usatoday--2020-10-10--Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Grassley are in the line of succession. What if they get sick wit

WASHINGTON – When President Donald Trump was hospitalized last week with COVID-19 , the administration sought to assure Americans he was still fit to carry out his duties as president .
While he appears to be on the way to recovery , the outbreak that has engulfed the White House and infected more than a dozen staffers has sparked questions about whether other officials in the line of succession should be self-quarantining in case the president becomes incapacitated .
The people in line to take over the president 's duties if Trump were to become gravely ill are `` not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can tell under succession '' regarding their health and safety , said political scientist Norman Ornstein with the American Enterprise Institute think tank .
Take these examples : The vice president is still traveling , and so is the secretary of state .
A senior Republican senator in the line of succession won ’ t even get a COVID test , even though he was at a committee hearing with another senator who has tested positive .
Trump and other Republicans have come under fire for disregarding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , including social distancing and mask-wearing .
2020 election updates : Trump planning campaign event at the White House The White House and the Trump campaign hosted events that drew thousands of people in close proximity , including a Rose Garden event now thought to be a `` superspreader '' for the virus .
And after Trump 's positive test and quarantine , the campaign did n't quit in-person events .
And Republican officials in the line of succession have , for the most part , kept up their usual schedules and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump still hospitalized for COVID-19 , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left for a trip to Asia .
Although he trimmed his itinerary , he still met with a parade of dignitaries , including Japan 's prime minister .
In an interview Friday morning with the Hugh Hewitt Show , Pompeo said he has never had any concerns about Trump 's fitness for duty .
`` None , '' he said when Hewitt asked if he 'd ever had a moment of doubt about whether Trump was fully in charge .
Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pompeo said , adding he has had `` long conversations '' with Trump to keep him updated on world affairs .
On Saturday Trump held a campaign-style rally on the South Lawn , saying he 'd been cleared by his doctor to resume public events .
But the question lingers : If he were to experience a relapse in symptoms and become seriously ill , who would take charge ?
`` In a responsible administration , you would at least have in reserve a letter signed by the president turning authority temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there 's a clear chain of command in case you become incapacitated before you can do that , '' Ornstein said .
Under the 25th Amendment , the president could notify House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and the Senate GOP 's senior member , Sen. Charles Grassley , R-Iowa , that he is unable to function , transferring power to Vice President Mike Pence until the president indicates he is able to return .
The amendment both set up the process for the president to voluntarily relinquish duties and created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used – for powers to be taken away when others believe the president is “ unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office . ''
If Trump believes he can still do his job but Pence and a majority of the Cabinet disagree , a transfer of power to Pence would require the backing of two-thirds of both the House and Senate .
Lawmakers could also designate through legislation an alternative group – other than the Cabinet – that the vice president could work with to declare Trump unable to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president were to die from the virus , Pence is first in line to succeed him , as established by the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 .
Pelosi is second , followed by the president pro tempore of the Senate , a title held by Sen. Charles Grassley , R-Iowa .
On Friday , Pelosi and Rep. Jamie Raskin , D-Md.
, introduced legislation they said would create a commission on the presidential capacity to discharge his or her powers and give Congress a role in ensuring `` effective and uninterrupted leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pelosi said the move was not about Trump , but rather the need for clear procedure , while Raskin noted that COVID-19 has affected several government officials .
In addition to Trump and First Lady Melania Trump , an array of White House advisers and Republican senators have also contracted the virus .
There is no mechanism , however , that establishes a procedure should both Trump and Pence become incapacitated and unable to serve but do not die , Ornstein said .
The chance of that happening is not very high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over gaps in the continuity of the U.S. government in the midst of the health crisis .
`` There are nightmare scenarios that we 're talking about here , all of which , let 's say have been triggered by the utter irresponsibility of the president , holding these events , without masks , without any precautions , which has created the super spreader problem , '' Ornstein said .
Those in the president 's orbit have been regularly tested throughout the pandemic , but the recent White House outbreak showed that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person was not exposed and wo n't test negative later .
Following are the list of people in the line of succession and details about how they are dealing with the risks of COVID-19 : Pence , 61 , says he has tested negative for COVID-19 .
He continued to travel and hold campaign events after Trump tested positive and said he had not been considered in close contact with the president to be at risk of being exposed .
He participated in the vice presidential debate with Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pelosi , 80 , has said she is confident in the protocols established for the House .
She has also maintained she wears a face mask when she is around others and that she has tested negative for the virus since Trump 's diagnosis .
Grassley , 87 , `` has been tested multiple times when the situation warrants and upon the recommendation of his doctors , '' his spokesperson , Michael Zona , said .
Grassley was criticized for saying he would not seek a test after attending a meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later tested positive for the virus .
`` Sen. Grassley continues to take precautions to defend against contracting the virus , '' Zona added .
`` Regarding recent COVID-19 cases in the Senate , Sen. Grassley ’ s doctors have not recommended he be tested as he has not come into close contact with anyone suspected of having or confirmed to have coronavirus . ''
Pompeo , 56 , is fourth in the line of succession if Trump should be unable to carry out his presidential duties .
Although he truncated his trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other events .
The State Department 's press office did not answer questions about whether Pompeo has cancelled other in-person meetings or taken additional precautions to keep himself extra safe given Trump 's diagnosis .
Mnuchin , 57 , fifth in the line of succession after Pompeo , has been tested daily for COVID-19 for months , according to his spokesperson Monica Crowley .
`` He has consistently tested negative for COVID-19 and will continue to be tested daily , '' she said .
Esper , 56 , who is sixth in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
He continues to make public appearances , with a visit to West Point on Friday .
Barr , 70 , is seventh in line , and was in attendance without a mask at the Rose Garden event celebrating Trump 's Supreme Court pick the weekend before Trump 's positive test .
His spokesperson said he would quarantine as a precaution for several days on Sunday after receiving multiple negative tests , AP reported .
On Tuesday , DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec said he again tested negative .
Bernhardt , 51 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance , has been tested numerous times and has not tested positive for COVID-19 , '' his spokesperson Conner Swanson said .
Perdue , 63 , ninth in line and a member of the White House coronavirus task force , `` recently tested negative this week , '' the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday .
`` I haven ’ t been around [ Trump ] in more than a week so I don ’ t feel it ’ s necessary to get a test .
I feel comfortable where I am , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body and symptoms .
I feel good , I have a lot of energy and we ’ re out here across the country advocating for American agriculture , '' Perdue said last week after Trump 's diagnosis .
Ross , 82 , who is 10th in line , told Bloomberg TV he had tested negative on Monday and that his department was doing a lot of remote work during the pandemic .

