we can’t say that all French people are interested in culture, there is certainly a great literary tradition in France and a love for real books,” says Bruno Péquignot, a sociology professor emeritus. “People will never put books in the trash can; always next to it, in case someone wants to take them. It’s a form of respect.”
One concern is that consumers will permanently move to online platforms or chains. But small businesses are banking on consumers’ love for tradition to carry them through this rough patch.
Promoting public health includes improving quality of life. But in Britain and France, some people say pandemic restrictions – like closing some stores over others – impinge on an ability to cope.
Some governments created lists of essential items – forcing small businesses selling products like clothing, books, and toys to temporarily close, and large chains to block off such items to shoppers.
During spring in the U.K., gardeners couldn’t shop for seeds or compost, items deemed “nonessential.” In France, bookstores were off-limits, and residents were allowed to spend just one hour outside their homes for any reason. So with “COVID fatigue” rampant after the first wave of the pandemic, officials have had the challenging task of making rules to curb COVID-19’s spread that the public could abide, without bringing the economy to a standstill.
There they were, wedged between the sprinkles and the chocolate chips: a set of candles. Niamh O’Brien knew they weren’t vital to her boyfriend’s birthday celebration that evening, but they were mere inches from reach. Unfortunately, a stretch of red-and-white tape prevented her from going down this supermarket aisle; a plastic sheet draped over the shelves.
With candles deemed a nonessential item in France’s second lockdown, Ms. O’Brien had a choice – buck the tradition this year, or duck under the tape and grab them.
“I asked the shop clerk if I could get the candles and he said no, so I asked if he could take them for me, but he said he wasn’t allowed,” says Ms. O’Brien, who was shopping in an E.Leclerc superstore in Toulouse. “So I snuck under the barrier, lifted up the plastic and took them. I also grabbed a birthday banner.”
Why We Wrote This Promoting public health includes improving quality of life. But in Britain and France, some people say pandemic restrictions – like closing some stores over others – impinge on an ability to cope.
As France tapers off restrictions implemented to fight the second wave of the pandemic, the government has had the challenging task of making rules that the public could abide, without bringing the economy to a standstill. This past spring, residents were limited to one hour outside their homes, for any reason. But with “COVID fatigue” rampant, governments in Europe have been taking a softer approach to restrictions. In November, schools, transportation, and public services have remained open in France.
In some parts of the U.K. and France, governments created lists of essential items, forcing small businesses selling products like clothing, books, and toys to temporarily close, and large chains to block off certain items to shoppers. The idea is to minimize people’s close contact with others and keep residents at home.
But many shoppers and store owners said the decision to close certain establishments was misguided, and unfairly targets culture, entertainment, and self-care. There is also concern that shoppers will increasingly move to online platforms or chain stores in the suburbs, a possible long-term consequence for consumption habits long after lockdowns have been lifted.
“The government says if we open bookstores we’ll have to open hair salons, florists and so-on, or that if people respect the lockdown we can have our small businesses back,” says Pierre Dutilleul, the managing director of the French Publishers Association, SNE. “It’s incomprehensible and absurd. When you can’t explain a decision, it probably means that it isn’t a good one.”
OK, what if we do it like this?
The debate over essential items exploded in France at the end of October, when the government announced that independent bookstores would need to shutter while large chains and superstores – many of which sell books – were allowed to remain open.
Booksellers called it a gross injustice, and the government finally decided that supermarkets and general stores would need to block off nonessential items – not only books but toys, clothing, and games – starting Nov. 3.
Shafi Musaddique View caption Hide caption Garden stores “tap into the psyche of the British public,” says Peter Hulatt, managing director of Camden Garden Centre in London. “When the economy is difficult, everyone goes into nest building mode. … It's about making where you live a better place to be. In lockdown, that’s magnified 10 times.”
A similar phenomenon in Wales saw supermarkets taping off nonessential items during a brief two-week “firebreak” or “circuit breaker” lockdown, ending Nov. 9. “It’s a straightforward matter of fairness,” said First Minister Mark Drakeford at the end of October. “We are in this together in Wales.”
But such attempts to appease small business owners have felt like small favors for many, who say that the decision to close their shops feels arbitrary and contradictory, given all they’ve learned about social distancing and hygiene after the first lockdown.
“People can congregate in large stores without anyone monitoring them, whereas we could easily allow just one or two customers inside at a time,” says Christine Durietz, the manager of Le Dragon Savant, a children’s books and toy store in the east of Paris. “In the end it’s the responsibility of each individual. But I do feel like we’ve been unfairly reprimanded.”
That is the general feeling among garden store owners in England, who were placed on the list of nonessential businesses during the country’s spring lockdown. When hardware stores – selling gardening products alongside building materials – were allowed to remain open, it caused “great unease in the garden industry,” says Peter Hulatt, Camden Garden Centre’s managing director in London.
Most garden store shopping takes place outdoors, making it safer and easier to implement social distancing between customers. And, like bookstores in France, nurseries are considered sacred to British life; gardening, a British obsession.
The home garden tradition stretches back to the 1700s and has only strengthened during the pandemic. Sales of houseplants have soared among apartment-dwellers, and garden stores have been a lifeline for those seeking community, acting as “a place of solace and meeting,” says Camden Garden Centre employee Lawrence Tynan.
The gardening industry was finally able to convince the government to add its stores to the “essential” list in the country’s second lockdown, beginning Nov. 5 and ending Dec. 2. Garden stores “tap into the psyche of the British public,” says Mr. Hulatt. “When the economy is difficult, everyone goes into nest-building mode. … It’s about making where you live a better place to be. In lockdown, that’s magnified 10 times.”
An eye on the holidays
While the U.K. recorded a COVID-19 death total on Tuesday that was the highest since early May, the new case rate has been falling. All nonessential businesses in the U.K., including gyms and personal care services, will be allowed to open next week, in the run-up to Christmas.
And on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the worst of the second wave was over, and announced that nonessential businesses could reopen Nov. 28 under strict health protocols. But independent shop owners haven’t waited for news about the end of restrictions to jump-start sales.
A growing number on both sides of the channel have joined the Click and Collect system, where consumers can purchase items online and pick them up at the store. It’s an alternative to online platforms like Amazon, which Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said will be “the death of our bookstores and neighborhood life.” In mid-November, Amazon had agreed to push back Black Friday sales to Dec. 4, in the expectation that nonessential businesses would be allowed to open by then.
But Click and Collect isn’t a cure-all to the concerns of independent shop owners. According to the CPME, a union that represents France’s small and medium-sized businesses, only 15% of very small businesses are selling their products through online platforms, even if 82% of French people buy online.
And some French businesses are already abandoning Click and Collect, as the costs of employing more staff to accommodate the demand for online orders has caused more losses than gains.
“We’ll reach 20% of our average monthly sales in November,” says Ms. Durietz of Le Dragon Savant, “if we’re lucky.”
Even as France lifts restrictions on nonessential items, some customers may have already changed their shopping habits.
“If it takes two days to receive a book we’ve ordered online, or if all the local stores are closed and we have to drive 40 minutes to get to the superstore, we’ll buy everything we need [there], including books,” says Mr. Dutilleul of the SNE. “People will get in the habit, and in the future will start shopping this way.”
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Small business owners across Europe are banking on consumers’ love for tradition to carry them through this rough patch. In France, booksellers will rely on the continued desire for real books, in a country where e-book user penetration is only expected to reach 8.6% in 2020.
“Even if we can’t say that all French people are interested in culture, there is certainly a great literary tradition in France and a love for real books,” says Bruno Péquignot, a sociology professor emeritus who studies culture at the University of Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle. “People will never put books in the trash can; always next to it, in case someone wants to take them. It’s a form of respect.”


csmonitor--2020-11-25--On Trump, Biden, and McCain: some observations on civility

