usatoday--2020-11-22--Coronavirus updates: Experimental drug cocktail given to Trump gets FDA authorization; US hits 12 mi

The U.S reported its 12 millionth case of COVID-19 on Saturday , days after the nation surpassed 250,000 deaths from the coronavirus — by far the largest total in the world .
Experts say it will get worse .
`` Cases and deaths continue to increase steadily in most states , '' a Thursday Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation briefing says .
`` The pace of increase is faster than we expected , leading us to revise upward our forecast of deaths by March 1 to 471,000 . ''
The influential model 's projections assume 40 states will reinstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they do n't , IHME researchers say deaths and cases will be even higher .
Meanwhile , numerous high-profile political figures including Donald Trump Jr. have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days .
Florida Sen. Rick Scott announced Friday he has tested positive .
He is the second Republican senator , along with Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa , to announce positive tests this week .
And Rudy Giuliani 's son , Andrew , announced Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19 , a day after he attended a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump 's legal team alleging baseless claims of widespread election fraud .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has reported more than 12 million cases and more than 255,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The global totals : 57.9 million cases and 1.37 million deaths .
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak in your state .
📰 What we 're reading : It 's a hard time to be in college .
Now more than ever , students are facing incredible mental health stressors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter .
Experimental drug cocktail given to Trump gets FDA authorization The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has granted Regeneron Pharmaceutical an Emergency Use Authorization for a drug cocktail to treat COVID-19 .
President Donald Trump has touted the experimental antibody treatment and took it while he was being treated for the disease .
`` In a clinical trial , the investigational therapy was shown to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or ER visits in certain patients who are at high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FDA tweeted Saturday .
The drug , a pair of monoclonal antibodies , is intended to mimic the natural process of the immune system , providing it with molecules the body normally manufactures to fight off specific diseases .
Trump was able to get it under a `` compassionate use '' exemption , which the company said at the time it has granted to fewer than 10 people , after requests from their doctors and approval by the FDA .
A similar monoclonal antibody treatment was also given emergency authorization earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either drug but instead granted a fast-tracked authorization process that differs from a regular drug license application in several ways , though the companies still needed to prove the drugs are safe and effective .
Both drugs are intended for patients who have been diagnosed but are not sick enough to be hospitalized .
About 9 % of the patients in the trial who received a placebo ended up in the hospital compared to 3 % who received the active drug .
California curfew to begin ; experts question whether it will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states and nations in trying a partial overnight curfew as its latest desperate attempt to stem a surge in coronavirus cases , though experts said its effect may be more symbolic than real and many law enforcement agencies are refusing to enforce it .
Officials said what they are calling a limited stay-at-home order is aimed at discouraging late gatherings where people are more likely to let down their guard , their inhibitions — and their required masks — while drinking and socializing .
Dr. Mark Cullen , an infectious disease expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the underlying goal is based on a reasonable interpretation of data blaming gatherings for surging infections .
But the point will be lost on most , he fears , partially because California is allowing many exemptions for things like getting groceries , filling prescriptions , picking up takeout , and even walking dogs .
Officials in London who tried a similar approach found that “ if anything , for the young people it may have increased their social gathering activities , ” said Dr. Lee Riley , an infectious disease professor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Public Health .
“ They can ’ t go out , so they congregate in somebody ’ s home or dormitories.
” Vermont only state with fewer than 10K cases Maine has reported its 10,000th case of COVID-19 , leaving Vermont as the sole state under that mark .
Texas and California have both reported around 1.1 million cases , and Florida was on track to hit 1 million cases in one or two weeks .
As of Friday evening , 42 states reported more new cases in the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported a higher rate of tests coming back positive , according to Johns Hopkins .
12M Americans to lose jobless aid after Christmas if Congress fails to act Millions of jobless Americans could suddenly be cut off from their unemployment benefit the day after Christmas if Congress fails to extend relief programs , with many facing lasting scars as the worst pandemic in a century threatens to deepen their economic pain .
About 12 million workers could lose one of two critical unemployment lifelines from the CARES Act on Dec. 26 , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and 4.6 million who may lose Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , according to estimates from The Century Foundation , a nonprofit think tank .
The loss in jobless aid would come as other stimulus relief is set to expire after December , including a federal ban on rental evictions that could put 30 to 40 million people at risk of eviction as moratoriums expire , according to the Aspen Institute , another think tank .
Kansas counties that opted out of face mask order saw COVID-19 cases rise We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public spaces slows the spread of COVID-19 .
And now the coronavirus situation in Kansas is providing further proof .
Gov .
Laura Kelly issued a face mask mandate in early July , and the counties that upheld the order saw a decline in cases , while the counties that opted out saw cases rise , according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday .
`` Countywide mask mandates appear to have contributed to the mitigation of COVID-19 transmission in mandated counties , '' according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month before , and after , the governor 's mandate went into effect .
As of mid-August , 24 of Kansas ’ s 105 counties had abided by the state mandate or adopted their own mask mandate , and 81 counties had opted out , as Kansas law allows .
At that time , the number of new daily cases per capita – calculated as a 7-day rolling average – had decreased an average of 6 % among counties with a mask mandate and increased by 100 % in counties without a mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario announced Friday that Toronto and the surrounding Peel Region will go into lockdown on Monday .
Premier Doug Ford and health officials say they won ’ t allow indoor organized events or social gatherings except for members of the same household .
Restaurants and bars will only be allowed to offer takeout and delivery .
Retail will only be open for curbside pickup or delivery except for big box stores .
The stricter measures come as Ontario reports 1,418 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday , including 393 in Toronto and 400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officer of Health Dr. David Williams says Ontario flattened the epidemic curve before and he 's confident it can be done again .
Meanwhile , Russia on Saturday reported a new daily high in infections and deaths .
North Macedonia declared its first-ever nationwide state of emergency .
Japan is scaling back on a government-backed campaign to encourage travel and dining out .
And cases are surging in South Korea and New Delhi , India .
At a time when Americans are pondering how to celebrate Thanksgiving safely amid the country 's worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be faced with yet another complicating factor : the return of students .
Colleges and universities have reported 252,000-plus cases since the pandemic began , according to a New York Times tracker .
Returning students – whether they lived in dorms or off-campus housing in the fall term – `` exponentially increase the risk ( of infection ) , '' especially if they take some form of mass transportation to get home .
That 's the assessment of Dr. Teresa Bartlett , senior medical officer for the claims management firm Sedgwick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety practices .
Like other specialists in the field , Bartlett is concerned that holiday gatherings , combined with pandemic fatigue and the need to move indoors as the weather gets colder , will exacerbate what ’ s already a major national spike in COVID-19 cases .
Read more .
And the International Emmy goes to : New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
Cuomo , a Democrat whose daily briefings at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic received extensive airplay across the nation , will receive the International Emmy Founders Award .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his use of television to inform people of the latest coronavirus updates at the height of the state 's outbreak in March and April , according to The International Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences , which granted him the award .
Cuomo held more than 100 consecutive days of COVID-19 briefings , many of which were broadcast on cable news networks internationally .
The governor will receive the International Emmy during a virtual award ceremony Monday .
It 's a separate ceremony from the better-known Primetime and Daytime Emmys , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid a pandemic ?
We 've done it before On Thanksgiving more than a century ago , many Americans , like today , were living under various phases of quarantines and face mask orders .
Millions were mourning loved ones .
And health officials in many cities were issuing the same holiday warning : Stay home and stay safe .
`` See that Thanksgiving celebrations are restricted as much as possible so as to prevent another flare-up , '' said a notice in the Omaha World Herald on Thanksgiving Day , Nov. 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1918 , the U.S. – in the midst of the suffrage movement , Jim Crow and the end of WWI – was battling the ebbing second wave of the H1N1 influenza epidemic , also known as the Spanish flu .
Read about how Americans celebrated Thanksgiving that year , and what happened next .
Texas National Guard to provide aid to El Paso morgues during COVID-19 crisis The Texas National Guard will be providing help to El Paso morgues as the region continues to be slammed by COVID-19 deaths .
`` After completing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground in El Paso County this week , the state has mobilized a team of 36 Texas National Guard personnel to provide mortuary affairs support beginning at 9 o ’ clock tomorrow ( Saturday ) morning , '' Seth Christensen , spokesperson for the Texas Division of Emergency Management , said .
After the announcement , El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego requested additional aid from Gov .
Greg Abbott in the form of leeway to impose some restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
Samaniego said in a letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was ended by an appellate court was done so erroneously and the order was not inconsistent with Abbott 's statewide restrictions .
President Donald Trump 's son , Donald Trump Jr. , tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week , according to his spokesman .
`` Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result .
He ’ s been completely asymptomatic so far and is following all medically recommended COVID-19 guidelines , '' his office said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president to test positive in recent days .
Earlier on Friday , Rudy Giuliani 's son , Andrew , announced he also tested positive a day after attending a press conference held by his father at the Republican National Committee headquarters .
The White House has struggled to contain at least three outbreaks of the virus in recent months .
Trump was hospitalized after he tested positive , and several aides have since been infected .
Pfizer said Friday it is filing for emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to market .
Health and other frontline workers could get the vaccine as soon as December but reaching everyone could take up to a year .
The move follows an announcement from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech that its vaccine appears 95 % effective against the coronavirus .
Also this week , drug company Moderna released positive news , with its vaccine also showing a high rate of efficacy .
Both candidates , each of which require two shots , protect more than 90 % of those immunized , self-reported results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisory board will review Pfizer 's application before the vaccine is able to get into peoples ' arms .
`` If we do get people vaccinated to a high degree , then you can start talking about this umbrella or blanket of protection on society that would diminish dramatically the risk of a person being exposed or even being infected , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert , told USA TODAY earlier this week .
Fauci says Santa Claus wo n't be spreading COVID-19 this Christmas Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious disease expert , said Santa Claus is coming to town .
And he 's not bringing COVID-19 .
It should come as no surprise .
As children already know , Santa is superhuman .
He flies around the world in one night , delivers millions of toys and eats his weight in cookies .
But with millions of Americans already sick with COVID-19 , children have been worried about Santa , especially this Christmas Eve when he visits millions of homes .
And there 's no denying that Santa , because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first glance appear to be at higher risk of developing severe disease from COVID-19 .
Fauci is telling kids not to worry , though .
`` Santa is not going to be spreading any infections to anybody , '' he said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending against travel for Thanksgiving .
Dr. Henry Walke , the CDC ’ s COVID-19 incident manager , said the `` tragedy that could happen '' is that family members could end up severely ill , hospitalized or dying .
The CDC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high profile about the risks of traveling as coronavirus cases rise nationwide .
Officials in California , Illinois and other states have urged residents to avoid nonessential travel even as airlines tout holiday fare deals .
`` These times are tough , it ’ s been a long outbreak , almost 11 months , and we understand people are tired , '' Walke said .
`` But this year we ’ re asking them to limit their travel . ''
• In your inbox : Stay up to date with the latest news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
• Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .
• On Facebook : A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .

Coronavirus updates: Experimental drug cocktail given to Trump gets FDA authorization; US hits 12 million cases; California curfew to begin
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 death toll in US reaches 250,000 A coronavirus vaccine might not be widely available until several months into 2021. USA TODAY
The U.S reported its 12 millionth case of COVID-19 on Saturday, days after the nation surpassed 250,000 deaths from the coronavirus — by far the largest total in the world. Experts say it will get worse.
"Cases and deaths continue to increase steadily in most states," a Thursday Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation briefing says. "The pace of increase is faster than we expected, leading us to revise upward our forecast of deaths by March 1 to 471,000."
The influential model's projections assume 40 states will reinstate social distancing mandates by that time. If they don't, IHME researchers say deaths and cases will be even higher.
Meanwhile, numerous high-profile political figures including Donald Trump Jr. have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days. Florida Sen. Rick Scott announced Friday he has tested positive. He is the second Republican senator, along with Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, to announce positive tests this week.
And Rudy Giuliani's son, Andrew, announced Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19, a day after he attended a news conference with his father and other members of President Donald Trump's legal team alleging baseless claims of widespread election fraud.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has reported more than 12 million cases and more than 255,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: 57.9 million cases and 1.37 million deaths.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak in your state.
📰 What we're reading: It's a hard time to be in college. Now more than ever, students are facing incredible mental health stressors.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has granted Regeneron Pharmaceutical an Emergency Use Authorization for a drug cocktail to treat COVID-19. President Donald Trump has touted the experimental antibody treatment and took it while he was being treated for the disease.
"In a clinical trial, the investigational therapy was shown to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or ER visits in certain patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe," the FDA tweeted Saturday.
The drug, a pair of monoclonal antibodies, is intended to mimic the natural process of the immune system, providing it with molecules the body normally manufactures to fight off specific diseases.
Trump was able to get it under a "compassionate use" exemption, which the company said at the time it has granted to fewer than 10 people, after requests from their doctors and approval by the FDA.
A similar monoclonal antibody treatment was also given emergency authorization earlier this month.
The FDA has not licensed either drug but instead granted a fast-tracked authorization process that differs from a regular drug license application in several ways, though the companies still needed to prove the drugs are safe and effective.
Both drugs are intended for patients who have been diagnosed but are not sick enough to be hospitalized. About 9% of the patients in the trial who received a placebo ended up in the hospital compared to 3% who received the active drug.
— Joel Shannon, Karen Weintraub and Elizabeth Weise
Starting Saturday night, California will join other states and nations in trying a partial overnight curfew as its latest desperate attempt to stem a surge in coronavirus cases, though experts said its effect may be more symbolic than real and many law enforcement agencies are refusing to enforce it.
Officials said what they are calling a limited stay-at-home order is aimed at discouraging late gatherings where people are more likely to let down their guard, their inhibitions — and their required masks — while drinking and socializing.
Dr. Mark Cullen, an infectious disease expert who recently retired from Stanford University, said the underlying goal is based on a reasonable interpretation of data blaming gatherings for surging infections. But the point will be lost on most, he fears, partially because California is allowing many exemptions for things like getting groceries, filling prescriptions, picking up takeout, and even walking dogs.
Officials in London who tried a similar approach found that “if anything, for the young people it may have increased their social gathering activities,” said Dr. Lee Riley, an infectious disease professor at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health. “They can’t go out, so they congregate in somebody’s home or dormitories.”
— The Associated Press
Maine has reported its 10,000th case of COVID-19, leaving Vermont as the sole state under that mark. Texas and California have both reported around 1.1 million cases, and Florida was on track to hit 1 million cases in one or two weeks.
As of Friday evening, 42 states reported more new cases in the past week than the week before, and 44 reported a higher rate of tests coming back positive, according to Johns Hopkins.
Millions of jobless Americans could suddenly be cut off from their unemployment benefit the day after Christmas if Congress fails to extend relief programs, with many facing lasting scars as the worst pandemic in a century threatens to deepen their economic pain.
About 12 million workers could lose one of two critical unemployment lifelines from the CARES Act on Dec. 26, including 7.3 million who could be cut off from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and 4.6 million who may lose Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, according to estimates from The Century Foundation, a nonprofit think tank.
The loss in jobless aid would come as other stimulus relief is set to expire after December, including a federal ban on rental evictions that could put 30 to 40 million people at risk of eviction as moratoriums expire, according to the Aspen Institute, another think tank.
– Jessica Menton
We already know that wearing face masks in public spaces slows the spread of COVID-19. And now the coronavirus situation in Kansas is providing further proof.
Gov. Laura Kelly issued a face mask mandate in early July, and the counties that upheld the order saw a decline in cases, while the counties that opted out saw cases rise, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.
"Countywide mask mandates appear to have contributed to the mitigation of COVID-19 transmission in mandated counties," according to the report, which analyzed county-level data one month before, and after, the governor's mandate went into effect.
As of mid-August, 24 of Kansas’s 105 counties had abided by the state mandate or adopted their own mask mandate, and 81 counties had opted out, as Kansas law allows. At that time, the number of new daily cases per capita – calculated as a 7-day rolling average – had decreased an average of 6% among counties with a mask mandate and increased by 100% in counties without a mandate. Read more.
The province of Ontario announced Friday that Toronto and the surrounding Peel Region will go into lockdown on Monday.
Premier Doug Ford and health officials say they won’t allow indoor organized events or social gatherings except for members of the same household. Restaurants and bars will only be allowed to offer takeout and delivery. Retail will only be open for curbside pickup or delivery except for big box stores.
The stricter measures come as Ontario reports 1,418 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, including 393 in Toronto and 400 in Peel Region. Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams says Ontario flattened the epidemic curve before and he's confident it can be done again.
Meanwhile, Russia on Saturday reported a new daily high in infections and deaths. North Macedonia declared its first-ever nationwide state of emergency. Japan is scaling back on a government-backed campaign to encourage travel and dining out. And cases are surging in South Korea and New Delhi, India.
– The Associated Press
At a time when Americans are pondering how to celebrate Thanksgiving safely amid the country's worst surge in coronavirus cases, many families will be faced with yet another complicating factor: the return of students.
Colleges and universities have reported 252,000-plus cases since the pandemic began, according to a New York Times tracker. Returning students – whether they lived in dorms or off-campus housing in the fall term – "exponentially increase the risk (of infection)," especially if they take some form of mass transportation to get home.
That's the assessment of Dr. Teresa Bartlett, senior medical officer for the claims management firm Sedgwick, who advises companies about medical strategies and safety practices. Like other specialists in the field, Bartlett is concerned that holiday gatherings, combined with pandemic fatigue and the need to move indoors as the weather gets colder, will exacerbate what’s already a major national spike in COVID-19 cases. Read more.
And the International Emmy goes to: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, a Democrat whose daily briefings at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic received extensive airplay across the nation, will receive the International Emmy Founders Award.
The governor is being recognized in part for his use of television to inform people of the latest coronavirus updates at the height of the state's outbreak in March and April, according to The International Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences, which granted him the award.
Cuomo held more than 100 consecutive days of COVID-19 briefings, many of which were broadcast on cable news networks internationally. The governor will receive the International Emmy during a virtual award ceremony Monday. It's a separate ceremony from the better-known Primetime and Daytime Emmys, which focus on American television.
– Jon Campbell, New York State Team
On Thanksgiving more than a century ago, many Americans, like today, were living under various phases of quarantines and face mask orders. Millions were mourning loved ones. And health officials in many cities were issuing the same holiday warning: Stay home and stay safe.
"See that Thanksgiving celebrations are restricted as much as possible so as to prevent another flare-up," said a notice in the Omaha World Herald on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1918.
By late November of 1918, the U.S. – in the midst of the suffrage movement, Jim Crow and the end of WWI – was battling the ebbing second wave of the H1N1 influenza epidemic, also known as the Spanish flu. Read about how Americans celebrated Thanksgiving that year, and what happened next.
The Texas National Guard will be providing help to El Paso morgues as the region continues to be slammed by COVID-19 deaths.
"After completing an assessment of the situation on the ground in El Paso County this week, the state has mobilized a team of 36 Texas National Guard personnel to provide mortuary affairs support beginning at 9 o’clock tomorrow (Saturday) morning," Seth Christensen, spokesperson for the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said.
After the announcement, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego requested additional aid from Gov. Greg Abbott in the form of leeway to impose some restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. Samaniego said in a letter to the governor's office that his previous order that was ended by an appellate court was done so erroneously and the order was not inconsistent with Abbott's statewide restrictions.
– El Paso Times
Donald Trump Jr. tests positive for COVID-19
President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, according to his spokesman.
"Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result. He’s been completely asymptomatic so far and is following all medically recommended COVID-19 guidelines," his office said in a statement.
Trump Jr. is the latest person close to the president to test positive in recent days. Earlier on Friday, Rudy Giuliani's son, Andrew, announced he also tested positive a day after attending a press conference held by his father at the Republican National Committee headquarters.
The White House has struggled to contain at least three outbreaks of the virus in recent months. Trump was hospitalized after he tested positive, and several aides have since been infected.
– David Jackson
Pfizer takes candidate vaccine to FDA for emergency authorization
Pfizer said Friday it is filing for emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, the next step in bringing its candidate vaccine to market. Health and other frontline workers could get the vaccine as soon as December but reaching everyone could take up to a year.
The move follows an announcement from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech that its vaccine appears 95% effective against the coronavirus. Also this week, drug company Moderna released positive news, with its vaccine also showing a high rate of efficacy. Both candidates, each of which require two shots, protect more than 90% of those immunized, self-reported results indicate.
The FDA and an independent advisory board will review Pfizer's application before the vaccine is able to get into peoples' arms.
"If we do get people vaccinated to a high degree, then you can start talking about this umbrella or blanket of protection on society that would diminish dramatically the risk of a person being exposed or even being infected," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, told USA TODAY earlier this week.
– Cara Richardson
Coronavirus: How vaccines are developed and tested Pressure to create a coronavirus vaccine is increasing by the day, but for a safe vaccine to enter the market, it takes time. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Fauci says Santa Claus won't be spreading COVID-19 this Christmas
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, said Santa Claus is coming to town. And he's not bringing COVID-19.
It should come as no surprise. As children already know, Santa is superhuman. He flies around the world in one night, delivers millions of toys and eats his weight in cookies.
But with millions of Americans already sick with COVID-19, children have been worried about Santa, especially this Christmas Eve when he visits millions of homes. And there's no denying that Santa, because he is older and overweight, would at first glance appear to be at higher risk of developing severe disease from COVID-19.
Fauci is telling kids not to worry, though. "Santa is not going to be spreading any infections to anybody," he said.
— Adrianna Rodriguez and Grace Hauck
CDC recommends against holiday travel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending against travel for Thanksgiving. Dr. Henry Walke, the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager, said the "tragedy that could happen" is that family members could end up severely ill, hospitalized or dying. The CDC’s warning is the latest and most high profile about the risks of traveling as coronavirus cases rise nationwide. Officials in California, Illinois and other states have urged residents to avoid nonessential travel even as airlines tout holiday fare deals.
"These times are tough, it’s been a long outbreak, almost 11 months, and we understand people are tired," Walke said. "But this year we’re asking them to limit their travel."
– Sara M. Moniuszko
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-22--College football winners and losers from Week 12: Ohio State, Indiana, Nebraska and Northwestern

