usatoday--2020-11-19--Florida sheriff releases dash cam video in deputy shooting of two teens as families plan rally

MELBOURNE , Fla. – After days of mounting pressure from community leaders , elected officials and others , a Florida sheriff released a dashcam video showing the deputy-involved shooting of two teens .
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey released the video Tuesday evening and also identified the name of the officers who carried out the shooting as Deputies Jafet Santiago-Miranda and Carson Hendren .
Both were placed on administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the case .
`` What we know to date is that on Friday morning two of our deputies were attempting to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a possible stolen car that had just recently fled from another deputy in the Cocoa area , '' Ivey said in a news release posted to Facebook .
`` While there are many other forthcoming details and evidence concerning this tragic incident , such as the recovery of two firearms from the vehicle , the case is currently an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement who anticipates that the investigative findings will be presented to the State Attorney ’ s Office for review within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the release .
Community activists planned to gather in Cocoa Wednesday afternoon to draw attention to what they said has been a lack of transparency and accountability from the Brevard County Sheriff 's Office in last week 's fatal shooting of two teens .
Some of those attending the protest were expected to focus on the lack of information from law enforcement to the parents of the teens – a 16-and 18-year-old – and to the public about the investigation during the first 72 hours following the shooting .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police ) brutality in our community and to allow the public to know that there ’ s a chronic illness that continues to plague our neighborhood and we want to eradicate it , '' said Robert Johnson , a longtime civil rights leader and proponent of law enforcement reform .
“ It ’ s a disrespect for Black lives .
How do you not tell a mother about what 's happened to her child ?
We 're crying out .
That 's why we 're on the corner with this rally , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ivey 's statement .
The case has caught the attention of Benjamin Crump , a high-profile civil rights attorney who announced on social media late Monday that he now represents the families in the deaths of the two teens , Sincere Pierce , 18 , and A.J .
Crooms , 16 .
It was not immediately known if Crump – who in recent years has spearheaded a number of wrongful death cases against police departments across the nation – will attend the rally .
He did not return phone calls Tuesday seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two teens and before Ivey 's release of the video , family members were in mourning and still looking for answers .
Cynthia Byrd-Green , an aunt who raised Sincere Pierce since he was 3 days old and calls him her son , said Tuesday afternoon she was frustrated with the process and the lack of details surrounding the case .
She said she believes the shooting was the result of mistaken identity and that deputies were searching for a different car .
The family has seen an outpouring of support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meals and sending cards , she said .
`` I do n't really know all of them , but I love my neighbors .
They showed me that neighbors can be neighbors , '' Byrd-Green said .
The rally is expected to start at 4 p.m. Wednesday at one of the busiest traffic intersections in Cocoa .
Johnson said he is expecting at least 100 people to turn out , including other civil rights leaders , family , and members of the Black Lives Matter movement .
He also plans to invite area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known about the shooting : It happened at about 10:30 a.m. Friday .
The dashcam video shows two patrol cars following the vehicle driven by the 16-year-old .
The Sheriff 's Office news release noted deputies were investigating an earlier incident in which a vehicle fled from an attempted traffic stop at another location .
It said a vehicle was observed in the area of Stetson and Ivy drives in Cocoa , where deputies attempted to make contact with the occupants .
Both Deputies Santiago-Miranda and Hendren had stepped out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teens pulled into a driveway before reversing and backing out .
On the audio released , deputies repeated seven commands for the teen driver to stop the car .
Crooms then turns and appears to drive the vehicle toward Deputy Santiago-Miranda who fired his gun into the front of the car and driver 's side .
Ivey said the gunfire was in response to an attempt `` to stop the deadly threat of the car from crashing into him . ''
Witnesses in the neighborhood reported that bullets pocked the front of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the windshield and the driver 's side door .
The video shows the car rolled into the wall of a nearby home .
The wheels spun until the two unresponsive men were out of the car .
Cocoa police volunteers repaired the wall of the home struck by the car .
Autopsies on the pair – delayed because of COVID testing – were expected later this week with sheriff 's and FDLE agents attending at the medical examiner 's office in Rockledge .
Ivey said agents had talked with the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told them the commands to stop the car were audible .
Neither deputy 's personnel files have been released .
A number of questions remain , including how many times the teens were shot and whether the car was stolen .
.
`` I ask that you keep the family of the two young men in your thoughts and prayers and also our deputies , as an incident of this magnitude impacts everyone , including our entire community , '' Ivey wrote on Facebook .

Florida sheriff releases dash cam video in deputy shooting of two teens as families plan rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Dash cam shows moments leading up to deputy-involved shooting Dash cam shows moments leading up to deputy-involved shooting Provided, Florida Today
MELBOURNE, Fla. – After days of mounting pressure from community leaders, elected officials and others, a Florida sheriff released a dashcam video showing the deputy-involved shooting of two teens.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey released the video Tuesday evening and also identified the name of the officers who carried out the shooting as Deputies Jafet Santiago-Miranda and Carson Hendren. Both were placed on administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the case.
"What we know to date is that on Friday morning two of our deputies were attempting to conduct a follow-up investigation on what they believed was a possible stolen car that had just recently fled from another deputy in the Cocoa area," Ivey said in a news release posted to Facebook.
"While there are many other forthcoming details and evidence concerning this tragic incident, such as the recovery of two firearms from the vehicle, the case is currently an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement who anticipates that the investigative findings will be presented to the State Attorney’s Office for review within the next 60-90 days," Ivey said in the release.
Community activists planned to gather in Cocoa Wednesday afternoon to draw attention to what they said has been a lack of transparency and accountability from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office in last week's fatal shooting of two teens.
Cynthia Green talks about shooting victim Sincere Pierce Cynthia Green, who raised Sincere Pierce since he was two days old talks about Sincere and the planned protest in Cocoa Wednesday afternoon. Florida Today
Some of those attending the protest were expected to focus on the lack of information from law enforcement to the parents of the teens – a 16-and 18-year-old – and to the public about the investigation during the first 72 hours following the shooting.
"It's to bring awareness and to highlight (police) brutality in our community and to allow the public to know that there’s a chronic illness that continues to plague our neighborhood and we want to eradicate it," said Robert Johnson, a longtime civil rights leader and proponent of law enforcement reform.
“It’s a disrespect for Black lives. How do you not tell a mother about what's happened to her child? We're crying out. That's why we're on the corner with this rally," Johnson said, speaking before the release of Ivey's statement.
The case has caught the attention of Benjamin Crump, a high-profile civil rights attorney who announced on social media late Monday that he now represents the families in the deaths of the two teens, Sincere Pierce, 18, and A.J. Crooms, 16. It was not immediately known if Crump – who in recent years has spearheaded a number of wrongful death cases against police departments across the nation – will attend the rally.
He did not return phone calls Tuesday seeking comment.
Days after the deaths of the two teens and before Ivey's release of the video, family members were in mourning and still looking for answers .
Cynthia Byrd-Green, an aunt who raised Sincere Pierce since he was 3 days old and calls him her son, said Tuesday afternoon she was frustrated with the process and the lack of details surrounding the case. She said she believes the shooting was the result of mistaken identity and that deputies were searching for a different car.
The family has seen an outpouring of support from the community, with neighbors dropping off meals and sending cards, she said.
"I don't really know all of them, but I love my neighbors. They showed me that neighbors can be neighbors," Byrd-Green said.
Family and Supporters Meet Seeking Answers in Deputy Involved Shooting Family, friends and supporters meet seeking answers in deputy involved shooting in Cocoa. Tim Shortt, FLORIDA TODAY
Rally seeks justice
The rally is expected to start at 4 p.m. Wednesday at one of the busiest traffic intersections in Cocoa.
Johnson said he is expecting at least 100 people to turn out, including other civil rights leaders, family, and members of the Black Lives Matter movement. He also plans to invite area law enforcement agencies.
Here is what is known about the shooting: It happened at about 10:30 a.m. Friday. The dashcam video shows two patrol cars following the vehicle driven by the 16-year-old.
The Sheriff's Office news release noted deputies were investigating an earlier incident in which a vehicle fled from an attempted traffic stop at another location. It said a vehicle was observed in the area of Stetson and Ivy drives in Cocoa, where deputies attempted to make contact with the occupants.
Both Deputies Santiago-Miranda and Hendren had stepped out of their vehicles as the car driven by the teens pulled into a driveway before reversing and backing out. On the audio released, deputies repeated seven commands for the teen driver to stop the car.
Crooms then turns and appears to drive the vehicle toward Deputy Santiago-Miranda who fired his gun into the front of the car and driver's side. Ivey said the gunfire was in response to an attempt "to stop the deadly threat of the car from crashing into him."
Witnesses in the neighborhood reported that bullets pocked the front of the gray sedan the two boys were in, including the windshield and the driver's side door. The video shows the car rolled into the wall of a nearby home. The wheels spun until the two unresponsive men were out of the car.
Cocoa police volunteers repaired the wall of the home struck by the car.
Autopsies on the pair – delayed because of COVID testing – were expected later this week with sheriff's and FDLE agents attending at the medical examiner's office in Rockledge.
Ivey said agents had talked with the third, unidentified teen in the car who told them the commands to stop the car were audible.
Neither deputy's personnel files have been released.
A number of questions remain, including how many times the teens were shot and whether the car was stolen. .
"I ask that you keep the family of the two young men in your thoughts and prayers and also our deputies, as an incident of this magnitude impacts everyone, including our entire community," Ivey wrote on Facebook.
Contributing: Tyler Vazquez, Florida Today
Follow J.D. Gallop on Twitter: @JDGallop.


