usatoday--2020-12-09--From Trump and Republicans, concession after concession. Just not the one Joe Biden needs.

Stop waiting for President Donald Trump to concede .
He already has — to the novel coronavirus .
And , with very few exceptions , so has the Republican Party .
Trump ’ s surrender to the worst public health disaster of the century is only possible because he enjoys the overwhelming support of a party that conceded to him years ago .
Their collective dereliction of duty on COVID-19 has already done incalculable damage on every level , from the personal to the political .
My baby daughter , who was born in Michigan hours before the shelter-in-place order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her grandmother through the screen of my phone .
That 's a minor tragedy compared with what happened with one of my best friends .
His dad had to be restrained in his hospital bed , facing intubation as his depleted oxygen levels made it hard for him to understand what was happening .
We can never diminish the loss of hundreds of thousands of Americans who will not see 2021 , the millions who 've lost their jobs and businesses , and the more than 15 million who could be dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of their lives .
And now we learn the Trump administration said `` no thanks '' when Pfizer offered to lock in more vaccines for Americans , if its vaccine turned out to be effective .
It did , and we 're out of luck .
Few will argue that America should have ended up with zero cases of COVID-19 , as Trump once did , but no decent person would insist that the richest country in the world should have about 20 % of the world ’ s deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the population .
Because our hospitals are so overloaded , we now have people dying of this scourge who would have survived months ago .
You ’ d have to be the virus itself to defend that .
And Trump has been its most able accomplice .
Instead of advocating for reasonable measures or reasonable debate , he has encouraged irrational uprisings against rational public health restrictions .
He has actively mocked mask wearing , feeding a culture war over the most effective measure we have to contain the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread the virus with taxpayer-funded parties at the White House and huge rallies across the country .
Think about this : We ’ ll never know how many Americans contracted the virus directly from this president .
Why ?
Because there has been no serious attempt at contact tracing in this White House or nearly anywhere in America , even though Trump ’ s hospitalization with COVID-19 represents the most serious threat to an American president ’ s life since Ronald Reagan was shot .
Why don ’ t we have any reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same reason that almost a year into this pandemic , our health care workers still lack personal protective equipment and America ’ s meat inspectors still can ’ t get enough COVID-19 tests .
COVID baby : Our last-chance miracle baby was due just as the coronavirus wave began to hit hospitals You could blame the unqualified son-in-law Trump put in charge of the early virus response who reportedly urged the president away from national response because Democratic states were among the first to be hit hardest .
Or you could blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denial that he contracted the virus .
You ’ d be more honest , though , to blame the entire Republican Party , which either followed Trump ’ s lead or embraced its own disdain for government intervention by largely abandoning constituents to both the physical and economic damage wrought by the novel coronavirus .
After enough fiscal relief was secured to prop up the stocks of their rich donors , Senate Republicans abandoned COVID-related legislation and refocused on their singular goal of confirming judges .
And Republican governors , with the notable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , largely eschewed sensible restrictions until recently .
South Dakota ’ s Kristi Noem mocked them and cheered on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally , which has been connected to outbreaks across the northern Midwest .
To be clear , no one has handled this virus perfectly .
Not even close .
There are overwhelming outbreaks in states where Democratic governors attempted to follow science along with glaring examples of some Democratic officials flouting their own restrictions .
But the Republican Party , by and large , joined Trump in his effort to wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduction of a vaccine that will “ like a miracle ” make all this carnage “ disappear.
” Ex-FDA chief Q & A : On COVID-19 vaccine , ‘ get as many shots in arms as possible , right away ’ Where has this left us ?
With a nearly 9/11 level of human loss every day of the week for the foreseeable future .
As for Operation Warp Speed , the vaccines that were supposed to flood all corners of this nation might be more of a trickle .
Local officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic House passed in May and October , and Senate Republicans left to gather dust .
And why should Republicans act ?
They picked up at least nine seats last month in the House , despite winning nearly 4.7million votes fewer than the Democrats did .
And the GOP didn ’ t lose one state legislature .
With a system and gerrymandered maps increasingly tilted toward minority control , conceding to a pandemic is a much safer political move than conceding a presidential election .
We should not expect the Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 300,000 Americans to do it for them .
Jason Sattler , a writer based in Ann Arbor , Michigan , is a member of USA TODAY ’ s Board of Contributors and host of `` The GOTMFV Show '' podcast .
Follow him on Twitter : @ LOLGOP

From Trump and Republicans, concession after concession. Just not the one Joe Biden needs. Why should Republicans act on COVID? They haven't paid any price. Conceding to a pandemic is a much safer move than conceding a presidential election.
Show Caption Hide Caption Scott Gottlieb, former FDA head, on vaccines and the tough road ahead. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb talks pandemic, vaccines and recovery with USA TODAY's Editorial Board. USA TODAY
Stop waiting for President Donald Trump to concede. He already has — to the novel coronavirus. And, with very few exceptions, so has the Republican Party.
Trump’s surrender to the worst public health disaster of the century is only possible because he enjoys the overwhelming support of a party that conceded to him years ago. Their collective dereliction of duty on COVID-19 has already done incalculable damage on every level, from the personal to the political.
My baby daughter, who was born in Michigan hours before the shelter-in-place order began in March, has only seen her grandmother through the screen of my phone. That's a minor tragedy compared with what happened with one of my best friends. His dad had to be restrained in his hospital bed, facing intubation as his depleted oxygen levels made it hard for him to understand what was happening.
We can never diminish the loss of hundreds of thousands of Americans who will not see 2021, the millions who've lost their jobs and businesses, and the more than 15 million who could be dealing with the wicked aftermath of this virus for the rest of their lives.
And now we learn the Trump administration said "no thanks" when Pfizer offered to lock in more vaccines for Americans, if its vaccine turned out to be effective. It did, and we're out of luck.
COVID's most able accomplice
Few will argue that America should have ended up with zero cases of COVID-19, as Trump once did, but no decent person would insist that the richest country in the world should have about 20% of the world’s deaths from this virus, despite only having 4% of the population.
Because our hospitals are so overloaded, we now have people dying of this scourge who would have survived months ago. You’d have to be the virus itself to defend that.
And Trump has been its most able accomplice. Instead of advocating for reasonable measures or reasonable debate, he has encouraged irrational uprisings against rational public health restrictions. He has actively mocked mask wearing, feeding a culture war over the most effective measure we have to contain the pandemic. Worst of all, he has actively spread the virus with taxpayer-funded parties at the White House and huge rallies across the country.
Think about this: We’ll never know how many Americans contracted the virus directly from this president. Why? Because there has been no serious attempt at contact tracing in this White House or nearly anywhere in America, even though Trump’s hospitalization with COVID-19 represents the most serious threat to an American president’s life since Ronald Reagan was shot.
Why don’t we have any reasonable contract tracing for this virus? For the same reason that almost a year into this pandemic, our health care workers still lack personal protective equipment and America’s meat inspectors still can’t get enough COVID-19 tests.
COVID baby: Our last-chance miracle baby was due just as the coronavirus wave began to hit hospitals
You could blame the unqualified son-in-law Trump put in charge of the early virus response who reportedly urged the president away from national response because Democratic states were among the first to be hit hardest. Or you could blame a president who himself is in such denial that he contracted the virus.
You’d be more honest, though, to blame the entire Republican Party, which either followed Trump’s lead or embraced its own disdain for government intervention by largely abandoning constituents to both the physical and economic damage wrought by the novel coronavirus.
Americans are paying for GOP failure
After enough fiscal relief was secured to prop up the stocks of their rich donors, Senate Republicans abandoned COVID-related legislation and refocused on their singular goal of confirming judges. And Republican governors, with the notable exception of Ohio’s Mike DeWine, largely eschewed sensible restrictions until recently. South Dakota’s Kristi Noem mocked them and cheered on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which has been connected to outbreaks across the northern Midwest.
To be clear, no one has handled this virus perfectly. Not even close. There are overwhelming outbreaks in states where Democratic governors attempted to follow science along with glaring examples of some Democratic officials flouting their own restrictions. But the Republican Party, by and large, joined Trump in his effort to wish away the virus and wait for the introduction of a vaccine that will “like a miracle” make all this carnage “disappear.”
Ex-FDA chief Q&A: On COVID-19 vaccine, ‘get as many shots in arms as possible, right away’
Where has this left us? With a nearly 9/11 level of human loss every day of the week for the foreseeable future. As for Operation Warp Speed, the vaccines that were supposed to flood all corners of this nation might be more of a trickle.
Local officials are still pleading for vaccine distribution funds that the Democratic House passed in May and October, and Senate Republicans left to gather dust.
And why should Republicans act? They picked up at least nine seats last month in the House, despite winning nearly 4.7million votes fewer than the Democrats did. And the GOP didn’t lose one state legislature.
With a system and gerrymandered maps increasingly tilted toward minority control, conceding to a pandemic is a much safer political move than conceding a presidential election. We should not expect the Republican Party to pay any costs when they have nearly 300,000 Americans to do it for them.
Jason Sattler, a writer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors and host of "The GOTMFV Show" podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @LOLGOP


usatoday--2020-12-09--Timeline: Trump insists he won the election as Biden prepares to take the White House