Indiana intercepted Justin Fields twice , sacked Fields twice and struck on a 68-yard completion .
With the score tied 7-7 in the second quarter , the Hoosiers looked capable of pulling off a mammoth upset in the Big Ten , one that would 've stood as perhaps the best victory in program history — easily the program 's most important victory in decades — and rewritten the College Football Playoff debate just days before the selection committee meets to unveil the first rankings of the regular season .
Ohio State 's next three drives : 24 plays , 244 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' opening drive of the second half traveled 75 yards on six plays to make it 35-7 .
Left in the dust , IU climbed back behind quarterback Michael Penix Jr. , who threw for 495 yards and five touchdowns to bolster a growing case for the Heisman Trophy , before losing 42-35 .
The Hoosiers are the first Big Ten opponent to play OSU within 10 points since Maryland on Nov. 17 , 2018 .
There may be several teams in the Big Ten and elsewhere capable of trading blows with Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heck , even Nebraska drew even at 14-14 about midway through the second quarter last month .
An opponent who is capable of hanging around for 60 minutes is harder to find .
The Hoosiers played well .
The running game sputtered , as it has all season , but the offense took advantage of an Ohio State secondary that has failed to meet expectations through four games .
Fields ended up tossing three interceptions , tying his career total across 476 attempts heading into the weekend .
Most of all , IU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lapped the field in the Big Ten and owned the series for more than a half-century .
In the end , Indiana had the ball with a chance to tie on the game 's final full possession .
That 's less a remark on OSU , which is still the team to beat in the conference and a favorite for the playoff , than a statement to Indiana 's development under coach Tom Allen and the program 's chances of making a major bowl for the first time since the 1967 season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's winners and losers : The Chanticleers scored the game 's final 12 points and beat Appalachian State 34-23 to remain unbeaten and in the mix for the New Year 's Six bowl bid given to the best team from the Group of Five .
The victory also signals a shift in the Sun Belt , which has been owned by Appalachian State .
If not the prettiest performance of his terrific freshman season , Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall threw for 200 yards , ran for 69 yards and accounted for three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Southern and trailing 27-21 after three quarters , Army scored the go-ahead touchdown with eight minutes left in the fourth and held on for a 28-27 victory .
This is by far the Black Knights ' best win of the season , which before Saturday consisted of victories against Middle Tennessee State , winless Louisiana-Monroe , Texas-San Antonio and three opponents from the Championship Subdivision .
Army won despite making just one pass attempt , the fourth time the program has done so under coach Jeff Monken .
Credit Central Florida for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season : make Cincinnati sweat .
After weeks of sailing past overmatched competition , with no win of seven coming by fewer than 14 points , the Bearcats had to come out of 14-3 hole at the end of the first quarter and a 25-22 deficit heading into the fourth to win 36-33 .
The matchup of an elite defense and an elite offense went the defense 's way : Cincinnati held UCF to 359 yards of offense , 260 yards below the Knights ' per-game average heading into the weekend .
Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most interesting subplots in Tuesday 's playoff rankings .
In beating Wisconsin 17-7 , Northwestern grabs firm control of the West division and sets up the potential for a winner-take-all matchup with Ohio State next month to determine the Big Ten title and a playoff berth .
Not bad for a team fresh off a 3-9 finish .
But it 's not like this year 's success should come as a surprise : Northwestern went 8-1 in Big Ten play and reached the championship game just two years ago .
( Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postseason fixture throughout coach Pat Fitzgerald 's tenure . )
The Wildcats ' defense held Wisconsin scoreless in the second half and forced five turnovers , the most for the Badgers in a single game since committing five giveaways in a loss to Northwestern in 2015 .
Alabama showed no signs of rust after an extended layoff by beating Kentucky 63-3 , the Crimson Tide 's seventh victory in as many tries this season by 17 or more points .
Junior quarterback Mac Jones threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns while running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two scores , one coming even as the Wildcats were flagged for having an extra defender on the field .
The Cyclones took another step toward securing a spot in the Big 12 championship game with a 45-0 thumping of rival Kansas State , which has now dropped three in a row in conference play .
Running back Breece Hall ran for 135 yards , his eighth straight game cracking the 100-yard mark , and quarterback Brock Purdy played his best game of the season with 236 passing yards , three touchdowns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of new lows in the nearly 20 years since the program was last nationally relevant .
Saturday 's 41-23 loss to Illinois is the latest rock-bottom moment for Nebraska and the clear low point of coach Scott Frost 's tenure , which four games into his third season is completely devoid of the hype and optimism that greeted his arrival .
With no identity , a sputtering offense and a consistently underachieving defense , Nebraska 's immediate future looks dim .
The Buckeyes ' march to a Big Ten championship and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What about Fields ' odds at the Heisman ?
They should n't take a huge hit after Saturday , but he did n't help his case by throwing those three interceptions .
Not that he played poorly : Fields still had 378 yards of offense and three touchdowns .
That 's a poor game only when compared to how the junior had looked in wins against the Cornhuskers , Penn State and Rutgers .
The Nittany Lions are 0-5 for the first time in program history after losing 41-21 to Iowa .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the way . )
Another ugly tidbit : PSU has given up at least 30 points in six straight games after doing so just once in the previous 16 games .
And the offense ?
There was n't much of one .
Back to alternating between quarterbacks Will Levis and Sean Clifford , the Nittany Lions gained 62 yards rushing and averaged 4.7 yards per play .

