hotair--2020-12-05--Dem pollster: Dump this progressive slogan if you want to win elections

Three guesses as to which slogan will “ lose the House and the Senate overwhelmingly in 2022 , ” and the first two don ’ t count .
It ’ s not just the slogan that torpedoed what should have been a successful 2020 election cycle for Democrats , Doug Schoen warns .
The party faces a tough choice in the midterms , although a rather obvious one : Democrats should stop pressing “ defund the police ” and other hot-button social issues if they want to stay competitive in 2022 , according to new research from longtime Democratic pollster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me that if the Democrats go the progressive route they can lose the House and the Senate overwhelmingly in 2022 , ” Schoen told The Post .
“ The incoming Biden administration has to understand that unless they take a moderate path , that is a likely potential outcome for the Democrats.
” It ’ s not just the slogan that created problems for Democrats , but that certainly contributed to it .
Barack Obama — hardly among the moderate faction himself — told Peter Hamby the same thing earlier in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in policing , but they don ’ t want police cut back or abolished , a point that progressive firebrands refuse to recognize .
“ You lost a big audience the minute you say it , which makes it a lot less likely that you ’ re actually going to get the changes you want done , ” Obama observed .
In a democracy , “ you ’ ve got to be able to meet people where they are .
And play a game of addition and not subtraction.
” Schoen ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the rhetoric , however .
The longtime Democratic pollster and Mike Bloomberg adviser warns Democrats that the progressive agenda will keep adding to their losses , and says his post-election polling shows Democrats losing more ground than they think .
More than two-thirds of respondents affiliated themselves with post-election statements urging moderation as well , according to Schoen ’ s data , plus there ’ s these data points : The survey also found that the party was hurt in down-ballot races by the “ defund the police ” movement championed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voters said the issue made them “ less likely to vote for Democrats , ” while just 23 % said it made them more likely .
The poll reconfirmed longstanding trends showing self-identified conservatives outnumbering self-described liberals 37 % to 24 % ( 36 % said they were “ moderate ” ) .
This is just one poll , of course , but it follows a particularly massive survey … the national election .
And the outcomes from that November 3 “ poll ” corroborate Schoen ’ s findings , and vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades , and perhaps in the modern era , Republicans overall won a high-turnout election — no small feat in a country where Democrats hold a consistent lead in voter affiliation .
They added seats in the House , held serve in the Senate ( so far ) despite a significant numerical advantage , and added state houses while the other party won the presidency .
And that only happened because Democrats more or less lucked into picking the one person who could have won against Trump .
Democrats fumbled their way into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , avoiding the need for voters to vote against explicit progressivism at the top of the ticket .
And , of course , Joe Biden ran against one of the more unpopular incumbents seeking a second term of a presidency .
That tension won ’ t exist in 2022 , and Schoen knows it .
If Democrats keep handing the reins to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Elizabeth Warren , and the Defund the Police demagogues over the next two years , the usual midterm blahs will turn into a bloodbath .
If cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , the suburbs will revolt in even greater numbers than they did last month .
Republicans will end up controlling Congress and setting up a 2024 fight that they can easily win — as long as they can keep their own sloganeering and extremism under control .
This does cut both ways .

Three guesses as to which slogan will “lose the House and the Senate overwhelmingly in 2022,” and the first two don’t count. It’s not just the slogan that torpedoed what should have been a successful 2020 election cycle for Democrats, Doug Schoen warns. The party faces a tough choice in the midterms, although a rather obvious one:
Democrats should stop pressing “defund the police” and other hot-button social issues if they want to stay competitive in 2022, according to new research from longtime Democratic pollster Douglas Schoen. “The data says to me that if the Democrats go the progressive route they can lose the House and the Senate overwhelmingly in 2022,” Schoen told The Post. “The incoming Biden administration has to understand that unless they take a moderate path, that is a likely potential outcome for the Democrats.”
It’s not just the slogan that created problems for Democrats, but that certainly contributed to it. Barack Obama — hardly among the moderate faction himself — told Peter Hamby the same thing earlier in the week. People may support some reforms in policing, but they don’t want police cut back or abolished, a point that progressive firebrands refuse to recognize. “You lost a big audience the minute you say it, which makes it a lot less likely that you’re actually going to get the changes you want done,” Obama observed. In a democracy, “you’ve got to be able to meet people where they are. And play a game of addition and not subtraction.”
Schoen’s research shows that the problem runs deeper than the rhetoric, however. The longtime Democratic pollster and Mike Bloomberg adviser warns Democrats that the progressive agenda will keep adding to their losses, and says his post-election polling shows Democrats losing more ground than they think. More than two-thirds of respondents affiliated themselves with post-election statements urging moderation as well, according to Schoen’s data, plus there’s these data points:
The survey also found that the party was hurt in down-ballot races by the “defund the police” movement championed by progressives. A total of 35% of voters said the issue made them “less likely to vote for Democrats,” while just 23% said it made them more likely. The poll reconfirmed longstanding trends showing self-identified conservatives outnumbering self-described liberals 37% to 24% (36% said they were “moderate”).
This is just one poll, of course, but it follows a particularly massive survey … the national election. And the outcomes from that November 3 “poll” corroborate Schoen’s findings, and vice versa. For the first time in decades, and perhaps in the modern era, Republicans overall won a high-turnout election — no small feat in a country where Democrats hold a consistent lead in voter affiliation. They added seats in the House, held serve in the Senate (so far) despite a significant numerical advantage, and added state houses while the other party won the presidency.
And that only happened because Democrats more or less lucked into picking the one person who could have won against Trump. Democrats fumbled their way into nominating the only viable moderate in the primary, avoiding the need for voters to vote against explicit progressivism at the top of the ticket. And, of course, Joe Biden ran against one of the more unpopular incumbents seeking a second term of a presidency.
That tension won’t exist in 2022, and Schoen knows it. If Democrats keep handing the reins to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren, and the Defund the Police demagogues over the next two years, the usual midterm blahs will turn into a bloodbath. If cities keep pushing policies that support defunding the police, the suburbs will revolt in even greater numbers than they did last month. Republicans will end up controlling Congress and setting up a 2024 fight that they can easily win — as long as they can keep their own sloganeering and extremism under control. This does cut both ways.


hotair--2020-12-05--Bernie Sanders is a 'no' on the coronavirus relief package, joins Republican Josh Hawley in oppositi

Bernie Sanders is a 'no' on the coronavirus relief package, joins Republican Josh Hawley in opposition