Deirdre Shesgreen and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Grassley are in the line of succession. What if they get sick with COVID-19?
Show Caption Hide Caption 25th Amendment: Pelosi pitches bill on presidential succession The legislation calls for a 16-member bipartisan commission made up of doctors and former administration officials. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – When President Donald Trump was hospitalized last week with COVID-19, the administration sought to assure Americans he was still fit to carry out his duties as president.
While he appears to be on the way to recovery, the outbreak that has engulfed the White House and infected more than a dozen staffers has sparked questions about whether other officials in the line of succession should be self-quarantining in case the president becomes incapacitated.
The people in line to take over the president's duties if Trump were to become gravely ill are "not taking seriously their responsibilities as best we can tell under succession" regarding their health and safety, said political scientist Norman Ornstein with the American Enterprise Institute think tank.
Take these examples: The vice president is still traveling, and so is the secretary of state. A senior Republican senator in the line of succession won’t even get a COVID test, even though he was at a committee hearing with another senator who has tested positive.
Trump and other Republicans have come under fire for disregarding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including social distancing and mask-wearing.
2020 election updates: Trump planning campaign event at the White House
The White House and the Trump campaign hosted events that drew thousands of people in close proximity, including a Rose Garden event now thought to be a "superspreader" for the virus. And after Trump's positive test and quarantine, the campaign didn't quit in-person events.
And Republican officials in the line of succession have, for the most part, kept up their usual schedules and practices.
On Oct. 4, with Trump still hospitalized for COVID-19, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left for a trip to Asia. Although he trimmed his itinerary, he still met with a parade of dignitaries, including Japan's prime minister.
In an interview Friday morning with the Hugh Hewitt Show, Pompeo said he has never had any concerns about Trump's fitness for duty. "None," he said when Hewitt asked if he'd ever had a moment of doubt about whether Trump was fully in charge.
Trump is "not the least bit tired," Pompeo said, adding he has had "long conversations" with Trump to keep him updated on world affairs.
On Saturday Trump held a campaign-style rally on the South Lawn, saying he'd been cleared by his doctor to resume public events. But the question lingers: If he were to experience a relapse in symptoms and become seriously ill, who would take charge?
"In a responsible administration, you would at least have in reserve a letter signed by the president turning authority temporarily over to the vice president, so that there's a clear chain of command in case you become incapacitated before you can do that," Ornstein said.
Under the 25th Amendment, the president could notify House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and the Senate GOP's senior member, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that he is unable to function, transferring power to Vice President Mike Pence until the president indicates he is able to return.
The amendment both set up the process for the president to voluntarily relinquish duties and created a method – which has never been used – for powers to be taken away when others believe the president is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office."
If Trump believes he can still do his job but Pence and a majority of the Cabinet disagree, a transfer of power to Pence would require the backing of two-thirds of both the House and Senate. Lawmakers could also designate through legislation an alternative group – other than the Cabinet – that the vice president could work with to declare Trump unable to serve.
In an extreme circumstance, if the president were to die from the virus, Pence is first in line to succeed him, as established by the Presidential Succession Act of 1947. Pelosi is second, followed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, a title held by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
25th Amendment: Democrats pitch bill on presidential succession commission, citing Trump's COVID diagnosis
On Friday, Pelosi and Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., introduced legislation they said would create a commission on the presidential capacity to discharge his or her powers and give Congress a role in ensuring "effective and uninterrupted leadership" in the nation's highest office.
Pelosi said the move was not about Trump, but rather the need for clear procedure, while Raskin noted that COVID-19 has affected several government officials. In addition to Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, an array of White House advisers and Republican senators have also contracted the virus.
There is no mechanism, however, that establishes a procedure should both Trump and Pence become incapacitated and unable to serve but do not die, Ornstein said. The chance of that happening is not very high, but the pandemic has resurfaced concerns over gaps in the continuity of the U.S. government in the midst of the health crisis.
"There are nightmare scenarios that we're talking about here, all of which, let's say have been triggered by the utter irresponsibility of the president, holding these events, without masks, without any precautions, which has created the super spreader problem," Ornstein said.
Those in the president's orbit have been regularly tested throughout the pandemic, but the recent White House outbreak showed that even repeated negative tests don't mean a person was not exposed and won't test negative later.
Following are the list of people in the line of succession and details about how they are dealing with the risks of COVID-19:
Vice President Mike Pence
Pence, 61, says he has tested negative for COVID-19. He continued to travel and hold campaign events after Trump tested positive and said he had not been considered in close contact with the president to be at risk of being exposed. He participated in the vice presidential debate with Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi, 80, has said she is confident in the protocols established for the House. She has also maintained she wears a face mask when she is around others and that she has tested negative for the virus since Trump's diagnosis.
Sen. Chuck Grassley
Grassley, 87, "has been tested multiple times when the situation warrants and upon the recommendation of his doctors," his spokesperson, Michael Zona, said. Grassley was criticized for saying he would not seek a test after attending a meeting with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who later tested positive for the virus.
"Sen. Grassley continues to take precautions to defend against contracting the virus," Zona added. "Regarding recent COVID-19 cases in the Senate, Sen. Grassley’s doctors have not recommended he be tested as he has not come into close contact with anyone suspected of having or confirmed to have coronavirus."
Secretary of State Pompeo
Pompeo, 56, is fourth in the line of succession if Trump should be unable to carry out his presidential duties. Although he truncated his trip to Asia, he has not cancelled other events. The State Department's press office did not answer questions about whether Pompeo has cancelled other in-person meetings or taken additional precautions to keep himself extra safe given Trump's diagnosis.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin
Mnuchin, 57, fifth in the line of succession after Pompeo, has been tested daily for COVID-19 for months, according to his spokesperson Monica Crowley.
"He has consistently tested negative for COVID-19 and will continue to be tested daily," she said.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper
Esper, 56, who is sixth in line, has not released any COVID testing results. He continues to make public appearances, with a visit to West Point on Friday.
Attorney General William Barr
Barr, 70, is seventh in line, and was in attendance without a mask at the Rose Garden event celebrating Trump's Supreme Court pick the weekend before Trump's positive test. His spokesperson said he would quarantine as a precaution for several days on Sunday after receiving multiple negative tests, AP reported. On Tuesday, DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec said he again tested negative.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt
Bernhardt, 51, eighth in line, "follows CDC guidance, has been tested numerous times and has not tested positive for COVID-19," his spokesperson Conner Swanson said.
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue
Perdue, 63, ninth in line and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, "recently tested negative this week," the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.
"I haven’t been around [Trump] in more than a week so I don’t feel it’s necessary to get a test. I feel comfortable where I am, I’m very aware of my body and symptoms. I feel good, I have a lot of energy and we’re out here across the country advocating for American agriculture," Perdue said last week after Trump's diagnosis.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross
Ross, 82, who is 10th in line, told Bloomberg TV he had tested negative on Monday and that his department was doing a lot of remote work during the pandemic.


usatoday--2020-10-10--Lindsey Graham in debate forum: Black people can go anywhere in SC politics, if they're 'not liberal

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , who is facing a competitive re-election campaign , said Friday that Black Americans `` can go anywhere in this state '' if they 're conservative .
During a debate forum with Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison , Graham was asked about the civil unrest across the nation and in South Carolina surrounding police reform and systemic racism .
He implied that Black people will only be successful in statewide elective office if they are conservative .
`` I care about everybody , '' Graham said .
`` If you 're a young African American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere in this state , you just need to be conservative , not liberal . ''
Graham is in a dead heat in polling with Harrison , who is Black .
The South Carolina senator pointed to Sen. Tim Scott – the state 's other U.S. senator , and only Black Republican senator – as well as former Gov .
Nikki Haley , as people of color who have been successful because they share the state 's `` values . ''
More : Debate between Graham and Harrison canceled after Graham refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing I can say without any doubt , you can be an African American and go to the Senate , you just have to share the values of our state , '' Graham said .
`` Folks , it 's not about the color of your skin or where you came from , it 's about your ideas . ''
Graham , who said he supports police reform but does n't believe police are “ systemically racist , ” went on to criticize Harrison .
He said his opponent is going to lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he 's aligned with the most liberal people in the country . ''
Harrison , during his segment of the forum , was also asked about civil unrest and police brutality .
He noted that he supports a national register that discloses `` bad police officers , '' having a national standard of force and demilitarizing the police .
`` There are some bad apples in the system that need to be rooted out .
We need to bring some accountability to the system , '' he said .
The debate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two candidates , was canceled after Graham rejected taking a COVID-19 test .
The two , instead , were asked questions separately at the Spartanburg studios of WSPA-TV .
Harrison was asked questions for the first half of the one-hour forum , while Graham answered questions in the last half .

Lindsey Graham in debate forum: Black people can go anywhere in SC politics, if they're 'not liberal'
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who is facing a competitive reelection campaign, said Friday that Black Americans "can go as far as you want to go” in state politics if they have conservative values associated with the state.
During a debate forum with Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison, Graham was asked about the civil unrest across the nation and in South Carolina surrounding police reform and systemic racism. He implied that Black people will only be successful in statewide elective office if they are conservative.
"I care about everybody," Graham said. "If you're a young African American, an immigrant, you can go anywhere in this state, you just need to be conservative, not liberal."
Graham is in a dead heat in polling with Harrison, who is Black.
The South Carolina senator pointed to Sen. Tim Scott – the state's other U.S. senator, and only Black Republican senator – as well as former Gov. Nikki Haley, as people of color who have been successful because they share the state's values.
More: Debate between Graham and Harrison canceled after Graham refused to take a COVID-19 test
"But one thing I can say without any doubt, you can be an African American and go to the Senate, you just have to share the values of our state," Graham said. "Folks, it's not about the color of your skin or where you came from, it's about your ideas."
Graham, who said he supports police reform but doesn't believe police are “systemically racist,” went on to criticize Harrison. He said his opponent is going to lose "not because of race, but because he's aligned with the most liberal people in the country."
Harrison, during his segment of the forum, was also asked about civil unrest and police brutality. He noted that he supports a national register that discloses "bad police officers," having a national standard of force and demilitarizing the police.
"There are some bad apples in the system that need to be rooted out. We need to bring some accountability to the system," he said.
The debate, which would have been the second between the two candidates, was canceled after Graham rejected taking a COVID-19 test. The two, instead, were asked questions separately at the Spartanburg studios of WSPA-TV. Harrison was asked questions for the first half of the one-hour forum, while Graham answered questions in the last half.


usatoday--2020-10-11--Jay-Z offers to pay fines for those arrested during protests for Alvin Cole, including mom and siste

Jay-Z is standing by protesters calling for justice in the February 2020 shooting death of Alvin Cole at the hands of police in Wisconsin .
Jay-Z and Team ROC , the social justice arm of the rapper 's ROC Nation company , offered Friday to pay the fees associated with the arrests of peaceful protesters in Wauwatosa , Wisconsin .
Among those arrested Thursday were Cole 's mother and two sisters , according to Didier Morais , a spokesperson for Team ROC .
Protesters took to the streets this week after Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shots that killed 17-year-old Cole , will not face criminal charges .
Cole is the third person Mensah fatally shot in the last five years .
In addition to offering monetary support for the protesters , Jay-Z and his Team ROC have also called for Mensah to be prosecuted and terminated and have asked Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to hire a special prosecutor to ensure justice is served .
Chisholm said Mensah acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Cole in the Mayfair mall parking lot .
The decision marked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an on-duty fatal shooting .
Wauwatosa readied for possible protests and unrest over Chisholm 's Wednesday decision and set a 7 p.m. curfew through Monday .
Soon after the announcement , more than 100 protesters marched onto the I-94 freeway during rush hour .
Multiple people who witnessed the arrests said Cole 's relatives — Tracy , Taleavia and Tristiana Cole — were taken into custody shortly after 9 p.m. , along with several others .
A Facebook livestream taken from inside the Cole car during the protests revealed a chaotic scene in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tasers while taking Tracy Cole , 48 , into custody .
`` I ’ m Alvin Cole ’ s mother , '' Tracy Cole screamed repeatedly as officers pulled her out of her car and handcuffed her , according to the livestream .
`` I cant believe y ’ all did this to me .
Y ’ all killed my son , '' she screamed to the officers .
An officer responds , “ Well , that ’ s too bad , '' according to the livestream .
Tracy Cole said her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm was broken , according to the livestream .
Family attorney Kimberley Motley said Tracy Cole was taken to Froedtert Hospital with an injury to her arm and forehead .
One daughter , Tristiana , was taken there as well .
At 11:39 p.m. CDT , Motley tweeted the two had been released from the hospital , adding : `` Police refusing to give answer on where Taleavia Cole has been taken . ''
More : Pharrell Williams pens essay on racism in America , releases song 'Entrepreneur ' with Jay-Z