College football winners and losers from Week 12: Ohio State, Indiana, Nebraska and Northwestern
Show Caption Hide Caption Ohio State holds off Indiana to stay towards the top of the Amway Coaches Poll USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest Amway Coaches Poll. USA TODAY
Indiana intercepted Justin Fields twice, sacked Fields twice and struck on a 68-yard completion.
With the score tied 7-7 in the second quarter, the Hoosiers looked capable of pulling off a mammoth upset in the Big Ten, one that would've stood as perhaps the best victory in program history — easily the program's most important victory in decades — and rewritten the College Football Playoff debate just days before the selection committee meets to unveil the first rankings of the regular season.
Ohio State's next three drives: 24 plays, 244 yards and three scores. The Buckeyes' opening drive of the second half traveled 75 yards on six plays to make it 35-7.
Left in the dust, IU climbed back behind quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who threw for 495 yards and five touchdowns to bolster a growing case for the Heisman Trophy, before losing 42-35. The Hoosiers are the first Big Ten opponent to play OSU within 10 points since Maryland on Nov. 17, 2018.
There may be several teams in the Big Ten and elsewhere capable of trading blows with Ohio State for a quarter or so — heck, even Nebraska drew even at 14-14 about midway through the second quarter last month. An opponent who is capable of hanging around for 60 minutes is harder to find.
The Hoosiers played well. The running game sputtered, as it has all season, but the offense took advantage of an Ohio State secondary that has failed to meet expectations through four games. Fields ended up tossing three interceptions, tying his career total across 476 attempts heading into the weekend.
Most of all, IU was not intimidated by an opponent that has lapped the field in the Big Ten and owned the series for more than a half-century.
In the end, Indiana had the ball with a chance to tie on the game's final full possession. That's less a remark on OSU, which is still the team to beat in the conference and a favorite for the playoff, than a statement to Indiana's development under coach Tom Allen and the program's chances of making a major bowl for the first time since the 1967 season.
Here are the rest of Saturday's winners and losers:
Winners
Coastal Carolina
The Chanticleers scored the game's final 12 points and beat Appalachian State 34-23 to remain unbeaten and in the mix for the New Year's Six bowl bid given to the best team from the Group of Five. The victory also signals a shift in the Sun Belt, which has been owned by Appalachian State. If not the prettiest performance of his terrific freshman season, Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall threw for 200 yards, ran for 69 yards and accounted for three touchdowns.
Army
Down 21-7 at halftime to Georgia Southern and trailing 27-21 after three quarters, Army scored the go-ahead touchdown with eight minutes left in the fourth and held on for a 28-27 victory. This is by far the Black Knights' best win of the season, which before Saturday consisted of victories against Middle Tennessee State, winless Louisiana-Monroe, Texas-San Antonio and three opponents from the Championship Subdivision. Army won despite making just one pass attempt, the fourth time the program has done so under coach Jeff Monken.
Cincinnati
Credit Central Florida for doing what no team had done this season: make Cincinnati sweat. After weeks of sailing past overmatched competition, with no win of seven coming by fewer than 14 points, the Bearcats had to come out of 14-3 hole at the end of the first quarter and a 25-22 deficit heading into the fourth to win 36-33. The matchup of an elite defense and an elite offense went the defense's way: Cincinnati held UCF to 359 yards of offense, 260 yards below the Knights' per-game average heading into the weekend. Where the Bearcats will land is one of the most interesting subplots in Tuesday's playoff rankings.
Northwestern
In beating Wisconsin 17-7, Northwestern grabs firm control of the West division and sets up the potential for a winner-take-all matchup with Ohio State next month to determine the Big Ten title and a playoff berth. Not bad for a team fresh off a 3-9 finish. But it's not like this year's success should come as a surprise: Northwestern went 8-1 in Big Ten play and reached the championship game just two years ago. (Not to mention the program has been a postseason fixture throughout coach Pat Fitzgerald's tenure.) The Wildcats' defense held Wisconsin scoreless in the second half and forced five turnovers, the most for the Badgers in a single game since committing five giveaways in a loss to Northwestern in 2015.
Alabama
Alabama showed no signs of rust after an extended layoff by beating Kentucky 63-3, the Crimson Tide's seventh victory in as many tries this season by 17 or more points. Junior quarterback Mac Jones threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns while running back Najee Harris added 83 yards and two scores, one coming even as the Wildcats were flagged for having an extra defender on the field.
Iowa State
The Cyclones took another step toward securing a spot in the Big 12 championship game with a 45-0 thumping of rival Kansas State, which has now dropped three in a row in conference play. Running back Breece Hall ran for 135 yards, his eighth straight game cracking the 100-yard mark, and quarterback Brock Purdy played his best game of the season with 236 passing yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Oklahoma
Is it a rivalry if one side owns the series? Oklahoma's 41-13 win against Oklahoma State was the program's sixth in a row against the Cowboys and drops longtime OSU coach Mike Gundy to 2-14 against the Sooners. Redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 22 on the season, as OU won its fifth in a row and inches toward securing a spot in the Big 12 title game.
Georgia
Not for beating Mississippi State 31-24, since struggling to put away MSU is a bad look for any team with New Year's Six aspirations. But the Bulldogs should feel very positive about the play of new quarterback JT Daniels, who finally ascended to the starting job and threw for 401 yards and four scores, becoming the first Georgia quarterback to reach the 400-yard mark since 2013. The Southern California transfer changes the entire complexion of the offense. So where has he been all season? The safest assumption is that Daniels was still working his way back from last year's knee injury and wasn't physically ready to handle the starting job.
Losers
Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have hit a series of new lows in the nearly 20 years since the program was last nationally relevant. Saturday's 41-23 loss to Illinois is the latest rock-bottom moment for Nebraska and the clear low point of coach Scott Frost's tenure, which four games into his third season is completely devoid of the hype and optimism that greeted his arrival. With no identity, a sputtering offense and a consistently underachieving defense, Nebraska's immediate future looks dim.
Justin Fields
The Buckeyes' march to a Big Ten championship and spot in the national semifinals continues. What about Fields' odds at the Heisman? They shouldn't take a huge hit after Saturday, but he didn't help his case by throwing those three interceptions. Not that he played poorly: Fields still had 378 yards of offense and three touchdowns. That's a poor game only when compared to how the junior had looked in wins against the Cornhuskers, Penn State and Rutgers.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions are 0-5 for the first time in program history after losing 41-21 to Iowa. (Penn State football debuted in 1887, by the way.) Another ugly tidbit: PSU has given up at least 30 points in six straight games after doing so just once in the previous 16 games. And the offense? There wasn't much of one. Back to alternating between quarterbacks Will Levis and Sean Clifford, the Nittany Lions gained 62 yards rushing and averaged 4.7 yards per play.
Tennessee
Beating Vanderbilt but losing to Florida and Texas A&M to finish 3-7 isn't only possible but probable at this point for Tennessee, which now sits at 2-5 after losing 30-17 to Auburn. Think Penn State has it bad? Think about this: Tennessee has lost five straight by double digits for the first time in program history. (The program started in 1891.) Even in this odd season when coaches are given more leeway than ever — with former South Carolina coach Will Muschamp the one exception — this year feels like a major flop and missed opportunity for Tennessee, raising the temperature on Jeremy Pruitt heading into 2021.


usatoday--2020-11-21--5 things to look for in Breonna Taylor documentary from ABC 20/20 and The Courier Journal

