usatoday--2020-10-22--A signed letter from Trump is being included in food-aid boxes. Nonprofits feel conflicted.

ASHEVILLE , N.C. – Round three of the USDA 's Farmers to Families Food Box program came with an extra addition among the fruit : a signed letter from President Donald Trump .
The letter , printed in English and Spanish , described the millions of food-aid boxes delivered to doorsteps as part of the White House coronavirus response .
`` As President , safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities , '' it said .
The USDA has required all Coronavirus Food Assistance Program-contract vendors responsible for packing the boxes to include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require nonprofit distributors to do the same .
Nonprofits , which are obligated under federal tax law to operate as nonpartisan ventures to maintain their tax-exempt status , are worried that either removing or distributing the letter could be viewed as a political statement .
`` It leaves them between a rock and a hard place , '' said MANNA FoodBank CEO Hannah Randall , who added that neither she nor the nonprofit she manages take a partisan stance .
When MANNA began receiving the letter-loaded boxes by the pallet full , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , a vast network of hunger-fighting organizations , for guidance .
`` They informed us that it 's not a violation of our nonprofit status to distribute the letters in food boxes , since the letter is related to its purpose , '' said Randall .
But Randall acknowledged that given the looming election , many other organizations were alarmed at the potentially partisan nature of the letter , and whether distributing it to clients could be seen as a political endorsement .
MANNA , a nonprofit distributing food to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina counties , did n't have time to deliberate .
`` It 's not feasible for us to deconstruct , then reconstruct , the food boxes , '' said Randall .
Randall said MANNA left partner organizations to decide at their own discretion what to do with the letter , though she shared with them Feeding America 's advice .
`` But we did understand that concern , '' Randall said .
`` This is a loaded thing either way ; advising people to remove it could be viewed as partisan , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed as partisan . ''
Randall said MANNA 's focus is singular : to help lend assistance to some of the millions of people who have come up short on needed nutrition since the pandemic began .
The Asheville , North Carolina , based organization and its partners served 115,000 individuals in September alone , up 73 % from pre-pandemic numbers and a nearly 25 % uptick in needed assistance since August .
`` We ca n't do this alone , '' she said .
The Farmers to Families Food Box and assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a surge of volunteers in Western North Carolina , have all helped mitigate the unprecedented need for food this year , she said .
`` So we appreciate the government 's invaluable help in this crisis so far , and there 's much more that needs to be done to help meet increased demand , '' Randall said .
The Farmers to Families Food Box Program , which reimbursed farmers for the products it distributed to families in need , stands to end Oct. 31 .
Though the program has had its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vendors and an array of rule changes , the net benefit has been one for good , Randall said .
`` It 's been a good mix of food , and just as important it 's helped lift up the agricultural community and farmers , '' she said .
`` If we do n't have a healthy , sustainable food system , we have all kinds of problems . ''
However , this is n't the first time the Trump administration and some events surrounding its Farmers to Families program have been accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Special Counsel , investigating a complaint by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , has ordered Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for expenses related to an Aug. 24 visit to Mills River , North Carolina .
The OSC concluded Oct. 8 that Perdue violated the Hatch Act in a speech directed to the president , whose motorcade to a Mills River produce packing company was greeted by throngs of supporters .
`` They and many others are going to vote for you for four more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Because they understand , under your administration , they ’ ve not been forgotten .
And this ( Farmers to Families Food Box Program ) is a great example of that . ''
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees , except for the president and vice president , from engaging in political activities while on duty .
`` As the Secretary of Agriculture , Secretary Perdue is covered by the Hatch Act and prohibited from , among other things , using his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , '' the OSC found .
Kristen Welker:5 things to know about the moderator of Thursday 's presidential debate Full Senate vote on Monday : Senate Judiciary Committee approves Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination to the Supreme Court

Mackensy Lunsford, Asheville Citizen Times

A signed letter from Trump is being included in food-aid boxes. Nonprofits feel conflicted.
Show Caption Hide Caption Iowa food banks aid people in need in pandemic As demand continues to surge at food banks, the federal government is preparing to spend another $1.5 billion on a program that has provided a key source of fresh food to charities this summer as they work to feed the hungry. (Sept. 7) AP
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Round three of the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box program came with an extra addition among the fruit: a signed letter from President Donald Trump.
The letter, printed in English and Spanish, described the millions of food-aid boxes delivered to doorsteps as part of the White House coronavirus response.
"As President, safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities," it said.
The USDA has required all Coronavirus Food Assistance Program-contract vendors responsible for packing the boxes to include the letter, though it does not require nonprofit distributors to do the same.
Nonprofits, which are obligated under federal tax law to operate as nonpartisan ventures to maintain their tax-exempt status, are worried that either removing or distributing the letter could be viewed as a political statement.
"It leaves them between a rock and a hard place," said MANNA FoodBank CEO Hannah Randall, who added that neither she nor the nonprofit she manages take a partisan stance.
When MANNA began receiving the letter-loaded boxes by the pallet full, the nonprofit contacted the legal council at Feeding America, a vast network of hunger-fighting organizations, for guidance.
"They informed us that it's not a violation of our nonprofit status to distribute the letters in food boxes, since the letter is related to its purpose," said Randall.
But Randall acknowledged that given the looming election, many other organizations were alarmed at the potentially partisan nature of the letter, and whether distributing it to clients could be seen as a political endorsement.
MANNA, a nonprofit distributing food to more than 200 partner agencies in 16 Western North Carolina counties, didn't have time to deliberate.
"It's not feasible for us to deconstruct, then reconstruct, the food boxes," said Randall.
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'A loaded thing'
Randall said MANNA left partner organizations to decide at their own discretion what to do with the letter, though she shared with them Feeding America's advice.
"But we did understand that concern," Randall said. "This is a loaded thing either way; advising people to remove it could be viewed as partisan, and advising people to keep it could be viewed as partisan."
Randall said MANNA's focus is singular: to help lend assistance to some of the millions of people who have come up short on needed nutrition since the pandemic began.
The Asheville, North Carolina, based organization and its partners served 115,000 individuals in September alone, up 73% from pre-pandemic numbers and a nearly 25% uptick in needed assistance since August.
"We can't do this alone," she said.
The Farmers to Families Food Box and assistance from the CARES Act, as well as a surge of volunteers in Western North Carolina, have all helped mitigate the unprecedented need for food this year, she said.
"So we appreciate the government's invaluable help in this crisis so far, and there's much more that needs to be done to help meet increased demand," Randall said.
The Farmers to Families Food Box Program, which reimbursed farmers for the products it distributed to families in need, stands to end Oct. 31.
Though the program has had its challenges, including a range of different vendors and an array of rule changes, the net benefit has been one for good, Randall said.
"It's been a good mix of food, and just as important it's helped lift up the agricultural community and farmers," she said. "If we don't have a healthy, sustainable food system, we have all kinds of problems."
Hatch Act violations
However, this isn't the first time the Trump administration and some events surrounding its Farmers to Families program have been accused of political theater.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, investigating a complaint by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, has ordered Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for expenses related to an Aug. 24 visit to Mills River, North Carolina.
The OSC concluded Oct. 8 that Perdue violated the Hatch Act in a speech directed to the president, whose motorcade to a Mills River produce packing company was greeted by throngs of supporters.
"They and many others are going to vote for you for four more years in 2020," Purdue said. "Because they understand, under your administration, they’ve not been forgotten. And this (Farmers to Families Food Box Program) is a great example of that."
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees, except for the president and vice president, from engaging in political activities while on duty.
"As the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary Perdue is covered by the Hatch Act and prohibited from, among other things, using his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election," the OSC found.
Reach reporter Mackensy Lunsford at mlunsford@citizentimes.com.
Kristen Welker: 5 things to know about the moderator of Thursday's presidential debate
Full Senate vote on Monday: Senate Judiciary Committee approves Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court


usatoday--2020-10-22--Large photos of Affordable Care Act recipients fill Democrat seats at Amy Coney Barrett vote

