usatoday--2020-12-24--Black doctor dies of coronavirus after reporting racist treatment at Indiana hospital

INDIANAPOLIS – A Black doctor who died of COVID-19 after weeks of battling the virus said she was mistreated and delayed proper care at an Indiana hospital because of her race .
Dr. Susan Moore , 52 , died Dec. 20 following multiple hospitalizations for complications from COVID-19 , first at IU Health North and later at Ascencion-St. Vincent in Carmel , Indiana .
Her frustrations with the care provided at IU Health were chronicled on Facebook in multiple updates .
The first came Dec. 4 when she said delays in her treatment and diagnosis were motivated by the color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ½-minute video posted to her Facebook page , Moore described frustrating back-and-forths with a white hospitalist with the IU Health system .
She described having her complaints of severe neck pain disregarded , despite drawing from her years of medical expertise to make a self-assessment .
`` I was crushed , '' a tearful Moore said of the doctor 's refusal to provide her pain medication .
`` He made me feel like I was a drug addict .
And he knew I was a physician .
I do n't take narcotics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain of oppression ' : America 's history of racism was a preexisting condition for COVID-19 She said she had to plead with and convince her physician she was having trouble breathing before receiving a CT scan .
When the scan revealed that what she was saying was true , she was given medication to manage her pain .
But only after hours of waiting .
“ I put forth and I maintain , '' she said in the video , `` if I was white , I wouldn ’ t have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to agree they ( discharged ) me way too soon' From her hospital bed , Moore , who is remembered as someone who loved helping others , said she was speaking out so that the treatment she endured would not be overlooked .
“ This is how Black people get killed , when you send them home and they don ’ t know how to fight for themselves , ” she said into the camera .
“ I had to talk to somebody , maybe the media , somebody , to let people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in this place.
” After being sent home , Moore was back in a hospital bed within 12 hours , according to her Facebook updates .
This time she was being treated at Ascencion-St. Vincent in Carmel , and was experiencing better care .
Shortly after being discharged from IU Health on Dec. 7 , Moore said she experienced a spike in temperature and a drop in her blood pressure .
`` Those people were trying to kill me .
Clearly everyone has to agree they ( discharged ) me way too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health before giving an assessment of her care at Ascencion-St. Vincent .
`` They are now treating me for a bacterial pneumonia as well as Covid pneumonia .
I am getting very compassionate care .
They are offering me pain medicine . ''
Citing patient privacy , an IU Health spokesperson declined to speak specifically to the case , but shared a written statement on behalf of IU Health North : “ As an organization committed to equity and reducing racial disparities in healthcare , we take accusations of discrimination very seriously and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads .
`` Treatment options are often agreed upon and reviewed by medical experts from a variety of specialties , and we stand by the commitment and expertise of our caregivers and the quality of care delivered to our patients every day.
” IndyStar , part of the USA TODAY Network , is reaching out for comment from the doctor that tended to Moore .
Coronavirus Watch newsletter : Sign up for daily updates right in your inbox Despite the change in care , Moore 's condition continued to deteriorate .
She died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 29 diagnosis .
Moore 's experience and tragic death sparked outrage and sadness across social media .
Many pointed to it as the latest example of racism and discrimination in health care , as well as the disproportionate toll COVID-19 has has taken among Black patients .
It also led to an outpouring of support for the loved ones she leaves behind .
Moore is survived by her 19-year-old son and recent high school graduate , Henry Muhammed .
In an interview with the New York Times , Henry said his mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very end .
During their last conversation , Moore said she was going to help her son go to college .
Moore 's family told the New York Times that she was Born in Jamaica but grew up in Michigan .
She studied engineering at Kettering University and earned her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School , according to her family .
Follow IndyStar reporters Justin L. Mack and Holly Hays on Twitter : @ justinlmack and @ hollyvhays .
Stimulus status : $ 2,000 stimulus checks in limbo as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments How will you be told when it 's your turn for a COVID-19 vaccine ?
It 's complicated

Justin L. Mack and Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star

Black doctor dies of COVID-19 after reporting racist treatment at Indiana hospital
Show Caption Hide Caption How systemic racism led to COVID-19's rapid spread among people of color Racist policies have led to COVID-19 being more dangerous and deadly for Black, Latino, Asian and Indigenous Americans than for white Americans. Patrick Shannahan, USA TODAY
INDIANAPOLIS – A Black doctor who died of COVID-19 after weeks of battling the virus had said she was mistreated and delayed proper care at an Indiana hospital because of her race.
Dr. Susan Moore, 52, died Dec. 20 following multiple hospitalizations for complications from COVID-19, first at IU Health North and later at Ascencion-St. Vincent in Carmel, Indiana.
Her frustrations with the care provided at IU Health were chronicled on Facebook in multiple updates. The first came Dec. 4 when she said delays in her treatment and diagnosis were motivated by the color of her skin.
In a 7½-minute video posted to her Facebook page, Moore described frustrating back-and-forths with a white hospitalist with the IU Health system.
She described having her complaints of severe neck pain disregarded, despite drawing from her years of medical expertise to make a self-assessment.
"I was crushed," a tearful Moore said of the doctor's refusal to provide her pain medication. "He made me feel like I was a drug addict. And he knew I was a physician. I don't take narcotics. I was hurting."
'An unbelievable chain of oppression': America's history of racism was a preexisting condition for COVID-19
She said she had to plead with and convince her physician she was having trouble breathing before receiving a CT scan. When the scan revealed that what she was saying was true, she was given medication to manage her pain. But only after hours of waiting.
“I put forth and I maintain," she said in the video, "if I was white, I wouldn’t have to go through that.”
'Clearly everyone has to agree they (discharged) me way too soon'
From her hospital bed, Moore, who is remembered as someone who loved helping others, said she was speaking out so that the treatment she endured would not be overlooked.
“This is how Black people get killed, when you send them home and they don’t know how to fight for themselves,” she said into the camera. “I had to talk to somebody, maybe the media, somebody, to let people know how I’m being treated up in this place.”
After being sent home, Moore was back in a hospital bed within 12 hours, according to her Facebook updates. This time she was being treated at Ascencion-St. Vincent and was experiencing better care.
Shortly after being discharged from IU Health on Dec. 7, Moore said she experienced a spike in temperature and a drop in her blood pressure.
"Those people were trying to kill me. Clearly everyone has to agree they (discharged) me way too soon," she wrote of IU Health before giving an assessment of her care at Ascencion-St. Vincent. "They are now treating me for a bacterial pneumonia as well as Covid pneumonia. I am getting very compassionate care. They are offering me pain medicine."
Citing patient privacy, an IU Health spokesperson declined to speak specifically to the case, but shared a written statement on behalf of IU Health North:
“As an organization committed to equity and reducing racial disparities in healthcare, we take accusations of discrimination very seriously and investigate every allegation," the statement reads. "Treatment options are often agreed upon and reviewed by medical experts from a variety of specialties, and we stand by the commitment and expertise of our caregivers and the quality of care delivered to our patients every day.”
IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, is reaching out for comment from the doctor that tended to Moore.
Coronavirus Watch newsletter: Sign up for daily updates right in your inbox
Despite the change in care, Moore's condition continued to deteriorate. She died in the hospital three weeks after her Nov. 29 diagnosis.
Moore's experience and death sparked outrage and sadness across social media. Many pointed to it as the latest example of racism and discrimination in health care, as well as the disproportionate toll COVID-19 has taken among Black patients.
It also led to an outpouring of support for the loved ones she leaves behind.
Moore is survived by her 19-year-old son and recent high school graduate, Henry Muhammed. In an interview with the New York Times, Henry said his mother was still thinking of others to the very end.
During their last conversation, Moore said she was going to help her son go to college.
Moore's family told the New York Times that she was born in Jamaica but grew up in Michigan. She studied engineering at Kettering University and earned her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, according to her family.
Follow IndyStar reporters Justin L. Mack and Holly Hays on Twitter: @justinlmack and @hollyvhays.
Stimulus status: $2,000 stimulus checks in limbo as Congress unable to agree on COVID relief payments
How will you be told when it's your turn for a COVID-19 vaccine? It's complicated


usatoday--2020-12-24--What pandemic? Dallas-Fort Worth is booming with college football bowl games