Jay-Z offers to pay fines for those arrested during protests for Alvin Cole, including mom and sisters
Show Caption Hide Caption Yo Gotti says Jay-Z plays the 'big homie' and 'mentor' role Yo Gotti talks about his personal and business relationship with mogul Jay-Z. The Memphis rapper says, "It's not a dream. I know somebody who started out just like me who's a billionaire." (Feb. 28) AP
Jay-Z is standing by protesters calling for justice in the February 2020 shooting death of Alvin Cole at the hands of police in Wisconsin.
Jay-Z and Team ROC, the social justice arm of the rapper's ROC Nation company, offered Friday to pay the fees associated with the arrests of peaceful protesters in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Among those arrested Thursday were Cole's mother and two sisters, according to Didier Morais, a spokesperson for Team ROC.
Protesters took to the streets this week after Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced Wednesday that police officer Joseph Mensah, who fired the shots that killed 17-year-old Cole, will not face criminal charges. Cole is the third person Mensah fatally shot in the last five years.
In addition to offering monetary support for the protesters, Jay-Z and his Team ROC have also called for Mensah to be prosecuted and terminated and have asked Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to hire a special prosecutor to ensure justice is served.
Chisholm said Mensah acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Cole in the Mayfair mall parking lot. The decision marked the third time Chisholm has cleared Mensah in an on-duty fatal shooting.
Wauwatosa readied for possible protests and unrest over Chisholm's Wednesday decision and set a 7 p.m. curfew through Monday. Soon after the announcement, more than 100 protesters marched onto the I-94 freeway during rush hour.
Multiple people who witnessed the arrests said Cole's relatives — Tracy, Taleavia and Tristiana Cole — were taken into custody shortly after 9 p.m., along with several others.
A Facebook livestream taken from inside the Cole car during the protests revealed a chaotic scene in which law enforcement officers threatened the use of Tasers while taking Tracy Cole, 48, into custody.
"I’m Alvin Cole’s mother," Tracy Cole screamed repeatedly as officers pulled her out of her car and handcuffed her, according to the livestream.
"I cant believe y’all did this to me. Y’all killed my son," she screamed to the officers.
"I can't breathe," she repeated.
An officer responds, “Well, that’s too bad," according to the livestream.
Tracy Cole said her head was bleeding and she believed her arm was broken, according to the livestream.
Family attorney Kimberley Motley said Tracy Cole was taken to Froedtert Hospital with an injury to her arm and forehead. One daughter, Tristiana, was taken there as well.
At 11:39 p.m. CDT, Motley tweeted the two had been released from the hospital, adding: "Police refusing to give answer on where Taleavia Cole has been taken."
Contributing: Sophie Carson, Evan Casey and Ricardo Torres from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
More: Pharrell Williams pens essay on racism in America, releases song 'Entrepreneur' with Jay-Z


usatoday--2020-10-10--Report: Bears practice-squad player, Chiefs strength and conditioning coach test positive for COVID-

A Chicago Bears practice squad player and a strength and conditioning coach for the Kansas City Chiefs have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ a Saturday report from ESPN 's Adam Schefter .
Schefter did not identify the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ but reported that contact tracing was taking place .
Later Saturday , the Bears announced @ @ @ @ @ Traore had been moved from the practice squad to the COVID-19/reserve list .
Last weekend @ @ @ @ @ quarterback Jordan Ta'amu tested positive ; he had been the only known positive case with @ @ @ @ @ wake of that test , and after New England Patriots QB Cam Newton tested positive @ @ @ @ @ ' scheduled game against the Patriots last Sunday was pushed to Monday night , where @ @ @ @ @ .
This would be the first known positive COVID test among the Bears , who @ @ @ @ @ a 20-19 victory against the Tampa Bay Bucs in Chicago .

Report: Bears practice-squad player, Chiefs strength and conditioning coach test positive for COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Could COVID-19's incubation period lead to NFL's downfall? SportsPulse: As the Titans still deal with their COVID-19 outbreak and the Patriots come to grips with multiple positive test, Mike Jones explains how the virus' incubation period is showing cracks in the NFL's safety protocols. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
A Chicago Bears practice squad player and a strength and conditioning coach for the Kansas City Chiefs have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Saturday report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Schefter did not identify the Chicago player or Kansas City coach but reported that contact tracing was taking place.
Later Saturday, the Bears announced that rookie offensive lineman Badara Traore had been moved from the practice squad to the COVID-19/reserve list.
Last weekend, Kansas City practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu tested positive; he had been the only known positive case with the team. In the wake of that test, and after New England Patriots QB Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, the Chiefs' scheduled game against the Patriots last Sunday was pushed to Monday night, where Kansas City won, 26-10.
This would be the first known positive COVID test among the Bears, who last played Thursday night in a 20-19 victory against the Tampa Bay Bucs in Chicago.


usatoday--2020-10-10--The 5 best early Prime Day deals you can get this weekend

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Amazon ’ s long-awaited Prime Day will be here before you know it ( it ’ s October 13 and October 14 if you have n't already set your alarms ) but if you ’ re anything like us , and the anticipation is proving too much to bear , we ’ re going to let you in a little secret : You don ’ t have to wait for the big day to arrive .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing deals ahead of schedule , and we ’ ve sorted through them all to bring you the best of the best .
From a pair of true wireless earbuds that 's sure to knock your socks off to a slow cooker that will make holiday cooking a breeze , these are the best early Prime Day deals you can shop this weekend .
1 .
Up to 25 % off : A pair of true wireless earbuds with a ton of value Apple ’ s AirPods Pro may be the best wireless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re looking for a great value pair , you can ’ t go wrong with the Jabra Elite 65t , regularly $ 119.99 and on sale from $ 90.10 .
We named the 65t 's successor , the Jabra Elite Active 65t ( also on sale for $ 119.95 ) as the best bang for your buck on the market because they cranked out mostly distortion-free sound with plenty of oomph for the low end , just as the 65ts do .
The difference ?
The Actives are better equipped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use them for sweaty running sessions or happen to get caught in a downpour .
Get the Jabra Elite 65t Earbuds from $ 90.10 ( Save $ 20 to $ 29.89 ) Get the Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds for $ 119.99 ( Save $ 20 ) 2 .
More than $ 50 off : This top-notch slow cooker The season for hearty stews , chilis and soups is upon us , and to take full advantage of it , you ’ re going to need a great slow cooker on hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooker , which has fallen from $ 149.99 to $ 95.99 for Prime Day , is just the ticket for all three .
While it ’ s not ideal for lasagna or baked goods due to its super deep bowl design , it was great for soups and stews , with a dial-and-lever system to control the time and functions that we deemed “ a dream come true.
” A few other added bonuses ?
Its nonstick inner pot , which proved to be a breeze to lift , its easy-to-use functionality and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more precise cooking .
Get the Calphalon Digital Sauté Slow Cooker for $ 95.99 ( Save $ 54 ) This early Prime deal on the Ecovacs Deebot N79S will save you a whopping $ 50 as it drops from $ 249.99 to $ 199.99 ahead of the big day .
We haven ’ t yet tried this specific model , but we dubbed the downgraded Deebot N79 model ( $ 248 ) as being totally worth the spend for its changeable cleaning patterns , scheduling capabilities and impressive dirt pickup of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got stuck in our tests , making it an awesome value for the money .
This upgraded version , which has more than 12,000 reviews from Amazon shoppers , features a “ max suction ” mode that reportedly increases pickup power by 50 % .
Additionally , the N79S is compatible with Alexa for voice commands .
Get the Ecovacs Deebot N79S for $ 199.99 ( Save $ 50 ) 4 .
Half off : This upgraded smart speaker with new-and-improved sound Echo smart speakers have historically been great when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t always been top-notch .
In an effort to improve the listener experience , Amazon introduced the upgraded Echo Plus , which features a 3-inch subwoofer and a .8-inch tweeter .
The result ?
A big improvement in the sound department with louder-than-expected output .
The Plus also has a ton of great features , like an onboard temperature sensor that allows you to check your room ’ s current status .
Currently , Prime members can snag a refurbished one for $ 59.99 , which is a whopping $ 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Echo Plus 2nd Generation , Refurbished for $ 59.99 ( Save $ 60 ) 5 .
Less than $ 20 : This super popular wine opener Whether you ’ re shopping for a gift for the wine lover in your life or you ’ re simply sick and tired of fighting with your Cabernet cork , this Oster cordless electric wine opener , which falls from $ 19.99 to $ 17.79 , is the Prime Day deal for you .
With claims to open your vino in seconds and a foil cutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nice glass of red or white has never been easier , according to its more than 16,300 reviews .
Customers say this device is simple to use and works like a charm—as long as you follow the instructions .
Wrote one happy buyer : “ Best $ 17 I ever spent … after I read the manual !
” It comes with a recharging base and works on up to 30 bottles on a single charge .
Get the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Opener for $ 17.79 ( Save $ 2 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our weekly newsletter .
It ’ s free and you can unsubscribe at any time .
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 .

