mercurynews--2020-12-20--The Latest: Texas virus death toll rises above 25,000

HOUSTON — Texas on Saturday surpassed 25,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic , the second-highest total in the country .
State health officials reported 272 new deaths due to COVID-19 , bringing Texas ’ death toll to 25,226 .
Cases of COVID-19 and virus-related hospitalizations continue to rise in the state .
On Saturday , the state reported 9,796 people hospitalized with the virus , an increase of nearly 23 % over the last month .
Officials reported 12,914 new cases on Saturday .
That comes two days after the state set its one-day record of new cases — 16,864 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and hospitalizations comes as state health officials announced Friday that Texas will receive 620,000 more doses of COVID-19 vaccines over the next week .
More than 224,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have already been delivered in Texas .
The United States reached a record of nearly a quarter million coronavirus cases reported in 24 hours .
An additional 2,814 people died nationwide , pushing the death toll to more than 313,000 .
Some areas of California are “ just right at that cusp of getting overrun , ” says Dr. Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious disease expert .
The Army general in charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines out across the U.S. apologized for “ miscommunication ” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : SANTA FE , N.M. — New Mexico on Saturday reported 1,442 additional known COVID-19 cases and 27 additional deaths .
The statewide totals increased to 128,930 cases and 2,155 as seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases dropped and daily deaths rose over the last two weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and The COVID Tracking Project , the rolling average of daily new cases dropped from 1,869 on Dec. 4 to 1,542.1 on Friday while the rolling average of deaths rose from 28.9 to 34.1 .
A pandemic-high 48 daily deaths were reported Thursday as Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham said daily deaths could grow even higher over the year-end holidays .
ANCHORAGE , Alaska — The 2021 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will be about 140 miles shorter than normal as a result of complications stemming from the coronavirus pandemic .
Race officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embark on a 1,000-mile journey to Nome but instead will take a roughly 860-mile loop that starts and ends in Willow .
Every musher must also test negative for the coronavirus before the race begins .
They will also be tested again during the race .
Facial coverings and social distancing will be mandated at checkpoints .
The race is scheduled to begin on March 6 .
ATLANTA — U.S. health officials closely tracking possible side effects of the first authorized COVID-19 vaccine say they have seen six cases of severe allergic reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots given .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 272,000 shots of the Pfizer vaccine were given nationwide as of Saturday morning .
The half-dozen cases of allergic reaction were reported as of Friday night , and included one person with a history of vaccination reactions .
Health officials are keeping close watch for such side effects .
U.S. vaccine recipients are supposed to hang around after their injections in case signs of an allergy appear .
The CDC says all cases occurred within the recommended observation window and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed at a meeting of a committee that advises the CDC on vaccines .
The group on Saturday endorsed Moderna ’ s COVID-19 vaccine , which was granted emergency authorization on Friday .
Less severe side effects have also been rare .
Among the first 215,000 people to get vaccinated in the U.S. , fewer than 1.5 % of them had problems that left them unable to perform their normal activities or required medical care .
Many vaccines can cause temporary discomfort , such as a sore arm or certain flu-like symptoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those reactions than a flu shot , and some hospitals are staggering the times their employees get vaccinated to avoid staffing problems .
MONROE , La .
— Louisiana ’ s newest member of Congress was admitted to a hospital for monitoring on Saturday , one day after announcing that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Republican Rep.-elect Luke Letlow was admitted as a precaution , spokesman Andrew Bautsch told The News-Star .
Bautsch also is fighting the disease , the newspaper said .
Letlow , who is from the northeast Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month to the 5th District seat representing northeast and central Louisiana .
He is scheduled to be sworn in next month .
He had announced Friday that he had been infected by the coronavirus and was quarantining at home .
Letlow was the third high-profile Louisiana politician in two days to say he had been infected .
Democratic U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond , who is leaving to become a member of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s White House staff , and Republican Lt. Gov .
Billy Nungesser both said Thursday that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two Republicans in Louisiana ’ s congressional delegation — U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson — have publicly said they ’ ve recovered from the disease .
BIRMINGHAM , Ala. — The United States added a record of nearly a quarter million coronavirus cases in the past day .
Health experts says the record could increase as cases surge in various parts of the country and health care systems struggle to keep up .
Along with 249,709 new cases , there were an additional 2,814 reported deaths nationwide in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed U.S. death toll past 313,000 , according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University .
California led the case surge with 48,221 more infections .
Almost 17,000 people are hospitalized in California and health officials are scrambling to find enough beds for patients .
Texas , Florida , New York and Tennessee all registered more than 10,400 new cases .
The seven-day rolling average for new cases in the U.S. rose in the past two weeks from 183,787 to 219,324 on Friday , an increase of nearly 20 % .
Health officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel and gatherings during the holidays and New Year ’ s .
NASHVILLE , Tenn. — State health officials say 2,711 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered so far in Tennessee , the worst state in the country for new cases per capita .
The Tennessee Department of Health on Friday unveiled its online vaccination dashboard , which will be updated on Tuesdays and Fridays .
Tennessee frontline hospital health care workers on Thursday began receiving the Pfizer vaccine .
There were 1,640 new cases per 100,000 people in Tennessee in the past two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation , according to researchers at Johns Hopkins .
The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths rose from 50 on Dec. 4 to 74 on Friday .
Republican Gov .
Bill Lee has declined to require a mask order .
Only a dozen other states lack a statewide mask requirement .
PHOENIX – Arizona residents are being told to “ shrink their circles ” of personal contacts and gatherings to help the state ’ s health care system handle coronavirus cases .
Arizona reported a record 4,104 COVID-19 related hospitalizations .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
State and local governments need to do more to reduce the coronavirus ’ spread , because one of Banner Health ’ s hospitals is using a refrigerated truck trailer to augment its now full morgue , says Dr. Marjorie Bessel , the hospital chain ’ s chief clinical officer .
Only 8 % of all beds and intensive care unit beds were available , according to the state ’ s coronavirus dashboard .
The Department of Health Services reported 118 more deaths , increasing the statewide totals to 448,231 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With coronavirus numbers setting new daily records , the nation ’ s capital is temporarily suspending all indoor dining in restaurants over the holidays .
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an executive order Friday night banning indoor dining for three weeks , starting Wednesday at 10 p.m. and extending through Jan. 15 .
The District of Columbia will remain in phase two of its reopening plan , and the government described the move as a “ holiday pause.
” The order also extends Washington ’ s public health emergency through March 31 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire Smithsonian network of museums , which includes the National Zoo , already shut down voluntarily in late November .
WASHINGTON — An Army general in charge of COVID-19 vaccines apologized Saturday for “ miscommunication ” with states on the number of early doses delivered .
Gen. Gustave Perna ’ s remarks came a day after a second vaccine was added in the fight against the coronavirus .
Governors in more than a dozen states says the federal government has told them next week ’ s shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to take personal responsibility for the miscommunication , ” he said .
“ I know that ’ s not done much these days .
But I am responsible .
… This is a herculean effort and we are not perfect.
” Perna says the government now is on track to get approximately 20 million doses to states by the first week of January , a combination of the newly approved Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine .
He says 2.9 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses have been delivered so far .
The coronavirus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , the highest death toll in the world .
LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Christmas gatherings can ’ t go ahead and non-essential shops must close in London and much of southern England .
Johnson announced the capital and other areas in southern England currently under Tier 3 will move to a stricter Tier 4 that requires non-essential shops , hairdressers and indoor leisure venues to close after the end of business hours Saturday .
Johnson says a planned five-day easing of socializing rules allowing up to three households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be canceled for Tier 4 areas .
No mixing of households will be allowed except under limited conditions outside in public places .
For the rest of England , people can meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of Dec. 23-27 .
U.K. officials reported another 28,507 confirmed cases on Friday and 489 deaths within 28 days of testing positive for the virus .
The U.K. has reported 1.9 million coronavirus cases .
It has Europe ’ s second-highest confirmed COVID-19 death toll at 66,600 and sixth-highest overall .
JEFFERSON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press analysis shows states spent more than $ 7 billion this spring buying personal protective equipment such as masks , gloves , gowns and ventilators .
California spent the most during the pandemic ’ s initial months , at least $ 1.5 billion in the AP ’ s data , followed by Texas , Maryland , Massachusetts and Washington .
New York also spent several hundred million dollars on PPE and ventilators through November .
The data was obtained from states through open-records requests .
State governments were scrambling for supplies at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states paid as much as $ 11 for individual N95 masks , which previously cost around 50 cents before the pandemic .
Supplies often went to the highest bidder , even if they ’ d already been promised to someone else .
States set up their own fraud tests , rejecting masks that failed to meet safety specifications or lacked medical labeling .
BERLIN — Switzerland has approved the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and German pharmaceutical company BioNTech .
The country ’ s health agency says the vaccine had been approved for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by expert teams .
The agency did not say when vaccinations in Switzerland would begin .
The approval comes shortly after Britain , Canada , the United States and other countries allowed the use of the vaccine in their respective countries .
The director of Swissmedic said “ Thanks to the rolling process and our flexible teams we could quickly decide and fully accommodate the three most important requirements security , efficacy and quality.
” Raimund Bruhin added that , “ The safety of the patients is a required condition especially regarding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Michigan lawmakers and Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer have agreed to a $ 465 million pandemic spending plan , including relief payments to businesses and workers struggling to stay afloat because of the coronavirus and government restrictions to curb its spread .
The legislation received overwhelming Senate support late Friday and is expected to win House passage on Monday before legislators adjourn for the year .
Nearly half of the funding would be used to continue , through March , a maximum 26 weeks of unemployment benefits in a year instead of 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 million in assistance to employees who have been laid off or seen their hours cut due to restrictions under a state health department order that has prohibited indoor restaurant dining and closed entertainment venues .
A worker could get up to $ 1,650 .
Small businesses affected by the recent orders would receive $ 55 million in grants — up to $ 20,000 if they had to close , $ 15,000 if they partially closed .
Certain concert and other live-entertainment sites could qualify for $ 40,000 as part of a separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Massachusetts expects to receive 20 % fewer doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this year after the federal government reduced its allotment , state officials say .
The state joins more than a dozen others that have been told their vaccine shipments will be smaller than planned in coming weeks .
Instead of receiving 180,000 , Massachusetts now expects to get 145,000 .
Republican Gov .
Charlie Baker said he hasn ’ t received an explanation for the cutback .
“ We ’ re certainly frustrated , ” Baker said at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re working to get clarity on what this means , what happened and how that bump will be dealt with along the way.
” Baker said he expects to get more answers during a call with federal officials next week .
Despite the reduced allotment , Baker said he expects the state to have “ more than enough ” doses in the first months of 2021 .
NEWARK — New Jersey will start to vaccinate its nursing homes a week later than other states because the state missed a deadline by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s top heath official said Friday .
Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the “ sheer volume ” of information required for over 650 facilities led the state to miss a Dec. 7 deadline .
That means New Jersey won ’ t begin vaccinations at its long-term care centers until Dec. 28 , she said .
New Jersey ’ s COVID-19 outbreak has ravaged nursing homes , with 7,430 deaths , including residents and staff .
That ’ s about 46 % of the overall death toll in the state .

