usatoday--2020-07-18--Trader Joe's petition: Grocer asked to remove 'racist packaging' of brands including Trader José's,

A petition is asking Trader Joe 's to remove `` racist packaging '' from its ethnic food products following moves by other brands from Aunt Jemima , Uncle Ben 's and Eskimo Pie to the Washington NFL franchise .
The Change.org petition was started two weeks ago and had more than 840 signatures as of Saturday afternoon .
It says the grocer `` labels some of its ethnic foods with modifications of 'Joe ' that belies a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes , '' noting how Trader Ming ’ s is used to brand the chain ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexican foods .
But the chain , considered one of America 's favorite grocery stores , says it already has begun work to phase out the names and while its approach to product naming `` may have been rooted in a lighthearted attempt at inclusiveness , we recognize that it may now have the opposite effect . ''
Hand sanitizer recall : FDA further expands list of hand sanitizers to avoid due to methanol risk with more added to 'import alert' Masks required : Walmart , Target among retailers adding face mask requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list .
`` With this in mind , we made the decision several years ago to use only the Trader Joe 's name on our products moving forward , '' Kenya Friend-Daniel , Trader Joe 's national director of public relations , told USA TODAY in a statement Saturday .
`` Since then , we have been in the process of updating older labels and replacing any variations with the name Trader Joe 's , and we will continue do so until we complete this important work . ''
Other brands identified by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Middle Eastern foods , “ Trader Giotto ’ s ” for Italian foods and “ Trader Joe San ” for Japanese cuisine .
An exact date for when the products ' packaging would be changed was n't known but was expected very soon , Friend-Daniel said in the statement , adding some products have already been changed .
PepsiCo , which owns Quaker Oats , announced June 17 that it plans to retire Aunt Jemima from packaging on its brand of syrup and pancake mixes because it 's `` based on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uncle Ben 's , Mrs. Butterworth 's and Cream of Wheat also announced June 17 that their products ' packaging also would be reviewed .
Dreyer ’ s Grand Ice Cream said on June 19 that its Eskimo Pie brand would be renamed .
Washington 's NFL franchise announced July 13 that it is dropping the “ Redskins ” name and Indian head logo , bowing to recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans .
The products ' rebranding announcements – considered long overdue by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come at a time when companies face increasing pressure to boost diversity efforts and combat racism in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on Memorial Day .
The people behind iconic brands : For faces behind Aunt Jemima , Uncle Ben 's and Cream of Wheat , life transcended stereotype Stimulus checks for kids ?
Country Time launches bailout fund for lemonade stands closed due to COVID-19

Trader Joe's petition: Grocer asked to remove 'racist packaging' of brands including Trader José's, Trader Ming's
Show Caption Hide Caption Brands and teams under fire for perpetuating racial stereotypes Some brands are beginning to alter their names and logos as they face increasing pressure to diversify and combat racism. USA TODAY
UPDATED: See the latest story here.
A petition is asking Trader Joe's to remove "racist packaging" from its ethnic food products following moves by other brands from Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's and Eskimo Pie to the Washington NFL franchise.
The Change.org petition was started two weeks ago and had more than 840 signatures as of Saturday afternoon. It says the grocer "labels some of its ethnic foods with modifications of 'Joe' that belies a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes," noting how Trader Ming’s is used to brand the chain’s Chinese foods and Trader José's for Mexican foods.
But the chain, considered one of America's favorite grocery stores, says it already has begun work to phase out the names and while its approach to product naming "may have been rooted in a lighthearted attempt at inclusiveness, we recognize that it may now have the opposite effect."
Hand sanitizer recall: FDA further expands list of hand sanitizers to avoid due to methanol risk with more added to 'import alert'
Masks required: Walmart, Target among retailers adding face mask requirements due to COVID-19. See the full list.
"With this in mind, we made the decision several years ago to use only the Trader Joe's name on our products moving forward," Kenya Friend-Daniel, Trader Joe's national director of public relations, told USA TODAY in a statement Saturday. "Since then, we have been in the process of updating older labels and replacing any variations with the name Trader Joe's, and we will continue do so until we complete this important work."
Other brands identified by the petition include "Arabian Joe” for Middle Eastern foods, “Trader Giotto’s” for Italian foods and “Trader Joe San” for Japanese cuisine.
An exact date for when the products' packaging would be changed wasn't known but was expected very soon, Friend-Daniel said in the statement, adding some products have already been changed.
PepsiCo, which owns Quaker Oats, announced June 17 that it plans to retire Aunt Jemima from packaging on its brand of syrup and pancake mixes because it's "based on a racial stereotype."
The owners of Uncle Ben's, Mrs. Butterworth's and Cream of Wheat also announced June 17 that their products' packaging also would be reviewed. Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream said on June 19 that its Eskimo Pie brand would be renamed.
Washington's NFL franchise announced July 13 that it is dropping the “Redskins” name and Indian head logo, bowing to recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans.
The products' rebranding announcements – considered long overdue by experts, historians and some consumers – come at a time when companies face increasing pressure to boost diversity efforts and combat racism in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Memorial Day.
The people behind iconic brands: For faces behind Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's and Cream of Wheat, life transcended stereotype
Stimulus checks for kids? Country Time launches bailout fund for lemonade stands closed due to COVID-19
Contributing: Associated Press
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko


usatoday--2020-07-18--COVID-19 relief policies: Companies are switching to payment plans, extending relief

As thousands of people began losing their jobs in March due to the pandemic , several companies stepped up to accommodate consumers struggling to pay for services But are those companies still helping ?
AT & T , Comcast and Verizon were among the companies allowing customers to delay payments or offering free services as COVID-19 disrupted the lives of families , businesses and communities .
However , some companies ended the breaks and established new policies with how to deal with customers who were unable to pay their bills .
For example , Comcast created new extended payment plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing debt prior to the pandemic and those more recently impacted by the shut-down and stay-at-home orders .
Others , such as AT & T , said they would automatically waive home Internet data overage charges for internet customers through September 30 .
Coin shortage : COVID-19 stole our change , and this is what stores are doing to get more Here ’ s how other companies have updated their late-payment policies : Pacific Gas and Electric Co. : PG & E Co. extended their shutoff moratorium for residential and small business customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : SCE is waiving disconnections and late fees for all of their customers until April 2021 .
AT & T : New and existing AT & T FiberSM and AT & T Internet customers can use unlimited data and won ’ t see overage charges on their home internet bill through September 30 .
Verizon : Until June 30 , Verizon said it would not terminate service or charge late fees for postpaid wireless , residential and small business customers who notified them of their inability to pay their bills due to pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers will automatically be enrolled in their Stay Connected program .
Verizon will also extend availability of the current $ 20 discount through 2020 and waive the first 60 days of router rental charges for new customers .
Ford Motor : Ford ’ s initial COVID-19 disaster relief program ended May 31 .
The company said it encourages Ford Credit customers who are having difficulty making payments to contact the company to discuss their options .
Duke Energy : The earliest disconnections for non-payment under regular credit and notice timelines will begin Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The “ Keep Americans Connected Pledge ” kept customers connected and Charter did not charge late fees until June 30 .
Dominion Energy : The company ’ s “ no disconnection ” policy will remain in place through mid-September in South Carolina , and until mid-October in Virginia .
Dominion Energy also offers assistance programs for customers facing economic hardship due to the pandemic .

COVID-19 relief policies: Companies are switching to payment plans, extending relief
Show Caption Hide Caption The CARES Act unemployment benefits ends on or before July 31 Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extra federal benefit was allotted "for weeks of unemployment ending on or before July 31," meaning the last full week of July, unless Congress extends it. USA TODAY, Wochit
As thousands of people began losing their jobs in March due to the pandemic, several companies stepped up to accommodate consumers struggling to pay for services But are those companies still helping?
AT&T, Comcast and Verizon were among the companies allowing customers to delay payments or offering free services as COVID-19 disrupted the lives of families, businesses and communities.
However, some companies ended the breaks and established new policies with how to deal with customers who were unable to pay their bills.
For example, Comcast created new extended payment plans. These help both customers who had existing debt prior to the pandemic and those more recently impacted by the shut-down and stay-at-home orders.
Others, such as AT&T, said they would automatically waive home Internet data overage charges for internet customers through September 30.
Coin shortage: COVID-19 stole our change, and this is what stores are doing to get more
Mask required: Walmart, Target among retailers adding face masks requirements due to COVID-19
Here’s how other companies have updated their late-payment policies:
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.: PG&E Co. extended their shutoff moratorium for residential and small business customers to April 2021.
Southern California Edison: SCE is waiving disconnections and late fees for all of their customers until April 2021.
AT&T: New and existing AT&T FiberSM and AT&T Internet customers can use unlimited data and won’t see overage charges on their home internet bill through September 30.
Verizon: Until June 30, Verizon said it would not terminate service or charge late fees for postpaid wireless, residential and small business customers who notified them of their inability to pay their bills due to pandemic disruptions. Starting July 1, those customers will automatically be enrolled in their Stay Connected program. Verizon will also extend availability of the current $20 discount through 2020 and waive the first 60 days of router rental charges for new customers.
Ford Motor: Ford’s initial COVID-19 disaster relief program ended May 31. The company said it encourages Ford Credit customers who are having difficulty making payments to contact the company to discuss their options.
Duke Energy: The earliest disconnections for non-payment under regular credit and notice timelines will begin Sept. 1 for customers.
Charter Communications: The “Keep Americans Connected Pledge” kept customers connected and Charter did not charge late fees until June 30.
Dominion Energy: The company’s “no disconnection” policy will remain in place through mid-September in South Carolina, and until mid-October in Virginia. Dominion Energy also offers assistance programs for customers facing economic hardship due to the pandemic.


