washingtontimes--2020-12-14--AP-NORC poll: America's virus concerns stable as cases spike

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - Deaths from the coronavirus pandemic are spiking across the country , yet a new poll finds little increase in alarm among Americans about COVID-19 infections and no significant change in opinion about how the government should act to slow the spread .
The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds about 4 in 10 Americans say they are extremely or very worried about themselves or a family member being infected with the virus , about the same as in October and slightly lower than in surveys conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majorities continue to favor requirements that people wear masks and limit the size of gatherings .
The risks of infection are greater than ever across broad swaths of the country - more than 1 million people tested positive for the coronavirus over five days last week .
The surge has led to record numbers of daily virus deaths as the U.S. nears 300,000 people dying from the virus over the course of the pandemic .
The nation ’ s top health officials have pleaded with Americans to redouble their efforts to prevent infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-quarters of Americans say they ’ re at least somewhat worried about the virus , a figure that ’ s about the same as in October .
In March and then again in July , about half of Americans were highly worried .
“ We know our risks .
We see what ’ s happening .
We see people dying , ” said Sarah Totta , a 36-year-old from Kansas City , Missouri .
“ But to be honest , I think we knew this was coming in the winter , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks.
” Support for stay-at-home orders peaked in April , with about 8 in 10 in favor , and has steadily dipped since .
Fifty percent now support requiring Americans to stay home except for essential errands , up somewhat from 44 % in October .
Now 45 % favor closing bars and restaurants , just slightly higher than 41 % two months ago .
About a third of Americans oppose both steps .
Totta , a Republican , viewed forced closures as a last resort to be taken only when hospitals become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that governments take an “ empowering rather than controlling ” approach but acknowledged her area could have benefited from a lockdown in the fall as the Midwest saw case counts rise .
The survey ’ s findings highlight the stark differences between how Republicans and Democrats view the pandemic .
Concern about the virus and support for restrictions remain overwhelming among Democrats .
About 9 in 10 are at least somewhat worried about infections , compared with about 6 in 10 Republicans .
As California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the spring to try to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with patients , 26-year-old Lisa Main , who works in sales at a hotel , worried what effect it would have on the economy .
“ In complete honesty , I think this pandemic is kind of blown out of proportion , ” said Main , who is a Republican .
“ I went to a wedding , and no one ’ s gotten sick from that.
” Meanwhile , Republican South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem has derided mask mandates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s highest rate of deaths per capita in recent weeks .
To defend her approach , Noem has pointed out that the virus is running rampant even in states where Democratic governors such as Newsom have issued strict orders .
“ I hate that the coronavirus has turned political , but it has , ” Totta said .
In Florida , where Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis has stridently opposed ordering bars and restaurants to close , 26-year-old Lewis Venegas , an independent , felt frustrated at seeing cases increase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said it ’ s impossible to stay socially distanced from people at the Walmart store in Miami where he works , though most people wear masks .
The fears of the pandemic have at times become overwhelming , he said : “ I got to the point where I was so scared that I just started crying uncontrollably.
” Support for requirements that would limit interactions still has broad support from Americans overall .
Roughly two-thirds favor restricting gatherings to 10 people or fewer .
And three-quarters favor requiring people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes .
About 9 in 10 Democrats support a mask mandate and a limit on the size of gatherings .
About three-quarters support stay-home orders , up somewhat from about 6 in 10 in October .
And 66 % think bars and restaurants should be closed , an uptick from 56 % two months ago .
About 6 in 10 Republicans oppose stay-home orders and bar and restaurant closures .
A slim majority , 55 % , support a mask mandate , while 26 % are opposed .
Opposition to stay-home orders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closures has grown steadily among Republicans over the course of the pandemic .
In some pockets of the West and Midwest , where a fall wave of cases has been particularly devastating , arguments over mask mandates have turned ugly .
Local officials have faced threats and protests as they grappled with ways to slow infections .
“ I just don ’ t like being told what to do , ” said Fred Carrigan , a 58-year-old from Portland , Indiana , who expressed a deep distrust of any government action .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are now working to convince millions of Americans that forthcoming vaccines are safe and effective .
Experts estimate at least 70 % of the U.S. population needs to be vaccinated to hold the virus in check , but the survey found that only about half of Americans are ready to get the shots when they become available .
But for Jill VonOhlen , 72 , the vaccine presented some light at the end of a long , and at times dark , year .
“ I ’ m absolutely amazed that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have that really does give me hope , ” she said .
“ I ’ ll be first in line , no doubt .
I ’ ll just have to hear that ( Dr. Anthony ) Fauci or someone says it ’ s OK. ’ ” The AP-NORC poll of 1,117 adults was conducted Dec. 3-7 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.9 @ @ @

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Deaths from the coronavirus pandemic are spiking across the country, yet a new poll finds little increase in alarm among Americans about COVID-19 infections and no significant change in opinion about how the government should act to slow the spread.
The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds about 4 in 10 Americans say they are extremely or very worried about themselves or a family member being infected with the virus, about the same as in October and slightly lower than in surveys conducted in March and in July. Stable majorities continue to favor requirements that people wear masks and limit the size of gatherings.
The risks of infection are greater than ever across broad swaths of the country - more than 1 million people tested positive for the coronavirus over five days last week. The surge has led to record numbers of daily virus deaths as the U.S. nears 300,000 people dying from the virus over the course of the pandemic.
The nation’s top health officials have pleaded with Americans to redouble their efforts to prevent infections, especially during the holidays. Roughly three-quarters of Americans say they’re at least somewhat worried about the virus, a figure that’s about the same as in October. In March and then again in July, about half of Americans were highly worried.
“We know our risks. We see what’s happening. We see people dying,” said Sarah Totta, a 36-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri. “But to be honest, I think we knew this was coming in the winter, and I just think you have to manage the risks.”
Support for stay-at-home orders peaked in April, with about 8 in 10 in favor, and has steadily dipped since. Fifty percent now support requiring Americans to stay home except for essential errands, up somewhat from 44% in October. Now 45% favor closing bars and restaurants, just slightly higher than 41% two months ago. About a third of Americans oppose both steps.
Totta, a Republican, viewed forced closures as a last resort to be taken only when hospitals become overburdened. She said she would prefer that governments take an “empowering rather than controlling” approach but acknowledged her area could have benefited from a lockdown in the fall as the Midwest saw case counts rise.
The survey’s findings highlight the stark differences between how Republicans and Democrats view the pandemic. Concern about the virus and support for restrictions remain overwhelming among Democrats. About 9 in 10 are at least somewhat worried about infections, compared with about 6 in 10 Republicans.
As California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, this month took his most aggressive actions since the spring to try to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with patients, 26-year-old Lisa Main, who works in sales at a hotel, worried what effect it would have on the economy.
“In complete honesty, I think this pandemic is kind of blown out of proportion,” said Main, who is a Republican. “I went to a wedding, and no one’s gotten sick from that.”
Meanwhile, Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has derided mask mandates, even as her state suffers through the nation’s highest rate of deaths per capita in recent weeks. To defend her approach, Noem has pointed out that the virus is running rampant even in states where Democratic governors such as Newsom have issued strict orders.
“I hate that the coronavirus has turned political, but it has,” Totta said.
In Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has stridently opposed ordering bars and restaurants to close, 26-year-old Lewis Venegas, an independent, felt frustrated at seeing cases increase, fearing his mother and stepmother are vulnerable. He said it’s impossible to stay socially distanced from people at the Walmart store in Miami where he works, though most people wear masks.
The fears of the pandemic have at times become overwhelming, he said: “I got to the point where I was so scared that I just started crying uncontrollably.”
Support for requirements that would limit interactions still has broad support from Americans overall. Roughly two-thirds favor restricting gatherings to 10 people or fewer. And three-quarters favor requiring people to wear masks when around others outside their homes.
About 9 in 10 Democrats support a mask mandate and a limit on the size of gatherings. About three-quarters support stay-home orders, up somewhat from about 6 in 10 in October. And 66% think bars and restaurants should be closed, an uptick from 56% two months ago.
About 6 in 10 Republicans oppose stay-home orders and bar and restaurant closures. A slim majority, 55%, support a mask mandate, while 26% are opposed. Opposition to stay-home orders, limits on gatherings and bar and restaurant closures has grown steadily among Republicans over the course of the pandemic.
In some pockets of the West and Midwest, where a fall wave of cases has been particularly devastating, arguments over mask mandates have turned ugly. Local officials have faced threats and protests as they grappled with ways to slow infections.
“I just don’t like being told what to do,” said Fred Carrigan, a 58-year-old from Portland, Indiana, who expressed a deep distrust of any government action.
That kind of skepticism could hinder health officials who are now working to convince millions of Americans that forthcoming vaccines are safe and effective. Experts estimate at least 70% of the U.S. population needs to be vaccinated to hold the virus in check, but the survey found that only about half of Americans are ready to get the shots when they become available.
But for Jill VonOhlen, 72, the vaccine presented some light at the end of a long, and at times dark, year.
“I’m absolutely amazed that we have a vaccine. The fact that we have that really does give me hope,” she said. “I’ll be first in line, no doubt. I’ll just have to hear that (Dr. Anthony) Fauci or someone says it’s OK.’”
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Fingerhut reported from Washington.
___
The AP-NORC poll of 1,117 adults was conducted Dec. 3-7 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
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Online:
AP-NORC Center: http://www.apnorc.org/.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--US set for first COVID-19 shots as shipments begin arriving