Dear reader : The late Sen. John McCain would have been proud of his friend President-elect Joe Biden .
The two went back decades – back , even , to before Mr. McCain ’ s election to Congress .
In the late 1970s , when the Arizona Republican was the Navy ’ s Senate liaison , he used to carry the young Senator Biden ’ s bags on overseas trips .
“ That was almost 40 years ago , and by God , I still resent it , ” Senator McCain joked at a 2016 event celebrating their enduring bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an award for “ civility in public life , ” a poignant event .
But has civility , I wondered , become so rare that notable practitioners merit a prize ?
Both men were appearing in person , so I decided to go .
Here ’ s the story .
Now , civility seems to be in even shorter supply .
The presidential election of 2020 was the ugliest in memory , and it ’ s still winding down .
On Monday , the Trump administration “ ascertained ” that Mr. Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 election , allowing the formal transition process to begin .
Yet President Donald Trump is still tweeting about fraudulent votes and his campaign is still sending fundraising emails claiming the election was stolen .
In this parallel universe , the outcome of the 2020 election is still very much in doubt .
That ’ s intentional , and to many people , divisive .
The president and his campaign are working to keep his supporters united and “ set the stage ” for his next act , as Politico reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll run again in 2024 .
For now , though , President Trump still seems to enjoy the performative aspects of his job .
He came to the briefing room Tuesday to tout the Dow crossing 30,000 for the first time .
Later in the day , he engaged in that most venerable of presidential traditions , the pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkey .
Mr. Trump kept it light – and civil .
As he and the first lady headed back toward the White House , he ignored a shouted question about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple just turned and smiled .
Mr. Biden put on another kind of show Tuesday when he introduced diverse members of his foreign policy and national security team .
Each spoke movingly of her or his background and dedication to public service .
Mr. McCain , the GOP nominee for president in 2008 , never reached that highest rung in American politics .
And if he were around today , he would surely say that he doesn ’ t see eye to eye with his friend , the president-elect , on some matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilly .
Let us know what you ’ re thinking at csmpolitics @ csmonitor.com .

Dear reader:
The late Sen. John McCain would have been proud of his friend President-elect Joe Biden. The two went back decades – back, even, to before Mr. McCain’s election to Congress. In the late 1970s, when the Arizona Republican was the Navy’s Senate liaison, he used to carry the young Senator Biden’s bags on overseas trips.
“That was almost 40 years ago, and by God, I still resent it,” Senator McCain joked at a 2016 event celebrating their enduring bipartisan friendship.
They were the recipients of an award for “civility in public life,” a poignant event. But has civility, I wondered, become so rare that notable practitioners merit a prize? Both men were appearing in person, so I decided to go. Here’s the story.
Now, civility seems to be in even shorter supply. The presidential election of 2020 was the ugliest in memory, and it’s still winding down. On Monday, the Trump administration “ascertained” that Mr. Biden is the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election, allowing the formal transition process to begin.
Yet President Donald Trump is still tweeting about fraudulent votes and his campaign is still sending fundraising emails claiming the election was stolen. In this parallel universe, the outcome of the 2020 election is still very much in doubt. That’s intentional, and to many people, divisive. The president and his campaign are working to keep his supporters united and “set the stage” for his next act, as Politico reports. It’s entirely possible he’ll run again in 2024.
For now, though, President Trump still seems to enjoy the performative aspects of his job. He came to the briefing room Tuesday to tout the Dow crossing 30,000 for the first time. Later in the day, he engaged in that most venerable of presidential traditions, the pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkey.
Mr. Trump kept it light – and civil. As he and the first lady headed back toward the White House, he ignored a shouted question about whether he might pardon himself. The first couple just turned and smiled.
Mr. Biden put on another kind of show Tuesday when he introduced diverse members of his foreign policy and national security team. Each spoke movingly of her or his background and dedication to public service.
Mr. McCain, the GOP nominee for president in 2008, never reached that highest rung in American politics. And if he were around today, he would surely say that he doesn’t see eye to eye with his friend, the president-elect, on some matters. But he’d do so civilly.
Let us know what you’re thinking at csmpolitics@csmonitor.com.
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csmonitor--2020-11-25--2021 Grammy nominations: Black experience takes center stage

With police brutality continuing to devastate Black families and the coronavirus ravishing Black America disproportionately , the world was driven to the significance of this year ’ s Juneteenth more than ever before .
And Beyoncé knew she wanted to release a song on that momentous day , so she dropped “ Black Parade , ” an anthemic jam where she proudly sings about her heritage , hometown , and returning to her African roots .
Months later , the song – and others focused on protesting , police brutality , and the overall Black experience – are taking center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beyoncé ’ s “ Black Parade ” scored nominations for two of the top awards : song of the year and record of the year .
The track will also compete for best RB song and best RB performance .
“ There could have been a different approach as far as releasing the record and capitalizing off of timings of other things , but we really wanted to get it out during a time where we could all remember the feeling and the energy , ” Derek Dixie , a longtime collaborator of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the pop star , said in an interview with The Associated Press .
“ It ’ s not always about the money and about catching streaming numbers and things like that .
Sometimes it ’ s just about what it is – which was making our people proud.
” “ Black Parade ” helped Beyoncé land nine nominations , making her the overall top Grammy contender .
Mr. Dixie earned three Grammy nominations for co-writing and co-producing the song .
For song of the year , “ Black Parade ” will compete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t Breathe , ” the RB singer ’ s track about police brutality .
Lil Baby ’ s “ The Bigger Picture , ” a protest song he created in the wake of the killing of George Floyd , scored nominations for best rap song and best rap performance .
Proceeds from the song will support the Black Lives Matter movement , Breonna Taylor ’ s attorney , The Bail Project , and the National Association of Black Journalists .
Anderson.Paak also released a song on Juneteenth – the holiday that commemorates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were free – and it ’ s competing for two awards .
“ Lockdown ” is nominated for best rap performance and best music video .
Country singer Mickey Guyton wrote the track “ Black Like Me ” a year ago but released it this year because she felt it was extremely relevant .
Now , it ’ s nominated for best country solo performance , giving the performer her first-ever Grammy nomination .
“ It ’ s been so hard in the country music community , and trying to get country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for me to get a Grammy [ nomination ] , it just goes to show that writing your truth is just the way to go , ” Ms. Guyton told the AP on Tuesday .
“ And not only writing your truth , but really bringing your brothers and sisters up with you.
” But Ms. Guyton admits that everyone ’ s response to her song wasn ’ t warm .
It features the lyrics , “ If you think we live in the land of the free/You should try to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and I did get people that were very angry .
There were even radio stations that people were like , ‘ Get this [ expletive ] off of my radio station , ’ ” she said .
“ I would get people writing me messages like , ‘ Well , if you don ’ t like it here then leave.
’ And I ’ m like , ‘ Well , it ’ s just as much my country as it is yours.
’ ” Ms. Guyton added that some “ radio stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like Me ’ ] because they were [ angering ] their listeners , because their listeners didn ’ t want to hear that.
” Apart from “ Black Parade , ” Beyoncé also earned nominations for her film honoring Black art and Black history , “ Black Is King , ” as well as her ode to dark- and brown-skinned women , “ Brown Skin Girl.
” Mr. Dixie , who has worked as Beyoncé ’ s music director and has produced , engineered , and arranged songs for the singer , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with an artist who boldly speaks about Black pride in her music .
“ It ’ s just good to see that she ’ s willing to put that type of energy out and not necessarily be thinking about : ‘ What ’ s going to guarantee me a No .
1 ?
What ’ s going to guarantee me this ?
’ It ’ s a part of our conversation , it ’ s a part of the process , but when it ’ s necessary to put that art out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , she ’ s usually ... leading the pack in that regard , ” Mr. Dixie said .
“ So I ’ m grateful to be associated with her on that path.
” Ms. Guyton added that it ’ s comforting to see some many Black musicians reflect the current times in their music , and she ’ s grateful to the Grammys for acknowledging those kinds of songs .
“ It ’ s so important because so often Black people , and Black women especially , are getting overlooked .
... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get people to remember that you ’ re there , ” she said .
“ It feels like we ’ re seen , and I don ’ t think we ’ ve always felt seen.
” “ I use this scenario of going into any grocery store – if you go to any grocery store ... and you look for hair products for someone who is ethnic and ... you see an entire aisle full of every and any hair product you can possibly think for someone that is not Black .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ products for a Black person , we ’ re designated a shelf .
And today , it doesn ’ t feel like we ’ re designated a shelf.
” The 2021 Grammy Awards will air live on Jan. 31 .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .

With police brutality continuing to devastate Black families and the coronavirus ravishing Black America disproportionately, the world was driven to the significance of this year’s Juneteenth more than ever before.
And Beyoncé knew she wanted to release a song on that momentous day, so she dropped “Black Parade,” an anthemic jam where she proudly sings about her heritage, hometown, and returning to her African roots.
Months later, the song – and others focused on protesting, police brutality, and the overall Black experience – are taking center stage at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
Beyoncé’s “Black Parade” scored nominations for two of the top awards: song of the year and record of the year. The track will also compete for best RB song and best RB performance.
“There could have been a different approach as far as releasing the record and capitalizing off of timings of other things, but we really wanted to get it out during a time where we could all remember the feeling and the energy,” Derek Dixie, a longtime collaborator of Beyoncé’s who co-wrote the song with the pop star, said in an interview with The Associated Press.
“It’s not always about the money and about catching streaming numbers and things like that. Sometimes it’s just about what it is – which was making our people proud.”
“Black Parade” helped Beyoncé land nine nominations, making her the overall top Grammy contender. Mr. Dixie earned three Grammy nominations for co-writing and co-producing the song.
For song of the year, “Black Parade” will compete with H.E.R.’s “I Can’t Breathe,” the RB singer’s track about police brutality.
Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture,” a protest song he created in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, scored nominations for best rap song and best rap performance. Proceeds from the song will support the Black Lives Matter movement, Breonna Taylor’s attorney, The Bail Project, and the National Association of Black Journalists.
Anderson.Paak also released a song on Juneteenth – the holiday that commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free – and it’s competing for two awards. “Lockdown” is nominated for best rap performance and best music video.
Country singer Mickey Guyton wrote the track “Black Like Me” a year ago but released it this year because she felt it was extremely relevant. Now, it’s nominated for best country solo performance, giving the performer her first-ever Grammy nomination.
“It’s been so hard in the country music community, and trying to get country music to even support my music – and for me to get a Grammy [nomination], it just goes to show that writing your truth is just the way to go,” Ms. Guyton told the AP on Tuesday. “And not only writing your truth, but really bringing your brothers and sisters up with you.”
But Ms. Guyton admits that everyone’s response to her song wasn’t warm. It features the lyrics, “If you think we live in the land of the free/You should try to be Black like me.”
“I released it and I did get people that were very angry. There were even radio stations that people were like, ‘Get this [expletive] off of my radio station,’” she said. “I would get people writing me messages like, ‘Well, if you don’t like it here then leave.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, it’s just as much my country as it is yours.’”
Ms. Guyton added that some “radio stations were scared to play [‘Black Like Me’] because they were [angering] their listeners, because their listeners didn’t want to hear that.”
Apart from “Black Parade,” Beyoncé also earned nominations for her film honoring Black art and Black history, “Black Is King,” as well as her ode to dark- and brown-skinned women, “Brown Skin Girl.”
Mr. Dixie, who has worked as Beyoncé’s music director and has produced, engineered, and arranged songs for the singer, said he’s grateful he’s working with an artist who boldly speaks about Black pride in her music.
“It’s just good to see that she’s willing to put that type of energy out and not necessarily be thinking about: ‘What’s going to guarantee me a No. 1? What’s going to guarantee me this?’ It’s a part of our conversation, it’s a part of the process, but when it’s necessary to put that art out there, to put that energy out there, she’s usually ... leading the pack in that regard,” Mr. Dixie said. “So I’m grateful to be associated with her on that path.”
Ms. Guyton added that it’s comforting to see some many Black musicians reflect the current times in their music, and she’s grateful to the Grammys for acknowledging those kinds of songs.
“It’s so important because so often Black people, and Black women especially, are getting overlooked. ... And you’re constantly just trying to get people to remember that you’re there,” she said. “It feels like we’re seen, and I don’t think we’ve always felt seen.”
“I use this scenario of going into any grocery store – if you go to any grocery store ... and you look for hair products for someone who is ethnic and ... you see an entire aisle full of every and any hair product you can possibly think for someone that is not Black. But whenever it comes to finding hair products for a Black person, we’re designated a shelf. And today, it doesn’t feel like we’re designated a shelf.”
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The 2021 Grammy Awards will air live on Jan. 31.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-11-25--The generous sauce that lifts this year's Thanksgiving

Too many Americans – 27 % – are experiencing a lot of sadness , according to the latest Gallup Poll .
That ’ s up from 18 % two years ago .
National events , from a pandemic to racial injustice to a recession , have pushed many into desolation at a time of holiday celebration .
A few notable families – such as those of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and Ahmaud Arbery – will be in mourning .
In the homes of 260,000 people , there will be a chair made empty by COVID-19 .
For tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available only from a drive-thru charity distribution .
For most Americans , Thanksgiving Day – a holiday that invites people to count their blessings – has been reduced to a family-only , small-turkey , Zoom-waving affair , perhaps one without civic strife over presidential politics .
At least 61 % of people have had to change or cancel their holiday plans , according to a survey by The Vacationer .
All the more reason why this special occasion for gratitude should be – and is – one of generosity .
During the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose 7.5 % compared with the first half of 2019 , according to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project .
That ’ s a hardy response during multiple crises .
In addition , giving toward the prevention of anti-Black racism has climbed to more than $ 10 billion so far this year , or three times the total spent in the previous eight years .
Worldwide , philanthropy aimed at stopping the pandemic has reached $ 16.5 billion , according to the charity watchdog Candid .
The funding is larger than for any other disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These figures hint at a deep stirring in the hearts of many .
“ People are looking to generosity as the antidote to their fear and their isolation and injustice and division , ” Woodrow Rosenbaum , chief data officer at # GivingTuesday , told The Chronicle of Philanthropy .
Gratitude is more than a looking back or a recognition of the present good in one ’ s experience .
The apostle Paul writes of being thankful “ in ” everything rather than “ for ” something .
That requires engagement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritual reasons for gratitude .
In his last Thanksgiving address as president , John F. Kennedy wrote , “ As we express our gratitude , we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words , but to live by them.
” In their first post-harvest celebration in 1621 , the Pilgrims gathered to “ rejoice together , ” that is , to evoke joy in others .
Their gathering was made possible by a compact , signed aboard the Mayflower , that called for the “ body politic ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” They understood that a pursuit of equality – a goal not yet achieved in the American experiment – was driven “ for the glory of God , ” which includes a responsibility for the well-being of others .
This year ’ s wave of giving is driven mainly by the near-universal experience of the pandemic .
“ COVID-19 has inspired a groundswell of response to human need , ” writes the faculty of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in the Stanford Social Innovation Review .
They also see more “ dynamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are more inclusive .
“ Everyone has the capacity to contribute in ways that are not prescribed , ” they write .
Nearly 40 % of Americans tell the online gift processor Classy that they are likely or certain to contribute more to charity this year than last year .
As Cicero said , “ Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues , but the parent of all the others.
” Among those virtues is generosity .
This year , gratitude is wonderfully high for health care practitioners , for volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the legitimacy of the election , and for all those helping to restitch the fabric of a people straining for wider compassion and equal justice .
America as an experiment is genuinely important to the world , said former President Barack Obama in a recent interview with The Atlantic , because it “ is the first real experiment in building a large , multiethnic , multicultural democracy.
” The founder of this newspaper , Mary Baker Eddy , wrote that Thanksgiving signifies “ that love , unselfed , knocks more loudly than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that it finds admittance.
” As a troubled nation pauses in reflection , all can share its blessings , casting them through the prism of gratitude .

