alternet--2020-10-02--QAnon gets condemned by the House and called a ‘psychotic cult’ — but some Republicans disagree

If far-right GOP congressional candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene is elected in November — which is likely given how overwhelmingly Republican her district in Georgia is — a full-fledged supporter of the QAnon cult will be sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in January .
But QAnon has many opponents in the House , which has passed a resolution , 371-18 , condemning the cult .
House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern , a Massachusetts Democrat , described QAnon as a `` collective delusion , '' saying , `` We all must call it what it is : a sick cult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government has been infiltrated by a global ring of pedophiles and Satanists and that Donald Trump was elected president to fight the ring .
According to the conspiracy theory , an anonymous figure named `` Q '' is providing updates about Trump 's battle .
Trump has refused to condemn QAnon , claiming that he does n't know much about it but saying that from what he knows , they seem to be people who `` love our country . ''
And he congratulated Greene after she won the nomination in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district .
But House Resolution 1154 , which was sponsored by Rep. Tom Malinowski of New Jersey , condemned QAnon in no uncertain terms .
Malinowski told BuzzFeed he has received death threats from the cult .
Another Democratic New Jersey congressman who voted for the resolution , Rep. Bill Pascrell , said of QAnon , `` Human civilization is built on trust in knowledge and charity towards our neighbors .
This psychotic cult , rooted in fantasies of violence and anti-Semitism , is an enemy of that civilization .
Its adherents have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued , `` The FBI has warned of ties to domestic terror , and the real threats against my colleague , Congressman Malinowski , by miscreant cult members for sponsoring this common-sense measure makes clear the depravity of its so-called world view .
Dangerous misinformation of this kind must be opposed by every American .
Pascrell also called out the Republicans who have embraced QAnon , saying , `` It is shameful that the Republican Party has given its imprimatur to several cult followers as candidates for Congress .
Enabling this mass delusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not all Republicans agree with passing the resolution .
CNN 's Jake Tapper listed those who voted no or abstained :

If far-right GOP congressional candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene is elected in November — which is likely given how overwhelmingly Republican her district in Georgia is — a full-fledged supporter of the QAnon cult will be sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in January. But QAnon has many opponents in the House, which has passed a resolution, 371-18, condemning the cult.
House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, described QAnon as a "collective delusion," saying, "We all must call it what it is: a sick cult."
The QAnon cult believes that the U.S. government has been infiltrated by a global ring of pedophiles and Satanists and that Donald Trump was elected president to fight the ring. According to the conspiracy theory, an anonymous figure named "Q" is providing updates about Trump's battle. Trump has refused to condemn QAnon, claiming that he doesn't know much about it but saying that from what he knows, they seem to be people who "love our country." And he congratulated Greene after she won the nomination in a GOP congressional primary in her Georgia district.
But House Resolution 1154, which was sponsored by Rep. Tom Malinowski of New Jersey, condemned QAnon in no uncertain terms. Malinowski told BuzzFeed he has received death threats from the cult.
Another Democratic New Jersey congressman who voted for the resolution, Rep. Bill Pascrell, said of QAnon, "Human civilization is built on trust in knowledge and charity towards our neighbors. This psychotic cult, rooted in fantasies of violence and anti-Semitism, is an enemy of that civilization. Its adherents have been deluded and brain-poisoned."
Pascrell continued, "The FBI has warned of ties to domestic terror, and the real threats against my colleague, Congressman Malinowski, by miscreant cult members for sponsoring this common-sense measure makes clear the depravity of its so-called world view. Dangerous misinformation of this kind must be opposed by every American.
Pascrell also called out the Republicans who have embraced QAnon, saying, "It is shameful that the Republican Party has given its imprimatur to several cult followers as candidates for Congress. Enabling this mass delusion is a rejection of humanity."
Not all Republicans agree with passing the resolution. CNN's Jake Tapper listed those who voted no or abstained:


alternet--2020-10-02--Let's admit it: Karma has finally come for Trump and his inner circle

Why should anyone respect the office of the presidency when the President* consistently makes it clear that he does n't ?
The question occurred to me when I saw conservatives whining about opponents of Donald Trump indulging in some Schadenfreude on social media over the news that Donald Trump testing positive for Covid-19 .
`` Liberals on Twitter had a chance to show the country that they were bigger than hateful , petty politics , '' wrote some guy at Legal Insurrection .
`` They had an opportunity to rise above the nastiness and division , '' he lamented , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of this deep post is just a bunch of embedded tweets , some by conservative anti-Trumpers and many of them obviously intended to be lighthearted .
One can debate the degree to which Trump 's policy agenda has departed from Republican orthodoxy ( the answer is not by much on issues other than trade ) .
But Trump 's relentlessly nasty and consistently partisan rhetoric is unlike that of any president from either party .
Whether it was Reagan or Clinton or the Bushes or Obama , presidents have always communicated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took it as a given that after an election ends , their job is to govern on behalf of all Americans .
That has n't always been entirely true , but they have always comported themselves as if it were .
Trump has spent an enormous share of his time in office insulting Democrats -- and also Republicans who do n't show unyielding support for him -- in crude , often childish terms on Twitter .
And this open , infantile contempt for the opposition is n't limited to bloviating on Twitter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself in policy .
Trump 's supporters want to have it both ways , insisting that Trump 's consistently abhorrent behavior should be ignored because it 's just Trump being Trump and then turning around and demanding that we show respect for the office and conform to traditional norms of decorum .
And regardless of how much hand-wringing they engage in over liberals refusal to be `` bigger than hateful , petty politics , '' that is just not going to happen .
Of course , their rending of garments is even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the pandemic , which has killed over 210,000 Americans , most of whom would be alive today if he had taken the threat of Covid-19 as seriously in public as he did in private conversations with Bob Woodward .
This week , researchers at Cornell University released a study analyzing `` 38 million articles about the pandemic in English-language media around the world , '' and they found , as The New York Times reported , that `` Trump made up nearly 38 percent of the overall 'misinformation conversation , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 'infodemic ' — falsehoods involving the pandemic . ''
Trump may only suffer mild symptoms and have an easy recovery , but if he does become severely ill , it could save the lives of thousands of his supporters by signaling to them that they should take this pandemic seriously , wear a mask around others and comply with public health guidelines rather than seeing them as a nefarious plot to infringe upon their liberties .
It could end up being the best thing he ever did for his base .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes it to be unbecoming and bad for our democracy to revel in a political opponent 's personal misfortune .
But Trump has debased the presidency for four years , making it clear at every opportunity that if you do not support him than he does not work for you .
His inability to care about anything but his own re-election prospects led directly to his gross negligence in responding to an outbreak that is projected to kill almost a quarter-million Americans by Election Day .
For these reasons , it 's OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the karma of Trump and his inner circle contracting the disease that they 've so recklessly tried to ignore .

Why should anyone respect the office of the presidency when the President* consistently makes it clear that he doesn't?
The question occurred to me when I saw conservatives whining about opponents of Donald Trump indulging in some Schadenfreude on social media over the news that Donald Trump testing positive for Covid-19. "Liberals on Twitter had a chance to show the country that they were bigger than hateful, petty politics," wrote some guy at Legal Insurrection. "They had an opportunity to rise above the nastiness and division," he lamented, but "they failed." The rest of this deep post is just a bunch of embedded tweets, some by conservative anti-Trumpers and many of them obviously intended to be lighthearted.
One can debate the degree to which Trump's policy agenda has departed from Republican orthodoxy (the answer is not by much on issues other than trade). But Trump's relentlessly nasty and consistently partisan rhetoric is unlike that of any president from either party. Whether it was Reagan or Clinton or the Bushes or Obama, presidents have always communicated with the public in a professional manner and took it as a given that after an election ends, their job is to govern on behalf of all Americans. That hasn't always been entirely true, but they have always comported themselves as if it were.
Trump has spent an enormous share of his time in office insulting Democrats--and also Republicans who don't show unyielding support for him--in crude, often childish terms on Twitter. And this open, infantile contempt for the opposition isn't limited to bloviating on Twitter and in press briefings. It consistentlymanifestsitself in policy.
Trump's supporters want to have it both ways, insisting that Trump's consistently abhorrent behavior should be ignored because it's just Trump being Trump and then turning around and demanding that we show respect for the office and conform to traditional norms of decorum. And regardless of how much hand-wringing they engage in over liberals refusal to be "bigger than hateful, petty politics," that is just not going to happen.
Of course, their rending of garments is even more dishonest in light of Trump's disastrous response to the pandemic, which has killed over 210,000 Americans, most of whom would be alive today if he had taken the threat of Covid-19 as seriously in public as he did in private conversations with Bob Woodward. This week, researchers at Cornell University released a study analyzing "38 million articles about the pandemic in English-language media around the world," and they found, as The New York Times reported, that "Trump made up nearly 38 percent of the overall 'misinformation conversation,' making the president the largest driver of the 'infodemic' — falsehoods involving the pandemic."
Trump may only suffer mild symptoms and have an easy recovery, but if he does become severely ill, it could save the lives of thousands of his supporters by signaling to them that they should take this pandemic seriously, wear a mask around others and comply with public health guidelines rather than seeing them as a nefarious plot to infringe upon their liberties. It could end up being the best thing he ever did for his base.
I'm one of those people who generally believes it to be unbecoming and bad for our democracy to revel in a political opponent's personal misfortune. But Trump has debased the presidency for four years, making it clear at every opportunity that if you do not support him than he does not work for you. His inability to care about anything but his own re-election prospects led directly to his gross negligence in responding to an outbreak that is projected to kill almost a quarter-million Americans by Election Day. For these reasons, it's OK to ignore the concern trolls and appreciate the karma of Trump and his inner circle contracting the disease that they've so recklessly tried to ignore.