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — The Courier Journal , part of the USA TODAY Network , and ABC News debuted a documentary Friday night about the life and death of Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot in her apartment by Louisville police and has since become a national symbol for the racial justice movement .
The two-hour 20/20 and Courier Journal , special was a comprehensive look at the case that led police to Taylor 's apartment door on March 13 , the ensuing investigation into her death , the protests that have gripped Louisville since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform .
It features interviews with Taylor 's family and their attorneys , LMPD Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly , Taylor 's boyfriend Kenneth Walker , reporters who have covered the story , as well as home videos and photos from Taylor 's life of her signing and goofing off with friends .
Here are five key takeaways from `` Breonna Taylor : Say Her Name . ''
'To know her is to love her' Taylor 's family and loved ones describe her as the `` star of the show '' and a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her family .
`` To know her is to love her , '' her mother , Tamika Palmer , said .
`` She 's so much like me , but she 's so much better than me . ''
Palmer showed ABC her daughter 's scrapbook , including photos from prom and graduation , as well as notes she 'd written .
`` I was God 's blessing to my mother , '' Palmer read .
`` She brought me into this world as her first child , her first baby girl .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ living to please my mother .
I feel like I owe her the world . ''
Palmer spoke with The Courier Journal in July about her decision to take up activism in the wake of Taylor 's death .
Louisville Metro Police officers were targeting Jamarcus Glover , Taylor 's ex-boyfriend , as a part of an ongoing narcotics investigation .
For months , officers from a newly created Place-Based Investigations unit monitored Glover and his associates , tracking his car and setting up a camera outside his suspected drug house on Elliott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's West End .
In January , police saw Glover drive to Taylor 's apartment 10 miles away and leave with a package before driving to a `` known drug house . ''
Police believed Taylor might be holding drugs and cash for Glover , and Glover used Taylor 's address as his own , according to several records .
But , Glover told The Courier Journal in August Taylor was never involved in drugs or anything illegal , and said he only had clothes and shoes sent to her apartment .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search Taylor 's apartment has since been called into question .
More than eight months after the shooting that left Taylor dead in her hallway , police and Taylor 's boyfriend still disagree about what unfolded around 12:40 a.m. when seven officers banged on the apartment door and forced it open with a battering ram .
Mattingly told The Courier Journal and ABC in an October interview he knocked on the door repeatedly , calling out that police had a search warrant .
Breonna Taylor : Brett Hankison , only officer fired in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inside , Walker said he never heard them and thought intruders were breaking in .
After Walker fired one round from his Glock , allegedly striking Mattingly , police return fire .
Mattingly shot six rounds , Detective Myles Cosgrove 16 and Detective Brett Hankison 10 .
Taylor was struck six times , including in the pulmonary artery .
After Walker was ordered out of the apartment by police , officers asked if he or Taylor had shot at police .
Walker lied and said it was Taylor , later telling police he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SWAT officers hurried to the scene , believing Taylor might be armed and still inside the apartment .
Hankison told other officers they encountered rifle fire , even though Walker fired a single shot from his legally owned Glock handgun .
SWAT arrived to see patrol cars everywhere and officers with guns aimed at Taylor 's apartment building .
`` What the ( expletive ) , '' one officer can be heard saying on body camera footage .
`` Jesus . ''
'That 's it ? '
after 1 officer is indicted When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indictment on Sept. 23 in the Breonna Taylor investigation and everyone learned one officer was indicted , there was a common refrain : `` That 's it ? ''
`` That 's it ? ''
Mattingly 's wife , Nicki Mattingly , said as they watched the news together in a moment captured on home video .
`` That 's it ? ''
protesters asked in Jefferson Square Park , the center of the Breonna Taylor movement in Louisville since May 28 .
`` Is that the only charge ? ''
`` What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman asked .
`` All of a sudden , all I hear is women wailing , '' says Linda Sarsour , a co-founder of Until Freedom .
Related : Officer 's records in Breonna Taylor shooting will be public with restrictions , judge rules Hankison , who was fired from LMPD for shooting `` blindly '' into Taylor 's apartment , was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment for bullets he fired into an occupied apartment next to Taylor 's , but not for endangering Taylor herself .
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand jurors `` agreed '' Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in using deadly force .
Three grand jurors would later come forward to say they wanted to bring more charges against the officers .
Breonna Taylor 's legacy lives on as a symbol of a movement Breonna Taylor has become synonymous with the Black Lives Matter and Say Her Name movements , with protesters across the world chanting her name and celebrities , athletes and politicians taking up her cause .
Since Taylor 's death , proposals for `` Breonna 's Law '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ban the use of no-knock search warrants like the one obtained for her apartment .
Louisville banned the controversial warrants in June , and cities and police departments across the country have followed suit .
Virginia also banned the practice last month , and lawmakers in Kentucky and Pennsylvania have proposed similar bills .
Additionally , when Taylor 's mother settled her $ 12 million civil lawsuit with the city of Louisville in September , she secured a series of police reforms as a part of the agreement .
The changes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community , reform the search warrant process and make officers more accountable and their actions more transparent .
`` I hate that she had to die to be great , '' Palmer said .

Tessa Duvall, Louisville Courier Journal

5 things to look for in Breonna Taylor documentary from ABC 20/20 and The Courier Journal
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Breonna Taylor: Say Her Name' features never-before-released videos New documentary about Breonna Taylor case airs Friday. The film is a joint investigation with The Courier Journal/ABC News 20/20. Watch the trailer. Louisville Courier Journal
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, and ABC News debuted a documentary Friday night about the life and death of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot in her apartment by Louisville police and has since become a national symbol for the racial justice movement.
The two-hour 20/20 and Courier Journal, special was a comprehensive look at the case that led police to Taylor's apartment door on March 13, the ensuing investigation into her death, the protests that have gripped Louisville since May and Taylor's legacy through police reform.
It features interviews with Taylor's family and their attorneys, LMPD Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker, reporters who have covered the story, as well as home videos and photos from Taylor's life of her signing and goofing off with friends.
(You can watch it here on demand at ABC and on Hulu by going to abcnews.com)
Here are five key takeaways from "Breonna Taylor: Say Her Name."
'To know her is to love her'
Taylor's family and loved ones describe her as the "star of the show" and a "diva" who loved spending time with her family.
"To know her is to love her," her mother, Tamika Palmer, said. "She's so much like me, but she's so much better than me."
Palmer showed ABC her daughter's scrapbook, including photos from prom and graduation, as well as notes she'd written.
"I was God's blessing to my mother," Palmer read. "She brought me into this world as her first child, her first baby girl. From this day forward, I was living to please my mother. I feel like I owe her the world."
Palmer spoke with The Courier Journal in July about her decision to take up activism in the wake of Taylor's death.
Ex-boyfriend's ties led police to Breonna Taylor's apartment
Louisville Metro Police officers were targeting Jamarcus Glover, Taylor's ex-boyfriend, as a part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
For months, officers from a newly created Place-Based Investigations unit monitored Glover and his associates, tracking his car and setting up a camera outside his suspected drug house on Elliott Avenue in the Russell neighborhood of Louisville's West End.
In January, police saw Glover drive to Taylor's apartment 10 miles away and leave with a package before driving to a "known drug house." Police believed Taylor might be holding drugs and cash for Glover, and Glover used Taylor's address as his own, according to several records.
But, Glover told The Courier Journal in August Taylor was never involved in drugs or anything illegal, and said he only had clothes and shoes sent to her apartment.
Meanwhile, the warrant that LMPD obtained to search Taylor's apartment has since been called into question.
Chaos ruled the night police killed Breonna Taylor
More than eight months after the shooting that left Taylor dead in her hallway, police and Taylor's boyfriend still disagree about what unfolded around 12:40 a.m. when seven officers banged on the apartment door and forced it open with a battering ram.
Mattingly told The Courier Journal and ABC in an October interview he knocked on the door repeatedly, calling out that police had a search warrant.
Breonna Taylor: Brett Hankison, only officer fired in case, sued over alleged sexual assault
Inside, Walker said he never heard them and thought intruders were breaking in.
After Walker fired one round from his Glock, allegedly striking Mattingly, police return fire. Mattingly shot six rounds, Detective Myles Cosgrove 16 and Detective Brett Hankison 10.
Taylor was struck six times, including in the pulmonary artery.
After Walker was ordered out of the apartment by police, officers asked if he or Taylor had shot at police. Walker lied and said it was Taylor, later telling police he had panicked when he said that.
SWAT officers hurried to the scene, believing Taylor might be armed and still inside the apartment. Hankison told other officers they encountered rifle fire, even though Walker fired a single shot from his legally owned Glock handgun.
SWAT arrived to see patrol cars everywhere and officers with guns aimed at Taylor's apartment building.
"What the (expletive)," one officer can be heard saying on body camera footage. "Jesus."
'That's it?' after 1 officer is indicted
When a judge read the grand jury's indictment on Sept. 23 in the Breonna Taylor investigation and everyone learned one officer was indicted, there was a common refrain: "That's it?"
"That's it?" Mattingly's wife, Nicki Mattingly, said as they watched the news together in a moment captured on home video.
"That's it?" protesters asked in Jefferson Square Park, the center of the Breonna Taylor movement in Louisville since May 28. "Is that the only charge?"
"What about the other two?" a woman asked.
"All of a sudden, all I hear is women wailing," says Linda Sarsour, a co-founder of Until Freedom.
Related: Officer's records in Breonna Taylor shooting will be public with restrictions, judge rules
Hankison, who was fired from LMPD for shooting "blindly" into Taylor's apartment, was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment for bullets he fired into an occupied apartment next to Taylor's, but not for endangering Taylor herself.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron told the public and reporters the grand jurors "agreed" Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in using deadly force.
Three grand jurors would later come forward to say they wanted to bring more charges against the officers.
Breonna Taylor's legacy lives on as a symbol of a movement
Breonna Taylor has become synonymous with the Black Lives Matter and Say Her Name movements, with protesters across the world chanting her name and celebrities, athletes and politicians taking up her cause.
Since Taylor's death, proposals for "Breonna's Law" have emerged across the nation, seeking to ban the use of no-knock search warrants like the one obtained for her apartment.
Louisville banned the controversial warrants in June, and cities and police departments across the country have followed suit. Virginia also banned the practice last month, and lawmakers in Kentucky and Pennsylvania have proposed similar bills.
Additionally, when Taylor's mother settled her $12 million civil lawsuit with the city of Louisville in September, she secured a series of police reforms as a part of the agreement.
The changes are designed to strengthen officers' connections to the community, reform the search warrant process and make officers more accountable and their actions more transparent.
"I hate that she had to die to be great," Palmer said.
Follow Louisville reporter Tessa Duvall on Twitter: @TessaDuvall.