usatoday--2020-11-18--Fact check: Pfizer received COVID-19 vaccine data after Election Day, released within days

The claim : Pfizer withheld positive news about its coronavirus vaccine until after the election Pfizer and its collaborator BioNTech released early study results on Nov. 9 indicating that their COVID-19 vaccine prevented more than 90 % of infections .
Charlie Kirk , a conservative activist , claimed in a video posted to Facebook on Nov. 11 that Pfizer withheld the news until after Joe Biden secured enough electoral votes to become president-elect on Nov. 7 .
`` Is n't it interesting that probably the best news for the market and for potential swing voters that voted a week ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kirk said .
`` Regardless of your views on vaccinations , I think it is widely agreed upon that the news of an effective vaccine would help the markets and also help President Trump . ''
Kirk noted that Pfizer considered releasing interim results after analyzing 32 cases in late October .
But in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration , the pharmaceutical giant decided against it and released fuller interim analysis results from 94 cases on Nov. 9 .
`` Why is it that Pfizer did not release this news when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kirk asked .
`` The reason ?
Election interference . ''
`` Why did they not even announce the results on Friday , or Thursday ?
The reason is Pfizer wanted to wait until Joe Biden was coronated as president , so that Joe Biden could get the credit for this , '' he added , referring to two and three days after Election Day .
`` They sat on this news .
They directly interfered in the U.S. presidential election , '' Kirk stated .
President Donald Trump also leveled such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter the day the news was announced .
`` As I have long said , @ Pfizer and the others would only announce a Vaccine after the Election , because they didn ’ t have the courage to do it before .
Likewise , the @ US_FDA should have announced it earlier , not for political purposes , but for saving lives ! ''
he wrote .
Kirk and the White House have not responded to a request from USA TODAY for additional comment .
Pfizer CEO did not learn of the positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data was analyzed Pfizer lacked access to its trial data until after Election Day and could not have known or released the results prior to that .
Albert Bourla , Pfizer 's CEO , told Axios that the data came in on Nov. 5 or 6 , after Election Day on Nov. 3 .
`` From the time that the data comes in , before the committee meets , some people need to prepare for each case , '' he said .
`` So there 's a lot of work that needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the speed of light . ''
As a result , the soonest the independent monitoring committee could analyze the data from the 94 cases was on Nov. 8 , after Biden had been declared president-elect .
`` The independent experts ’ committee , independent from Pfizer , that unblinded the data and reviewed , they met at 11 and they finished their meeting at 1:30 , '' Borula said .
Bourla himself then learned of the results on at 2 p.m. Pfizer announced the news to the public the following morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA 'within days ' after further analysis finds COVID-19 vaccine 95 % effective Borula confirmed that he would have released the results prior to Election Day , had he been able to .
`` If it was before , I would have released it before .
If it is now , I ’ ll release them now , '' he said .
Kathrin Jansen , who heads vaccine research and development at Pfizer , told ScienceInsider that `` we had no time and still have no time to deal with politics . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people working diligently to make this work , '' she said .
`` And for us , it was never about politics , it was always about just the disaster that we were in the middle of , all of us globally , seeing the devastation and the deaths.
” Pfizer considered releasing results from 32 cases , but decided it was more scientifically sound to wait for more cases It is true that Pfizer had scheduled the first analysis of its data after 32 of its 30,000 trial participants reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd be ready before Election Day .
In September , Borula told the Today Show that the company 's model `` predicts that we will have an answer by the end of October , '' though he noted that it was the `` best case '' prediction .
But on an earnings call on Oct. 27 , just a week prior to Election Day , Pfizer said the 32-case mark had not yet been achieved , per Fox Business .
Numerous members of the scientific community — including scientists at the Food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data based on only 32 cases was insufficient , according to the Washington Post .
In late October , a vaccine advisory committee at the FDA `` ridiculed '' the concept of reporting data on just 32 cases .
Not long after , Pfizer revised its protocol to wait for 62 cases — and ended up with 94 cases of COVID-19 among 44,000 trial participants .
Pfizer explained the change in its press release on Nov. 9 .
`` After discussion with the FDA , the companies recently elected to drop the 32-case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis at a minimum of 62 cases , '' the release stated .
`` Upon the conclusion of those discussions , the evaluable case count reached 94 and the ( Data Monitoring Committee ) performed its first analysis on all cases . ''
Evaluating more cases also increased the statistical strength of the results , per STAT , which also noted the study design , with its 32-case interim analysis , `` came under fire from experts who worried that , even if it was statistically valid , these interim analyses would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be given to billions of people . ''
Even though Pfizer had 32 cases in October , it waited to analyze them until the case count went up — and therefore did n't know the results in advance of Election Day .
Pfizer contributed to both Democrats and Republicans this cycle In his video , Kirk references the political contributions Pfizer has made as purported proof of the company 's motivation to withhold the news about the vaccine .
• None $ 256,520 from Pfizer to Joe Biden for President • $ 152,120 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee ( DSCC ) • $ 106,859 from Pfizer to the Democratic National Committee Services Corp. ( DNC ) • $ 99,811 from Pfizer to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) He also claims that employees of Pfizer donated $ 37,703 to Bernie Sanders and $ 35,352 to the Pete Buttigieg .
These are all real figures from the Center for Responsive Politics ' OpenSecrets.org .
In reality , Pfizer itself never contributed to Biden .
Kirk obscures a key distinction — contributions from Pfizer itself and contributions from individuals associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , employees or owners of the organization , and those individuals ’ immediate family members . ''
The figure that Kirk referenced — $ 256,520 to Biden — came from individuals associated with the company , not the company itself .
Likewise , there were $ 62,058 in contributions from individuals associated with the company to Trump .
Kirk fails to mention that OpenSecrets also lists contributions to the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee ( NRSC ) , the Republican National Committee ( RNC ) and the National Republican Congressional Committee ( NRCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Pfizer to the Democrats and Republicans were almost equal with a total of $ 235,000 to the DSCC , DNC , and DCCC , and $ 200,000 to the RSCC , RNC and NRCC .
It 's only with the added contributions from individuals associated with the corporation that there 's any sort of disparity — with a total of $ 688,365 to Democrats and $ 377,197 to Republicans .
Sharon Castillo , a spokesperson for Pfizer , told USA TODAY that the contributions of its private citizen employees `` can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shape , or form . ''
As for the company 's direct contributions , Castillo said they are guided by two principles .
`` We contribute to elected officials and candidates from both sides of the aisle pretty evenly , and we contribute to policy makers who are furthering the incentives for innovation and expanding access to medicines and vaccines , '' she said .
Castillo also said the overall claim that Pfizer withheld data is `` categorically false . ''
“ Mr .
Kirk ’ s statements are unfortunate , unfair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Based on our research , the claim that Pfizer intentionally withheld positive news about its coronavirus vaccine until after the election to hurt Trump or help Biden is FALSE .
Pfizer 's CEO Albert Bourla said he would have released the results before Election Day if he 'd had them .
But the data did n't come in until days afterward and was n't ready for analysis until Nov. 8 , after Biden had secured enough electoral votes to become president-elect .
• USA TODAY , Nov. 9 , Pfizer 's COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective in early findings • Axios , Nov. 9 , Pfizer CEO says he would 've released vaccine data before election if possible • ScienceInsider , Nov. 11 , Fact check : No evidence supports Trump ’ s claim that COVID-19 vaccine result was suppressed to sway election • Washington Post , Nov. 11 , Trump rails against ‘ medical deep state ’ after Pfizer vaccine news comes after Election Day • Today Show , Sept. 8 , Pfizer CEO on coronavirus vaccine : ‘ We will have an answer by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pfizer and BioNTech Announce Vaccine Candidate Against COVID-19 Achieved Success in First Interim Analysis from Phase 3 Study • STAT , Nov. 9 , Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech is strongly effective , early data from large trial indicate Thank you for supporting our journalism .
You can subscribe to our print edition , ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here .
Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook .
This fact check is available at IFCN ’ s 2020 US Elections FactChat # Chatbot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .

Fact check: Pfizer received COVID-19 vaccine data after Election Day, released within days
Show Caption Hide Caption Pfizer says vaccine 95% effective, will seek FDA's okay "within days" Pfizer says its potential COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective in final results. It will submit the candidate for approval from the FDA within days. Newsy, Newsy
The claim: Pfizer withheld positive news about its coronavirus vaccine until after the election
Pfizer and its collaborator BioNTech released early study results on Nov. 9 indicating that their COVID-19 vaccine prevented more than 90% of infections.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, claimed in a video posted to Facebook on Nov. 11 that Pfizer withheld the news until after Joe Biden secured enough electoral votes to become president-elect on Nov. 7.
"Isn't it interesting that probably the best news for the market and for potential swing voters that voted a week ago was just released this morning?" Kirk said. "Regardless of your views on vaccinations, I think it is widely agreed upon that the news of an effective vaccine would help the markets and also help President Trump."
Kirk noted that Pfizer considered releasing interim results after analyzing 32 cases in late October. But in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, the pharmaceutical giant decided against it and released fuller interim analysis results from 94 cases on Nov. 9.
"Why is it that Pfizer did not release this news when they had it 10 days ago?" Kirk asked. "The reason? Election interference."
"Why did they not even announce the results on Friday, or Thursday? The reason is Pfizer wanted to wait until Joe Biden was coronated as president, so that Joe Biden could get the credit for this," he added, referring to two and three days after Election Day.
"They sat on this news. They directly interfered in the U.S. presidential election," Kirk stated.
More: Fact check: Health and Human Services closed standalone vaccine office, merged it amid restructuring
President Donald Trump also leveled such accusations against Pfizer and the FDA on Twitter the day the news was announced.
"As I have long said, @Pfizer and the others would only announce a Vaccine after the Election, because they didn’t have the courage to do it before. Likewise, the @US_FDA should have announced it earlier, not for political purposes, but for saving lives!" he wrote.
Kirk's page added a correction to the video, then deleted it, since this fact-check was published. The White Househas not responded to a request from USA TODAY for additional comment.
Other Facebook posts have promoted the same narrative.
Coronavirus: How vaccines are developed and tested Pressure to create a coronavirus vaccine is increasing by the day, but for a safe vaccine to enter the market, it takes time. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Pfizer CEO did not learn of the positive news until Sunday, just after the data was analyzed
Pfizer lacked access to its trial data until after Election Day and could not have known or released the results prior to that.
Albert Bourla, Pfizer's CEO, told Axios that the data came in on Nov. 5 or 6, after Election Day on Nov. 3.
"From the time that the data comes in, before the committee meets, some people need to prepare for each case," he said. "So there's a lot of work that needs to be done. But we did it with the speed of light."
As a result, the soonest the independent monitoring committee could analyze the data from the 94 cases was on Nov. 8, after Biden had been declared president-elect.
"The independent experts’ committee, independent from Pfizer, that unblinded the data and reviewed, they met at 11 and they finished their meeting at 1:30," Borula said.
Bourla himself then learned of the results on at 2 p.m. Pfizer announced the news to the public the following morning.
More: Pfizer to seek approval from FDA 'within days' after further analysis finds COVID-19 vaccine 95% effective
Borula confirmed that he would have released the results prior to Election Day, had he been able to.
"If it was before, I would have released it before. If it is now, I’ll release them now," he said.
Kathrin Jansen, who heads vaccine research and development at Pfizer, told ScienceInsider that "we had no time and still have no time to deal with politics."
"We are at this 24/7, thousands of people working diligently to make this work," she said. "And for us, it was never about politics, it was always about just the disaster that we were in the middle of, all of us globally, seeing the devastation and the deaths.”
More: Q&A: Pfizer exec talks COVID-19 vaccine timetable, distribution
Pfizer considered releasing results from 32 cases, but decided it was more scientifically sound to wait for more cases
It is true that Pfizer had scheduled the first analysis of its data after 32 of its 30,000 trial participants reported cases of COVID-19 — and thought it'd be ready before Election Day.
In September, Borula told the Today Show that the company's model "predicts that we will have an answer by the end of October," though he noted that it was the "best case" prediction.
But on an earnings call on Oct. 27, just a week prior to Election Day, Pfizer said the 32-case mark had not yet been achieved, per Fox Business.
Numerous members of the scientific community — including scientists at the Food and Drug Administration — also expressed concerns that data based on only 32 cases was insufficient, according to the Washington Post. In late October, a vaccine advisory committee at the FDA "ridiculed" the concept of reporting data on just 32 cases.
Not long after, Pfizer revised its protocol to wait for 62 cases — and ended up with 94 cases of COVID-19 among 44,000 trial participants.
COVID-19: How Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines differ Pfizer and Moderna have both announced promising results in the phase 3 trials of their COVID-19 vaccines. Here's how they differ. USA TODAY, Storyful
Pfizer explained the change in its press release on Nov. 9.
"After discussion with the FDA, the companies recently elected to drop the 32-case interim analysis and conduct the first interim analysis at a minimum of 62 cases," the release stated. "Upon the conclusion of those discussions, the evaluable case count reached 94 and the (Data Monitoring Committee) performed its first analysis on all cases."
Evaluating more cases also increased the statistical strength of the results, per STAT, which also noted the study design, with its 32-case interim analysis, "came under fire from experts who worried that, even if it was statistically valid, these interim analyses would not provide enough data when a vaccine could be given to billions of people."
Even though Pfizer had 32 cases in October, it waited to analyze them until the case count went up — and therefore didn't know the results in advance of Election Day.
Pfizer contributed to both Democrats and Republicans this cycle
In his video, Kirk references the political contributions Pfizer has made as purported proof of the company's motivation to withhold the news about the vaccine.
Kirk lists the following figures:
$256,520 from Pfizer to Joe Biden for President
$152,120 from Pfizer to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)
$106,859 from Pfizer to the Democratic National Committee Services Corp. (DNC)
$99,811 from Pfizer to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)
He also claims that employees of Pfizer donated $37,703 to Bernie Sanders and $35,352 to the Pete Buttigieg.
These are all real figures from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org.
In reality, Pfizer itself never contributed to Biden.
Kirk obscures a key distinction — contributions from Pfizer itself and contributions from individuals associated with Pfizer, which include "members, employees or owners of the organization, and those individuals’ immediate family members."
The figure that Kirk referenced — $256,520 to Biden — came from individuals associated with the company, not the company itself. Likewise, there were $62,058 in contributions from individuals associated with the company to Trump.
Kirk fails to mention that OpenSecrets also lists contributions to the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (NRSC), the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
And contributions that came directly from Pfizer to the Democrats and Republicans were almost equal with a total of $235,000 to the DSCC, DNC, and DCCC, and $200,000 to the RSCC, RNC and NRCC.
It's only with the added contributions from individuals associated with the corporation that there's any sort of disparity — with a total of $688,365 to Democrats and $377,197 to Republicans.
Sharon Castillo, a spokesperson for Pfizer, told USA TODAY that the contributions of its private citizen employees "cannot be tied to Pfizer in any way, shape, or form."
As for the company's direct contributions, Castillo said they are guided by two principles.
"We contribute to elected officials and candidates from both sides of the aisle pretty evenly, and we contribute to policy makers who are furthering the incentives for innovation and expanding access to medicines and vaccines," she said.
Castillo also said the overall claim that Pfizer withheld data is "categorically false."
“Mr. Kirk’s statements are unfortunate, unfair, and unproductive," she said.
Our rating: False
Based on our research, the claim that Pfizer intentionally withheld positive news about its coronavirus vaccine until after the election to hurt Trump or help Biden is FALSE. Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla said he would have released the results before Election Day if he'd had them. But the data didn't come in until days afterward and wasn't ready for analysis until Nov. 8, after Biden had secured enough electoral votes to become president-elect.
Our fact-check sources:
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.
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This fact check is available at IFCN’s 2020 US Elections FactChat #Chatbot on WhatsApp. Click here, for more.


usatoday--2020-11-19--NRA agrees to $2.5 million fine, five-year ban on selling insurance in New York

ALBANY , N.Y. – The National Rifle Association will pay a $ 2.5 million penalty and be banned from selling insurance products in New York after state regulators found the organization violated the law for most of the last two decades .
The state Department of Financial Services and the NRA entered into an agreement last week to end the state 's three-year investigation into the gunowners-rights organization 's insurance offerings , including Carry Guard , a controversial product that covered legal costs for policy holders who claim they acted in self defense .
The state 's investigation found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales on insurance products to its New York members , which the organization marketed in the state despite not having a proper insurance license .
As part of a consent order signed last week and announced Wednesday , the NRA will pay the fine and stop marketing insurance to its New York members for the next five years , regardless of whether it obtains a license .
Despite the agreement , a second , more-serious state investigation will continue : State Attorney General Letitia James sued the NRA this year , accusing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure .
In a statement Wednesday , DFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell said the NRA `` operated as an unlicensed insurance producer and broke the New York Insurance Law . ''
“ Even worse , the NRA violated the New York Insurance Law by soliciting dangerous and impermissible insurance products , including those within its Carry Guard program that purported to insure intentional acts and criminal defense costs , '' she said .
New York had been one of several regulators to investigate the NRA 's Carry Guard program after the organization launched it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover the legal fees and civil liability costs of policy holders involved in incidents in which they claim they acted in self defense .
The state 's investigation quickly expanded to examining a variety of insurance products , which were technically offered by licensed insurers Lockton Affinity and AGIA .
More than 28,000 New York residents bought NRA-endorsed policies through Lockton alone from 2000 through 2018 .
But the NRA marketed those policies to its New York members through various advertisements , including YouTube videos , and received compensation for every sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 7 million for underwriting the Carry Guard program , which the state said was illegal in part because it provided coverage for willful , intentional acts .
The NRA then sued Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , claiming the state was trying to blackball the NRA by targeting its affiliates .
Fact check : Facebook is n't removing users or posts that support the NRA Exclusive : NRA 's former No .
2 official Joshua Powell describes 'decades of fraud , corruption ' inside lobby group The NRA had claimed it acted appropriately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But state regulators say the arrangement crossed a legal line in New York , which found the NRA was illegally acting as an insurance producer in part because it was compensated for sales .
The consent order did not require the NRA to admit fault , but does prevent the organization from disputing any of the facts contained in it .
The organization 's general counsel , John Frazer , signed the consent order Nov. 13 .
In a statement , an attorney for the NRA said the DFS investigation `` began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a whimper . ''
“ The consent order contains no admissions by the NRA , and no NRA member money will fund this settlement , '' said William Brewer , the attorney .
As part of the agreement , the NRA will not allow licensed insurers to use its logo for the next five years in New York , nor will it be allowed to collect compensation from any insurance sales .
The consent order does not prohibit the NRA from continuing its lawsuit against Cuomo , which remains pending .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NRA , the NRA ’ s claims against DFS – and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , and New York Attorney General Letitia James – will go forward , '' Brewer said .
The agreement is separate and apart from James ' lawsuit against the NRA , which is also ongoing .
James , an independently elected official , filed suit in August against the organization , accusing it of wasting millions of dollars on tropical trips , lavish meals and private jets that benefited NRA leaders including Wayne LaPierre , its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to shut the NRA down by forcing it to dissolve .
A nonprofit organization , the NRA has been chartered in New York since it was founded in the late 19th century .
The NRA has countersued , accusing James , a Democrat , of launching a political vendetta against the organization .