It isn ’ t often that a socialist like Senator Bernie Sanders and a conservative like Senator Josh Hawley agree but this is 2020 and here we are .
Sanders announced Friday that he is not able to support the COVID-19 relief bill being put together in the Senate .
The concern he voiced is the same as Hawley ’ s – the relief package leaves out another round of $ 1200 checks that would go directly to taxpayers at or below a certain level of income .
Coronavirus relief checks sent directly to Americans most in need is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Republicans took it out of the current bill being discussed .
It doesn ’ t make sense and Sanders is joining Hawley in speaking out against that .
So far , Hawley is the only Republican senator saying the checks must be in the bill .
Talk about an odd couple .
But , both of them are on the right side of the argument .
People are struggling to hang on as the coronavirus is still very much with us .
We know that Speaker Pelosi didn ’ t care about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiating for relief before the presidential election .
Now that Joe Biden will be the next president , suddenly she ’ s interested in supporting a smaller relief bill than she was demanding pre-election .
There is a deadline to be met in order to avoid a federal government shutdown .
Lawmakers face a tight schedule to take action as congressional leaders push to include the coronavirus relief effort with the spending bill needed to avert a federal government shutdown after Dec. 11 .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) expressed optimism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum ” was building toward a deal , citing her conversation Thursday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) .
“ The vehicle is leaving the station , ” Pelosi said of including coronavirus relief with the government funding deal .
“ If there ’ s a vehicle and we can add this — once we see the text — that is what we will be doing.
” She added : “ We have the time to do it .
… We must get it done .
We must get it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not leave without it.
” It would have been nice if Pelosi felt her new-found sense of urgency before she let the House go out for Thanksgiving recess without a bill , but that ’ s how she rolls .
Families are left hanging while Nancy Pelosi focuses on scoring political points .
The small bipartisan group leading the discussion in the Senate include Senators Joe Manchin , Mitt Romney , Susan Collins , Mark Warner , Jeanne Shaheen , Lisa Murkowski , and Bill Cassidy .
The group is working off of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it into legislative text for a relief bill .
The pressure is on .
The jobs report didn ’ t meet expectations on Friday and public health officials are busy sending out the alarm that the coronavirus is raging back in parts of the country .
Republican opposition is over the money going to state and city funding .
Conservative advocacy groups like Freedomworks have organized to pressure Republican lawmakers to oppose that part of the bill .
Liberal lawmakers are pushing for another round of checks for taxpayers .
As I mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the only Republican senator who is working to include that in the relief bill .
That part should be a no-brainer for both sides of the aisle .
There is an informal deadline of Monday to reach an agreement .
One idea to make the bill more appealing to Republicans is to distribute state and local aid based on a formula accounting for a jurisdiction ’ s loss of revenue , not its population .
And , Sanders wants to omit the provision that includes a “ liability shield ” for companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enormous economic desperation facing working families in this country today , I will not be able to support the recently announced Manchin-Romney COVID proposal unless it is significantly improved , ” Sanders said in a statement , citing the inclusion of a “ liability shield ” intended to insulate firms from coronavirus-related lawsuits .
Sanders added of the absence of stimulus checks in the bill : “ Tens of millions of Americans living in desperation today would receive absolutely no financial help from this proposal .
That is not acceptable.
” Some congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might ironically help seal a bipartisan accord , giving Republican senators cover to back a larger package by highlighting the demands inside the Democratic Party for a multitrillion-dollar deal .
Time is running out and it is inexcusable that relief has not been forthcoming for American taxpayers trying to hold on until the country fully opens back up and jobs come back .
The White House is working with the lawmakers , hoping that positive developments are coming .
President Trump doesn ’ t support funding of state and local governments so perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

It isn’t often that a socialist like Senator Bernie Sanders and a conservative like Senator Josh Hawley agree but this is 2020 and here we are. Sanders announced Friday that he is not able to support the COVID-19 relief bill being put together in the Senate. The concern he voiced is the same as Hawley’s – the relief package leaves out another round of $1200 checks that would go directly to taxpayers at or below a certain level of income.
Coronavirus relief checks sent directly to Americans most in need is a popular idea with both Republicans and Democrats but Republicans took it out of the current bill being discussed. It doesn’t make sense and Sanders is joining Hawley in speaking out against that. So far, Hawley is the only Republican senator saying the checks must be in the bill.
Talk about an odd couple. But, both of them are on the right side of the argument. People are struggling to hang on as the coronavirus is still very much with us. We know that Speaker Pelosi didn’t care about people enough to do the work of negotiating for relief before the presidential election. Now that Joe Biden will be the next president, suddenly she’s interested in supporting a smaller relief bill than she was demanding pre-election. There is a deadline to be met in order to avoid a federal government shutdown.
Lawmakers face a tight schedule to take action as congressional leaders push to include the coronavirus relief effort with the spending bill needed to avert a federal government shutdown after Dec. 11. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressed optimism at her news conference Friday that “momentum” was building toward a deal, citing her conversation Thursday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “The vehicle is leaving the station,” Pelosi said of including coronavirus relief with the government funding deal. “If there’s a vehicle and we can add this — once we see the text — that is what we will be doing.” She added: “We have the time to do it. … We must get it done. We must get it done before we leave. We cannot leave without it.”
It would have been nice if Pelosi felt her new-found sense of urgency before she let the House go out for Thanksgiving recess without a bill, but that’s how she rolls. Families are left hanging while Nancy Pelosi focuses on scoring political points.
The small bipartisan group leading the discussion in the Senate include Senators Joe Manchin, Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Mark Warner, Jeanne Shaheen, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy. The group is working off of a one-page outline, trying to turn it into legislative text for a relief bill. The pressure is on. The jobs report didn’t meet expectations on Friday and public health officials are busy sending out the alarm that the coronavirus is raging back in parts of the country.
The legislation pushed by the bipartisan group would provide hundreds of billions of dollars to jobless Americans. It would also provide some funding for states and cities hit by declines in revenue amid the pandemic, and offer new funding for struggling small businesses by reauthorizing the Paycheck Protection Program. It would provide smaller amounts of money, in the tens of billions, to a number of other critical needs, including schools; child care; hunger; rental assistance; and other pressing demands.
Republican opposition is over the money going to state and city funding. Conservative advocacy groups like Freedomworks have organized to pressure Republican lawmakers to oppose that part of the bill. Liberal lawmakers are pushing for another round of checks for taxpayers. As I mentioned, it is odd that Senator Hawley is the only Republican senator who is working to include that in the relief bill. That part should be a no-brainer for both sides of the aisle. There is an informal deadline of Monday to reach an agreement.
One idea to make the bill more appealing to Republicans is to distribute state and local aid based on a formula accounting for a jurisdiction’s loss of revenue, not its population. And, Sanders wants to omit the provision that includes a “liability shield” for companies from coronavirus-related lawsuits.
“Given the enormous economic desperation facing working families in this country today, I will not be able to support the recently announced Manchin-Romney COVID proposal unless it is significantly improved,” Sanders said in a statement, citing the inclusion of a “liability shield” intended to insulate firms from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Sanders added of the absence of stimulus checks in the bill: “Tens of millions of Americans living in desperation today would receive absolutely no financial help from this proposal. That is not acceptable.” Some congressional aides speculated that Sanders’s opposition might ironically help seal a bipartisan accord, giving Republican senators cover to back a larger package by highlighting the demands inside the Democratic Party for a multitrillion-dollar deal.
Time is running out and it is inexcusable that relief has not been forthcoming for American taxpayers trying to hold on until the country fully opens back up and jobs come back. The White House is working with the lawmakers, hoping that positive developments are coming. President Trump doesn’t support funding of state and local governments so perhaps a new formula will appeal to him.


hotair--2020-12-05--LA restaurant owner rips Garcetti hypocrisy: Why shut me down while allowing a Hollywood canteen in

LA restaurant owner rips Garcetti hypocrisy: Why shut me down while allowing a Hollywood canteen in my parking lot?

Earlier this week , Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti banned outdoor service at restaurants in response to the COVID-19 transmission spike .
That includes Pineapple Hill Grill and Saloon in Sherman Oaks , whose owner Angela Marsden sunk $ 80,000 into social-distanced outdoor dining infrastructure and had planned to reopen today .
Marsden went to the store yesterday to collect a few items for a planned protest , but got a big surprise when she arrived at the parking lot adjacent to her dining patio .
This went viral last night , and for good reason : Angela Marsden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grill , posted a video on social media after she saw production tents and tables set up in a parking lot just a few feet from the outdoor dining area she ’ s not allowed to use .
People involved in the television production were seen dining under the tents .
“ Everything I own is being taken away from me and they set up a movie company right next to my outdoor patio , ” Marsden says in the video .
“ They have not given us money and they have shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My staff can not survive , ” she also says .
… “ The day they come to get their last paycheck , you punch me in the face and say that this is dangerous .
Right here is dangerous .
But just walk over there and eat , ” Marsden told Eyewitness News .
CBS LA attempted to explain the nuances of the case : Only in Los Angeles could video and music production be deemed essential .
Essential to what , exactly ?
Do they keep people physically alive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of previously recorded material available for people , even if one could make such an absurd argument ?
The only way these productions are essential is in the way that the industry ’ s clout makes it impossible for local or state politicians to cross them .
Want to hold office in Los Angeles ?
Better treat Hollywood as an “ essential business , ” pal .
Even at that , though , the “ essential-ism ” of the movie production is a non-sequitur .
The production company is performing the exact same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — serving people food in those tents .
Some Hollywood apologists are claiming , well they test their personnel every day , the food is plastic wrapped , and so on .
That misses the point entirely .
The supposed risk is in the proximity of dining , not in the food .
How is the risk different between the two different patios ?
If anything , the sheer size of the production canteen is a higher theoretical risk , especially since it appears that the pathways in and out will create higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Plus , even if those statements are correct , that assumes that the order from Los Angeles involves some standard Marsden hasn ’ t met .
It doesn ’ t ; LA is shutting down outdoor dining , period .
Garcetti isn ’ t even allowing Marsden or other restaurant owners the opportunity to meet an objective set of standards applied to everyone .
Instead , Garcetti is forcing her to close her business in providing outdoor dining without any opportunity to demonstrate safety .
And while Garcetti shuts down Marsden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hypocrisy by allowing Hollywood to do what he ’ s prohibiting Marsden from doing .
This demonstrates the utter corruption of Los Angeles leadership in this crisis .
There is no rational or scientific difference at all between those two patios in COVID-19 transmission risk .
If one is open , then the other should be open as well .
If outdoor dining is verboten for Marsden , then outdoor dining should be verboten for Hollywood too , and its “ essential ” business sidelined just as Marsden ’ s is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other and calling video and music production “ essential ” because his lips are firmly planted on Hollywood ’ s posterior .
Say , where are the Hollywood celebrities in this fight , anyway ?
They ’ re always concerned about the ordinary folk and preaching about solidarity and being “ all in this together.
” This would be a good time to put their mouths where their money is .

