usatoday--2020-12-13--My college student's transformation provides best argument for abolishing death penalty

A few years ago , I was teaching a college-level ethics course when I met a student named William Peeples Jr .
He was a voracious reader , an elegant writer , a deep and creative thinker and a supportive classmate who always lifted up the voices of those around him .
He exuded a joyful love of learning that was infectious in the classroom , motivating all of us to fully embrace the powerful force education can have on a human life .
I ’ ve been a professor for more than 20 years , and Peeples was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d ever taught , he also left an indelible mark on me as both a person and an educator .
But it turns out that Peeples wasn ’ t supposed to be in my classroom at all .
In fact , he was supposed to be dead .
In 1990 , Peeples was sentenced to death in a Cook County , Illinois courthouse for killing his next-door neighbor .
If former Illinois Gov .
George H. Ryan hadn ’ t ended the death penalty — commuting all death sentences to life sentences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never finding his way into my course at Stateville Correctional Center .
Peeples is now a member of the Northwestern Prison Education Program , which is the only program in Illinois that provides a comprehensive , degree-granting liberal arts education to people who are incarcerated .
Except for the daily reminders of being in a maximum-security prison — the bars , the handcuffs , the guards — the community created over the years is just like any other you might find on a college campus : Students discuss Shakespeare , engage in collaborative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , take chemistry exams — and gradually transform as people .
As Peeples himself says , “ The knowledge of what it means to be ‘ human ’ awakened in me true remorse for the harm I have done to others.
” In other words , as he learned , he changed .
Peeples was in his 20s when he committed the crime that put him on death row .
But his ability to change makes it clear that the Supreme Court ruling in Roper v. Simmons , which made it unconstitutional to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the age of 18 , should be extended to adults .
Writing for the majority , Justice Anthony Kennedy held that “ the reality that juveniles still struggle to define their identity means it is less supportable to conclude that even a heinous crime committed by a juvenile is evidence of irretrievably depraved character.
” Even if there are such things as “ irretrievably depraved characters ” in this world , seeing who Peeples is today , 30 years after his death sentence , makes clear that we are hopelessly unreliable at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fallibility , the United States needs to do what is now long overdue — fully abolish the death penalty .
COLUMN : Here 's why inmates should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before the rest of us The Trump administration is on an unprecedented federal execution spree .
After a nearly two-decade hiatus , federal executions resumed in 2019 .
The federal government is slated to execute 13 people in Trump 's final six months as president .
Indeed , the Justice Department recently created new regulations that allow additional methods for federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — in a rush to put to death everyone scheduled .
There are many arguments for why these executions should be halted immediately .
Studies show that the application of the death penalty is racially discriminatory .
Indeed , a black defendant is four times more likely to receive a death sentence than a white defendant .
And if the victim is white , the execution rate is 17 times higher .
Yet more than 170 people who were later found to be innocent have been released from death row since 1973 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ through on justice promises .
Our brother deserves no less More generally , studies show that the death penalty fails to act as a deterrent , is more costly than life sentences , and , according to the American Civil Liberties Union , is arbitrarily and capriciously administered .
But Peeples points us to a further , deeper consideration for death penalty abolition : the power of radical change in the lives of human beings .
Prison education has been shown to dramatically reduce recidivism : The rates drop from more than 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtain an associate degree while incarcerated , 6 % for those who obtain a bachelor ’ s degree , and about 0 % for those who obtain a master ’ s degree .
The death penalty is purportedly reserved for the “ worst of the worst ” or those with “ irretrievably depraved characters.
” But this is based on a myth that humans generally have a fixed character .
Prison education has been shown to , quite literally , transform lives .
Later in Roper v. Simmons , Kennedy writes , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime , the State can exact forfeiture of some of the most basic liberties , but the State can not extinguish his life and his potential to attain a mature understanding of his own humanity.
” This potential clearly exists in people who commit crimes after the age of 18 as well .
Indeed , the mere fact that the prefrontal cortex , which is responsible for executive brain functions , is not fully developed until around the age of 25 shows that nothing magical happens on someone 's 18th birthday .
COLUMN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene in mental health crises .
NYC pilot program needed nationwide Even more importantly , however , understanding our own humanity is a lifelong project , one that just about all of us have the potential to invest in .
For Peeples , the knowledge of what it means to be “ human ” was awakened in him in a college classroom , well into his 50s .
The State thus got it massively wrong with the assessment of his character and potential .
William is now a student , a published author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mentor to countless younger men at Stateville who find hope in his wisdom and compassion .
He has sparked in me a deep recognition of the enormous potential that is encompassed in the full span of being human , and of our ability to reimagine what is possible .
Had the tide not turned in Illinois , the State ’ s mistake would have led to the irreversible loss of a deeply treasured life .
POLICING THE USA : A look at race , justice , media As our nation reckons with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failures of our criminal legal system , it is long overdue for us to turn our attention to the death penalty , beginning with the immediate call to end the federal executions Attorney General Barr has planned for the coming weeks .
A racially discriminatory , expensive , ineffective and arbitrarily and capriciously administered practice , the death penalty does nothing but promote injustice .
Moreover , we need to confront our radical inability to determine today who someone will be for a lifetime .
Since character and potential lie at the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as appropriate , our own epistemic limitations provide a decisive and urgent reason to abolish the death penalty .
Jennifer Lackey is the Wayne and Elizabeth Jones Professor of Philosophy at Northwestern University and the founder and director of the Northwestern Prison Education Program .
Her research focuses on issues at the intersection of ethics , epistemology , and the United States criminal legal system .

My college student's transformation provides best argument for abolishing death penalty Under other circumstances, William wouldn't have been in my class. He would have been executed. Yet his presence provided a motivation that was vital.
A few years ago, I was teaching a college-level ethics course when I met a student named William Peeples Jr. He was a voracious reader, an elegant writer, a deep and creative thinker and a supportive classmate who always lifted up the voices of those around him.
He exuded a joyful love of learning that was infectious in the classroom, motivating all of us to fully embrace the powerful force education can have on a human life. I’ve been a professor for more than 20 years, and Peeples was not only one of the best students I’d ever taught, he also left an indelible mark on me as both a person and an educator.
But it turns out that Peeples wasn’t supposed to be in my classroom at all. In fact, he was supposed to be dead. In 1990, Peeples was sentenced to death in a Cook County, Illinois courthouse for killing his next-door neighbor.
If former Illinois Gov. George H. Ryan hadn’t ended the death penalty — commuting all death sentences to life sentences — William would have been executed, never finding his way into my course at Stateville Correctional Center.
Peeples is now a member of the Northwestern Prison Education Program, which is the only program in Illinois that provides a comprehensive, degree-granting liberal arts education to people who are incarcerated. Except for the daily reminders of being in a maximum-security prison — the bars, the handcuffs, the guards — the community created over the years is just like any other you might find on a college campus: Students discuss Shakespeare, engage in collaborative policy work, write plays and poetry, take chemistry exams — and gradually transform as people. As Peeples himself says, “The knowledge of what it means to be ‘human’ awakened in me true remorse for the harm I have done to others.” In other words, as he learned, he changed.
Peeples was in his 20s when he committed the crime that put him on death row. But his ability to change makes it clear that the Supreme Court ruling in Roper v. Simmons, which made it unconstitutional to impose the death penalty for crimes committed before the age of 18, should be extended to adults.
Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy held that “the reality that juveniles still struggle to define their identity means it is less supportable to conclude that even a heinous crime committed by a juvenile is evidence of irretrievably depraved character.” Even if there are such things as “irretrievably depraved characters” in this world, seeing who Peeples is today, 30 years after his death sentence, makes clear that we are hopelessly unreliable at picking out who has them. Given this fallibility, the United States needs to do what is now long overdue — fully abolish the death penalty.
COLUMN: Here's why inmates should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before the rest of us
The Trump administration is on an unprecedented federal execution spree. After a nearly two-decade hiatus, federal executions resumed in 2019. The federal government is slated to execute 13 people in Trump's final six months as president. Indeed, the Justice Department recently created new regulations that allow additional methods for federal execution — including firing squad and electrocution — in a rush to put to death everyone scheduled.
There are many arguments for why these executions should be halted immediately.
Studies show that the application of the death penalty is racially discriminatory. Indeed, a black defendant is four times more likely to receive a death sentence than a white defendant. And if the victim is white, the execution rate is 17 times higher.
Yet more than 170 people who were later found to be innocent have been released from death row since 1973.
COLUMN: Message to Biden-Harris: Follow through on justice promises. Our brother deserves no less
More generally, studies show that the death penalty fails to act as a deterrent, is more costly than life sentences, and, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, is arbitrarily and capriciously administered.
But Peeples points us to a further, deeper consideration for death penalty abolition: the power of radical change in the lives of human beings.
Prison education has been shown to dramatically reduce recidivism: The rates drop from more than 60% to 14% for those who obtain an associate degree while incarcerated, 6% for those who obtain a bachelor’s degree, and about 0% for those who obtain a master’s degree.
The death penalty is purportedly reserved for the “worst of the worst” or those with “irretrievably depraved characters.” But this is based on a myth that humans generally have a fixed character. Prison education has been shown to, quite literally, transform lives. Later in Roper v. Simmons, Kennedy writes, “When a juvenile offender commits a heinous crime, the State can exact forfeiture of some of the most basic liberties, but the State cannot extinguish his life and his potential to attain a mature understanding of his own humanity.”
This potential clearly exists in people who commit crimes after the age of 18 as well. Indeed, the mere fact that the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive brain functions, is not fully developed until around the age of 25 shows that nothing magical happens on someone's 18th birthday.
COLUMN: Cops shouldn't be first at scene in mental health crises. NYC pilot program needed nationwide
Even more importantly, however, understanding our own humanity is a lifelong project, one that just about all of us have the potential to invest in. For Peeples, the knowledge of what it means to be “human” was awakened in him in a college classroom, well into his 50s. The State thus got it massively wrong with the assessment of his character and potential. William is now a student, a published author, a playwright, a classmate and a mentor to countless younger men at Stateville who find hope in his wisdom and compassion.
He has sparked in me a deep recognition of the enormous potential that is encompassed in the full span of being human, and of our ability to reimagine what is possible. Had the tide not turned in Illinois, the State’s mistake would have led to the irreversible loss of a deeply treasured life.
POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media
As our nation reckons with the systemic racism, inequities and moral failures of our criminal legal system, it is long overdue for us to turn our attention to the death penalty, beginning with the immediate call to end the federal executions Attorney General Barr has planned for the coming weeks.
A racially discriminatory, expensive, ineffective and arbitrarily and capriciously administered practice, the death penalty does nothing but promote injustice. Moreover, we need to confront our radical inability to determine today who someone will be for a lifetime. Since character and potential lie at the heart of when the death penalty is regarded as appropriate, our own epistemic limitations provide a decisive and urgent reason to abolish the death penalty.
Jennifer Lackey is the Wayne and Elizabeth Jones Professor of Philosophy at Northwestern University and the founder and director of the Northwestern Prison Education Program. Her research focuses on issues at the intersection of ethics, epistemology, and the United States criminal legal system.