Senate Democrats boycotted Thursday 's vote to advance the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court — and poster-size photos of Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) recipients took their place .
To supporters of the ACA , the faces represent what is at stake : individuals who could lose health care if the Obama-era law is struck down .
Democrats argue that that would be the case if Barrett replaces the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day — locking in a 6-3 conservative majority by Nov. 10 — when the high court is set to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the Senate confirmed a Supreme Court nominee so close to a presidential election .
President Donald Trump has said he wants a justice who won ’ t rule to uphold Obamacare , and his pick has spoken out against past rulings on the health care law .
“ This has been a sham process from the beginning .
Amidst a global pandemic and ongoing election , Republicans are rushing to confirm a Supreme Court Justice to take away health care from millions , '' said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement about Thursday 's boycott .
Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) criticized the boycott .
`` The pictures ... are in their chairs like this is some sort of sporting event , '' he said , adding that he feels the Democratic senators were continuing `` the theater that was part of the hearing . ''
Despite the Democrats ' absence , Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans voted Thursday to advance Barrett 's Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate .
A final confirmation vote expected Monday — and with Republicans holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain to be confirmed .
“ This is a groundbreaking , historic moment , ” said Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the committee chairman .
“ We did it . ''
More : Senate Judiciary Committee approves Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination to the Supreme Court , full Senate vote on Monday Barrett , an appellate court judge from Indiana , appeared for three days before the panel last week .
She was asked about her approach to legal questions surrounding abortion access , gay marriage and the nation 's tradition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has said he wants a judge seated in time to hear any potential disputes arising from the Nov. 3 election , and Barrett declined to say if she would recuse herself from such cases .
Many judicial nominees decline to discuss their views on various issues , saying they will consider the cases as they come .
Barrett took a similar approach , drawing deep concern from Democrats because she had previously spoken out against abortion and past rulings on the ACA .
Opinion : I had an abortion after a fatal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that choice away .
'Very threatening ' for LGBTQ community : Same-sex marriage defendant , plaintiff join forces to oppose Amy Coney Barrett 's nominatio

Large photos of Affordable Care Act recipients fill Democrat seats at Amy Coney Barrett vote
Senate Democrats boycotted Thursday's vote to advance the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court — and poster-size photos of Affordable Care Act (ACA) recipients took their place.
To supporters of the ACA, the faces represent what is at stake: individuals who could lose health care if the Obama-era law is struck down.
Democrats argue that that would be the case if Barrett replaces the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day — locking in a 6-3 conservative majority by Nov. 10 — when the high court is set to hear a challenge to the ACA.
Never has the Senate confirmed a Supreme Court nominee so close to a presidential election. President Donald Trump has said he wants a justice who won’t rule to uphold Obamacare, and his pick has spoken out against past rulings on the health care law.
“This has been a sham process from the beginning. Amidst a global pandemic and ongoing election, Republicans are rushing to confirm a Supreme Court Justice to take away health care from millions," said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in a statement about Thursday's boycott.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) criticized the boycott. "The pictures...are in their chairs like this is some sort of sporting event," he said, adding that he feels the Democratic senators were continuing "the theater that was part of the hearing."
Despite the Democrats' absence, Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans voted Thursday to advance Barrett's Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate. A final confirmation vote expected Monday — and with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority, Barrett is almost certain to be confirmed.
“This is a groundbreaking, historic moment,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the committee chairman. “We did it."
More: Senate Judiciary Committee approves Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court, full Senate vote on Monday
Barrett, an appellate court judge from Indiana, appeared for three days before the panel last week. She was asked about her approach to legal questions surrounding abortion access, gay marriage and the nation's tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power.
Trump has said he wants a judge seated in time to hear any potential disputes arising from the Nov. 3 election, and Barrett declined to say if she would recuse herself from such cases.
Many judicial nominees decline to discuss their views on various issues, saying they will consider the cases as they come. Barrett took a similar approach, drawing deep concern from Democrats because she had previously spoken out against abortion and past rulings on the ACA.
Opinion: I had an abortion after a fatal fetal diagnosis. Amy Barrett could take that choice away.
'Very threatening' for LGBTQ community: Same-sex marriage defendant, plaintiff join forces to oppose Amy Coney Barrett's nominatio
Contributing: The Associated Press.


usatoday--2020-10-23--Debate: Biden says he'd create 'Bidencare' if Supreme Court strikes down Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON - Former Vice President Joe Biden cast aside attacks from President Donald Trump over what health care could look like under a Democratic president , saying his plan to replace the Affordable Care Act , should it be dismantled , would be dubbed `` Bidencare . ''
Both Trump and Biden were asked how they would replace health insurance for 20 million people if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act , which could happen if his Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , gets confirmed and votes to kill the law .
Barrett is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice as early as next week .
The Supreme Court will consider the law Nov. 10 – just days after the election .
Texas and other states led by Republicans , along with the Trump administration , are trying to eliminate the law because Congress in 2017 eliminated the tax that enforces its health insurance mandate .
The high court is unlikely to strike down the entire law , but Trump made clear that is his goal .
“ It ’ s in court because Obamacare is no good , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run it , it ’ s no good .
What we ’ d like to do is terminate it.
” Trump said he 'd come up with a new plan , though his administration has yet to release any proposal to replace the law that provides health care for millions of Americans .
He claimed Biden would halt private insurance for many Americans and create `` socialized medicine . ''
Biden shot back , saying that if the high court strikes down the Affordable Care Act , it would be replaced with `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to do is pass Obamacare with a public option , it becomes Bidencare , '' Biden explained .
He said Americans would continue to have the ability to have private insurance , saying his plan would provide `` competition for insurance companies . ''
Health care is a top issue for voters ahead of the election .
The issue is credited with helping Democrats in 2018 take control of the House and has been a major focus by liberals over recent weeks due to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would allow the high court to have a 6-3 conservative majority , raising concerns by liberals that Republicans have a higher chance of dismantling the Affordable Care Act and leaving millions of Americans without insurance in the midst of a pandemic .

