usatoday--2020-08-16--Coronavirus updates: Two top CDC officials step down; Birx urges Americans to wear masks indoors and

Two top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were moving on and angry Democrats were calling out the U.S .
Postal Service leadership Sunday as the U.S. COVID-19 death toll that inched toward 170,000 .
Kyle McGowan , the chief of staff , and Amanda Campbell , the deputy chief of staff , had worked side-by-side with CDC Director Robert Redfield , including the last eight tumultuous months as the virus overwhelmed the nation .
`` Amanda and I spent more than two years serving at the CDC and chose to leave to start our own business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emailed to USA TODAY .
A sliver of help may be on the way for the relentless coronavirus testing issues hampering efforts to slow the U.S. outbreak .
This weekend the Food and Drug Administration approved a saliva-based test that Yale University researchers hope will clean up some of those testing issues .
“ This is a huge step forward to make testing more accessible , ” said Chantal Vogels , a Yale postdoctoral fellow , who led the laboratory development and validation along with Doug Brackney , an adjunct assistant clinical professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The U.S .
Postal Service has warned almost every state that deadlines for early voting may mean some ballots can not be delivered in time to be counted .
• A saliva-based COVID-19 test developed by researchers at Yale in partnership and funding from the NBA and National Basketball Players Association was approved on Saturday for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
• Thousands of people will gather in rural South Dakota yet again as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally enters its second and final weekend .
• Mayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other patients recover , but it ’ s not proof .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has 5.3 million confirmed infections and more than 169,000 deaths .
Worldwide , there have been more than 768,000 deaths and more than 21 million cases , according to John Hopkins University data .
📰 What we 're reading : Across the U.S. , faith leaders are debating how they can continue to pray in fellowship with others while keeping staff and members safe in the age of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , others have embraced drive-in service , and some are adamant about holding in-person gatherings .
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Sunday announced its fourth coronavirus `` cluster '' less than a week after the first day of fall classes for students .
The state 's Department of Defines a `` cluster '' as `` five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location .
'Location ' is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling , '' the university wrote in a Facebook post .
UNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hall , Ehringhaus Community -- another residence hall .
The university has also reported clusters in Granville Towers , privately owned apartments partnered with the university 's housing arm , and Sigma Nu fraternity .
`` The individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring , '' UNC wrote Sunday .
`` We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures . ''
Texas , Utah kicking off high school football ; some states kick sport to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaching and so are final decisions from state athletic officials who will determine the fate of the game .
California , Oregon , Washington , Colorado , Maryland and Illinois are among big states that have already pulled the plug .
Texas , which has by far the most high school football players in the nation with about 170,000 , plans on playing despite a state COVID-19 death toll approaching 10,000 .
Some schools in Utah played their first games over the weekend .
But Davis High coach Mitch Arquette told his kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ' know when an outbreak might shut them down .
`` The mantra of 2020 : Win the day , ” Arquette told the Deseret News .
“ You don ’ t know when you ’ re going to get another .
We really don ’ t .
We could have our game canceled next week.
” Homeless population thus far has avoided worst of pandemic A few of the nation 's homeless shelters have seen large COVID-19 outbreaks , but the virus has not brought devastation to the homeless population as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much is unknown about how the pandemic is affecting the estimated half-million people without housing in the U.S. – and why there appear to be so few outbreaks among them .
“ I am shocked , I guess I can say , because it ’ s a very vulnerable population , ” said Dr. Deborah Borne , who oversees health policy for COVID-19 homeless response at San Francisco ’ s public health department .
“ I don ’ t know what we ’ re going to see in an aftermath .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel virus , because we don ’ t know.
” Dems want Postal Service leaders to testify ahead of ballot crunch Congressional Democratic leaders on Sunday called on the postmaster general and the head of the Postal Service Board of Governors to testify in a hearing about `` dangerous operational changes . ''
Democrats say the changes threaten the integrity of the November election , which is expected to see a record-high volume of mailed-in ballots because of the pandemic .
USPS officials have warned that some ballots may not be delivered on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
In a joint statement , Democrats called on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Chairman of the USPS Board of Governors Robert Duncan to `` testify before Congress about recent , sweeping and dangerous operational changes at the Postal Service that are slowing the mail and jeopardizing the integrity of the election . ''
Two top staffers at the embattled Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have resigned to start a consulting firm .
Kyle McGowan , the chief of staff , and Amanda Campbell , the deputy chief of staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a website for Ascendant Strategic Partners .
McGowan oversaw the day-to-day operations and served as the senior advisor to CDC Director Robert Redfield .
The CDC has sometimes been at odds with the Trump administration , and recently was removed from its position as overseer of the nation 's COVID-19 data .
McGowan , in a statement to USA TODAY , said the duo was not forced out .
`` The CDC is filled with dedicated public health professionals , '' McGowan said .
`` Amanda and I are honored to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and every one of them . ''
Single-family home sales in Colorado last month shattered state records and drove median home prices to record highs despite the sharp economic downturn brought on by COVID-19 related shutdowns , according to data from the Colorado Association of Realtors .
Sales rose 15 % from June and 21 % from the previous July – before COVID-19 when the economy was rolling .
Statewide the median home price rose a startling 4.5 % in one month , to $ 443,925 .
`` There is a total disconnect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , housing has mostly shrugged it all off , said Realtor Patrick Muldoon .
`` Small business is getting blown out , people are not working , and yet housing continues to be unaffordable . ''
Rocky start for in-class learning as thousands forced to quarantine It 's not even September and already thousands of students and teachers have been moved to the sidelines , just days after starting in-class instruction .
Positive tests or coronavirus outbreaks have scrambled schedules and forced quarantines .
More than 1,200 students at two Alabama schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began .
One school 's entire football team was forced to isolate after five players tested positive .
More than 1,000 students in Cherokee County , Georgia , were forced to quarantine after scores of students and staff tested positive .
And only a small fraction of districts across the nation have yet to begin the new school year .
`` I definitely still say , 'Give this a shot . '
I think there is a way to do this in person , '' Carlo Wheaton , the parent of a junior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told WSB-TV in Atlanta after the school was forced to close .
At least 14 people tested positive for the virus .
Italy , one of the world 's first hotspots , heating up again Tourists arriving in Rome from Croatia , Greece , Malta and Spain lined up at Leonardo da Vinci airport to be immediately tested for coronavirus Sunday , one day after Italy 's daily new-case count topped 600 for the first time in three months .
Italy was among the first and most severe hotspots for the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country for weeks .
Vacationers coming from abroad are fueling the current increase , authorities say .
Social distancing may put kibosh on 'cool lunch table ' for 2020-21 Traditional school lunches and accompanying socializing are being re-engineered at schools that decide to open for in-person instruction .
Most students will eat lunch in their classrooms or will sit by class in the cafeteria as schools try to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Some other changes include mandatory handwashing and prepackaged meals .
And the `` cool lunch table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They need to have some space between the children because they have to take their masks off , '' said John Christenson , medical director of infection prevention at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis .
Testing issues cast doubt on decline in new cases Testing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has dropped nationwide the past two weeks even as the evidence builds disease spread is picking up in many states .
In Mississippi , more than one in five tested for the virus in the past week were positive , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
The average number of daily tests in Texas and Florida dropped but the ratio of positive tests in each state is more than double what the World Health Organization recommends .
Official case counts have dropped nationally but reporting problems and generally reduced testing in some states makes it hard to confidently determine that infection rates are improving .
“ The enhanced positivity rate is the thing that bothers people more than anything else , ” said Dr. William Schaffner , a professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease specialist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because it suggests this virus is circulating still very briskly . ''
A saliva-based laboratory diagnostic test developed by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health to determine whether someone is infected with the coronavirus has been granted an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
The method , called SalivaDirect , is being validated as a test for asymptomatic individuals through a program that tests players and staff from the National Basketball Association .
SalivaDirect is simpler , less expensive , and less invasive than nasopharyngeal swabbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saliva being quick and easy to collect , we realized it could be a game-changer in COVID-19 diagnostics , ” said Anne Wyllie , assistant professor and associate research scientist at Yale .
Birx : Masks should we born indoors and outdoors , in cities and rural areas Dr. Deborah Birx , coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force , urged all Americans to wear masks indoors and outdoors to help curb the pandemic .
Birx said when communities start seeing a rise in positive cases , leaders need to close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social gatherings and ensure there ’ s a mask mandate .
Birx , speaking in Kansas City , Kansas , warned that the outbreak is not just an urban issue .
“ So we are really asking all communities , whether you are urban or rural communities , to really wear a mask inside , outside , every day , '' she said .
“ Much of the spread is asymptomatic .
I know we all want to believe that our family members can not be positive .
They are.
” As schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe way to educate students in-person , a Kansas teacher has dedicated herself to tracking school closings , cases and deaths in a budding national database .
`` I was seeing a lot of articles about schools that were opening up and issues already happening on Day 1 , '' Alisha Morris , who teaches theater in Kansas ’ Olathe School District said .
`` As I was researching , I thought , oh my gosh , this is happening all over . ''
The project comes amid a torrent troubling news about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experts have expressed skepticism that schools ' attempting to head off outbreaks using routine symptom screenings will have success .
Nurses have described keeping kids safe at school an `` uphill fight . ''
And — despite President Donald Trump 's push to open all schools — half of the Defense Department 's schools in America will not open for in-person learning .
• Americans are drinking more during the COVID-19 pandemic.But how much alcohol is too much ?
• Online prayers .
Social distancing in the pews .
Christian leaders debate how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Masks are on superintendents ' back-to-school shopping lists.Some leaders wonder if there will be enough .
• 'Feels like I 'm dorming anyway ' : Hotels housing college students in effort to social distance .
On Facebook : There 's still a lot 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 chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .
In your inbox : Stay up-to-date with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter here .
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 here .

