usatoday--2020-12-21--Five things you need to know as NBA starts up 2020-21 season this week

The NBA , like other pro and college leagues , is trying to pull off a season under difficult circumstances .
The NBA completed its 2019-20 season in a bubble-like environment and managed to keep COVID-19 from spreading through the mini-city on the Disney campus near Orlando .
But there is no bubble this season , making it perhaps even more challenging over the course of a December-July season .
The NBA has consulted experts and devised a plan it believes will minimize COVID outbreaks and lead to the completion of the Finals without any major problems .
Here are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The NBA faces a monumental task : play 1,080 regular-season games and complete a season as teams crisscross the country while the COVID-19 pandemic rages , at least at the start of the season .
The vaccine could help ease the situation if enough people receive it during the season .
Short of that , the NBA has drafted another set of extensive health and safety protocols aimed at limiting COVID-19 cases among players , coaches and staffers .
This document is 158 pages – longer than the bubble protocols – to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the road .
Only a handful of teams will open the season with a small number of fans in attendance .
THE COMMISH 'S WORDS : In Adam Silver 's words : Why the NBA is starting a new season amid pandemic NBA 'S TOUGHEST JOB : New coach has a lot on his plate in first season on the bench Because last season finished in October , the NBA wanted to get back on a normal October-June schedule for 2021-22 ( its 75th anniversary season ) .
The league will start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July .
It is a quick turnaround but had the league waited until January , it would ’ ve been difficult for each team to play 72 games ( shorter than the regular 82 games ) and finish before the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo .
The NBA did not want to play deep into summer again .
Starting now also allows the league to take advantage of broadcasting holiday week games and getting in at least 70 games – which could amount to at least a $ 500 million bump in revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a short offseason and quick free agency period .
Here are some of the big names changing teams : • Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers , from Oklahoma City • Montrezl Harrell to the Lakers , from the Clippers • Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee , from New Orleans • Serge Ibaka to the Clippers , from Toronto • Avery Bradley to Miami , from the Lakers The NBA saw significant turnover among its coaches , and some changes at the top of front offices .
Teams with new coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bjorkgren , out Nate McMillan ) ; Philadelphia 76ers ( in : Doc Rivers , out : Brett Brown ) ; Brooklyn ( in : Steve Nash , out : Kenny Atkinson ) ; Chicago Bulls ( in : Billy Donovan , out : Jim Boylen ) ; New York Knicks ( in : Tom Thibodeau ; out : David Fizdale/Mike Miller ) ; Los Angeles Clippers ( in : Ty Lue , out : Doc Rivers ) ; Houston ( in : Stephen Silas , out : Mike D ’ Antoni ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Daigneault , out : Billy Donovan ) .
New leaders in the front office : Daryl Morey in Philadelphia ; Arturas Karnisovas in Chicago ; Leon Rose in New York ; Troy Weaver in Detroit ; Rafael Stone in Houston ; and Monte McNair in Sacramento .
It will be a chore to keep referees safe and healthy as they travel city to city without the benefit of private planes , like the teams use .
It will be incumbent on referees to follow all best practices , and they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the league ’ s vice president/head of referee training and development , said the league will look for ways to minimize travel for referees .
For instance , a ref may be assigned to more games closer to his home base than a normal season .
Also , the league adopted the coach ’ s challenge on a full-time basis after a one-year trial in 2019-20 and expanded its video rulebook to include a comprehensive and searchable look at points of education and rules violations with detailed explanations .

Five things you need to know as NBA starts up 2020-21 season this week
Show Caption Hide Caption Can the NBA succeed without a bubble? SportsPulse: The NBA bubble in Orlando was without a doubt a success during the COVID pandemic. Now that the league is restarting outside a bubble can they conduct a season without a hitch? SportsPulse, USA TODAY
The NBA, like other pro and college leagues, is trying to pull off a season under difficult circumstances.
The NBA completed its 2019-20 season in a bubble-like environment and managed to keep COVID-19 from spreading through the mini-city on the Disney campus near Orlando.
But there is no bubble this season, making it perhaps even more challenging over the course of a December-July season. The NBA has consulted experts and devised a plan it believes will minimize COVID outbreaks and lead to the completion of the Finals without any major problems.
Here are five new things about 2020-21 NBA season:
Health/safety protocol guidelines
The NBA faces a monumental task: play 1,080 regular-season games and complete a season as teams crisscross the country while the COVID-19 pandemic rages, at least at the start of the season. The vaccine could help ease the situation if enough people receive it during the season. Short of that, the NBA has drafted another set of extensive health and safety protocols aimed at limiting COVID-19 cases among players, coaches and staffers. This document is 158 pages – longer than the bubble protocols – to account for guidelines while at home and on the road. Only a handful of teams will open the season with a small number of fans in attendance.
OFFSEASON GRADES: How each team handled its offseason roster moves
THE COMMISH'S WORDS: In Adam Silver's words: Why the NBA is starting a new season amid pandemic
NBA'S TOUGHEST JOB: New coach has a lot on his plate in first season on the bench
72-game schedule
Because last season finished in October, the NBA wanted to get back on a normal October-June schedule for 2021-22 (its 75th anniversary season). The league will start the 2020-21 schedule on Tuesday and finish in July. It is a quick turnaround but had the league waited until January, it would’ve been difficult for each team to play 72 games (shorter than the regular 82 games) and finish before the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. The NBA did not want to play deep into summer again. Starting now also allows the league to take advantage of broadcasting holiday week games and getting in at least 70 games – which could amount to at least a $500 million bump in revenue from TV and other partnership deals.
Big names/new teams
It was a short offseason and quick free agency period. Here are some of the big names changing teams:
Gordon Hayward to Charlotte, from Boston
Russell Westbrook to Washington, from Houston
John Wall to Houston, from Washington
Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers, from Oklahoma City
Montrezl Harrell to the Lakers, from the Clippers
Chris Paul to Phoenix, from Oklahoma City
Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee, from New Orleans
Danilo Gallinari to Atlanta, from Oklahoma City
Tristan Thompson to Boston, from Cleveland
Serge Ibaka to the Clippers, from Toronto
Jerami Grant to Detroit, from Denver
Jae Crowder to Phoenix, from Miami
Avery Bradley to Miami, from the Lakers
Robert Covington to Portland, from Houston
Christian Wood to Houston, from Detroit
New coaches/GMs
The NBA saw significant turnover among its coaches, and some changes at the top of front offices.
Teams with new coaches: Indiana Pacers (in: Nate Bjorkgren, out Nate McMillan); Philadelphia 76ers (in: Doc Rivers, out: Brett Brown); Brooklyn (in: Steve Nash, out: Kenny Atkinson); Chicago Bulls (in: Billy Donovan, out: Jim Boylen); New York Knicks (in: Tom Thibodeau; out: David Fizdale/Mike Miller); Los Angeles Clippers (in: Ty Lue, out: Doc Rivers); Houston (in: Stephen Silas, out: Mike D’Antoni); Oklahoma City Thunder (in: Mark Daigneault, out: Billy Donovan).
New leaders in the front office: Daryl Morey in Philadelphia; Arturas Karnisovas in Chicago; Leon Rose in New York; Troy Weaver in Detroit; Rafael Stone in Houston; and Monte McNair in Sacramento.
Don’t forget the referees
It will be a chore to keep referees safe and healthy as they travel city to city without the benefit of private planes, like the teams use. It will be incumbent on referees to follow all best practices, and they will be tested daily, too. Monty McCutchen, the league’s vice president/head of referee training and development, said the league will look for ways to minimize travel for referees. For instance, a ref may be assigned to more games closer to his home base than a normal season. Also, the league adopted the coach’s challenge on a full-time basis after a one-year trial in 2019-20 and expanded its video rulebook to include a comprehensive and searchable look at points of education and rules violations with detailed explanations.


usatoday--2020-12-21--The coronavirus vaccine wasn't the only amazing discovery: A look at all the ways science thrived in