NRA agrees to $2.5 million fine, five-year ban on selling insurance in New York
Show Caption Hide Caption NY attorney general seeks to dissolve NRA New York's attorney general sued the National Rifle Association on Thursday, seeking to dissolve the powerful gun advocacy organization over allegations that high-ranking executives diverted millions of dollars for personal use. (Aug. 6) AP
ALBANY, N.Y. – The National Rifle Association will pay a $2.5 million penalty and be banned from selling insurance products in New York after state regulators found the organization violated the law for most of the last two decades.
The state Department of Financial Services and the NRA entered into an agreement last week to end the state's three-year investigation into the gunowners-rights organization's insurance offerings, including Carry Guard, a controversial product that covered legal costs for policy holders who claim they acted in self defense.
The state's investigation found the NRA earned commission on more than 28,000 sales on insurance products to its New York members, which the organization marketed in the state despite not having a proper insurance license.
As part of a consent order signed last week and announced Wednesday, the NRA will pay the fine and stop marketing insurance to its New York members for the next five years, regardless of whether it obtains a license.
Despite the agreement, a second, more-serious state investigation will continue: State Attorney General Letitia James sued the NRA this year, accusing the organization of widespread fraud and seeking its closure.
In a statement Wednesday, DFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell said the NRA "operated as an unlicensed insurance producer and broke the New York Insurance Law."
“Even worse, the NRA violated the New York Insurance Law by soliciting dangerous and impermissible insurance products, including those within its Carry Guard program that purported to insure intentional acts and criminal defense costs," she said.
New York had been one of several regulators to investigate the NRA's Carry Guard program after the organization launched it in 2017.
The insurance program promised to cover the legal fees and civil liability costs of policy holders involved in incidents in which they claim they acted in self defense.
The state's investigation quickly expanded to examining a variety of insurance products, which were technically offered by licensed insurers Lockton Affinity and AGIA. More than 28,000 New York residents bought NRA-endorsed policies through Lockton alone from 2000 through 2018.
But the NRA marketed those policies to its New York members through various advertisements, including YouTube videos, and received compensation for every sale.
In 2018, DFS fined Lockton $7 million for underwriting the Carry Guard program, which the state said was illegal in part because it provided coverage for willful, intentional acts. The NRA then sued Gov. Andrew Cuomo, claiming the state was trying to blackball the NRA by targeting its affiliates.
Fact check: Facebook isn't removing users or posts that support the NRA
Exclusive: NRA's former No. 2 official Joshua Powell describes 'decades of fraud, corruption' inside lobby group
The NRA had claimed it acted appropriately because Lockton and AGIA were licensed insurers. But state regulators say the arrangement crossed a legal line in New York, which found the NRA was illegally acting as an insurance producer in part because it was compensated for sales.
The consent order did not require the NRA to admit fault, but does prevent the organization from disputing any of the facts contained in it. The organization's general counsel, John Frazer, signed the consent order Nov. 13.
In a statement, an attorney for the NRA said the DFS investigation "began with a roar" and "ends with a whimper."
“The consent order contains no admissions by the NRA, and no NRA member money will fund this settlement," said William Brewer, the attorney.
As part of the agreement, the NRA will not allow licensed insurers to use its logo for the next five years in New York, nor will it be allowed to collect compensation from any insurance sales.
The consent order does not prohibit the NRA from continuing its lawsuit against Cuomo, which remains pending.
"Although DFS has settled its claims against the NRA, the NRA’s claims against DFS – and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New York Attorney General Letitia James – will go forward," Brewer said.
The agreement is separate and apart from James' lawsuit against the NRA, which is also ongoing.
James, an independently elected official, filed suit in August against the organization, accusing it of wasting millions of dollars on tropical trips, lavish meals and private jets that benefited NRA leaders including Wayne LaPierre, its longtime executive vice president.
The lawsuit seeks to shut the NRA down by forcing it to dissolve. A nonprofit organization, the NRA has been chartered in New York since it was founded in the late 19th century.
The NRA has countersued, accusing James, a Democrat, of launching a political vendetta against the organization.
The lawsuits remain pending in court.
Follow New York state government reporter Jon Campbell on Twitter: @JonCampbellGAN.


usatoday--2020-11-18--Dr. Fauci says 'help is on the way' when COVID vaccines will be distributed during presser

Dr. Fauci says 'help is on the way ' when COVID vaccines will be distributed during presser Dr. Anthony Fauci @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus could begin by December or early January .

COVID-19 vaccine: Dr. Fauci talks about the timeline for distribution
Dr. Anthony Fauci said distribution of vaccines for the coronavirus could begin by December or early January.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-18--The secret to making the perfect Thanksgiving pumpkin pie

The secret to making the perfect Thanksgiving pumpkin pie Add a small twist to your pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving .

Thanksgiving recipe: Pumpkin pie with scorched meringue
Add a small twist to your pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-18--LSU promises review of Title IX policies, faces calls for resignations, after USA TODAY investigatio

Louisiana State University administrators and coaches are under fire after a USA TODAY investigation that found systemic mishandling of sexual misconduct and dating violence complaints by the school .
Hours after Thomas Galligan , LSU ’ s interim president , released a statement Monday acknowledging the university ’ s failings and promising a review of its policies , representatives from more than a dozen LSU student groups called for the resignation of anyone who has mishandled Title IX complaints .
There has been an outcry from faculty and students on social media , and a protest is scheduled Friday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering up sexual assault cases.
” “ The common word that I saw yesterday was disgust , ” said Angel Upshaw , co-president of the LSU student group Tigers Against Sexual Assault .
“ It showed how much survivors are dismissed and not believed .
It was shocking to everyone .
This isn ’ t going to be one of these things that we let blow over.
” Upshaw was among the 26 student leaders who signed the open letter supporting resignation for LSU officials .
“ LSU as a community can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address past Title IX claims or correct our policies while these administrators and the culture of rape and victim-blaming they have created maintain their positions.
” A USA TODAY investigation published Monday found that officials in the university ’ s athletic department and broader administration repeatedly have ignored complaints against abusers , denied victims ’ requests for protection and subjected them to further harm by known perpetrators .
At least nine football players have been reported to police for accusations of sexual misconduct and dating violence since coach Ed Orgeron took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
The university is known to have disciplined only two of them , and one – former wide receiver Drake Davis – was not expelled until four months after he was convicted of physically abusing his former girlfriend .
Orgeron addressed the story in his weekly teleconference Monday , reading a statement about the need to support and protect survivors and saying he complies with reporting protocols .
He declined to address the topic beyond the statement .
USA TODAY also found three cases in which , rather than expelling or suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , LSU allowed them to stay on campus .
The men , non-athletes , received `` deferred suspensions , '' a probationary period during which they must stay out of trouble .
Will Mari , an assistant professor of media law , said students and faculty alike have been talking about the USA TODAY story , both in person and on social media .
“ In my class , we spent the first 10 minutes Monday talking about it , ” he said .
“ A lot of my female students were just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them were wanting answers .
“ For many of them , I think this confirms their own concerns.
” Olivia James , an opinion columnist at The Reveille , LSU ’ s student newspaper , told USA TODAY that the first story she wrote for the paper detailed the indifference she experienced from both LSU and the LSU Police Department after a man exposed himself to her while she was walking back to her dorm .
After the story ran , James said , LSU PD tried to pressure her into taking it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on technicalities instead of protecting a student , ” James said .
“ I say all of this to say that it ’ s not even just about football : Rape culture is the culture at LSU .
Silencing women to protect the interests of the university has always been the main priority and students have just about had enough .
“ We demand change , and we want it now.
” STAR , which provides sexual assault support resources in Louisiana , said in a statement that “ it has been “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs within the university that we know are hotspots for sexual assault , specifically LSU ’ s Greek system and the athletics department.
” In April 2017 , it sent a letter to Orgeron , then-LSU president F. King Alexander and then-LSU athletic director Joe Alleva expressing concerns with how the athletic department was handling sexual assault prevention efforts .
“ STAR received no response to this letter from any of the three individuals we sent it to , ” the group said .
In his statement , Galligan announced that LSU has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ independent , comprehensive review of our Title IX policies and procedures.
” The probe is supposed to be completed by spring , which is also when Galligan ’ s time as interim president is due to end .
But USA TODAY ’ s investigation found the problem is not with LSU ’ s policies but rather officials and administrators who ignore or sidestep them .
LSU spokesman Jim Sabourin clarified Tuesday that the review will focus on “ the entirety ” of the Title IX process , from the time allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and adjudicated .
The review will look at the specific cases mentioned in USA TODAY ’ s investigation and whether those were handled properly , he said .
`` If there are patterns evident in why certain allegations do n't make it to the Title IX process , then we need to know why , '' Sabourin said , adding that a summary of the findings and any recommendations from the review will be made public when it is complete .
Federal law and LSU ’ s own policies require campus officials to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school ’ s Title IX office to conduct an initial investigation .
LSU also requires school officials – coaches included – to report to police if they witness or are told about possible sexual misconduct or dating violence occurring on campus .
Title IX is the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education .
In the case of Davis , at least seven LSU officials had direct knowledge he was abusing his girlfriend , an LSU women ’ s tennis player , but they sat on the information for months while Davis continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often hire outside law firms when they have been accused of widespread Title IX violations .
But such investigations don ’ t guarantee clarity – or change .
When Baylor hired Pepper Hamilton in the wake of its sex abuse scandal , the law firm did only an oral presentation of its findings to the school ’ s Board of Regents .
The university and the firm have said no written report was ever produced so only people at that Board of Regents meeting know what the firm discovered , leading to questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mari said he and other faculty members he has talked with would have preferred the investigation not have any ties to LSU .
“ I would be personally happier to see them ask the governor to send someone , ” Mari said .
“ I think a lot of us are skeptical on the faculty side , ” he added .
“ I don ’ t want to speak for all 800 of my fellow faculty , but I would say a lot of us seem wary with that kind of solution.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university has no choice but to be transparent in its findings , and to follow through on recommended changes .
An attempt to minimize the USA TODAY investigation drew backlash on social media – LSU punter Zach Von Rosenberg wound up deleting a tweet in which he defended Orgeron ’ s handling of the cases cited – and the anger is not abating .
Jack Green , a co-author of the letter that called for the resignation of “ any administration or staff of LSU or LSU athletics who have either actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or have knowledge of the mishandling or suppression and failed to act , ” said representatives from several additional student groups have added their names since it was first issued late Monday .
Caroline Schroeder was featured in USA TODAY ’ s investigation Monday as one of two women who separately reported a fraternity member for sexual assault .
Although she had requested that her name not be included in the story , she changed her mind afterward when she said she experienced an outpouring of support from fellow students and on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised by the almost universal support for the survivors in the story and disappointment in LSU , ” Schroder said .
“ I expected to see a lot more skeptical people , but the generally positive response has calmed my nerves.
” As for LSU ’ s response , Schroeder said Galligan ’ s statement is “ not going to cut it.
” “ I didn ’ t have any issue with the current policy , ” she said .
“ The issue is simply that they need to follow the current policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Kenny Jacoby, Nancy Armour and Jessica Luther, USA TODAY