usatoday--2020-11-21--Florida man saves his dog from the jaws of an alligator; wildlife cam films the dramatic rescue

FORT MYERS , Fla. – Newly released footage shows a Florida man rescuing his dog from the grasp of an alligator , an unexpected moment captured on film by a project designed to monitor local wildlife .
The dramatic video shows the man jumping into waist-deep pond water after the alligator dragged the dog underwater .
The man submerges his whole arm to bring the small dog to the surface , with the small alligator still latched on .
The dog yelps as the man struggles to free it from the gator 's grasp , loudly grunting from the strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man succeeds in freeing his pet , and it scampers ashore .
The organization that captured the video says the man and his dog are OK .
The footage was shot as part of a project between the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fStop Foundation , called Sharing the Landscape .
The project involves residents who live in areas that border wild habitat in Lee County volunteering to have cameras placed in their backyards to document wildlife that live and share the same landscape , according to Meredith Budd , regional policy director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Estero was one of the residents selected to have a camera in his backyard .
According to Budd , Wilbanks was captured saving his dog from an alligator near the end of October .
The foundations had no idea what had happened until they collected the memory cards and saw the footage just this past week , she said .
Budd said `` the homeowners took their dog to the vet and the man was also checked out and all parties involved are healthy and OK. '' 'Chicken of the Glades ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population by eating them Caught on camera : Alligator crosses the road at Everglades National Park The puppy — named Gunner , a 3-month-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel — has recovered from a puncture wound , Wilbanks told CNN .
`` I never thought an alligator could be that fast .
It was so quick , '' Wilbanks told the network .
He also said he was fine , but his hands had been hurt and he received a tetanus shot .
The camera project began as a way to increase the conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same landscape .
As residential developments encroach on wildlife habitat in Southwest Florida , Budd said education on co-existence with wildlife is important to help reduce conflict between humans and wildlife .
`` Wildlife is all around us and we are all a part of the same ecosystem , '' she said .
`` Each species plays an important role and contributes to keeping our environment healthy . ''
The ultimate goal of the project is to take the footage captured from the volunteers ' properties and create a video to help educate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is critical that people who live at the interface of wild land take extra precautions —dogs should be leashed and both people and pets should avoid lingering at the edge of large retention ponds where alligators are known to occupy , '' Budd said .

Kaitlin Greenockle and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY NETWORK

Florida man saves his dog from the jaws of an alligator; wildlife cam films the dramatic rescue
Show Caption Hide Caption A Florida man saves his dog from an alligator. It was caught on camera A Florida man is captured on camera saving his dog from an alligator in October. The man had a camera in his Estero backyard. Courtesy of the Florida Wildlife Federation and fStop Foundation, Fort Myers News-Press
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Newly released footage shows a Florida man rescuing his dog from the grasp of an alligator, an unexpected moment captured on film by a project designed to monitor local wildlife.
The dramatic video shows the man jumping into waist-deep pond water after the alligator dragged the dog underwater. The man submerges his whole arm to bring the small dog to the surface, with the small alligator still latched on.
The dog yelps as the man struggles to free it from the gator's grasp, loudly grunting from the strain. After about 12 seconds, the man succeeds in freeing his pet, and it scampers ashore.
The organization that captured the video says the man and his dog are OK.
The footage was shot as part of a project between the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fStop Foundation, called Sharing the Landscape. The project involves residents who live in areas that border wild habitat in Lee County volunteering to have cameras placed in their backyards to document wildlife that live and share the same landscape, according to Meredith Budd, regional policy director for the wildlife federation.
Richard Wilbanks of Estero was one of the residents selected to have a camera in his backyard.
According to Budd, Wilbanks was captured saving his dog from an alligator near the end of October. The foundations had no idea what had happened until they collected the memory cards and saw the footage just this past week, she said.
Budd said "the homeowners took their dog to the vet and the man was also checked out and all parties involved are healthy and OK."
'Chicken of the Glades': Florida officials propose culling invasive python population by eating them
Caught on camera: Alligator crosses the road at Everglades National Park
The puppy — named Gunner, a 3-month-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel — has recovered from a puncture wound, Wilbanks told CNN.
"I never thought an alligator could be that fast. It was so quick," Wilbanks told the network. He also said he was fine, but his hands had been hurt and he received a tetanus shot.
The camera project began as a way to increase the conversation about how humans and wildlife share the same landscape. As residential developments encroach on wildlife habitat in Southwest Florida, Budd said education on co-existence with wildlife is important to help reduce conflict between humans and wildlife.
"Wildlife is all around us and we are all a part of the same ecosystem,'' she said. "Each species plays an important role and contributes to keeping our environment healthy."
The ultimate goal of the project is to take the footage captured from the volunteers' properties and create a video to help educate people about living amongst wildlife.
"It is critical that people who live at the interface of wild land take extra precautions —dogs should be leashed and both people and pets should avoid lingering at the edge of large retention ponds where alligators are known to occupy," Budd said.
Follow Kaitlin Greenockle on Twitter: @kaitlinroseg


usatoday--2020-11-20--Scientists create diamonds in minutes, first time in lab without added heat

The creation of diamonds normally takes billions of years , gigantic pressure and extremely hot temperatures .
But one international team of scientists is defying nature — successfully producing the beautiful mineral in a laboratory at room temperature , and within only minutes .
Scientists at the Australian National University ( ANU ) , RMIT University , University of Sydney and Oak Ridge National Laboratory , published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Small .
Co-authors announced Wednesday that they used high pressure `` equivalent of 640 African elephants on the tip of one ballet shoe '' to create two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an engagement ring and Lonsdaleite , a type of diamond found in nature at the site of meteorite impacts .
Diamonds have been synthesized in labs since 1954 .
The jewels are usually created by subjecting carbon to intense pressure and heat .
This is the first time the dazzling mineral has been made at room temperature .
`` Natural diamonds are usually formed over billions of years , about 150 kilometers [ 93 miles ] deep in the Earth where there are high pressures and temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bradby , an ANU physics professor and co-lead researcher , stated in an ANU press release .
`` The twist in the story is how we apply the pressure , '' she continued .
`` As well as very high pressures , we allow the carbon to also experience something called 'shear ' — which is like a twisting or sliding force .
We think this allows the carbon atoms to move into place and form Lonsdaleite and regular diamond . ''
Using advanced microscopy techniques , Dougal McCulloch , a physics professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and his team captured slices from the samples to better understand both types of diamonds .
`` Seeing these little 'rivers ' of Lonsdaleite and regular diamond for the first time was just amazing and really helps us understand how they might form , '' stated McCulloch .

Scientists create diamonds in minutes, first time in lab without added heat
Show Caption Hide Caption Should you say 'I do' to lab-grown diamonds? Diamonds made in a lab are chemically and physically identical to natural ones, and they’re a rapidly growing trend, thanks to millennials and Gen Zers. Buzz60
The creation of diamonds normally takes billions of years, gigantic pressure and extremely hot temperatures.
One international team of scientists defied nature – producing the beautiful mineral in a laboratory at room temperature within only minutes.
Scientists at the Australian National University (ANU), RMIT University, University of Sydney and Oak Ridge National Laboratory published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Small.
Co-authors announced Wednesday that they used high pressure "equivalent of 640 African elephants on the tip of one ballet shoe" to create two types of diamonds: the kind found on an engagement ring and Lonsdaleite, a type of diamond found in nature at the site of meteorite impacts.
“Being able to make two types of diamonds at room temperature was exciting to achieve for the first time in our lab,” #ANUExpert PhD scholar Ms Xingshuo Huang says pic.twitter.com/ibuMF3zkCf — ANU Media (@ANUmedia) November 18, 2020
Diamonds have been synthesized in labs since 1954. The jewels are usually created by subjecting carbon to intense pressure and heat. This is the first time the dazzling mineral has been made at room temperature.
"Natural diamonds are usually formed over billions of years, about 150 kilometers [93 miles] deep in the Earth where there are high pressures and temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius [1,832 degrees Fahrenheit]," Jodie Bradby, an ANU physics professor and co-lead researcher, said in an ANU news release.
"The twist in the story is how we apply the pressure," she continued. "As well as very high pressures, we allow the carbon to also experience something called 'shear' – which is like a twisting or sliding force. We think this allows the carbon atoms to move into place and form Lonsdaleite and regular diamond."
Using advanced microscopy techniques, Dougal McCulloch, a physics professor at RMIT who co-led the research, and his team captured slices from the samples to better understand both types of diamonds.
"Seeing these little 'rivers' of Lonsdaleite and regular diamond for the first time was just amazing and really helps us understand how they might form," McCulloch said.


