alternet--2020-12-17--Economist Paul Krugman: The GOP’s 'hatred for facts and science' started under Reagan — not Trump

Never Trump conservatives as well as Blue Dog Democrats often cite the Reagan era as a more dignified time in conservative politics — a time when Republicans , policy differences and all , were willing to compromise with Democrats and were n't obsessed with `` owning the liberals '' the way they are now .
But liberal economist Paul Krugman , in his New York Times column as well as his newsletter and a Twitter thread , argues that the modern GOP 's `` hatred for facts and science '' can be traced back to the Reagan era .
Reagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trumpers who detest President Donald Trump and were delighted to see President-elect Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election .
And Biden has often bragged about his ability to work with Republicans and play a role in bipartisan achievements during his decades in the U.S. Senate .
Krugman , in his December 14 Times column , makes some of the points that Never Trumpers have been making when he writes , `` Republicans spent most of 2020 rejecting science in the face of a runaway pandemic ; now , they 're rejecting democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss .
What do these rejections have in common ?
In each case , one of America 's two major parties simply refused to accept facts it did n't like . ''
But Krugman parts company with Never Trumpers in a major way when he looks back on the Reagan era .
`` Republicans have , of course , turned Reagan into an icon , portraying him as the savior of a desperate , declining nation , '' Krugman explains .
`` Mostly , however , this is just propaganda .
You 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth under Reagan was only slightly faster than it had been under Jimmy Carter , and slower than it would be under Bill Clinton .
And rapidly rising income inequality meant that a disproportionate share of the benefits from economic growth went to a small elite , with only a bit trickling down to most of the population .
Poverty , measured properly , was higher in 1989 than it had been a decade earlier . ''
Krugman , over the years , has been a major proponent of New Deal and Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trickle-down economics were a departure from New Deal/Great Society economics and were bad for the United States ' working class .
And in his column , Krugman notes a connection between Reagonomics and a decrease in life expectancy in the U.S. '' In 1980 , life expectancy in America was similar to that in other wealthy nations , '' Krugman notes .
`` But the Reagan years mark the beginning of the great mortality divergence of the United States from the rest of the advanced world .
Today , Americans can , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four fewer years than their counterparts in comparable countries .
The main point , however , is that under Reagan , irrationality and hatred for facts began to take over the GOP . ''
Reagan , Krugman recalls , did a lot to encourage the Christian Right 's prominence in the Republican Party .
And he makes similar points in his newsletter , writing that `` under Reagan , irrationality and hatred for facts began to take over the GOP . ''
`` There has always been a conspiracy-theorizing , science-hating , anti-democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his column .
`` Before Reagan , however , mainstream conservatives and the Republican establishment refused to make alliance with that faction , keeping it on the political fringe .
Reagan , by contrast , brought the crazies inside the tent .
Many people are , I think , aware that Reagan embraced a crank economic doctrine — belief in the magical power of tax cuts .
I 'm not sure how many remember that the Reagan Administration was also remarkably hostile to science . ''
Krugman cites Christian Broadcasting Network founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-right fundamentalist who enjoyed prominence in both the Reagan era and the Trump era .
`` This rejection of science ( under Reagan ) partly reflected deference to special interests that did n't want science-based regulation , '' Krugman recalls .
`` Even more important , however , was the influence of the Religious Right , which first became a major political force under Reagan , has become ever more central to the Republican coalition and is now a major driver of the party 's rejection of facts — and democracy .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insist that they 're acting on behalf of God .
So does refusing to accept election results that do n't go their way . ''

Never Trump conservatives as well as Blue Dog Democrats often cite the Reagan era as a more dignified time in conservative politics — a time when Republicans, policy differences and all, were willing to compromise with Democrats and weren't obsessed with "owning the liberals" the way they are now. But liberal economist Paul Krugman, in his New York Times column as well as his newsletter and a Twitter thread, argues that the modern GOP's "hatred for facts and science" can be traced back to the Reagan era.
Reagan is idolized by many of the Never Trumpers who detest President Donald Trump and were delighted to see President-elect Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election. And Biden has often bragged about his ability to work with Republicans and play a role in bipartisan achievements during his decades in the U.S. Senate.
Krugman, in his December 14 Times column, makes some of the points that Never Trumpers have been making when he writes, "Republicans spent most of 2020 rejecting science in the face of a runaway pandemic; now, they're rejecting democracy in the face of a clear election loss. What do these rejections have in common? In each case, one of America's two major parties simply refused to accept facts it didn't like."
But Krugman parts company with Never Trumpers in a major way when he looks back on the Reagan era.
"Republicans have, of course, turned Reagan into an icon, portraying him as the savior of a desperate, declining nation," Krugman explains. "Mostly, however, this is just propaganda. You'd never know from the legend that economic growth under Reagan was only slightly faster than it had been under Jimmy Carter, and slower than it would be under Bill Clinton. And rapidly rising income inequality meant that a disproportionate share of the benefits from economic growth went to a small elite, with only a bit trickling down to most of the population. Poverty, measured properly, was higher in 1989 than it had been a decade earlier."
Krugman, over the years, has been a major proponent of New Deal and Great Society economics — often stressing that Reaganomics and trickle-down economics were a departure from New Deal/Great Society economics and were bad for the United States' working class. And in his column, Krugman notes a connection between Reagonomics and a decrease in life expectancy in the U.S.
"In 1980, life expectancy in America was similar to that in other wealthy nations," Krugman notes. "But the Reagan years mark the beginning of the great mortality divergence of the United States from the rest of the advanced world. Today, Americans can, on average, expect to live almost four fewer years than their counterparts in comparable countries. The main point, however, is that under Reagan, irrationality and hatred for facts began to take over the GOP."
Reagan, Krugman recalls, did a lot to encourage the Christian Right's prominence in the Republican Party. And he makes similar points in his newsletter, writing that "under Reagan, irrationality and hatred for facts began to take over the GOP."
"There has always been a conspiracy-theorizing, science-hating, anti-democratic faction in America," Krugman argues in his column. "Before Reagan, however, mainstream conservatives and the Republican establishment refused to make alliance with that faction, keeping it on the political fringe. Reagan, by contrast, brought the crazies inside the tent. Many people are, I think, aware that Reagan embraced a crank economic doctrine — belief in the magical power of tax cuts. I'm not sure how many remember that the Reagan Administration was also remarkably hostile to science."
Krugman cites Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson as an example of a far-right fundamentalist who enjoyed prominence in both the Reagan era and the Trump era.
"This rejection of science (under Reagan) partly reflected deference to special interests that didn't want science-based regulation," Krugman recalls. "Even more important, however, was the influence of the Religious Right, which first became a major political force under Reagan, has become ever more central to the Republican coalition and is now a major driver of the party's rejection of facts — and democracy. For rejecting facts comes naturally to people who insist that they're acting on behalf of God. So does refusing to accept election results that don't go their way."


alternet--2020-12-17--New Alabama GOP senator implies he will challenge the Electoral College results on the Senate floor

After President Donald Trump lost so overwhelmingly at the ballot box , some members of Congress are ready to wage an internal government war to fight for him .
One such Republican is newly elected Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville .
Speaking at a campaign rally in Georgia , Tuberville told supporters that because Trump lost it was time to act .
`` Folks , we got to grab a hold and hold on .
We have no choice .
Listen to me now .
We have no choice but to win this election .
They 're going to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to buy it .
They 're going to tdo everything they can to lie , cheat , and steal to win this election .
Like they did in the presidential election .
It 's impossible .
It is impossible what happened .
But we 're going to get that all corrected .
I 'm gon na tell you : do n't give up on [ President Trump ] .
Do n't give up on him . ''
Outside the rally , Lauren Windsor asked Tuberville what he was going to do to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong .
`` We 're going to fight hard , '' he said .
A staffer quickly tried to rush him away and keep him from answering any questions .
`` Just wait , '' he told the staffer .
`` Just — well , you see what 's coming .
You 've been reading about it in the House [ of Representitives ] .
We 're gon na have to , we 're gon na have to do it in the Senate . ''
As Tuberville mentioned , the Senate has n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House has and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) warned his caucus not to go anywhere near the debate .
Tuberville did n't seem to get the memo .
`` I find it unfathomable that anyone would acquiesce to election theft and voter fraud because they lack the courage to take a difficult vote on the House or Senate floor , '' said Tuberville 's colleague Rep. Mo Brooks ( R-AL ) in a Politico interview .
`` Last time I checked , that 's why we were elected to Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the video below :

After President Donald Trump lost so overwhelmingly at the ballot box, some members of Congress are ready to wage an internal government war to fight for him.
One such Republican is newly elected Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville. Speaking at a campaign rally in Georgia, Tuberville told supporters that because Trump lost it was time to act.
"Folks, we got to grab a hold and hold on. We have no choice. Listen to me now. We have no choice but to win this election. They're going to try to steal it. They're going to try to buy it. They're going to tdo everything they can to lie, cheat, and steal to win this election. Like they did in the presidential election. It's impossible. It is impossible what happened. But we're going to get that all corrected. I'm gonna tell you: don't give up on [President Trump]. Don't give up on him."
Outside the rally, Lauren Windsor asked Tuberville what he was going to do to "fix" what he said was wrong.
"We're going to fight hard," he said.
A staffer quickly tried to rush him away and keep him from answering any questions.
"Just wait," he told the staffer. "Just — well, you see what's coming. You've been reading about it in the House [of Representitives]. We're gonna have to, we're gonna have to do it in the Senate."
As Tuberville mentioned, the Senate hasn't taken up the idea the way the House has and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) warned his caucus not to go anywhere near the debate. Tuberville didn't seem to get the memo.
"I find it unfathomable that anyone would acquiesce to election theft and voter fraud because they lack the courage to take a difficult vote on the House or Senate floor," said Tuberville's colleague Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) in a Politico interview. "Last time I checked, that's why we were elected to Congress."
See the video of Tuberville in the video below:


alternet--2020-12-17--‘Triggered’ Marco Rubio blasted for criticizing Biden official’s 'accurate' description of Republica

‘Triggered’ Marco Rubio blasted for criticizing Biden official’s 'accurate' description of Republicans

U.S .
Senator Marco Rubio is being accused of being hypocritical and feigning outrage over a ribald remark President-elect Joe Biden 's incoming White House Deputy Chief of Staff , Jen O'Malley Dillon , made in an interview with Glamour magazine .
In paragraph after paragraph she advocates for Biden 's desire to work with Republicans to get government working again .
But Rubio clearly did n't read that or did n't care .
Here what , as some are saying , `` triggered '' him .
`` In the primary , people would mock [ Biden ] , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans ? '
I 'm not saying they 're not a bunch of fuckers .
Mitch McConnell is terrible .
But this sense that you could n't wish for that , you could n't wish for this bipartisan ideal ?
He rejected that .
From start to finish , he set out with this idea that unity was possible , that together we are stronger , that we , as a country , need healing , and our politics needs that too . ''
Rubio saw an opportunity and jumped on it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP thinks .
And this time they 're not backing down .
An astonishing number of people defended Dillon , and others slammed Senator Rubio .
Many feel after either years of Republicans ' despicable attacks on President Barack Obama and his family , and after four years of them ignoring President Donald Trump 's and his adult children 's daily hatefest against not only Democrats but the American people – not to mention more than 300,000 people dead on Trump 's watch – Dillon is one hundred percent correct .
Axios @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for her to apologize .
Many are tremendously opposed to that .
And many are furious at Axios for reporting on such a non-story .
Here 's a sampling of how many are feeling .

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is being accused of being hypocritical and feigning outrage over a ribald remark President-elect Joe Biden's incoming White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Jen O'Malley Dillon, made in an interview with Glamour magazine.
In paragraph after paragraph she advocates for Biden's desire to work with Republicans to get government working again.
But Rubio clearly didn't read that or didn't care. Here what, as some are saying, "triggered" him.
"In the primary, people would mock [Biden], like, 'You think you can work with Republicans?' I'm not saying they're not a bunch of fuckers. Mitch McConnell is terrible. But this sense that you couldn't wish for that, you couldn't wish for this bipartisan ideal? He rejected that. From start to finish, he set out with this idea that unity was possible, that together we are stronger, that we, as a country, need healing, and our politics needs that too."
Rubio saw an opportunity and jumped on it.
Democrats are a lot more angry than the GOP thinks. And this time they're not backing down.
An astonishing number of people defended Dillon, and others slammed Senator Rubio. Many feel after either years of Republicans' despicable attacks on President Barack Obama and his family, and after four years of them ignoring President Donald Trump's and his adult children's daily hatefest against not only Democrats but the American people – not to mention more than 300,000 people dead on Trump's watch – Dillon is one hundred percent correct.
Axios adds some Biden donors and advisors are calling for her to apologize. Many are tremendously opposed to that. And many are furious at Axios for reporting on such a non-story.
Here's a sampling of how many are feeling.


alternet--2020-12-17--Two Alaska healthcare workers suffer allergic reactions to Pfizer vaccination

Two health care staff members in Alaska recently suffered from alarming reactions to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine only minutes after it was administered .
As of Thursday , Dec. 17 , one of those staff members is still hospitalized .
According to The New York Times , both of the workers are employed at the same hospital .
One is described as a middle-aged woman with no known history of allergies .
Just 10 minutes after receiving the injection at the Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau , AK , the woman reportedly suffered from an `` anaphylactic reaction '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the woman developed rashes on her face and torso .
In addition to the rashes , she also experienced `` shortness of breath and an elevated heart rate , '' per the publication .
The woman received a dose of epinephrine to treat the allergic reaction .
With a combination of steroids and the epinephrine drip , the woman 's symptoms did subside but only for a short period of time .
Once the drip was halted , the symptoms returned , according to Dr. Lindy Jones , who works as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department .
The hospital resumed care and now the woman is set to be released from the hospital today .
The second healthcare worker received the vaccine on Wednesday .
According to a statement from the hospital , they are said to have experienced `` eye puffiness , lightheadedness , and a scratchy throat 10 minutes after the injection . ''
They were rushed to the emergency room and administered epinephrine , Pepcid , and Benadryl .
That worker recovered `` within an hour . ''

Two health care staff members in Alaska recently suffered from alarming reactions to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine only minutes after it was administered. As of Thursday, Dec. 17, one of those staff members is still hospitalized.
According to The New York Times, both of the workers are employed at the same hospital. One is described as a middle-aged woman with no known history of allergies.
Just 10 minutes after receiving the injection at the Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, AK, the woman reportedly suffered from an "anaphylactic reaction" to the drug. With the allergic reaction, the woman developed rashes on her face and torso. In addition to the rashes, she also experienced "shortness of breath and an elevated heart rate," per the publication.
The woman received a dose of epinephrine to treat the allergic reaction. With a combination of steroids and the epinephrine drip, the woman's symptoms did subside but only for a short period of time. Once the drip was halted, the symptoms returned, according to Dr. Lindy Jones, who works as the medical director of the hospital's emergency department. The hospital resumed care and now the woman is set to be released from the hospital today.
The second healthcare worker received the vaccine on Wednesday. According to a statement from the hospital, they are said to have experienced "eye puffiness, lightheadedness, and a scratchy throat 10 minutes after the injection." They were rushed to the emergency room and administered epinephrine, Pepcid, and Benadryl. That worker recovered "within an hour."


alternet--2020-12-18--North Carolina church's Christmas musical leads to 75 people and counting contracting COVID-19

A North Carolina church 's Christmas caroling event has been identified as a super spreader event with 75 individuals testing positive for COVID-19 just days after attending the holiday event .
That number could increase in the coming days .
According to The Daily Beast , contact tracing efforts have led the Henderson County Health Department to link a growing number of COVID cases to First Baptist Church of Hendersonville .
On Thursday , Dec. 17 , the health department released a statement about the Dec. 5 church service .
While the statement did confirm 75 individuals linked to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains unclear whether or not they all attended the service or were exposed to someone else who did .
`` To date , the Health Department has identified 75 individuals who have tested positive as a result of the event , '' the statement reads .
`` The Health Department is working to identify any additional close contacts of these individuals . ''
The COVID announcement was also added to the church 's Facebook page .
The publication reports that the alarming post quickly caught the attention of social media users as others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area .
With a small-town population of only 14,000 , the latest super spreader event has alarmed local officials .
The public health department also expressed concern about other events that have potentially contributed to increases in cases in the area as they warned against holiday gatherings .
`` Henderson County continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases generated from social gatherings such as parties , family , and neighborhood get-togethers , '' the statement added .
`` To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 at private social gatherings the Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to continue practice of the 3Ws : Wear a face covering , Wait six feet apart and Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer . ''
As of Friday , Dec. 18 , the United States has reported more than 17.6 million coronavirus cases .
The COVID-related death toll has now surpassed 300,000 .

A North Carolina church's Christmas caroling event has been identified as a super spreader event with 75 individuals testing positive for COVID-19 just days after attending the holiday event. That number could increase in the coming days.
According to The Daily Beast, contact tracing efforts have led the Henderson County Health Department to link a growing number of COVID cases to First Baptist Church of Hendersonville.
On Thursday, Dec. 17, the health department released a statement about the Dec. 5 church service. While the statement did confirm 75 individuals linked to the service had tested positive, it still remains unclear whether or not they all attended the service or were exposed to someone else who did.
"To date, the Health Department has identified 75 individuals who have tested positive as a result of the event," the statement reads. "The Health Department is working to identify any additional close contacts of these individuals."
The COVID announcement was also added to the church's Facebook page. The publication reports that the alarming post quickly caught the attention of social media users as others began announcing cancellations of other events in the area.
Weekend Worship // December 6th, 2020 www.youtube.com
With a small-town population of only 14,000, the latest super spreader event has alarmed local officials. The public health department also expressed concern about other events that have potentially contributed to increases in cases in the area as they warned against holiday gatherings.
"Henderson County continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases generated from social gatherings such as parties, family, and neighborhood get-togethers," the statement added. "To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 at private social gatherings the Health Department urges residents to avoid large get-togethers and to continue practice of the 3Ws: Wear a face covering, Wait six feet apart and Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer."
As of Friday, Dec. 18, the United States has reported more than 17.6 million coronavirus cases. The COVID-related death toll has now surpassed 300,000.


alternet--2020-12-18--No more ICU beds at the main public hospital in the nation’s largest county as COVID surges

No More ICU Beds at the Main Public Hospital in the Nation 's Largest County as COVID Surges It can be republished for free .
She lay behind a glass barrier , heavily sedated , kept alive by a machine that blew oxygen into her lungs through a tube taped to her mouth and lodged at the back of her throat .
She had deteriorated rapidly since arriving a short time earlier .
“ Her respiratory system is failing , and her cardiovascular system is failing , '' said Dr. Luis Huerta , a critical care expert in the intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the patient , who could not be identified for privacy reasons , were poor , Huerta said .
The woman , in her 60s , was among 50 patients so ill with COVID-19 that they required constant medical attention this week in ICUs at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center , a 600-bed public hospital on L.A. 's Eastside .
A large majority of them had diabetes , obesity or hypertension .
An additional 100 COVID patients , less ill at least for the moment , were in other parts of the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the five days that ended Wednesday , eight COVID patients at the hospital died — double the number from the preceding five days .
As COVID patients have flooded into LAC+USC in recent weeks , they 've put an immense strain on its ICU capacity and staff — especially since non-COVID patients , with gunshot wounds , drug overdoses , heart attacks and strokes , also need intensive care .
No more ICU beds were available , said Dr. Brad Spellberg , the hospital 's chief medical officer .
Similar scenes — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harried administrators and grieving families — are playing out in hospitals across the state and the nation .
In California , only 4.1 % of ICU beds were available as of Wednesday .
In the 11-county Southern California region , just 0.5 % of ICU beds were open , and in the San Joaquin Valley , none were .
The county of Los Angeles , the nation 's largest , was perilously close to zero capacity .
County health officials reported Wednesday that the number of daily new COVID cases , deaths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highs for the entire pandemic .
LAC+USC has had a heavy COVID burden since the beginning of the pandemic , largely because the low-income , predominantly Latino community it serves has been hit so hard .
Latinos represent about 39 % of California 's population but have accounted for nearly 57 % of the state 's COVID cases and 48 % of its COVID deaths , according to data updated this week .
Many people who live near the hospital have essential jobs and “ are not able to work from home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves because they have to make a living , '' Spellberg said .
And , he said , “ they do n't live in giant houses where they can isolate themselves in a room . ''
The worst cases end up lying amid a tangle of tubes and bags , in ICU rooms designed to prevent air and viral particles from flowing out into the hall .
The sickest among them , like the woman described above , need machines to breathe for them .
They are fed through nose tubes , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intravenous lines deliver fluids and medications to relieve pain , keep them sedated and raise their blood pressure to a level necessary for life .
To take some pressure off the ICUs , the hospital this week opened a new “ step-down '' unit , for patients who are still very sick but can be managed with a slightly lower level of care .
Spellberg said he hopes the unit will accommodate up to 10 patients .
Hospital staff members have also been scouring the insurance plans of patients to see if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But at this point , it 's become almost impossible , because they 're all filling up , '' Spellberg said .
Two weeks ago , a smaller percentage of COVID patients in the ER were showing signs of severe disease , which meant fewer needed to be admitted to the hospital or the ICU than during the July surge .
That was helping , as Spellberg put it , to keep the water below the top of the levee .
“ Over the last 10 days , it is my distinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that 's why our ICU has filled up quickly , '' Spellberg said Monday .
The total number of COVID patients in the hospital , and the number in its ICUs , are now well above the peak of July — and both are nearly six times as high as in late October .
“ This is the worst it 's been , '' Spellberg said .
And it will only get worse over the coming weeks , he added , if people travel and gather with their extended families over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did for Thanksgiving .
“ Think New York in April .
Think Italy in March , '' Spellberg said .
“ That 's how bad things could get . ''
They are already bad enough .
Nurses and other medical staffers are exhausted from long months of extremely laborious patient care that is only getting more intense , said Lea Salinas , a nurse manager in one of the hospital 's ICU units .
To avoid being short-staffed , she 's been asking her nurses to work overtime .
Normally , ICU nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But one really sick COVID patient can take up virtually the entire shift — even with help from other nurses .
Jonathan Magdaleno , a registered nurse in the ICU , said he might have to spend 10 hours during a 12-hour shift at the bedside of an extremely ill patient .
Even in the best case , he said , he typically has to enter a patient 's room every 30 minutes , because the bags delivering medications and fluids empty at different rates .
Every time nurses or other care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they must put on cumbersome protective gear — then take it off when they leave .
One of the most delicate and difficult tasks is a maneuver known as “ proning , '' in which a patient in acute respiratory distress is flipped onto his or her stomach to improve lung function .
Salinas said it can take a half-hour and require up to six nurses and a respiratory therapist , because tubes and wires have to be disconnected , then reconnected — not to mention the risks involved in moving an extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it twice , because every proned patient needs to be flipped back later in the day .
For some nurses , working on the COVID ward at LAC+USC feels very personal .
That 's the case for Magdaleno , a native Spanish speaker who was born in Mexico City .
“ I grew up in this community , '' he said .
“ Even if you do n't want to , you see your parents , you see your grandparents , you see your mom in these patients , because they speak the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas only with members of his own household and urged everyone else to do the same .
“ If you lose any member of your family , then what 's the purpose of Christmas ? ''
he asked .
“ Is it worth it going to the mall right now ?
Is it worth even getting a gift for somebody who 's probably going to die ? ''
That the darkest hour of the pandemic should come precisely at the moment when COVID vaccines are beginning to arrive is especially poignant , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAC+USC .
“ The tragic irony of this is that the light is at the end of the tunnel , '' he said .
“ The vaccine is rolling out as we speak , and people just need to keep themselves alive until they can get the vaccine . ''
Kaiser Health News ( KHN ) is a national health policy news service .
It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .
This story can be republished for free ( @ @ @

No More ICU Beds at the Main Public Hospital in the Nation's Largest County as COVID Surges
Bernard J. Wolfson Photos by Heidi de Marco December 18, 2020
USE OUR CONTENT
It can be republished for free.
She lay behind a glass barrier, heavily sedated, kept alive by a machine that blew oxygen into her lungs through a tube taped to her mouth and lodged at the back of her throat. She had deteriorated rapidly since arriving a short time earlier.
“Her respiratory system is failing, and her cardiovascular system is failing," said Dr. Luis Huerta, a critical care expert in the intensive care unit. The odds of survival for the patient, who could not be identified for privacy reasons, were poor, Huerta said.
The woman, in her 60s, was among 50 patients so ill with COVID-19 that they required constant medical attention this week in ICUs at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center, a 600-bed public hospital on L.A.'s Eastside. A large majority of them had diabetes, obesity or hypertension.
An additional 100 COVID patients, less ill at least for the moment, were in other parts of the hospital, and the numbers were growing. In the five days that ended Wednesday, eight COVID patients at the hospital died — double the number from the preceding five days.
As COVID patients have flooded into LAC+USC in recent weeks, they've put an immense strain on its ICU capacity and staff — especially since non-COVID patients, with gunshot wounds, drug overdoses, heart attacks and strokes, also need intensive care.
No more ICU beds were available, said Dr. Brad Spellberg, the hospital's chief medical officer.
Similar scenes — packed wards, overworked medical staffers, harried administrators and grieving families — are playing out in hospitals across the state and the nation.
In California, only 4.1% of ICU beds were available as of Wednesday. In the 11-county Southern California region, just 0.5 % of ICU beds were open, and in the San Joaquin Valley, none were.
The county of Los Angeles, the nation's largest, was perilously close to zero capacity.
County health officials reported Wednesday that the number of daily new COVID cases, deaths and hospitalizations had all soared beyond their previous highs for the entire pandemic.
LAC+USC has had a heavy COVID burden since the beginning of the pandemic, largely because the low-income, predominantly Latino community it serves has been hit so hard. Latinos represent about 39% of California's population but have accounted for nearly 57% of the state's COVID cases and 48% of its COVID deaths, according to data updated this week.
Many people who live near the hospital have essential jobs and “are not able to work from home. They are going out there and exposing themselves because they have to make a living," Spellberg said. And, he said, “they don't live in giant houses where they can isolate themselves in a room."
The worst cases end up lying amid a tangle of tubes and bags, in ICU rooms designed to prevent air and viral particles from flowing out into the hall. The sickest among them, like the woman described above, need machines to breathe for them. They are fed through nose tubes, their bladders draining into catheter bags, while intravenous lines deliver fluids and medications to relieve pain, keep them sedated and raise their blood pressure to a level necessary for life.
To take some pressure off the ICUs, the hospital this week opened a new “step-down" unit, for patients who are still very sick but can be managed with a slightly lower level of care. Spellberg said he hopes the unit will accommodate up to 10 patients.
Hospital staff members have also been scouring the insurance plans of patients to see if they can be transferred to other hospitals. “But at this point, it's become almost impossible, because they're all filling up," Spellberg said.
Two weeks ago, a smaller percentage of COVID patients in the ER were showing signs of severe disease, which meant fewer needed to be admitted to the hospital or the ICU than during the July surge. That was helping, as Spellberg put it, to keep the water below the top of the levee.
But not anymore.
“Over the last 10 days, it is my distinct impression that the severity has worsened again, and that's why our ICU has filled up quickly," Spellberg said Monday.
The total number of COVID patients in the hospital, and the number in its ICUs, are now well above the peak of July — and both are nearly six times as high as in late October. “This is the worst it's been," Spellberg said. And it will only get worse over the coming weeks, he added, if people travel and gather with their extended families over Christmas and New Year's as they did for Thanksgiving.
“Think New York in April. Think Italy in March," Spellberg said. “That's how bad things could get."
They are already bad enough. Nurses and other medical staffers are exhausted from long months of extremely laborious patient care that is only getting more intense, said Lea Salinas, a nurse manager in one of the hospital's ICU units. To avoid being short-staffed, she's been asking her nurses to work overtime.
Normally, ICU nurses are assigned to two patients each shift. But one really sick COVID patient can take up virtually the entire shift — even with help from other nurses. Jonathan Magdaleno, a registered nurse in the ICU, said he might have to spend 10 hours during a 12-hour shift at the bedside of an extremely ill patient.
Even in the best case, he said, he typically has to enter a patient's room every 30 minutes, because the bags delivering medications and fluids empty at different rates. Every time nurses or other care providers enter a patient's room, they must put on cumbersome protective gear — then take it off when they leave.
One of the most delicate and difficult tasks is a maneuver known as “proning," in which a patient in acute respiratory distress is flipped onto his or her stomach to improve lung function. Salinas said it can take a half-hour and require up to six nurses and a respiratory therapist, because tubes and wires have to be disconnected, then reconnected — not to mention the risks involved in moving an extremely fragile person. And they must do it twice, because every proned patient needs to be flipped back later in the day.
For some nurses, working on the COVID ward at LAC+USC feels very personal. That's the case for Magdaleno, a native Spanish speaker who was born in Mexico City. “I grew up in this community," he said. “Even if you don't want to, you see your parents, you see your grandparents, you see your mom in these patients, because they speak the language."
He planned to spend Christmas only with members of his own household and urged everyone else to do the same. “If you lose any member of your family, then what's the purpose of Christmas?" he asked. “Is it worth it going to the mall right now? Is it worth even getting a gift for somebody who's probably going to die?"
That the darkest hour of the pandemic should come precisely at the moment when COVID vaccines are beginning to arrive is especially poignant, said Dr. Paul Holtom, chief epidemiologist at LAC+USC.
“The tragic irony of this is that the light is at the end of the tunnel," he said. “The vaccine is rolling out as we speak, and people just need to keep themselves alive until they can get the vaccine."
Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
USE OUR CONTENT
This story can be republished for free (details).
Subscribe to KHN's free Morning Briefing.


alternet--2020-12-18--MAGA outraged after GOP official serves up easily debunked lie about Texas voter ‘fraud’ lawsuit

A video that shows a Texas Republican elector and State Republican Executive Committee official spinning a blatantly false tale is going viral on social media , with outraged conservatives insisting it is proof the U.S. Supreme Court , and especially Chief Justice John Roberts , are compromised .
Some are even calling for the Chief Justice to be arrested .
GOP presidential elector Matt Patrick of Dallas , who cast his vote for President Donald Trump on Monday at the Texas State House , also took to the floor and delivered an easily-debunked fake news story about why , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's frivolous lawsuit – joined by 17 other state attorneys general and 126 Republican members of Congress .
Had it been successful that lawsuit would have voided the votes of voters in four battleground states that Joe Biden won .
Remember , all nine justices said they would have voted against the case had they taken it , but they refused to hear in for lack of standing .
Before you listen to Matt Patrick 's speech , know that conservative attorney Ed Whelan – who clerked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President of the right wing Ethics and Public Policy Center think tank , was deputy assistant attorney general under President George W. Bush , and is a National Review contributor – totally debunked Patrick 's claims as `` an absurd fantasy . ''
Patrick 's entire story focuses on a supposed meeting the nine justices had in a `` closed room '' with no computers or phones at the Supreme Court to debate whether or not to take the Texas case .
As several experts have noted , the Supreme Court justices have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Patrick refers to a report he claims to have read `` online , '' describing it as something that `` was written by someone who was a current staffer for one of the current Supreme Court justices , '' he says in the C-SPAN video also posted to Twitter by producer Howard Mortman : '' I 'll just describe for you the report that I read , and you can make of it what you will , '' Patrick tells the Texas group of electors .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they always do , went into a closed room to discuss cases they 're taking or do debate .
There 's no phones , no computers , no nothing .
No one else is in the room except for the nine justices .
It 's typically very civil .
They usually do n't hear any sound , they just debate what they are doing .
But when the Texas case was brought up , he said he heard screaming through the walls , as Justice Roberts and the other liberal justices were insisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` And the reason – the words that were heard through the wall when Justice Thomas and Justice Alito were citing Bush vs. Gore , from John Roberts were , ' I do n't give a ____ about that case , I do n't want to hear about it .
At that time , we did n't have riots . '
'' `` So what he was saying was that he was afraid of what would happen if they did the right thing .
And I 'm sorry , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SREC [ State Republican Executive Committee ] , I am an SREC member , we put those words in there very specifically because the charge of the Supreme Court is to ultimately be our final arbitrator , our final line of defense for right and wrong , and they did not do their duty .
So I think we should leave these words in because I want to send a strong message to them .
Here 's a conservative going ballistic , rather than checking Patrick 's absurd story .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right wing media `` watchdog '' yet ca n't fact check this speech : Of course the story is now showing up in right wing media , again , because they ca n't bother to fact-check :

A video that shows a Texas Republican elector and State Republican Executive Committee official spinning a blatantly false tale is going viral on social media, with outraged conservatives insisting it is proof the U.S. Supreme Court, and especially Chief Justice John Roberts, are compromised. Some are even calling for the Chief Justice to be arrested.
GOP presidential elector Matt Patrick of Dallas, who cast his vote for President Donald Trump on Monday at the Texas State House, also took to the floor and delivered an easily-debunked fake news story about why, he says, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's frivolous lawsuit – joined by 17 other state attorneys general and 126 Republican members of Congress.
Had it been successful that lawsuit would have voided the votes of voters in four battleground states that Joe Biden won.
Remember, all nine justices said they would have voted against the case had they taken it, but they refused to hear in for lack of standing.
Before you listen to Matt Patrick's speech, know that conservative attorney Ed Whelan – who clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia, is the President of the right wing Ethics and Public Policy Center think tank, was deputy assistant attorney general under President George W. Bush, and is a National Review contributor – totally debunked Patrick's claims as "an absurd fantasy."
Why?
Patrick's entire story focuses on a supposed meeting the nine justices had in a "closed room" with no computers or phones at the Supreme Court to debate whether or not to take the Texas case.
As several experts have noted, the Supreme Court justices have not met in person in months, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Patrick refers to a report he claims to have read "online," describing it as something that "was written by someone who was a current staffer for one of the current Supreme Court justices," he says in the C-SPAN video also posted to Twitter by producer Howard Mortman:
TEXAS ELECTORAL COLLEGE:
"The Justices went into a closed room...When Texas case was brought up he said he heard screaming through the walls as Justice Roberts and the other liberal Justices were insisting...afraid of what would happen if they did right thing...Moral cowardice" pic.twitter.com/JhnPN59wkP — Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) December 14, 2020
"I'll just describe for you the report that I read, and you can make of it what you will," Patrick tells the Texas group of electors. "He said that the justices, as they always do, went into a closed room to discuss cases they're taking or do debate. There's no phones, no computers, no nothing. No one else is in the room except for the nine justices. It's typically very civil. They usually don't hear any sound, they just debate what they are doing. But when the Texas case was brought up, he said he heard screaming through the walls, as Justice Roberts and the other liberal justices were insisting that this case not be taken up."
"And the reason – the words that were heard through the wall when Justice Thomas and Justice Alito were citing Bush vs. Gore, from John Roberts were, 'I don't give a ____ about that case, I don't want to hear about it. At that time, we didn't have riots.'"
"So what he was saying was that he was afraid of what would happen if they did the right thing. And I'm sorry, but that is moral cowardice. And we in the SREC [State Republican Executive Committee], I am an SREC member, we put those words in there very specifically because the charge of the Supreme Court is to ultimately be our final arbitrator, our final line of defense for right and wrong, and they did not do their duty. So I think we should leave these words in because I want to send a strong message to them.
(It's unclear what "words" he's referring to, but immaterial to his false story.)
Here's Whelan weighing in:
This is an absurd fantasy. For starters, the Justices haven't been having in-person conferences. https://t.co/G7Pl6ORkNf
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) December 17, 2020
And here's Andrew Feinberg, Managing Editor of Breakfast Media:
I'm not quite sure what is happening here but this man is a liar. The nine SCOTUS justices haven't met in-person in months. pic.twitter.com/FCLiMNwfBZ
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) December 17, 2020
Well-known political scientist Norman Ornstein:
Of course they did not meet in person. This is not just delusional. It is flat out lies.
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) December 17, 2020
Here's a conservative going ballistic, rather than checking Patrick's absurd story. This is Dan Gainor, who works for a right wing media "watchdog" yet can't fact check this speech:
Shocker! #JohnRoberts is a coward who doesn't give a damn about the Constitution. #unsurprisedhttps://t.co/efq0cMQ9VN
— Dan Gainor, BA, MA, MBA (@dangainor) December 17, 2020
Of course the story is now showing up in right wing media, again, because they can't bother to fact-check:
Right wing conservative commentator:
It's now being reported that Chief Justice John Roberts didn't want to take the Texas Supreme Court case because he was scared there would be mass riots. We all know that means they would rule in @realDonaldTrump's favor!
— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) December 17, 2020


alternet--2020-12-18--These 5 historical truths suggest Jesus Christ may have never existed

Most antiquities scholars think that the New Testament gospels are `` mythologized history . ''
In other words , based on the evidence available they think that around the start of the first century a controversial Jewish rabbi named Yeshua ben Yosef gathered a following and his life and teachings provided the seed that grew into Christianity .
At the same time , these scholars acknowledge that many Bible stories like the virgin birth , miracles , resurrection , and women at the tomb borrow and rework mythic themes that were common in the Ancient Near East , much the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old familiar tropes or plot elements .
In this view , a `` historical Jesus '' became mythologized .
For over 200 years , a wide ranging array of theologians and historians grounded in this perspective have analyzed ancient texts , both those that made it into the Bible and those that did n't , in attempts to excavate the man behind the myth .
Several current or recent bestsellers take this approach , distilling the scholarship for a popular audience .
Familiar titles include Zealot by Reza Aslan and How Jesus Became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , other scholars believe that the gospel stories are actually `` historicized mythology . ''
In this view , those ancient mythic templates are themselves the kernel .
They got filled in with names , places and other real world details as early sects of Jesus worship attempted to understand and defend the devotional traditions they had received .
The notion that Jesus never existed is a minority position .
Of course it is !
says David Fitzgerald , the author of Nailed : Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries all serious scholars of Christianity were Christians themselves , and modern secular scholars lean heavily on the groundwork that they laid in collecting , preserving , and analyzing ancient texts .
Even today most secular scholars come out of a religious background , and many operate by default under historical presumptions of their former faith .
Fitzgerald–who , as his book title indicates , takes the `` mythical Jesus '' position–is an atheist speaker and writer , popular with secular students and community groups .
The internet phenom , Zeitgeist the Movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roots of Christianity .
But Zeitgeist and similar works contain known errors and oversimplifications that undermine their credibility .
Fitzgerald seeks to correct that by giving young people accessible information that is grounded in accountable scholarship .
More academic arguments in support of the Jesus Myth theory can be found in the writings of Richard Carrier and Robert Price .
Carrier , who has a Ph.D. in ancient history uses the tools of his trade to show , among other things , how Christianity might have gotten off the ground without a miracle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the perspective of a theologian whose biblical scholarship ultimately formed the basis for his skepticism .
It is interesting to note that some of the harshest critics of popular Jesus myth theories like those from Zeitgeist or Joseph Atwill ( who argued that the Romans invented Jesus ) are academic Mythicists like these .
The arguments on both sides of this question—mythologized history or historicized mythology—fill volumes , and if anything the debate seems to be heating up rather than resolving .
Since many people , both Christian and not , find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious scholars might think Jesus never existed—here are some of the key points that keep the doubts alive : 1 .
No first century secular evidence whatsoever exists to support the actuality of Yeshua ben Yosef .
In the words of Bart Ehrman ( who himself believes the stories were built on a historical kernel ) : 2 .
The earliest New Testament writers seem ignorant of the details of Jesus ' life , which become more crystalized in later texts .
Paul seems unaware of any virgin birth , for example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the east , no miracles .
Historians have long puzzled over the `` Silence of Paul '' on the most basic biographical facts and teachings of Jesus .
Paul fails to cite Jesus ' authority precisely when it would make his case .
What 's more , he never calls the twelve apostles Jesus ' disciples ; in fact , he never says Jesus HAD disciples –or a ministry , or did miracles , or gave teachings .
He virtually refuses to disclose any other biographical detail , and the few cryptic hints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but contradict the gospels .
The leaders of the early Christian movement in Jerusalem like Peter and James are supposedly Jesus ' own followers and family ; but Paul dismisses them as nobodies and repeatedly opposes them for not being true Christians !
Liberal theologian Marcus Borg suggests that people read the books of the New Testament in chronological order to see how early Christianity unfolded .
3 .
Even the New Testament stories do n't claim to be first-hand accounts .
We now know that the four gospels were assigned the names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luke , and John , not written by them .
To make matter sketchier , the name designations happened sometime in second century , around 100 years or more after Christianity supposedly began .
For a variety of reasons , the practice of pseudonymous writing was common at the time and many contemporary documents are `` signed '' by famous figures .
The same is true of the New Testament epistles except for a handful of letters from Paul ( 6 out of 13 ) which are broadly thought to be genuine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually say , `` I was there . ''
Rather , they claim the existence of other witnesses , a phenomenon familiar to anyone who has heard the phrase , my aunt knew someone who .
.
.
.
4 .
The gospels , our only accounts of a historical Jesus , contradict each other .
If you think you know the Jesus story pretty well , I suggest that you pause at this point to test yourself with the 20 question quiz at ExChristian.net .
The gospel of Mark is thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus , '' and linguistic analysis suggests that Luke and Matthew both simply reworked Mark and added their own corrections and new material .
But they contradict each other and , to an even greater degree contradict the much later gospel of John , because they were written with different objectives for different audiences .
The incompatible Easter stories offer one example of how much the stories disagree .
5 .
Modern scholars who claim to have uncovered the real historical Jesus depict wildly different persons .
They include a cynic philosopher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rabbi , Zealot revolutionary , and nonviolent pacifist to borrow from a much longer list assembled by Price .
In his words ( pp .
15-16 ) , `` The historical Jesus ( if there was one ) might well have been a messianic king , or a progressive Pharisee , or a Galilean shaman , or a magus , or a Hellenistic sage .
But he can not very well have been all of them at the same time . ''
John Dominic Crossan of the Jesus Seminar grumbles that `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' For David Fitzgerald , these issues and more lead to a conclusion that he finds inescapable : In a soon-to-be-released follow up to Nailed , entitled Jesus : Mything in Action , Fitzgerald argues that the many competing versions proposed by secular scholars are just as problematic as any `` Jesus of Faith : '' We may never know for certain what put Christian history in motion .
Only time ( or perhaps time travel ) will tell .
Author 's note : Not being an insider to this debate , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preponderance of relevant experts while keeping in mind that paradigm shifts do occur .
This means that until either the paradigm shift happens or I become a relevant expert myself , I shall assume that the Jesus stories probably had some historical kernel .
That said , I find the debate fascinating for several reasons : For one , it offers a glimpse of the methods scholars use to analyze ancient texts .
Also , despite the heated back and forth between mythicists and historicists , their points of agreement may be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mythologized history .
The presence of mythic tropes or legendary elements in the gospel stories has been broadly accepted and documented , while the imprint of any actual man who may have provided a historical kernel–how he may have lived , what he may have said , and how he died–is more hazy than most people dream .
Valerie Tarico is a psychologist and writer in Seattle , Washington .
She is the author of Trusting Doubt : A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light and Deas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ www.WisdomCommons.org .
Subscribe to her articles at Awaypoint.Wordpress.com .

Most antiquities scholars think that the New Testament gospels are "mythologized history." In other words, based on the evidence available they think that around the start of the first century a controversial Jewish rabbi named Yeshua ben Yosef gathered a following and his life and teachings provided the seed that grew into Christianity. At the same time, these scholars acknowledge that many Bible stories like the virgin birth, miracles, resurrection, and women at the tomb borrow and rework mythic themes that were common in the Ancient Near East, much the way that screenwriters base new movies on old familiar tropes or plot elements. In this view, a "historical Jesus" became mythologized.
For over 200 years, a wide ranging array of theologians and historians grounded in this perspective have analyzed ancient texts, both those that made it into the Bible and those that didn't, in attempts to excavate the man behind the myth. Several current or recent bestsellers take this approach, distilling the scholarship for a popular audience. Familiar titles include Zealot by Reza Aslan and How Jesus Became God by Bart Ehrman.
By contrast, other scholars believe that the gospel stories are actually "historicized mythology." In this view, those ancient mythic templates are themselves the kernel. They got filled in with names, places and other real world details as early sects of Jesus worship attempted to understand and defend the devotional traditions they had received.
The notion that Jesus never existed is a minority position. Of course it is! says David Fitzgerald, the author of Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed at All. Fitzgerald points out that for centuries all serious scholars of Christianity were Christians themselves, and modern secular scholars lean heavily on the groundwork that they laid in collecting, preserving, and analyzing ancient texts. Even today most secular scholars come out of a religious background, and many operate by default under historical presumptions of their former faith.
Fitzgerald–who, as his book title indicates, takes the "mythical Jesus" position–is an atheist speaker and writer, popular with secular students and community groups. The internet phenom, Zeitgeist the Movie introduced millions to some of the mythic roots of Christianity. But Zeitgeist and similar works contain known errors and oversimplifications that undermine their credibility. Fitzgerald seeks to correct that by giving young people accessible information that is grounded in accountable scholarship.
More academic arguments in support of the Jesus Myth theory can be found in the writings of Richard Carrier and Robert Price. Carrier, who has a Ph.D. in ancient history uses the tools of his trade to show, among other things, how Christianity might have gotten off the ground without a miracle. Price, by contrast, writes from the perspective of a theologian whose biblical scholarship ultimately formed the basis for his skepticism. It is interesting to note that some of the harshest critics of popular Jesus myth theories like those from Zeitgeist or Joseph Atwill (who argued that the Romans invented Jesus) are academic Mythicists like these.
The arguments on both sides of this question—mythologized history or historicized mythology—fill volumes, and if anything the debate seems to be heating up rather than resolving. Since many people, both Christian and not, find it surprising that this debate even exists—that serious scholars might think Jesus never existed—here are some of the key points that keep the doubts alive:
1. No first century secular evidence whatsoever exists to support the actuality of Yeshua ben Yosef.
In the words of Bart Ehrman (who himself believes the stories were built on a historical kernel):
"What sorts of things do pagan authors from the time of Jesus have to say about him? Nothing. As odd as it may seem, there is no mention of Jesus at all by any of his pagan contemporaries. There are no birth records, no trial transcripts, no death certificates; there are no expressions of interest, no heated slanders, no passing references – nothing. In fact, if we broaden our field of concern to the years after his death – even if we include the entire first century of the Common Era – there is not so much as a solitary reference to Jesus in any non-Christian, non-Jewish source of any kind. I should stress that we do have a large number of documents from the time – the writings of poets, philosophers, historians, scientists, and government officials, for example, not to mention the large collection of surviving inscriptions on stone and private letters and legal documents on papyrus. In none of this vast array of surviving writings is Jesus' name ever so much as mentioned." (pp. 56-57)
2. The earliest New Testament writers seem ignorant of the details of Jesus' life, which become more crystalized in later texts.
Paul seems unaware of any virgin birth, for example. No wise men, no star in the east, no miracles. Historians have long puzzled over the "Silence of Paul" on the most basic biographical facts and teachings of Jesus. Paul fails to cite Jesus' authority precisely when it would make his case. What's more, he never calls the twelve apostles Jesus' disciples; in fact, he never says Jesus HAD disciples –or a ministry, or did miracles, or gave teachings. He virtually refuses to disclose any other biographical detail, and the few cryptic hints he offers aren't just vague, but contradict the gospels. The leaders of the early Christian movement in Jerusalem like Peter and James are supposedly Jesus' own followers and family; but Paul dismisses them as nobodies and repeatedly opposes them for not being true Christians!
Liberal theologian Marcus Borg suggests that people read the books of the New Testament in chronological order to see how early Christianity unfolded.
Placing the Gospels after Paul makes it clear that as written documents they are not the source of early Christianity but its product. The Gospel — the good news — of and about Jesus existed before the Gospels. They are the products of early Christian communities several decades after Jesus' historical life and tell us how those communities saw his significance in their historical context.
3. Even the New Testament stories don't claim to be first-hand accounts.
We now know that the four gospels were assigned the names of the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, not written by them. To make matter sketchier, the name designations happened sometime in second century, around 100 years or more after Christianity supposedly began.
For a variety of reasons, the practice of pseudonymous writing was common at the time and many contemporary documents are "signed" by famous figures. The same is true of the New Testament epistles except for a handful of letters from Paul (6 out of 13) which are broadly thought to be genuine. But even the gospel stories don't actually say, "I was there." Rather, they claim the existence of other witnesses, a phenomenon familiar to anyone who has heard the phrase, my aunt knew someone who . . . .
4. The gospels, our only accounts of a historical Jesus, contradict each other.
If you think you know the Jesus story pretty well, I suggest that you pause at this point to test yourself with the 20 question quiz at ExChristian.net.
The gospel of Mark is thought to be the earliest existing "life of Jesus," and linguistic analysis suggests that Luke and Matthew both simply reworked Mark and added their own corrections and new material. But they contradict each other and, to an even greater degree contradict the much later gospel of John, because they were written with different objectives for different audiences. The incompatible Easter stories offer one example of how much the stories disagree.
5. Modern scholars who claim to have uncovered the real historical Jesus depict wildly different persons.
They include a cynic philosopher, charismatic Hasid, liberal Pharisee, conservative rabbi, Zealot revolutionary, and nonviolent pacifist to borrow from a much longer list assembled by Price. In his words (pp. 15-16), "The historical Jesus (if there was one) might well have been a messianic king, or a progressive Pharisee, or a Galilean shaman, or a magus, or a Hellenistic sage. But he cannot very well have been all of them at the same time." John Dominic Crossan of the Jesus Seminar grumbles that "the stunning diversity is an academic embarrassment."
For David Fitzgerald, these issues and more lead to a conclusion that he finds inescapable:
Jesus appears to be an effect, not a cause, of Christianity. Paul and the rest of the first generation of Christians searched the Septuagint translation of Hebrew scriptures to create a Mystery Faith for the Jews, complete with pagan rituals like a Lord's Supper, Gnostic terms in his letters, and a personal savior god to rival those in their neighbors' longstanding Egyptian, Persian, Hellenistic and Roman traditions.
In a soon-to-be-released follow up to Nailed, entitled Jesus: Mything in Action, Fitzgerald argues that the many competing versions proposed by secular scholars are just as problematic as any "Jesus of Faith:"
Even if one accepts that there was a real Jesus of Nazareth, the question has little practical meaning: Regardless of whether or not a first century rabbi called Yeshua ben Yosef lived, the "historical Jesus" figures so patiently excavated and re-assembled by secular scholars are themselves fictions.
We may never know for certain what put Christian history in motion. Only time (or perhaps time travel) will tell.
____________________________
Author's note: Not being an insider to this debate, my own inclination is to defer to the preponderance of relevant experts while keeping in mind that paradigm shifts do occur. This means that until either the paradigm shift happens or I become a relevant expert myself, I shall assume that the Jesus stories probably had some historical kernel. That said, I find the debate fascinating for several reasons: For one, it offers a glimpse of the methods scholars use to analyze ancient texts. Also, despite the heated back and forth between mythicists and historicists, their points of agreement may be more significant than the difference between historicized mythology and mythologized history. The presence of mythic tropes or legendary elements in the gospel stories has been broadly accepted and documented, while the imprint of any actual man who may have provided a historical kernel–how he may have lived, what he may have said, and how he died–is more hazy than most people dream.
Valerie Tarico is a psychologist and writer in Seattle, Washington. She is the author of Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light and Deas and Other Imaginings, and the founder of www.WisdomCommons.org. Subscribe to her articles at Awaypoint.Wordpress.com.


alternet--2020-12-18--Four chilling signs Trump's attempted coup is escalating

President Donald Trump continues to refuse to concede that he lost the 2020 election to President-elect Joe Biden .
There @ @ @ @ @ Thursday evening that the Republican effort to overthrow the election is escalating .
The first @ @ @ @ @ Security Advisor Michael Flynn suggested on NewsMax Trump could use `` military capabilities '' to @ @ @ @ @ states hold do-over elections .
The second sign occurred a short time later on Fox @ @ @ @ @ Peter Navarro said President-elect Biden would be an `` illegal and illegitimate president . ''
@ @ @ @ @ White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany argued on Fox News that Congress could use `` @ @ @ @ @ to steal the election .
Trump complimented Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville ( R-AL ) for saying @ @ @ @ @ efforts to overturn the election in Congress .
Trump then falsely claimed he won Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ rigged .
And then Trump complained about the United States Supreme Court refusing to go @ @ @ @ @ overturn the election .

President Donald Trump continues to refuse to concede that he lost the 2020 election to President-elect Joe Biden.
There were four major signs on Thursday evening that the Republican effort to overthrow the election is escalating.
The first sign was when former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn suggested on NewsMax Trump could use "military capabilities" to overturn the election in swing states hold do-over elections.
The second sign occurred a short time later on Fox News when White House advisor Peter Navarro said President-elect Biden would be an "illegal and illegitimate president."
The third sign was when White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany argued on Fox News that Congress could use "alternate slates" of electors to steal the election.
The fourth sign was Trump's Twitter account.
Trump complimented Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) for saying he would back Trump's efforts to overturn the election in Congress.
Trump then falsely claimed he won Wisconsin and that the vote was rigged.
And then Trump complained about the United States Supreme Court refusing to go along with his efforts to overturn the election.


alternet--2020-12-18--Food delivery apps are soaring — but they have serious downsides for restaurants

The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult on restaurants , and it 's not over yet .
Infection numbers continue to rise and the weather is getting worse .
Patios are no longer an option .
This means that takeout and delivery have become a lifeline for restaurants .
But delivery apps charge significant fees for orders , meaning that restaurants already challenged by reduced volumes and high costs are squeezed , often into negative margins , in an effort to access customers .
There have been calls for a reduction in the fees charged by delivery apps so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option during the pandemic restrictions — and survive .
Delivery companies like Uber Eats , Skip the Dishes , Door Dash and others provide not only the delivery service , but a platform for ordering .
Given the relatively small number of apps and the large number of restaurants , this means delivery apps have significant market power .
That 's why there 's such competition for restaurants among the apps .
Restaurants feel a need to be on the app The bigger the share of consumers , the bigger the draw for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more power the app has over demand .
Many customers go to the app before deciding what to order , which will become an even more common occurrence if there are more restaurants to choose from on the app .
If restaurants are n't on the app , they lose the opportunity to sell to that customer .
The majority of delivery apps are n't making money yet , but are fighting for share to get to a point where they 're profitable .
Some apps charge as much as a 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most restaurants work on tight margins , and these hefty delivery app fees often mean there 's no profit left for them after they pay the delivery company .
This means they get caught between a rock and a hard place in making the choice to access an app — sell nothing or sell through the app and lose money .
Part of the problem is that the delivery companies are n't making money either .
Foodora actually pulled out of Canada earlier this year .
Uber Eats is a bigger business than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asking Uber Eats to discount fees would be asking them to lose more money in order to support the restaurants .
It 's also worth noting that a portion of the delivery fee goes to an independent driver , who 's also a low-wage earner .
It 's estimated that drivers earn approximately US $ 8 to $ 12 an hour , after car expenses , delivering for Uber Eats depending on the market and time of day .
That means reducing delivery app fees would take money from someone who 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real issue is that the business model does n't work .
The pricing model does n't cover the costs associated with delivering .
Delivery apps are trying to build the delivery market , so higher pricing slows growth .
It is , however , extremely difficult to raise prices later once people develop an expectation of low delivery costs .
Now may be the time to raise prices Nonetheless it might be worthwhile now to begin building a sustainable pricing model in increments .
The value associated with delivery has never been higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants during the pandemic .
It makes sense to start moving prices up slowly to reflect the real cost of these services .
There 's also merit to the idea of app companies and delivery drivers sharing some of the pandemic pain with restaurants .
The delivery app model requires restaurants to succeed , after all — without them there is nothing to deliver .
Delivery demand has been increasing , so attracting more customers and restaurants should be a strategic priority for these companies .
Reducing delivery fees for restaurants is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been initiatives by delivery companies to respond to concerns raised by restaurants .
Skip the Dishes instituted a rebate program on both takeout and delivery to reduce fees during the pandemic .
This helps restaurants in times of crisis , helps Skip the Dishes maintain and grow its customer base and keeps a larger variety of restaurants on the app .
Uber Eats has introduced a delivery-only function at a reduced service charge .
In this case , restaurants take the orders themselves and just use Uber Eats to deliver the food .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers who directly contact them .
It allows restaurants to use delivery services without using the app 's ordering infrastructure while delivery companies can continue to employ drivers .
Uber Eats has also introduced a zero commission for pickup orders .
In this case , customers order on the app and opt to pick up their meal themselves .
This helps restaurants and drives traffic through the app ( at a very low marginal cost ) while also keeping a wider range of restaurants on the app that may not have otherwise been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The restaurant industry needs a long-term , sustainable business model for delivery .
But carefully structured and implemented short-term regulations may level the playing field and help restaurants survive this critical period .
Flexibility is in everyone 's best interest .
Ontario has proposed caps of 15 per cent on delivery ( intended to maintain the incomes of the drivers ) .
New York City and other jurisdictions have already done so .
This will help restaurants .
But — pardon the pun — there is no free lunch , and caps will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be forced to drop restaurants that are n't generating volumes and are costing too much .
There 's also a risk that delivery companies will leave unprofitable or more restrictive markets .
That helps no one .
Regulation is complex , and the outcomes do n't always reflect what the objective was .
A better approach may be launching delivery-only companies or delivery co-operatives .
For most restaurants , the volume of delivery and the associated cost does n't justify a dedicated delivery person .
The co-ordination of delivery without the ordering platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allow them to maintain the customer relationship .
Innovative thinking along these lines could results in affordable lifelines for some restaurants .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

by Michael von Massow, University of Guelph
The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult on restaurants, and it's not over yet.
Infection numbers continue to rise and the weather is getting worse. Patios are no longer an option. This means that takeout and delivery have become a lifeline for restaurants.
But delivery apps charge significant fees for orders, meaning that restaurants already challenged by reduced volumes and high costs are squeezed, often into negative margins, in an effort to access customers.
There have been calls for a reduction in the fees charged by delivery apps so that restaurants can at least maintain a delivery option during the pandemic restrictions — and survive.
Delivery companies like Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, Door Dash and others provide not only the delivery service, but a platform for ordering. Given the relatively small number of apps and the large number of restaurants, this means delivery apps have significant market power. That's why there's such competition for restaurants among the apps.
Restaurants feel a need to be on the app
The bigger the share of consumers, the bigger the draw for restaurants to join the app, and the more power the app has over demand. Many customers go to the app before deciding what to order, which will become an even more common occurrence if there are more restaurants to choose from on the app.
If restaurants aren't on the app, they lose the opportunity to sell to that customer.
The majority of delivery apps aren't making money yet, but are fighting for share to get to a point where they're profitable.
Some apps charge as much as a 30 per cent commission on food orders. Most restaurants work on tight margins, and these hefty delivery app fees often mean there's no profit left for them after they pay the delivery company. This means they get caught between a rock and a hard place in making the choice to access an app — sell nothing or sell through the app and lose money.
Part of the problem is that the delivery companies aren't making money either. Foodora actually pulled out of Canada earlier this year. Uber Eats is a bigger business than Uber Rides but is not yet profitable. Asking Uber Eats to discount fees would be asking them to lose more money in order to support the restaurants.
It's also worth noting that a portion of the delivery fee goes to an independent driver, who's also a low-wage earner. It's estimated that drivers earn approximately US$8 to $12 an hour, after car expenses, delivering for Uber Eats depending on the market and time of day.
That means reducing delivery app fees would take money from someone who's already in a low-income situation.
The real issue is that the business model doesn't work.
The pricing model doesn't cover the costs associated with delivering. Delivery apps are trying to build the delivery market, so higher pricing slows growth. It is, however, extremely difficult to raise prices later once people develop an expectation of low delivery costs.
Now may be the time to raise prices
Nonetheless it might be worthwhile now to begin building a sustainable pricing model in increments. The value associated with delivery has never been higher, given the reticence to eat in restaurants during the pandemic. It makes sense to start moving prices up slowly to reflect the real cost of these services.
There's also merit to the idea of app companies and delivery drivers sharing some of the pandemic pain with restaurants. The delivery app model requires restaurants to succeed, after all — without them there is nothing to deliver.
Delivery demand has been increasing, so attracting more customers and restaurants should be a strategic priority for these companies. Reducing delivery fees for restaurants is one way to do so.
There have been initiatives by delivery companies to respond to concerns raised by restaurants.
Skip the Dishes instituted a rebate program on both takeout and delivery to reduce fees during the pandemic. This helps restaurants in times of crisis, helps Skip the Dishes maintain and grow its customer base and keeps a larger variety of restaurants on the app.
Uber Eats has introduced a delivery-only function at a reduced service charge. In this case, restaurants take the orders themselves and just use Uber Eats to deliver the food.
This makes sense for restaurants with loyal customers who directly contact them. It allows restaurants to use delivery services without using the app's ordering infrastructure while delivery companies can continue to employ drivers.
Uber Eats has also introduced a zero commission for pickup orders. In this case, customers order on the app and opt to pick up their meal themselves. This helps restaurants and drives traffic through the app (at a very low marginal cost) while also keeping a wider range of restaurants on the app that may not have otherwise been able to afford the delivery fees.
The restaurant industry needs a long-term, sustainable business model for delivery. But carefully structured and implemented short-term regulations may level the playing field and help restaurants survive this critical period. Flexibility is in everyone's best interest.
Caps proposed
Ontario has proposed caps of 15 per cent on delivery (intended to maintain the incomes of the drivers). New York City and other jurisdictions have already done so. This will help restaurants.
But — pardon the pun — there is no free lunch, and caps will cost delivery companies money. They may be forced to drop restaurants that aren't generating volumes and are costing too much. There's also a risk that delivery companies will leave unprofitable or more restrictive markets. That helps no one. Regulation is complex, and the outcomes don't always reflect what the objective was.
A better approach may be launching delivery-only companies or delivery co-operatives.
For most restaurants, the volume of delivery and the associated cost doesn't justify a dedicated delivery person. The co-ordination of delivery without the ordering platform could give restaurants a more affordable choice and allow them to maintain the customer relationship.
Innovative thinking along these lines could results in affordable lifelines for some restaurants.
Michael von Massow, Associate Professor, Food Economics, University of Guelph
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


alternet--2020-12-18--10 reasons why Dr. Fauci was ready to be the face of the US pandemic response

His call to “ Wear a mask ” tops a list of 2020 ’ s notable quotes .
Brad Pitt portrayed him – and praised him – on “ Saturday Night Live.
” Time magazine named him a 2020 guardian of the year .
Amazon features seven pages of T-shirts , mugs and more emblazoned with his face .
Longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony S. Fauci has been everywhere in 2020 .
Although perhaps only recently a household name , Fauci is no Tony-come-lately .
Over the past four decades he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician , administrator and spokesman .
You know what he ’ s been up to over the past several months .
But what of his previous nearly 80 years ?
And what made him the figure he has become ?
Fauci , son of a pharmacist , was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 24 , 1940 .
He attended Regis High , a tuition-free Jesuit boys ’ school .
Passionate about basketball , he captained the high school team – despite his height of 5 feet 7 inches .
He then attended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts , choosing a premedical major combining humanities and science .
He graduated first in his class from Cornell University Medical College and went on to complete a medical residency .
The Vietnam War was underway , and male med school graduates were required to serve their country .
One option was the U.S. Public Health Service , which includes the National Institutes of Health , based outside Washington , D.C. Fauci entered a highly selective training program there .
He ’ s worked at NIH essentially ever since .
At NIH , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune system and related rare diseases – for example , one now termed granulomatosis with polyangiitis , in which blood vessels in the respiratory system and kidneys become inflamed .
His work led to effective treatment of these previously largely fatal conditions .
As the 1980s arrived , what came to be called AIDS emerged .
Fauci soon redirected his research to focus on the new disease .
He accepted the directorship of NIAID in 1984 , in part to increase its emphasis on AIDS .
While continuing research and patient care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He testified repeatedly before Congress .
He gained visibility in the media .
He was confronted by AIDS activists – and eventually included them in setting priorities for developing treatments .
Doing so set a precedent for involving patients in decisions about research on their diseases .
Fauci ’ s leadership has expanded over the years .
He was among the main architects of the President ’ s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief , or PEPFAR , a major program begun under President George W. Bush in 2003 , to help control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses to bioterrorism and to SARS , Zika and Ebola .
He is a member of the Trump administration ’ s White House Coronavirus Task Force , and he has accepted President-elect Joe Biden ’ s invitation to serve as chief medical adviser .
Along the way , Fauci has authored or co-authored well over 1,000 journal articles , including more than 500 about AIDS .
Of the articles , strikingly many appeared in top journals such as Science , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the New England Journal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the editors of a major medical textbook .
Over the years Fauci published on topics that attest to his readiness for the coronavirus : past pandemics as well as emerging infectious diseases and how to confront them , even how to conduct clinical trials in the midst of an outbreak .
A recent study ranks Fauci as the 32nd most highly cited living researcher .
His papers have been cited more than 50,000 times by other publications , and his journal articles have been mentioned tens of thousands of times in social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful scientist and a highly visible public figure .
What factors seem to have contributed ?
Here are 10 .
• None Smarts : Clearly Fauci is extraordinarily bright and knowledgeable .
He has studied both science and humanities .
The mix has fostered proficiency in lab and clinic , skill in communication and an ability to navigate the halls of power .
• None Integrity : “ I believe I have a personal responsibility to make a positive impact on society , ” he has stated .
“ I ’ ve tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of public service.
” Strong values have directed his choices , such as that to remain at NIAID despite offers to become director of NIH or take more lucrative positions elsewhere .
• None Empathy : Fauci ’ s values include concern for others ’ well-being .
Upon being confronted by AIDS activists , he said , “ I saw people who were in pain.
” He cared for , and about , people with AIDS even while the disease still was tremendously stigmatized .
• None Flexibility : Fauci can pivot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergence of AIDS , contributing importantly to the understanding and treatment of the disease .
Despite insults from AIDS activist Larry Kramer , he developed a productive alliance and warm friendship with him .
• None Energy : Fauci has an exceptional work ethic and is blessed with amazing energy .
Account after account details the staccato pace of his ultra-long days – rising before dawn , rushing from commitment to commitment with barely a break and answering email until late at night .
• None Trustworthiness : Fauci has earned credibility – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient health and long service .
In his communications , his values keep him focusing on the facts .
An essay in the Washington Post terms him “ the singular referee the country trusts ” during the pandemic .
• None Connections : Adviser to six U.S. presidents and the current president-elect , Fauci has abundant ties in Washington among both politicians and the media .
Some science reporters have covered his work since the 1980s .
• None Communication : Termed “ the explainer-in-chief of the coronavirus epidemic , ” Fauci is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media function .
He explains clearly .
He speaks in sound bites – think “ we are likely going to see a surge upon a surge ” of cases after the Thanksgiving holiday – and his comments are tweetable .
He is accessible to the press .
He listens as well as speaks .
• None Recognizability : Fauci has a distinctive look and voice .
His name is unusual yet not unwieldy .
• None Teamwork : “ It ’ s almost impossible to do anything meaningful without either leading a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Fauci has said .
A photo of Fauci ’ s lab group shows some 80 members , including senior researchers .
Highly regarded for his mentorship , Fauci even made himself available to an undergrad writing a thesis – and then commented extensively on the finished product .
In many ways , Fauci has been the face of the fight against COVID-19 in the U.S. “ If we ’ re going to get through this , we ’ ve got to all pull together as a country , ” Fauci has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has helped make him famous in 2020 .
With any luck , he can lead the way to controlling COVID-19 in 2021 .
[ Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research .
Sign up for The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
Barbara Gastel , Professor of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and of Humanities in Medicine , Texas A & M University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

His call to “Wear a mask” tops a list of 2020’s notable quotes. Brad Pitt portrayed him – and praised him – on “Saturday Night Live.” Time magazine named him a 2020 guardian of the year. Amazon features seven pages of T-shirts, mugs and more emblazoned with his face.
Longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony S. Fauci has been everywhere in 2020.
Although perhaps only recently a household name, Fauci is no Tony-come-lately. Over the past four decades he’s played prominent roles as a scientist, physician, administrator and spokesman. You know what he’s been up to over the past several months. But what of his previous nearly 80 years? And what made him the figure he has become?
From Brooklyn to Washington
Fauci, son of a pharmacist, was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 24, 1940. He attended Regis High, a tuition-free Jesuit boys’ school. Passionate about basketball, he captained the high school team – despite his height of 5 feet 7 inches.
He then attended the College of the Holy Cross, in Massachusetts, choosing a premedical major combining humanities and science. He graduated first in his class from Cornell University Medical College and went on to complete a medical residency.
The Vietnam War was underway, and male med school graduates were required to serve their country. One option was the U.S. Public Health Service, which includes the National Institutes of Health, based outside Washington, D.C. Fauci entered a highly selective training program there. He’s worked at NIH essentially ever since.
At NIH, Fauci initially conducted specialized research on the immune system and related rare diseases – for example, one now termed granulomatosis with polyangiitis, in which blood vessels in the respiratory system and kidneys become inflamed. His work led to effective treatment of these previously largely fatal conditions.
The age of AIDS
As the 1980s arrived, what came to be called AIDS emerged. Fauci soon redirected his research to focus on the new disease. He accepted the directorship of NIAID in 1984, in part to increase its emphasis on AIDS.
While continuing research and patient care, Fauci as institute director entered other realms. He testified repeatedly before Congress. He gained visibility in the media. He was confronted by AIDS activists – and eventually included them in setting priorities for developing treatments. Doing so set a precedent for involving patients in decisions about research on their diseases.
Fauci’s leadership has expanded over the years. He was among the main architects of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, a major program begun under President George W. Bush in 2003, to help control AIDS internationally. He provided leadership regarding responses to bioterrorism and to SARS, Zika and Ebola. He is a member of the Trump administration’s White House Coronavirus Task Force, and he has accepted President-elect Joe Biden’s invitation to serve as chief medical adviser.
Prolific in publication
Along the way, Fauci has authored or co-authored well over 1,000 journal articles, including more than 500 about AIDS. Of the articles, strikingly many appeared in top journals such as Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the New England Journal of Medicine. Fauci also is one of the editors of a major medical textbook.
Over the years Fauci published on topics that attest to his readiness for the coronavirus: past pandemics as well as emerging infectious diseases and how to confront them, even how to conduct clinical trials in the midst of an outbreak.
A recent study ranks Fauci as the 32nd most highly cited living researcher. His papers have been cited more than 50,000 times by other publications, and his journal articles have been mentioned tens of thousands of times in social media.
Sources of success
Clearly, Fauci is a remarkably successful scientist and a highly visible public figure. What factors seem to have contributed? Here are 10.
In many ways, Fauci has been the face of the fight against COVID-19 in the U.S. “If we’re going to get through this, we’ve got to all pull together as a country,” Fauci has stated. His blunt, evidence-based approach has helped make him famous in 2020. With any luck, he can lead the way to controlling COVID-19 in 2021.
[Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research.Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.]
Barbara Gastel, Professor of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and of Humanities in Medicine, Texas A&M University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.