The college football bowl game industry has been hit hard this year with 19 canceled or relocated games , including all four that were scheduled in California and five others since Sunday alone , all because of restrictions and fallout related to the pandemic .
Yet there is one part of the country where the bowl business is booming even though COVID-19 is thriving there , too : In a span of nine days starting Thursday , this area is scheduled to host five bowl games , which is one more than it would have in a normal year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation .
Two of those games – the New Mexico Bowl and Rose Bowl national semifinal game in California – relocated to Dallas-Fort Worth from other states to avoid local restrictions on public gatherings .
Depending on the viewpoint , this either can be a safe place to keep college football going , or it ’ s a terrible idea putting lives at risk .
Tarrant County , site of the relocated Rose Bowl , reported intensive care unit beds at 96 % capacity this week .
“ Given the region ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the December holidays , in combination with cold weather driving gatherings indoors , present a significant risk for a spike in transmission , ” the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said in a forecast for the Dallas-Fort Worth region updated on Wednesday .
“ We urge consideration of this concern in making holiday plans.
” The report didn ’ t mention outdoor bowl games , which have found a sanctuary in Dallas-Fort Worth , where restrictions are looser than in other states and football is much more important than it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Rose Bowl , public health officials wouldn ’ t allow fans to attend in Southern California , where ICU bed availability plunged to a 0 % metric last week .
That ’ s why it moved to Texas , where it will have attendance capped at 17,815 .
But the virus isn ’ t less of a risk in Texas .
The COVID-19 testing positivity rate for Tarrant County recently was reported at 17 % , even higher than the 15.9 % seven-day average recently in the game ’ s normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s disappointing , but not surprising to see a kind of race to the bottom in terms of finding somewhere that will allow you to hold the bowl game and maybe have the maximum number of fans , ” said Zachary Binney , epidemiologist at Oxford College of Emory University .
“ This is what happens when you don ’ t have any sort of organized national response .
It becomes every man and every state and every locality for themselves.
” It also has become somewhat political .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been canceled as of Wednesday , all but three were in states won by President Trump , a Republican who has downplayed the pandemic .
The other three are in states that have Republican governors who generally favor looser restrictions : two in Arizona and the Peach Bowl in Georgia .
The two games that relocated – the Rose and New Mexico Bowls – moved to Trump states from states that were won by President-elect Joe Biden , a Democrat who has emphasized taking the pandemic seriously .
Seventeen other games were canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that canceled relatively early in anticipation of pandemic problems and those that canceled late in reaction to rapidly changing circumstances related to the pandemic .
Of the 17 canceled games , 11 were early cancellations before Dec. 8 , including nine in states won by Biden .
The other two games canceled before Dec. 8 were the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau and the Sun Bowl in El Paso , where refrigerated trucks were brought in last month to help house the deceased .
Since then , an additional six bowl games were canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to participate , or because participating teams had COVID-19 issues of their own .
The latter includes the Frisco Bowl near Dallas , which would have been a sixth bowl game this season in Dallas-Fort Worth .
As it stands on Wednesday , eight of the 28 postseason games this season are in Florida and seven are in Texas .
“ Officials in California wouldn ’ t budge on having fans in the stadium , ” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram wrote this week in an editorial .
“ But whether it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help for struggling business or simply a can-do attitude , our leaders have said , sure , come on down .
We certainly don ’ t want to emulate California in our approach to business , but the timing stinks.
” The five bowl games in Dallas-Fort Worth boosts the area ’ s reputation as a haven for major sporting events in the pandemic , following the baseball World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington and the NFL games next door at AT & T Stadium , where the Dallas Cowboys lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26,000 fans per game .
In an interview with USA TODAY Sports , Arlington Fire Chief Don Crowson emphasized that strict protocols are in place for these games , including requirements for face coverings , social distancing and limited attendance .
“ Our experience throughout the NFL season and Major League Baseball and other special events has been relatively positive because the one thing we understand is COVID spread is predominately in private family settings or casual settings where there are no COVID protocols or procedures in place , ” said Crowson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services there .
AT & T Stadium also will host the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 30 between Florida and Oklahoma , followed by the relocated Rose Bowl semifinal on Jan. 1 between No .
1 Alabama and No .
4 Notre Dame .
Attendance at both games will be capped at 17,815 , according to a Cotton Bowl official .
Before moving the game to Texas , Rose Bowl officials had tried to get California public health authorities to at least allow players ’ families to attend the game in Pasadena but were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might be selected to play there .
“ Gatherings that bring together people from different households at the same time , and in this case potentially those that would be traveling into California from out of state , increases the risk of disease transmission , ” said a letter to Rose Bowl officials last week from Erica Pan , the acting state health officer at the California Department of Public Health .
This attendance factor in Arlington also is why the College Football Playoff selection committee placed No .
1 Alabama there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans .
Alabama coach Nick Saban said his team “ had no preference at all ” between the two sites , but the committee intentionally favored the No .
1 seed .
“ There are 16,000 tickets that are going to be sold in Arlington and 3,000 tickets that are going to be sold in New Orleans , ” committee chair Gary Barta said .
“ Taking everything else into consideration , the committee believed that it gave the opportunity for Alabama families and fans to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that that was an advantage that Alabama deserved.
” The relocated New Mexico Bowl Thursday will have attendance capped at 4,000 in nearby Frisco .
The First Responder Bowl in Dallas Dec. 26 will be capped at 6,500 , and the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth Dec. 31 will be capped at 9,000 .
Crowson has noted Arlington has had “ no evidence of outbreaks ” associated with games there .
“ We ’ ve done some contact tracing in some of the events we ’ ve looked at , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it being generated at the stadium.
” Binney , the epidemiologist , acknowledged that “ we have not traced any large outbreaks back to stadiums ” but noted that doesn ’ t mean it didn ’ t contribute to virus spread and subsequent outbreaks .
“ We ’ re not doing nearly testing or contact tracing to be confident that there have been no outbreaks ” from stadiums , Binney said .
“ I don ’ t think we missed a 5,000-person outbreak ( traced to a stadium ) .
We would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could we have missed an outbreak of 20 , 50 , 100 and not caught it until it was a generation of transmission removed from the stadium ?
Absolutely.
” He noted that “ outdoor transition is much harder than indoor transmission ” and that face-covered fans in a big spaced-out stadium with limited capacity “ may not be super dangerous.
” The virus still has killed more than 310,000 Americans .
A big part of his concern involves people traveling into the area for the games and adding to crowds at hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is limited to 50 % .
“ People traveling helps the virus travel , ” he said .
And now here come the travelers for five different bowl games .
“ You can do it safely , assuming you ’ re not trying to overload the place , ” Crowson said .
“ That ’ s not what we ’ re doing .
”

What pandemic? Dallas-Fort Worth is booming with college football bowl games
Show Caption Hide Caption Top QB draft prospects to watch in bowl games (Spoiler: Trevor Lawrence is one) SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg gives us four QB prospects to keep a close eye on during the bowl games and it should come as no surprise that Clemson star Trevor Lawrence tops the list. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
The college football bowl game industry has been hit hard this year with 19 canceled or relocated games, including all four that were scheduled in California and five others since Sunday alone, all because of restrictions and fallout related to the pandemic.
Yet there is one part of the country where the bowl business is booming even though COVID-19 is thriving there, too:
The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in Texas.
In a span of nine days starting Thursday, this area is scheduled to host five bowl games, which is one more than it would have in a normal year and two more any other metro area in the nation. Two of those games – the New Mexico Bowl and Rose Bowl national semifinal game in California – relocated to Dallas-Fort Worth from other states to avoid local restrictions on public gatherings.
Depending on the viewpoint, this either can be a safe place to keep college football going, or it’s a terrible idea putting lives at risk. Tarrant County, site of the relocated Rose Bowl, reported intensive care unit beds at 96% capacity this week.
“Given the region’s high levels of infection and hospitalization, the December holidays, in combination with cold weather driving gatherings indoors, present a significant risk for a spike in transmission,” the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said in a forecast for the Dallas-Fort Worth region updated on Wednesday. “We urge consideration of this concern in making holiday plans.”
The report didn’t mention outdoor bowl games, which have found a sanctuary in Dallas-Fort Worth, where restrictions are looser than in other states and football is much more important than it is in the West. In the case of the Rose Bowl, public health officials wouldn’t allow fans to attend in Southern California, where ICU bed availability plunged to a 0% metric last week.
That’s why it moved to Texas, where it will have attendance capped at 17,815.
BOWL SEASON: College football bowl schedule for the 2020 season
ALL-AMERICANS: Alabama's Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith lead USA TODAY Sports' 2020 All-America teams
HEISMAN WATCH: Alabama teammates Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith tied in final poll
But the virus isn’t less of a risk in Texas. The COVID-19 testing positivity rate for Tarrant County recently was reported at 17%, even higher than the 15.9% seven-day average recently in the game’s normal home county of Los Angeles.
“It’s disappointing, but not surprising to see a kind of race to the bottom in terms of finding somewhere that will allow you to hold the bowl game and maybe have the maximum number of fans,” said Zachary Binney, epidemiologist at Oxford College of Emory University. “This is what happens when you don’t have any sort of organized national response. It becomes every man and every state and every locality for themselves.”
It also has become somewhat political.
Bowl sanctuary state
Of the 28 postseason games that haven’t been canceled as of Wednesday, all but three were in states won by President Trump, a Republican who has downplayed the pandemic. The other three are in states that have Republican governors who generally favor looser restrictions: two in Arizona and the Peach Bowl in Georgia.
The two games that relocated – the Rose and New Mexico Bowls – moved to Trump states from states that were won by President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat who has emphasized taking the pandemic seriously.
Seventeen other games were canceled and fall into two categories: those that canceled relatively early in anticipation of pandemic problems and those that canceled late in reaction to rapidly changing circumstances related to the pandemic.
Of the 17 canceled games, 11 were early cancellations before Dec. 8, including nine in states won by Biden. The other two games canceled before Dec. 8 were the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau and the Sun Bowl in El Paso, where refrigerated trucks were brought in last month to help house the deceased.
Since then, an additional six bowl games were canceled because there weren’t enough teams willing to participate, or because participating teams had COVID-19 issues of their own. The latter includes the Frisco Bowl near Dallas, which would have been a sixth bowl game this season in Dallas-Fort Worth.
As it stands on Wednesday, eight of the 28 postseason games this season are in Florida and seven are in Texas.
“Officials in California wouldn’t budge on having fans in the stadium,” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram wrote this week in an editorial. “But whether it’s the prospect of tax revenue, help for struggling business or simply a can-do attitude, our leaders have said, sure, come on down. We certainly don’t want to emulate California in our approach to business, but the timing stinks.”
The five bowl games in Dallas-Fort Worth boosts the area’s reputation as a haven for major sporting events in the pandemic, following the baseball World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington and the NFL games next door at AT&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys lead the league by far with more than 26,000 fans per game.
In an interview with USA TODAY Sports, Arlington Fire Chief Don Crowson emphasized that strict protocols are in place for these games, including requirements for face coverings, social distancing and limited attendance.
“Our experience throughout the NFL season and Major League Baseball and other special events has been relatively positive because the one thing we understand is COVID spread is predominately in private family settings or casual settings where there are no COVID protocols or procedures in place,” said Crowson, who oversees emergency response and community support services there.
AT&T Stadium also will host the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 30 between Florida and Oklahoma, followed by the relocated Rose Bowl semifinal on Jan. 1 between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame.
Attendance at both games will be capped at 17,815, according to a Cotton Bowl official. Before moving the game to Texas, Rose Bowl officials had tried to get California public health authorities to at least allow players’ families to attend the game in Pasadena but were rejected, leading to complaints from teams that might be selected to play there.
“Gatherings that bring together people from different households at the same time, and in this case potentially those that would be traveling into California from out of state, increases the risk of disease transmission,” said a letter to Rose Bowl officials last week from Erica Pan, the acting state health officer at the California Department of Public Health.
'Advantage that Alabama deserved'
This attendance factor in Arlington also is why the College Football Playoff selection committee placed No. 1 Alabama there instead of at the other semifinal site at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Alabama coach Nick Saban said his team “had no preference at all” between the two sites, but the committee intentionally favored the No. 1 seed.
“There are 16,000 tickets that are going to be sold in Arlington and 3,000 tickets that are going to be sold in New Orleans,” committee chair Gary Barta said. “Taking everything else into consideration, the committee believed that it gave the opportunity for Alabama families and fans to have more tickets available, and we decided that that was an advantage that Alabama deserved.”
The relocated New Mexico Bowl Thursday will have attendance capped at 4,000 in nearby Frisco. The First Responder Bowl in Dallas Dec. 26 will be capped at 6,500, and the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth Dec. 31 will be capped at 9,000.
Crowson has noted Arlington has had “no evidence of outbreaks” associated with games there.
“We’ve done some contact tracing in some of the events we’ve looked at,” he said. “The timelines were inconsistent with it being generated at the stadium.”
Binney, the epidemiologist, acknowledged that “we have not traced any large outbreaks back to stadiums” but noted that doesn’t mean it didn’t contribute to virus spread and subsequent outbreaks.
“We’re not doing nearly testing or contact tracing to be confident that there have been no outbreaks” from stadiums, Binney said. “I don’t think we missed a 5,000-person outbreak (traced to a stadium). We would have picked up on that. But could we have missed an outbreak of 20, 50, 100 and not caught it until it was a generation of transmission removed from the stadium? Absolutely.”
He noted that “outdoor transition is much harder than indoor transmission” and that face-covered fans in a big spaced-out stadium with limited capacity “may not be super dangerous.”
The virus still has killed more than 310,000 Americans. A big part of his concern involves people traveling into the area for the games and adding to crowds at hotels and restaurants, where capacity in Arlington is limited to 50%.
“People traveling helps the virus travel,” he said.
And now here come the travelers for five different bowl games.
“You can do it safely, assuming you’re not trying to overload the place,” Crowson said. “That’s not what we’re doing.”
Contact reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. E-mail: bschrotenb@usatoday.com


