usatoday--2020-12-03--Former presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush say they'd take COVID vaccine on camera to prove safety

Former presidents Barack Obama , George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have said they are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine to prove that the treatment is safe and effective .
They may even film themselves getting injected .
Explainer : Will there be side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine ?
When can you get it ?
We answer your vaccine questions The announcement comes as large swaths of the American public have expressed concerns about taking a potential coronavirus vaccine , despite early results from several vaccine trials showing them to be highly effective at stopping COVID-19 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been made for people who are less at risk , I will be taking it , '' Obama said on an episode of SiriusXM 's `` The Joe Madison Show '' that airs Thursday .
Some audio of Obama 's comments were released on YouTube Wednesday .
More : Coronavirus is changing everyday life across the US '' I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed , just so that people know that I trust this science , '' Obama continued .
“ What I don ’ t trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Clinton confirmed that the ex-presidents are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine as well in some public manner .
“ President Clinton will definitely take a vaccine as soon as available to him , based on the priorities determined by public health officials .
And he will do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same , '' Angel Ureña , a spokesman for Clinton , told USA TODAY .
A November Gallup poll found 58 % of Americans are willing to receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the year when hesitancy about vaccines was widespread .
More : Barack Obama criticizes progressives over 'defund the police , ' saying slogan can drive away moderates That said , public health experts say at least 60 % -70 % of the population needs to take a vaccine to achieve `` herd immunity , '' a public health term for when a critical mass of the public is inoculated against a given infectious disease .
The resistance against vaccines is especially high among communities of color , with Black Americans expressing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in polls .
“ I understand , historically , everything dating back all the way to the Tuskegee experiments and so forth , why the African American community would have some skepticism , ” Obama said during his SiriusXM interview .
“ But the fact of the matter is , is that vaccines are why we don ’ t have polio anymore .
And they ’ re the reason why we don ’ t have a whole bunch of kids dying from measles and smallpox and diseases that used to decimate entire populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed .
Federal regulators are expected to confirm several of the most promising vaccines in the coming weeks , with states and biopharmaceutical companies already planning on mass distribution of vaccines throughout the country during the early months of next year .

Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush say they'd get a COVID-19 vaccine on camera to prove safety
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 vaccine: Dr. Fauci talks about the timeline for distribution Dr. Anthony Fauci said distribution of vaccines for the coronavirus could begin by December or early January. USA TODAY
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have said they are willing to get a coronavirus vaccine to prove the treatment is safe and effective. They may even film themselves getting injected.
Explainer: Will there be side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine? When can you get it? We answer your vaccine questions
The announcement comes as large swaths of the American public have expressed concerns about taking a potential coronavirus vaccine, despite early results from several vaccine trials showing them to be highly effective at stopping COVID-19.
"I promise you that when it's been made for people who are less at risk, I will be taking it," Obama said on an episode of SiriusXM's "The Joe Madison Show." Some audio of Obama's comments were released on YouTube Wednesday.
More: Coronavirus is changing everyday life across the US
"I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science," Obama said. “What I don’t trust is getting COVID.”
The office of former President George W. Bush confirmed to CNN that he would be willing to get a vaccine to boost public trust as well.
“President Clinton will definitely take a vaccine as soon as available to him, based on the priorities determined by public health officials. And he will do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same," Angel Ureña, a spokesman for Clinton, told USA TODAY.
A November Gallup poll found 58% of Americans are willing to receive a coronavirus vaccine, an increase from early in the year when hesitancy about vaccines was widespread.
Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?
More: Barack Obama criticizes progressives over 'defund the police,' saying slogan can drive away moderates
Public health experts say at least 60% to 70% of the population needs to take a vaccine to achieve "herd immunity," a public health term for when a critical mass of the public is inoculated against a given infectious disease.
The resistance against vaccines is especially high among communities of color, with Black Americans expressing the most doubts about taking a vaccine in polls.
“I understand, historically, everything dating back all the way to the Tuskegee experiments and so forth, why the African American community would have some skepticism,” Obama said in his SiriusXM interview.
Transition: President-elect Joe Biden calls on Congress to approve 'robust' COVID-19 stimulus plan
“But the fact of the matter is, is that vaccines are why we don’t have polio anymore. And they’re the reason why we don’t have a whole bunch of kids dying from measles and smallpox and diseases that used to decimate entire populations and communities," the former president said.
Federal regulators are expected to confirm several of the most promising vaccines in the coming weeks, with states and biopharmaceutical companies already planning on mass distribution of vaccines throughout the country during the early months of next year.


usatoday--2020-12-03--Rev. Raphael Warnock's allies warn of backlash in Georgia Senate runoff race over sermon attacks

If Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock is worried about the deluge of negative ads coming from Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler and her allies , he isn ’ t letting Georgia voters see him sweat .
In a 30-second response , the 51-year-old pastor was shown walking his Beagle down a tree-lined suburban street holding a bag of dog feces while telling supporters he knew the “ smear ads ” were coming .
Loeffler is trying to scare voters , he said , by “ taking things I 've said out of context from over 25 years of being a pastor.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see her ads for what they are , ” Warnock said as he dropped the bag into the trash and looked at the pup to ask : “ Don ’ t you ?
” The viral video has generated 6 million views and is gaining attention in the Loeffler-Warnock race , one of two run-off elections in Georgia on Jan. 5 that will determine which party will control the Senate next year .
If Democrats win both runoffs , President-elect Joe Biden , who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20 , will find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and secure confirmation for his nominees to his Cabinet and the federal bench .
The Senate would be split 50-50 but Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would be able to cast tie-breaking votes .
A Republican victory in one or both races would mean Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , will continue to wield a slim majority that could leave many of Biden 's initiatives dead on arrival .
Warnock told USA TODAY in an email on Tuesday that the campaign is critical for the country , but also that his faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues that came to define the election , including healthcare .
He accused Loeffler of attacking his faith in what he said was a `` classic '' GOP strategy to polarize voters based on fear and bigotry .
`` People who lack vision traffic in division .
They can not lead us so they will seek to divide us , '' Warnock said .
`` And when I speak with Georgians on the campaign trail , they aren ’ t asking about the latest ad , they ’ re worried about their health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and their ability to pay rent and put food on the table . ''
Getting out the vote : With Senate on the line , Georgia activists are sliding into voters ' DMs before election What got us here:2 Georgia runoff elections will determine control of US Senate The Loeffler campaign is undeterred by speculation of a backlash , and indicated that Georgia voters and national observers should expect more ads on comments the senior pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta has made from the pulpit and elsewhere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to highlight Rev .
Warnock 's own words and record , ” Loeffler campaign spokesman Stephen Lawson said .
`` No matter how hard Raphael Warnock or the media try to explain away his own words , Georgians can see and hear for themselves that he is the most radical , anti-police , anti-military , anti-Israel , anti-business candidate anywhere in the country , ” Lawson said .
Loeffler telegraphed early that Warnock ’ s past sermons were going to be a focal point when she called her opponent , “ the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also listed many of the associations featured in GOP attacks ads .
When Vice President Mike Pence recently flew into Cherokee County – an area Trump won by 39 % in November – to stump for Loeffler , he slammed Warnock as a candidate who had “ demeaned ” military service members .
Republicans and Loeffler zeroed in on remarks Warnock made in sermons over his years as a preacher , particularly comments he made from the pulpit in 2011 in which he paraphrased scripture to argue , `` You can not serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments touched on Matthew 6:24 , which says , `` No man can serve two masters : for either he will hate the one , and love the other ; or else he will hold to the one , and despise the other .
Ye can not serve God and mammon . ''
Loeffler demanded Warnock apologize to the military , calling his remarks `` despicable , disgusting , and wrong . ''
Republicans called the remarks radical , anti-military and argued the Bible passage meant men can not serve worldly pursuits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with serving the county or serving in the military .
Warnock , in statements to USA TODAY , defended his view of scripture and accentuated the differing views of white evangelicals and black churchgoers .
`` Through my reading of scripture , I have come to see justice as a central theme of the gospel , '' Warnock said .
`` Because at root is a question about human dignity .
And for me , the acid test of the claims we made on Sunday is what we do for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday through weekend services . ''
He added that his beliefs do n't `` stop at the church door '' and cited his work to follow the path of Martin Luther King Jr. , who led Ebenezer Baptist Church from 1960 until his assassination in 1968 .
What this race means : Georgia flipped blue in the presidential race , but it 's not over : 2 Senate runoffs carry national implications '' People often ask me , 'what is it like to stand in Dr. King ’ s shoes ? '
and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know , because I ’ ve never tried .
We all do better when we say that our job is not to walk in the shoes of those we follow , but to stand on their shoulders , '' Warnock said , noting that King was assassinated while in Memphis for a sanitation worker strike demanding livable wages and safer conditions .
`` We ’ re still fighting for workers and their rights , and I ’ m proud to be part of that tradition . ''
The attacks since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 1995 to a New York City church where he worked as a youth pastor , a claim that fact-checkers have debunked , saying there was no proof Warnock had anything to do with planning the event .
Republicans have also tried to anchor Warnock to the `` Defund the Police '' movement in several ads , though Warnock has voiced opposition to multiple times .
The GOP has also accused him of running over his wife 's foot during an argument , which police found no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation at a church camp , a case that led to charges against Warnock after he asked that teen counselors have lawyers present when police questioned them .
The charges were later dropped .
Warnock has launched his own attacks that have focused on federal investigations targeting Loeffler and other senators over stock sales that took place following a closed-door briefing in January on the coronavirus .
Fact-checkers similarly have thrown cold water on the Warnock campaign 's ads saying there was no proof Loeffler personally sold off her stocks and noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While the heightened focus on Warnock 's faith could ultimately be a factor for voters , analysts said this is a similar playbook that helped Republicans win big on Election Day in congressional races across the country .
`` Republicans came out of the general election attacking Democrats on policing and socialism and a variety of issues and they saw that they were able to draw blood , '' said Kyle Kondik , managing editor of the nonpartisan Sabato 's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toss ups .
`` Given how Republicans made gains in the House and have been able to hold the Senate for now , it makes sense that they would stick to the same playbook . ''
Kondik added that Republicans are campaigning similarly to how they would in any runoff race in a right-of-center state , which Georgia has been historically , though Biden 's presidential win there has left Democrats hopeful of a changing landscape .
`` Georgia might not be a right-of-center state anymore and the electorate that shows up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same electorate where these tactics have worked historically , '' he said .
Senate Republican campaign leaders met with the Loeffler campaign week prior to the Nov. 3 election to prepare for a run-off scenario , according to officials .
Those GOP operatives cited the Warnock 's previous comments as part of the reason they have focused heavily on him over Georgia ’ s other run-off race – featuring GOP incumbent David Perdue against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff .
“ Warnock has been more controversial thus far and if Ossoff wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll have to answer for all his comments too , ” a GOP campaign official , who spoke on the condition of anonymity , told USA Today .
But inevitably in the Deep South such attacks against a Black candidate running statewide are being viewed through not just a prism of race but the lens of faith .
The GOP is hoping to undercut Warnock with Georgia voters by playing up his past sermons and his support from Rev .
Jeremiah Wright , a Black minister who was a lightning rod of controversy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-candidate Barack Obama .
But left-leaning organizers who are backing Warnock predicted the attacks will backfire .
Faith is central to race : Perdue vs. Ossoff , Loeffler vs. Warnock : Faith takes the forefront as Georgia Senate runoffs heat up Rev .
Chester Ellis , pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Savannah , said the attacks will awaken a number of Black voters who might otherwise have ignored the run-off .
“ Rev .
Warnock is a son of Savannah , ” he said .
“ He grew up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of faith .
So , therefore , an attack on him is an attack on all of our faith.
” Located along the Atlantic coast , Savannah favored Biden by about 19 % in the election – five points higher than Democrat Hillary Clinton 's margin in 2016 .
Along with metro Atlanta , which also went heavily for Biden , it is credited with helping turn the Peach State blue and will have to have heavy margins for Democrats to have a chance in the run-off races .
Ellis said his church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full context of Warnock ’ s previous sermons .
He predicted the attack ads will backfire on Republicans more than energize their base .
“ It ’ s going to have a great backlash upon ( Loeffler ) , ” he said .
Ebenezer Baptist Church , where Warnock is a pastor , is historic not just as the spiritual home of Dr. King , but also as a transformational part of the slain civil rights leader 's biography during which he shifted to a more radical and international worldview .
More : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , flipping it for Democrats In January 1966 , King first voiced opposition to the Vietnam War from the Ebenezer pulpit by casting U.S. military escalation in the region as a violation of the 1954 Geneva Accords that promised self-determination .
“ Anytime one of the core pillars of Black struggle in this country comes under attack , it is felt as a real threat by Black people , ” said Al Herring , executive director of Faith in Action , a national network of progressive-minded clergy .
Herring said while Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditions , the Christian church has typically been viewed as an important institution beyond as just a house of worship .
He said African American pastors have for decades espoused a more radical political position from their pulpits when compared to white evangelicals , who he said often try to speak singularly for American faith leaders .
“ There is a long tradition in Black Christian theology to position the church as an advocate for Black liberation and ultimately a better country , ” Herring said .
Faith in Action is among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the run-off that include working with Georgia clergy to record videos ; organizing 50 poll chaplains ; and getting 200 people a night for phone banking through the first two weeks of December .
Herring said there are concerns among Black voters that there is a misunderstanding and lack of respect for how faith traditions differ in African American communities .
He noted that King was scorned by the political mainstream at the time for speaking out against the Vietnam War and poverty as legal racial segregation began to dissipate , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country in a different direction than white evangelicals have .
GOP 's issue in GA runoffs : 'They have not earned your vote ' : Trump allies urge Georgia Republicans to sit out Senate runoffs Opinion : Why faith voters should stick with Trump : Christian leaders of character surround him “ The Black church believes that it has to continually involve itself with the Black liberation struggle , that it can ’ t serve Black people without having that commitment at the center , ” Herring said .
“ Now that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christianity and it ’ s certainly very different than what we ’ re told to believe is the mainstream of religious thought in this country.
” Democratic campaign officials have not leaped directly into the religious overtones of the contest as much as others , but they are helping to counter the GOP narrative by highlighting Warnock ’ s upbringing as a Savannah native who grew up in the Kayton Homes projects .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced it plans to launch a multi-million dollar field effort in Georgia , including on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital mobilization .
The group is also making a $ 6 million reservation for TV spots for both run-off elections to be split between Warnock and Ossoff .
Warnock said he wants to lean into the debate about the country needing a `` shared belief in the dignity of all people '' that must be at the center of spiritual and secular service .
`` Through my reading of scripture I have come to see justice as a central theme of the gospel , '' Warnock told USA Today .
`` Because at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And for me , the acid test of the claims we made on Sunday is what we do for the most marginalized members of the human family Monday through weekend services .
And I 'm ready to have that conversation with other people of faith and those who claim no faith at all . ''