alternet--2020-10-02--Here's why the presidential election could be upended if one of the candidates dies

The bombshell news , in the wee hours on Friday morning , that President Donald Trump , First Lady Melania Trump and Trump adviser Hope Hicks had all tested positive for COVID-19 is sparking discussions about the presidential line of succession .
And to make matters even more complicated , the U.S. is only a month away from a presidential election .
Rick Hasen , an expert on U.S. election law and a professor of law and political science at the University of California , Irvine , asks the following question on his Election Law Blog : `` what happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incapacitated before Election Day ? ''
Hasen , in his posts , notes that so far , President Trump has been asymptomatic ( in fact , by the time of this posting , he reportedly has `` mild symptoms '' ) .
But what if Trump were to take a turn for the worse ?
COVID-19 can infect people in very different ways .
Some people infected with COVID-19 never had so much as a sneeze , while others suffer severe respiratory problems , cardiovascular issues , and death .
`` As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes , `` we need to ask what would happen if one of the presidential candidates died or became incapacitated before Election Day . ''
And Hasen , who is also known for his appearances on CNN , goes on to note what two election law experts at New York University , Rick Pildes and Joshua Tucker , had to say on the subject during a conversation .
Pildes pointed out that a candidates ' death typically `` puts the ball in the hands of the 'national political parties , ' which for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as the Democratic and Republican National Committees . ''
In theory , they could try to change the nominee on the ballot in a pinch .
Depending when the switch happened in the cycle , though , they could run into legal and logistical barriers across the 50 states .
With just over a month until Election Day , these barriers are probably insurmountable .
`` The problem here is that ballots are already out , and millions of people have already voted , '' Pildes noted .
`` At this point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come up with a new name to replace a name on the ballot without starting the whole election process over — which is not possible in the 30+ days before Election Day .
Congress could pass a bill delaying the election , but I find it hard to believe it would do so . ''
Pildes added , `` While things are not certain , what 's most likely ( is ) that the election would take place on time with the deceased or incapacitated candidate 's name on the ballot — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if legislatures would allow presidential electors of each state to vote for someone other than the deceased candidate .
Only some state laws provide for this eventuality… .
Or perhaps the legislatures would seek to appoint electors directly . ''
Pildes continued , `` This could lead to a whole lot of mischief if , say , the Pennsylvania Republican legislature tried , over the Democratic governor 's objection , to appoint electors to vote for Pence — if it were Trump who could no longer be a candidate — despite a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Trump . ''
Obviously , we should hope that both candidates — indeed , all four — on the presidential tickets make it safely to Election Day and beyond .
Anything else would tip the country into unknown territory , and the last thing this election needs is more uncertainty .

The bombshell news, in the wee hours on Friday morning, that President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Trump adviser Hope Hicks had all tested positive for COVID-19 is sparking discussions about the presidential line of succession. And to make matters even more complicated, the U.S. is only a month away from a presidential election. Rick Hasen, an expert on U.S. election law and a professor of law and political science at the University of California, Irvine, asks the following question on his Election Law Blog: "what happens if a presidential candidate dies or is incapacitated before Election Day?"
And Hasen's answer is harrowing: "a mess."
Hasen, in his posts, notes that so far, President Trump has been asymptomatic (in fact, by the time of this posting, he reportedly has "mild symptoms"). But what if Trump were to take a turn for the worse? COVID-19 can infect people in very different ways. Some people infected with COVID-19 never had so much as a sneeze, while others suffer severe respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and death.
"As a matter of national importance," Hasen writes, "we need to ask what would happen if one of the presidential candidates died or became incapacitated before Election Day."
And Hasen, who is also known for his appearances on CNN, goes on to note what two election law experts at New York University, Rick Pildes and Joshua Tucker, had to say on the subject during a conversation.
Pildes pointed out that a candidates' death typically "puts the ball in the hands of the 'national political parties,' which for this purpose, means the legal entities known as the Democratic and Republican National Committees."
In theory, they could try to change the nominee on the ballot in a pinch. Depending when the switch happened in the cycle, though, they could run into legal and logistical barriers across the 50 states. With just over a month until Election Day, these barriers are probably insurmountable.
"The problem here is that ballots are already out, and millions of people have already voted," Pildes noted. "At this point, it seems impossible for candidates to come up with a new name to replace a name on the ballot without starting the whole election process over — which is not possible in the 30+ days before Election Day. Congress could pass a bill delaying the election, but I find it hard to believe it would do so."
Pildes added, "While things are not certain, what's most likely (is) that the election would take place on time with the deceased or incapacitated candidate's name on the ballot — and then, there would be a question if legislatures would allow presidential electors of each state to vote for someone other than the deceased candidate. Only some state laws provide for this eventuality…. Or perhaps the legislatures would seek to appoint electors directly."
Pildes continued, "This could lead to a whole lot of mischief if, say, the Pennsylvania Republican legislature tried, over the Democratic governor's objection, to appoint electors to vote for Pence — if it were Trump who could no longer be a candidate — despite a vote for the people of Pennsylvania for Biden over Trump."
Obviously, we should hope that both candidates — indeed, all four — on the presidential tickets make it safely to Election Day and beyond. Anything else would tip the country into unknown territory, and the last thing this election needs is more uncertainty.


alternet--2020-10-02--Mayhem at the White House: Trump's COVID diagnosis exposes the simmering recklessness and chaos

President Donald Trump is now battling symptoms of COVID-19 .
But instead of his positive diagnosis signaling a warning for White House staff members , the series of events that have transpired this week have only further exposed the Trump administration 's carelessness and chaotic pandemic response .
As more reports begin circulating about the president 's condition , additional details about his busy week are also coming to the light .
Even after the White House learned Trump adviser Hope Hicks had tested positive for the virus , the president still opted to move forward with his public schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after Hicks 's diagnosis , Trump attended a fundraising event at his golf club in Bedminster , N.J. , where he was in very close contact with dozens of people including multiple campaign donors .
It has been reported that most attendees did not wear masks or social distance during the indoor event .
The president 's trip to New Jersey and his late night COVID-19 diagnosis came one day after his trip to Minnesota .
On Wednesday , Trump traveled with Hicks , multiple White House aides , and multiple members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage captured them boarding Marine One with no masks .
On Friday morning , White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows spoke briefly where he opted to focus on highlighting positive stock market changes instead of the dominant issue at hand .
Despite having traveled with the president earlier this week , Meadows attended the brief press conference with no mask .
When asked about the president 's decision to attend the fundraiser on Thursday evening , Meadows seemed to dodge the question .
Latest reports have also revealed multiple people who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID .
Notre Dame President Fr .
John Jenkins and Republican National Committee director Ronna McDaniel also have contracted the virus .
Now , Trump 's recklessness and misinformation is taking centerstage .
Twitter users have also flooded the network recalling many of Trump 's most profound moments of carelessness and mocking of those who adhere to mask mandates .
The first family is also being criticized for their actions the night of the first presidential debate .
Reports have revealed they refused to wear masks during the political event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hicks also attended the debate which occurred one night before she tested positive .
Due to Trump attending multiple events while refusing to adhere to mitigation guidelines in multiple states , contact tracing also appears to be relatively difficult .
Despite cases rising in and around the White House , there is still no plan to enforce a mask mandate .
A White House official told Axios that face coverings are `` recommended but not required . ''
`` Our standard protocol is CDC best practices and recommendations , '' a White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings are recommended but not required .
There 's hand sanitizing stations located throughout the complex , frequent washing of hands and good hygiene is strongly recommended and social distancing is encouraged .
So , I do n't foresee those things changing . ''
Although the president is said to be experiencing `` mild symptoms , '' his repeated attempts to spread disinformation have damaged his credibility from all angles .
After Trump announced he and his wife had contracted coronavirus , some Twitter users were apprehensive to believe that the president does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC 's Joy Reid took to Twitter with a report about the questions she is receiving about Trump 's positive test results .
However , the White House doctor confirmed the president and first lady 's diagnoses on the record , and there 's little substantive reason to doubt the report .
As of Friday afternoon , the United States has confirmed more than 7.5 million coronavirus cases , nationwide , including the president and first lady .