usatoday--2020-12-25--Opinion: Pain of Karl-Anthony Towns shows why James Harden needs to stop being selfish, take NBA's s

No matter how much time passes , Karl-Anthony Towns will never stop feeling grief .
Sure , the Minnesota Timberwolves star might find some relative comfort playing in games and bonding with teammates .
As he has made clear with his words and body language in the past month , however , Towns will never fully recover from his mother , Jacqueline Cruz , and six other family members dying this year due to coronavirus complications .
“ You may see me smiling and stuff , but that Karl died on April 13th , ” Towns said Wednesday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death .
“ He ’ s never coming back .
I don ’ t remember that man .
I don ’ t know that man .
You ’ re talking to the physical me .
But my soul has been killed off a long time ago.
” These comments should leave everyone heartbroken for the over 300,000 people that have died from COVID-19 – as well as those individuals ' family members and friends .
These comments should leave everyone with anger for those that have contributed to the death rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing rules seriously .
As it pertains to the NBA world , Houston Rockets star James Harden should look at Towns ' pain and see why he needs to stop being so selfish .
The NBA issued a $ 50,000 fine to Harden on Wednesday for violating the league ’ s health and safety protocols .
Harden has defended himself , saying he did not attend a strip club , as some suspected .
But that does not matter , necessarily .
What matters is that Harden attended a private indoor party that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the league permits for any gathering .
What matters is Harden attended an establishment that the league has outlawed .
Though Harden himself has not tested positive for COVID-19 , the NBA still postponed the Rockets ’ season opener against Oklahoma City because of too many cases within his team .
The league reported that three players `` returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive . ''
Four other Rockets were also quarantined because of contact tracing procedures .
You don ’ t really need to be epidemiologist to fear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should it continue , harm teammates , staff members and their families .
What are the potential consequences ?
Look at Towns , who has spent the last eight months in absolute hell .
He has tried comforting his father and other family members over their numerous losses .
But he has admittedly struggled .
“ I wouldn ’ t be sitting in this chair if it wasn ’ t for her , ” Towns said of his mom .
“ I wouldn ’ t be alive .
She saved my life multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would get here .
It ’ s such a different pain than you all recognize.
” When the NBA decided to begin this season in the middle of the pandemic , it understood its hopes of maintaining revenue and keeping their employees came with significant risk .
That explains why the NBA released its schedule for only the first half of the season .
The league anticipated it would need some time to reschedule games .
Even with the NBA outlining a 154-page health and safety manual that it has enforced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even among the players , coaches and staff member that have followed the rules strenuously .
But Harden 's reckless behavior increases the risk substantially and could lead to more widespread outbreaks .
It surely is not a coincidence that the Rockets are the first game the NBA postponed , and on Day 2 of the regular season , no less .
And is this all happening because Harden has become frustrated with the Rockets and their future ?
Opinion : James Harden is trying to be a disruptor , and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More : Harden denies he went to strip club , but NBA fines him for violating protocols He may have felt understandably frustrated the Rockets could not convince coach Mike D ’ Antoni to sign a new deal after his system lifted Harden ’ s career to new heights .
He may have felt understandably frustrated the Rockets allowed general manager Daryl Morey to leave after he assembled talent around him to give him real chances at winning an NBA title .
He may have felt understandably frustrated that Russell Westbrook ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All NBA stars are entitled to use their leverage either to pressure their team to make moves to become a contender or go elsewhere to a place that will .
But once training camp started , Harden had an obligation to be professional and make the best of his circumstances .
Not only does that entail attending practices regularly and supporting coaches and teammates , in these times it also involves taking the safety protocols seriously .
“ I made promises to guys I ’ ll be here no matter how bad my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up my life is , ” Towns said .
“ I ’ m going to keep being here for these guys regardless of what it is .
I ’ m going to let them see me smile even though inside I ’ m not smiling whatsoever .
I owe these guys as a leader .
I owe that to them as a teammate.
” Harden owes that same courtesy to Towns , his own teammates and every NBA employee .
It shouldn ’ t be hard for Harden to know how to isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
Unfortunately , Harden only seems concerned about taking his own shot .

Opinion: Pain of Karl-Anthony Towns shows why James Harden needs to stop being selfish, take NBA's safety protocols seriously
Show Caption Hide Caption Why the NBA season should start on Christmas every year SportsPulse: For the majority of the American sports psyche the NBA season has always felt like it started on Christmas. Why not make that literal? Mackenzie Salmon lays out the pros of the NBA starting in late December. USA TODAY
No matter how much time passes, Karl-Anthony Towns will never stop feeling grief.
Sure, the Minnesota Timberwolves star might find some relative comfort playing in games and bonding with teammates. As he has made clear with his words and body language in the past month, however, Towns will never fully recover from his mother, Jacqueline Cruz, and six other family members dying this year due to coronavirus complications.
“You may see me smiling and stuff, but that Karl died on April 13th,” Towns said Wednesday night, referring to the date of his mother’s death. “He’s never coming back. I don’t remember that man. I don’t know that man. You’re talking to the physical me. But my soul has been killed off a long time ago.”
These comments should leave everyone heartbroken for the over 300,000 people that have died from COVID-19 – as well as those individuals' family members and friends. These comments should leave everyone with anger for those that have contributed to the death rate by refusing to take mask-wearing and social distancing rules seriously.
As it pertains to the NBA world, Houston Rockets star James Harden should look at Towns' pain and see why he needs to stop being so selfish.
The NBA issued a $50,000 fine to Harden on Wednesday for violating the league’s health and safety protocols. Harden has defended himself, saying he did not attend a strip club, as some suspected. But that does not matter, necessarily.
What matters is that Harden attended a private indoor party that had far more than the 15 people that the league permits for any gathering. What matters is Harden attended an establishment that the league has outlawed.
Though Harden himself has not tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA still postponed the Rockets’ season opener against Oklahoma City because of too many cases within his team. The league reported that three players "returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive." Four other Rockets were also quarantined because of contact tracing procedures.
You don’t really need to be epidemiologist to fear that Harden’s reckless behavior could, should it continue, harm teammates, staff members and their families.
What are the potential consequences? Look at Towns, who has spent the last eight months in absolute hell. He has tried comforting his father and other family members over their numerous losses. But he has admittedly struggled.
“I wouldn’t be sitting in this chair if it wasn’t for her,” Towns said of his mom. “I wouldn’t be alive. She saved my life multiple times when I didn’t think I would get here. It’s such a different pain than you all recognize.”
When the NBA decided to begin this season in the middle of the pandemic, it understood its hopes of maintaining revenue and keeping their employees came with significant risk. That explains why the NBA released its schedule for only the first half of the season. The league anticipated it would need some time to reschedule games.
Even with the NBA outlining a 154-page health and safety manual that it has enforced, it seems inevitable the virus will spread even among the players, coaches and staff member that have followed the rules strenuously.
But Harden's reckless behavior increases the risk substantially and could lead to more widespread outbreaks. It surely is not a coincidence that the Rockets are the first game the NBA postponed, and on Day 2 of the regular season, no less.
And is this all happening because Harden has become frustrated with the Rockets and their future?
Opinion: James Harden is trying to be a disruptor, and it's working. His antics could poison Rockets.
More: Harden denies he went to strip club, but NBA fines him for violating protocols
He may have felt understandably frustrated the Rockets could not convince coach Mike D’Antoni to sign a new deal after his system lifted Harden’s career to new heights. He may have felt understandably frustrated the Rockets allowed general manager Daryl Morey to leave after he assembled talent around him to give him real chances at winning an NBA title. He may have felt understandably frustrated that Russell Westbrook’s departure signified a rebuilding project.
All NBA stars are entitled to use their leverage either to pressure their team to make moves to become a contender or go elsewhere to a place that will.
But once training camp started, Harden had an obligation to be professional and make the best of his circumstances. Not only does that entail attending practices regularly and supporting coaches and teammates, in these times it also involves taking the safety protocols seriously.
“I made promises to guys I’ll be here no matter how bad my situation is and how [messed] up my life is,” Towns said. “I’m going to keep being here for these guys regardless of what it is. I’m going to let them see me smile even though inside I’m not smiling whatsoever. I owe these guys as a leader. I owe that to them as a teammate.”
Harden owes that same courtesy to Towns, his own teammates and every NBA employee. It shouldn’t be hard for Harden to know how to isolate. He does that often on the court. Unfortunately, Harden only seems concerned about taking his own shot.
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-12-24--Decades ago, a mystery man spent thousands to give an Ohio family 'a nice visit from Santa Claus'

