usatoday--2020-12-17--Lawsuit over absentee ballots filed in Georgia runoff elections

AUGUSTA , Georgia — A federal judge in Augusta will hear arguments Thursday in a new lawsuit challenging election processes used in Georgia for the presidential election and attempting to alter them ahead of Jan. 5 runoffs for U.S. Senate .
Filed by the 12th Congressional District Republican Committee , the suit contends procedures used to process absentee ballots in the general election could enable massive fraud in the runoffs .
The case is one of the latest in a string of what have been unsuccessful cases challenging the integrity of the presidential election in Georgia and echoing President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost him the election .
The lawsuit names Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , members of the State Elections Board and one county elections board , Richmond County Board of Elections as defendants .
Chief Judge J. Randal Hall will hear arguments from both sides Thursday to decide whether to grant the plaintiffs ' request for an injunction blocking election processes in use in the runoffs , in which hundreds of thousands of Georgia voters have already cast ballots .
He 's also being asked to issue a judicial declaration that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional rights .
'It really is over now ' : The 24 hours that likely thwarted Trump 's effort to overturn the election The named voter plaintiffs are Richmond County voter Brian W. Tucker , Coffee County voter Cathy A. Latham and Edward T. Metz , a Libertarian candidate for governor in 2018 whose home county is not included in the lawsuit .
The 12th Congressional District Republican Committee is an unincorporated organization dedicated to Republican candidates in the 12th Congressional District , the suit states .
The district , currently represented by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of Columbia County , all of Richmond County and runs south almost to Savannah and west including Vidalia , Dublin and Douglas .
The lawsuit alleges the use of absentee ballots enables fraudulent votes , and it facilitates the collection of large numbers of absentee ballots by third parties , which the plaintiffs contend is ballot harvesting .
The plaintiffs allege the secretary of state 's directive to county election boards does not require verification of the signature on absentee ballots with the signature on the voter 's registration card .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit , requires more than one person to compare absentee ballot signatures if there is an initial suspicion the signatures do not match .
A majority of those reviewers determine if the signature is valid compared to the other voter 's signature on file and on the registration card .
Lynn Bailey , executive director for Richmond County Board of Elections , has detailed the process her office has used for years to twice verify a voter ’ s signature .
Upon receipt of an absentee ballot application , the application signature is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature that ’ s already scanned into the election system , she said .
When the voter returns the ballot by mail or using a drop box , the voter ’ s signature on the return envelope is compared with the signature on file , she has said .
If it appears a mismatch , three workers attempt to confirm its validity .
If they don ’ t , the ballot is placed in provisional status and the voter must show ID and sign an affidavit confirming their identity before the ballot is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process is similar , although some counties may have acquired software that aids the signature matching process , she has said .
The state election board adopted earlier this year a policy of the early opening of absentee ballots because of the large number of such ballots expected because of COVID-19 .
The plaintiffs are seeking a stop to the practice used this year for absentee ballots to be opened and scanned before election day , meaning results would take much longer to tally , and invalidate Raffensperger 's signature directive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of ballot drop boxes they say are conducive to fraud .
The boxes are monitored on video 24 hours a day , according to elections officials .
Raffensperger and Gov .
Brian Kemp have declined or ignored Trump 's demand for a statewide signature audit , which is challenging as ballots have already been separated from their enclosing signature envelopes .
This week , Raffensperger announced the state will audit a sample of absentee ballots in Cobb County that wo n't change the election result .
In a case the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claimed there were more than 80,000 forged signatures on Georgia absentee ballots in the general election , but presented no credible evidence to substantiate it .
In another case for which Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was co-counsel , a video of Fulton County workers scanning ballots is claimed to show them injecting fraudulent absentee ballots stored in hidden suitcases into the election .
The suit , which filing attorney Sidney Powell said would be like an attack by the mythical “ kraken ” sea monster , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State officials said an investigation by certified Georgia law enforcement officers found only routine election activities shown in the video .
The Jan. 5 runoffs are between Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and their corresponding Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock .
If Ossoff and Warnock win , it will shift the balance of power in Congress to the Democrats .
Also on the ballot is a runoff between Public Service Commission incumbent Republican Lauren `` Bubba '' McDonald and Democrat challenger Daniel Blackman .

Sandy Hodson and Susan McCord, Augusta Chronicle

Lawsuit over absentee ballots filed in Georgia runoff elections
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
AUGUSTA, Georgia — A federal judge in Augusta will hear arguments Thursday in a new lawsuit challenging election processes used in Georgia for the presidential election and attempting to alter them ahead of Jan. 5 runoffs for U.S. Senate.
Filed by the 12th Congressional District Republican Committee, the suit contends procedures used to process absentee ballots in the general election could enable massive fraud in the runoffs.
The case is one of the latest in a string of what have been unsuccessful cases challenging the integrity of the presidential election in Georgia and echoing President Trump’s baseless claim that vote fraud cost him the election.
The lawsuit names Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, members of the State Elections Board and one county elections board, Richmond County Board of Elections as defendants.
Chief Judge J. Randal Hall will hear arguments from both sides Thursday to decide whether to grant the plaintiffs' request for an injunction blocking election processes in use in the runoffs, in which hundreds of thousands of Georgia voters have already cast ballots. He's also being asked to issue a judicial declaration that the state's processes violate the plaintiffs' constitutional rights.
'It really is over now': The 24 hours that likely thwarted Trump's effort to overturn the election
The named voter plaintiffs are Richmond County voter Brian W. Tucker, Coffee County voter Cathy A. Latham and Edward T. Metz, a Libertarian candidate for governor in 2018 whose home county is not included in the lawsuit.
The 12th Congressional District Republican Committee is an unincorporated organization dedicated to Republican candidates in the 12th Congressional District, the suit states. The district, currently represented by Rep. Rick Allen, R-Augusta, includes most of Columbia County, all of Richmond County and runs south almost to Savannah and west including Vidalia, Dublin and Douglas.
The lawsuit alleges the use of absentee ballots enables fraudulent votes, and it facilitates the collection of large numbers of absentee ballots by third parties, which the plaintiffs contend is ballot harvesting.
The plaintiffs allege the secretary of state's directive to county election boards does not require verification of the signature on absentee ballots with the signature on the voter's registration card.
Georgia Senate candidates attack each other's backgrounds All eyes are on Georgia as control of the Senate is up for grabs during runoff elections on Jan. 5. USA TODAY Handout
But the directive, which attached to the lawsuit, requires more than one person to compare absentee ballot signatures if there is an initial suspicion the signatures do not match. A majority of those reviewers determine if the signature is valid compared to the other voter's signature on file and on the registration card.
Lynn Bailey, executive director for Richmond County Board of Elections, has detailed the process her office has used for years to twice verify a voter’s signature. Upon receipt of an absentee ballot application, the application signature is compared with a voter’s registration signature that’s already scanned into the election system, she said.
More: In Georgia Senate race, Loeffler and Perdue demand updated list of registered voters
When the voter returns the ballot by mail or using a drop box, the voter’s signature on the return envelope is compared with the signature on file, she has said. If it appears a mismatch, three workers attempt to confirm its validity. If they don’t, the ballot is placed in provisional status and the voter must show ID and sign an affidavit confirming their identity before the ballot is counted, Bailey has said.
Statewide the process is similar, although some counties may have acquired software that aids the signature matching process, she has said.
The state election board adopted earlier this year a policy of the early opening of absentee ballots because of the large number of such ballots expected because of COVID-19.
The plaintiffs are seeking a stop to the practice used this year for absentee ballots to be opened and scanned before election day, meaning results would take much longer to tally, and invalidate Raffensperger's signature directive.
They also want the judge to prohibit the use of ballot drop boxes they say are conducive to fraud. The boxes are monitored on video 24 hours a day, according to elections officials.
Vice President Mike Pence visits Augusta Vice President Mike Pence campaigns for Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler at Augusta Regional Airport Thursday December 10, 2020. Michael Holahan, Augusta Chronicle
Raffensperger and Gov. Brian Kemp have declined or ignored Trump's demand for a statewide signature audit, which is challenging as ballots have already been separated from their enclosing signature envelopes. This week, Raffensperger announced the state will audit a sample of absentee ballots in Cobb County that won't change the election result.
More: President-elect Biden campaigns for Democratic candidates in high-stakes Georgia Senate runoffs
In a case the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claimed there were more than 80,000 forged signatures on Georgia absentee ballots in the general election, but presented no credible evidence to substantiate it.
In another case for which Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was co-counsel, a video of Fulton County workers scanning ballots is claimed to show them injecting fraudulent absentee ballots stored in hidden suitcases into the election.
The suit, which filing attorney Sidney Powell said would be like an attack by the mythical “kraken” sea monster, was soon dismissed by a federal judge. State officials said an investigation by certified Georgia law enforcement officers found only routine election activities shown in the video.
The Jan. 5 runoffs are between Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and their corresponding Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. If Ossoff and Warnock win, it will shift the balance of power in Congress to the Democrats. Also on the ballot is a runoff between Public Service Commission incumbent Republican Lauren "Bubba" McDonald and Democrat challenger Daniel Blackman.