Hospital workers begin unloading precious frozen vials of COVID-19 vaccine Monday , with the first vaccinations against a scourge that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans expected later in the day .
“ It feels like the cavalry is arriving , ” Robert C. Garrett , CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health , said as New Jersey ’ s largest health network awaited delivery .
Shots made by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech are the first authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration — beginning what will become the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine , including the U.K. , which started vaccinating last week .
For health care workers who , along with nursing home residents , will be first in line for vaccination , hope is tempered by grief and the sheer exhaustion of months spent battling a coronavirus that still is surging in the U.S. and around the world .
“ This is mile 24 of a marathon .
People are fatigued .
But we also recognize that this end is in sight , ” said Dr. Chris Dale of Swedish Health Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay at ultra-frozen temperatures , the first of nearly 3 million doses being shipped in staggered batches this week made their way by truck and by plane around the country Sunday from Pfizer ’ s Kalamazoo , Michigan , factory .
Once they arrive at distribution centers , each state directs where the doses go next .
Some hospitals across the country spent the weekend tracking their packages , refreshing FedEx and UPS websites for clues .
More of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will arrive each week .
And later this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light the world ’ s second rigorously studied COVID-19 vaccine , made by Moderna Inc. Now the hurdle is to rapidly get vaccine into the arms of millions , not just doctors and nurses but other at-risk health workers such as janitors and food handlers - and then deliver a second dose three weeks later .
“ We ’ re also in the middle of a surge , and it ’ s the holidays , and our health care workers have been working at an extraordinary pace , ” said Sue Mashni , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ System in New York City .
Plus , the shots can cause temporary fever , fatigue and aches as they rev up people ’ s immune systems , forcing hospitals to stagger employee vaccinations .
A wary public will be watching closely to see whether health workers embrace vaccination .
Just half of Americans say they want to get vaccinated , while about a quarter don ’ t and the rest are unsure , according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Health Research .
The FDA , considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulator , said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine appears safe and strongly protective — and laid out the data behind it in a daylong public meeting last week for scientists and consumers alike to see .
“ Please people , when you look back in a year and you say to yourself , ‘ Did I do the right thing ?
’ I hope you ’ ll be able to say , ‘ Yes , because I looked at the evidence , ’ ” Dr. Francis Collins , director of the National Institutes of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meet the Press .
“ People are dying right now .
How could you possibly say , ‘ Let ’ s wait and see.
’ ” Still , emergency use means the vaccine was cleared for widespread use before a final study in nearly 44,000 people is complete — and that research is continuing to try to answer additional questions .
While effective against COVID-19 illness , it ’ s not yet clear if vaccination will stop the symptomless spread that accounts for half of all cases .
The shots still must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said late Sunday that vaccination should not be withheld from pregnant women who otherwise would qualify .
While the vaccine was determined to be safe , regulators in the U.K. are investigating several severe allergic reactions .
The FDA ’ s instructions tell providers not to give it to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients .
AP journalists Tamara Lush and Kathy Young contributed to this report .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Health care workers around the country rolled up their sleeves for the first COVID-19 shots Monday as hope that an all-out vaccination effort can defeat the coronavirus smacked up against the heartbreaking reality of 300,000 U.S. deaths.
“Relieved,” proclaimed critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay after becoming one of the first to be inoculated at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. “I feel like healing is coming.”
With a countdown of “3-2-1,” workers at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center gave initial injections to applause.
And in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis personally opened a delivery door to the FedEx driver and signed for a package holding 975 precious frozen doses of vaccine made by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech.
The shots kicked off what will become the largest vaccination effort in U.S. history, one that could finally conquer the outbreak.
Dr. Valerie Briones-Pryor, who has worked in a COVID-19 unit at University of Louisville Hospital since March and recently lost her 27th patient to the virus, was among the first recipients.
“I want to get back to seeing my family,” she said. “I want families to be able to get back to seeing their loved ones.”
Some 145 sites around the country, from Rhode Island to Alaska, received shipments, with more deliveries set for the coming days. High-risk health care workers were first in line.
“This is 20,000 doses of hope,” John Couris, president and chief executive of Tampa General Hospital said of the first delivery.
Nursing home residents also get priority, and a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford, Massachusetts, announced via Twitter that its first dose went to a 96-year-old World War II veteran, Margaret Klessens. Other nursing homes around the U.S. expect inoculations in the coming days.
The campaign began the same day the U.S death toll from the surging outbreak crossed the 300,000 threshold, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University. The number of dead rivals the population of St. Louis or Pittsburgh. It is more than five times the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. It is equal to a 9/11 attack every day for more than 100 days.
“To think, now we can just absorb in our country 3,000 deaths a day as though it were just business as usual. It just represents a moral failing,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins.
Health experts know a wary public is watching the vaccination campaign, especially communities of color that have been hit hard by the pandemic but, because of the nation’s legacy of racial health disparities and research abuses against Black people, have doubts about the vaccine.
Getting vaccinated is “a privilege,” said Dr. Leonardo Seoane, chief academic officer at Ochsner Health in suburban New Orleans, after getting his dose. Seoane, who is Cuban American, urged “all of my Hispanic brothers and sisters to do it. It’s OK.”
The nearly 3 million doses now being shipped are just a down payment on the amount needed. More of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will arrive each week. And later this week, the FDA will decide whether to greenlight the world’s second rigorously studied COVID-19 vaccine, made by Moderna Inc.
While the U.S. hopes for enough of both vaccines together to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of the month, and 30 million more in January, there won’t be enough for the average person to get a shot until spring.
For now the hurdle is to rapidly get vaccine into the arms of millions, not just doctors and nurses but other at-risk health workers such as janitors and food handlers - and then deliver a second dose three weeks later.
“We’re also in the middle of a surge, and it’s the holidays, and our health care workers have been working at an extraordinary pace,” said Sue Mashni, chief pharmacy officer at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
Plus, the shots can cause temporary fever, fatigue and aches as they rev up people’s immune systems, forcing hospitals to stagger employee vaccinations.
Just half of Americans say they want to get vaccinated, while about a quarter don’t and the rest are unsure, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Health Research.
“I know it’s going to be a big hurdle to convince people because it’s new, it’s uncertain,” said intensive care nurse Helen Cordova, who received a vaccination card after getting a shot at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. “This can be encouraging for others.”
The FDA, considered the world’s strictest medical regulator, said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was developed at breakneck speed less than a year after the virus was identified, appears safe and strongly protective, and the agency laid out the data in a daylong public meeting last week for scientists and consumers alike to see.
“We know it works well,” said Ochsner infectious-disease expert Dr. Katherine Baumgarten, who got her shot on Day 1. “As soon as you can get it, please do so.”
Still, the vaccine was cleared for emergency use before a final study in nearly 44,000 people was complete. That research is continuing to try to answer additional questions.
For example, while the vaccine is effective at preventing COVID-19 illness, it is not clear if it will stop the symptomless spread that accounts for half of all cases.
The shots still must be studied in children and during pregnancy. But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said Sunday that vaccination should not be withheld from pregnant women who otherwise would qualify.
Also, regulators in Britain are investigating a few severe allergic reactions. The FDA instructed providers not to give the vaccine to those with a known history of severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients.
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Associated Press writers Marion Renault, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Rebecca Santana, Dylan Lovan, Tamara Lush, Jeff Turner and Kathy Young contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Swiss express regret over illegal adoptions from Sri Lanka