In 2020 , incredible scientific discoveries did n't stop because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
First and foremost was the phenomenal work done by scientists to study the disease and develop vaccines in record time to put the brakes on the global pandemic .
It was a truly Herculean and remarkable effort by literally thousands of scientists around the world .
Otherwise , while nothing can compare to the vaccine effort for impact , we discovered that there could be water on the sunlit surface of the moon , potentially life on Venus , `` Marsquakes '' on Mars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligent civilizations could be scattered across our Milky Way galaxy .
Closer to home , we uncovered prehistoric evidence of a ferocious tyrannosaur in Canada , a car-sized turtle in South America and the oldest bird fossil ever found , dubbed the `` wonderchicken . ''
And as for us humans , we listened to a mummy speak after 3,000 years , found Africa 's oldest human footprints , and even realized that Neanderthals were skilled fishermen .
Here are just a few of the amazing science stories of 2020 : We heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January , scientists recreated the voice of an ancient , 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy using 3D printing , medical scanners and an electronic larynx , a study said .
They were able to reproduce a single vowel sound , which sounds like something between the vowels in the words `` bed '' and `` bad . ''
Listen for yourself below .
'Boiling ' plasma was spotted on the sun Also that month , we saw the most detailed photos of the sun ever taken .
One of the images showed a pattern of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire sun .
The cell-like structures – each about the size of Texas – are the signature of violent motions that transport heat from the inside of the sun to its surface .
In February , paleontologists discovered what they called the `` reaper of death , '' a fearsome new species of dinosaur that was the `` oldest occurrence of a large tyrannosaur in Canada . ''
Also in February , scientists announced the discovery of a huge turtle fossil in South America .
It 's `` one of the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ever existed , '' scientists said , noting that the colossal , long-extinct beast lived 5 million to 10 million years ago and measured 9 1/2 feet , roughly the size and shape of a midsized car .
And that month we also heard about `` Marsquakes , '' and the fact that our red neighbor planet had hundreds of quakes over the past year .
The Marsquakes were recorded by NASA 's InSight Lander , a robot spacecraft that landed on Mars in November 2018 .
`` We 've finally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mars is a seismically active planet , '' said NASA 's Bruce Banerdt .
In March , our attention turned to a creature dubbed the `` wonderchicken , '' a seagull-size shorebird with features of both ducks , chickens and turkeys .
The nearly complete skull was hidden inside nondescript pieces of rock , and it dates to more than 66 million years ago – making it the oldest bird fossil ever discovered .
( That 's less than 1 million years before the asteroid impact that killed off all the large dinosaurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw what was beneath the rock was the most exciting moment of my scientific career , '' said study lead author Daniel Field .
We also learned about an ancient wormlike creature that 's the ancestor of all animals .
The tiny thing , about the size of a grain of rice , lived about 555 million years ago .
We learned Neanderthals were actually skilled fishermen Also in March , the reputation of Neanderthals got a boost when we found out that they were n't just the club-wielding brutes of popular legend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in frozen northern climates .
A study , for the first time , suggested that they were skilled fishermen and that seafood was a key ingredient in their diets .
Comet from outside our solar system paid a visit In April , we tracked an unusual visitor from outer space : Comet 2I/Borisov , which astronomers described as a `` snowman from a dark and cold place , '' because “ comets are left-over building blocks from the time of planet formation . ''
“ This is the first time we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our solar system , ” said NASA astrochemist Martin Cordiner .
Also in April , we learned about the fossil of a bizarre mammal , called `` crazy beast , '' which was discovered in Madagascar .
The skeleton is the most complete for any Mesozoic mammal yet discovered in the Southern Hemisphere .
The 66-million-year-old , opossum-size fossil represented a new species , which the study authors have named `` Adalatherium hui , '' from a Malagasy word meaning “ crazy ” and the Greek word for “ beast.
” Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an incredibly rare `` Super-Earth , '' which they said was a `` one in a million '' find .
Also calling it `` incredibly rare , '' New Zealand astronomers say the planet `` is one of only a handful that have been discovered with both size and orbit comparable to that of Earth . ''
May also was when we found out about Africa 's largest group of human fossil footprints , which were discovered in Tanzania .
Thousands of years ago , a group of 17 people took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amazingly , their footprints are still there today , and were recently identified by archaeologists .
We learned there could be 'dozens ' of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy In June , we got the news that we 're probably not alone in our galaxy , as there could be `` dozens '' of intelligent civilizations scattered throughout the Milky Way .
“ There should be at least a few dozen active civilizations in our galaxy under the assumption that it takes 5 billion years for intelligent life to form on other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Nottingham astrophysicist Christopher Conselice said .
This estimate assumes that intelligent life forms on other planets in a similar way as it does on Earth .
It was an asteroid impact , not volcanoes , that killed off dinosaurs Also in June we learned for sure that it was an asteroid impact – not volcanic eruptions – that killed off the dinosaurs .
The asteroid strike would have released particles and gases high into the atmosphere , blocking out the sun for years and causing permanent winters , a study said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time quantitatively , that the only plausible explanation for the extinction is the impact winter that eradicated dinosaur habitats worldwide , '' said study lead author Alessandro Chiarenza of Imperial College London .
Scientists confirmed the universe is 13.8 billion years old The discoveries continued in the second half of the year : Scientists confirmed in July that the universe is 13.8 billion years old .
While this estimate had been known before , in recent years , other scientific measurements had suggested instead that the universe may be hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The scientists studied an image of the oldest light in the universe to confirm its age of 13.8 billion years .
Also in July , folks got a rare chance to spot another interstellar interloper : Comet Neowise .
“ Discovered on March 27 , 2020 , by NASA ’ s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer ( NEOWISE ) mission , Comet Neowise is putting on a dazzling display for skywatchers before it disappears , not to be seen again for another 6,800 years , ” NASA said in July .
Greenland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of no return Also in August , in unsettling news , scientists said that Greenland 's melting ice sheet had passed the point of no return .
In fact , glaciers on the island have shrunk so much that even if global warming were to stop today , the ice sheet would continue shrinking , a study suggested .
`` Glacier retreat has knocked the dynamics of the whole ice sheet into a constant state of loss , '' said study co-author Ian Howat , an earth scientist from Ohio State University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scientists in September announced the discovery of a possible sign of life high in the clouds of Venus .
Using telescopes based in Chile and Hawaii , astronomers spotted in Venus ' clouds the chemical signature of phosphine , a noxious gas that on Earth is only associated with life .
Based on the many scenarios the astronomers considered , the team concluded that there is no explanation for the phosphine detected in Venus ’ clouds , other than the presence of life .
Water discovered on sunlit part of the moon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned that water had been discovered on the sunlit surface of the moon for the first time .
NASA said this was an important revelation that indicates water may be distributed across the lunar surface – and not just limited to its cold , shadowed places such as the poles .
This is good news for astronauts at future lunar bases who could tap into these resources for drinking and rocket fuel production .
“ We had indications that H2O – the familiar water we know – might be present on the sunlit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Hertz , director of the astrophysics division in the science mission directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington .
“ Now we know it is there .
This discovery challenges our understanding of the lunar surface and raises intriguing questions about resources relevant for deep space exploration.
” There 's a metal asteroid out there worth $ 10,000 quadrillion This is n't your typical space rock .
Also in October , we found out that the asteroid 16 Psyche – one of the most massive objects in the main asteroid belt orbiting between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely of metal , according to a study .
Even more intriguing , the asteroid 's metal is worth an estimated $ 10,000 quadrillion ( that 's 15 more zeroes ) , more than the entire economy of Earth .
Radio bursts were detected from within our Milky Way for first time For the first time , astronomers in November discovered a `` fast radio burst '' that came from within our own Milky Way galaxy , according to new research .
They also believe they have found a source of one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flashes of energy that last for a fraction of a second , during which they can blast out more than 100 million times more power than our sun .
It appears the radio pulses were produced by a magnetar – a type of neutron star with a hugely powerful magnetic field .
And in December , we learned about the arcane field of `` protein folding . ''
A new discovery about the field could unlock a world of possibilities into the understanding of everything from diseases to drugs , researchers say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the science and medical communities , as it deals with the shapes tiny proteins in our bodies – essential to all life – fold into .
The so-called `` protein-folding problem '' has puzzled scientists for five decades , and the discovery from the London-based artificial intelligence lab DeepMind was heralded as a major milestone .
`` This computational work represents a stunning advance on the protein-folding problem , a 50-year old grand challenge in biology , '' said Venki Ramakrishnan , president of the U.K. 's Royal Society .
Also in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life on Earth appear to follow a regular pattern , according to a study .
In fact , widespread die-offs of land-dwelling animals – which include amphibians , reptiles , mammals and birds – follow a cycle of about 27 million years , the study reports .
The study also said these mass extinctions coincide with major asteroid impacts and devastating volcanic outpourings of lava .
`` The global mass extinctions were apparently caused by the largest cataclysmic impacts and massive volcanism , perhaps sometimes working in concert , '' said study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University .
More news from 2020 you do n't want to forget Astronomers say 'disappearing planet ' may never have existed Walking sharks discovered near Australia but there 's no need to head for the hills