usatoday--2020-12-18--Browns' Jarvis Landry calls Ravens' Marcus Peters 'a coward' for apparent spitting incident

BEREA , Ohio – Cleveland Browns receiver Jarvis Landry called Baltimore cornerback Marcus Peters “ a coward ” for apparently spitting at him behind his back during the Ravens ’ 47-42 victory Monday night at FirstEnergy Stadium .
At the end of the first quarter , an ESPN camera caught Landry walking away and Peters coming up behind him , with what appears to be spit visible .
The shot was blown up in videos that have since gone viral .
“ I wasn ’ t aware to it ( until ) after the game , obviously , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday on a Zoom call .
“ He knew that maybe behind my back he could do things like that , but to my face he wouldn ’ t .
Take it for what it ’ s worth , and now I know .
Everybody knows the type of player he is , the type of person he is and just move on from there.
” Landry said he saw the video after the game .
“ Obviously losing the game , then after the game seeing that , but again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cowardly , ” Landry said .
A five-time Pro Bowler , Landry said he doesn ’ t have a history with three-time Pro Bowler Peters , who was traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Ravens on Oct. 16 , 2019 .
That December , Peters signed a three-year , $ 42 million contract with Baltimore .
SEVERAL NFL RECORDS IN JEOPARDY : Justin Herbert and Travis Kelce are poised to set a few Peters also referred to Landry and his close friend , injured Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s postgame video on Instagram Live .
Beckham was lost for the season on Oct. 25 , when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee .
`` She ( Landry ) was upset because the other homegirl couldn ’ t really end up making it right now , because my dog is hurt , '' Peters said on Instagram Live .
“ We understand that and I respect that .
But the one homegirl that was out there just needs to shut the f*** up until she gets back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Peters , saying , `` We don ’ t have a history , but for some reason he seems to have it out for myself and O ( Beckham ) .
Whatever his beef is , I don ’ t know , but if that ’ s what he want , he definitely got it.
” Spitting at an opponent is a sign of disrespect , but might take on more importance in the league 's eyes as it tries to play through the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ I just think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I don ’ t think about it as protocol or anything like that .
Again , you wait until I turn around and do something like that , it 's like , do it to my face .
Be a man about if you ’ re going to do something like that .
I don ’ t know about protocols , but if there is a protocol for being a man , that sure ain ’ t it right there.
” Landry caught six passes for 52 yards and completed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with five tackles and a forced fumble .
Asked if his battle with Peters was heated and if they engaged in trash-talking , Landry said , “ We talked a little bit , but for the most part , it ’ s , again , nothing that I lost sleep over .
At the end of the day , he took it to a disrespectful point .
We ’ ll see what happens from here.
” “ I didn ’ t spit at Jarvis , '' Peters said in that press release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have an issue with someone , you deal with it face-to-face , man-to-man .
Anyone who believes that I intentionally spit at him does not know me – plain and simple.
” The NFL said it would have no comment on the incident Thursday .
Fines are usually disclosed Saturday .
It may have played no part in what happened Monday , but there is history between Beckham and Humphrey .
In the Browns ’ 40-25 victory at Baltimore in 2019 , the two engaged in a fight in the third quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Browns' Jarvis Landry calls Ravens' Marcus Peters 'a coward' for apparent spitting incident
Show Caption Hide Caption Lorenzo's Locks: The 3 best bets you should consider for NFL Week 15 SportsPulse: Lorenzo's back with his three best bets for Week 15 in the NFL. USA TODAY
BEREA, Ohio – Cleveland Browns receiver Jarvis Landry called Baltimore cornerback Marcus Peters “a coward” for apparently spitting at him behind his back during the Ravens’ 47-42 victory Monday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
At the end of the first quarter, an ESPN camera caught Landry walking away and Peters coming up behind him, with what appears to be spit visible. The shot was blown up in videos that have since gone viral.
“I wasn’t aware to it (until) after the game, obviously, but he’s a coward,” Landry said Thursday on a Zoom call. “He knew that maybe behind my back he could do things like that, but to my face he wouldn’t. Take it for what it’s worth, and now I know. Everybody knows the type of player he is, the type of person he is and just move on from there.”
Landry said he saw the video after the game.
“Obviously losing the game, then after the game seeing that, but again, like I said, it’s cowardly,” Landry said.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Landry said he doesn’t have a history with three-time Pro Bowler Peters, who was traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Ravens on Oct. 16, 2019. That December, Peters signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Baltimore.
SEVERAL NFL RECORDS IN JEOPARDY: Justin Herbert and Travis Kelce are poised to set a few
USA TODAY SPORTS' WEEK 15 NFL PICKS: Browns or Giants?
Peters also referred to Landry and his close friend, injured Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr., as homegirls in Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey’s postgame video on Instagram Live.
Beckham was lost for the season on Oct. 25, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
"She (Landry) was upset because the other homegirl couldn’t really end up making it right now, because my dog is hurt," Peters said on Instagram Live. “We understand that and I respect that. But the one homegirl that was out there just needs to shut the f*** up until she gets back."
Landry seemed to reference those comments from Peters, saying, "We don’t have a history, but for some reason he seems to have it out for myself and O (Beckham). Whatever his beef is, I don’t know, but if that’s what he want, he definitely got it.”
Spitting at an opponent is a sign of disrespect, but might take on more importance in the league's eyes as it tries to play through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I just think it’s cowardly,” Landry said. “I don’t think about it as protocol or anything like that. Again, you wait until I turn around and do something like that, it's like, do it to my face. Be a man about if you’re going to do something like that. I don’t know about protocols, but if there is a protocol for being a man, that sure ain’t it right there.”
Landry caught six passes for 52 yards and completed a 12-yard pass, while Peters was credited with five tackles and a forced fumble.
Asked if his battle with Peters was heated and if they engaged in trash-talking, Landry said, “We talked a little bit, but for the most part, it’s, again, nothing that I lost sleep over. At the end of the day, he took it to a disrespectful point. We’ll see what happens from here.”
The Ravens released a statement on Peters' behalf Thursday evening.
“I didn’t spit at Jarvis," Peters said in that press release. "Where I come from, when you have an issue with someone, you deal with it face-to-face, man-to-man. Anyone who believes that I intentionally spit at him does not know me – plain and simple.”
The NFL said it would have no comment on the incident Thursday. Fines are usually disclosed Saturday.
It may have played no part in what happened Monday, but there is history between Beckham and Humphrey. In the Browns’ 40-25 victory at Baltimore in 2019, the two engaged in a fight in the third quarter and both were fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.


usatoday--2020-12-18--What you need to know about the FireEye hack: Cybersecurity attack against US government