Helen Arnold met him unexpectedly in 1953 while shopping at Polsky ’ s department store in downtown Akron .
The brief encounter changed her family 's lives .
From that year to 1965 , the Arnolds had a generous secret Santa at Christmastime .
With her weekly pay as a dishwasher , Helen had only $ 37 to spend on gifts in 1953 .
Her husband , Roy , had been laid off from the Akron Sanitation Department , and the couple had eight kids — Cathy , Royal , Mona , Gale , John , Gary , Carla and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth , Donna .
A 10th child , Marsha , had died as a baby .
They resided in a small home below a nearby bridge .
In addition to the family of 10 , Helen ’ s parents , brother , two sisters and their three children also lived there .
Royal Arnold , 76 , of Akron understood that it was a struggle for his parents to pay the bills .
He even offered to make do with less so that his siblings might have more .
“ I remember telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have enough to get me a Christmas gift , don ’ t worry about it , ’ ” he said .
Royal was 9 years old in 1953 when he and three siblings accompanied their mom to Polsky ’ s .
They were browsing the bargain basement when a stranger approached them .
“ Are these your children ?
” the man asked Helen .
“ They ’ re lovely children and well-behaved.
” Before Helen knew what was happening , the stranger placed a $ 20 bill in her hand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Christmas.
” He then disappeared into the bustling crowd .
It happened so fast that Helen didn ’ t get a good look at him , but she later described him as short , white and slim , maybe 50 years old with graying brown hair .
“ All I remember is holding my mother ’ s hand and my mother was shocked.
” Royal said .
It was a Christmas miracle .
Helen went home that night and jotted a note to the Akron Beacon Journal , now part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to write this letter of appreciation to the gentleman who was in Polsky ’ s basement last Monday ( Nov. 30 ) , ” she wrote .
“ He gave me $ 20 to buy Christmas presents for the four children I had with me .
I am the mother of eight children and every penny or dollar means something to me ... “ I do not know the gentleman , but wherever he is , I am sure he does not know what a lift he gave me .
I was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clothing I was planning to put in layaway .
“ Surely the spirit of God and the spirit of Christmas were present when that gentleman dropped that money in my hand… “ I never was able to thank this gentleman because he disappeared in the crowd while my children and I watched him .
“ Thank you , Mister , wherever you are.
” Two days after the letter was published , a man walked into the Beacon Journal lobby , handed an envelope to a maintenance worker and said : “ See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He then quickly left .
The envelope contained four $ 20 bills and a note that read : “ I had no way of knowing the lady had eight children .
My !
I may have a few earthly dollars but she is the one that ’ s blessed and with eight little ones to find time to acknowledge the little gift , you are deserving .
If the Beacon Journal will see that you get this , please make it a nice Christmas for all the children .
I will be amply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes.
” Signed : Santa Claus .
A reporter tracked down the identity of “ Grateful Mother , ” visited the Arnold home and delivered the $ 80 to Helen .
“ You don ’ t mean it ’ s from the same man , do you ?
” she gasped .
She had bought three dresses and two pairs of trousers with the original $ 20 .
“ Now the kids can have toys , too , ” she said .
Joy filled the Arnold home that Christmas .
The happy story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was far from over .
In December 1954 , another envelope arrived at the newspaper office .
It contained $ 100 and a note : “ Remember Grateful Mother and the eight children last Christmas ?
I just arrived in town .
Could you get this to her so the children can have a nice visit from Santa Claus ?
If not , I ’ m sure you know of some deserving children .
Merry Xmas to you .
—Santa.
” Once again , a reporter delivered the gift to Helen .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ ve been praying something would happen .
But I never expected it.
” She explained that it had been an especially rough year .
She had lost her job and her husband had found only temporary work .
They had only $ 16 to buy a few toys for the kids .
“ It ’ s wonderful , just wonderful , ” she said of Santa ’ s gift .
“ God bless him.
” Remarkably , another $ 100 envelope arrived in 1955 followed by $ 220 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each envelope had a brief note instructing the Beacon Journal to give the money to “ Grateful Mother.
” “ We became the Christmas story every year , ” Royal said .
The holidays marched past .
After being treated for cancer , Helen studied to be a beautician through the Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and found part-time work .
Her husband returned to the sanitation job , but suffered a back injury and was laid off again .
With Santa ’ s gifts , the family bought shoes , clothes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house bills , purchased coal for the furnace and acquired other needed items .
“ Only a mother understands the worry of wanting so much for her family and having so little to offer , especially at Christmas , ” Helen explained .
“ To know that God is watching over us and has provided us with a guardian who has such a wonderful heart has filled my heart with gratitude.
” The phantom Santa continued to give generously .
The Arnold family received $ 300 in 1958 , $ 350 in 1959 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 in 1961 and $ 300 in 1962 .
And each year , the family expressed everlasting appreciation .
Santa took off Christmas 1963 , later admitting that he couldn ’ t give any money to the Arnolds without revealing his identity , but he returned with $ 300 in 1964 and a final $ 300 in 1965 .
By then , the family ’ s circumstances had turned around .
Helen worked in Akron ’ s urban renewal office , and in a few years she would be named president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , Roy , was managing a bar , and the children had grown into young men and women .
In total , the mysterious benefactor gave the Arnolds $ 3,040 over 12 years , which amounts to nearly $ 25,000 today .
Royal thinks the kindness of a stranger helped his mother succeed .
“ I believe it helped all of us in many different ways , '' he said .
`` I think my family made history in this city.
” Royal grew up to be a restaurateur who owned Arnold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House in Akron .
In 1977 , Helen won election to the Akron Board of Education , becoming the first African American woman to serve on the board .
Wanting to give back to the community that had helped her , she served as a champion for anyone she saw as disadvantaged .
She was reelected five times and remained in office until her death in 2001 at age 76 .
In 2007 , the Helen Arnold Community Learning Center opened , serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the Buchtel school cluster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Secret Santa who disappeared as mysteriously as he arrived .
A few theories arose , but a name was never confirmed .
“ I would be curious to know , ” Royal said .
Kindness this holiday season : Pennsylvania man buys 30 Christmas trees for families in need Santa comes home : How social media helped this Delaware family reunite with beloved Christmas decoration His parents are gone now , and only six siblings remain .
The torch is passing to generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren .
When Helen Arnold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her family , she composed another letter of thanks .
“ Even through Santa may not come through this year , we have many happy memories that have passed , ” she wrote .
“ I think of the changes he caused — restoring our faith in our fellow man , giving us courage to face our tomorrows through dim or bright , and most of all hope for the future … “ We give to Santa as our one special gift our utmost respect to a kind old gentleman who chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God take care of you , wherever you are .
”