Debate: Biden says he'd create 'Bidencare' if Supreme Court strikes down Affordable Care Act
Show Caption Hide Caption Presidential debate: Trump muted while discussing health care While discussing health care, President Trump was the first to be muted at the final presidential debate. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON - Former Vice President Joe Biden cast aside attacks from President Donald Trump over what health care could look like under a Democratic president, saying his plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, should it be dismantled, would be dubbed "Bidencare."
Both Trump and Biden were asked how they would replace health insurance for 20 million people if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act, which could happen if his Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, gets confirmed and votes to kill the law. Barrett is set to take her place as the ninth justice as early as next week.
The Supreme Court will consider the law Nov. 10 – just days after the election. Texas and other states led by Republicans, along with the Trump administration, are trying to eliminate the law because Congress in 2017 eliminated the tax that enforces its health insurance mandate. The high court is unlikely to strike down the entire law, but Trump made clear that is his goal.
“It’s in court because Obamacare is no good,” he said. “No matter how well you run it, it’s no good. What we’d like to do is terminate it.”
Trump said he'd come up with a new plan, though his administration has yet to release any proposal to replace the law that provides health care for millions of Americans.
He claimed Biden would halt private insurance for many Americans and create "socialized medicine."
Biden shot back, saying that if the high court strikes down the Affordable Care Act, it would be replaced with "Bidencare"
"What I’m going to do is pass Obamacare with a public option, it becomes Bidencare," Biden explained. He said Americans would continue to have the ability to have private insurance, saying his plan would provide "competition for insurance companies."
Biden on Barrett: Affordable Care Act is at stake Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says the fate of the Affordable Care Act is at stake with President Trump's nomination to the Supreme Court. Justices are scheduled to hear another challenge of the 2010 health care law on Nov. 10. (Sept. 27) AP
Health care is a top issue for voters ahead of the election. The issue is credited with helping Democrats in 2018 take control of the House and has been a major focus by liberals over recent weeks due to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court.
Her replacement by Barrett would allow the high court to have a 6-3 conservative majority, raising concerns by liberals that Republicans have a higher chance of dismantling the Affordable Care Act and leaving millions of Americans without insurance in the midst of a pandemic.


usatoday--2020-10-23--Pres. Trump muted while discussing health care during final presidential debate

While discussing health care , President Trump was the first to be muted at the final presidential debate .

Presidential debate: Trump muted while discussing health care
While discussing health care, President Trump was the first to be muted at the final presidential debate.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-23--4 questions on the election, its aftermath, Trump and Biden for Pa. Republican Tom Ridge

WASHINGTON – Tom Ridge , a decorated Vietnam veteran , Republican congressman and two-time governor of Pennsylvania , became the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 under George W. Bush .
Ridge has joined a group that has grown to more than 600 national security officials , including more than 20 four-star officers , to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden for president .
Federal , state and local law enforcement officials are preparing for possible clashes at polling places , violence and larger demonstrations similar to social justice protests that spilled into the streets of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the vote and refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power , leading members of Congress and election experts to worry about violence after election day .
Ridge , 75 , talked about his concerns regarding the election and the presidential candidates in an interview with USA TODAY .
The questions and answers have been condensed .
Q : What is your primary concern about the election ?
A : `` I find unseemly , unworthy and unconscionable for an incumbent president to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans and to proclaim months before November 3 , that he was going to win .
And the only way that he could n't win was through massive fraud .
I never thought — I must tell you , from the day I was a soldier in the '60s to the present day — never thought that I 'd see an American president try to undermine the most fundamental institution in our democracy .
And that 's our vote .
That 's the legitimacy of our elections . ''
What are your concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am hopeful and prayerful that Americans will let the votes be counted so that we can let America 's collective voice be heard .
It 's no secret that there are a lot of patriots who are concerned that his rhetoric and subtle encouragement could lead to spasms of violence in a post-election environment .
It 's interesting for a man who claims to be so supportive of law enforcement to also potentially create an environment where law enforcement lives in jeopardy because of violent protests .
Again , it 's inconsistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Why , as a Republican , are you not supporting Trump ?
`` It 's just that litany of objections and concerns I have about the rule of law , about the Constitution , about his push back against the institution , about his preference for his own abilities , as opposed to the military , as opposed to the intelligence community .
The list is almost endless .
When he 's decided that he 's the smartest person in the room , regardless of issues , including dealing with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by literally hundreds , if not thousands , of public health officials .
So it 's troubling to turn the reins of a country , the leadership of a country , to an individual who refuses to accept the guidance and counsel of experts across the board , when it does n't suit his purpose . ''
Why , as a Republican , do you support Biden ?
`` Vice President Biden has certain personal qualities that I would like to see in my president : empathy , humanity , civility , character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before I worry or tax policy . ''

4 questions on the election, its aftermath, Trump and Biden for Pa. Republican Tom Ridge
WASHINGTON – Tom Ridge, a decorated Vietnam veteran, Republican congressman and two-time governor of Pennsylvania, became the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 under George W. Bush. Ridge has joined a group that has grown to more than 600 national security officials, including more than 20 four-star officers, to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden for president.
Federal, state and local law enforcement officials are preparing for possible clashes at polling places, violence and larger demonstrations similar to social justice protests that spilled into the streets of dozens of American cities. President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the vote and refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, leading members of Congress and election experts to worry about violence after election day.
Ridge, 75, talked about his concerns regarding the election and the presidential candidates in an interview with USA TODAY. The questions and answers have been condensed.
Q: What is your primary concern about the election?
A: "I find unseemly, unworthy and unconscionable for an incumbent president to claim to know the heart and mind of Americans and to proclaim months before November 3, that he was going to win. And the only way that he couldn't win was through massive fraud. I never thought — I must tell you, from the day I was a soldier in the '60s to the present day — never thought that I'd see an American president try to undermine the most fundamental institution in our democracy. And that's our vote. That's the legitimacy of our elections."
What are your concerns about violence at the polls?
"I am hopeful and prayerful that Americans will let the votes be counted so that we can let America's collective voice be heard. It's no secret that there are a lot of patriots who are concerned that his rhetoric and subtle encouragement could lead to spasms of violence in a post-election environment. It's interesting for a man who claims to be so supportive of law enforcement to also potentially create an environment where law enforcement lives in jeopardy because of violent protests. Again, it's inconsistent, inconceivable, but not surprising."
Why, as a Republican, are you not supporting Trump?
"It's just that litany of objections and concerns I have about the rule of law, about the Constitution, about his push back against the institution, about his preference for his own abilities, as opposed to the military, as opposed to the intelligence community. The list is almost endless. When he's decided that he's the smartest person in the room, regardless of issues, including dealing with the coronavirus and ignoring the expertise brought to him by literally hundreds, if not thousands, of public health officials. So it's troubling to turn the reins of a country, the leadership of a country, to an individual who refuses to accept the guidance and counsel of experts across the board, when it doesn't suit his purpose."
Why, as a Republican, do you support Biden?
"Vice President Biden has certain personal qualities that I would like to see in my president: empathy, humanity, civility, character. They're more important to me before I worry or tax policy."


usatoday--2020-10-23--Trump's campaign made stops nationwide. Coronavirus cases surged in his wake in at least five places

Trump's campaign made stops nationwide. Coronavirus cases surged in his wake in at least five places.