A devastating cyber attack believed to be tied to Russia continues to pose a `` grave risk '' to government networks and the private sector , according to an ominous warning issued Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security .
The bulletin from DHS ' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , represented the most striking assessment yet of a cascading threat to federal , state and local networks .
`` CISA has determined that this threat poses a grave risk to the federal government and state , local , tribal , and territorial governments as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , '' the bulletin stated .
`` This ... actor has demonstrated patience , operational security , and complex trade-craft in these intrusions , '' CISA said of the hackers , adding that the ongoing effort to eliminate the threat would `` will be highly complex and challenging . ''
Networks at the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration , which manages the country 's nuclear weapons stockpile , also may have been compromised according to reports by the Washington Post and Politico .
The attackers penetrated federal computer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ software offered through a company called SolarWinds .
The threat apparently came from the same cyberespionage campaign that has afflicted cybersecurity firm FireEye , foreign governments and major corporations .
The system is used by hundreds of thousands of organizations globally , including most Fortune 500 companies and multiple U.S. federal agencies , which will now be scrambling to patch up their networks .
The sophisticated attack breached the Treasury and Commerce departments and potentially other agencies .
The Commerce Department said in a statement that it asked the Department of Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the FBI to investigate .
The Department of Homeland Security is also reviewing a possible breach at the agency , spokesman Alexei Woltornist said .
Cyber attack under investigation : When a top cybersecurity firm gets hacked , what is the takeaway for the average netizen ?
But the full extent of the damage is not yet clear .
“ Think of it like a health virus that manages to get into your body , ” said Mathieu Gorge , a cybersecurity expert and author of the forthcoming book “ The Cyber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s in your body , it multiplies , using all of the organs and all of the arteries and all the liquids in your body .
Everything is interconnected.
” Here ’ s what you need to know so far .
What information was potentially taken ?
It ’ s too early to say since the attack was only recently discovered but appears to have exploited what SolarWinds called a “ potential vulnerability ” related to updates released between March and June for Orion , which helps monitor networks for problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seeking information on American hacking capabilities and defenses .
Call it the latest phase in what could be a cyber-era cold war .
“ It appears the attackers may have taken our own tools for finding vulnerabilities in foreign networks , ” said Matthew Schmidt , a professor in the national security department of the University of New Haven ’ s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences .
“ They hacked our hacking capability .
It 's very early , but the level of immediate reaction suggests a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said authorities are working with cyber units at DHS and FBI to `` coordinate a swift and effective , whole-of-government recovery and response to the recent compromise . ''
Could your personal information be at risk ?
Yes .
The federal agencies targeted in the attack have a storehouse of personal information about Americans , of course .
But comprehensive details on the motivations of the attackers remain unclear .
“ The initial sense is that the attack left the updating system for many key security systems open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could have attained root access to many agency 's systems , ” Schmidt said in an email interview .
“ If that 's true , and we do n't know yet , it could mean the most important systems are compromised – personnel data , including foreign agents , planning , operations , etc .
If anything near the worst is true , it will mean months of work to determine whether it 's safe to use these systems.
” What can you do to protect yourself ?
Americans , just like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take a consistent approach to protecting themselves .
Use complex and different passwords for your digital accounts .
Monitor your finances closely .
Use two-factor authentication for critical accounts like email and social media .
Don ’ t click on links from any source that you haven ’ t authenticated as legitimate .
“ People need to change any passwords they 've used on ( U.S. government ) sites like Social Security , IRS , Small Business Administration , ” Schmidt said .
Unfortunately , there may be little people can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies and organizations that have their personal information fall prey to attacks .
“ The challenge is that the criminals only need to get it right once , whereas the government and companies need to get right all the time , ” Gorge said .
Gorge urged Americans to look out for notifications from government agencies or corporations that their information has been compromised .
In many previous cyber breaches , affected consumers are offered identity theft monitoring services for free .
What does the government need to do ?
The government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intruders , Gorge said .
“ You need to be in the mode that allows you to contain the hack as much as possible as you investigate , ” he said .
The attackers likely breached other agencies or organizations in addition to those already identified , which simply makes it more urgent to root out the infiltrators .
FireEye ’ s Mandia said the attacks appears to have started in the spring .
“ This might be a domino effect , ” Gorge said .
“ It ’ s a coordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack and I don ’ t think we ’ ve seen the end of it.
” The government is organizing its response to the intrusion without its top cybersecurity protection official .
Last month , President Donald Trump fired Christopher Krebs , director of DHS ' CISA , after he declared that the election was the most secure in American history .
`` The Russians have had access to a considerable number of important and sensitive networks for six to nine months , '' Bossert said in column published in the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have likely gained `` administrative control over the networks it considered priority targets . ''
`` For those targets , the hackers will have long ago moved past their entry point , covered their tracks and gained what experts call 'persistent access , ' meaning the ability to infiltrate and control networks in a way that is hard to detect or remove . ''
Bossert said it could take years to learn the depth of the damage .
When it comes to cybersecurity attacks , there ’ s a degree of inevitability in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best attempts to protect themselves – particularly when a motivated and sophisticated nation-state poses a threat .
“ There ’ s a saying in the industry that there are only two types of companies – those that have been breached and those that don ’ t know they ’ ve been breached , ” Gorge said .
“ Everybody has security incidents .
How they deal with the breach will decide whether the public trusts them or not.
” Ilia Sotnikov , vice president of product management at cybersecurity software provider Netwrix , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately take advantage of countermeasures offered by FireEye '' and be on the alert for additional security updates .
`` This attack is another evidence that a motivated hacker will be able to compromise any organization , no matter how well it is protected , ” Sotnikov said .
“ Our new normal right now is to be open about a data breach and own the message as FireEye did . ''
Gorge agreed that FireEye has taken the right steps by providing regular updates to the public and is widely respected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good at what they ’ re doing and they are pioneers , ” he said .
“ They are ahead of the pack .
”

Nathan Bomey and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

What you need to know about the FireEye hack: Cybersecurity attack against US government
Show Caption Hide Caption US cyber attack: 'Grave risk' for private sector, infrastructure, federal government Officials reviewing compromises to Department of Energy, including nuclear administration and other sectors in massive hacking campaign. USA TODAY
A devastating cyber attack believed to be tied to Russia continues to pose a "grave risk" to government networks and the private sector, according to an ominous warning issued Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security.
The bulletin from DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), represented the most striking assessment yet of a cascading threat to federal, state and local networks.
"CISA has determined that this threat poses a grave risk to the federal government and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments as well as critical infrastructure entities and other private sector organizations," the bulletin stated.
"This... actor has demonstrated patience, operational security, and complex trade-craft in these intrusions," CISA said of the hackers, adding that the ongoing effort to eliminate the threat would "will be highly complex and challenging."
Networks at the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, which manages the country's nuclear weapons stockpile, also may have been compromised according to reports by the Washington Post and Politico.
The attackers penetrated federal computer systems through a popular piece of server software offered through a company called SolarWinds.
Coronavirus pandemic is seeing surge in cybercrimes While the world is focused on battling the coronavirus, cyber attacks have increased in the healthcare field and for individuals. Veuer’s Justin Kircher has the story. Buzz60
The threat apparently came from the same cyberespionage campaign that has afflicted cybersecurity firm FireEye, foreign governments and major corporations.
The system is used by hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including most Fortune 500 companies and multiple U.S. federal agencies, which will now be scrambling to patch up their networks.
The sophisticated attack breached the Treasury and Commerce departments and potentially other agencies. The Commerce Department said in a statement that it asked the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI to investigate.
The Department of Homeland Security is also reviewing a possible breach at the agency, spokesman Alexei Woltornist said.
Cyber attack under investigation: When a top cybersecurity firm gets hacked, what is the takeaway for the average netizen?
US government agencies hacked: Russia a possible culprit
But the full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
“Think of it like a health virus that manages to get into your body,” said Mathieu Gorge, a cybersecurity expert and author of the forthcoming book “The Cyber Elephant in the Boardroom.” “Once it’s in your body, it multiplies, using all of the organs and all of the arteries and all the liquids in your body. Everything is interconnected.”
Here’s what you need to know so far.
What information was potentially taken?
It’s too early to say since the attack was only recently discovered but appears to have exploited what SolarWinds called a “potential vulnerability” related to updates released between March and June for Orion, which helps monitor networks for problems.
But early indications suggest the attackers were seeking information on American hacking capabilities and defenses. Call it the latest phase in what could be a cyber-era cold war.
“It appears the attackers may have taken our own tools for finding vulnerabilities in foreign networks,” said Matthew Schmidt, a professor in the national security department of the University of New Haven’s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. “They hacked our hacking capability. It's very early, but the level of immediate reaction suggests a very, very serious intrusion.”
National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said authorities are working with cyber units at DHS and FBI to "coordinate a swift and effective, whole-of-government recovery and response to the recent compromise."
Could your personal information be at risk?
Yes. The federal agencies targeted in the attack have a storehouse of personal information about Americans, of course. But comprehensive details on the motivations of the attackers remain unclear.
“The initial sense is that the attack left the updating system for many key security systems open to exploitation, meaning it's possible they could have attained root access to many agency's systems,” Schmidt said in an email interview. “If that's true, and we don't know yet, it could mean the most important systems are compromised – personnel data, including foreign agents, planning, operations, etc. If anything near the worst is true, it will mean months of work to determine whether it's safe to use these systems.”
What can you do to protect yourself?
Americans, just like the agencies targeted in the attack, should take a consistent approach to protecting themselves.
Use complex and different passwords for your digital accounts. Monitor your finances closely. Use two-factor authentication for critical accounts like email and social media. Don’t click on links from any source that you haven’t authenticated as legitimate.
“People need to change any passwords they've used on (U.S. government) sites like Social Security, IRS, Small Business Administration,” Schmidt said.
Unfortunately, there may be little people can do to protect themselves when the governments, companies and organizations that have their personal information fall prey to attacks.
“The challenge is that the criminals only need to get it right once, whereas the government and companies need to get right all the time,” Gorge said.
Gorge urged Americans to look out for notifications from government agencies or corporations that their information has been compromised. In many previous cyber breaches, affected consumers are offered identity theft monitoring services for free.
What does the government need to do?
The government’s first focus should be on ousting the intruders, Gorge said.
“You need to be in the mode that allows you to contain the hack as much as possible as you investigate,” he said.
The attackers likely breached other agencies or organizations in addition to those already identified, which simply makes it more urgent to root out the infiltrators. FireEye’s Mandia said the attacks appears to have started in the spring.
“This might be a domino effect,” Gorge said. “It’s a coordinated attack. It’s a sophisticated attack and I don’t think we’ve seen the end of it.”
The government is organizing its response to the intrusion without its top cybersecurity protection official. Last month, President Donald Trump fired Christopher Krebs, director of DHS' CISA, after he declared that the election was the most secure in American history.
"The Russians have had access to a considerable number of important and sensitive networks for six to nine months," Bossert said in column published in the New York Times, adding that Russian intelligence officials have likely gained "administrative control over the networks it considered priority targets."
"For those targets, the hackers will have long ago moved past their entry point, covered their tracks and gained what experts call 'persistent access,' meaning the ability to infiltrate and control networks in a way that is hard to detect or remove."
Bossert said it could take years to learn the depth of the damage.
Was this inevitable?
When it comes to cybersecurity attacks, there’s a degree of inevitability in the air, despite everyone’s best attempts to protect themselves – particularly when a motivated and sophisticated nation-state poses a threat.
“There’s a saying in the industry that there are only two types of companies – those that have been breached and those that don’t know they’ve been breached,” Gorge said. “Everybody has security incidents. How they deal with the breach will decide whether the public trusts them or not.”
Ilia Sotnikov, vice president of product management at cybersecurity software provider Netwrix, said companies' cybersecurity teams should "immediately take advantage of countermeasures offered by FireEye" and be on the alert for additional security updates.
"This attack is another evidence that a motivated hacker will be able to compromise any organization, no matter how well it is protected,” Sotnikov said. “Our new normal right now is to be open about a data breach and own the message as FireEye did."
Gorge agreed that FireEye has taken the right steps by providing regular updates to the public and is widely respected in the cybersecurity industry.
“FireEye extremely good at what they’re doing and they are pioneers,” he said. “They are ahead of the pack.”
Contributing: Mike Snider, and Associated Press
Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.