usatoday--2020-07-18--Lakers' Dwight Howard found it 'pointless' he was reported for not wearing mask in NBA bubble

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. – This time , it seemed appropriate for Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard to become unmasked .
Howard expressed annoyance for someone recently reporting him to the NBA ’ s Campus Hotline for not wearing a mask at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex .
“ It was pointless for somebody to tell that I didn ’ t have a mask on by myself , ” Howard said Saturday in a video conference call with reporters .
“ I don ’ t even know when this would ’ ve happened .
I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal out of it .
But I feel like we ’ re in the safest place in Orlando .
We get tested every day .
So we ’ re only around each other.
” According to the NBA ’ s 113-page document of health and safety protocols , all players , coaches and staff members are required to wear a mask and maintain social-distancing rules once they leave their hotel rooms .
But players are permitted to take their masks off during practices , scrimmages and games .
They can also take off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by themselves or running .
“ I personally don ’ t see a risk of us getting it during the time period that we ’ re here , ” Howard said .
“ We ’ re not allowed to leave the bubble .
We ’ re only around each other every day .
I just feel like it would be pointless for somebody to say anything .
`` I understand outside of this bubble , wearing a mask in different places is very important .
So I wouldn ’ t say that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are here in this bubble and we ’ re the only ones here , and the staff and everyone is getting tested every day , I feel like we ’ re safe.
” Howard reported about the indiscretion during an Instagram Live chat on Wednesday .
On Friday , Lakers coach Frank Vogel said , “ we all should be wearing masks in and around the hotel lobby and the areas that we ’ re being asked to wear a mask , we should wear a mask.
” People have called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handful of times over minor transgressions .
Still , Houston ’ s Bruno Caboclo and Sacramento ’ s Richaun Holmes have to spend additional days in quarantine after leaving the Disney campus .
“ I don ’ t personally think it ’ s that serious in the sense of no one doing anything that is harmful , ” Lakers forward Jared Dudley said .
“ Someone not having a mask on at one point in time , they could ’ ve been on the phone or just got done taking a test or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just ate.
” More than the mask Howard said he understands those concerns at a larger level .
He argued , though , that attention to his non-mask wearing incident detracted from more serious matters .
He spoke out about the killing of Breonna Taylor , an unarmed 26-year-old Black woman who was shot in her home by police officers on March 13 in Louisville , Kentucky .
None of the three officers -- Jonathan Mattingly , Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove -- has been charged .
The Louisville Metro Police Department fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re still free .
They ’ re out there living their best life , ” Howard said .
“ Instead of worrying about if I have my mask on or not , that ’ s something we should be discussing .
Why haven ’ t these people been brought in ?
Why haven ’ t they been charged for anything or even arrested for what they ’ ve done ?
” Then Howard spoke in more detail about his “ Breathe Again ” initiative .
He had initially been reluctant to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would distract the country from focusing on racial equality protests following George Floyd ’ s killing on Memorial Day .
He said he will donate the rest of his salary to this cause through his foundation and added that the project will support classes on financial literacy , agriculture , law and history both to inner-city children and adults in his Atlanta hometown .
“ That is something that has been missing in the Black community , '' Howard said .
“ ... One of the reasons why we came up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a lot of kids in Atlanta -- and probably throughout the different cities in America -- these Black kids are in the streets selling water and Gatorade , trying to make some money so they can live .
But they don ’ t know how to keep that money .
They don ’ t know how to save their money .
... We want to teach these guys how to save their money so when they get older , they can have something to pass on to their kids and to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflected on the legacy of congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis , who died Friday at the age of 80 , saying Lewis ' work left him inspired .
`` I think we should celebrate his life and everything that he stood for .
Everything that he fought for .
How he represented us as Black people as well as he did , '' Howard said .
Howard opened up about the pain he has felt in recent months after Melissa Rios , the mother of his 6-year-old son , David , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Calabasas , California .
Howard said the death was not related to COVID-19 and stemmed from Rios having a seizure after fighting epilepsy .
After that , Howard was conflicted about resuming the season so he could attend to David .
It remains unclear if any specific incident could prompt him to leave the NBA campus .
The league permits players to leave for extenuating circumstances , including family medical emergencies .
But players would be subject to as few as four days in quarantine so long as they continued receiving daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I have an obligation , a contractual obligation , to this team , the organization , the players , the fan base and to myself , ” Howard said .
“ So I want to make sure that I do my job and I complete the task that we have set forth before the beginning of the season .
But also when I ’ m not playing , just to try to encourage people to focus on what ’ s going on in their personal lives and their families , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unite as people to change what ’ s going on in our world .
”

Lakers' Dwight Howard found it 'pointless' he was reported for not wearing mask in NBA bubble
Show Caption Hide Caption Inside the NBA bubble: How technology keeps everyone safe SportsPulse: Only two days into his time in the NBA bubble, Mark Media is realizing just how far the league is willing to go in order to ensure safety for not only the players and coaches, but the media as well. USA TODAY
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – This time, it seemed appropriate for Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard to become unmasked.
Howard expressed annoyance for someone recently reporting him to the NBA’s Campus Hotline for not wearing a mask at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“It was pointless for somebody to tell that I didn’t have a mask on by myself,” Howard said Saturday in a video conference call with reporters. “I don’t even know when this would’ve happened. I just think everybody’s making a big deal out of it. But I feel like we’re in the safest place in Orlando. We get tested every day. So we’re only around each other.”
According to the NBA’s 113-page document of health and safety protocols, all players, coaches and staff members are required to wear a mask and maintain social-distancing rules once they leave their hotel rooms. But players are permitted to take their masks off during practices, scrimmages and games. They can also take off their mask if they are eating outside by themselves or running.
“I personally don’t see a risk of us getting it during the time period that we’re here,” Howard said. “We’re not allowed to leave the bubble. We’re only around each other every day. I just feel like it would be pointless for somebody to say anything.
"I understand outside of this bubble, wearing a mask in different places is very important. So I wouldn’t say that it’s not needed. But since we are here in this bubble and we’re the only ones here, and the staff and everyone is getting tested every day, I feel like we’re safe.”
Howard reported about the indiscretion during an Instagram Live chat on Wednesday. On Friday, Lakers coach Frank Vogel said, “we all should be wearing masks in and around the hotel lobby and the areas that we’re being asked to wear a mask, we should wear a mask.”
People have called the league’s campus hotline only a handful of times over minor transgressions. Still, Houston’s Bruno Caboclo and Sacramento’s Richaun Holmes have to spend additional days in quarantine after leaving the Disney campus.
“I don’t personally think it’s that serious in the sense of no one doing anything that is harmful,” Lakers forward Jared Dudley said. “Someone not having a mask on at one point in time, they could’ve been on the phone or just got done taking a test or just got done at a meal they just ate.”
More than the mask
Howard said he understands those concerns at a larger level. He argued, though, that attention to his non-mask wearing incident detracted from more serious matters.
He spoke out about the killing of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed 26-year-old Black woman who was shot in her home by police officers on March 13 in Louisville, Kentucky. None of the three officers -- Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove -- has been charged. The Louisville Metro Police Department fired Hankison in late June.
“They’re still free. They’re out there living their best life,” Howard said. “Instead of worrying about if I have my mask on or not, that’s something we should be discussing. Why haven’t these people been brought in? Why haven’t they been charged for anything or even arrested for what they’ve done?”
Then Howard spoke in more detail about his “Breathe Again” initiative. He had initially been reluctant to resume the season partly because of concerns that it would distract the country from focusing on racial equality protests following George Floyd’s killing on Memorial Day. He said he will donate the rest of his salary to this cause through his foundation and added that the project will support classes on financial literacy, agriculture, law and history both to inner-city children and adults in his Atlanta hometown.
“That is something that has been missing in the Black community," Howard said. “...One of the reasons why we came up with this idea is that there’s been a lot of kids in Atlanta -- and probably throughout the different cities in America -- these Black kids are in the streets selling water and Gatorade, trying to make some money so they can live. But they don’t know how to keep that money. They don’t know how to save their money. ... We want to teach these guys how to save their money so when they get older, they can have something to pass on to their kids and to their kids’ kids."
Howard also reflected on the legacy of congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, who died Friday at the age of 80, saying Lewis' work left him inspired.
"I think we should celebrate his life and everything that he stood for. Everything that he fought for. How he represented us as Black people as well as he did," Howard said.
Howard opened up about the pain he has felt in recent months after Melissa Rios, the mother of his 6-year-old son, David, died on March 27 near her home in Calabasas, California. Howard said the death was not related to COVID-19 and stemmed from Rios having a seizure after fighting epilepsy. After that, Howard was conflicted about resuming the season so he could attend to David.
It remains unclear if any specific incident could prompt him to leave the NBA campus. The league permits players to leave for extenuating circumstances, including family medical emergencies. But players would be subject to as few as four days in quarantine so long as they continued receiving daily tests for COVID-19 that turned out negative.
“I have an obligation, a contractual obligation, to this team, the organization, the players, the fan base and to myself,” Howard said. “So I want to make sure that I do my job and I complete the task that we have set forth before the beginning of the season. But also when I’m not playing, just to try to encourage people to focus on what’s going on in their personal lives and their families, but also (on) how we can unite as people to change what’s going on in our world.”
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-07-17--Dogs and kids stay awake for homecoming

Dogs and kids stay awake for homecoming

After a six-month deployment turned into nine , Staff Sgt .
Matthew Books ’ family didn ’ t care what @ @ @ @ @ were going to welcome their soldier home .