usatoday--2020-12-12--New Orleans 'Queen Sugar' actress Carol Sutton dies from COVID-19 complications at 76

Carol Sutton , dubbed the `` Queen of New Orleans theater , '' died Thursday from COVID-19 complications , New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said , issuing a statement Friday paying tribute to the city 's entertainment legend .
`` Carol Sutton was practically the Queen of New Orleans theater , having graced the stages across the city for decades , '' Cantrell wrote .
`` The world may recognize her from her performances in movies and on TV — whether it 's 'Treme ' or 'Claws , ' or 'Runaway Jury ' or 'Queen Sugar ' — but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her richly portrayed characters , and the warm heart she shared with her fellow cast and crew in productions such as '4000 Miles ' and ' A Raisin in the Sun . '
May she rest in God 's perfect peace , '' Cantrell continued .
Sutton 's television and film career spanned nearly five decades featuringwith credits from the miniseries `` Roots '' and `` Monster 's Ball . ''
The actress also played Nurse Pam in the 1989 `` Steel Magnolias '' and Martha Lavoisier in a 2019 episode of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' according to imdB .
After making her acting debut in the late 1960s in Dashiki Project Theatre productions , Sutton appeared in productions such as “ The Last Madam , ” “ Native Tongues ” and “ A Raisin in the Sun.
” She moved to television in 1974 with “ The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman ” with Cicely Tyson and had roles in “ In the Heat of the Night ” and the TV movie “ Uncle Tom ’ s Cabin ” with Avery Brooks .
Her recent TV credits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 remake of the series “ Roots , ” “ Treme , ” “ True Detective ” and “ Lovecraft Country.
” USA TODAY has reached out to Sutton 's representatives .
DuVernay took to Twitter Friday to honor Sutton .
The filmmaker shared a clip from the `` Queen Sugar '' scene Sutton appeared in with Rutina Wesley ( Nova Bordelon ) .
`` On behalf of the QUEEN SUGAR family , we celebrate the life of the stellar Carol Sutton .
It was our honor to welcome this veteran actress of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aunt Martha in Episode 409 , 'Stare at the Same Fires , ' '' DuVernay wrote .
`` We bless her .
May she rise and rest in peace and power . ''
Anika Noni Rose , who voiced Princess Tiana in `` The Princess and the Frog '' also paid her respects to Sutton , writing `` RIP Ms. Carol .
I love you .
And I will miss you so much .
# CarolSutton # NOLA # Covid19 # YourCountryOwedYouBetter . ''
`` I was fortunate to work with her for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives At Home . '
What a beautiful person and life , '' he tweeted .
Sutton leaves behind a son , Archie ; a daughter , Aunya ; a brother , Oris Buckner ; a sister , Adrienne Jopes ; and five grandchildren .
According to Mayor Cantrell , Sutton 's passing comes just days after another New Orleans theater actress , Sherri Marina .

New Orleans 'Queen Sugar' actress Carol Sutton dies from COVID-19 complications at 76
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Black Panther' star criticized after questioning COVID-19 vaccine "Black Panther" actress Letitia Wright is under fire after posting a video on Twitter that questioned whether people should take a COVID-19 vaccine. USA TODAY
Carol Sutton, dubbed the "Queen of New Orleans theater," died Thursday from COVID-19 complications, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said, issuing a statement Friday paying tribute to the city's entertainment legend.
She was 76.
"Carol Sutton was practically the Queen of New Orleans theater, having graced the stages across the city for decades," Cantrell wrote.
"The world may recognize her from her performances in movies and on TV — whether it's 'Treme' or 'Claws,' or 'Runaway Jury' or 'Queen Sugar' — but we will always remember her commanding stage presence, her richly portrayed characters, and the warm heart she shared with her fellow cast and crew in productions such as '4000 Miles' and 'A Raisin in the Sun.' May she rest in God's perfect peace," Cantrell continued.
Sutton's television and film career spanned nearly five decades featuring with credits from the miniseries "Roots" and "Monster's Ball." The actress also played Nurse Pam in the 1989 "Steel Magnolias" and Martha Lavoisier in a 2019 episode of Ava DuVernay's "Queen Sugar," according to imdB.
After making her acting debut in the late 1960s in Dashiki Project Theatre productions, Sutton appeared in productions such as “The Last Madam,” “Native Tongues” and “A Raisin in the Sun.”
She moved to television in 1974 with “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” with Cicely Tyson and had roles in “In the Heat of the Night” and the TV movie “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” with Avery Brooks. Her recent TV credits included “Scream Queens,” the 2016 remake of the series “Roots,” “Treme,” “True Detective” and “Lovecraft Country.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Sutton's representatives.
DuVernay took to Twitter Friday to honor Sutton. The filmmaker shared a clip from the "Queen Sugar" scene Sutton appeared in with Rutina Wesley (Nova Bordelon).
"On behalf of the QUEEN SUGAR family, we celebrate the life of the stellar Carol Sutton. It was our honor to welcome this veteran actress of stage + screen to our show as Aunt Martha in Episode 409, 'Stare at the Same Fires,'" DuVernay wrote. "We bless her. May she rise and rest in peace and power."
On behalf of the QUEEN SUGAR family, we celebrate the life of the stellar Carol Sutton. It was our honor to welcome this veteran actress of stage + screen to our show as Aunt Martha in Episode 409, “Stare at the Same Fires.” We bless her. May she rise and rest in peace and power. pic.twitter.com/OMbRExLvMz — Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 12, 2020
Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Princess Tiana in "The Princess and the Frog" also paid her respects to Sutton, writing "RIP Ms. Carol. I love you. And I will miss you so much. #CarolSutton #NOLA #Covid19 #YourCountryOwedYouBetter."
Filmmaker Mark Duplass wrote about working with Sutton.
"I was fortunate to work with her for a few days on 'Jeff, Who Lives At Home.' What a beautiful person and life," he tweeted.
Sutton leaves behind a son, Archie; a daughter, Aunya; a brother, Oris Buckner; a sister, Adrienne Jopes; and five grandchildren.
According to Mayor Cantrell, Sutton's passing comes just days after another New Orleans theater actress, Sherri Marina.
Contributing: Associated Press


usatoday--2020-12-13--Once unimaginable, Army now owns rivalry series against Navy