Phillip M. Bailey and Christal Hayes, USA TODAY

Rev. Raphael Warnock's allies warn of backlash in Georgia Senate runoff race over sermon attacks
Show Caption Hide Caption Runoffs: History, how they work, and their roots in racism As Georgia heads towards a highly anticipated runoff election, it begs the question: Why do some states have runoffs? And what's the purpose of them? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
If Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock is worried about the deluge of negative ads coming from Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler and her allies, he isn’t letting Georgia voters see him sweat.
In a 30-second video posted last month, the 51-year-old pastor was shown walking his Beagle down a tree-lined suburban street holding a bag of dog feces while telling supporters he knew the “smear ads” were coming.
Loeffler is trying to scare voters, he said, by “taking things I've said out of context from over 25 years of being a pastor.”
“But I think Georgians will see her ads for what they are,” Warnock said as he dropped the bag into the trash and looked at the pup to ask: “Don’t you?”
The viral video has generated 6 million views and is gaining attention in the Loeffler-Warnock race, one of two run-off elections in Georgia on Jan. 5 that will determine which party will control the Senate next year.
If Democrats win both runoffs, President-elect Joe Biden, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, will find it much easier to enact his agenda and secure confirmation for his nominees to his Cabinet and the federal bench. The Senate would be split 50-50 but Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would be able to cast tie-breaking votes.
A Republican victory in one or both races would mean Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will continue to wield a slim majority that could leave many of Biden's initiatives dead on arrival.
Warnock told USA TODAY in an email on Tuesday that the campaign is critical for the country, but also that his faith is central to many of the core issues that came to define the election, including health care. He accused Loeffler of attacking his faith in what he said was a "classic" GOP strategy to polarize voters based on fear and bigotry.
"People who lack vision traffic in division. They cannot lead us so they will seek to divide us," Warnock said. "And when I speak with Georgians on the campaign trail, they aren’t asking about the latest ad, they’re worried about their health care, the well-being of their family, and their ability to pay rent and put food on the table."
I told you the smear ads were coming, but Georgians will see Sen. @Kloeffler’s ads for what they are. pic.twitter.com/0sgU8ndC63 — Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) November 24, 2020
Getting out the vote: With Senate on the line, Georgia activists are sliding into voters' DMs before election
What got us here: 2 Georgia runoff elections will determine control of US Senate
The Loeffler campaign is undeterred by speculation of a backlash, and indicated that Georgia voters and national observers should expect more ads on comments the senior pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta has made from the pulpit and elsewhere.
“We don't find it troubling to highlight Rev. Warnock's own words and record,” Loeffler campaign spokesman Stephen Lawson said.
"No matter how hard Raphael Warnock or the media try to explain away his own words, Georgians can see and hear for themselves that he is the most radical, anti-police, anti-military, anti-Israel, anti-business candidate anywhere in the country,” Lawson said.
Warnock's statements explained
Loeffler telegraphed early that Warnock’s past sermons were going to be a focal point when she called her opponent, “the most radical Democrat on the ballot.” She also listed many of the associations featured in GOP attacks ads.
When Vice President Mike Pence recently flew into Cherokee County – an area Trump won by 39% in November – to stump for Loeffler, he slammed Warnock as a candidate who had “demeaned” military service members.
Republicans and Loeffler zeroed in on remarks Warnock made in sermons over his years as a preacher, particularly comments he made from the pulpit in 2011 in which he paraphrased scripture to argue, "You cannot serve God and the military."
The comments touched on Matthew 6:24, which says, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
.@ReverendWarnock said, “You can’t serve God & the military.”
He called police officers “gangsters” & “thugs.”
And he said we should “open up the jails.”
He’s the radicals’ radical. #gapol #gasen pic.twitter.com/FoI4prxqL6 — Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) November 21, 2020
Loeffler demanded Warnock apologize to the military, calling his remarks "despicable, disgusting, and wrong." Republicans called the remarks radical, anti-military and argued the Bible passage meant men cannot serve worldly pursuits and wealth while serving God and had nothing to do with serving the county or serving in the military.
Warnock, in statement to USA TODAY, defended his view of scripture and accentuated the differing views of white evangelicals and black churchgoers.
"Through my reading of scripture, I have come to see justice as a central theme of the gospel," Warnock said. "Because at root is a question about human dignity. And for me, the acid test of the claims we made on Sunday is what we do for the most marginalized members of the human family Monday through weekend services."
He added that his beliefs don't "stop at the church door" and cited his work to follow the path of Martin Luther King Jr., who led Ebenezer Baptist Church from 1960 until his assassination in 1968.
What this race means: Georgia flipped blue in the presidential race, but it's not over: 2 Senate runoffs carry national implications
"People often ask me, 'what is it like to stand in Dr. King’s shoes?' and I say all the time that I don’t know, because I’ve never tried. We all do better when we say that our job is not to walk in the shoes of those we follow, but to stand on their shoulders," Warnock said, noting that King was assassinated while in Memphis for a sanitation worker strike demanding livable wages and safer conditions. "We’re still fighting for workers and their rights, and I’m proud to be part of that tradition."
The attacks since Election Day have accused Warnock of welcoming the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 1995 to a New York City church where he worked as a youth pastor, a claim that fact-checkers have debunked, saying there was no proof Warnock had anything to do with planning the event.
'Fantastic claims, half-truths, misinformation':Georgia official says Trump supporters misled
Republicans have also tried to anchor Warnock to the "Defund the Police" movement in several ads, though Warnock has voiced his opposition multiple times. The GOP has also accused him of running over his wife's foot during an argument, which police found no evidence of, and hindering a child-abuse investigation at a church camp, a case that led to charges against Warnock after he asked that teen counselors have lawyers present when police questioned them. The charges were later dropped.
Warnock has launched his own attacks that have focused on federal investigations targeting Loeffler and other senators over stock sales that took place following a closed-door briefing in January on the coronavirus. Fact-checkers similarly have thrown cold water on the Warnock campaign's ads saying there was no proof Loeffler personally sold off her stocks and noting that the federal probe ended without any charges.
While the heightened focus on Warnock's faith could ultimately be a factor for voters, analysts said this is a similar playbook that helped Republicans win big on Election Day in congressional races across the country.
"Republicans came out of the general election attacking Democrats on policing and socialism and a variety of issues and they saw that they were able to draw blood," said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of the nonpartisan Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, which has rated both Georgia Senate races as toss ups. "Given how Republicans made gains in the House and have been able to hold the Senate for now, it makes sense that they would stick to the same playbook."
Voters look to Georgia to decide if GOP or Democrats will run Senate Phillip M Bailey and Rana Cash discuss Georgia's effect on control of the Senate, its journey to becoming a purple state and Stacey Abrams' impact. States of America, USA TODAY
Kondik added that Republicans are campaigning similarly to how they would in any runoff race in a right-of-center state, which Georgia has been historically, though Biden's presidential win there has left Democrats hopeful of a changing landscape.
"Georgia might not be a right-of-center state anymore and the electorate that shows up to vote on Jan. 5 might not be the same electorate where these tactics have worked historically," he said.
Senate Republican campaign leaders met with the Loeffler campaign prior to the Nov. 3 election to prepare for a run-off scenario, according to officials.
Those GOP operatives cited Warnock's previous comments as part of the reason they have focused heavily on him over Georgia’s other run-off race – featuring GOP incumbent David Perdue against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff.
“Warnock has been more controversial thus far and if Ossoff wants to run closely with him then he’ll have to answer for all his comments too,” a GOP campaign official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told USA TODAY.
But inevitably in the Deep South such attacks against a Black candidate running statewide are being viewed through not just through a prism of race but the lens of faith.
An attack on Black faith?
The GOP is hoping to undercut Warnock with Georgia voters by playing up his past sermons and his support from Rev. Jeremiah Wright, a Black minister who was a lightning rod of controversy in 2008 as the former pastor of then-candidate Barack Obama.
But left-leaning organizers who are backing Warnock predicted the attacks will backfire.
Faith is central to race: Perdue vs. Ossoff, Loeffler vs. Warnock: Faith takes the forefront as Georgia Senate runoffs heat up
Rev. Chester Ellis, pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Savannah, said the attacks will awaken a number of Black voters who might otherwise have ignored the run-off.
“Rev. Warnock is a son of Savannah,” he said. “He grew up in Savannah and grew up in a house of faith. So, therefore, an attack on him is an attack on all of our faith.”
Located along the Atlantic coast, Savannah favored Biden by about 19% in the election – five points higher than Democrat Hillary Clinton's margin in 2016.
Along with metro Atlanta, which also went heavily for Biden, it is credited with helping turn the Peach State blue and will have to have heavy margins for Democrats to have a chance in the run-off races.
Stacey Abrams says investments pay off in Georgia The voting rights advocate says she's been dedicating her life to fighting for equal access to the ballot, especially for Black voters. (Nov. 6) AP
Ellis said his church is working to educate voters about the full context of Warnock’s previous sermons. He predicted the attack ads will backfire on Republicans more than energize their base.
“It’s going to have a great backlash upon (Loeffler),” he said.
Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Warnock is a pastor, is historic not just as the spiritual home of Dr. King, but also as a transformational part of the slain civil rights leader's biography during which he shifted to a more radical and international worldview.
More: Georgia recount results confirm Biden won the state, flipping it for Democrats
In January 1966, King first voiced opposition to the Vietnam War from the Ebenezer pulpit by casting U.S. military escalation in the region as a violation of the 1954 Geneva Accords that promised self-determination.
“Anytime one of the core pillars of Black struggle in this country comes under attack, it is felt as a real threat by Black people,” said Al Herring, executive director of Faith in Action, a national network of progressive-minded clergy.
Herring said while Black voters have a wide variety of religious traditions, the Christian church has typically been viewed as an important institution beyond just a house of worship. He said African American pastors have for decades espoused a more radical political position from their pulpits when compared to white evangelicals, who he said often try to speak singularly for American faith leaders.
“There is a long tradition in Black Christian theology to position the church as an advocate for Black liberation and ultimately a better country,” Herring said.
Faith in Action is among the group pitching in with grassroots resources toward the run-off that include working with Georgia clergy to record videos; organizing 50 poll chaplains; and getting 200 people a night for phone banking through the first two weeks of December.
Herring said there are concerns among Black voters that there is a misunderstanding and lack of respect for how faith traditions differ in African American communities. He noted that King was scorned by the political mainstream at the time for speaking out against the Vietnam War and poverty as legal racial segregation began to dissipate, and that the Black church has always pushed the country in a different direction than white evangelicals have.
GOP's issue in GA runoffs: 'They have not earned your vote': Trump allies urge Georgia Republicans to sit out Senate runoffs
Opinion: Why faith voters should stick with Trump: Christian leaders of character surround him
“The Black church believes that it has to continually involve itself with the Black liberation struggle, that it can’t serve Black people without having that commitment at the center,” Herring said. “Now that’s a very different way of understanding Christianity and it’s certainly very different than what we’re told to believe is the mainstream of religious thought in this country.”
Democratic campaign officials have not leaped directly into the religious overtones of the contest as much as others, but they are helping to counter the GOP narrative by highlighting Warnock’s upbringing as a Savannah native who grew up in the Kayton Homes projects.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced it plans to launch a multi-million dollar field effort in Georgia, including on the ground organizers, direct mail and digital mobilization. The group is also making a $6 million reservation for TV spots for both run-off elections to be split between Warnock and Ossoff.
Warnock said he wants to lean into the debate about the country needing a "shared belief in the dignity of all people" that must be at the center of spiritual and secular service.