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Timeline: Trump insists he won the election as Biden prepares to take the White House
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden's Cabinet picks and other roles in his administration The president says he wants a government as diverse as America when he enters the White House. Here are some of his Executive Branch picks. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — A lot has happened since Election Day.
President-elect Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential race. President Donald Trump has refused to acknowledge defeat.
Both of those developments have paved the way for two major paths in American politics.
Trump and his campaign continue to push baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in their effort to challenge the election outcome as Biden continues to build his administration and prepare to step back into the White House.
Here's a timeline of the major events of the transition to the Biden administration that have happened as Trump continues to insist he won:
Nov. 3 - Election Day
Neither candidate was declared the winner of the presidential race on the night of the election, as several key states continued to count the votes. Trump incorrectly claimed in an Election Night speech at the White House that he had won the election, while Biden said he was confident he would reach victory.
Partial reporting showed early leads for Trump in some battleground states that would take more time to count absentee ballots, which largely favored Biden. All eyes were on states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia.
Nov. 7 - Biden declared winner
Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election after the state of Pennsylvania was called in his favor, giving him enough Electoral College votes to put him over the 270 threshold required to take the White House.
Trump made unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and refused to concede the election, which he would continue to do for weeks.
The same day, Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani held a press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Pennsylvania along with other members of the Trump campaign's legal effort to contest the election, presenting no evidence of contested ballots.
The Trump campaign also filed a lawsuit challenging the Arizona vote count, followed in short order by other lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Wisconsin hoping to stop them from certifying election results, none of which gained any traction in courts.
Nov. 11 - Georgia launches recount process
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, announced that Georgia had selected the presidential race to audit as part of the process ahead of certifying its state results. Because the margin between Biden and Trump was so slim — less than 14,000 votes — the audit, which would normally include a sampling of ballots, had to be a total hand recount of all presidential votes.
The recount affirmed Biden's win and Georgia certified its results on Nov. 20. After an additional recount, requested by Trump, the state then recertified its results with Biden as the winner on Dec. 7, showing Biden's lead to be nearly 12,000 votes.
Georgia official calls on Trump to 'stop inspiring' death threats over election A Georgia election official called on President Trump to condemn and "stop inspiring" recent threats of violence over the election. Associated Press, USA TODAY
Nov. 23 - Trump admin clears way for Biden transition
The General Services Administration, the body that holds the keys to transition funds and tools, cleared the way for Biden's team to get access to briefings, office space, secure computers and other government services needed for the transfer of power. Emily Murphy, who heads the GSA, made a formal recognition that Biden won the election in doing so.
Trump portrayed it as a minor step. "Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail!" he wrote on Twitter.
Nov. 23 - Biden begins rolling out Cabinet picks
Biden kicked off choosing who would fill out his diverse Cabinet with several historic picks, with the announcement that Janet Yellen would be his choice for Treasury secretary; if confirmed she would be the first woman in the job. He also made selections for the Department of Homeland Security and his point person on intelligence matters that day.
The Biden transition team has continued to announce his choices for top administration positions.
See who else Biden has selected: President-elect Biden seeks a diverse Cabinet. Here's who will join his administration and who might be top contenders
Nov. 25 - Trump legal team holds events with legislators
Trump's legal team, spearheaded by Giuliani, held the first of a series of media events to present what it claims is evidence of voting irregularities that would overturn the election results in battleground states, before an audience of mostly Republican state legislators. Giuliani made stops in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan and Georgia.
Giuliani paraded a slew of GOP poll challengers, volunteers and others who claimed they witnessed irregularities. With legal battles headed toward dead ends, these hourslong events served as a way for the campaign to motivate Trump's base.
After Giuliani was diagnosed with the coronavirus and hospitalized Dec. 6, several state lawmakers who had been present at the events where most in attendance did not wear masks went into quarantine and received COVID-19 tests.
Giuliani holds Trump press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping The Trump campaign press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia prompted the similarly named luxury hotel to respond. USA TODAY
Nov. 25 - Trump grants pardon to Flynn
Trump said he issued a pardon to former national security adviser Michael Flynn, ending a three-year legal odyssey for the retired Army general who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian ambassador before Trump's inauguration.
Trump's decision was viewed by many as de facto recognition that his tenure in the White House is coming to a close, despite his ongoing public statements. Presidents have often granted controversial clemency just before leaving office.
Nov. 26 - Trump says for first time he'll leave office if electors vote Biden
In a testy exchange with members of the media on Thanksgiving Day, Trump acknowledged for the first time that he would leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for Biden, but also said it would be difficult for him to concede, continuing to make claims of fraud in the election without presenting evidence.
"Certainly I will, and you know that," Trump said.
Trump says finally he will take part in peaceful transfer of power President Trump acknowledged for the first time that he would leave the White House when the Electoral College casts its formal vote for Joe Biden. USA TODAY, Associated Press
Dec. 1 - AG Barr says DOJ has seen no evidence of fraud
Attorney General William Barr, in a major split with Trump, told the Associated Press that thus far, the Justice Department had not seen evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the vote.
In November, Barr had authorized U.S. attorneys to pursue any "substantial allegations" of voting irregularities during the 2020 elections, contradicting longstanding Justice Department practice of not taking steps that could impact the results of an election.
Dec. 1 - Trump teases 2024 run
Trump indicated he plans to run for president again in 2024 at a holiday party, telling the audience that he would "see you in four years" if he is not proven the winner in this presidential election. Reports have also suggested Trump may choose not to attend Biden's inauguration.
Trump's remarks, and his post-election fundraising campaigns, have been a signal of his desire to remain in control of the Republican Party's politics even after Biden is sworn in.
Dec. 8 - Election safe harbor deadline
Federal law requires that Congress recognize the slates of electors chosen by states that have resolved election disputes by Dec. 8, a deadline that makes the possibility of Trump succeeding in changing any election outcomes even more of a long shot.
It's unclear how many states will meet the safe harbor deadline, but for those that do, their determination "shall be conclusive, and shall govern in the counting of the electoral votes," according to the law.
Read more on the important Electoral College deadline: Why the safe haven deadline is bad news for Trump
Dec. 14 - Electoral College to meet
Electors will meet in state capitals to officially cast votes for the president and vice president based on the popular vote in their states.
Biden is set to defeat Trump 306-232 in the Electoral College based on the certification of election results by states.


usatoday--2020-12-09--'Very inconsistent': 2 allergic reactions in the UK to COVID-19 vaccine puzzle researchers

Two British people with severe allergies apparently had allergic reactions to Pfizer/BioNTech 's COVID-19 vaccine , raising questions about whether it is safe for people with preexisting allergies .
In response , British regulators advised those with severe allergies to avoid the vaccine .
It was not immediately clear what triggered the allergic reactions .
Unlike some vaccines , in the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine there are no preservatives or egg products , which have been known to trigger reactions with other types of vaccines .
Allergic reactions were not a significant problem in the U.S. trial in which more than 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine , but the U.S. trials kept out subjects who have had severe allergic reactions , said Moncef Slaoui , co-head of Operation Warp Speed – the government program tasked with developing , manufacturing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines .
Slaoui said he assumes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration committee meeting Thursday will discuss this issue and will suggest that people with severe allergies `` should not take the vaccine until we know exactly what happened . ''
But a vaccine that triggers dangerous reactions in people with severe allergies poses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dr. Peter Hotez , a pediatrician and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston .
`` If you start issuing recommendations that anyone with an EpiPen does n't get vaccinated , that could be a showstopper for Americans , '' he said .
About 3 to 4 million Americans carry epinephrine with them at all times in case of allergic reactions , Hotez noted , and 50 million have less severe allergies .
Hotez was confused by the allergic reaction , which was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people .
`` It 's very inconsistent , '' he said .
`` That 's why it 's really puzzling me . ''
' V-Day ' : A year after COVID-19 pandemic began in China , UK is first in West to start vaccinations In the U.S. trial , there were more allergic reactions in the group that received the vaccine than among placebo recipients , but both represented a fraction of 1 % of trial participants .
In a statement Wednesday , Pfizer said that its trials did not include people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaction associated with a vaccine and/or severe allergic reaction ( eg , anaphylaxis ) to any component of the study intervention ( s ) . ''
The companies are working with British regulators `` to fully understand each case and its causes .
Pfizer and BioNTech are supporting the MHRA in the investigation , '' according to the statement .
Moderna did not immediately respond to a request about whether people with severe allergies were included in their trials .
As more people receive the vaccine , vaccine experts expect other reactions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot and by coincidence .
British regulators authorized use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine late last month , and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration appears poised to do the same as soon as the end of this week .
Thousands of people in the U.K. have received the vaccine since it was first distributed on Tuesday .
Dr. Gregory Poland , who runs the Vaccine Research Group at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota , said he thinks the British regulators over-reacted .
People who have had anaphylactic shock reactions to previous vaccines should avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with reactions to something other than a vaccine should still be allowed to receive the COVID-19 shot for now , said Poland , who studies the immunogenetics of vaccine response in adults and children .
He said he hopes that the FDA committee that is meeting tomorrow to consider the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will require the companies to actively study the issue , even after the vaccine is authorized , contacting people who received it , for instance , to ask if they 've had reactions .
He said he hopes the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track of any future neurological side effects from the vaccine .
Four people in the trials who received the active vaccine developed Bell 's Palsy , a temporary weakness or stiffness in facial muscles , which is worth following , Poland said , but also could have happened purely by chance .
Dr. Paul Offit told CNN early Wednesday that severe allergic reactions to vaccines occur in about one of every 1.4 million shots .
That 's why people are asked to stay in a doctor 's office for a few minutes after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious disease specialist and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children 's Hospital of Philadelphia .
Rather than a `` blanket recommendation '' for people with allergies , `` the smarter thing to do would be to try and look at these two patients and see what specific component of the vaccine they were allergic to , '' he said .
There are immediate treatments for allergic reactions , he noted .
Will a COVID-19 vaccine be required ?
For some Americans , the answer is yes .
But not by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both of whom work for the National Health Service , have not been identified but are `` recovering well , '' according to Stephen Powis , the national medical director for the National Health Service in England .
“ As is common with new vaccines the MHRA ( Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ) have advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely yesterday.
” Powis said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were allergic to ingredients in the vaccine were told to avoid the vaccine , but now , the guidance from the U.K. 's regulatory agency , MHRA , advises that anyone who has had a severe reaction to anything in the past should avoid the vaccine for now .
“ We are fully investigating the two reports that have been reported to us as a matter of priority .
Once all the information has been reviewed we will communicate updated advice , '' an MHRA spokesperson said via email .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a history of a significant allergic reaction due to receive the Pfizer COVID vaccine to speak to your healthcare professional who is administering the vaccine.
” Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics , Innovation and Competition in Healthcare .
The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input .
Deliver a safe , effective COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year ?
Impossible .
Meet Moncef Slaoui .
Limited vaccine supply : The US will have 40M @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the year .
How many people should get them ?
Getting a vaccine has been a huge undertaking .
How all 50 states scramble to dole them out is the next massive challenge .