Too many Americans – 27% – are experiencing a lot of sadness, according to the latest Gallup Poll. That’s up from 18% two years ago. National events, from a pandemic to racial injustice to a recession, have pushed many into desolation at a time of holiday celebration. A few notable families – such as those of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery – will be in mourning. In the homes of 260,000 people, there will be a chair made empty by COVID-19. For tens of thousands, a Thanksgiving meal was available only from a drive-thru charity distribution.
For most Americans, Thanksgiving Day – a holiday that invites people to count their blessings – has been reduced to a family-only, small-turkey, Zoom-waving affair, perhaps one without civic strife over presidential politics. At least 61% of people have had to change or cancel their holiday plans, according to a survey by The Vacationer.
All the more reason why this special occasion for gratitude should be – and is – one of generosity.
During the first half of the year, charitable giving rose 7.5% compared with the first half of 2019, according to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project. That’s a hardy response during multiple crises. In addition, giving toward the prevention of anti-Black racism has climbed to more than $10 billion so far this year, or three times the total spent in the previous eight years.
Worldwide, philanthropy aimed at stopping the pandemic has reached $16.5 billion, according to the charity watchdog Candid. The funding is larger than for any other disaster or humanitarian crisis, the group says.
These figures hint at a deep stirring in the hearts of many. “People are looking to generosity as the antidote to their fear and their isolation and injustice and division,” Woodrow Rosenbaum, chief data officer at #GivingTuesday, told The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Gratitude is more than a looking back or a recognition of the present good in one’s experience. The apostle Paul writes of being thankful “in” everything rather than “for” something. That requires engagement with others along with an understanding of the spiritual reasons for gratitude.
In his last Thanksgiving address as president, John F. Kennedy wrote, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” In their first post-harvest celebration in 1621, the Pilgrims gathered to “rejoice together,” that is, to evoke joy in others. Their gathering was made possible by a compact, signed aboard the Mayflower, that called for the “body politic” to enact “just and equal laws.” They understood that a pursuit of equality – a goal not yet achieved in the American experiment – was driven “for the glory of God,” which includes a responsibility for the well-being of others.
This year’s wave of giving is driven mainly by the near-universal experience of the pandemic. “COVID-19 has inspired a groundswell of response to human need,” writes the faculty of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. They also see more “dynamic generosity,” or innovations in giving that are more inclusive. “Everyone has the capacity to contribute in ways that are not prescribed,” they write.
Nearly 40% of Americans tell the online gift processor Classy that they are likely or certain to contribute more to charity this year than last year. As Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” Among those virtues is generosity.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This year, gratitude is wonderfully high for health care practitioners, for volunteers and local officials who worked tirelessly to ensure the legitimacy of the election, and for all those helping to restitch the fabric of a people straining for wider compassion and equal justice. America as an experiment is genuinely important to the world, said former President Barack Obama in a recent interview with The Atlantic, because it “is the first real experiment in building a large, multiethnic, multicultural democracy.”
The founder of this newspaper, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote that Thanksgiving signifies “that love, unselfed, knocks more loudly than ever before at the heart of humanity and that it finds admittance.” As a troubled nation pauses in reflection, all can share its blessings, casting them through the prism of gratitude.


csmonitor--2020-11-25--Can Norway’s deforestation program outbid loggers?

Norway is doubling the price it guarantees developing nations to keep their tropical forests standing , in a step to slow catastrophic losses and encourage big companies to invest far more in nature to combat climate change .
In exchange for boosting the floor price it offers nations to slow deforestation to $ 10 per metric ton of carbon dioxide from $ 5 – until now the international standard – countries must adopt better monitoring , said Per Fredrik Pharo , director of Norway ’ s International Climate and Forest Initiative .
Norway is the top donor for safeguarding rainforests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain , and has spent up to $ 330 million a year since 2008 .
But despite concentrated efforts to curb losses , tropical forests are being cleared at a rate of a soccer field every six seconds , and deforestation accounts for about 11 % of man-made greenhouse gas emissions each year , according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization .
Trees naturally curb global warming by soaking up carbon dioxide from the air in order to grow , which makes protecting forests a cost-effective way to deal with climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called in September for the world to mobilize $ 20 billion to protect the Amazon .
That rainforest locks up an estimated 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide for every 2.5 acres – roughly the size of a soccer field .
At $ 10 a metric ton , tropical forest countries could earn $ 5,000 for every 2.5 acres of rainforest they conserve compared to a benchmark of historic rates of losses .
The move comes as major firms including Walmart , Apple , Microsoft , Amazon , and Shell have set goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since almost 200 governments adopted the 2015 Paris climate agreement .
To achieve those goals , many – besides slashing their own emissions – will need to pay to offset what they can not cut , through measures potentially including protecting forests .
Mr. Pharo said getting the payment system for forest protection running effectively had suffered from “ a chicken and egg problem ” up to now .
But “ serious companies are now entering the fray , ” he said , with Norway “ using our money to grease the wheels.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dilemma , developing nations have found it less profitable to safeguard rainforests – at least in the short term – than to allow logging or to permit farmers to burn down forests to produce soya , palm oil , or beef .
On the other side , donor nations and companies are wary of paying to protect forests when their investments may literally go up in smoke .
Deforestation has risen in Brazil , for instance , since populist President Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019 .
To qualify for the $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forest governments will have to adopt a rigorous accounting and monitoring system for forests , known as ART TREES , worked out in February .
“ What we are saying to countries – like Gabon , Indonesia , Colombia – is that ‘ You have our price guarantee .
If you deliver [ metric tons ] under ART TREES , we will pay you $ 10 a [ metric ton ] , up to some ceiling ’ , ” he said .
The hope is that compliance tracked by satellites and on-the-ground inspections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invest $ 10 per metric ton or more , allowing Norway to stand aside and act mostly as a back-up .
Norway , which is western Europe ’ s top oil and gas exporter , has also helped set up nonprofit group Emergent to act as a broker to promote forest investments by companies .
Still , it is unclear if the $ 10 floor price will be enough to unlock investments .
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez , a former Costa Rican environment minister who heads the Global Environment Facility in Washington , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match what farmers in tropical nations could earn from “ unsustainable cattle ranching or agriculture after the land is deforested ” and reward “ positive land uses.
” Safeguarding forests also offers benefits like protecting biodiversity and human well-being , he said .
But the costs of managing and monitoring forests to limit deforestation is often “ higher than $ 10 ” per metric ton of carbon dioxide .
“ For least developed countries , [ $ 10 ] may be attractive , but for middle-income countries and those with high forest cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Frances Seymour , a senior fellow at the World Resources Institute , a U.S. think-tank , and chair of ART TREES , said a contract signed by Norway and Gabon in September 2019 – the first for $ 10 a metric ton – was seen among forest experts as “ a big step forward.
” “ Private sector talk of $ 15 a [ metric ton ] has raised eyebrows even further [ and is ] more in the ballpark towards $ 20 that would actually be of interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international focus needed to be on slowing losses of existing rainforests , rather than planting new trees .
She predicted a Biden administration will increase U.S. engagement in protecting forests .
Anders Haug Larsen , of the Rainforest Foundation Norway , welcomed Norway ’ s plan but said $ 10 “ was not enough by itself to make the carrot big enough ” for many forest nations .
Among hard-to-value extra benefits , forests are vast stores of biodiversity , from orangutans to jaguars or rare orchids .
About 25 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But managing forests better also can have spinoffs such as eco-tourism and sustainable logging .
Mary Grady , director of ART in California , said she was in talks about taking part with about 25 developing countries or sub-national governments that have power to pass laws to safeguard forests .
By enlisting governments , ART TREES will try to avoid past problems where successful forest protection in one region merely displaced loggers and farmers elsewhere , with no net benefits for forests .
“ The corporate buyers like to be able to point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an iconic species they are protecting , ” Ms. Grady said .
“ While that is great on the cover of the annual report , it ’ s not delivering a real climate benefit if you realize that the forest is being burned down in the next jurisdiction over , ” she added .
Emergent ’ s executive director Eron Bloomgarden said he was in talks with a wide range of major companies , in oil and gas , finance , technology , and other sectors , with combined annual turnover of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give a list of names , except Norwegian energy group Equinor , which has publicly said it will invest in forests once a “ well-functioning market is in place ” .
Mr. Bloomgarden said he hoped for a first round of big corporate announcements of investments by a United Nations climate summit next year in Glasgow , Scotland .
Constance McDermott , a researcher at the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University , said there were still many hurdles standing in the way of Norway ’ s programs .
Any certification system will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indigenous peoples ’ rights to land , something often disputed by governments in developing nations , she said .
She called the Norwegian initiative “ an interesting idea .
But it has a lot of challenges to address.
” This story was reported by the Thomson Reuters Foundation .