Earlier this week, Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti banned outdoor service at restaurants in response to the COVID-19 transmission spike. That includes Pineapple Hill Grill and Saloon in Sherman Oaks, whose owner Angela Marsden sunk $80,000 into social-distanced outdoor dining infrastructure and had planned to reopen today. Marsden went to the store yesterday to collect a few items for a planned protest, but got a big surprise when she arrived at the parking lot adjacent to her dining patio.
This went viral last night, and for good reason:
Bar owner in Los Angeles CA is livid to see that mayor Garcetti has approved an outdoor dining area for a movie company directly across from her outdoor dining area (which was shut down) pic.twitter.com/jkUP2CWg35 — Jake Coco 💙🇺🇸🎶🐻 (@jakecoco) December 4, 2020
Angela Marsden, the owner of Pineapple Hill Saloon and Grill, posted a video on social media after she saw production tents and tables set up in a parking lot just a few feet from the outdoor dining area she’s not allowed to use. People involved in the television production were seen dining under the tents. “Everything I own is being taken away from me and they set up a movie company right next to my outdoor patio,” Marsden says in the video. “They have not given us money and they have shut us down. We cannot survive. My staff cannot survive,” she also says. … “The day they come to get their last paycheck, you punch me in the face and say that this is dangerous. Right here is dangerous. But just walk over there and eat,” Marsden told Eyewitness News.
CBS LA attempted to explain the nuances of the case:
Under the county’s guidelines, video and music production is deemed essential. Many production crews also test employees frequently, while under the recent Los Angeles County health order, restaurants like Marsden’s were forced to shut down their outdoor dining.
Only in Los Angeles could video and music production be deemed essential. Essential to what, exactly? Do they keep people physically alive and healthy? Aren’t there decades of previously recorded material available for people, even if one could make such an absurd argument? The only way these productions are essential is in the way that the industry’s clout makes it impossible for local or state politicians to cross them. Want to hold office in Los Angeles? Better treat Hollywood as an “essential business,” pal.
Even at that, though, the “essential-ism” of the movie production is a non-sequitur. The production company is performing the exact same activity that Marsden does with her business — serving people food in those tents. Some Hollywood apologists are claiming, well they test their personnel every day, the food is plastic wrapped, and so on. That misses the point entirely. The supposed risk is in the proximity of dining, not in the food. How is the risk different between the two different patios? If anything, the sheer size of the production canteen is a higher theoretical risk, especially since it appears that the pathways in and out will create higher density than with Marsden’s set-up.
Plus, even if those statements are correct, that assumes that the order from Los Angeles involves some standard Marsden hasn’t met. It doesn’t; LA is shutting down outdoor dining, period. Garcetti isn’t even allowing Marsden or other restaurant owners the opportunity to meet an objective set of standards applied to everyone. Instead, Garcetti is forcing her to close her business in providing outdoor dining without any opportunity to demonstrate safety. And while Garcetti shuts down Marsden, he’s rubbing her nose in his hypocrisy by allowing Hollywood to do what he’s prohibiting Marsden from doing.
This demonstrates the utter corruption of Los Angeles leadership in this crisis. There is no rational or scientific difference at all between those two patios in COVID-19 transmission risk. If one is open, then the other should be open as well. If outdoor dining is verboten for Marsden, then outdoor dining should be verboten for Hollywood too, and its “essential” business sidelined just as Marsden’s is. Garcetti’s allowing one over the other and calling video and music production “essential” because his lips are firmly planted on Hollywood’s posterior.
Say, where are the Hollywood celebrities in this fight, anyway? They’re always concerned about the ordinary folk and preaching about solidarity and being “all in this together.” This would be a good time to put their mouths where their money is.


hotair--2020-12-05--Latest guidance from CDC: Universal mask wearing mandate, no holiday travel

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) issued its latest guidelines on mitigating the coronavirus to combat the latest surges in cases and hospitalizations .
Friday the agency recommended a universal face mask mandate as a key step in fighting the virus .
The CDC warns the U.S. has “ entered a phase of high-level transmission.
” The guidance asks that state and local officials “ issue policies or directives mandating universal use of face masks in indoor ( nonhousehold ) settings.
” In other words , the recommendation is more government control of its citizens in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask use outside of the household .
In the household , face masks are to be used if a member of the household tests positive for the coronavirus .
The face mask topic has been a tricky one from the beginning of the pandemic .
At the beginning of the pandemic in the United States , we were told by the CDC and other public health experts to not worry about wearing face masks .
This advice , as it turned out , was to allow health care professionals to get first dibs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and try to avoid shortages .
Shortages of PPE happened anyway because there was no way the U.S. was prepared for such a health event .
As manufacturers stepped up and agreed to produce and distribute items like face masks , the CDC decided that yes , face masks are important and everyone should wear one out in public .
The part about wearing a mask in your own home is new , though .
Originally we were told to isolate a household member who tests positive for the virus , as in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the other household members .
Universal use of face masks .
Consistent and correct use of face masks is a public health strategy critical to reducing respiratory transmission of SARS-CoV-2 , particularly in light of estimates that approximately one half of new infections are transmitted by persons who have no symptoms ( 2,3 ) .
Compelling evidence now supports the benefits of cloth face masks for both source control ( to protect others ) and , to a lesser extent , protection of the wearer.† To preserve the supply of N95 respirators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first responders , CDC recommends nonvalved , multilayer cloth masks or nonmedical disposable masks for community use.§ Face mask use is most important in indoor spaces and outdoors when physical distance of ≥6 feet can not be maintained .
Within households , face masks should be used when a member of the household is infected or has had recent potential COVID-19 exposure ( e.g.
, known close contact or potential exposure related to occupation , crowded public settings , travel , or nonhousehold members in your house ) .
A community-level plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as those who might experience barriers to access , should be developed It seems that there really isn ’ t much more the CDC can ask of the general public .
Every part of the updated guidance is already in place , the CDC wants to increase the severity of the mandates or restrictions since we are now in a second ( or third ? )
wave of the coronavirus pandemic .
The rest of the recommendations are : physical distancing , avoiding nonessential indoor spaces , increasing testing , prompt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at increased risk for severe illness or death , protecting essential workers , postponing travel , enhancing ventilation and hand hygiene , and achieving widespread COVID-19 vaccination coverage .
We ’ ve heard it all before , right ?
As might have been expected , Christmas holiday and New Year ’ s travel is not recommended .
Just like with Thanksgiving , everyone is advised to stay at home and just celebrate with those in your household .
Health care professionals worry that the virus will be spread from community to community by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the CDC report , there are recommendations for people who do decide to go ahead and travel despite the warnings .
Postponing travel .
Travel increases the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and infection and could translocate infection between communities .
Postponing travel is the best way to reduce this risk.¶¶¶¶¶¶ Any traveler who is symptomatic , has had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and has not met criteria for release from quarantine , or has a positive or pending SARS-CoV-2 test result should not travel .
******* For those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested with a viral test for SARS-CoV-2 1–3 days before departure and getting retested 3–5 days after arrival.††††††† Domestic travelers should also consider testing .
Testing does not eliminate all risk and should be combined with other recommended public health strategies .
Both domestic and international travelers should stay home or reduce nonessential activities before travel , and for 7 days after travel if tested , even if test results are negative .
If not tested , this period should be extended to 10 days .
Travelers should be diligent about mask wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and symptom monitoring .
For 14 days after arrival , travelers should avoid close contact with persons at higher risk for severe COVID-19–associated outcomes and wear masks in household spaces shared with those who did not travel .
The experts still say indoor dining establishments and bars should be closed .
That varies from state to state , though , as governors make decisions for their states according to the severity of the virus .
For example , Governor Abbott in Texas stands by his pledge to not shut down the state again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they arise .
In California , Governor Newsom is taking a different approach and shutting down the state as determined by outbreaks in regions .
Individual cities , like Los Angeles , have implemented their versions of lockdowns .
The virus continues to flare up despite the mitigation measures taken over the last nine months .
By and large , Americans are doing as they are asked to protect themselves and their friends and loved ones .
Fortunately , vaccines will soon be available to help in the efforts to stop the spread @ @ @ @