As President Donald Trump jetted across the country holding campaign rallies during the past two months , he didn ’ t just defy state orders and federal health guidelines .
He left a trail of coronavirus outbreaks in his wake .
The president has participated in nearly three dozen rallies since mid-August , all but two at airport hangars .
A USA TODAY analysis shows COVID-19 cases grew at a faster rate than before after at least five of those rallies in the following counties : Blue Earth , Minnesota ; Lackawanna , Pennsylvania ; Marathon , Wisconsin ; Dauphin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Together , those counties saw 1,500 more new cases in the two weeks following Trump ’ s rallies than the two weeks before – 9,647 cases , up from 8,069 to 9,647 cases .
Public health officials additionally have linked 16 cases , including two hospitalizations , with the rally in Beltrami County , Minnesota , and one case with the rally in Marathon County , Wisconsin .
Outside of the counties identified by USA TODAY with a greater case increase after rallies , officials identified four cases linked to Trump rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to determine definitively if cases originated at Trump ’ s rallies , public health experts say the gatherings fly in the face of all recommendations to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
USA TODAY reviewed coronavirus case counts in the counties where Trump attended rallies starting from mid-August through mid-October .
The news organization examined the rate of increase in virus cases for the two weeks before and after campaign events .
For rallies occurring within the past two weeks , not enough time has passed to draw conclusions .
The earliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s overall case counts were in decline from a peak in mid-July .
When U.S. cases started climbing in mid-September , Trump did not alter his campaign schedule but continued holding an average of four rallies a week .
He stopped first in Minnesota , where Blue Earth County ’ s coronavirus growth rate was 15 % before Trump ’ s rally , but grew to 25 % afterward .
Three days later , he was in Lackawanna County , Pennsylvania , where the coronavirus growth rate jumped from less than 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 % afterward .
Even in states where cases were already rising , the spikes in at least four counties that hosted Trump rallies far surpassed their state ’ s overall growth rates .
In two counties , it was more than double : Marathon County ’ s case count surged by 67 % after Trump ’ s visit compared to Wisconsin ’ s overall growth rate of 29 % during the same time .
In Beltrami County , Minnesota , it swelled by 35 % compared to the state ’ s 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not include surrounding counties , nor could it account for cases where the people attending the rally had traveled from outside the area , including other states .
Indeed , most rallies draw crowds from large geographic areas , with some people driving or flying hundreds of miles to attend .
Health experts say it ’ s impossible to pinpoint the rallies as the direct source of infection or community spread without an intensive outbreak investigation .
The contact tracing done by most health departments following new cases can show only that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event – but not that the event caused it .
They also said that a variety of factors , including the reopening of public schools , could contribute to the rising case counts .
For example , Marathon County is also near the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus , where the school reported 175 coronavirus cases five days after the rally .
However , major school districts in the counties hosting Trump events were taking precautions , such as reduced capacity and hybrid online learning , USA TODAY found .
But experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic interferes with efforts to contain the virus and can make things worse .
This is why officials in at least five states , including two with Republican governors , voiced concerns or issued warnings in advance of the president ’ s rallies .
“ I would ask the president , for once , to put the health of his constituents ahead of his own political fortunes , ” Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf , a Democrat , said on Sept. 25 .
Trump has held three rallies in the state since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together cheering and screaming can carry the virus far through the crowd , said Shelley Payne , director of the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas .
Then those infected will take the virus back to their families , friends and coworkers – fanning an outbreak in the community .
“ This is true of any respiratory virus ; when you ’ re near people in close contact , you ’ re going to spread the virus , ” Payne said .
“ And rallies are particularly problematic.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels “ highest risk ” for the potential to spread the virus that already has claimed the lives of more than 222,000 Americans .
Courtney Parella , deputy press secretary for the Trump campaign , defended the rallies and attacked other large gatherings organized to support women ’ s rights and the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ Americans have the right to gather under the First Amendment to hear from the President of the United States , and we take strong precautions for our campaign events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature checked , be provided a mask they ’ re instructed to wear , and ensuring access to plenty of hand sanitizer , ” Parella said in an email statement .
“ We also have signs at our events instructing attendees to wear their masks.
” In addition to the rallies , Trump has hosted large events at the White House since August , including the Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
That gathering , which drew more than 300 people , has since been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the president , later tested positive for the coronavirus .
In all , at least 34 cases have been linked to the White House since late September .
Political experts say the guideline-defying events are part of a strategy by the Trump administration to downplay the seriousness of the virus ahead of the election .
It has divided the nation over wearing masks and taking the necessary precautions to contain the virus .
“ It ’ s a trade-off between doing what ’ s right for public health or what benefits re-election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and director of the Political Management Program at The George Washington University .
“ And over and over , the greater concern for this White House is re-election.
” From conservative Christians with tucked shirts and dress shoes to bikers with long beards and leather , hundreds of Trump supporters waved flags , held signs and donned the red caps as they descended on the small town of Bemidji , located in Beltrami County , Minnesota .
Despite the 250-person limit for gatherings in the state , throngs stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they waited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commander in chief and greeting others as if the global pandemic did not exist .
A mix of locals and those who traveled hundreds of miles , the scene at the September rally has played out in small towns across America where Trump has a stronghold .
Charter buses packed full , merchandise vendors lining the streets and counter protests nearby , the spectacles have marked Trump ’ s campaigns and presidency .
But many of these towns don ’ t typically draw these types of crowds – and the aftermath is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-August and mid-October , Trump has visited small and mid-sized communities in major swing states with county populations ranging from 47,000 to 310,000 .
They also have largely been in conservative communities that in many cases have resisted mask-wearing and social distancing efforts .
Trump , who is seeking a second term , has made these rallies a signature of his campaign .
He held several in the first three months of the year but stopped after declaring the coronavirus a national emergency on March 13 .
He resumed his tour in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6,200 mostly unmasked supporters to an indoor arena in Tulsa and another that drew 3,000 to a megachurch in Phoenix .
USA TODAY ’ s analysis did not find that cases in those counties increased faster in the two weeks after either event .
But former presidential candidate Herman Cain died of the coronavirus after attending the Tulsa rally , where eight members of the advance team tested positive for coronavirus .
It was deemed a superspreader event .
The White House has denied that Trump ’ s campaign is at fault .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Aug. 17 , he ramped up his schedule and has appeared at an average of four campaign events per week since – pausing only for 11 days in early October after catching the coronavirus .
The rallies , now taking place almost daily , attract an average crowd of about 6,000 people .
Some have attracted up to 20,000 , according to local news reports .
In all , more than 120,000 people have attended his campaign events in the past nine weeks .
Rayla Campbell said she has attended over 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent rally this year in New Hampshire .
Campbell , a 38-year-old from Massachusetts who 's running as a Republican write-in candidate for a seat in Congress , has been a staunch Trump supporter from the beginning , citing his patriotism and business acumen .
Even with three small children at home , she has no qualms about COVID-19 , shaking hands and hugging other rally goers without any masks or social distancing .
“ I haven ’ t gotten so much as a sniffle , ” Campbell said .
“ Nobody that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gotten sick , and I think this whole thing is blown out of proportion.
” Bill Batchelder , a small business owner and volunteer firefighter in Bemidji , supports Trump for the economy .
Batchelder was seated behind the president , some 45 feet away , at the rally .
He said that he believes in the dangers of COVID-19 and understands the potential for spread .
But he still felt safe , given the temperature checks and mask handouts .
He said Trump attracts everybody from “ those who think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who take it more seriously , like me.
” But he also pointed to the cases at counter-protests , which drew fewer people and still created community spread .
“ I was not at all concerned at the Trump rally , ” Batchelder said .
“ I take COVID-19 very seriously .
The way I put it is my risk threshold is very low but my precautions are very high.
” Audrey Thayer , who is running for city council in Bemidji , attended the two anti-Trump events that drew hundreds .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests were wearing masks and socially distancing , a sharp contrast from the photos of the Trump event , where supporters were crammed together without face coverings .
She ’ s among those frustrated the spike of new cases in the community after the event .
“ Bemidji has worked very hard to keep the numbers low for many months , and now they ’ re skyrocketing , ” Thayer said .
“ We had the ( Trump ) superspreader event , and we ran into trouble , and you ’ re seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials in several counties tracked cases back to Trump ’ s rallies and , in one case , to affiliated counter-protests that his presence drew .
The Minnesota county that ’ s home to Bemidji saw a 35 % increase in coronavirus cases in the two weeks after Trump ’ s rally – from 365 to 499 .
State health officials said 20 people who tested positive for COVID-19 attended the Sept. 17 event .
Sixteen of them attended the rally , and four attended a protest outside .
Minnesota also traced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duluth on Sept. 30 , just days before Trump and other White House officials tested positive for the coronavirus .
Health officials additionally tracked cases back to campaign events held by other candidates , including one positive case to a Joe Biden rally in Duluth on Sept. 18 , three to a speech by Mike Pence in Minneapolis on Sept. 24 and one to an Eric Trump rally on Oct. 1 .
The gatherings have irked local and state officials .
In a document obtained by the Center for Public Integrity , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 17 rally in Janesville , Wisconsin , the White House coronavirus task force concluded Wisconsin was in the red zone for test positivity .
They warned of extreme concern for continued increases in community transmission .
Among its mitigation recommendations ?
A warning to avoid crowds .
Ahead of an Oct. 14 rally , Iowa ’ s top public health official , Lina Tucker Reinders , sent an email to the Des Moines Register saying they could be looking at “ another super-spreader event.
” In North Carolina , Gov .
Roy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead by example on the campaign trail this fall by holding events with face coverings and social distancing to protect North Carolinians when visiting .
Even though activities exercising First Amendment rights are exempt from the requirements of Cooper ’ s executive orders about large events , “ large gatherings increase the risk of spreading COVID-19 , ” said Amy Adams Ellis , a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services .
Rallies in at least three states – Pennsylvania , New Hampshire and Nevada – defied orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event .
The city of Henderson , Nevada , issued a $ 3,000 fine to Xtreme Manufacturing for hosting a Trump event that violated its 50-person limit on public gatherings .
Some 5,600 guests attended the Sept. 13 indoor rally .
In northern Nevada , local news outlets reported one of the president ’ s rallies was moved in early September because Reno airport authorities were concerned about the size of the crowd .
The campaign includes a disclaimer on rally ticket requests stating that guests “ assume all risks related to exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign tour , door-knocking and fundraisers , Biden has mostly suspended many traditional activities .
Biden ’ s camp has been more forthright about infections within his inner circle .
The campaign announced in mid-October that two individuals tested positive for COVID-19 , a non-staff flight crew member and the communications director for Sen. Kamala Harris .
The campaign cancelled Harris ’ s scheduled travel through Oct. 18 and was upfront about her last negative test .
Democrats believe Trump has responded to the pandemic poorly , while many of his supporters feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the nation needs to move on to rekindle the economy .
“ It is all about modeling and messaging , ” said Jay Wolfson , senior associate dean of the Morsani College of Medicine and associate vice president of University of Southern Florida health .
“ The public is deeply divided.
” Following Trump ’ s COVID-19 infection , 57 % or registered voters say they are very or somewhat confident in Biden to handle the public health impact of the coronavirus , while 40 % express that level of confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research Center .
Biden held a narrower lead on his support over the outbreak in June .
Wolfson said Trump ’ s behavior with his rallies and handling of the White House outbreak was “ ostensibly designed to demonstrate machismo in the face of a pack of rabid dogs , ” while creating “ the same delusion for a public that can never enjoy the expensive and exclusive protections and care available to the president .
The CDC has consistently cited the dangers of group events such as weddings , funerals and rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
At every turn , Trump has defied these warnings .
The Rose Garden event in particular was a continuation of the administration ’ s strategy since mid-April , said Kathleen Sebelius , who served as the secretary of Health and Human Services for six years under the Obama administration .
On April 17 , a day after the CDC issued guidelines to tamp down the virus and reopen the economy , Sebelius said the president chose to move in a very different direction , tweeting that states should be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if you ’ re a fan of the president , don ’ t wear a mask , drink bleach , take hydroxychloroquine or do whatever has been seen kind of as a badge of honor , ” she said .
“ It ’ s reckless , it ’ s immoral and it ’ s unacceptable .
”