The 5 best early Prime Day deals you can get this weekend
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Amazon’s long-awaited Prime Day will be here before you know it (it’s October 13 and October 14 if you haven't already set your alarms) but if you’re anything like us, and the anticipation is proving too much to bear, we’re going to let you in a little secret: You don’t have to wait for the big day to arrive. The mega-retailer has already released a slew of amazing deals ahead of schedule, and we’ve sorted through them all to bring you the best of the best.
From a pair of true wireless earbuds that's sure to knock your socks off to a slow cooker that will make holiday cooking a breeze, these are the best early Prime Day deals you can shop this weekend.
1. Up to 25% off: A pair of true wireless earbuds with a ton of value
Apple’s AirPods Pro may be the best wireless earbuds on the market, but if you’re looking for a great value pair, you can’t go wrong with the Jabra Elite 65t, regularly $119.99 and on sale from $90.10. We named the 65t's successor, the Jabra Elite Active 65t (also on sale for $119.95) as the best bang for your buck on the market because they cranked out mostly distortion-free sound with plenty of oomph for the low end, just as the 65ts do. The difference? The Actives are better equipped to handle the elements for those who want to use them for sweaty running sessions or happen to get caught in a downpour.
Get the Jabra Elite 65t Earbuds from $90.10 (Save $20 to $29.89)
Get the Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds for $119.99 (Save $20)
2. More than $50 off: This top-notch slow cooker
The season for hearty stews, chilis and soups is upon us, and to take full advantage of it, you’re going to need a great slow cooker on hand. Calphalon’s digital sauté slow cooker, which has fallen from $149.99 to $95.99 for Prime Day, is just the ticket for all three. While it’s not ideal for lasagna or baked goods due to its super deep bowl design, it was great for soups and stews, with a dial-and-lever system to control the time and functions that we deemed “a dream come true.” A few other added bonuses? Its nonstick inner pot, which proved to be a breeze to lift, its easy-to-use functionality and the programmable 15-minute increment feature that allows for more precise cooking.
Get the Calphalon Digital Sauté Slow Cooker for $95.99 (Save $54)
3. Save $50: An upgraded version of a great Ecovacs robot vacuum
This early Prime deal on the Ecovacs Deebot N79S will save you a whopping $50 as it drops from $249.99 to $199.99 ahead of the big day. We haven’t yet tried this specific model, but we dubbed the downgraded Deebot N79 model ($248) as being totally worth the spend for its changeable cleaning patterns, scheduling capabilities and impressive dirt pickup of more than 11 grams. It also rarely got stuck in our tests, making it an awesome value for the money. This upgraded version, which has more than 12,000 reviews from Amazon shoppers, features a “max suction” mode that reportedly increases pickup power by 50%. Additionally, the N79S is compatible with Alexa for voice commands.
Get the Ecovacs Deebot N79S for $199.99 (Save $50)
4. Half off: This upgraded smart speaker with new-and-improved sound
Echo smart speakers have historically been great when it comes to voice assistants, but the sound quality hasn’t always been top-notch. In an effort to improve the listener experience, Amazon introduced the upgraded Echo Plus, which features a 3-inch subwoofer and a .8-inch tweeter. The result? A big improvement in the sound department with louder-than-expected output. The Plus also has a ton of great features, like an onboard temperature sensor that allows you to check your room’s current status. Currently, Prime members can snag a refurbished one for $59.99, which is a whopping $60 off its usual $119.99.
Get the Echo Plus 2nd Generation, Refurbished for $59.99 (Save $60)
5. Less than $20: This super popular wine opener
Whether you’re shopping for a gift for the wine lover in your life or you’re simply sick and tired of fighting with your Cabernet cork, this Oster cordless electric wine opener, which falls from $19.99 to $17.79, is the Prime Day deal for you. With claims to open your vino in seconds and a foil cutter to help remove seals, pouring yourself a nice glass of red or white has never been easier, according to its more than 16,300 reviews. Customers say this device is simple to use and works like a charm—as long as you follow the instructions. Wrote one happy buyer: “Best $17 I ever spent … after I read the manual!” It comes with a recharging base and works on up to 30 bottles on a single charge.
Get the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Opener for $17.79 (Save $2)
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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.


usatoday--2020-10-11--Trump's doctor says he's no longer a risk for transmitting COVID-19 to others

President Donald Trump ’ s physician said he is “ no longer considered a transmission risk to others ” on day 10 since the start of president ’ s bout with COVID-19 .
In a memo released by the White House on Saturday night , Dr. Sean Conley added on to his previous assessment that Trump met the criteria to stop isolation .
The memo did not address whether Trump has tested negative for the virus .
`` Now at day 10 from symptom onset , fever-free for well over 24 hours and all symptoms improved , the assortment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer evidence of actively replicating virus , '' Conley said .
The memo comes after Trump held his first public event at the White House Saturday since he tested positive Oct. 1 .
On Thursday , Conley said that Trump would be cleared to be around others again beginning Saturday and that he had completed his course of therapy for COVID-19 `` as prescribed by his team of physicians . ''
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines say someone who tested positive should remain isolated until 10 days have passed since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moving forward , I will continue to monitor him clinically as he returns to an active schedule , '' Conley said in the Saturday memo .
Trump was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center over the previous weekend after his diagnosis , where he received supplemental oxygen and had a `` high fever '' before returning to the White House last Monday .
The president is scheduled to resume campaign rallies starting Monday , when he will be in Sanford , Fla .
He also has events planned for Johnstown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moines , Iowa , on Wednesday .
2020 election live updates : Biden hopes Trump makes sure he 's COVID 'clear ' before events ; Christie out of hospital '' I 'm feeling great , I do n't know about you , '' Trump said in his Saturday address to hundreds of supporters at the White House .
The event occurred a day after Trump said he was `` medication-free '' in an interview with Fox News .
He added that he did n't know the results of his most recent coronavirus test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
White House officials and Trump 's physician have refused to say when he last tested negative before his positive test last week .
Since Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 , an array of White House officials and top Republicans have also tested positive , several who were in attendance at a Sept. 26 Rose Garden announcement of Trump 's Supreme Court pick .
That gathering has since been deemed a `` superspreader '' event .
A USA TODAY investigation found that individuals who tested positive in the president 's orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
At least 6,000 people attended meetings , rallies and other gatherings with people tied to the outbreak in the White House in the week leading up to the Rose Garden event .
The Minnesota Health Department on Friday also said that nine people who reported attending president 's rally in Bemidji , Minn. last month are now positive for the virus , with one in intensive care .

Trump's doctor, without addressing past tests, says president no longer a risk for transmitting COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump delivers remarks to the public at White House US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he was "feeling great" as he made his first public appearance since returning to the White House after being treated for the coronavirus. (Oct. 10) AP
President Donald Trump’s physician said he is “no longer considered a transmission risk to others” on day 10 since the start of the president’s bout with COVID-19.
In a memo released by the White House on Saturday night, Dr. Sean Conley added on to his previous assessment that Trump met the criteria to stop isolation. The memo did not address whether Trump has tested negative for the virus.
"Now at day 10 from symptom onset, fever-free for well over 24 hours and all symptoms improved, the assortment of advanced diagnostic tests obtained reveal there is no longer evidence of actively replicating virus," Conley said.
The memo comes after Trump on Saturday held his first public event at the White House since he tested positive Oct. 1.
On Thursday, Conley said that Trump would be cleared to be around others again beginning Saturday and that he had completed his course of therapy for COVID-19 "as prescribed by his team of physicians."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines say someone who tested positive should remain isolated until 10 days have passed since the onset of their symptoms.
"Moving forward, I will continue to monitor him clinically as he returns to an active schedule," Conley said in the Saturday memo.
Trump was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center over the previous weekend after his diagnosis, where he received supplemental oxygen and had a "high fever" before returning to the White House last Monday.
The president is scheduled to resume campaign rallies starting Monday, when he will be in Sanford, Florida. He also has events planned for Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday and in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday.
2020 election live updates: Biden hopes Trump makes sure he's COVID 'clear' before events; Christie out of hospital
Was Trump ever on oxygen?: Health, security experts say America needs 'total honesty' on president's condition
"I'm feeling great, I don't know about you," Trump said in his Saturday address to hundreds of supporters at the White House.
The event occurred a day after Trump said he was "medication-free" in an interview with Fox News. He added that he didn't know the results of his most recent coronavirus test, which he said was administered earlier on Friday.
White House officials and Trump's physician have refused to say when he last tested negative before his positive test last week.
Since Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19, an array of White House officials and top Republicans have also tested positive, several who were in attendance at a Sept. 26 Rose Garden announcement of Trump's Supreme Court pick. That gathering has since been deemed a "superspreader" event.
A USA TODAY investigation found that individuals who tested positive in the president's orbit may have exposed thousands of people across the country. At least 6,000 people attended meetings, rallies and other gatherings with people tied to the outbreak in the White House in the week leading up to the Rose Garden event.
Related: A visual guide to President Donald Trump's COVID-19 treatment
The Minnesota Health Department on Friday also said that nine people who reported attending the president's rally in Bemidji, Minnesota, last month later tested positive for the virus, with one in intensive care. Two other cases had been linked to a counterprotest nearby, the department said.
Contributing: Rebecca Morin, Courtney Subramanian


usatoday--2020-10-10--2020 election live updates: Biden hopes Trump makes sure he's COVID 'clear' before events; Christie