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its latest guidelines on mitigating the coronavirus to combat the latest surges in cases and hospitalizations. Friday the agency recommended a universal face mask mandate as a key step in fighting the virus. The CDC warns the U.S. has “entered a phase of high-level transmission.”
The guidance asks that state and local officials “issue policies or directives mandating universal use of face masks in indoor (nonhousehold) settings.” In other words, the recommendation is more government control of its citizens in the form of stricter requirements on face mask use outside of the household. In the household, face masks are to be used if a member of the household tests positive for the coronavirus.
The face mask topic has been a tricky one from the beginning of the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic in the United States, we were told by the CDC and other public health experts to not worry about wearing face masks. This advice, as it turned out, was to allow health care professionals to get first dibs on personal protective equipment (PPE) and try to avoid shortages. Shortages of PPE happened anyway because there was no way the U.S. was prepared for such a health event. As manufacturers stepped up and agreed to produce and distribute items like face masks, the CDC decided that yes, face masks are important and everyone should wear one out in public. The part about wearing a mask in your own home is new, though. Originally we were told to isolate a household member who tests positive for the virus, as in put that person in a room away from the other household members.
Universal use of face masks. Consistent and correct use of face masks is a public health strategy critical to reducing respiratory transmission of SARS-CoV-2, particularly in light of estimates that approximately one half of new infections are transmitted by persons who have no symptoms (2,3). Compelling evidence now supports the benefits of cloth face masks for both source control (to protect others) and, to a lesser extent, protection of the wearer.† To preserve the supply of N95 respirators for health care workers and other medical first responders, CDC recommends nonvalved, multilayer cloth masks or nonmedical disposable masks for community use.§ Face mask use is most important in indoor spaces and outdoors when physical distance of ≥6 feet cannot be maintained. Within households, face masks should be used when a member of the household is infected or has had recent potential COVID-19 exposure (e.g., known close contact or potential exposure related to occupation, crowded public settings, travel, or nonhousehold members in your house). A community-level plan for distribution of face masks to specific populations, such as those who might experience barriers to access, should be developed
It seems that there really isn’t much more the CDC can ask of the general public. Every part of the updated guidance is already in place, the CDC wants to increase the severity of the mandates or restrictions since we are now in a second (or third?) wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The rest of the recommendations are: physical distancing, avoiding nonessential indoor spaces, increasing testing, prompt quarantine of exposed persons, safeguarding those at increased risk for severe illness or death, protecting essential workers, postponing travel, enhancing ventilation and hand hygiene, and achieving widespread COVID-19 vaccination coverage. We’ve heard it all before, right?
As might have been expected, Christmas holiday and New Year’s travel is not recommended. Just like with Thanksgiving, everyone is advised to stay at home and just celebrate with those in your household. Health care professionals worry that the virus will be spread from community to community by those traveling to visit family and friends. In the CDC report, there are recommendations for people who do decide to go ahead and travel despite the warnings.
Postponing travel. Travel increases the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and infection and could translocate infection between communities. Postponing travel is the best way to reduce this risk.¶¶¶¶¶¶ Any traveler who is symptomatic, has had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and has not met criteria for release from quarantine, or has a positive or pending SARS-CoV-2 test result should not travel.******* For those contemplating international travel, CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test for SARS-CoV-2 1–3 days before departure and getting retested 3–5 days after arrival.††††††† Domestic travelers should also consider testing. Testing does not eliminate all risk and should be combined with other recommended public health strategies. Both domestic and international travelers should stay home or reduce nonessential activities before travel, and for 7 days after travel if tested, even if test results are negative. If not tested, this period should be extended to 10 days. Travelers should be diligent about mask wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and symptom monitoring. For 14 days after arrival, travelers should avoid close contact with persons at higher risk for severe COVID-19–associated outcomes and wear masks in household spaces shared with those who did not travel.
The experts still say indoor dining establishments and bars should be closed. That varies from state to state, though, as governors make decisions for their states according to the severity of the virus. For example, Governor Abbott in Texas stands by his pledge to not shut down the state again but to concentrate on hot spots as they arise. In California, Governor Newsom is taking a different approach and shutting down the state as determined by outbreaks in regions. Individual cities, like Los Angeles, have implemented their versions of lockdowns.
The virus continues to flare up despite the mitigation measures taken over the last nine months. By and large, Americans are doing as they are asked to protect themselves and their friends and loved ones. Fortunately, vaccines will soon be available to help in the efforts to stop the spread of the virus.


hotair--2020-12-06--Sunday morning talking heads

Sunday morning talking heads

The COVID catastrophe takes precedence over Trump ’ s go-nowhere election challenges this morning as the Sunday shows turn to health experts on guidance about … something .
I ’ m not sure what .
There ’ s nothing left to say at this point beyond “ stay in your home as much as possible , ” “ wear a mask when you can ’ t , ” and “ the vaccine is almost here.
” HHS chief Alex Azar will be on “ This Week ” and “ Fox News Sunday ” to be quizzed on how much longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the UK has already greenlit the vaccines for emergency use .
Moncef Slaoui , the head of Operation Warp Speed , will chat about the same subject with “ Face the Nation ” and “ State of the Union , ” as well as the next stage in prioritizing recipients of the vaccine .
Does he think senior citizens should go first or essential workers ?
Meanwhile , Deborah Birx will appear on “ Meet the Press ” to futilely plead with the public to take this more seriously now that cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have each reached an all-time high .
No one who ’ s attached to the president ’ s legal effort to overturn the election is booked this morning , continuing a trend on the Sunday shows .
Whether that ’ s because bookers won ’ t give people like Rudy Giuliani a platform or because more respectable Trump allies aren ’ t willing to defend the effort — or both — is unclear , but it is what it is .
Instead guests will include two Republicans who are in the eye of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the upcoming runoffs .
Lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan will speak with “ State of the Union ” about the political and human fallout of the demagoguery unleashed on the state by Sidney Powell , Lin Wood , and the president himself while voting systems manager Gabriel Sterling will sit with “ Meet the Press ” to discuss his rant on the subject earlier this week .
Hopefully Chuck Todd will ask him why he insists on voting for Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue when they ’ ve contributed to the hostility fueling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss , Brad Raffensperger .
Finally , the man who stands to become one of the most powerful politicians in America *if* Democrats sweep the Georgia runoffs will appear this morning to discuss his plans for the country .
Joe Manchin is also Todd ’ s guest on “ Meet the Press.
” The full line-up is at the AP .

