usatoday--2020-12-01--Trump sues Wisconsin governor, officials to try to reverse election results

MADISON – President Donald Trump sued Wisconsin officials Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to reclaim a state he lost by about 20,700 votes .
The Republican president filed his suit against Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers a day after the governor and the head of the state Elections Commission certified Joe Biden had won the state ’ s 10 Electoral College votes .
Trump has made little headway with lawsuits in other states and he faces an extraordinarily difficult path in Wisconsin .
Time is running short .
Under the federal `` safe harbor '' law , the results determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges to the outcome are resolved by Dec. 8 .
The Electoral College meets on Dec. 14 , and Congress is to count the electoral votes on Jan. 6 .
State law says challenges to election results are to be filed in circuit court , but Trump brought his lawsuit directly with the state Supreme Court , where conservatives hold a 4-3 majority .
The justices did not immediately say whether they would take the case .
Since the election last month , Trump has argued hundreds of thousands of ballots in Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases on technicalities .
For instance , he alleges the process election officials have used for more than a decade to conduct in-person early voting is illegal .
His challenges were rejected by the boards of canvassers in Milwaukee and Dane counties during a partial recount that wrapped up on Sunday .
But Trump is making those same arguments in his lawsuit .
The lawsuit challenges 221,323 absentee ballots cast in Dane and Milwaukee counties , alleging election officials broke the law by continuing the longstanding practice of early voting , allowing voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspection , allowed clerks to fill in missing information on ballots , and allowed poll workers to collect ballots in Madison parks .
The campaign is challenging : • 28,395 ballots cast by voters who claimed to be indefinitely confined • 17,271 ballots collected at `` Democracy in the Park '' events • 5,517 ballots for which clerks filled in missing information “ With Gov .
Evers ’ premature certification , he is saying the president of the United States has no right to go to court in order to have illegal ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney for the Trump campaign in Wisconsin , told Fox News in an interview .
“ He ’ s not saying we have a frivolous lawsuit — he is saying we have no right to judicial review — that ’ s another level of bad . ''
Democrats have not said Trump ca n't bring a lawsuit , as Troupis claimed .
Ann Jacobs , the Democratic chairwoman of the state Elections Commission , this week said Trump could n't file a lawsuit until the results were certified .
Troupis , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote along with hundreds of thousands of others , said he “ will not back down when it comes to upholding the law or protecting the integrity of our elections.
” Rudy Giuliani , Trump 's personal attorney , claimed the lawsuit seeks to restore trust voters have in the electoral process in Wisconsin .
`` As we have said from the very beginning of this process , we want all legal votes and only legal votes to be counted , '' Giuliani said .
Separately , Trump 's allies last week brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican-controlled Legislature , rather than voters , decide how to cast Wisconsin 's electoral votes .
Like Trump 's lawsuit , those cases were filed with the state Supreme Court , but the justices have not said whether they will take them up .
With his wide-ranging challenges , Trump has called into question an election system built by Republicans over eight years when they controlled all of state government .
He has concentrated his challenges on liberal parts of the state , but has also sought to throw out ballots cast by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote early in person if they submit an application for a ballot and certify that they are the one who filled it out .
For more than a decade , election officials have allowed voters to fill out a ballot in person , place it in an envelope and sign a form on the envelope that counts as both the application and the certificate .
Trump has argued that process is flawed , saying a separate application must be filed first .
During the partial recount , he unsuccessfully sought to throw out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , but not conservative counties .
To be valid , absentee ballots in Wisconsin must come in an envelope that is signed by the voter and a witness and include the witness ’ address .
In cases where witnesses don ’ t provide their addresses , clerks have been allowed to fill the addresses in if they know that information from talking to the voter , talking to the witness or looking at voter rolls , tax databases or other information .
That policy was set four years ago under guidance pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , including Stephen King , who Trump later named as the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic .
Trump didn ’ t dispute the state ’ s witness policy when he narrowly won Wisconsin in 2016 , but he now says it is illegal .
He argues only the voter or witness can write in the address .
Most voters must provide a photo ID to get an absentee ballot , but those who identify themselves as indefinitely confined because of age or disability do not .
This spring , Dane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clerk George Christenson suggested voters could label themselves as indefinitely confined if they were staying at home because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The state Republican Party sued and the state Supreme Court found the advice was faulty .
The clerks rescinded their advice and pointed voters to guidance from the Elections Commission that noted it ’ s up to voters to determine for themselves whether they are indefinitely confined .
About 215,000 voters statewide called themselves indefinitely confined for the Nov. 3 election — up from 72,000 in a lower-turnout election for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News reported the lawsuit will claim clerks “ did not do their due diligence to remove voters fraudulently claiming ” to be indefinitely confined .
Clerks around Wisconsin sent letters before the November election to voters who had called themselves indefinitely confined asking them whether they met the criteria .
Trump has argued all ballots cast by indefinitely confined voters in Dane and Milwaukee counties should be thrown out because he believes some of them do n't meet the criteria .
Trump has also challenged thousands of ballots cast during Madison ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where poll workers were stationed at more than 200 locations in the city .
The poll workers accepted absentee ballots that voters received through the mail and served as witnesses if they needed one .
Trump 's campaign has said the events amounted to allowing in-person early voting before the early-voting period began .
City officials have said the poll workers served the same purpose as ballot drop boxes that were set up around the state .