'Very inconsistent': 2 allergic reactions in the UK to COVID-19 vaccine puzzle researchers
Show Caption Hide Caption Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine begins UK rollout with 90-year-old grandma The United Kingdom began nationwide distribution of Pfizer/BioNTech's highly anticipated COVID-19 vaccine with this woman. USA TODAY, Associated Press
Two British people with severe allergies apparently had allergic reactions to Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, raising questions about whether it is safe for people with preexisting allergies.
In response, British regulators advised those with severe allergies to avoid the vaccine.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the allergic reactions. Unlike some vaccines, in the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine there are no preservatives or egg products, which have been known to trigger reactions with other types of vaccines.
Allergic reactions were not a significant problem in the U.S. trial in which more than 20,000 people have received both two doses of the vaccine, but the U.S. trials kept out subjects who have had severe allergic reactions, said Moncef Slaoui, co-head of Operation Warp Speed – the government program tasked with developing, manufacturing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines.
Slaoui said he assumes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration committee meeting Thursday will discuss this issue and will suggest that people with severe allergies "should not take the vaccine until we know exactly what happened."
But a vaccine that triggers dangerous reactions in people with severe allergies poses a major challenge in the U.S., said Dr. Peter Hotez, a pediatrician and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
"If you start issuing recommendations that anyone with an EpiPen doesn't get vaccinated, that could be a showstopper for Americans," he said. About 3 to 4 million Americans carry epinephrine with them at all times in case of allergic reactions, Hotez noted, and 50 million have less severe allergies.
Hotez was confused by the allergic reaction, which was not predicted by trials in tens of thousands of people.
"It's very inconsistent," he said. "That's why it's really puzzling me."
'V-Day': A year after COVID-19 pandemic began in China, UK is first in West to start vaccinations
In the U.S. trial, there were more allergic reactions in the group that received the vaccine than among placebo recipients, but both represented a fraction of 1% of trial participants.
In a statement Wednesday, Pfizer said that its trials did not include people with a "history of severe adverse reaction associated with a vaccine and/or severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of the study intervention(s)."
The companies are working with British regulators "to fully understand each case and its causes. Pfizer and BioNTech are supporting the MHRA in the investigation," according to the statement.
Moderna did not immediately respond to a request about whether people with severe allergies were included in their trials.
As more people receive the vaccine, vaccine experts expect other reactions will crop up – both connected to the shot and by coincidence.
British regulators authorized use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine late last month, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration appears poised to do the same as soon as the end of this week. Thousands of people in the U.K. have received the vaccine since it was first distributed on Tuesday.
Dr. Gregory Poland, who runs the Vaccine Research Group at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, said he thinks the British regulators over-reacted.
People who have had anaphylactic shock reactions to previous vaccines should avoid this one, he said, but those with reactions to something other than a vaccine should still be allowed to receive the COVID-19 shot for now, said Poland, who studies the immunogenetics of vaccine response in adults and children.
He said he hopes that the FDA committee that is meeting tomorrow to consider the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will require the companies to actively study the issue, even after the vaccine is authorized, contacting people who received it, for instance, to ask if they've had reactions.
He said he hopes the committee will also require the companies to keep track of any future neurological side effects from the vaccine. Four people in the trials who received the active vaccine developed Bell's Palsy, a temporary weakness or stiffness in facial muscles, which is worth following, Poland said, but also could have happened purely by chance.
Dr. Paul Offit told CNN early Wednesday that severe allergic reactions to vaccines occur in about one of every 1.4 million shots. That's why people are asked to stay in a doctor's office for a few minutes after a vaccination, said Offit, an infectious disease specialist and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Rather than a "blanket recommendation" for people with allergies, "the smarter thing to do would be to try and look at these two patients and see what specific component of the vaccine they were allergic to," he said.
There are immediate treatments for allergic reactions, he noted.
Will a COVID-19 vaccine be required? For some Americans, the answer is yes. But not by the federal government.
The two Britons, both of whom work for the National Health Service, have not been identified but are "recovering well," according to Stephen Powis, the national medical director for the National Health Service in England.
“As is common with new vaccines the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) have advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely yesterday.” Powis said in an e-mailed statement.
Until yesterday, people who were allergic to ingredients in the vaccine were told to avoid the vaccine, but now, the guidance from the U.K.'s regulatory agency, MHRA, advises that anyone who has had a severe reaction to anything in the past should avoid the vaccine for now.
“We are fully investigating the two reports that have been reported to us as a matter of priority. Once all the information has been reviewed we will communicate updated advice," an MHRA spokesperson said via email.
“In line with existing advice we advise anyone with a history of a significant allergic reaction due to receive the Pfizer COVID vaccine to speak to your healthcare professional who is administering the vaccine.”
Contact Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com
Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.
Deliver a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year? Impossible. Meet Moncef Slaoui.
Limited vaccine supply: The US will have 40M doses of the COVID vaccine by the end of the year. How many people should get them?
Getting a vaccine has been a huge undertaking. How all 50 states scramble to dole them out is the next massive challenge.


usatoday--2020-12-10--Hunter Biden's taxes under investigation by US attorney's office in Delaware

The Justice Department ’ s investigation scrutinizing Hunter Biden ’ s taxes has been examining some of his Chinese business dealings , among other financial transactions , a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
The revelation puts a renewed spotlight on the questions about his financial dealings that dogged his father ’ s successful White House campaign .
Hunter Biden was the focus of Republican complaints during the campaign for business dealings with Ukraine and China .
But Hunter Biden hasn ’ t been charged , and two Republican-led congressional committees in September found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adversaries including President Donald Trump accused the former vice president of benefitting from his son ’ s business .
But Joe Biden denied any illegal or unethical dealings with his son .
Hunter Biden said Wednesday that he learned Tuesday that federal prosecutors were investigating his tax affairs .
“ I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately , including with the benefit of professional tax advisors , ” Hunter Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched in 2018 , a year before his father announced his candidacy for the presidency , but it isn ’ t clear which entities might be tied up in the probe , the Associated Press reported .
Federal investigators served a round of subpoenas on Tuesday , including for Hunter Biden , according to another person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing probe .
The tax investigation centers on his business dealings , the person said .
Investigators did not reach out in the weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department policy surrounding elections that prohibits overt investigative acts , one of the people said .
Biden ’ s transition office said in a statement that the president-elect “ is deeply proud of my son , who has fought through difficult challenges , including the vicious personal attacks of recent months , only to emerge stronger.
” The disclosure of the federal investigation , led by the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Delaware , comes at an awkward moment for the incoming president , who is assembling his Cabinet .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the investigation into the new president ’ s son if it is still ongoing when Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20 .
Trump ’ s personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , said in the closing weeks of the campaign that a laptop recovered from a Delaware repair shop allegedly revealed a trove of evidence against Hunter Biden .
But the FBI was investigating the laptop as potential misinformation from Russia to influence the election .
A story on Oct. 14 in the New York Post accused Biden ’ s son of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma .
But the story – based on material from the laptop – has come under fire for relying on questionable sources and documents .
A central point of the article refers to an email from Vadym Pozharskyi , an adviser to Burisma , who thanked Hunter Biden for “ giving an opportunity to meet your father and spent ( sic ) some time together.
” If true , the claim would undercut Joe Biden ’ s repeated assertions that he never spoke to his son about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign categorically denied a meeting ever happened .
“ They never had a meeting , ” Andrew Bates , a campaign spokesman , told USA TODAY .
“ I ’ ve literally never heard of this guy in my life , ” Amos Hochstein , a former Biden staffer , told Politico .
Rep. Ken Buck , R-Colo. , had urged the Justice Department Monday to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden over the laptop .
“ This needs to be investigated free from political interference , ” Buck said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is in the White House.
” The House impeached Trump and the Senate acquitted him of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after an investigation based in part on a 2019 call Trump made to the president of Ukraine , urging him to investigate the Bidens .
Congressional Democrats pursued the charges in an attempt to force Trump from office and called the demand for an investigation a smear of Trump ’ s political opponent .
Trump taunted Biden repeatedly during the campaign about the laptop .
“ Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody knows it , ” Trump said in one tweet .
“ Laptop is devastating !
” Trump said in another tweet .
Biden told reporters he had no response to the accusations in the days after the New York Post story .
“ Another smear campaign , ” Biden said .
“ Right up your alley.
” A third person familiar with the matter said the tax investigation does not have anything to do with the laptop .
Like the other people who spoke to the AP , the person was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke on condition of anonymity .
At the first presidential debate on Fox News , Trump charged that Hunter Biden was thrown out of the military for cocaine use and later paid millions in Ukraine and China without working .
But Biden said his son wasn ’ t dishonorably discharged and that accusations against him had been debunked .
“ My son like a lot of people at home had a drug problem , ” Joe Biden said .
“ He ’ s fixed it .
He ’ s worked on it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m proud of my son.
” The former vice president raised recent reports that Trump has a secret bank account in China .
“ He ’ s talking about me taking money from China ?
I ’ ve not taken a penny from any country .
Ever .
Ever .
Ever . ''
`` Nothing was unethical , ” Joe Biden said of Hunter Biden ’ s role on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma .
“ My son has no made money from China .
The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was this guy , '' he said , directing his comments at Trump .