The COVID catastrophe takes precedence over Trump’s go-nowhere election challenges this morning as the Sunday shows turn to health experts on guidance about … something. I’m not sure what. There’s nothing left to say at this point beyond “stay in your home as much as possible,” “wear a mask when you can’t,” and “the vaccine is almost here.” HHS chief Alex Azar will be on “This Week” and “Fox News Sunday” to be quizzed on how much longer FDA approval might take, especially now that the UK has already greenlit the vaccines for emergency use. Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed, will chat about the same subject with “Face the Nation” and “State of the Union,” as well as the next stage in prioritizing recipients of the vaccine. Does he think senior citizens should go first or essential workers?
Meanwhile, Deborah Birx will appear on “Meet the Press” to futilely plead with the public to take this more seriously now that cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID have each reached an all-time high.
No one who’s attached to the president’s legal effort to overturn the election is booked this morning, continuing a trend on the Sunday shows. Whether that’s because bookers won’t give people like Rudy Giuliani a platform or because more respectable Trump allies aren’t willing to defend the effort — or both — is unclear, but it is what it is. Instead guests will include two Republicans who are in the eye of the storm surrounding the Georgia presidential election and the upcoming runoffs. Lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan will speak with “State of the Union” about the political and human fallout of the demagoguery unleashed on the state by Sidney Powell, Lin Wood, and the president himself while voting systems manager Gabriel Sterling will sit with “Meet the Press” to discuss his rant on the subject earlier this week. Hopefully Chuck Todd will ask him why he insists on voting for Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue when they’ve contributed to the hostility fueling the disgusting harassment of him and his boss, Brad Raffensperger.
Finally, the man who stands to become one of the most powerful politicians in America *if* Democrats sweep the Georgia runoffs will appear this morning to discuss his plans for the country. Joe Manchin is also Todd’s guest on “Meet the Press.” The full line-up is at the AP.


hotair--2020-12-06--COVID-19 vaccine chief fact checks Biden's claim that Trump administration has no distribution plan

COVID-19 vaccine chief fact checks Biden's claim that Trump administration has no distribution plan as false

The Trump administration ’ s COVID-19 vaccine chief , Dr. Moncef Slaoui , was asked to fact check a ridiculous remark made by Joe Biden last week .
He did so by saying the president-elect is not telling the truth about his claim that the Trump administration has no vaccine rollout plan .
Biden said in Delaware , “ There is no detailed plan that we ’ ve seen , anyway , as to how you get the vaccine out of a container , into an injection syringe , into somebody ’ s arm.
” Dr.Slaoui was asked Sunday by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Union if that statement is correct .
Slaoui didn ’ t hesitate to correct Biden and say that yes , of course , there is a plan .
He said that the Biden transition team will be briefed on the plan this week .
Slaoui pushed back on Biden ’ s remarks in an interview with CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” on Sunday morning , arguing there is a detailed distribution plan but Biden ’ s transition team hasn ’ t yet been fully briefed .
Slaoui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet with the Biden team as the transition gets underway .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease , agreed to serve as Biden ’ s chief medical advisor last week and met with the incoming administration .
The chief advisor of Operation Warp Speed also appeared on CBS ’ s Face the Nation and vouched for the safety of the vaccines as well as the lack of serious adverse side effects .
Slaoui said he thinks a vaccine will be long lasting , between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our protection for many years.
” In a separate interview on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation , ” Slaoui said he ’ s confident that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe with “ no serious adverse side effects ” reported from trials .
“ It ’ s absolutely vital that everybody take comfort in the fact that we have light at the end of the tunnel , and find the energy in that to continue to wear our masks , distance , wash our hands , pay attention to what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re there by the spring to benefit from the vaccine , ” Slaoui said .
These are timely reassurances from Dr. Slaoui who worked in tandem with HHS Secretary Alex Azar who appeared on ABC ’ s This Week to talk about the availability of vaccines in the very near future ( which Ed wrote about here ) .
Slaoui expects the first shipments of an approved vaccine to go out the day after the U.S. Food and Drug administration authorizes it .
The FDA is set to hold hearings later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He expects both to be approved , based on the data he has seen , he said .
Secretary Azar said FDA authorization could come within days .
He speculates that a “ more general ” vaccination will be available in February and March .
Dr. Slaoui says there is a light at the end of the tunnel .
In the meantime , everyone should continue to practice mitigation recommendations – hand washing , face masks , and social distancing .
Life may be much more normal by spring .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on the most susceptible people probably in the month of January and February , ” Slaoui said in an interview with “ Face the Nation ” on Sunday .
“ But on a population basis , for our lives to start getting back to normal , we ’ re talking about April or May .
Therefore , it ’ s absolutely vital that everybody take comfort in the fact that we have light at the end of the tunnel , and find the energy in that to continue to wear our masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay attention to what we ’ re doing to make sure we ’ re there by the spring to benefit from the vaccine.
” That is welcome news .
It is much easier to hang on and continue to practice social distancing and other mitigation measures if we know that there is a timeline for a more normal way of life .

The Trump administration’s COVID-19 vaccine chief, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, was asked to fact check a ridiculous remark made by Joe Biden last week. He did so by saying the president-elect is not telling the truth about his claim that the Trump administration has no vaccine rollout plan.
Biden said in Delaware, “There is no detailed plan that we’ve seen, anyway, as to how you get the vaccine out of a container, into an injection syringe, into somebody’s arm.” Dr.Slaoui was asked Sunday by CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union if that statement is correct. Slaoui didn’t hesitate to correct Biden and say that yes, of course, there is a plan. He said that the Biden transition team will be briefed on the plan this week.
Slaoui pushed back on Biden’s remarks in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday morning, arguing there is a detailed distribution plan but Biden’s transition team hasn’t yet been fully briefed. Slaoui will be the latest top health official to meet with the Biden team as the transition gets underway. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, agreed to serve as Biden’s chief medical advisor last week and met with the incoming administration.
The chief advisor of Operation Warp Speed also appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation and vouched for the safety of the vaccines as well as the lack of serious adverse side effects.
Slaoui said he thinks a vaccine will be long lasting, between 2 to 3 years, “prolonging our protection for many years.” In a separate interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Slaoui said he’s confident that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe with “no serious adverse side effects” reported from trials. “It’s absolutely vital that everybody take comfort in the fact that we have light at the end of the tunnel, and find the energy in that to continue to wear our masks, distance, wash our hands, pay attention to what we’re doing to make sure we’re there by the spring to benefit from the vaccine,” Slaoui said.
These are timely reassurances from Dr. Slaoui who worked in tandem with HHS Secretary Alex Azar who appeared on ABC’s This Week to talk about the availability of vaccines in the very near future (which Ed wrote about here). Slaoui expects the first shipments of an approved vaccine to go out the day after the U.S. Food and Drug administration authorizes it. The FDA is set to hold hearings later this month for both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. He expects both to be approved, based on the data he has seen, he said. Secretary Azar said FDA authorization could come within days. He speculates that a “more general” vaccination will be available in February and March.
Dr. Slaoui says there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, everyone should continue to practice mitigation recommendations – hand washing, face masks, and social distancing. Life may be much more normal by spring.
“I think we may start to see some impact on the most susceptible people probably in the month of January and February,” Slaoui said in an interview with “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “But on a population basis, for our lives to start getting back to normal, we’re talking about April or May. Therefore, it’s absolutely vital that everybody take comfort in the fact that we have light at the end of the tunnel, and find the energy in that to continue to wear our masks, distance, wash our hands, pay attention to what we’re doing to make sure we’re there by the spring to benefit from the vaccine.”
That is welcome news. It is much easier to hang on and continue to practice social distancing and other mitigation measures if we know that there is a timeline for a more normal way of life.


hotair--2020-12-06--Section 230 <i>prevents</i> Big Tech from excessive censorship