Patrick Marley and Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Trump sues Wisconsin governor, officials to try to reverse election results
Show Caption Hide Caption Completed Wisconsin recount confirms Biden's win Wisconsin finished its two-county presidential results recount on Sunday, confirming Democrat Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump. The Dane and Milwaukee County totals found Biden adding 87 to his 20,000-plus lead over Donald Trump. (Nov. 30) AP
MADISON – President Donald Trump sued Wisconsin officials Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to reclaim a state he lost by about 20,700 votes.
The Republican president filed his suit against Democratic Gov. Tony Evers a day after the governor and the head of the state Elections Commission certified Joe Biden had won the state’s 10 Electoral College votes.
Trump has made little headway with lawsuits in other states and he faces an extraordinarily difficult path in Wisconsin.
Time is running short. Under the federal "safe harbor" law, the results determined by the state will be respected if challenges to the outcome are resolved by Dec. 8. The Electoral College meets on Dec. 14, and Congress is to count the electoral votes on Jan. 6.
State law says challenges to election results are to be filed in circuit court, but Trump brought his lawsuit directly with the state Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 4-3 majority. The justices did not immediately say whether they would take the case.
Since the election last month, Trump has argued hundreds of thousands of ballots in Wisconsin should be thrown out, in many cases on technicalities. For instance, he alleges the process election officials have used for more than a decade to conduct in-person early voting is illegal.
His challenges were rejected by the boards of canvassers in Milwaukee and Dane counties during a partial recount that wrapped up on Sunday. But Trump is making those same arguments in his lawsuit.
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
TRUMP LAWSUITS: Filed in counties with higher Black, Latino populations
The lawsuit challenges 221,323 absentee ballots cast in Dane and Milwaukee counties, alleging election officials broke the law by continuing the longstanding practice of early voting, allowing voters to label themselves indefinitely confined without further inspection, allowed clerks to fill in missing information on ballots, and allowed poll workers to collect ballots in Madison parks.
The campaign is challenging:
170,140 ballots cast early
28,395 ballots cast by voters who claimed to be indefinitely confined
17,271 ballots collected at "Democracy in the Park" events
5,517 ballots for which clerks filled in missing information
“With Gov. Evers’ premature certification, he is saying the president of the United States has no right to go to court in order to have illegal ballots examined,” Jim Troupis, lead attorney for the Trump campaign in Wisconsin, told Fox News in an interview. “He’s not saying we have a frivolous lawsuit — he is saying we have no right to judicial review — that’s another level of bad."
Democrats have not said Trump can't bring a lawsuit, as Troupis claimed.
Ann Jacobs, the Democratic chairwoman of the state Elections Commission, this week said Trump couldn't file a lawsuit until the results were certified.
Troupis, who is seeking to throw out his own early vote along with hundreds of thousands of others, said he “will not back down when it comes to upholding the law or protecting the integrity of our elections.”
Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, claimed the lawsuit seeks to restore trust voters have in the electoral process in Wisconsin.
"As we have said from the very beginning of this process, we want all legal votes and only legal votes to be counted," Giuliani said .
Separately, Trump's allies last week brought two lawsuits that seek to have the Republican-controlled Legislature, rather than voters, decide how to cast Wisconsin's electoral votes. Like Trump's lawsuit, those cases were filed with the state Supreme Court, but the justices have not said whether they will take them up.
With his wide-ranging challenges, Trump has called into question an election system built by Republicans over eight years when they controlled all of state government. He has concentrated his challenges on liberal parts of the state, but has also sought to throw out ballots cast by Republican lawmakers.
In-person early voting
Wisconsin allows residents to vote early in person if they submit an application for a ballot and certify that they are the one who filled it out. For more than a decade, election officials have allowed voters to fill out a ballot in person, place it in an envelope and sign a form on the envelope that counts as both the application and the certificate.
Trump has argued that process is flawed, saying a separate application must be filed first. During the partial recount, he unsuccessfully sought to throw out all in-person ballots in Milwaukee and Dane counties, but not conservative counties.
Witness addresses
To be valid, absentee ballots in Wisconsin must come in an envelope that is signed by the voter and a witness and include the witness’ address. In cases where witnesses don’t provide their addresses, clerks have been allowed to fill the addresses in if they know that information from talking to the voter, talking to the witness or looking at voter rolls, tax databases or other information.
That policy was set four years ago under guidance pushed by Republicans on the Elections Commission at the time, including Stephen King, who Trump later named as the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic. Trump didn’t dispute the state’s witness policy when he narrowly won Wisconsin in 2016, but he now says it is illegal. He argues only the voter or witness can write in the address.
Indefinitely confined voters
Most voters must provide a photo ID to get an absentee ballot, but those who identify themselves as indefinitely confined because of age or disability do not. This spring, Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell and Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson suggested voters could label themselves as indefinitely confined if they were staying at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The state Republican Party sued and the state Supreme Court found the advice was faulty. The clerks rescinded their advice and pointed voters to guidance from the Elections Commission that noted it’s up to voters to determine for themselves whether they are indefinitely confined.
About 215,000 voters statewide called themselves indefinitely confined for the Nov. 3 election — up from 72,000 in a lower-turnout election for state Supreme Court last year.
Fox News reported the lawsuit will claim clerks “did not do their due diligence to remove voters fraudulently claiming” to be indefinitely confined. Clerks around Wisconsin sent letters before the November election to voters who had called themselves indefinitely confined asking them whether they met the criteria.
Trump has argued all ballots cast by indefinitely confined voters in Dane and Milwaukee counties should be thrown out because he believes some of them don't meet the criteria.
'Democracy in the Park' events
Trump has also challenged thousands of ballots cast during Madison’s “Democracy in the Park” events, where poll workers were stationed at more than 200 locations in the city. The poll workers accepted absentee ballots that voters received through the mail and served as witnesses if they needed one.
Trump's campaign has said the events amounted to allowing in-person early voting before the early-voting period began. City officials have said the poll workers served the same purpose as ballot drop boxes that were set up around the state.


usatoday--2020-12-02--Will there be side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine? When can you get it? We answer your vaccine ques

Will there be side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine? When can you get it? We answer your vaccine questions.

Vaccines are on the horizon in the U.S. , and distribution could potentially begin by mid-December .
Two companies – Pfizer and Moderna – have already applied for emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their two-shot vaccine candidates , and more companies are expected to apply in the coming months .
On Wednesday , the United Kingdom became the first western country to approve widespread use of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by drug companies Pfizer and BioNTech , making it one of the first countries to begin vaccinating .
As vaccines are being produced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about these shots ?
What are the side effects ?
Will you be immune ?
And will you have to take the vaccine once or every year ?
We know you have questions , and we ’ re here to help .
Ask us your vaccine questions through this online form , and we 'll speak with public health experts to answer them below .
Here 's what we know : Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus ?
When will the COVID-19 vaccine be out ?
There were more than 200 vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 48 in clinical trials , according to the World Health Organization .
Drug companies Pfizer , Moderna and AstraZeneca have the leading vaccine candidates .
Pfizer is collaborating with German company BioNTech , and AstraZeneca is collaborating with Oxford University .
There are no authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. yet , but preparations for distribution are ramping up .
Under FDA rules , a vaccine can not be shipped to administration sites until it has been either licensed or authorized .
Operation Warp Speed , the White House-led initiative to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin the first vaccine deliveries within 24 hours of FDA authorization .
The FDA is expected to authorize Pfizer 's vaccine by mid-December .