President Donald Trump is now battling symptoms of COVID-19. But instead of his positive diagnosis signaling a warning for White House staff members, the series of events that have transpired this week have only further exposed the Trump administration's carelessness and chaotic pandemic response.
As more reports begin circulating about the president's condition, additional details about his busy week are also coming to the light. Even after the White House learned Trump adviser Hope Hicks had tested positive for the virus, the president still opted to move forward with his public schedule on Thursday
According to The Washington Post, after Hicks's diagnosis,Trump attended a fundraising event at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., where he was in very close contact with dozens of people including multiple campaign donors. It has been reported that most attendees did not wear masks or social distance during the indoor event.
The president's trip to New Jersey and his late night COVID-19 diagnosis came one day after his trip to Minnesota. On Wednesday, Trump traveled with Hicks, multiple White House aides, and multiple members of his campaign entourage. Photos and footage captured them boarding Marine One with no masks.
On Friday morning, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows spoke briefly where he opted to focus on highlighting positive stock market changes instead of the dominant issue at hand. Despite having traveled with the president earlier this week, Meadows attended the brief press conference with no mask. When asked about the president's decision to attend the fundraiser on Thursday evening, Meadows seemed to dodge the question.
Latest reports have also revealed multiple people who have been contact with Trump have also tested positive for COVID. Notre Dame President Fr. John Jenkins and Republican National Committee director Ronna McDaniel also have contracted the virus.
Now, Trump's recklessness and misinformation is taking centerstage. Twitter users have also flooded the network recalling many of Trump's most profound moments of carelessness and mocking of those who adhere to mask mandates.
The first family is also being criticized for their actions the night of the first presidential debate. Reports have revealed they refused to wear masks during the political event. It is also important to note that Hicks also attended the debate which occurred one night before she tested positive.
Due to Trump attending multiple events while refusing to adhere to mitigation guidelines in multiple states, contact tracing also appears to be relatively difficult.
Despite cases rising in and around the White House, there is still no plan to enforce a mask mandate. A White House official told Axios that face coverings are "recommended but not required."
"Our standard protocol is CDC best practices and recommendations," a White House official told the publican. "Facial coverings are recommended but not required. There's hand sanitizing stations located throughout the complex, frequent washing of hands and good hygiene is strongly recommended and social distancing is encouraged. So, I don't foresee those things changing."
Although the president is said to be experiencing "mild symptoms," his repeated attempts to spread disinformation have damaged his credibility from all angles. After Trump announced he and his wife had contracted coronavirus, some Twitter users were apprehensive to believe that the president does, indeed, have the virus.
MSNBC's Joy Reid took to Twitter with a report about the questions she is receiving about Trump's positive test results.
She tweeted:
However, the White House doctor confirmed the president and first lady's diagnoses on the record, and there's little substantive reason to doubt the report.
As of Friday afternoon, the United States has confirmed more than 7.5 million coronavirus cases, nationwide, including the president and first lady.


alternet--2020-10-02--Republican senator tests positive for COVID-19

Another well-known Republican has announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 : Sen. Mike Lee of Utah .
Lee 's announcement follows the news that President Donald Trump , First Lady Melania Trump and White House adviser Hope Hicks have all tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
On Friday , the Utah Republican tweeted , `` Yesterday morning , I was experiencing symptoms consistent with long-time allergies .
Out of an abundance of caution , I sought medical advice and was tested for COVID-19 .
Unlike the test I took just a few days back while visiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back positive .
On advice from the Senate attending physician , I will remain isolated for the next ten days . ''
Lee , however , stressed in his e-mail that he is still hoping a Senate vote on Judge Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court will be held sooner rather than later .
Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings for Trump 's High Court nominee are schedule to begin on Monday , October 12 .
Lee tweeted , `` I have spoken with ( Senate Majority ) Leader ( Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Chairman ( Lindsey ) Graham and assured them I will back to work in time to join my Judiciary Committee colleagues in advancing the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett in the Committee and then to the full Senate . ''

Another well-known Republican has announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19: Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. Lee's announcement follows the news that President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and White House adviser Hope Hicks have all tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
On Friday, the Utah Republican tweeted, "Yesterday morning, I was experiencing symptoms consistent with long-time allergies. Out of an abundance of caution, I sought medical advice and was tested for COVID-19. Unlike the test I took just a few days back while visiting the White House, yesterday's test came back positive. On advice from the Senate attending physician, I will remain isolated for the next ten days."
Lee, however, stressed in his e-mail that he is still hoping a Senate vote on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court will be held sooner rather than later. Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings for Trump's High Court nominee are schedule to begin on Monday, October 12.
Lee tweeted, "I have spoken with (Senate Majority) Leader (Mitch) McConnell and (Senate Judiciary Committee) Chairman (Lindsey) Graham and assured them I will back to work in time to join my Judiciary Committee colleagues in advancing the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett in the Committee and then to the full Senate."


alternet--2020-10-02--The unspoken reason for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest voter suppression move

In Texas — a state that has been synonymous with voter suppression — Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has found a new way to make it more difficult to vote .
Abbott has ordered all Texas counties to have no more than one location for dropping off absentee ballots .
Considering how sprawling Texas is , Abbott 's move obviously is n't designed to make voting easier .
And although Abbott and other Texas Republicans would never admit it publicly , it is n't hard to figure out the motivation behind Abbott 's latest voter suppression move : an effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden does n't win the state 's 38 electoral votes .
During the 1980s , 1990s and 2000s , one thing Texas Republicans did n't have to worry about was Democrats winning the state in a presidential election .
The last Democratic presidential nominee to win Texas was Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976 .
But 2020 's presidential election has been surprisingly close in Texas , where according to polls released in September , Biden was trailing Trump by 3 % ( University of Massachusetts , Lowell ) , 1 % ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Siena College/New York Times ) , 2 % ( YouGov ) , 1 % ( Public Policy Polling ) or 5 % ( Quinnipiac ) .
A Morning Consult poll released in September found Biden and Trump tied in Texas , and a Tyson Group poll found Biden ahead by 4 % in the Lone Star State .
The Tyson poll was a bit of an outlier , but overall , the evidence shows that Texas is in play for Biden — and that if Trump ultimately wins the state in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Abbott is no doubt well aware of those polls , and limiting the number of places where one can drop off absentee ballots is an obvious effort to make voting in Texas more difficult for Democratic voters .
And it is no coincidence that the number of drop-off locations being reduced just happens to be in some of the more Democrat-friendly counties in Texas .
Harris County , which includes the Democratic stronghold of Houston , must reduce its number of drop-off locations for absentee ballots from 12 to one .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another blue city in a light red state — will go from having four drop-off locations to only having one .
Coincidence ?
Obviously not .
Harris County and Travis County just happen to be two of the Texas counties in which Biden and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate M.J. Hegar — who is challenging Republican Sen. John Cornyn and has been trailing him only by single digits in many polls — are likely to receive the most votes .
Gilberto Hinojosa , chairman of the Texas Democratic Party , is highly critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` blatant voter suppression tactic . ''
And the group Let America Vote , in an official statement , said , `` The governor is making it harder for people to vote in the middle of a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 16,000 Texans .
It is a shameful , blatant act of voter suppression that will disproportionately impact the large number of Black and ( Latino ) voters in Texas ' biggest counties . ''
It 's important to stress that Texas can be very Democratic at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austin , San Antonio and El Paso lean Democrat ; a heavy turnout in an abundance of rural counties in Central Texas and North Texas is what gives Republicans an advantage in statewide races in the Lone Star State .
But the evidence indicates that the GOP 's advantage in Texas is shrinking .
In 2018 's U.S. Senate race in Texas , Democrat Beto O'Rourke lost to incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz by only 2 % — which is a big change from all the double-digit wins that Republicans enjoyed in so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990 and 2000s .
Republicans hoped that O'Rourke 's performance in 2018 was a fluke , but polls of the presidential and U.S. Senate races in Texas in 2020 indicate that it was not .
Demographics are another potential problem for Texas Republicans .
The Lone Star State , according to the U.S. Census Bureau , is only 41 % non-Hispanic white .
But non-Latino whites still dominate the electorate in Texas , which — O'Rourke has been stressing to Biden 's campaign — is getting better for Democrats .
The harder Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas , the worse it will be for the GOP .
Abbott and many others in the GOP obviously know that , and by making it harder for Texans to vote in Democratic counties , he is , in effect , acknowledging a Republican worry — that Texas is in play for former Vice President Joe Biden .