The long knives remain out within government circles for Section 230 , the portion of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 exempting information service providers from liability when it comes to content posted by third parties .
“ Section 230 , which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “ Big Tech ” ( the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare ! )
, is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity , ” outgoing President Donald Trump howled December 1st on Twitter .
“ Our Country can never be safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand .
Therefore , if the very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) , I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk .
Take back America NOW .
Thank you !
” The “ national security ” angle appears to be Trump ’ s latest line of attack on Section 230 having raised similar gripes around Thanksgiving .
It ’ s doubtful Congress falls in line with the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely outcome based on statements from Republicans and Democrats .
Republican Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe told reporters he wanted to see Section 230 repealed but it “ has nothing to do with the military.
” Section 230 defenders express plenty of skepticism on the “ national security ” claim .
“ There is no way 230 is a national security issue at all , ” R Street Institue Senior Manager of Digital Media , Fellow , and sloth enthusiast Shosana Weissmann emailed me in response to Trump ’ s tweets .
“ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liable for his or her post .
That ’ s it .
But shortly after an unflattering hashtag about President Trump began trending , he tweeted this .
It appeared as though his response to speech he doesn ’ t like was reducing speech online .
If I ’ m correct , it would be anti-free speech principles and chilling .
And it wouldn ’ t be the first time .
” Indeed it ’ s not the first time Trump railed against those who disagree with him .
He ran to FCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 after criticism from National Review ’ s Rich Lowry .
He threatened to strongly regulate social media companies “ or shut them down ” in May .
Not exactly the words of someone who claims to believe in free speech .
The social media giants are far from pure in their methods .
Twitter ’ s behavior towards New York Post over their Hunter Biden story reeked of poor judgment and skirted the line of censorship .
The cross-platform banning of Alex Jones and InfoWars only gave him more publicity contrary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not less when it comes from public discourse !
“ Big Tech has effectively imported European speech law into the United States , ” Attorney Molly McCann wrote at American Mind in an analysis of social media companies .
“ Big Tech has created a massive internal framework that blankets the nation and imposes European-style standards in direct opposition to the robust , absolutist American rule.
” She fears Americans will no longer appreciate Free Speech as defined by the Constitution .
“ Big Tech censorship is also dangerous to the long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital interaction is so widespread , its European view of speech will slowly begin to chip away at Americans ’ absolutist attitude toward speech .
Big Tech ’ s speech codes are chilling and suppressing speech now , but ultimately , our collective attitude toward speech might change.
” This is where Trump , McCann , and other so-called ‘ free speech advocates ’ go wrong .
It ’ s a misguided concern despite the aforementioned scurrilous , but not illegal , behavior by social media companies .
“ The First Amendment protects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punished by the government , not by social media companies , ” wrote First Amendment attorney Ari Cohn in an email on Section 230 and social media complaints .
“ The First Amendment protects the right of social media companies to moderate content as they see fit .
Weakening Section 230 protections would very likely result in increased moderation to avoid liability , with the additional effect of making it very difficult for new services and websites to compete with the dominant players.
” There ’ s also misunderstanding , whether willful or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall broadness regarding Section 230 .
It ’ s not , as Trump claimed , a cover for social media companies .
“ [ W ] hile changes to 230 would impact Twitter , it would also have implications for AllTrails , StackOverflow , and the comments sections on publications and smaller blogs , ” Weissmann explained to me .
“ Now , if 230 were to be repealed or modified in many of the proposed ways some have suggested , it would bring us back to the “ moderator ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would make it so these websites are incentivized to moderate SO MUCH speech that relatively little gets through and so they can be sure they won ’ t be sued , or to moderate absolutely nothing so that they are liable for nothing.
” Rather disturbing when one considers it .
No doubt moderators would go absolutely banana viewing content from the millions and millions of users posting everything from cat memes to sports and political commentary on social media .
Think social media companies use too many algorithms already ?
Imagine how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content should Section 230 disappear from U.S. law .
Smaller companies like Gab or Parler might eventually shut down due to the overly litigious .
“ Giant corporations like Twitter and Facebook have the financial means to absorb the risks and costs , ” Cohn observed .
“ Upstart competitors will find themselves staring down the barrel of enormous potential liability.
” Jonathan Rauch was correct while writing Kindly Inquisitors , his 1993 defense of free speech .
“ What is the right answer to the person who demands something because he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad , but you ’ ll live . '
” Something for us all to remember before plunging the legislative blades into Section 230 .

The long knives remain out within government circles for Section 230, the portion of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 exempting information service providers from liability when it comes to content posted by third parties.
“Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity,” outgoing President Donald Trump howled December 1st on Twitter. “Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand. Therefore, if the very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk. Take back America NOW. Thank you!”
The “national security” angle appears to be Trump’s latest line of attack on Section 230 having raised similar gripes around Thanksgiving. It’s doubtful Congress falls in line with the president’s edict and a veto override the likely outcome based on statements from Republicans and Democrats. Republican Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe told reporters he wanted to see Section 230 repealed but it “has nothing to do with the military.”
Section 230 defenders express plenty of skepticism on the “national security” claim.
“There is no way 230 is a national security issue at all,” R Street Institue Senior Manager of Digital Media, Fellow, and sloth enthusiast Shosana Weissmann emailed me in response to Trump’s tweets. “All 230 does is say each speaker is liable for his or her post. That’s it. But shortly after an unflattering hashtag about President Trump began trending, he tweeted this. It appeared as though his response to speech he doesn’t like was reducing speech online. If I’m correct, it would be anti-free speech principles and chilling. And it wouldn’t be the first time. ”
Indeed it’s not the first time Trump railed against those who disagree with him. He ran to FCC regulators for help while a presidential candidate in 2015 after criticism from National Review’s Rich Lowry. He threatened to strongly regulate social media companies “or shut them down” in May. Not exactly the words of someone who claims to believe in free speech.
The social media giants are far from pure in their methods. Twitter’s behavior towards New York Post over their Hunter Biden story reeked of poor judgment and skirted the line of censorship. The cross-platform banning of Alex Jones and InfoWars only gave him more publicity contrary to the desired goal. More voices, not less when it comes from public discourse!
“Big Tech has effectively imported European speech law into the United States,” Attorney Molly McCann wrote at American Mind in an analysis of social media companies. “Big Tech has created a massive internal framework that blankets the nation and imposes European-style standards in direct opposition to the robust, absolutist American rule.”
She fears Americans will no longer appreciate Free Speech as defined by the Constitution. “Big Tech censorship is also dangerous to the long-term stability of the First Amendment. Because digital interaction is so widespread, its European view of speech will slowly begin to chip away at Americans’ absolutist attitude toward speech. Big Tech’s speech codes are chilling and suppressing speech now, but ultimately, our collective attitude toward speech might change.”
This is where Trump, McCann, and other so-called ‘free speech advocates’ go wrong. It’s a misguided concern despite the aforementioned scurrilous, but not illegal, behavior by social media companies.
“The First Amendment protects people from having their speech censored or punished by the government, not by social media companies,” wrote First Amendment attorney Ari Cohn in an email on Section 230 and social media complaints. “The First Amendment protects the right of social media companies to moderate content as they see fit. Weakening Section 230 protections would very likely result in increased moderation to avoid liability, with the additional effect of making it very difficult for new services and websites to compete with the dominant players.”
There’s also misunderstanding, whether willful or accidental is up to interpretation, on the overall broadness regarding Section 230. It’s not, as Trump claimed, a cover for social media companies.
“[W]hile changes to 230 would impact Twitter, it would also have implications for AllTrails, StackOverflow, and the comments sections on publications and smaller blogs,” Weissmann explained to me. “Now, if 230 were to be repealed or modified in many of the proposed ways some have suggested, it would bring us back to the “moderator’s dilemma.” The moderator’s dilemma would make it so these websites are incentivized to moderate SO MUCH speech that relatively little gets through and so they can be sure they won’t be sued, or to moderate absolutely nothing so that they are liable for nothing.”
Rather disturbing when one considers it. No doubt moderators would go absolutely banana viewing content from the millions and millions of users posting everything from cat memes to sports and political commentary on social media. Think social media companies use too many algorithms already? Imagine how many more will be used to monitor content should Section 230 disappear from U.S. law. Smaller companies like Gab or Parler might eventually shut down due to the overly litigious.
“Giant corporations like Twitter and Facebook have the financial means to absorb the risks and costs,” Cohn observed. “Upstart competitors will find themselves staring down the barrel of enormous potential liability.”
Jonathan Rauch was correct while writing Kindly Inquisitors, his 1993 defense of free speech. “What is the right answer to the person who demands something because he is offended? Just this: ‘Too bad, but you’ll live.'”
Something for us all to remember before plunging the legislative blades into Section 230.


hotair--2020-12-06--Two Chuck Todd whoppers: "Half the country is not paying attention", "President Trump ignores the co

Two Chuck Todd whoppers: "Half the country is not paying attention", "President Trump ignores the coronavirus"