Charter flights bringing Pfizer 's COVID-19 vaccine to the United States from Belgium began Friday , the start of what the Federal Aviation Administration calls the first `` mass air shipment '' of a coronavirus vaccine .
Biotech company Moderna applied Monday for an emergency-use authorization from the FDA .
Meanwhile , AstraZeneca/Oxford faced scrutiny over interim results from trials in the U.K. and Brazil , released last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine was given in two equal doses and 90 % among a much smaller group that accidentally received a half-dose the first time .
Moderna said recently it will have 20 million doses available in the U.S. by the end of this calendar year and another 500 million to 1 billion next year .
Pfizer has said it will have as much as 50 million doses of its vaccine manufactured by the end of this year , and another 1.3 billion next year .
Both companies have agreed to provide Americans with 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal support of manufacturing and distribution .
What we know : There are now three promising COVID vaccine candidates What are the side effects of the coronavirus vaccine ?
Are there long-term effects ?
Most people who get a COVID-19 vaccine will endure side effects , particularly after a second dose .
All three candidate vaccines reported mild or moderate side effects , mostly pain at the injection site , fatigue , and aching muscles and joints for a day or two .
`` A sore arm and feeling crummy for a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID , '' said Dr. William Schaffner , professor of health policy and of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine .
If someone is going to have a bad reaction to a vaccine , it is likely to occur in the first six weeks after vaccination , according to medical experts .
But experts still don ’ t know the long-term effects of the vaccines and won ’ t know until after the trials are completed and researchers monitor participants in the real world for years after .
In Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't fear a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the FDA Can I choose the vaccine I want ?
The vaccine you ’ re offered will depend on how close you live to a medical center equipped with medical-grade ultracold freezers , said Jeylan Mammadova , health care analyst for investment research firm Third Bridge .
The Pfizer vaccine must be kept super-cold – at the temperature of dry ice – making it harder for most pharmacies and doctor ’ s offices to accommodate it .
The vaccine can be stored for up to five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shipped in boxes that contain 975 doses , so a vaccine administration site would have to be able to use up all those doses within five days , which will likely need to be at a larger medical center .
As for Moderna 's vaccine , Schaffner said that potential vaccine may be more widely distributed as it can be refrigerated for up to a month before being used .
Similarly , the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine can be kept refrigerated throughout , which should make it easier to deliver to areas that do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Moderna ’ s vaccine will be more available in suburban and rural areas where it ’ s harder to get access to ultracold storage and where the ability to use 975 doses of vaccine within five days is more limited , '' Mammadova said .
Can you get one dose from one vaccine and another from a different vaccine ?
Most of the vaccines at this stage require two doses to become maximally effective .
The Pfizer/BioNTech shots are given 21 days apart , Moderna ’ s are given 28 days apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month apart .
Since the vaccines differ in composition , storage and time between the two doses , experts say people must take the same vaccine for both doses .
`` You have to get the same vaccine the second time , '' Schaffner said .
`` We will have no information on what we call 'mixing and matching . '
'' It 's possible that future research will show that getting a similar type of vaccine – one within the same `` class '' – would be effective , but `` no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dr. Greg Poland , director of the Mayo Clinic 's Vaccine Research Group .
`` There are zero studies looking at vaccine interchangeability at this point . ''
State registries , called Immunization Information Systems , will make it easy for health care providers to keep track of which patient gets a particular vaccine .
The registry will contain information on the patient , which vaccine they received and when they received it .
This system gives patients the flexibility to receive their doses at different health care providers as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the vaccines that require two shots , what happens if the second shot is delayed due to lack of availability ?
Current research shows that , for the vaccines that require two shots , people should receive both for maximum benefit , Poland said .
However , receiving the first injection alone would still provide some benefit , he said .
As with other vaccines – like the measles , mumps and rubella vaccine – experts say it 's never too late to get the second dose even if it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't have to retake their first dose , so physicians urge them to call their health care provider to reschedule a time for their second dose as soon as it becomes available .
If you already had COVID-19 , should you still get vaccinated ?
Yes .
People who have had COVID-19 `` may be advised '' to get the vaccine , `` due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible , '' according to the CDC .
While serological testing can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can protect against SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes the disease COVID-19 , experts say it ’ s still unknown how long those antibodies will be present in the body after infection .
`` We don ’ t know for how long the protection will last after you ’ ve recovered , '' Schaffner said .
`` It ’ s always good to get vaccinated because it provides the best protection . ''
He said there will be no serological tests to screen for prior COVID-19 infection at the vaccination sites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ poses any risk to people who have previously had COVID-19 .
`` There ’ s no contrary indication to getting the vaccine if you ’ ve had COVID , '' Poland said .
Medical experts urged patients not to go into the doctor ’ s office for their scheduled vaccination if they ’ re presenting symptoms of COVID-19 .
That would pose risk of transmission , as well as confound the cause of any potential side effects , Poland said .
`` There 's always the proviso when somebody comes for a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or active infection , we would generally delay it , '' he said .
Once you get vaccinated , can you still get sick ?
Can you still transmit the virus to other people ?
Yes , it is possible that you could still get sick or transmit the virus to someone else , even after having received the vaccine , according to experts .
`` The vaccines are 90 % effective .
That means that there ’ s a small chance you could encounter the virus and still get sick , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Moderna showed that of 196 people in the clinical trial who caught COVID-19 , 11 had received the vaccine .
But none of those 11 participants had severe disease , suggesting that the vaccine prevented severe disease .
It 's also possible to get sick if you do n't give the vaccine enough time to provide protection .
It typically takes `` a few weeks '' for the body to build immunity after vaccination , according to the CDC .
So it 's possible that someone could be infected with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after vaccination and get sick .
A third possibility ?
The vaccine could prevent you from getting the disease , but not from transmitting the virus to someone else .
`` To prevent asymptomatic infection and transmission , you need what ’ s called sterilizing immunity , '' Poland said .
`` To prevent severe disease and it ’ s complications , you need only to develop neutralizing antibodies .
It doesn ’ t have to be sterilizing . ''
It 's not yet clear if the COVID-19 vaccines can produce sterilizing immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Will this become an annual shot like the flu shot ?
What if the virus mutates ?
While the vaccines have proven protective against the virus , there ’ s no data that shows how long that protection can last , Schaffner said .
`` That protection may wane over time , and you may be susceptible again , '' he said .
A vaccine could trigger an immune response that lasts longer in some people than in others , Poland said .
It 's possible that the virus could mutate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We haven ’ t actually seen a mutation yet that escapes vaccine-induced immunity , but there are no theoretical or observable reasons why that could n't happen , '' Poland said .
`` The more times we passage this virus through humans , mink , other animals , the more likely that this is eventually going to happen . ''
Where are the Pfizer , Moderna vaccines made ?
Pfizer has two plants making its COVID-19 vaccine , one in Kalamazoo , Michigan , and one in Puurs , Belgium .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prairie , Wisconsin , where its vaccine is being stored .
There may also be other sites around the nation where the vaccine will be stored prior to authorization .
Moderna has started producing vaccine at its plant in Norwood , Massachusetts , and it will ramp up production in the next month with help from contract manufacturer Lonza Biologics , which has a facility in Portsmouth , New Hampshire .
Want more information about how vaccines are authorized , approved and monitored ?
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn answers questions @ @