BERLIN ( AP ) - The Swiss government acknowledged Monday that authorities in the Alpine nation had failed to prevent the illegal adoptions of children from Sri Lanka up until the 1990s .
In a statement , the government said it regretted that such adoptions had gone ahead “ despite strong indications of , in some cases , serious irregularities.
” The issue came to light several years ago after adults who had been adopted as children in the 1980s and 1990s returned to Sri Lanka to find their birth parents , only to discover that information contained in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early and clear indications of illegal adoption placements in Sri Lanka , the ( Swiss ) Confederation and the cantons waited far too long before taking the appropriate action against the irregularities , ” the Swiss government said .
“ The negligence of the authorities has marked the lives of adults adopted as children to this day , ” it said .
“ The Federal Council regrets that the Confederation and the cantons failed to shoulder their responsibility to the children.
” The government said it would provide greater support for adoptees searching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a broader historical analysis of possible illegal adoptions in Switzerland .
Switzerland only recently acknowledged the suffering of Swiss children who were taken away mainly from poor families and single mothers , and were made to work on farms as late as the 1960s .

BERLIN (AP) - The Swiss government acknowledged Monday that authorities in the Alpine nation had failed to prevent the illegal adoptions of children from Sri Lanka up until the 1990s.
In a statement, the government said it regretted that such adoptions had gone ahead “despite strong indications of, in some cases, serious irregularities.”
The issue came to light several years ago after adults who had been adopted as children in the 1980s and 1990s returned to Sri Lanka to find their birth parents, only to discover that information contained in their files was sometimes false.
“Despite early and clear indications of illegal adoption placements in Sri Lanka, the (Swiss) Confederation and the cantons waited far too long before taking the appropriate action against the irregularities,” the Swiss government said.
“The negligence of the authorities has marked the lives of adults adopted as children to this day,” it said. “The Federal Council regrets that the Confederation and the cantons failed to shoulder their responsibility to the children.”
The government said it would provide greater support for adoptees searching for their origins and intended to launch a broader historical analysis of possible illegal adoptions in Switzerland.
Switzerland only recently acknowledged the suffering of Swiss children who were taken away mainly from poor families and single mothers, and were made to work on farms as late as the 1960s.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Indoor dining ban in New York City as virus cases rise

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A ban on indoor dining at New York City restaurants was enacted Monday by @ @ @ @ @ resurgence of the coronavirus .
The clampdown , announced last week by Gov .
Andrew @ @ @ @ @ blow to a struggling industry that has made the city a culinary capital .
New @ @ @ @ @ roughly 24,000 restaurants , and owners warned of layoffs and closures if they are limited @ @ @ @ @ dining this winter .
Just last week , the 21 Club in midtown Manhattan , @ @ @ @ @ elite for almost a century , announced it was closing indefinitely due to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ took the action reluctantly in the face of rising hospitalizations .
More than 1,700 patients @ @ @ @ @ this weekend with COVID-19 infections , almost triple the number a month ago .
Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ avoid a worst-case scenario with overwhelmed hospitals forcing a ban on both indoor and outdoor @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - A ban on indoor dining at New York City restaurants went into effect Monday as officials try to slow the resurgence of the coronavirus.
The clampdown, announced last week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, is a severe blow to a struggling industry that has made the city a culinary capital. New York City is home to roughly 24,000 restaurants, and owners warned of layoffs and closures if they are limited to takeout orders and outdoor dining this winter.
Just last week, the 21 Club in midtown Manhattan, a favorite of the power elite for almost a century, announced it was closing indefinitely due to the pandemic.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday he sympathized with restaurant owners and workers, but noted the rising number of cases and hospitalizations. More than 1,700 patients were hospitalized in the city this weekend with COVID-19 infections, almost triple the number a month ago.
“We’ve got to bring this industry back. We’ve got to bring back the restaurants we love. But it’s going to take time, and meantime we’ve got to stay safe because this second wave is very, very real,” de Blasio said during his press briefing.
Even as the mayor celebrated the launch of vaccine distribution Monday, he warned that further restrictions are likely in the near future.
Cuomo had said he was trying to avoid a worst-case scenario with overwhelmed hospitals forcing a ban on both indoor and outdoor dining.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Gov. halts breakup of Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Gov .
Jay Inslee has stopped an effort to dissolve the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department by signing a proclamation Monday that pauses the termination of health departments during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ This proclamation puts a pause , in effect , on efforts to terminate a health district or a city-county health department , such as what is currently taking place in Pierce County , ” Inslee said at a news conference .
Members of the Pierce County Council proposed earlier this month to end the decades-long partnership between the county and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was met with concern and requests to reconsider , but the council voted to move forward and was scheduled to make a final vote Tuesday , KNKX reported .
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department released a statement Monday , thanking those who have advocated for the agency “ remaining an independent , neutral , public health department.
” “ His ( Inslee ‘ s ) action to place a pause on any change to the governance structure of a joint city-county health department or district means we can put all of our attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to prevent COVID-19 , and supporting Department of Health ’ s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan , ” the statement said .
” We will continue to stay focused on COVID-19 no matter what .
”

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Jay Inslee has stopped an effort to dissolve the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department by signing a proclamation Monday that pauses the termination of health departments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This proclamation puts a pause, in effect, on efforts to terminate a health district or a city-county health department, such as what is currently taking place in Pierce County,” Inslee said at a news conference.
Members of the Pierce County Council proposed earlier this month to end the decades-long partnership between the county and the City of Tacoma. That plan was met with concern and requests to reconsider, but the council voted to move forward and was scheduled to make a final vote Tuesday, KNKX reported.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department released a statement Monday, thanking those who have advocated for the agency “remaining an independent, neutral, public health department.”
“His (Inslee’s) action to place a pause on any change to the governance structure of a joint city-county health department or district means we can put all of our attention on saving lives, educating people about how to prevent COVID-19, and supporting Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan,” the statement said. ”We will continue to stay focused on COVID-19 no matter what.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--California governor extends small business tax deadlines