Chuck Todd , host of NBC ’ s Meet the Press opened his interview with Dr. Deborah Birx on Sunday morning by stating two whoppers against President Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and Trump supporters .
It is no surprise that Todd ’ s an unabashed critic of Trump , but usually , he doesn ’ t bother to slam Trump supporters .
Democrats and their cohorts in the media characterize conservatives , Republicans , and Trump voters as ignorant and wrong on how they are living life during the coronavirus pandemic .
Todd outdid himself Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it must be hard for public health officials to get the general public to abide by their recommendations on mitigating the spread of the virus .
He clearly blames non-Democrat Americans and President Trump for the pandemic .
He declared , “ Half the country is not paying attention.
” ” President Trump ignores coronavirus.
” Fact check : neither of those statements is true .
The fact that Todd thinks half of the country – Trump voters – aren ’ t even paying attention to the coronavirus pandemic would be laughable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Everyone is paying attention .
People act according to the risks they feel are involved .
We can talk about people who do and don ’ t take the precautions recommended by health care professionals but if someone isn ’ t wearing a face mask in public , for example , it means they think masks are not useful in stopping the spread of the virus .
It does not mean that person is oblivious to the fact that we are living in the time of a pandemic .
There are plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political aisle that are not as vigilant about social distancing and face masks as health professionals would like to see .
Look no further than at the halls of Congress where members walk the hallways maskless or stand side by side to talk to each other .
Are they not paying attention ?
President Trump is now credited with enabling the single most historic vaccine development program ever .
Operation Warp Speed ’ s success is undeniable .
The true denial being shown by the Democrat side of the aisle is giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He recruited companies to manufacture and distribute PPE and he provided financial assistance to medical companies to produce a vaccine .
He ’ s applied pressure to corporate leaders to work together in both vaccine development and in distribution once they are available .
Trump was ridiculed by the left for imposing a travel ban from China and then Europe at the very beginning of the spread of the pandemic into the United States .
Joe Biden called him a racist and xenophobe .
Trump put Vice-President Mike Pence in charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January which brought in experts who are still working together today .
People may argue about the President ’ s handling of communication or his own decision to mostly not wear face masks but to say he ignores the coronavirus is a lie .
Dr. Birx didn ’ t take the bait offered by Chuck Todd to criticize the president or his supporters .
She did voice concern about false narratives out in public discourse , though , “ This is not just the worst public health event .
This is the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just from a public health side.
” I ’ ll note here that Dr. Birx wore a face mask during the interview , while the sanctimonious Chuck Todd was maskless .
Is he ignoring the pandemic ?
Birx ’ s comments add to a chorus of public health officials expressing concern about the growing wave of infections .
Birx and others are worried about the growing numbers of hospitalizations and the fall-out from Thanksgiving holiday travel has not yet been measured .
On Wednesday , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months will be “ the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation.
” “ This fall/winter surge is combining everything that we saw in the spring with everything we saw in the summer — plus the fall surge going into a winter surge .
I think that ’ s why Dr. Redfield made this absolute appeal to the American people , ” Birx said .
The Covid-19 pandemic is killing record numbers of Americans on a daily basis , and the numbers are expected to worsen as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Birx repeated the same recommendations as usual but reminds that coronavirus fatigue is producing more lax behavior and that aids the spread of the virus .
Birx called on Americans to change their behavior ahead of the winter holidays .
Despite her dire warning , she said that at this point “ we know what behaviors spread the virus and we know how to change those behaviors.
” “ We can not go into the holiday season , Christmas , Hanukkah , Kwanza , with the same kind of attitude , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , ” Birx said .
“ They apply to everybody.
” “ If you do not want to lose your grandparents , your aunts , let ’ s be clear : If you ’ re over 70 , 20 percent of those over 70 who contract Covid are hospitalized , and still , 10 percent of them are lost , ” Birx added .
“ So if you have anyone in your family with comorbidities or over 70 , you can not do those things .
You can not gather with your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and kiss people outside , ” she said .
Vaccines are coming .
In the meantime , it is just as wrong for media personalities like Chuck Todd to blame Trump and Trump voters for the coronavirus as it is for Democrat elected officials , including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris , to blame President Trump personally for coronavirus deaths .

Chuck Todd, host of NBC’s Meet the Press opened his interview with Dr. Deborah Birx on Sunday morning by stating two whoppers against President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and Trump supporters. It is no surprise that Todd’s an unabashed critic of Trump, but usually, he doesn’t bother to slam Trump supporters.
Democrats and their cohorts in the media characterize conservatives, Republicans, and Trump voters as ignorant and wrong on how they are living life during the coronavirus pandemic. Todd outdid himself Sunday morning, though, when he said that it must be hard for public health officials to get the general public to abide by their recommendations on mitigating the spread of the virus. He clearly blames non-Democrat Americans and President Trump for the pandemic. He declared, “Half the country is not paying attention.” ” President Trump ignores coronavirus.” Fact check: neither of those statements is true.
The fact that Todd thinks half of the country – Trump voters – aren’t even paying attention to the coronavirus pandemic would be laughable if it was not so outright crazy. Everyone is paying attention. People act according to the risks they feel are involved. We can talk about people who do and don’t take the precautions recommended by health care professionals but if someone isn’t wearing a face mask in public, for example, it means they think masks are not useful in stopping the spread of the virus. It does not mean that person is oblivious to the fact that we are living in the time of a pandemic. There are plenty of hypocrites on the Democrat side of the political aisle that are not as vigilant about social distancing and face masks as health professionals would like to see. Look no further than at the halls of Congress where members walk the hallways maskless or stand side by side to talk to each other. Are they not paying attention?
President Trump is now credited with enabling the single most historic vaccine development program ever. Operation Warp Speed’s success is undeniable. The true denial being shown by the Democrat side of the aisle is giving credit to Trump for Operation Warp Speed. He recruited companies to manufacture and distribute PPE and he provided financial assistance to medical companies to produce a vaccine. He’s applied pressure to corporate leaders to work together in both vaccine development and in distribution once they are available. Trump was ridiculed by the left for imposing a travel ban from China and then Europe at the very beginning of the spread of the pandemic into the United States. Joe Biden called him a racist and xenophobe. Trump put Vice-President Mike Pence in charge of a White House coronavirus task force last January which brought in experts who are still working together today. People may argue about the President’s handling of communication or his own decision to mostly not wear face masks but to say he ignores the coronavirus is a lie.
Dr. Birx didn’t take the bait offered by Chuck Todd to criticize the president or his supporters. She did voice concern about false narratives out in public discourse, though, “This is not just the worst public health event. This is the worst event that this country will face, not just from a public health side.” I’ll note here that Dr. Birx wore a face mask during the interview, while the sanctimonious Chuck Todd was maskless. Is he ignoring the pandemic?
Birx’s comments add to a chorus of public health officials expressing concern about the growing wave of infections. Birx and others are worried about the growing numbers of hospitalizations and the fall-out from Thanksgiving holiday travel has not yet been measured.
On Wednesday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield said that the coming months will be “the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation.” “This fall/winter surge is combining everything that we saw in the spring with everything we saw in the summer — plus the fall surge going into a winter surge. I think that’s why Dr. Redfield made this absolute appeal to the American people,” Birx said. The Covid-19 pandemic is killing record numbers of Americans on a daily basis, and the numbers are expected to worsen as a result of gatherings held for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Birx repeated the same recommendations as usual but reminds that coronavirus fatigue is producing more lax behavior and that aids the spread of the virus.
Birx called on Americans to change their behavior ahead of the winter holidays. Despite her dire warning, she said that at this point “we know what behaviors spread the virus and we know how to change those behaviors.” “We cannot go into the holiday season, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, with the same kind of attitude, that those gatherings don’t apply to me,” Birx said. “They apply to everybody.” “If you do not want to lose your grandparents, your aunts, let’s be clear: If you’re over 70, 20 percent of those over 70 who contract Covid are hospitalized, and still, 10 percent of them are lost,” Birx added. “So if you have anyone in your family with comorbidities or over 70, you cannot do those things. You cannot gather with your mask off, you cannot hug and kiss people outside,” she said.
Vaccines are coming. In the meantime, it is just as wrong for media personalities like Chuck Todd to blame Trump and Trump voters for the coronavirus as it is for Democrat elected officials, including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, to blame President Trump personally for coronavirus deaths.


hotair--2020-12-06--Azar: Biden's claim of no COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan "just nonsense"