Decades ago, a mystery man spent thousands to give an Ohio family 'a nice visit from Santa Claus'
AKRON, Ohio — Santa Claus really did exist.
Helen Arnold met him unexpectedly in 1953 while shopping at Polsky’s department store in downtown Akron.
The brief encounter changed her family's lives. From that year to 1965, the Arnolds had a generous secret Santa at Christmastime.
With her weekly pay as a dishwasher, Helen had only $37 to spend on gifts in 1953. Her husband, Roy, had been laid off from the Akron Sanitation Department, and the couple had eight kids — Cathy, Royal, Mona, Gale, John, Gary, Carla and Gerald — and would soon welcome a ninth, Donna. A 10th child, Marsha, had died as a baby.
They resided in a small home below a nearby bridge. In addition to the family of 10, Helen’s parents, brother, two sisters and their three children also lived there.
Royal Arnold, 76, of Akron understood that it was a struggle for his parents to pay the bills. He even offered to make do with less so that his siblings might have more.
“I remember telling her that ‘If you don’t have enough to get me a Christmas gift, don’t worry about it,’” he said.
Royal was 9 years old in 1953 when he and three siblings accompanied their mom to Polsky’s. They were browsing the bargain basement when a stranger approached them.
“Are these your children?” the man asked Helen. “They’re lovely children and well-behaved.”
Before Helen knew what was happening, the stranger placed a $20 bill in her hand and said: “Buy them something nice for Christmas.”
He then disappeared into the bustling crowd. It happened so fast that Helen didn’t get a good look at him, but she later described him as short, white and slim, maybe 50 years old with graying brown hair.
“All I remember is holding my mother’s hand and my mother was shocked.” Royal said.
It was a Christmas miracle. Helen went home that night and jotted a note to the Akron Beacon Journal, now part of the USA TODAY Network:
“I want to write this letter of appreciation to the gentleman who was in Polsky’s basement last Monday (Nov. 30),” she wrote. “He gave me $20 to buy Christmas presents for the four children I had with me. I am the mother of eight children and every penny or dollar means something to me...
“I do not know the gentleman, but wherever he is, I am sure he does not know what a lift he gave me. I was able to pay cash for part of the clothing I was planning to put in layaway.
“Surely the spirit of God and the spirit of Christmas were present when that gentleman dropped that money in my hand…
“I never was able to thank this gentleman because he disappeared in the crowd while my children and I watched him.
“Thank you, Mister, wherever you are.”
She signed it “Grateful Mother.”
Two days after the letter was published, a man walked into the Beacon Journal lobby, handed an envelope to a maintenance worker and said: “See it gets to the right person.” He then quickly left.
The envelope contained four $20 bills and a note that read: “I had no way of knowing the lady had eight children. My! I may have a few earthly dollars but she is the one that’s blessed and with eight little ones to find time to acknowledge the little gift, you are deserving. If the Beacon Journal will see that you get this, please make it a nice Christmas for all the children. I will be amply repaid just visualizing the gleam in their eyes.” Signed: Santa Claus.
A reporter tracked down the identity of “Grateful Mother,” visited the Arnold home and delivered the $80 to Helen.
“You don’t mean it’s from the same man, do you?” she gasped.
She had bought three dresses and two pairs of trousers with the original $20.
“Now the kids can have toys, too,” she said.
Joy filled the Arnold home that Christmas. The happy story could have ended there, but it was far from over.
In December 1954, another envelope arrived at the newspaper office. It contained $100 and a note: “Remember Grateful Mother and the eight children last Christmas? I just arrived in town. Could you get this to her so the children can have a nice visit from Santa Claus? If not, I’m sure you know of some deserving children. Merry Xmas to you. —Santa.”
Once again, a reporter delivered the gift to Helen.
“Oh, God,” she cried. “I’ve been praying something would happen. But I never expected it.”
She explained that it had been an especially rough year. She had lost her job and her husband had found only temporary work. They had only $16 to buy a few toys for the kids.
“It’s wonderful, just wonderful,” she said of Santa’s gift. “God bless him.”
Remarkably, another $100 envelope arrived in 1955 followed by $220 in 1956 and $220 in 1957. Each envelope had a brief note instructing the Beacon Journal to give the money to “Grateful Mother.”
“We became the Christmas story every year,” Royal said.
The holidays marched past. After being treated for cancer, Helen studied to be a beautician through the Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and found part-time work. Her husband returned to the sanitation job, but suffered a back injury and was laid off again.
With Santa’s gifts, the family bought shoes, clothes and toys for the kids, paid off house bills, purchased coal for the furnace and acquired other needed items.
“Only a mother understands the worry of wanting so much for her family and having so little to offer, especially at Christmas,” Helen explained. “To know that God is watching over us and has provided us with a guardian who has such a wonderful heart has filled my heart with gratitude.”
The phantom Santa continued to give generously. The Arnold family received $300 in 1958, $350 in 1959, $350 in 1960, $400 in 1961 and $300 in 1962.
And each year, the family expressed everlasting appreciation.
Santa took off Christmas 1963, later admitting that he couldn’t give any money to the Arnolds without revealing his identity, but he returned with $300 in 1964 and a final $300 in 1965.
By then, the family’s circumstances had turned around. Helen worked in Akron’s urban renewal office, and in a few years she would be named president of the Akron chapter of the NAACP. Her husband, Roy, was managing a bar, and the children had grown into young men and women.
In total, the mysterious benefactor gave the Arnolds $3,040 over 12 years, which amounts to nearly $25,000 today.
Royal thinks the kindness of a stranger helped his mother succeed.
“I believe it helped all of us in many different ways," he said. "I think my family made history in this city.”
Royal grew up to be a restaurateur who owned Arnold's Baroudi and Arnold’s Rib House in Akron.
In 1977, Helen won election to the Akron Board of Education, becoming the first African American woman to serve on the board. Wanting to give back to the community that had helped her, she served as a champion for anyone she saw as disadvantaged.
She was reelected five times and remained in office until her death in 2001 at age 76. In 2007, the Helen Arnold Community Learning Center opened, serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the Buchtel school cluster.
The Arnold family never learned the identity of the Secret Santa who disappeared as mysteriously as he arrived. A few theories arose, but a name was never confirmed.
“I would be curious to know,” Royal said.
Kindness this holiday season: Pennsylvania man buys 30 Christmas trees for families in need
Santa comes home: How social media helped this Delaware family reunite with beloved Christmas decoration
His parents are gone now, and only six siblings remain. The torch is passing to generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
When Helen Arnold was convinced that Santa was done helping her family, she composed another letter of thanks.
“Even through Santa may not come through this year, we have many happy memories that have passed,” she wrote. “I think of the changes he caused — restoring our faith in our fellow man, giving us courage to face our tomorrows through dim or bright, and most of all hope for the future …
“We give to Santa as our one special gift our utmost respect to a kind old gentleman who chose to show he cared about us. May God take care of you, wherever you are.”


usatoday--2020-12-25--Coronavirus updates: Antibodies may provide protection for up to 6 months or longer; California reac

USA TODAY is keeping track of the news surrounding COVID-19 as a pair of vaccines join the U.S. fight against a virus that has killed more than 325,000 Americans since the first reported fatality in February .
Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates on vaccine distribution , including who is getting the shots and where , as well as other COVID-19 news from across the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter for updates directly to your inbox , join our Facebook group or scroll through our in-depth answers to reader questions for everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
►The U.S. military is again tracking Santa Claus , although with some modifications because of the pandemic .
The North American Aerospace Defense Command 's Santa tracking operations center usually has around 1,500 volunteers fielding calls from around the world , but this year they have scaled back .
This year , Santa is wearing a mask , according to the tracker .
►Republicans blocked an effort Thursday to increase direct payments to Americans from $ 600 to $ 2,000 in the latest stimulus package .
Democrats said they would try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said this week he wanted bigger direct checks sent out .
►The federal government is close to delivering 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the month of December , as promised , but states are taking longer than expected to get those doses into people 's arms .
Here 's what officials are saying about immunizations .
►The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects there will be 378,000 to 419,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S. by Jan. 16 , according to a projection published Wednesday .
►The Transportation Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals at airports across the country on Wednesday .
While Wednesday 's total was still down 38 % from the same weekday a year ago , which was Christmas Day , it was the fourth day during the Christmas holiday rush that traveler counts topped 1 million .
►California has become the first state to surpass 2 million cases , according to Johns Hopkins University data , a somber marker reached only by seven countries .
►A Black doctor who said she received racist treatment while hospitalized with COVID-19 has died , her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Susan Moore said her white doctor in Indiana `` made me feel like I was a drug addict '' and did not take her complaints of pain seriously .
Her son told the Times that while she eventually received care that `` adequately treated '' her pain , the case shows , as Moore put it , `` how Black people get killed , when you send them home and they don ’ t know how to fight for themselves . ''
►Louisiana Rep.-elect Luke Letlow has been transferred to the intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shreveport to continue treatment for COVID-19 , his spokesman told USA TODAY Network on Wednesday .
►Colorado has begun vaccinating workers insides its prisons as COVID-19 continues to spread in the facilities .
Annie Skinner , a corrections department spokesperson , said frontline health care workers in prisons were the focus of the vaccination efforts but other workers have received shots to avoid wasting doses .
Criminal justice advocates have pushed for prisons to be prioritized in vaccination efforts because outbreaks have been rampant in facilities across the U.S. ►In Oregon , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later tested positive for COVID-19 .
That has led to two separate outbreaks , one of which has killed at least 7 people and the other forced 300 to quarantine , the Oregonian reported .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has more than 18.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 329,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The global totals : More than 79 million cases and 1.7 million deaths .
📚 What we 're reading : A new variant of coronavirus , with 17 mutations compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast in the U.K.
Here ’ s what scientists know .
Government program tapped to pay for COVID-19 vaccine injuries rarely sides with consumers In March , Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared that all claims of injury from COVID-19 vaccines would be handled through a program run by his agency .
Because the vaccine is for a once-in-a-century virus and has n't been approved for routine use , anyone who seeks compensation for a serious side effect will be directed to a little-known federal program that rarely sides with consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Compensation Program , has rejected 90 % of vaccine-injury claims over the last decade .
In contrast , the federal government 's `` vaccine court , '' which handles claims mainly involving routine childhood vaccines , has paid about 70 % of claims from 2006 through 2018 .
As COVID-19 vaccines are being shipped to millions of Americans , some attorneys and consumer advocates question whether people will get a fair review in the rare cases of alleged harm .
COVID-19 antibodies may protect from virus for 6 months or longer , studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that antibodies from getting COVID-19 may provide protection against future infection .
Researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute found that people with antibodies from natural infection were less likely to test positive again for up to six months and maybe longer , according to one of the studies published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine .
The research looked at 12,500 health workers at Oxford University Hospitals in the U.K .
The second study , still undergoing peer-review , involved more than 3 million people who had antibody tests from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only .03 % of those who initially had antibodies later tested positive for the coronavirus , compared with 3 % of those who lacked such antibodies .
The findings are “ not a surprise , ” said Joshua Wolf , an infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Children ’ s Research Hospital in Memphis who is not affiliated with the study .
“ But it ’ s really reassuring because it tells people that immunity to the virus is common.
” 40 million Americans could be left homeless as federal eviction moratorium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the verge of being evicted with the federal eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of January , unleashing what advocates say could be a housing catastrophe of historic proportions : Without federal intervention , they fear , as many as 40 million people could be displaced amid an ongoing and still worsening pandemic .
“ We ’ re facing potentially the worst housing and homelessness crisis in our country ’ s history , ” said Diane Yentel , CEO and president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the CDC was originally set to end Dec. 3 and is expected to be extended through January by Congress under a $ 900 billion COVID-19 relief package that also includes offering $ 25 billion in emergency rental assistance .
But critics say the order ’ s vague wording has led to inconsistent implementation and allowed determined landlords to find loopholes .
Moreover , tenants often aren ’ t aware of the order , and without legal representation , many aren ’ t equipped to follow through in court .
Read more here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 vaccine The vaccines are coming .
Now , how many Americans will actually get them ?
USA TODAY spoke with psychology experts to get advice on what you can do to encourage your family , friends and community members to get the vaccine .
Here are some tips : • Do n't judge people : Shame is not nearly as effective in changing behavior as some might think .
• Do n't dismiss people 's concerns : Reasonable skeptics are not going to trust the vaccine just because someone says they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Pharma , for example , do n't disregard that .
• Is this person vaccine-hesitant or a hardcore anti-vaxxer ?
Asking questions will help you understand if people are persuadable and what may persuade them .
• Model the behavior you want to see : Telling people you plan to get the vaccine and posting a photo on social media when you do is far more potent than anything else you share .
Read more of their recommendations here .
Christmas Eve is Dr. Fauci 's 80th birthday .
Here 's how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Anthony Fauci will be celebrating his 80th birthday on Thursday , Christmas Eve .
However , similar to his Thanksgiving celebrations , the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert will be spending his birthday and the holidays reconnecting with family over Zoom .
Fauci has three adult daughters who all live in different parts of the country .
“ The Christmas holiday is a special holiday for us because Christmas Eve is my birthday .
And Christmas Day is Christmas Day .
And they are not going to come home … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Washington Post .
“ But that ’ s just one of the things you ’ re going to have to accept as we go through this unprecedented challenging time .
”