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California small businesses will have more time to file their tax returns in 2021 .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday giving small businesses until the end of July to file their first-quarter tax returns .
More broadly , the order gives a 90-day extension on returns and payments for all businesses with returns of less than $ 1 million .
It comes as California prepares to enter 2021 still in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic , which has led Newsom to implement restrictions that have shuttered businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are closed for indoor dining , hair and nail salons can ’ t operate and stores can only allow in a fraction of customers .
At minimum , it will be weeks before businesses can reopen .
The tax extension was one piece of Newsom ‘ s pandemic-related order .
He also extended occupancy laws for farmworkers and their families in housing centers and dropped a requirement about how far away from the job workers must live to access that housing .
Previously , workers had to live outside a 50-mile radius from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past six months and could only live in the housing for 275 days out of the year .
“ Finding new housing during this time both poses health risk and is extremely burdensome , especially for migratory agricultural workers and their families , ” Newsom wrote in the order .
It also updates quarantine guidelines under the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health .
The changes are consistent with new state health guidance .
California previously directed employers to keep workers who had been exposed to the virus off the job for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced to 10 days if the person doesn ’ t have symptoms , aligning with federal guidelines .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California small businesses will have more time to file their tax returns in 2021.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday giving small businesses until the end of July to file their first-quarter tax returns. More broadly, the order gives a 90-day extension on returns and payments for all businesses with returns of less than $1 million.
It comes as California prepares to enter 2021 still in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led Newsom to implement restrictions that have shuttered businesses. In most of the state, restaurants are closed for indoor dining, hair and nail salons can’t operate and stores can only allow in a fraction of customers. At minimum, it will be weeks before businesses can reopen.
The tax extension was one piece of Newsom’s pandemic-related order.
He also extended occupancy laws for farmworkers and their families in housing centers and dropped a requirement about how far away from the job workers must live to access that housing. Previously, workers had to live outside a 50-mile radius from the housing center for three of the past six months and could only live in the housing for 275 days out of the year.
“Finding new housing during this time both poses health risk and is extremely burdensome, especially for migratory agricultural workers and their families,” Newsom wrote in the order.
It also updates quarantine guidelines under the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The changes are consistent with new state health guidance. California previously directed employers to keep workers who had been exposed to the virus off the job for two weeks. That’s been reduced to 10 days if the person doesn’t have symptoms, aligning with federal guidelines.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Mets' new GM excited by Cohen's title expectations

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Jared Porter knows his new boss with the Mets is counting on a championship .
That doesn ’ t bother him one bit .
“ Hearing comments like that motivates me , ” Porter said Monday after being introduced as New York ’ s general manager .
“ It shows a strong commitment from ownership who wants to win , who wants to put a winner on the field for the fan base in New York , and I completely align with that .
It excites me .
I want those expectations.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 50 minutes , Porter outlined his vision of emphasizing talent , flexibility , innovation and depth throughout a Mets organization in transformation under new owner Steve Cohen and president Sandy Alderson .
Cohen , a hugely successful hedge fund manager with an appetite for winning , bought the club last month from the Wilpon and Katz families for $ 2.42 billion .
The lifelong Mets fan , finally calling shots for his favorite team , said it would be a disappointment if they don ’ t win the World Series within three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a franchise with two titles in 59 seasons of existence — and none since 1986 .
Those type of lofty demands are more commonly associated with Yankees brass across town , while the stumbling Mets have slogged through nine losing seasons in the last 12 .
Porter ’ s job is to help change all that .
“ I think what we ’ ve talked about the most is just a cultural shift , for one .
Adding good people to the organization .
Improving on the organizational culture .
Adding depth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s really important to create a situation where you ’ re a really hard team to play against .
You ’ re hard to game-plan against in all areas.
” It won ’ t be easy .
New York went 26-34 during the pandemic-truncated season , tied for fourth in the NL East , and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year .
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and All-Star hitters Pete Alonso , Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil highlight a promising core .
But the Mets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rotation and lineup .
The good news is Cohen has deep pockets and a willingness to spend , and Alderson acknowledged the Mets are actively shopping at the slowly developing top of the free-agent market .
“ There ’ s obviously a chance to really expand on the resources , ” Porter said .
“ It is incredibly appealing and I feel very fortunate to be in a position where those resources are going to be provided to us.
” Porter , 41 , agreed to a four-year contract after spending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as senior vice president and assistant general manager under GM Mike Hazen .
Before that , Porter worked under Theo Epstein with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs , winning three World Series rings in Boston ’ s front office and another with the Cubs .
“ I keep them locked up , ” Porter said .
“ I don ’ t wear them out.
” In Queens , Porter will report to the 72-year-old Alderson , a former Mets GM who was brought back by Cohen and has taken over baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a flexible arrangement .
For example , I ’ ve already turned over a couple of things to Jared , ” Alderson said .
“ I think that we ’ ll be able to work really well together .
“ I think ultimately this will be a great fit .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Jared Porter knows his new boss with the Mets is counting on a championship.
Pretty soon, too.
That doesn’t bother him one bit.
“Hearing comments like that motivates me,” Porter said Monday after being introduced as New York’s general manager. “It shows a strong commitment from ownership who wants to win, who wants to put a winner on the field for the fan base in New York, and I completely align with that. It excites me. I want those expectations.”
In a news conference on Zoom that lasted nearly 50 minutes, Porter outlined his vision of emphasizing talent, flexibility, innovation and depth throughout the organization for a Mets team transforming under new owner Steve Cohen and president Sandy Alderson.
Cohen, a hugely successful hedge fund manager with an appetite for winning, bought the club last month from the Wilpon and Katz families for $2.42 billion. The lifelong Mets fan said it would be a disappointment if they don’t win the World Series within three to five years.
Tall talk for a franchise with two titles in 59 seasons of existence - and none since 1986. Those type of lofty demands are more commonly associated with Yankees brass across town, while the stumbling Mets have slogged through nine losing seasons in the last 12.
Porter’s job is to help change all that via scouting, analytics, aggressive player acquisition - every means possible.
“I think what we’ve talked about the most is just a cultural shift, for one. Adding good people to the organization. Improving on the organizational culture. Adding depth to the roster,” Porter said. “It’s really important to create a situation where you’re a really hard team to play against. You’re hard to game-plan against in all areas.”
Porter, 41, agreed to a four-year contract after spending the past four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks as senior vice president and assistant general manager under GM Mike Hazen.
Before that, Porter worked under Theo Epstein with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, winning three World Series rings in Boston’s front office and another with the Cubs.
“I keep mine locked up,” Porter said. “I don’t wear them out.”
New York went 26-34 during the pandemic-truncated season, tied for fourth in the NL East, and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and All-Star hitters Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil highlight a promising core. But the Mets have several holes to fill in the rotation and lineup, and Porter indicated another priority is upgrading a player-development system light at the upper levels.
“He’s been on the job for just a couple of days, but he’s absolutely immersed himself in what we’re doing,” Alderson said.
The good news is Cohen has deep pockets and a willingness to spend. Alderson acknowledged the Mets are actively shopping at the top of the free-agent market - in “the gourmet section,” as he calls it.
“We’ve been running up and down that aisle over the last couple of weeks,” he said. “Right now, things are a little slower in the gourmet section than they are in the meat department. But, that’ll change.”
Meanwhile, choices must be made.
Alderson said the Mets had discussions with free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto, one of the biggest available prizes this offseason. However, they are close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract with catcher James McCann instead. Alderson hinted that deal could be finalized Wednesday or Thursday.
“I think that more than anything else this was a timing issue for us. We have a number of needs, and we can afford to wait to fill some of them. We can’t afford to wait to fill all of them,” Alderson said. “And so, this wasn’t a compromise pick. We’ve been engaged with James for a considerable period of time. There’s a lot we like about James.”
New York also is thought to be very interested in NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and star center fielder George Springer, both free agents.
Porter is pumped to have such investment resources at his disposal.
“I’ve interviewed other places. I’ve had opportunities. When this one came up, I was so excited,” he said. “This is a dream job for me.”
Porter will report to the 72-year-old Alderson, a former Mets GM who was brought back by Cohen and has taken over baseball operations. The idea is for Porter to grow into that role.
“I think it’s a flexible arrangement. I think that, for example, I’ve already turned a couple of things over to Jared,” Alderson said. “Right now it’s a situation that will evolve, but I think that we’ll be able to work really well together.”
IN THE DUGOUT
Alderson confirmed the Mets are hiring Dave Jauss as the new bench coach for second-year manager Luis Rojas. It’s a return engagement for Jauss, who was New York’s bench coach in 2010 under Jerry Manuel.
“Luis wanted him. Luis has known him a long time,” Alderson said.
Jauss, who turns 64 next month, also served as bench coach for the Red Sox, Dodgers, Orioles and Pirates, where he spent much of the past decade. He replaces Hensley Meulens and becomes the Mets’ fourth bench coach in four years.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Agency homing in on social media companies' data collection