Norway is doubling the price it guarantees developing nations to keep their tropical forests standing, in a step to slow catastrophic losses and encourage big companies to invest far more in nature to combat climate change.
In exchange for boosting the floor price it offers nations to slow deforestation to $10 per metric ton of carbon dioxide from $5 – until now the international standard – countries must adopt better monitoring, said Per Fredrik Pharo, director of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative.
Norway is the top donor for safeguarding rainforests, ahead of nations including Germany and Britain, and has spent up to $330 million a year since 2008.
But despite concentrated efforts to curb losses, tropical forests are being cleared at a rate of a soccer field every six seconds, and deforestation accounts for about 11% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions each year, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Trees naturally curb global warming by soaking up carbon dioxide from the air in order to grow, which makes protecting forests a cost-effective way to deal with climate threats.
United States President-elect Joe Biden called in September for the world to mobilize $20 billion to protect the Amazon.
That rainforest locks up an estimated 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide for every 2.5 acres – roughly the size of a soccer field.
At $10 a metric ton, tropical forest countries could earn $5,000 for every 2.5 acres of rainforest they conserve compared to a benchmark of historic rates of losses.
The move comes as major firms including Walmart, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Shell have set goals of net zero emissions in coming decades since almost 200 governments adopted the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
To achieve those goals, many – besides slashing their own emissions – will need to pay to offset what they cannot cut, through measures potentially including protecting forests.
Mr. Pharo said getting the payment system for forest protection running effectively had suffered from “a chicken and egg problem” up to now. But “serious companies are now entering the fray,” he said, with Norway “using our money to grease the wheels.”
Tougher monitoring
On one side of the chicken-and-egg dilemma, developing nations have found it less profitable to safeguard rainforests – at least in the short term – than to allow logging or to permit farmers to burn down forests to produce soya, palm oil, or beef.
On the other side, donor nations and companies are wary of paying to protect forests when their investments may literally go up in smoke. Deforestation has risen in Brazil, for instance, since populist President Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019.
To qualify for the $10 floor price, Mr. Pharo said tropical forest governments will have to adopt a rigorous accounting and monitoring system for forests, known as ART TREES, worked out in February.
“What we are saying to countries – like Gabon, Indonesia, Colombia – is that ‘You have our price guarantee. If you deliver [metric tons] under ART TREES, we will pay you $10 a [metric ton], up to some ceiling’,” he said.
The hope is that compliance tracked by satellites and on-the-ground inspections will make big companies confident enough to invest $10 per metric ton or more, allowing Norway to stand aside and act mostly as a back-up.
Norway, which is western Europe’s top oil and gas exporter, has also helped set up nonprofit group Emergent to act as a broker to promote forest investments by companies.
Still, it is unclear if the $10 floor price will be enough to unlock investments.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, a former Costa Rican environment minister who heads the Global Environment Facility in Washington, said the value of standing forest had to match what farmers in tropical nations could earn from “unsustainable cattle ranching or agriculture after the land is deforested” and reward “positive land uses.”
Safeguarding forests also offers benefits like protecting biodiversity and human well-being, he said. But the costs of managing and monitoring forests to limit deforestation is often “higher than $10” per metric ton of carbon dioxide.
“For least developed countries, [$10] may be attractive, but for middle-income countries and those with high forest cover, it may be very low,” he said.
Frances Seymour, a senior fellow at the World Resources Institute, a U.S. think-tank, and chair of ART TREES, said a contract signed by Norway and Gabon in September 2019 – the first for $10 a metric ton – was seen among forest experts as “a big step forward.”
“Private sector talk of $15 a [metric ton] has raised eyebrows even further [and is] more in the ballpark towards $20 that would actually be of interest,” she said.
She said the international focus needed to be on slowing losses of existing rainforests, rather than planting new trees. She predicted a Biden administration will increase U.S. engagement in protecting forests.
Anders Haug Larsen, of the Rainforest Foundation Norway, welcomed Norway’s plan but said $10 “was not enough by itself to make the carrot big enough” for many forest nations.
Among hard-to-value extra benefits, forests are vast stores of biodiversity, from orangutans to jaguars or rare orchids. About 25% of all pharmaceuticals have ingredients from plants.
But managing forests better also can have spinoffs such as eco-tourism and sustainable logging.
Mary Grady, director of ART in California, said she was in talks about taking part with about 25 developing countries or sub-national governments that have power to pass laws to safeguard forests.
Hurdles
By enlisting governments, ART TREES will try to avoid past problems where successful forest protection in one region merely displaced loggers and farmers elsewhere, with no net benefits for forests.
“The corporate buyers like to be able to point to a specific region, a community, an iconic species they are protecting,” Ms. Grady said.
“While that is great on the cover of the annual report, it’s not delivering a real climate benefit if you realize that the forest is being burned down in the next jurisdiction over,” she added.
Emergent’s executive director Eron Bloomgarden said he was in talks with a wide range of major companies, in oil and gas, finance, technology, and other sectors, with combined annual turnover of $2 trillion.
He declined to give a list of names, except Norwegian energy group Equinor, which has publicly said it will invest in forests once a “well-functioning market is in place”.
Mr. Bloomgarden said he hoped for a first round of big corporate announcements of investments by a United Nations climate summit next year in Glasgow, Scotland.
Constance McDermott, a researcher at the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University, said there were still many hurdles standing in the way of Norway’s programs.
Any certification system will struggle, for instance, to ensure indigenous peoples’ rights to land, something often disputed by governments in developing nations, she said.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
She called the Norwegian initiative “an interesting idea. But it has a lot of challenges to address.”
This story was reported by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.


csmonitor--2020-11-25--Biden unveils nominees for national security team. Who are they?