Coronavirus updates: Two top CDC officials step down; Birx urges Americans to wear masks indoors and outdoors
Show Caption Hide Caption Mail-in votes, USPS caught in COVID-19 relief negotiations President Donald Trump has offered conflicting statements about supplementary funding for the U.S. Postal Service. USA TODAY
Two top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were moving on and angry Democrats were calling out the U.S. Postal Service leadership Sunday as the U.S. COVID-19 death toll that inched toward 170,000.
Kyle McGowan, the chief of staff, and Amanda Campbell, the deputy chief of staff, had worked side-by-side with CDC Director Robert Redfield, including the last eight tumultuous months as the virus overwhelmed the nation.
"Amanda and I spent more than two years serving at the CDC and chose to leave to start our own business," McGowan said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY.
A sliver of help may be on the way for the relentless coronavirus testing issues hampering efforts to slow the U.S. outbreak. This weekend the Food and Drug Administration approved a saliva-based test that Yale University researchers hope will clean up some of those testing issues.
“This is a huge step forward to make testing more accessible,” said Chantal Vogels, a Yale postdoctoral fellow, who led the laboratory development and validation along with Doug Brackney, an adjunct assistant clinical professor.
Here are some significant developments:
The U.S. Postal Service has warned almost every state that deadlines for early voting may mean some ballots cannot be delivered in time to be counted.
A saliva-based COVID-19 test developed by researchers at Yale in partnership and funding from the NBA and National Basketball Players Association was approved on Saturday for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Thousands of people will gather in rural South Dakota yet again as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally enters its second and final weekend.
Mayo Clinic researchers reported a strong hint that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other patients recover, but it’s not proof.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has 5.3 million confirmed infections and more than 169,000 deaths. Worldwide, there have been more than 768,000 deaths and more than 21 million cases, according to John Hopkins University data.
📰 What we're reading: Across the U.S., faith leaders are debating how they can continue to pray in fellowship with others while keeping staff and members safe in the age of coronavirus. Some churches have moved completely online, others have embraced drive-in service, and some are adamant about holding in-person gatherings.
UNC Chapel Hill announces four 'clusters' of coronavirus cases
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Sunday announced its fourth coronavirus "cluster" less than a week after the first day of fall classes for students.
The state's Department of Defines a "cluster" as "five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. 'Location' is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling," the university wrote in a Facebook post. UNC has reported clusters in Hinton James residence hall, Ehringhaus Community -- another residence hall. The university has also reported clusters in Granville Towers, privately owned apartments partnered with the university's housing arm, and Sigma Nu fraternity.
"The individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring," UNC wrote Sunday. "We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures."
Texas, Utah kicking off high school football; some states kick sport to curb
High school football season is fast approaching and so are final decisions from state athletic officials who will determine the fate of the game. California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Maryland and Illinois are among big states that have already pulled the plug. Texas, which has by far the most high school football players in the nation with about 170,000, plans on playing despite a state COVID-19 death toll approaching 10,000. Some schools in Utah played their first games over the weekend. But Davis High coach Mitch Arquette told his kids to savor their victory, because they don' know when an outbreak might shut them down.
"The mantra of 2020: Win the day,” Arquette told the Deseret News. “You don’t know when you’re going to get another. We really don’t. We could have our game canceled next week.”
A few of the nation's homeless shelters have seen large COVID-19 outbreaks, but the virus has not brought devastation to the homeless population as many feared. Researchers and advocates say much is unknown about how the pandemic is affecting the estimated half-million people without housing in the U.S. – and why there appear to be so few outbreaks among them.
“I am shocked, I guess I can say, because it’s a very vulnerable population,” said Dr. Deborah Borne, who oversees health policy for COVID-19 homeless response at San Francisco’s public health department. “I don’t know what we’re going to see in an aftermath. That’s why it’s called a novel virus, because we don’t know.”
Congressional Democratic leaders on Sunday called on the postmaster general and the head of the Postal Service Board of Governors to testify in a hearing about "dangerous operational changes." Democrats say the changes threaten the integrity of the November election, which is expected to see a record-high volume of mailed-in ballots because of the pandemic. USPS officials have warned that some ballots may not be delivered on time due to election rules in some states.
In a joint statement, Democrats called on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Chairman of the USPS Board of Governors Robert Duncan to "testify before Congress about recent, sweeping and dangerous operational changes at the Postal Service that are slowing the mail and jeopardizing the integrity of the election."
– William Cummings
Two top staffers at the embattled Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have resigned to start a consulting firm. Kyle McGowan, the chief of staff, and Amanda Campbell, the deputy chief of staff, resigned effective Friday and are now featured on a website for Ascendant Strategic Partners. McGowan oversaw the day-to-day operations and served as the senior advisor to CDC Director Robert Redfield. The CDC has sometimes been at odds with the Trump administration, and recently was removed from its position as overseer of the nation's COVID-19 data. McGowan, in a statement to USA TODAY, said the duo was not forced out.
"The CDC is filled with dedicated public health professionals," McGowan said. "Amanda and I are honored to have had the opportunity to serve alongside each and every one of them."
Single-family home sales in Colorado last month shattered state records and drove median home prices to record highs despite the sharp economic downturn brought on by COVID-19 related shutdowns, according to data from the Colorado Association of Realtors. Sales rose 15% from June and 21% from the previous July – before COVID-19 when the economy was rolling. Statewide the median home price rose a startling 4.5% in one month, to $443,925.
"There is a total disconnect with half the economy being crushed and yet, housing has mostly shrugged it all off, said Realtor Patrick Muldoon. "Small business is getting blown out, people are not working, and yet housing continues to be unaffordable."
It's not even September and already thousands of students and teachers have been moved to the sidelines, just days after starting in-class instruction. Positive tests or coronavirus outbreaks have scrambled schedules and forced quarantines. More than 1,200 students at two Alabama schools were ordered to isolate days before school began. One school's entire football team was forced to isolate after five players tested positive. More than 1,000 students in Cherokee County, Georgia, were forced to quarantine after scores of students and staff tested positive. And only a small fraction of districts across the nation have yet to begin the new school year.
"I definitely still say, 'Give this a shot.' I think there is a way to do this in person," Carlo Wheaton, the parent of a junior at Georgia's Woodstock High School, told WSB-TV in Atlanta after the school was forced to close. At least 14 people tested positive for the virus.
Tourists arriving in Rome from Croatia, Greece, Malta and Spain lined up at Leonardo da Vinci airport to be immediately tested for coronavirus Sunday, one day after Italy's daily new-case count topped 600 for the first time in three months. Italy was among the first and most severe hotspots for the virus in the spring, shutting down most of the country for weeks. Vacationers coming from abroad are fueling the current increase, authorities say.
Traditional school lunches and accompanying socializing are being re-engineered at schools that decide to open for in-person instruction. Most students will eat lunch in their classrooms or will sit by class in the cafeteria as schools try to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Some other changes include mandatory handwashing and prepackaged meals. And the "cool lunch table" may be on hiatus.
“They need to have some space between the children because they have to take their masks off," said John Christenson, medical director of infection prevention at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
– Anne Snabes, Indianapolis Star
Testing issues cast doubt on decline in new cases
Testing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has dropped nationwide the past two weeks even as the evidence builds disease spread is picking up in many states. In Mississippi, more than one in five tested for the virus in the past week were positive, the highest rate in the nation as of Friday. The average number of daily tests in Texas and Florida dropped but the ratio of positive tests in each state is more than double what the World Health Organization recommends. Official case counts have dropped nationally but reporting problems and generally reduced testing in some states makes it hard to confidently determine that infection rates are improving.
“The enhanced positivity rate is the thing that bothers people more than anything else,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “Because it suggests this virus is circulating still very briskly."
– Ken Alltucker and Dan Keemahill
Saliva test developed at Yale wins FDA approval
A saliva-based laboratory diagnostic test developed by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health to determine whether someone is infected with the coronavirus has been granted an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The method, called SalivaDirect, is being validated as a test for asymptomatic individuals through a program that tests players and staff from the National Basketball Association. SalivaDirect is simpler, less expensive, and less invasive than nasopharyngeal swabbing, the researchers say.
“With saliva being quick and easy to collect, we realized it could be a game-changer in COVID-19 diagnostics,” said Anne Wyllie, assistant professor and associate research scientist at Yale.
Birx: Masks should we born indoors and outdoors, in cities and rural areas
Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, urged all Americans to wear masks indoors and outdoors to help curb the pandemic. Birx said when communities start seeing a rise in positive cases, leaders need to close the bars, restrict indoor dining, decrease social gatherings and ensure there’s a mask mandate. Birx, speaking in Kansas City, Kansas, warned that the outbreak is not just an urban issue.
“So we are really asking all communities, whether you are urban or rural communities, to really wear a mask inside, outside, every day," she said. “Much of the spread is asymptomatic. I know we all want to believe that our family members cannot be positive. They are.”
Teacher builds database of school closings, cases, deaths
As schools across the nation struggle to find a safe way to educate students in-person, a Kansas teacher has dedicated herself to tracking school closings, cases and deaths in a budding national database.
"I was seeing a lot of articles about schools that were opening up and issues already happening on Day 1," Alisha Morris, who teaches theater in Kansas’ Olathe School District said. "As I was researching, I thought, oh my gosh, this is happening all over."
The project comes amid a torrent troubling news about the prospects of safely reopening schools. Experts have expressed skepticism that schools' attempting to head off outbreaks using routine symptom screenings will have success. Nurses have described keeping kids safe at school an "uphill fight." And — despite President Donald Trump's push to open all schools — half of the Defense Department's schools in America will not open for in-person learning.
— Greg Tufaro and Joel Shannon
What we're reading
Why people of color are dying at higher rates from COVID-19 Communities of color are dying at higher rates from the novel coronavirus than white Americans. Here's how structural inequities play a role. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
More COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
On Facebook: There's still a lot 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 chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
In your inbox: Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter here.
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 here.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-16--Joe Biden leading President Trump nationally ahead of DNC, RNC, poll finds