usatoday--2020-12-03--'People can shop at Target' but grandchildren can't attend a funeral?: Rhode Island woman battles CO

PROVIDENCE , R.I. – Holly Susi has engaged in what seems like a never-ending battle with COVID-19 .
First , her mother , who was 86 , contracted the disease.Then her father .
And then she got it – followed by her husband , her brother and his wife .
When her mother , Janet Gingras , died Sunday , all Susi wanted was to gather her family for a proper send-off .
She was stunned when she read that only five people could attend an outdoor burial , so she penned a letter to Rhode Island Gov .
Gina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People can shop at Target , get their hair cut at a salon , eat indoors at restaurants but we can not have a socially distanced burial outdoors for my mother ?
Her seven grandchildren can not attend ?
Her older great-grandchildren can not say goodbye ?
How can this be ?
” she wrote .
“ It is not just not fair .
It disrespects my mother who has already suffered so much and inflicts yet another pain on her family.
“ COVID-19 has inflicted one blow after another on Susi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her mother had a pulmonary embolism in late October .
After she was released from the hospital , she came down with a cold , then chills .
Soon , her father , Richard , who is 89 , began feeling achy and feverish .
By week ’ s end , Susi knew they both had COVID-19 .
A few days later , on Nov. 4 , Susi called 911 , and her parents were hospitalized .
Both developed pneumonia .
Susi 's mom originally improved – and she went to a rehabilitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t accepting COVID-19 patients – but then her condition worsened , and she was rushed to a hospital once again , Susi said .
“ My mom was really , really ill , ” Susi said .
“ We had to decide to give her comfort measures and it was a heartbreaking decision.
” Both parents had been very clear : no ventilators , no extraordinary measures .
“ She hadn ’ t been talking , ” Susi said .
“ One day , she opened her eyes and said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my prayers . '
'' Gingras had prayed to see her family one more time .
A week later , Janet was moved to Hope Hospice in Providence , where Susi spent every day by her side .
She died Sunday .
Susi 's father beat COVID-19 .
But he was sent to a rehab center in Massachusetts , where he was placed on a locked dementia ward .
There , isolated and without human contact , he began to languish .
“ Now he has hospital delirium , ” Susi said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my worst enemy .
I haven ’ t seen him since October .
He doesn ’ t understand why he is there .
I don ’ t know if he will ever come back.
” Susi said she has now lost both parents in different ways .
Opinion : Isolation kills , especially seniors .
Community spaces can be a vaccine for COVID loneliness .
More : Michigan couple who did 'almost everything together ' dies of COVID-19 at the same time Meanwhile , the virus touched more family members : Susi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother ’ s son and daughter and their two children .
“ I am a rule follower , ” Susi said .
“ I have kept a contact tracing notebook from mid-March .
I have kept my bubble very small .
This was the first Thanksgiving that it was just my husband and me .
We have done everything that ’ s been asked . ''
“ We know what COVID can do , ” she continued .
“ So I said , ‘ let ’ s do her burial outside.
’ '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 family members .
Everyone would wear masks and stand apart .
But she was told no .
Susi lives near a local restaurant in Providence , and says there are easily more than 18 people working there at any one time .
“ I can have 150 people at ... a big church and that ’ s 25 % of capacity , ” she said .
“ My family has been burdened on so many levels by COVID .
To add to our grief , we can ’ t even do what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our family . ''
The Rhode Island Department of Health said that churches , unlike outdoor burials , are structured : they are allowed to have 25 % of capacity , with parishioners sitting six feet apart .
The challenge with outdoor services is that this same structure is often not in place , said DOH spokesman Joseph Wendelken .
“ Ensuring mask-wearing and social distancing is much more challenging , and not having a common entryway makes it more challenging to screen people for symptoms , ” he wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we are seeing such high rates of transmission , tighter restrictions have been put in place for graveside funerals and other gatherings.
” “ This isn ’ t how we should be treating grieving families .
The funeral and wake are for the living .
We ’ re robbing people of the opportunity to celebrate a life , the opportunity to comfort one another . ''
Susi said Gingras was a spitfire .
That ’ s what has propelled her to go public about this situation .
“ She would be proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
People desire the opportunity to lay their loved ones to rest surrounded by their family .
”