The Associated Press
HOUSTON — Texas on Saturday surpassed 25,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, the second-highest total in the country.
State health officials reported 272 new deaths due to COVID-19, bringing Texas’ death toll to 25,226.
Cases of COVID-19 and virus-related hospitalizations continue to rise in the state. On Saturday, the state reported 9,796 people hospitalized with the virus, an increase of nearly 23% over the last month.
Officials reported 12,914 new cases on Saturday. That comes two days after the state set its one-day record of new cases — 16,864 — on Thursday.
The increase in cases and hospitalizations comes as state health officials announced Friday that Texas will receive 620,000 more doses of COVID-19 vaccines over the next week. More than 224,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have already been delivered in Texas.
___
THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
The United States reached a record of nearly a quarter million coronavirus cases reported in 24 hours. An additional 2,814 people died nationwide, pushing the death toll to more than 313,000. Some areas of California are “just right at that cusp of getting overrun,” says Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
The Army general in charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines out across the U.S. apologized for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
___
SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico on Saturday reported 1,442 additional known COVID-19 cases and 27 additional deaths.
The statewide totals increased to 128,930 cases and 2,155 as seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases dropped and daily deaths rose over the last two weeks.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University and The COVID Tracking Project, the rolling average of daily new cases dropped from 1,869 on Dec. 4 to 1,542.1 on Friday while the rolling average of deaths rose from 28.9 to 34.1.
A pandemic-high 48 daily deaths were reported Thursday as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said daily deaths could grow even higher over the year-end holidays.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The 2021 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will be about 140 miles shorter than normal as a result of complications stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
Race officials announced Friday that teams will no longer embark on a 1,000-mile journey to Nome but instead will take a roughly 860-mile loop that starts and ends in Willow.
Every musher must also test negative for the coronavirus before the race begins. They will also be tested again during the race.
Facial coverings and social distancing will be mandated at checkpoints.
The race is scheduled to begin on March 6.
___
ATLANTA — U.S. health officials closely tracking possible side effects of the first authorized COVID-19 vaccine say they have seen six cases of severe allergic reaction out of more than a quarter million shots given.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 272,000 shots of the Pfizer vaccine were given nationwide as of Saturday morning. The half-dozen cases of allergic reaction were reported as of Friday night, and included one person with a history of vaccination reactions.
Health officials are keeping close watch for such side effects.
U.S. vaccine recipients are supposed to hang around after their injections in case signs of an allergy appear. The CDC says all cases occurred within the recommended observation window and were promptly treated.
The numbers were discussed at a meeting of a committee that advises the CDC on vaccines. The group on Saturday endorsed Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, which was granted emergency authorization on Friday.
Less severe side effects have also been rare. Among the first 215,000 people to get vaccinated in the U.S., fewer than 1.5% of them had problems that left them unable to perform their normal activities or required medical care.
Many vaccines can cause temporary discomfort, such as a sore arm or certain flu-like symptoms. COVID-19 vaccines tend to cause more of those reactions than a flu shot, and some hospitals are staggering the times their employees get vaccinated to avoid staffing problems.
___
MONROE, La. — Louisiana’s newest member of Congress was admitted to a hospital for monitoring on Saturday, one day after announcing that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Republican Rep.-elect Luke Letlow was admitted as a precaution, spokesman Andrew Bautsch told The News-Star. Bautsch also is fighting the disease, the newspaper said.
Letlow, who is from the northeast Louisiana town of Start, was elected earlier this month to the 5th District seat representing northeast and central Louisiana. He is scheduled to be sworn in next month.
He had announced Friday that he had been infected by the coronavirus and was quarantining at home.
Letlow was the third high-profile Louisiana politician in two days to say he had been infected. Democratic U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, who is leaving to become a member of President-elect Joe Biden’s White House staff, and Republican Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser both said Thursday that they had tested positive for the virus.
Two Republicans in Louisiana’s congressional delegation — U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson — have publicly said they’ve recovered from the disease.
___
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The United States added a record of nearly a quarter million coronavirus cases in the past day.
Health experts says the record could increase as cases surge in various parts of the country and health care systems struggle to keep up.
Along with 249,709 new cases, there were an additional 2,814 reported deaths nationwide in the past 24 hours. That pushed the confirmed U.S. death toll past 313,000, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
California led the case surge with 48,221 more infections. Almost 17,000 people are hospitalized in California and health officials are scrambling to find enough beds for patients. Texas, Florida, New York and Tennessee all registered more than 10,400 new cases.
The seven-day rolling average for new cases in the U.S. rose in the past two weeks from 183,787 to 219,324 on Friday, an increase of nearly 20%.
Health officials are concerned about future cases brought on by travel and gatherings during the holidays and New Year’s.
___
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State health officials say 2,711 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered so far in Tennessee, the worst state in the country for new cases per capita.
The Tennessee Department of Health on Friday unveiled its online vaccination dashboard, which will be updated on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tennessee frontline hospital health care workers on Thursday began receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
There were 1,640 new cases per 100,000 people in Tennessee in the past two weeks, which ranks first in the nation, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths rose from 50 on Dec. 4 to 74 on Friday.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee has declined to require a mask order. Only a dozen other states lack a statewide mask requirement.
___
PHOENIX – Arizona residents are being told to “shrink their circles” of personal contacts and gatherings to help the state’s health care system handle coronavirus cases.
Arizona reported a record 4,104 COVID-19 related hospitalizations. It also added more than 5,500 coronavirus cases on Friday.
State and local governments need to do more to reduce the coronavirus’ spread, because one of Banner Health’s hospitals is using a refrigerated truck trailer to augment its now full morgue, says Dr. Marjorie Bessel, the hospital chain’s chief clinical officer.
Only 8% of all beds and intensive care unit beds were available, according to the state’s coronavirus dashboard.
The Department of Health Services reported 118 more deaths, increasing the statewide totals to 448,231 confirmed cases and 7,937 confirmed deaths.
___
WASHINGTON — With coronavirus numbers setting new daily records, the nation’s capital is temporarily suspending all indoor dining in restaurants over the holidays.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an executive order Friday night banning indoor dining for three weeks, starting Wednesday at 10 p.m. and extending through Jan. 15.
The District of Columbia will remain in phase two of its reopening plan, and the government described the move as a “holiday pause.”
The order also extends Washington’s public health emergency through March 31 and orders all museums to close. The entire Smithsonian network of museums, which includes the National Zoo, already shut down voluntarily in late November.
___
WASHINGTON — An Army general in charge of COVID-19 vaccines apologized Saturday for “miscommunication” with states on the number of early doses delivered.
Gen. Gustave Perna’s remarks came a day after a second vaccine was added in the fight against the coronavirus. Governors in more than a dozen states says the federal government has told them next week’s shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be less than originally projected.
“I want to take personal responsibility for the miscommunication,” he said. “I know that’s not done much these days. But I am responsible. … This is a herculean effort and we are not perfect.”
Perna says the government now is on track to get approximately 20 million doses to states by the first week of January, a combination of the newly approved Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. He says 2.9 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses have been delivered so far.
The coronavirus has killed more than 313,000 people in the U.S., the highest death toll in the world.
___
LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Christmas gatherings can’t go ahead and non-essential shops must close in London and much of southern England.
Johnson announced the capital and other areas in southern England currently under Tier 3 will move to a stricter Tier 4 that requires non-essential shops, hairdressers and indoor leisure venues to close after the end of business hours Saturday.
Johnson says a planned five-day easing of socializing rules allowing up to three households to meet in “Christmas bubbles” will be canceled for Tier 4 areas. No mixing of households will be allowed except under limited conditions outside in public places.
For the rest of England, people can meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of Dec. 23-27.
U.K. officials reported another 28,507 confirmed cases on Friday and 489 deaths within 28 days of testing positive for the virus.
The U.K. has reported 1.9 million coronavirus cases. It has Europe’s second-highest confirmed COVID-19 death toll at 66,600 and sixth-highest overall.
___
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — An Associated Press analysis shows states spent more than $7 billion this spring buying personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, gowns and ventilators.
California spent the most during the pandemic’s initial months, at least $1.5 billion in the AP’s data, followed by Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington. New York also spent several hundred million dollars on PPE and ventilators through November.
The data was obtained from states through open-records requests. State governments were scrambling for supplies at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Some states paid as much as $11 for individual N95 masks, which previously cost around 50 cents before the pandemic.
Supplies often went to the highest bidder, even if they’d already been promised to someone else. States set up their own fraud tests, rejecting masks that failed to meet safety specifications or lacked medical labeling.
___
BERLIN — Switzerland has approved the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and German pharmaceutical company BioNTech.
The country’s health agency says the vaccine had been approved for the small Alpine country after a careful examination by expert teams. The agency did not say when vaccinations in Switzerland would begin.
The approval comes shortly after Britain, Canada, the United States and other countries allowed the use of the vaccine in their respective countries.
The director of Swissmedic said “Thanks to the rolling process and our flexible teams we could quickly decide and fully accommodate the three most important requirements security, efficacy and quality.”
Raimund Bruhin added that, “The safety of the patients is a required condition especially regarding the approval of vaccines.”
___
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have agreed to a $465 million pandemic spending plan, including relief payments to businesses and workers struggling to stay afloat because of the coronavirus and government restrictions to curb its spread.
The legislation received overwhelming Senate support late Friday and is expected to win House passage on Monday before legislators adjourn for the year. Nearly half of the funding would be used to continue, through March, a maximum 26 weeks of unemployment benefits in a year instead of 20 weeks.
The bill would provide $45 million in assistance to employees who have been laid off or seen their hours cut due to restrictions under a state health department order that has prohibited indoor restaurant dining and closed entertainment venues. A worker could get up to $1,650.
Small businesses affected by the recent orders would receive $55 million in grants — up to $20,000 if they had to close, $15,000 if they partially closed. Certain concert and other live-entertainment sites could qualify for $40,000 as part of a separate $3.5 million grant program.
___
BOSTON — Massachusetts expects to receive 20% fewer doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this year after the federal government reduced its allotment, state officials say.
The state joins more than a dozen others that have been told their vaccine shipments will be smaller than planned in coming weeks. Instead of receiving 180,000, Massachusetts now expects to get 145,000.
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said he hasn’t received an explanation for the cutback.
“We’re certainly frustrated,” Baker said at a COVID-19 briefing on Friday. “We’re working to get clarity on what this means, what happened and how that bump will be dealt with along the way.”
Baker said he expects to get more answers during a call with federal officials next week. Despite the reduced allotment, Baker said he expects the state to have “more than enough” doses in the first months of 2021.
___
NEWARK — New Jersey will start to vaccinate its nursing homes a week later than other states because the state missed a deadline by a day with Operation Warp Speed, the state’s top heath official said Friday.
Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the “sheer volume” of information required for over 650 facilities led the state to miss a Dec. 7 deadline. That means New Jersey won’t begin vaccinations at its long-term care centers until Dec. 28, she said.
New Jersey’s COVID-19 outbreak has ravaged nursing homes, with 7,430 deaths, including residents and staff. That’s about 46% of the overall death toll in the state.


mercurynews--2020-12-20--Mychal Mulder earns 15th and final spot on Warriors roster

With the regular-season opener Tuesday at Brooklyn nearing , the Warriors made their final roster cut Saturday , waiving forward Juan Toscano-Anderson in a move that makes Mychal Mulder the final player on the 15-man roster .
Mulder , 26 , impressed in the preseason with his 3-point shooting , willingness to defend and team-first attitude .
After years on the NBA ’ s fringe , the decision is a testament to Mulder ’ s patience .
On Saturday — the day the Warriors needed to waive Mulder in order to avoid guaranteeing $ 200,000 of his salary — general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kerr met with Mulder to tell him that they ’ d be keeping him on the roster .
“ I was ecstatic , ” Mulder said .
“ It really brought tears to my eyes because it ’ s been a long time of uncertainty .
“ To finally have some good news was really heartwarming.
” After going undrafted out of Kentucky in 2017 , Mulder joined the Chicago Bulls ’ G League affiliate , where he played two seasons before signing with the Miami Heat ’ s G League affiliate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Skyforce , Mulder made nearly 40 % of his 9.8 3-point attempts per game — an average only rivaled in the NBA last season by Portland ’ s Damian Lillard .
In February , the Warriors signed him to a 10-day contract .
Starting in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in March , Mulder scored 18 points in a 118-114 win .
Three days after his breakout performance — and nearly three years after going undrafted — the Warriors signed Mulder to a multi-year , non-guaranteed contract that became partially guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wiseman will be Warriors starting center ‘ before too long ’ • Bay Area native Jeremy Lin is nearing a deal to return to the Warriors • Kurtenbach : The biggest thing we learned about the Warriors in the preseason • Takeaways from the Warriors ’ preseason-ending win against the Kings “ He ’ s on the roster for a reason , ” Kerr said .
“ We really liked him a year ago .
He was able to step in and play at a moment ’ s notice and knock down shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s a reason he ’ s still standing.
” Toscano-Anderson , Kerr said , could still return to the team on a two-way contract if he clears waivers in the coming days .
In 13 games , Toscano-Anderson , 27 , averaged 5.3 points , 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for the Warriors last season .
But , with the need for shooting in the wake of Klay Thompson ’ s season-ending Achilles tear , Mulder became the best option for the final spot on the roster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ role on a Warriors team aiming to return to the playoffs .
Buried on the depth chart behind other guards Stephen Curry , Kent Bazemore , Brad Wanamaker , Damion Lee and Jordan Poole , Mulder ’ s perseverance will again be tested .
“ I ’ m happy to be here today , and it ’ s my job to continue to do what I can to be around tomorrow , ” Mulder said .
“ I ’ m excited to attack it just like that — the same way I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
”

With the regular-season opener Tuesday at Brooklyn nearing, the Warriors made their final roster cut Saturday, waiving forward Juan Toscano-Anderson in a move that makes Mychal Mulder the final player on the 15-man roster.
Mulder, 26, impressed in the preseason with his 3-point shooting, willingness to defend and team-first attitude. After years on the NBA’s fringe, the decision is a testament to Mulder’s patience.
On Saturday — the day the Warriors needed to waive Mulder in order to avoid guaranteeing $200,000 of his salary — general manager Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr met with Mulder to tell him that they’d be keeping him on the roster.
“I was ecstatic,” Mulder said. “It really brought tears to my eyes because it’s been a long time of uncertainty.
“To finally have some good news was really heartwarming.”
After going undrafted out of Kentucky in 2017, Mulder joined the Chicago Bulls’ G League affiliate, where he played two seasons before signing with the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
With the Skyforce, Mulder made nearly 40% of his 9.8 3-point attempts per game — an average only rivaled in the NBA last season by Portland’s Damian Lillard. In February, the Warriors signed him to a 10-day contract.
Starting in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in March, Mulder scored 18 points in a 118-114 win. Three days after his breakout performance — and nearly three years after going undrafted — the Warriors signed Mulder to a multi-year, non-guaranteed contract that became partially guaranteed Saturday. Related Articles Golden State Warriors | Here’s the Warriors’ schedule for NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament
Here’s the Warriors’ schedule for NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament Golden State Warriors | Kurtenbach: What’d I miss? A summer’s worth of takes on the Warriors, Giants, Niners, and Pac-12
Kurtenbach: What’d I miss? A summer’s worth of takes on the Warriors, Giants, Niners, and Pac-12 Golden State Warriors | Former Warriors president Bob Myers joins ESPN as analyst
Former Warriors president Bob Myers joins ESPN as analyst Golden State Warriors | Report: Bob Myers returning to NBA in a different role
Report: Bob Myers returning to NBA in a different role Golden State Warriors | Warriors to face Suns on NBA Opening Night, per report
“He’s on the roster for a reason,” Kerr said. “We really liked him a year ago. He was able to step in and play at a moment’s notice and knock down shots and defend and understand the game plan. There’s a reason he’s still standing.”
Toscano-Anderson, Kerr said, could still return to the team on a two-way contract if he clears waivers in the coming days. In 13 games, Toscano-Anderson, 27, averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for the Warriors last season. But, with the need for shooting in the wake of Klay Thompson’s season-ending Achilles tear, Mulder became the best option for the final spot on the roster.
Now Mulder aims to carve out a role on a Warriors team aiming to return to the playoffs. Buried on the depth chart behind other guards Stephen Curry, Kent Bazemore, Brad Wanamaker, Damion Lee and Jordan Poole, Mulder’s perseverance will again be tested.
“I’m happy to be here today, and it’s my job to continue to do what I can to be around tomorrow,” Mulder said. “I’m excited to attack it just like that — the same way I’ve been attacking this opportunity the whole time.”


mercurynews--2020-12-20--AP sources: Trump floats Sidney Powell as special counsel

By Jonathan Lemire and Jill Colvin | Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump floated naming lawyer Sidney Powell , who was booted from his campaign ’ s legal team after pushing unfounded conspiracy theories , as a special counsel investigating allegations of voter fraud .
During a Friday meeting at the White House , Trump went as far as discussing getting Powell security clearance , according to two people familiar with the meeting , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations .
It is unclear whether Trump intends to move forward with the effort .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not the president , is responsible for appointing special counsels .
And numerous Republicans , from outgoing Attorney General William Barr to governors and state election officials , have said again and again that there is no evidence of the kind of mass voter fraud Trump has been alleging since he lost the Nov. 3 election to Democrat Joe Biden .
That Trump is even entertaining the idea of installing Powell underscores the increasingly desperate steps he has been weighing as he tries to reverse the results of the election and remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories and outlandish ways to stay in office , egged on by allies like former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani , the president ’ s personal attorney .
Indeed , at the meeting , Giuliani pushed Trump to seize voting machines , which the Department of Homeland Security made clear it had no authority to do .
It is also unclear what that would accomplish , given that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security have both looked into the issue .
Paper ballots are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opinion : Ten pieces of good news for the environment in a dismal 2020 • Letters : Array of tools | Seat at the table | Political spending | Weak GOP • Some states told they will receive fewer Pfizer vaccine doses Flynn , whom Trump recently pardoned for lying to the FBI , went even further , discussing the idea of imposing martial law and using the military to re-run the election .
Trump ’ s chief of staff , Mark Meadows , and White House counsel Pat Cipollone voiced their objections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to requests for comment Saturday .

By Jonathan Lemire and Jill Colvin | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump floated naming lawyer Sidney Powell, who was booted from his campaign’s legal team after pushing unfounded conspiracy theories, as a special counsel investigating allegations of voter fraud.
During a Friday meeting at the White House, Trump went as far as discussing getting Powell security clearance, according to two people familiar with the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.
It is unclear whether Trump intends to move forward with the effort. Under federal law, the U.S. attorney general, not the president, is responsible for appointing special counsels. And numerous Republicans, from outgoing Attorney General William Barr to governors and state election officials, have said again and again that there is no evidence of the kind of mass voter fraud Trump has been alleging since he lost the Nov. 3 election to Democrat Joe Biden.
That Trump is even entertaining the idea of installing Powell underscores the increasingly desperate steps he has been weighing as he tries to reverse the results of the election and remain in power. Trump has increasingly entertained conspiracy theories and outlandish ways to stay in office, egged on by allies like former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal attorney.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/11/23/brianna-keilar-rolls-the-tape-sidney-powell-nr-vpx.cnn”]
Indeed, at the meeting, Giuliani pushed Trump to seize voting machines, which the Department of Homeland Security made clear it had no authority to do. It is also unclear what that would accomplish, given that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security have both looked into the issue. Paper ballots are also retained under federal law.
Related Articles National Politics | Opinion: Every American has a stake in seeing Trump’s trial on TV
Opinion: Every American has a stake in seeing Trump’s trial on TV National Politics | Mar-a-Lago property manager De Oliveira pleads not guilty
Mar-a-Lago property manager De Oliveira pleads not guilty National Politics | Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke
Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke National Politics | Prosecutors, defense spar over fate of Hunter Biden gun deal
Prosecutors, defense spar over fate of Hunter Biden gun deal National Politics | GOP rivals prepare for possible Trump-less debate Flynn, whom Trump recently pardoned for lying to the FBI, went even further, discussing the idea of imposing martial law and using the military to re-run the election. Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and White House counsel Pat Cipollone voiced their objections.
Powell and the White House did not respond to requests for comment Saturday.


mercurynews--2020-12-19--Hear that? The Oakland Coliseum officially has a new name

OAKLAND — The home of the Oakland A ’ s is now officially known as RingCentral Coliseum .
A contract approved Friday cleans up after a scandalous saga involving former Coliseum Authority Executive Director Scott McKibben .
In May 2019 , the Coliseum Stadium Authority board approved a $ 3 million , three-year naming rights contract with RingCentral , but before inking the deal , the board learned McKibben had sought a finders fee for negotiating the contract , in violation of state government conflict-of-interest laws .
The deal was put on ice as attorneys for Oakland and Alameda County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Office — investigated McKibben .
However , RingCentral signs went up and radio and TV broadcasts frequently referred to the ballpark as the “ RingCentral Coliseum ” as the A ’ s advanced to the American League playoffs in 2019 and won the AL West in the shortened 2020 season .
Even the Coliseum Authority ’ s own website referenced the Belmont-based company .
McKibben resigned in August 2019 and was later criminally charged with a felony and misdemeanor count of violating state law by seeking a $ 50,000 payment from RingCentral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notified the Coliseum Authority board — which includes officials from the city and county — of invoices McKibben sent seeking payment , kicking off the investigations ) .
State law prohibits public officials from having a financial interest in contracts made by them in their official capacity .
In October , McKibben pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor count , was put on probation and ordered to pay a fine .
He served no jail time .
On Friday , the authority board unanimously approved a new contract , under the leadership of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s City Administrator .
Gardner said to avoid any perception of impropriety , he reopened negotiations with RingCentral executives who were not part of the McKibben deal .
The structuring of the naming rights deal is a sign of the times : RingCentral , which has enjoyed free advertising since last year , will pay $ 450,000 upfront and a monthly payment of $ 15,000 a month during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Once the deadly virus is under control and baseball games and events return to the Coliseum , RingCentral will pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each year over three years .
Opened in 1966 , the stadium was known for three decades as the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum .
Network Associates purchased naming rights in 1998 , three years after the Raiders returned from Los Angeles .
After the company changed its own name , the stadium became known as McAfee Coliseum from 2004 to 2008 .
The stadium was nameless until Overstock.com , or O.co , purchased the rights in 2011 .
O.co terminated the contract in 2016 — although Caltrans signs on the Nimitz freeway say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its original name , without a sponsor .

OAKLAND — The home of the Oakland A’s is now officially known as RingCentral Coliseum.
A contract approved Friday cleans up after a scandalous saga involving former Coliseum Authority Executive Director Scott McKibben. In May 2019, the Coliseum Stadium Authority board approved a $3 million, three-year naming rights contract with RingCentral, but before inking the deal, the board learned McKibben had sought a finders fee for negotiating the contract, in violation of state government conflict-of-interest laws.
The deal was put on ice as attorneys for Oakland and Alameda County — and later the District Attorney’s Office — investigated McKibben. However, RingCentral signs went up and radio and TV broadcasts frequently referred to the ballpark as the “RingCentral Coliseum” as the A’s advanced to the American League playoffs in 2019 and won the AL West in the shortened 2020 season. Even the Coliseum Authority’s own website referenced the Belmont-based company.
McKibben resigned in August 2019 and was later criminally charged with a felony and misdemeanor count of violating state law by seeking a $50,000 payment from RingCentral. (Executives with the company had notified the Coliseum Authority board — which includes officials from the city and county — of invoices McKibben sent seeking payment, kicking off the investigations). State law prohibits public officials from having a financial interest in contracts made by them in their official capacity. In October, McKibben pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor count, was put on probation and ordered to pay a fine. He served no jail time.
(Jane Tyska/Staff Archives) O.co Coliseum, named McAfee Coliseum at the time, and Oracle Arena are seen in this aerial view on Saturday, July 21, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. (Jane Tyska/Staff Archives)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 29: A photo cutout of former Oakland Athletics Coco Crisp fills a seat at the Coliseum prior to a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Colorado Rockies in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CA - OCT. 1: The Oakland Athletics prepare to play the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of Game Three of the American League Wild Card Round at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Cutouts of fan's pets are seen before the Oakland Athletics MLB game against the Houston Astros at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 27: Fan cutouts are seen as Oakland Athletics stand for the national anthem before their MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, July 27, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics fans watch from the field as fireworks explode in the sky after their MLB game against the Houston Astros at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 with a walk-off single in the 13th inning. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 20: A sign saying "Public Not Allowed" is seen before Oakland Athletics Bay Bridge Series game against the San Francisco Giants at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday July 20, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
A view of the Oakland Athletics field is seen from this drone view at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Opening day is on March 29. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
(Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (41) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the the second inning for Game 1 of their American League wild-card playoff series at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 14: A view of the Coliseum is seen after the Oakland Athletics Summer Camp in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Work continues on the Oakland Athletics Treehouse in left field at the Coliseum from this drone view in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The new 10,000-square-foot area, which opens this season, will feature a redwood patio deck with a bar and lounge seating, an interior space in the north end of the Eastside Club and many other features. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Smoky and foggy skies are seen and seem to match cutouts of fans as the Oakland Athletics play the Houston Astros in the second inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. Many wildfires are still burning throughout the state. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 20: Cutouts of fans and players are seen during the sixth inning of the Oakland Athletics versus San Francisco Giants MLB exhibition game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday July 20, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
(Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 9: The Oakland Athletics pitch against the Houston Astros in the second inning at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, August 9, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 27: A cutout of a hot dog vendor is seen in the first inning of the Oakland Athletics MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, July 27, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 5: The Oakland Athletics celebrate their 8-4 win against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning of their American League baseball game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 24: The Oakland Athletics play the Los Angeles Angels in there 7th inning of their home opener at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, July 24, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic fans are not allowed in the ballpark. The 2020 Major League Baseball season was shortened to only 60 regular season games. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Work continues on the Oakland Athletics Treehouse in left field at the Coliseum from this drone view in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The new 10,000-square-foot area, which opens this season, will feature a redwood patio deck with a bar and lounge seating, an interior space in the north end of the Eastside Club and many other features. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAD, CA - JULY 7: Oakland Athletics players practice during an Oakland Athletics Summer Camp workout at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
On Friday, the authority board unanimously approved a new contract, under the leadership of Executive Director Henry Gardner, formerly Oakland’s City Administrator. Gardner said to avoid any perception of impropriety, he reopened negotiations with RingCentral executives who were not part of the McKibben deal.
The structuring of the naming rights deal is a sign of the times: RingCentral, which has enjoyed free advertising since last year, will pay $450,000 upfront and a monthly payment of $15,000 a month during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the deadly virus is under control and baseball games and events return to the Coliseum, RingCentral will pay an annual payment of $1.1 million each year over three years.
Related Articles News | Too many hot dogs at Oakland Coliseum? Lonely vendor at Oakland A’s game disagrees
Too many hot dogs at Oakland Coliseum? Lonely vendor at Oakland A’s game disagrees News | Clendaniel: Oakland A’s John Fisher: the worst owner in MLB history?
Clendaniel: Oakland A’s John Fisher: the worst owner in MLB history? News | Photos: The Coliseum goes to the dogs as Oakland A’s host “Bark in the Park” Opened in 1966, the stadium was known for three decades as the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum. Network Associates purchased naming rights in 1998, three years after the Raiders returned from Los Angeles. After the company changed its own name, the stadium became known as McAfee Coliseum from 2004 to 2008.
The stadium was nameless until Overstock.com, or O.co, purchased the rights in 2011. O.co terminated the contract in 2016 — although Caltrans signs on the Nimitz freeway say otherwise — and the stadium went back to its original name, without a sponsor.


mercurynews--2020-12-19--One family’s virus nightmare reflects deepening US crisis

First , Theresa Pirozzi ’ s 85-year-old dad got sick and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance .
Days later , her mom was so weak she could barely walk .
Now , instead of getting ready for Christmas , Pirozzi is anxiously awaiting updates from the hospital where both of her parents are in intensive care with the coronavirus .
“ I ’ m not putting up decorations in here .
It ’ s just not right , right now , ” Pirozzi said from her parents ’ home in Oak Park , California .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The couple are emblematic of the crisis deepening at an alarming rate in California , where hospitals are being stretched to their limits as the virus explodes across the state .
Nearly 17,000 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections as of Friday and a state model that uses current data to forecast future trends shows the number could reach an unfathomable 75,000 by mid-January .
With California ’ s more than 48,000 new cases leading the way , the United States as a whole added a record 249,709 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University reported Saturday .
The death toll now stands at more than 315,000 .
Texas , Florida , New York and Tennessee all recorded more than 10,400 new cases each .
Over the past two weeks , the seven-day rolling average for new cases in the U.S. jumped to 219,324 daily from 183,787 , an increase of almost 20 % .
Cases were on the rise before Thanksgiving , and holiday gatherings sent them even higher .
Health officials now fear the increase will only be compounded through Christmas and New Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials say , people tired of wearing face masks and staying away from others are simply disregarding suggested precautions .
While federal regulators have approved two vaccines to combat the illness and doses already have been given to thousands of people , mainly health care workers , widespread vaccinations for the general public aren ’ t expected before spring .
Several states have said the federal government told them that next week ’ s shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be smaller than originally projected .
The Army general in charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologized Saturday for “ miscommunication ” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution .
Of the more than 272,000 shots of the Pfizer vaccine that had been given as of Saturday morning , U.S. health officials said they had seen six cases of severe allergic reaction .
One of the half-dozen people had a history of vaccination reactions , they said .
In a potential complication , England ’ s chief medical officer , Chris Whitty , said Saturday the U.K. had informed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new variant of the coronavirus can spread more rapidly .
Britain ’ s health secretary said this week that the new variant was believed to be linked to the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in south and southeastern England .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed stricter restrictions on the region Saturday , meaning millions must cancel Christmas get-togethers and most shops have to close in London before the holiday .
New but less stringent restrictions were imposed on the U.S. capital , with indoor dining in restaurants banned starting next week through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state are buckling under a surge of patients and morgue space is running low .
Hospitals are running out of intensive care unit beds and patients are being cared for at several overflow locations .
In some places , the sick are being triaged in tents and ambulances are backing up outside emergency rooms because there is nowhere to put patients .
When Pirozzi ’ s father , Jerry , arrived at the Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousands Oaks , it was so packed with patients that he had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before an intensive care bed opened up , Pirozzi said .
She kept calling the hospital , but ER nurses told her they had no rooms , she said .
“ I ’ m sure that was very difficult for him , being confused , not being able to breathe , being alone , ” Pirozzi said .
“ They ’ re doing the best they can , but they are just completely stressed and overworked.
” Her mother , Shirley , was taken to the same hospital four days later and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Pirozzi said her family hasn ’ t told Jerry that his wife of more than 57 years is also hospitalized ; she fears that would only make him worse .
“ I want him to be a little stronger so it doesn ’ t roll him backwards , ” she said .
“ Because I know all he cares about is his bride.
” Pirozzi said both of her parents have been having panic attacks .
Since family members can ’ t visit , she has been delivering written notes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to read to them .
• Marin hospitals brace for surge with ICU availability at 0 % She pleaded with the public to take the virus seriously .
“ I wouldn ’ t wish this on my worst enemy , having them both go down within five or seven days of each other , ” she said .
“ Do whatever you can to protect yourself because you don ’ t want to have this happen to you.
” Richer reported from Boston .
Associated Press writer Jay Reeves in Birmingham , Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @

By Alanna Durkin Richer | Associated Press
First, Theresa Pirozzi’s 85-year-old dad got sick and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. Days later, her mom was so weak she could barely walk. Now, instead of getting ready for Christmas, Pirozzi is anxiously awaiting updates from the hospital where both of her parents are in intensive care with the coronavirus.
“I’m not putting up decorations in here. It’s just not right, right now,” Pirozzi said from her parents’ home in Oak Park, California. “I’m physically ill from worry.”
The couple are emblematic of the crisis deepening at an alarming rate in California, where hospitals are being stretched to their limits as the virus explodes across the state. Nearly 17,000 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections as of Friday and a state model that uses current data to forecast future trends shows the number could reach an unfathomable 75,000 by mid-January.
With California’s more than 48,000 new cases leading the way, the United States as a whole added a record 249,709 new cases of COVID-19 in one day, Johns Hopkins University reported Saturday. The death toll now stands at more than 315,000.
Texas, Florida, New York and Tennessee all recorded more than 10,400 new cases each. Over the past two weeks, the seven-day rolling average for new cases in the U.S. jumped to 219,324 daily from 183,787, an increase of almost 20%.
[vemba-video id=”health/2020/12/19/color-of-covid-the-vaccines-full-town-hall-december-18-2020-sot.cnn”]
Cases were on the rise before Thanksgiving, and holiday gatherings sent them even higher. Health officials now fear the increase will only be compounded through Christmas and New Year’s. In many places, health officials say, people tired of wearing face masks and staying away from others are simply disregarding suggested precautions.
While federal regulators have approved two vaccines to combat the illness and doses already have been given to thousands of people, mainly health care workers, widespread vaccinations for the general public aren’t expected before spring.
Several states have said the federal government told them that next week’s shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be smaller than originally projected. The Army general in charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines out across the U.S. apologized Saturday for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution.
Of the more than 272,000 shots of the Pfizer vaccine that had been given as of Saturday morning, U.S. health officials said they had seen six cases of severe allergic reaction. One of the half-dozen people had a history of vaccination reactions, they said.
In a potential complication, England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said Saturday the U.K. had informed the World Health Organization that officials believe a new variant of the coronavirus can spread more rapidly. Britain’s health secretary said this week that the new variant was believed to be linked to the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in south and southeastern England.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed stricter restrictions on the region Saturday, meaning millions must cancel Christmas get-togethers and most shops have to close in London before the holiday. New but less stringent restrictions were imposed on the U.S. capital, with indoor dining in restaurants banned starting next week through mid-January.
In California, hospitals across the state are buckling under a surge of patients and morgue space is running low. Hospitals are running out of intensive care unit beds and patients are being cared for at several overflow locations. In some places, the sick are being triaged in tents and ambulances are backing up outside emergency rooms because there is nowhere to put patients.
When Pirozzi’s father, Jerry, arrived at the Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousands Oaks, it was so packed with patients that he had to spend two days in the emergency room before an intensive care bed opened up, Pirozzi said. She kept calling the hospital, but ER nurses told her they had no rooms, she said.
“I’m sure that was very difficult for him, being confused, not being able to breathe, being alone,” Pirozzi said. “They’re doing the best they can, but they are just completely stressed and overworked.”
Her mother, Shirley, was taken to the same hospital four days later and was moved into a separate room, she said. Pirozzi said her family hasn’t told Jerry that his wife of more than 57 years is also hospitalized; she fears that would only make him worse.
“I want him to be a little stronger so it doesn’t roll him backwards,” she said. “Because I know all he cares about is his bride.”
Pirozzi said both of her parents have been having panic attacks. Since family members can’t visit, she has been delivering written notes in a plastic bag that she asks nurses to read to them.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge She pleaded with the public to take the virus seriously.
“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, having them both go down within five or seven days of each other,” she said. “Do whatever you can to protect yourself because you don’t want to have this happen to you.”
Richer reported from Boston. Associated Press writer Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama, contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-19--Biden introduces his climate team, says ‘no time to waste’

WILMINGTON , Del .
— Just as the United States has needed a unified , national response to COVID-19 , it needs one for dealing with climate change , President-elect Joe Biden said Saturday as he rolled out key members of his environmental team .
“ We literally have no time to waste , ” Biden told reporters as introduced his choices .
The approach is a shift from Donald Trump ’ s presidency , which has been marked by efforts to boost oil and gas production while rolling back government efforts intended to safeguard the environment .
The incoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block many of the current administration ’ s initiatives .
There also will be an emphasis on looking out for the low-income , working class and minority communities hit hardest by fossil fuel pollution and climate change .
In his remarks , Biden stressed the diversity of an emerging team that he described as “ brilliant , qualified , tested and they are barrier-busting.
” “ Already there are more people of color in our Cabinet than any Cabinet ever , more women than ever , ” said the former vice president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of department leaders who reflect the diversity of America .
The nominees Biden introduced Saturday had compelling personal stories that they cited as guiding them if confirmed by the Senate .
New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland would be the first Native American to lead the Interior Department , which has wielded influence over the nation ’ s tribes for generations .
She said her life has not been easy .
She struggled with homelessness and relied on food stamps at one point .
“ This moment is profound when we consider the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once proclaimed his goal , was to quote , ‘ civilize or exterminate ’ us , ” Haaland said .
“ I ’ m a living testament to the failure of that horrific ideology.
” Haaland was referring to Alexander H.H .
Stuart , who said that in 1851 .
Former two-term Michigan Gov .
Jennifer Granholm is in line to be energy secretary .
She described arriving in the U.S. at age 4 and brought from Canada by a family “ seeking opportunity.
” She said her father found work as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bank .
“ It ’ s because of my family ’ s journey and my experience in fighting for hardworking Michigan families that I have become obsessed , obsessed with gaining good-paying jobs in America in a global economy , ” Granholm said .
North Carolina official Michael Regan would be the first African American man to run the Environmental Protection Agency .
Regan , the state environmental head since 2017 , has made a name for himself by pursuing cleanups of industrial toxins and helping the low-income and minority communities significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew up in North Carolina hunting and fishing with his father and grandfather and that he has great respect for the outdoors and the country ’ s natural resources , but he also had a respiratory condition that required him to use an inhaler .
“ Since the start of my career , my goals have been the same , ” Regan said .
“ To safeguard our natural resources , to improve the quality of our air and water , to protect our families and our communities , and to help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthier world.
” Biden ’ s nominee to oversee the Council on Environmental Quality is Brenda Mallory .
The office oversees environmental reviews for virtually all major infrastructure projects and advises the president on major environmental issues .
If confirmed , she would be the first African American to hold the position since it was created more than half a century ago .
• Opinion : Ten pieces of good news for the environment in a dismal 2020 • Letters : Array of tools | Seat at the table | Political spending | @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team introduced Saturday do not need Senate confirmation .
They are Gina McCarthy , to serve as national climate adviser , and Ali Zaidi , to serve as her deputy .
McCarthy was EPA administrator from 2013 to 2017 during President Barack Obama ’ s second term .
Associated Press staff writers Ellen Knickmeyer , Jill Colvin and Matthew Daly contributed to this report .

By Kevin Freking | Associated Press
WILMINGTON, Del. — Just as the United States has needed a unified, national response to COVID-19, it needs one for dealing with climate change, President-elect Joe Biden said Saturday as he rolled out key members of his environmental team.
“We literally have no time to waste,” Biden told reporters as introduced his choices.
The approach is a shift from Donald Trump’s presidency, which has been marked by efforts to boost oil and gas production while rolling back government efforts intended to safeguard the environment. The incoming Biden team will try to undo or block many of the current administration’s initiatives. There also will be an emphasis on looking out for the low-income, working class and minority communities hit hardest by fossil fuel pollution and climate change.
In his remarks, Biden stressed the diversity of an emerging team that he described as “brilliant, qualified, tested and they are barrier-busting.”
“Already there are more people of color in our Cabinet than any Cabinet ever, more women than ever,” said the former vice president, who has promised to assemble a group of department leaders who reflect the diversity of America.
The nominees Biden introduced Saturday had compelling personal stories that they cited as guiding them if confirmed by the Senate.
New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland would be the first Native American to lead the Interior Department, which has wielded influence over the nation’s tribes for generations. She said her life has not been easy. She struggled with homelessness and relied on food stamps at one point.
“This moment is profound when we consider the fact that a former secretary of the Interior once proclaimed his goal, was to quote, ‘civilize or exterminate’ us,” Haaland said. “I’m a living testament to the failure of that horrific ideology.”
Haaland was referring to Alexander H.H. Stuart, who said that in 1851.
Former two-term Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is in line to be energy secretary. She described arriving in the U.S. at age 4 and brought from Canada by a family “seeking opportunity.” She said her father found work as a bank teller and retired as head of the bank.
“It’s because of my family’s journey and my experience in fighting for hardworking Michigan families that I have become obsessed, obsessed with gaining good-paying jobs in America in a global economy,” Granholm said.
North Carolina official Michael Regan would be the first African American man to run the Environmental Protection Agency. Regan, the state environmental head since 2017, has made a name for himself by pursuing cleanups of industrial toxins and helping the low-income and minority communities significantly affected by pollution.
Regan said he grew up in North Carolina hunting and fishing with his father and grandfather and that he has great respect for the outdoors and the country’s natural resources, but he also had a respiratory condition that required him to use an inhaler.
“Since the start of my career, my goals have been the same,” Regan said. “To safeguard our natural resources, to improve the quality of our air and water, to protect our families and our communities, and to help them see the opportunities of a cleaner, healthier world.”
Biden’s nominee to oversee the Council on Environmental Quality is Brenda Mallory. The office oversees environmental reviews for virtually all major infrastructure projects and advises the president on major environmental issues. If confirmed, she would be the first African American to hold the position since it was created more than half a century ago.
Related Articles National Politics | Bay Area youth who grew up with the climate movement celebrate landmark Montana case
Bay Area youth who grew up with the climate movement celebrate landmark Montana case National Politics | Sailboat stays stuck at Stinson Beach as owner works to remove it
Sailboat stays stuck at Stinson Beach as owner works to remove it National Politics | Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances
Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances National Politics | Castle Rock State Park to expand in size due to rare state land purchase
Castle Rock State Park to expand in size due to rare state land purchase National Politics | Cupertino quarry won’t restart cement production after entering into legal agreement with Santa Clara County Two other members of the team introduced Saturday do not need Senate confirmation. They are Gina McCarthy, to serve as national climate adviser, and Ali Zaidi, to serve as her deputy. McCarthy was EPA administrator from 2013 to 2017 during President Barack Obama’s second term.
Associated Press staff writers Ellen Knickmeyer, Jill Colvin and Matthew Daly contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-19--Steve Kerr: James Wiseman will be Warriors starting center ‘before too long’

Even if James Wiseman does not start at center for the Warriors in Tuesday ’ s season opener , head coach Steve Kerr said Wiseman will be the team ’ s regular starter “ before too long.
” “ Clearly he is our long-term starting center , ” Kerr said Saturday .
“ When we feel that he ’ s ready for that , then we ’ ll put him out there.
” Wiseman , the No .
2 pick in the draft , will likely make his Warriors debut Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets .
Wiseman did not play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games after testing positive for the coronavirus prior to training camp .
Meanwhile , forward Draymond Green is doubtful to play Tuesday after suffering a mild muscle strain to his right foot in Friday ’ s scrimmage .
An MRI did not show a serious injury , and he will accompany the Warriors on their upcoming four-game trip .
Like Wiseman , Green did not play in either of Golden State ’ s preseason games .
After missing all of training camp , Wiseman returned to practice this week and participated in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a run with guard Stephen Curry and the other starters .
The Warriors have been impressed with his size , athleticism and intelligence .
“ He just looked like he picked a lot of things up in the last few days , ” said Kerr , who has been instructing the rookie to play with more patience in recent practices .
“ Even though there was a ton of energy , there was less wild energy .
There was more of an awareness.
” If Wiseman does not start Tuesday , Kerr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be named the opening-night starter .
Kevon Looney started all three preseason games , but Marquese Chriss — who started in his final 18 games last season — got the start in the second half against the Kings Thursday .
The overall rotation will factor into Kerr ’ s decision .
“ Both ( Looney ) and Marquese play well with Steph .
They ’ re both really good pick-and-roll players , ” Kerr said .
“ I ’ ll probably take a look at what the rotation would be in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prefer to have out there.
” • Bay Area native Jeremy Lin is nearing a deal to return to the Warriors • Kurtenbach : The biggest thing we learned about the Warriors in the preseason • Takeaways from the Warriors ’ preseason-ending win against the Kings

Even if James Wiseman does not start at center for the Warriors in Tuesday’s season opener, head coach Steve Kerr said Wiseman will be the team’s regular starter “before too long.”
“Clearly he is our long-term starting center,” Kerr said Saturday. “When we feel that he’s ready for that, then we’ll put him out there.”
Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the draft, will likely make his Warriors debut Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets. Wiseman did not play in Golden State’s three preseason games after testing positive for the coronavirus prior to training camp.
Meanwhile, forward Draymond Green is doubtful to play Tuesday after suffering a mild muscle strain to his right foot in Friday’s scrimmage. An MRI did not show a serious injury, and he will accompany the Warriors on their upcoming four-game trip. Like Wiseman, Green did not play in either of Golden State’s preseason games.
After missing all of training camp, Wiseman returned to practice this week and participated in his first full scrimmage Friday, when he got a run with guard Stephen Curry and the other starters. The Warriors have been impressed with his size, athleticism and intelligence.
“He just looked like he picked a lot of things up in the last few days,” said Kerr, who has been instructing the rookie to play with more patience in recent practices. “Even though there was a ton of energy, there was less wild energy. There was more of an awareness.”
If Wiseman does not start Tuesday, Kerr said, it’s unclear who will be named the opening-night starter. Kevon Looney started all three preseason games, but Marquese Chriss — who started in his final 18 games last season — got the start in the second half against the Kings Thursday. The overall rotation will factor into Kerr’s decision.


mercurynews--2020-12-20--Brooks: Mark Shields and the best of American liberalism

Every Friday evening for the last 19 years , Mark Shields and I have gathered to talk politics on the “ PBS NewsHour.
” When people come up to me to discuss our segment , sometimes they mention the things we said to each other , but more often they mention how we clearly feel about each other — the affection , friendship and respect .
We ’ ve had thousands of disagreements over the years but never a second of acrimony .
Mark radiates a generosity of spirit that improves all who come within his light .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years total on the show , Mark announced he was stepping back from his regular duties .
Friday was our final regular segment together .
I want to not only pay tribute to him here but also to capture his conception of politics , because it ’ s different from the conception many people carry in their heads these days .
We are all imprinted as children and young adults with certain ideas about the world , which stay with us for the rest of our lives .
Mark , like many who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1960s — including Joe Biden — was imprinted with the idea that politics is a deeply noble profession , a form of service , a vocation .
Mark ’ s father was the first Catholic to serve on their town ’ s school board .
The first time he saw his mother cry was when Adlai Stevenson lost to Dwight Eisenhower .
Mark went off to Notre Dame and then served in the Marine Corps , before working as a congressional aide .
This was the mid- ’ 60s .
Evidence that government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill had worked , though mostly for whites .
Mark had served with Black Marines because Harry Truman had the courage to integrate the military .
Mark saw the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 , the Fair Housing Act of 1968 .
There was never a moment when passing this stuff was easy , but everybody took for granted the legitimacy of the system , treasured the country and the way it worked .
“ The two hallmarks of American politics are optimism and pragmatism , ” Mark told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of FDR , JFK and Ronald Reagan .
To this day Mark argues that politics is about looking for converts , not punishing heretics .
You pass bills and win campaigns by bending to accommodate those whose votes can be gotten .
He went on to work on and run political campaigns , for people like Bobby Kennedy and Ed Muskie .
He came to deeply respect those he worked to elect , including presidential candidate Mo Udall : “ Just a great human being.
” Vice-presidential candidate Sargent Shriver : “ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any candidate I have known .
His kids revered him.
” And Gov .
Jack Gilligan of Ohio : He “ believed in us more than we believed in ourselves.
” After decades in journalism , Mark still puts the character lens before the partisan lens .
He has been quick to criticize Democrats when they are snobbish , dishonest or fail to live up to the standards of basic decency — often infuriating some of our viewers .
I don ’ t know if it was midcentury liberalism or the midcentury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Mark instinctively identifies with the underdog .
Every year he invites me to do an event with him with Catholic social workers .
These are people who serve the poor and live among the poor .
They have really inexpensive clothing and really radiant faces , and in their lives you see the embodiment of an entire moral system , Catholic social teaching , which has its service arm and , in Mark , its political and journalistic arm .
He comes from a generation that highly prized egalitarian manners : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and nobody is better than me .
Like Biden , condescension is foreign to his nature .
As everybody at the “ NewsHour ” can attest , he treats everybody with equal kindness .
He also comes from a generation in which military service was widespread , along with a sense of shared sacrifice .
I look at Mark ’ s constellation of values and worry that they are fading away .
He doesn ’ t buy that decline narrative : “ I ’ m more optimistic than I have been .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at celebrating our successes.
” When you work with somebody this long you remember little things — the way he pops chocolates into his mouth during late-night campaign coverage — and the big emotional moments , watching , on set , the first footage of bodies floating after Katrina .
One story sticks in my mind .
In 2004 , the Red Sox fell behind the New York Yankees three games to none in the American League Championship Series .
The Sox miraculously won the next four games and took the series .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ games , including the final one at Yankee Stadium .
After that game Mark lingered in his seat .
Memories flooded over him as sweet tears flowed — a lifetime of games with his mother and father , this magnificent victory they never got to see , the century of heartbreaks now overcome .
Mark and the other Sox fans just sat there , refusing to leave , absorbing this new victorious feeling , a hint of justice in the universe .
I like to think that was God ’ s way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and faithful servant .
”

Every Friday evening for the last 19 years, Mark Shields and I have gathered to talk politics on the “PBS NewsHour.” When people come up to me to discuss our segment, sometimes they mention the things we said to each other, but more often they mention how we clearly feel about each other — the affection, friendship and respect. We’ve had thousands of disagreements over the years but never a second of acrimony. Mark radiates a generosity of spirit that improves all who come within his light.
Last week, at 83, and after 33 years total on the show, Mark announced he was stepping back from his regular duties. Friday was our final regular segment together. I want to not only pay tribute to him here but also to capture his conception of politics, because it’s different from the conception many people carry in their heads these days.
We are all imprinted as children and young adults with certain ideas about the world, which stay with us for the rest of our lives. Mark, like many who came of age in the 1950s and 1960s — including Joe Biden — was imprinted with the idea that politics is a deeply noble profession, a form of service, a vocation.
Mark’s father was the first Catholic to serve on their town’s school board. The first time he saw his mother cry was when Adlai Stevenson lost to Dwight Eisenhower. Mark went off to Notre Dame and then served in the Marine Corps, before working as a congressional aide.
This was the mid-’60s. Evidence that government worked was all around. The GI Bill had worked, though mostly for whites. Mark had served with Black Marines because Harry Truman had the courage to integrate the military. Mark saw the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
There was never a moment when passing this stuff was easy, but everybody took for granted the legitimacy of the system, treasured the country and the way it worked. “The two hallmarks of American politics are optimism and pragmatism,” Mark told me this week, pointing to the optimism of FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.
To this day Mark argues that politics is about looking for converts, not punishing heretics. You pass bills and win campaigns by bending to accommodate those whose votes can be gotten.
He went on to work on and run political campaigns, for people like Bobby Kennedy and Ed Muskie. He came to deeply respect those he worked to elect, including presidential candidate Mo Udall: “Just a great human being.” Vice-presidential candidate Sargent Shriver: “He had the best relations with his family of any candidate I have known. His kids revered him.” And Gov. Jack Gilligan of Ohio: He “believed in us more than we believed in ourselves.”
After decades in journalism, Mark still puts the character lens before the partisan lens. He has been quick to criticize Democrats when they are snobbish, dishonest or fail to live up to the standards of basic decency — often infuriating some of our viewers.
I don’t know if it was midcentury liberalism or the midcentury record of the Boston Red Sox, but Mark instinctively identifies with the underdog. Every year he invites me to do an event with him with Catholic social workers. These are people who serve the poor and live among the poor. They have really inexpensive clothing and really radiant faces, and in their lives you see the embodiment of an entire moral system, Catholic social teaching, which has its service arm and, in Mark, its political and journalistic arm.
He comes from a generation that highly prized egalitarian manners: I’m no better than anyone else, and nobody is better than me. Like Biden, condescension is foreign to his nature. As everybody at the “NewsHour” can attest, he treats everybody with equal kindness. He also comes from a generation in which military service was widespread, along with a sense of shared sacrifice.
I look at Mark’s constellation of values and worry that they are fading away. He doesn’t buy that decline narrative: “I’m more optimistic than I have been. We have to do a little better at celebrating our successes.”
When you work with somebody this long you remember little things — the way he pops chocolates into his mouth during late-night campaign coverage — and the big emotional moments, watching, on set, the first footage of bodies floating after Katrina.
One story sticks in my mind. In 2004, the Red Sox fell behind the New York Yankees three games to none in the American League Championship Series. The Sox miraculously won the next four games and took the series. Mark went to a bunch of those games, including the final one at Yankee Stadium.
After that game Mark lingered in his seat. Memories flooded over him as sweet tears flowed — a lifetime of games with his mother and father, this magnificent victory they never got to see, the century of heartbreaks now overcome. Mark and the other Sox fans just sat there, refusing to leave, absorbing this new victorious feeling, a hint of justice in the universe.
I like to think that was God’s way of saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
David Brooks is a New York Times columnist.


Bridge: Dec. 20, 2020

“ A long time ago , in a Galilee far , far away … ” A holiday message on a sign beside a church in my town .
Contract began almost 100 years ago in 1925 , the descendant of games such as whist and auction bridge .
It ’ s hard for me to believe that I discovered the game 53 years ago and have been involved for over half of its lifetime .
( Actually , it ’ s been longer ; I remember playing three-handed “ bridge ” with my parents when I was a kid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled with memorable deals .
I found today ’ s deal in the archives of my colleague Alfred Sheinwold .
He published it on June 7 , 1954 .
( “ Sheinwold on Bridge ” began several years later ; Sheinwold ghosted for other columns . )
The setting was a big tournament in Monte Carlo , and South was Howard Schenken , an all-time great .
He opened one heart , and when North raised to two , Schenken leaped to game .
( They bid ’ em up in those days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs , and with both trumps and diamonds breaking badly , declarer looked headed for down at least one .
Schenken ducked the first club , won the next with the ace and led a diamond from dummy .
When East followed with the four , Schenken played the eight .
West won with the nine and had no more clubs .
He shifted to a spade .
Schenken won and took the A-Q of trumps .
He ruffed a spade and cashed the K-A of diamonds .
When East couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dummy and ruffed another spade for his ninth trick .
He still had the king of trumps to fulfill the contract .
It was a remarkable masterpiece of timing .

“A long time ago, in a Galilee far, far away …” A holiday message on a sign beside a church in my town.
Contract began almost 100 years ago in 1925, the descendant of games such as whist and auction bridge. It’s hard for me to believe that I discovered the game 53 years ago and have been involved for over half of its lifetime. (Actually, it’s been longer; I remember playing three-handed “bridge” with my parents when I was a kid.)
The game’s history is filled with memorable deals. I found today’s deal in the archives of my colleague Alfred Sheinwold. He published it on June 7, 1954. (“Sheinwold on Bridge” began several years later; Sheinwold ghosted for other columns.)
The setting was a big tournament in Monte Carlo, and South was Howard Schenken, an all-time great. He opened one heart, and when North raised to two, Schenken leaped to game. (They bid ’em up in those days.) West led the jack of clubs, and with both trumps and diamonds breaking badly, declarer looked headed for down at least one.
Schenken ducked the first club, won the next with the ace and led a diamond from dummy. When East followed with the four, Schenken played the eight. West won with the nine and had no more clubs. He shifted to a spade.
Schenken won and took the A-Q of trumps. He ruffed a spade and cashed the K-A of diamonds. When East couldn’t ruff, Schenken ruffed his last diamond in dummy and ruffed another spade for his ninth trick. He still had the king of trumps to fulfill the contract. It was a remarkable masterpiece of timing.
South dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S 8 6 3 2
H Q 5 4
D K 6 2
C A 7 3
WEST
S K J 7
H J 10 7 2
D Q 10 9 7
C J 10
EAST
S Q 10 9 5 4
H 8
D J 4
C K Q 9 6 4
SOUTH
S A
H A K 9 6 3
D A 8 5 3
C 8 5 2
South West North East
1 H Pass 2 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — C J
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Word Game: Dec. 20, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — RESILIENCE ( RESILIENCE : rih-ZIL-yens : The ability to recover quickly from illness , misfortune , etc . )
Can you find 64 or more words in RESILIENCE ?
TODAY ’ S WORD — RESILIENCE recline reel rein relic relies resile resin rice rile rinse rise risen eerie else ensile erne scene scree screen secern seen seer seine senile sere serene silence silencer since sincere sine sire siren slice slicer slier sneer icier incise irenic iris isle leer lenis lens lice license licensee licenser lien line liner linier lire nice nicer niece nisei cense censer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — RESILIENCE (RESILIENCE: rih-ZIL-yens: The ability to recover quickly from illness, misfortune, etc.)
Average mark 42 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 64 or more words in RESILIENCE?
TODAY’S WORD — RESILIENCE recline reel rein relic relies resile resin rice rile
rinse rise risen eerie else ensile erne scene scree screen secern seen seer seine
senile sere serene silence silencer since sincere sine sire siren slice slicer slier
sneer icier incise irenic iris isle leer lenis lens lice license licensee licenser lien line
liner linier lire nice nicer niece nisei cense censer cerise cire creel cries
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.