The coronavirus vaccine wasn't the only amazing discovery: A look at all the ways science thrived in 2020
Show Caption Hide Caption Astronomy: Jupiter and Saturn will meet in this rare cosmic conjunction Jupiter and Saturn will appear their closest since the days of Galileo in this rare space event. USA TODAY
In 2020, incredible scientific discoveries didn't stop because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
First and foremost was the phenomenal work done by scientists to study the disease and develop vaccines in record time to put the brakes on the global pandemic. It was a truly Herculean effort by literally thousands of scientists around the world.
Otherwise, while nothing can compare to the vaccine effort for impact, we discovered there could be water on the sunlit surface of the moon, potentially life on Venus, "Marsquakes" on Mars, and the chance that dozens of intelligent civilizations could be scattered across our Milky Way galaxy.
Closer to home, we uncovered prehistoric evidence of a ferocious tyrannosaur in Canada, a car-sized turtle in South America, and the oldest bird fossil ever found, dubbed the "wonderchicken."
And as for us humans, we listened to a mummy speak after 3,000 years, found Africa's oldest human footprints, and even realized that Neanderthals were skilled fishermen.
Here are just a few of the amazing science stories of 2020:
We heard the voice of an ancient mummy
In January, scientists re-created the voice of an ancient, 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy using 3D printing, medical scanners and an electronic larynx, a study said. They were able to reproduce a single vowel sound, which sounds like something between the vowels in the words "bed" and "bad." Listen for yourself below.
Hear the sound of a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy Scientists recreated the voice of an Egyptian mummy with the help of 3D printing. GeoBeats
'Boiling' plasma was spotted on the sun
Also that month, we saw the most detailed photos of the sun ever taken. One of the images showed a pattern of turbulent "boiling" plasma that covers the entire sun. The cell-like structures – each about the size of Texas – are the signature of violent motions that carry heat from the inside of the sun to its surface.
Scientists discovered the fossil of a giant turtle
In February, paleontologists discovered what they called the "reaper of death," a fearsome new species of dinosaur that was the "oldest occurrence of a large tyrannosaur in Canada."
Also in February, scientists announced the discovery of a huge turtle fossil in South America. It's "one of the largest, if not the largest, turtle that ever existed," scientists said, noting that the colossal, long-extinct beast lived 5 million to 10 million years ago and measured 9½ feet, roughly the size and shape of a midsized car.
NASA's robot detected hundreds of 'marsquakes'
And that month we also heard about "marsquakes," and the fact that our red neighbor planet had hundreds of quakes over the past year. The marsquakes were recorded by NASA's InSight, a robot spacecraft that landed on Mars in November 2018. "We've finally, for the first time, established that Mars is a seismically active planet," said NASA's Bruce Banerdt.
'Wonderchicken' becomes oldest bird fossil ever
In March, our attention turned to a creature dubbed the "wonderchicken," a seagull-size shorebird with features of ducks, chickens and turkeys. The nearly complete skull was hidden inside nondescript pieces of rock, and it dates to more than 66 million years ago – which makes it the oldest bird fossil ever discovered. (That's less than 1 million years before the asteroid impact that killed off all the large dinosaurs.)
"The moment I first saw what was beneath the rock was the most exciting moment of my scientific career," said study lead author Daniel Field.
We also learned about an ancient wormlike creature that's the ancestor of all animals. The tiny thing, about the size of a grain of rice, lived about 555 million years ago.
We learned Neanderthals were actually skilled fishermen
Also in March, the reputation of Neanderthals got a boost when we found out that they weren't just the club-wielding brutes of popular legend, hunting and eating only woolly mammoths in frozen northern climates.
A study, for the first time, suggested that they were skilled fishermen and that seafood was a key ingredient in their diets.
A comet from outside our solar system paid a visit
In April, we tracked an unusual visitor from outer space: Comet 2I/Borisov, which astronomers described as a "snowman from a dark and cold place," because “comets are leftover building blocks from the time of planet formation."
“This is the first time we’ve ever looked inside a comet from outside our solar system,” said NASA astrochemist Martin Cordiner.
Bizarre mammal called 'crazy beast' fossil discovered in Madagascar
Also in April, we learned about the fossil of a bizarre mammal, called "crazy beast," which was discovered in Madagascar. The skeleton is the most complete for any Mesozoic mammal yet discovered in the Southern Hemisphere.
The 66-million-year-old opossum-size fossil represented a new species, which the study authors have named "Adalatherium hui," from a Malagasy word meaning “crazy” and the Greek word for “beast.”
Scientists spot 'incredibly rare' Super-Earth
Meanwhile, in May, scientists announced the discovery of an incredibly rare "Super-Earth," which they said was a "one in a million" find. Also calling it "incredibly rare," New Zealand astronomers say the planet "is one of only a handful that have been discovered with both size and orbit comparable to that of Earth."
Astronomers discover 'one-in-a-million' super-Earth A planet comparable to Earth's size and orbit has been discovered. GeoBeats, Video Elephant
Africa's largest group of human fossil footprints were uncovered
May also was when we found out about Africa's largest group of human fossil footprints, which were discovered in Tanzania. Thousands of years ago, a group of 17 people took a walk through the mud in eastern Africa. Amazingly, their footprints are still there today, and were recently identified by archaeologists.
We learned there could be 'dozens' of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy
In June, we got the news that we're probably not alone in our galaxy: There could be "dozens" of intelligent civilizations scattered throughout the Milky Way.
“There should be at least a few dozen active civilizations in our galaxy under the assumption that it takes 5 billion years for intelligent life to form on other planets, as on Earth,” University of Nottingham astrophysicist Christopher Conselice said.
This estimate assumes that intelligent life forms on other planets in a similar way as it does on Earth.
An asteroid impact, not volcanoes, killed off dinosaurs
Also in June we learned for sure that an asteroid impact – not volcanic eruptions – killed off the dinosaurs. The asteroid strike would have released particles and gases high into the atmosphere, blocking out the sun for years and causing permanent winters, a study said.
"Our study confirms, for the first time quantitatively, that the only plausible explanation for the extinction is the impact winter that eradicated dinosaur habitats worldwide," said study lead author Alessandro Chiarenza of Imperial College London.
Scientists confirmed the universe is 13.8 billion years old
The discoveries continued in the second half of the year: Scientists confirmed in July that the universe is 13.8 billion years old. While this estimate had been known, in recent years other scientific measurements had suggested instead the universe may be hundreds of millions of years younger than that. The scientists studied an image of the oldest light in the universe to confirm its age of 13.8 billion years.
Comet Neowise made a rare appearance
Also in July, folks got a rare chance to spot another interstellar interloper: Comet Neowise. “Discovered on March 27, 2020, by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) mission, Comet Neowise is putting on a dazzling display for skywatchers before it disappears, not to be seen again for another 6,800 years,” NASA said in July.
Greenland's melting ice sheet passed the point of no return
Also in August, in unsettling news, scientists said Greenland's melting ice sheet had passed the point of no return. In fact, glaciers on the island have shrunk so much that even if global warming were to stop today, the ice sheet would continue shrinking, a study suggested.
"Glacier retreat has knocked the dynamics of the whole ice sheet into a constant state of loss," said study co-author Ian Howat, an earth scientist from Ohio State University.
Astronomers see hint of life on Venus
Scientists in September announced the discovery of a possible sign of life high in the clouds of Venus. Using telescopes based in Chile and Hawaii, astronomers spotted in Venus' clouds the chemical signature of phosphine, a noxious gas that on Earth is associated only with life. Based on the many scenarios the astronomers considered, the team concluded there is no explanation for the phosphine in Venus’ clouds other than the presence of life.
Life on Venus? Astronomers see hint of life in clouds of Venus Astronomers spot the chemical signature of phosphine, a noxious gas that on Earth is only associated with life, in Venus' clouds. USA TODAY
Water discovered on sunlit part of the moon for the first time
In October, we learned that water had been discovered on the sunlit surface of the moon for the first time. NASA said this was an important revelation that indicates water may be distributed across the lunar surface – and not just limited to its cold, shadowed places such as the poles. This is good news for astronauts at future lunar bases who could tap into those resources for drinking and rocket fuel production.
“We had indications that H2O – the familiar water we know – might be present on the sunlit side of the moon,” said Paul Hertz, director of the astrophysics division in the science mission directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington. “Now we know it is there. This discovery challenges our understanding of the lunar surface and raises intriguing questions about resources relevant for deep space exploration.”
NASA's moon water discovery: Find on sunlit part has big implications The moon discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface and not limited to cold, shadowed places, NASA said. USA TODAY Handout
There's a metal asteroid out there worth $10,000 quadrillion
This isn't your typical space rock. Also in October, we found out that the asteroid 16 Psyche – one of the most massive objects in the main asteroid belt orbiting between Mars and Jupiter – could be made entirely of metal, according to a study.
Even more intriguing, the asteroid's metal is worth an estimated $10,000 quadrillion (that's 15 more zeroes), more than the entire economy of Earth.
Radio bursts were detected from within our Milky Way for first time
For the first time, astronomers in November discovered a "fast radio burst" that came from within our own Milky Way galaxy.
They also believe they have found a source of one of the bursts, which are extremely bright flashes of energy that last for a fraction of a second, during which they can blast out more than 100 million times more power than our sun.
It appears the radio pulses were produced by a magnetar – a type of neutron star with a hugely powerful magnetic field.
A 50-year-old science problem was solved
And in December, we learned about the arcane field of "protein folding." A new discovery about the field could unlock a world of possibilities into the understanding of everything from diseases to drugs, researchers say. The breakthrough sent ripples of excitement through the science and medical communities because it deals with the shapes tiny proteins in our bodies – essential to all life – fold into.
The "protein-folding problem" has puzzled scientists for five decades, and the discovery from the London-based artificial intelligence lab DeepMind was heralded as a major milestone.
"This computational work represents a stunning advance on the protein-folding problem, a 50-year old grand challenge in biology," said Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the U.K.'s Royal Society.
We learned mass extinctions of Earth's land animals follow a cycle
Also in December, we found out that mass extinctions of life on Earth appear to follow a regular pattern, according to a study. In fact, widespread die-offs of land-dwelling animals – which include amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds – follow a cycle of about 27 million years, the study reports. The study also said these mass extinctions coincide with major asteroid impacts and devastating volcanic outpourings of lava.
"The global mass extinctions were apparently caused by the largest cataclysmic impacts and massive volcanism, perhaps sometimes working in concert," said study lead author Michael Rampino of New York University.
More news from 2020 you don't want to forget
Astronomers say 'disappearing planet' may never have existed
Walking sharks discovered near Australia but there's no need to head for the hills
NASA is dropping racially insensitive nicknames from cosmic objects
Warm water discovered beneath Antarctica's 'doomsday' glacier, scientists say


usatoday--2020-12-22--California faces 'darkest days' as COVID-19 cases surge, pushing hospital staff to the breaking poin