usatoday--2020-11-21--'Call of Duty' writer: Video game takes place in the past, but questioning of truth rings of today

He 's written screenplays for blockbuster films including Christopher Nolan 's Batman trilogy , TV series such as `` Da Vinci 's Demons '' and `` Constantine , '' video games including `` Call of Duty : Black Ops '' and `` Vader Immortal : A Star Wars VR series . ''
Goyer took time recently to discuss `` Call of Duty : Black Ops Cold War , '' the latest entry in the multibillion-selling first-person franchise from the set of `` Foundation , '' the Apple TV+ series based on the books by the late Isaac Asimov on which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , the game 's developers at Treyarch and Raven Software opted not to add any hint of the crisis into the game , says Goyer , who was a writer and story consultant on `` Call of Duty : Black Ops Cold War , '' out now , for PlayStation 4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X and S , and PCs on Battle.net ( rated Mature for ages 17-up ) .
'Madden NFL 21 ' : Update for PS5 , Xbox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves to the game midseason The Game Awards : 'The Last of Us Part II ' leads video game nominees for next month 's event '' People have asked me on 'Foundation , ' are you going to weave the idea of COVID into the show even though that show takes place in the future , '' Goyer said .
`` For me personally , as a creator , I always find that a little irrelevant .
I like to keep the intent of the story and the concept pure , especially when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to pivot on something that is happening historically because it may or may not be relevant a year or two years from now . ''
That same strategy prevailed on the latest Call of Duty game , he says .
`` We didn ’ t adjust to anything that was happening in current events .
It was really about let ’ s go back most specifically to that first game and what was it about that game that made the experience so fun ?
It was Woods , Mason , Hudson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weaving in real covert missions . ''
The legacy of 'Call of Duty : Black Ops' Released in 2010 , `` Call of Duty : Black Ops , '' is one of the top-selling video games of all time .
Players took the role of CIA operative Alex Mason , who apparently has been brainwashed by the Russians .
Together with Master Sergeant Frank Woods and CIA agent Jason Hudson , he sees action in Cold War situations in Cuba , Russia and Vietnam .
In the new game , `` the player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The player is absolutely the protagonist .
You are yourself or whatever character you created .
And you are interacting with Woods and Mason . ''
Q : So in this new game , you have a hand in creating your character ?
Goyer : That was what was interesting .
The player has the ability to create their own character and to sort of imbue that character in the game with either their own personal attributes or whatever attributes they wanted to do .
( The game ) does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or ) a woman .
It could be gender non-binary .
And the story within the game and the gameplay , to a certain extent , adapts to accommodate for that .
That ’ s what was really exciting .
Q : Tell us some more about the premise of `` Call of Duty : Black Ops Cold War . ''
Goyer : To a certain extent , it is more of a direct sequel to the original Black Ops game .
It kind of nests within the two , it doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I met with Treyarch and Raven , they wanted to do a return to form .
So if you think about what makes Black Ops Black Ops , it ’ s the idea that everyone has their own version of the truth .
There are deniable missions and things like that .
It ’ s an attempt to recapture that but , at the same time , push it in a different direction .
One of things that was most exciting to me when I first joined the Black Ops franchise was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , real historical black ops operations … giving it what James Cameron called the veneer of authenticity .
We have got ( former President Ronald ) Reagan in this one and ( Secretary of State ) Alexander Haig in this one .
Obviously , it ’ s a fiction and I ca n't give away too many plot points , but much of the game also spins off some very real historical operations that only because of things being declassified the general public knows about now . ''
Q : The idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems timely .
Goyer : Everything old is new again .
Obviously , Treyarch has been working on this for a long time , and I have been working on it for a long time , as well .
Everything that is happening right now makes it even more relevant .
It 's just funny how a lot of old enemies that were once thought trite have sort of come back to bite us in the ass .
I think one of the other things that is the hallmark of Black Ops games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we are in the world right now , and everybody is paranoid about everything .
Everybody is debating what is truth and what is reality – it ’ s playing out today .
Q : You have worked on two previous Black Ops games .
What is it like coming back ?
Goyer : It ’ s fun .
By the time I did the second game , I had learned a lot .
You ca n't necessarily communicate information in a video game the same way you can in film or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with branching narratives .
That ’ s a whole different ball of wax .
It gave me a leg up when I was doing the Star Wars VR project having worked on the video games .
Having done two Star Wars VR projects in the interim and then coming back to video games , I had a much better understanding of what was possible and what wasn ’ t possible .
Different ways to communicate exposition .
A much better understanding of what it means when you as a player or you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story or driving the story .
Q : What would you say about media and the strength of video games now .
Goyer : Media has been changing since the advent of the printing press .
It ’ s always changing it 's always evolving , the way that we consume story .
There was radio , then film , then television , then there were computers , and then there were video games , and now there 's VR , and now there 's streaming where you can watch things on-demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has hastened that change and tilted the balance to video games and streaming .
Even the concept of what a blockbuster is has changed .
You can have a blockbuster video game or streaming show and do it from the comfort of your own home , no matter how scary the world outside is .
Stories are constantly evolving , and it 's perilous to say stories should always be consumed one way .
Fifty years from now , stories are going to be consumed differently from the way we do now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a certain extent might find themselves left behind .
I think about what I 've been experiencing during COVID .
I ’ ve been playing a hell of a lot of video games with my kids and I ’ ve been watching a lot of streaming shows , and they excite me .
And it 's good to escape into those stories .
What do you think of `` Call of Duty : Black Ops Cold War '' ?
Share your review of the game with USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter @ @ @ @

'Call of Duty' writer: Video game takes place in the past, but questioning of truth rings of today
David Goyer is a master of multimedia.
He's written screenplays for blockbuster films including Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, TV series such as "Da Vinci's Demons" and "Constantine," video games including "Call of Duty: Black Ops" and "Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR series."
Goyer took time recently to discuss "Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War," the latest entry in the multibillion-selling first-person franchise from the set of "Foundation," the Apple TV+ series based on the books by the late Isaac Asimov on which he is a writer and executive producer.
Despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the game's developers at Treyarch and Raven Software opted not to add any hint of the crisis into the game, says Goyer, who was a writer and story consultant on "Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War," out now, for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PCs on Battle.net (rated Mature for ages 17-up).
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"People have asked me on 'Foundation,' are you going to weave the idea of COVID into the show even though that show takes place in the future," Goyer said. "For me personally, as a creator, I always find that a little irrelevant. I like to keep the intent of the story and the concept pure, especially when you put years into something and not try to pivot on something that is happening historically because it may or may not be relevant a year or two years from now."
That same strategy prevailed on the latest Call of Duty game, he says. "We didn’t adjust to anything that was happening in current events. It was really about let’s go back most specifically to that first game and what was it about that game that made the experience so fun? It was Woods, Mason, Hudson, paranoia, deniable operations. It was weaving in real covert missions."
The legacy of 'Call of Duty: Black Ops'
Released in 2010, "Call of Duty: Black Ops," is one of the top-selling video games of all time. Players took the role of CIA operative Alex Mason, who apparently has been brainwashed by the Russians. Together with Master Sergeant Frank Woods and CIA agent Jason Hudson, he sees action in Cold War situations in Cuba, Russia and Vietnam.
In the new game, "the player is the hero," Goyer said. "The player is absolutely the protagonist. You are yourself or whatever character you created. And you are interacting with Woods and Mason."
Q&A: 'Call of Duty' writer David Goyer
Q: So in this new game, you have a hand in creating your character?
Goyer: That was what was interesting. The player has the ability to create their own character and to sort of imbue that character in the game with either their own personal attributes or whatever attributes they wanted to do. (The game) doesn't presume you're character is a man (or) a woman. It could be gender non-binary. And the story within the game and the gameplay, to a certain extent, adapts to accommodate for that. That’s what was really exciting.
Q: Tell us some more about the premise of "Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War."
Goyer: To a certain extent, it is more of a direct sequel to the original Black Ops game. It kind of nests within the two, it doesn’t necessarily invalidate the other. When I met with Treyarch and Raven, they wanted to do a return to form. So if you think about what makes Black Ops Black Ops, it’s the idea that everyone has their own version of the truth. There are deniable missions and things like that.
It’s an attempt to recapture that but, at the same time, push it in a different direction. One of things that was most exciting to me when I first joined the Black Ops franchise was the fact we were weaving in real history, real historical black ops operations … giving it what James Cameron called the veneer of authenticity. We have got (former President Ronald) Reagan in this one and (Secretary of State) Alexander Haig in this one. Obviously, it’s a fiction and I can't give away too many plot points, but much of the game also spins off some very real historical operations that only because of things being declassified the general public knows about now."
Q: The idea of 'What is reality?' certainly seems timely.
Goyer: Everything old is new again. Obviously, Treyarch has been working on this for a long time, and I have been working on it for a long time, as well. Everything that is happening right now makes it even more relevant. It's just funny how a lot of old enemies that were once thought trite have sort of come back to bite us in the ass. I think one of the other things that is the hallmark of Black Ops games is paranoia. You just look at where we are in the world right now, and everybody is paranoid about everything. Everybody is debating what is truth and what is reality – it’s playing out today.
Q: You have worked on two previous Black Ops games. What is it like coming back?
Goyer: It’s fun. By the time I did the second game, I had learned a lot. You can't necessarily communicate information in a video game the same way you can in film or in television, especially if you are dealing with branching narratives. That’s a whole different ball of wax. It gave me a leg up when I was doing the Star Wars VR project having worked on the video games. Having done two Star Wars VR projects in the interim and then coming back to video games, I had a much better understanding of what was possible and what wasn’t possible. Different ways to communicate exposition. A much better understanding of what it means when you as a player or you as a VR user are part of the story or driving the story.
Q: What would you say about media and the strength of video games now.
Goyer: Media has been changing since the advent of the printing press. It’s always changing it's always evolving, the way that we consume story. There was radio, then film, then television, then there were computers, and then there were video games, and now there's VR, and now there's streaming where you can watch things on-demand. It is obvious that the pandemic has hastened that change and tilted the balance to video games and streaming. Even the concept of what a blockbuster is has changed. You can have a blockbuster video game or streaming show and do it from the comfort of your own home, no matter how scary the world outside is. Stories are constantly evolving, and it's perilous to say stories should always be consumed one way. Fifty years from now, stories are going to be consumed differently from the way we do now. Those who cling to the past to a certain extent might find themselves left behind.
I think about what I've been experiencing during COVID. I’ve been playing a hell of a lot of video games with my kids and I’ve been watching a lot of streaming shows, and they excite me. And it's good to escape into those stories.
What do you think of "Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War"? Share your review of the game with USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.