Erin Mansfield, Josh Salman and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY

Trump’s campaign made stops nationwide. Coronavirus cases surged in his wake in at least five places.
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Correction: A previous version of this story provided cumulative coronavirus case numbers for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It has been updated to reflect only the numbers in the two weeks after President Donald Trump's rally.
As President Donald Trump jetted across the country holding campaign rallies during the past two months, he didn’t just defy state orders and federal health guidelines. He left a trail of coronavirus outbreaks in his wake.
The president has participated in nearly three dozen rallies since mid-August, all but two at airport hangars. A USA TODAY analysis shows COVID-19 cases grew at a faster rate than before after at least five of those rallies in the following counties: Blue Earth, Minnesota; Lackawanna, Pennsylvania; Marathon, Wisconsin; Dauphin, Pennsylvania; and Beltrami, Minnesota.
Together, those counties saw 1,500 more new cases in the two weeks following Trump’s rallies than the two weeks before – 9,647 cases, up from 8,069.
Public health officials additionally have linked 16 cases, including two hospitalizations, with the rally in Beltrami County, Minnesota, and one case with the rally in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Outside of the counties identified by USA TODAY with a greater case increase after rallies, officials identified four cases linked to Trump rallies.
Although there’s no way to determine definitively if cases originated at Trump’s rallies, public health experts say the gatherings fly in the face of all recommendations to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
USA TODAY reviewed coronavirus case counts in the counties where Trump attended rallies starting from mid-August through mid-October. The news organization examined the rate of increase in virus cases for the two weeks before and after campaign events. For rallies occurring within the past two weeks, not enough time has passed to draw conclusions.
The earliest post-rally spikes occurred even as the nation’s overall case counts were in decline from a peak in mid-July. When U.S. cases started climbing in mid-September, Trump did not alter his campaign schedule but continued holding an average of four rallies a week.
He stopped first in Minnesota, where Blue Earth County’s coronavirus growth rate was 15% before Trump’s rally, but grew to 25% afterward. Three days later, he was in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, where the coronavirus growth rate jumped from less than 3% before his visit to more than 7% afterward.
Even in states where cases were already rising, the spikes in at least four counties that hosted Trump rallies far surpassed their state’s overall growth rates.
In two counties, it was more than double: Marathon County’s case count surged by 67% after Trump’s visit compared to Wisconsin’s overall growth rate of 29% during the same time. In Beltrami County, Minnesota, it swelled by 35% compared to the state’s 14%.
The newspaper’s analysis did not include surrounding counties, nor could it account for cases where the people attending the rally had traveled from outside the area, including other states. Indeed, most rallies draw crowds from large geographic areas, with some people driving or flying hundreds of miles to attend.
Health experts say it’s impossible to pinpoint the rallies as the direct source of infection or community spread without an intensive outbreak investigation. The contact tracing done by most health departments following new cases can show only that someone who later developed COVID-19 was at the event – but not that the event caused it.
They also said that a variety of factors, including the reopening of public schools, could contribute to the rising case counts. For example, Marathon County is also near the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus, where the school reported 51 coronavirus cases in the two weeks after the rally. However, major school districts in the counties hosting Trump events were taking precautions, such as reduced capacity and hybrid online learning, USA TODAY found.
But experts all agreed that holding large rallies during a pandemic interferes with efforts to contain the virus and can make things worse. This is why officials in at least five states, including two with Republican governors, voiced concerns or issued warnings in advance of the president’s rallies.
“I would ask the president, for once, to put the health of his constituents ahead of his own political fortunes,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, said on Sept. 25. Trump has held three rallies in the state since then.
Campaign events where people gather together cheering and screaming can carry the virus far through the crowd, said Shelley Payne, director of the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas. Then those infected will take the virus back to their families, friends and coworkers – fanning an outbreak in the community.
“This is true of any respiratory virus; when you’re near people in close contact, you’re going to spread the virus,” Payne said. “And rallies are particularly problematic.”
Campaign rallies fall within a category the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels “highest risk” for the potential to spread the virus that already has claimed the lives of more than 222,000 Americans.
Courtney Parella, deputy press secretary for the Trump campaign, defended the rallies and attacked other large gatherings organized to support women’s rights and the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Americans have the right to gather under the First Amendment to hear from the President of the United States, and we take strong precautions for our campaign events, requiring every attendee to have their temperature checked, be provided a mask they’re instructed to wear, and ensuring access to plenty of hand sanitizer,” Parella said in an email statement. “We also have signs at our events instructing attendees to wear their masks.”
In addition to the rallies, Trump has hosted large events at the White House since August, including the Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
That gathering, which drew more than 300 people, has since been labeled a superspreader after 14 guests, including the president, later tested positive for the coronavirus. In all, at least 34 cases have been linked to the White House since late September.
Political experts say the guideline-defying events are part of a strategy by the Trump administration to downplay the seriousness of the virus ahead of the election. It has divided the nation over wearing masks and taking the necessary precautions to contain the virus.
“It’s a trade-off between doing what’s right for public health or what benefits re-election,” said Todd Belt, professor and director of the Political Management Program at The George Washington University. “And over and over, the greater concern for this White House is re-election.”
Targeting small-town America
From conservative Christians with tucked shirts and dress shoes to bikers with long beards and leather, hundreds of Trump supporters waved flags, held signs and donned the red caps as they descended on the small town of Bemidji, located in Beltrami County, Minnesota.
Despite the 250-person limit for gatherings in the state, throngs stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they waited in long lines, cheering on the commander in chief and greeting others as if the global pandemic did not exist. A mix of locals and those who traveled hundreds of miles, the scene at the September rally has played out in small towns across America where Trump has a stronghold.
Charter buses packed full, merchandise vendors lining the streets and counter protests nearby, the spectacles have marked Trump’s campaigns and presidency.
But many of these towns don’t typically draw these types of crowds – and the aftermath is now evident in their COVID-19 cases.
Between mid-August and mid-October, Trump has visited small and mid-sized communities in major swing states with county populations ranging from 47,000 to 310,000.
They also have largely been in conservative communities that in many cases have resisted mask-wearing and social distancing efforts.