SAN FRANCISCO — These are scenes from a battlefield .
Full intensive care units .
Doctors and nurses working for hours without sleep .
Waves of patients dying .
Across California , a post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 spike is ravaging cities and counties that once had been models for how to keep coronavirus cases low .
To date , the state has logged 1.9 million cases and 22,000 deaths , with new records seemingly set daily .
`` I feel like someone at war , it 's chaotic all the time , '' said Erin McIntosh , 38 , a mother of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurse at Riverside Community Hospital southeast of Los Angeles .
She said the National Guard is scheduled to help with care soon .
`` Nurses do this because it 's their life 's work , '' she said .
`` But many are reaching their breaking point . ''
McIntosh 's voice is subdued these days .
Six of her COVID-19 patients recently died , including a 25-year-old who they felt sure would make it .
She said she ca n't give the kind of care people deserve due to the overwhelming crush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on the line , '' she said .
`` We 're taking more patients , we 're working more shifts , sometimes 24 hours at a time .
But we ca n't give 100 % to everyone . ''
These waning weeks of 2020 have fast become “ some of the darkest days of our COVID-19 surge , ” California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Sunday as he urged residents to heed public health warnings about traveling or gathering in groups over the holidays .
A day later , Newsom said Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , due to expire at the end of the month , would likely be extended .
Chaos seems to be the order of the day .
Newsom himself is back in quarantine for a second time after someone on his staff tested positive .
Los Angeles Unified School District , the state ’ s largest , announced campuses would stay closed after the Christmas break .
Pasadena ’ s storied Rose Bowl collegiate football showdown is moving to Texas after officials declined to let players ’ families come .
Some California health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine developed by Pfizer , and shipments of another highly efficient variant made by Moderna is expected to start soon .
But for the vast majority of the state ’ s 40 million residents , those inoculations remain months away .
In the meantime , hospitals are paying the price — as are patients , some of whom are n't visiting for COVID-19 reasons .
`` Hospitals never want to stop semi-elective surgeries , but with this colossal mess that we have now that 's something they 'll have to start considering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemiology and statistics at the University of California , San Francisco .
Rutherford , whose daughter is an emergency room nurse whose hospital has started moving COVID-19 patients into the emergency room area , said the state 's hospital system is built `` with a surge system mindset . ''
That means if an earthquake or fire hits one part of the state , hospitals in another region or county stand ready to ease the burden .
`` But right now , it 's just bad everywhere , '' he said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .
`` This surge is the 'son of Thanksgiving . '
Now that we are more than a few weeks out from that , it means we should start to turn a corner soon . ''
Christmas , however , could well tax the state 's medical network to a breaking point .
Airports around the country report growing crowds as pandemic-weary Americans take their chances with the virus to rendezvous with loved ones .
`` That 's why we all have to hammer home the message about social distancing , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make outlandish promises to my six kids , but I said do n't come see me now and I promise , we 'll celebrate Christmas in July in Hawaii . ''
In Los Angeles 's Orange County , doctors at Lakewood Regional Medical Center are seeing non-coronavirus patients `` who are in worse shape than we normally see them , people who might rush in at the first signs of a stroke or cardiac event are hesitating .
before coming in , '' said Jennifer Bayer , the hospital 's spokesperson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired and stretched thin , '' but are coping with the steady influx of COVID-19 patients by converting beds as needed into intensive care areas .
If there was one recent bright spot , it was the arrival last week of COVID-19 vaccine doses .
`` These days , '' said Bayer , `` it 's the little things that go a long way . ''
California only behind Tennessee in new cases Just how California 's COVID-19 caseload went from manageable to overloaded is a matter of much speculation .
But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are to blame : lax social distancing early in the fall coming out of a summer that found many people getting back to normal routines ; an abundance of Thanksgiving travel despite health official pleas against moving around ; and the general misperception that socializing indoors with pods of friends can keep you safe .
`` That 's where most people feel like they 're OK , but the truth is even if you feel your friends are being safe , too , you do n't know where they got their groceries or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brewer , professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California , Los Angeles .
`` All you 're doing is increasing your pool of exposure . ''
Brewer says if you must meet with trusted friends , stay socially distanced , wash your hands often and , above all , gather outdoors .
`` Viruses either transmit or they do n't , so we either put conditions in to interrupt that spread or we do n't , '' said Brewer .
`` We just need to really commit to rededicating ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect us . ''
Some parts of California need to heed that message more than others .
California ’ s Lassen County , a rural area in the northeastern corner of the state with around 35,000 residents , ranks fifth in the nation with 343 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents .
The hardest-hit county is Oklahoma ’ s Alfalfa , where more than a third of some 5,000 residents have tested positive for the virus .
Nationally , California ranks second in daily new cases per 100,000 residents , with 108 .
Tops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the non-profit tracking site Covid Act Now .
More bad news may be on the way .
A model the state uses to forecast trends says that the number of COVID-19 cases admitted to state hospitals could swell to 75,000 by mid-January .
Medical facilities , already overwhelmed , are reaching breaking points .
Hospitals tell the most poignant and painful COVID-19 tale .
As of this past weekend , more than 16,840 Californians were admitted with confirmed cases , more than double the state ’ s July peak .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total to 22,590 , according to the state ’ s health department .
Nearly 80 % of intensive care units are being used statewide , according to Covid Act Now .
Of nearly 8,000 ICU beds available in the state , half are taken by non-COVID-19 patients .
Of what remains , more than 3,500 beds are being used by virus sufferers , with more arriving daily .
While some counties still have an ICU cushion , such as Santa Barbara down south ( 50 % of beds available ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , many are already at 100 % capacity , including counties such as Imperial and Fresno , that are home to the state ’ s agricultural industry .
The poor and people of color continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 , both in terms of health and finances .
The current spike seems to be claiming more such victims .
In many rural California counties , healthcare is administered by small clinics .
What regional hospitals do exist are small .
In San Bernardino County , where white people make up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population , St. Mary Medical Center has 213 beds and only 20 ICU spaces , causing patients to be treated in hallways .
But even big cities with sophisticated hospital systems are feeling the brunt of the pandemic ’ s surge .
San Francisco is a case in point .
Mayor London Breed locked down the city early in the pandemic , and its new daily case rates were in the single digits per 100,000 residents through the fall .
That number has shot up to 36 per 100,000 in the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles County , home to a quarter of the state ’ s population .
While case rates there virtually paralleled those of San Francisco in September , today the county has 131 new cases per 100,000 residents .
The county ’ s ICU headroom rate is 88 % .
Facing a crush of patients , doctors and nurses find themselves stretched thin .
In Riverside , McIntosh said many of her colleagues are gone .
Some have taken more lucrative nursing posts in other states , while others `` are just done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drumbeat of death as well as what she sees as a dismissive attitude toward health community recommendations ranging from masks to vaccines .
`` I hear people saying , ' I wo n't get a COVID-19 shot , ' just like some people have said they wo n't wear masks , '' said McIntosh .
`` But believe me , the result of that attitude is a huge amount of suffering that we see every day . ''
She describes making a now all too common call to relatives of COVID-19 patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours before in a FaceTime call with the patient , letting them know their relative has passed .
`` You tell them , and you get that deep , haunting cry from them that haunts me every day , '' she said .
If there is a light at the end of this dark COVID-19 tunnel , it is the vaccine , McIntosh said .
The other day , she got her first of two shots .
She said it brought her one step closer to sanity .
`` I care so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also care about my family and not getting them sick from my job , '' said McIntosh .
`` Now , maybe I can feel better about not putting them at risk while I continue to help others . ''