In Texas — a state that has been synonymous with voter suppression — Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has found a new way to make it more difficult to vote. Abbott has ordered all Texas counties to have no more than one location for dropping off absentee ballots. Considering how sprawling Texas is, Abbott's move obviously isn't designed to make voting easier.
And although Abbott and other Texas Republicans would never admit it publicly, it isn't hard to figure out the motivation behind Abbott's latest voter suppression move: an effort to make sure that former Vice President Joe Biden doesn't win the state's 38 electoral votes.
During the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, one thing Texas Republicans didn't have to worry about was Democrats winning the state in a presidential election. The last Democratic presidential nominee to win Texas was Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976. But 2020's presidential election has been surprisingly close in Texas, where according to polls released in September, Biden was trailing Trump by 3% (University of Massachusetts, Lowell), 1% (Data for Progress), 3% (Siena College/New York Times), 2% (YouGov), 1% (Public Policy Polling) or 5% (Quinnipiac). A Morning Consult poll released in September found Biden and Trump tied in Texas, and a Tyson Group poll found Biden ahead by 4% in the Lone Star State.
The Tyson poll was a bit of an outlier, but overall, the evidence shows that Texas is in play for Biden — and that if Trump ultimately wins the state in November, it won't be by much. Abbott is no doubt well aware of those polls, and limiting the number of places where one can drop off absentee ballots is an obvious effort to make voting in Texas more difficult for Democratic voters. And it is no coincidence that the number of drop-off locations being reduced just happens to be in some of the more Democrat-friendly counties in Texas.
Harris County, which includes the Democratic stronghold of Houston, must reduce its number of drop-off locations for absentee ballots from 12 to one. And Travis County, which includes Austin — another blue city in a light red state — will go from having four drop-off locations to only having one.
Coincidence? Obviously not. Harris County and Travis County just happen to be two of the Texas counties in which Biden and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate M.J. Hegar — who is challenging Republican Sen. John Cornyn and has been trailing him only by single digits in many polls — are likely to receive the most votes.
Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, is highly critical of Abbott's move, calling it a "blatant voter suppression tactic." And the group Let America Vote, in an official statement, said, "The governor is making it harder for people to vote in the middle of a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 16,000 Texans. It is a shameful, blatant act of voter suppression that will disproportionately impact the large number of Black and (Latino) voters in Texas' biggest counties."
It's important to stress that Texas can be very Democratic at the local level. Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and El Paso lean Democrat; a heavy turnout in an abundance of rural counties in Central Texas and North Texas is what gives Republicans an advantage in statewide races in the Lone Star State. But the evidence indicates that the GOP's advantage in Texas is shrinking.
In 2018's U.S. Senate race in Texas, Democrat Beto O'Rourke lost to incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz by only 2% — which is a big change from all the double-digit wins that Republicans enjoyed in so many statewide races in Texas in the 1990 and 2000s. Republicans hoped that O'Rourke's performance in 2018 was a fluke, but polls of the presidential and U.S. Senate races in Texas in 2020 indicate that it was not.
Demographics are another potential problem for Texas Republicans. The Lone Star State, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is only 41% non-Hispanic white. But non-Latino whites still dominate the electorate in Texas, which — O'Rourke has been stressing to Biden's campaign — is getting better for Democrats.
The harder Republicans have to work in statewide races in Texas, the worse it will be for the GOP. Abbott and many others in the GOP obviously know that, and by making it harder for Texans to vote in Democratic counties, he is, in effect, acknowledging a Republican worry — that Texas is in play for former Vice President Joe Biden.


alternet--2020-10-02--Jon Bon Jovi sheds light on white privilege, Colin Kaepernick's message, and more in new LP

Jon Bon Jovi released a new LP tackling some of the biggest social issues and current events plaguing the United States .
The LP titled , `` 2020 , '' will highlight many of the key challenges Americans have faced throughout this year including police brutality , racial inequality , white privilege , mass shootings , the ongoing pandemic and the spread of disinformation and its harmful impact on the American public .
During an interview with Rolling Stone , he opened up about the album .
Although it was initially set to be released in May of this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release date back and revisit the track list as a result of two major events : the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide protests to raise awareness about racial inequality and police brutality .
`` It was done and turned in .
We recorded this record for the most part in Nashville , and I came up with the title of Bon Jovi 2020 , '' he said .
While discussing the album , he noted the social issues at hand .
The Grammy Award-winning rockstar compared the coronavirus pandemic to the Spanish Flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he believes 2020 will have on everyone for years to come .
`` I do n't think anyone will forget what their lives were like between March and September of 2020 , '' Bon Jovi said .
`` I think this is the Spanish Flu all over again .
But none of us , you and I or our parents , were alive 100 years ago .
So this is that moment for us .
This song wo n't be about shoulder pads and having a hairstyle .
This will mark a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song , `` Brothers in Arms , '' Bon Jovi discussed former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick 's protest .
For years , Kaepernick was ridiculed and blackballed in the NFL after kneeling during the National Anthem in silent protest of police brutality and racial inequality .
Bon Jovi felt compelled to shed light on Kaepernick 's misconstrued cause .
`` My truth is that Colin Kaepernick did not take a knee against the Stars and Stripes — he took it against racial inequality and police reform , '' he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative and never went back to recapture the narrative , so it became about disrespecting the flag .
And if it were meant to disrespect the flag , I would completely understand the uproar , and , no , there is no place for that in the stadium .
Colin Kaepernick was the spokesperson for that movement and he lost his livelihood as a result . ''
His LP also offered a response to fans who oppose his stance saying , `` If you 're going to be that cruel to say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their records because he opined , ' '' he says , `` then you never liked us anyhow . ''
Bon Jovi 's new LP `` 2020 '' is now available .

Jon Bon Jovi released a new LP tackling some of the biggest social issues and current events plaguing the United States.
The LP titled, "2020," will highlight many of the key challenges Americans have faced throughout this year including police brutality, racial inequality, white privilege, mass shootings, the ongoing pandemic and the spread of disinformation and its harmful impact on the American public.
During an interview with Rolling Stone, he opened up about the album. Although it was initially set to be released in May of this year, the group opted to push the release date back and revisit the track list as a result of two major events: the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide protests to raise awareness about racial inequality and police brutality.
"It was done and turned in. We recorded this record for the most part in Nashville, and I came up with the title of Bon Jovi 2020," he said.
While discussing the album, he noted the social issues at hand. The Grammy Award-winning rockstar compared the coronavirus pandemic to the Spanish Flu as he touched on the lasting impact he believes 2020 will have on everyone for years to come.
"I don't think anyone will forget what their lives were like between March and September of 2020," Bon Jovi said. "I think this is the Spanish Flu all over again. But none of us, you and I or our parents, were alive 100 years ago. So this is that moment for us. This song won't be about shoulder pads and having a hairstyle. This will mark a moment in time."
In the new song, "Brothers in Arms," Bon Jovi discussed former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest. For years, Kaepernick was ridiculed and blackballed in the NFL after kneeling during the National Anthem in silent protest of police brutality and racial inequality. Bon Jovi felt compelled to shed light on Kaepernick's misconstrued cause.
"My truth is that Colin Kaepernick did not take a knee against the Stars and Stripes — he took it against racial inequality and police reform," he said, adding, "The league lost the narrative and never went back to recapture the narrative, so it became about disrespecting the flag. And if it were meant to disrespect the flag, I would completely understand the uproar, and, no, there is no place for that in the stadium. Colin Kaepernick was the spokesperson for that movement and he lost his livelihood as a result."
His LP also offered a response to fans who oppose his stance saying, "If you're going to be that cruel to say, 'I'm going to go burn their records because he opined,'" he says, "then you never liked us anyhow."
Bon Jovi's new LP "2020" is now available.


alternet--2020-10-02--Joe Biden tests negative for COVID-19

Joe Biden tests negative for COVID-19

Former Vice President Joe Biden has tested negative for COVID-19 , his campaign announced on Friday afternoon .
`` Vice @ @ @ @ @ Jill Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected , '' @ @ @ @ @ `` I am reporting this out in my capacity as both Vice President Biden and @ @ @ @ @ physician . ''
Questions about the Democratic presidential candidate 's health arose after President Donald @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and reported feeling `` mild '' symptoms early Friday morning .
Trump and Biden @ @ @ @ @ the first presidential debate on Tuesday .
They kept their distance from each other due @ @ @ @ @ of the virus , and it 's not clear if Trump was infectious at the @ @ @ @ @ remained that Biden could have been infected through the air .
A negative test for @ @ @ @ @ confirmation that he has n't been infected .
The virus incubation period can be as @ @ @ @ @ according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Former Vice President Joe Biden has tested negative for COVID-19, his campaign announced on Friday afternoon.
"Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected," said Dr. Kevin O'Connor. "I am reporting this out in my capacity as both Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden's primary care physician."
Questions about the Democratic presidential candidate's health arose after President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus and reported feeling "mild" symptoms early Friday morning. Trump and Biden had appeared together onstage during the first presidential debate on Tuesday. They kept their distance from each other due to concerns about the spread of the virus, and it's not clear if Trump was infectious at the time, but the possibility remained that Biden could have been infected through the air.
A negative test for Biden is not necessarily definitive confirmation that he hasn't been infected. The virus incubation period can be as long as 14 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden's running mate, has also tested negative.