LSU promises review of Title IX policies, faces calls for resignations, after USA TODAY investigation
Louisiana State University administrators and coaches are under fire after a USA TODAY investigation that found systemic mishandling of sexual misconduct and dating violence complaints by the school.
Hours after Thomas Galligan, LSU’s interim president, released a statement Monday acknowledging the university’s failings and promising a review of its policies, representatives from more than a dozen LSU student groups called for the resignation of anyone who has mishandled Title IX complaints. There has been an outcry from faculty and students on social media, and a protest is scheduled Friday afternoon “for LSU to take responsibility for covering up sexual assault cases.”
“The common word that I saw yesterday was disgust,” said Angel Upshaw, co-president of the LSU student group Tigers Against Sexual Assault. “It showed how much survivors are dismissed and not believed. It was shocking to everyone. This isn’t going to be one of these things that we let blow over.”
Upshaw was among the 26 student leaders who signed the open letter supporting resignation for LSU officials.
“LSU as a community cannot and will not effectively investigate this failure to address past Title IX claims or correct our policies while these administrators and the culture of rape and victim-blaming they have created maintain their positions.”
A USA TODAY investigation published Monday found that officials in the university’s athletic department and broader administration repeatedly have ignored complaints against abusers, denied victims’ requests for protection and subjected them to further harm by known perpetrators.
At least nine football players have been reported to police for accusations of sexual misconduct and dating violence since coach Ed Orgeron took over the team four years ago, records show. The university is known to have disciplined only two of them, and one – former wide receiver Drake Davis – was not expelled until four months after he was convicted of physically abusing his former girlfriend.
Orgeron addressed the story in his weekly teleconference Monday, reading a statement about the need to support and protect survivors and saying he complies with reporting protocols. He declined to address the topic beyond the statement.
More: Colorado State athletes criticize administration for handling of sexual misconduct cases
USA TODAY also found three cases in which, rather than expelling or suspending male students found responsible for sexual assault, LSU allowed them to stay on campus. The men, non-athletes, received "deferred suspensions," a probationary period during which they must stay out of trouble.
Will Mari, an assistant professor of media law, said students and faculty alike have been talking about the USA TODAY story, both in person and on social media.
“In my class, we spent the first 10 minutes Monday talking about it,” he said. “A lot of my female students were just angry, understandably, and many of them were wanting answers.
“For many of them, I think this confirms their own concerns.”
Olivia James, an opinion columnist at The Reveille, LSU’s student newspaper, told USA TODAY that the first story she wrote for the paper detailed the indifference she experienced from both LSU and the LSU Police Department after a man exposed himself to her while she was walking back to her dorm. After the story ran, James said, LSU PD tried to pressure her into taking it down.
“They wanted to focus on technicalities instead of protecting a student,” James said. “I say all of this to say that it’s not even just about football: Rape culture is the culture at LSU. Silencing women to protect the interests of the university has always been the main priority and students have just about had enough.
“We demand change, and we want it now.”
STAR, which provides sexual assault support resources in Louisiana, said in a statement that “it has been “ignored and dismissed by other departments and programs within the university that we know are hotspots for sexual assault, specifically LSU’s Greek system and the athletics department.”
In April 2017, it sent a letter to Orgeron, then-LSU president F. King Alexander and then-LSU athletic director Joe Alleva expressing concerns with how the athletic department was handling sexual assault prevention efforts.
“STAR received no response to this letter from any of the three individuals we sent it to,” the group said.
In his statement, Galligan announced that LSU has hired law firm Husch Blackwell to do an “independent, comprehensive review of our Title IX policies and procedures.” The probe is supposed to be completed by spring, which is also when Galligan’s time as interim president is due to end.
But USA TODAY’s investigation found the problem is not with LSU’s policies but rather officials and administrators who ignore or sidestep them.
LSU spokesman Jim Sabourin clarified Tuesday that the review will focus on “the entirety” of the Title IX process, from the time allegations are reported to when they are investigated and adjudicated. The review will look at the specific cases mentioned in USA TODAY’s investigation and whether those were handled properly, he said.
"If there are patterns evident in why certain allegations don't make it to the Title IX process, then we need to know why," Sabourin said, adding that a summary of the findings and any recommendations from the review will be made public when it is complete.
Federal law and LSU’s own policies require campus officials to report allegations of sexual violence to the school’s Title IX office to conduct an initial investigation. LSU also requires school officials – coaches included – to report to police if they witness or are told about possible sexual misconduct or dating violence occurring on campus.
Title IX is the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education.
In the case of Davis, at least seven LSU officials had direct knowledge he was abusing his girlfriend, an LSU women’s tennis player, but they sat on the information for months while Davis continued to assault and strangle her.
Schools often hire outside law firms when they have been accused of widespread Title IX violations. But such investigations don’t guarantee clarity – or change.
When Baylor hired Pepper Hamilton in the wake of its sex abuse scandal, the law firm did only an oral presentation of its findings to the school’s Board of Regents. The university and the firm have said no written report was ever produced so only people at that Board of Regents meeting know what the firm discovered, leading to questions about the firm’s impartiality.
Mari said he and other faculty members he has talked with would have preferred the investigation not have any ties to LSU.
“I would be personally happier to see them ask the governor to send someone,” Mari said.
“I think a lot of us are skeptical on the faculty side,” he added. “I don’t want to speak for all 800 of my fellow faculty, but I would say a lot of us seem wary with that kind of solution.”
But the reaction of students might mean the university has no choice but to be transparent in its findings, and to follow through on recommended changes. An attempt to minimize the USA TODAY investigation drew backlash on social media – LSU punter Zach Von Rosenberg wound up deleting a tweet in which he defended Orgeron’s handling of the cases cited – and the anger is not abating.
Jack Green, a co-author of the letter that called for the resignation of “any administration or staff of LSU or LSU athletics who have either actively mishandled, suppressed Title IX claims, or have knowledge of the mishandling or suppression and failed to act,” said representatives from several additional student groups have added their names since it was first issued late Monday.
Caroline Schroeder was featured in USA TODAY’s investigation Monday as one of two women who separately reported a fraternity member for sexual assault. Although she had requested that her name not be included in the story, she changed her mind afterward when she said she experienced an outpouring of support from fellow students and on social media.
“I’m pleasantly surprised by the almost universal support for the survivors in the story and disappointment in LSU,” Schroder said. “I expected to see a lot more skeptical people, but the generally positive response has calmed my nerves.”
As for LSU’s response, Schroeder said Galligan’s statement is “not going to cut it.”
“I didn’t have any issue with the current policy,” she said. “The issue is simply that they need to follow the current policy as it’s currently written.”


usatoday--2020-11-19--Wisconsin recount gets off to a rough start as Elections Commission repeatedly clashes