California faces 'darkest days' as COVID-19 cases surge, pushing hospital staff to the breaking point
Show Caption Hide Caption California sets stay home order amid virus surge California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday most of the state will likely be under a new stay-at-home order within a day or two. Newsom said the new rules will trigger when a region’s intensive care unit capacity falls below 15%. (Dec. 3) AP
SAN FRANCISCO – These are scenes from a battlefield. Full intensive care units. Doctors and nurses working for hours without sleep. Waves of patients dying.
Across California, a post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 spike is ravaging cities and counties that once had been models for how to keep coronavirus cases low. To date, the state has logged 1.9 million cases and 22,000 deaths, with new records seemingly set daily.
"I feel like someone at war; it's chaotic all the time," said Erin McIntosh, 38, a mother of four who works as a rapid response nurse at Riverside Community Hospital southeast of Los Angeles. She said the National Guard is scheduled to help with care soon.
"Nurses do this because it's their life's work," she said. "But many are reaching their breaking point."
McIntosh's voice is subdued these days. Six of her COVID-19 patients recently died, including a 25-year-old who they felt sure would make it. She said she can't give the kind of care people deserve due to the overwhelming crush of cases.
"People's lives are on the line," she said. "We're taking more patients, we're working more shifts, sometimes 24 hours at a time. But we can't give 100% to everyone."
These waning weeks of 2020 have fast become “some of the darkest days of our COVID-19 surge,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday as he urged residents to heed public health warnings about traveling or gathering in groups over the holidays. A day later, Newsom said the state's state-at-home orders, due to expire at the end of the month, would likely be extended.
Chaos seems to be the order of the day. Newsom himself is back in quarantine for a second time after someone on his staff tested positive. Los Angeles Unified School District, the state’s largest, announced campuses would stay closed after the Christmas break. Pasadena’s storied Rose Bowl collegiate football showdown is moving to Texas after officials declined to let players’ families come.
Some California health care workers have received doses of the coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer, and shipments of another highly efficient variant made by Moderna are expected to start soon.
But for the vast majority of the state’s 40 million residents, those inoculations remain months away. In the meantime, hospitals are paying the price – as are patients, some of whom aren't visiting for COVID-19 reasons.
"Hospitals never want to stop semi-elective surgeries, but with this colossal mess that we have now, that's something they'll have to start considering," said George Rutherford, professor of epidemiology and statistics at the University of California, San Francisco.
Rutherford, whose daughter is an emergency room nurse whose hospital has started moving COVID-19 patients into the emergency room area, said the state's hospital system is built "with a surge system mindset." That means if an earthquake or fire hits one part of the state, hospitals in another region or county stand ready to ease the burden.
"But right now, it's just bad everywhere," he said, adding that he is hopeful case numbers drop soon. "This surge is the 'son of Thanksgiving.' Now that we are more than a few weeks out from that, it means we should start to turn a corner soon."
Christmas, however, could well tax the state's medical network to a breaking point. Airports around the country report growing crowds as pandemic-weary Americans take their chances with the virus to rendezvous with loved ones.
"That's why we all have to hammer home the message about social distancing," Rutherford said. "I try not to make outlandish promises to my six kids, but I said don't come see me now and I promise, we'll celebrate Christmas in July in Hawaii."
For now, the outlook is troubling. In the week ending Monday, California reported 312,394 new coronavirus cases — more than Japan, South Korea and Norway combined have reported through the entire pandemic, a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. The state has only a quarter of the population of those three nations.
California represents about 11.9 percent of the United States population but reported 20.7 percent of the cases in the week ending Monday.
In Los Angeles, doctors at Lakewood Regional Medical Center are seeing non-coronavirus patients who are delaying going to the hospital when they experience symptoms related to strokes and heart attacks, said Jennifer Bayer, the hospital's spokesperson.
Bayer said Lakewood staffers are "very tired and stretched thin," but continue to meet the needs of a steady influx of COVID-19 patients by converting beds as needed into intensive care areas. If there was one recent bright spot, it was the arrival last week of COVID-19 vaccine doses which the hospital dispensed to personnel.
"These days," said Bayer, "it's the little things that go a long way."
California behind only Tennessee in new cases
Just how California's COVID-19 caseload went from manageable to overloaded is a matter of speculation.
But some experts say that a number of factors are to blame: lax social distancing early in the fall coming out of a summer that found many people getting back to normal routines; an abundance of Thanksgiving travel despite health official pleas against moving around; and the general misperception that socializing indoors with pods of friends can keep you safe.
"That's where most people feel like they're OK, but the truth is even if you feel your friends are being safe, too, you don't know where they got their groceries or gas that day," said Tim Brewer, professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. "All you're doing is increasing your pool of exposure."
Brewer says if you must meet with trusted friends, stay socially distanced, wash your hands often and, above all, gather outdoors.
"Viruses either transmit or they don't, so we either put conditions in to interrupt that spread or we don't," Brewer said. "We just need to really commit to rededicating ourselves to the measures that we know can protect us."
Some parts of California need to heed that message more than others.
California’s Lassen County, a rural area in the northeastern corner of the state with around 35,000 residents, ranks fifth in the nation with 343 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. The hardest-hit county is Oklahoma’s Alfalfa, where more than a third of some 5,000 residents have tested positive for the virus.
Nationally, California ranks second in daily new cases per 100,000 residents, with 108. Tops is Tennessee, at 132, according to the nonprofit tracking site Covid Act Now.
More bad news may be on the way. A model the state uses to forecast trends says that the number of COVID-19 cases admitted to state hospitals could swell to 75,000 by mid-January. Medical facilities, already overwhelmed, are reaching breaking points.
Hospitals tell the most poignant and painful COVID-19 tale. As of this past weekend, more than 16,840 Californians were admitted with confirmed cases, more than double the state’s July peak. More than 150 new deaths are being tallied daily, bringing the total to 22,590, according to the state’s health department.
Nearly 80% of intensive care units are being used statewide, according to Covid Act Now. Of nearly 8,000 ICU beds available in the state, half are taken by non-COVID-19 patients. Of what remains, more than 3,500 beds are being used by virus sufferers, with more arriving daily.
While some counties still have an ICU cushion, such as Santa Barbara down south (50% of beds available) and Sonoma up north (32%), many are already at 100% capacity, including counties such as Imperial and Fresno, that are home to the state’s agricultural industry.
The poor and people of color continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, both in terms of health and finances. The current spike seems to be claiming more such victims.
In many rural California counties, health care is administered by small clinics. What regional hospitals do exist are small. In San Bernardino County, where white people make up only 33% of the heavily Latino population, St. Mary Medical Center has 213 beds and only 20 ICU spaces, causing patients to be treated in hallways.
But even big cities with sophisticated hospital systems are feeling the brunt of the pandemic’s surge.
San Francisco is a case in point. Mayor London Breed locked down the city early in the pandemic, and its new daily case rates were in the single digits per 100,000 residents through the fall. That number has shot up to 36 per 100,000 in the past week.
Suffering the most by far is Los Angeles County, home to a quarter of the state’s population. While case rates there virtually paralleled those of San Francisco in September, today the county has 131 new cases per 100,000 residents. The county’s ICU headroom rate is 88%.
Facing a crush of patients, doctors and nurses find themselves stretched thin. In Riverside, McIntosh said many of her colleagues are gone. Some have taken more lucrative nursing posts in other states, while others "are just done," overwhelmed both by the growing drumbeat of death as well as what she sees as a dismissive attitude toward health community recommendations ranging from masks to vaccines.
"I hear people saying, 'I won't get a COVID-19 shot,' just like some people have said they won't wear masks," McIntosh said. "But believe me, the result of that attitude is a huge amount of suffering that we see every day."
She describes making a now all too common call to relatives of COVID-19 patients, some of whom she has met only hours before in a FaceTime call with the patient, letting them know their relative has passed.
"You tell them, and you get that deep, haunting cry from them that haunts me every day," she said.
If there is a light at the end of this dark COVID-19 tunnel, it is the vaccine, McIntosh said. The other day, she got her first of two shots. She said it brought her one step closer to sanity.
"I care so much about all my patients, but I also care about my family and not getting them sick from my job," McIntosh said. "Now, maybe I can feel better about not putting them at risk while I continue to help others."
Follow USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava: @marcodellacava


usatoday--2020-12-21--Martin Shkreli wishes 'best of luck' to former reporter who left her job, husband for him

Former Bloomberg News reporter Christie Smythe opened up in a viral interview about her peculiar path from reporting on `` Pharma Bro '' Martin Shkreli 's legal downfall to falling in love with him , leaving her husband and quitting her job .
“ I fell down the rabbit hole , ” Smythe told reporter Stephanie Clifford in the Elle magazine story posted online Sunday , noting she is `` happy here . ''
According to Elle 's story , Smythe quit her job and divorced her husband in a nine-month span between 2018 and 2019 after her relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her subject to a woman actively advocating for him in a way her employer deemed `` unprofessional . ''
`` Ms. Smythe ’ s conduct with regard to Mr. Shkreli was not consistent with expectations for a Bloomberg journalist .
It became apparent that it would be best to part ways .
Ms. Smythe tendered her resignation , and we accepted it , ” a Bloomberg spokesperson told Elle and reiterated to USA TODAY .
Shkreli , 37 , was sentenced to seven years in prison 2018 for crimes that included lying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds he ran , withdrawing more money from those funds than he was entitled to get , and defrauding investors in a drug company , Retrophin , by hiding his ownership of some of its stock .
Shkreli first gained notoriety by buying the rights to a lifesaving drug at another company in 2014 and raising the price from $ 13.50 to $ 750 per pill .
He is also known for attacking critics on social media and offering a bounty to anyone who could give him one of Hillary Clinton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the trial that their relationship began to get murky .
Some emails between the two were used as evidence in his sentencing , part of the reason she left Bloomberg .
They kissed for the first time when she visited him in prison , soon after she quit Bloomberg , recalling to Elle that the room smelled like chicken nuggets .
She froze her eggs last spring , worrying that she may be too old to have children by the time Shkreli was released from prison .
“ I told Martin I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And he told me he loved me , too.
” Smythe has not seen Shkreli in more than a year due to prison COVID-19 restrictions , but she still believes their relationship will prevail , despite a less than glowing response from Shkreli that Clifford relayed to her : “ Mr .
Shkreli wishes Ms. Smythe the best of luck in her future endeavors.
” “ That ’ s him saying , 'You ’ re going to live your life and we ’ re just gon na not be together . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get my book and that our paths will – will fork.
” She concluded : “ He bounces between this delight in having a future life together and this fatalism about how it will never work .
It ’ s definitely in the latter category now ...
I ’ m gon na try .
I ’ ll be here . ''
Smythe addressed the story in a tweet Sunday : `` I realize it 's hard for many people to accept that 1 .
Martin is not a psychopath , and 2. a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her life ( which does not affect you ) that you in no way approve of .
But that 's OK. '' The story created a major buzz on social media after its publication , garnering reactions from a plethora of readers including fellow journalists and celebrities .
`` This story is the only thing I want to talk about ( right now ) , '' tweeted New York Times culture and technology reporter Taylor Lorenz .
`` I ’ ve been reading this for 20 min in an ihop and my waitress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I 'look terrified , ' '' added Jessica Huseman , a ProPublica reporter and CNN analyst .
`` That lady done blew up her whole life -- a comfortable Brooklyn lifestyle , a husband , and a Bloomberg job -- for a man who wished her the 'best of luck in her future endeavors , ' '' wrote Zora magazine senior editor Morgan Jerkins .
`` Read the last paragraph of that story and you will either scream or your face will contort in ways you 've never thought possible . ''