WASHINGTON — Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden continues to lead President Donald Trump in national polling , besting the president by 9 points in a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll .
The survey released Sunday found that 50 % of those polled would vote for Biden if the election were held today versus the 41 % of those who would vote for Trump .
The findings come a day before the Democratic National Convention and a week before the Republican National Convention , where both Biden and Trump are expected to accept their parties ' presidential nomination .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 % disapprove of Trump 's handling of the coronavirus and 53 % of those surveyed say he did n't take the threat seriously at the beginning and continues to not handle it well .
Back in July , before the poll was conducted , Trump told Axios that Americans `` are dying , that 's true .
And it is what it is , '' after Swan questioned him about the average number of daily deaths climbing back to 1,000 per day .
The United States has reached more than 5.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , making the U.S. the global leader in both cases and deaths , according the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center .
The poll surveyed 900 registered voters and has a margin of error of three percentage points .
While nationally leading Trump , the poll found Biden behind Trump on issues of the economy and crime , with more than 40 % believing Trump would better handle those issues over Biden .
Despite polling behind Trump in those two issues , Biden outdid Trump in nearly every other issue , including foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race relations .
Forty-nine percent of those polled also said Biden has the ability to bring the country together as opposed to the 26 % of people who say Trump does .
Thirty-nine percent of registered voters said they had positive feelings about Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , who also had the lowest percentage of people with negative feelings about them ( 35 % ) out of anyone on the Democrat and Republican presidential tickets .
Forty-five percent said they had negative feelings about Biden .
The survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump while 52 % said they had negative feelings about him .
Thirty-nine percent of the respondents had positive feelings about Vice President Mike Pence while 44 % had negative feelings .
More : Kamala Harris pick gives Joe Biden a chance to fix missteps in outreach to Black voters , Black leaders say Biden formally announced Harris as his running mate on Aug. 11 in the midst of the polling done for this survey .
Harris ' pick makes her the first Black woman and Asian American person on a major party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democratic presidential candidate before dropping out and endorsing Biden in March .
Of Biden voters , 58 % said that their vote for Biden is more against Trump , an increase from 2016 when only 46 % of voters said their vote for former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was more against Trump .
Only 20 % of Trump voters say their vote is more against Biden .
According to the poll , 47 % favored a Democratic-controlled Congress as opposed to the 42 % that prefer a Republican-controlled Congress .
Half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House and Senate would be a bad thing , while 44 % said a Democratic-controlled House and Senate would be bad .
More : 'Starve the Postal Service ' : Obama criticizes Trump for sweeping changes at the USPS Currently , Democrats control the House of Representatives and Republicans control the Senate .
The two chambers and the White House are struggling to agree on another coronavirus relief package .

Joe Biden leading President Trump nationally ahead of DNC, RNC, poll finds
Show Caption Hide Caption Pres. Trump ponders citizenship query of Sen. Kamala Harris President Donald Trump has been criticized over a baseless Harris citizenship conspiracy, and it's not the first time. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden continues to lead President Donald Trump in national polling, besting the president by 9 points in a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.
The survey released Sunday found that 50% of those polled would vote for Biden if the election were held today versus the 41% of those who would vote for Trump.
The findings come a day before the Democratic National Convention and a week before the Republican National Convention, where both Biden and Trump are expected to accept their parties' presidential nomination.
The Aug. 9-12 poll also found that nearly 60% disapprove of Trump's handling of the coronavirus and 53% of those surveyed say he didn't take the threat seriously at the beginning and continues to not handle it well.
Back in July, before the poll was conducted, Trump told Axios that Americans "are dying, that's true. And it is what it is," after Swan questioned him about the average number of daily deaths climbing back to 1,000 per day.
More: Testing slowdown: Fewer coronavirus tests casts doubt on falling case counts
How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The United States has reached more than 5.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 169,000 deaths, making the U.S. the global leader in both cases and deaths, according the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
The poll surveyed 900 registered voters and has a margin of error of three percentage points.
While nationally leading Trump, the poll found Biden behind Trump on issues of the economy and crime, with more than 40% believing Trump would better handle those issues over Biden.
Despite polling behind Trump in those two issues, Biden outdid Trump in nearly every other issue, including foreign policy, immigration, health care and race relations. Forty-nine percent of those polled also said Biden has the ability to bring the country together as opposed to the 26% of people who say Trump does.
Thirty-nine percent of registered voters said they had positive feelings about Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, who also had the lowest percentage of people with negative feelings about them (35%) out of anyone on the Democrat and Republican presidential tickets. Forty-five percent said they had negative feelings about Biden.
The survey found 40% had positive feelings about Trump while 52% said they had negative feelings about him. Thirty-nine percent of the respondents had positive feelings about Vice President Mike Pence while 44% had negative feelings.
More: Kamala Harris pick gives Joe Biden a chance to fix missteps in outreach to Black voters, Black leaders say
Biden formally announced Harris as his running mate on Aug. 11 in the midst of the polling done for this survey. Harris' pick makes her the first Black woman and Asian American person on a major party's presidential ticket. Harris previously was a Democratic presidential candidate before dropping out and endorsing Biden in March.
Of Biden voters, 58% said that their vote for Biden is more against Trump, an increase from 2016 when only 46% of voters said their vote for former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was more against Trump. Only 20% of Trump voters say their vote is more against Biden.
According to the poll, 47% favored a Democratic-controlled Congress as opposed to the 42% that prefer a Republican-controlled Congress. Half of those polled also said a Republican-controlled House and Senate would be a bad thing, while 44% said a Democratic-controlled House and Senate would be bad.
More: 'Starve the Postal Service': Obama criticizes Trump for sweeping changes at the USPS
Currently, Democrats control the House of Representatives and Republicans control the Senate. The two chambers and the White House are struggling to agree on another coronavirus relief package.


usatoday--2020-08-16--Bernie Sanders: 'I certainly did not sign' petition to get Kanye West on Wisconsin ballot