WEST POINT , N.Y. — The fog rolled in before kickoff and turned the field at Michie Stadium into a soupy mess by the end of the first quarter , leading any confused spectators to rely on a trustworthy rule of thumb to follow the action : Whatever just happened — and what happened , exactly , may have been anyone ’ s guess — was very likely a running play .
`` This was the best game that nobody got to see , '' Army coach Jeff Monken said .
`` The fog rolled in and it almost seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place out there .
I mean , it was a slugfest .
Three plays and punt .
Three plays and punt .
You just kept battling back and forth . ''
Army and Navy combined for eight pass attempts , completing only two for 37 yards .
The Black Knights and Midshipmen instead combined for 88 running plays for 242 yards , leaning on offensive schemes borrowed from college football ’ s black-and-white era in a game as ugly as the conditions .
Not that beauty points matter in this annual rivalry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Knights ’ 15-0 win was the program ’ s fourth in five tries against Navy , highlighting the new dynamic in the series after the Midshipmen ’ s long run of dominance .
`` It was a bare-knuckle brawl and we ’ re fortunate that we came out on top , '' Monken said .
But the game was beautiful , in its own strange , confounding and unique way .
It was only the third game in the Bowl Subdivision since at least 2000 to end 15-0 , joining South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Alabama-Birmingham 's win against Central Florida in 2008 .
Army 's defense outscored Navy on its own , notching a safety in the fourth quarter to push the Black Knights ' lead to 12-0 .
Army passed once in the first quarter and then never again , seemingly confident in the fact that once was enough given the state of its own defense and the consistently terrible performance of the Navy offense .
`` There is not really much to say , '' said Navy fullback Nelson Smith .
`` We had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We couldn ’ t move the ball , couldn ’ t get into the end zone.
” Originally scheduled for Philadelphia , the game was moved to Michie Stadium due to state restrictions on attendance .
Instead , Army played host as the designated home team for the 121st meeting , putting the series in a non-neutral site for the first time since 1943 and the sixth time overall .
`` This is our house , '' said Army linebacker Amadeo West .
`` We ’ re going to defend our house .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our team for defending our turf . ''
Read a sign strung over the front row of seats as Navy players filed into the locker room : `` Have a fun bus ride home . ''
Ranked fourth nationally in yards allowed per game , thanks in large part to a ball-control offense that typically dominates the time of possession , Army 's defense gave up just 117 yards , the program 's stingiest performance since holding Fordham to 86 yards in 2011 .
The shutout was the Black Knights ' first against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think everyone believed we were going to keep them out of the end zone , '' Army linebacker Jon Rhattigan said .
`` I feel very proud just to be part of this defense .
We focused on the plan we had going into the game .
`` We did it with straight aggression .
We had a mentality that they were not going to get into the end zone . ''
Army ran for just 134 yards , the program 's fewest in a win since at least 2008 , and posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a game regardless of result since losing to Duke in 2016 .
`` The defense played well enough for us to win .
That has been the story the last three weeks , '' Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said .
`` Those are three back-to-back-to-back weeks that our defense played well and we laid an egg on offense .
We have to do some soul searching and looking at what we are doing . ''
As recently as five years ago , the idea that Army would be the dominant team in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe , given Navy 's complete ownership of the series for more than a decade .
Upon hiring former coach Paul Johnson in 2002 , the Midshipmen embarked on a 14-game winning streak that was maintained by Johnson 's successor , Niumatalolo , and continued even after Army hired Monken away from Georgia Southern in 2013 .
Monken lost his first two , though the gap seemed to close : Navy won 17-10 in 2014 and 21-17 a year later , leading an emotional Monken to say postgame of the 2015 loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strife be strewn the seeds of victory . ''
The series has officially turned firmly in the Black Knights ' favor .
The 15-point margin of victory Saturday was Army 's largest against Navy since a 27-7 win in 1986 .
The Black Knights had n't won at least four of five since winning five straight from 1992-96 .
Across the past five seasons , Navy 's 31-7 win in 2019 is the aberration .
What we learned : Army smothers Navy for its fourth win in last five meetings in the rivalry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that 31-7 loss last year , '' said Army quarterback Tyhier Tyler , who ran for a team-high 96 yards and had the game 's only touchdown .
`` It gave me chills , how happy the seniors were .
Just to see the emotion from the coaches , everyone . ''
In a larger sense , Army has replaced Navy as the most successful of the three service academies .
Since the start of the 2016 season , Army is 42-20 with four bowl bids and one Top 25 finish .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33-30 with one ranked finish , albeit against a far more difficult schedule as a member of the American Athletic Conference .
The head-to-head results boost Army 's case .
Navy 's recent inconsistencies stand in contrast to the program 's former steady stream of success .
This will be the Midshipmen 's second losing season in three years after posting just one losing finish from 2003-17 .
After ranking 12th nationally in scoring in 2019 , this year 's offense has scored a combined 13 points in its last three games is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Six of the Midshipmen 's seven losses have come by double digits .
The roles have been reversed : Army is basking in success ; Navy is searching for answers .
Once nearly impossible to imagine , the Black Knights have reversed nearly a generation of futility and now own the rivalry against the Midshipmen .
`` We have never struggled on offense like this before , '' Niumatalolo said .
`` We have to take a really deep look at what we are doing and how we are doing things .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are coaching it . ''

Once unimaginable, Army now owns rivalry series against Navy
WEST POINT, N.Y. — The fog rolled in before kickoff and turned the field at Michie Stadium into a soupy mess by the end of the first quarter, leading any confused spectators to rely on a trustworthy rule of thumb to follow the action: Whatever just happened — and what happened, exactly, may have been anyone’s guess — was very likely a running play.
"This was the best game that nobody got to see," Army coach Jeff Monken said. "The fog rolled in and it almost seemed appropriate for the battle that was taking place out there. I mean, it was a slugfest. Three plays and punt. Three plays and punt. You just kept battling back and forth."
Army and Navy combined for eight pass attempts, completing only two for 37 yards. The Black Knights and Midshipmen instead combined for 88 running plays for 242 yards, leaning on offensive schemes borrowed from college football’s black-and-white era in a game as ugly as the conditions.
Not that beauty points matter in this annual rivalry. Keyed by a smothering defense, the Black Knights’ 15-0 win was the program’s fourth in five tries against Navy, highlighting the new dynamic in the series after the Midshipmen’s long run of dominance.
"It was a bare-knuckle brawl and we’re fortunate that we came out on top," Monken said.
But the game was beautiful, in its own strange, confounding and unique way. It was only the third game in the Bowl Subdivision since at least 2000 to end 15-0, joining South Carolina's win against Mississippi State in 2006 and Alabama-Birmingham's win against Central Florida in 2008.
Army's defense outscored Navy on its own, notching a safety in the fourth quarter to push the Black Knights' lead to 12-0. Army passed once in the first quarter and then never again, seemingly confident in the fact that once was enough given the state of its own defense and the consistently terrible performance of the Navy offense.
"There is not really much to say," said Navy fullback Nelson Smith. "We had four first downs the whole game. We couldn’t move the ball, couldn’t get into the end zone.”
Originally scheduled for Philadelphia, the game was moved to Michie Stadium due to state restrictions on attendance. Instead, Army played host as the designated home team for the 121st meeting, putting the series in a non-neutral site for the first time since 1943 and the sixth time overall.
"This is our house," said Army linebacker Amadeo West. "We’re going to defend our house. I couldn’t be prouder of our team for defending our turf."
Read a sign strung over the front row of seats as Navy players filed into the locker room: "Have a fun bus ride home."
Ranked fourth nationally in yards allowed per game, thanks in large part to a ball-control offense that typically dominates the time of possession, Army's defense gave up just 117 yards, the program's stingiest performance since holding Fordham to 86 yards in 2011. The shutout was the Black Knights' first against the Midshipmen since 1969.
"I think everyone believed we were going to keep them out of the end zone," Army linebacker Jon Rhattigan said. "I feel very proud just to be part of this defense. We focused on the plan we had going into the game.
"We did it with straight aggression. We had a mentality that they were not going to get into the end zone."
Army ran for just 134 yards, the program's fewest in a win since at least 2008, and posted just eight first downs, the fewest in a game regardless of result since losing to Duke in 2016.
"The defense played well enough for us to win. That has been the story the last three weeks," Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "Those are three back-to-back-to-back weeks that our defense played well and we laid an egg on offense. We have to do some soul searching and looking at what we are doing."
As recently as five years ago, the idea that Army would be the dominant team in this rivalry would've been almost impossible to believe, given Navy's complete ownership of the series for more than a decade. Upon hiring former coach Paul Johnson in 2002, the Midshipmen embarked on a 14-game winning streak that was maintained by Johnson's successor, Niumatalolo, and continued even after Army hired Monken away from Georgia Southern in 2013.
Monken lost his first two, though the gap seemed to close: Navy won 17-10 in 2014 and 21-17 a year later, leading an emotional Monken to say postgame of the 2015 loss, “On these fields of friendly strife be strewn the seeds of victory."
The series has officially turned firmly in the Black Knights' favor. The 15-point margin of victory Saturday was Army's largest against Navy since a 27-7 win in 1986. The Black Knights hadn't won at least four of five since winning five straight from 1992-96. Across the past five seasons, Navy's 31-7 win in 2019 is the aberration.
What we learned: Army smothers Navy for its fourth win in last five meetings in the rivalry
More Army-Navy: President Donald Trump handles coin-toss duty at West Point
Week 15 winners and losers: Alabama, Northwestern and Georgia impress
"We’ve been living off of that 31-7 loss last year," said Army quarterback Tyhier Tyler, who ran for a team-high 96 yards and had the game's only touchdown. "It gave me chills, how happy the seniors were. Just to see the emotion from the coaches, everyone."
In a larger sense, Army has replaced Navy as the most successful of the three service academies. Since the start of the 2016 season, Army is 42-20 with four bowl bids and one Top 25 finish. Over the same span, Navy is 33-30 with one ranked finish, albeit against a far more difficult schedule as a member of the American Athletic Conference. The head-to-head results boost Army's case.
Navy's recent inconsistencies stand in contrast to the program's former steady stream of success. This will be the Midshipmen's second losing season in three years after posting just one losing finish from 2003-17. After ranking 12th nationally in scoring in 2019, this year's offense has scored a combined 13 points in its last three games is tied for 121st out of 127 teams. Six of the Midshipmen's seven losses have come by double digits.
The roles have been reversed: Army is basking in success; Navy is searching for answers. Once nearly impossible to imagine, the Black Knights have reversed nearly a generation of futility and now own the rivalry against the Midshipmen.
"We have never struggled on offense like this before," Niumatalolo said. "We have to take a really deep look at what we are doing and how we are doing things. How we are teaching it; how we are coaching it."