Martin Shkreli wishes 'best of luck' to former reporter who left her job, husband for him
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Pharma Bro' Shkreli wants out of prison to research coronavirus Martin Shkreli, the controversial former pharmaceutical executive is requesting a release from prison to help find a treatment for Coronavirus. Buzz60
Former Bloomberg News reporter Christie Smythe opened up in a viral interview about her peculiar path from reporting on "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli's legal downfall to falling in love with him, leaving her husband and quitting her job.
“I fell down the rabbit hole,” Smythe told reporter Stephanie Clifford in the Elle magazine story posted online Sunday, noting she is "happy here."
According to Elle's story, Smythe quit her job and divorced her husband in a nine-month span between 2018 and 2019 after her relationship with Shkreli shifted from a reporter learning about her subject to a woman actively advocating for him in a way her employer deemed "unprofessional."
"Ms. Smythe’s conduct with regard to Mr. Shkreli was not consistent with expectations for a Bloomberg journalist. It became apparent that it would be best to part ways. Ms. Smythe tendered her resignation, and we accepted it,” a Bloomberg spokesperson told Elle and reiterated to USA TODAY.
Shkreli, 37, was sentenced to seven years in prison 2018 for crimes that included lying to investors about the performance of two hedge funds he ran, withdrawing more money from those funds than he was entitled to get, and defrauding investors in a drug company, Retrophin, by hiding his ownership of some of its stock.
A judge ordered Shkreli to forfeit $7.3 million.
Shkreli first gained notoriety by buying the rights to a lifesaving drug at another company in 2014 and raising the price from $13.50 to $750 per pill. He is also known for attacking critics on social media and offering a bounty to anyone who could give him one of Hillary Clinton’s hairs.
It was around the time of the trial that their relationship began to get murky. Some emails between the two were used as evidence in his sentencing, part of the reason she left Bloomberg. They kissed for the first time when she visited him in prison, soon after she quit Bloomberg, recalling to Elle that the room smelled like chicken nuggets. She froze her eggs last spring, worrying that she may be too old to have children by the time Shkreli was released from prison.
“I told Martin I loved him,” Smythe said. “And he told me he loved me, too.”
Smythe has not seen Shkreli in more than a year due to prison COVID-19 restrictions, but she still believes their relationship will prevail, despite a less than glowing response from Shkreli that Clifford relayed to her: “Mr. Shkreli wishes Ms. Smythe the best of luck in her future endeavors.”
“That’s him saying, 'You’re going to live your life and we’re just gonna not be together.' That I’m going to maybe get my book and that our paths will – will fork.”
She concluded: “He bounces between this delight in having a future life together and this fatalism about how it will never work. It’s definitely in the latter category now... I’m gonna try. I’ll be here."
Smythe addressed the story in a tweet Sunday: "I realize it's hard for many people to accept that 1. Martin is not a psychopath, and 2. a woman can choose to do something with her life (which does not affect you) that you in no way approve of. But that's OK."
The story created a major buzz after its publication. In a follow-up interview with Elle, Smythe spoke about the "tremendous relief" she felt after revealing her story.
"A huge part of me doing this is not image based. It's about just getting something off my chest. That's been really hard to carry around," she said, adding that some of the reaction she doesn't agree with.
"It’s a little depressing and saddening because I don't like being called 'the victim,' 'mentally ill': neither of those things are accurate," she said. "I respect and understand if people criticize my decisions. That's fair. I put it out there. It's fair game. But I made these choices very consciously."
She continued, "What feels very sexist to me is, why am I a victim? I chose to do this. There's nothing bad that has happened to me other than a bunch of people being nasty to me online."
Not all reactions have been negative, however. Smythe said she's received supportive messages from her parents, family members and friends.
Smythe also explained the reasoning behind the fashion shoot that published with the article, saying it was meant to be "a momentary moment of joy."
"I had gone through so much. I was expecting to go through much more in terms of being attacked online. So if I can have a little bit of pleasure and wear some fun clothes, fine, I will do that," she said.
The story also garnered reactions from a plethora of readers including fellow journalists and celebrities.
"This story is the only thing I want to talk about (right now)," tweeted New York Times culture and technology reporter Taylor Lorenz.
"I’ve been reading this for 20 min in an ihop and my waitress just asked me if I was ok because I 'look terrified,'" added Jessica Huseman, a ProPublica reporter and CNN analyst.
"Yikes lol," model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen tweeted alongside the article.
"That lady done blew up her whole life--a comfortable Brooklyn lifestyle, a husband, and a Bloomberg job--for a man who wished her the 'best of luck in her future endeavors,'" wrote Zora magazine senior editor Morgan Jerkins. "Read the last paragraph of that story and you will either scream or your face will contort in ways you've never thought possible."
Contributing: Associated Press


usatoday--2020-12-21--Rebekah Jones, former Florida COVID-19 data manager, files suit over law enforcement's 'sham' raid o

Former Department of Health data manager Rebekah Jones has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement , alleging the Dec. 7 morning raid on her house was a `` sham '' to retaliate against her for not altering COVID-19 data .
Jones was fired from her job in May and soon launched her own COVID-19 online data dashboard .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis blamed Jones ' firing on her insubordination ; Jones said she was let go because she would n't alter data to cast Florida in a more favorable light to justify DeSantis ' plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit filed Sunday night against FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen , the department and several agents in Leon County Circuit Civil Court , Jones claims her constitutional rights were violated , including against unlawful search and seizure .
She is seeking in excess of $ 100,000 , according to the lawsuit 's cover sheet .
She also claims she was unnecessarily roughed up .
`` We are trying to achieve some kind of redress , '' said Rick Johnson , the lead attorney in both the civil suit and a separate whistleblower case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the kind of thing that happens in tinhorn dictatorships in third world countries . ''
Who is Rebekah Jones ?
Former Florida COVID-19 data scientist had home raided by authorities Swearingen has defended the actions of the agents he said were `` vilified '' by the media .
He blamed Jones for any risk of danger to herself or her family .
He reiterated those comments in a Monday statement .
“ As I have said before , I am proud of the professionalism shown by our FDLE agents as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residence of Rebekah Jones .
Our criminal investigation continues , and while I have not seen this lawsuit , I believe the facts will come out in court , ” Swearingen said .
FDLE agents accompanied by Tallahassee Police officers arrived at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 7 to serve a search warrant on Jones ' home in connection with an investigation of a security breach of a state Health Department emergency communication network .
The FDLE said it took more than 20 minutes for Jones to open the door after they began knocking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still in bed when the agents started knocking , and she had to get dressed , wake up her children and call her attorney .
`` She thought she was going to be arrested , '' Johnson said .
The video shows that shortly after they said they had a warrant , Jones opened the door .
The lawsuit said she opened the door 39 seconds after the first said they had a warrant .
`` If they are pounding on the door without mentioning a warrant of any kind to arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to open the door to police , '' Johnson said .
According to the state , an unauthorized user snuck onto the network and sent out a text message to 1,750 recipients that said : `` It 's time to speak up before another 17,000 people are dead .
You know this is wrong .
You do n't have to be a part of this .
Be a hero .
Speak out before it 's too late . ''
Jones , who has not been charged with a crime , has denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had its username and password posted on a public website until state officials took it down four days after the raid .
`` FDLE , seeking to ingratiate itself to DeSantis , sought to silence Plaintiff 's online speech by confiscating her computer and to discover her confidential sources , and other information by seizing her cell phone , '' the suit says .
A video camera set up by Jones and pointed at the front door shows agents entering the house with sidearms unholstered and drawn .
An agent points his gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones ' husband and two children to come down .
`` They entered her home with guns drawn , terrorizing her family , '' the complaint says .
`` They were there to execute a search warrant for her electronic devices ; however the basis of the warrant was a sham to punish plaintiff for Plaintiff 's protected speech . ''
Read the complaint : See the lawsuit filed by Rebekah Jones against the FDLE Videos of body camera footage released by the FDLE shows a Tallahassee police officer at Jones ' door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another law enforcement officer with his gun pointed at the door .
It also shows officers grabbing Jones , bringing her onto the front stoop and frisking her .
In the lawsuit , she accused the anonymous officer of committing a battery on her `` by repeatedly running his hands up and down her ribs and by gripping and holding her sides . ''
Jones , the architect of the state 's COVID-19 dashboard that was praised by White House coronavirus task force physician Dr. Deborah Birx , was fired in May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ whistleblower complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations , alleging the governor retaliated against her for refusing to manipulate data .
Her firing made Jones a social media celebrity .
She set up her own COVID-19 dashboard and began reporting data from the state .
One difference is that , unlike the state , Jones includes people who received positive results from PCR , antigen and antibody testing in her daily report of those infected with the disease .
The state 's daily numbers include people who received positive results for PCR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a defendant , DeSantis is cast several times throughout the lawsuit as Jones ' nemesis — accused of having a hand in her firing , and suggesting that he had some influence over the investigation against her .
He has denied a role in either .
`` DeSantis has been openly furious about Plaintiff 's work because it exposes the ongoing falsification , suppression , and misleading that are salient features of the state 's data reporting about COVID-19 , '' the suit says .
`` He has not missed any opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the public media . ''
Contact Jeff Schweers at jschweers @ gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ jeffschweers .