Sen. Bernie Sanders denied signing a petition to get Kanye West included on the presidential ballot in Wisconsin after reports that his name was among several contested signatures gathered by the musician 's unorthodox campaign .
NBC News `` Meet the Press '' host Chuck Todd asked Sanders about the reports Sunday , noting Mickey Mouse was also among the questionable signatures for West .
`` I can not confirm Mickey Mouse , '' Sanders replied .
`` But I can tell you I certainly did not sign that petition . ''
West 's campaign turned in 2,400 signatures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Badger State , where an independent candidate needs 2,000 approved signatures to be included .
Jared Kushner : I spoke with Kanye West , but not about the Donald Trump campaign Democrats have filed a challenge to West 's nomination papers .
There is no guarantee they will be successful in getting the contested names tossed .
In the 2011 recall election of then-Gov .
Scott Walker , state regulators allowed signatures by Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler to stand .
West has already missed the deadline to make the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him to secure the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win in November .
Democrats believe his campaign 's primary purpose is to hurt Joe Biden in swing states like Wisconsin .
Kanye West : Rapper wo n't be on ballot in South Carolina after holding first rally in presidential bid President Donald Trump has denied any connection to West 's run .
But Republicans have been active in trying to get West added to the ballot and an attorney working for the Trump campaign helped West 's campaign file his nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jared Kushner met recently with West in Colorado but said they just happened to be in the state at the same time .
`` We had a general discussion , more about policy , '' Kushner told reporters .
More : Kanye West claims in rally Harriet Tubman never 'freed the slaves , ' tearfully discusses abortion

Bernie Sanders: 'I certainly did not sign' petition to get Kanye West on Wisconsin ballot
Show Caption Hide Caption Kanye West's presidential campaign draws low numbers in new poll A late presidential bid by Kanye West sees him attract a mere two percent of voters in a national poll. Buzz60
Sen. Bernie Sanders denied signing a petition to get Kanye West included on the presidential ballot in Wisconsin after reports that his name was among several contested signatures gathered by the musician's unorthodox campaign.
NBC News "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd asked Sanders about the reports Sunday, noting Mickey Mouse was also among the questionable signatures for West.
"I cannot confirm Mickey Mouse," Sanders replied. "But I can tell you I certainly did not sign that petition."
West's campaign turned in 2,400 signatures to have his name added to the ballot in the Badger State, where an independent candidate needs 2,000 approved signatures to be included.
Jared Kushner: I spoke with Kanye West, but not about the Donald Trump campaign
Democrats have filed a challenge to West's nomination papers. There is no guarantee they will be successful in getting the contested names tossed. In the 2011 recall election of then-Gov. Scott Walker, state regulators allowed signatures by Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler to stand.
West has already missed the deadline to make the ballot in many states, making it impossible for him to secure the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win in November. Democrats believe his campaign's primary purpose is to hurt Joe Biden in swing states like Wisconsin.
Kanye West: Rapper won't be on ballot in South Carolina after holding first rally in presidential bid
President Donald Trump has denied any connection to West's run. But Republicans have been active in trying to get West added to the ballot and an attorney working for the Trump campaign helped West's campaign file his nomination papers in Wisconsin.
White House adviser Jared Kushner met recently with West in Colorado but said they just happened to be in the state at the same time.
"We had a general discussion, more about policy," Kushner told reporters.
Contributing: David Jackson, USA TODAY; Daniel Bice Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
More: Kanye West claims in rally Harriet Tubman never 'freed the slaves,' tearfully discusses abortion


usatoday--2020-08-16--Two brothers in Alabama, ages 3 and 1, die in 'tragic accident' after getting into a hot car on thei

Two toddler brothers , ages 3 and 1 , died on Saturday after getting into a hot car on their own in Alabama , according to the national tracker KidsAndCars.org .
The `` tragic '' accident marks the 16th and 17th cases of a child dying due to ovenlike temperatures in vehicles this year , pushing the total to 124 since 2018 .
Shelby County authorities responded about 3:30 p.m. Saturday , Coroner Lina Evans told local news site AL.com .
The parents told authorities they thought the two boys had been playing in their rooms but discovered them unresponsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s Office is investigating , but Evans told AL.com that it appeared to be “ just a tragic accident.
” Temperatures were in the high 80s in Shelby County on Saturday .
Look before you lock : Child safety advocates worry about hot car deaths amid COVID-19 stress and rising temperatures On average , 26 % of U.S. hot car deaths are the result of children getting into vehicles on their own and not being able to get out .
KidsAndCars.org reported .
However , this year there has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child hot car deaths – eight of the 17 – involving toddlers who got into vehicles on their own .
KidsandCars.org has a list of resources to help childproof cars .
Among the advice : keep vehicles locked at all times , never leave car keys within reach of children , and teach children to honk the horn if they become stuck inside a car .
But an increasing number of deaths have been from adults forgetting children in cars , or leaving them alone in the car for `` just a minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professor in the University of South Florida ’ s psychology department , the overriding stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact how our memory functions .
That , he said , can lead to fatal mistakes .
`` When we ’ re experiencing stress , the most imminent stressor tends to become the most important one — it ’ s just how the human brain functions , '' he said .
`` For example , when you ’ re late to work , it ’ s easy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other more important things . ''
One tip to avoid vehicular heatstroke , according to KidsandCars.org : Make it a habit to open the back door every time you park to ensure nobody is inside .
To enforce this habit , place an essential item ( like key or a cellphone ) in the back seat so you can ’ t start your day without taking a look before you lock .

Two brothers in Alabama, ages 3 and 1, die in 'tragic accident' after getting into a hot car on their own
Show Caption Hide Caption 5 life-saving suggestions about hot cars Studies find that hot cars can become deadly in as little as an hour for children and pets trapped inside. USA TODAY
Two toddler brothers, ages 3 and 1, died on Saturday after getting into a hot car on their own in Alabama, according to the national tracker KidsAndCars.org.
The "tragic" accident marks the 16th and 17th cases of a child dying due to ovenlike temperatures in vehicles this year, pushing the total to 124 since 2018.
Shelby County authorities responded about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Coroner Lina Evans told local news site AL.com. The parents told authorities they thought the two boys had been playing in their rooms but discovered them unresponsive inside the vehicle.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, but Evans told AL.com that it appeared to be “just a tragic accident.” Temperatures were in the high 80s in Shelby County on Saturday.
Look before you lock: Child safety advocates worry about hot car deaths amid COVID-19 stress and rising temperatures
On average, 26% of U.S. hot car deaths are the result of children getting into vehicles on their own and not being able to get out. KidsAndCars.org reported.
However, this year there has been a dramatic increase with 47% of U.S. child hot car deaths – eight of the 17 – involving toddlers who got into vehicles on their own.
KidsandCars.org has a list of resources to help childproof cars. Among the advice: keep vehicles locked at all times, never leave car keys within reach of children, and teach children to honk the horn if they become stuck inside a car.
But an increasing number of deaths have been from adults forgetting children in cars, or leaving them alone in the car for "just a minute."
According to David Diamond, a professor in the University of South Florida’s psychology department, the overriding stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact how our memory functions. That, he said, can lead to fatal mistakes.
"When we’re experiencing stress, the most imminent stressor tends to become the most important one — it’s just how the human brain functions," he said. "For example, when you’re late to work, it’s easy to hyperfocus on that and lose sight of other more important things."
One tip to avoid vehicular heatstroke, according to KidsandCars.org: Make it a habit to open the back door every time you park to ensure nobody is inside. To enforce this habit, place an essential item (like key or a cellphone) in the back seat so you can’t start your day without taking a look before you lock.
Contributing: Nisha Venkat, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-16--Trump campaign joins TikTok competitor Triller and its first video has nearly 1.2 million views

President Donald Trump ’ s campaign has joined TikTok competitor Triller and the campaign 's first video on the rising video platform had nearly 1.2 million views as of noon Sunday .
In the 15-second video , Trump says he 's a `` professional at technology '' and `` nobody can do it like me .
Nobody . ''
The new and verified account is believed to have been created on Saturday , media outlets including Fox Business reported .
On Friday , Trump ordered ByteDance , the Chinese parent company of TikTok , to sell or spin off its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security concerns .
Trump had about 5,900 Triller followers Sunday , the app shows , and posted two other videos about presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Ban TikTok ?
Move to Triller ?
: Can influencers really get people to switch apps ?
TikTok executive order : Trump orders TikTok to sell U.S. assets within 90 days , citing national security concerns Triller did not immediately respond to USA TODAY 's request for comment .
In the executive order released late Friday , Trump warned of “ credible evidence ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impair the national security of the United States.
” TikTok said in a statement to USA TODAY Friday that it was `` committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform for many years to come . ''
Triller , the 5-year-old , AI-driven entertainment platform , has been growing in popularity amid the talk of a TikTok ban .
“ If TikTok does get banned , we will probably take their place , ” Triller CEO Mike Lu recently said , noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blow up '' the weekend of Aug. 8-9 as people flocked to it after Trump issued the first executive order to ban TikTok and WeChat in 45 days on Aug. 6 .
Several TikTok-famous creatives , including Josh Richards , Griffin Johnson and Noah Beck , have announced that they ’ ve made the move to Triller .