usatoday--2020-12-12--Trump rails against Barr, Kemp, other Republicans over election loss; attends Army-Navy game

WASHINGTON – His election challenges near a dead end , President Donald Trump spent Saturday tweeting grievances , commiserating with supporters , attacking fellow Republicans and attending the Army-Navy football game .
A day after the Supreme Court refused to take up another election challenge , Trump blamed a string of Republicans – including Attorney General William Barr – for refusing to help him somehow overturn Democrat Joe Biden 's victory .
The soon-to-be-ex president also served notice he would continue protesting , vocally if not legally , even as Biden heads toward inauguration on Jan. 20 .
`` WE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
Trump declaimed in one all-caps tweet , although his legal and political options are virtually nil .
Opponents said Trump is complaining because he failed at an anti-democratic attempt to overturn a free and fair election that he lost to Biden .
More : ' A historic event for humanity ' : US reaches turning point in fight against COVID-19 as FDA authorizes Pfizer vaccine More : Donald Trump stood no chance in front of a conservative Supreme Court .
Here 's why .
`` There has never been a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics .
ever , '' tweeted Al Cardenas , a former chairman of the Florida Republican Party .
He added that Trump `` turns against his most loyal supporters & respected GOP leaders , mocks dems he should negotiate with , destroys the GOP within & attempts to overthrow free & fair elections . ''
Trump did find time to celebrate some good news : the Food and Drug Administration approval of a vaccine to fight COVID-19 .
In a video released Friday night on Twitter , Trump heralded the vaccine as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic that has killed more than 295,000 Americans and paralyzed large parts of the economy .
More : 'The moment of truth ' : The Electoral College prepares to hand Trump the loss he refuses to accept Usually playing on a neutral field , military officials agreed to move this year 's Army-Navy contest from COVID-ravaged Philadelphia to the restricted campus of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point , New York .
Students from West Point and the Naval Academy attended the game , but no civilian fans .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either campus since 1943 , when Army also hosted the game in the midst of World War II .
( Navy won that contest 77 years ago , 13-0 . )
Trump , who did not speak with reporters during the early part of the trip , flipped the coin at the start of the game .
The limited crowd cheered the presence of the commander-in-chief , who at one point donned an anti-COVID mask as he sat with a group of Army cadets .
Trump left the game earlier than scheduled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before leaving the White House earlier in the day , Trump also gave shout-outs to thousands of supporters who attended a rally near the White House in support of his election complaints .
Aboard the presidential helicopter , Trump flew over the rally en route to Joint Base Andrews , where he boarded Air Force One for the journey to West Point .
Amid heavy security in downtown Washington , D.C. , some rallygoers were members of organizations the government regards as extremists .
Enrique Tarrio , chairman of the group known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` last-minute '' invitation to the White House , and posted pictures of the building on his Parler social media account .
The Proud Boy leader did not meet with Trump , the White House said .
In an emailed statement , spokesman Judd Deere said `` he was on a public WH Christmas tour .
He did not have a meeting with the President nor did the WH invite him . ''
Trump spent most of his social media time railing against the election , particularly the Supreme Court decision Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his attempt to overturn his loss through the judicial system .
The justices rejected a lawsuit by the state of Texas designed to invalidate the electoral votes of four states that Biden carried : Pennsylvania , Michigan , Wisconsin , and Georgia .
The high court said Texas and other Trump-electoral states that sought to join the lawsuit lacked the legal standing to change the voting procedures of other states .
In one missive , Trump called the decision `` a great and disgraceful miscarriage of justice , '' and said the plaintiffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Court ! ''
It was only the latest of more than 50 court losses for Trump and his supporters as they try to overturn Biden 's election .
A variety of judges have rejected his claims of systematic voter fraud .
In an interview with Fox News during the Army-Navy game – to be aired Sunday morning on `` Fox & Friends Weekend , '' Trump said : `` No judge , including in the Supreme Court of the United States , has had the courage to allow it to be heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the president .
On Monday , members of the Electoral College meet virtually in state capitals across the country to cast their votes .
Biden won enough states to earn 306 electoral votes , Trump 232 .
Beyond his legal challenges , Trump failed to persuade Republican-run legislatures in swing states to submit their own slate of pro-Trump electors , something they could not do under their own states ' elections laws .
During his tweet storm Saturday , Trump specifically attacked Republican Govs .
Brian Kemp of Georgia and Doug Ducey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests of his losses in those states .
Trump claimed the GOP governors `` fought against me and the Republican Party harder than any Democrat . ''
Kemp and Ducey , and other Republicans in Georgia and Arizona , said the elections in their states were conducted freely and fairly .
Trump also renewed his attacks on his own attorney general , Barr , whom he has criticized previously for not investigating his claims of election fraud .
This time , Trump hit Barr for not revealing during the campaign the existence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president-elect 's son .
`` Why didn ’ t Bill Barr reveal the truth to the public , before the Election , '' Trump complained in one tweet .
He also re-tweeted a suggestion by a supporter that Barr be fired , though the president did not say whether he would follow through .
Despite the Supreme Court ruling , Trump indicated he has no plans to concede to Biden .
With Congress scheduled to accept the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6 , Trump has spoken to Republican lawmakers about objecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he and the Republicans lack the numbers in Congress to affect the outcome .
While many critics mocked Trump 's complaints about the election , others questioned the president 's emotional state .
Responding to another Trump tweet claiming he really `` won '' the election , Republican strategist Liz Mair urged the president to `` please get help . ''
Tweeted Mair : `` You can , in fact , emotionally and psychologically withstand this loss but it ’ s not going to happen this way and the way you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad for you , health wise . ''