alternet--2020-10-02--Nancy Pelosi : Trump created a ‘brazen invitation for something like this to happen’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) weighed in on President Donald Trump 's positive coronavirus results as she reflected on his behavior leading up to this point .
During an appearance on MSNBC Friday morning , the California Democrat offered prayers and a speedy recovery to the president and First Lady Melania Trump .
`` Well , of course , as with everyone , we all received that news with great sadness , '' she began .
`` I always pray for the president and his family that they 're safe .
Continue to do so more intensified , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best of care , and that 's what we want for everyone in our country . ''
Pelosi went on to reiterate the importance of enforcing proper safety measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus as she noted Trump 's failure to comply with mitigation guidelines .
She criticized the president 's ongoing disapproval and mocking of mask-wearing and repeated efforts to hold large rallies despite concerns about the spread of the virus as she described his actions as `` a brazen invitation for something like this to happen . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be something that is acted upon , '' she added .
`` This is tragic .
It 's very sad .
But it also is something that , again , going into crowds , unmasked and all the rest was sort of a brazen invitation for something like this to happen .
Sad that it did , but nonetheless , hopeful that it will be a transition to a saner approach to what this virus is all about . ''
Pelosi Hopes Trump Testing Positive For Coronavirus Will Be ' A Learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's latest remarks come just hours after Trump tweeted to confirm that he and his wife were COVID positive .
Pelosi hopes that the president 's announcement will serve as a wake-up call for those who have adamantly refused to take the pandemic seriously .
`` Hopefully this enlightenment will have them say wear your mask , do your distancing , wash your hands , testing , tracing , treatment , so that we can crush this vicious virus , '' Pelosi said .
`` Not only in our own country , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday morning , the United States has reported more than 7,494,671 confirmed coronavirus cases as the death toll continues to rise .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) weighed in on President Donald Trump's positive coronavirus results as she reflected on his behavior leading up to this point.
During an appearance on MSNBC Friday morning, the California Democrat offered prayers and a speedy recovery to the president and First Lady Melania Trump.
"Well, of course, as with everyone, we all received that news with great sadness," she began. "I always pray for the president and his family that they're safe. Continue to do so more intensified, and I know that he'll have the best of care, and that's what we want for everyone in our country."
Pelosi went on to reiterate the importance of enforcing proper safety measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus as she noted Trump's failure to comply with mitigation guidelines.
She criticized the president's ongoing disapproval and mocking of mask-wearing and repeated efforts to hold large rallies despite concerns about the spread of the virus as she described his actions as "a brazen invitation for something like this to happen."
"But more than learning it has to be something that is acted upon," she added. "This is tragic. It's very sad. But it also is something that, again, going into crowds, unmasked and all the rest was sort of a brazen invitation for something like this to happen. Sad that it did, but nonetheless, hopeful that it will be a transition to a saner approach to what this virus is all about."
Pelosi Hopes Trump Testing Positive For Coronavirus Will Be 'A Learning Experience' | MSNBC www.youtube.com
The top-ranking Democrat's latest remarks come just hours after Trump tweeted to confirm that he and his wife were COVID positive. Pelosi hopes that the president's announcement will serve as a wake-up call for those who have adamantly refused to take the pandemic seriously.
"Hopefully this enlightenment will have them say wear your mask, do your distancing, wash your hands, testing, tracing, treatment, so that we can crush this vicious virus," Pelosi said. "Not only in our own country, but throughout the world."
As of Friday morning, the United States has reported more than 7,494,671 confirmed coronavirus cases as the death toll continues to rise.


alternet--2020-10-02--Here's what you need to do if you experience voter intimidation on Election Day

During the presidential debate on Tuesday night , September 29 , President Donald Trump alarmed millions of his critics by expressing his solidarity with the Proud Boys — a racist far-right group with a history of violence — and urged his supporters to act as poll watchers on Election Day .
Trump 's comments made it painfully clear that Republicans will do everything they can to discourage Democrats and supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden from voting .
Certainly , voter intimidation and voter suppression are legitimate concerns in 2020 , and CNN has published an informative guide for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article published by CNN on October 1 , journalists A.J .
Willingham and Zachary B. Wolf warn , `` Here 's a scary idea : even if you have the legal right to vote and have done everything to prepare yourself for casting a ballot this year , you could still be intimidated at the polls .
But here 's the key thing to know : under federal law , you should always be able to cast what 's known as a provisional ballot , even if your registration status is not clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain that Trump `` has encouraged his supporters to monitor polling places on his behalf as he spreads unfounded conspiracy theories about voter fraud , amplifying concerns that legitimate voters will be challenged on their way into polling places — even though most states have strict rules about who can serve as a poll watcher and how many there can be . ''
In some parts of the U.S. , the CNN reporters add , voting has become more difficult because `` many U.S. states have implemented laws that impose new restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect minority voters '' and because , in 2013 , the U.S. Supreme Court `` struck down parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act , which required the approval of the Justice Department before states made any changes to their voting laws . ''
But Willingham and Wolf emphasize that `` no matter what unexpected issues you encounter at your polling place , there are ways to make sure your vote gets in safely . ''
And they offer a range of tips , which include `` know your state 's registration deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as `` check to see if you need an ID , and what kind '' and `` remember that , most likely , you are legally allowed to cast a ballot . ''
`` What if you are told your registration did n't go through , or you do n't have the required documents ?
, '' Willingham and Wolf write .
`` Even if your registration is pending or your voter application has been wrongly purged , you are still allowed to vote .
According to the ACLU , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have you sign a sworn statement that you satisfy your state 's requirements and allow you to cast a regular ballot . ''
A provisional ballot is a type of paper ballot that is used in certain circumstances .
For example , if someone requested an absentee ballot but never received it and wants to vote in person on Election Day , that person might — depending on the state 's election laws — be asked to use a provisional ballot .
Willingham and Wolf conclude their article by urging voters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisional ballot is needed .
`` These ballots are typically kept separately from all other ballots , '' Willingham and Wolf note .
`` So , make sure to follow up with your local elected officials to confirm they have looked into your qualifications and have counted the vote .
Often , you might have to prove your identity in the days following Election Day to have that provisional ballot counted . ''

During the presidential debate on Tuesday night, September 29, President Donald Trump alarmed millions of his critics by expressing his solidarity with the Proud Boys — a racist far-right group with a history of violence — and urged his supporters to act as poll watchers on Election Day. Trump's comments made it painfully clear that Republicans will do everything they can to discourage Democrats and supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden from voting. Certainly, voter intimidation and voter suppression are legitimate concerns in 2020, and CNN has published an informative guide for coping with those problems.
In an article published by CNN on October 1, journalists A.J. Willingham and Zachary B. Wolf warn, "Here's a scary idea: even if you have the legal right to vote and have done everything to prepare yourself for casting a ballot this year, you could still be intimidated at the polls. But here's the key thing to know: under federal law, you should always be able to cast what's known as a provisional ballot, even if your registration status is not clear."
Willingham and Wolf go on to explain that Trump "has encouraged his supporters to monitor polling places on his behalf as he spreads unfounded conspiracy theories about voter fraud, amplifying concerns that legitimate voters will be challenged on their way into polling places — even though most states have strict rules about who can serve as a poll watcher and how many there can be."
In some parts of the U.S., the CNN reporters add, voting has become more difficult because "many U.S. states have implemented laws that impose new restrictions on voting, which critics say disproportionately affect minority voters" and because, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court "struck down parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which required the approval of the Justice Department before states made any changes to their voting laws."
But Willingham and Wolf emphasize that "no matter what unexpected issues you encounter at your polling place, there are ways to make sure your vote gets in safely." And they offer a range of tips, which include "know your state's registration deadline" and "update your information" as well as "check to see if you need an ID, and what kind" and "remember that, most likely, you are legally allowed to cast a ballot."
"What if you are told your registration didn't go through, or you don't have the required documents?," Willingham and Wolf write. "Even if your registration is pending or your voter application has been wrongly purged, you are still allowed to vote. According to the ACLU, if your qualifications are challenged, some states will have you sign a sworn statement that you satisfy your state's requirements and allow you to cast a regular ballot."
A provisional ballot is a type of paper ballot that is used in certain circumstances. For example, if someone requested an absentee ballot but never received it and wants to vote in person on Election Day, that person might — depending on the state's election laws — be asked to use a provisional ballot. Willingham and Wolf conclude their article by urging voters to be as proactive as possible if a provisional ballot is needed.
"These ballots are typically kept separately from all other ballots," Willingham and Wolf note. "So, make sure to follow up with your local elected officials to confirm they have looked into your qualifications and have counted the vote. Often, you might have to prove your identity in the days following Election Day to have that provisional ballot counted."


alternet--2020-10-02--Older people like President Trump are at more risk from COVID-19 because of how the immune system ag

Older people like President Trump are at more risk from COVID-19 because of how the immune system ages