Hunter Biden's taxes under investigation by US attorney's office in Delaware
Show Caption Hide Caption Hunter Biden's taxes under investigation by US attorney's office President-elect Joe Biden's son was in the spotlight during the presidential campaign for his business dealings with Ukraine and China. USA TODAY
The Justice Department’s investigation scrutinizing Hunter Biden’s taxes has been examining some of his Chinese business dealings, among other financial transactions, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The revelation puts a renewed spotlight on the questions about his financial dealings that dogged his father’s successful White House campaign. Hunter Biden was the focus of Republican complaints during the campaign for business dealings with Ukraine and China. But Hunter Biden hasn’t been charged, and two Republican-led congressional committees in September found no wrongdoing by Joe Biden.
Political adversaries including President Donald Trump accused the former vice president of benefitting from his son’s business. But Joe Biden denied any illegal or unethical dealings with his son.
Hunter Biden said Wednesday that he learned Tuesday that federal prosecutors were investigating his tax affairs.
“I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors,” Hunter Biden said in a statement.
The investigation was launched in 2018, a year before his father announced his candidacy for the presidency, but it isn’t clear which entities might be tied up in the probe, the Associated Press reported.
Federal investigators served a round of subpoenas on Tuesday, including for Hunter Biden, according to another person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing probe. The tax investigation centers on his business dealings, the person said.
Investigators did not reach out in the weeks prior to the election because of a Justice Department policy surrounding elections that prohibits overt investigative acts, one of the people said.
Biden’s transition office said in a statement that the president-elect “is deeply proud of my son, who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months, only to emerge stronger.”
The disclosure of the federal investigation, led by the U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware, comes at an awkward moment for the incoming president, who is assembling his Cabinet. His pick for attorney general could have oversight of the investigation into the new president’s son if it is still ongoing when Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20.
Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said in the closing weeks of the campaign that a laptop recovered from a Delaware repair shop allegedly revealed a trove of evidence against Hunter Biden. But the FBI was investigating the laptop as potential misinformation from Russia to influence the election.
A story on Oct. 14 in the New York Post accused Biden’s son of corruption based on his work as an adviser to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
But the story – based on material from the laptop – has come under fire for relying on questionable sources and documents.
A central point of the article refers to an email from Vadym Pozharskyi, an adviser to Burisma, who thanked Hunter Biden for “giving an opportunity to meet your father and spent (sic) some time together.” If true, the claim would undercut Joe Biden’s repeated assertions that he never spoke to his son about business dealings in Ukraine.
But the Biden campaign categorically denied a meeting ever happened. “They never had a meeting,” Andrew Bates, a campaign spokesman, told USA TODAY. “I’ve literally never heard of this guy in my life,” Amos Hochstein, a former Biden staffer, told Politico.
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., had urged the Justice Department Monday to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden over the laptop. “This needs to be investigated free from political interference,” Buck said in a tweet. “No matter who is in the White House.”
The House impeached Trump and the Senate acquitted him of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after an investigation based in part on a 2019 call Trump made to the president of Ukraine, urging him to investigate the Bidens.
Congressional Democrats pursued the charges in an attempt to force Trump from office and called the demand for an investigation a smear of Trump’s political opponent.
Trump taunted Biden repeatedly during the campaign about the laptop. “Joe Biden is a corrupt politician, and everybody knows it,” Trump said in one tweet. “Laptop is devastating!” Trump said in another tweet.
Biden told reporters he had no response to the accusations in the days after the New York Post story. “Another smear campaign,” Biden said. “Right up your alley.”
A third person familiar with the matter said the tax investigation does not have anything to do with the laptop. Like the other people who spoke to the AP, the person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
At the first presidential debate on Fox News, Trump charged that Hunter Biden was thrown out of the military for cocaine use and later paid millions in Ukraine and China without working. But Biden said his son wasn’t dishonorably discharged and that accusations against him had been debunked.
“My son like a lot of people at home had a drug problem,” Joe Biden said. “He’s fixed it. He’s worked on it. And I’m proud of him. I’m proud of my son.”
The former vice president raised recent reports that Trump has a secret bank account in China. “He’s talking about me taking money from China? I’ve not taken a penny from any country. Ever. Ever. Ever."
"Nothing was unethical,” Joe Biden said of Hunter Biden’s role on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. “My son has no made money from China. The only guy who has made money from China was this guy," he said, directing his comments at Trump.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-12-09--President Trump seeks to join Supreme Court lawsuit challenging election results in 4 key states

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court Wednesday to overturn the 2020 election results by tossing out votes cast in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and allowing state legislatures to appoint new electors .
Attorneys for the president asked the justices to let Trump intervene in a lawsuit brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and endorsed by 17 other Republican state attorneys general that claims the four battleground states illegally expanded mail-in balloting that helped President-elect Joe Biden .
Trump 's legal papers sought to back up the claim by citing various election results from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost , then adding : `` These things just don ’ t normally happen , and a large percentage of the American people know that something is deeply amiss . ''
But the president did not present evidence of fraud , asserting that `` it is only necessary to demonstrate that the elections in the defendant states materially deviated from the 'manner ' of choosing electors established by their respective state Legislatures . ''
And to back up his request to intervene in the long-shot lawsuit , he cited partisan polls purporting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gave Biden 306 electoral votes , the same number Trump won in 2016 .
`` The fact that nearly half of the country believes the election was stolen should come as no surprise , '' his attorneys wrote .
`` President Trump prevailed on nearly every historical indicia of success in presidential elections . ''
More : Texas AG asks Supreme Court to overturn Trump 's losses in key states .
Do n't hold your breath .
More : 'Calling an election unfair does not make it so ' : Appeals court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's win in Pennsylvania Paxton , a staunch Trump backer who has frequently sued in support of the president 's policies , told the Supreme Court Tuesday that officials in the four states used `` executive fiat or friendly lawsuits '' to expand voting by mail and to weaken signature verification and witness requirements meant to protect ballot integrity .
`` By ignoring both state and federal law , these states have not only tainted the integrity of their own citizens ’ vote , but of Texas and every other state that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general said .
Officials in all four states had criticized Texas ' filing as an irresponsible publicity stunt that recycled false and disproven claims of election irregularities .
`` These fact-less , baseless 'lawsuits ' to stir confusion and doubt in our systems are un-American , and we should not allow this circus to continue , '' Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said .

President Trump seeks to join Supreme Court lawsuit challenging election results in 4 key states
Show Caption Hide Caption Georgia official calls on Trump to 'stop inspiring' death threats over election A Georgia election official called on President Trump to condemn and "stop inspiring" recent threats of violence over the election. Associated Press, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court Wednesday to overturn the 2020 election results by tossing out votes cast in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and allowing state legislatures to appoint new electors.
Attorneys for the president asked the justices to let Trump intervene in a lawsuit brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and endorsed by 17 other Republican state attorneys general that claims the four battleground states illegally expanded mail-in balloting that helped President-elect Joe Biden.
Trump's legal papers sought to back up the claim by citing various election results from states and counties that he won and lost, then adding: "These things just don’t normally happen, and a large percentage of the American people know that something is deeply amiss."
But the president did not present evidence of fraud, asserting that "it is only necessary to demonstrate that the elections in the defendant states materially deviated from the 'manner' of choosing electors established by their respective state Legislatures."
And to back up his request to intervene in the long-shot lawsuit, he cited partisan polls purporting to show that Americans distrust the election results that gave Biden 306 electoral votes, the same number Trump won in 2016.
"The fact that nearly half of the country believes the election was stolen should come as no surprise," his attorneys wrote. "President Trump prevailed on nearly every historical indicia of success in presidential elections."
More: Texas AG asks Supreme Court to overturn Trump's losses in key states. Don't hold your breath.
More: Supreme Court dismisses Trump allies' challenge to Pennsylvania election
More: 'Calling an election unfair does not make it so': Appeals court denies Trump campaign's effort to overturn Biden's win in Pennsylvania
Paxton, a staunch Trump backer who has frequently sued in support of the president's policies, told the Supreme Court Tuesday that officials in the four states used "executive fiat or friendly lawsuits" to expand voting by mail and to weaken signature verification and witness requirements meant to protect ballot integrity.
"By ignoring both state and federal law, these states have not only tainted the integrity of their own citizens’ vote, but of Texas and every other state that held lawful elections,” the state attorney general said.
Officials in all four states had criticized Texas' filing as an irresponsible publicity stunt that recycled false and disproven claims of election irregularities.
"These fact-less, baseless 'lawsuits' to stir confusion and doubt in our systems are un-American, and we should not allow this circus to continue," Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said.
Contributing: Chuck Lindell, Austin American-Statesman


usatoday--2020-12-10--'Is this what we're becoming?': Anne Frank memorial in Idaho, the only one in US, defaced with swast