Trump rails against Barr, Kemp, other Republicans over election loss; attends Army-Navy game
Show Caption Hide Caption Supreme Court rejects GOP attack on Biden victory The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden's election victory, ending Trump's attempt to get legal issues rejected by other judges before the high court. (Dec. 11) AP
WASHINGTON – His election challenges near a dead end, President Donald Trump spent Saturday tweeting grievances, commiserating with supporters, attacking fellow Republicans and attending the Army-Navy football game.
A day after the Supreme Court refused to take up another election challenge, Trump blamed a string of Republicans – including Attorney General William Barr – for refusing to help him somehow overturn Democrat Joe Biden's victory.
The soon-to-be-ex president also served notice he would continue protesting, vocally if not legally, even as Biden heads toward inauguration on Jan. 20.
"WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!!!" Trump declaimed in one all-caps tweet, although his legal and political options are virtually nil.
Opponents said Trump is complaining because he failed at an anti-democratic attempt to overturn a free and fair election that he lost to Biden.
More: 'A historic event for humanity': US reaches turning point in fight against COVID-19 as FDA authorizes Pfizer vaccine
More: Donald Trump stood no chance in front of a conservative Supreme Court. Here's why.
"There has never been a more destructive force in the history of American politics. ever," tweeted Al Cardenas, a former chairman of the Florida Republican Party.
He added that Trump "turns against his most loyal supporters & respected GOP leaders, mocks dems he should negotiate with, destroys the GOP within & attempts to overthrow free & fair elections."
Trump did find time to celebrate some good news: the Food and Drug Administration approval of a vaccine to fight COVID-19.
In a video released Friday night on Twitter, Trump heralded the vaccine as the beginning of the end of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 295,000 Americans and paralyzed large parts of the economy.
More: Trump supporters plan DC rally to 'demand transparency' before Electoral College vote
More: 'The moment of truth': The Electoral College prepares to hand Trump the loss he refuses to accept
COVID's impact included Saturday's Army-Navy football game, won by Army 15-0.
Usually playing on a neutral field, military officials agreed to move this year's Army-Navy contest from COVID-ravaged Philadelphia to the restricted campus of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. Students from West Point and the Naval Academy attended the game, but no civilian fans.
It was the first time the schools had played on either campus since 1943, when Army also hosted the game in the midst of World War II. (Navy won that contest 77 years ago, 13-0.)
Trump, who did not speak with reporters during the early part of the trip, flipped the coin at the start of the game. The limited crowd cheered the presence of the commander-in-chief, who at one point donned an anti-COVID mask as he sat with a group of Army cadets.
Trump left the game earlier than scheduled, departing Michie Stadium well before halftime.
Before leaving the White House earlier in the day, Trump also gave shout-outs to thousands of supporters who attended a rally near the White House in support of his election complaints.
Aboard the presidential helicopter, Trump flew over the rally en route to Joint Base Andrews, where he boarded Air Force One for the journey to West Point.
Amid heavy security in downtown Washington, D.C., some rallygoers were members of organizations the government regards as extremists. Enrique Tarrio, chairman of the group known as the Proud Boys, said he got a "last-minute" invitation to the White House, and posted pictures of the building on his Parler social media account.
The Proud Boy leader did not meet with Trump, the White House said. In an emailed statement, spokesman Judd Deere said "he was on a public WH Christmas tour. He did not have a meeting with the President nor did the WH invite him."
Trump spent most of his social media time railing against the election, particularly the Supreme Court decision Friday that seemed to slam the door on his attempt to overturn his loss through the judicial system.
Pro-Trump DC protest: Rally grows unruly as Proud Boys clash with police
The justices rejected a lawsuit by the state of Texas designed to invalidate the electoral votes of four states that Biden carried: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia. The high court said Texas and other Trump-electoral states that sought to join the lawsuit lacked the legal standing to change the voting procedures of other states.
In one missive, Trump called the decision "a great and disgraceful miscarriage of justice," and said the plaintiffs were "never even given our day in Court!"
It was only the latest of more than 50 court losses for Trump and his supporters as they try to overturn Biden's election. A variety of judges have rejected his claims of systematic voter fraud.
In an interview with Fox News during the Army-Navy game – to be aired Sunday morning on "Fox & Friends Weekend," Trump said: "No judge, including in the Supreme Court of the United States, has had the courage to allow it to be heard."
More reversals are likely coming for the president.
On Monday, members of the Electoral College meet virtually in state capitals across the country to cast their votes. Biden won enough states to earn 306 electoral votes, Trump 232.
Beyond his legal challenges, Trump failed to persuade Republican-run legislatures in swing states to submit their own slate of pro-Trump electors, something they could not do under their own states' elections laws.
During his tweet storm Saturday, Trump specifically attacked Republican Govs. Brian Kemp of Georgia and Doug Ducey of Arizona for refusing to help his protests of his losses in those states. Trump claimed the GOP governors "fought against me and the Republican Party harder than any Democrat."
Kemp and Ducey, and other Republicans in Georgia and Arizona, said the elections in their states were conducted freely and fairly.
Trump also renewed his attacks on his own attorney general, Barr, whom he has criticized previously for not investigating his claims of election fraud.
This time, Trump hit Barr for not revealing during the campaign the existence of a tax investigation into Hunter Biden, the president-elect's son.
"Why didn’t Bill Barr reveal the truth to the public, before the Election," Trump complained in one tweet. He also re-tweeted a suggestion by a supporter that Barr be fired, though the president did not say whether he would follow through.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Trump indicated he has no plans to concede to Biden.
With Congress scheduled to accept the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, Trump has spoken to Republican lawmakers about objecting to electors from some Biden states. But he and the Republicans lack the numbers in Congress to affect the outcome.
While many critics mocked Trump's complaints about the election, others questioned the president's emotional state.
Responding to another Trump tweet claiming he really "won" the election, Republican strategist Liz Mair urged the president to "please get help."
Tweeted Mair: "You can, in fact, emotionally and psychologically withstand this loss but it’s not going to happen this way and the way you’re handling this will wind up being bad for you, health wise."


usatoday--2020-12-12--'We're not winning this battle': Relentless COVID-19 surge fills 1 in 8 hospital ICU units