Trump campaign joins TikTok competitor Triller and its first video has nearly 1.2 million views
Show Caption Hide Caption Facebook launches TikTok copycat app for Instagram called Reels Facebook is launching a new app for Instagram called Reels. The app is almost identical to popular social media app TikTok. USA TODAY
President Donald Trump’s campaign has joined TikTok competitor Triller and the campaign's first video on the rising video platform had nearly 1.2 million views as of noon Sunday.
In the 15-second video, Trump says he's a "professional at technology" and "nobody can do it like me. Nobody."
The new and verified account is believed to have been created on Saturday, media outlets including Fox Business reported. On Friday, Trump ordered ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell or spin off its U.S. assets within 90 days, citing national security concerns.
Trump had about 5,900 Triller followers Sunday, the app shows, and posted two other videos about presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Ban TikTok? Move to Triller?: Can influencers really get people to switch apps?
TikTok executive order: Trump orders TikTok to sell U.S. assets within 90 days, citing national security concerns
Triller did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
In the executive order released late Friday, Trump warned of “credible evidence” that ByteDance “might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States.”
TikTok said in a statement to USA TODAY Friday that it was "committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform for many years to come."
Triller, the 5-year-old, AI-driven entertainment platform, has been growing in popularity amid the talk of a TikTok ban.
“If TikTok does get banned, we will probably take their place,” Triller CEO Mike Lu recently said, noting the platform saw its "servers literally blow up" the weekend of Aug. 8-9 as people flocked to it after Trump issued the first executive order to ban TikTok and WeChat in 45 days on Aug. 6.
Several TikTok-famous creatives, including Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson and Noah Beck, have announced that they’ve made the move to Triller.
Contributing: Jessica Guynn and Dalvin Brown
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko


usatoday--2020-08-16--Planned trip to the movies has a plot twist

Planned trip to the movies has a plot twist Tyler had no idea his movie date with dad would turn @ @ @ @ @ his older brother and best friend , Marine Cpl .
Nick Lanni .

Planned trip to the movies has a plot twist
Tyler had no idea his movie date with dad would turn into a surprise appearance from his older brother and best friend, Marine Cpl. Nick Lanni.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-17--Coronavirus contractors double-dip government funds, receiving relief money and contracts

The coronavirus brought a $ 10.5 million windfall for Noble Sales Co. in orders from the federal government for plastic bags , cleaning supplies , hand sanitizer and gloves .
Citing the economic strain of the pandemic , the company also was approved for a federal Paycheck Protection Program check worth at least $ 2 million .
It ’ s the kind of double-dipping federal auditors fear could be rampant , a collision between the overnight need for supplies and a separate hastily created program aimed at keeping small businesses afloat .
A USA TODAY analysis of $ 522 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in federal coronavirus response shows that at least 700 vendors that scored lucrative federal coronavirus contracts also received emergency aid .
Together those vendors received hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts – and at least $ 618 million in PPP loans through the Small Business Administration .
The loan program does not preclude those with federal contracts from receiving or keeping the relief money , which has a low interest rate and a liberal loan forgiveness clause : if you use it to pay employees , you don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certify their need based on self-reported “ economic uncertainty.
” “ There ’ s some nuance and space for some type of post-audit recovery where the government could claw back the money , ” said Eric Crusius , a Virginia attorney and expert in government contracting regulations .
“ But it comes down to the smell test and it ’ s really not a good look when you ’ re getting millions in government contracts on top of PPP money.
” Eric Holland , an attorney at Reed Smith LLP in Houston , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and chaos still surrounding COVID-19 – the mere idea of oversight on the loan program is overwhelming for the government and the banks that issued the loans on its behalf .
“ It will be interesting to see who SBA chooses to go after with its enforcement actions , ” Holland said .
Tom Noble founded Noble Sales Co. with his father in 2003 , according to the Massachusetts company ’ s website .
Noble , the company ’ s CEO , talked about the impact COVID-19 had on his businesses before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record .
“ We have seen a decline in business , ” Noble said .
“ We ’ ve been negatively impacted in a number of business areas.
” Noble compared himself to other groups , including defense contractors , that do a lot of government business but could also be hurt by the virus .
He would not comment on the loan or confirm the data reported by the federal government showing he received $ 2 million to $ 5 million to save 186 jobs .
Since 2010 , Noble Sales Co. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it defrauded the U.S. government through its contracting work , all were dismissed .
The Justice Department decided not to intervene in any of those cases , and the company denied wrongdoing .
That history does not preclude a vendor from receiving new contracts .
More in this series : Hundreds of millions of dollars goes to COVID-19 contractors accused of prior fraud The SBA released data on loans over $ 150,000 in June , in ranges rather than precise figures , following negotiations with Congress and lawsuits from media organizations .
Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a compromise to prevent exposing business information that could be calculated with loan values .
“ We are striking the appropriate balance of providing public transparency , while protecting the payroll and personal income information of small businesses , sole proprietors , and independent contractors , ” Mnuchin said in a prepared statement .
Virginia-based GovSmart Inc. is another frequent federal government contractor .
It provides technology services and products to agencies , along with firearms and tactical equipment such as riot-control gas masks .
From mid-March through July , GovSmart was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to COVID-19 , for IT software , components and storage devices .
In the midst of getting those contracts – in April – the company took out a PPP loan of between $ 350,000 and $ 1 million , which the company said would help it retain 52 jobs .
GovSmart CEO Brent Lillard said that he hopes the loan will be forgiven and that he won ’ t have to pay any of the money back .
Despite the government contracts , Lillard said business has not been booming .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we probably would have doubled our sales , ” Lillard said .
“ We ’ re definitely not going backwards , but it ’ s been more challenging.
” Government contractors have turned to attorneys and federal acquisition regulations for clarity on the questions surrounding such double-dipping .
Concerns over double-dipping complications have led some federal contractors to repay their loans this summer , with interest , to avoid the headache , The Wall Street Journal reported last week .
Dallas white-collar criminal defense attorney Nick Oberheiden said the government could view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future contract work .
“ It ’ s possible these loans get forgiven and the Office of Management and Budget still calls on these contractors to credit the government , ” Oberheiden said .
“ But there ’ s no black letter law and contractors just need to be smart about any potential overlap and document how the money is used.
” Added to company confusion are apparent inaccuracies in the SBA data .
Hours after its release , companies began complaining about errors .
The Foundation for Atlanta Veterans Education and Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 1 million loan in May while also landing a $ 2.8 million coronavirus contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
But Leslie Hughes , the nonprofit research corporation ’ s executive director , said the SBA is wrong .
“ We did not receive a PPP loan , ” Hughes wrote to USA TODAY in an email .
“ We had applied early on and it took quite a while to receive a response from the bank .
By the time we received a response , we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept the loan if offered.
” Scooter rental service Bird Rides Inc. is listed as having received a loan of $ 5 million to $ 10 million .
The company said it was in early talks with Citibank for a loan but never officially applied or received money .
In Michigan , a Saugatuck ice cream shop was listed with a loan of between $ 2 million and $ 5 million that it did not receive .
The SBA told the Detroit Free Press the listing includes amounts approved , not necessarily distributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shop said the figures were wildly inaccurate , and the company received less than $ 20,000 .
“ My thing has always been if you see one mouse , there ’ s a hundred , ” she told the newspaper .
“ This is the same thing .
I ’ m one mouse , but there ’ s a hundred more or a thousand more or 10,000 more out there .
If this isn ’ t exposed or uncovered to the public , is our government going to be held accountable ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional hearing since being confirmed as the federal special investigator general for pandemic recovery , Miller said there are several examples of overlap in coronavirus relief that he considers “ multiple dipping.
” He pointed to the scenario where average Americans received $ 1,200 economic impact payments and the $ 600-a-week enhanced unemployment benefit .
Or where hospitals received Department of Health and Human Services relief money and huge PPP loans while also taking money from another relief program , the Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program .
“ Creating multiple programs resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single individual or entity may well be sound policy , ” Miller testified in early August .
“ But in such circumstances , the risk of fraud and abuse increases and questions arise.
” Miller pointed out that both SBA and Federal Reserve lending were created by Congress as a “ loan of last resort , ” yet businesses that took both might find it harder to prove they couldn ’ t obtain credit through traditional avenues .
Tom Caulfield , an auditor working in Miller ’ s group , told USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to weed out fraud tied to the COVID-19 stimulus package , including the PPP program .
He described it as one of the biggest law enforcement efforts he has seen in his 40-year career .
Caulfield said the largest focus will be on cases that either involve large amounts of money , a high-profile player or significant harm to society .
“ There is a lot of money out there , ” he said .
“ And we want to look at the bigger-volume fraud cases.
” Another wrinkle in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Economic Security Act means some contractors received two other special considerations .
Contracting officers were allowed to make “ equitable adjustments ” – raising prices – for products during the pandemic .
In addition , the law allows the government to pay for work that couldn ’ t be performed because of pandemic closures .
All that opens the door for potential waste , too , Oberheiden said .
“ This support was not meant to be double or triple support , but there are people that read closely and see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that makes this illegal , ” he said .
“ But it certainly cuts against the overall intent of the PPP loans and the CARES Act.
” The SBA ’ s rollout of the massive payroll loan program has been criticized as chaotic and confusing .
After the CARES Act was signed in late March , the SBA issued nearly $ 350 billion in the first two weeks of April .
Congress refilled the fund on April 21 with another $ 320 billion .
A crush of applications creates a “ Petri dish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Alexandra Wrage , president of TRACE , a nonprofit business organization focused on business accountability .
“ It ’ s always the same message : Due diligence is a luxury ; we don ’ t have time ; it ’ s a humanitarian crisis , ” Wrage said .
“ If you ’ re broadcasting that message , you might as well put a bull's-eye on your forehead.
” But others say the programs are working as intended to give small businesses a lifeline during the pandemic .
Jason Weedon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school boxed lunch food provider was whipsawed by the coronavirus shutdowns in the spring .
He says the Chicago company lost 90 % of its revenue with the March 13 school closures and quickly applied for PPP money while laying off all but 10 of its 165 employees .
By early April , the company had received the SBA loan of up to $ 1 million , allowing it to bring back its entire workforce .
Then in May , the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a contract to the small company for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program , which connects farmers with distribution sites for families facing hunger during the pandemic .
That provided steady revenue for months and meant bringing on board three produce houses , two trucking companies and local dairy , meat and produce farmers .
“ There are definitely companies that perhaps didn ’ t need the PPP as much as others and already had $ 100 million war chest money , ” Weedon said .
“ Then there is us .
It helped us bridge between zero revenue and clawing our way back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried that the government will consider the loan a “ credit ” because , he said , “ that sounds like a Pandora ’ s box .
The contract is driving revenue through an entire food supply chain.
” Nick Penzenstadler and Josh Salman are reporters on the USA TODAY investigations team .
Nick can be reached npenz @ usatoday.com or @ npenzenstadler , or on Signal at ( 720 ) 507-5273 .
Josh can be reached at jsalman @ gatehousemedia.com or @ joshsalman , or ( 941 ) 361-4967 .

Nick Penzenstadler, Josh Salman and Dak Le, USA TODAY

The coronavirus brought a $10.5 million windfall for Noble Sales Co. in orders from the federal government for plastic bags, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and gloves. Citing the economic strain of the pandemic, the company also was approved for a federal Paycheck Protection Program check worth at least $2 million.
It’s the kind of double-dipping federal auditors fear could be rampant, a collision between the overnight need for supplies and a separate hastily created program aimed at keeping small businesses afloat.
A USA TODAY analysis of $522 billion PPP spending data matched with $19.5 billion in federal coronavirus response shows that at least 700 vendors that scored lucrative federal coronavirus contracts also received emergency aid. Together those vendors received hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts – and at least $618 million in PPP loans through the Small Business Administration.
The loan program does not preclude those with federal contracts from receiving or keeping the relief money, which has a low interest rate and a liberal loan forgiveness clause: if you use it to pay employees, you don’t have to repay it. Applicants need only certify their need based on self-reported “economic uncertainty.”
“There’s some nuance and space for some type of post-audit recovery where the government could claw back the money,” said Eric Crusius, a Virginia attorney and expert in government contracting regulations. “But it comes down to the smell test and it’s really not a good look when you’re getting millions in government contracts on top of PPP money.”
Copy text Copy this quote's text The quote has been copied Tweet Facebook LinkedIn Share this article on LinkedIn Reddit Share this article on Reddit Email Email this story Share Share this story Eric Crusius, Virginia attorney and expert in government contracting regulations There’s some nuance and space for some type of post-audit recovery where the government could claw back the money. But it comes down to the smell test and it’s really not a good look when you’re getting millions in government contracts on top of PPP money. Quote icon
Eric Holland, an attorney at Reed Smith LLP in Houston, said given the sheer volume of loans – and chaos still surrounding COVID-19 – the mere idea of oversight on the loan program is overwhelming for the government and the banks that issued the loans on its behalf.
“It will be interesting to see who SBA chooses to go after with its enforcement actions,” Holland said.
Tom Noble founded Noble Sales Co. with his father in 2003, according to the Massachusetts company’s website. Noble, the company’s CEO, talked about the impact COVID-19 had on his businesses before asking that the discussion be off the record.
“We have seen a decline in business,” Noble said. “We’ve been negatively impacted in a number of business areas.”
Noble compared himself to other groups, including defense contractors, that do a lot of government business but could also be hurt by the virus. He would not comment on the loan or confirm the data reported by the federal government showing he received $2 million to $5 million to save 186 jobs.
Since 2010, Noble Sales Co. has faced three different civil lawsuits alleging it defrauded the U.S. government through its contracting work, all were dismissed. The Justice Department decided not to intervene in any of those cases, and the company denied wrongdoing. That history does not preclude a vendor from receiving new contracts.
More in this series: Hundreds of millions of dollars goes to COVID-19 contractors accused of prior fraud
Hundreds of millions of dollars goes to COVID-19 contractors accused of prior fraud Read more
The SBA released data on loans over $150,000 in June, in ranges rather than precise figures, following negotiations with Congress and lawsuits from media organizations. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the limited release was a compromise to prevent exposing business information that could be calculated with loan values.
“We are striking the appropriate balance of providing public transparency, while protecting the payroll and personal income information of small businesses, sole proprietors, and independent contractors,” Mnuchin said in a prepared statement.
Virginia-based GovSmart Inc. is another frequent federal government contractor. It provides technology services and products to agencies, along with firearms and tactical equipment such as riot-control gas masks.
Help us report on coronavirus scams Are you a government contract officer? A vendor? A purchasing agent in the private sector? Do you know about a scam tied to coronavirus we should know about? Email us at covidscams@usatoday.com. Email Us
From mid-March through July, GovSmart was awarded $6.7 million in federal contracts related to COVID-19, for IT software, components and storage devices.
In the midst of getting those contracts – in April – the company took out a PPP loan of between $350,000 and $1 million, which the company said would help it retain 52 jobs.
GovSmart CEO Brent Lillard said that he hopes the loan will be forgiven and that he won’t have to pay any of the money back. Despite the government contracts, Lillard said business has not been booming.
“If it weren’t for COVID, we probably would have doubled our sales,” Lillard said. “We’re definitely not going backwards, but it’s been more challenging.”
Confusion and errors complicate situation
Government contractors have turned to attorneys and federal acquisition regulations for clarity on the questions surrounding such double-dipping. Concerns over double-dipping complications have led some federal contractors to repay their loans this summer, with interest, to avoid the headache, The Wall Street Journal reported last week.
Dallas white-collar criminal defense attorney Nick Oberheiden said the government could view the PPP loans as a discount against future contract work.
Copy text Copy this quote's text The quote has been copied Tweet Facebook LinkedIn Share this article on LinkedIn Reddit Share this article on Reddit Email Email this story Share Share this story Nick Oberheiden, Dallas white-collar criminal defense attorney It’s possible these loans get forgiven and the Office of Management and Budget still calls on these contractors to credit the government, But there’s no black letter law and contractors just need to be smart about any potential overlap and document how the money is used. Quote icon
“It’s possible these loans get forgiven and the Office of Management and Budget still calls on these contractors to credit the government,” Oberheiden said. “But there’s no black letter law and contractors just need to be smart about any potential overlap and document how the money is used.”
Added to company confusion are apparent inaccuracies in the SBA data. Hours after its release, companies began complaining about errors.
The Foundation for Atlanta Veterans Education and Research is listed as having received up to a $1 million loan in May while also landing a $2.8 million coronavirus contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Leslie Hughes, the nonprofit research corporation’s executive director, said the SBA is wrong.
“We did not receive a PPP loan,” Hughes wrote to USA TODAY in an email. “We had applied early on and it took quite a while to receive a response from the bank. By the time we received a response, we had decided that we were not going to accept the loan if offered.”
Scooter rental service Bird Rides Inc. is listed as having received a loan of $5 million to $10 million. The company said it was in early talks with Citibank for a loan but never officially applied or received money.
In the U.S. Small Business Administration's recently released data on Paycheck Protection Program recipients, the seasonal 'Round the Corner Ice Cream shop in Saugatuck is listed as receiving between $2 and $5 million, despite only having 10 employees. Owner Lisa Freeman says the shop got less than $20,000 and that the SBA has made "a grave error." 'Round the Corner Ice Cream
In Michigan, a Saugatuck ice cream shop was listed with a loan of between $2 million and $5 million that it did not receive. The SBA told the Detroit Free Press the listing includes amounts approved, not necessarily distributed. Even so, the owner of the shop said the figures were wildly inaccurate, and the company received less than $20,000.
“My thing has always been if you see one mouse, there’s a hundred,” she told the newspaper. “This is the same thing. I’m one mouse, but there’s a hundred more or a thousand more or 10,000 more out there. If this isn’t exposed or uncovered to the public, is our government going to be held accountable?”
Double- or triple-dippers could benefit
At Brian Miller’s first congressional hearing since being confirmed as the federal special investigator general for pandemic recovery, Miller said there are several examples of overlap in coronavirus relief that he considers “multiple dipping.”
He pointed to the scenario where average Americans received $1,200 economic impact payments and the $600-a-week enhanced unemployment benefit. Or where hospitals received Department of Health and Human Services relief money and huge PPP loans while also taking money from another relief program, the Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program.
“Creating multiple programs resulting in multiple forms of financial support to a single individual or entity may well be sound policy,” Miller testified in early August. “But in such circumstances, the risk of fraud and abuse increases and questions arise.”
Copy text Copy this quote's text The quote has been copied Tweet Facebook LinkedIn Share this article on LinkedIn Reddit Share this article on Reddit Email Email this story Share Share this story Brian Miller, federal special investigator general for pandemic recovery Creating multiple programs resulting in multiple forms of financial support to a single individual or entity may well be sound policy. But in such circumstances, the risk of fraud and abuse increases and questions arise. Quote icon
Miller pointed out that both SBA and Federal Reserve lending were created by Congress as a “loan of last resort,” yet businesses that took both might find it harder to prove they couldn’t obtain credit through traditional avenues.
Tom Caulfield, an auditor working in Miller’s group, told USA TODAY that several agencies are working together to try to weed out fraud tied to the COVID-19 stimulus package, including the PPP program. He described it as one of the biggest law enforcement efforts he has seen in his 40-year career.
Caulfield said the largest focus will be on cases that either involve large amounts of money, a high-profile player or significant harm to society.
“There is a lot of money out there,” he said. “And we want to look at the bigger-volume fraud cases.”
Help support quality investigative journalism like this. $1 for 6 months. Subscribe Get news and insights sent to your inbox. Sign up for email newsletters. Sign up
Another wrinkle in the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act means some contractors received two other special considerations. Contracting officers were allowed to make “equitable adjustments” – raising prices – for products during the pandemic. In addition, the law allows the government to pay for work that couldn’t be performed because of pandemic closures.
All that opens the door for potential waste, too, Oberheiden said.
“This support was not meant to be double or triple support, but there are people that read closely and see there’s nothing in the law that makes this illegal,” he said. “But it certainly cuts against the overall intent of the PPP loans and the CARES Act.”
Haste, timing cause issues
The SBA’s rollout of the massive payroll loan program has been criticized as chaotic and confusing. After the CARES Act was signed in late March, the SBA issued nearly $350 billion in the first two weeks of April. Congress refilled the fund on April 21 with another $320 billion.
A crush of applications creates a “Petri dish for every kind of financial misconduct,” said Alexandra Wrage, president of TRACE, a nonprofit business organization focused on business accountability.
“It’s always the same message: Due diligence is a luxury; we don’t have time; it’s a humanitarian crisis,” Wrage said. “If you’re broadcasting that message, you might as well put a bull's-eye on your forehead.”
About 350 boxes of food per week are packaged and handed out to families by Gourmet Gorilla, a Chicago-based company at the Chicago Jesuit Academy on the city’s West Side. Courtesy Gourmet Gorilla
But others say the programs are working as intended to give small businesses a lifeline during the pandemic.
Jason Weedon, co-founder of Gourmet Gorilla, said the school boxed lunch food provider was whipsawed by the coronavirus shutdowns in the spring.
He says the Chicago company lost 90% of its revenue with the March 13 school closures and quickly applied for PPP money while laying off all but 10 of its 165 employees. By early April, the company had received the SBA loan of up to $1 million, allowing it to bring back its entire workforce.
Rookie middlemen muddle the government’s effort to buy coronavirus supplies Read more
Then in May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a contract to the small company for $27.6 million for its food box program, which connects farmers with distribution sites for families facing hunger during the pandemic. That provided steady revenue for months and meant bringing on board three produce houses, two trucking companies and local dairy, meat and produce farmers.
“There are definitely companies that perhaps didn’t need the PPP as much as others and already had $100 million war chest money,” Weedon said. “Then there is us. It helped us bridge between zero revenue and clawing our way back to business.”
Weedon said he is not worried that the government will consider the loan a “credit” because, he said, “that sounds like a Pandora’s box. The contract is driving revenue through an entire food supply chain.”
Nick Penzenstadler and Josh Salman are reporters on the USA TODAY investigations team. Nick can be reached npenz@usatoday.com or @npenzenstadler, or on Signal at (720) 507-5273. Josh can be reached at jsalman@gatehousemedia.com or @joshsalman, or (941) 361-4967.


usatoday--2020-08-17--Sharon Stone blames 'one of you non-mask wearers' after her sister is hospitalized with COVID-19

Sharon Stone is calling for others to wear a mask `` for yourself and others '' after her sister Kelly , who is immunocompromised , was hospitalized with COVID-19 .
In an Instagram post Sunday sharing photos of her sister 's hospital room , Sharon wrote that Kelly , who has lupus , had only visited the pharmacy but still contracted the novel coronavirus .
`` One of you Non-Mask wearers did this , '' wrote the actress , 62 .
`` She does not have an immune system ...
There is no testing in her county unless you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 day wait for results .
Can YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE ?
Wear a mask !
For yourself and others .
Please . ''
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that most commonly affects the skin , joints , kidneys and heart , according to the Lupus Foundation of America , which puts people with the condition at a higher risk than others if they test positive for COVID-19 .
'Medication I ca n't live without ' : Lupus patients struggle to get hydroxychloroquine , in demand for COVID-19 The Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` in public settings and when around people who don ’ t live in your household , especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain '' in order to help prevent and reduce the spread of the virus .
Stone is n't alone in publicly calling on others to wear masks : Other celebrities such as Tom Hanks , Jennifer Aniston , Morgan Freeman , Robert De Niro , Jamie Foxx , Reese Witherspoon and more have reminded their followers to help protect others when venturing out in public .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly shared a photo of herself and husband Bruce Singer from March , when she said they `` thought covid would n't and could n't find us , '' stressing that neither went shopping or attended parties and `` barely saw a human . ''
`` Now ( I 'm ) fighting for a breath , '' she added .
`` You do n't want covid . ''

Sharon Stone endorses Joe Biden, says 'don’t vote for a killer' after sister catches COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption How COVID-19 is affecting people of color, minority workers People of color and minority groups are particularly at risk during the pandemic. Here's what should be done to better address these communities. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Sharon Stone has endorsed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden after her sister, Kelly, who is immunocompromised, was hospitalized with COVID-19.
The "Basic Instinct" star, 62, urged Americans not to "vote for a killer" after COVID-19 ravaged her family in Montana, claiming the lives of Stone's grandmother and godmother and hospitalizing her sister and brother-in-law, Bruce, who are "fighting for their lives."
"You, the people at the middle of our country, are at great risk of dying from COVID," Stone said in an Instagram video on "compassionate integrity versus politics and greed" Sunday. "People are dying and fighting for their lives because there's nothing but lies."
'Medication I can't live without': Lupus patients struggle to get hydroxychloroquine, in demand for COVID-19
Stone first revealed in an Instagram post Sunday that Kelly, who has lupus, contracted the novel coronavirus after only visiting the pharmacy.
"One of you Non-Mask wearers did this," Stone captioned pictures of her sister's hospital room. "She does not have an immune system... There is no testing in her county unless you are symptomatic, & then it’s 5 day wait for results. Can YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE? Wear a mask! For yourself and others. Please."
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that most commonly affects the skin, joints, kidneys and heart, according to the Lupus Foundation of America, which puts people with the condition at a higher risk than others if they test positive for COVID-19.
Stone said the only way to remedy inadequate testing and overwhelmed hospital staffs "is if you vote. And if you vote for Biden and if you vote for Kamala Harris," Biden's running mate.
"With women in power, we will fight for our families. We will fight for people to live. And we will fight for people to get tested,” Stone said. "Because the only countries that are doing well with COVID are the ones that have women in leadership."
Stone ended her somber message, saying: "Please vote. And please, whatever you do, don’t vote for a killer."
More: Mindy Kaling is 'filled with hope' over Kamala Harris becoming Joe Biden's running mate
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people wear masks "in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain" in order to help prevent and reduce the spread of the virus.
Stone isn't alone in publicly calling on others to wear masks: Other celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Jamie Foxx, Reese Witherspoon and more have reminded their followers to help protect others when venturing out in public.
In an Instagram post over the weekend, Kelly shared a photo of herself and husband Bruce Singer from March, when she said they "thought covid wouldn't and couldn't find us," stressing that neither went shopping or attended parties and "barely saw a human."
"Now (I'm) fighting for a breath," she added. "You don't want covid."
Contributing: Cydney Henderson
More: Jennifer Aniston shares photo of friend in hospital, urges followers to wear a mask


usatoday--2020-08-17--Boy finds missing Lego piece in his nose — two years after it got stuck