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Federal regulators are ordering Facebook , Twitter , Amazon , TikTok ’ s parent and five other social media companies to provide detailed information on how they collect and use consumers ’ personal data and how their practices affect children and teens .
The Federal Trade Commission ’ s action announced Monday goes to the heart of the tech industry ’ s lucrative business model : harvesting data from platform users and making it available to online advertisers so they can pinpoint specific consumers to target .
The agency plans to use the information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive study .
The other five companies are Reddit , Snap , Discord , WhatsApp , which is owned by Facebook , and Google ’ s YouTube .
Regulators and lawmakers are increasingly weaving their concerns over data power and privacy into their investigations of Big Tech companies ’ market dominance .
When the FTC and 48 states and districts filed landmark antitrust lawsuits against Facebook last week , accusing it of abusing its market power to crush smaller competitors , they also alleged that the company ’ s conduct has harmed consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest social network , gets the bulk of its revenue - which reached $ 70.7 billion last year - from online ads .
With its new request , the FTC wants to know how social media and video streaming services collect , use and track consumers ’ personal and demographic information , how they decide which ads and other content are shown to consumers , whether they apply algorithms or data analytics to personal information , how they measure and promote user engagement and how their practices affect children and teens .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capable of surveilling and monetizing so much of our personal lives , ” three of the five FTC commissioners said in a statement .
They said the planned study “ will lift the hood on the social media and video streaming firms to carefully study their engines.
” Twitter said in a statement , “ We ’ re working , as we always do , to ensure the FTC has the information it needs to understand how Twitter operates its services.
” Support has grown in Congress for a national privacy law that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest tech companies to collect and make money from users ’ personal data .
Legislation could gain steam in the new Congress next year with support from the Biden administration .
The FTC fined Facebook $ 5 billion last year for alleged privacy violations and instituted new oversight and restrictions on its business .
The fine was the largest the agency had ever levied on a tech company , although it had no visible impact on Facebook ‘ s business .
Also last year , YouTube was fined $ 170 million - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 34 million by New York state - to settle allegations that it collected children ’ s personal data without their parents ’ consent .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators are ordering Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, TikTok’s parent and five other social media companies to provide detailed information on how they collect and use consumers’ personal data and how their practices affect children and teens.
The Federal Trade Commission’s action announced Monday goes to the heart of the tech industry’s lucrative business model: harvesting data from platform users and making it available to online advertisers so they can pinpoint specific consumers to target.
The agency plans to use the information, due in 45 days, for a comprehensive study.
The other five companies are Reddit, Snap, Discord, WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, and Google’s YouTube.
Regulators and lawmakers are increasingly weaving their concerns over data power and privacy into their investigations of Big Tech companies’ market dominance.
When the FTC and 48 states and districts filed landmark antitrust lawsuits against Facebook last week, accusing it of abusing its market power to crush smaller competitors, they also alleged that the company’s conduct has harmed consumers’ data privacy.
Facebook, the largest social network, gets the bulk of its revenue - which reached $70.7 billion last year - from online ads.
With its new request, the FTC wants to know how social media and video streaming services collect, use and track consumers’ personal and demographic information, how they decide which ads and other content are shown to consumers, whether they apply algorithms or data analytics to personal information, how they measure and promote user engagement and how their practices affect children and teens.
“Never before has there been an industry capable of surveilling and monetizing so much of our personal lives,” three of the five FTC commissioners said in a statement. They said the planned study “will lift the hood on the social media and video streaming firms to carefully study their engines.”
Twitter said in a statement, “We’re working, as we always do, to ensure the FTC has the information it needs to understand how Twitter operates its services.”
Support has grown in Congress for a national privacy law that could sharply rein in the ability of the biggest tech companies to collect and make money from users’ personal data. Legislation could gain steam in the new Congress next year with support from the Biden administration.
The FTC fined Facebook $5 billion last year for alleged privacy violations and instituted new oversight and restrictions on its business. The fine was the largest the agency had ever levied on a tech company, although it had no visible impact on Facebook’s business.
Also last year, YouTube was fined $170 million - $136 million by the FTC and $34 million by New York state - to settle allegations that it collected children’s personal data without their parents’ consent.
teens.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Sparks police warn fake phone calls are part of spam attack

SPARKS , Nev. ( AP ) - Sparks police and city officials are warning residents about fraudulent telephone calls that @ @ @ @ @ a spam attack regarding federal warrants and fictitious activity on Amazon accounts .
Sparks officials @ @ @ @ @ give the false impression they are coming from the city or the Sparks Police Department @ @ @ @ @ recipient may have been the victim of suspicious activity tied to their Amazon accounts .
@ @ @ @ @ warn you will be arrested if you don ’ t submit a payment .
City @ @ @ @ @ calls are not coming from the city or the police department .
She says neither @ @ @ @ @ ever make phone calls asking for money or indicating there ’ s been any suspicious @ @ @ @ @ .
She says information about reporting unwanted calls is available on the internet at www.donotcall.gov

SPARKS, Nev. (AP) - Sparks police and city officials are warning residents about fraudulent telephone calls that appear to be part of a spam attack regarding federal warrants and fictitious activity on Amazon accounts.
Sparks officials said Monday the spam calls give the false impression they are coming from the city or the Sparks Police Department.
Some calls claim the recipient may have been the victim of suspicious activity tied to their Amazon accounts. Others reference federal warrants and warn you will be arrested if you don’t submit a payment.
City spokeswoman Julie Duewel says the calls are not coming from the city or the police department. She says neither the city nor police will ever make phone calls asking for money or indicating there’s been any suspicious activity involving a person account.
She says information about reporting unwanted calls is available on the internet at www.donotcall.gov


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Indiana man charged with murder escapes from transport van

GARY , Ind .
( AP ) - A 22-year-old man charged with murder has escaped in northwestern Indiana while @ @ @ @ @ Leon Taylor escaped about 3 p.m. Monday in Gary from a transport van operated by @ @ @ @ @ the Lake County sheriff ’ s office .
Details of the escape were not released @ @ @ @ @ , Indiana , was wearing a chain around his midsection , handcuffs and a restraint @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s office said he faces a murder charge in East Chicago and was @ @ @ @ @ County Jail in Crown Point , Indiana .
The sheriff ’ s office and Gary @ @ @ @ @ .
A police helicopter and police dogs also were called in .