Adrianna Rodriguez and Grace Hauck, USA TODAY

Your vaccine questions, answered: I had COVID, should I still get vaccinated? What are the side effects? What are its 'ingredients?'
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 vaccine concerns: You Asked, We Answered We asked you to tell us your biggest questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Here are some answers. USA TODAY
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the first coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, and distribution of Pfizer's vaccine was underway over the weekend.
Moderna has also applied for emergency use authorization for its two-shot vaccine candidate, and more companies are expected to apply in the coming months. Meanwhile this week, Canada and the United Kingdom also authorized the widespread use of Pfizer's vaccine.
As vaccines are being produced in record time, what do we know about these shots? What are the side effects? Will you be immune? And will you have to take the vaccine once or every year?
We know you have questions, and we’re here to help. Ask us your vaccine questions through this online form, and we'll speak with public health experts to answer them below.
Here's what we know:
Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus?
There are more than 200 vaccine candidates under development, with 52 in clinical trials, according to the World Health Organization. As of late November, Phase 3 clinical trials were in progress or being planned for five vaccines in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S., United Kingdom and Canada have authorized the use of a vaccine developed by drug companies Pfizer and BioNTech. China and Russia began rolling out their own vaccines before completing late-stage clinical trials.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine: Key committee endorsement paves way for clearance by FDA and vaccinations in US to begin
Is the vaccine safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday released a 53-page report summarizing data from Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 candidate vaccine trial. The data supports earlier findings that the vaccine is safe and will prevent 95% of people from becoming sick with COVID-19. Read more.
If you already had COVID-19, should you still get vaccinated?
People who have had COVID-19 "may be advised" to get the vaccine, "due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible," according to the CDC.
If you've had COVID-19 and recovered, you have what's called natural immunity. Studies have shown natural immunity to COVID-19 may last months to years. Immunity from a vaccine is called vaccine-induced immunity, and it's unclear how long that may last.
How the new RNA technology is used to create the COVID-19 vaccines The COVID-19 vaccine is using new technology that has never been used before in traditional vaccines. Here's how an mRNA vaccine works. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Will the vaccine be safe for children and pregnant women?
Historically, major vaccines have not been tested during pregnancy because of concerns that both the pregnant person and fetus would be at risk for complications. Pregnant and nursing people were not included in the Pfizer/BioNTech study, so there is no data to suggest whether they should avoid vaccination.
Dr. Peter Marks, who directs the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA, said Saturday that pregnant people, children and those who are immunocompromised should discuss vaccination with their providers and "will need to consider on an individual basis."
In a Dec. 1 meeting of a CDC group that determines how vaccines should be allocated, several expert members said they expected the vaccine would be safe for mothers who are nursing because the virus itself does not seem to pass through the mother’s milk.
The Pfizer trial data only included children ages 16 and up, though the study has since been extended to age 12, and will include younger children as soon as the company decides what dose it wants to test in this group. Read more.
Related: No, the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t cause infertility in womenmen
What about 16- and 17-year-olds?
Although there's not as much data for this age group as others, officials believe they know enough to conclude the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks, Marks said.
Sixteen and 17-year-olds rarely get severely ill with COVID-19, but they do transmit it easily, often without showing symptoms. And some in that age group work jobs in which they interact with the public, such as check-out clerks.
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Americans will likely experience at least one side effect from the COVID-19 vaccine, but doctors say that’s normal and you should still get vaccinated. For the vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech, many trial participants endured side effects for a day or two after getting their shots, particularly the second one.
The most commonly reported side effect among vaccine recipients under age 55 was a sore arm, followed by fatigue (60% after the second shot); headache (52% after the second shot); other muscle aches (37%); and chills (35%). About 28% took pain medication after the first shot and 45% after the second shot. Read more.
Can you get one dose from one vaccine and the second from another?
The Pfizer/BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines both require two doses, given 21 and 28 days apart, respectively. Since the vaccines differ in composition, storage and time between the two doses, experts say people must take the same vaccine for both doses.
What is the level of immunity after one shot?
The vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech was 52% effective after the first dose, according to a recent FDA report. However, because everyone received a second dose three weeks after the first, there’s no evidence of protection lasting longer than a few weeks after the first dose. Read more.
How long will a COVID-19 vaccine be protective?
There is no data on how long a vaccine will be protective. FDA officials were expected to authorize Pfizer's vaccine in the midst of the pandemic because it is safe and at least transiently effective, rather than withholding it for two years to await the typical long-term results required for a full approval. Vaccine companies intend to follow trial participants for two years and submit a full application when they have that data. Read more.
Once you get vaccinated, can you still get sick or spread the virus?
Yes, it's possible. The potential vaccines are not 100% effective, so there’s a small chance you could encounter the virus and still get sick. It also typically takes "a few weeks" for the body to build immunity after vaccination, meaning a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick, according to the CDC.
Even after vaccination, it's not clear whether someone could catch the virus that causes COVID-19 and pass it on to someone else, even without becoming ill. The studies designed to test the candidate vaccines only examined symptomatic infections, not whether vaccinated people could still be contagious. This means that people who are vaccinated can be pretty sure that they won’t develop COVID-19 themselves, but they could still pass it on to others without knowing they are infected. Future studies will explore this. Read more.
Could the vaccine make subsequent infections worse?
There has been concern that getting vaccinated against the coronavirus might cause a subsequent COVID-19 infection, as some dengue vaccines have been shown to do for that disease.
The FDA concluded that use of the vaccine has not been widespread enough to know for certain, but that "available data do not indicate a risk of vaccine-enhanced disease, and conversely suggest effectiveness against severe disease within the available follow-up period." The risk does remain over time as immunity against the disease wanes, the FDA said, and "needs to be evaluated further in ongoing clinical trials." Read more.
Which vaccines will be only one shot?
Johnson & Johnson is developing a single-dose vaccine. The company's chief scientist said last month that the company expects to have all the data it needs to file for authorization by February or sooner.
What are the COVID-19 vaccine 'ingredients?'
Experts say the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech looks pretty standard for a vaccine. They can be organized into four basic categories: the active ingredient (messenger RNA, in this case), fats, sugars and salt. Read more on ingredients.
None of the vaccines in development in the U.S. use the "live" virus that causes COVID-19, according to the CDC. Most of the vaccines under development introduce the "spike" protein found on the surface of the virus. They train the immune system to recognize this protein and attack in case of infection. But both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines depend on a technology never before used in a commercial vaccine: mRNA, or messenger ribonucleic acid. Read more on mRNA.
What if I have had an allergic reaction in the past?
About 1.6% of the population has had a severe allergic reaction to food or something in the environment, but they are eligible to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Marks said. Only people who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or one of its components should not receive the vaccine. Sites where the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are administered will be able to treat allergic reactions, Marks said.
Two British people with severe allergies apparently had reactions to Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine this week. Allergic reactions were not a significant problem in the U.S. trial, in which more than 20,000 people received two doses of the vaccine. The U.S. trials kept out subjects who have had severe allergic reactions.
Where are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines made?
Pfizer has two plants making its COVID-19 vaccine, one in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and one in Puurs, Belgium. The company has a distribution site in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, where its vaccine is being stored.
Moderna has started producing vaccine at its plant in Norwood, Massachusetts, and it will ramp up production in the next month with help from contract manufacturer Lonza Biologics, which has a facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
How will the vaccine be shipped?
Shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine involves Pfizer personnel taking five-dose glass vials of vaccine out of subzero freezers and packing them into specially designed shipping containers, Wes Wheeler, president of Global Healthcare at UPS, told USA TODAY.
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is being shipped in insulated containers that hold between 195 and 975 five-dose vials and are about the size of a carry-on suitcase. The vials are stored in flat, pizza box-sized compartments, each of which holds 195 vials. A fully loaded thermal container, which is reusable, contains five of these and weighs about 70 pounds.
Pfizer will ship its vaccine using UPS and FedEx as its main distributors. Moderna's vaccine distribution is being coordinated by McKesson, the nation's largest medical supply distributor. Each carton will have a GPS tracker allowing it to be located in real-time anywhere in the world, as well as a Bluetooth tracker that can locate it within 10 feet inside a UPS facility, said Wheeler. Read more.
How much vaccine is there?
Approximately 2.9 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be distributed across the 50 states in the next few days, Gen. Gustave Perna, co-leader of Operation Warp Speed in charge of logistics, said Saturday. Another 2.9 doses are being held back to distribute later for the second shot, plus reserves.
More vaccine will be rolled out in the weeks and months to come, with Pfizer and Moderna expected to deliver a combined 300 million doses of their vaccines by the middle of next year, enough to vaccinate nearly half the population of the U.S.
What is the vaccine delivery schedule?
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be sent to to 636 hospitals, clinics and public health systems nationwide this week, with 145 sites receiving doses Monday, 425 on Tuesday and the final 66 on Wednesday, Perna said.
Once the initial doses have shipped, the system will begin regular deliveries. Each Thursday, Operation Warp Speed, the White House's coronavirus vaccine initiative, will ask vaccine producers how much vaccine they have made during the week, Paul Ostrowski, who leads supply, production and distribution for the federal government's Operation Warp Speed, who walked USA TODAY through the process. On Friday, staff will meet and decide how many doses can be allocated. States will put in their orders on Saturday and deliveries will happen on Monday morning, he said.
UPS, FedEx and McKesson all have 24-hour hotlines sites can call if there are delivery troubles. In addition, Operation Warp Speed officials said they will have staff available at two operations centers, one in Washington and one in Atlanta, both with 24-hour hotlines. Read more.
How does Operation Warp Speed track doses?
Operation Warp Speed created a software system called Tiberius that allows states and local jurisdictions to order and track vaccine. It records all allocations of COVID-19 vaccines to states, territories, cities and federal entities, said Col. Deacon Maddox, OWS Chief of Plans, Operations and Analysis. It works in conjunction with the CDC's Vaccine Tracking System, known as VTrckS, which has been distributing vaccine for children for a decade. Read more.
How much does the vaccine cost?
Moderna has agreed to provide the U.S. with 200 million doses and Pfizer at least 100 million by the middle of next year, have agreed to provide the U.S. with 100 million doses apiece, already funded through federal support of manufacturing and distribution. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost, according to the CDC.
"However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund," the CDC says on its website.


usatoday--2020-12-02--What to do about that pardon Trump will grant himself

President Trump 's pardon of General Flynn evoked fresh howls of outrage as the president continues to use the pardon power as a get-out-of-jail free card for his friends .
Trump 's critics would be well-advised to keep a few choice epithets in reserve because they have n't seen anything yet .
It is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Donald Trump ’ s last official act will be to issue himself a pardon .
He ’ ll probably throw in his companies and his family just for good measure .
To be honest , Trump would be crazy not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t protect him from state charges but he is also looking at any number of federal investigations .
He ’ s already been identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in one case regarding conduct that occurred before he became president .
There could be others waiting for him , including obstruction of justice charges arising out of his conduct during the Mueller investigation , and charges of federal bank and wire fraud that parallel charges that are , apparently , currently being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney .
And these are just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you were facing the potential of 30 years or more in federal prison , you ’ d issue yourself a pardon , too .
Though some people insist that self-pardons are impossible , that ’ s more of a fervent hope than a legal certainty .
While , not surprisingly , the issue has never really come up , the language of the Constitution seems to allow for it , probably because none of the founders ever imagined that any president might try such a thing .
Certainly , philosophical concerns about being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t going to deter President Trump from giving it a try and he ’ s already mused about the possibility .
It isn ’ t even clear just how far a pardon can theoretically extend .
The Constitution gives the president the power “ to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States , except in Cases of Impeachment.
” Certainly , that covers “ offenses against the United States ” committed by companies like the Trump Organization as well as offenses by people .
But what , exactly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States ?
” We know that includes criminal offenses , but what about civil ones ?
What about violations of the tax code that could be charged as criminal offenses but are often settled civilly ?
Can Trump wave his pardon wand and make pending tax penalties disappear ?
Again , no president has ever tried to do such a thing so nobody knows .
But I have a feeling we are about to find out .
The actual scope of the “ self-pardon power ” under current law is almost beside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are having this discussion confirms that there is a real problem .
Everyone — except President Trump — agrees that presidents should not be able to pardon themselves as that places them above the law .
But making that clear is going to require an amendment to the Constitution .
That ’ s why , at the Guardrails of Democracy project , an informal think tank devoted to developing proposals to shore up the democratic institutions damaged during the Trump presidency , we ’ re proposing just such an amendment .
The goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president from self-pardoning , it ’ s to ensure that the president is not above the law .
There have been instances , for example , when President Trump encouraged public officials to engage in illegal activity and promised them a pardon if they were ever prosecuted .
That kind of behavior is even worse than the president breaking the law on his own .
Our version of the 28th Amendment reads , “ No pardon or reprieve may be issued to any person for any offense for which the president could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” This does two things .
First , it takes the self-pardon off the table .
Second , it makes it impossible for a president to issue pardons for crimes committed at his or her direction .
It also makes it impossible for a president to avoid a self-pardon by exploiting the 25th Amendment to “ resign ” from office so that the vice-president can issue the pardon instead .
Any agreement to exchange a pardon for an official act would be a violation of the federal bribery statute ( 18 USC 201 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and the vice president up to 15 years in prison even if the pardon were effective with respect to other crimes .
What we have not included is just as important .
For one thing , we have not included a prohibition on a president issuing a pardon to friends and family members .
This kind of pardon might sometimes be unseemly , but it doesn ’ t damage our system of checks and balances .
Bill Clinton famously pardoned his brother for a drug possession and distribution conviction from the 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favoritism , it didn ’ t threaten the rule of law in the way a president pardoning co-conspirators would .
Self-pardon : President Donald Trump should n't be able to pardon himself Presidential self-pardons are just one example of the guardrails of democracy that President Trump has twisted and bent over the last four years .
Donald Trump will be gone on Jan. 20 but 74 million Americans did vote for him and the political currents that brought him to power still remain .
Even if Trump himself fades from the scene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 2.0 will be smarter , smoother and much more dangerous .
There can be no higher priority for the Biden administration than repairing and strengthening our democratic institutions against the next onslaught .
Worse things are waiting .
Republican Chris Truax , an appellate lawyer in San Diego and CEO of CertifiedVoter.com , is a member of USA TODAY 's Board of Contributors .