Trump, who is seeking a second term, has made these rallies a signature of his campaign. He held several in the first three months of the year but stopped after declaring the coronavirus a national emergency on March 13.
He resumed his tour in late June, holding one event that drew 6,200 mostly unmasked supporters to an indoor arena in Tulsa and another that drew 3,000 to a megachurch in Phoenix. USA TODAY’s analysis did not find that cases in those counties increased faster in the two weeks after either event.
But former presidential candidate Herman Cain died of the coronavirus after attending the Tulsa rally, where eight members of the advance team tested positive for coronavirus. It was deemed a superspreader event. The White House has denied that Trump’s campaign is at fault.
Trump had no rallies in July.
On Aug. 17, he ramped up his schedule and has appeared at an average of four campaign events per week since – pausing only for 11 days in early October after catching the coronavirus.
The rallies, now taking place almost daily, attract an average crowd of about 6,000 people. Some have attracted up to 20,000, according to local news reports. In all, more than 120,000 people have attended his campaign events in the past nine weeks.
Rayla Campbell said she has attended over 100 events to support Trump, including the recent rally this year in New Hampshire.
Campbell, a 38-year-old from Massachusetts who's running as a Republican write-in candidate for a seat in Congress, has been a staunch Trump supporter from the beginning, citing his patriotism and business acumen. Even with three small children at home, she has no qualms about COVID-19, shaking hands and hugging other rally goers without any masks or social distancing.
“I haven’t gotten so much as a sniffle,” Campbell said. “Nobody that I’ve come in contact with has gotten sick, and I think this whole thing is blown out of proportion.”
Bill Batchelder, a small business owner and volunteer firefighter in Bemidji, supports Trump for the economy. Batchelder was seated behind the president, some 45 feet away, at the rally.
He said that he believes in the dangers of COVID-19 and understands the potential for spread. But he still felt safe, given the temperature checks and mask handouts.
He said Trump attracts everybody from “those who think it’s a joke, to those who take it more seriously, like me.” But he also pointed to the cases at counter-protests, which drew fewer people and still created community spread.
“I was not at all concerned at the Trump rally,” Batchelder said. “I take COVID-19 very seriously. The way I put it is my risk threshold is very low but my precautions are very high.”
Audrey Thayer, who is running for city council in Bemidji, attended the two anti-Trump events that drew hundreds. She said most of the people at these protests were wearing masks and socially distancing, a sharp contrast from the photos of the Trump event, where supporters were crammed together without face coverings. She’s among those frustrated the spike of new cases in the community after the event.
“Bemidji has worked very hard to keep the numbers low for many months, and now they’re skyrocketing,” Thayer said. “We had the (Trump) superspreader event, and we ran into trouble, and you’re seeing that across the country.”
Defying health orders
Local public health officials in several counties tracked cases back to Trump’s rallies and, in one case, to affiliated counter-protests that his presence drew.
The Minnesota county that’s home to Bemidji saw a 35% increase in coronavirus cases in the two weeks after Trump’s rally – from 365 to 499. State health officials said 20 people who tested positive for COVID-19 attended the Sept. 17 event. Sixteen of them attended the rally, and four attended a protest outside.
Minnesota also traced three cases to a Trump rally in Duluth on Sept. 30, just days before Trump and other White House officials tested positive for the coronavirus.
Health officials additionally tracked cases back to campaign events held by other candidates, including one positive case to a Joe Biden rally in Duluth on Sept. 18, three to a speech by Mike Pence in Minneapolis on Sept. 24 and one to an Eric Trump rally on Oct. 1.
The gatherings have irked local and state officials.
In a document obtained by the Center for Public Integrity, just a week before the president’s Oct. 17 rally in Janesville, Wisconsin, the White House coronavirus task force concluded Wisconsin was in the red zone for test positivity. They warned of extreme concern for continued increases in community transmission.
Among its mitigation recommendations? A warning to avoid crowds.
Ahead of an Oct. 14 rally, Iowa’s top public health official, Lina Tucker Reinders, sent an email to the Des Moines Register saying they could be looking at “another super-spreader event.”
In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper asked elected leaders and candidates “to lead by example on the campaign trail this fall by holding events with face coverings and social distancing to protect North Carolinians when visiting.
Even though activities exercising First Amendment rights are exempt from the requirements of Cooper’s executive orders about large events, “large gatherings increase the risk of spreading COVID-19,” said Amy Adams Ellis, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Rallies in at least three states – Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Nevada – defied orders limiting the number of people at an event.
The city of Henderson, Nevada, issued a $3,000 fine to Xtreme Manufacturing for hosting a Trump event that violated its 50-person limit on public gatherings. Some 5,600 guests attended the Sept. 13 indoor rally.
In northern Nevada, local news outlets reported one of the president’s rallies was moved in early September because Reno airport authorities were concerned about the size of the crowd.
The campaign includes a disclaimer on rally ticket requests stating that guests “assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.”
Trump versus Biden
While Trump continues his campaign tour, door-knocking and fundraisers, Biden has mostly suspended many traditional activities.
Biden’s camp has been more forthright about infections within his inner circle. The campaign announced in mid-October that two individuals tested positive for COVID-19, a non-staff flight crew member and the communications director for Sen. Kamala Harris. The campaign cancelled Harris’s scheduled travel through Oct. 18 and was upfront about her last negative test.
Democrats believe Trump has responded to the pandemic poorly, while many of his supporters feel the virus is not a serious threat and that the nation needs to move on to rekindle the economy.
“It is all about modeling and messaging,” said Jay Wolfson, senior associate dean of the Morsani College of Medicine and associate vice president of University of Southern Florida health. “The public is deeply divided.”
Following Trump’s COVID-19 infection, 57% or registered voters say they are very or somewhat confident in Biden to handle the public health impact of the coronavirus, while 40% express that level of confidence in Trump, according to the Pew Research Center. Biden held a narrower lead on his support over the outbreak in June.
Wolfson said Trump’s behavior with his rallies and handling of the White House outbreak was “ostensibly designed to demonstrate machismo in the face of a pack of rabid dogs,” while creating “the same delusion for a public that can never enjoy the expensive and exclusive protections and care available to the president.
The CDC has consistently cited the dangers of group events such as weddings, funerals and rallies because of how easily they can spread the virus.
At every turn, Trump has defied these warnings. The Rose Garden event in particular was a continuation of the administration’s strategy since mid-April, said Kathleen Sebelius, who served as the secretary of Health and Human Services for six years under the Obama administration.
On April 17, a day after the CDC issued guidelines to tamp down the virus and reopen the economy, Sebelius said the president chose to move in a very different direction, tweeting that states should be “liberated.”
“From that day on, if you’re a fan of the president, don’t wear a mask, drink bleach, take hydroxychloroquine or do whatever has been seen kind of as a badge of honor,” she said. “It’s reckless, it’s immoral and it’s unacceptable.”