usatoday--2020-12-18--Why we need tax reform: Billions in charitable donations aren't helping people in need

Each December , wealthy people rush to donate billions of dollars to maximize their charitable deductions and shrink their tax bill .
Unfortunately , loopholes in tax laws mean donated dollars don ’ t always go to active charities .
Often , philanthropic dollars accrue in funding vehicles — donor advised funds and private foundations — rather than being distributed to worthy nonprofits in a timely manner .
Without sufficient rules in place , that money is likely to linger , out of reach of families and neighbors who need help .
All the while , donors reap the benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and funds remain sidelined , inaccessible to charities that need them .
The problem with this arrangement has never been clearer .
Far too many families are suffering through the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic .
From distributing food to providing shelter to paying for health care costs , charity plays a critical role in our nation ’ s response to these unprecedented health and economic challenges .
Recently , my home city of Houston replaced our usual Thanksgiving Day parade with a drive-through food bank .
Organizers estimated that more than 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charitable resources are struggling to keep up with the demand .
In fact , the revenue and resources of charities are declining .
One projection shows that about 22,000 nonprofits will close indefinitely because of the pandemic .
Meanwhile , more than $ 1 trillion in funds supposedly intended for charities remains unspent .
People are hurting .
Government resources are stretched to the limit .
And philanthropic dollars continue to sit in accounts where they accumulate wealth , apparently waiting for some larger crisis to arise , helping to line the pockets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now is the time to change the tax code to ensure that charitable donations are actually spent on charities .
This is why leading voices in the philanthropic community and I have joined the Initiative to Accelerate Charitable Giving .
This new coalition is dedicated to promoting common-sense , non-partisan charitable giving reforms that increase and accelerate resources to working charities of all kinds to address the immediate crisis and beyond .
These proposals would ensure funds donated to donor advised funds are made available to actual charities within a reasonable period of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close the loopholes in the current payout requirement for private foundations .
Regulations already compel a regular flow of donations from these organizations to working charities , but we need better incentives to promote payouts above that minimum requirement .
And these proposals would strengthen and expand the non-itemized charity deduction .
Recent changes to the tax code have relegated the tax benefits of charitable giving almost entirely to the wealthiest Americans .
Opening this opportunity to more households is the fair thing to do and will increase funds to charities — especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive contributions from large philanthropies .
These policy reforms are long overdue , but never before have the stakes been so high .
Too many families are suffering .
Too many charities lack critical resources .
And too many philanthropic dollars remain on the sidelines .
It is time to change the laws and better ensure people can get the help they need .
John Arnold is co-founder of Arnold Ventures and a member of the Initiative to Accelerate Charitable Giving .

Why we need tax reform: Billions in charitable donations aren't helping people in need People are hurting. But philanthropic dollars sit in accounts where they accumulate wealth, apparently waiting for some larger crisis to arise.
Show Caption Hide Caption Many Americans ‘worried about their next meal’ Hunger in America is up — way up. The Feeding America network says the number of people seeking help at its food banks nationwide has increased an average of 60% since the pandemic began. Some of them shared their stories with the AP (Dec. 7) AP
Each December, wealthy people rush to donate billions of dollars to maximize their charitable deductions and shrink their tax bill. Unfortunately, loopholes in tax laws mean donated dollars don’t always go to active charities.
Often, philanthropic dollars accrue in funding vehicles — donor advised funds and private foundations — rather than being distributed to worthy nonprofits in a timely manner. Without sufficient rules in place, that money is likely to linger, out of reach of families and neighbors who need help.
All the while, donors reap the benefits of upfront tax deductions for their giving and funds remain sidelined, inaccessible to charities that need them.
The problem with this arrangement has never been clearer. Far too many families are suffering through the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. From distributing food to providing shelter to paying for health care costs, charity plays a critical role in our nation’s response to these unprecedented health and economic challenges.
Recently, my home city of Houston replaced our usual Thanksgiving Day parade with a drive-through food bank. Organizers estimated that more than 5,000 families were served in one day.
Charitable resources are struggling to keep up with the demand. In fact, the revenue and resources of charities are declining. One projection shows that about 22,000 nonprofits will close indefinitely because of the pandemic.
Donations sit on sidelines in pandemic
Meanwhile, more than $1 trillion in funds supposedly intended for charities remains unspent. People are hurting. Government resources are stretched to the limit. And philanthropic dollars continue to sit in accounts where they accumulate wealth, apparently waiting for some larger crisis to arise, helping to line the pockets of money managers and investment firms.
Now is the time to change the tax code to ensure that charitable donations are actually spent on charities.
This is why leading voices in the philanthropic community and I have joined the Initiative to Accelerate Charitable Giving. This new coalition is dedicated to promoting common-sense, non-partisan charitable giving reforms that increase and accelerate resources to working charities of all kinds to address the immediate crisis and beyond.
These proposals would ensure funds donated to donor advised funds are made available to actual charities within a reasonable period of time.
Additionally, these proposals would close the loopholes in the current payout requirement for private foundations. Regulations already compel a regular flow of donations from these organizations to working charities, but we need better incentives to promote payouts above that minimum requirement.
Expand tax benefits to more donors
And these proposals would strengthen and expand the non-itemized charity deduction. Recent changes to the tax code have relegated the tax benefits of charitable giving almost entirely to the wealthiest Americans. Opening this opportunity to more households is the fair thing to do and will increase funds to charities — especially smaller charities that don’t usually receive contributions from large philanthropies.
These policy reforms are long overdue, but never before have the stakes been so high. Too many families are suffering. Too many charities lack critical resources. And too many philanthropic dollars remain on the sidelines. It is time to change the laws and better ensure people can get the help they need.
John Arnold is co-founder of Arnold Ventures and a member of the Initiative to Accelerate Charitable Giving.


usatoday--2020-12-18--Hungry for the holidays: Amid COVID recession, record number of Americans are requesting charity