'People can shop at Target' but grandchildren can't attend a funeral?: Rhode Island woman battles COVID-19 restrictions
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Holly Susi has engaged in what seems like a never-ending battle with COVID-19.
First, her mother, who was 86, contracted the disease.Then her father. And then she got it – followed by her husband, her brother and his wife.
When her mother, Janet Gingras, died Sunday, all Susi wanted was to gather her family for a proper send-off. She was stunned when she read that only five people could attend an outdoor burial, so she penned a letter to Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to express her dismay.
“People can shop at Target, get their hair cut at a salon, eat indoors at restaurants but we cannot have a socially distanced burial outdoors for my mother? Her seven grandchildren cannot attend? Her older great-grandchildren cannot say goodbye? How can this be?” she wrote. “It is not just not fair. It disrespects my mother who has already suffered so much and inflicts yet another pain on her family.“
COVID-19 has inflicted one blow after another on Susi and her family these past two months.
Her mother had a pulmonary embolism in late October. After she was released from the hospital, she came down with a cold, then chills. Soon, her father, Richard, who is 89, began feeling achy and feverish.
By week’s end, Susi knew they both had COVID-19.
A few days later, on Nov. 4, Susi called 911, and her parents were hospitalized.
Both developed pneumonia. Susi's mom originally improved – and she went to a rehabilitation center in Massachusetts because Rhode Island centers weren’t accepting COVID-19 patients – but then her condition worsened, and she was rushed to a hospital once again, Susi said.
“My mom was really, really ill,” Susi said. “We had to decide to give her comfort measures and it was a heartbreaking decision.”
Both parents had been very clear: no ventilators, no extraordinary measures.
“She hadn’t been talking,” Susi said. “One day, she opened her eyes and said, 'Thank you, God, for answering my prayers.'"
Gingras had prayed to see her family one more time.
A week later, Janet was moved to Hope Hospice in Providence, where Susi spent every day by her side. She died Sunday.
Susi's father beat COVID-19. But he was sent to a rehab center in Massachusetts, where he was placed on a locked dementia ward. There, isolated and without human contact, he began to languish.
“Now he has hospital delirium,” Susi said. “I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I haven’t seen him since October. He doesn’t understand why he is there. I don’t know if he will ever come back.”
Susi said she has now lost both parents in different ways.
Opinion: Isolation kills, especially seniors. Community spaces can be a vaccine for COVID loneliness.
More: Michigan couple who did 'almost everything together' dies of COVID-19 at the same time
Meanwhile, the virus touched more family members: Susi’s husband, her nephew, her brother’s son and daughter and their two children.
“I am a rule follower,” Susi said. “I have kept a contact tracing notebook from mid-March. I have kept my bubble very small. This was the first Thanksgiving that it was just my husband and me. We have done everything that’s been asked."
“We know what COVID can do,” she continued. “So I said, ‘let’s do her burial outside.’"
Susi wanted to invite between 16 and 18 family members. Everyone would wear masks and stand apart. But she was told no.
Susi lives near a local restaurant in Providence, and says there are easily more than 18 people working there at any one time.
“I can have 150 people at...a big church and that’s 25% of capacity,” she said. “My family has been burdened on so many levels by COVID. To add to our grief, we can’t even do what we thought would be absolutely the best for our family."
The Rhode Island Department of Health said that churches, unlike outdoor burials, are structured: they are allowed to have 25% of capacity, with parishioners sitting six feet apart. The challenge with outdoor services is that this same structure is often not in place, said DOH spokesman Joseph Wendelken.
“Ensuring mask-wearing and social distancing is much more challenging, and not having a common entryway makes it more challenging to screen people for symptoms,” he wrote. “For this reason, during this period when we are seeing such high rates of transmission, tighter restrictions have been put in place for graveside funerals and other gatherings.”
Susi doesn’t buy it:
“This isn’t how we should be treating grieving families. The funeral and wake are for the living. We’re robbing people of the opportunity to celebrate a life, the opportunity to comfort one another."
Susi said Gingras was a spitfire. That’s what has propelled her to go public about this situation.
“She would be proud. She would have wanted to fight this. People desire the opportunity to lay their loved ones to rest surrounded by their family.”


usatoday--2020-12-03--Michigan AD blasts ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit for suggesting Wolverines might try and avoid Ohio State

Warde Manuel saw what Kirk Herbstreit said about Michigan football on Tuesday night .
And Michigan 's athletic director was not pleased .
“ I think it ’ s ridiculous , '' Manuel said Wednesday of Herbstreit 's comments .
During ESPN 's College Football Playoff rankings show , Herbstreit — the renowned analyst and a former Ohio State quarterback — implied that the Wolverines , who are 2-4 , would not want to play the fourth-ranked Buckeyes and could cite coronavirus concerns in canceling the Dec. 12 matchup in Columbus , which would prevent Ohio State from reaching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still think Michigan waves the white flag ( and ) potentially avoids playing Ohio State next week , '' Herbstreit said on the show .
`` Is that fair ?
... Michigan could opt out , basically , and keep Ohio State out of ( playing ) six games to qualify for the Big Ten championship .
That does n't make sense to me . ''
The Wolverines paused all in-person activities Monday due to an increased number of COVID-19 cases before announcing Wednesday afternoon that Saturday 's game against Maryland would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice is Dec. 7 .
Herbstreit apologized for his comments Tuesday night , releasing a video on Twitter in which he said , `` I had no business at all saying that .
I have no evidence of that .
It was completely unfair to the University of Michigan , to Jim Harbaugh , to his players and his coaches . ''
The apology did little to appease Manuel .
`` I have to pause because my words , the anger , I was infuriated by the insinuation that Michigan would do anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Manuel said .
`` We ’ ve been playing this game since 1879 .
We ’ re the winningest program for a reason , because we play whoever ’ s in front of us .
The only way we want to keep anybody from moving on is to beat them on the field as a player .
`` To insinuate that , to say something other than that , is a statement by a fool .
It is something — I can ’ t tell you how embarrassed I am for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their representatives , who played this game , to say that about any team in this conference .
And to say it about college football and the student-athletes around this country who are trying to play games , during a pandemic , it is ridiculous and sad.
” More from Michigan AD : Jim Harbaugh 'disappointed ' but 'understands ' and 'supports ' decision to cancel game vs. Maryland College Football Playoff : Winners and losers from second rankings During Tuesday night 's show , Herbstreit was asked by Rece Davis to clarify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he `` does n't know all the ( COVID ) numbers , '' he seemed to double down on his earlier assertion that the Wolverines would duck Ohio State .
“ We live in a strange world , and I ’ ve talked to a lot of coaches around the country that have said that they really feel teams are opting out to avoid playing games , ” Herbstreit said .
“ Because they don ’ t want to get humiliated .
They don ’ t want to lose with the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no idea what Michigan ’ s situation is , but I ’ m saying they have the power to potentially say , ‘ Hey , we can ’ t play next week.
’ And there ’ s nothing Ohio State can do about it.
” The Big Ten requires six games played to qualify for the Big Ten championship game ; Ohio State is 4-0 and had a game earlier this season against Maryland canceled due to the Terrapins ' COVID-19 outbreak , then had to cancel last weekend 's game against Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program that saw coach Ryan Day test positive .
Ohio State would need to play both Saturday 's game against Michigan State and next weekend 's game against Michigan to qualify for the conference title game .
Failure to do so could hurt the Buckeyes ' CFP chances .
Manuel was n't the only member of Michigan 's athletic department seemingly frustrated by Herbstreit 's comments .
“ The important thing to remember here is that this is medical information , as a healthcare professional , I ’ m bound by my state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior associate athletic director and Michigan 's chief health and welfare officer , in a video provided to reporters by the football program .
Conway is a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Michigan .
`` If I were to lie or if I were to be non-transparent and not tell the truth to what has been asked of me every single day , then I can lose my license , and I ’ m not going to lose my license over a football game or over gamesmanship over another school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true all throughout the conference , is that every single person who is doing this reporting is a healthcare professional that is licensed and can lose their license if they are not truthful .
”