Two days ago , the first transition contact between the outgoing and incoming administrations on COVID-19 plans finally took place .
Shortly afterward , Joe Biden complained that the distribution plan at HHS “ lacked detail ” about getting it from the manufacturer to the actual vaccination point .
“ There is no detailed plan that we ’ ve seen , anyway , ” Biden remarked , “ as to how you get the vaccine out of a container into an injection syringe into somebody ’ s arm.
” On Fox News Sunday , HHS Secretary Alex Azar called that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more about the transition than about distribution plans , however : “ With all respect that ’ s just nonsense , we have comprehensive plans from the [ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ] working with 64 public health jurisdictions across the country , ” Azar said after Fox ’ s Chris Wallace played a clip of Biden making the remark .
“ There is no detailed plan , that we ’ ve seen anyway , as to how you get the vaccine out of a container , into an injection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Biden said in the clip shown by Wallace .
Azar added that the administration was “ leveraging our retail pharmacies , our public health departments , our community health centers , ” to get a vaccine out .
He said the rollout was “ being micromanaged and controlled by the United States military ” as well as the private sector .
“ We ’ re leveraging the systems that are known and that work within the United States , ” he said .
Biden ’ s main complaint seemed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen , anyway.
” It may be just that they haven ’ t yet seen the plan at all .
The transition has gotten off to a slow start , thanks to Trump ’ s insistence on challenging the election results .
They may not have seen the full plan simply because there hasn ’ t been enough time to share it .
If the two sides just started engaging this week , the issue may be more that the personnel are still making the connections necessary for full-scale information sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution plans have been a big secret , though .
We already know how vaccines will get “ into somebody ’ s arm ” in nursing homes , for instance — CVS has already signed up as HHS ’ partner in that effort .
Azar also spoke two weeks ago about the dry runs that HHS has conducted with other partners on rapid deployment of the vaccine .
Thanks to the particularly unique needs for refrigeration of the Pfizer vaccine , we have also gotten significant information on distribution issues , including shipments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US from Belgium and the preparation in distribution centers here for proper storage .
The Wall Street Journal reported on the issue nine days ago , giving some detail on the distribution plans .
The FAA is playing an active role in this as well : The initial flights are one link in a global supply chain being assembled to tackle the logistical challenge of distributing Covid-19 vaccines .
Pfizer has been laying the groundwork to move quickly if it gets approval from the Food and Drug Administration and other regulators world-wide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ refrigerated storage sites at the drugmaker ’ s final-assembly centers in Kalamazoo , Mich. , and Puurs , Belgium , and expanding storage capacity at distribution sites in Pleasant Prairie , Wis. , and in Karlsruhe , Germany , in addition to dozens of cargo flights and hundreds of truck trips each day .
… United plans to fly chartered cargo flights between Brussels International Airport and Chicago O ’ Hare International Airport to support distribution of the vaccine , according to a Nov. 24 letter from the Federal Aviation Administration viewed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Friday that it was supporting the “ first mass air shipment of a vaccine , ” and that it is working with airlines to safely transport Covid-19 vaccines .
United had sought permission to carry more dry ice than is typically allowed on flights to maintain the extremely low temperatures required to prevent Pfizer ’ s vaccine from spoiling .
The FAA said it would allow United to carry 15,000 pounds of dry ice per flight—five times more than normally permitted .
Regulators restrict the amount of dry ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they typically lack equipment to monitor and mitigate any leaked carbon dioxide .
All of this activity has hardly been hidden .
Neither has the process by which the FDA will chose which arms will get priority in accessing the vaccine .
It ’ s been debated for weeks in the open , and the decision the past week to prioritize front-line health care workers widely covered in the press .
It ’ s clear that HHS does have a detailed distribution plan and that they will execute it on December 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use .
That ’ s seven weeks before it officially becomes a Biden administration responsibility .
Azar tells ABC that he doesn ’ t see any reason for the FDA to hold up an emergency approval , but that doesn ’ t mean they shouldn ’ t use their “ gold standard ” process before doing so .
Azar also tells George Stephanopoulos that he expects to administer 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the first month , and that Moderna and AstraZeneca could add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as February , prioritization may not be a problem any longer .

Two days ago, the first transition contact between the outgoing and incoming administrations on COVID-19 plans finally took place. Shortly afterward, Joe Biden complained that the distribution plan at HHS “lacked detail” about getting it from the manufacturer to the actual vaccination point. “There is no detailed plan that we’ve seen, anyway,” Biden remarked, “as to how you get the vaccine out of a container into an injection syringe into somebody’s arm.”
On Fox News Sunday, HHS Secretary Alex Azar called that “just nonsense.” The issue might be more about the transition than about distribution plans, however:
“With all respect that’s just nonsense, we have comprehensive plans from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] working with 64 public health jurisdictions across the country,” Azar said after Fox’s Chris Wallace played a clip of Biden making the remark. “There is no detailed plan, that we’ve seen anyway, as to how you get the vaccine out of a container, into an injection syringe, into somebody’s arm,” Biden said in the clip shown by Wallace. Azar added that the administration was “leveraging our retail pharmacies, our public health departments, our community health centers,” to get a vaccine out. He said the rollout was “being micromanaged and controlled by the United States military” as well as the private sector. “We’re leveraging the systems that are known and that work within the United States,” he said.
Biden’s main complaint seemed to be defined in the phrase “that we’ve seen, anyway.” It may be just that they haven’t yet seen the plan at all. The transition has gotten off to a slow start, thanks to Trump’s insistence on challenging the election results. They may not have seen the full plan simply because there hasn’t been enough time to share it. If the two sides just started engaging this week, the issue may be more that the personnel are still making the connections necessary for full-scale information sharing.
It’s not as if distribution plans have been a big secret, though. We already know how vaccines will get “into somebody’s arm” in nursing homes, for instance — CVS has already signed up as HHS’ partner in that effort. Azar also spoke two weeks ago about the dry runs that HHS has conducted with other partners on rapid deployment of the vaccine. Thanks to the particularly unique needs for refrigeration of the Pfizer vaccine, we have also gotten significant information on distribution issues, including shipments beginning nearly a week ago to the US from Belgium and the preparation in distribution centers here for proper storage.
The Wall Street Journal reported on the issue nine days ago, giving some detail on the distribution plans. The FAA is playing an active role in this as well:
The initial flights are one link in a global supply chain being assembled to tackle the logistical challenge of distributing Covid-19 vaccines. Pfizer has been laying the groundwork to move quickly if it gets approval from the Food and Drug Administration and other regulators world-wide. Pfizer’s distribution plan also includes refrigerated storage sites at the drugmaker’s final-assembly centers in Kalamazoo, Mich., and Puurs, Belgium, and expanding storage capacity at distribution sites in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and in Karlsruhe, Germany, in addition to dozens of cargo flights and hundreds of truck trips each day. … United plans to fly chartered cargo flights between Brussels International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport to support distribution of the vaccine, according to a Nov. 24 letter from the Federal Aviation Administration viewed by The Wall Street Journal. The FAA said in a statement Friday that it was supporting the “first mass air shipment of a vaccine,” and that it is working with airlines to safely transport Covid-19 vaccines. United had sought permission to carry more dry ice than is typically allowed on flights to maintain the extremely low temperatures required to prevent Pfizer’s vaccine from spoiling. The FAA said it would allow United to carry 15,000 pounds of dry ice per flight—five times more than normally permitted. Regulators restrict the amount of dry ice that can be carried on passenger jets because they typically lack equipment to monitor and mitigate any leaked carbon dioxide.
All of this activity has hardly been hidden. Neither has the process by which the FDA will chose which arms will get priority in accessing the vaccine. It’s been debated for weeks in the open, and the decision the past week to prioritize front-line health care workers widely covered in the press. It’s clear that HHS does have a detailed distribution plan and that they will execute it on December 10, when the FDA is expected to approve the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use. That’s seven weeks before it officially becomes a Biden administration responsibility.
Azar tells ABC that he doesn’t see any reason for the FDA to hold up an emergency approval, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t use their “gold standard” process before doing so. Azar also tells George Stephanopoulos that he expects to administer 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the first month, and that Moderna and AstraZeneca could add scores of millions more. Perhaps as soon as February, prioritization may not be a problem any longer.