The only Anne Frank memorial in the United States was vandalized Tuesday , a distressing display of hate that has prompted a police investigation , officials said .
`` It 's sad that this is becoming a statement of who and what our community is , '' said Dan Prinzig , director of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights , which maintains the memorial in Boise , Idaho .
The memorial includes a life-sized bronze statue of Frank , which depicts her holding her diary and peering out the window of the secret annex in which she and her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were found and sent to concentration camps in 1944 .
Stickers with swastikas and the words `` We are everywhere '' were found affixed to the diary , and another was pasted to a statue representing the “ spiral of injustice . ''
`` Is this what we 're becoming ? ''
Prinzig asked .
Another sticker was pasted over a photo of Bill Wassmuth , the center 's namesake .
He was a Catholic priest who left the priesthood to focus on fighting white supremacists and the Aryan Nations , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was based in northern Idaho .
Wassmuth died in 2002 .
The defamation of the memorial , which Prinzig called a `` stab to the heart , '' has been a rallying cry for the community .
Several community members asked Prinzig to hold a physical vigil , while others started fundraising drives , he said .
Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee called the vandalism “ absolutely reprehensible ” and said his agency has reached out to the Anti-Defamation League as part of its investigation .
“ It does cause us concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to ferreting out ... those who would foment hate in the community . ''
This is not the first time the memorial has been vandalized since its 2002 dedication .
It was also defaced over a series of days in 2017 when graffiti of anti-Semitic and racist slurs caused $ 20,000 in damage .
The damage is not only to the memorial itself , Prinzig said , but to the `` psyche of the community . ''
This is an `` important moment in really beginning to question ourselves : Who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] doing to fight injustice ? ''
he said .
Prinzig echoed the words of Eleanor Roosevelt , which he said are etched into the memorial .
“ Where , after all , do human rights begin ?
In small places , close to home — so close and so small that they can not be seen on any maps of the world , '' he said .

'Is this what we're becoming?': Anne Frank memorial in Idaho, the only one in US, defaced with swastika stickers
Show Caption Hide Caption Anne Frank's father twice tried to obtain U.S. visas before hiding Anne Frank’s family reportedly tried to escape to both the United States and Cuba. Buzz60
The only Anne Frank memorial in the United States was vandalized Tuesday, a distressing display of hate that has prompted a police investigation, officials said.
"It's sad that this is becoming a statement of who and what our community is," said Dan Prinzig, director of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, which maintains the memorial in Boise, Idaho.
The memorial includes a life-size bronze statue of Frank, which depicts her holding her diary and peering out the window of the secret annex in which she and her family spent 761 days hiding from Nazis before they were found and sent to concentration camps in 1944.
Stickers with swastikas and the words "We are everywhere" were found affixed to the diary, and another was pasted to a statue representing the “spiral of injustice."
"Is this what we're becoming?" Prinzig asked.
Another sticker was pasted over a photo of Bill Wassmuth, the center's namesake. He was a Catholic priest who left the priesthood to focus on fighting white supremacists and the Aryan Nations, a neo-Nazi group that, at the time, was based in northern Idaho. Wassmuth died in 2002.
'Intense' protests: Idaho health meeting ends abruptyl fter anti-mask protesters show up at officials' homes
The defamation of the memorial, which Prinzig called a "stab to the heart," has been a rallying cry for the community. Several community members asked Prinzig to hold a physical vigil, while others started fundraising drives, he said.
Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee called the vandalism “absolutely reprehensible,” and said his agency has reached out to the Anti-Defamation League as part of its investigation.
“It does cause us concern,” Lee said. “We are committed to ferreting out ... those who would foment hate in the community."
This is not the first time the memorial has been vandalized since its 2002 dedication. It was also defaced over a series of days in 2017 when graffiti of anti-Semitic and racist slurs caused $20,000 in damage.
The damage is not only to the memorial itself, Prinzig said, but to the "psyche of the community."
This is an "important moment in really beginning to question ourselves: Who are we and what (are we) doing to fight injustice?" he said.
Prinzig echoed the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, which he said are etched into the memorial.
“Where, after all, do human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world," he said.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-12-10--'I have not had a good year': Children pen heartbreaking letters to Santa sharing hardships faced du

Kaden , a boy from California , does n't want much for Christmas this year : just a remote-controlled car , a green jacket and a coronavirus-free school year .
`` Dear Santa , '' he wrote in a handwritten letter .
`` I would do enything if you could some-haw restart 5th grade with NO COVid .
so plees if you the amasing Santa could restart it I wood be happy '' Kaden is one of thousands of kids who mailed their Christmas lists through USPS Operation Santa .
The program , which has been running in some form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from kids in need and matches them up with donors to make their holiday wishes come true .
And in 2020 , kids have more than just toys on their Christmas lists , with many Operation Santa letters reflecting the hardships families are facing during the pandemic .
Lilly , a sixth grader from Maine , shared the toll the coronavirus has taken on her family .
`` I have not had a good year , '' the 11-year-old wrote in her letter to Mr. and Mrs. Claus .
`` My grandpa died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of covid .
I miss him and his big hugs . ''
Lilly went on to ask Santa for gifts for her family members , including earrings for her mom , games she can play with her dad , clothes for her sister and `` Xbox stuff '' for her brother .
She also asked for `` a doll that looks real '' and a purple jacket for herself .
`` Santa can you bring grammy a puppy so she is not so lonely ? ''
she added .
Many children also put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial stress .
For instance , though 13-year-old Raymond from California confessed he `` is not a believer , '' he still asked Santa for gifts in order to help out his mom .
`` I am asking you to help my mom for X-mas , '' the child wrote in his letter .
`` Having us all home and not working do to covid we could use some help . ''
Kids are n't the only ones writing letters to Santa this year .
Marilu , a mother of three in California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , who stopped working due to the pandemic , is frequently in the hospital because of heart issues .
`` This year has been really rough for us , '' she wrote .
`` We have been struggling financially because of all the hospital bills & they just keep piling up .
We would appreciate clothes & shoes .
Those are essential . ''
Postal Service pleads for more kid-in-need 'Dear Santa ' letters after running out Matzy , a 5-year-old from Texas , let Santa know to expect more than just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her home this year .
`` I hope you do n't get sick , '' read her letter .
`` Matzy will give you cookies and milk and mommy Andrea will make a mask for you and rain deer . ''
And many kids are also asking Santa to keep their loved ones healthy .
`` I also wish for my friends and family to stay safe , '' Jacqueline from California wrote at the end of her list .
`` And for my Abu not to get sick because I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thank you for all the joy you have brought to the world and to my family .
I Love you Santa . ''
Those who still want to send a wish list as part of Operation Santa should address their letter to 123 Elf Road , North Pole , 88888 and include a return address and a stamp .
Letters received before Dec. 15 will be uploaded online and made available for adoption .
Kids can still get a picture with Santa this year .
Here 's how