Dogs and kids stay awake for homecoming
After a six-month deployment turned into nine, Staff Sgt. Matthew Books’ family didn’t care what time he arrived, they were going to welcome their soldier home.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-18--John Lewis's lifetime of making 'good trouble' left scars and a legacy

Susan Page discusses John Lewis 's legacy as the elder statesman of the ongoing civil rights movement .

John Lewis's lifetime of making 'good trouble' left scars and a legacy
Susan Page discusses John Lewis's legacy as the elder statesman of the ongoing civil rights movement.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-18--Flags lowered to half-staff at the White House and Capitol to honor the late Rep. John Lewis

WASHINGTON – Flags have been lowered to half-staff at the Capitol and the White House , public buildings , and military bases as lawmakers honored Rep. Jonn Lewis ' death .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill announced the lowering of flags at the Capitol in a Saturday morning tweet .
`` Speaker Pelosi has ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff due to the passing of Congressman John Lewis , '' Hammill wrote .
The flag at the White House was lowered to half-staff as well .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ordered flags to half-staff at public buildings and military installations throughout the country `` as a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding public service of Representative John Lewis . ''
Trump made a short post on Twitter later Saturday marking Lewis ' death and saying he was `` saddened '' to hear the news .
The president had spent part of the morning at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling , Virginia .
`` Melania and I send our prayers to he and his family , '' Trump wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a statement on Twitter on Saturday morning , hailing the late congressman as an `` icon of the civil rights movement '' with an `` enduring legacy that will never be forgotten . ''
In Atlanta , which Lewis represented for over 30 years , Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ordered flags lowered to half-staff indefinitely in the city , and Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp asked for flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff until the sunset of Lewis ' interment .
More : Rep. John Lewis , a civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice in the Jim Crow South , has died Lewis , who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in December last year , died Friday night at the age of 80 .

Flags lowered to half-staff at the White House and Capitol to honor the late Rep. John Lewis
Show Caption Hide Caption Remembering civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis Arrested, jailed and beaten for challenging Jim Crow laws, Lewis became a national figure in his early 20s. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Flags have been lowered to half-staff at the Capitol and the White House, public buildings, and military bases as lawmakers honored Rep. Jonn Lewis' death.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill announced the lowering of flags at the Capitol in a Saturday morning tweet.
"Speaker Pelosi has ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff due to the passing of Congressman John Lewis," Hammill wrote.
Speaker Pelosi has ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff due to the passing of Congressman John Lewis. — Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) July 18, 2020
The flag at the White House was lowered to half-staff as well. In a proclamation released Saturday morning, President Donald Trump ordered flags to half-staff at public buildings and military installations throughout the country "as a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding public service of Representative John Lewis."
Trump made a short post on Twitter later Saturday marking Lewis' death and saying he was "saddened" to hear the news. The president had spent part of the morning at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
"Melania and I send our prayers to he and his family," Trump wrote.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a statement on Twitter on Saturday morning, hailing the late congressman as an "icon of the civil rights movement" with an "enduring legacy that will never be forgotten."
To honor the life and memory of @repjohnlewis, I have ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on state buildings and grounds today through sunset on the date of his interment. pic.twitter.com/rie9NsQobB — Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) July 18, 2020
In Atlanta, which Lewis represented for over 30 years, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ordered flags lowered to half-staff indefinitely in the city, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp asked for flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff until the sunset of Lewis' interment.
More: Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon who began pushing for racial justice in the Jim Crow South, has died
Lewis, who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in December last year, died Friday night at the age of 80.


usatoday--2020-07-18--'Move over Joe Exotic': Rep. Matt Gaetz shares trailer for HBO doc shoving aside 'Tiger King'

Tiger King Joe Exotic has some competition — at least according to Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) .
The self-proclaimed `` Florida man '' shared the trailer for the upcoming HBO documentary `` The Swamp '' to his Twitter account Friday with the caption , `` Move over Joe Exotic . ''
The documentary , which follows Gaetz and Republican congressmen Rep. Thomas Massie ( R-KY ) and Rep. Ken Buck ( R-CO ) , is scheduled to premiere on Aug. 4 .
`` One nation .
Under water .
The Swamp follows Republican Congressmen @ RepMattGaetz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide a look behind the curtain of Washington politics .
The Swamp premieres August 4 on @ HBO .
# TheSwampHBO , '' HBO wrote on Twitter when they released the trailer Friday .
`` I did n't run as someone to unify Washington , I ran to change Washington , '' Gaetz can be heard saying in the trailer , which opens with a shot of the 38-year-old receiving praise from President Donald Trump .
The documentary , directed by Daniel DiMauro and Morgan Pehme , who also co-directed `` Get Me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressmen over the course of 2019 , a `` pivotal year in politics , '' to demonstrate a system that rewards `` money-raising above all else , plaguing Congress on both sides of the aisle , '' according to HBO 's description .
According to Warner Media Group 's press release , the documentary also includes interviews from Ro Khanna ( D-CA ) and John Sarbanes ( D-MD ) , plus former Congresswoman Katie Hill ( D-CA ) and Lawrence Lessig , a Harvard Law professor .
The description also boasts behind-the-scenes access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workings and events such as the Mueller hearing and Trump 's impeachment proceedings .
According to CNN , Gaetz stormed the Intelligence Committee room with more than two dozen other lawmakers while the House Intelligence Committee was investigating Trump 's dealings with the Ukrainian government .
Many brought their phones inside with them , which is considered a security breach .
Gaetz also gave the uncredentialed film crew for `` The Swamp '' expired congressional passes the Huffington Post reported .
It stands to be seen whether Gaetz will beat out Exotic for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' had 34 million U.S. viewers in its first 10 days on Netflix according to Nielsen .
Though it may not be much of a race given that Michael Jordan 's `` The Last Dance '' already outpaced Exotic 's `` Tiger King '' in terms of demand .
While Exotic , born Joseph Maldonado-Passage , is currently serving 22 years in prison for attempted murder for hire and killing five tigers , among other charges , his story is on track to be turned into another series — though it wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is inspired by a June 2019 Texas Monthly article by Leif Reigstad , “ Joe Exotic : A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild . ''
Nicolas Cage has been tapped to play Exotic and will also serve as an executive producer for the project .
Rep. Matt Gaetz : Rents office space from donor , former client despite House rules : report

'Move over Joe Exotic': Rep. Matt Gaetz shares trailer for HBO doc shoving aside 'Tiger King'
Show Caption Hide Caption Nicolas Cage to play 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic; Carole Baskin catfished Nicolas Cage is set to play Joe Exotic in a new series while YouTubers got Carole Baskin to give her first interview since "Tiger King." Entertain This!, USA TODAY
Tiger King Joe Exotic has some competition — at least according to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
The self-proclaimed "Florida man" shared the trailer for the upcoming HBO documentary "The Swamp" to his Twitter account Friday with the caption, "Move over Joe Exotic."
The documentary, which follows Gaetz and Republican congressmen Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), is scheduled to premiere on Aug. 4.
"One nation. Under water. The Swamp follows Republican Congressmen @RepMattGaetz, @RepThomasMassie, and @RepKenBuck as they provide a look behind the curtain of Washington politics. The Swamp premieres August 4 on @HBO. #TheSwampHBO," HBO wrote on Twitter when they released the trailer Friday.
"I didn't run as someone to unify Washington, I ran to change Washington," Gaetz can be heard saying in the trailer, which opens with a shot of the 38-year-old receiving praise from President Donald Trump.
The documentary, directed by Daniel DiMauro and Morgan Pehme, who also co-directed "Get Me Roger Stone," follows the three congressmen over the course of 2019, a "pivotal year in politics," to demonstrate a system that rewards "money-raising above all else, plaguing Congress on both sides of the aisle," according to HBO's description.
According to Warner Media Group's press release, the documentary also includes interviews from Ro Khanna (D-CA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD), plus former Congresswoman Katie Hill (D-CA) and Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard Law professor.
The description also boasts behind-the-scenes access to the House of Representative's inner workings and events such as the Mueller hearing and Trump's impeachment proceedings.
According to CNN, Gaetz stormed the Intelligence Committee room with more than two dozen other lawmakers while the House Intelligence Committee was investigating Trump's dealings with the Ukrainian government. Many brought their phones inside with them, which is considered a security breach. Gaetz also gave the uncredentialed film crew for "The Swamp" expired congressional passes the Huffington Post reported.
It stands to be seen whether Gaetz will beat out Exotic for the documentary throne after "Tiger King" had 34 million U.S. viewers in its first 10 days on Netflix according to Nielsen. Though it may not be much of a race given that Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance" already outpaced Exotic's "Tiger King" in terms of demand.
While Exotic, born Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently serving 22 years in prison for attempted murder for hire and killing five tigers, among other charges, his story is on track to be turned into another series — though it won't be a documentary.
The limited series is inspired by a June 2019 Texas Monthly article by Leif Reigstad, “Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild." Nicolas Cage has been tapped to play Exotic and will also serve as an executive producer for the project.
Sheriff: Will of 'Tiger King' star Carole Baskin's missing husband forged
Rep. Matt Gaetz: Rents office space from donor, former client despite House rules: report
Contributing: Erin Jensen, Chris Bumbaca


usatoday--2020-07-19--Donald Trump's campaign to paint Joe Biden as mentally unfit becomes a gamble

WASHINGTON – Less than four months from the November election , President Donald Trump 's attacks on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's mental fitness are an integral part of the president 's re-election message : the focus of television advertisements , talking points and open challenges from the president .
But analysts have raised questions over whether Trump ’ s strategy of focusing on the former vice president 's age is backfiring with a key demographic – seniors .
Making it an even riskier play , the attacks have heightened expectations for Trump 's debate performances this fall and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The strategy itself has proven difficult to execute as Biden campaigns from his home in Delaware , limiting the gaffe-prone candidate 's opportunities for flubs .
For months , Biden , 77 , has dismissed the name calling and innuendo but more recently he ’ s hitting back more forcefully and trying to turn the argument about mental fitness back on the 74-year-old Trump .
`` This president talks about cognitive capability , '' Biden said during a press conference June 30 .
`` He does n't appear to be cognitively aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` Sleepy Joe '' nickname Trump gave Biden and his ads showing Biden stumbling over remarks , polling suggests Biden — not Trump — has the edge on fitness among voters .
As the two septuagenarians battle it out , a poll July 2 from Monmouth University found 52 % of voters saying they believe Biden has the mental and physical stamina to be president versus 45 % for Trump .
More troubling for the president , Biden has moved ahead among voters 65 or older in several national surveys , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University poll released Wednesday , helping propel him to double-digit leads nationally .
Trump won seniors by 7 percentage points in 2016 over Hillary Clinton , according to exit polls , with white senior voters a key part of his coalition .
`` It can certainly backfire among senior voters , and it 's not something you want to do when you 're already starting to lose their votes , '' said Todd Belt , professor and political management program director at George Washington University .
`` We 've seen a big shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is n't a really good strategy to win them back . ''
In a Biden campaign memo earlier this month , deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield sought to debunk each of Trump 's attacks .
Bedingfield said ample polling shows “ voters aren ’ t buying Trump ’ s smear ” and have concerns about Trump ’ s own fitness to lead the country .
`` Trump literally suggested Americans inject disinfectant to cure COVID-19 , '' she said More : Exclusive USA TODAY poll : Biden widens his lead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump pays big for TV ads attacking Biden as 'clearly diminished' Biden 's gains with seniors come as the coronavirus pandemic , which puts seniors disproportionately at risk , has dominated the campaign since March and caused the president to slide in polling .
Trump has pushed for the country to reopen even as more than half of states are experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases .
As Trump wages a culture war seeking to tie Biden to protesters who have targeted Confederate monuments and efforts to `` defund the police , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP campaign 's playbook .
More : Trump accuses protesters who tear down statues of wanting to 'wipe out our history ' in Mount Rushmore speech A Trump television ad that aired in 12 states and the District of Columbia shows Biden struggling to finish sentences and forgetting his thoughts .
`` Sometimes I wake up and think it 's 1920 , '' Biden is shown saying in comments that are taken out of context .
The video cuts off Biden before he went on to say that , by 1920 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in politics .
`` Joe Biden is slipping , '' a narrator in the ad says .
`` Now at the age of 77 years old and running for president for the third time , Biden is clearly diminished .
Joe Biden does not have the strength , stamina and mental fortitude required to lead this country . ''
New Trump Ad Attacks Biden 's Mental State : `` Biden Is Clearly Diminished '' The charges mirror those in the 2016 election , when Trump regularly criticized the `` stamina '' and physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycles , such attack ads might come from an outside super PAC unaffiliated with the campaign .
But the Trump campaign paid for the ad .
The Associated Press , citing research from Advertising Analytics , reported the Trump campaign has spent more to air the `` Biden is slipping '' ad – $ 6.5 million – than any other so far in the campaign .
That includes in the battleground states of Arizona and Florida , home to large senior populations .
Peter Kaldes , president and CEO of the American Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advertising , said , `` Like racism , ageism devalues human life . ''
He said using `` ageist stereotypes '' is a `` dubious campaign tactic , '' noting that older Americans vote at substantially higher rates than younger adults .
`` Ageist stereotypes in political campaign advertising not only perpetuates the myth that you can judge someone just by the number of years they 've been alive , but it implies that there is a shame to being an older adult , '' said Kaldes , who worked as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said his organization would like to see leaders recognize that aging adults are vital to U.S. democracy , not `` weaponize ageism against them . ''
The AARP , which has 38 million senior members , and the National Council on Aging both declined to comment , citing practices of remaining non-partisan .
A new digital ad from the Republican National Committee , promoted by Trump on Twitter , depicts a 3 a.m. phone call to the White House and warns , `` Your vote will decide who answers that call .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a press conference and highlights critiques about Biden 's abilities from Democratic Sen. Cory Booker , Democratic strategist David Axelrod and media .
`` Unfit to lead , '' the ad concludes .
`` Stupid , '' said Robert Summers , 81 , a retired attorney from the St. Louis , Missouri , area , who said he objects to about everything Trump does .
`` I could n't be any more more turned off . ''
Summers , who plans to vote for Biden , called Trump 's strategy `` insulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a pretty good idea from watching these people speak if they 're OK or not . ''
He said he has no concerns about Biden 's mental capacity .
That 's not a universal take among seniors , however .
Darcy Jones , a retired computer trainer and Trump supporter near Tampa , Florida , said Biden 's age is a legitimate issue and she has concerns about his mental fitness .
`` People can see it for themselves , '' she said .
She called it `` obvious , '' pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing the Biden campaign of `` hiding '' Biden from greater scrutiny .
`` Trump certainly has been criticized by just about everybody for his mental fitness , '' Jones , 67 , said .
`` Even before he was selected as the nominee when he ran in 2016 , people were already talking about him and his mental capacity .
I think it 's a valid issue . ''
Jeanmarie Meyer , 73 , an attorney and legal consultant in Bend , Oregon , said the ads do n't offend her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I see Joe Biden himself do , '' said Meyer , who also plans to vote for Trump .
`` So I do n't really feel like it 's that much of a distortion .
I do n't think it 's really necessary but it does n't bother me .
Anybody paying attention and listening to Joe Biden sort of wonders if he 's all there . ''
Trump was the oldest president in U.S. history at the time of their inauguration .
Biden , who would claim that distinction if elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with stuttering .
He has admitted to a penchant for mis-speaking , calling himself a `` gaffe machine . ''
During the Democratic primary , he conflated stories , cited incorrect numbers and mixed up states where he was speaking .
In an appearance on the Sean Hannity show and in tweets , Trump encouraged his opponent to be tested for neurological impairment as he accused Biden of hiding his cognitive decline .
`` He can not pass the test I ‘ aced ’ , ” Trump tweeted this month , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 said he received a perfect score on .
“ He should give it a try !
!
!
” But the attacks on Biden have invited skepticism about Trump 's own fitness , particularly after the 74-year-old president walked gingerly down a ramp at U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June and used both hands to drink a glass of water at the same event .
Trump also has his own history of eyebrow-raising remarks .
The Biden campaign does not have any ads targeting Trump 's mental or physical fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2014 of former President Barack Obama and Biden , then vice president and 73 years old , jogging at the White House .
Allies like The Lincoln Project , led by anti-Trump Republicans , have taken the lead questioning Trump 's wellness in other online videos .
Speaking at a campaign rally last month in Tulsa , Oklahoma , Trump devoted more than 14 minutes to defend his awkward ramp walk , explaining it was `` like an ice skating rink . ''
More : 'It 's time to do it ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of pressure ' on governors to reopen schools this fall Belt said Trump 's fixation on Biden 's cognitive abilities is part of a larger effort to `` throw all the spaghetti against the the wall and see what sticks . ''
The president trails Biden in polling on personal qualities like trustworthiness , raising the stakes for Trump to create hesitation about Biden among voters .
Trump is searching for any way to make the election `` a choice '' between Biden and him , Belt said , rather than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know that this one is working too much .
I anticipate we will see more on Hunter Biden , Burisma , probably more on China and tying Biden to some Obama policies , '' Belt said .
`` We 're in the pre-stage here where he 's trying to find a successful strategy that can start turning the tables . ''
More : ‘ Grim resolve ’ : Biden is up big and the Senate is in sight , but Democrats still haunted by fear of letdown Leslie Sanford , 71 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , called Trump 's preoccupation on Biden 's mental capability `` lame . ''
`` I do n't think they have anything really strong to hang their hat on .
I think they 're grasping at straws , '' said Sanford , a self-described independent voter who plans to vote for Biden .
`` Being in that category myself , '' she said of her senior status , `` as a group , it is pretty derogatory . ''
Patrick Murray , director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinions on Biden are n't `` fully formed , '' the strategy can `` plant some doubts '' about him .
But while Trump is overwhelmingly seen as having greater stamina by his political base , he said , the majority of voters disagree .
`` Neither one of these candidates is seen by the vast majority of the public as fit for the job , but Biden definitely has an edge overall , '' Murray said .
More : Biden in the basement : Can campaigning from home work as Trump starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 whether he 's been tested for cognitive decline during his first news conference in three months following a speech in Wilmington , Delaware .
`` I 've been tested and I 'm constantly tested , '' Biden said .
`` Look , all you got to do is watch me , and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I 'm running against . ''
A Biden campaign official clarified to USA TODAY that Biden was referring to the toll of the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a scientific cognitive assessment .
Complicating his pursuit to paint Biden as mentally unfit : the coronavirus pandemic has enabled Biden to run his campaign almost entirely from his home in Wilmington , Delaware , which Murray said has limited the opportunities for gaffes .
His speeches , usually one or two per week , have been confined to Delaware or next-door Pennsylvania .
`` Right now it does n't look like it 's particularly working , '' Murray said of Trump 's campaign to cast Biden as too mentally unfit for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that we are n't seeing Biden on the trail one way or the other .
So the voters they 're targeting do n't have anything to judge it on , whether it 's true or false .
Therefore it 's just kind of falling flat . ''
If the attack on Biden is not supported by events on the campaign trail , he said that opens Trump up to a `` counter charge '' that his campaign must be careful about .
`` That 's the danger here right now ( for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Diamond , a 68-year-old Biden supporter , who provides equipment services for hair salons in the Atlanta area , said Trump 's attacks are fair game but it `` does n't matter . ''
He defended Biden 's experience and posed the question of fitness back at the president .
`` I think Donald Trump at 35 was unfit to be president and he 's 74 now and he 's more unfit .
`` With Biden , he 's knows what he 's doing .
If he stumbles on a word or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's going to make a bit of difference being president of the United States . ''

President Trump's campaign to paint Joe Biden as mentally unfit becomes a gamble
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump changes Tulsa rally date after Juneteenth controversy After days of controversy over Trump's choice to hold his first rally since the coronavirus lockdowns in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it was changed to July 20. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON – Less than four months from the November election, President Donald Trump's attacks on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's mental fitness are an integral part of the president's reelection message: the focus of television advertisements, talking points and open challenges from the president.
But analysts have raised questions over whether Trump’s strategy of focusing on the former vice president's age is backfiring with a key demographic: seniors.
Making it an even riskier play, the attacks have heightened expectations for Trump's debate performances this fall and invited skepticism about his own fitness. The strategy itself has proven difficult to execute as Biden campaigns from his home in Delaware, limiting the gaffe-prone candidate's opportunities for flubs.
For months, Biden, 77, has dismissed the name-calling and innuendo, but more recently he’s hitting back more forcefully and trying to turn the argument about mental fitness back on the 74-year-old Trump.
"This president talks about cognitive capability," Biden said during a news conference June 30. "He doesn't appear to be cognitively aware of what's going on."
Despite the "Sleepy Joe" nickname Trump gave Biden and his ads showing Biden stumbling over remarks, polling suggests Biden – not Trump – has the edge on fitness among voters.
Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
As the two septuagenarians battle it out, a poll July 2 from Monmouth University found 52% of voters said they believe Biden has the mental and physical stamina to be president versus 45% for Trump.
More troubling for the president, Biden has moved ahead among voters 65 or older in several national surveys, including a significant 14-point advantage in a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday, helping propel him to double-digit leads nationally. Trump won seniors by 7 percentage points in 2016 over Hillary Clinton, according to exit polls, with white senior voters a key part of his coalition.
"It can certainly backfire among senior voters, and it's not something you want to do when you're already starting to lose their votes," said Todd Belt, professor and political management program director at George Washington University. "We've seen a big shift in the over-65 population moving towards Biden. This isn't a really good strategy to win them back."
In a Biden campaign memo earlier this month, deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield sought to debunk each of Trump's attacks. Bedingfield said ample polling shows “voters aren’t buying Trump’s smear” and have concerns about Trump’s own fitness to lead the country.
"Trump literally suggested Americans inject disinfectant to cure COVID-19," she said
More: Exclusive USA TODAY poll: Biden widens his lead, but Trump keeps the edge on enthusiasm
Trump pays big for TV ads attacking Biden as 'clearly diminished'
Biden's gains with seniors come as the coronavirus pandemic, which puts seniors disproportionately at risk, has dominated the campaign since March and caused the president to slide in polling. Trump has pushed for the country to reopen even as more than half of states are experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases.
As Trump wages a culture war seeking to tie Biden to protesters who have targeted Confederate monuments and efforts to "defund the police," Biden's mental fitness remains part of the GOP campaign's playbook.
More: Trump accuses protesters who tear down statues of wanting to 'wipe out our history' in Mount Rushmore speech
A Trump television ad that aired in 12 states and the District of Columbia shows Biden struggling to finish sentences and forgetting his thoughts. "Sometimes I wake up and think it's 1920," Biden is shown saying in comments that are taken out of context. The video cuts off Biden before he went on to say that by 1920, he meant the way civility has disappeared in politics.
"Joe Biden is slipping," a narrator in the ad says. "Now at the age of 77 years old and running for president for the third time, Biden is clearly diminished. Joe Biden does not have the strength, stamina and mental fortitude required to lead this country."
In an interview with Fox News that aired Sunday, Trump continued the attack, saying he doesn't think Biden is "senile," but he is "not competent to be president."
The charges mirror those in the 2016 election, when Trump regularly criticized the "stamina" and physical health of Clinton.
In past election cycles, such attack ads might come from an outside super PAC unaffiliated with the campaign. But the Trump campaign paid for the ad.
The Associated Press, citing research from Advertising Analytics, reported the Trump campaign has spent more to air the "Biden is slipping" ad – $6.5 million – than any other so far in the campaign. That includes in the battleground states of Arizona and Florida, home to large senior populations.
Senior voters, aging advocacy group weigh in on strategy
Peter Kaldes, president and CEO of the American Society on Aging, in a statement on the advertising said, "Like racism, ageism devalues human life." He said using "ageist stereotypes" is a "dubious campaign tactic," noting that older Americans vote at substantially higher rates than younger adults.
"Ageist stereotypes in political campaign advertising not only perpetuates the myth that you can judge someone just by the number of years they've been alive, but it implies that there is a shame to being an older adult," said Kaldes, who was an economic adviser for President Barack Obama. He said his organization would like to see leaders recognize that aging adults are vital to U.S. democracy, not "weaponize ageism against them."
The AARP, which has 38 million senior members, and the National Council on Aging both declined to comment, citing practices of remaining nonpartisan.
A new digital ad from the Republican National Committee, promoted by Trump on Twitter, depicts a 3 a.m. phone call to the White House and warns, "Your vote will decide who answers that call." It shows Biden struggling to talk during a news conference and highlights critiques about Biden's abilities from Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, Democratic strategist David Axelrod and the media. "Unfit to lead," the ad concludes.
"Stupid," said Robert Summers, 81, a retired attorney from the St. Louis area, who said he objects to about everything Trump does. "I couldn't be any more more turned off."
Summers, who plans to vote for Biden, called Trump's strategy "insulting," adding, "You can get a pretty good idea from watching these people speak if they're OK or not." He said he has no concerns about Biden's mental capacity.
That's not a universal take among seniors, however.
Darcy Jones, a retired computer trainer and Trump supporter near Tampa, Florida, said Biden's age is a legitimate issue and she has concerns about his mental fitness. "People can see it for themselves," she said. She called it "obvious," pointing to his "scripted interviews" and accusing the Biden campaign of "hiding" Biden from greater scrutiny.
"Trump certainly has been criticized by just about everybody for his mental fitness," Jones, 67, said. "Even before he was selected as the nominee when he ran in 2016, people were already talking about him and his mental capacity. I think it's a valid issue."
Jeanmarie Meyer, 73, an attorney and legal consultant in Bend, Oregon, said the ads don't offend her.
"They're really not inconsistent with what I see Joe Biden himself do," said Meyer, who also plans to vote for Trump. "So I don't really feel like it's that much of a distortion. I don't think it's really necessary, but it doesn't bother me. Anybody paying attention and listening to Joe Biden sort of wonders if he's all there."
Fixation on Biden's mental fitness invites own critique
Trump was the oldest president in U.S. history at the time of their inauguration. Biden, who would claim that distinction if elected, often talks about his lifelong struggle with stuttering. He has acknowledged a penchant for misspeaking, calling himself a "gaffe machine." During the Democratic primary, he conflated stories, cited incorrect numbers and mixed up states where he was speaking.
In an appearance on the Sean Hannity show and in tweets, Trump encouraged his opponent to be tested for neurological impairment as he accused Biden of hiding his cognitive decline.
"He cannot pass the test I ‘aced’,” Trump tweeted this month, referring to a cognitive assessment for which his physician in 2018 said he received a perfect score. “He should give it a try!!!”
But the attacks on Biden have invited skepticism about Trump's own fitness, particularly after the president walked gingerly down a ramp at U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June and used both hands to drink a glass of water at the same event. Trump also has his own history of eyebrow-raising remarks.
The Biden campaign does not have any ads targeting Trump's mental or physical fitness.
But Biden supporters resurfaced a video from 2014 of former President Barack Obama and Biden, then vice president and 73 years old, jogging at the White House. Allies like The Lincoln Project, led by anti-Trump Republicans, have taken the lead questioning Trump's wellness in other online videos. Speaking at a campaign rally last month in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump devoted more than 14 minutes to defend his awkward ramp walk, explaining it was "like an ice skating rink."
More: 'It's time to do it': Trump vows to put 'a lot of pressure' on governors to reopen schools this fall
Belt said Trump's fixation on Biden's cognitive abilities is part of a larger effort to "throw all the spaghetti against the the wall and see what sticks." The president trails Biden in polling on personal qualities like trustworthiness, raising the stakes for Trump to create hesitation about Biden among voters.
Trump is searching for any way to make the election "a choice" between Biden and him, Belt said, rather than a referendum on his presidency.
"I don't know that this one is working too much. I anticipate we will see more on Hunter Biden, Burisma, probably more on China and tying Biden to some Obama policies," Belt said. "We're in the pre-stage here where he's trying to find a successful strategy that can start turning the tables."
More: ‘Grim resolve’: Biden is up big and the Senate is in sight, but Democrats still haunted by fear of letdown
Leslie Sanford, 71, an accountant from Grand Rapids, Michigan, called Trump's preoccupation on Biden's mental capability "lame."
"I don't think they have anything really strong to hang their hat on. I think they're grasping at straws," said Sanford, a self-described independent voter who plans to vote for Biden. "Being in that category myself," she said of her senior status, "as a group, it is pretty derogatory."
Biden's home-based campaign makes attack harder to land
Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said the Trump' campaign hopes that, because opinions on Biden aren't "fully formed," the strategy can "plant some doubts" about him.
But while Trump is overwhelmingly seen as having greater stamina by his political base, he said, the majority of voters disagree.
"Neither one of these candidates is seen by the vast majority of the public as fit for the job, but Biden definitely has an edge overall," Murray said.
More: Biden in the basement: Can campaigning from home work as Trump starts to travel?
Biden was asked June 30 whether he has been tested for cognitive decline during his first news conference in three months after a speech in Wilmington, Delaware.
"I've been tested and I'm constantly tested," Biden said. "Look, all you got to do is watch me, and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I'm running against."
A Biden campaign official clarified to USA TODAY that Biden was referring to the toll of the campaign as being "constantly tested," not a scientific cognitive assessment.
Complicating his pursuit to paint Biden as mentally unfit: The coronavirus pandemic has enabled Biden to run his campaign almost entirely from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, which Murray said has limited the opportunities for gaffes. His speeches, usually one or two a week, have been confined to Delaware or next-door Pennsylvania.
"Right now it doesn't look like it's particularly working," Murray said of Trump's campaign to cast Biden as mentally unfit for office, "and part of it is that we aren't seeing Biden on the trail one way or the other. So the voters they're targeting don't have anything to judge it on, whether it's true or false. Therefore it's just kind of falling flat."
If the attack on Biden is not supported by events on the campaign trail, he said, that opens Trump up to a "countercharge" that his campaign must be careful about.
"That's the danger here right now (for Trump)," Murray said.
Richard Diamond, 68, a Biden supporter, who provides equipment services for hair salons in the Atlanta area, said Trump's attacks are fair game, but it "doesn't matter."
He defended Biden's experience and posed the question of fitness back at the president.
"I think Donald Trump at 35 was unfit to be president, and he's 74 now and he's more unfit.
"With Biden, he's knows what he's doing. If he stumbles on a word or whatever, I don't think that's going to make a bit of difference being president of the United States."
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.


usatoday--2020-07-19--John Lewis' leadership driven by sincerity 'without arrogance,' college roommate recalls

MONTGOMERY , Ala. – It was a dark winter night in Troy , Alabama , when Bernard Lafayette said goodbye to John Lewis for what he feared might be the last time .
The two Black men , college roommates and friends at the American Baptist Theological Seminary , wanted to try to integrate the interstate bus system during their Christmas holiday in 1960 .
Despite some minor trouble in Nashville , where they boarded a segregated bus from an integrated bus station , they were able to make it to Troy , Lewis 's hometown and final destination .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shuttered service station , the town 's bus stop , Lafayette stayed on the vehicle to make it to his hometown in Florida .
After hours of camaraderie , sitting in the front seat shoulder-to-shoulder , both faced the coming hours alone .
`` It was dark , the lights were out , '' Lafayette remembered Saturday .
`` He got off and was waiting for his ride there .
I was worried about him .
I did n't know if I would see him again .
When I said goodbye , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was n't goodbye forever .
The two survived the trip and each would go on to shape the 1960s civil rights movement , turning late-night dormitory philosophy conversations into social justice leadership for decades to come .
On Friday night , Lewis , a U.S. congressman and civil rights icon , died following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis .
Lafayette was able to speak with his lifelong friend days before his passing , though he did n't realize it would be for the last time .
`` A week before he passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lafayette said .
`` I realized he was ill and was going through these struggles with his health .
When it was over with , I found out he just wanted to hear my voice .
We did n't have a long conversation , it was only about his health and how he was doing .
I did n't expect this to happen .
I did n't expect him to leave us this soon . ''
More : Rep. John Lewis , who 'risked his life and his blood ' as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dies of cancer at 80 Another friend and enduring civil rights leader , C.T .
Vivian , died hours before Lewis on Friday , heartbreaking losses for those who knew and loved the men .
`` To be honest , I 'm still struggling with it , '' Lafayette said from his Tuskegee home on Saturday afternoon .
`` To be honest , it 's an emotional time . ''
Lewis ' death has triggered an outpouring of public grief , as tens of thousands across the country mourn a gifted leader who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' a nonviolent but forceful activism that did not shy away from civil disobedience to change hearts and minds .
`` The world feels different without him in it , '' said Dorothy Walker , the director of Montgomery 's Freedom Rides Museum .
`` He had such a guiding presence , not just in our state as an Alabamians , but in our country and to a lot of people across the world .
To carry on this work without him creates a void , but it also renews in us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he felt in his life for this work . ''
Lafayette remembers Lewis ' preternatural leadership qualities welling up from an early age .
`` He had a tremendous appeal to people .
He did n't go out of his way to do that , '' Lafayette said .
`` He was quiet , in terms of his spokesmanship , but people had confidence that he had a sincerity .
There was no arrogance on his part .
He never put anybody else down .
He had respect .
People had confidence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's the thing that made the difference . ''
Lafayette credits Lewis for starting him down his own activism path .
While roommates in Nashville , Lewis began pressing Lafayette to attend nonviolence activism workshops with him .
On Saturday , Lafayette chuckled while recalling how disinterested he was at the time , as he juggled full-time seminary work with a new job as an on-campus librarian .
`` I did n't have time for any more workshops ! ''
Lafayette said .
John Lewis 'Note to Self ' : 'One day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Congress , ' Lewis tells younger self More : John Lewis was 23 at the March on Washington .
His life in service to justice , in 12 images .
But Lewis kept pressing .
He knew Lafayette had a heart and a mind for the civil rights work , as the two young men burned through midnight hours discussing philosophy and ideals .
`` This is what we talk about in the dormitory at night , '' he told Lafayette .
`` All night long , we would talk about segregation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to these workshops , and I got stuck , '' Lafayette said with a chuckle .
`` That was it .
That was the beginning of the journey for me . ''
Months after their goodbye at the Troy service station , the Freedom Rides would begin in earnest .
Integrated groups of Black and white activists planned to travel interstate bus routes through the Deep South , where states regularly and openly defied federal law that found segregated bus systems unconstitutional .
`` The plan was to stop in different cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements and inspire people .
The irony is that you could ride all the way from Virginia on a segregated bus and when you got to Nashville , you got out at an integrated bus station .
Then you had to get on a segregated bus all the way to Montgomery , which ironically had already integrated its local bus system .
That 's why it was important to get these other local communities to start implementing the change , because if people do n't implement the change , the change does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the initial Freedom Riders .
But Lafayette was under 21 , younger than his friend by just a few months , and needed parental permission to join .
His parents , fearful for his life , refused to sign off .
Still Lafayette , who had already worked with Lewis at the Nashville sit-ins to integrate lunch counters , was undeterred and continued training in nonviolent activism .
When violent mobs in Anniston and Birmingham suspended the original Freedom Rider route , Nashville 's college students began fielding groups to travel as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we became aware of the possible physical injuries that we would get .
We made out our wills .
Prior to our going , the buses burned in Anniston , Alabama .
The people who set it on fire held the doors close .
They expected to kill people , '' Lafayette said .
`` We knew the possibility .
We were prepared for it .
We felt that we had to endure whatever confronted us to show that nonviolence would work .
We also knew that whatever happened to us , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had people being trained in Nashville to take our places in case we would n't make it . ''
Lafayette said he and Lewis led two groups from Birmingham to Montgomery on May 20 , 1961 .
Though they were given federal supervision as they left Birmingham , Lafayette said it fell away as they entered Montgomery to suspiciously quiet streets .
At the Greyhound Bus Station , a racist mob descended on the group and accompanying press .
`` A mob came out of the bus station doors and started beating up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cameras .
We did n't know what to do .
We knew the mob would come to us next , the only reason they were beating up the media is they did n't want this recorded , '' Lafayette recalled .
`` There was one cab there .
We tried to get the girls into the cab , to at least get somebody saved.The cab driver refused to drive the cab because there were two white girls among us .
He said it was against the local law in Montgomery , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women . ''
`` We said OK , we 'll just join hands and sing 'We will overcome . '
And the mob came after us . ''
Newspaper reports from the melee report `` white men , cheered by women , seemed to work with precision '' in beating the activists until bloody and unconscious .
The Alabama Journal newspaper reported one white woman held up a small child to allow him to hit a Black activist in the face .
`` Five or six would concentrate on one person , holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , '' the newspaper reported .
Law enforcement failed to initially respond to the mob violence , later claiming nobody had called to report it , despite it spilling into the streets in downtown Montgomery .
Lewis was knocked unconscious when a member of the mob swung a wooden Coca-Cola crate at his head .
Soon after , a local attorney general would hand over an injunction to a `` bloodied '' Lewis barring the group from remaining in Alabama .
`` The fact that we would be injured or even face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lafayette said .
`` We understood that you had to make a personal commitment .
Those of us who started to go on the Freedom Rides thought it was a worthwhile cause to give our lives to . ''
The rides inspired renewed civil right activism and led to the desegregation of interstate transportation in 1961 .
On Saturday morning , someone laid a small bouquet of flowers on the South Court Street pavement in front of the former Greyhound Bus Station .
It now stands as the Freedom Rides Museum , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among many others , are commemorated on the very spot their blood was once spilled .
Dorothy Walker , the site director of the museum , worked in blistering July sunlight on Saturday afternoon to set up a wreath , ringed in mourning black , to honor Lewis and Vivian .
`` I had the dual emotions of a heavy heart , complete sadness , but also incredibly inspired to have had the opportunity to know who he was , to know of his work , to understand his legacy , '' Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's critical for people to understand the commitment , the sacrifice , the courage it must have taken , and the length of time people committed themselves .
Congressman Lewis and other Freedom Riders , a lot of them were so young .
The ones that were attacked here were 18- to 22-years-old .
To meet hatred and violence with such commitment and sacrifice , they were willing to risk their lives not even known if that would change anything .
They just knew it needed to be addressed , it needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way they knew had was to sacrifice themselves in a peaceful , loving way . ''