Former Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday President Donald Trump should make sure he is `` clear '' of COVID-19 , as the president resumes holding rallies and public events after testing positive for the virus .
Trump held his first public event Saturday at the White House since announcing he tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday .
Beginning Monday , the president will also resume holding campaign rallies .
He will be in Sanford , Florida , on Monday , Johnstown , Pennsylvania , on Tuesday and in Des Moines , Iowa , on Wednesday .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure of two things .
One , that he is clear , '' of COVID-19 , Biden told reporters while boarding a plane at New Castle Airport in Delaware ahead of a campaign event .
`` Secondly , I think it ’ s important that he make it clear to all the people that they should be socially distanced . ''
Biden , who will be speaking in Erie , Pennsylvania , Saturday evening , warned that Trump 's Saturday event should not be like what Anthony Fauci , director of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called `` the superspreader event he had for the Supreme Court announcement . ''
The former vice president noted he had been tested that morning for COVID-19 and said , `` I ’ m clear . ''
The White House has repeatedly declined to say when Trump last tested negative for COVID-19 prior to his positive test result last week .
B • Trump to hold event : President Donald Trump is planning to hold a campaign event at the White House on Saturday , a person with knowledge of the event told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first public campaign event since testing positive with COVID-10 .
• 25th Amendment : House Democrats unveiled legislation Friday to establish rules for presidential succession , citing President Donald Trump 's recent COVID-19 diagnosis and the outbreak among top administration officials .
• No more debate : The Commission on Presidential Debates on Friday canceled next week 's second presidential debate planned for Miami , one day after President Donald Trump refused to take part when it was moved to a virtual format .
📆 24 days until Election Day , 102 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 .
🗳 Voting : See USA TODAY 's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote , when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues .
We will update this article throughout the day .
You can follow all of USA TODAY 's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter .
In his first public event since testing positive for COVID-19 over a week ago , President Donald Trump sought to fire up Black and Latino supporters at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his administration 's support for law enforcement .
`` I 'm feeling great , I do n't know about you , '' Trump said in a nearly 20-minute speech while standing on the Blue Room balcony overlooking the South Lawn .
The event was billed as a `` peaceful protest for law and order . ''
In order to protect the lives of Black Americans and all Americans , `` you have to have your police support you , '' Trump said .
`` Every day more Black and Latino Americans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideology , '' he said .
Hundreds of people attended the event even as the White House continues to deal with an outbreak of the coronavirus that has infected several of the president 's personal aides .
The White House has repeatedly declined to say when Trump last tested negative for COVID-19 prior to his positive test result last Thursday that resulted in a three-night stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Christie released from hospital a week after testing positive with COVID-19 Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the hospital Saturday , one week after testing positive for COVID-19 .
`` I am happy to let you know that this morning I was released from Morristown Medical Center , '' he wrote in a tweet .
`` I want to thank the extraordinary doctors & nurses who cared for me for the last week .
Thanks to my family & friends for their prayers .
I will have more to say about all of this next week . ''
Christie checked into Morristown Medical Center shortly after he announced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus on Oct. 3 .
The former governor said he was checking himself into the hospital `` as a precautionary measure '' recommended by his doctors .
He was treated with the experimental anti-viral drug remdesivir , the same drug taken by President Donald Trump last week after he was hospitalized with the coronavirus .
Christie , 58 , had been with Trump helping him prepare for the first presidential debate against Democratic challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden just days before Trump announced he tested positive for COVID-19 .
Christie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' during the sessions .
A federal judge issued an order Friday night barring enforcement of Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s Oct. 1 proclamation that limited counties to one mail-in ballot drop-off location .
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman said Abbott ’ s order placed an unacceptable burden on the voting rights of elderly and disabled Texans , who are most likely to request a mail-in ballot and to hand-deliver those ballots early to ensure that they are counted .
These voters are also particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 , the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to risk infection with a deadly disease to return their ballots in person or disenfranchisement if the ( Postal Service ) is unable to deliver their ballots in time , the October 1 Order imposes a burden on an already vulnerable voting population , '' Pitman wrote .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , whose office defended Abbott ’ s order , is likely to appeal the ruling .
Nearly 50,000 voters in Franklin County , Ohio , got the wrong absentee ballots in the mail , county elections officials said Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sent to the post office within three days , the officials said .
`` We want to make it clear that every voter who received an inaccurate ballot will receive a corrected ballot , '' the board said in a news release .
President Donald Trump was quick to respond to the error Friday afternoon , tweeting : `` Breaking News : 50,000 OHIO VOTERS getting WRONG ABSENTEE BALLOTS .
Out of control .
A Rigged Election !
!
! ''
The county elections board responded on Twitter : `` Mr. President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but a serious mistake that we ’ re working hard to make right .
Our board is bipartisan and our elections are fair .
And every vote will be counted . ''
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told the Columbus Dispatch in a statement that : `` The Franklin County Board of Elections made a serious mistake and they ’ ve been working hard to correct it .
At the same time , it ’ s so important to remember that Ohio has bipartisan boards of elections for a reason — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no party has sway over the other . ''