Hospitals from West Texas to the upper Midwest are facing dire shortages of beds for critically ill coronavirus patients as the post-holiday surge shows no sign of relenting , new data shows .
About 1 in 8 U.S. hospitals had little or no intensive care unit space available last week .
And experts say the number of hospitals struggling to accommodate the nation 's sickest patients likely will increase following another week of record COVID-19 cases .
The federal government this week released a sweeping database showing a one-week average number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals nationwide .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health and Human Services provided such detailed information on nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals since the pandemic began .
The absence of hospital-level information has been a blind spot in the pandemic , as administrators must increasingly call neighboring hospitals to transfer patients when they run out of beds and available staff .
“ We know what ’ s happening in our system , but I don ’ t know what ’ s happening in the other systems , '' said Dr. Lewis Kaplan , professor of surgery at University of Pennsylvania Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated effort you need to have that kind of data so everyone knows where everyone else happens to be.
” The HHS data release is important , said Dr. Thomas Tsai , a surgeon and assistant professor of health policy at Harvard University , as it ’ ll help hospitals in capacity planning by showing which neighboring hospitals are strained and by how much .
Hospitals run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , Defense Health Agency and Indian Health Service are not included in the HHS data release .
Hospitals across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on capacity .
In rural towns like Ashland , Alabama , to the small city of Watertown , South Dakota , to small metro areas like Amarillo , Texas , ICUs are at or above capacity , according to the HHS data .
All of those places have seen surges of COVID-19 in the last two weeks , with more than 100 deaths per 100,000 in each of their counties .
With nearly 1.5 million Americans testing positive over the past week and a new daily record of more than 3,000 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pace slow soon .
Rural hospitals from upper Midwest states , such as North Dakota and South Dakota , to Texas have called facilities in multiple states to find beds for critically ill patients .
These smaller rural hospitals quickly run out of space , staffing or expertise when coronavirus patients need cutting-edge care .
In Amarillo , Texas , BSA Health System routinely gets calls from smaller hospitals seeking to transfer patients from the Texas Panhandle , New Mexico , Oklahoma , Colorado and Kansas .
The Amarillo hospital expanded its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 beds , but still lacks space at times , said Dr. Michael Lamanteer , BSA ’ s chief medical officer .
“ There ’ s no question there have been times throughout the fall and early winter where we ’ ve not been able to accept patients from of our regional partners because our volumes have been so excessive , ” Lamanteer said .
“ That bothers us greatly.
” Amarillo has been a coronavirus hotspot since this spring , when outbreaks at area meatpacking plants sent case counts higher .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fall have spurred case surges in the Texas Panhandle and neighboring states .
Hospitals are getting ready for another wave of patients following the record number of weekly cases in the two weeks following Thanksgiving .
The HHS data shows about 88 % of ICU beds in Potter County , which includes Amarillo , were full as of a week ago .
Lamanteer and his counterpart at Northwest Texas , another Amarillo hospital , have discussed plans with city leaders to add even more ICU beds .
The hospitals expect a post-Thanksgiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hospitals also will need extra bed space and staff for patients with flu and other respiratory viruses .
`` The breaking point for the community would be if ( ICU patients ) exceed the number of beds we can handle , '' Lamanteer said .
'It 's wearing on them' Small and mid-sized West Texas cities often serve vast , rural communities without access to advanced care , said Angela Clendenin , an epidemiologist at Texas A & M University School of Public Health .
Cities such as Lubbock , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , draw patients from a smaller rural towns that “ aren ’ t equipped to handled the most severe COVID patients , ” Clendenin said .
“ Living in a rural community is a double-edged sword , '' she said .
`` You might be in a less populated area where transmission is less , but if you get COVID and it becomes a severe case , you ’ re less apt to have close , high-level acute care.
” More : ' A very , very dark place ' : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many patients , not enough staff Covenant Health operates hospitals in Lubbock and two nearby communities , Plainview and Levelland .
The Lubbock hospital ’ s ICU unit has been consistently full for nearly two months , and the hospital is committed to treating all COVID patients instead of transferring some to other hospitals , CEO Walt Cathey said .
The hospital has diverted non-COVID cases , including pneumonia and heart-failure patients , to other hospitals .
Covenant opened a 25-bed unit for adults at its children 's hospital – the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 years .
Cathey worries his dedicated nurses , doctors and respiratory therapists are fatigued .
Before COVID-19 , the vast majority of people who needed to be place on a ventilator could be weaned from the breathing devices successfully and discharged from the hospital , he said .
With COVID , too many patients never make it out of the hospital despite the medical staff ’ s best efforts .
“ It ’ s wearing on them , you see it on their face , ” Cathey said of his workers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibody treatments and the antiviral drug remdesivir , Cathey said medical providers still do n't have enough tools to fight the disease .
And the lack of knowledge on why the virus is deadly to some and has little effect on others is frustrating nurses and doctors .
“ It ’ s very alarming rounding in the hospital and talking to these caregivers and seeing a little bit of the depression that is going through the health system because we ’ re not winning this battle in a lot of different ways , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest challenge over the coming weeks will be finding enough nurses , doctors , respiratory therapists and other health workers .
Nurses and doctors flocked to New York City hospitals this spring to aid overwhelmed hospitals , but those health workers are now needed closer to home .
`` We can make more beds .
We have more devices , but we don ’ t necessarily have more staff , '' said Kaplan , president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine .
COVID-19 is sidelining far more health care workers , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job or in their communities , than in the early weeks of the pandemic .
Even if they are not sick , workers exposed to the virus often wait days for test results .
In recent weeks , positive cases and exposures have quarantined up to 150 staff members at BSA Health System , including 70 nurses at once , said Lamanteer .
Fewer nurses and other providers were quarantined this week , but Lamanteer said the toll on staff underscores the importance of vaccinating health-care workers as quickly as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees on Tuesday , once the the first vaccine is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration .
Staffing is especially critical for ICU units , which require more workers to treat patients who need round-the-clock care .
In a general hospital unit , one nurse can take care of four or five patients at once , Cathey said .
That ratio lessens to one nurse for every three patients on a COVID floor .
If the COVID patient needs ICU care , the ratio is one nurse for every patient , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cathey said .
The Lubbock hospital evaluates every non-emergency surgery to preserve staff and space for COVID patients .
If such elective surgeries can be postponed , they are rescheduled .
`` Staffing is the biggest challenge we face , '' Cathey said .
`` Resources are much more stressed . ''
Ken Alltucker is on Twitter as @ kalltucker or can be emailed at alltuck @ usatoday.com

Ken Alltucker and Aleszu Bajak, USA TODAY

'We're not winning this battle': Relentless COVID-19 surge fills 1 in 8 hospital ICU units
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID overwhelming hospitals in multiple states Multiple regions in the U.S. are reporting that hospitals are filled to capacity with COVID patients. (Dec. 1) AP
Hospitals from West Texas to the upper Midwest are facing dire shortages of beds for critically ill coronavirus patients as the post-holiday surge shows no sign of relenting, new data shows.
About 1 in 8 U.S. hospitals had little or no intensive care unit space available last week. And experts say the number of hospitals struggling to accommodate the nation's sickest patients probably will increase after another week of record COVID-19 cases.
The federal government released a sweeping database this week showing a one-week average number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals nationwide. It’s the first time the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided such detailed information on nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals since the pandemic began.
The absence of hospital-level information has been a blind spot in the pandemic, as administrators must increasingly call neighboring hospitals to transfer patients when they run out of beds and staff.
“We know what’s happening in our system, but I don’t know what’s happening in the other systems," said Dr. Lewis Kaplan, professor of surgery at University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. “To have a coordinated effort you need to have that kind of data so everyone knows where everyone else happens to be.”
The HHS data release is important, said Dr. Thomas Tsai, a surgeon and assistant professor of health policy at Harvard University, because it’ll help hospitals in capacity planning by showing which neighboring hospitals are strained and by how much. Hospitals run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Health Agency and Indian Health Service are not included in the HHS data release.
Hospitals across the country are at or nearing limits on capacity. In rural towns like Ashland, Alabama, to the small city of Watertown, South Dakota, to small metro areas like Amarillo, Texas, ICUs are at or above capacity, according to the HHS data. All of those places have seen surges of COVID-19 in the past two weeks, with more than 100 deaths per 100,000 in each of their counties.
With nearly 1.5 million Americans testing positive over the past week and a new daily record of more than 3,000 deaths on Wednesday, hospitals are unlikely to see the pace slow soon.
“The picture that’s emerging is pretty stark,” Tsai said.
Rural hospitals from upper Midwest states, such as North Dakota and South Dakota, to Texas have called facilities in multiple states to find beds for critically ill patients. These smaller rural hospitals quickly run out of space, staffing or expertise when coronavirus patients need cutting-edge care.
In Amarillo, Texas, BSA Health System routinely gets calls from smaller hospitals seeking to transfer patients from the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas. The Amarillo hospital expanded its ICU to 91 beds, up from 48 beds, but still lacks space at times, said Dr. Michael Lamanteer, BSA’s chief medical officer.
“There’s no question there have been times throughout the fall and early winter where we’ve not been able to accept patients from our regional partners because our volumes have been so excessive,” Lamanteer said. “That bothers us greatly.”
Amarillo has been a coronavirus hot spot since this spring, when outbreaks at meatpacking plants in the area sent case counts higher. More recently, holiday gatherings in the summer and fall have led to case surges in the Texas Panhandle and neighboring states.
Hospitals are getting ready for another wave of patients after the record number of weekly cases in the two weeks following Thanksgiving. The HHS data shows about 88% of ICU beds in Potter County, which includes Amarillo, were full as of a week ago.
Lamanteer and his counterpart at Northwest Texas, another Amarillo hospital, have discussed plans with city leaders to add even more ICU beds. The hospitals expect a post-Thanksgiving surge and cases after December holiday gatherings. The hospitals also will need extra bed space and staff for patients with flu and other respiratory viruses.
"The breaking point for the community would be if (ICU patients) exceed the number of beds we can handle," Lamanteer said.
'It's wearing on them'
Small and midsized West Texas cities often serve vast rural communities without access to advanced care, said Angela Clendenin, an epidemiologist at Texas A&M University School of Public Health.
Cities such as Lubbock, where hospital ICU units were 90% full last week, draw patients from a smaller rural towns that “aren’t equipped to handled the most severe COVID patients,” Clendenin said.
“Living in a rural community is a double-edged sword," she said. "You might be in a less populated area where transmission is less, but if you get COVID and it becomes a severe case, you’re less apt to have close, high-level acute care.”
More: 'A very, very dark place': Hospitals brace for crisis-care mode with too many patients, not enough staff
More: Hospitals overwhelmed: Exhausted staffs, surging COVID-19 cases push nation's limits
More: 'Our neighbors, our family members': Small-town hospitals overwhelmed by COVID-19 deaths
Covenant Health operates hospitals in Lubbock and two nearby communities, Plainview and Levelland.
The Lubbock hospital’s ICU unit has been consistently full for nearly two months, and the hospital is committed to treating all COVID-19 patients instead of transferring some to other hospitals, CEO Walt Cathey said.
The hospital has diverted non-COVID-19 cases, including pneumonia and heart-failure patients, to other hospitals. Covenant opened a 25-bed unit for adults at its children's hospital – the first time the dormant unit has been activated in 12 years.
Cathey worries that his nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists are fatigued.
Before COVID-19, the vast majority of people who needed to be place on a ventilator could be weaned from the breathing devices and discharged from the hospital, he said.
With COVID-19, too many patients never make it out of the hospital despite the medical staff’s best efforts.
“It’s wearing on them. You see it on their face,” Cathey said.
Despite therapeutic advances such as steroids, antibody treatments and the antiviral drug remdesivir, Cathey said medical providers still don't have enough tools to fight the disease. And the lack of knowledge on why the virus is deadly to some and has little effect on others is frustrating nurses and doctors.
“It’s very alarming rounding in the hospital and talking to these caregivers and seeing a little bit of the depression that is going through the health system because we’re not winning this battle in a lot of different ways,” Cathey said.
Staffing limits ICU capacity
Hospitals say the biggest challenge over the coming weeks will be finding enough nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists and other health workers.
Nurses and doctors flocked to New York City hospitals this spring to aid overwhelmed hospitals, but those health workers are now needed closer to home.
"We can make more beds. We have more devices, but we don’t necessarily have more staff," said Kaplan, president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
COVID-19 is sidelining far more health care workers, who can be exposed to the virus on the job or in their communities, than in the early weeks of the pandemic. Even if they are not sick, workers exposed to the virus often wait days for test results.
In recent weeks, positive cases and exposures have quarantined up to 150 staff members at BSA Health System, including 70 nurses at once, Lamanteer said.
Fewer nurses and other providers were quarantined this week, but Lamanteer said the toll on staff underscores the importance of vaccinating health care workers as quickly as possible. The hospital expects to begin immunizing high-priority employees on Tuesday, once the the first vaccine is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
Staffing is especially critical for ICU units, which require more workers to treat patients who need round-the-clock care.
In a general hospital unit, one nurse can take care of four or five patients at once, Cathey said. That ratio lessens to one nurse for every three patients on a COVID-19 floor. If the COVID-19 patient needs ICU care, the ratio is one nurse for every patient, or in some cases, two patients, Cathey said.
The Lubbock hospital evaluates every non-emergency surgery to preserve staff and space for COVID-19 patients. If such elective surgeries can be postponed, they are rescheduled.
"Staffing is the biggest challenge we face," Cathey said. "Resources are much more stressed."
Ken Alltucker is on Twitter as @kalltucker or can be emailed at alltuck@usatoday.com