A New Zealand boy found a missing Lego piece in his nose — two years after it was stuck there , local media reports .
How ?
After a big sniff of cupcakes .
According to the New Zealand Herlad , Mudassir Anwar 's 7-year-old son Sameer lost a piece of Lego in 2018 , telling his parents that he had put it up his nose .
But when the family went to their General Physician , nothing was found .
The doctor advised them that the piece may not have entered Sameer 's nose — or had already moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naturally .
Sameer did n't show signs of further uncomfort , so the parents forgot about the missing piece .
`` Since then he ’ s never complained or anything , '' Anwar told the Guardian , adding that his son was `` quite playful and a mischievous character . ''
But last weekend , as Sameer took a big sniff of a cupcake he had been served , he felt pain in his nose — telling his parents he thought he inhaled cake crumbs .
`` So his mother then helped him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came out that was missing for the last two years , '' Anwar told the NZ Herald .
`` It was shock , y'know ?
And it had a bit of fungus on it . ''
The family was stunned to see the missing piece again — which , by the look of it , Anwar believes to be a tiny Lego character 's arm .
`` His eyes were wide open and he was like , `` Mum , I found the Lego ! ''
Amar told the NZ Herald .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , but it was there ! ''
According to Seven Sharp , Sameer is in good health .
`` It 's good that ... it did n't make any complications in his nose , '' Amar said .

Boy finds missing Lego piece in his nose — two years after it got stuck
A New Zealand boy found a missing Lego piece in his nose — two years after it was stuck there, local media reported.
How? After a big sniff of cupcakes.
According to the New Zealand Herlad, Mudassir Anwar's 7-year-old son, Sameer, lost a piece of Lego in 2018, telling his parents that he had put it up his nose.
But when the family went to their doctor, nothing was found. The doctor advised them that the piece may not have entered Sameer's nose – or had already moved into his digestive tract and would pass naturally.
Sameer didn't show signs of further uncomfort, so the parents forgot about the missing piece. "Since then he’s never complained or anything," Anwar told the Guardian, adding that his son was "quite playful and a mischievous character."
Boy finds missing lego piece in his nose after two years
https://t.co/szBjIsDLJo — News SummedUp NZ (@newssummedupNZ) August 17, 2020
But last weekend, as Sameer took a big sniff of a cupcake he had been served, he felt pain in his nose and told his parents he thought he inhaled cake crumbs.
"So his mother then helped him blow his nose, and then this thing came out that was missing for the last two years," Anwar told the NZ Herald.
"It was shock, y'know? And it had a bit of fungus on it."
The family was stunned to see the missing piece again – which, by the look of it, Anwar believes to be a tiny Lego character's arm.
"His eyes were wide open and he was like, "Mum, I found the Lego!" Amar told the NZ Herald.
"You were telling me it wasn't there, but it was there!"
According to Seven Sharp, Sameer is in good health.
"It's good that ... it didn't make any complications in his nose," Amar said.


usatoday--2020-08-17--Electric pickups are generating buzz. Here's where future models like Tesla's Cybertruck,  Rivian's

Electric pickups are generating buzz. Here's where future models like Tesla's Cybertruck,  Rivian's R1T are trending

Interest in electric pickups is growing , and the early leaders — very early , since none of the vehicles in question exists yet — are Rivian ’ s R1T and the Tesla Cybertruck , according to a July survey of Tweets .
There are some oddities in the data , led by the absence of Ford ’ s upcoming electric F-150 and the fact that the Nikola Badger dominated the Southwest .
The F-150 , of course , has been the bestselling vehicle in the U.S. for decades .
An electric version should be available in 2022 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
2 seller with an EV model promised by 2025 , also failed to make the list .
You ’ d probably get long odds against all the trucks other companies have promised making it to volume production , but online traffic indicates interest in EVs may be penetrating the pickup market , the largest sales segment in the country .
The map is courtesy of auto parts buying website partcatalog.com .
“ We ’ ll see a flurry of EV pickup trucks rolled out over the next few years , ” Cox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have no indication of who will buy them .
Will traditional pickup buyers suddenly convert to EVs ?
Or will these EV pickups attract buyers who normally wouldn ’ t consider a truck ?
We don ’ t know yet.
” In this somewhat reality-challenged conversation , perhaps it ’ s not surprising the most hypothetical EV pickup of all , Nikola ’ s Badger , dominated a whole region of the country : the Southwest .
The Badger seems like a long shot because Nikola says it will use not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pickups : battery power and a hydrogen fuel cell .
Despite considerable challenges delivering on that promise , the Badger — great name , by the way — was the most-Tweeted EV pickup in 13 states . '
I do n't know if I can do this : Parents brace for school year juggling jobs , remote learning Landlords loosen up leases : Americans do n't want year-long leases amid the pandemic , neither do landlords In a bit of an upset , given how Tesla founder Elon Musk ’ s presence looms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rivian R1T pickup was No .
1 overall .
It was the most Tweeted vehicle in 17 states .
Rivian dominated the Northeast and Great Lakes regions , with outposts in the Plains , Southeast and Northwest .
Tesla ’ s Cybertruck — recently in the news after the company said it will build it in Austin , Texas — came in second , leading in 15 states .
Tesla territory snaked across the country from Washington state southeast to Florida , and of course included the company ’ s home state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest market for vehicles , and a particular hot spot for EVs .
Bollinger Motors ’ retro-look B2 led in four scattered states : Maryland , Virginia , Missouri and Louisiana .
Lordstown Motors , the startup that took over a former General Motors assembly plant in northeast Ohio , carried its home state , but nowhere else .
Contact Mark Phelan : 313-222-6731 or mmphelan @ freepress.com .
Follow him on Twitter @ mark_phelan .

Electric pickups are generating buzz. Here's where future models like Tesla's Cybertruck, Rivian’s R1T are trending
Show Caption Hide Caption Tesla's Cybertruck is like nothing you've seen before Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveils the company's long awaited electric pickup truck. But all of the demonstrations didn't go as planned. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Interest in electric pickups is growing, and the early leaders — very early, since none of the vehicles in question exists yet — are Rivian’s R1T and the Tesla Cybertruck, according to a July survey of Tweets.
There are some oddities in the data, led by the absence of Ford’s upcoming electric F-150 and the fact that the Nikola Badger dominated the Southwest.
The F-150, of course, has been the bestselling vehicle in the U.S. for decades. An electric version should be available in 2022. The Chevy Silverado, America’s No. 2 seller with an EV model promised by 2025, also failed to make the list.
You’d probably get long odds against all the trucks other companies have promised making it to volume production, but online traffic indicates interest in EVs may be penetrating the pickup market, the largest sales segment in the country.
The map is courtesy of auto parts buying website partcatalog.com.
“We’ll see a flurry of EV pickup trucks rolled out over the next few years,” Cox Automotive senior analyst Michelle Krebs said. “We have no indication of who will buy them. Will traditional pickup buyers suddenly convert to EVs? Or will these EV pickups attract buyers who normally wouldn’t consider a truck? We don’t know yet.”
In this somewhat reality-challenged conversation, perhaps it’s not surprising the most hypothetical EV pickup of all, Nikola’s Badger, dominated a whole region of the country: the Southwest. The Badger seems like a long shot because Nikola says it will use not one, but two technologies unproven in pickups: battery power and a hydrogen fuel cell.
Despite considerable challenges delivering on that promise, the Badger — great name, by the way — was the most-Tweeted EV pickup in 13 states.
'I don't know if I can do this:Parents brace for school year juggling jobs, remote learning
Landlords loosen up leases: Americans don't want year-long leases amid the pandemic, neither do landlords
In a bit of an upset, given how Tesla founder Elon Musk’s presence looms over all discussions of electric vehicles, the Rivian R1T pickup was No. 1 overall. It was the most Tweeted vehicle in 17 states.
Rivian dominated the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, with outposts in the Plains, Southeast and Northwest.
Tesla’s Cybertruck — recently in the news after the company said it will build it in Austin, Texas — came in second, leading in 15 states. Tesla territory snaked across the country from Washington state southeast to Florida, and of course included the company’s home state of California, the country’s largest market for vehicles, and a particular hot spot for EVs.
Bollinger Motors’ retro-look B2 led in four scattered states: Maryland, Virginia, Missouri and Louisiana.
Lordstown Motors, the startup that took over a former General Motors assembly plant in northeast Ohio, carried its home state, but nowhere else.
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.