usatoday--2020-11-16--Kākāpō victorious: World's fattest parrot wins New Zealand Bird of the Year 2020

With an owl-like face , pot belly and duck-waddling gait , the kākāpō is one of the most distinctive birds roaming the Earth .
And this November , the feathery creature has been named New Zealand ’ s Bird of the Year for an unprecedented second time .
Kākāpō , meaning `` night parrot '' among the Māori people , is the heaviest and longest-living parrot in the world — with a lifespan reaching 90 years .
Found only in New Zealand and commonly dubbed `` the mighty moss chicken , '' the green-feathered bird is also nocturnal and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest & Bird , a independent conservation organization in New Zealand , has been holding elections for Bird of the Year for 15 years .
This year , the competition received over 55,500 votes .
One of the goals of the election is to spread awareness of endangered species , including kākāpōs , which the New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies as critically endangered .
There are only 209 alive today .
`` We hope that Bird of the Year helps to raise awareness for our native birds , their habitats , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest & Bird .
`` Tragically , many species are in danger of becoming extinct , so they need all the recognition they can get . ''
One kākāpō that has received international fame , Sirocco , has been named `` New Zealand 's official Spokesbird for conservation . ''
In 2009 , Sirocco became an internet sensation after his mating attempts with zoologist Mark Carwardine ’ s head were caught on video during filming for the BBC documentary Last Chance to See .
`` My kākāpo brothers and sisters have won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanks to all of our human friends who voted , '' read Sirocco 's Twitter in a Monday post , encouraging fans to learn more about conversation efforts .
The win did n't come without scandal , however .
According to a statement from Forest & Bird , 1,500 fraudulent votes were found for another bird candidate , the kiwi pukupuku/little-spotted kiwi , and were removed from the competition .
In addition , according to the Guardian , the endangered toroa/antipodean albatross actually won most first-choice votes — but , under the competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished victorious .
`` In a stunning upset the kākāpō swoops in from behind to claw the title of # BirdOfTheYear 2020 away from competition front-runner - the toroa/Antipodean albatross .
The kākāpō makes history as the first bird to win Bird of the Year twice ! ''
Forest & Bird tweeted Sunday , referring to Kākāpō 's first win in 2008 .

Kākāpō victorious: World's fattest parrot wins New Zealand Bird of the Year 2020
Show Caption Hide Caption Kakapo: The rare world's-fattest parrot has record breeding season New Zealand scientists say the world's fattest parrot, the critically endangered kakapo, has enjoyed a record breaking breeding season. Newslook
With an owl-like face, pot belly and duck-waddling gait, the kākāpō is one of the most distinctive birds roaming the Earth. And this November, the feathery creature has been named New Zealand’s Bird of the Year for an unprecedented second time.
Kākāpō, meaning "night parrot" among the Māori people, is the heaviest and longest-living parrot in the world — with a lifespan reaching 90 years. Found only in New Zealand and commonly dubbed "the mighty moss chicken," the green-feathered bird is also nocturnal and cannot fly, but climbs well.
Forest & Bird, a independent conservation organization in New Zealand, has been holding elections for Bird of the Year for 15 years. This year, the competition received over 55,500 votes.
Skraaarrk! I can't believe the news! My kākāpo brothers and sisters have won @Forest_and_Bird's Bird of the Year 👑 Thanks to all of our human friends who voted.
If you want to read about work being done to protect me and my family, find out more here: https://t.co/BY8l43YVyD pic.twitter.com/FBMEVj4t8P — Sirocco Kākāpō (@Spokesbird) November 16, 2020
One of the goals of the election is to spread awareness of endangered species, including kākāpōs, which the New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies as critically endangered. There are only 209 alive today.
"We hope that Bird of the Year helps to raise awareness for our native birds, their habitats, and the threats they face," writes Forest & Bird. "Tragically, many species are in danger of becoming extinct, so they need all the recognition they can get."
One kākāpō that has received international fame, Sirocco, has been named "New Zealand's official Spokesbird for conservation." In 2009, Sirocco became an internet sensation after his mating attempts with zoologist Mark Carwardine’s head were caught on video during filming for the BBC documentary Last Chance to See.
"My kākāpo brothers and sisters have won @Forest_and_Bird's Bird of the Year...Thanks to all of our human friends who voted," read Sirocco's Twitter in a Monday post, encouraging fans to learn more about conversation efforts.
BREAKING NEWS: In a stunning upset the kākāpō swoops in from behind to claw the title of #BirdOfTheYear 2020 away from competition front-runner - the toroa/Antipodean albatross.
The kākāpō makes history as the first bird to win Bird of the Year twice! pic.twitter.com/IFrsVvbkPU — Forest & Bird (@Forest_and_Bird) November 15, 2020
The win didn't come without scandal, however. According to a statement from Forest & Bird, 1,500 fraudulent votes were found for another bird candidate, the kiwi pukupuku/little-spotted kiwi, and were removed from the competition.
In addition, according to the Guardian, the endangered toroa/antipodean albatross actually won most first-choice votes — but, under the competition’s preferential system, the kākāpō finished victorious.
"In a stunning upset the kākāpō swoops in from behind to claw the title of #BirdOfTheYear 2020 away from competition front-runner - the toroa/Antipodean albatross. The kākāpō makes history as the first bird to win Bird of the Year twice!" Forest & Bird tweeted Sunday, referring to Kākāpō's first win in 2008.


usatoday--2020-11-16--Supreme Court won't impose virus protections at Texas prison. What about houses of worship in NY?

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court refused Monday to require increased pandemic precautions at a Texas geriatric prison where 20 inmates have died .
At the same time , the justices are more likely in the coming days to order fewer COVID-19 restrictions at New York churches and synagogues .
While the prison case continues a pattern of high court actions in which it has refused to second-guess how state officials combat the pandemic , the religion case will reveal whether the court 's beefed-up conservative majority is finally ready to assert itself .
The court earlier this year refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada as Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the four liberal justices .
But since then , Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and was succeeded by Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett , giving conservatives a 6-3 majority .
That could be enough to topple New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo 's church-related restrictions , which limit attendance to 10 or 25 worshipers in areas where COVID-19 is most prevalent .
The restrictions were challenged in recent days by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel , an Orthodox Jewish organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Nevada can impose tighter restrictions on churches than casinos while a legal dispute over its social distancing policies continued .
Four conservative justices dissented from the order , which upheld limits on church gatherings to 50 worshipers while allowing bars , restaurants , casinos and indoor amusement parks to operate at 50 % capacity .
The court also ruled 5-4 in May against a California church seeking to exceed a 25 % capacity threshold , which was more stringent than local businesses faced .
Associate Justice Samuel Alito told the conservative Federalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulted in `` previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty . ''
He denounced high court rulings that he said discriminated against religious groups and argued that the pandemic highlighted a wider assault on religious freedom .
In the prison case , the court upheld the COVID-19 protections taken by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice over the dissents of Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan , who said prisoners remained at risk .
`` The people incarcerated in the Pack Unit are some of our most vulnerable citizens , '' Sotomayor wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce social distancing and mask wearing , perform regular testing , and take other essential steps , the inmates can do nothing but wait for the virus to take its toll . ''
Throughout the year , the court has not second-guessed prison officials ' refusal to move elderly or medically compromised inmates threatened by the COVID-19 virus in Texas , Louisiana and Ohio .

Supreme Court won't impose virus protections at Texas prison. What about houses of worship in NY?
Show Caption Hide Caption Virus cases surging in Texas border city At least one El Paso, Texas, hospital has added overflow tents to house patients as the border city sees a surge in coronavirus cases (Oct. 26) AP
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court refused Monday to require increased pandemic precautions at a Texas geriatric prison where 20 inmates have died.
At the same time, the justices are more likely in the coming days to order fewer COVID-19 restrictions at New York churches and synagogues.
While the prison case continues a pattern of high court actions in which it has refused to second-guess how state officials combat the virus, the religion cases will reveal whether the court's beefed-up conservative majority is finally ready to assert itself.
The court earlier this year refused to lift restrictions on churches in California and Nevada as Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the four liberal justices. But since then, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and was succeeded by Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, giving conservatives a 6-3 majority.
More: Justice Amy Coney Barrett could have immediate impact on American democracy
That could be enough to topple New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's church-related restrictions, which limit attendance to 10 or 25 worshipers in areas where COVID-19 is most prevalent. The restrictions were challenged in recent days by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel, an Orthodox Jewish organization.
The court ruled 5-4 in July that Nevada can impose tighter restrictions on churches than casinos while a legal dispute over its social distancing policies continued. But four conservative justices dissented from the order, which upheld limits on church gatherings to 50 worshipers while allowing bars, restaurants, casinos and indoor amusement parks to operate at 50% capacity.
The court also ruled 5-4 in May against a California church seeking to exceed a 25% capacity threshold, which was more stringent than local businesses faced.
Associate Justice Samuel Alito told the conservative Federalist Society last week that COVID-19 restrictions had resulted in "previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty." He denounced high court rulings that he said discriminated against religious groups and argued that the pandemic highlighted a wider assault on religious freedom.
More: Critics decry Alito's 'nakedly partisan' speech on COVID-19 measures, gay marriage
In the prison case, the court upheld the COVID-19 protections taken by the state Department of Criminal Justice at the Wallace Pack Unit in southeast Texas. Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented, arguing that prisoners remained at risk.
"The people incarcerated in the Pack Unit are some of our most vulnerable citizens," Sotomayor wrote. "If the prison fails to enforce social distancing and mask wearing, perform regular testing, and take other essential steps, the inmates can do nothing but wait for the virus to take its toll."
Throughout the year, the court has not second-guessed prison officials' refusals to move elderly or medically compromised inmates threatened by the COVID-19 virus in Texas, Louisiana and Ohio.


usatoday--2020-11-17--President-elect Biden: 'More people may die' if Trump does not cooperate on transition

President-elect Biden : 'More people may die ' if Trump does not cooperate on transition President-elect Joe Biden said `` @ @ @ @ @ without cooperation from the Trump administration on COVID vaccine distribution .

Biden: 'More people may die' if Trump resists smooth transition
President-elect Joe Biden said "more people may die" without cooperation from the Trump administration on COVID vaccine distribution.
Associated Press, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-16--Voters drop lawsuit seeking to throw out presidential votes in Wisconsin's Democratic-leaning counti

MADISON — Three voters in northeast Wisconsin have dropped their effort to throw out votes in three heavily Democratic counties that helped deliver Wisconsin to President-elect Joe Biden .
The suit was dismissed the same day plaintiffs in three lawsuits filed in Georgia , Michigan and Pennsylvania dropped their legal challenge seeking the same goal .
The plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Green Bay that sought to change the outcome of Wisconsin 's election to President Donald Trump 's favor by excluding the presidential votes from the counties in the state 's final election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that absentee voting is fraught with widespread fraud .
It focused on tossing out the votes in Milwaukee , Dane and Menominee counties .
The legal challenges were filed as Trump refused to concede the Nov. 3 election , citing unfounded claims of fraud , and as many elected Republicans declined to acknowledge Biden 's victory .
The Wisconsin plaintiffs alleged voters in the liberal-leaning counties may have bypassed state law that requires photo identification by declaring themselves `` indefinitely confined '' due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The lawsuit also took issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions to remedy errors related to witness ’ s addresses on absentee ballots .
The suit , filed against state and local election officials , cited allegations from people who are not named but identified by initials .
The voters listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Michael Langenhorst of Door County , Michael LeMay of Brown County and Stephen Fifrick of Oconto County .
Wisconsin 's result is one of several states Trump has been focused on changing , through this lawsuit and also by a potential recount .
Biden won in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes .
The suit sought to exclude all the presidential vote totals from the two most populous and heavily Democratic counties in the state — Milwaukee and Dane — when certifying the state 's results .
Those two counties delivered 577,408 votes for Biden and 213,133 for Trump , a gap of 364,264 votes , according to unofficial results .
Menominee County delivered 1,303 votes for Biden and 278 for Trump .
Other counties also had high levels of absentee voting but were not targeted in the lawsuit .
Contact Molly Beck at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter at @ MollyBeck .

Voters drop lawsuit seeking to throw out presidential votes in Wisconsin's Democratic-leaning counties
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump supporters defiant in support of president Defiant supporters of President Trump held a rally in Washington on Saturday a week after the presidential race was called for Joe Biden. (Nov. 14) AP
MADISON — Three voters in northeast Wisconsin have dropped their effort to throw out votes in three heavily Democratic counties that helped deliver Wisconsin to President-elect Joe Biden.
The suit was dismissed the same day plaintiffs in three lawsuits filed in Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania dropped their legal challenge seeking the same goal.
The plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Green Bay that sought to change the outcome of Wisconsin's election to President Donald Trump's favor by excluding the presidential votes from the counties in the state's final election certification.
Results: Statewide results, county breakdowns and more
Full coverage: Wisconsin election section
The lawsuit alleged without evidence that absentee voting is fraught with widespread fraud. It focused on tossing out the votes in Milwaukee, Dane and Menominee counties.
The legal challenges were filed as Trump refused to concede the Nov. 3 election, citing unfounded claims of fraud, and as many elected Republicans declined to acknowledge Biden's victory.
The Wisconsin plaintiffs alleged voters in the liberal-leaning counties may have bypassed state law that requires photo identification by declaring themselves "indefinitely confined" due to the coronavirus pandemic. The lawsuit also took issue with clerks' ability to take corrective actions to remedy errors related to witness’s addresses on absentee ballots.
The suit, filed against state and local election officials, cited allegations from people who are not named but identified by initials. The voters listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Michael Langenhorst of Door County, Michael LeMay of Brown County and Stephen Fifrick of Oconto County.
Wisconsin's result is one of several states Trump has been focused on changing, through this lawsuit and also by a potential recount. Biden won in Wisconsin by a margin of about 20,000 votes.
More: Election 2020 live updates: Trump’s national security adviser talks legacy, promises smooth transition
The suit sought to exclude all the presidential vote totals from the two most populous and heavily Democratic counties in the state — Milwaukee and Dane — when certifying the state's results.
Those two counties delivered 577,408 votes for Biden and 213,133 for Trump, a gap of 364,264 votes, according to unofficial results.
Menominee County delivered 1,303 votes for Biden and 278 for Trump.
Other counties also had high levels of absentee voting but were not targeted in the lawsuit.
Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.


usatoday--2020-11-16--Trump hints at primary challenge for Ohio Gov. DeWine, who acknowledged Biden as president-elect

President Donald Trump appears to be encouraging a primary challenge to Republican Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine .
Trump tweeted on Monday morning `` Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio ?
Will be hotly contested ! ''
DeWine was a co-chair of Trump 's re-election campaign in Ohio , but he was among a select group of Republicans who last week acknowledged former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect .
On CNN on Sunday , DeWine said Trump should begin the transition to Biden .
Trump has refused to concede the race and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories about the election .
DeWine 's office could not immediately be reached for comment .
The tweet added fuel to what some were speculating could be a hint from former Rep. Jim Renacci , R-Ohio , about a potential gubernatorial primary .
He encouraged voters to `` Ditch DeWine '' in a weekend tweet .
Renacci would n't say whether he was running for governor , but said primaries are an opportunity for change if Ohioans are unhappy with the direction of the state .
`` It ’ s always the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for office if they believe change is necessary , '' Renacci said .
`` I never feared a primary when I was running . ''
Renacci said he does n't believe DeWine `` has the right , constitutionally , '' to issue shutdown orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic and that the governor should instead work with the Ohio General Assembly .

Rick Rouan and Jessie Balmert, The Columbus Dispatch

Trump hints at primary challenge for Ohio Gov. DeWine, who acknowledged Biden as president-elect
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump rules out a COVID-19 lockdown for his administration President Trump said his administration would not go to a national COVID-19 lockdown while speaking from the Rose Garden. USA TODAY
President Donald Trump appears to be encouraging a primary challenge to Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
Trump tweeted on Monday morning "Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio? Will be hotly contested!"
DeWine was a co-chair of Trump's re-election campaign in Ohio, but he was among a select group of Republicans who last week acknowledged former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect.
On CNN on Sunday, DeWine said Trump should begin the transition to Biden. Trump has refused to concede the race and has used his Twitter account to advance unfounded conspiracy theories about the election.
Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio? Will be hotly contested! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2020
DeWine's office could not immediately be reached for comment.
The tweet added fuel to what some were speculating could be a hint from former Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, about a potential gubernatorial primary. He encouraged voters to "Ditch DeWine" in a weekend tweet.
Renacci wouldn't say whether he was running for governor, but said primaries are an opportunity for change if Ohioans are unhappy with the direction of the state.
"It’s always the right for citizens to primary or run for office if they believe change is necessary," Renacci said. "I never feared a primary when I was running."
Renacci said he doesn't believe DeWine "has the right, constitutionally," to issue shutdown orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic and that the governor should instead work with the Ohio General Assembly.


usatoday--2020-11-16--Trump faces criticism over raging COVID-19 crisis as he delays Biden transition and focuses on elect

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump faced mounting criticism Sunday for continuing to focus his message on the election and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud while sidestepping a resurgent coronavirus pandemic raging across the country .
Trump struck a defiant tone in a series of weekend tweets , claiming voting was `` rigged '' for President-elect Joe Biden .
His critics said Sunday that by refusing to acknowledge the results of the Nov. 3 election , Trump was delaying the transition and complicating Biden 's ability to hit the ground running in the battle against COVID-19 .
In a tweet Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that Biden `` won '' the presidential election , but he later said he was not conceding .
New coronavirus cases have surged in the USA during November , with the country hitting record new infection levels .
Almost 170,000 new infections were reported Saturday , according to Johns Hopkins University – the 11th straight day the count surpassed 100,000 .
Before that , the U.S. had never before reached six figures .
Public health officials said they are eager to begin briefing Biden 's team .
`` It 's almost like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do n't want to stop and then give it to somebody , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said of the transition .
`` You want to just essentially keep going . ''
Win : Trump says Joe Biden 'won ' election , then backtracks and says he wo n't concede Biden campaign officials are prohibited from interacting with agency leaders , including those at public health agencies , until the Trump administration formally recognizes the outcome of the election – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fauci said starting those conversations now would have an `` obvious '' benefit for the next administration .
`` Of course it would be better if we could start working with them , '' he told CNN 's `` State of the Union . ''
Fauci and Adm. Brett Giroir , assistant secretary for health , confirmed that Trump has not personally attended a meeting of the White House coronavirus task force in months .
But both men dismissed the significance of that absence , noting that Vice President Mike Pence regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their progress .
`` I 'm not concerned that the president does n't attend , '' Giroir told ABC 's `` This Week . ''
Updates : GOP governor says Biden is next president ; Bolton slams Trump 's character Trump spoke about the virus Friday , touting pending vaccines he said would be widely available to Americans by April .
In those remarks , he criticized the company developing one of the vaccines , Pfizer , and also took a swipe at New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials would review its safety .
The president threatened that the federal government `` won ’ t be delivering it to New York until we have authorization to do so . ''
Cuomo dismissed the criticism , telling CNN it does n't matter because Trump `` wo n't be here '' when the vaccine is widely distributed .
Pfizer announced early results last week indicating their vaccine prevented more than 90 % of infections with the virus that causes COVID-19 .
The company hopes to have enough data this month to submit a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Drug Administration .
More : Pfizer 's COVID-19 vaccine candidate shown to be 90 % effective in early findings '' This is five times faster than the fastest prior vaccine development in history , '' Trump told reporters in the Rose Garden on Friday .
`` Five times faster . ''
Throughout the weekend , though , Trump 's attention shifted back to the election and a series of legal challenges his campaign has filed in Pennsylvania , Michigan and other states .
Trump 's motorcade briefly drove around tens of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday to show their support for the president .
And his tweets throughout the weekend focused almost exclusively on the election .
`` He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA , '' Trump tweeted Sunday , sidestepping the fact that many global leaders , including those who enjoyed a close relationship with Trump , have congratulated Biden for winning .
`` I concede NOTHING ! ''
In a shift in messaging , however , Trump appeared for the first time to acknowledge Biden had won the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race was rigged .
`` He won because the Election was Rigged , '' Trump tweeted .
Republicans in Washington for the most part signaled that Trump should be allowed to continue pursuing his legal options on the election .
The Trump campaign 's lawsuits are asking judges to delay the formal certification of results .
Legal experts and some Republicans say Trump 's lawyers have not provided evidence of enough questionable ballots to reverse the outcome in several battleground states that voted for Biden .
Biden advisers , meanwhile , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career civil servants and public health experts inside the Trump administration who have been working on the coronavirus pandemic for months .
`` Those dialogues are critical , '' said Dr. Vivek Murthy , a former U.S. surgeon general and co-chair of Biden 's COVID task force told `` Fox News Sunday . ''
`` You want to get them started as soon as possible . ''

Trump faces criticism over raging COVID-19 crisis as he delays Biden transition and focuses on election
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump admits Biden 'won' election in tweet, but refuses to concede The admission on Twitter was quickly followed up with a tweet doubling down that he was not actually conceding. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump faced mounting criticism Sunday for continuing to focus his message on the election and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud while sidestepping a resurgent coronavirus pandemic raging across the country.
Trump struck a defiant tone in a series of weekend tweets, claiming voting was "rigged" for President-elect Joe Biden. His critics said Sunday that by refusing to acknowledge the results of the Nov. 3 election, Trump was delaying the transition and complicating Biden's ability to hit the ground running in the battle against COVID-19.
In a tweet Sunday, Trump acknowledged for the first time Sunday that Biden "won" the presidential election, but he later said he was not conceding.
New coronavirus cases have surged in the USA during November, with the country hitting record new infection levels. Almost 170,000 new infections were reported Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University – the 11th straight day the count surpassed 100,000. Before that, the U.S. had never before reached six figures.
Public health officials said they are eager to begin briefing Biden's team.
"It's almost like passing a baton in a race – you don't want to stop and then give it to somebody," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said of the transition. "You want to just essentially keep going."
Win: Trump says Joe Biden 'won' election, then backtracks and says he won't concede
Surge: Small-town hospitals overwhelmed by COVID-19 deaths
Biden campaign officials are prohibited from interacting with agency leaders, including those at public health agencies, until the Trump administration formally recognizes the outcome of the election – a recognition that has not yet taken place. Fauci said starting those conversations now would have an "obvious" benefit for the next administration.
"Of course it would be better if we could start working with them," he told CNN's "State of the Union."
Fauci and Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health, confirmed that Trump has not personally attended a meeting of the White House coronavirus task force in months. But both men dismissed the significance of that absence, noting that Vice President Mike Pence regularly attends the meetings and then briefs Trump on their progress.
"I'm not concerned that the president doesn't attend," Giroir told ABC's "This Week."
Updates: GOP governor says Biden is next president; Bolton slams Trump's character
Trump spoke about the virus Friday, touting pending vaccines he said would be widely available to Americans by April. In those remarks, he criticized the company developing one of the vaccines, Pfizer, and also took a swipe at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, who announced weeks ago that state officials would review its safety.
The president threatened that the federal government "won’t be delivering it to New York until we have authorization to do so." Cuomo dismissed the criticism, telling CNN it doesn't matter because Trump "won't be here" when the vaccine is widely distributed.
Pfizer announced early results last week indicating their vaccine prevented more than 90% of infections with the virus that causes COVID-19. The company hopes to have enough data this month to submit a request for emergency approval to the Food and Drug Administration.
More: Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine candidate shown to be 90% effective in early findings
"This is five times faster than the fastest prior vaccine development in history," Trump told reporters in the Rose Garden on Friday. "Five times faster."
Throughout the weekend, though, Trump's attention shifted back to the election and a series of legal challenges his campaign has filed in Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states. Trump's motorcade briefly drove around tens of thousands of supporters who turned out in Washington on Saturday to show their support for the president. And his tweets throughout the weekend focused almost exclusively on the election.
"He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA," Trump tweeted Sunday, sidestepping the fact that many global leaders, including those who enjoyed a close relationship with Trump, have congratulated Biden for winning. "I concede NOTHING!"
In a shift in messaging, however, Trump appeared for the first time to acknowledge Biden had won the election, though he repeated his false claims that the race was rigged.
"He won because the Election was Rigged," Trump tweeted.
Republicans in Washington for the most part signaled that Trump should be allowed to continue pursuing his legal options on the election. The Trump campaign's lawsuits are asking judges to delay the formal certification of results. Legal experts and some Republicans say Trump's lawyers have not provided evidence of enough questionable ballots to reverse the outcome in several battleground states that voted for Biden.
Biden advisers, meanwhile, said they are eager to begin talking with career civil servants and public health experts inside the Trump administration who have been working on the coronavirus pandemic for months.
"Those dialogues are critical," said Dr. Vivek Murthy, a former U.S. surgeon general and co-chair of Biden's COVID task force told "Fox News Sunday." "You want to get them started as soon as possible."
Contributing: John Bacon, Will Cummings


usatoday--2020-11-16--Barack Obama talks 'truth decay,' won't take a seat in Joe Biden's cabinet: 'Michelle would leave me

Barack Obama reflected on a wide range of topics from his upcoming memoir , including the isolation of the presidency , his attempts to reach across the aisle , and his post-presidency life in an interview with Gayle King on `` CBS Sunday Morning '' and again Sunday evening with Scott Pelley on `` 60 Minutes . ''
The former president , speaking from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington , discussed his own experiences in the White House and brushed off President Donald Trump 's and his supporters ' fight against the election results .
`` Joe Biden will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States and Kamala Harris will be the next vice president of the United States .
There is no legal basis , '' Obama , 59 , said to King of lawsuits filed by Trump 's campaign making broad , unproven claims of widespread election fraud .
`` We are still deeply divided , '' he said .
`` The power of that alternative world view that 's presented in the media that those voters consume , it carries a lot of weight .
...
It 's very hard for a democracy to function @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely different set of facts . ''
He told Pelley : `` A president is a public servant .
They are temporary occupants of the office by design .
And when your time is up , then it is your job to put the country first , and think beyond your own ego and your own interest and your own disappointments .
My advice to President Trump is if you want , at this late stage in the game , to be remembered as somebody who put country first , its time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What we 've seen is what some people call 'truth decay ' – something that has been accelerated by outgoing President Trump , '' Obama added .
`` In the sense that not only do we not have to tell the truth , but the truth doesn ’ t even matter . ''
The former president also said he was dismayed that other Republicans have joined Trump .
`` The president does n't like to lose , and never admits loss , '' he said .
`` I 'm more troubled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly know better are going along with this , are humoring him in this fashion .
It is one more step in delegitimizing not just the incoming Biden administration , but democracy generally , and that 's a dangerous path . ''
Asked about racism and the killing of George Floyd , Obama said , `` It 's important for us not to let ourselves off the hook and think this is just a police problem .
… The good news is all of us can take some responsibility .
We can all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've been doing . ''
Obama has become increasingly vocal about the presidency in the last few months , speaking out against Trump and in support of his former vice president , now President-elect Biden , and sharing memories of his own time in office while promoting his memoir , `` A Promised Land , '' out Tuesday .
`` It was n't personal , '' Obama said .
`` Everything I said , I was just stating facts .
...
I was not the person who , in a White House briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to solve COVID ? '
I was n't doing a routine , I was repeating words that I heard .
It is not my preference to be out there .
He added : `` We were in a circumstance in this election in which certain norms , certain institutional values that are so extraordinarily important , had been breached .
It was important for me , as somebody who served in that office , to simply let people know this is not normal . ''
But do n't expect him to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
`` Michelle would leave me , '' Obama joked of the former first lady , who he said did n't want him to run for president in the first place .
`` She 'd be like , 'What ?
You 're doing what ? '
`` Now almost four years removed from his own presidency , Obama says he and his family – particularly Michelle Obama – have finally been able to exhale .
`` She was able to let go of some of the stress of feeling as if , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right all the time , I 'm being watched all the time , ' `` he said .
But even now , the former president is still getting re-adjusted to regular life .
`` I 'm driving along – I 'm still not driving , but I 'm in the car in the backseat and I 'm looking at my iPad or something – and suddenly we stop , '' Obama remembered a recent experience . ''
I 'm like what 's going on ?
It was a red light .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with kids eating a burrito in the back seat or something .
`` Oh , '' he recalled himself thinking , now without the luxury of a police-escorted presidential motorcade .
`` Back to life . ''

Barack Obama talks 'truth decay,' won't take a seat in Joe Biden's cabinet: 'Michelle would leave me'
Show Caption Hide Caption Barack Obama on ego and the presidency By the time he assumed office, Obama realized, "The ego part of it didn't interest me anymore. What interested me was what could I get done." Apple TV+
Barack Obama reflected on a wide range of topics from his upcoming memoir, including the isolation of the presidency, his attempts to reach across the aisle, and his post-presidency life in an interview with Gayle King on "CBS Sunday Morning" and again Sunday evening with Scott Pelley on "60 Minutes."
The former president, speaking from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, discussed his own experiences in the White House and brushed off President Donald Trump's and his supporters' fight against the election results.
"Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States and Kamala Harris will be the next vice president of the United States. There is no legal basis," Obama, 59, said to King of lawsuits filed by Trump's campaign making broad, unproven claims of widespread election fraud.
"We are still deeply divided," he said. "The power of that alternative world view that's presented in the media that those voters consume, it carries a lot of weight. ... It's very hard for a democracy to function if we are operating on just a completely different set of facts."
He told Pelley: "A president is a public servant. They are temporary occupants of the office by design. And when your time is up, then it is your job to put the country first, and think beyond your own ego and your own interest and your own disappointments. My advice to President Trump is if you want, at this late stage in the game, to be remembered as somebody who put country first, its time for you to do the same thing.
"What we've seen is what some people call 'truth decay' – something that has been accelerated by outgoing President Trump," Obama added. "In the sense that not only do we not have to tell the truth, but the truth doesn’t even matter."
The former president also said he was dismayed that other Republicans have joined Trump. "The president doesn't like to lose, and never admits loss," he said. "I'm more troubled by the fact that other Republican officials who clearly know better are going along with this, are humoring him in this fashion. It is one more step in delegitimizing not just the incoming Biden administration, but democracy generally, and that's a dangerous path."
5 books not to miss: Barack Obama's presidential memoir, Dolly Parton, Michael J. Fox
Asked about racism and the killing of George Floyd, Obama said, "It's important for us not to let ourselves off the hook and think this is just a police problem. … The good news is all of us can take some responsibility. We can all do better on this front than we've been doing."
Obama has become increasingly vocal about the presidency in the last few months, speaking out against Trump and in support of his former vice president, now President-elect Biden, and sharing memories of his own time in office while promoting his memoir, "A Promised Land," out Tuesday.
"It wasn't personal," Obama said. "Everything I said, I was just stating facts. ... I was not the person who, in a White House briefing room, said, 'Is bleach the way to solve COVID?' I wasn't doing a routine, I was repeating words that I heard. It is not my preference to be out there.
He added: "We were in a circumstance in this election in which certain norms, certain institutional values that are so extraordinarily important, had been breached. It was important for me, as somebody who served in that office, to simply let people know this is not normal."
But don't expect him to take a seat in Biden's cabinet next year.
"Michelle would leave me," Obama joked of the former first lady, who he said didn't want him to run for president in the first place. "She'd be like, 'What? You're doing what?' "
Now almost four years removed from his own presidency, Obama says he and his family – particularly Michelle Obama – have finally been able to exhale.
"She was able to let go of some of the stress of feeling as if, 'I've got to get everything right all the time, I'm being watched all the time,' " he said.
But even now, the former president is still getting re-adjusted to regular life.
"I'm driving along – I'm still not driving, but I'm in the car in the backseat and I'm looking at my iPad or something – and suddenly we stop," Obama remembered a recent experience. ''I'm like what's going on? It was a red light. There was a car right next to us, with kids eating a burrito in the back seat or something.
"Oh," he recalled himself thinking, now without the luxury of a police-escorted presidential motorcade. "Back to life."


usatoday--2020-11-15--Biden and Harris to discuss economic plans during joint appearance in Wilmington on Monday

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will speak about the economy Monday afternoon in Wilmington , Delaware , according to a press release from the Biden-Harris transition team .
The duo will speak `` on the economic recovery and building back better in the long-term , '' in their first speech addressing the country ’ s economic situation since their victory in the presidential election .
The speech in Wilmington is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. EST .
During the presidential race , Biden laid out an expansive economic agenda focused on increasing the number of American jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic inequality .
At the speech in Wilmington , the president-elect could offer updated versions of these plans , given the new realities of a worsening pandemic and economic outlook , as well as the likely reality of a divided Congress .
The economic policies : What Biden and other Democrats have proposed for 401 ( k ) plans , home ownership and building wealth Analysts have projected that Biden ’ s proposals will bring back the 11 million jobs and $ 670 billion in annualized gross domestic product wiped out – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more rapidly than if President Donald Trump had won a second term .
The scale of Biden ’ s plans now , however , hinges on whether Democrats will narrowly control the Senate or if all legislation must be negotiated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Biden has already convened with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on the `` urgent need '' for more stimulus , according to aides .
Biden has not yet spoken with Republican leaders in Congress .
In the near-term , Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on responding to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face , and I will be informed by science and by experts , '' Biden said when he announced his coronavirus task force , the first move of his transition process .
As with the rest of his economic proposals , the size of the relief package will depend on which party ends up in control of the Senate .
Biden economic plan : What Biden means for the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package In the longer-term , Biden is proposing $ 7.3 trillion in new spending over 10 years , which would go toward upgrading the nation ’ s roads , bridges and highways ; building a clean energy economy ; investing in research and development to bolster manufacturing ; providing tuition-free community college ; ensuring access to affordable child care and universal preschool , and providing aid for Americans to buy or rent homes .
It is unclear how much , if any , of those proposals Biden could get passed through Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Outside of legislation , the president still has significant space to maneuver on economic issues .
Biden does not need congressional approval , for instance , to require the government and its contractors to buy American products , something he has promised to mandate .
Fact check : Pandemic unaccounted for in chart of job growth by president Biden , like Trump before him , will also have significant space to determine U.S. trade policy .
The Biden administration will likely have significant sway in determining the country 's economic relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union .
Biden will also continue to grapple trade with China , the most significant — and also the most fraught — economic relationship for the United States .
As with both his predecessors , Biden is also likely to use executive orders to enact his economic vision .
Like former President Barack Obama , Biden is likely to issue executive orders promoting clean energy , prohibit human trafficking and raising workplace standards with government contractors .
Biden has also reportedly included a focus on addressing racial economic inequality in his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with expertise in how to redress longstanding economic discrimination .
Biden is also likely to reverse a flurry of Trump-era executive orders on environmental and financial deregulation , immigration , trade and federal spending , amounting to a significant change in the economic policy of the country .

Biden and Harris to discuss economic plans during joint appearance in Wilmington on Monday
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden's family: An in depth look at the first family Meet President Joe Biden's family. USA TODAY
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will speak about the economy Monday afternoon in Wilmington, Delaware, according to a press release from the Biden-Harris transition team.
The duo will speak "on the economic recovery and building back better in the long-term," in their first speech addressing the country’s economic situation since their victory in the presidential election.
The speech in Wilmington is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. EST.
During the presidential race, Biden laid out an expansive economic agenda focused on increasing the number of American jobs, strengthening the social safety net and fighting economic inequality.
At the speech in Wilmington, the president-elect could offer updated versions of these plans, given the new realities of a worsening pandemic and economic outlook, as well as the likely reality of a divided Congress.
The economic policies: What Biden and other Democrats have proposed for 401(k) plans, home ownership and building wealth
Analysts have projected that Biden’s proposals will bring back the 11 million jobs and $670 billion in annualized gross domestic product wiped out – and not yet recovered – in the crisis more rapidly than if President Donald Trump had won a second term.
The scale of Biden’s plans now, however, hinges on whether Democrats will narrowly control the Senate or if all legislation must be negotiated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Biden has already convened with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on the "urgent need" for more stimulus, according to aides. Biden has not yet spoken with Republican leaders in Congress.
In the near-term, Biden's economic plans are expected to focus heavily on responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts," Biden said when he announced his coronavirus task force, the first move of his transition process.
As with the rest of his economic proposals, the size of the relief package will depend on which party ends up in control of the Senate.
Biden economic plan: What Biden means for the economy, your finances and another COVID-19 stimulus package
In the longer-term, Biden is proposing $7.3 trillion in new spending over 10 years, which would go toward upgrading the nation’s roads, bridges and highways; building a clean energy economy; investing in research and development to bolster manufacturing; providing tuition-free community college; ensuring access to affordable child care and universal preschool, and providing aid for Americans to buy or rent homes.
It is unclear how much, if any, of those proposals Biden could get passed through Congress, even with Democratic control of both chambers.
Outside of legislation, the president still has significant space to maneuver on economic issues. Biden does not need congressional approval, for instance, to require the government and its contractors to buy American products, something he has promised to mandate.
Fact check: Pandemic unaccounted for in chart of job growth by president
Biden, like Trump before him, will also have significant space to determine U.S. trade policy. The Biden administration will likely have significant sway in determining the country's economic relationship with allies like the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Biden will also continue to grapple trade with China, the most significant — and also the most fraught — economic relationship for the United States.
As with both his predecessors, Biden is also likely to use executive orders to enact his economic vision. Like former President Barack Obama, Biden is likely to issue executive orders promoting clean energy, prohibit human trafficking and raising workplace standards with government contractors.
Biden has also reportedly included a focus on addressing racial economic inequality in his administration and is expected to select economic advisors with expertise in how to redress longstanding economic discrimination.
Biden is also likely to reverse a flurry of Trump-era executive orders on environmental and financial deregulation, immigration, trade and federal spending, amounting to a significant change in the economic policy of the country.
Contributing: Paul Davidson
Second Gentleman: Kamala Harris' husband Doug Emhoff breaks gender stereotypes


usatoday--2020-11-15--President Trump admits (for the first time) Biden won election, but refuses to concede

President Trump admits ( for the first time ) Biden won election , but refuses to concede The admission on @ @ @ @ @ with a tweet doubling down that he was not actually conceding .

Trump admits Biden 'won' election in tweet, but refuses to concede
The admission on Twitter was quickly followed up with a tweet doubling down that he was not actually conceding.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-11-15--Thousands of Trump supporters rally in DC

Supporters of President Trump descended on Washington D.C. during rallies to protest the 2020 election .

Arrests after Trump protesters clash in DC
Supporters of President Trump descended on Washington D.C. during rallies to protest the 2020 election.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-17--'I don't need your instruction': Sens. Sherrod Brown and Dan Sullivan argue over wearing masks

The country ’ s tension over wearing masks reached the Senate floor Monday night .
Sens .
Dan Sullivan , R-Alaska , and Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , got into a verbal scuffle when Brown asked Sullivan , who was presiding over the Senate at the time , if he would wear a mask .
“ I ’ d start by asking the presiding officer to please wear a mask as he speaks , ” Brown said , donning his own mask as he made the request .
As Brown began saying that he knows he can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican cut him off , telling him that “ I don ’ t wear a mask when I ’ m speaking like most senators…I don ’ t need your instruction.
” More : COVID-19 infections are soaring .
Lockdowns could be coming .
A list of restrictions in your state .
“ I know you don ’ t need my instruction , but there clearly isn ’ t much interest in this body in public health ” Brown replied .
“ We have a president who hasn ’ t shown up at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have a majority leader who calls us back here to vote on an unqualified nominee , '' referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's effort to hold a vote on Judy Shelton 's nomination to the Federal Reserves Board of Governors .
Brown later shared a video of the back-and-forth on Twitter , tweeting that “ Once again , I asked my Republican colleagues to stop endangering all the Senate workers – and simply wear a mask when presiding over the Senate .
Once again , they refused.
” Fellow Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for Brown ’ s comments , saying that “ wearing a mask isn ’ t a political statement .
Wearing a mask is about basic human decency and protecting those around us.
” Brown also received criticism for his remarks .
Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , called Brown a `` complete a -- '' on Twitter Monday .
`` This is idiotic .
@ SherrodBrown is being a complete a -- .
He wears a mask to speak—when nobody is remotely near him—as an ostentatious sign of fake virtue , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 50 feet away , presiding .
Last I checked 50 feet is more than 6 feet . ''
The exchange comes only days after the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidance on masks , now stating that masks not only protects against the transmission of the coronavirus but also protection for the wearer from the virus .
More : Men less likely to mask up , possibly thanks to 'illusions of invulnerability , ' study finds This is not the first time senators have chosen not to wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul , R-Ky. , and Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , were seen not wearing masks when the Senate reconvened and in October , Sen. Roger Wicker , R-Miss.
, was seen with a mask pulled down to his chin for the majority of a flight .