What to do about that pardon Trump will grant himself There can be no higher priority for the Biden administration than repairing and strengthening our democratic institutions.
Show Caption Hide Caption The history of presidential pardons and executive clemency From Roger Stone to Chelsea Manning to Thanksgiving turkeys, here's all you need to know about presidential pardons and executive clemency. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
President Trump's pardon of General Flynn evoked fresh howls of outrage as the president continues to use the pardon power as a get-out-of-jail free card for his friends. Trump's critics would be well-advised to keep a few choice epithets in reserve because they haven't seen anything yet. It is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Donald Trump’s last official act will be to issue himself a pardon. He’ll probably throw in his companies and his family just for good measure.
To be honest, Trump would be crazy not to. A presidential pardon won’t protect him from state charges but he is also looking at any number of federal investigations. He’s already been identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in one case regarding conduct that occurred before he became president.
There could be others waiting for him, including obstruction of justice charges arising out of his conduct during the Mueller investigation, and charges of federal bank and wire fraud that parallel charges that are, apparently, currently being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney. And these are just the possible charges we know about. If you were facing the potential of 30 years or more in federal prison, you’d issue yourself a pardon, too.
The lack of clarity surrounding self-pardon
Though some people insist that self-pardons are impossible, that’s more of a fervent hope than a legal certainty. While, not surprisingly, the issue has never really come up, the language of the Constitution seems to allow for it, probably because none of the founders ever imagined that any president might try such a thing. Certainly, philosophical concerns about being a judge in your own cause aren’t going to deter President Trump from giving it a try and he’s already mused about the possibility.
It isn’t even clear just how far a pardon can theoretically extend. The Constitution gives the president the power “to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.” Certainly, that covers “offenses against the United States” committed by companies like the Trump Organization as well as offenses by people. But what, exactly, is an “offense against the United States?” We know that includes criminal offenses, but what about civil ones? What about violations of the tax code that could be charged as criminal offenses but are often settled civilly? Can Trump wave his pardon wand and make pending tax penalties disappear? Again, no president has ever tried to do such a thing so nobody knows. But I have a feeling we are about to find out.
The actual scope of the “self-pardon power” under current law is almost beside the point. The very fact that we are having this discussion confirms that there is a real problem. Everyone — except President Trump — agrees that presidents should not be able to pardon themselves as that places them above the law. But making that clear is going to require an amendment to the Constitution.
That’s why, at the Guardrails of Democracy project, an informal think tank devoted to developing proposals to shore up the democratic institutions damaged during the Trump presidency, we’re proposing just such an amendment.
Treasonous Trump: Do we dare call Donald Trump a treasonous president?
The goal isn’t just to prevent the president from self-pardoning, it’s to ensure that the president is not above the law. There have been instances, for example, when President Trump encouraged public officials to engage in illegal activity and promised them a pardon if they were ever prosecuted. That kind of behavior is even worse than the president breaking the law on his own.
The good reason for a 28th Amendment
Our version of the 28th Amendment reads, “No pardon or reprieve may be issued to any person for any offense for which the president could have been indicted, charged or held liable.”
This does two things. First, it takes the self-pardon off the table. Second, it makes it impossible for a president to issue pardons for crimes committed at his or her direction. It also makes it impossible for a president to avoid a self-pardon by exploiting the 25th Amendment to “resign” from office so that the vice-president can issue the pardon instead. Any agreement to exchange a pardon for an official act would be a violation of the federal bribery statute (18 USC 201) that would earn both the outgoing president and the vice president up to 15 years in prison even if the pardon were effective with respect to other crimes.
What we have not included is just as important. For one thing, we have not included a prohibition on a president issuing a pardon to friends and family members. This kind of pardon might sometimes be unseemly, but it doesn’t damage our system of checks and balances. Bill Clinton famously pardoned his brother for a drug possession and distribution conviction from the 1980s. While it certainly raised questions of favoritism, it didn’t threaten the rule of law in the way a president pardoning co-conspirators would.
Self-pardon: President Donald Trump shouldn't be able to pardon himself
Presidential self-pardons are just one example of the guardrails of democracy that President Trump has twisted and bent over the last four years. Donald Trump will be gone on Jan. 20 but 74 million Americans did vote for him and the political currents that brought him to power still remain. Even if Trump himself fades from the scene, someone will take his place and Donald Trump 2.0 will be smarter, smoother and much more dangerous. There can be no higher priority for the Biden administration than repairing and strengthening our democratic institutions against the next onslaught. Worse things are waiting.
Republican Chris Truax, an appellate lawyer in San Diego and CEO of CertifiedVoter.com, is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors.


usatoday--2020-12-02--Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, listed as lone kicker on depth chart, prepared to play against Georg

Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller is prepared to play against No .
10 Georgia on Saturday , interim coach Todd Fitch said .
But Ryley Guay , last year 's kicker , may rejoin the roster .
Fuller , the first woman to play in a Power Five college football game , is the only kicker listed on Vanderbilt 's depth chart for Saturday 's game ( 4 p.m .
ET , SEC Network ) in Athens , Georgia .
Fitch said she will travel with the team , but Guay could be a late addition to the roster .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roster and things like that , '' said Fitch , who was named interim coach after Derek Mason was fired Sunday .
`` We are trying to provide the best situation for our team as we can .
But Sarah is out there .
She kicked today ( at practice ) .
`` We are continuing to evaluate guys on the roster .
If we can add something to the competition , we will .
We want to make sure we have the best available ( kicker ) for our team . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Billie Jean King , Mia Hamm , Hope Solo , Sarah Fuller to keep kicking MOMENT TO NEVER FORGET : History found Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller , and she was perfect for it Guay is in Vanderbilt medical school and has one year of eligibility remaining .
He would have to get through the NCAA clearinghouse and COVID-19 testing to be able to play .
Guay was Vanderbilt 's primary placekicker for the past two seasons , and he made 22 of 33 field goals and 66 of 66 PAT kicks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 77 times in 2019 and 2020 .
`` I do n't know ( Guay ) .
But there 's been some discussion about him , '' said Fitch , who joined the Vanderbilt staff as offensive coordinator this season .
`` There are a lot of steps we 'd have to go through in terms of eligibility in bringing him back .
`` But if it 's a possibility that we could get him back , we 'll certainly take a look at him if he can make our team better . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the team' Fuller , a goalkeeper on the Vanderbilt women 's soccer team , was added to the football roster last week because all other kickers were in COVID-19 quarantines .
During Tuesday 's Zoom press conference , Fitch said those kickers are still unavailable , and Fuller is the only full-time kicker in practice .
If Fuller remains the primary kicker , she could get a second chance to score against Georgia .
Last week , she debuted in a 41-0 loss to Missouri by squibbing the opening kickoff of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached field-goal range or scored a touchdown , so Fuller did n't get a chance to kick a field goal or extra point .
`` We 're going to put the best people out there , '' Fitch said .
`` If she 's our best option , then we 'll continue to work with her , and we 'll do the best we can for the team . ''
Will Vanderbilt have enough players for Georgia game ?
First , Vanderbilt must assure it can bring a roster of at least 53 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SEC 's recommended minimum to play a game .
Fitch acknowledged that multiple players have considered opting out of the remainder of the season , which concludes with a game against rival Tennessee .
But he said Vanderbilt has at least 53 scholarship players available with results from two regularly-scheduled COVID-19 tests still ahead .
An SEC team has still chosen to play with less than 53 , as Mississippi State did with 49 players against Georgia on Nov. 22 .
`` Later in the week we 'll have a better idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
It 's an emotional time when these things happen on a staff , and there 's a reaction right away , '' said Fitch , referencing Mason 's firing .
`` We are trying to teach patience ( and ) communicate with our guys .
`` I think it 's starting to calm down now . ''
Reach Adam Sparks at asparks @ tennessean.com and on Twitter @ AdamSparks .

Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, listed as lone kicker on depth chart, prepared to play against Georgia
Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller is prepared to play against No. 10 Georgia on Saturday, interim coach Todd Fitch said. But Ryley Guay, last year's kicker, may rejoin the roster.
Fuller, the first woman to play in a Power Five college football game, is the only kicker listed on Vanderbilt's depth chart for Saturday's game (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network) in Athens, Georgia. Fitch said she will travel with the team, but Guay could be a late addition to the roster.
"We are still researching options on the roster and things like that," said Fitch, who was named interim coach after Derek Mason was fired Sunday. "We are trying to provide the best situation for our team as we can. But Sarah is out there. She kicked today (at practice).
"We are continuing to evaluate guys on the roster. If we can add something to the competition, we will. We want to make sure we have the best available (kicker) for our team."
NO PLANS TO STOP: After hearing from Billie Jean King, Mia Hamm, Hope Solo, Sarah Fuller to keep kicking
MOMENT TO NEVER FORGET: History found Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, and she was perfect for it
Could Ryley Guay rejoin team?
Guay is in Vanderbilt medical school and has one year of eligibility remaining. He would have to get through the NCAA clearinghouse and COVID-19 testing to be able to play.
Guay was Vanderbilt's primary placekicker for the past two seasons, and he made 22 of 33 field goals and 66 of 66 PAT kicks in his career. He also kicked off 77 times in 2019 and 2020.
Vanderbilt faces No. 11 Georgia in Athens this Saturday, and the Commodores just released their weekly depth chart.
Sarah Fuller is listed as the lone kicker. pic.twitter.com/RUUQLhJjiG — Simon Gibbs (@SimonGibbs26) December 1, 2020
"I don't know (Guay). But there's been some discussion about him," said Fitch, who joined the Vanderbilt staff as offensive coordinator this season. "There are a lot of steps we'd have to go through in terms of eligibility in bringing him back.
"But if it's a possibility that we could get him back, we'll certainly take a look at him if he can make our team better."
'We'll do the best we can for the team'
Fuller, a goalkeeper on the Vanderbilt women's soccer team, was added to the football roster last week because all other kickers were in COVID-19 quarantines. During Tuesday's Zoom press conference, Fitch said those kickers are still unavailable, and Fuller is the only full-time kicker in practice.
If Fuller remains the primary kicker, she could get a second chance to score against Georgia. Last week, she debuted in a 41-0 loss to Missouri by squibbing the opening kickoff of the second half.
But the offense never reached field-goal range or scored a touchdown, so Fuller didn't get a chance to kick a field goal or extra point.
"We're going to put the best people out there," Fitch said. "If she's our best option, then we'll continue to work with her, and we'll do the best we can for the team."
Will Vanderbilt have enough players for Georgia game?
First, Vanderbilt must assure it can bring a roster of at least 53 scholarship players to Georgia to fulfill the SEC's recommended minimum to play a game.
Fitch acknowledged that multiple players have considered opting out of the remainder of the season, which concludes with a game against rival Tennessee. But he said Vanderbilt has at least 53 scholarship players available with results from two regularly-scheduled COVID-19 tests still ahead.
An SEC team has still chosen to play with less than 53, as Mississippi State did with 49 players against Georgia on Nov. 22.
"Later in the week we'll have a better idea of where we're at with all the numbers. It's an emotional time when these things happen on a staff, and there's a reaction right away," said Fitch, referencing Mason's firing. "We are trying to teach patience (and) communicate with our guys.
"I think it's starting to calm down now."
Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.


usatoday--2020-12-02--California boat captain indicted on manslaughter charges for 2019 fire that killed 34 people aboard

The captain of a California scuba diving boat that caught fire and sank last year in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent U.S. history was indicted Tuesday on 34 counts of federal seaman ’ s manslaughter .
A federal grand jury alleges Jerry Nehl Boylan , 67 , caused the deaths “ by his misconduct , negligence , and inattention to his duties '' when the Conception caught fire Sept. 2 , 2019 , the indictment said .
The blaze killed 33 passengers and one crew member .
“ As a result of the alleged failures of Captain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pleasant holiday dive trip turned into a hellish nightmare as passengers and one crew member found themselves trapped in a fiery bunkroom with no means of escape , ” U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement .
“ The loss of life that day will forever impact the families of the 34 victims , '' he said .
`` With this indictment and our commitment to vigorously prosecute the case , we seek a small measure of justice for the victims and their loved ones.
” According to the indictment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , conduct fire drills and have a roving patrol on the night of the fire .
The 75-foot vessel went up in flames during a Labor Day weekend dive trip near Santa Cruz Island off Santa Barbara .
Boylan was on the boat , along with six crew members and 33 passengers .
Federal authorities have been investigating the cause of the fire for more than a year .
The National Transportation Safety Board in October ruled that it was the captain 's lack of oversight to post a roving night watchman that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
Board member Jennifer Homendy , who traveled to Santa Barbara in 2019 and toured a sister ship of the Conception , blasted Boylan and the boat 's owners , Truth Aquatics , during a virtual hearing on the investigation findings .
`` I hate the term accident in this case because , in my opinion , it is not an accident if you fail to operate your company safely , '' Homendy said at the time .
`` Clean up your act , '' NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seaman 's manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison .

California boat captain indicted on manslaughter charges for 2019 fire that killed 34 people aboard Conception
Show Caption Hide Caption 34 dead in California boat fire Thirty-four people died after a diving boat caught fire off Santa Cruz Island in California. USA TODAY
The captain of a California scuba diving boat that caught fire and sank last year in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent U.S. history was indicted Tuesday on 34 counts of federal seaman’s manslaughter.
A federal grand jury says Jerry Nehl Boylan, 67, caused the deaths “by his misconduct, negligence, and inattention to his duties" when the Conception caught fire Sept. 2, 2019, the indictment said. The blaze killed 33 passengers and one crew member.
“As a result of the alleged failures of Captain Boylan to follow well-established safety rules, a pleasant holiday dive trip turned into a hellish nightmare as passengers and one crew member found themselves trapped in a fiery bunkroom with no means of escape,” U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement.
“The loss of life that day will forever impact the families of the 34 victims," he said. "With this indictment and our commitment to vigorously prosecute the case, we seek a small measure of justice for the victims and their loved ones.”
According to the indictment, Boylan failed to adequately train his crew, conduct fire drills and have a roving patrol on the night of the fire.
The 75-foot vessel caught fire during a Labor Day weekend dive trip near Santa Cruz Island off Santa Barbara. Boylan was on the boat, along with six crew members and 33 passengers.
Federal authorities have been investigating the cause of the fire for more than a year.
The National Transportation Safety Board in October ruled that it was the captain's lack of oversight to post a roving night watchman that allowed the fire to rage out of control.
Board member Jennifer Homendy, who traveled to Santa Barbara in 2019 and toured a sister ship of the Conception, blasted Boylan and the boat's owners, Truth Aquatics, during a virtual hearing on the investigation findings.
"I hate the term 'accident' in this case because, in my opinion, it is not an accident if you fail to operate your company safely," Homendy said at the time.
"Clean up your act," NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said, referring to Truth Aquatics.
Each charge of the seaman's manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-12-02--'It has to stop': Georgia election official slams Trump's rhetoric on voting fraud

'It has to stop ' : Georgia election official slams Trump 's rhetoric on voting fraud A Georgia election official @ @ @ @ @ condemn and `` stop inspiring '' recent threats of violence over the election .

Georgia official calls on Trump to 'stop inspiring' death threats over election
A Georgia election official called on President Trump to condemn and "stop inspiring" recent threats of violence over the election.
Associated Press, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-02--Trump sues Wisconsin governor, officials to try to reverse election results


usatoday--2020-12-03--Trump rehashes baseless election claims in 46-minute video from the White House

WASHINGTON – Nearly four weeks after President-elect Joe Biden won the Nov. 3 election , President Donald Trump continues to level baseless claims of widespread voter fraud and a litany of conspiracy theories that have failed to hold up in court .
Those claims have continued despite a series of scathing court decisions – including one written by a Trump-appointed judge – growing dissention within the GOP and an admission by his own Attorney General that there is no evidence of widespread fraud .
Trump 's latest salvo came Wednesday with a 46-minute video in which he rehashed many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` the most important speech I 've ever made , '' Trump 's video was posted late to social media without warning .
Though the video had the look of an official address , shot in the Diplomatic Room of the White House with a fireplace and a U.S. flag in the background , Trump 's words had the feel of a series of tweets strung together intended to lash out at perceived enemies , the media , election officials and even members of his own administration .
Can Trump pardon himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'It has to stop : ' Georgia official calls on Trump to 'stop inspiring ' death threats Trump 's video was posted a day after Attorney General Bill Barr disputed the president 's claims by declaring the Justice Department had found no evidence of fraud at the level that would overturn the results of the election .
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany earlier in the day dismissed Barr 's comment , made to the Associated Press , and pointedly declined to say whether Trump still had confidence in him .
More : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud to alter election outcome Biden won the popular vote with more than 81 million votes compared to Trump 's 74 million .
The key battleground states of Pennsylvania , Michigan , Nevada , Wisconsin , Arizona , Georgia have already certified Biden as the winner .
Georgia is conducting a second recount but the Republican Secretary of State there indicated Wednesday that it had so far not found results that deviate significantly from the original count .
Little in Trump 's remarks was new and many of the same arguments have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and federal courts without success .
Trump has held out hope that the Supreme Court will hear at least one of the cases .
But even if the court takes up the most likely candidate – a case in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania – it would not affect the outcome of the race .
`` We 're going to show it , and hopefully the courts in particular , the Supreme Court of the United States will see it , '' Trump said .
`` Because our country can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Here is a look at some of the claims Trump made in the video : Claim : Trump repeated his false allegation that a mysterious `` massive dump of votes '' cost him Wisconsin and gave the victory to Biden , who won the state by around 20,000 votes .
Facts : Trump has complained repeatedly that he was initially ahead of Biden in key battleground states such as Wisconsin , Pennsylvania and Michigan , only to see his lead disappear after absentee ballots were `` dumped '' overnight .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted and reported – but a surge of Democratic votes was long expected .
It was not a mysterious `` dump '' of votes .
More : Wisconsin did not 'find ' 100K ballots around 4 a.m. the morning after the election For the past year , election experts warned it would take days or even weeks to have final election results because of the unprecedented volume of mail-in absentee ballots during the pandemic .
Those absentee ballots skewed heavily for Biden after Trump ’ s yearlong assault on mail-in voting turned off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin could not begin processing absentee ballots until Election Day , and Michigan only had only a 10-hour head start , forcing the counting of absentee ballots to extend past election night .
Local election officials in these three states had pleaded for state law changes to begin processing ballots earlier , but Republican-controlled state legislatures in each refused .
The surge Trump refers to in Wisconsin came from heavily Democratic Milwaukee County , which unlike some counties in the state , waited to report all its absentee votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
Other communities counted absentee ballots at polling places , and reported them along with their in-person vote totals .
As a result , from 3:26 to 3:44 a.m. in the Associated Press election reporting stream , Wisconsin ’ s vote for Biden jumped by 149,520 votes and Trump 's vote jumped by 31,803 votes , pushing Biden to the lead .
Biden won Milwaukee County 69 % to 29 % .
But the absentee ballots that were reported last favored Biden by an even wider margin because Democrats were significantly more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Claim : Trump said that his campaign found hundreds of thousands of discrepancies or fraudulent votes , in part because “ they were not allowed to be seen by Republican poll watchers , because the poll watchers were locked out of the building . ''
Facts : The claim is untrue .
Poll watchers from the Trump campaign as well as both the Republican and Democratic parties were allowed to observe vote processing .
The claim was also contradicted in the president ’ s campaign legal challenges in Pennsylvania , Michigan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been dismissed .
In Michigan , a judge denied the Trump campaign ’ s lawsuit to stop vote-counting until the campaign ’ s representatives could get what it called “ meaningful access ” to observe the process .
A judge in Nevada rejected the case after the campaign failed to show how election officials interfered with poll observers while a Trump campaign attorney admitted in court that the campaign had a “ non-zero number ” of poll watchers in Philadelphia , where it was challenging the results .
A viral video emerged on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican and Democratic parties who were locked out because the limit on election challengers had already been exceeded .
The Detroit Free Press reported that at one point roughly 400 challengers were inside the room where vote processing was underway .
Election officials then limited the number of people allowed inside over concerns about the spread of COVID-19 , building security and increasing tensions , but said challengers from both parties were allowed to observe .
Claim : Trump said the Democratic Party mailed tens of millions of ballots to `` unknown recipients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Facts : Trump and the national Republican Party launched an all-out assault on mail-in voting that began long before the election .
The president frequently conflated states that automatically sent a ballot to each registered voter with the vast majority of states , which sent a ballot only if requested by the voter .
In those cases , state officials – not the Democratic Party – check the validity of the absentee ballots in the same general manner they have always done .
Nine states and the District of Columbia said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sending ballots to all voters .
Of those nine states , only one – Nevada – was considered remotely competitive .
Regardless of the system , a person must be registered to vote to receive the ballot .
Trump has pointed to errors in state registration rolls , which do exist .
But state election officials verified the completed ballots once they had been mailed back in .
States have different ways to confirm the validity of a ballot for in-person voting , but for mail ballots the principal method by verifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Brennan Center , a nonpartisan law and policy institute .
Claim : Trump reiterated a claim that Dominion Voting Systems , a company that supplies election equipment to more than two dozen states , deleted votes for Trump or switched them to votes for Biden .
Facts : The Department Homeland Security ’ s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , which oversees U.S. election security , issued a joint statement that found `` no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes , changed votes , or was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that all states with close results have paper records of each vote that allow for a recount , if necessary .
In its own fact-check , the DHS cybersecurity division said every state has safeguards in place to ensure bad actors can not change the election outcome without detection .
Those measures include protection against malicious software and regularly checking that tabulation systems are functioning , without any irregularities or glitches .
The tabulation systems also undergo rigorous testing and certification requirements before the election .
Trump and his supporters have pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including that the company has ties to Venezuela and makes political donations to the Democratic party .
The company has categorically denied these claims .
The Denver-based , nonpartisan company has said it made a one-time philanthropic commitment at a Clinton Global Initiative meeting in 2014 but the nonprofit has no involvement in Dominion ’ s operations , the Associated Press reported .
Claim : Trump has repeatedly claimed that the recounts taking place in Georgia mean “ nothing ” because election officials do n't check signatures .
Facts : Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia by arguing signatures on the ballots have n't been checked .
But state officials in Georgia are required to check signatures when the ballots are first received and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger – who has identified himself as a Trump supporter – said that process occurred .
When a voter requested a ballot by mail the person required to sign the application , state officials have said .
Election officials compared the signature on the request to the signature in voter registration files before the ballot was sent to the voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots were returned , the required signature on the outer envelope was compared to signatures in the voter registration system .
Georgia officials certified Biden ’ s victory after an initial state-ordered hand recount affirmed he won the state by 12,284 votes .
It was a smaller margin than the former vice president ’ s initial 14,000-vote lead after election administrators found uncounted votes in four counties resulting from errors by local election officials .
The Trump campaign requested a second recount , which is expected to be released Thursday .