'I have not had a good year': Children pen heartbreaking letters to Santa sharing hardships faced during pandemic
Show Caption Hide Caption Christmas during COVID: USPS revamps Operation Santa The United States Postal Service is revamping its 108-year-old program Operation Santa, and for the first time, it's all online. USA TODAY
Kaden, a boy from California, doesn't want much for Christmas this year: just a remote-controlled car, a green jacket and a coronavirus-free school year.
"Dear Santa," he wrote in a handwritten letter. "I would do enything if you could some-haw restart 5th grade with NO COVid. so plees if you the amasing Santa could restart it I wood be happy"
Kaden is one of thousands of kids who mailed their Christmas lists through USPS Operation Santa. The program, which has been running in some form for over 107 years, accepts letters from kids in need and matches them up with donors to make their holiday wishes come true.
And in 2020, kids have more than just toys on their Christmas lists, with many Operation Santa letters reflecting the hardships families are facing during the pandemic.
Lilly, a sixth grader from Maine, shared the toll the coronavirus has taken on her family.
"I have not had a good year," the 11-year-old wrote in her letter to Mr. and Mrs. Claus. "My grandpa died and I could not see him because of covid. I miss him and his big hugs."
Lilly went on to ask Santa for gifts for her family members, including earrings for her mom, games she can play with her dad, clothes for her sister and "Xbox stuff" for her brother. She also asked for "a doll that looks real" and a purple jacket for herself.
"Santa can you bring grammy a puppy so she is not so lonely?" she added.
'Dear Santa' documentary unwraps US Postal Service’s Operation Santa program
Many children also put in requests to ease their parents' financial stress. For instance, though 13-year-old Raymond from California confessed he "is not a believer," he still asked Santa for gifts in order to help out his mom.
"I am asking you to help my mom for X-mas," the child wrote in his letter. "Having us all home and not working do to covid we could use some help."
Kids aren't the only ones writing letters to Santa this year. Marilu, a mother of three in California, described in her letter how her husband, who stopped working due to the pandemic, is frequently in the hospital because of heart issues.
"This year has been really rough for us," she wrote. "We have been struggling financially because of all the hospital bills & they just keep piling up. We would appreciate clothes & shoes. Those are essential."
Postal Service pleads for more kid-in-need 'Dear Santa' letters after running out
Matzy, a 5-year-old from Texas, let Santa know to expect more than just milk and cookies when he stops by her home this year.
"I hope you don't get sick," read her letter. "Matzy will give you cookies and milk and mommy Andrea will make a mask for you and rain deer."
And many kids are also asking Santa to keep their loved ones healthy.
"I also wish for my friends and family to stay safe," Jacqueline from California wrote at the end of her list. "And for my Abu not to get sick because I don't want to lose her, not yet. Thank you for all the joy you have brought to the world and to my family. I Love you Santa."
Those who still want to send a wish list as part of Operation Santa should address their letter to 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888 and include a return address and a stamp. Letters received before Dec. 15 will be uploaded online and made available for adoption.
Kids can still get a picture with Santa this year. Here's how
Contributing: Associated Press


usatoday--2020-12-10--'Mars, here we come!!': SpaceX's Starship prototype performs never-before-seen 'belly flop' during T

A towering SpaceX prototype composed of rings of steel slowly took flight from its Texas launch pad Wednesday , ascending thousands of feet before performing a never-before-seen `` belly flop '' maneuver during its subsequent landing attempt .
The company 's next-generation Starship vehicle , ultimately designed to fulfill CEO Elon Musk 's vision of putting humans on Mars , launched at 4:45 p.m. on a high-altitude test flight to stress hardware and maneuvers .
The prototype was known as Serial Number 8 , or SN8 .
Over its nearly seven-minute mission , Starship successfully demonstrated it could launch under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ascend to about 41,000 feet , then use its `` body '' and folding wings to slow down against the friction of the atmosphere – a maneuver appropriately named `` belly flopping . ''
The 165-foot vehicle is designed to use a similar braking maneuver when approaching the red planet 's surface , after which it will flip and land much like the company 's Falcon 9 rockets .
Welcome to Texas : Elon Musk relocates to the Lone Star State , along with his private foundation Though SN8 approached its landing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure readings in one of its tanks meant it came in too hot – literally .
Starship exploded , but did touch down exactly where it was supposed to .
A successful landing would have been a bonus , but the overall test was a success , Musk said .
`` We got all the data we needed , '' Musk said via Twitter .
`` Congrats SpaceX team hell yeah !
!
Mars , here we come !
! ''
Now workers will continue refining Starship and constructing its not-yet-flown first stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two will stand nearly 400 feet tall and dwarf every rocket ever flown both in size and power .
Located near the Texas-Mexico border , Boca Chica serves as the company 's hotbed for Starship testing .
The privately owned , remote facility gives SpaceX the flexibility to conduct tests and build futuristic vehicles without the kind of interference it would encounter at a military base , for example .
For decades , Musk has dreamed of establishing not only a colony , but a `` self-sustaining civilization '' on the surface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a requirement for humanity 's long-term survival .
`` It appears that consciousness is a very rare and precious thing , '' he said during a 2019 update in Boca Chica .
`` And we should take whatever steps we can to preserve the light of consciousness . ''
But Starship is n't only for Mars .
Earlier this year , for example , NASA awarded SpaceX $ 135 million for a derivative designed specifically for trips to the moon .
Musk has also said it can be used for deploying very large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hundreds of small satellites – to Earth orbit using a slightly modified version .
In the meantime , Falcon 9 remains the workhorse of SpaceX 's fleet , with its next flight slated for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday .

'Mars, here we come!!': SpaceX's Starship prototype performs never-before-seen 'belly flop' during Texas test launch
Show Caption Hide Caption SpaceX launches Starship SN8 prototype on one-of-a-kind test flight from Texas SpaceX launches the Starship SN8 prototype on the vehicle's first ever high-altitude test flight from the company's facility in Texas on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The test was successful. SpaceX
A towering SpaceX prototype composed of rings of steel slowly took flight from its Texas launch pad Wednesday, ascending thousands of feet before performing a never-before-seen "belly flop" maneuver during its subsequent landing attempt.
The company's next-generation Starship vehicle, ultimately designed to fulfill CEO Elon Musk's vision of putting humans on Mars, launched at 4:45 p.m. on a high-altitude test flight to stress hardware and maneuvers. The prototype was known as Serial Number 8, or SN8.
Over its nearly seven-minute mission, Starship successfully demonstrated it could launch under the power of its three Raptor engines, ascend to about 41,000 feet, then use its "body" and folding wings to slow down against the friction of the atmosphere – a maneuver appropriately named "belly flopping." The 165-foot vehicle is designed to use a similar braking maneuver when approaching the red planet's surface, after which it will flip and land much like the company's Falcon 9 rockets.
Welcome to Texas: Elon Musk relocates to the Lone Star State, along with his private foundation
Though SN8 approached its landing site as intended, Musk said low pressure readings in one of its tanks meant it came in too hot – literally. Starship exploded, but did touch down exactly where it was supposed to.
A successful landing would have been a bonus, but the overall test was a success, Musk said.
"We got all the data we needed," Musk said via Twitter. "Congrats SpaceX team hell yeah!! Mars, here we come!!"
Now workers will continue refining Starship and constructing its not-yet-flown first stage booster called Super Heavy. Combined, the two will stand nearly 400 feet tall and dwarf every rocket ever flown both in size and power.
Located near the Texas-Mexico border, Boca Chica serves as the company's hotbed for Starship testing. The privately owned, remote facility gives SpaceX the flexibility to conduct tests and build futuristic vehicles without the kind of interference it would encounter at a military base, for example.
For decades, Musk has dreamed of establishing not only a colony, but a "self-sustaining civilization" on the surface of Mars. He sees it as a requirement for humanity's long-term survival.
"It appears that consciousness is a very rare and precious thing," he said during a 2019 update in Boca Chica. "And we should take whatever steps we can to preserve the light of consciousness."
But Starship isn't only for Mars. Earlier this year, for example, NASA awarded SpaceX $135 million for a derivative designed specifically for trips to the moon. Musk has also said it can be used for deploying very large payloads – like space-based telescopes or batches of hundreds of small satellites – to Earth orbit using a slightly modified version.
In the meantime, Falcon 9 remains the workhorse of SpaceX's fleet, with its next flight slated for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday.
Follow Emre Kelly on Twitter: @EmreKelly.


usatoday--2020-12-09--Trashaun Willis, a one-armed standout athlete from Iowa, receives Division I football offer from Lam

Trashaun Willis , the one-armed athletic standout at Washington High School in Iowa , received his first Division I football offer from Football Championship Subdivision program Lamar on Wednesday .
Willis , a 6-foot-5 senior who stars in football and basketball for the Demons , amassed 1,430 total yards and 25 touchdowns as Washington 's quarterback , plus 37.5 tackles and a pick-six as a linebacker this fall .
He also holds offers from Loras ( Division III ) , William Penn ( NAIA ) , St. Ambrose ( NAIA ) and Mount Marty ( NAIA ) .
A few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his eighth-grade dunking videos went viral .
A year later , he again made news when he befriended a 6-year-old from across the state who also had one arm missing because of the same congenital defect .
At the time , Willis told the Des Moines Register his goal was to become a Division I athlete to help inspire other kids out there like him .
Now , he has achieved that goal .
Lamar had shown interest in Willis for a while .
The FCS program in Beaumont , Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasons .

Trashaun Willis, a one-armed standout athlete from Iowa, receives Division I football offer from Lamar
Show Caption Hide Caption High school quarterback scores 6 touchdowns in 1 game Washington High School senior Trashaun Willis is a stellar athlete, but who he is off the field captivates everyone around him. His coach thinks this is just his beginning. Sportskind, USA TODAY
Trashaun Willis, the one-armed athletic standout at Washington High School in Iowa, received his first Division I football offer from Football Championship Subdivision program Lamar on Wednesday.
Willis, a 6-foot-5 senior who stars in football and basketball for the Demons, amassed 1,430 total yards and 25 touchdowns as Washington's quarterback, plus 37.5 tackles and a pick-six as a linebacker this fall. He also holds offers from Loras (Division III), William Penn (NAIA), St. Ambrose (NAIA) and Mount Marty (NAIA).
A few years ago, Willis got national attention with his eighth-grade dunking videos went viral. A year later, he again made news when he befriended a 6-year-old from across the state who also had one arm missing because of the same congenital defect.
At the time, Willis told the Des Moines Register his goal was to become a Division I athlete to help inspire other kids out there like him.
Now, he has achieved that goal.
Lamar had shown interest in Willis for a while. The FCS program in Beaumont, Texas, has gone 13-22 in the past three seasons.
Follow Matthew Bain on Twitter @MatthewBain_.


usatoday--2020-12-09--Feds join investigation into death of Ohio Black man shot 'multiple times' by deputy

COLUMBUS , Ohio – Casey Goodson Jr. died after being shot `` multiple times in the torso , '' and preliminary information indicated his death was a result of a homicide , a coroner in Ohio announced Wednesday .
Goodson , a 23-year-old Black man , was shot outside his Columbus home by a Franklin County sheriff 's deputy last week .
Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz announced the preliminary autopsy information Wednesday but said the final report , which expects to take 12 to 14 weeks , will include the exact number of wounds , their location and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through an attorney that Goodson had been shot three times in the back .
Law enforcement has faced criticism for Goodson 's death , and key questions about the incident have gone unanswered .
Authorities and family members tell conflicting stories about the events that led to his death , specifically whether he waved a gun .
USA TODAY Network : What we know about the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. Federal authorities announced Tuesday that they were joining Columbus police in the investigation .
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers announced Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Department of Justice and the Columbus Police Critical Incident Response Team will `` review the facts and circumstances '' surrounding the shooting death of Goodson by Franklin County Sheriff 's SWAT deputy Jason Meade .
DeVillers said in a statement that appropriate action will be taken `` if the evidence indicates any federal civil rights laws were violated . ''
Columbus police said they would investigate whether Meade , a 17-year sheriff 's office veteran , was legally justified in the shooting .
`` I believe a federal investigation is warranted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came 24 hours after an exchange between Columbus police and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost over who would lead the investigation .
In Columbus : Ohio State basketball player kneels during national anthem to honor late friend Casey Goodson Goodson was shot by Meade about 12:15 p.m. EST Friday after an unsuccessful search for a fugitive involving a U.S .
Marshals task force .
Law enforcement officials have said Goodson drove by after deputies and agents had finished their unrelated operation on the Northeast Side .
Goodson was waving a firearm at police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When confronted , Goodson did not drop the firearm and Meade shot him , they said .
Goodson 's family has said that he had a valid license to carry a concealed weapon , which Columbus police confirmed , and that he was carrying sub sandwiches while walking into his home when he was shot .
Columbus police have said a firearm belonging to Goodson was recovered at the scene , but information about where exactly the firearm was found has not yet been released .
The conflicting narratives have drawn statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday afternoon , including from Ohio 's Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown .
The senator posted on social media about the case on Monday evening .
His daughter , Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown , has also spoken about the case on social media .
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther 's office confirmed Tuesday that Ginther had specifically directed Chief Thomas Quinlan to request the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to take over the investigation .
The request began a carousel of communication about whether or not BCI would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon that the Ohio bureau had agreed to take over the investigation , which was confirmed by Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Ginther .
Hours later , Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement saying the Ohio bureau would not take the case because Columbus police had waited three days to call them .
Bethany McCorkle , a spokeswoman for Yost , said Tuesday that the bureau never formally accepted the case .
She said the agency has handled more than 50 officer-involved shooting investigations statewide in 2020 but has been on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're typically the first call because we 're the subject matter experts , '' McCorkle said .
Ginther 's office did not directly respond to questions about whether he trusted Columbus police to conduct a thorough investigation .
`` We want a thorough , complete , transparent investigation , '' Ginther spokeswoman Robin Davis said .
`` It is critically important we get it right . ''
Davis said the Division of Police must ensure that the public has full confidence in the investigation .
When asked if the mayor had confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , Davis said the entire process is to `` build the community 's trust in the process . ''
`` The mayor asking for another agency to lead the investigation is not a reflection on CPD 's ability to do it , '' she said .
Columbus police have received multiple threats regarding the investigation , Sgt .
James Fuqua said .
The threats have come from social media and calls to the division .
Because officer-involved shootings are a separate category for reporting crime data to federal agencies , Goodson 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city 's overall homicide total for the year .
Meade remains on paid administrative leave , as is the sheriff 's office policy after any deputy-involved shooting while the matter is investigated .
Meade 's personnel file from the sheriff 's office shows no significant disciplinary action .
He was given an oral reprimand in 2019 for not properly reporting the use of a Taser to dispatchers or supervisors .
Meade was also one of seven deputies to be involved in the shooting of a man in Pike County in 2018 after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be at fault in the incident , which Franklin County SWAT officers responded to in order to assist Pike County .
Protests are planned in Columbus on Friday and Saturday , according to social media .

Feds join investigation into death of Ohio Black man shot 'multiple times' by deputy
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Casey Goodson Jr. died after being shot "multiple times in the torso," and preliminary information indicated his death was a result of a homicide, a coroner in Ohio announced Wednesday.
Goodson, a 23-year-old Black man, was shot outside his Columbus home by a Franklin County sheriff's deputy last week.
Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz announced the preliminary autopsy information Wednesday but said the final report, which expects to take 12 to 14 weeks, will include the exact number of wounds, their location and trajectory.
Goodson's family had said through an attorney that Goodson had been shot three times in the back.
Law enforcement has faced criticism for Goodson's death, and key questions about the incident have gone unanswered. Authorities and family members tell conflicting stories about the events that led to his death, specifically whether he waved a gun.
Goodson's family thanked Ortiz on Wednesday evening for sharing information from his autopsy with them and making a public statement, but said the release "does not answer key questions," in a statement issued through two Columbus law firms now representing them, Walton + Brown and Friedman & Gilbert.
His mother, Tamala Payne, said her family is "shattered" in a statement.
"We want justice," she said. "If it was any one of us, we would be in jail today trying to pay a bond, if we had one. The only threat my son was, was being a Black man in America.”
USA TODAY Network: What we know about the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr.
Feds join investigation
Federal authorities announced Tuesday that they were joining Columbus police in the investigation.
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers announced Tuesday that the FBI, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the Columbus Police Critical Incident Response Team will "review the facts and circumstances" surrounding the shooting death of Goodson by Franklin County Sheriff's SWAT deputy Jason Meade.
DeVillers said in a statement that appropriate action will be taken "if the evidence indicates any federal civil rights laws were violated."
Columbus police said they would investigate whether Meade, a 17-year sheriff's office veteran, was legally justified in the shooting.
"I believe a federal investigation is warranted," DeVillers said.
The announcement came 24 hours after an exchange between Columbus police and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost over who would lead the investigation.
In Columbus: Ohio State basketball player kneels during national anthem to honor late friend Casey Goodson
Goodson was shot by Meade about 12:15 p.m. EST Friday after an unsuccessful search for a fugitive involving a U.S. Marshals task force.
Law enforcement officials have said Goodson drove by after deputies and agents had finished their unrelated operation on the Northeast Side. Goodson was waving a firearm at police, according to their narrative of events. When confronted, Goodson did not drop the firearm and Meade shot him, they said.
Goodson's family has said that he had a valid license to carry a concealed weapon, which Columbus police confirmed, and that he was carrying sub sandwiches while walking into his home when he was shot.
Casey Goodson Jr.: Questions surround death of Black man shot by veteran SWAT officer
Columbus police have said a firearm belonging to Goodson was recovered at the scene, but information about where exactly the firearm was found has not yet been released.
The conflicting narratives have drawn statewide and national attention to the case since Friday afternoon, including from Ohio's Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.
Casey Goodson Jr. is yet another young Black man who should be alive today. Our hearts break for another family who has lost a son at the hands of the police.
I join the Columbus NAACP & Mr. Goodson’s family in calling for a full investigation of this tragedy. #JusticeForCasey pic.twitter.com/2nxA92REwh — Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) December 8, 2020
The senator posted on social media about the case on Monday evening. His daughter, Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown, has also spoken about the case on social media.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther's office confirmed Tuesday that Ginther had specifically directed Chief Thomas Quinlan to request the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to take over the investigation.
The request began a carousel of communication about whether or not BCI would take the case.
Columbus police said Monday afternoon that the Ohio bureau had agreed to take over the investigation, which was confirmed by Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Ginther.
Hours later, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement saying the Ohio bureau would not take the case because Columbus police had waited three days to call them.
Bethany McCorkle, a spokeswoman for Yost, said Tuesday that the bureau never formally accepted the case. She said the agency has handled more than 50 officer-involved shooting investigations statewide in 2020 but has been on the scene for all of those.
"We're typically the first call because we're the subject matter experts," McCorkle said.
Ginther's office did not directly respond to questions about whether he trusted Columbus police to conduct a thorough investigation.
"We want a thorough, complete, transparent investigation," Ginther spokeswoman Robin Davis said. "It is critically important we get it right."
Davis said the Division of Police must ensure that the public has full confidence in the investigation. When asked if the mayor had confidence in the investigation and would publicly say that, Davis said the entire process is to "build the community's trust in the process."
"The mayor asking for another agency to lead the investigation is not a reflection on CPD's ability to do it," she said.
Columbus police have received multiple threats regarding the investigation, Sgt. James Fuqua said. The threats have come from social media and calls to the division.
Because officer-involved shootings are a separate category for reporting crime data to federal agencies, Goodson's death is not considered part of the city's overall homicide total for the year.
Meade remains on paid administrative leave, as is the sheriff's office policy after any deputy-involved shooting while the matter is investigated.
Meade's personnel file from the sheriff's office shows no significant disciplinary action. He was given an oral reprimand in 2019 for not properly reporting the use of a Taser to dispatchers or supervisors.
Meade was also one of seven deputies to be involved in the shooting of a man in Pike County in 2018 after an hours-long standoff. No deputies were found to be at fault in the incident, which Franklin County SWAT officers responded to in order to assist Pike County.
Protests are planned in Columbus on Friday and Saturday, according to social media.
Follow Bethany Bruner on Twitter: @bethany_bruner


usatoday--2020-12-09--YouTube to remove misleading videos about outcome of the presidential election