2020 election live updates: Biden hopes Trump makes sure he's COVID 'clear' before events; Christie out of hospital
Show Caption Hide Caption Will Donald Trump participate in any more debates? – States of America Phillip Bailey and guests discuss the presidential debates and what we learned from the VP debate, including thoughts from the moderator, Susan Page. States of America, USA TODAY
Former Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday President Donald Trump should make sure he is "clear" of COVID-19, as the president resumes holding rallies and public events after testing positive for the virus.
Trump held his first public event Saturday at the White House since announcing he tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday. Beginning Monday, the president will also resume holding campaign rallies. He will be in Sanford, Florida, on Monday, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday and in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday.
"I think it’s important the president makes sure of two things. One, that he is clear," of COVID-19, Biden told reporters while boarding a plane at New Castle Airport in Delaware ahead of a campaign event. "Secondly, I think it’s important that he make it clear to all the people that they should be socially distanced."
Biden, who will be speaking in Erie, Pennsylvania, Saturday evening, warned that Trump's Saturday event should not be like what Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, called "the superspreader event he had for the Supreme Court announcement."
The former vice president noted he had been tested that morning for COVID-19 and said, "I’m clear."
The White House has repeatedly declined to say when Trump last tested negative for COVID-19 prior to his positive test result last week. B
— Rebecca Morin
☕ The latest:
Trump to hold event: President Donald Trump is planning to hold a campaign event at the White House on Saturday, a person with knowledge of the event told USA TODAY. It will be his first public campaign event since testing positive with COVID-10.
President Donald Trump is planning to hold a campaign event at the White House on Saturday, a person with knowledge of the event told USA TODAY. It will be his first public campaign event since testing positive with COVID-10. 25th Amendment: House Democrats unveiled legislation Friday to establish rules for presidential succession, citing President Donald Trump's recent COVID-19 diagnosis and the outbreak among top administration officials.
House Democrats unveiled legislation Friday to establish rules for presidential succession, citing President Donald Trump's recent COVID-19 diagnosis and the outbreak among top administration officials. No more debate: The Commission on Presidential Debates on Friday canceled next week's second presidential debate planned for Miami, one day after President Donald Trump refused to take part when it was moved to a virtual format.
📆 24 days until Election Day, 102 days until Inauguration Day, 84 days left in 2020.
🗳 Voting: See USA TODAY's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote, when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues.
We will update this article throughout the day. You can follow all of USA TODAY's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter.
Trump tells crowd at White House he's 'feeling great'
In his first public event since testing positive for COVID-19 over a week ago, President Donald Trump sought to fire up Black and Latino supporters at the White House Saturday in a campaign-style rally that focused on his administration's support for law enforcement.
"I'm feeling great, I don't know about you," Trump said in a nearly 20-minute speech while standing on the Blue Room balcony overlooking the South Lawn. The event was billed as a "peaceful protest for law and order."
In order to protect the lives of Black Americans and all Americans, "you have to have your police support you," Trump said.
"Every day more Black and Latino Americans are leaving behind left-wing politicians and their failed ideology," he said.
Hundreds of people attended the event even as the White House continues to deal with an outbreak of the coronavirus that has infected several of the president's personal aides. The White House has repeatedly declined to say when Trump last tested negative for COVID-19 prior to his positive test result last Thursday that resulted in a three-night stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
— Courtney Subramanian
Christie released from hospital a week after testing positive with COVID-19
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a close Trump ally, was released from the hospital Saturday, one week after testing positive for COVID-19.
"I am happy to let you know that this morning I was released from Morristown Medical Center," he wrote in a tweet. "I want to thank the extraordinary doctors & nurses who cared for me for the last week. Thanks to my family & friends for their prayers. I will have more to say about all of this next week."
Christie checked into Morristown Medical Center shortly after he announced in a tweet that he tested positive for the virus on Oct. 3. The former governor said he was checking himself into the hospital "as a precautionary measure" recommended by his doctors.
He was treated with the experimental anti-viral drug remdesivir, the same drug taken by President Donald Trump last week after he was hospitalized with the coronavirus.
Christie, 58, had been with Trump helping him prepare for the first presidential debate against Democratic challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden just days before Trump announced he tested positive for COVID-19. Christie said "no one was wearing masks" during the sessions.
— Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY and Dustin Racioppi, Trenton Bureau
Judge blocks Texas governor's move to limit ballot drop-off spots
A federal judge issued an order Friday night barring enforcement of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Oct. 1 proclamation that limited counties to one mail-in ballot drop-off location.
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman said Abbott’s order placed an unacceptable burden on the voting rights of elderly and disabled Texans, who are most likely to request a mail-in ballot and to hand-deliver those ballots early to ensure that they are counted.
These voters are also particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, the judge said.
"By forcing absentee voters to risk infection with a deadly disease to return their ballots in person or disenfranchisement if the (Postal Service) is unable to deliver their ballots in time, the October 1 Order imposes a burden on an already vulnerable voting population," Pitman wrote.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office defended Abbott’s order, is likely to appeal the ruling.
— Chuck Lindell, Austin American-Statesman
Ohio officials push back at Trump on 50K botched ballot mailings
Nearly 50,000 voters in Franklin County, Ohio, got the wrong absentee ballots in the mail, county elections officials said Friday.
Replacement ballots for the 49,669 voters will be sent to the post office within three days, the officials said.
"We want to make it clear that every voter who received an inaccurate ballot will receive a corrected ballot," the board said in a news release.
President Donald Trump was quick to respond to the error Friday afternoon, tweeting: "Breaking News: 50,000 OHIO VOTERS getting WRONG ABSENTEE BALLOTS. Out of control. A Rigged Election!!!"
The county elections board responded on Twitter: "Mr. President, it certainly was a serious mistake, but a serious mistake that we’re working hard to make right. Our board is bipartisan and our elections are fair. And every vote will be counted."
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told the Columbus Dispatch in a statement that: "The Franklin County Board of Elections made a serious mistake and they’ve been working hard to correct it. At the same time, it’s so important to remember that Ohio has bipartisan boards of elections for a reason — to ensure our elections are fair and no party has sway over the other."
— Darrel Rowland (The Columbus Dispatch)


usatoday--2020-10-10--Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie out of hospital after coronavirus diagnosis

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie out of hospital after coronavirus diagnosis The former New Jersey governor tweeted that he @ @ @ @ @ his weeklong stay .

Former NJ Governor Chris Christie leaves hospital after COVID diagnosis
The former New Jersey governor tweeted that he was leaving the hospital after his weeklong stay.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-10-10--Ohio county officials shoot down Trump claim of 'rigged election' after wrong ballots sent to 50K vo

Nearly 50,000 voters in Franklin County , Ohio , got the wrong absentee ballots in the mail , county elections officials said Friday .
They promised to get replacement ballots for those 49,669 voters to the post office within three days .
`` We want to make it clear that every voter who received an inaccurate ballot will receive a corrected ballot , '' the board said in a news release .
President Donald Trump saw something nefarious in what local officials say was an inadvertent error , tweeting : `` Breaking News : 50,000 OHIO VOTERS getting WRONG ABSENTEE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rigged Election !
!
! ''
Asked to comment , Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose had this response : `` The Franklin County Board of Elections made a serious mistake and they ’ ve been working hard to correct it .
At the same time , it ’ s so important to remember that Ohio has bipartisan boards of elections for a reason — to ensure our elections are fair and no party has sway over the other .
`` Protections are in place to ensure only one ballot is counted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Franklin County Board will be transparent in explaining those processes .
The bottom line is this : Ohioans can be assured – we will have a safe , secure , and accurate election . ''
The county elections board responded on Twitter : `` Mr. President , it certainly was a serious mistake , but a serious mistake that we ’ re working hard to make right .
Our board is bipartisan and our elections are fair .
And every vote will be counted . ''
Under Ohio law , elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two Republicans , and the elections director must be from the opposite party as the deputy director .
The president did not mention that the large majority of Franklin County absentee ballots is going out to registered Democrats , who requested far more of the early ballots than did Republicans .
More than one out of every five absentee ballots mailed out in the country was wrong .
And the county narrowly averted having to mail thousands more replacement ballots .
Just over 16,000 ballots were ready Monday at board offices for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the post office .
Those were thrown out and replacements printed once the initial errors were discovered .
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose 's office has directed the board to provide a letter explaining the error along with the replacement ballots .
The elections board said it is sending a postcard to all those affected .
A list of voters who got the wrong ballots will be posted at the Franklin County Board of Elections website .
The board 's mailing also will include new identification envelopes , sometimes called secrecy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot into those smaller envelopes before putting them both into the larger mail envelope to send to the elections board .
The identification envelopes are important .
They contain a bar code that uniquely identifies a voter so they ca n't cast more than one ballot .
That means a ballot without the identification envelope ( so-called `` naked ballots '' ) will not be counted .
“ No vote will be counted twice .
Every voter will receive an accurate ballot , and that ballot will be counted , '' county Elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mess stems from a still-unidentified person who changed the setting on a device that stuffs absentee ballots into mailing envelopes .
The mistake , which happened at 2:24 p.m. Saturday , is regarded as inadvertent .
“ While this process has taken longer than we ’ d like , we aren ’ t just determining a number .
We ’ re determining and identifying each impacted voter , '' Leonard said during a news conference Thursday .
The board has been working with its software vendor , Connecticut-based BlueCrest , to determine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were affected .
Franklin County already has sent 237,498 absentee ballots to voters who requested them in the first wave of what will be a record turnout of voters planning to cast their ballots by mail .
Extra controls have been placed on the system to ensure that the feature is not disabled again .
The system includes an `` end-to-end audit trail , '' according to a brochure .
Meanwhile , new figures show that the crush of early in-person voting has not slowed in Franklin County .
On all three days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day , for a total of more than 10,000 in-person ballots cast through Thursday .
That 's about 45 % more than after the initial three days of early voting in 2016 Registered Democrats are maintaining a huge lead over Republicans , casting almost nine times more in-person ballots to date : 6,341 to 725 .

Ohio county officials shoot down Trump claim of 'rigged election' after wrong ballots sent to 50K voters
Nearly 50,000 voters in Franklin County, Ohio, got the wrong absentee ballots in the mail, county elections officials said Friday.
They promised to get replacement ballots for those 49,669 voters to the post office within three days.
"We want to make it clear that every voter who received an inaccurate ballot will receive a corrected ballot," the board said in a news release.
President Donald Trump saw something nefarious in what local officials say was an inadvertent error, tweeting: "Breaking News: 50,000 OHIO VOTERS getting WRONG ABSENTEE BALLOTS. Out of control. A Rigged Election!!!"
Breaking News: 50,000 OHIO VOTERS getting WRONG ABSENTEE BALLOTS. Out of control. A Rigged Election!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
Asked to comment, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose had this response: "The Franklin County Board of Elections made a serious mistake and they’ve been working hard to correct it. At the same time, it’s so important to remember that Ohio has bipartisan boards of elections for a reason — to ensure our elections are fair and no party has sway over the other.
"Protections are in place to ensure only one ballot is counted for each voter. I’m confident that the Franklin County Board will be transparent in explaining those processes. The bottom line is this: Ohioans can be assured – we will have a safe, secure, and accurate election."
The county elections board responded on Twitter: "Mr. President, it certainly was a serious mistake, but a serious mistake that we’re working hard to make right. Our board is bipartisan and our elections are fair. And every vote will be counted."
Under Ohio law, elections board are made up of two Democrats and two Republicans, and the elections director must be from the opposite party as the deputy director. The president did not mention that the large majority of Franklin County absentee ballots is going out to registered Democrats, who requested far more of the early ballots than did Republicans.
More: Ohio Democrats dominating absentee ballot requests, possibly creating election night angst
More than one out of every five absentee ballots mailed out in the country was wrong.
And the county narrowly averted having to mail thousands more replacement ballots. Just over 16,000 ballots were ready Monday at board offices for delivery but had not yet been taken to the post office. Those were thrown out and replacements printed once the initial errors were discovered.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office has directed the board to provide a letter explaining the error along with the replacement ballots. The elections board said it is sending a postcard to all those affected.
A list of voters who got the wrong ballots will be posted at the Franklin County Board of Elections website.
The board's mailing also will include new identification envelopes, sometimes called secrecy envelopes. Voters must put their completed ballot into those smaller envelopes before putting them both into the larger mail envelope to send to the elections board.
The identification envelopes are important. They contain a bar code that uniquely identifies a voter so they can't cast more than one ballot. That means a ballot without the identification envelope (so-called "naked ballots") will not be counted.
“No vote will be counted twice. Every voter will receive an accurate ballot, and that ballot will be counted," county Elections Director Ed Leonard said earlier.
The mess stems from a still-unidentified person who changed the setting on a device that stuffs absentee ballots into mailing envelopes. The mistake, which happened at 2:24 p.m. Saturday, is regarded as inadvertent.
Video: Wrong ballots mailed in Franklin Count After wrong ballots were mailed to Franklin County residents, elections director Ed Leonard explains what happened. Doral Chenoweth, The Columbus Dispatch
“While this process has taken longer than we’d like, we aren’t just determining a number. We’re determining and identifying each impacted voter," Leonard said during a news conference Thursday.
The board has been working with its software vendor, Connecticut-based BlueCrest, to determine the scope of the problem and which ballots were affected.
Franklin County already has sent 237,498 absentee ballots to voters who requested them in the first wave of what will be a record turnout of voters planning to cast their ballots by mail.
Extra controls have been placed on the system to ensure that the feature is not disabled again. The system includes an "end-to-end audit trail," according to a brochure.
Meanwhile, new figures show that the crush of early in-person voting has not slowed in Franklin County.
On all three days so far, turnout has topped 3,300 every day, for a total of more than 10,000 in-person ballots cast through Thursday.
That's about 45% more than after the initial three days of early voting in 2016
Registered Democrats are maintaining a huge lead over Republicans, casting almost nine times more in-person ballots to date: 6,341 to 725.
Follow Darrel Rowland on Twitter @darreldrowland