MADISON , Wis. — Wisconsin ’ s recount turned into a partisan brawl Wednesday night , well before the first votes began to be retallied .
The three Republicans and three Democrats on the Wisconsin Elections Commission clashed repeatedly in a late-night virtual meeting as they tried to establish guidelines spelling out how clerks should conduct the recount during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I would be delighted to see this commission actually function , ” Commission Chairwoman Ann Jacobs , a Democrat , said as she sought to find a way for the two sides to decide how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recount manual for clerks .
At 11:30 p.m. , after 5 ½ hours of often rancorous debate , the commission unanimously approved the recount .
The commissioners inability to get along suggested the recount will be brutal and will likely end in a courtroom .
President Donald Trump sought the recount Wednesday in Dane and Milwaukee counties after he lost the state by about 20,600 votes to Joe Biden .
That 's a margin of about 0.6 percentage points .
The recount is to begin Friday and be finished by Dec. 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results .
The commissioners argued over issues minor and significant , including how to consider claims that absentee ballots were illegally issued and where observers could station themselves .
At one point , Republican Commissioner Dean Knudson suggested all the absentee ballots requested through the state ’ s online portal were invalid because of the way the system logs those requests .
`` I hope we have n't created a system at WEC where , you know , we somehow entice people into requesting a ballot that is n't actually in keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats said that position was ridiculous , noting myvote.wi.gov is broadly used by voters to request ballots .
Knudson questioned whether Democratic county clerks would treat recount observers fairly .
Democrats are in charge of the recount because Trump limited his recount to the two most Democratic counties in the state .
“ If they can figure out a way using the pandemic to … make it harder to see what ’ s going on , to make it harder to observe , then that wouldn ’ t be out of character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for six months , ” he said .
Democratic Commissioner Mark Thomsen took issue with such sentiments .
He said Trump didn ’ t complain about Wisconsin ’ s election policies in 2016 , when he narrowly won the state .
Trump 's complaints now are baseless , Thomsen said .
“ Instead of manning up and saying I lost , now he ’ s saying all the clerks are illegal , ” Thomsen said .
Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell expressed frustration about how the recount might be run , particularly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring when it closed most of its polling locations because of the pandemic .
`` I don ’ t think we can necessarily trust the canvassers of Dane or Milwaukee County , especially after they reduced 180 polling places to five terrible type voting centers for the April election , which caused all sorts of problems including suppression of the vote , '' Spindell said .
That set off Democratic Commissioner Julie Glancey , a former Sheboygan County clerk who typically has a subdued demeanor in commission meetings .
`` I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat bashing going on here , '' she told Spindell .
`` I could list a dozen instances in my career as county clerk where Republicans did something egregious .
This is ridiculous .
All you and Dean keep talking about is , these evil Democrats are going to do something nasty so that these honest , hardworking Republicans aren ’ t going to be able to see what ’ s going on and I ’ m tired of that . ''
The commissioners deadlocked on key provisions of its recount manual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be reviewed as part of the recount .
Their inability to reach an agreement on that issue left in place guidance that says those applications must be reviewed — even though that isn ’ t the case , according to the commission ’ s staff .
The Democrats said the counties should follow the state ’ s recount law and not necessarily the recount manual the commission approved .
Thomsen said the state 's manual comes with an asterisk because the commission deadlocked on some elements of it .
Knudson did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We never voted on an asterisk , '' Knudson responded .
Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley @ jrn.com .
Follow him on Twitter at @ patrickdmarley .

Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin recount gets off to a rough start as Elections Commission repeatedly clashes
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump pursues recount of 2 liberal Wis. counties President Donald Trump's campaign has paid $3 million for a recount of two heavily Democratic Wisconsin counties, claiming irregularities. No evidence of wrongdoing has been presented and state elections officials have said there was none. (Nov. 18) AP
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s recount turned into a partisan brawl Wednesday night, well before the first votes began to be retallied.
The three Republicans and three Democrats on the Wisconsin Elections Commission clashed repeatedly in a late-night virtual meeting as they tried to establish guidelines spelling out how clerks should conduct the recount during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I would be delighted to see this commission actually function,” Commission Chairwoman Ann Jacobs, a Democrat, said as she sought to find a way for the two sides to decide how to consider revisions to the commission’s recount manual for clerks.
At 11:30 p.m., after 5 ½ hours of often rancorous debate, the commission unanimously approved the recount. The commissioners inability to get along suggested the recount will be brutal and will likely end in a courtroom.
President Donald Trump sought the recount Wednesday in Dane and Milwaukee counties after he lost the state by about 20,600 votes to Joe Biden. That's a margin of about 0.6 percentage points.
The recount is to begin Friday and be finished by Dec. 1, in time for the state to certify the results.
The commissioners argued over issues minor and significant, including how to consider claims that absentee ballots were illegally issued and where observers could station themselves.
At one point, Republican Commissioner Dean Knudson suggested all the absentee ballots requested through the state’s online portal were invalid because of the way the system logs those requests.
Make your voice heard: Join our Facebook group ‘Across the Aisle, Across the Nation.’
"I hope we haven't created a system at WEC where, you know, we somehow entice people into requesting a ballot that isn't actually in keeping with the law," he said.
Democrats said that position was ridiculous, noting myvote.wi.gov is broadly used by voters to request ballots.
Knudson questioned whether Democratic county clerks would treat recount observers fairly. Democrats are in charge of the recount because Trump limited his recount to the two most Democratic counties in the state.
“If they can figure out a way using the pandemic to … make it harder to see what’s going on, to make it harder to observe, then that wouldn’t be out of character because Democrats have been trying to do that for six months,” he said.
Democratic Commissioner Mark Thomsen took issue with such sentiments. He said Trump didn’t complain about Wisconsin’s election policies in 2016, when he narrowly won the state. Trump's complaints now are baseless, Thomsen said.
“Instead of manning up and saying I lost, now he’s saying all the clerks are illegal,” Thomsen said.
Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell expressed frustration about how the recount might be run, particularly in Milwaukee, which drew national attention in the spring when it closed most of its polling locations because of the pandemic.
"I don’t think we can necessarily trust the canvassers of Dane or Milwaukee County, especially after they reduced 180 polling places to five terrible type voting centers for the April election, which caused all sorts of problems including suppression of the vote," Spindell said.
That set off Democratic Commissioner Julie Glancey, a former Sheboygan County clerk who typically has a subdued demeanor in commission meetings.
"I’m getting a little tired of the Democrat bashing going on here," she told Spindell. "I could list a dozen instances in my career as county clerk where Republicans did something egregious. This is ridiculous. All you and Dean keep talking about is, these evil Democrats are going to do something nasty so that these honest, hardworking Republicans aren’t going to be able to see what’s going on and I’m tired of that."
The commissioners deadlocked on key provisions of its recount manual, such as whether absentee ballot applications need to be reviewed as part of the recount. Their inability to reach an agreement on that issue left in place guidance that says those applications must be reviewed — even though that isn’t the case, according to the commission’s staff.
The Democrats said the counties should follow the state’s recount law and not necessarily the recount manual the commission approved.
Thomsen said the state's manual comes with an asterisk because the commission deadlocked on some elements of it. Knudson didn't care for how Thomsen characterized their disagreements.
"We never voted on an asterisk," Knudson responded.
Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.


usatoday--2020-11-19--Coronavirus updates: Oxford vaccine shows promise; some colleges says students who go home should no

Coronavirus updates: Oxford vaccine shows promise; some colleges says students who go home should not come back

The U.S. death toll from coronavirus has surpassed 250,000 , including 1,700 reported Wednesday alone .
Hospitalizations across the nation have exploded , with almost 80,000 Americans now receiving inpatient treatment .
Still , some governors remain unconvinced that mandatory facial coverings are a necessary tool in curbing the pandemic .
Thirty-six states have some type of statewide mask requirement .
The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require them , too .
Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey and South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem , a fast-rising GOP star , are among the headliner holdouts .
Both spoke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their position .
Ducey , in his first news pandemic briefing since Oct. 29 , held a moment of silence and prayed for victims .
But he suggested that a statewide mask mandate would not help halt the surge , adding that it is nearly impossible to participate in the Arizona economy without wearing a mask .
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego , a Democrat , responded on Twitter , decrying the Republican governor 's `` lack of leadership . ''
The South Dakota State Medical Association issued a statement urging a statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first news conference to address the pandemic in over three months , was unmoved .
She said cases were increasing in many states with mandates , adding that communities were free to establish local regulations .
“ I don ’ t want to approach a policy or a mandate just looking to make people feel good , ” Noem said .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has reported more than 11.5 million cases and more than 250,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The global totals : 56.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak in your state .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter .
Even with COVID , Americans remain sharply divided As COVID-19 cases pile up at a staggering rate , Republicans and Democrats remain in stark disagreement over the threat of the virus and the steps necessary to mitigate its spread .
That has surprised political scientists and public health experts who thought that , if the pandemic worsened , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They believed the reality of what was happening in people 's cities and towns would trump political identity , unifying the nation in its fight against a deadly threat .
It has not .
And it may never .
`` I thought at some point , reality would come back in for people and they would have a hard time balancing their motivations to stay consistent with their partisanship with what 's going on on the ground , '' said Shana Gadarian a political psychologist at Syracuse University .
`` That was wholly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more here .
COVID blamed for thousands of non-virus deaths among elderly Almost 100,000 long-term care U.S. residents have died in the coronavirus pandemic , and advocates for the elderly say tens of thousands more are succumbing to neglect by overwhelmed staffs and slow declines from isolation imposed as protection from COVID .
Stephen Kaye , professor at the Institute on Health and Aging at the University of California , San Francisco , analyzed data from 15,000 facilities , finding that for every two COVID-19 victims in long-term care , there is another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those “ excess deaths ” beyond the normal rate of fatalities in nursing homes could total more than 40,000 since March , he said .
Dr. David Gifford , chief medical officer of the American Health Care Association , which represents nursing homes , disputed claims of widespread inability of staff to care for residents and dismissed estimates of tens of thousands of non-COVID-19 deaths as “ speculation.
” “ There have been some really sad and disturbing stories that have come out , ” Gifford said .
“ But we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outbreak is looking worse than ever , news from vaccine makers is fueling optimism .
Normally restrained and cautious , a panel of experts convened by USA TODAY could barely contain its enthusiasm over the 95 % vaccine effectiveness figures from both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech .
The panel judges the time on a clock that began at `` midnight '' with the discovery of the dangerous new virus in early 2020 , and will end at `` noon , '' when a vaccine is freely available across the U.S .
In June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 4 a.m. For November , the time reached 9:30 a.m. with word that authorization of at least one COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated within weeks .
“ That means we can begin inoculating health care and other essential workers even before we ’ re done with the Thanksgiving leftovers , ” said Peter Pitts , president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest , a New York-based think tank .
Hurdles that remain : getting the vaccines delivered , get them in people 's arms , reminding people to come back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record any problems .
England 's University of Oxford on Thursday announced encouraging early testing results for yet another vaccine candidate .
The vaccine being developed Oxford researchers and U.K.-based AstraZeneca appears to trigger a `` robust immune response '' in healthy adults , including those aged 56 and older , the university said in a release .
The Phase II testing data is crucial for elderly adults who are among the most vulnerable to face serious illness and death from COVID-19 .
Phase III trials involving more than 30,000 volunteers are underway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech , have displayed encouraging results in Phase III trials .
The U.S. has become the first country to have 250,000 people die from COVID-19 , nearly 19 % of the global total of 1.35 million fatalities .
With approximately 330 million people , the U.S. has 4.3 % of the world 's population .
The U.S. also has far more coronavirus infections with close to 11.5 million .
India has the next most with 2.5 million .
The death toll the virus has inflicted among Americans is more than twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service members who died in World War I .
Only two American conflicts have claimed more lives than the coronavirus – the Civil War ( nearly 500,000 , including non-combat deaths ) and World War II ( 405,000 ) , according to figures from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs .
Despite the development of therapeutics that have saved an untold number of lives , the worst impacts of the virus may be yet to come .
The nation is in the midst of a major spike in cases that has produced 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections and a daily average for November of more than 130,000 .
Raiden Gonzalez will be turning 5 years old soon , and while he will be surrounded by love and support , he will be missing his parents .
Adan and Mariah Gonzalez died months apart this year after contracting COVID-19 .
Both were under the age of 35 .
Raiden now lives with his Raiden 's maternal grandmother Rozie Salinas in San Antonio .
He `` just wishes he could have them back , '' Salinas told USA TODAY .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story : “ They need to take COVID seriously because it ’ s no joke.
” Some colleges tell students heading home for holiday not to come back College students are preparing to fan out across the nation for Thanksgiving , taking their possible coronavirus infections — symptomatic or not — into their loved ones ' homes .
Colleges are scrambling to prevent a massive spread , with some urging or requiring students to quarantine or receive a negative coronavirus test before traveling home .
Without those precautions , college leaders say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans and instead opt for a celebration closer to campus .
Boston University 's recommendation is that students either stay in Boston for the holiday or go home and not come back .
Kenneth Elmore , dean of students , says the school is urging students to think of the greater good .
“ We ’ ve been pushing that very hard , very strongly , to the point where we ’ re just on the verge of being mean about it , ” Elmore said .
As Arizona 's COVID-19 trends spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 million to bolster staffing , but Gov .
Doug Ducey said Wednesday that he wo n't impose a statewide mask mandate .
In his first news briefing since Oct. 29 , Ducey , a Republican , said rising COVID-19 numbers in the state mean `` getting back to normal is not in the cards right now . ''
He also held a moment of silence , prayer and reflection for the 6,365 Arizonans known to have died from COVID-19 , and their families .
But Ducey did not announce any new restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 , despite increasing calls for a statewide mask mandate and other measures in recent days as COVID-19 cases in Arizona continue to climb .
Ducey suggested that a statewide mask mandate would not effectively curb the spread of the virus , and emphasized that about 90 % of the state is under a local mask mandate .
He also said it is nearly impossible to participate in the Arizona economy without wearing a mask .
School officials on Wednesday announced that public schools in Denver , Colorado , are temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spike .
More than 90,000 students in the state 's largest school district will return to virtual learning starting Nov. 30 through the end of the semester .
The district reported about 13 cases per week when it first opened early childhood education centers .
Cases have now surpassed 300 per week .
Superintendent Susana Cordova in a statement said the district plans to bring all elementary students back into classrooms in January .
Nearly 1 in 4 Michigan houses report increase in rodents during pandemic Nearly 1 in 4 Michigan households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mice since the coronavirus pandemic began , according to a survey by a pest management company .
There are some reasons for this .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , acknowledging the nation 's pandemic-related rodent problem , points out restaurants have reduced service , which means fewer food scraps are ending up in the dumpsters on which rats and mice often feed .
And , according to Smith 's Pest Management , a California-based service that commissioned the survey via Google Surveys , our houses are the perfect substitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means we 're producing more garbage .
Nationwide , 1 in 3 households report a notable increase in garbage accumulation , the Smith 's survey said .
We 're also cleaning less with 1 in 4 households across the nation reporting they 're not cleaning as thoroughly as they did prior to the pandemic .
Montana Sen. Steve Daines says he 's been part of Pfizer vaccine trial Montana Sen. Steve Daines said Wednesday he has been part of Pfizer ’ s trial for a COVID-19 vaccine trial , saying he wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others wondering if they should take the vaccine when it is approved .
Daines , R-Mont.
, said in a news conference that he received a call from his mother in August , saying Pfizer was looking for people to enroll in their COVID-19 vaccine trial in Bozeman .
`` Thanks to that call , my sweet wife Cindy and I decided to go online and enroll in the trial – joining over 100 everyday Montanans participating .
While this was a blind trial , I have since tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release .
Pfizer and its collaborator BioNTech on Wednesday announced their vaccine is 95 % effective in preventing the spread of the respiratory illness .
Dr. Anthony Fauci urges Americans to 'think twice ' about holiday travel plans Dr. Anthony Fauci is urging Americans to `` think twice '' about traveling and having indoor gatherings for the holidays .
During a meeting with USA TODAY 's Editorial Board Wednesday , the nation 's top infectious disease expert said seemingly `` innocent '' family and friend dinner gatherings at home are where many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Because of the almost intuitive instinct that when you 're with people you know ... and no one appears to be physically ill that it 's OK to congregate 10 , 12 people for drinks or a meal or what have you , but it 's indoors because the weather is cold , that 's where we 're seeing these types of outbreaks , '' the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases explained .
`` As we get into the colder weather , we should really think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you 're not sure of whether the people that are in your bubble ( are safe ) , '' he said .
`` Then you 're going to start seeing these unanticipated infections related to innocent home gatherings , particularly as we head into the holiday season . ''
Fauci 's recommendation ?
He advises that each person and family unit `` should make a risk-benefit assessment . ''
• In your inbox : Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ newsletter .
• Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .
• On Facebook : A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .

Jessica Flores and John Bacon, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: California Gov. Gavin Newsom sets 10 p.m. curfew; CDC discourages travel; 15 college football games canceled this week
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 death toll in US reaches 250,000 A coronavirus vaccine might not be widely available until several months into 2021. USA TODAY
The U.S. death toll from coronavirus has surpassed 250,000, including 1,700 reported Wednesday alone. Hospitalizations across the nation have exploded, with almost 80,000 Americans now receiving inpatient treatment.
Happy Thanksgiving? Not so much.
New York canceled its massive Thanksgiving Day parade weeks ago. Houston followed suit and Detroit is planning a virtual event as well.
Many universities are urging students not to go home for the holidays, concerned about igniting a nationwide burst of new cases. Some schools are suggesting that students that do go home not come back, fearing an outbreak of infections on campus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chimed in Thursday, recommending Americans simply not travel for the holiday.
“The tragedy that could happen is that one of your family members is coming to this family gathering and they could end up severely ill, hospitalized or dying," said Dr. Henry Walke, the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager. "We don’t want that to happen."
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has reported more than 11.6 million cases and more than 252,200 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: 56.7 million cases and 1.35 million deaths.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak in your state.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
California curfew: 10 p.m. for 94% of residents
Three days after 94% of California's population was moved into the state's strictest tier of coronavirus restrictions, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a 10 p.m. curfew Thursday for that same group, encompassing 41 counties.
The curfew, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., begins Saturday and will last a month, Newsom said via Twitter, calling the move a "limited Stay at Home Order'' that covers gatherings and non-essential work.
Coronavirus cases have doubled in the last 10 days across California, which became the second state to record 1 million COVID-19 cases last week.
Due to the rise in #COVID19 cases, CA is issuing a limited Stay at Home Order.
Non-essential work and gatherings must stop from 10pm-5am in counties in the purple tier.
This will take effect at 10pm on Saturday and remain for 1 month.
Together--we can flatten the curve again. — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) November 19, 2020
With coronavirus cases surging and families hoping to gather safely for Thanksgiving, long lines to get tested have reappeared across the U.S. – a reminder that the nation’s testing system remains unable to keep pace with the virus.
The delays are happening as the country braces for winter weather, flu season and holiday travel, all of which are expected to amplify a U.S. outbreak that has already swelled past 11.6 million cases and 252,000 deaths.
Laboratories warned that continuing shortages of key supplies are likely to create more bottlenecks and delays, especially as cases rise across the nation and people rush to get tested before reuniting with relatives.
“As those cases increase, demand increases and turnaround times may increase,” said Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. “So it’s like a dog chasing its tail.”
Lines spanned multiple city blocks at testing sites across New York City this week, leaving people waiting three or more hours before they could even enter health clinics. In Los Angeles, thousands lined up outside Dodger Stadium for drive-thru testing.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ignores CDC guidance
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt won't be appearing on any CDC posters promoting safe practices to prevent spreading the coronavirus.
On the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that Americans avoid traveling for Thanksgiving, the Republican governor said he planned to spend the holiday with his parents and family and travel to attend Saturday's college football game between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.
“I think Oklahomans should be with their loved ones over Thanksgiving,” Stitt said during a news conference in which he wasn't wearing a mask inside a crowded conference room at the state Capitol. Earlier this week, Stitt issued an executive order requiring state employees to wear masks inside state buildings.
Detroit's top public health official on Thursday scuttled any plans for a live downtown performance for the city's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Denise Fair, chief public health officer for the Detroit Health Department, determined that a parade of 800 participants and 22 floats would violate Michigan's recent public health restrictions on outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people. Parade organizer Tony Michaels said there had been no expectation of a live audience and that a "virtual" parade will be available for TV viewers Thanksgiving morning.
“The format continues to evolve in this unprecedented time,'' Michaels said in a statement. "This tradition is part of our lives and the broadcast will reach
millions in the safety of their home.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending against travel for Thanksgiving. Dr. Henry Walke, the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager, said the "tragedy that could happen" is that family members could end up severely ill, hospitalized or dying. The CDC’s warning is the latest and most high profile about the risks of traveling as coronavirus cases rise nationwide. Officials in California, Illinois and other states have urged residents to avoid nonessential travel even as airlines tout holiday fare deals.
“These times are tough, it’s been a long outbreak, almost 11 months, and we understand people are tired," Walke said. "But this year we’re asking them to limit their travel.”
– Sara M. Moniuszko
As state officials and lawmakers urged the shutdown of a Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Iowa, managers at the plant reportedly placed bets on how many would end up getting sick. That is one of the many new allegations leveled against Tyson Foods in an amended lawsuit filed this week. Around 1,000 employees at the Waterloo plant contracted COVID-19, five of whom died. That includes Isidro Fernandez, whose family filed the suit against the meat empire earlier this year.
In April, per the suit, plant manager Tom Hart allegedly began organizing the "winner-take-all" betting ring among managers and supervisors over how many employees would get sick.
Tyson Foods issued a statement Thursday saying those allegedly involved in the betting scheme have been suspended without pay, and that the company would launch an independent investigation.
“We are extremely upset about the accusations involving some of the leadership at our Waterloo plant,'' the statement said. "These allegations do not represent who we are.''
– Joshua Bote
There are millions of Americans still eligible for a $1,200 stimulus check from the first pandemic relief bill, but time to claim it is running out.
The IRS sent letters to about 9 million Americans who haven’t received a stimulus check to remind them that they need to submit their information by Saturday. That includes college students as well as individuals and families who don’t typically file tax returns, usually due to low incomes.
Those who don’t normally file returns have until 3 p.m. ET on Saturday to register for an Economic Impact Payment. They may also be eligible to get a $1,200 payment for a spouse and $500 for each qualifying child.
– Jessica Menton
Maryland Terrapins coach Michael Locksley has tested positive for the coronavirus and is currently isolating at home, the school said Thursday. Maryland's game set for Saturday against Michigan State was canceled. The Terrapins' game last week against the Ohio State Buckeyes had also been canceled after the program paused football activities due to an elevated number of COVID-19 cases. Over the last week, 15 athletes and seven members of coaching staff have tested positive, per the school.
"I am feeling strong, with only minor symptoms," Locksley said in a statement. "I will continue to lead this program virtually and our game preparations for Indiana will begin immediately."
The 15 college football games called off this week tie last week's total for the season high.
President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to enact a swift and aggressive national approach to combating COVID-19 by working with balking governors to impose mask requirements and other restrictions, expanding testing and contact tracing efforts and using a more evidence-based approach in issuing guidance. Details remain vague –economic incentives are one possibility.
Jake Sullivan, a senior Biden policy adviser, said the president-elect's coronavirus plan is not defined by overly restrictive measures and instead focuses on guidance tailored to local situations.
“It's about actually taking the kinds of steps that can help you avoid full shutdown,” Sullivan said. “That is the best way to get broad-based buy-in across the country at both the state and the local level.”
– Courtney Subramanian
As COVID-19 cases pile up at a staggering rate, Republicans and Democrats remain in stark disagreement over the threat of the virus and the steps necessary to mitigate its spread. That has surprised political scientists and public health experts who thought that, if the pandemic worsened, the partisan gap would begin to close. They believed the reality of what was happening in people's cities and towns would trump political identity, unifying the nation in its fight against a deadly threat. It has not. And it may never.
"I thought at some point reality would come back in for people and they would have a hard time balancing their motivations to stay consistent with their partisanship with what's going on on the ground," said Shana Gadarian, a political psychologist at Syracuse University. "That was wholly optimistic on my part." Read more here.
– Alia E. Dastagir
European officials announced a modest gain in the continent's battle against the virus. New cases of COVID-19 decreased to 1.8 million cases last week, down from over 2 million the week before. Dr Hans Henri Kluge, World Health Organization regional director for Europe, credited adherence to "risk-reducing behavior." Still, an average of 4,500 lives are lost to COVID-19 in Europe every day, Kluge said. He described further lockdowns as a last resort and said that if mask use reached 95%, lockdowns would not be needed.
"I would like to emphasize that every time we choose to follow guidance, stop the spread of misinformation or address denial, we contribute to preventing lives lost," he said.
Almost 100,000 long-term care U.S. residents have died in the coronavirus pandemic, and advocates for the elderly say tens of thousands more are succumbing to neglect by overwhelmed staffs and slow declines from isolation imposed as protection from COVID. Stephen Kaye, professor at the Institute on Health and Aging at the University of California-San Francisco, analyzed data from 15,000 facilities, finding that for every two COVID-19 victims in long-term care, there is another who died prematurely of other causes. Those “excess deaths” beyond the normal rate of fatalities in nursing homes could total more than 40,000 since March, he said.
Dr. David Gifford, chief medical officer of the American Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, disputed claims of widespread inability of staff to care for residents and dismissed estimates of tens of thousands of non-COVID-19 deaths as “speculation.”
“There have been some really sad and disturbing stories that have come out,” Gifford said. “But we’ve not seen that widespread.”
Although the COVID-19 outbreak is looking worse than ever, news from vaccine makers is fueling optimism. Normally restrained and cautious, a panel of experts convened by USA TODAY could barely contain its enthusiasm over the 95% vaccine effectiveness figures from both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech. The panel judges the time on a clock that began at "midnight" with the discovery of the dangerous new virus in early 2020, and will end at "noon," when a vaccine is freely available across the U.S. In June, the panel's first median time was 4 a.m. For November, the time reached 9:30 a.m. with word that authorization of at least one COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated within weeks.
“That means we can begin inoculating health care and other essential workers even before we’re done with the Thanksgiving leftovers,” said Peter Pitts, president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, a New York-based think tank.
Hurdles that remain: getting the vaccines delivered, getting them in people's arms, reminding people to come back weeks later for a second shot and record any problems.
– Elizabeth Weise and Karen Weintraub
England's University of Oxford on Thursday announced encouraging early testing results for yet another vaccine candidate. The vaccine being developed by Oxford researchers and U.K.-based AstraZeneca appears to trigger a "robust immune response" in healthy adults, including those aged 56 and older, the university said in a release. The Phase II testing data is crucial for elderly adults who are among the most vulnerable to face serious illness and death from COVID-19. Phase III trials involving more than 30,000 volunteers are underway. Two other vaccine candidates, from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, have displayed encouraging results in Phase III trials.
Raiden Gonzalez will be turning 5 years old soon, and while he will be surrounded by love and support, he will be missing his parents. Adan and Mariah Gonzalez died months apart this year after contracting COVID-19. Both were under 35.
Raiden now lives with his maternal grandmother, Rozie Salinas, in San Antonio. He "just wishes he could have them back," Salinas told USA TODAY. Her advice to those who hear Raiden's story: “They need to take COVID seriously because it’s no joke.”
– Joel Shannon
College students are preparing to fan out across the nation for Thanksgiving, taking their possible coronavirus infections — symptomatic or not — into their loved ones' homes. Colleges are scrambling to prevent a massive spread, with some urging or requiring students to quarantine or receive a negative coronavirus test before traveling home. Without those precautions, college leaders say, students should consider abstaining from their holiday plans and instead opt for a celebration closer to campus.
Boston University's recommendation is that students either stay in Boston for the holiday or go home and not come back. Kenneth Elmore, dean of students, says the school is urging students to think of the greater good.
“We’ve been pushing that very hard, very strongly, to the point where we’re just on the verge of being mean about it,” Elmore said.
– Chris Quintana
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
In your inbox: Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter.
Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together.
Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. On Facebook: A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch, to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
Contributing: The Associated Press