'I don't need your instruction': Sens. Sherrod Brown and Dan Sullivan argue over wearing masks
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID: Senators quarrel over use of face mask on Senate floor Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown criticized his Republican colleagues for not using masks enough on the Senate floor. Associated Press, USA TODAY
The country’s tension over wearing masks reached the Senate floor Monday night.
Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, got into a verbal scuffle when Brown asked Sullivan, who was presiding over the Senate at the time, if he would wear a mask.
“I’d start by asking the presiding officer to please wear a mask as he speaks,” Brown said, donning his own mask as he made the request.
As Brown began saying that he knows he can’t tell Sullivan what to do, the Republican cut him off, telling him that “I don’t wear a mask when I’m speaking like most senators…I don’t need your instruction.”
More: COVID-19 infections are soaring. Lockdowns could be coming. A list of restrictions in your state.
“I know you don’t need my instruction, but there clearly isn’t much interest in this body in public health” Brown replied. “We have a president who hasn’t shown up at the coronavirus tasks force meetings in months. We have a majority leader who calls us back here to vote on an unqualified nominee," referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's effort to hold a vote on Judy Shelton's nomination to the Federal Reserves Board of Governors.
Brown later shared a video of the back-and-forth on Twitter, tweeting that “Once again, I asked my Republican colleagues to stop endangering all the Senate workers – and simply wear a mask when presiding over the Senate. Once again, they refused.”
Once again, I asked my Republican colleagues to stop endangering all the Senate workers - and simply wear a mask when presiding over the Senate.
Once again, they refused. pic.twitter.com/lykJO8MWmI — Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) November 17, 2020
Fellow Democrat Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware tweeted his support for Brown’s comments, saying that “wearing a mask isn’t a political statement. Wearing a mask is about basic human decency and protecting those around us.”
More: Election 2020 live updates: Biden expected to fill key White House roles Tuesday, reports say
Brown also received criticism for his remarks. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called Brown a "complete a--" on Twitter Monday.
"This is idiotic. @SherrodBrown is being a complete a--. He wears a mask to speak—when nobody is remotely near him—as an ostentatious sign of fake virtue," Cruz tweeted. "@DanSullivan_AK was over 50 feet away, presiding. Last I checked 50 feet is more than 6 feet."
This is idiotic. @SherrodBrown is being a complete ass. He wears a mask to speak—when nobody is remotely near him—as an ostentatious sign of fake virtue.@DanSullivan_AK was over 50 feet away, presiding. Last I checked 50 feet is more than 6 feet. https://t.co/BoIGrAV7T1 — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 17, 2020
The exchange comes only days after the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidance on masks, now stating that masks not only protects against the transmission of the coronavirus but also protection for the wearer from the virus.
More: Men less likely to mask up, possibly thanks to 'illusions of invulnerability,' study finds
This is not the first time senators have chosen not to wear masks. In May both Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., were seen not wearing masks when the Senate reconvened and in October, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., was seen with a mask pulled down to his chin for the majority of a flight.
At least five Senators have tested positive for the coronavirus — all of whom are Republicans. Paul and Johnson are among those who have previously tested positive for the virus along with Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.
Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania both tested positive for antibodies after experiencing flu-like symptoms, which indicates that both had the coronavirus at some point.


usatoday--2020-11-17--Coronavirus live updates: GOP governors joining Dems in tightening restrictions; Stanford rebukes At

Coronavirus live updates: GOP governors joining Dems in tightening restrictions; Stanford rebukes Atlas; 1 million US youths infected

Facing spiraling coronavirus numbers and with a contentious Election Day now in the rearview mirror , Republican governors are lining up behind their Democratic colleagues in tightening restrictions aimed at taming the pandemic .
Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds ' plan , effective Tuesday , requires everyone 2 and older to wear a face covering when in an indoor space open to the public .
Reynolds also limited bars and restaurants to 6 a.m.-10 p.m. , except for carryout and drive-through service .
Ohio 's Mike DeWine , West Virginia 's Jim Justice , Utah 's Gary Herbert and North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , have issued mask mandates in recent days .
California , New York , Michigan , Virginia and Hawaii are among Democratic-led states that have toughened restrictions .
Reynolds , like her counterparts , cited the state 's health care system `` being pushed to the brink . ''
Current COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide have surpassed 70,000 for the first time .
`` I cherish Thanksgiving with my family , '' Reynolds said Monday .
`` And this year we 're postponing that .
My children and grandchildren will not gather together in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as I had hoped that we would do this year .
But it 's to keep them safe , and it 's to keep you safe . ''
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has reported more than 11.2 million cases and more than 247,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The global totals : 55 million cases and 1.3 million deaths .
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak in your state .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newsletter .
The nation ’ s tension over wearing masks reached the Senate floor Monday night when Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , asked Sen. Dan Sullivan , R-Alaska , who was presiding over the Senate at the time , if he would wear a mask .
Brown started to say that he knows he can ’ t tell Sullivan what to do , but the Republican cut him off , telling him that “ I don ’ t wear a mask when I ’ m speaking like most senators…I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he wanted senators to `` stop endangering all the Senate workers . ''
Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , chimed in on Facebook : `` This is idiotic .
Sherrod Brown is being a complete ass .
He wears a mask to speak – when nobody is remotely near him – as an ostentatious sign of fake virtue . ''
Vaccine timeline : Summer or fall for most of us Two big companies leading the race for a vaccine have released promising results from their Phase 3 trials .
Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they might mean for the future of the pandemic : Preliminary results indicate Moderna ’ s vaccine appears to be 94.5 % effective ; Pfizer 's more than 90 % effective .
Both candidate vaccines reported mild or moderate side effects , mostly pain at the injection site , fatigue and aching muscles and joints for a day or two .
The FDA is expected to an issue an emergency for use authorization for at least one vaccine by year 's end , with front-line health care workers first in line to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how people of various ages , ethnicities and health statuses responded will determine recommendations on how to prioritize shots .
Scientists have predicted vaccines won ’ t be available to all until next summer or fall .
The lack of coordination with the Trump administration on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is the biggest threat facing his transition , President-elect Joe Biden says .
Biden ’ s transition to the White House has been complicated by President Donald Trump ’ s refusal to concede the Nov. 3 election .
Biden said the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs a vaccine and coordinate distribution with the rest of the world .
“ We ’ re going into a very dark winter , ” Biden said .
“ Things are going to get tougher before they get easier.
” Stanford University is taking issue with comments made by Dr. Scott Atlas , a member of President Donald Trump 's coronavirus task force and a senior fellow at the university , about Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's new COVID restrictions .
Atlas called on Michigan residents to `` rise up '' against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , halt indoor dining at restaurants and close some businesses .
The school said in a statement on Twitter that his views are `` inconsistent with the university ’ s approach '' to the pandemic .
`` Stanford 's position on managing the pandemic in our community is clear , '' the tweet said .
`` We support using masks , social distancing , and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing .
We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of local and state health authorities . ''
More than 1M @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The evidence increasingly shows young people are not immune to the coronavirus .
The number of U.S. infants , children and teens diagnosed with COVID-19 has surpassed 1 million , according to data released Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children ’ s Hospital Association .
The total hit nearly 1.04 million kids on Nov. 12 , including nearly 112,000 new cases last week .
That was the highest weekly total of any previous week in the pandemic , the academy said .
AAP President Sally Goza called the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are much more likely than adults to have mild cases but hospitalizations and deaths do occur .
According to data from state health departments that 's missing some states , at least 6,330 pediatric hospitalizations and 133 deaths have been recorded since May .
Screenings for COVID-19 at airports are labor-intensive and ineffective , a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concludes .
A program instituted by the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security conducted more than 766,000 screenings among travelers from certain countries arriving at designated U.S. airports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screened for symptoms , 298 were referred for a health assessment , 35 were tested for the coronavirus and only nine came out positive .
That factors out to one positive result for every 85,000 screenings .
`` The low case detection rate of this resource-intensive program highlighted the need for fundamental change in the U.S. border health strategy , '' the report said .
`` Because SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission can occur in the absence of symptoms and because the symptoms of COVID-19 are nonspecific , symptom-based screening programs are ineffective for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended Sept. 14 and was replaced by efforts to promote prevention among travelers and improving public health response at ports of entry .
Nearly three-quarters of the counties — home to 94.1 % of the state 's population — will be required to operate under the state ’ s most stringent pandemic restrictions , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Monday .
Indoor dining , gyms and movie theaters , among other businesses , must either remain closed or shut down in 41 of the state 's 58 counties , beginning Tuesday .
Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” due to “ the fastest increase California has seen '' since the pandemic began , with COVID-19 cases doubling in the last 10 days .
Cases rose 51.3 % in the first week of November .
California hit 1 million coronavirus cases last week , joining Texas as the only states to reach the undesired milestone .
Under the state ’ s Blueprint for a Safer Economy , which is its four-tiered , color-coded system for reopening , the state can tighten restrictions based on emergency situations .
Alaska has lost more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas industry since January because of the coronavirus pandemic and falling prices , according to the state 's Department of Labor and Workforce Development .
Experts said that because oil prices are now stagnant , it ’ s not clear when the jobs may return , Alaska Public Media reported last week .
That was coupled with a price war leading to a surplus of oil on the global market .
A key benchmark for oil prices then fell into negative territory for the first time .
While predictions are difficult , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not expected soon .
“ Unless oil prices get back to some very , very high level , I don ’ t see anything on the horizon that thousands ... of jobs are going to get created in Alaska over the next year or two years , ” said Mouhcine Guettabi , an economist at the University of Alaska Anchorage Institute of Social and Economic Research .
Hawaii Gov .
David Ige on Monday signed an emergency proclamation that `` clarified '' and extended the mask mandate to include everyone in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State shall wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in public '' except children under the age of 5 and individuals with disabilities or a medical condition , according to the new order .
Ige 's previous statewide mask mandate caused confusion among health and state officials because of exemptions among the state 's four counties , the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported .
The new order also says businesses `` shall '' refuse service to people who refuse to wear a face covering .
All hotel operators are now required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plan for each property . ''
`` The Good Doctor '' star Richard Schiff , who tweeted last week that he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus , followed up Monday by reporting that he 's in the hospital being treated for COVID-19 .
In a tweet thanking people for `` love and support , '' `` The West Wing '' alum said he 's taking remdesivir and steroids , both treatments for the viral illness , and is receiving oxygen .
He offers a hopeful prognosis , saying that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Schiff 's wife , actress and `` Good Doctor '' co-star Sheila Kelley , `` Is home and doing better but still fairly ill , '' wrote the actor , who revealed in his earlier tweet that he learned of his positive diagnosis on Election Day .
In Schiff 's initial coronavirus-related tweet on Nov. 10 , the actor called the time since the Election Day diagnoses `` the most bizarre week of our lives . ''
He acknowledged the situation as `` tough .
We are determined to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everyone out there who are struggling with this thing .
Love from here . ''
Washington state health officials are asking more than 300 attendees of a wedding this month to quarantine and get tested for COVID-19 after several people tested positive .
The Grant County Health District said in a news release Monday that 17 county residents tested positive and have been linked to two subsequent outbreaks .
Officials said they 're alerting the public because it will be difficult to find every person who attended the wedding .
Washington Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions that include a limit of 30 people for ceremonies .
As of Monday , there has been a total of 131,500 cases and 2,548 deaths , according to the state Department of Health .
U.S. stocks catapulted to records Monday on news that a second COVID-19 vaccine candidate showed promise , bolstering hopes of an economic recovery even as new infections surged around the world .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 470.63 points , or 1.6 % , to finish at a new all-time high of 29,950.44 , eclipsing its Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battered the global economy .
The S & P 500 added 1.2 % to 3,626.91 , notching another record .
The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.8 % to 11,924.13 , lagging the rest of the market amid lessened interest for tech stocks .
The Dow rose to a record for the first time in nine months after pharmaceutical company Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5 % effective , according to preliminary data .
Markets rallied as they did when Pfizer and BioNTech said earlier this month that their potential vaccine had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inbox : Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
• Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .
• On Facebook : A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .

John Bacon and Jessica Flores, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: FDA grants emergency use for first at-home rapid test; Los Angeles readies plan for curfew; 248K US deaths
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19: How Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines differ Pfizer and Moderna have both announced promising results in the phase 3 trials of their COVID-19 vaccines. Here's how they differ. USA TODAY, Storyful
A "uniform approach” to the coronavirus pandemic is needed to replace the uneven response that has fueled a dangerous surge in hospitalizations and deaths across the nation, the top U.S. infectious disease expert said Tuesday.
“We need some fundamental public health measures that everyone should be adhering to, not a disjointed, ‘one state says one thing, the other state says another thing,’” Dr. Anthony Fauci said at a conference sponsored by The New York Times.
The Trump administration, however, has left the issue to states while encouraging them to keep businesses and schools open. Facing spiraling coronavirus numbers and with a contentious Election Day now in the rearview mirror, Republican governors have begun grudgingly lining up behind their Democratic colleagues in tightening restrictions aimed at taming the pandemic.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' plan, effective Tuesday, requires everyone 2 and older to wear a face covering when in an indoor space open to the public. Reynolds also limited bars and restaurants to 6 a.m.-10 p.m., except for carryout and drive-through service.
Reynolds, who in the past has dismissed masks as a "feel good" effort, said Tuesday masks are effective but not a "silver bullet."
"There is science on both sides," Reynolds said. "If you look you can find whatever you want to support wherever you're at. Hopefully when we get to Christmas we will be able to gather again with our families."
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has reported more than 11.3 million cases and more than 248,500 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: 55.5 million cases and 1.33 million deaths.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak in your state.
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U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be performed and developed entirely at home.
The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for COVID-19 beyond health care facilities and testing sites. However, the test will require a prescription, likely limiting initial use.
The FDA granted emergency authorization to the 30-minute test kit from Lucira Health, a California manufacturer. The company's test allows users to swab themselves to collect a nasal sample. The sample is then swirled in a vial that plugs into a portable device, that interprets the results and displays whether the person tested positive or negative for coronavirus.
Los Angeles County imposed new restrictions on businesses Tuesday and is readying plans for a mandatory 10 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew for all but essential workers if coronavirus cases keep spiking.
The county of 10 million residents — the nation’s most populous — has seen daily confirmed cases more than double in the last two weeks to nearly 2,900. Hospitalizations have topped 1,100, a rise of 30% in that period.
The county, which for most of the pandemic has had a disproportionately large share of California’s cases, issued new restrictions ordering nonessential retail businesses to limit indoor capacity to 25% and restaurants to 50% capacity outdoors. Restaurants already are not allowed to serve customers indoors.
All those businesses must close at 10 p.m. The changes take effect Friday.
Senate GOP elder Chuck Grassley tests positive
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, the oldest Republican currently serving in the Senate, has tested positive for coronavirus, he announced Tuesday afternoon.
The 87-year-old senator chairs the Senate Finance Committee and is the president pro tempore of the Senate, making him third in line for the presidency after the vice president and speaker of the House. He was first elected to the Senate in 1980.
I’ve tested positive for coronavirus. I’ll b following my doctors’ orders/CDC guidelines & continue to quarantine. I’m feeling good + will keep up on my work for the ppl of Iowa from home. I appreciate everyone’s well wishes + prayers &look fwd to resuming my normal schedule soon — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) November 17, 2020
"I’ve tested positive for coronavirus. I’ll b following my doctors’ orders/CDC guidelines & continue to quarantine. I’m feeling good + will keep up on my work for the ppl of Iowa from home. I appreciate everyone’s well wishes + prayers &look fwd to resuming my normal schedule soon," Grassley wrote on Twitter.
Grassley said on Tuesday morning that he was in quarantine while awaiting a test result after learning he’d been exposed to the virus. That test came back positive.
– Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is quarantining after several members of his security detail tested positive for COVID-19, the governor's office said Tuesday.
Both the governor and First Lady Janet Holcomb began their quarantine Tuesday at the direction of Indiana State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box. They are considered close contacts to the security detail and will be tested later in the week for coronavirus.
The Indiana State Department of Health will perform the contact tracing for the governor, First Lady and members of the security detail, according to the governor's office.
— Lawrence Andrea, Indianapolis Star
The City of New Orleans announced that Mardi Gras parades will not be allowed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The guidelines are very clear that you can't have a gathering that large," said Beau Tidwell, communications director for the City of New Orleans, at a press conference on Tuesday.
Under current guidelines, outdoor gatherings in the city are limited to 150 people.
At the start of the pandemic in March, New Orleans COVID-19 numbers spiked and the city became one of the early hot spots in the United States.
Many experts blamed the outbreak on the city’s Carnival celebration for drawing more than 1 million visitors to New Orleans, which contributed to the spread of the virus. The Carnival season ended last year on Feb. 25. The city’s first presumptive case of COVID-19 was March 9.
— Todd A. Price, The American South
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced new statewide mitigation measures Tuesday. The restrictions, effective Nov. 20, are aimed at preventing between 17,000 and 45,000 projected additional deaths between now and March, Pritzker said.
“This is not a stay-at-home order, but the best way for us to avoid a stay-at-home order is to stay at home. We are asking you to choose Zoom instead of packing people in a room on Thanksgiving,” Pritzker said.
The new measures affect retail, gyms, hotels, bars, restaurants, manufacturing, offices and more.
Pritzker said he would be celebrating Thanksgiving in Chicago with his son, while his wife and daughter stay in Florida. “The situation is simply too grave for me to be elsewhere,” he said. “My family is having to make sacrifices to stay safe.”
New COVID-19 deaths are up 260% since Oct. 1, Pritzker said.
— Grace Hauck
Reynolds isn't the only Republican governor to yield to the pleas of public health experts. Ohio's Mike DeWine, West Virginia's Jim Justice, Utah's Gary Herbert and North Dakota's Doug Burgham, Republican governors all, have issued mask mandates in recent days. California, New York, Michigan, Virginia and Hawaii are among Democratic-led states that have toughened restrictions. A recurring theme: State health care system "being pushed to the brink." Current COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide have surpassed 70,000 for the first time.
“We’re going to dial up and dial back depending on where our numbers are at,” Reynolds said Tuesday. “Right now, we are really stressing our hospitals and their capacity.”
For families with young children that have decided to fly for the holidays, the biggest challenge might not be packing gifts, finding COVID-19-safe airport transportation or herding the whole clan to the gate. Rather, it could making sure fidgety toddlers wear their face masks in the terminal and during the flight due to the widespread rule among airlines that even young children are required to keep masks on during flights. There is little variation between carriers when it comes to firm written policies. One exception is Delta Air Lines, with a policy that states "young children who cannot maintain a face covering are exempt from the mask requirement."
Reina Nishida's Ottotto Threads business now thrives by sewing masks that cater to kids: "If you let your kids pick the print, they will be more inclined to wear them."
To avoid delayed gifts or sold-out stock, experts recommend starting your holiday shopping sooner rather than later. Shipping delays have been a recurring theme for online shopping since the pandemic began, and experts say that trend will continue through the holiday season. Karl Haller, partner and retail industry expert at IBM Global Business Services, advises that if you see something you know you want "go ahead and buy it." Some shipping deadlines suggested by the Postal Service include retail ground by Dec. 15, first-class mail by Dec. 18, priority mail by Dec. 19 and priority mail express by Dec. 13.
"We expect to see continued pressure on shipping as more packages flow through the system," Haller said. "We have already seen some of the major carriers impose fees on package shipping in anticipation of this."
– Amanda Tarlton, Reviewed.com
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, announced Tuesday that he will participate in a phase 3 vaccine trial being managed in Cincinnati. The more people Johnson & Johnson can line up for the trial, the sooner they complete testing and begin the FDA approval process, he said. Portman, 64, stressed that the clinical trials are critical to verifying the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines and making them available as soon as possible.
"I hope that my participation in the Janssen-Johnson & Johnson phase 3 vaccine trial will encourage others to participate as well & help Americans feel confident of the safety & effectiveness of vaccines once they are authorized by the FDA," Portman tweeted.
In Hungary, public health officials warned that a lack of medical staff qualified to treat coronavirus patients in intensive care units could soon lead to soaring deaths. In France, intensive care wards have been operating at over 95% capacity for almost two weeks. In South Korea, social distancing rules were tightened in the greater Seoul area to try to suppress a coronavirus resurgence there. In Greece, a 62-year-old clergyman in the Orthodox Church has died of COVID-19, reviving a debate over the safety of receiving communion as the Christmas season beckons. Bishop Ioannis of Lagadas was an outspoken advocate of maintaining communion ceremonies.
Two big companies leading the race for a vaccine have released promising results from their Phase 3 trials. Here’s what we know about both trials and what they might mean for the future of the pandemic:
Preliminary results indicate Moderna’s vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective; Pfizer's more than 90% effective. Both candidate vaccines reported mild or moderate side effects, mostly pain at the injection site, fatigue and aching muscles and joints for a day or two.
The FDA is expected to an issue an emergency for use authorization for at least one vaccine by year's end, with front-line health care workers first in line to get it. Clinical trial data showing how people of various ages, ethnicities and health statuses responded will determine recommendations on how to prioritize shots. Scientists have predicted vaccines won’t be available to all until next summer or fall.
– Adrianna Rodriguez, Karen Weintraub
COVID-19 testing: Positivity rates and why they are so important COVID-19 widespread testing is crucial to fighting the pandemic, but is there enough testing? The answer is in the positivity rates. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Stanford University is taking issue with comments made by Dr. Scott Atlas, a member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force and a senior fellow at the university, about Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's new COVID restrictions. Atlas called on Michigan residents to "rise up" against Whitmer's order to suspend in-person schooling, halt indoor dining at restaurants and close some businesses. The school said in a statement on Twitter that his views are "inconsistent with the university’s approach" to the pandemic.
"Stanford's position on managing the pandemic in our community is clear," the tweet said. "We support using masks, social distancing, and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing. We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of local and state health authorities."
The evidence increasingly shows young people are not immune to the coronavirus. The number of U.S. infants, children and teens diagnosed with COVID-19 has surpassed 1 million, according to data released Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.
The total hit nearly 1.04 million kids on Nov. 12, including nearly 112,000 new cases last week. That was the highest weekly total of any previous week in the pandemic, the academy said.
AAP President Sally Goza called the data “staggering and tragic.” Children generally are much more likely than adults to have mild cases but hospitalizations and deaths do occur. According to data from state health departments that's missing some states, at least 6,330 pediatric hospitalizations and 133 deaths have been recorded since May.
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
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Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-11-17--Chicago Bears QB Nick Foles carted off field late in loss to Minnesota Vikings

Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles was carted off the field after being thrown to the ground by Minnesota Vikings defensive @ @ @ @ @ the fourth quarter Monday night .
The play happened with under a minute to play @ @ @ @ @ Foles , who tried to throw the ball rather than lose yardage and time on @ @ @ @ @ trailing 19-13 with no timeouts remaining .
Foles appeared to land on his right , @ @ @ @ @ game , Bears coach Matt Nagy said Foles ’ leg and hip were being evaluated @ @ @ @ @ backup Tyler Bray ( Mitchell Trubisky was inactive ) .
Bray 's first pass was @ @ @ @ @ Nall that went for an 18-yard gain .
Bray then had five consecutive incomplete passes @ @ @ @ @ stop the clock — as the Bears lost their fourth consecutive game .
Foles finished @ @ @ @ @ on 26 attempts for 106 yards and an interception .

Chicago Bears QB Nick Foles carted off field late in loss to Minnesota Vikings
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Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles was carted off the field after being thrown to the ground by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo late in the fourth quarter Monday night.
The play happened with under a minute to play as the pocket collapsed around Foles, who tried to throw the ball rather than lose yardage and time on the clock with his team trailing 19-13 with no timeouts remaining. Foles appeared to land on his right, throwing shoulder. After the game, Bears coach Matt Nagy said Foles’ leg and hip were being evaluated.
Foles was replaced by backup Tyler Bray (Mitchell Trubisky was inactive). Bray's first pass was a short throw to Ryan Nall that went for an 18-yard gain. Bray then had five consecutive incomplete passes — including a spike to stop the clock — as the Bears lost their fourth consecutive game.
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Foles finished the game with 15 completions on 26 attempts for 106 yards and an interception.