usatoday--2020-12-11--Coach bags are on sale for 50% off with an extra 15% off this weekend only

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Still shopping for the perfect present for that special someone ?
While it can be hard to decide on a winning gift while staying within your budget , stores such as Coach are making it a whole lot easier .
Thanks to the designer brand 's latest holiday sale , you can score savings on top of savings on all the leather handbags , wallets and boots your giftee could ever hope for .
Get expert shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed .
Through Sunday , December 13 , shoppers can take 50 % off Coach 's entire sale section , plus get an additional 15 % off with promo code MERRIER at checkout .
That means huge savings on hundreds of handbags , shoes and accessories , plus free standard shipping and extended returns through January 24 , 2021 on all orders !
Among the selection of our favorite sale picks is this top-rated Skinny wallet , which is on sale for $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but falls to just $ 76.50 with the code—nearly half its full price !
Made from a smooth , tanned leather , this sophisticated piece features a slim bifold design with room for coins , bills and up to 15 cards .
Reviewers gush over the stitching , hardware and exquisite texture in particular , granting it an overall 4.5-star rating .
Another highlight , this leather Cassie crossbody , on sale for $ 210 , is up for grabs for just $ 178.50 with the MERRIER code , which is $ 171.50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This grab-and-go purse boasts a near-perfect 4.7-star rating from close to 200 Coach shoppers , who adore its classic silhouette , spacious compartments and overall versatility .
Note that it 's also available for $ 150.45 in a signature logo print .
For a slightly larger option , check out this Charlie carryall , which is also going for $ 178.50 with the code .
This structured option can fit a 13-inch laptop ( the Cassie fits an iPad Mini ) , and has garnered heaps of praise for its luxurious pebble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these low prices , you may be tempted to treat yourself this weekend alongside your gift recipient—do n't worry , we wo n't tell Santa !
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

Coach bags are on sale for 50% off with an extra 15% off this weekend only
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Still shopping for the perfect present for that special someone? While it can be hard to decide on a winning gift while staying within your budget, stores such as Coach are making it a whole lot easier. Thanks to the designer brand's latest holiday sale, you can score savings on top of savings on all the leather handbags, wallets and boots your giftee could ever hope for.
Get expert shopping advice delivered to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed.
Through Sunday, December 13, shoppers can take 50% off Coach's entire sale section, plus get an additional 15% off with promo code MERRIER at checkout. That means huge savings on hundreds of handbags, shoes and accessories, plus free standard shipping and extended returns through January 24, 2021 on all orders!
Among the selection of our favorite sale picks is this top-rated Skinny wallet, which is on sale for $90 (originally $150), but falls to just $76.50 with the code—nearly half its full price! Made from a smooth, tanned leather, this sophisticated piece features a slim bifold design with room for coins, bills and up to 15 cards. Reviewers gush over the stitching, hardware and exquisite texture in particular, granting it an overall 4.5-star rating.
Another highlight, this leather Cassie crossbody, on sale for $210, is up for grabs for just $178.50 with the MERRIER code, which is $171.50 off its original price of $350. This grab-and-go purse boasts a near-perfect 4.7-star rating from close to 200 Coach shoppers, who adore its classic silhouette, spacious compartments and overall versatility. Note that it's also available for $150.45 in a signature logo print.
For a slightly larger option, check out this Charlie carryall, which is also going for $178.50 with the code. This structured option can fit a 13-inch laptop (the Cassie fits an iPad Mini), and has garnered heaps of praise for its luxurious pebble leather construction and long-lasting durability.
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usatoday--2020-12-12--COVID whistleblower's home is raided by Florida law enforcement. What's the real message?