YouTube will remove content alleging fraud or errors changed the outcome of the U.S. presidential election starting today , according to a statement by the company .
The video-sharing platform said the move comes because of Tuesday 's safe harbor deadline for the election , when enough states certified their election results for the president-elect .
`` As always , news coverage and commentary on these issues can remain on our site if there ’ s sufficient education , documentary , scientific or artistic context , '' the statement reads .
Censorship or conspiracy theory ?
Trump supporters say Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule social media Trends : Election , coronavirus , Kobe Bryant among Google 's top US trending searches in 2020 As an example , the company said , it will remove videos claiming that a presidential candidate won the election because of widespread software glitches or counting errors .
The platform has removed more than 8,000 channels and misleading election-related videos since September .
According to YouTube 's policies , users are not allowed to post content aiming to mislead voters about the time , place , means or eligibility requirements for voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discourage voting .
Tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter have also implemented measures to tackle election misinformation .
Facebook said it would demote content on Facebook and Instagram , including debunked claims about voting , as well as limit the distribution of live videos that may relate to the election .
Twitter introduced prompts to U.S. users `` that preemptively address topics that are likely to be the subject of election misinformation . ''

YouTube to remove misleading videos about outcome of the presidential election
YouTube will remove content alleging fraud or errors changed the outcome of the U.S. presidential election starting today, according to a statement by the company.
The video-sharing platform said the move comes because of Tuesday's safe harbor deadline for the election, when enough states certified their election results for the president-elect.
YouTube will remove content uploaded from Wednesday onward.
"As always, news coverage and commentary on these issues can remain on our site if there’s sufficient education, documentary, scientific or artistic context," the statement reads.
Censorship or conspiracy theory?Trump supporters say Facebook and Twitter censor them but conservatives still rule social media
Trends: Election, coronavirus, Kobe Bryant among Google's top US trending searches in 2020
As an example, the company said, it will remove videos claiming that a presidential candidate won the election because of widespread software glitches or counting errors.
The platform has removed more than 8,000 channels and misleading election-related videos since September.
According to YouTube's policies, users are not allowed to post content aiming to mislead voters about the time, place, means or eligibility requirements for voting, or false claims that could materially discourage voting.
Tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter have also implemented measures to tackle election misinformation. Facebook said it would demote content on Facebook and Instagram, including debunked claims about voting, as well as limit the distribution of live videos that may relate to the election. Twitter introduced prompts to U.S. users "that preemptively address topics that are likely to be the subject of election misinformation."
Follow Coral Murphy on Twitter @CoralMerfi


usatoday--2020-12-09--As Biden Defense secretary, Austin would shatter norms and inspire Black Americans like me

I was notified of Lloyd Austin ’ s nomination as Defense secretary in a flurry of excited text messages from other Black West Point graduates Monday night .
For so many of us , his nomination signified that yes , we have to work twice as hard , but at least it is rewarded when it counts .
I met Lloyd Austin at the Thayer Hotel , a gothic-style 1925 building outside the gates of West Point .
Lloyd Austin is West Point Class of 1975 and I am Class of 2013 .
At the time of our meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convince the brightest Black students in the country that they should become members of the West Point Class of 2023 .
I was one of these students a decade earlier , and Gen. Austin was who we thought we could be .
For us , a Black man from Alabama becoming a four-star general showed that norms were shattering .
The military is a reflection of society , and West Point is no different .
Every cadet must receive a nomination from a member of the House or the Senate , giving every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send one of their own to West Point .
For Black Americans , receiving that nomination was never easy .
As of May 2020 , the total number of West Point graduates was 76,455 , according to the West Point Association of Graduates .
Only 2,998 were Black , and only 274 of those were Black women .
The total number of Black West Point graduates did not pass 1,000 until the 1990 ’ s .
Henry Ossain Flipper , West Point Class of 1877 , was the first Black West Point graduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander in 1887 , Charles Young in 1889 , and Benjamin O. Davis Jr. in 1936 .
The 47-year gap between Young and Davis Jr. coincides with racialized violence , institutional racism and a willingness by politically active Klansmen and “ moderate ” political leaders to enable this through silence — a silence that allowed white domestic terrorists to lynch at least 4,000 Black Americans between 1877 and 1950 across 20 states .
As a result , generations of Black West Point graduates were lost .
By the 1970s the examples for then-Cadet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president of the United States when necessary came from the examples of the Black Power Cadets like Percy Squire and David Brive , who successfully organized against an attempt by President Richard Nixon to install a Confederate monument on West Point ’ s ground in 1972 , as a way to garner political support during his 1972 reelection campaign .
Yes , it is a source of pride to see Black Americans successfully organize against power .
However , proper recognition of commitments to this country is shown by putting Black Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If confirmed , Lloyd Austin would be the first African American Secretary of Defense — the culmination of a barrier-breaking career as the first African American general officer to command an Army Division in combat , to lead a Corps in combat , to command an entire theater of war , and to serve as Commander of U.S. Central Command .
Representation does matter .
It matters because it leads to more innovative and enduring solutions on matters of war and peace .
A country that sends its sons and daughters overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who look like all our sons and daughters .
Get beyond the ugly past : There are lots of real heroes who deserve military bases named for them .
Start with Grant .
That is a civil-military divide worth closing too .
The United States Senate should confirm Lloyd James Austin III of Mobile , Alabama , to be the 28th United States Secretary of Defense .
He is not only the best person to ensure our country is safe and secure , but he is a trailblazer who will inspire the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Timothy Berry is a former U.S. Army Captain , a West Point graduate and co-founder of Collaborate and Graduate .
Follow him on Twitter : @ timb_berry

As Biden Defense secretary, Austin would shatter norms and inspire Black Americans like me For Black Americans, getting a West Point nomination was never easy. Defense secretary would be proper recognition of Austin's barrier-breaking career.
I was notified of Lloyd Austin’s nomination as Defense secretary in a flurry of excited text messages from other Black West Point graduates Monday night. For so many of us, his nomination signified that yes, we have to work twice as hard, but at least it is rewarded when it counts.
I met Lloyd Austin at the Thayer Hotel, a gothic-style 1925 building outside the gates of West Point. Lloyd Austin is West Point Class of 1975 and I am Class of 2013. At the time of our meeting, I was an admissions officer trying to convince the brightest Black students in the country that they should become members of the West Point Class of 2023. I was one of these students a decade earlier, and Gen. Austin was who we thought we could be. For us, a Black man from Alabama becoming a four-star general showed that norms were shattering.
Generations of grads lost to racism
The military is a reflection of society, and West Point is no different. Every cadet must receive a nomination from a member of the House or the Senate, giving every state and congressional district the opportunity to send one of their own to West Point. For Black Americans, receiving that nomination was never easy.
As of May 2020, the total number of West Point graduates was 76,455, according to the West Point Association of Graduates. Only 2,998 were Black, and only 274 of those were Black women. The total number of Black West Point graduates did not pass 1,000 until the 1990’s. Henry Ossain Flipper, West Point Class of 1877, was the first Black West Point graduate. He was followed by John Harris Alexander in 1887, Charles Young in 1889, and Benjamin O. Davis Jr. in 1936.
Black Army captain: I lived in Robert E. Lee barracks. Let's honor our real heroes.
The 47-year gap between Young and Davis Jr. coincides with racialized violence, institutional racism and a willingness by politically active Klansmen and “moderate” political leaders to enable this through silence — a silence that allowed white domestic terrorists to lynch at least 4,000 Black Americans between 1877 and 1950 across 20 states.
As a result, generations of Black West Point graduates were lost. By the 1970s the examples for then-Cadet Austin on how to stand up to a president of the United States when necessary came from the examples of the Black Power Cadets like Percy Squire and David Brive, who successfully organized against an attempt by President Richard Nixon to install a Confederate monument on West Point’s ground in 1972, as a way to garner political support during his 1972 reelection campaign.
Black power means representation
Yes, it is a source of pride to see Black Americans successfully organize against power. However, proper recognition of commitments to this country is shown by putting Black Americans in those positions of power as well. If confirmed, Lloyd Austin would be the first African American Secretary of Defense — the culmination of a barrier-breaking career as the first African American general officer to command an Army Division in combat, to lead a Corps in combat, to command an entire theater of war, and to serve as Commander of U.S. Central Command. Representation does matter.
It matters because it leads to more innovative and enduring solutions on matters of war and peace. A country that sends its sons and daughters overseas to fight its wars should have leaders who look like all our sons and daughters.
Get beyond the ugly past: There are lots of real heroes who deserve military bases named for them. Start with Grant.
That is a civil-military divide worth closing too.
The United States Senate should confirm Lloyd James Austin III of Mobile, Alabama, to be the 28th United States Secretary of Defense. He is not only the best person to ensure our country is safe and secure, but he is a trailblazer who will inspire the next generation of Black Americans — like me.
Timothy Berry is a former U.S. Army Captain, a West Point graduate and co-founder of Collaborate and Graduate. Follow him on Twitter: @timb_berry