Rebekah Jones, former Florida COVID-19 data manager, files suit over law enforcement's 'sham' raid on her home
Show Caption Hide Caption Rebekah Jones' home video, FDLE bodycam footage, show raid FDLE bodycam footage, Rebekah Jones' home video show raid Nate Chute, USA Today Network
Former Department of Health data manager Rebekah Jones has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, alleging the Dec. 7 morning raid on her house was a "sham" to retaliate against her for not altering COVID-19 data.
Jones was fired from her job in May and soon launched her own COVID-19 online data dashboard. Gov. Ron DeSantis blamed Jones' firing on her insubordination; Jones said she was let go because she wouldn't alter data to cast Florida in a more favorable light to justify DeSantis' plans to reopen the state's economy.
In the lawsuit filed Sunday night against FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen, the department and several agents in Leon County Circuit Civil Court, Jones claims her constitutional rights were violated, including against unlawful search and seizure. She is seeking in excess of $100,000, according to the lawsuit's cover sheet.
She also claims she was unnecessarily roughed up.
"We are trying to achieve some kind of redress," said Rick Johnson, the lead attorney in both the civil suit and a separate whistleblower case. "This is still America. This is the kind of thing that happens in tinhorn dictatorships in third world countries."
Who is Rebekah Jones? Former Florida COVID-19 data scientist had home raided by authorities
Swearingen has defended the actions of the agents he said were "vilified" by the media. He blamed Jones for any risk of danger to herself or her family. He reiterated those comments in a Monday statement.
“As I have said before, I am proud of the professionalism shown by our FDLE agents as they served a legal search warrant on the residence of Rebekah Jones. Our criminal investigation continues, and while I have not seen this lawsuit, I believe the facts will come out in court,” Swearingen said.
FDLE agents accompanied by Tallahassee Police officers arrived at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 7 to serve a search warrant on Jones' home in connection with an investigation of a security breach of a state Health Department emergency communication network.
The FDLE said it took more than 20 minutes for Jones to open the door after they began knocking. Her lawyer, Johnson, said she was still in bed when the agents started knocking, and she had to get dressed, wake up her children and call her attorney.
"She thought she was going to be arrested," Johnson said. The video shows that shortly after they said they had a warrant, Jones opened the door. The lawsuit said she opened the door 39 seconds after the first said they had a warrant.
"If they are pounding on the door without mentioning a warrant of any kind to arrest or search, a citizen doesn't have to open the door to police," Johnson said.
According to the state, an unauthorized user snuck onto the network and sent out a text message to 1,750 recipients that said: "It's time to speak up before another 17,000 people are dead. You know this is wrong. You don't have to be a part of this. Be a hero. Speak out before it's too late."
Fired Florida data scientist Rebekah Jones shares video on Twitter when police enter her home "They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint," former Department of Health employee Rebekah Jones said in a tweet on Twitter with a video of police entering her home on Dec. 7, 2020. Courtesy of Rebekah Jones, Tallahassee Democrat
Jones, who has not been charged with a crime, has denied she hacked into the account, which had its username and password posted on a public website until state officials took it down four days after the raid.
"FDLE, seeking to ingratiate itself to DeSantis, sought to silence Plaintiff's online speech by confiscating her computer and to discover her confidential sources, and other information by seizing her cell phone," the suit says.
A video camera set up by Jones and pointed at the front door shows agents entering the house with sidearms unholstered and drawn. An agent points his gun up the stairs as he calls for Jones' husband and two children to come down.
"They entered her home with guns drawn, terrorizing her family," the complaint says. "They were there to execute a search warrant for her electronic devices; however the basis of the warrant was a sham to punish plaintiff for Plaintiff's protected speech."
Read the complaint: See the lawsuit filed by Rebekah Jones against the FDLE
Videos of body camera footage released by the FDLE shows a Tallahassee police officer at Jones' door with a sledgehammer in hand, and another law enforcement officer with his gun pointed at the door.
It also shows officers grabbing Jones, bringing her onto the front stoop and frisking her. In the lawsuit, she accused the anonymous officer of committing a battery on her "by repeatedly running his hands up and down her ribs and by gripping and holding her sides."
Jones, the architect of the state's COVID-19 dashboard that was praised by White House coronavirus task force physician Dr. Deborah Birx, was fired in May. Two months later, she filed a whistleblower complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, alleging the governor retaliated against her for refusing to manipulate data.
Her firing made Jones a social media celebrity. She set up her own COVID-19 dashboard and began reporting data from the state.
One difference is that, unlike the state, Jones includes people who received positive results from PCR, antigen and antibody testing in her daily report of those infected with the disease. The state's daily numbers include people who received positive results for PCR and antigen tests.
While not named as a defendant, DeSantis is cast several times throughout the lawsuit as Jones' nemesis — accused of having a hand in her firing, and suggesting that he had some influence over the investigation against her. He has denied a role in either.
"DeSantis has been openly furious about Plaintiff's work because it exposes the ongoing falsification, suppression, and misleading that are salient features of the state's data reporting about COVID-19," the suit says. "He has not missed any opportunity to heap vilification and obloquy on Plaintiff in the public media."
Contact Jeff Schweers at jschweers@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @jeffschweers.
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usatoday--2020-12-21--COVID-19 relief deal reached after corrosive politics left Americans feeling abandoned

Now that Congress has finally reached a deal on COVID-19 relief , it would be nice to say the system worked .
But it didn ’ t , unless you think it ’ s worth celebrating months of fruitless negotiations while disease-afflicted Americans suffered unnecessarily .
The compromise is a $ 900 billion package that will keep some businesses and families afloat through this dark winter .
Better late than never , we suppose .
It ’ s hard to feel good , however , about yet another massive pile of pages thrust before lawmakers desperate to leave town .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ down : Christmas on Friday , enhanced unemployment benefits running out Saturday and an eviction moratorium ending New Year ’ s Eve .
Lawmakers also had to get the deal done in time to add it to the must-pass $ 1.4 trillion bill to fund the government through September .
Political scientists would call this set of circumstances — multiple hard deadlines and unthinkable consequences on politics and real life in the event of failure — highly conducive to productive negotiations .
We ’ d call it corrosive brinkmanship that left Americans feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lost homes , lost jobs and lost loved ones .
COVID-19 has now claimed nearly 319,000 lives in the United States , and vaccine rollouts notwithstanding , it will claim tens , if not hundreds , of thousands more before the pandemic is under control .
Deals often come down to math .
The Democratic-controlled House passed a $ 3 trillion package in May , then came down to $ 2.2 trillion .
The Republican Senate considered a $ 1 trillion version .
So what happened ?
In a word , politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin but , in October , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly warned President Donald Trump not to cut a deal with her .
Republicans worried it would divide them , and McConnell said it could disrupt plans to rush Judge Amy Coney Barrett onto the Supreme Court .
Pelosi , meanwhile , insisted she was genuinely interested in a deal rather than denying Trump a victory that might boost the economy and help him win reelection .
Why would she be talking to Mnuchin if she didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Whatever motivations anyone did or didn ’ t have , Barrett is on the court , and the election was Nov. 3 .
There should have been no obstacles to a quick agreement to assuage the anxieties of millions of Americans .
But it took more than six weeks for negotiators to arrive at the same place they could have gotten to in the summer : McConnell dropped his demand for liability protection for businesses in COVID-19 lawsuits in exchange for Democrats dropping state and local aid from the talks .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a new wrench by trying to limit steps the Federal Reserve could take to help the economy in an emergency — as if this was a major concern of people lined up at food banks or staring at eviction notices .
The overdue relief measure will deliver money for vaccine distribution and health care workers , loans for small business and $ 600 stimulus checks for qualifying individuals .
Longer , larger unemployment benefits will continue .
As a bonus , it will help solve the problem of surprise medical bills from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fine print in the weeks and months to come will undoubtedly reveal less savory provisions as well .
In normal times , we ’ d be worried about borrowing an additional $ 900 billion and adding it to the national debt .
These are not normal times .
This is the biggest public health disaster in more than a century .
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed painful inequities in medical care , opportunity and economic security , and gaping holes in the safety net for families and children .
The lesson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the federal government should be more stingy in a crisis .
The lesson is that the government has a crucial role in helping families and businesses survive until the coronavirus is defeated .