After surviving cancer in the middle of a pandemic , all eight-year-old Lealand wants is for Santa to deliver games for his Xbox .
For his great-grandmother and primary caregiver , Becky Balzarini , it 's a different story altogether .
Balzarini , 71 , has been struggling to put food on the table ever since she quit her job to care for her immunocompromised great-grandson .
She worked part-time as a health aid in Illinois , but stopped seeing patients to reduce the risk of getting Lealand sick .
`` It was a difficult decision but I had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're trying to make things as normal as possible for him . ''
Like Balzarini and Lealand , millions of families struggling with COVID-19 's economic turmoil are seeking help—many for the first time—with everything from meal baskets to presents under the Christmas tree .
The Salvation Army is projecting 6.6 million people will come to them for support , up from 2.6 million on a regular holiday season , and officials with the organization said they are worried they wo n't be able to meet the demand .
Many charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried about meeting the skyrocketing need as the people who would ordinarily be giving are strapped for cash themselves .
`` This year we 've seen what can only be described as a tsunami of need , '' said Kenneth Hodder , the Salvation Army 's national commander .
Millions of jobs were wiped out by COVID crisis There has never been such a dire need in the Salvation Army 's history—not even after the 2008 financial crisis where the organization served meals for an additional 10 million people for three years straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those seeking help are the very people who typically donate to the Salvation Army , '' said Hodder .
In the six-month period between March through September , the Salvation Army served over 150 million meals as compared to 52 million in all of 2019 .
With the holiday surge , people are asking for shelter and utility assistance in record numbers .
`` It was very hard for me to ask for help , '' said Balzarini , who worked as a factory worker for 37 years and raised two kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm used to doing everything on my own , no matter how tough it gets . ''
About 9.8 million people remain unemployed after 22.2 million jobs were wiped out in the health crisis , according to the U.S. Labor Department data .
Despite enthusiasm over the economy adding jobs in recent months and the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday , prospects for economic recovery have been offset by soaring rates of the virus .
In some states , officials have reinstated a new wave of restrictionsin recent weeks , prompting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hit lower-income Americans the hardest .
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that one in four adults had trouble paying their bills since the outbreak began .
A third of Americans have dipped into their savings and one in six have borrowed money or gotten food from a food bank .
That 's the case for Aracely Gamboa , 46 , a deli worker from Chelsea , Massachusetts , who found a Salvation Army pantry in April—when her savings and her food had run out .
Gamboa had never been unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico , 32 years ago .
Between hand sanitizer and face mask shortages , the uninsured single mom feared for her three kids if she got sick .
`` Tuve que armarme de valor , '' said Gamboa in Spanish , `` I had to muster the courage to get help . ''
Eventually , she started volunteering at the Salvation Army , using her waitressing experience to help with the lunch rush .
While the donations have allowed her to feed her family , Gamboa said this Christmas season has been incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tall decorated pine tree with twinkling lights in the middle of the living room overflowing with presents .
`` All year , when my kids ask me for stuff , I tell them they have to wait until Christmas , '' said Gamboa , who would save year-round to splurge on their gifts and the traditional Mexican Christmas Eve meal of tamales and pozole , a meat stew garnished with shredded lettuce , chili peppers , onion and radishes .
`` I find it really difficult to not be able to please them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation , child hunger is increasing across the U.S. One in seven families with children said there was not enough to eat , in the survey conducted between the months of April and December .
Those figures were higher for people of color , where 23 % of Black households and 19 % of Latino households reported they were unable to provide food for their children .
It 's a change , Gamboa , too , said she had experienced .
Last Christmas , she did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Market Basket , a New England supermarket chain .
This year , she 's pinched pennies to buy the specialty ingredients like the dried corn husks , a few items at a time , while saving food from her donation box .
`` I go little by little , '' she said .
`` But the lettuce is n't going to keep for three weeks . ''
When Tyronika Garrison lost her job last year in New Orleans , she thought she would be able to quickly get another job in her field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 29 year old almost died after childbirth from complications with her blood pressure , which kills twice as many Black mothers in the U.S .
Unable to go back to work as bills quickly piled on , she and her six children were evicted and entered homelessness within a few months just as the coronavirus had begun in Louisiana .
Want to help ?
: Millions of Americans could be facing eviction after the holidays .
Here 's how you can help Reluctantly , Garrison and her family entered into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their backs .
`` I broke down , '' an emotional Garrison said over the phone .
`` My mom pushed me .
She told me that anybody could be in this situation . ''
She was able to get assistance with meal support , childcare , landing a job and a new home within the span of a few months .
`` I could n't give up .
My kids were counting on me as a mother , '' said Garrison .
The rental assistance has allowed her to save money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
`` I 'm going to get them baby dolls , toy cars , bikes , clothes , socks and blocks , '' said Garrison .
`` I would love to get more things for them but I ca n't . ''
Regardless , she said , `` every day they make me happy and I show them I love them and I will never stop being there for them . ''
Many aid organizations say they fear families like Garrison 's could fall through the cracks with exorbitant need—and the inability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing everything we can to assist a quarter-million children in the metro Atlanta area , '' said Cherrie Carney , assistant coordinator for Atlanta Toys for Tots .
Last year , the organization donated 859,000 toys .
Carney said the gap is due to the decrease in donations and volunteers and workplaces that have turned remote and are no longer holding holiday toy drives .
With retail shopping ailing , there are fewer red kettles , fewer people going to stores and fewer people able to give .
`` We 've already seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money raised , '' said Hodder of the Salvation Army .
`` While we are seeing an increase in digital donations , it will not make up for the expected deficit at traditional Red Kettles . ''
In some cases , public health restrictions have made it harder to hand out gifts .
Prison Fellowship 's Angel Tree program , which gives toys to the children of incarcerated parents , said they faced challenges despite going virtual and offering a contactless delivery option of packages being mailed directly to the family .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , which represents a decrease from last year of just over 300,000 children , '' said Cindy Smith , director of the Angel Tree program .
Meanwhile , charities big and small continue working tirelessly to meet the Christmas deadline , said Rita Case , of Rick Case Bikes for Kids program , which will give 6,500 bikes this year to children in need .
`` My hope is that the entire country will come together and support their communities , '' Case said .
Among them is 12-year-old Brant Robinson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Rick Case Bikes for Kids that he plans to use to get to school .
While Robinson is n't too big on presents himself , he keeps thinking about all the children that might not receive one this year .
`` I wish that kids that need presents and do n't have them because their parents are out of work because of COVID get whatever they want for Christmas , '' said Robinson .
If you 're interested in finding ways to give back , visit RescueChristmas.org to learn more about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas this year in your hometown .
Some additional safe ways to give this year include : • Via Apple Pay or Google Pay at the red kettle at partner storefront locations • Ask Amazon Alexa to donate by saying , “ Alexa , donate to the Salvation Army , ” then specify the amount • Give any amount by texting “ KETTLE ” to 91999

Hungry for the holidays: Amid COVID recession, record number of Americans are requesting charity
Show Caption Hide Caption Food bank first-timers drive up demand The Houston Food Bank gave out as much as 1 million pounds of food daily at the height of the pandemic as people suddenly found themselves unemployed and reluctantly accepting bags and boxes of free food for the first time in their lives. (Oct. 26) AP
After surviving cancer in the middle of a pandemic, all eight-year-old Lealand wants is for Santa to deliver games for his Xbox.
For his great-grandmother and primary caregiver, Becky Balzarini, it's a different story altogether. Balzarini, 71, has been struggling to put food on the table ever since she quit her job to care for her immunocompromised great-grandson. She worked part-time as a health aid in Illinois, but stopped seeing patients to reduce the risk of getting Lealand sick.
"It was a difficult decision but I had to do it," said Balzarini. "We're trying to make things as normal as possible for him."
Like Balzarini and Lealand, millions of families struggling with COVID-19's economic turmoil are seeking help—many for the first time—with everything from meal baskets to presents under the Christmas tree.
The Salvation Army is projecting 6.6 million people will come to them for support, up from 2.6 million on a regular holiday season, and officials with the organization said they are worried they won't be able to meet the demand. Many charity leaders report they, too, are worried about meeting the skyrocketing need as the people who would ordinarily be giving are strapped for cash themselves.
"This year we've seen what can only be described as a tsunami of need," said Kenneth Hodder, the Salvation Army's national commander.
Millions of jobs were wiped out by COVID crisis
There has never been such a dire need in the Salvation Army's history—not even after the 2008 financial crisis where the organization served meals for an additional 10 million people for three years straight after the economy tanked.
"Many of those seeking help are the very people who typically donate to the Salvation Army," said Hodder.
In the six-month period between March through September, the Salvation Army served over 150 million meals as compared to 52 million in all of 2019. With the holiday surge, people are asking for shelter and utility assistance in record numbers.
"It was very hard for me to ask for help," said Balzarini, who worked as a factory worker for 37 years and raised two kids as a single mom. "I'm used to doing everything on my own, no matter how tough it gets."
About 9.8 million people remain unemployed after 22.2 million jobs were wiped out in the health crisis, according to the U.S. Labor Department data. Despite enthusiasm over the economy adding jobs in recent months and the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, prospects for economic recovery have been offset by soaring rates of the virus. In some states, officials have reinstated a new wave of restrictions in recent weeks, prompting layoffs.
Economic fallout from COVID-19 continues to hit lower-income Americans the hardest.
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that one in four adults had trouble paying their bills since the outbreak began. A third of Americans have dipped into their savings and one in six have borrowed money or gotten food from a food bank.
That's the case for Aracely Gamboa, 46, a deli worker from Chelsea, Massachusetts, who found a Salvation Army pantry in April—when her savings and her food had run out.
Gamboa had never been unemployed since arriving in the United States from Mexico, 32 years ago. Between hand sanitizer and face mask shortages, the uninsured single mom feared for her three kids if she got sick.
"Tuve que armarme de valor," said Gamboa in Spanish, "I had to muster the courage to get help."
Eventually, she started volunteering at the Salvation Army, using her waitressing experience to help with the lunch rush.
While the donations have allowed her to feed her family, Gamboa said this Christmas season has been incredibly tough on her. There is no tall decorated pine tree with twinkling lights in the middle of the living room overflowing with presents.
"All year, when my kids ask me for stuff, I tell them they have to wait until Christmas," said Gamboa, who would save year-round to splurge on their gifts and the traditional Mexican Christmas Eve meal of tamales and pozole, a meat stew garnished with shredded lettuce, chili peppers, onion and radishes.
"I find it really difficult to not be able to please them how I hoped," she said.
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, child hunger is increasing across the U.S. One in seven families with children said there was not enough to eat, in the survey conducted between the months of April and December.
Those figures were higher for people of color, where 23% of Black households and 19% of Latino households reported they were unable to provide food for their children.
It's a change, Gamboa, too, said she had experienced.
Last Christmas, she did her meal shopping in one swoop at Market Basket, a New England supermarket chain. This year, she's pinched pennies to buy the specialty ingredients like the dried corn husks, a few items at a time, while saving food from her donation box.
"I go little by little," she said. "But the lettuce isn't going to keep for three weeks."
Retail closures and working-from-home affecting donations
When Tyronika Garrison lost her job last year in New Orleans, she thought she would be able to quickly get another job in her field as a certified nursing assistant.
Then, the 29 year old almost died after childbirth from complications with her blood pressure, which kills twice as many Black mothers in the U.S. Unable to go back to work as bills quickly piled on, she and her six children were evicted and entered homelessness within a few months just as the coronavirus had begun in Louisiana.
Want to help?: Millions of Americans could be facing eviction after the holidays. Here's how you can help
Reluctantly, Garrison and her family entered into a Salvation Army shelter with the clothes on their backs.
"I broke down," an emotional Garrison said over the phone. "My mom pushed me. She told me that anybody could be in this situation."
She was able to get assistance with meal support, childcare, landing a job and a new home within the span of a few months.
"I couldn't give up. My kids were counting on me as a mother," said Garrison.
The rental assistance has allowed her to save money to be able to celebrate Christmas with her children.
"I'm going to get them baby dolls, toy cars, bikes, clothes, socks and blocks," said Garrison. "I would love to get more things for them but I can't."
Regardless, she said, "every day they make me happy and I show them I love them and I will never stop being there for them."
Many aid organizations say they fear families like Garrison's could fall through the cracks with exorbitant need—and the inability to catch up.
"We are doing everything we can to assist a quarter-million children in the metro Atlanta area," said Cherrie Carney, assistant coordinator for Atlanta Toys for Tots.
Last year, the organization donated 859,000 toys. Carney said the gap is due to the decrease in donations and volunteers and workplaces that have turned remote and are no longer holding holiday toy drives.
With retail shopping ailing, there are fewer red kettles, fewer people going to stores and fewer people able to give.
"We've already seen a national decrease of 25% in money raised," said Hodder of the Salvation Army. "While we are seeing an increase in digital donations, it will not make up for the expected deficit at traditional Red Kettles."
In some cases, public health restrictions have made it harder to hand out gifts. Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program, which gives toys to the children of incarcerated parents, said they faced challenges despite going virtual and offering a contactless delivery option of packages being mailed directly to the family.
"We were able to assign approximately 225,000 children, which represents a decrease from last year of just over 300,000 children," said Cindy Smith, director of the Angel Tree program.
Meanwhile, charities big and small continue working tirelessly to meet the Christmas deadline, said Rita Case, of Rick Case Bikes for Kids program, which will give 6,500 bikes this year to children in need.
"My hope is that the entire country will come together and support their communities," Case said.
Among them is 12-year-old Brant Robinson, who got a brand new red bike from Rick Case Bikes for Kids that he plans to use to get to school. While Robinson isn't too big on presents himself, he keeps thinking about all the children that might not receive one this year.
"I wish that kids that need presents and don't have them because their parents are out of work because of COVID get whatever they want for Christmas," said Robinson.
If you're interested in finding ways to give back, visit RescueChristmas.org to learn more about how you can help the Salvation Army rescue Christmas this year in your hometown.
Some additional safe ways to give this year include:


usatoday--2020-12-18--Kentucky man to spend life in prison for shooting two Black shoppers at Kroger store

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — Gregory Bush has pleaded guilty to killing two Black shoppers at a Kroger store in Kentucky in 2018 and will spend the rest of his life in prison .
Bush was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson Circuit Court to life without parole for the murders of Maurice Stallard and Vickie Lee Jones on Oct. 24 , 2018 .
He pleaded guilty but mentally ill , which means the Kentucky Department of Corrections will be obliged to provide him treatment and medication .
In a statement , Commonwealth 's Attorney Tom Wine said , `` Vickie Jones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the color of their skin .
Our entire community and commonwealth had suffered a loss because of racial enmity . ''
Assistant Commonwealth 's Attorney Milja Zgonjanin , who prosecuted the case , said : `` Our position is that there is nothing the criminal justice system could do to undue the harm Mr. Bush did that day .
But he is now been held accountable and is no longer in position to do similar harm . ''
Jeff Cooke , a prosecutor who is a spokesman for the office , said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the proper outcome . ''
Bush also was sentenced by Jefferson Circuit Judge Annie O ’ Connell to 20 years for criminal intent murder and five years each on two counts of murder , but the sentences will be served concurrently .
Bush , 53 , also agreed to plead guilty in U.S. District Court to three federal hate crimes and three gun charges .
Attorney General William Barr agreed not to seek the death penalty on those charges .
Both Stallard , 69 , and Jones , 67 , were Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kroger parking lot that afternoon said Bush told him , `` Whites don ’ t shoot whites . ''
Shortly before Bush drove to the Kroger at the Stony Brook Shopping Center and began shooting , police said he also tried to enter First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown , a predominantly Black congregation .
The doors to the church were locked when Bush was seen trying to pull them open .
Investigators said Stallard and Jones had never met Bush , who is white , and had no connection to him .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones ’ nephew Kevin Gunn said at the time .
`` This was intended . ''
A forensic psychiatrist diagnosed Bush with schizoaffective disorder , but after a yearlong dispute about Bush ’ s competency , he was ruled competent for trial in August , meaning he understood the charges against him and was able to assist in his defense .
A change of plea hearing in the federal case is scheduled for Feb. 18 .
While Kentucky has had a hate crime statute since 1997 , it contains no additional penalties for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville have announced they intend to introduce legislation in the 2021 legislative session to toughen penalties for state offenses based on hate .
`` Whenever a death , or assault or even damage to property is the result of hatred focused on the victim ’ s race , ethnicity , gender , sexual orientation , or religion , there should be an increase in the punishment imposed for the underlying offense , '' Wine said .
`` The proposed legislation which our office worked on with these senators is a step toward justice @ @ @ @ @

Andrew Wolfson, Louisville Courier Journal

Kentucky man to spend life in prison for shooting two Black shoppers at Kroger store
Show Caption Hide Caption Kroger shooting: Police scanner audio Listen the scanner traffic as the shooting at Stonybrook Kroger unfolds. Louisville Courier Journal
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gregory Bush has pleaded guilty to killing two Black shoppers at a Kroger store in Kentucky in 2018 and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Bush was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson Circuit Court to life without parole for the murders of Maurice Stallard and Vickie Lee Jones on Oct. 24, 2018.
He pleaded guilty but mentally ill, which means the Kentucky Department of Corrections will be obliged to provide him treatment and medication.
In a statement, Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine said, "Vickie Jones and Maurice Stallard were senselessly murdered because of the color of their skin. Our entire community and commonwealth had suffered a loss because of racial enmity."
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Milja Zgonjanin, who prosecuted the case, said: "Our position is that there is nothing the criminal justice system could do to undue the harm Mr. Bush did that day. But he is now been held accountable and is no longer in position to do similar harm."
Jeff Cooke, a prosecutor who is a spokesman for the office, said, "We felt that life without parole was the proper outcome."
Bush also was sentenced by Jefferson Circuit Judge Annie O’Connell to 20 years for criminal intent murder and five years each on two counts of murder, but the sentences will be served concurrently.
Bush, 53, also agreed to plead guilty in U.S. District Court to three federal hate crimes and three gun charges. Attorney General William Barr agreed not to seek the death penalty on those charges.
Both Stallard, 69, and Jones, 67, were Black, and a white bystander in the Kroger parking lot that afternoon said Bush told him, "Whites don’t shoot whites."
Shortly before Bush drove to the Kroger at the Stony Brook Shopping Center and began shooting, police said he also tried to enter First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, a predominantly Black congregation.
From 2019: Police chief calls Kroger shooting in Louisville a hate crime
The doors to the church were locked when Bush was seen trying to pull them open.
Investigators said Stallard and Jones had never met Bush, who is white, and had no connection to him.
“A tragedy is an accident,” Jones’ nephew Kevin Gunn said at the time. "This was intended."
A forensic psychiatrist diagnosed Bush with schizoaffective disorder, but after a yearlong dispute about Bush’s competency, he was ruled competent for trial in August, meaning he understood the charges against him and was able to assist in his defense.
A change of plea hearing in the federal case is scheduled for Feb. 18.
While Kentucky has had a hate crime statute since 1997, it contains no additional penalties for such offenses.
10 days, 4 hate crimes: The parallel paths of 4 angry men who terrorized America
Three state lawmakers from Louisville have announced they intend to introduce legislation in the 2021 legislative session to toughen penalties for state offenses based on hate.
"Whenever a death, or assault or even damage to property is the result of hatred focused on the victim’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, there should be an increase in the punishment imposed for the underlying offense," Wine said. "The proposed legislation which our office worked on with these senators is a step toward justice for all people."
Follow Andrew Wolfson on Twitter: @adwolfson.


usatoday--2020-12-15--2020: The Year That Revealed Us

2020: The Year That Revealed Us

The year is almost behind us .
It is not an easy one to encapsulate .
But we tried .
In this 50-minute documentary , 25 reporters and photographers at the Cincinnati Enquirer delved into the private worlds of more than two dozen local people , talking to them repeatedly throughout the months that seemed , almost inexplicably , filled with daily boredom and rampant disruption .
Among those we spoke with are Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine , Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear , Rev .
Damon Lynch , restauranteur Jeff Ruby and his daughter Britney , Cincinnati Reds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director , a police officer , protesters and a 7-year-old girl .
`` 2020 : The Year That Revealed Us '' chronicles the events as they began to unfold in early March through the summer of upheaval , through the divisive fall election and into the months of mounting death from a virus that many thought would n't last .
In the end , what felt like a year was more like an unmasking .
It revealed what we can depend upon to sustain us .
What matters to us .
And what @ @ @