usatoday--2020-10-22--10 things you shouldn't wait until Black Friday to buy

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Black Friday 2020 , which falls on Friday , November 27 , is approaching sooner than you think .
While the day after Thanksgiving is usually the year 's biggest holiday shopping event , it 's going to look a little different this year .
Not only have many retailers—including Amazon , Walmart , and The Home Depot—announced that they 'll be starting Black Friday deals early , but amid the COVID-19 pandemic , there 's expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many popular products .
Plus , shoppers need to keep in mind about those pesky shipping delays happening now .
If you want to avoid sold-out stock , there are some things we recommend buying well before Black Friday .
From the top-rated Amazon smart speakers to the must-have winter gear , these are 10 products you might want to snag before November 27 , according to our experts .
Need help finding products ?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter .
It ’ s free and you can unsubscribe at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Show or the Dot , Amazon smart speakers are as popular as ever this year .
Our favorite Echo ( the third-generation model ) has sold out several times at Amazon over the last few months .
You can get them for a great price right now at Best Buy , where you 'll take advantage of their `` Black Friday guarantee , '' which ensures that the store will refund you the difference for any product purchased by Wednesday , October 28 that drops to a lower price ahead of Black Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 3rd Gen ) Smart Speaker with Alexa from Best Buy for $ 18.99 • Get the Amazon Echo Show 5 with Alexa from Best Buy for $ 44.99 Want a pair of what our experts deemed the best wireless earbuds you can buy ?
You might not want to wait until Black Friday to scoop them up .
The AirPods Pro are one of the year 's hottest gifts and was a top seller during Prime Day , and you can get them at a slight discount right now .
Fair warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during Black Friday .
Get the Apple AirPods Pro from Amazon for $ 219 Experts have predicted this winter will be colder and snowier than usual—so a cozy throw blanket is at the top of everyone 's wishlists as we head into the holiday season .
The celebrity-approved Barefoot Dreams throw ( which Chrissy Teigen says she uses every day ) is already selling out in solid colors but you can still find it in certain prints or you can opt for a more budget-friendly pick like this sherpa blanket from Amazon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Get the Barefoot Dreams In the Wild Throw Blanket from Nordstrom for $ 180 • Get the Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Blanket from Amazon for $ 21.99 Of all the things to buy on Black Friday , TVs have been one of the most popular purchases year after year .
And while you can certainly get a good deal on some of the best TVs on the market the day after Thanksgiving , our senior deals editor , Nicole Briese , predicts that stock will be very low this year .
So if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV ( like our experts ' favorite , the LG C9 Series , or our best-value pick , the TCL 6-Series ) , you might want to go ahead and buy it now .
• Get the LG C9 Series Smart OLED TV from Amazon for $ 1,496.99 • Get the TCL 55 '' 6-Series Smart TV from Amazon for $ 649.99 Just like throw blankets , slippers are in high demand going into the very cold—and potentially very snowy—months ahead .
Ugg slippers famously sell out whenever there 's a big sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick for women ) but there are also plenty of more affordable options on Amazon , like this fluffy pair with that over 3,000 reviewers have given five stars .
• Get the Ugg Scuffette II Slipper from Nordstrom for $ 89.95 • Get the Parlovable Women 's Cross Band Slippers from Amazon for $ 23.99 According to Pew Research , one in five Americans wear some sort of fitness tracker—and the wearable tech will likely be a top holiday gift this year .
Of all the Fitbits our experts have tested , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanks to its plethora of tracking capabilities and ease of use .
Our runner-up , the Versa 2 , is also a solid option if you 're looking for something that functions like a fitness tracker but has the same look as a smartwatch .
• Get the Fitbit Charge 4 from Amazon for $ 148.70 • Get the Fitbit Versa 2 from Amazon for $ 179.95 Shovels , ice scrapers , space heaters , oh my !
Now is the perfect time to buy all of your winter weather essentials before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The best snow shovel we 've ever used ( thanks to its pickup ability and durable design ) or this top-tested space heater that our experts found to be the most effective at warming up a room .
• Get the Forest Hill Homeowner Aluminum Scoop Shovel from Amazon for $ 64.99 • Get the DeLonghi HMP1500 Heater from Amazon for $ 89.97 With a predicted second wave of COVID-19 coming this winter , face masks are going to remain a hot commodity .
If you need a new one , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than later .
Our experts tested some of the most popular masks out there and found the Athleta face masks to be the best , followed by Old Navy and Tom Bihn .
There are hundreds of other retailers selling cloth face masks online , as well .
• Get the Everyday Non-Medical Masks ( 5-Pack ) from Athleta for $ 30 • Get the Triple-Layer Cloth Face Mask ( 5-Pack ) from Old Navy for $ 12.50 • Get the V1 Reusable Cloth Face Mask from Tom Bihn for $ 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means an increase in demand for decor like rugs , mirrors , furniture , and wall art .
While you 'll get some good deals the day after Thanksgiving , you can shop equally good sales on decor and furniture early at Wayfair , whose Black Friday sale is starting Monday , October 26th .
Two of the most-wanted gifts of 2020—the Xbox Series X and the Playstation 5—come out in mid-November , and if the sold-out pre-orders are any indication , they 'll likely sell out within hours of release .
I.e @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you empty-handed .
While you ca n't pre-order the consoles , you can get them from Amazon or Walmart when they become available ( the Xbox Series X comes out Tuesday , November 10 while the Playstation 5 is available ThNovember 12th ) .
• Get the Playstation 5 Console from Amazon on November 12 • Get the Xbox Series X from Walmart on November 10 The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