GARY, Ind. (AP) - A 22-year-old man charged with murder has escaped in northwestern Indiana while being extradited from Texas.
Leon Taylor escaped about 3 p.m. Monday in Gary from a transport van operated by a private company, said the Lake County sheriff’s office.
Details of the escape were not released.
Taylor, of Hammond, Indiana, was wearing a chain around his midsection, handcuffs and a restraint on his leg. The sheriff’s office said he faces a murder charge in East Chicago and was being taken to the Lake County Jail in Crown Point, Indiana.
The sheriff’s office and Gary police helped search for Taylor. A police helicopter and police dogs also were called in.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Joe Biden urged to use executive authority to enact agenda

With prospects for a Democratic-controlled Senate iffy at best , the left is pushing President-elect Joseph R. Biden to take advantage of executive authority to pursue a variety of causes , including canceling student debt and fighting climate change .
Mr. Biden has signaled a more cautious approach , saying the kind of authority his “ progressive friends ” are talking about is “ way beyond the bounds.
” Whether he can continue to resist the pressure when he sits down in the Oval Office is another question .
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer recently threw in with House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should use executive authority to cancel up to $ 50,000 in student loan debt per borrower .
“ I ’ m actually shocked that he ’ s strongly considering that as an option to help people during these tough times that we ’ re in , ” Carlos Cardona , who chairs the Laconia Democrats in New Hampshire , said of executive action on student debt .
“ I think that ’ s great .
That shows that he ’ s listening.
” Mr. Biden ’ s team said he plans immediate executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as re-entering the Paris Climate agreement , ending President Trump ’ s travel ban on certain majority-Muslim countries , and formally reinstating protections for “ Dreamers , ” immigrants who illegally came to the U.S. as children .
Activists on the left also are pressing Mr. Biden to use federal licensing authority to lower prescription drug costs and to leverage federal rules to institute health and safety standards for employees during the coronavirus pandemic , among other items .
Mr. Biden said recently that he plans to undo “ every single damn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive authority but suggested that some of the things progressives are trying to get him to do would fall outside constitutional boundaries .
“ I ’ m not going to exercise executive authority where it ’ s a question , where I can come along and say , ‘ I can do away with assault weapons , ’ ” Mr. Biden told a group of civil rights leaders , according to a recording of the call obtained by The Intercept .
Mr. Schumer and House Democrats say Mr. Biden does have the authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cancel up to $ 50,000 worth of student loan debt for borrowers .
“ Forgiving $ 50,000 in student debt will change young people ’ s lives , particularly for Black young people , who hold far more student loan debt than their White peers , ” said Rep.-elect Jamaal Bowman , New York Democrat .
“ It ’ s the right thing to do , and I urge the Biden administration to act.
” As legal justification , the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Massachusetts Democrat , pointed to language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of Education authority to “ compromise , waive , or release ” any liens .
Mr. Biden has laid out a more modest proposal and is pressing Congress to pass legislation that would provide for up to $ 10,000 of student loan debt forgiveness per borrower .
Critics across the political spectrum say broad student loan debt cancellation would overwhelmingly favor the wealthy and have only modest stimulative effects on the economy .
Fully forgiving $ 1.5 trillion in outstanding federal student loans would likely boost economic output during the current downturn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 360 billion , according to an analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget .
“ Any form of loan cancellation goes only to those with some amount of college education who borrowed for school , ” the CRFB analysis said .
“ Therefore , even a better-targeted version is likely to be less stimulative than universal checks and far less stimulative than more targeted interventions such as expanded unemployment benefits.
” While Mr. Biden may not be able to ban the popular AR-15 semiautomatic rifle with the flick of a pen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to act on guns without cooperation from Congress .
“ There is not a corner of the Justice Department or a corner of this administration that can ’ t be doing something to save lives from gun violence , ” said John Feinblatt , president of Everytown for Gun Safety .
Everytown says that the Biden administration could quash the marketplace for so-called “ ghost guns ” that can be manufactured from separate parts constructed from 3D printers by directing the Justice Department to redefine the gun parts and kits as firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reclassified as firearms and treated like any other gun , ” Mr. Feinblatt said .

With prospects for a Democratic-controlled Senate iffy at best, the left is pushing President-elect Joseph R. Biden to take advantage of executive authority to pursue a variety of causes, including canceling student debt and fighting climate change.
Mr. Biden has signaled a more cautious approach, saying the kind of authority his “progressive friends” are talking about is “way beyond the bounds.”
Whether he can continue to resist the pressure when he sits down in the Oval Office is another question.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer recently threw in with House liberals who make the case Mr. Biden should use executive authority to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt per borrower.
“I’m actually shocked that he’s strongly considering that as an option to help people during these tough times that we’re in,” Carlos Cardona, who chairs the Laconia Democrats in New Hampshire, said of executive action on student debt. “I think that’s great. That shows that he’s listening.”
Mr. Biden’s team said he plans immediate executive action in a handful of areas, such as re-entering the Paris Climate agreement, ending President Trump’s travel ban on certain majority-Muslim countries, and formally reinstating protections for “Dreamers,” immigrants who illegally came to the U.S. as children.
Activists on the left also are pressing Mr. Biden to use federal licensing authority to lower prescription drug costs and to leverage federal rules to institute health and safety standards for employees during the coronavirus pandemic, among other items.
Mr. Biden said recently that he plans to undo “every single damn thing” Mr. Trump has done via executive authority but suggested that some of the things progressives are trying to get him to do would fall outside constitutional boundaries.
“I’m not going to exercise executive authority where it’s a question, where I can come along and say, ‘I can do away with assault weapons,’” Mr. Biden told a group of civil rights leaders, according to a recording of the call obtained by The Intercept.
Mr. Schumer and House Democrats say Mr. Biden does have the authority under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to cancel up to $50,000 worth of student loan debt for borrowers.
“Forgiving $50,000 in student debt will change young people’s lives, particularly for Black young people, who hold far more student loan debt than their White peers,” said Rep.-elect Jamaal Bowman, New York Democrat. “It’s the right thing to do, and I urge the Biden administration to act.”
As legal justification, the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat, pointed to language in the 1965 law the grants the Secretary of Education authority to “compromise, waive, or release” any liens.
Mr. Biden has laid out a more modest proposal and is pressing Congress to pass legislation that would provide for up to $10,000 of student loan debt forgiveness per borrower.
Critics across the political spectrum say broad student loan debt cancellation would overwhelmingly favor the wealthy and have only modest stimulative effects on the economy.
Fully forgiving $1.5 trillion in outstanding federal student loans would likely boost economic output during the current downturn by between $115 billion and $360 billion, according to an analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
“Any form of loan cancellation goes only to those with some amount of college education who borrowed for school,” the CRFB analysis said. “Therefore, even a better-targeted version is likely to be less stimulative than universal checks and far less stimulative than more targeted interventions such as expanded unemployment benefits.”
While Mr. Biden may not be able to ban the popular AR-15 semiautomatic rifle with the flick of a pen, gun-control activists say his administration can move to act on guns without cooperation from Congress.
“There is not a corner of the Justice Department or a corner of this administration that can’t be doing something to save lives from gun violence,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.
Everytown says that the Biden administration could quash the marketplace for so-called “ghost guns” that can be manufactured from separate parts constructed from 3D printers by directing the Justice Department to redefine the gun parts and kits as firearms themselves.
“Ghost guns should be reclassified as firearms and treated like any other gun,” Mr. Feinblatt said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Georgia to audit signatures on Cobb County ballot envelopes