Declaring “ America is back , ” President-elect Joe Biden introduced his national security team , his first substantive offering of how he ’ ll shift from Trump-era “ America First ” policies by relying on experts from the Democratic establishment to be some of his most important advisers .
“ Together , these public servants will restore America globally , its global leadership , and its moral leadership , ” Mr. Biden said Tuesday from a theater in his longtime home of Wilmington , Delaware .
“ It ’ s a team that reflects the fact that America is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not retreat from it.
” The nominees are all Washington veterans with ties to the Obama administration , a sign of Mr. Biden ’ s effort to resume some form of normalcy after the tumult of President Donald Trump ’ s four years in office .
There are risks to choosing experienced hands from the previous Democratic administration .
Besides Republican attacks , progressives fret that Mr. Biden is tapping some officials who were too cautious and incremental the last time they held power .
Still , Mr. Biden ’ s nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose Cabinet has largely consisted of men , almost all of them white .
Mr. Biden ’ s picks included several women and people of color , some of whom would break barriers if confirmed to their new positions .
On Tuesday they stood behind Mr. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , spaced apart and wearing masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , a contrast with Mr. Trump and many of his top aides who have largely eschewed facial coverings .
The president-elect ’ s team includes Antony Blinken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Capitol Hill whose ties to Mr. Biden go back some 20 years , for secretary of state ; lawyer Alejandro Mayorkas to be homeland security secretary ; veteran diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be the United States ambassador to the United Nations ; and Obama White House alumnus Jake Sullivan as national security adviser .
Avril Haines , a former deputy director of the CIA , was picked to serve as director of national intelligence , the first woman to hold that post , and former Secretary of State John Kerry will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on climate change .
Mr. Kerry and Mr. Sullivan ’ s position will not require Senate confirmation .
With the Senate ’ s balance of power hinging on two runoff races in Georgia that will be decided in January , some Senate Republicans have already expressed antipathy to Mr. Biden ’ s picks as little more than Obama world retreads .
Sen. Tom Cotton , an Arkansas Republican and potential 2024 presidential candidate , argued that Mr. Biden is surrounding himself with people who will go soft on China .
Sen. Marco Rubio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that will consider Mr. Blinken ’ s nomination , broadly wrote off the early selections .
“ Biden ’ s cabinet picks went to Ivy League schools , have strong resumes , attend all the right conferences & will be polite & orderly caretakers of America ’ s decline , ” Mr. Rubio tweeted .
Mr. Biden said his choices “ reflect the idea that we can not meet these challenges with old thinking and unchanged habits.
” He said he tasked them with reasserting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swipe at Mr. Trump , who has resisted many traditional foreign alliances .
While Mr. Trump expected total loyalty from his Cabinet and chafed at pushback from advisers , Mr. Biden said he expected advisers to tell me “ what I need to know , not what I want to know.
” Further drawing a contrast with Mr. Trump , Ms. Haines said she accepted Mr. Biden ’ s nomination knowing that “ you value the perspective of the intelligence community , and that you will do so even when what I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ms. Haines said she has “ never shied away from speaking truth to power ” and added “ that will be my charge as director of national intelligence.
” Mr. Biden celebrated the diversity of his picks , offering a particularly poignant tribute to Ms. Thomas-Greenfield .
The eldest of eight children who grew up in segregated Louisiana , she was the first to graduate from high school and college in her family .
The diplomat , in turn , said that with his selections , Mr. Biden is achieving much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ My fellow career diplomats and public servants around the world , I want to say to you , ‘ America is back , multilateralism is back , diplomacy is back , ’ ” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said .
Mr. Mayorkas , who is Cuban American , also offered a nod to his immigrant upbringing .
“ My father and mother brought me to this country to escape communism , ” he said .
“ They cherished our democracy , and were intensely proud to become United States citizens , as was I.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult confirmation challenge from Mr. Biden ’ s early round of nominees .
The Senate previously confirmed him in December 2013 by a party-line vote to be the deputy secretary of Homeland Security .
The Senate was controlled by Democrats then , and all of the chamber ’ s Republicans voted against his confirmation mainly because he was then under investigation by the inspector general in that department who had been appointed by President Barack Obama .
At the time , the Senate historian ’ s office said it was unprecedented for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was under investigation .
The inspector general , John Roth , found in March 2015 that Mr. Mayorkas , as director of the U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services , appeared to give special treatment to certain people as part of the visa program that gives residency preference to immigrants who agree to invest in the U.S. economy .
Meanwhile , there were signs on Tuesday that the stalled formal transition of power is now underway .
Mr. Biden ’ s team now is in contact with all federal agencies , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anonymity to describe developments that have not been announced .
At the Pentagon , Kash Patel , chief of staff to the acting secretary of defense , is heading the department ’ s transition work .
A transition task force has been assembled , led by Tom Muir , head of the Pentagon office that provides administrative and management services to all Defense Department facilities in the Washington area .
Mr. Muir said the first meeting with Mr. Biden ’ s team was held virtually on Tuesday morning and that he expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some in person .
He said normal accommodations for the Biden team have been made , including provision of briefing materials , video-teleconferencing capabilities , and office space inside the Pentagon .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also said his agency is working to get briefing materials to Mr. Biden ’ s aides immediately and pledged a “ professional , cooperative , and collaborative ” transition .
The moves came a day after the head of the General Services Administration wrote the necessary letter of “ ascertainment ” acknowledging Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , triggering the transition process .
Mr. Trump , who continues to press a legal challenge to overturn the election results , again on Tuesday refused to concede his election loss , tweeting that “ the GSA does not determine who the next President of the United States will be.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report .

Alexander Jaffe, Matthew Lee, and Aamer Madhani

Declaring “America is back,” President-elect Joe Biden introduced his national security team, his first substantive offering of how he’ll shift from Trump-era “America First” policies by relying on experts from the Democratic establishment to be some of his most important advisers.
“Together, these public servants will restore America globally, its global leadership, and its moral leadership,” Mr. Biden said Tuesday from a theater in his longtime home of Wilmington, Delaware. “It’s a team that reflects the fact that America is back, ready to lead the world, not retreat from it.”
The nominees are all Washington veterans with ties to the Obama administration, a sign of Mr. Biden’s effort to resume some form of normalcy after the tumult of President Donald Trump’s four years in office.
There are risks to choosing experienced hands from the previous Democratic administration. Besides Republican attacks, progressives fret that Mr. Biden is tapping some officials who were too cautious and incremental the last time they held power.
Still, Mr. Biden’s nominees were a clear departure from Mr. Trump, whose Cabinet has largely consisted of men, almost all of them white. Mr. Biden’s picks included several women and people of color, some of whom would break barriers if confirmed to their new positions.
On Tuesday they stood behind Mr. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, spaced apart and wearing masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a contrast with Mr. Trump and many of his top aides who have largely eschewed facial coverings.
The president-elect’s team includes Antony Blinken, a veteran foreign policy hand well-regarded on Capitol Hill whose ties to Mr. Biden go back some 20 years, for secretary of state; lawyer Alejandro Mayorkas to be homeland security secretary; veteran diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be the United States ambassador to the United Nations; and Obama White House alumnus Jake Sullivan as national security adviser.
Avril Haines, a former deputy director of the CIA, was picked to serve as director of national intelligence, the first woman to hold that post, and former Secretary of State John Kerry will make a curtain call as a special envoy on climate change. Mr. Kerry and Mr. Sullivan’s position will not require Senate confirmation.
With the Senate’s balance of power hinging on two runoff races in Georgia that will be decided in January, some Senate Republicans have already expressed antipathy to Mr. Biden’s picks as little more than Obama world retreads.
Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican and potential 2024 presidential candidate, argued that Mr. Biden is surrounding himself with people who will go soft on China.
Sen. Marco Rubio, another potential White House hopeful, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that will consider Mr. Blinken’s nomination, broadly wrote off the early selections.
“Biden’s cabinet picks went to Ivy League schools, have strong resumes, attend all the right conferences & will be polite & orderly caretakers of America’s decline,” Mr. Rubio tweeted.
Mr. Biden said his choices “reflect the idea that we cannot meet these challenges with old thinking and unchanged habits.” He said he tasked them with reasserting global and moral leadership, a clear swipe at Mr. Trump, who has resisted many traditional foreign alliances.
While Mr. Trump expected total loyalty from his Cabinet and chafed at pushback from advisers, Mr. Biden said he expected advisers to tell me “what I need to know, not what I want to know.”
Further drawing a contrast with Mr. Trump, Ms. Haines said she accepted Mr. Biden’s nomination knowing that “you value the perspective of the intelligence community, and that you will do so even when what I have to say may be inconvenient or difficult.”
Ms. Haines said she has “never shied away from speaking truth to power” and added “that will be my charge as director of national intelligence.”
Mr. Biden celebrated the diversity of his picks, offering a particularly poignant tribute to Ms. Thomas-Greenfield. The eldest of eight children who grew up in segregated Louisiana, she was the first to graduate from high school and college in her family. The diplomat, in turn, said that with his selections, Mr. Biden is achieving much more than a changing of the guard.
“My fellow career diplomats and public servants around the world, I want to say to you, ‘America is back, multilateralism is back, diplomacy is back,’” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said.
Mr. Mayorkas, who is Cuban American, also offered a nod to his immigrant upbringing.
“My father and mother brought me to this country to escape communism,” he said. “They cherished our democracy, and were intensely proud to become United States citizens, as was I.”
But Mr. Mayorkas might pose the most difficult confirmation challenge from Mr. Biden’s early round of nominees.
The Senate previously confirmed him in December 2013 by a party-line vote to be the deputy secretary of Homeland Security. The Senate was controlled by Democrats then, and all of the chamber’s Republicans voted against his confirmation mainly because he was then under investigation by the inspector general in that department who had been appointed by President Barack Obama. At the time, the Senate historian’s office said it was unprecedented for the Senate to vote on a nominee who was under investigation.
The inspector general, John Roth, found in March 2015 that Mr. Mayorkas, as director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, appeared to give special treatment to certain people as part of the visa program that gives residency preference to immigrants who agree to invest in the U.S. economy.
Meanwhile, there were signs on Tuesday that the stalled formal transition of power is now underway. Mr. Biden’s team now is in contact with all federal agencies, according to a transition official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe developments that have not been announced.
At the Pentagon, Kash Patel, chief of staff to the acting secretary of defense, is heading the department’s transition work. A transition task force has been assembled, led by Tom Muir, head of the Pentagon office that provides administrative and management services to all Defense Department facilities in the Washington area.
Mr. Muir said the first meeting with Mr. Biden’s team was held virtually on Tuesday morning and that he expected daily meetings to come – some virtually and some in person. He said normal accommodations for the Biden team have been made, including provision of briefing materials, video-teleconferencing capabilities, and office space inside the Pentagon.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also said his agency is working to get briefing materials to Mr. Biden’s aides immediately and pledged a “professional, cooperative, and collaborative” transition.
The moves came a day after the head of the General Services Administration wrote the necessary letter of “ascertainment” acknowledging Mr. Biden as the apparent winner of the election, triggering the transition process.
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Mr. Trump, who continues to press a legal challenge to overturn the election results, again on Tuesday refused to concede his election loss, tweeting that “the GSA does not determine who the next President of the United States will be.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-11-24--How lack of transparency, inconsistency hamper U.S. pandemic fight