Meg Vogel and Amanda Rossmann, Cincinnati Enquirer

The year is almost behind us. It is not an easy one to encapsulate. But we tried.
In this 50-minute documentary, 25 reporters and photographers at the Cincinnati Enquirer delved into the private worlds of more than two dozen local people, talking to them repeatedly throughout the months that seemed, almost inexplicably, filled with daily boredom and rampant disruption. Among those we spoke with are Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Rev. Damon Lynch, restauranteur Jeff Ruby and his daughter Britney, Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart, a funeral home director, a police officer, protesters and a 7-year-old girl.
"2020: The Year That Revealed Us" chronicles the events as they began to unfold in early March through the summer of upheaval, through the divisive fall election and into the months of mounting death from a virus that many thought wouldn't last.
In the end, what felt like a year was more like an unmasking. It revealed what we can depend upon to sustain us. What matters to us.
And what does not.


usatoday--2020-12-18--Supreme Court gives Trump administration more time to exclude undocumented immigrants from census

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court Friday gave the Trump administration a few more weeks to try to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census count used to apportion seats in Congress , in part because the effort may prove fruitless .
The quick decision in a case argued Nov. 30 signaled the court 's hope that it can avoid a more consequential ruling on an issue that could affect the balance of political power in Congress for the next decade .
The decision was unsigned , but the court 's three liberal justices dissented .
They would have struck down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this case is riddled with contingencies and speculation that impede judicial review , '' the court 's majority opinion said .
`` To begin with , the policy may not prove feasible to implement in any manner whatsoever , let alone in a manner substantially likely to harm any of the plaintiffs here . ''
`` Everyone agrees by now that the government can not feasibly implement the memorandum by excluding the estimated 10.5 million aliens without lawful status , '' the majority said .
Associate Justice Stephen Breyer , writing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberals , said the case was ripe for a decision now .
`` The plain meaning of the governing statutes , decades of historical practice , and uniform interpretations from all three branches of government demonstrate that aliens without lawful status can not be excluded from the decennial census solely on account of that status , '' Breyer said .
`` The government ’ s effort to remove them from the apportionment base is unlawful , and I believe this court should say so . ''
President Donald Trump announced in July his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undocumented immigrants from the tabulation on the theory that they are not permanent residents and do not merit political representation .
But counting them is difficult , and the Census Bureau has said it might not complete the work in time for Trump to submit a report to Congress before leaving office .
The number of those who are easier to count – such as immigrants in detention facilities or subject to final deportation orders – may not be sufficient to affect the distribution of House seats and electoral votes among states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it would be premature to uphold or deny the policy without knowing what impact it could have .
If the administration follows through with a muscular policy that affects apportionment , they reasoned , opponents then could challenge it in court .
Earlier : Supreme Court may give President Trump time to test census policy against undocumented immigrants What 's more , President-elect Joe Biden 's administration likely would seek to keep undocumented immigrants in the head count .
That could lead to lawsuits from proponents of the plan after Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if implemented in sweeping fashion , could strip California and perhaps other states of seats in the House of Representatives .
States with large numbers of undocumented immigrants tend to lean Democratic , while those that could gain House seats are majority-Republican .
Gaining or losing House seats also affects states ' electoral votes .
The policy also could alter the distribution of about $ 1.5 trillion in federal funds .
Led by New York , a coalition of 22 states and 15 cities filed suit after Trump announced the policy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled in September that it was unlawful .
The three-judge panel said it served to deter immigrant households from responding to the census count .
Two federal courts in California and Maryland issued similar rulings .
The justices agreed to hear and decide the case quickly because time is running out on the 2020 census process .
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross ' report to the president is due Dec. 31 .
Trump has about 10 days after that to report to Congress on the number of House seats allocated to each state .

Supreme Court: Challenge to Trump plan to exclude undocumented immigrants from census is premature
Show Caption Hide Caption Why the U.S. Census matters President Trump is expected to drop his fight to get the citizenship question for the 2020 census. What is the census and why does the U.S. have one? We explain. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court Friday gave the Trump administration a few more weeks to try to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census count used to apportion seats in Congress, in part because the effort may prove fruitless.
The quick decision in a case argued Nov. 30 signaled the court's hope that it can avoid a more consequential ruling on an issue that could affect the balance of political power in Congress for the next decade.
The decision was unsigned, but the court's three liberal justices dissented. They would have struck down the policy as unlawful.
President Donald Trump announced in July his intention to exclude up to 10.5 million undocumented immigrants from the tabulation on the theory that they are not permanent residents and do not merit political representation.
But counting them is difficult, and the Census Bureau has said it might not complete the work in time for Trump to submit a report to Congress before leaving office. The number of those who are easier to count – such as immigrants in detention facilities or subject to final deportation orders – may not be sufficient to affect the distribution of House seats and electoral votes among states.
"At present, this case is riddled with contingencies and speculation that impede judicial review," the court's majority opinion said. "To begin with, the policy may not prove feasible to implement in any manner whatsoever, let alone in a manner substantially likely to harm any of the plaintiffs here."
"Everyone agrees by now that the government cannot feasibly implement the memorandum by excluding the estimated 10.5 million aliens without lawful status," the majority said.
Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for himself and the court's two other liberals, said the case was ripe for a decision now.
"The plain meaning of the governing statutes, decades of historical practice, and uniform interpretations from all three branches of government demonstrate that aliens without lawful status cannot be excluded from the decennial census solely on account of that status," Breyer said. "The government’s effort to remove them from the apportionment base is unlawful, and I believe this court should say so."
He noted that the Census Bureau likely can include immigrants housed in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, those subject to final deportation orders, some 700,000 recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection, and about 3.2 million more in removal proceedings.
"All told, the bureau already possesses the administrative records necessary to exclude at least four to five million aliens," Breyer said "Those figures are certainly large enough to affect apportionment."
Dale Ho, director of voting rights for the American Civil Liberties Union, which challenged Trump's policy, vowed that if it's implemented, "We'll be right back in court challenging it."
“The legal mandate is clear," Ho said. "Every single person counts in the census, and every single person is represented in Congress."
During oral argument, several conservative justices said it would be premature to uphold or deny the policy without knowing what impact it could have. If the administration follows through with a muscular policy that affects apportionment, they reasoned, opponents then could challenge it in court.
Earlier: Supreme Court may give President Trump time to test census policy against undocumented immigrants
What's more, President-elect Joe Biden's administration likely would seek to keep undocumented immigrants in the head count. That could lead to lawsuits from proponents of the plan after Trump is out of office.
Trump's plan, if implemented in sweeping fashion, could strip California and perhaps other states of seats in the House of Representatives. States with large numbers of undocumented immigrants tend to lean Democratic, while those that could gain House seats are majority-Republican.
Gaining or losing House seats also affects states' electoral votes. The policy also could alter the distribution of about $1.5 trillion in federal funds.
Led by New York, a coalition of 22 states and 15 cities filed suit after Trump announced the policy in July, and a federal district court ruled in September that it was unlawful. The three-judge panel said it served to deter immigrant households from responding to the census count. Two federal courts in California and Maryland issued similar rulings.
The justices agreed to hear and decide the case quickly because time is running out on the 2020 census process. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' report to the president is due Dec. 31. Trump has about 10 days after that to report to Congress on the number of House seats allocated to each state.


usatoday--2020-12-18--Traveling for the holidays? Here's how to avoid contracting COVID-19 at the airport