ATLANTA — Georgia ’ s secretary of state on Monday announced an audit of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes in one county , but the outcome of the presidential race in Georgia will not change as a result of the audit .
“ Now that the signature matching has been attacked again and again with no evidence , I feel we need to take steps to restore confidence in our elections , ” Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said during a news conference as he announced the audit that will focus on Cobb County in suburban Atlanta .
The Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that audit , which is expected to be completed in two weeks , Raffensperger said .
He added that his office is working with a university on a third-party signature match statewide audit study , a step he said is supported by the governor and state House speaker .
“ The Trump campaign claimed that Cobb County did not properly conduct signature match in June , ” Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs said .
“ After the countywide audit , we will look at the entire state .
We will look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match was executed properly.
” President Donald Trump and his allies have made repeated baseless claims of widespread election fraud and , among other things , have demanded an audit of the signature matches .
The president has harshly criticized Raffensperger and Gov .
Brian Kemp , both fellow Republicans .
“ I am glad Secretary Raffensperger has finally taken this necessary step to begin restoring confidence in our state ’ s election processes , ” Kemp said in an emailed statement after Raffensperger ’ s announcement .
“ I have called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3rd election .
As Georgians head back to the polls for the January 5th runoffs , it is absolutely vital for every vote cast to be legal and for only legal votes to be counted.
” The president has also asserted incorrectly that an agreement entered into by Raffensperger earlier this year to settle a lawsuit brought by Democrats prevents election officials from verifying signatures on absentee ballot envelopes .
Georgians can request absentee ballots either through an online portal that Raffensperger established in September or by submitting an application .
For online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s license number and date of birth to verify their identity .
If they use an application , they must sign it for verification .
When an application is received , county election workers compare the signature on the application to the voter ’ s signature on file , and if it is consistent , a ballot is mailed , Raffensperger has said .
Before submitting an absentee ballot , a voter must sign an oath on an outer envelope .
When county election officials receive an absentee ballot , they must compare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if one exists and to the signature on file .
The signatures must be consistent but don ’ t have to match exactly , Raffensperger has said .
If the signature doesn ’ t match , the voter is notified and can take other steps to verify identity .
If the signature does match , the ballot is separated from the envelope to protect the right to ballot secrecy guaranteed by Georgia law .
Raffensperger said during the news conference at the state Capitol that his office received a report that Cobb County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature match in June , ” and that is why he decided to call for an audit .
A statistically significant subset of signed absentee ballot envelopes will be audited , his office said .
Cobb County elections director Janine Eveler said in a statement that her office would help with the audit but is awaiting a court order .
“ I ’ m confident any audit would find our office followed procedures and only counted ballots that were processed correctly , ” Eveler said .
“ Even though our resources are already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the January 5 runoff , we will help this process move as expeditiously as possible.
” Chris Harvey , elections director for the secretary of state ’ s office , also expressed confidence in Cobb County , saying it is well known as having one of the best election offices in the state .
“ Conducting this audit does not in any way suggest that Cobb County was not properly following election procedures or properly conducting signature matching , ” Harvey said in a news release .

ATLANTA — Georgia’s secretary of state on Monday announced an audit of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes in one county, but the outcome of the presidential race in Georgia will not change as a result of the audit.
“Now that the signature matching has been attacked again and again with no evidence, I feel we need to take steps to restore confidence in our elections,” Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said during a news conference as he announced the audit that will focus on Cobb County in suburban Atlanta.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is to help with that audit, which is expected to be completed in two weeks, Raffensperger said. He added that his office is working with a university on a third-party signature match statewide audit study, a step he said is supported by the governor and state House speaker.
“The Trump campaign claimed that Cobb County did not properly conduct signature match in June,” Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs said. “After the countywide audit, we will look at the entire state. We will look at the entire election to make sure signature match was executed properly.”
President Donald Trump and his allies have made repeated baseless claims of widespread election fraud and, among other things, have demanded an audit of the signature matches. The president has harshly criticized Raffensperger and Gov. Brian Kemp, both fellow Republicans.
“I am glad Secretary Raffensperger has finally taken this necessary step to begin restoring confidence in our state’s election processes,” Kemp said in an emailed statement after Raffensperger’s announcement. “I have called for a signature audit repeatedly since the November 3rd election. As Georgians head back to the polls for the January 5th runoffs, it is absolutely vital for every vote cast to be legal and for only legal votes to be counted.”
The president has also asserted incorrectly that an agreement entered into by Raffensperger earlier this year to settle a lawsuit brought by Democrats prevents election officials from verifying signatures on absentee ballot envelopes.
Georgians can request absentee ballots either through an online portal that Raffensperger established in September or by submitting an application. For online requests, they provide their driver’s license number and date of birth to verify their identity. If they use an application, they must sign it for verification.
When an application is received, county election workers compare the signature on the application to the voter’s signature on file, and if it is consistent, a ballot is mailed, Raffensperger has said.
Before submitting an absentee ballot, a voter must sign an oath on an outer envelope. When county election officials receive an absentee ballot, they must compare the signature to the absentee ballot application if one exists and to the signature on file. The signatures must be consistent but don’t have to match exactly, Raffensperger has said.
If the signature doesn’t match, the voter is notified and can take other steps to verify identity. If the signature does match, the ballot is separated from the envelope to protect the right to ballot secrecy guaranteed by Georgia law.
Raffensperger said during the news conference at the state Capitol that his office received a report that Cobb County “may not have conducted a proper signature match in June,” and that is why he decided to call for an audit. A statistically significant subset of signed absentee ballot envelopes will be audited, his office said.
Cobb County elections director Janine Eveler said in a statement that her office would help with the audit but is awaiting a court order.
“I’m confident any audit would find our office followed procedures and only counted ballots that were processed correctly,” Eveler said. “Even though our resources are already stretched thin by advance voting and preparations for the January 5 runoff, we will help this process move as expeditiously as possible.”
Chris Harvey, elections director for the secretary of state’s office, also expressed confidence in Cobb County, saying it is well known as having one of the best election offices in the state.
“Conducting this audit does not in any way suggest that Cobb County was not properly following election procedures or properly conducting signature matching,” Harvey said in a news release.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Joe Biden in speech after Electoral College win: Must respect 'will of the people'

President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Monday that public officials must abide by the “ will of the people ” as he accused Republicans of engaging in an unprecedented “ assault on our democracy.
” “ Respecting the will of the people is at the heart of our democracy , even when we find those results hard to accept , ” Mr. Biden said in a speech in Wilmington , Delaware .
“ But that ’ s the obligation of those who have taken on a sworn duty to uphold the Constitution.
” Mr. Biden spoke shortly after the Electoral College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2020 election .
He pointed out that as vice president in 2017 , he announced the congressional tally of the presidential election results that affirmed Mr. Trump ’ s win over Democrat Hillary Clinton .
“ I did my job , ” he said .
Mr. Biden said courts rejected “ dozens and dozens ” of legal challenges filed by Mr. Trump and his team and that recounts in Georgia and Wisconsin affirmed Mr. Biden ’ s win in those battleground states .
The president-elect also slammed a Texas lawsuit that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , saying it represented “ a position so extreme we ’ ve never seen it before.
” Mr. Trump , more than a dozen state attorneys general , and more than half of the Republicans in the U.S. House had supported the lawsuit , which was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court .
“ The court sent a clear signal to President Trump that they would be no part of an unprecedented assault on our democracy , ” Mr. Biden said .
The lawsuit from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those four states had illegally expanded mail-in voting without proper sign-off from their legislatures .
Mr. Biden defeated Mr. Trump by a 306-232 tally in the Electoral College and won the popular vote by more than 7 million votes .
It takes 270 electoral votes to clinch the presidency .
He said Mr. Trump touted his own projected 306-232 electoral victory in 2016 as a “ landslide.
” “ By his own standards , these numbers represented a clear victory then , and I respectfully suggest they do so now , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and decried some of the threats they ’ ve faced during a heated election and post-election period .
“ It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kind of threats and abuse we saw in this election .
It ’ s simply unconscionable , ” he said .
Mr. Biden said it ’ s now time to turn the page and work together on combating the coronavirus pandemic , getting vaccines out , and passing additional COVID relief .
“ The United States of America has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a peaceful transition of power , ” he said .
“ We ’ ll do so again .
”