John Lewis' leadership driven by sincerity 'without arrogance,' college roommate recalls
Show Caption Hide Caption Remembering civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis Arrested, jailed and beaten for challenging Jim Crow laws, Lewis became a national figure in his early 20s. USA TODAY
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – It was a dark winter night in Troy, Alabama, when Bernard Lafayette said goodbye to John Lewis for what he feared might be the last time.
The two Black men, college roommates and friends at the American Baptist Theological Seminary, wanted to try to integrate the interstate bus system during their Christmas holiday in 1960. Despite some minor trouble in Nashville, where they boarded a segregated bus from an integrated bus station, they were able to make it to Troy, Lewis's hometown and final destination.
As Lewis stepped off the bus at a shuttered service station, the town's bus stop, Lafayette stayed on the vehicle to make it to his hometown in Florida. After hours of camaraderie, sitting in the front seat shoulder-to-shoulder, both faced the coming hours alone.
"It was dark, the lights were out," Lafayette remembered Saturday. "He got off and was waiting for his ride there. I was worried about him. I didn't know if I would see him again. When I said goodbye, there was some finality there"
But it wasn't goodbye forever. The two survived the trip and each would go on to shape the 1960s civil rights movement, turning late-night dormitory philosophy conversations into social justice leadership for decades to come.
On Friday night, Lewis, a U.S. congressman and civil rights icon, died following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Lafayette was able to speak with his lifelong friend days before his passing, though he didn't realize it would be for the last time.
"A week before he passed, he wanted to talk to me," Lafayette said. "I realized he was ill and was going through these struggles with his health. When it was over with, I found out he just wanted to hear my voice. We didn't have a long conversation, it was only about his health and how he was doing. I didn't expect this to happen. I didn't expect him to leave us this soon."
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Another friend and enduring civil rights leader, C.T. Vivian, died hours before Lewis on Friday, heartbreaking losses for those who knew and loved the men.
"To be honest, I'm still struggling with it," Lafayette said from his Tuskegee home on Saturday afternoon. "To be honest, it's an emotional time."
Lewis' death has triggered an outpouring of public grief, as tens of thousands across the country mourn a gifted leader who championed a life of "good trouble," a nonviolent but forceful activism that did not shy away from civil disobedience to change hearts and minds.
"The world feels different without him in it," said Dorothy Walker, the director of Montgomery's Freedom Rides Museum. "He had such a guiding presence, not just in our state as an Alabamians, but in our country and to a lot of people across the world. To carry on this work without him creates a void, but it also renews in us a commitment to the sense of urgency he felt in his life for this work."
Lafayette remembers Lewis' preternatural leadership qualities welling up from an early age.
"He had a tremendous appeal to people. He didn't go out of his way to do that," Lafayette said. "He was quiet, in terms of his spokesmanship, but people had confidence that he had a sincerity. There was no arrogance on his part. He never put anybody else down. He had respect. People had confidence in him in terms of his leadership. That's the thing that made the difference."
Lafayette credits Lewis for starting him down his own activism path. While roommates in Nashville, Lewis began pressing Lafayette to attend nonviolence activism workshops with him.
On Saturday, Lafayette chuckled while recalling how disinterested he was at the time, as he juggled full-time seminary work with a new job as an on-campus librarian.
"I didn't have time for any more workshops!" Lafayette said.
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But Lewis kept pressing. He knew Lafayette had a heart and a mind for the civil rights work, as the two young men burned through midnight hours discussing philosophy and ideals. "This is what we talk about in the dormitory at night," he told Lafayette.
"All night long, we would talk about segregation and racism. John convinced me to go to these workshops, and I got stuck," Lafayette said with a chuckle. "That was it. That was the beginning of the journey for me."
Months after their goodbye at the Troy service station, the Freedom Rides would begin in earnest. Integrated groups of Black and white activists planned to travel interstate bus routes through the Deep South, where states regularly and openly defied federal law that found segregated bus systems unconstitutional.
"The plan was to stop in different cities along the way, to meet local movements and inspire people. The irony is that you could ride all the way from Virginia on a segregated bus and when you got to Nashville, you got out at an integrated bus station. Then you had to get on a segregated bus all the way to Montgomery, which ironically had already integrated its local bus system. That's why it was important to get these other local communities to start implementing the change, because if people don't implement the change, the change doesn't take place."
Lewis was accepted into the initial Freedom Riders. But Lafayette was under 21, younger than his friend by just a few months, and needed parental permission to join. His parents, fearful for his life, refused to sign off. Still Lafayette, who had already worked with Lewis at the Nashville sit-ins to integrate lunch counters, was undeterred and continued training in nonviolent activism.
When violent mobs in Anniston and Birmingham suspended the original Freedom Rider route, Nashville's college students began fielding groups to travel as replacements.
"During our training, we became aware of the possible physical injuries that we would get. We made out our wills. Prior to our going, the buses burned in Anniston, Alabama. The people who set it on fire held the doors close. They expected to kill people," Lafayette said. "We knew the possibility. We were prepared for it. We felt that we had to endure whatever confronted us to show that nonviolence would work. We also knew that whatever happened to us, we had a backup group, because we had people being trained in Nashville to take our places in case we wouldn't make it."
Lafayette said he and Lewis led two groups from Birmingham to Montgomery on May 20, 1961. Though they were given federal supervision as they left Birmingham, Lafayette said it fell away as they entered Montgomery to suspiciously quiet streets. At the Greyhound Bus Station, a racist mob descended on the group and accompanying press.
"A mob came out of the bus station doors and started beating up the media, the press. Smashing the cameras. We didn't know what to do. We knew the mob would come to us next, the only reason they were beating up the media is they didn't want this recorded," Lafayette recalled. "There was one cab there. We tried to get the girls into the cab, to at least get somebody saved.The cab driver refused to drive the cab because there were two white girls among us. He said it was against the local law in Montgomery, for a black cab driver to drive white women."
"We said OK, we'll just join hands and sing 'We will overcome.' And the mob came after us."
Newspaper reports from the melee report "white men, cheered by women, seemed to work with precision" in beating the activists until bloody and unconscious. The Alabama Journal newspaper reported one white woman held up a small child to allow him to hit a Black activist in the face.
"Five or six would concentrate on one person, holding him down while others kicked and beat him," the newspaper reported. Law enforcement failed to initially respond to the mob violence, later claiming nobody had called to report it, despite it spilling into the streets in downtown Montgomery.
Lewis was knocked unconscious when a member of the mob swung a wooden Coca-Cola crate at his head. Soon after, a local attorney general would hand over an injunction to a "bloodied" Lewis barring the group from remaining in Alabama.
"The fact that we would be injured or even face death was not a deterrent," Lafayette said. "We understood that you had to make a personal commitment. Those of us who started to go on the Freedom Rides thought it was a worthwhile cause to give our lives to."
The rides inspired renewed civil right activism and led to the desegregation of interstate transportation in 1961.
On Saturday morning, someone laid a small bouquet of flowers on the South Court Street pavement in front of the former Greyhound Bus Station. It now stands as the Freedom Rides Museum, where the pictures of Lewis and Lafayette, among many others, are commemorated on the very spot their blood was once spilled.
Dorothy Walker, the site director of the museum, worked in blistering July sunlight on Saturday afternoon to set up a wreath, ringed in mourning black, to honor Lewis and Vivian.
"I had the dual emotions of a heavy heart, complete sadness, but also incredibly inspired to have had the opportunity to know who he was, to know of his work, to understand his legacy," Walker said of Lewis's passing.
"It's critical for people to understand the commitment, the sacrifice, the courage it must have taken, and the length of time people committed themselves. Congressman Lewis and other Freedom Riders, a lot of them were so young. The ones that were attacked here were 18- to 22-years-old. To meet hatred and violence with such commitment and sacrifice, they were willing to risk their lives not even known if that would change anything. They just knew it needed to be addressed, it needed to be confronted, and the only way they knew had was to sacrifice themselves in a peaceful, loving way."