President Donald Trump 's announcement that he 's tested positive for COVID-19 is especially concerning because of his age .
At 74 years old , Trump is solidly within an age group that 's been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic .
People of all ages can get sick with SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 .
But the severity of the illness tends to worsen the older the patient is .
Through the end of September , 79 % of COVID-19 deaths in the United States had been in patients over 65 .
These statistics are broadly similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is it that puts older people at increased risk from viruses like SARS-CoV-2 ?
Scientists think it 's primarily due to changes in the human immune system as we age .
Your body 's tools to fight off virus infections As you go about your life , your body is constantly bombarded by pathogens – the bacteria , fungi and viruses that can make you sick .
A human body is a great place for these organisms to grow and thrive , providing a nice warm environment with plenty of nutrients .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's your body 's defense system against these kinds of invaders .
Before you 're even born , your body starts producing specialized B-cells and T-cells – types of white blood cells that can recognize pathogens and help block their growth .
An artist 's rendering of the white blood cells that help recognize and fight off invaders .
During an infection , your B-cells can proliferate and produce antibodies that grab onto pathogens and block their ability to spread within your body .
T-cells work by recognizing infected cells and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what scientists call your “ adaptive '' immune system .
Maybe your physician has checked your white blood cell levels .
That 's a measurement of whether you have more B-cells and T-cells in your blood than usual , presumably because they 're fighting infection .
When you 're very young , you do n't have a lot of these B- or T-cells .
It can be a challenge for your body to control infection because it 's simply not used to the job .
As you mature , your adaptive immune system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant invasions , allowing you to fight off infection quickly and effectively .
While white blood cells are powerful people-protectors , they 're not enough on their own .
Luckily , your immune system has another layer , what 's called your “ innate '' immune response .
Every cell has its own little immune system that allows it to directly respond to pathogens quicker than it takes to mobilize the adaptive response .
The innate immune response is tuned to pounce on types of molecules that are commonly found on bacteria and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When a cell detects these invader molecules , it triggers production of an antiviral interferon protein .
Interferon triggers the infected cell to die , limiting infection .
Another type of innate immune cell , called a monocyte , acts as a sort of cellular bouncer , getting rid of any infected cells it finds and signaling the adaptive immune response to shift into gear .
The innate and adaptive immune systems can act together as a fine-tuned machine to detect and clear out pathogens .
When a pathogen invades , the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between how fast the pathogen can spread within you and how fast your immune response can react without causing too much collateral damage .
As people age , their innate and adaptive immune responses change , shifting this balance .
Monocytes from older individuals produce less interferon in response to viral infections .
They have a harder time killing infected cells and signaling the adaptive immune response to get going .
Low-grade chronic inflammation in individuals that commonly occurs during aging can also dull the ability of the innate and adaptive immune responses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar to becoming used to an annoying sound over time .
As you age , the reduced “ attention span '' of your innate and adaptive immune responses make it harder for the body to respond to viral infection , giving the virus the upper hand .
Viruses can take advantage of your immune system 's slow start and quickly overwhelm you , resulting in serious disease and death .
Everyone , no matter their age , needs to protect themselves from infection , not just to keep themselves healthy but also to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difficulty older individuals have in controlling viral infection , the best option is for these individuals to avoid becoming infected by viruses in the first place .
This is where washing hands , avoiding touching your face , self-isolation and social distancing all become important , especially for COVID-19 .
The mist ejected by a sneeze can launch viruses airborne , so other people can inhale them .
COVID-19 is caused by a respiratory virus , which can spread via tiny virus-containing droplets .
Larger droplets fall to the ground quickly ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ droplets are of most concern because they can float in the air for a few feet before drying .
These droplets can be inhaled into the lungs .
Keeping at least 6 feet away from other people helps significantly reduce your chance of being infected by these aerosol droplets .
But there 's still the possibility for virus to contaminate surfaces that infected people have touched or coughed on .
Therefore , the best way to protect vulnerable older and immunocompromised people is to stay away from them until there is no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the whole population , we help protect those who have a harder time fighting infection .
This article draws on material from an article originally published on March 19 , 2020 .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

President Donald Trump's announcement that he's tested positive for COVID-19 is especially concerning because of his age. At 74 years old, Trump is solidly within an age group that's been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic.
People of all ages can get sick with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. But the severity of the illness tends to worsen the older the patient is. Through the end of September, 79% of COVID-19 deaths in the United States had been in patients over 65. These statistics are broadly similarin countries around the world.
What is it that puts older people at increased risk from viruses like SARS-CoV-2? Scientists think it's primarily due to changes in the human immune system as we age.
Your body's tools to fight off virus infections
As you go about your life, your body is constantly bombarded by pathogens – the bacteria, fungi and viruses that can make you sick. A human body is a great place for these organisms to grow and thrive, providing a nice warm environment with plenty of nutrients.
That's where your immune system comes in. It's your body's defense system against these kinds of invaders. Before you're even born, your body starts producing specialized B-cells and T-cells – types of white blood cells that can recognize pathogens and help block their growth.
An artist's rendering of the white blood cells that help recognize and fight off invaders.
Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images
During an infection, your B-cells can proliferate and produce antibodies that grab onto pathogens and block their ability to spread within your body. T-cells work by recognizing infected cells and killing them. Together they make up what scientists call your “adaptive" immune system.
Maybe your physician has checked your white blood cell levels. That's a measurement of whether you have more B-cells and T-cells in your blood than usual, presumably because they're fighting infection.
When you're very young, you don't have a lot of these B- or T-cells. It can be a challenge for your body to control infection because it's simply not used to the job. As you mature, your adaptive immune system learns to recognize pathogens and handle these constant invasions, allowing you to fight off infection quickly and effectively.
While white blood cells are powerful people-protectors, they're not enough on their own. Luckily, your immune system has another layer, what's called your “innate" immune response. Every cell has its own little immune system that allows it to directly respond to pathogens quicker than it takes to mobilize the adaptive response.
The innate immune response is tuned to pounce on types of molecules that are commonly found on bacteria and viruses but not in human cells. When a cell detects these invader molecules, it triggers production of an antiviral interferon protein. Interferon triggers the infected cell to die, limiting infection.
Another type of innate immune cell, called a monocyte, acts as a sort of cellular bouncer, getting rid of any infected cells it finds and signaling the adaptive immune response to shift into gear.
The innate and adaptive immune systems can act together as a fine-tuned machine to detect and clear out pathogens.
Older immune systems are weaker
When a pathogen invades, the difference between illness and health is a race between how fast the pathogen can spread within you and how fast your immune response can react without causing too much collateral damage.
As people age, their innate and adaptive immune responses change, shifting this balance.
Monocytes from older individualsproduce less interferon in response to viral infections. They have a harder time killing infected cells and signaling the adaptive immune response to get going.
Low-grade chronic inflammation in individuals that commonly occurs during aging can also dull the ability of the innate and adaptive immune responses to react to pathogens. It's similar to becoming used to an annoying sound over time.
As you age, the reduced “attention span" of your innate and adaptive immune responses make it harder for the body to respond to viral infection, giving the virus the upper hand. Viruses can take advantage of your immune system's slow start and quickly overwhelm you, resulting in serious disease and death.
Social distancing is vital
Everyone, no matter their age, needs to protect themselves from infection, not just to keep themselves healthy but also to help protect the most vulnerable. Given the difficulty older individuals have in controlling viral infection, the best option is for these individuals to avoid becoming infected by viruses in the first place.
This is where washing hands, avoiding touching your face, self-isolation and social distancing all become important, especially for COVID-19.
The mist ejected by a sneeze can launch viruses airborne, so other people can inhale them.
James Gathany, CC BY
COVID-19 is caused by a respiratory virus, which can spread via tiny virus-containing droplets. Larger droplets fall to the ground quickly; very small droplets dry up. Mid-range droplets are of most concern because they can float in the air for a few feet before drying. These droplets can be inhaled into the lungs.
Keeping at least 6 feet away from other people helps significantly reduce your chance of being infected by these aerosol droplets. But there's still the possibility for virus to contaminate surfaces that infected people have touched or coughed on. Therefore, the best way to protect vulnerable older and immunocompromised people is to stay away from them until there is no longer a risk. By stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the whole population, we help protect those who have a harder time fighting infection.
This article draws on material from an article originally published on March 19, 2020.
Brian Geiss, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


alternet--2020-10-02--Here's a list of White House officials who've been exposed to Trump -- and will need to quarantine