The armed raid by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents this week on the home of the state ’ s most influential COVID-19 whistleblower is an event that needs to be followed closely .
This could be about way more than one anonymous message .
Rebekah Jones went from a state-paid coronavirus data analyst who was praised for building Florida ’ s COVID-19 reporting dashboard to an independent critic of its reporting methodology in May .
That ’ s when Gov .
Ron DeSantis fired her , saying that she was an insubordinate employee who was refusing to follow data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health .
“ What she was doing is she was putting data on the portal which the scientists didn ’ t believe was valid data , ” DeSantis said at the time .
“ So she didn ’ t listen to the people who were her superiors.
” Jones countered that she was fired for posting the real , and more alarming numbers of COVID-19 infections in the state , and for refusing to manipulate that data to allow DeSantis to justify easing pandemic restrictions .
Going out on her own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jones began her own COVID-19 reporting dashboard , expanding it to include reporting on infection cases in schools .
And by doing that , she has gained a national audience .
She continued to question Florida ’ s reporting methodology , and in July she filed a whistleblower lawsuit that directly called out the governor .
“ These efforts to falsify the numbers are a pattern and practice in Florida government that goes on to this day , ” Jones ’ attorney , Rick Johnson , said at the time of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false numbers to the press .
“ His underlings ( at the Health Department ) follow his example and direction.
” What triggered the raid on Jones ’ home this week was an anonymous group message sent to members of the State Emergency Response Team last month .
`` It 's time to speak up before another 17,000 people are dead , '' the Nov. 10 anonymous computer message said , according to the affidavit .
`` You know this is wrong .
You do n't have to be part of this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's too late . ''
According to investigators , that message was sent on the closed state system known as ReadyOP by an unauthorized computer hacker .
And upon further investigation , it led to an internet protocol address that corresponded to Jones ’ home in Tallahassee .
So , when FDLE agents pounded on her door Monday morning , they had already papered her up with a probable cause action of a cybercrime against the state .
Here ’ s why we need to pay attention , and why the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s version is true , and Jones hacked into the state ’ s system in a quest to recruit other whistleblowers , she crossed a line that makes it easier to condone the state ’ s heavy-handed response .
But Jones is telling a far different version of that raid — and one that , if true , is far , far more alarming than the alleged crime .
Rebekah Jones : Florida 's COVID-19 data is unreliable , confusing and hazardous to our health “ I don ’ t think they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo during a televised interview after the raid .
Jones said the FDLE agents left electronic devices behind , only taking the laptop where she did her data work and her cellphone .
“ And on my phone is every communication I ’ ve ever had with someone who works for the state who has come to me in confidence and told me something that could get them fired or in trouble like this , ” she said .
“ And I just want to say to all those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know already , DeSantis will know soon enough that you ’ ve been talking with me .
So be careful.
” Jones said she isn ’ t the author or the poster of the anonymous message because she ’ s not a computer hacker , and she hasn ’ t had any access to the state ’ s system since she was fired .
Protect the most vulnerable : Here 's why inmates should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before the rest of us Also , it doesn ’ t make sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to use a closed system to urge whistleblowers to come forward when she has been doing it openly on television and newspapers for months ?
“ This is just a very thinly veiled attempt by the governor to intimidate scientists and get back at me while trying to get to my sources , ” she said .
If that ’ s true , it ’ s a big deal .
It would be a gross misuse of power if the state concocted a bogus reason to raid the home of a whistleblower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state — for the purpose of unearthing her sources of information at gunpoint .
And there are other parallel events to suggest why this may be the case .
DeSantis has been making many other heavy-handed moves to muzzle public information on the virus .
In September , the county-level health department spokespersons were kept from issuing COVID information , and schools were told not to release infection numbers .
He also decreed that local governments can ’ t enforce fines for face mask violations .
In October , as cases began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who had been mostly silent , cautioned residents to question the data .
And in November , the Florida Department of Health ’ s communications director was reassigned without explanation .
Meanwhile , Florida hired a little-known sports blogger , Uber driver and anti-masker from Ohio to be a COVID-19 data analyst for the state .
Jones maintains adamantly that she never wrote the anonymous message that sparked the raid , and that she didn ’ t even know what it said until Monday , when she read the affidavit for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of the language used in it was not the way I talk , ” Jones said of the message .
“ And the number of deaths that the person used wasn ’ t even right .
They were under by 430 deaths .
“ I would never round down 430 deaths.
” The raid stopped Jones from her daily COVID report on Tuesday , but she promised to be posting again shortly .
“ DeSantis needs to worry less about what I ’ m writing about and more about the people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jones told Cuomo .
“ Doing this to me will not stop me from reporting the data .
Ever.
” So let ’ s see how this turns out .
Either Jones wrote the message or she didn ’ t .
There ’ s a truth here to be learned .
If she did , she let her zeal go too far .
And lying about it has hurt her credibility .
But if she didn ’ t write that message , this incident may catapult into the upper echelon of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his response to this pandemic .
Frank Cerabino is a news columnist for the Palm Beach Post , where this column originally appeared .
Follow him on Twitter : @ FranklyFlorida

COVID whistleblower's home is raided by Florida law enforcement. What's the real message? Florida's fired data analyst Rebekah Jones blames Gov. Ron DeSantis for staging raid on her home that seized her electronic devices.
Show Caption Hide Caption 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
The armed raid by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents this week on the home of the state’s most influential COVID-19 whistleblower is an event that needs to be followed closely.
This could be about way more than one anonymous message.
Rebekah Jones went from a state-paid coronavirus data analyst who was praised for building Florida’s COVID-19 reporting dashboard to an independent critic of its reporting methodology in May.
That’s when Gov. Ron DeSantis fired her, saying that she was an insubordinate employee who was refusing to follow data analysis procedures set forward by the Florida Department of Health.
“What she was doing is she was putting data on the portal which the scientists didn’t believe was valid data,” DeSantis said at the time. “So she didn’t listen to the people who were her superiors.”
Jones countered that she was fired for posting the real, and more alarming numbers of COVID-19 infections in the state, and for refusing to manipulate that data to allow DeSantis to justify easing pandemic restrictions.
Going out on her own
Rather than sulk away after being fired, Jones began her own COVID-19 reporting dashboard, expanding it to include reporting on infection cases in schools.
And by doing that, she has gained a national audience. She continued to question Florida’s reporting methodology, and in July she filed a whistleblower lawsuit that directly called out the governor.
“These efforts to falsify the numbers are a pattern and practice in Florida government that goes on to this day,” Jones’ attorney, Rick Johnson, said at the time of the filing. “DeSantis has routinely given false numbers to the press.
“His underlings (at the Health Department) follow his example and direction.”
What triggered the raid on Jones’ home this week was an anonymous group message sent to members of the State Emergency Response Team last month.
"It's time to speak up before another 17,000 people are dead," the Nov. 10 anonymous computer message said, according to the affidavit. "You know this is wrong. You don't have to be part of this. Be a hero. Speak out before it's too late."
According to investigators, that message was sent on the closed state system known as ReadyOP by an unauthorized computer hacker. And upon further investigation, it led to an internet protocol address that corresponded to Jones’ home in Tallahassee.
So, when FDLE agents pounded on her door Monday morning, they had already papered her up with a probable cause action of a cybercrime against the state.
Conflicting stories
Here’s why we need to pay attention, and why the truth here matters:
If the state’s version is true, and Jones hacked into the state’s system in a quest to recruit other whistleblowers, she crossed a line that makes it easier to condone the state’s heavy-handed response.
But Jones is telling a far different version of that raid — and one that, if true, is far, far more alarming than the alleged crime.
Rebekah Jones: Florida's COVID-19 data is unreliable, confusing and hazardous to our health
“I don’t think they’re after me,” Jones told CNN’s Chris Cuomo during a televised interview after the raid.
Jones said the FDLE agents left electronic devices behind, only taking the laptop where she did her data work and her cellphone.
“And on my phone is every communication I’ve ever had with someone who works for the state who has come to me in confidence and told me something that could get them fired or in trouble like this,” she said.
“And I just want to say to all those people right now, if he doesn’t know already, DeSantis will know soon enough that you’ve been talking with me. So be careful.”
Jones said she isn’t the author or the poster of the anonymous message because she’s not a computer hacker, and she hasn’t had any access to the state’s system since she was fired.
Protect the most vulnerable: Here's why inmates should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before the rest of us
Also, it doesn’t make sense, she said. Why would she need to use a closed system to urge whistleblowers to come forward when she has been doing it openly on television and newspapers for months?
“This is just a very thinly veiled attempt by the governor to intimidate scientists and get back at me while trying to get to my sources,” she said.
If that’s true, it’s a big deal. It would be a gross misuse of power if the state concocted a bogus reason to raid the home of a whistleblower — one with an active case against the state — for the purpose of unearthing her sources of information at gunpoint.
1/
There will be no update today.
At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech.
They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint.
They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids.. pic.twitter.com/DE2QfOmtPU — Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) December 7, 2020
And there are other parallel events to suggest why this may be the case. DeSantis has been making many other heavy-handed moves to muzzle public information on the virus.
In September, the county-level health department spokespersons were kept from issuing COVID information, and schools were told not to release infection numbers. He also decreed that local governments can’t enforce fines for face mask violations.
In October, as cases began rising, Florida’s Surgeon General, who had been mostly silent, cautioned residents to question the data. And in November, the Florida Department of Health’s communications director was reassigned without explanation.
Meanwhile, Florida hired a little-known sports blogger, Uber driver and anti-masker from Ohio to be a COVID-19 data analyst for the state.
Jones maintains adamantly that she never wrote the anonymous message that sparked the raid, and that she didn’t even know what it said until Monday, when she read the affidavit for the search of her home.
“A lot of the language used in it was not the way I talk,” Jones said of the message. “And the number of deaths that the person used wasn’t even right. They were under by 430 deaths.
“I would never round down 430 deaths.”
The raid stopped Jones from her daily COVID report on Tuesday, but she promised to be posting again shortly.
“DeSantis needs to worry less about what I’m writing about and more about the people who are sick and dying in his state,” Jones told Cuomo. “Doing this to me will not stop me from reporting the data. Ever.”
So let’s see how this turns out. Either Jones wrote the message or she didn’t. There’s a truth here to be learned.
If she did, she let her zeal go too far. And lying about it has hurt her credibility.
But if she didn’t write that message, this incident may catapult into the upper echelon of wrongs that DeSantis has been amassing over his response to this pandemic.
Frank Cerabino is a news columnist for the Palm Beach Post, where this column originally appeared. Follow him on Twitter: @FranklyFlorida