COVID-19 relief deal reached after corrosive politics left Americans feeling abandoned Our View: Despite coronavirus pandemic, negotiators took months while Americans suffered rising hunger, lost homes, lost jobs and lost loved ones.
Show Caption Hide Caption Scott Gottlieb, former FDA head, on vaccines and the tough road ahead. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb talks pandemic, vaccines and recovery with USA TODAY's Editorial Board. USA TODAY
Now that Congress has finally reached a deal on COVID-19 relief, it would be nice to say the system worked. But it didn’t, unless you think it’s worth celebrating months of fruitless negotiations while disease-afflicted Americans suffered unnecessarily.
The compromise is a $900 billion package that will keep some businesses and families afloat through this dark winter. Better late than never, we suppose. It’s hard to feel good, however, about yet another massive pile of pages thrust before lawmakers desperate to leave town.
The pressure was intense as deadlines bore down: Christmas on Friday, enhanced unemployment benefits running out Saturday and an eviction moratorium ending New Year’s Eve. Lawmakers also had to get the deal done in time to add it to the must-pass $1.4 trillion bill to fund the government through September.
COVID-19 has killed nearly 319,000
Political scientists would call this set of circumstances — multiple hard deadlines and unthinkable consequences on politics and real life in the event of failure — highly conducive to productive negotiations. We’d call it corrosive brinkmanship that left Americans feeling abandoned in a time of rising hunger, lost homes, lost jobs and lost loved ones. COVID-19 has now claimed nearly 319,000 lives in the United States, and vaccine rollouts notwithstanding, it will claim tens, if not hundreds, of thousands more before the pandemic is under control.
Deals often come down to math. The Democratic-controlled House passed a $3 trillion package in May, then came down to $2.2 trillion. The Republican Senate considered a $1 trillion version. So what happened? In a word, politics.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was negotiating with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin but, in October, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly warned President Donald Trump not to cut a deal with her. Republicans worried it would divide them, and McConnell said it could disrupt plans to rush Judge Amy Coney Barrett onto the Supreme Court.
Pelosi, meanwhile, insisted she was genuinely interested in a deal rather than denying Trump a victory that might boost the economy and help him win reelection. Why would she be talking to Mnuchin if she didn’t want a deal? she asked.
Food banks and eviction notices
Whatever motivations anyone did or didn’t have, Barrett is on the court, and the election was Nov. 3. There should have been no obstacles to a quick agreement to assuage the anxieties of millions of Americans. But it took more than six weeks for negotiators to arrive at the same place they could have gotten to in the summer: McConnell dropped his demand for liability protection for businesses in COVID-19 lawsuits in exchange for Democrats dropping state and local aid from the talks.
Then Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., threw in a new wrench by trying to limit steps the Federal Reserve could take to help the economy in an emergency — as if this was a major concern of people lined up at food banks or staring at eviction notices.
The overdue relief measure will deliver money for vaccine distribution and health care workers, loans for small business and $600 stimulus checks for qualifying individuals. Longer, larger unemployment benefits will continue. As a bonus, it will help solve the problem of surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers. But a close reading of the fine print in the weeks and months to come will undoubtedly reveal less savory provisions as well.
In normal times, we’d be worried about borrowing an additional $900 billion and adding it to the national debt. These are not normal times. This is the biggest public health disaster in more than a century. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed painful inequities in medical care, opportunity and economic security, and gaping holes in the safety net for families and children.
The lesson from this long struggle isn’t that the federal government should be more stingy in a crisis. The lesson is that the government has a crucial role in helping families and businesses survive until the coronavirus is defeated.


usatoday--2020-12-22--NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says league won't 'jump the line' to get COVID-19 vaccinations

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized that the league will not skip ahead of anyone for COVID-19 vaccinations .
“ It goes without saying that in no form or way will we jump the line , ” Silver said in a conference call with NBA writers on Monday , a day before the 2020-21 season begins .
“ We will wait our turn to get the vaccine .
When you think about the logistical feat that now the federal and state governments are undertaking , where if every citizen ultimately requires two doses and with a population of over 300 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you start to begin to think about the challenges of transporting and distributing this vaccine .
“ It ’ s my hope that when we are eligible that members of the NBA community will want to get vaccinated , and it ’ s our plan to be involved with governmental efforts in terms of public messaging as to the benefits of taking the vaccine.
” Silver addressed several topics , including starting a new season with the coronavirus pandemic still accounting for thousands of deaths a day .
NBA IS BACK : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GRADES : Which teams have set up themselves for success ?
“ I ’ ve been asked many times why are you starting your season now , given the current state of the pandemic .
It ’ s a fair question , '' he said .
`` The short answer is that we ’ re comfortable with the health and safety protocols that we ’ ve designed in consultation with the ( National Basketball ) Players Association and our medical experts , plus we would not be opening the season if we didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible to do so .
“ There are other factors , as well .
Tens of thousands of people rely on our league and its related businesses for their livelihoods .
We also feel a responsibility to our fans .
People continue to look at sports as a break from the challenges of the pandemic and as a small reminder of what life was like before COVID 19 – to the extent that games without fans approximate what is normalcy .
It still is a piece of life I think we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being .
On top of that , sports provide common rooting interests that bring people together in unique and special ways.
” Silver said he expects bumps in the road , but the league would not have moved forward with a new season unless it was confident it could complete a 72-game schedule for each team .
“ It ’ s possible that we may have to reschedule games along the way , ” Silver said .
But the league , which also considered significant financial ramifications , does not have specific guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season .
“ We are prepared for isolated cases , ” Silver said .
“ In fact , based on what we ’ ve seen in the preseason , based on watching other leagues operating outside the bubble , unfortunately it seems somewhat inevitable .
But we ’ re prepared for all contingencies .
The only thing I can add is that I ’ ve acknowledged it was a mixed sort of health and safety and economic decision to start our season , meaning that health and safety have always been our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if we hadn ’ t started the season , there ’ s also very dire economic implications , not just for the immediate members of the NBA community but those tens of thousands of jobs that are dependent on the league .
The decision tree that we will look at in terms of suspending the season will be solely a health and safety one .
If at any point we no longer believe that it is responsible to play , we will halt the season . ''

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says league won't 'jump the line' to get COVID-19 vaccinations
Show Caption Hide Caption NBA bold predictions: Can LeBron James win MVP at age 36? SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Mark Medina and Jeff Zillgitt make some bold predictions for what should be an unprecedented and unpredictable 2020-21 season. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized that the league will not skip ahead of anyone for COVID-19 vaccinations.
“It goes without saying that in no form or way will we jump the line,” Silver said in a conference call with NBA writers on Monday, a day before the 2020-21 season begins. “We will wait our turn to get the vaccine. When you think about the logistical feat that now the federal and state governments are undertaking, where if every citizen ultimately requires two doses and with a population of over 300 million, it’s beyond comprehension when you start to begin to think about the challenges of transporting and distributing this vaccine.
“It’s my hope that when we are eligible that members of the NBA community will want to get vaccinated, and it’s our plan to be involved with governmental efforts in terms of public messaging as to the benefits of taking the vaccine.”
Silver addressed several topics, including starting a new season with the coronavirus pandemic still accounting for thousands of deaths a day.
NBA IS BACK: The five things you need to know
OFFSEASON GRADES: Which teams have set up themselves for success?
“I’ve been asked many times why are you starting your season now, given the current state of the pandemic. It’s a fair question," he said. "The short answer is that we’re comfortable with the health and safety protocols that we’ve designed in consultation with the (National Basketball) Players Association and our medical experts, plus we would not be opening the season if we didn’t believe it was safe and responsible to do so.
“There are other factors, as well. Tens of thousands of people rely on our league and its related businesses for their livelihoods. We also feel a responsibility to our fans. People continue to look at sports as a break from the challenges of the pandemic and as a small reminder of what life was like before COVID 19 – to the extent that games without fans approximate what is normalcy. It still is a piece of life I think we’re able to get back for the time being. On top of that, sports provide common rooting interests that bring people together in unique and special ways.”
Silver said he expects bumps in the road, but the league would not have moved forward with a new season unless it was confident it could complete a 72-game schedule for each team.
“It’s possible that we may have to reschedule games along the way,” Silver said.
But the league, which also considered significant financial ramifications, does not have specific guidelines for what could postpone games or suspend the season.
“We are prepared for isolated cases,” Silver said. “In fact, based on what we’ve seen in the preseason, based on watching other leagues operating outside the bubble, unfortunately it seems somewhat inevitable. But we’re prepared for all contingencies. The only thing I can add is that I’ve acknowledged it was a mixed sort of health and safety and economic decision to start our season, meaning that health and safety have always been our highest priority.
“But we recognize that if we hadn’t started the season, there’s also very dire economic implications, not just for the immediate members of the NBA community but those tens of thousands of jobs that are dependent on the league. The decision tree that we will look at in terms of suspending the season will be solely a health and safety one. If at any point we no longer believe that it is responsible to play, we will halt the season."