Elinor Aspegren and Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: Antibodies may provide protection for up to 6 months or longer; California reaches 2M cases
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 vaccine: Your most common questions answered In this special edition episode of States of America, experts answer the biggest questions Americans have about the vaccine, side effects, how it's getting to you and more. USA TODAY
USA TODAY is keeping track of the news surrounding COVID-19 as a pair of vaccines join the U.S. fight against a virus that has killed more than 325,000 Americans since the first reported fatality in February. Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates on vaccine distribution, including who is getting the shots and where, as well as other COVID-19 news from across the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter for updates directly to your inbox, join our Facebook group or scroll through our in-depth answers to reader questions for everything you need to know about the coronavirus.
In the headlines:
►The U.S. military is again tracking Santa Claus, although with some modifications because of the pandemic. The North American Aerospace Defense Command's Santa tracking operations center usually has around 1,500 volunteers fielding calls from around the world, but this year they have scaled back. This year, Santa is wearing a mask, according to the tracker.
►Republicans blocked an effort Thursday to increase direct payments to Americans from $600 to $2,000 in the latest stimulus package. Democrats said they would try to push the increase through after President Donald Trump said this week he wanted bigger direct checks sent out.
►The federal government is close to delivering 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the month of December, as promised, but states are taking longer than expected to get those doses into people's arms. Here's what officials are saying about immunizations.
►The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects there will be 378,000 to 419,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S. by Jan. 16, according to a projection published Wednesday.
►The Transportation Security Administration said it screened a pandemic-record 1,191,123 individuals at airports across the country on Wednesday. While Wednesday's total was still down 38% from the same weekday a year ago, which was Christmas Day, it was the fourth day during the Christmas holiday rush that traveler counts topped 1 million.
►California has become the first state to surpass 2 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data, a somber marker reached only by seven countries.
►A Black doctor who said she received racist treatment while hospitalized with COVID-19 has died, her son told the New York Times. Dr. Susan Moore said her white doctor in Indiana "made me feel like I was a drug addict" and did not take her complaints of pain seriously. Her son told the Times that while she eventually received care that "adequately treated" her pain, the case shows, as Moore put it, "how Black people get killed, when you send them home and they don’t know how to fight for themselves."
►Louisiana Rep.-elect Luke Letlow has been transferred to the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport to continue treatment for COVID-19, his spokesman told USA TODAY Network on Wednesday.
►Colorado has begun vaccinating workers insides its prisons as COVID-19 continues to spread in the facilities. Annie Skinner, a corrections department spokesperson, said frontline health care workers in prisons were the focus of the vaccination efforts but other workers have received shots to avoid wasting doses. Criminal justice advocates have pushed for prisons to be prioritized in vaccination efforts because outbreaks have been rampant in facilities across the U.S.
►In Oregon, one person who was sick went to work and later tested positive for COVID-19. That has led to two separate outbreaks, one of which has killed at least 7 people and the other forced 300 to quarantine, the Oregonian reported.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has more than 18.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 329,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 79 million cases and 1.7 million deaths.
📚 What we're reading: A new variant of coronavirus, with 17 mutations compared with its most recent ancestor, is spreading fast in the U.K. Here’s what scientists know.
Here's a closer look at today's top stories:
In March, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared that all claims of injury from COVID-19 vaccines would be handled through a program run by his agency.
Because the vaccine is for a once-in-a-century virus and hasn't been approved for routine use, anyone who seeks compensation for a serious side effect will be directed to a little-known federal program that rarely sides with consumers.
That program, the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program, has rejected 90% of vaccine-injury claims over the last decade.
In contrast, the federal government's "vaccine court," which handles claims mainly involving routine childhood vaccines, has paid about 70% of claims from 2006 through 2018.
As COVID-19 vaccines are being shipped to millions of Americans, some attorneys and consumer advocates question whether people will get a fair review in the rare cases of alleged harm.
– Ken Alltucker
Evidence from two new studies suggest that antibodies from getting COVID-19 may provide protection against future infection.
Researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute found that people with antibodies from natural infection were less likely to test positive again for up to six months and maybe longer, according to one of the studies published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research looked at 12,500 health workers at Oxford University Hospitals in the U.K.
The second study, still undergoing peer-review, involved more than 3 million people who had antibody tests from two private labs in the United States. Only .03% of those who initially had antibodies later tested positive for the coronavirus, compared with 3% of those who lacked such antibodies.
The findings are “not a surprise,” said Joshua Wolf, an infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis who is not affiliated with the study. “But it’s really reassuring because it tells people that immunity to the virus is common.”
– Adrianna Rodriguez
Millions of Americans are on the verge of being evicted with the federal eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of January, unleashing what advocates say could be a housing catastrophe of historic proportions: Without federal intervention, they fear, as many as 40 million people could be displaced amid an ongoing and still worsening pandemic.
“We’re facing potentially the worst housing and homelessness crisis in our country’s history,” said Diane Yentel, CEO and president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition in Washington, D.C.
The eviction moratorium approved by the CDC was originally set to end Dec. 3 and is expected to be extended through January by Congress under a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that also includes offering $25 billion in emergency rental assistance.
But critics say the order’s vague wording has led to inconsistent implementation and allowed determined landlords to find loopholes. Moreover, tenants often aren’t aware of the order, and without legal representation, many aren’t equipped to follow through in court. Read more here.
– Marc Ramirez, Sarah Taddeo and Tiffany Cusaac-Smith
The vaccines are coming. Now, how many Americans will actually get them?
USA TODAY spoke with psychology experts to get advice on what you can do to encourage your family, friends and community members to get the vaccine. Here are some tips:
Don't judge people: Shame is not nearly as effective in changing behavior as some might think.
Shame is not nearly as effective in changing behavior as some might think. Don't dismiss people's concerns: Reasonable skeptics are not going to trust the vaccine just because someone says they should. If someone is skeptical of Big Pharma, for example, don't disregard that.
Reasonable skeptics are not going to trust the vaccine just because someone says they should. If someone is skeptical of Big Pharma, for example, don't disregard that. Is this person vaccine-hesitant or a hardcore anti-vaxxer? Asking questions will help you understand if people are persuadable and what may persuade them.
Asking questions will help you understand if people are persuadable and what may persuade them. Model the behavior you want to see: Telling people you plan to get the vaccine and posting a photo on social media when you do is far more potent than anything else you share.
Read more of their recommendations here.
– Alia E. Dastagir
Dr. Anthony Fauci will be celebrating his 80th birthday on Thursday, Christmas Eve.
However, similar to his Thanksgiving celebrations, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert will be spending his birthday and the holidays reconnecting with family over Zoom.
Fauci has three adult daughters who all live in different parts of the country.
“The Christmas holiday is a special holiday for us because Christmas Eve is my birthday. And Christmas Day is Christmas Day. And they are not going to come home … that’s painful,” he told The Washington Post. “But that’s just one of the things you’re going to have to accept as we go through this unprecedented challenging time.”
– Adrianna Rodriguez
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-12-24--With some parts of the US 'feeling like the North Pole,' here's who might get a white Christmas this