Scientists say airports are more dangerous than airplanes – at least when it comes to your chances of being infected with the coronavirus .
After all , airports are filled with passengers who may not practice social distancing or even wear a mask .
It might be difficult to avoid a COVID-19 infection at the airport .
So if you 're about to take a trip , how do you protect yourself ?
Fred Siegel wants to know .
He recently flew from Phoenix to Newark , New Jersey , with his wife for a family emergency .
He hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask rules .
They did n't .
`` There were many people in the terminal not wearing masks at all , '' he recalls .
`` Those who did sometimes wore them improperly with their noses fully exposed . ''
The experience left Siegel , a former state employee , feeling dangerously exposed .
He and his wife wore two masks each , just to make sure they did n't get infected .
Fortunately , they stayed healthy .
There are several proven ways to avoid a COVID-19 infection when you transit through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risks , looking for the telltale signs of an unclean airport , and taking the right precautions .
COVID risks at the airport are real But Siegel 's experience shines a light on one of the most overlooked aspects of travel .
While airlines have received a lot of attention for their cleaning initiatives , the risk of transiting through an airport has been largely overlooked by travelers , but fortunately not by my USA TODAY colleagues .
And while cleaning robots , COVID-sniffing dogs and extreme cleaning look good on paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the busy holiday travel season , you 'll end up like Siegel – stuck in a crowd of other passengers who may or may not believe the coronavirus is a hoax .
`` Smart travelers should not rely on airports for their disinfection protocols , '' says Dan Richards , CEO of Global Rescue , which provides medical , security , travel risk and crisis management .
`` They should be prepared to protect themselves from the airport to plane by adhering to the basic guidelines of masking , hand sanitizing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice of Lori Calavan , Allianz Partners ’ senior medical consultant .
She recommends checking the Safe Travel Barometer website .
`` It 's a comprehensive database that lists current COVID-19 traveler health and safety protocols , '' she says .
Its airport scores are based on an independent audit of more than 200 airports and 29 traveler health and safety measures .
Atlanta , New York and Boston are ranked safest in the U.S .
The Transportation Security Administration also publishes a list of airports that shows how many employees have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents are showing up to work with an infection , that might be a sign to be extra vigilant .
Do your own research Do n't take someone else 's word when it comes to avoiding a COVID-19 infection at the airport .
Find out for yourself , says Robert Quigley , global medical director of International SOS , which advises companies on health threats .
`` Before your departure , look into the risk mitigation efforts your departure and arrival airports have implemented during the pandemic , '' he says .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they 'll vary from location to location . ''
Put differently , the scorecards are nice , but nothing beats doing your own research .
Look for this Is there a way to tell if an airport is properly cleaned ?
Yes , says Sean McCrady , national service line manager of safety science firm UL 's healthy buildings group .
Be on the lookout for signage that describes the cleaning process in detail .
It might include the process or the type of cleaners used .
A two-step process with soap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ideal .
`` Staff should be making the rounds and cleaning frequently throughout the workday , '' he adds .
`` Surfaces should appear visibly clean . ''
You know those cleaning robots some airports are using ?
Christopher Andrews is one of the guys behind them .
He 's the director of mobility and innovation at engineering development firm Pratt Miller .
And he says if you want to avoid a COVID-19 infection at the airport , there 's no substitute for taking precautions .
“ While our robot can minimize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I believe you also should protect yourself from person to person transfer – especially if you ’ re in a high-risk category , ” he says .
Andrews recommends wearing a KN95 mask and carrying disinfecting spray or wipes to clean your hands if you contact a surface .
`` Assume any surface you touch could be infected , '' he says .
`` And keep your distance from crowds to minimize risk.
” Do n't just carry disinfecting spray or wipes .
Use them , says Erica James , a travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't assume anything is cleaned , '' she says .
`` I feel it 's my responsibility to ensure that my area is cleaned and maintained to the best of my ability . ''
She packs her own soap ( Dial , because that 's what surgeons use to scrub ) , hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes .
And she sanitizes everything – seats , tables , armrests , even TV screens .
James says it 's great if the airport cleans all the surfaces before she arrives .
But at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in doing it again .
Make it quick and keep your distance Do your best to minimize the amount of time you 're in the terminal , says Robert Glatter , an emergency physician , at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York .
And stay away from other passengers .
`` It ’ s the amount of time you spend inside the airport before and after the flight that are most critical , '' he says .
`` This also includes airport lounges , which are problematic due to the sheer number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interface with during your time spent eating , drinking , and simply waiting .
It ’ s the number of people who don ’ t wear a mask , don ’ t wash their hands , and don ’ t physically distance that places you at most risk for acquiring the virus . ''
These steps for avoiding a COVID-19 infection at the airport may sound like a lot , but they 're similar to the precautions you probably already take when you go to the grocery store or school .
If avoiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like too much trouble , do n't worry .
You can always celebrate the holidays at home this year .
These are the safest major American airports Safe Travel Barometer grades airports based on COVID-19 safety protocols , traveler convenience , customer service and traveler experience and awards each a score ranging from 1 to 5 .
The specific COVID-19 criteria include the availability of contactless check-in and baggage drop , on-site COVID-19 testing and whether travelers and employees wear masks .
Here are the top 10 :

Christopher Elliott, Special to USA TODAY

Traveling for the holidays? Here's how to avoid contracting COVID-19 at the airport
Show Caption Hide Caption What to do if your seatmate refuses to wear a mask Some etiquette experts recommend letting the flight staff deal with a person refusing to wear a mask. USA TODAY
Scientists say airports are more dangerous than airplanes – at least when it comes to your chances of being infected with the coronavirus. After all, airports are filled with passengers who may not practice social distancing or even wear a mask. It might be difficult to avoid a coronavirus infection at the airport.
So if you're about to take a trip, how do you protect yourself? Fred Siegel wants to know. He recently flew from Phoenix to Newark, New Jersey, with his wife for a family emergency. He hoped his fellow passengers would follow all the mask rules. They didn't.
"There were many people in the terminal not wearing masks at all," he says. "Those who did sometimes wore them improperly with their noses fully exposed."
The experience left Siegel, a former state employee, feeling dangerously exposed. He and his wife wore two masks each, just to make sure they didn't get infected. Fortunately, they stayed healthy.
There are several proven ways to avoid infection when you transit through an airport. They include fully researching the risks, looking for the telltale signs of an unclean airport, and taking the right precautions.
COVID-19 risks at the airport are real
But Siegel's experience shines a light on one of the most overlooked aspects of travel. While airlines have received a lot of attention for their cleaning initiatives, the risk of transiting through an airport has been largely overlooked by travelers, but fortunately not by my USA TODAY colleagues.
And while cleaning robots, COVID-19-sniffing dogs and extreme cleaning look good on paper, it's far likelier that during the busy holiday travel season, you'll end up like Siegel – stuck in a crowd of other passengers who may or may not believe the coronavirus is a risk.
"Smart travelers should not rely on airports for their disinfection protocols," says Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, which provides medical, security, travel risk and crisis management. "They should be prepared to protect themselves from the airport to plane by adhering to the basic guidelines of masking, hand sanitizing and physical distancing."
Know the COVID-19 risks
That's the advice of Lori Calavan, Allianz Partners’ senior medical consultant. She recommends checking the Safe Travel Barometer website. "It's a comprehensive database that lists current COVID-19 traveler health and safety protocols," she says. Its airport scores are based on an independent audit of more than 200 airports and 29 traveler health and safety measures. Atlanta, New York and Boston are ranked safest in the U.S.
The Transportation Security Administration also publishes a list of airports that shows how many employees have tested positive at each one. If its agents are showing up to work with an infection, that might be a sign to be extra vigilant.
Do your own research
Don't take someone else's word when it comes to avoiding a coronavirus infection at the airport. Find out for yourself, says Robert Quigley, global medical director of International SOS, which advises companies on health threats. "Before your departure, look into the risk mitigation efforts your departure and arrival airports have implemented during the pandemic," he says. "And ensure you're comfortable with them as they'll vary from location to location." Put differently, the scorecards are nice, but nothing beats doing your own research.
Look for signage
Is there a way to tell if an airport is properly cleaned? Yes, says Sean McCrady, national service line manager of safety science firm UL's healthy buildings group. Be on the lookout for signage that describes the cleaning process in detail. It might include the process or the type of cleaners used. A two-step process with soap and water, followed by disinfectants, is ideal.
"Staff should be making the rounds and cleaning frequently throughout the workday," he adds. "Surfaces should appear visibly clean."
Take precautions
You know those cleaning robots some airports are using? Christopher Andrews is one of the guys behind them. He's the director of mobility and innovation at engineering development firm Pratt Miller. And he says that if you want to avoid being infected at the airport, there's no substitute for taking precautions.
“While our robot can minimize the risk of COVID-19 transfer from surfaces, I believe you also should protect yourself from person-to-person transfer – especially if you’re in a high-risk category,” he says. Andrews recommends wearing a KN95 mask and carrying disinfecting spray or wipes to clean your hands if you contact a surface.
"Assume any surface you touch could be infected," he says. "And keep your distance from crowds to minimize risk.”
Clean it yourself
Safe travel: How to properly disinfect your airplane seat To avoid catching other people's germs on your next flight, follow these steps to ensure you've properly disinfected your plane seat before take-off. USA TODAY
Don't just carry disinfecting spray or wipes. Use them, says Erica James, a travel adviser from Nashville.
"I don't assume anything is cleaned," she says. "I feel it's my responsibility to ensure that my area is cleaned and maintained to the best of my ability."
She packs her own soap (Dial, because that's what surgeons use to scrub), hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. And she sanitizes everything – seats, tables, armrests, even TV screens. James says it's great if the airport cleans all the surfaces before she arrives. But at a time like this, there's no harm in doing it again.
Make it quick and keep your distance
Do your best to minimize the amount of time you're in the terminal, says Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. And stay away from other passengers.
"It’s the amount of time you spend inside the airport before and after the flight that are most critical," he says. "This also includes airport lounges, which are problematic due to the sheer number of travelers that you have the potential to interface with during your time spent eating, drinking and simply waiting. It’s the number of people who don’t wear a mask, don’t wash their hands, and don’t physically distance that places you at most risk for acquiring the virus."
The steps for avoiding infection at the airport may sound like a lot, but they're similar to the precautions you probably already take when you go to the grocery store or school. If avoiding infection at the airport seems like too much trouble, don't worry. You can always celebrate the holidays at home this year.
These are the safest major American airports
Safe Travel Barometer grades airports based on COVID-19 safety protocols, traveler convenience, customer service and traveler experience, and it awards each a score ranging from 1 to 5. The specific criteria include the availability of contactless check-in and baggage drop, on-site testing and whether travelers and employees wear masks.
Here are the top 10:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). 4.3
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK): 4.3
Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS): 4.3
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 4.2
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): 4.2
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 4.2
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 4.2
O'Hare International Airport, Chicago (ORD): 4.2
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 4.1
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 3.9
Source: Safe Travel Barometer