Trump rehashes baseless election claims in 46-minute video from the White House
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump rehashes unsubstantiated voter fraud charges In a video released Wednesday, President Donald Trump delivered a 46-minute diatribe against the election that produced a win for Democrat Joe Biden, unspooling one misstatement after another to back his baseless claim that he really won. (Dec. 2) AP
WASHINGTON – Nearly four weeks after President-elect Joe Biden won the Nov. 3 election, President Donald Trump continues to level baseless claims of widespread voter fraud and a litany of conspiracy theories that have failed to hold up in court.
Those claims have continued despite a series of scathing court decisions – including one written by a Trump-appointed judge – growing dissention within the GOP and an admission by his own Attorney General that there is no evidence of widespread fraud.
Trump's latest salvo came Wednesday with a 46-minute video in which he rehashed many of the same claims. Describing the remarks as "the most important speech I've ever made," Trump's video was posted late to social media without warning.
Though the video had the look of an official address, shot in the Diplomatic Room of the White House with a fireplace and a U.S. flag in the background, Trump's words had the feel of a series of tweets strung together intended to lash out at perceived enemies, the media, election officials and even members of his own administration.
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Trump's video was posted a day after Attorney General Bill Barr disputed the president's claims by declaring the Justice Department had found no evidence of fraud at the level that would overturn the results of the election. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany earlier in the day dismissed Barr's comment, made to the Associated Press, and pointedly declined to say whether Trump still had confidence in him.
More: Justice Dept. finds no evidence of fraud to alter election outcome
Biden won the popular vote with more than 81 million votes compared to Trump's 74 million. The key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia have already certified Biden as the winner. Georgia is conducting a second recount but the Republican Secretary of State there indicated Wednesday that it had so far not found results that deviate significantly from the original count.
Little in Trump's remarks was new and many of the same arguments have been attempted by his legal team in state and federal courts without success. Trump has held out hope that the Supreme Court will hear at least one of the cases. But even if the court takes up the most likely candidate – a case in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania – it would not affect the outcome of the race.
"We're going to show it, and hopefully the courts in particular, the Supreme Court of the United States will see it," Trump said. "Because our country cannot live with this kind of an election."
Here is a look at some of the claims Trump made in the video:
Claim: Trump repeated his false allegation that a mysterious "massive dump of votes" cost him Wisconsin and gave the victory to Biden, who won the state by around 20,000 votes.
Facts: Trump has complained repeatedly that he was initially ahead of Biden in key battleground states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, only to see his lead disappear after absentee ballots were "dumped" overnight.
Biden jumped ahead as more absentee ballots were counted and reported – but a surge of Democratic votes was long expected. It was not a mysterious "dump" of votes.
More: Wisconsin did not 'find' 100K ballots around 4 a.m. the morning after the election
For the past year, election experts warned it would take days or even weeks to have final election results because of the unprecedented volume of mail-in absentee ballots during the pandemic. Those absentee ballots skewed heavily for Biden after Trump’s yearlong assault on mail-in voting turned off his voters to the method.
Election officials in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin could not begin processing absentee ballots until Election Day, and Michigan only had only a 10-hour head start, forcing the counting of absentee ballots to extend past election night. Local election officials in these three states had pleaded for state law changes to begin processing ballots earlier, but Republican-controlled state legislatures in each refused.
The surge Trump refers to in Wisconsin came from heavily Democratic Milwaukee County, which unlike some counties in the state, waited to report all its absentee votes from Milwaukee and other towns and cities together. Other communities counted absentee ballots at polling places, and reported them along with their in-person vote totals.
As a result, from 3:26 to 3:44 a.m. in the Associated Press election reporting stream, Wisconsin’s vote for Biden jumped by 149,520 votes and Trump's vote jumped by 31,803 votes, pushing Biden to the lead.
Biden won Milwaukee County 69% to 29%. But the absentee ballots that were reported last favored Biden by an even wider margin because Democrats were significantly more likely to vote by mail than Republicans.
Claim: Trump said that his campaign found hundreds of thousands of discrepancies or fraudulent votes, in part because “they were not allowed to be seen by Republican poll watchers, because the poll watchers were locked out of the building."
Facts: The claim is untrue. Poll watchers from the Trump campaign as well as both the Republican and Democratic parties were allowed to observe vote processing. The claim was also contradicted in the president’s campaign legal challenges in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada – the latter two have since been dismissed.
In Michigan, a judge denied the Trump campaign’s lawsuit to stop vote-counting until the campaign’s representatives could get what it called “meaningful access” to observe the process. A judge in Nevada rejected the case after the campaign failed to show how election officials interfered with poll observers while a Trump campaign attorney admitted in court that the campaign had a “non-zero number” of poll watchers in Philadelphia, where it was challenging the results.
A viral video emerged on Nov. 3 showing observers from both the Republican and Democratic parties who were locked out because the limit on election challengers had already been exceeded. The Detroit Free Press reported that at one point roughly 400 challengers were inside the room where vote processing was underway. Election officials then limited the number of people allowed inside over concerns about the spread of COVID-19, building security and increasing tensions, but said challengers from both parties were allowed to observe.
Claim: Trump said the Democratic Party mailed tens of millions of ballots to "unknown recipients" with virtually no safeguards in place.
Facts: Trump and the national Republican Party launched an all-out assault on mail-in voting that began long before the election. The president frequently conflated states that automatically sent a ballot to each registered voter with the vast majority of states, which sent a ballot only if requested by the voter.
In those cases, state officials – not the Democratic Party – check the validity of the absentee ballots in the same general manner they have always done.
Nine states and the District of Columbia said they would use the "universal" system of sending ballots to all voters. Of those nine states, only one – Nevada – was considered remotely competitive.
Regardless of the system, a person must be registered to vote to receive the ballot. Trump has pointed to errors in state registration rolls, which do exist. But state election officials verified the completed ballots once they had been mailed back in.
States have different ways to confirm the validity of a ballot for in-person voting, but for mail ballots the principal method by verifying information on the mail ballot itself, according to the Brennan Center, a nonpartisan law and policy institute.
Claim: Trump reiterated a claim that Dominion Voting Systems, a company that supplies election equipment to more than two dozen states, deleted votes for Trump or switched them to votes for Biden.
Facts: The Department Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which oversees U.S. election security, issued a joint statement that found "no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised." The statement added that all states with close results have paper records of each vote that allow for a recount, if necessary.
In its own fact-check, the DHS cybersecurity division said every state has safeguards in place to ensure bad actors cannot change the election outcome without detection. Those measures include protection against malicious software and regularly checking that tabulation systems are functioning, without any irregularities or glitches. The tabulation systems also undergo rigorous testing and certification requirements before the election.
Trump and his supporters have pushed a series of false claims about Dominion, including that the company has ties to Venezuela and makes political donations to the Democratic party. The company has categorically denied these claims.
The Denver-based, nonpartisan company has said it made a one-time philanthropic commitment at a Clinton Global Initiative meeting in 2014 but the nonprofit has no involvement in Dominion’s operations, the Associated Press reported.
Claim: Trump has repeatedly claimed that the recounts taking place in Georgia mean “nothing” because election officials don't check signatures.
Facts: Trump has repeatedly questioned the validity of recounts in Georgia by arguing signatures on the ballots haven't been checked. But state officials in Georgia are required to check signatures when the ballots are first received and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger – who has identified himself as a Trump supporter – said that process occurred.
When a voter requested a ballot by mail the person required to sign the application, state officials have said. Election officials compared the signature on the request to the signature in voter registration files before the ballot was sent to the voter, Raffensperger has said. When those ballots were returned, the required signature on the outer envelope was compared to signatures in the voter registration system.
Georgia officials certified Biden’s victory after an initial state-ordered hand recount affirmed he won the state by 12,284 votes. It was a smaller margin than the former vice president’s initial 14,000-vote lead after election administrators found uncounted votes in four counties resulting from errors by local election officials.
The Trump campaign requested a second recount, which is in the process of being completed.
Contributing: David Jackson, Ella Lee, Associated Press.