Michigan AD blasts ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit for suggesting Wolverines might try and avoid Ohio State
Show Caption Hide Caption Michigan AD infuriated by notion football team is ducking anyone Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel answered questions from a U-M media reporter about the football team's pause on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Michigan athletics
Warde Manuel saw what Kirk Herbstreit said about Michigan football on Tuesday night.
And Michigan's athletic director was not pleased.
“I think it’s ridiculous," Manuel said Wednesday of Herbstreit's comments.
During ESPN's College Football Playoff rankings show, Herbstreit — the renowned analyst and a former Ohio State quarterback — implied that the Wolverines, who are 2-4, would not want to play the fourth-ranked Buckeyes and could cite coronavirus concerns in canceling the Dec. 12 matchup in Columbus, which would prevent Ohio State from reaching the Big Ten championship game.
"I still think Michigan waves the white flag (and) potentially avoids playing Ohio State next week," Herbstreit said on the show. "Is that fair? ... Michigan could opt out, basically, and keep Ohio State out of (playing) six games to qualify for the Big Ten championship. That doesn't make sense to me."
The Wolverines paused all in-person activities Monday due to an increased number of COVID-19 cases before announcing Wednesday afternoon that Saturday's game against Maryland would be canceled. The earliest Michigan can resume practice is Dec. 7.
Herbstreit apologized for his comments Tuesday night, releasing a video on Twitter in which he said, "I had no business at all saying that. I have no evidence of that. It was completely unfair to the University of Michigan, to Jim Harbaugh, to his players and his coaches."
The apology did little to appease Manuel.
"I have to pause because my words, the anger, I was infuriated by the insinuation that Michigan would do anything other than play a football game," Manuel said. "We’ve been playing this game since 1879. We’re the winningest program for a reason, because we play whoever’s in front of us. The only way we want to keep anybody from moving on is to beat them on the field as a player.
"To insinuate that, to say something other than that, is a statement by a fool. It is something — I can’t tell you how embarrassed I am for the Big Ten conference to have one of their representatives, who played this game, to say that about any team in this conference. And to say it about college football and the student-athletes around this country who are trying to play games, during a pandemic, it is ridiculous and sad.”
More from Michigan AD: Jim Harbaugh 'disappointed' but 'understands' and 'supports' decision to cancel game vs. Maryland
College Football Playoff: Winners and losers from second rankings
Coaching Carousel: 5 burning questions as college football coaching carousel speeds up
During Tuesday night's show, Herbstreit was asked by Rece Davis to clarify his initial comments, and while Herbstreit said he "doesn't know all the (COVID) numbers," he seemed to double down on his earlier assertion that the Wolverines would duck Ohio State.
“We live in a strange world, and I’ve talked to a lot of coaches around the country that have said that they really feel teams are opting out to avoid playing games,” Herbstreit said. “Because they don’t want to get humiliated. They don’t want to lose with the team that they have.
“I have no idea what Michigan’s situation is, but I’m saying they have the power to potentially say, ‘Hey, we can’t play next week.’ And there’s nothing Ohio State can do about it.”
The Big Ten requires six games played to qualify for the Big Ten championship game; Ohio State is 4-0 and had a game earlier this season against Maryland canceled due to the Terrapins' COVID-19 outbreak, then had to cancel last weekend's game against Illinois due to a COVID outbreak within the program that saw coach Ryan Day test positive.
Ohio State would need to play both Saturday's game against Michigan State and next weekend's game against Michigan to qualify for the conference title game. Failure to do so could hurt the Buckeyes' CFP chances.
Manuel wasn't the only member of Michigan's athletic department seemingly frustrated by Herbstreit's comments.
“The important thing to remember here is that this is medical information, as a healthcare professional, I’m bound by my state license," said Darryl Conway, a senior associate athletic director and Michigan's chief health and welfare officer, in a video provided to reporters by the football program. Conway is a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Michigan.
"If I were to lie or if I were to be non-transparent and not tell the truth to what has been asked of me every single day, then I can lose my license, and I’m not going to lose my license over a football game or over gamesmanship over another school, and I think that’s true all throughout the conference, is that every single person who is doing this reporting is a healthcare professional that is licensed and can lose their license if they are not truthful.”


usatoday--2020-12-03--Please don't cave to COVID-19 fatigue. Cases are exploding and we need your help. Again.