President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Monday that public officials must abide by the “will of the people” as he accused Republicans of engaging in an unprecedented “assault on our democracy.”
“Respecting the will of the people is at the heart of our democracy, even when we find those results hard to accept,” Mr. Biden said in a speech in Wilmington, Delaware. “But that’s the obligation of those who have taken on a sworn duty to uphold the Constitution.”
Mr. Biden spoke shortly after the Electoral College officially affirmed his victory over President Trump in the 2020 election.
He pointed out that as vice president in 2017, he announced the congressional tally of the presidential election results that affirmed Mr. Trump’s win over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
“I did my job,” he said.
Mr. Biden said courts rejected “dozens and dozens” of legal challenges filed by Mr. Trump and his team and that recounts in Georgia and Wisconsin affirmed Mr. Biden’s win in those battleground states.
The president-elect also slammed a Texas lawsuit that sought to invalidate the election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, saying it represented “a position so extreme we’ve never seen it before.”
Mr. Trump, more than a dozen state attorneys general, and more than half of the Republicans in the U.S. House had supported the lawsuit, which was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“The court sent a clear signal to President Trump that they would be no part of an unprecedented assault on our democracy,” Mr. Biden said.
The lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had said those four states had illegally expanded mail-in voting without proper sign-off from their legislatures.
Mr. Biden defeated Mr. Trump by a 306-232 tally in the Electoral College and won the popular vote by more than 7 million votes. It takes 270 electoral votes to clinch the presidency.
He said Mr. Trump touted his own projected 306-232 electoral victory in 2016 as a “landslide.”
“By his own standards, these numbers represented a clear victory then, and I respectfully suggest they do so now,” he said.
Mr. Biden thanked local election officials and decried some of the threats they’ve faced during a heated election and post-election period.
“It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kind of threats and abuse we saw in this election. It’s simply unconscionable,” he said.
Mr. Biden said it’s now time to turn the page and work together on combating the coronavirus pandemic, getting vaccines out, and passing additional COVID relief.
“The United States of America has always set the example for the world for a peaceful transition of power,” he said. “We’ll do so again.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--LA Times executive editor Norman Pearlstine steps down

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Los Angeles Times Executive Editor Norman Pearlstine has stepped down after 2 1/2 years heading a newspaper roiled by management shakeups , a drop in revenue and questions about its commitment to newsroom diversity .
Pearlstine , 78 , announced in October that he planned to retire but would stay on to help in the search for a new top editor .
On Monday , the Times ’ owner and executive chairman Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong wrote in a note to staff that Pearlstine was no longer overseeing the newsroom and had shifted to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The paper recently hired a search firm to manage the process to find a new executive editor , which is expected to take several months , the Times said .
In the interim , two veteran managers will oversee the newsroom .
“ Times Managing Editors Scott Kraft and Kimi Yoshino will now be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the newsroom , reporting to me , ” Soon-Shiong wrote in the note .
“ Sewell Chan , editor of the Editorial Pages , will also report to me.
” Pearlstine previously held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Wall Street Journal and Forbes magazine .
He also was a senior executive at Bloomberg News .
Pearlstine helped rebuild the Times after years of cost-cutting , layoffs and mismanagement under its previous owner , Tribune Publishing , and led a hiring spree that added dozens of journalists .
But during much of 2020 , the paper faced a series of controversies as journalists worked from home to cover major events , including the COVID-19 pandemic and protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Staff members took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic neglect in covering communities of color and a failure to better diversify staff during the hiring surge , the paper said .
In a Sept. 27 letter to readers , Patrick Soon-Shiong said the Times “ has ignored large swaths of the city and its diverse population , or covered them in one-dimensional , sometimes racist ways.
” In an October note to staff , Pearlstine wrote that he was “ proud of what we have accomplished .
I also recognize it ’ s the right time to find a successor - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue the Times ’ revival .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles Times Executive Editor Norman Pearlstine has stepped down after 2 1/2 years heading a newspaper roiled by management shakeups, a drop in revenue and questions about its commitment to newsroom diversity.
Pearlstine, 78, announced in October that he planned to retire but would stay on to help in the search for a new top editor.
On Monday, the Times’ owner and executive chairman Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong wrote in a note to staff that Pearlstine was no longer overseeing the newsroom and had shifted to an advisory role, the newspaper reported.
The paper recently hired a search firm to manage the process to find a new executive editor, which is expected to take several months, the Times said.
In the interim, two veteran managers will oversee the newsroom.
“Times Managing Editors Scott Kraft and Kimi Yoshino will now be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the newsroom, reporting to me,” Soon-Shiong wrote in the note. “Sewell Chan, editor of the Editorial Pages, will also report to me.”
Pearlstine previously held top editing jobs with Time Inc., the Wall Street Journal and Forbes magazine. He also was a senior executive at Bloomberg News.
Pearlstine helped rebuild the Times after years of cost-cutting, layoffs and mismanagement under its previous owner, Tribune Publishing, and led a hiring spree that added dozens of journalists.
But during much of 2020, the paper faced a series of controversies as journalists worked from home to cover major events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Staff members took leadership to task over the Times’ historic neglect in covering communities of color and a failure to better diversify staff during the hiring surge, the paper said.
In a Sept. 27 letter to readers, Patrick Soon-Shiong said the Times “has ignored large swaths of the city and its diverse population, or covered them in one-dimensional, sometimes racist ways.”
In an October note to staff, Pearlstine wrote that he was “proud of what we have accomplished. I also recognize it’s the right time to find a successor - an editor who embodies the qualities needed to continue the Times’ revival.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-14--Senate Republicans begin to recognize Joe Biden win

Senate Republicans on Monday began acknowledging Joseph R. Biden as the president-elect once the Electoral College affirmed his win in the Nov. 3 election .
Most of the GOP conference supported President Trump ’ s court challenges of election results in several states , but several called the electors ’ vote a turning point .
“ As soon as he crosses the 270 vote threshold , I mean there are still a couple of , I guess , last steps in the process , but in my view , that ’ s how in this country we decide presidential elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I believe in following the Constitution , ” Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota told reporters .
“ I understand there are people who feel strongly about the outcome of this election , but in the end , at some point , you have to face the music , ” he said .
“ And I think once the electoral college settles the issue today , it ’ s time for everybody to move on.
” The Electoral College was projected to declare Mr. Biden the winner by a 306-232 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it put Mr. Biden over the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House .
Mr. Trump has vowed to fight on .
His legal team filed a new complaint on Monday that accused New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver of “ flooding ” the state with mail-in ballots and altering the election laws .
A couple of Republican senators — Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina — acknowledged Mr. Biden as president-elect , but argued those legal challenges still needed to go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the electoral college , he ’ s presumptive president .
But … I don ’ t want to discount valid , legal disputes that ’ ll be settled over the next couple weeks , ” Mr. Tillis told reporters .

Senate Republicans on Monday began acknowledging Joseph R. Biden as the president-elect once the Electoral College affirmed his win in the Nov. 3 election.
Most of the GOP conference supported President Trump’s court challenges of election results in several states, but several called the electors’ vote a turning point.
“As soon as he crosses the 270 vote threshold, I mean there are still a couple of, I guess, last steps in the process, but in my view, that’s how in this country we decide presidential elections, that’s our Constitution, and I believe in following the Constitution,” Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota told reporters.
“I understand there are people who feel strongly about the outcome of this election, but in the end, at some point, you have to face the music,” he said. “And I think once the electoral college settles the issue today, it’s time for everybody to move on.”
The Electoral College was projected to declare Mr. Biden the winner by a 306-232 margin. When California recorded its votes, it put Mr. Biden over the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.
President Trump’s legal challenges have all failed.
Mr. Trump has vowed to fight on. His legal team filed a new complaint on Monday that accused New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver of “flooding” the state with mail-in ballots and altering the election laws.
A couple of Republican senators — Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina — acknowledged Mr. Biden as president-elect, but argued those legal challenges still needed to go through the process.
“If you go through the electoral college, he’s presumptive president. But … I don’t want to discount valid, legal disputes that’ll be settled over the next couple weeks,” Mr. Tillis told reporters.
• Alex Swoyer contributed to this report.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.