usatoday--2020-07-19--Opinion: NFL should delay start of season until league — and country — gets better handle on COVID-1

The NFL ’ s preferred management style is to never make a decision before it has to .
But with the scheduled openings of training camps upon us , that time has arrived .
Does it make sense to try to start a football season with cases of COVID-19 surging in the United States , including in NFL cities such as Miami , Houston , Los Angeles , and until the last week or so , Phoenix ?
To me , the answer is clear .
No .
Delay the start a month or so .
Wait to see if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks , which the head of the Centers for Disease Control said could allow us to get the virus under control in four to eight weeks .
And it ’ s becoming increasingly clear that the NFL isn ’ t ready to open camps in a way that ’ s safe for players , coaches , team employees and their families .
The league and its union haven ’ t agreed on much when it comes to opening training camps safely .
How often will players be tested ?
What is the quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given that an entire offseason was missed ?
The two sides are talking about these issues now , but a lot of ground has to be covered to reach an agreement before players are due to report .
Rookies are due to check in next week , with most full squads scheduled to start July 28 .
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NFLPA president JC Tretter , a center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conference call with reporters Friday morning .
What happens , Tretter asked , if a center tests positive for COVID-19 on a Friday , two days before a game ?
What if the positive test comes immediately after a practice in which they did center stuff : huddle with teammates , participate in offensive drills with other linemen and block defenders .
What 's that ?
Thirty or so teammates that he had direct contact with ?
“ If they ’ re all in quarantine for the next couple days , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Tretter said .
“ Those are the questions that the league needs to offer their opinion on how this will move forward .
“ When you talk about what changes need to be made , maybe the schedule of how the week will look needs to be different to monitor what type of close contact you have and avoiding those situations where one positive test on a wrong day late in the week derails an entire team.
” In that conference call , Tretter and DeMaurice Smith , the union ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety issues were the priorities in talks with the league .
Concerns about issues such as declining revenues affecting next year ’ s cap are secondary .
On Thursday night , Tretter participated in a conference call with doctors from teams in COVID-19 hotspots .
With a couple of exceptions , those doctors said it was safe for training camps to open , Smith and Tretter said .
We don ’ t know the identity of the exceptions , but if there is even one area deemed not ready , it impacts the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work if , say , the 49ers , the Cardinals ' first opponent this season , are able to open camp and the Cardinals aren ’ t .
Tradition is the only reason for training camps to open now rather than a month from now .
Why open them as scheduled and run a higher risk that an outbreak on even one team could shut things down before a game is played ?
The union , however , isn ’ t pushing for the season to be delayed .
Smith said the players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams “ own the plant.
” But the union hasn ’ t hesitated before to advise the NFL how to operate .
Refusing to do so now is like letting your family pick the spot for takeout food tonight , then complaining later that they ordered kung pao beef instead of chicken .
Friday ’ s call lasted more than 90 minutes .
There was posturing by Smith , who can fill a news conference with legalese and answers to questions that weren ’ t asked .
And the NFL likely would disagree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the call .
But Smith made salient points , too , including near the end of the call when he said the NFL ’ s fate in 2020 wasn ’ t entirely in its own hands .
“ What ’ s good for the country is good for sports , ” he said .
“ As simple as something like wearing a mask will have probably the most significant impact on the extent , or whether sports will return in this country.
” So why not wait a month to see if Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for each other it takes to wear masks ?
Neither one , delaying the season or wearing a mask , requires a sacrifice .

Opinion: NFL should delay start of season until league — and country — gets better handle on COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Why lack of robust COVID-19 testing could lead to a fall without football SportsPulse: There's one major reason why a fall without football is a real possibility: lack of robust COVID-19 testing. We dissect why. USA TODAY
The NFL’s preferred management style is to never make a decision before it has to. But with the scheduled openings of training camps upon us, that time has arrived.
Does it make sense to try to start a football season with cases of COVID-19 surging in the United States, including in NFL cities such as Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and until the last week or so, Phoenix?
To me, the answer is clear. No.
Delay the start a month or so. Wait to see if Americans heed encouragement and directives to wear masks, which the head of the Centers for Disease Control said could allow us to get the virus under control in four to eight weeks.
And it’s becoming increasingly clear that the NFL isn’t ready to open camps in a way that’s safe for players, coaches, team employees and their families.
The league and its union haven’t agreed on much when it comes to opening training camps safely. How often will players be tested? What is the quarantine protocol? How will practices be structured given that an entire offseason was missed?
The two sides are talking about these issues now, but a lot of ground has to be covered to reach an agreement before players are due to report. Rookies are due to check in next week, with most full squads scheduled to start July 28.
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How far apart are the two sides? NFLPA president JC Tretter, a center for the Browns, gave an indication in a conference call with reporters Friday morning.
What happens, Tretter asked, if a center tests positive for COVID-19 on a Friday, two days before a game? What if the positive test comes immediately after a practice in which they did center stuff: huddle with teammates, participate in offensive drills with other linemen and block defenders.
What's that? Thirty or so teammates that he had direct contact with?
“If they’re all in quarantine for the next couple days, what does Sunday’s game look like?” Tretter said. “Those are the questions that the league needs to offer their opinion on how this will move forward.
“When you talk about what changes need to be made, maybe the schedule of how the week will look needs to be different to monitor what type of close contact you have and avoiding those situations where one positive test on a wrong day late in the week derails an entire team.”
In that conference call, Tretter and DeMaurice Smith, the union’s executive director, emphasized that player safety issues were the priorities in talks with the league. Concerns about issues such as declining revenues affecting next year’s cap are secondary.
On Thursday night, Tretter participated in a conference call with doctors from teams in COVID-19 hotspots.
With a couple of exceptions, those doctors said it was safe for training camps to open, Smith and Tretter said.
We don’t know the identity of the exceptions, but if there is even one area deemed not ready, it impacts the entire league. It doesn’t work if, say, the 49ers, the Cardinals' first opponent this season, are able to open camp and the Cardinals aren’t.
Tradition is the only reason for training camps to open now rather than a month from now. Why open them as scheduled and run a higher risk that an outbreak on even one team could shut things down before a game is played?
The union, however, isn’t pushing for the season to be delayed. Smith said the players don’t make those decisions because teams “own the plant.”
But the union hasn’t hesitated before to advise the NFL how to operate. Refusing to do so now is like letting your family pick the spot for takeout food tonight, then complaining later that they ordered kung pao beef instead of chicken.
Friday’s call lasted more than 90 minutes. There was posturing by Smith, who can fill a news conference with legalese and answers to questions that weren’t asked. And the NFL likely would disagree with much of what was said on the call.
But Smith made salient points, too, including near the end of the call when he said the NFL’s fate in 2020 wasn’t entirely in its own hands.
“What’s good for the country is good for sports,” he said. “As simple as something like wearing a mask will have probably the most significant impact on the extent, or whether sports will return in this country.”
So why not wait a month to see if Americans will acquire the additional maturity and concern for each other it takes to wear masks?
Neither one, delaying the season or wearing a mask, requires a sacrifice.