usatoday--2020-10-11--No more snow days after COVID? These schools used online learning to cancel them.

Years before the coronavirus hit , two rural school districts started developing plans to put learning online .
They were ready for a snowstorm and instead found themselves prepared for a pandemic .
For the Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools in northeast Nebraska , the move online took four years , gradually incorporating online software into daily lesson plans to use during inclement weather or in place of hiring substitutes when a teacher was absent .
The district used digital learning to abolish snow days — a trend that has spread to New York City and could work its way across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a way no one could have anticipated .
On March 11 , following a possible widespread COVID-19 exposure at a girls ’ state basketball game , staff had about an hour to get roughly 285 students out the door with tablets in hand .
Are high school sports safe ?
The new battleground of COVID-19 school reopenings Last winter , after five years of work , officials in the Bermudian Springs School District in south-central Pennsylvania also launched a program for students to learn online a few days a year , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 13 , when districts across the state closed because of the virus , school officials found themselves relying on the program to educate 1,960 students full-time .
Great swaths of rural America had little way to transition students to online learning when schools closed from the coronavirus .
About half of Americans — 163 million people — lack access to high-speed internet , a 2018 Microsoft study found .
But these districts had already put learning online and had handed out devices for hundreds of students .
As school restarted this fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with delayed start dates , confusing digital programs and students switching back and forth between in-person and online courses .
For many rural schools , online learning was again not an option .
Not so at Bancroft-Rosalie and Bermudian Springs .
Officials from both districts said school started more smoothly because staff and students knew what to expect and issues with connectivity and devices already had been addressed .
Bermudian Springs , which reopened with a hybrid schedule using both in-person and online classes , changed its start date twice to help get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give teachers a week for training , collaborating and loading lessons into the online systems .
Bancroft-Rosalie let students choose an in-person or online education .
Parent Amy Leatherman can see the growth Bermudian Springs has gone through since last spring .
She ’ s a teacher in another district that didn ’ t have an online learning plan before the pandemic .
This spring , she said , “ I was thankful for my own family and my own kids that I knew kind of what the setup was going to be.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ community that includes portions of the Omaha Reservation , had been using e-learning days since November 2016 .
The new system helped staff incorporate technology into their classes and got students using online systems for lessons and other school-related information .
Each student was also issued an iPad .
Before the pandemic , e-learning would only be one or two days at a time .
The assignments were given with the expectation students would meet with teachers face-to-face once school was back in session .
“ We have a large media center that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when a teacher is gone , the students have e-learning assignments in the media center , ” Bancroft-Rosalie Superintendent Jon Cerny said in an email .
Since students could work online , snow days at Bancroft-Rosalie were already a thing of the past when the pandemic struck .
Now other districts , including New York City schools , have canceled snow days or are looking into doing away with them because of the prevalence of online schooling .
In New York ’ s case , leaders said abolishing snow days will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days as possible .
“ When we first started doing it , people were n't interested in having remote learning during snow days .
They thought that was a day kids should have off .
People are going to rethink how you can use remote learning now in schools , ” Cerny said .
After using the system full-time this spring , Bancroft-Rosalie quickly learned what does and does not work .
The school originally hadn ’ t tried to teach new concepts to young students after learning went online .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction to grades K-3 by placing students in small groups and teaching through video conferencing , ” Cerny said .
This year , one elementary teacher is assigned to work with elementary students who opted to attend school online , Cerny said .
Middle and high school teachers are teaching students both online and in person .
If enough teachers end up in COVID-19 quarantine , Cerny said , the back-up plan is to move several classes into the gym , spread students out and let them take part in digital and in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers retiring en masse during COVID-19 may have been overblown In Bermudian Springs , a district among thousands of acres of apple , cherry and peach orchards , the online learning program was still in fledgling stages as the pandemic began .
The school had been updating Wi-Fi , training teachers and purchasing iPads since 2015 .
Last fall , Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss applied for the district to be allowed to use “ Flexible Instructional Days.
” Under Pennsylvania rules , a school can use class time outside of school for up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction .
The first flexible instruction day took place Feb. 14 , to make up a January snow day .
By the next month , the district ’ s learning was totally remote .
Fifth through 12th grade students were sent home with iPads , and the district later issued an additional 150 devices to younger students .
Even with the test run in February , families had to adjust to a new way of learning .
Leatherman ’ s worries included one of her daughters ’ algebra struggles and the internet “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area using it .
As the district began its transition to online , teachers began calling to check on internet connectivity , device availability and kids ’ well-being , she said .
“ It 's not just about schoolwork , ” Leatherman said .
Still , the pandemic altered parts of the program , including how online class attendance was counted , Hotchkiss said .
Originally , attendance was supposed to be based on whether a student finished a certain percentage of homework .
This changed as staff realized each family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started looking at whether students were logging into the online systems and interacting with the classes .
They reached out to students who hadn ’ t logged in for a while .
Parents guide to online school:9 questions to help vet your school 's program Leatherman felt staff were making the best decisions for students , but she still worried her children were not learning as much as before .
She also worried about their emotional well-being during social distancing .
“ Our family only has the stressors of learning from home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to worry about our children ’ s academic and social well-being , ” Leatherman said in an email this spring .
“ Other families are working outside the home , have a job loss and food concerns , plus online learning for their children .
Some families are dealing with children with mental health issues and loss of services for them .
The thought of schools not returning next school year frightens me.
” Despite that fear , Leatherman and her husband decided to send their children back to school this fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into two groups , and students attend school on a Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday schedule , plus alternating Fridays .
Students have online lessons to complete for the days they ’ re not in school .
“ We have three kids that learn best at school and want to be around peers .
We felt like from an emotional standpoint , they need to be around some friends some days , ” Leatherman said .
Even with years of preparation , once the school doors closed , Bancroft-Rosalie and Bermudian Springs had the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their students to the internet .
Inequitable access to the internet and broadband is widespread in many rural communities across the country .
In a 2019 study from the Pew Research Center , 6 in 10 rural adults reported they have high-speed internet at home .
Access differs based on a household ’ s income or education level , another Pew study showed .
“ Regardless of income , regardless of education , rural Americans were more likely to say this is a problem where they live , ” said Monica Anderson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research for Pew .
Bancroft-Rosalie had assistance with getting students online for the coming year .
Over the summer , schools on the Omaha and Santee Sioux reservations , plus the Nebraska Indian Community College , were able to access broadband through nearby towers .
The effort was part of a federal program to grant airwave use to tribal entities , especially in rural America .
The college purchased 4G LTE devices for each of the communities on the reservations to access broadband .
Bermudian Springs had to get more creative when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were sent out this spring , there were still about 110 kids who did not have the internet at home , Hotchkiss said .
“ It 's a small percentage , but that 's still a percentage of our kids that I worry about .
We just try to meet their needs in different ways , ” Hotchkiss said .
In the spring , the district extended its Wi-Fi to the parking lot , and a local internet company opened up a hotspot for families to use .
Borrowed newspaper stands placed outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick up homework packets .
Packets could either be mailed back in or dropped off .
From there the papers were quarantined for several days before being scanned and sent to teachers .
As the school closure continued , the district also came up with a plan to connect families and teachers to the internet at home , using grant money from the federal government and state .
The district also acquired 200 free hotspots from T-Mobile .
Bancroft-Rosalie is taking care of internet for a few families , too .
Last school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d purchasing 13 mobile hotspots for families using $ 1,485 from the district ’ s general fund , Cerny said .
At the time , the internet cost the district about $ 463.90 a month .
This fall , the district is only supporting two households .
The costs are `` a small price to pay really for being able to continue the education , '' Cerny said .
As the pandemic drags on , rural schools are realizing online learning and digital tools must be a part of education in the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
The “ hybrid ” models of in-person and online schooling that districts have rolled out during the pandemic could persist in some form , said Allen Pratt , executive director of the National Rural Education Association .
“ We do n't want to go backwards after this , meaning go back to just a true brick and mortar , ” Pratt said .
This reporting was supported by a Spencer Fellowship in Education Reporting at Columbia University ’ s Journalism School .
Follow Samantha Hernandez on Twitter : @ svhernandez