President Donald Trump testing positive for coronavirus has caused quite a shake-up in the White House as several officials and staff members will now be forced to quarantine in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus .
As reports began circulating about Trump 's White House advisor Hope Hicks testing positive , concerns were raised about the president and all of the other people who could have possibly contracted coronavirus after being in close proximity with Hicks .
Not long after Hicks ' results were made public , it was confirmed that Trump and First Lady Melania Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , several members of Trump 's administration traveled with him and Hicks to Cleveland , Ohio for the first presidential debate .
During the event , Hicks and multiple members of Trump 's family were seen in close proximity of each other without masks .
Then , on Wednesday , the president , Hicks White House aides , and several members of the president 's re-election campaign team flew on Air Force One to Minnesota for his rally .
Now , contact tracing efforts are being made to determine who needs to quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into that category .
Here 's a list of the those , in question : • Jared Kushner : As Trump 's son-in-law and senior advisor , Kushner often works closely with the president .
He was also seen boarding Marine One on Wednesday with Hicks and other White House aides who traveled to Minnesota .
• Other Members of the Trump Family : Donald Trump Jr. , his girlfriend Kim Guilfoyle , Tiffany Trump , and Eric Trump were seen in attendance at the presidential debate .
They sat with the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hicks .
However , most of Trump 's family were not seen wearing masks .
In fact , Fox News host and debate moderator Chris Wallace criticized the president 's family for their failure to wear masks during the political event .
• Mark Meadows : The White House Chief of Staff typically works closely with the president .
He also traveled with Hicks , Kushner and others .
• White House Aides : Stephen Miller , Jason Miller , and Dan Scavino also traveled with the president and Hicks onboard Marine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they were also seen in close proximity walking toward the aircraft without masks .
• Robert O'Brien : The president 's National Security Advisor was also onboard Marine One with Hicks and several others .
Like Kushner and the White House aides , he was not seen wearing a mask .
• Bill Stepien : As Trump 's recently-appointed campaign manager , Stepien also traveled with White House staff to Minnesota .
• Amy Coney Barrett , Supreme Court Justice Nominee : Multiple times this week , Barrett visited the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Contact tracing efforts come just hours after the president took to Twitter to confirm that he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus .
He tweeted , `` Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 .
We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately .
We will get through this TOGETHER ! ''
Trump 's positive test results have sparked a media firestorm due to his repeated attempts to downplay the severity of the virus .
As of Friday morning , the president is reportedly exhibiting @ @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump testing positive for coronavirus has caused quite a shake-up in the White House as several officials and staff members will now be forced to quarantine in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus.
As reports began circulating about Trump's White House advisor Hope Hicks testing positive, concerns were raised about the president and all of the other people who could have possibly contracted coronavirus after being in close proximity with Hicks. Not long after Hicks' results were made public, it was confirmed that Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had also tested positive.
On Tuesday, several members of Trump's administration traveled with him and Hicks to Cleveland, Ohio for the first presidential debate. During the event, Hicks and multiple members of Trump's family were seen in close proximity of each other without masks.
Then, on Wednesday, the president, Hicks White House aides, and several members of the president's re-election campaign team flew on Air Force One to Minnesota for his rally.
Now, contact tracing efforts are being made to determine who needs to quarantine and several officials and lawmakers likely fall into that category.
Here's a list of the those, in question:
Jared Kushner: As Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, Kushner often works closely with the president. He was also seen boarding Marine One on Wednesday with Hicks and other White House aides who traveled to Minnesota.
As Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, Kushner often works closely with the president. He was also seen boarding Marine One on Wednesday with Hicks and other White House aides who traveled to Minnesota. Ivanka Trump: Kushner's wife, the president's
Kushner's wife, the president's Other Members of the Trump Family: Donald Trump Jr., his girlfriend Kim Guilfoyle, Tiffany Trump, and Eric Trump were seen in attendance at the presidential debate. They sat with the first lady and were all in close proximity of Hicks. However, most of Trump's family were not seen wearing masks. In fact, Fox News host and debate moderator Chris Wallace criticized the president's family for their failure to wear masks during the political event.
Donald Trump Jr., his girlfriend Kim Guilfoyle, Tiffany Trump, and Eric Trump were seen in attendance at the presidential debate. They sat with the first lady and were all in close proximity of Hicks. However, most of Trump's family were not seen wearing masks. In fact, Fox News host and debate moderator Chris Wallace criticized the president's family for their failure to wear masks during the political event. Mark Meadows: The White House Chief of Staff typically works closely with the president. He also traveled with Hicks, Kushner and others.
The White House Chief of Staff typically works closely with the president. He also traveled with Hicks, Kushner and others. White House Aides: Stephen Miller, Jason Miller, and Dan Scavino also traveled with the president and Hicks onboard Marine One. Prior to boarding the plane, they were also seen in close proximity walking toward the aircraft without masks.
Stephen Miller, Jason Miller, and Dan Scavino also traveled with the president and Hicks onboard Marine One. Prior to boarding the plane, they were also seen in close proximity walking toward the aircraft without masks. Robert O'Brien : The president's National Security Advisor was also onboard Marine One with Hicks and several others. Like Kushner and the White House aides, he was not seen wearing a mask.
The president's National Security Advisor was also onboard Marine One with Hicks and several others. Like Kushner and the White House aides, he was not seen wearing a mask. Bill Stepien: As Trump's recently-appointed campaign manager, Stepien also traveled with White House staff to Minnesota.
As Trump's recently-appointed campaign manager, Stepien also traveled with White House staff to Minnesota. Amy Coney Barrett, Supreme Court Justice Nominee: Multiple times this week, Barrett visited the White House and met with the president earlier this week.
Contact tracing efforts come just hours after the president took to Twitter to confirm that he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus.
He tweeted, "Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!"
Trump's positive test results have sparked a media firestorm due to his repeated attempts to downplay the severity of the virus. As of Friday morning, the president is reportedly exhibiting mild symptoms of the coronavirus.


alternet--2020-10-02--RNC chair Ronna McDaniel tests positive for Coronavirus

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has tested positive for coronavirus .
She was tested Wednesday , according to The @ @ @ @ @ Haberman .
She last was with President Trump on Friday .

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alternet--2020-10-02--History offers 'sobering' insights on presidential succession: presidential historian

The shocking news — on Friday morning , October 2 — that President Donald Trump , First Lady Melania Trump and Republican adviser Hope Hicks had all tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus raises major concerns about how the White House will function in the days ahead .
Presidential historian Jon Meacham addressed this subject during an October 2 appearance on MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe . ''
Meacham chose his words very carefully , stressing that it is `` premature '' to speculate too much on how the presidential line of succession might need to be used following Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be taken in the White House .
But he did point out that the line of succession has been successfully employed during U.S. history and that the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution , enacted in 1967 , `` offers a users ' guide to complex and mess human situations . ''
It remains to be seen how severe Trump 's COVID-19 infection will be .
Many people who have been infected with the novel coronavirus have n't had any symptoms whatsoever ; others have been very sick but recovered .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers , more than 1 million people have died from it .
If Trump has only a mild case of COVID-19 , there might be no need for Vice President Mike Pence to temporarily take over Trump 's presidential duties .
But Meacham noted that `` if the president chooses to temporarily hand off executive power to the vice president , '' there is a `` history of that . ''
The 25th Amendment , Meacham noted , deals with presidential succession .
Meacham , in light of Trump 's COVID-19 diagnosis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read the 25th Amendment . ''
Under the presidential line of succession , the vice president is in the # 2 position — and the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is # 3 .
That means that , possibly , if both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were unable to perform presidential duties , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could temporarily serve as president .
Meacham , however , did n't want to speculate on that possibility .
But the historian and frequent MSNBC contributor did say of the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his administration might be infected , `` It 's a sobering moment that requires an informed citizenry….Are we moving into crisis mode ?
We do n't know yet . ''

The shocking news — on Friday morning, October 2 — that President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Republican adviser Hope Hicks had all tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus raises major concerns about how the White House will function in the days ahead. Presidential historian Jon Meacham addressed this subject during an October 2 appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Meacham chose his words very carefully, stressing that it is "premature" to speculate too much on how the presidential line of succession might need to be used following Trump's diagnosis and what steps will need to be taken in the White House. But he did point out that the line of succession has been successfully employed during U.S. history and that the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, enacted in 1967, "offers a users' guide to complex and mess human situations."
It remains to be seen how severe Trump's COVID-19 infection will be. Many people who have been infected with the novel coronavirus haven't had any symptoms whatsoever; others have been very sick but recovered. And worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers, more than 1 million people have died from it.
If Trump has only a mild case of COVID-19, there might be no need for Vice President Mike Pence to temporarily take over Trump's presidential duties. But Meacham noted that "if the president chooses to temporarily hand off executive power to the vice president," there is a "history of that."
The 25th Amendment, Meacham noted, deals with presidential succession. Meacham, in light of Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis, recommended, "People should go and read the 25th Amendment."
Under the presidential line of succession, the vice president is in the #2 position — and the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is #3. That means that, possibly, if both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were unable to perform presidential duties, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could temporarily serve as president. Meacham, however, didn't want to speculate on that possibility.
But the historian and frequent MSNBC contributor did say of the president's diagnosis and the possibility that others in his administration might be infected, "It's a sobering moment that requires an informed citizenry….Are we moving into crisis mode? We don't know yet."


alternet--2020-10-02--Here's why we should hope Trump survives his fight with COVID-19