• In the Upper Midwest , where a blizzard hit some areas on Wednesday , a white Christmas is guaranteed .
• In the Northeast , the rain and mild temperatures on Christmas Eve could melt a large portion of the snow that fell during last week 's storm .
• The weather service defines a white Christmas as having 1 inch of snow on the ground on the morning of Dec. 25 .
After a mild , soggy Christmas Eve across a large portion of the eastern U.S. , much colder weather is in store for Christmas Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ today and overnight , it will be accompanied by snow in a few areas , delivering a white Christmas morning for some folks .
Snow should be heaviest around the eastern Great Lakes and into portions of the Ohio Valley and the central Appalachians , where 4 to 8 inches is likely , the National Weather Service said .
Snow is even expected as far south as northern Georgia .
Atlanta could see a few flurries on Christmas Day , but no accumulation is forecast .
In the Upper Midwest , where a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white Christmas is guaranteed thanks to the bitter cold temperatures there .
This includes the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area , which picked up over 8 inches of snow Wednesday .
In the Northeast and New England , the rain and mild temperatures on Christmas Eve could melt a large portion of the snow that fell during last week 's storm .
Elsewhere , snow will be on the ground Christmas morning across the higher elevations of the western U.S. , as is usual for this time of year .
The weather service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inch of snow on the ground on the morning of Dec. 25 .
It need not snow on Dec. 25 to fit the weather service 's definition of a white Christmas , but some flurries would certainly help put folks in the holiday spirit .
Americans ' fascination with a white Christmas dates back at least to 1942 , when Bing Crosby first crooned the wistful song in the film `` Holiday Inn . ''
Written by Irving Berlin , the song 's lyrics bring out a romanticized image of Christmases past , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know . ''
Whether it snows or not , Christmas Day will be bone-chillingly cold across nearly the entire eastern third of the nation .
`` The Arctic air and brutal winds will make it feel like the dead of winter – and the combination of snow and a dramatic freeze-up will have some locations feeling like the North Pole , '' said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski .
Falling iguana alert !
Cold weather in Florida may cause iguanas to fall out of trees .
But they 're not dead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be in New England , which will be unusually mild and damp .
Temperatures in portions of Maine could top out in the mid-50s on Christmas Day , which will be warmer than in parts of Florida , the weather service said .
The weather service earlier this week warned that South Florida could experience the coldest Christmas Day in 21 years .
The area could see temperatures dip into the 30s by Saturday morning , potentially causing cold-stunned iguanas to fall out of trees , the weather service said .
Fortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold air is forecast to wane by the end of the weekend , allowing for temperatures to climb back near normal across the Midwest and Southeast .
More : New York man rescued after 10 hours in car without heat – under nearly 4 feet of snow

With some parts of the US 'feeling like the North Pole,' here's who might get a white Christmas this year
Show Caption Hide Caption Heavy snow causes 'whiteout' conditions in Minnesota's Red River Valley According to the Minnesota State Patrol, limited visibility and blowing snow in west-central Minnesota caused a multi-vehicle pile up. Accuweather
In the Upper Midwest, where a blizzard hit some areas on Wednesday, a white Christmas is guaranteed.
In the Northeast, the rain and mild temperatures on Christmas Eve could melt a large portion of the snow that fell during last week's storm.
The weather service defines a white Christmas as having 1 inch of snow on the ground on the morning of Dec. 25.
After a mild, soggy Christmas Eve across a large portion of the eastern U.S., much colder weather is in store for Christmas Day.
As the cold air rushes in later today and overnight, it will be accompanied by snow in a few areas, delivering a white Christmas morning for some folks.
Snow should be heaviest around the eastern Great Lakes and into portions of the Ohio Valley and the central Appalachians, where 4 to 8 inches is likely, the National Weather Service said.
Snow is even expected as far south as northern Georgia. Atlanta could see a few flurries on Christmas Day, but no accumulation is forecast.
In the Upper Midwest, where a blizzard hit some areas on Wednesday, a white Christmas is guaranteed thanks to the bitter cold temperatures there. This includes the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, which picked up over 8 inches of snow Wednesday.
In the Northeast and New England, the rain and mild temperatures on Christmas Eve could melt a large portion of the snow that fell during last week's storm.
Elsewhere, snow will be on the ground Christmas morning across the higher elevations of the western U.S., as is usual for this time of year.
The weather service defines a white Christmas as having 1 inch of snow on the ground on the morning of Dec. 25. It need not snow on Dec. 25 to fit the weather service's definition of a white Christmas, but some flurries would certainly help put folks in the holiday spirit.
Americans' fascination with a white Christmas dates back at least to 1942, when Bing Crosby first crooned the wistful song in the film "Holiday Inn." Written by Irving Berlin, the song's lyrics bring out a romanticized image of Christmases past, "just like the ones I used to know."
Whether it snows or not, Christmas Day will be bone-chillingly cold across nearly the entire eastern third of the nation. "The Arctic air and brutal winds will make it feel like the dead of winter – and the combination of snow and a dramatic freeze-up will have some locations feeling like the North Pole," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Falling iguana alert! Cold weather in Florida may cause iguanas to fall out of trees. But they're not dead.
The one exception to the Christmas chill will be in New England, which will be unusually mild and damp. Temperatures in portions of Maine could top out in the mid-50s on Christmas Day, which will be warmer than in parts of Florida, the weather service said.
The weather service earlier this week warned that South Florida could experience the coldest Christmas Day in 21 years. The area could see temperatures dip into the 30s by Saturday morning, potentially causing cold-stunned iguanas to fall out of trees, the weather service said.
Fortunately, according to AccuWeather, the shocking cold air is forecast to wane by the end of the weekend, allowing for temperatures to climb back near normal across the Midwest and Southeast.
More: New York man rescued after 10 hours in car without heat – under nearly 4 feet of snow


usatoday--2020-12-24--'Frozen' dance-off interrupts a wedding proposal

Josmar Taveras got down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend , where he stayed for the next several @ @ @ @ @ dance-off .

'Frozen' dance-off interrupts a wedding proposal
Josmar Taveras got down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend, where he stayed for the next several minutes until she finished her dance-off.
Humankind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-24--President Trump has granted pardons to 26 people including Paul Manafort and Roger Stone

President Trump has granted pardons to 26 people including Paul Manafort and Roger Stone President Trump has granted pardons to @ @ @ @ @ , Roger Stone and many other allies .

Trump grants pardons to 26 people including Paul Manafort, Roger Stone
President Trump has granted pardons to 26 people including Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and many other allies.
Staff video, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-12-25--Explosion in downtown Nashville damages buildings Christmas morning, injuries unknown

NASHVILLE – An explosion was reported in downtown Nashville early Christmas morning that was felt for miles .
Police and firefighters responded to an area near Second Avenue and Commerce Street about 6:45 a.m. Friday .
Officials are on the scene trying to put out the fire and see if anyone is inside the building .
The fire department confirmed a bomb squad was on the scene with an active investigation by Metro police and federal agenices .
It sent out a tweet asking residents and others to avoid the area .
Police said the incident was linked to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and investigators said an RV was involved .
There were initial reports of structural damage , with debris and shattered glass flying over a wide area , but no immediate information on whether any people were injured .
Images and videos taken in the area showed flames and smoke — which could also be seen from miles away .
Alarms inside several buildings were heard going off with water pouring into some buildings with structural damage and broken windows .
Trees lining Second Avenue were blackened from the incident .
The owner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessean , part of the USA TODAY Network guests were evacuated to Nissan Stadium for shelter .
He said he got a call early Friday from his staff reporting hearing a `` loud boom '' and the fire alarm going off .
He said the hostel is damaged but did not go into details .