Samantha Hernandez, Special to USA TODAY

No more snow days after COVID-19? These schools used online learning to cancel them.
Show Caption Hide Caption What digital learning is like for students A high school junior shares a glimpse of what digital learning is like during the coronavirus pandemic. USA TODAY
Years before the coronavirus hit, two rural school districts developed plans to put learning online. They were ready for a snowstorm and instead found themselves prepared for a pandemic.
For the Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools in northeast Nebraska, the move online took four years, gradually incorporating software into daily lesson plans to use during inclement weather or in place of hiring substitutes when a teacher was absent. The district used digital learning to abolish snow days – a trend that has expanded to New York City and could work its way across the country.
Taking classes online full-time happened in a way no one could have anticipated. On March 11, after a possible widespread COVID-19 exposure at a girls’ state basketball game, staff had about an hour to get roughly 285 students out the door with tablets in hand.
Are high school sports safe? The new battleground of COVID-19 school reopenings
Last winter, after five years of work, officials in the Bermudian Springs School District in south-central Pennsylvania launched a program for students to learn online during snow days and teacher workdays. On March 13, when districts across the state closed because of the virus, school officials found themselves relying on the program to educate 1,960 students full-time.
Great swaths of rural America had little way to transition students to online learning when schools closed. About half of Americans – 163 million people – lack access to high-speed internet, a Microsoft study found in 2018. But these districts had already put learning online and handed out devices for hundreds of students.
As school restarted this fall, some districts struggled with delayed start dates, confusing digital programs and students switching back and forth between in-person and online courses. For many rural schools, online learning was again not an option.
Officials at Bancroft-Rosalie and Bermudian Springs said school started more smoothly because staff and students knew what to expect and issues with connectivity and devices had been addressed. Bermudian Springs, which reopened with a hybrid schedule using both in-person and online classes, changed its start date twice to help get ready for the school year and to give teachers a week for training, collaborating and loading lessons into the online systems. Bancroft-Rosalie let students choose an in-person or online education.
Parent Amy Leatherman can see the growth Bermudian Springs has gone through since last spring. She’s a teacher in another district that didn’t have an online learning plan before the pandemic.
This spring, she said, “I was thankful for my own family and my own kids that I knew kind of what the setup was going to be.”
Goodbye, snow days
Bancroft-Rosalie, in an agricultural community that includes portions of the Omaha Reservation, has used e-learning days since November 2016. The new system helped staff incorporate technology into their classes and got students using online systems for lessons and other school-related information. Each student was issued an iPad.
Before the pandemic, e-learning would only be one or two days at a time. The assignments were given with the expectation students would meet with teachers face-to-face once school was back in session.
“We have a large media center that can accommodate up to 60 students, and when a teacher is gone, the students have e-learning assignments in the media center,” Bancroft-Rosalie Superintendent Jon Cerny said in an email.
Since students could work online, snow days at Bancroft-Rosalie were already a thing of the past when the pandemic struck. Other districts, including New York City schools, have canceled snow days or are looking into doing away with them because of the prevalence of online schooling. New York leaders said abolishing snow days will help the district fit in as many instructional days as possible.
“When we first started doing it, people weren't interested in having remote learning during snow days. They thought that was a day kids should have off. People are going to rethink how you can use remote learning now in schools,” Cerny said.
After using the system full-time this spring, Bancroft-Rosalie learned what does and does not work. The school originally hadn’t tried to teach new concepts to young students after learning went online.
“In hindsight, we could have delivered new instruction to grades K-3 by placing students in small groups and teaching through videoconferencing,” Cerny said.
This year, one elementary teacher is assigned to work with students who opted to attend school online, Cerny said. Middle and high school teachers teach students both online and in person.
If too many teachers end up in COVID-19 quarantine, Cerny said, the backup plan is to move several classes into the gym, spread students out and let them take part in digital and in-person learning.
Mass exodus? Fears of teachers retiring en masse during COVID-19 may have been overblown
The real thing
In Bermudian Springs, a district among thousands of acres of apple, cherry and peach orchards, the online learning program was in fledgling stages as the pandemic began.
The school had been updating Wi-Fi, training teachers and purchasing iPads since 2015. Last fall, Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss applied for the district to be allowed to use “Flexible Instructional Days.” Under Pennsylvania rules, a school can use class time outside school for up to five of its 180 days of required instruction.
The first flexible instruction day took place Feb. 14 to make up a January snow day.
By the next month, the district’s learning was totally remote. Fifth through 12th grade students were sent home with iPads, and the district issued an additional 150 devices to younger students.
Families had to adjust to a new way of learning.
Leatherman’s worries included one of her daughters’ algebra struggles and the internet “dropping” because of so many people in the area using it.
As the district began its transition to online, teachers called to check on internet connectivity, device availability and kids’ well-being, she said.
“It's not just about schoolwork,” Leatherman said.
The pandemic altered parts of the program, including how online class attendance was counted, Hotchkiss said. Originally, attendance was supposed to be based on whether a student finished a certain percentage of homework.
This changed as staff realized each family’s situation is different. Teachers started looking at whether students were logging into the online systems and interacting with the classes. They reached out to students who hadn’t logged in for a while.
Parents guide to online school: 9 questions to help vet your school's program
Leatherman said staff made the best decisions for students, but she worried her children were not learning as much. She also worried about their emotional well-being during social distancing.
“Our family only has the stressors of learning from home and loss of social interaction. We only have to worry about our children’s academic and social well-being,” Leatherman said in an email this spring. “Other families are working outside the home, have a job loss and food concerns, plus online learning for their children. Some families are dealing with children with mental health issues and loss of services for them. The thought of schools not returning next school year frightens me.”
Despite that fear, Leatherman and her husband decided to send their children back to school this fall. Bermudian Springs students were separated into two groups, and students attend school on a Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday schedule, plus alternating Fridays. Students have online lessons to complete for the days they’re not in school.
“We have three kids that learn best at school and want to be around peers. We felt like from an emotional standpoint, they need to be around some friends some days,” Leatherman said.
Price of connection
Even after years of preparation, once the school doors closed, Bancroft-Rosalie and Bermudian Springs had the same issue: how to connect some of their students to the internet. Inequitable access to the internet and broadband is widespread in many rural communities.
In a study from the Pew Research Center last year, 6 in 10 rural adults reported they have high-speed internet at home. Access differs based on a household’s income or education level, another Pew study showed.
“Regardless of income, regardless of education, rural Americans were more likely to say this is a problem where they live,” said Monica Anderson, who leads internet and tech research for Pew.
Bancroft-Rosalie had assistance with getting students online for the coming year. Over the summer, schools on the Omaha and Santee Sioux reservations, plus the Nebraska Indian Community College, accessed broadband through nearby towers. The effort was part of a federal program to grant airwave use to tribal entities, especially in rural America. The college purchased 4G LTE devices for each of the communities on the reservations to access broadband.
After Bermudian Springs sent out devices this spring, there were still about 110 kids who did not have the internet at home, Hotchkiss said.
“It's a small percentage, but that's still a percentage of our kids that I worry about. We just try to meet their needs in different ways,” Hotchkiss said.
In the spring, the district extended its Wi-Fi to the parking lot, and an internet company opened up a hotspot for families to use. Borrowed newspaper stands placed outside the school gave families a spot to pick up homework packets. Packets could either be mailed back in or dropped off. The papers were quarantined for several days before being scanned and sent to teachers.
The district used grant money from the federal government and state to connect families and teachers to the internet at home. The district acquired 200 free hotspots from T-Mobile.
Last school year, the school board OK’d purchasing 13 mobile hotspots for families, using $1,485 from the Bancroft-Rosalie district’s general fund, Cerny said. The internet cost the district $463.90 a month. This fall, the district supports only two households.
The costs are "a small price to pay really for being able to continue the education," Cerny said.
Rural schools realize online learning and digital tools must be a part of education, even after COVID-19 is in the past. The “hybrid” models of in-person and online schooling could persist in some form, said Allen Pratt, executive director of the National Rural Education Association.
“We don't want to go backwards after this, meaning go back to just a true brick and mortar,” Pratt said.
This reporting was supported by a Spencer Fellowship in Education Reporting at Columbia University’s Journalism School.
Follow Samantha Hernandez on Twitter: @svhernandez