Donald Trump 's late night tweet that he and his wife have contracted COVID brings to mind the word `` hope '' in four ways , all of them tests of the character of Americans .
First , we should hope he is telling the truth .
Trump lies so often and easily that this could just be an excuse to hide from further debates with Joe Biden .
If it seems hard to imagine that Trump would lie about the pernicious virus that has killed more than 208,000 Americans just think about the more than 20,000 lies he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Donald can never be trusted .
Second , we should hope that Trump and his much younger wife recover fully and are healthy again well before Nov. 3 .
America needs a clean referendum on Trump 's presidency , not a vote about an ailing or even dead man .
Trump will lose the popular vote by at least 16 million ballots , hopefully by more than 20 million .
Our democracy needs an unambiguous rejection of Trump .
And voters need to disentangle themselves from his smack of moral jellyfish -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle and their oath to defend our Constitution to toss themselves into his waves of political chaos .
Third , we should hope that Trump lives at least as long as his crooked father , who died at 93 .
The president should experience his just desserts for a life of white-collar crime capped by his efforts to destroy our democracy just to serve his insatiable lust for money and his pathetic need for adulation .
Fourth , we should hope that as Trump endures the coming humiliation that he so richly deserves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bygones be bygones .
A Biden administration should offer leniency for those who confess fully and cooperate even as it vigorously prosecutes every single appointee who broke laws for Trump , criminal actions that threaten our health , our safety and most of all our liberty .
Even if Trump dies , the next president should not shirk from his duty to hold these domestic evil doers to account , he should not make the awful political and policy mistake Barack Obama made when he let corrupt bankers who brought down our economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way because he feared it would interfere with restoring the economy .
No one should wish that Trump will , like his grandfather Frederick a century ago , become a pandemic victim .
To think that way is be as immoral as Donald .
Do n't lower yourself .
Awful and damaging as Trump has been , follow the ancient wisdom in Luke 6:31 .
`` Do to others as you would have them do to you . ''
That Trump has never lived the Biblical Golden Rule speaks to his lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption infect your character .
Be better .
Be best .
Wishing death or illness on anyone conjures up the worst of human nature .
We will not , we can not , ever make America what it could be -- a society that ennobles free human spirit to become the best that our species can attain -- until we cleanse our own souls .
For America to endure we must actively embrace only good will towards all , even the vile Donald Trump .
That does not mean that we tolerate Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or while in office .
We should show with our votes that giving succor to white supremacists , abusing the children of asylum seekers , letting polluters endanger us all , and signing a tax law that takes from the many to give to the rich few are un-American , indeed they are anti-American .
To live long and prosper as a nation , to live free , we must judge others as we would have them judge us .
To do that we must develop both critical thinking skills and our moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home and should continue in our schools , public and private .
Then as adults we must apply our knowledge , always with caution because facts change , unlike principles .
We must hope that the ideas of the Enlightenment which inspired our revolution 244 years ago survive the manipulations by ideological marketing organizations which employ advertising techniques to sell us the political equivalent of fast food .
We need reasoned and rational debate rooted in facts , not mindless chants like `` lock her up '' and attacks on journalists as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that once we transition to back to normalcy that we will not forget the nightmare Trump has created .
We must begin to grow into a better America , an idea and a society that will endure and inspire the whole world .
We must begin a never-ending search for the best possible leaders , women and men who we can trust to faithfully defend our Constitution , to at long last establish equal justice for all and to hold true to the principle that ours is a nation of laws , @ @ @

Donald Trump's late night tweet that he and his wife have contracted COVID brings to mind the word "hope" in four ways, all of them tests of the character of Americans.
First, we should hope he is telling the truth. Trump lies so often and easily that this could just be an excuse to hide from further debates with Joe Biden.
If it seems hard to imagine that Trump would lie about the pernicious virus that has killed more than 208,000 Americans just think about the more than 20,000 lies he has told since becoming our president. Sadly, Donald can never be trusted.
Second, we should hope that Trump and his much younger wife recover fully and are healthy again well before Nov. 3. America needs a clean referendum on Trump's presidency, not a vote about an ailing or even dead man.
Trump will lose the popular vote by at least 16 million ballots, hopefully by more than 20 million. Our democracy needs an unambiguous rejection of Trump. And voters need to disentangle themselves from his smack of moral jellyfish -- the blind, spineless Republicans who abandoned principle and their oath to defend our Constitution to toss themselves into his waves of political chaos.
Long Life
Third, we should hope that Trump lives at least as long as his crooked father, who died at 93. The president should experience his just desserts for a life of white-collar crime capped by his efforts to destroy our democracy just to serve his insatiable lust for money and his pathetic need for adulation.
Fourth, we should hope that as Trump endures the coming humiliation that he so richly deserves that the next administration doesn't let bygones be bygones. A Biden administration should offer leniency for those who confess fully and cooperate even as it vigorously prosecutes every single appointee who broke laws for Trump, criminal actions that threaten our health, our safety and most of all our liberty.
Even if Trump dies, the next president should not shirk from his duty to hold these domestic evil doers to account, he should not make the awful political and policy mistake Barack Obama made when he let corrupt bankers who brought down our economy a dozen years ago continue on their way because he feared it would interfere with restoring the economy.
The Golden Rule
No one should wish that Trump will, like his grandfather Frederick a century ago, become a pandemic victim. To think that way is be as immoral as Donald. Don't lower yourself. Awful and damaging as Trump has been, follow the ancient wisdom in Luke 6:31. "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
That Trump has never lived the Biblical Golden Rule speaks to his lack of character. Do not let his moral corruption infect your character. Be better. Be best.
Wishing death or illness on anyone conjures up the worst of human nature. We will not, we cannot, ever make America what it could be -- a society that ennobles free human spirit to become the best that our species can attain -- until we cleanse our own souls.
For America to endure we must actively embrace only good will towards all, even the vile Donald Trump.
Judging Others
That does not mean that we tolerate Trump's criminal conduct as a private citizen or while in office. We should show with our votes that giving succor to white supremacists, abusing the children of asylum seekers, letting polluters endanger us all, and signing a tax law that takes from the many to give to the rich few are un-American, indeed they are anti-American.
To live long and prosper as a nation, to live free, we must judge others as we would have them judge us. To do that we must develop both critical thinking skills and our moral character, a job that starts in the home and should continue in our schools, public and private. Then as adults we must apply our knowledge, always with caution because facts change, unlike principles.
We must hope that the ideas of the Enlightenment which inspired our revolution 244 years ago survive the manipulations by ideological marketing organizations which employ advertising techniques to sell us the political equivalent of fast food. We need reasoned and rational debate rooted in facts, not mindless chants like "lock her up" and attacks on journalists as enemies of the people.
We must hope that once we transition to back to normalcy that we will not forget the nightmare Trump has created. We must begin to grow into a better America, an idea and a society that will endure and inspire the whole world.
We must begin a never-ending search for the best possible leaders, women and men who we can trust to faithfully defend our Constitution, to at long last establish equal justice for all and to hold true to the principle that ours is a nation of laws, not men.


alternet--2020-10-02--Former GOP chief: Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis might force him to abandon his favorite thing

On Friday morning , October 2 , millions of Americans — and people all over the world — woke up the following bombshell : President Donald Trump , First Lady Melania Trump and Republican adviser Hope Hicks had all tested positive for COVID-19 .
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele discussed the possible implications for Trump 's reelection campaign as well as the campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden during an appearance on MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe . ''
Steele , a Never Trump conservative , noted to hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski that Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns .
Trump has continued to emphasize in-person MAGA events despite the COVID-19 pandemic , while Biden has favored much more of a `` tech '' approach and held an abundance of online events .
And Steele speculated that because Trump will have to be in quarantine for the next two weeks , his diagnosis might force him to prioritize `` tech '' activities and online events — not unlike Biden .
Trump 's diagnosis , according to Steele , will test `` the White House 's ability to go tech '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump has repeatedly mocked Biden for his tech-minded campaign .
But Steele observed , `` The Biden campaign has been using that ( tech approach ) a bit more to their advantage . ''
According to Steele , the next two presidential Trump/Biden debates as well as the vice presidential debate are now up in the air .
Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris , Biden 's running mate , were scheduled to have a debate next week on October 7 .
But if Pence is in quarantine , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online-only event — assuming it is n't canceled .
`` Do they even have these debates ?
, '' Steele told Scarborough and Brzezinski .

On Friday morning, October 2, millions of Americans — and people all over the world — woke up the following bombshell: President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Republican adviser Hope Hicks had all tested positive for COVID-19. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele discussed the possible implications for Trump's reelection campaign as well as the campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Steele, a Never Trump conservative, noted to hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski that Trump and Biden have been running two very different campaigns. Trump has continued to emphasize in-person MAGA events despite the COVID-19 pandemic, while Biden has favored much more of a "tech" approach and held an abundance of online events. And Steele speculated that because Trump will have to be in quarantine for the next two weeks, his diagnosis might force him to prioritize "tech" activities and online events — not unlike Biden.
Trump's diagnosis, according to Steele, will test "the White House's ability to go tech" and "do what Biden has done."
Trump has repeatedly mocked Biden for his tech-minded campaign. But Steele observed, "The Biden campaign has been using that (tech approach) a bit more to their advantage."
According to Steele, the next two presidential Trump/Biden debates as well as the vice presidential debate are now up in the air. Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden's running mate, were scheduled to have a debate next week on October 7. But if Pence is in quarantine, the Pence/Harris debate will have to be an online-only event — assuming it isn't canceled.
"Do they even have these debates?," Steele told Scarborough and Brzezinski.