After a tiring hospital shift in which I had treated an elderly man whose grandson had given him COVID-19 , I heard my colleague talking on the phone with a friend about a recent trip she took to a major city .
My colleague asked whether she had worn a mask , given the recent surge of coronavirus cases .
Definitely , the friend replied , except for when she went clubbing , but nobody was wearing a mask in there .
We were flabbergasted by her blasé attitude .
But it ’ s not just this wayward woman ignoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am constantly peppered with questions from friends , many of whom are college-educated and scientifically savvy , whether it is “ OK ” to go to indoor parties or host large dinner gatherings .
People are getting tired of restrictions .
But with cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise nationally and hospitals becoming increasingly full , it is time to battle through this pandemic fatigue and bring back the # flattenthecurve mentality .
Remember those days when we all tried to flatten the curve ?
It seems so long ago , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems were being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and we feared that we 'd run out of intensive care unit beds and ventilators .
At that time , there were widespread public campaigns to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and masking precautions .
This was to avoid large spikes in infections stressing , and possibly breaking , the health care system .
Unfortunately , the number of hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases has surged again , surpassing even those records in April .
There are now nearly 100,000 people hospitalized due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60,000 hospitalized at the peak of spring .
But nine months and over a quarter million deaths later , we are getting pandemic fatigue .
Rather than socially isolating and wearing masks , many people are gathering for holiday meals and ignoring state-mandated restrictions .
COVID surging again : As COVID-19 surge chases America indoors for the winter , pass another relief package The strain on the health care system is real .
Personal protective equipment ( PPE ) , including N95 masks , face shields and isolation gowns designed to protect hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the country .
Some nurses have to reuse their N95 masks ( designed to be disposed after use ) for days on end until they are practically falling apart .
We risk our lives to save the dying Nurses , doctors , respiratory therapists and custodians are literally putting their lives at risk to care for COVID-19 patients .
Over 1,000 health care workers have lost their lives after exposure to the virus , and this is likely an underestimate .
It is frustrating that we put our lives at risk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in denial that the coronavirus is lethal or that public health measures are necessary .
As cases explode , it ’ s not just PPE that grows short , but also the number of bodies working .
Staffing has been so strained , North Dakota even adopted a policy to let infected nurses bypass isolating and continue working .
Researchers : America 's health depends on how fast and well we distribute the COVID vaccine So many people are dying that “ mobile morgues ” now exist .
It is a disgrace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , we have to store dead bodies in refrigerated trailers because the normal morgues are overflowing .
The situation really is dire .
If we do not do our part to limit transmission , hospitals will exceed capacity .
We will run out of ventilators and PPE and even more people will die .
There is good news on the horizon with promising data on vaccines , but realistically they will not be widely distributed for several months .
In the meantime , we are facing a volume of COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers are only increasing .
Although there is a light at the end of the tunnel , we are at our darkest time .
Please fight through the pandemic fatigue .
We need to toughen up , socially distance and mask up .
Let ’ s # flattenthecurve again .
Dr. Thomas K. Lew is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine and an attending physician of Hospital Medicine at Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare .
All expressed opinions are his own .
Follow him on @ @ @

Please don't cave to COVID-19 fatigue. Cases are exploding and we need your help. Again. Rather than isolating and wearing masks, many are gathering for holiday meals and ignoring state restrictions. The strain on the health system is real.
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Enough is enough' with political divisiveness, false COVID claims: Fauci Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, talks COVID-19 frustrations, vaccine and building public trust. USA TODAY
After a tiring hospital shift in which I had treated an elderly man whose grandson had given him COVID-19, I heard my colleague talking on the phone with a friend about a recent trip she took to a major city. My colleague asked whether she had worn a mask, given the recent surge of coronavirus cases. Definitely, the friend replied, except for when she went clubbing, but nobody was wearing a mask in there.
We were flabbergasted by her blasé attitude. But it’s not just this wayward woman ignoring recommendations from public health officials.
I am constantly peppered with questions from friends, many of whom are college-educated and scientifically savvy, whether it is “OK” to go to indoor parties or host large dinner gatherings. People are getting tired of restrictions. But with cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise nationally and hospitals becoming increasingly full, it is time to battle through this pandemic fatigue and bring back the #flattenthecurve mentality.
Hospitals could be overwhelmed
Remember those days when we all tried to flatten the curve? It seems so long ago, but it has been only nine months since hospital systems were being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and we feared that we'd run out of intensive care unit beds and ventilators. At that time, there were widespread public campaigns to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and masking precautions. This was to avoid large spikes in infections stressing, and possibly breaking, the health care system.
Unfortunately, the number of hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases has surged again, surpassing even those records in April. There are now nearly 100,000 people hospitalized due to the coronavirus, far surpassing the 60,000 hospitalized at the peak of spring. But nine months and over a quarter million deaths later, we are getting pandemic fatigue. Rather than socially isolating and wearing masks, many people are gathering for holiday meals and ignoring state-mandated restrictions.
COVID surging again: As COVID-19 surge chases America indoors for the winter, pass another relief package
The strain on the health care system is real. Personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, face shields and isolation gowns designed to protect hospital staff, are running short in hospitals around the country. Some nurses have to reuse their N95 masks (designed to be disposed after use) for days on end until they are practically falling apart.
We risk our lives to save the dying
Nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists and custodians are literally putting their lives at risk to care for COVID-19 patients. Over 1,000 health care workers have lost their lives after exposure to the virus, and this is likely an underestimate. It is frustrating that we put our lives at risk to save the dying, but many are still in denial that the coronavirus is lethal or that public health measures are necessary.
As cases explode, it’s not just PPE that grows short, but also the number of bodies working. Staffing has been so strained, North Dakota even adopted a policy to let infected nurses bypass isolating and continue working.
Researchers: America's health depends on how fast and well we distribute the COVID vaccine
Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
So many people are dying that “mobile morgues” now exist. It is a disgrace that in the most resource-rich country in the world, we have to store dead bodies in refrigerated trailers because the normal morgues are overflowing.
The situation really is dire. If we do not do our part to limit transmission, hospitals will exceed capacity. We will run out of ventilators and PPE and even more people will die. There is good news on the horizon with promising data on vaccines, but realistically they will not be widely distributed for several months.
In the meantime, we are facing a volume of COVID-19 cases higher than spikes last spring, and the numbers are only increasing. Although there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we are at our darkest time. Please fight through the pandemic fatigue. We need to toughen up, socially distance and mask up. Let’s #flattenthecurve again.
Dr. Thomas K. Lew is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine and an attending physician of Hospital Medicine at Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare. All expressed opinions are his own. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasLewMD


usatoday--2020-12-03--Macho Time! Showtime film chronicles turbulent career, life and death of Hector Camacho

The first place Eric Drath went was the scene of the crime , a parking spot outside a strip mall in Bayamón , Puerto Rico , where boxing legend Hector `` Macho '' Camacho was fatally shot in 2012 .
Drath , a documentary filmmaker , then interviewed the local police , talked to potential witnesses , tracked down Camacho 's last known girlfriend , even investigated the neighborhood of the purported shooters .
Drath hoped he might be able to crack the case of Camacho 's murder , which remains unsolved to this day .
But as he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter , Drath realized he needed to change course .
So , he scrapped a rough cut of the film and rebuilt it into `` Macho : The Hector Camacho Story , '' which debuts Friday on Showtime ( 9 p.m .
ET ) .
`` I just said to myself , I have to deliver a film about his life , not just about his death , '' Drath told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday .
`` At that point , about seven months ago , I basically said I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rebuild it in a different way because I really felt that I had lost a lot of his life in just doing a film about his death . ''
Camacho was shot while sitting in a parked car on Nov. 20 , 2012 , and was declared dead four days later at age 50 .
A friend also died at the scene of the shooting , where police said they found several bags of cocaine .
Camacho 's death was emblematic of a life marked by a delinquent childhood in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and run-ins with the law throughout his life .
In the ring , the `` Macho Man '' was known for his outrageous pre-fight outfits and won titles as a super featherweight , lightweight and junior welterweight .
In the documentary , former CBS sportscaster Tim Ryan tells the story of how Camacho was `` completely out of his mind drug-wise '' on the eve of his 1983 lightweight bout against John Montes in Alaska , but recovered enough to deliver a first-round knock out the next day .
`` It is amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been like had he not had this demon inside , had he been able to kind of escape his street life , '' Drath said .
`` But the street life is also what made him and it ’ s also what brought him down.
” Drath , a former journalist and two-time Emmy award-winning director , said the material he filmed about the investigation into Camacho 's death could find its way into a future film , and that he is in negotiations with Showtime about that project .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory about who put the hit on , '' but he declined to elaborate .
`` I ’ d really like to get into that at another point because I don ’ t want to hamper the investigation , and we are going to continue to shoot , '' Drath said .
`` I don ’ t want to play my hand yet because I don ’ t want to walk into any danger .
”