Much of the inconsistency comes from the top , says Emily Blodget , an infectious disease specialist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles .
“ We don ’ t have federal guidance , at least not now , so each state is determining their own rules.
” “ So much of compliance depends on voluntary cooperation , ” says John Pitney , a professor of political science at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont , California .
“ People will go along if they see a consistent set of rules that seem to make sense.
” This apparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states , and between states and within them – fuels mistrust , say observers , as people compare their own rules to the ones in the next county or state .
Take indoor worship .
In Washington , it ’ s limited to 25 % occupancy .
In Oregon , it ’ s 25 people .
And in most of California , it ’ s banned altogether .
Schools are closed , yet bars are open .
Many places impose curfews , but they are riddled with loopholes .
Outdoor dining – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants afloat while protecting the public – is now banned for three weeks in Los Angeles County .
As the pandemic surges across the United States , Americans are facing public health measures that are seen as not just restrictive , but inconsistent .
As the pandemic surges nationwide in the United States , rules meant to curb the virus are testing not only the patience of many Americans , but also their reasoning .
What is the logic , for instance , behind closing the National Zoo in Washington , D.C. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be outdoors than indoors ?
Why do the West Coast states – all run by Democrats and consulting each other on pandemic strategy – have three different standards for indoor worship , from 25 % of occupancy ( Washington ) , to 25 people ( Oregon ) , to no indoor worship ( most of California ) ?
And a biggie – why are many schools closed ( from New York to California ) , while bars are not ?
“ There have been reasons to question why close this and not close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior economist at the Rand Corp. who specializes in public health research .
For example , “ it doesn ’ t seem that schools are a big spreader , but research does suggest that restaurants , bars , and gyms are , and they remain open.
” The questioning goes beyond impatience with restrictions – “ COVID fatigue ” – to mistrust of rules , says Dr. Ringel .
In turn , that can lead to noncompliance , just when America is entering the holiday season , which is traditionally a peak gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make-or-break time for many businesses .
The U.S. has surpassed 12.5 million cases , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked people not to travel to see loved ones .
Inconsistent messaging – from the federal government to the states , and between states and within them – contributes to the head-scratching , as people compare what ’ s happening in the next county or next state .
“ So much of compliance depends on voluntary cooperation , ” says John Pitney , a professor of political science at Claremont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People will go along if they see a consistent set of rules that seem to make sense.
” That looks to be coming to a head in California , where the director of public health for Los Angeles County , Dr. Barbara Ferrer , is butting heads with the chair of the county ’ s board of supervisors , Kathryn Barger , over a new health directive to close outdoor dining at at bars and restaurants for three weeks , starting Nov. 25 .
Take-out and delivery are allowed .
Owners are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canopies and heat lamps .
“ It ’ s about a lack of consistency , ” Supervisor Barger said on KPCC radio Nov. 23 .
“ Our own public health director has said that more than 50 % of the positives being reported are the result of private social gatherings with someone who tested positive.
” In press conferences , Dr. Ferrer has pointed to many sources for a recent surge of cases in the nation ’ s most populous county – the largest surge since the pandemic began .
She cites private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two team championships ( the Lakers and the Dodgers ) , and noncompliance at workplaces .
But it ’ s nearly “ impossible ” to pinpoint where and when people are becoming infected , she said Monday .
The county has interviewed more than 280,000 people who have tested positive , and most have no idea where they got the virus , she explained .
So when the county says that 10 % to 15 % of infections come from restaurants , it ’ s based on a smaller sample size of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or it is based on an outbreak investigation .
Meanwhile , she announced , the entire county is heading toward another stay-at-home order , though modified , because the five-day average of new cases has surpassed 4,500 .
California ’ s Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom has also come under criticism for flouting his own rules on social gatherings .
Last week , he had to apologize after he was outed for attending a dinner birthday party for a friend at a swanky restaurant .
His apology came on the same day he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into more restrictive tiers , affecting some 94 % of the population .
He ’ s been criticized , too , for sending his children to private school while millions of others have no choice but distance learning .
The first family is now in quarantine because their children were exposed to a highway patrol officer who tested positive .
“ It ... doesn ’ t help when the governor and others are not following the rules , ” says Dr. Ringel .
She questions the effectiveness of a new curfew of 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonessential businesses and residents in the most restricted counties .
It probably cuts down on transmission among people who might be at bars in the evening or other gathering spots , “ but I don ’ t know that there ’ s any evidence , particularly research evidence , to support that , ” she says .
It is a way to balance economic and health needs , she says , though “ I ’ m not sure it ends up doing either very well.
” Governor Newsom is part of a trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and other countries , too – who are turning to curfews .
In Ohio , Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine recently announced a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew that includes numerous loopholes and exceptions .
John Frank , who works at Brink Brewing Company in Cincinnati , finds the curfew too small in scale to make much of a change .
In addition , he says , patrons who might complain about others not wearing masks can , and do , walk into the brewery and , once they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk to each other in close quarters .
“ It kind of seems like [ they ’ re ] just making it seem like something ’ s being done , ” he said of regulations .
“ But I mean , I don ’ t think anybody in general really understands how to navigate this .
...
It ’ s a situation where nobody has the answer , but you have to give an answer.
” Mr. Frank had a second job at a steakhouse across the river in Covington , Kentucky – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the governor there banned indoor dining in the state .
Outside of work , he tries his best to limit his social circle , and so reduce his odds of being a carrier .
Robert Wachter , chair of the department of medicine at the University of California , San Francisco , says he understands doubts about a curfew .
It seems perfectly reasonable to ask why a virus wasn ’ t dangerous at 9:58 p.m. , but it is at 10:02 p.m. , he says .
“ It can seem a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a population , the country , or the city of San Francisco , it ’ s reasonable , ” because it ’ s aimed at activity where people take off their masks , drink , and are closer than they should be .
He strongly defends the rules of San Francisco – which went into lockdown before last spring ’ s state order and was slower to open up .
Its cautious approach made it the first urban center in California to reach the least restrictive tier .
Last week , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases pushed it back into a more restrictive tier , but Dr. Wachter is not concerned , citing the expected “ roller coaster ” nature of a pandemic .
He ’ s proud that the city , the densest in America after New York , has recorded only 158 deaths since the pandemic started .
If the entire country had that rate , he says , it would be looking at 60,000 deaths , not more than 250,000 .
“ What we ’ re doing is working , ” he says , pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not think COVID-19 is a “ hoax.
” Of all the rules , he points to mask wearing as the most important , and indeed , Republican governors who once shunned the idea are now embracing it as the pandemic stretches hospital capacity in their states .
North Dakota needs to “ avoid a post-Thanksgiving crunch , ” said Gov .
Doug Burgum after two weeks of surging hospitalizations forced him to impose a statewide mask mandate – something he once said was unnecessary and unworkable .
Much of the inconsistency with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal guidance , says Emily Blodget , who teaches at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles .
“ I think it ’ s difficult because we don ’ t have federal guidance , at least not now , so each state is determining their own rules , ” says Dr. Blodget , who specializes in infectious diseases .
“ The president of the United States has to be the leader on this .
...
It ’ s got to come from Washington , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors .
He credits the Food and Drug Administration for recent approval of a drug to treat COVID-19 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its strong guidance against Thanksgiving travel , saying the federal agencies “ seem to have snapped to attention.
” Not everyone believes the answer is top-down rule-making .
On the first night of the California curfew last Saturday , protesters gathered on the pier in Huntington Beach , a community that bristles at directives from the governor .
Two state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from overstepping when it comes to the pandemic , and a state superior court recently barred him from taking executive action that changes existing law or creates new law .
But a California appellate court temporarily blocked that injunction last week .
The governor is overreaching , says Laurie Davies , a Republican who is heading to the state assembly from another beach community , Laguna Niguel .
“ One size doesn ’ t fit all .
”