10 things you shouldn’t wait until Black Friday to buy
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Black Friday 2020, which falls on Friday, November 27, is approaching sooner than you think. While the day after Thanksgiving is usually the year's biggest holiday shopping event, it's going to look a little different this year. Not only have many retailers—including Amazon, Walmart, and The Home Depot—announced that they'll be starting Black Friday deals early, but amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there's expected to be higher demand and lower supply of many popular products. Plus, shoppers need to keep in mind about those pesky shipping delays happening now.
If you want to avoid sold-out stock, there are some things we recommend buying well before Black Friday. From the top-rated Amazon smart speakers to the must-have winter gear, these are 10 products you might want to snag before November 27, according to our experts.
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
1. Amazon smart speaker
Whether it's the Echo Show or the Dot, Amazon smart speakers are as popular as ever this year. Our favorite Echo (the third-generation model) has sold out several times at Amazon over the last few months. You can get them for a great price right now at Best Buy, where you'll take advantage of their "Black Friday guarantee," which ensures that the store will refund you the difference for any product purchased by Wednesday, October 28 that drops to a lower price ahead of Black Friday.
2. AirPods Pro
Want a pair of what our experts deemed the best wireless earbuds you can buy? You might not want to wait until Black Friday to scoop them up. The AirPods Pro are one of the year's hottest gifts and was a top seller during Prime Day, and you can get them at a slight discount right now. Fair warning: They'll likely be equally popular during Black Friday.
Get the Apple AirPods Pro from Amazon for $219
3. Throw blankets
Experts have predicted this winter will be colder and snowier than usual—so a cozy throw blanket is at the top of everyone's wishlists as we head into the holiday season. The celebrity-approved Barefoot Dreams throw (which Chrissy Teigen says she uses every day) is already selling out in solid colors but you can still find it in certain prints or you can opt for a more budget-friendly pick like this sherpa blanket from Amazon, which has over 23,000 rave reviews.
4. TVs
Of all the things to buy on Black Friday, TVs have been one of the most popular purchases year after year. And while you can certainly get a good deal on some of the best TVs on the market the day after Thanksgiving, our senior deals editor, Nicole Briese, predicts that stock will be very low this year. So if you have your eye on a specific TV (like our experts' favorite, the LG C9 Series, or our best-value pick, the TCL 6-Series), you might want to go ahead and buy it now.
5. Slippers
Just like throw blankets, slippers are in high demand going into the very cold—and potentially very snowy—months ahead. Ugg slippers famously sell out whenever there's a big sale (the Scuffette slide is the highest-rated pick for women) but there are also plenty of more affordable options on Amazon, like this fluffy pair with that over 3,000 reviewers have given five stars.
6. Fitbit
According to Pew Research, one in five Americans wear some sort of fitness tracker—and the wearable tech will likely be a top holiday gift this year. Of all the Fitbits our experts have tested, we like the Charge 4 the best thanks to its plethora of tracking capabilities and ease of use. Our runner-up, the Versa 2, is also a solid option if you're looking for something that functions like a fitness tracker but has the same look as a smartwatch.
7. Winter gear
Shovels, ice scrapers, space heaters, oh my! Now is the perfect time to buy all of your winter weather essentials before they sell out. Some of our recommendations? The best snow shovel we've ever used (thanks to its pickup ability and durable design) or this top-tested space heater that our experts found to be the most effective at warming up a room.
8. Face masks
With a predicted second wave of COVID-19 coming this winter, face masks are going to remain a hot commodity. If you need a new one, it's smart to snag a few sooner rather than later. Our experts tested some of the most popular masks out there and found the Athleta face masks to be the best, followed by Old Navy and Tom Bihn. There are hundreds of other retailers selling cloth face masks online, as well.
9. Home decor
Spending more time at home this year means an increase in demand for decor like rugs, mirrors, furniture, and wall art. While you'll get some good deals the day after Thanksgiving, you can shop equally good sales on decor and furniture early at Wayfair, whose Black Friday sale is starting Monday, October 26th.
Shop all home decor at Wayfair
10. Xbox Series X or Playstation 5
Two of the most-wanted gifts of 2020—the Xbox Series X and the Playstation 5—come out in mid-November, and if the sold-out pre-orders are any indication, they'll likely sell out within hours of release. I.e. waiting until Black Friday could leave you empty-handed. While you can't pre-order the consoles, you can get them from Amazon or Walmart when they become available (the Xbox Series X comes out Tuesday, November 10 while the Playstation 5 is available ThNovember 12th).
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-10-23--Joe Biden calls Donald Trump 'one of the most racist presidents in modern history'

Joe Biden calls Donald Trump 'one of the most racist presidents in modern history' Joe Biden called out President Donald @ @ @ @ @ relations during the final presidential debate .

'Abraham Lincoln here': Joe Biden calls President Donald Trump racist
Joe Biden called out President Donald Trump's record on race relations during the final presidential debate.
USA TODAY