Yihyun Jeong and Brinley Hineman, Nashville Tennessean

'Evacuate now. There is a bomb': Human remains reportedly found near explosion in Nashville that damaged 41 buildings, injured 3
Show Caption Hide Caption Nashville explosion: Police identify bomber Authorities are asking anyone who knew Anthony Warner, the man police say is the Nashville bomber, to come forward. Associated Press, USA TODAY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The FBI was leading an investigation Friday into an explosion that erupted in downtown early Christmas morning, an incident that rattled residents for miles, caused destruction for several blocks and is being called "intentional" by authorities.
Mayor John Cooper, giving the last update for the evening, said the relief that not more people were injured has now turned to anger and determination to bring those responsible to justice.
"This was a terrible day, but Nashville has faced other challenges, particularly this year. We can rebuild and get back to normal," he said. "This morning’s attack on our community was intended to create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope, but the spirit of our city cannot be broken."
Authorities say the explosion was deliberate and intentional. Police have found what they believe are human remains but had not confirmed any fatalities as of Friday afternoon.
Cooper said Nashville will not be deterred in finding the people who orchestrated the explosion.
"It will be some time until Second Avenue is back to normal," he said, reporting at least 41 businesses in the area had been damaged in connection to the explosion.
Police were responding to reports of shots fired near Second Avenue and Commerce Street before 6 a.m. when they saw a suspicious RV outside a nearby AT&T building.
Officers alerted the department's bomb squad, which was en route, when a "significant explosion" happened about 30 minutes later, Metro police spokesperson Don Aaron said. The force of the explosion knocked an officer to the ground.
Betsy Williams, the owner of The Melting Pot, a restaurant across the street from the explosion, told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that guests reported the RV was stationed there since Thursday night.
Williams, who lives in a loft apartment on the third floor of the restaurant building, said she heard the sound of loud, rapid-fire gunshots at about 4:30 a.m. After multiple rounds of gunshot sounds, Williams said she called 911. Then, she said, she heard a repeated warning she said came from the RV parked outside her building.
“Evacuate now. There is a bomb. A bomb is in this vehicle and will explode,” she remembers the recorded warning saying. Then, she said, the voice started a 15-minute countdown.
Her family headed to Nissan Stadium, about a half-mile away and waited. When they didn’t hear an explosion, they headed back. That was when they saw a fireball fly over the AT&T building on Second Avenue.
“Whoever did it did give fair warning,” Williams said.
Three people were hospitalized with injuries, police said. None are in critical condition. At least 20 buildings were damaged, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said.
Police said it is unclear if anyone was inside the RV when it exploded. The "tissue" found near the site had to be examined to confirm if human.
Cooper on Friday afternoon announced he has issued a state of civil emergency at the explosion site and the surrounding area, that will put in place a curfew starting Friday at 4:30 p.m. until Sunday 4:30 p.m.
Nashville Metro Police were going door-to-door with canines in the downtown areas to search nearby buildings and automobiles, though there is no indication of any additional devices.
Several people were taken to the department's central precinct for questioning, but authorities declined to give more details Friday morning.
The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation, spokesman Joel Siskovic said, and will be working in conjunction with state and local authorities. Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also in Nashville late Friday morning.
An explosion linked to a vehicle occurred at 6:30 this morning outside 166 2nd Ave N downtown. Investigation active by MNPD & federal partners. — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 25, 2020
The sound of the explosion could be heard from miles away, and people reported windows shaking from South and East Nashville.
Plumes of black smoke filled the air and several fires flared along what is typically a busy street that intersects with Nashville's famed tourist attraction, Lower Broadway. Alarms inside several buildings were heard going off, and water poured into some buildings, causing structural damage and breaking windows.
Trees lining Second Avenue were blackened from the incident.
AT&T internet and phone service were reportedly disrupted nationwide – but mainly throughout Tennessee – because of the explosion, which took place near an AT&T service facility.
Flights out of Nashville International Airport were halted Friday afternoon because of telecommunications issues associated with the incident. The airport reported just before 6 p.m. that most flights are resuming but there may be some delays.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced Friday afternoon a $10,000 contribution toward a reward that stands currently at $31,000 in the case.
"Like everyone, we woke up this Christmas morning to the horrible news of the explosion on Second Avenue. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with all involved or affected," Butch Spyridon, NCVC president and CEO said in a statement. "This is when we show the world who we are. Thank you all for everything you do for our city, and stay safe. I believe in Nashville."
Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement that the state would provide needed resources to determine what happened and who was responsible.
U.S. Attorney Don Cochran said in a Friday afternoon news conference that he had been in contact with Acting U.S. Attorney General Jeffery Rosen who said he was devoting the entire resources of the Department of Justice to help.
Cooper said he toured the damage, describing broken glass and water mains with insulation "blown up" into the trees.
"It looks like a bomb went off," he said. The downtown area will be "sealed off" for further investigation and to make sure everything is "completely safe," he said.
He said the city was lucky that the number of injuries from the explosion was limited.
"One more event in Nashville's 2020," Cooper said.
President Donald Trump has been briefed and will continue to get regular updates, according to White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere.
“The president is grateful for the incredible first responders and praying for those who were injured," Deere said in a statement.
Andrew Carr, who is staying at the Viridian apartments on Fourth Avenue and Church Street, told The Tennessean he jumped out of bed when he heard what sounded like a "giant thunderclap."
He looked out the window and said he saw a "huge fireball" rising up behind an AT&T building on Second Avenue and Commerce Street – describing it almost as "wide as the building itself."
Carr said for the next hour he and his family watched the black smoke plumes rise into the sky and could later see debris on top of the AT&T building.
Residents in the apartment building, he said, were told to lock down.
The owner of the nearby Nashville Downtown Hostel told The Tennessean guests were evacuated to Nissan Stadium for shelter. He said he got a call early Friday from his staff who reported hearing a "loud boom" and the fire alarm going off.
He said the hostel is damaged but did not go into details.
The American Red Cross of Tennessee is working with officials to open a shelter for victims.
"We will find out who did this," Special Agent in Charge Matt Foster said at a Friday afternoon news conference. "This is our city, too. We're putting everything we have into finding who was responsible for what happened here today."
Anyone with information on the explosion is encouraged to go to www.fbi.gov/Nashville to submit information.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Here’s another video from Buck McCoy from downtown #Nashville. Look at the destruction. My god. https://t.co/SmPxzo739a pic.twitter.com/rF2pdiRFXS — Ryan Graney👩🏻🦰 (@RyanEGraney) December 25, 2020
Major damage to buildings close to and around scene of huge explosion in #Nashville. Shards of glass and windows blown out hundreds of yards from 2nd Av. pic.twitter.com/gnQiXwCZ3M — Tony Husband (@TonyHusband) December 25, 2020
I’m en route to downtown after hearing what sounded like an explosion. From my rooftop on Main Street I can see a cloud of smoke billowing from downtown. — Brinley Hineman (@brinleyhineman) December 25, 2020


usatoday--2020-12-25--NBA on Christmas Day viewer's guide: TV schedule, storylines and everything to know

It 's said the NBA season does n't truly start in earnest until Christmas .
That 's almost literally true this year , with the 2020-21 campaign only a few days old as the league prepares for its annual holiday showcase .
The NBA is celebrating its 73rd year of Christmas Day games .
The league began playing on Dec. 25 in 1947 , its second season .
There have been games every year since , with the only exception the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season .
While there unfortunately wo n't be fans in the arenas Friday to take in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry on with a five-game schedule that features some of the top teams in the league and the biggest stars in the game .
Here 's everything to know for this year 's Christmas Day matchups : The first game of the day features the Christmas debut of New Orleans phenom Zion Williamson .
The Pelicans are making their second consecutive appearance on Christmas .
Williamson missed last year 's game as Brandon Ingram hit a Christmas Day-record seven 3s to lead New Orleans to a win over Denver .
The Heat dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is looking to remain unbeaten on Christmas Day .
He 's 7-0 in his career , while Miami is an NBA-best 10-2 all-time .
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the new-look Bucks are searching for their first win of the season after losing a heartbreaker in the opener on a last-second shot .
Milwaukee is playing on Christmas for the third consecutive year but hosting for the first time since 1968 .
Steph Curry and the Warriors are still adjusting to rotation changes of their own amid the continued absence of Klay Thompson , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build chemistry early .
If a game ever needed fans , it 's this one .
A year after leaving Boston , Kyrie Irving makes his long-awaited regular-season return .
Fresh off a statement win on opening night , Irving and Kevin Durant are back on the big stage against a fellow Eastern Conference contender .
The Celtics also got a big win in their opener , topping the Bucks on Jayson Tatum 's game-winning 3-pointer .
Boston 's young star duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown will get an early test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience in Durant and Irving .
LeBron James takes on Luka Doncic in the marquee game of the day .
James , the four-time MVP and four-time champion , will play his 15th career Christmas Day game , second-most ever behind Kobe Bryant ( 16 ) .
Doncic , a presumed future MVP and champion , is making his Christmas debut .
While fans hope their generational matchup takes center stage , James and Doncic are just hoping to get a win after the Lakers and Mavericks both dropped their season opener .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchup of the day .
Three months after their embarrassing 3-1 playoff meltdown , Kawhi Leonard , Paul George and the Clippers meet Nikola Jokic , Jamal Murray and the Nuggets again in an early-season rematch .
The Clippers got a tough win over the Lakers in the opener as they continue to try to smooth out any lingering chemistry issues .
The Nuggets lost a wild one in their opener on a buzzer-beating tip-in .

NBA on Christmas Day viewer's guide: TV schedule, storylines and everything to know
Show Caption Hide Caption Why the NBA season should start on Christmas every year SportsPulse: For the majority of the American sports psyche the NBA season has always felt like it started on Christmas. Why not make that literal? Mackenzie Salmon lays out the pros of the NBA starting in late December. USA TODAY
It's said the NBA season doesn't truly start in earnest until Christmas. That's almost literally true this year, with the 2020-21 campaign only a few days old as the league prepares for its annual holiday showcase.
The NBA is celebrating its 73rd year of Christmas Day games. The league began playing on Dec. 25 in 1947, its second season. There have been games every year since, with the only exception the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season.
While there unfortunately won't be fans in the arenas Friday to take in the action, the NBA's holiday festivities carry on with a five-game schedule that features some of the top teams in the league and the biggest stars in the game.
Here's everything to know for this year's Christmas Day matchups:
Pelicans at Heat (noon ET, ESPN)
The first game of the day features the Christmas debut of New Orleans phenom Zion Williamson. The Pelicans are making their second consecutive appearance on Christmas. Williamson missed last year's game as Brandon Ingram hit a Christmas Day-record seven 3s to lead New Orleans to a win over Denver.
The Heat dropped their opener, but coach Erik Spoelstra is looking to remain unbeaten on Christmas Day. He's 7-0 in his career, while Miami is an NBA-best 10-2 all-time.
Warriors at Bucks (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the new-look Bucks are searching for their first win of the season after losing a heartbreaker in the opener on a last-second shot. Milwaukee is playing on Christmas for the third consecutive year but hosting for the first time since 1968.
Steph Curry and the Warriors are still adjusting to rotation changes of their own amid the continued absence of Klay Thompson, making this an intriguing matchup of teams trying to build chemistry early.
Nets at Celtics (5 p.m. ET, ABC)
If a game ever needed fans, it's this one. A year after leaving Boston, Kyrie Irving makes his long-awaited regular-season return. Fresh off a statement win on opening night, Irving and Kevin Durant are back on the big stage against a fellow Eastern Conference contender.
The Celtics also got a big win in their opener, topping the Bucks on Jayson Tatum's game-winning 3-pointer. Boston's young star duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown will get an early test against a pair of stars with championship experience in Durant and Irving.
NBA bold predictions: Can LeBron James win MVP at age 36? SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Mark Medina and Jeff Zillgitt make some bold predictions for what should be an unprecedented and unpredictable 2020-21 season. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Mavericks at Lakers (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)
LeBron James takes on Luka Doncic in the marquee game of the day. James, the four-time MVP and four-time champion, will play his 15th career Christmas Day game, second-most ever behind Kobe Bryant (16). Doncic, a presumed future MVP and champion, is making his Christmas debut.
While fans hope their generational matchup takes center stage, James and Doncic are just hoping to get a win after the Lakers and Mavericks both dropped their season opener.
Clippers at Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The schedule concludes with perhaps the juiciest matchup of the day. Three months after their embarrassing 3-1 playoff meltdown, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers meet Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the Nuggets again in an early-season rematch.
The Clippers got a tough win over the Lakers in the opener as they continue to try to smooth out any lingering chemistry issues. The Nuggets lost a wild one in their opener on a buzzer-beating tip-in.
Follow Matt Eppers on Twitter @meppers_.