Much of the inconsistency comes from the top, says Emily Blodget, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “We don’t have federal guidance, at least not now, so each state is determining their own rules.”
“So much of compliance depends on voluntary cooperation,” says John Pitney, a professor of political science at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. “People will go along if they see a consistent set of rules that seem to make sense.”
This apparent illogic – from the federal government to the states, and between states and within them – fuels mistrust, say observers, as people compare their own rules to the ones in the next county or state.
Take indoor worship. In Washington, it’s limited to 25% occupancy. In Oregon, it’s 25 people. And in most of California, it’s banned altogether. Schools are closed, yet bars are open. Many places impose curfews, but they are riddled with loopholes. Outdoor dining – once seen as a way of keeping restaurants afloat while protecting the public – is now banned for three weeks in Los Angeles County.
As the pandemic surges across the United States, Americans are facing public health measures that are seen as not just restrictive, but inconsistent.
As the pandemic surges nationwide in the United States, rules meant to curb the virus are testing not only the patience of many Americans, but also their reasoning.
What is the logic, for instance, behind closing the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., when scientists say it is safer to be outdoors than indoors? Why do the West Coast states – all run by Democrats and consulting each other on pandemic strategy – have three different standards for indoor worship, from 25% of occupancy (Washington), to 25 people (Oregon), to no indoor worship (most of California)? And a biggie – why are many schools closed (from New York to California), while bars are not?
“There have been reasons to question why close this and not close that,” says Jeanne Ringel, senior economist at the Rand Corp. who specializes in public health research. For example, “it doesn’t seem that schools are a big spreader, but research does suggest that restaurants, bars, and gyms are, and they remain open.”
Why We Wrote This As coronavirus cases spike, a bevy of inconsistent rules and a lack of transparency are hampering efforts to support public health.
The questioning goes beyond impatience with restrictions – “COVID fatigue” – to mistrust of rules, says Dr. Ringel. In turn, that can lead to noncompliance, just when America is entering the holiday season, which is traditionally a peak gathering time for friends and family and a make-or-break time for many businesses. The U.S. has surpassed 12.5 million cases, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked people not to travel to see loved ones. Inconsistent messaging – from the federal government to the states, and between states and within them – contributes to the head-scratching, as people compare what’s happening in the next county or next state.
“So much of compliance depends on voluntary cooperation,” says John Pitney, a professor of political science at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. “People will go along if they see a consistent set of rules that seem to make sense.”
“It’s about a lack of consistency”
That looks to be coming to a head in California, where the director of public health for Los Angeles County, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, is butting heads with the chair of the county’s board of supervisors, Kathryn Barger, over a new health directive to close outdoor dining at at bars and restaurants for three weeks, starting Nov. 25. Take-out and delivery are allowed. Owners are complaining loudly after having invested in tent canopies and heat lamps.
“It’s about a lack of consistency,” Supervisor Barger said on KPCC radio Nov. 23. “Our own public health director has said that more than 50% of the positives being reported are the result of private social gatherings with someone who tested positive.”
In press conferences, Dr. Ferrer has pointed to many sources for a recent surge of cases in the nation’s most populous county – the largest surge since the pandemic began. She cites private gatherings and parties, celebrations related to two team championships (the Lakers and the Dodgers), and noncompliance at workplaces. But it’s nearly “impossible” to pinpoint where and when people are becoming infected, she said Monday.
The county has interviewed more than 280,000 people who have tested positive, and most have no idea where they got the virus, she explained. So when the county says that 10% to 15% of infections come from restaurants, it’s based on a smaller sample size of people who know where they were exposed, or it is based on an outbreak investigation. Meanwhile, she announced, the entire county is heading toward another stay-at-home order, though modified, because the five-day average of new cases has surpassed 4,500.
California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has also come under criticism for flouting his own rules on social gatherings. Last week, he had to apologize after he was outed for attending a dinner birthday party for a friend at a swanky restaurant. His apology came on the same day he announced that 40 counties were moving backward into more restrictive tiers, affecting some 94% of the population. He’s been criticized, too, for sending his children to private school while millions of others have no choice but distance learning. The first family is now in quarantine because their children were exposed to a highway patrol officer who tested positive.
“It ... doesn’t help when the governor and others are not following the rules,” says Dr. Ringel. She questions the effectiveness of a new curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. that applies to nonessential businesses and residents in the most restricted counties. It probably cuts down on transmission among people who might be at bars in the evening or other gathering spots, “but I don’t know that there’s any evidence, particularly research evidence, to support that,” she says. It is a way to balance economic and health needs, she says, though “I’m not sure it ends up doing either very well.”
The question of curfews
Governor Newsom is part of a trend of Democratic and Republican leaders across America – and other countries, too – who are turning to curfews.
In Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew that includes numerous loopholes and exceptions. John Frank, who works at Brink Brewing Company in Cincinnati, finds the curfew too small in scale to make much of a change. In addition, he says, patrons who might complain about others not wearing masks can, and do, walk into the brewery and, once they’re seated, take their masks off and talk to each other in close quarters.
“It kind of seems like [they’re] just making it seem like something’s being done,” he said of regulations. “But I mean, I don’t think anybody in general really understands how to navigate this. ... It’s a situation where nobody has the answer, but you have to give an answer.”
Mr. Frank had a second job at a steakhouse across the river in Covington, Kentucky – 9 miles away – until Friday, when the governor there banned indoor dining in the state. Outside of work, he tries his best to limit his social circle, and so reduce his odds of being a carrier.
Robert Wachter, chair of the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, says he understands doubts about a curfew. It seems perfectly reasonable to ask why a virus wasn’t dangerous at 9:58 p.m., but it is at 10:02 p.m., he says.
“It can seem a little silly for an individual, but for a population, the country, or the city of San Francisco, it’s reasonable,” because it’s aimed at activity where people take off their masks, drink, and are closer than they should be.
He strongly defends the rules of San Francisco – which went into lockdown before last spring’s state order and was slower to open up. Its cautious approach made it the first urban center in California to reach the least restrictive tier. Last week, it imposed new restrictions as an increase in cases pushed it back into a more restrictive tier, but Dr. Wachter is not concerned, citing the expected “roller coaster” nature of a pandemic. He’s proud that the city, the densest in America after New York, has recorded only 158 deaths since the pandemic started.
If the entire country had that rate, he says, it would be looking at 60,000 deaths, not more than 250,000. “What we’re doing is working,” he says, pointing to a culture that wears masks and does not think COVID-19 is a “hoax.”
Of all the rules, he points to mask wearing as the most important, and indeed, Republican governors who once shunned the idea are now embracing it as the pandemic stretches hospital capacity in their states. North Dakota needs to “avoid a post-Thanksgiving crunch,” said Gov. Doug Burgum after two weeks of surging hospitalizations forced him to impose a statewide mask mandate – something he once said was unnecessary and unworkable.
Washington’s role
Much of the inconsistency with rules stems from a lack of strong federal guidance, says Emily Blodget, who teaches at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “I think it’s difficult because we don’t have federal guidance, at least not now, so each state is determining their own rules,” says Dr. Blodget, who specializes in infectious diseases.
“The president of the United States has to be the leader on this. ... It’s got to come from Washington,” says Zev Yaroslavsky, a former member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He credits the Food and Drug Administration for recent approval of a drug to treat COVID-19 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its strong guidance against Thanksgiving travel, saying the federal agencies “seem to have snapped to attention.”
Not everyone believes the answer is top-down rule-making.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
On the first night of the California curfew last Saturday, protesters gathered on the pier in Huntington Beach, a community that bristles at directives from the governor. Two state Republican lawmakers sued to prevent the governor from overstepping when it comes to the pandemic, and a state superior court recently barred him from taking executive action that changes existing law or creates new law. But a California appellate court temporarily blocked that injunction last week.
The governor is overreaching, says Laurie Davies, a Republican who is heading to the state assembly from another beach community, Laguna Niguel. “One size doesn’t fit all.”