Macho Time! Showtime film chronicles turbulent career, life and death of Hector Camacho
The first place Eric Drath went was the scene of the crime, a parking spot outside a strip mall in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, where boxing legend Hector "Macho" Camacho was fatally shot in 2012.
Drath, a documentary filmmaker, then interviewed the local police, talked to potential witnesses, tracked down Camacho's last known girlfriend, even investigated the neighborhood of the purported shooters.
Drath hoped he might be able to crack the case of Camacho's murder, which remains unsolved to this day.
But as he was putting together his documentary on the flamboyant fighter, Drath realized he needed to change course. So, he scrapped a rough cut of the film and rebuilt it into "Macho: The Hector Camacho Story," which debuts Friday on Showtime (9 p.m. ET).
"I just said to myself, I have to deliver a film about his life, not just about his death," Drath told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. "At that point, about seven months ago, I basically said I’m going to kind of take this apart and rebuild it in a different way because I really felt that I had lost a lot of his life in just doing a film about his death."
Camacho was shot while sitting in a parked car on Nov. 20, 2012, and was declared dead four days later at age 50. A friend also died at the scene of the shooting, where police said they found several bags of cocaine.
Camacho's death was emblematic of a life marked by a delinquent childhood in New York's Spanish Harlem and ongoing drug use and run-ins with the law throughout his life.
In the ring, the "Macho Man" was known for his outrageous pre-fight outfits and won titles as a super featherweight, lightweight and junior welterweight.
In the documentary, former CBS sportscaster Tim Ryan tells the story of how Camacho was "completely out of his mind drug-wise" on the eve of his 1983 lightweight bout against John Montes in Alaska, but recovered enough to deliver a first-round knock out the next day.
"It is amazing and also I wonder what his career would have been like had he not had this demon inside, had he been able to kind of escape his street life," Drath said. "But the street life is also what made him and it’s also what brought him down.”
Drath, a former journalist and two-time Emmy award-winning director, said the material he filmed about the investigation into Camacho's death could find its way into a future film, and that he is in negotiations with Showtime about that project.
He also said he has a "strong theory about who put the hit on," but he declined to elaborate.
"I’d really like to get into that at another point because I don’t want to hamper the investigation, and we are going to continue to shoot," Drath said. "I don’t want to play my hand yet because I don’t want to walk into any danger.”


usatoday--2020-12-03--House to vote on bill featured in 'Tiger King' series that would ban big cat ownership

WASHINGTON – Legislation addressing the trade and ownership of big cats featured in the Netflix docuseries `` Tiger King '' is set to be passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday .
The bill , the Big Cat Public Safety Act , would ban the private ownership of big cats like lions and tigers , a measure `` Tiger King 's '' Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue , her husband Howard 's organization , have spent thousands of dollars and years lobbying for .
It would allow existing facilities to keep their big cats and exotic animals but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the animals .
Carole Baskin told USA TODAY she was `` thrilled '' the legislation was finally coming up for a vote , calling it part of a `` decades-long effort '' to end the abuse of cubs and private ownership of big cats .
It is likely to pass the Democratic-controlled House but faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled Senate .
The Senate version of the bill has support from both sides of the aisle , but it is unlikely the Senate will act on the bill with only two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz , R-Texas , criticized Democrats for acting on what he said would `` Prosecute Tiger King '' rather than address issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The bill 's sponsor , Rep. Mike Quigley , D-Ill , .
rejected Republicans ' argument and told USA TODAY in a phone interview Democrats could address COVID relief and the economy at the same time they tackled the trade in big cats .
All about pardons : Can Trump pardon himself ?
What 's a preemptive pardon ?
Experts explain the sweeping power Quigley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' because ownership of the animals is `` inherently dangerous '' and their confinement is inhumane .
His family taught him it was a `` sin to treat any animal inhumanely , '' he said .
The Illinois Democrat said the Netflix series had helped `` shed light '' on the problem , but he `` could n't watch the show because I ca n't watch animals being treated inhumanely . ''
Howard Baskin , the advisory board chairman of Big Cat Rescue and who spearheaded the group 's efforts on the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ecstatic '' about the bill , which they had been working on since 2012 .
Education secretary : Betsy DeVos vowed to change American education .
For the most part , she didn ’ t .
The bill was passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee in September 2019 .
At the time , six Republican lawmakers objected to the legislation , saying it would `` hinder conservation and education efforts by destroying structured big cat breeding programs '' and `` create and place harmful bureaucratic layers of regulation '' on existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation `` does n't put anybody out of business .
It does not stop breeding . ''

House passes bill featured in 'Tiger King' series that would ban big cat ownership
Show Caption Hide Caption Here's what happened to 'Tiger King' animals after doc Joe Exotic had hundreds of tigers in the Netflix 'Tiger King' documentary. The Wild Animal Sanctuary saved 39 of them. Animalkind, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Legislation addressing the trade and ownership of big cats featured in the Netflix docuseries "Tiger King" was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The bill, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, passed by a 272-114 vote. It would ban the private ownership of big cats like lions and tigers, a measure "Tiger King's" Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue, the organization she runs with her husband Howard, have spent thousands of dollars and years lobbying for.
It would allow existing facilities to keep their big cats and exotic animals but would prohibit most contact between the public and the animals.
Carole Baskin told USA TODAY she was "thrilled" the legislation was finally coming up for a vote, calling it part of a "decades-long effort" to end the abuse of cubs and private ownership of big cats.
The bill faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled Senate. The Senate version of the bill has support from both sides of the aisle, but it is unlikely the Senate will act on the bill with only two weeks left in session and with other major issues like COVID relief and government spending on the a.
Handwritten letter to Trump: 'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic formally requests pardon
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, criticized Democrats for acting on what he said would "Prosecute Tiger King" rather than address issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dem priorities:
☑ Prosecute Tiger King
❌Emergency COVID relief
❌Help small businesses
❌Reopen the economy
❌Get kids back in school https://t.co/wU9enukZkP — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 30, 2020
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill,. rejected Republicans' argument and told USA TODAY in a phone interview Democrats could address COVID relief and the economy at the same time they tackled the trade in big cats.
All about pardons: Can Trump pardon himself? What's a preemptive pardon? Experts explain the sweeping power
Quigley said the legislation was "long overdue" because ownership of the animals is "inherently dangerous" and their confinement is inhumane. His family taught him it was a "sin to treat any animal inhumanely," he said.
The Illinois Democrat said the Netflix series had helped "shed light" on the problem, but he "couldn't watch the show because I can't watch animals being treated inhumanely."
Howard Baskin, the advisory board chairman of Big Cat Rescue and who spearheaded the group's efforts on the bill, told USA TODAY he was "ecstatic" about the bill, which they had been working on since 2012.
Education secretary: Betsy DeVos vowed to change American education. For the most part, she didn’t.
The bill was passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee in September 2019. At the time, six Republican lawmakers objected to the legislation, saying it would "hinder conservation and education efforts by destroying structured big cat breeding programs" and "create and place harmful bureaucratic layers of regulation" on existing facilities.
Baskin disagreed, saying the legislation "doesn't put anybody out of business. It does not stop breeding."