usatoday--2020-11-21--Pollsters want to be right, so how did they get the 2020 election so wrong?

• William Lyons has worked as a political science professor at University of Tennessee and adviser to Knoxville mayors .
For the second straight presidential election year , it was a bad day for the pollsters .
In 2016 , there had been a three-point divergence between the late election surveys .
This year it was closer to 6 % nationally and often higher in key states .
And the divergence was not random .
The polls were off in the same direction .
I used to be a pollster , or more properly , a member of the survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government and campaign perspectives .
I chose to abandon the latter because I could not justify all the shortcuts and workarounds needed to produce a reliable estimate of the general population .
Like any research tool , survey research ’ s validity relies on a couple of fundamental assumptions .
It 's all about identifying and then reaching a representative sample of a group of people you want to generalize to .
It 's one thing to feel comfortable about a survey of customers or hospital patients .
But elections are tougher .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the notion that one can generalize to a large population , including up to millions in national , state and local electorates , from samples of 1,600 or fewer people .
Some error occurs by chance .
But one knows what that error range is .
When pollsters estimate that Biden will get 51 % with a margin of error of 4 % they are 95 % sure that the estimate for all voters could be anywhere from 47 % to 55 % with 51 % being the best prediction .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its being between 49 % and 53 % .
But 95 % certainty is the custom .
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It assumes that everyone had an equal chance of being included .
If not , we introduce greater error , but we don ’ t know how to account for it .
So how do you assure that everybody has an equal chance to be included ?
Back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straightforward .
Almost everybody had home phones .
And most people picked up the phone when it rang .
Interviewers did not just talk to those who answered because those who answer the phone do not necessarily represent all adults present .
They also asked how many adults of voting age were in the household and consulted a random table to ask for a specific respondent .
After all of this , many people did not participate or hung up .
All of this led to a valuable statistic : response rate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were problems .
Were those answering the same group as those who answered ?
A troubling transition : Trump history and behavior suggest destructive mental processes that put America at risk Then came answering machines and call screening .
Then came mobile phones and extreme call screening .
There is no need to belabor the point .
In today ’ s world it 's harder than ever to be confident that those surveyed represent the bigger population .
If not , there is a real likelihood of systematic error in addition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveys suffer from systematic error as well as random error .
This produces unintentionally biased results .
So what is the nature of this bias ?
Maybe so-called “ shy ” Trump voters lie to surveyors .
If so , that ’ s a small part of the problem .
It ’ s more likely in the sampling .
Poll takers have regularly failed to reach Trump voters , who are clearly not as likely to answer their phones and if so , to participate in surveys .
And surveyors may underestimate a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting .
Certainly one could make a case that the package of traits that would tend to lead to a Trump vote included a sense of distrust in media and related institutions and a heightened aversion to engaging a pollster .
The challenge of getting a representative election sample won ’ t end with Trump ’ s defeat .
His voters remain and the challenges to their participation remain .
Survey professionals want to get it right .
Election polling faces a reality check on election day .
Credibility matters .
It hurts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a professor of political science at the University of Tennessee and served for more than 16 years in a number of policy-related roles for Knoxville Mayors Bill Haslam , Daniel Brown , Madeline Rogero and Indya Kincannon .
This column originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel .

Pollsters want to be right, so how did they get the 2020 election so wrong? I used to conduct surveys. Issues with reliability and changing technology have made polling so much harder and less precise as we saw with the 2020 election.
Show Caption Hide Caption Tennessee Voices: A conversation with William Lyons Tennessean Opinion Editor David Plazas spoke to William Lyons, Knoxville political columnist and University of Tennessee professor, on June 2, 2020. Nashville Tennessean
William Lyons has worked as a political science professor at University of Tennessee and adviser to Knoxville mayors.
For the second straight presidential election year, it was a bad day for the pollsters.
In 2016, there had been a three-point divergence between the late election surveys. This year it was closer to 6% nationally and often higher in key states.
And the divergence was not random. The polls were off in the same direction.
I used to be a pollster, or more properly, a member of the survey research fraternity from academic, business, government and campaign perspectives.
I chose to abandon the latter because I could not justify all the shortcuts and workarounds needed to produce a reliable estimate of the general population.
Like any research tool, survey research’s validity relies on a couple of fundamental assumptions. It's all about identifying and then reaching a representative sample of a group of people you want to generalize to. It's one thing to feel comfortable about a survey of customers or hospital patients. But elections are tougher.
What margin of error means
There is ample theory and evidence to support the notion that one can generalize to a large population, including up to millions in national, state and local electorates, from samples of 1,600 or fewer people.
Some error occurs by chance. But one knows what that error range is.
When pollsters estimate that Biden will get 51% with a margin of error of 4% they are 95% sure that the estimate for all voters could be anywhere from 47% to 55% with 51% being the best prediction.
We could go with 90% certainty of its being between 49% and 53%. But 95% certainty is the custom.
We are causing instability, not preventing it: Rockets are latest reminder that we need to leave Iraq
This is the best we can do. It assumes that everyone had an equal chance of being included. If not, we introduce greater error, but we don’t know how to account for it.
So how do you assure that everybody has an equal chance to be included?
Changing technology made surveying people at home more challenging
Back in the day of landlines the strategy was straightforward. Almost everybody had home phones. And most people picked up the phone when it rang.
Interviewers did not just talk to those who answered because those who answer the phone do not necessarily represent all adults present. They also asked how many adults of voting age were in the household and consulted a random table to ask for a specific respondent.
After all of this, many people did not participate or hung up. All of this led to a valuable statistic: response rate. If it was too low, there were problems. Were those answering the same group as those who answered?
A troubling transition: Trump history and behavior suggest destructive mental processes that put America at risk
Then came answering machines and call screening. Then came mobile phones and extreme call screening. There is no need to belabor the point. In today’s world it's harder than ever to be confident that those surveyed represent the bigger population.
If not, there is a real likelihood of systematic error in addition to the random error.
Clearly the presidential election surveys suffer from systematic error as well as random error. This produces unintentionally biased results. So what is the nature of this bias?
Trump voters were severely underrepresented in polls
Maybe so-called “shy” Trump voters lie to surveyors. If so, that’s a small part of the problem. It’s more likely in the sampling.
Poll takers have regularly failed to reach Trump voters, who are clearly not as likely to answer their phones and if so, to participate in surveys.
And surveyors may underestimate a Trump supporter’s likelihood of actually voting.
Certainly one could make a case that the package of traits that would tend to lead to a Trump vote included a sense of distrust in media and related institutions and a heightened aversion to engaging a pollster.
The challenge of getting a representative election sample won’t end with Trump’s defeat. His voters remain and the challenges to their participation remain.
Survey professionals want to get it right. Election polling faces a reality check on election day. Credibility matters. It hurts to be wrong.
William Lyons worked as a professor of political science at the University of Tennessee and served for more than 16 years in a number of policy-related roles for Knoxville Mayors Bill Haslam, Daniel Brown, Madeline Rogero and Indya Kincannon. This column originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel.