msnbc--2020-12-19--Why we can't stop Russia from hacking our systems

Here ’ s what we know : The Russian government is suspected of pulling off a major intelligence penetration of American networks .
The U.S. government failed to prevent it or deter it .
As of Friday morning , President Donald Trump has yet to condemn it .
This is bad .
But it ’ s not , as Sen. Dick Durbin said , “ virtually a declaration of war.
” It ’ s also not a surprise — and there ’ s not much we can do to prevent it from happening again , at least in the near-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back-end software to the U.S. government among other clients like Microsoft and Lockheed Martin , updated one of its core products , Orion , in March .
Orion helps its customers survey , and then visualize , activity on their systems , so the software has to have regular and unfettered access to a lot of their clients ' databases and other digital infrastructure .
Sometime before then , an “ advanced persistent threat ” — a technical term for a long-term cyber campaign , usually carried out by a nation , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to hack into the updated server for Orion .
It used this access to add in an ingenious hidden program that would , upon execution , allow it to root around inside the systems served by Orion , gather all sorts of information and then quietly exfiltrate that information back to Russia .
This sort of hack was almost guaranteed to happen .
Managing supply chain risk has become a priority for the U.S. government , but the supply chain it currently manages was built before policymakers took the potential problems seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government relies on involves hundreds of commercial companies contracted to build , maintain , operate and secure its networks .
It ’ s a long , multibranched kluge , with millions of potential vulnerable access points , and has worried the cybersecurity community for several decades .
The U.S. intelligence community knows fully well how vulnerable the supply chain is — it exploits that weakness to break into foreign networks .
( One of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history was a supply chain hack of the Soviet Union .
Using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reagan administration tricked the KGB into buying gimmicked technology on the black market .
The sabotage disrupted legitimate economic activity — an oil pipeline exploded — along with covert Soviet efforts to make chemical weapons . )
In the digital age , hardware can be tampered with ; software can be manipulated at the point of purchase , or during testing , or during delivery .
Software specifications can be engineered to allow backdoor access .
In theory , companies ’ products have to be certified as secure before they can be purchased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market and demand for these products incentivizes speed and efficiency over a careful consideration of how outside software might interact with programs developed entirely within the government ’ s bubble .
( It wasn ’ t until 2018 that the Pentagon added “ security ” to its acquisition standards . )
The tools the government has on hand to try to defend its systems weren ’ t prepared for this kind of attack .
Einstein , for example , is a system that was built to detect intrusions on nonintelligence community networks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who protects networks at their front entrances , using a regularly updated list of people who are barred from entering .
But Einstein won ’ t be able to detect when data is being transmitted to a secret user outside the network until 2022 .
The NSA updates Einstein with “ signatures , ” the computer version of fingerprints , that it collects as it forages through foreign networks .
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has thousands of employees working to reduce the number of ways outsiders can get into the network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their efforts are not scalable .
What ’ s worse , the Trump administration was too focused on fighting 2016 ’ s version of cyberconflict to see what Russia was really doing .
The National Security Agency and the U.S. Cyber Command have adopted a strategy they call “ defend forward.
” By penetrating adversaries ’ networks and implanting beacons of sorts to form an early warning network , the theory is that agents can detect potential attackers targeting the U.S. before attacks are executed .
Cyber Command has found some success with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of visibility into adversary networks , none of which set off any of the alarms it had set up — but there ’ s a logical fallacy here .
Silence doesn ’ t equal success .
What if the adversary uses a new group , new techniques , walls off its attackers from the rest of its intelligence services and doesn ’ t trigger the beacons ?
That appears to be what happened here .
So , is this war , as Durbin suggested ?
Not really — although it is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by nature , secret conflict .
It ’ s not war as conventionally conceived , but there is no good way to create a working mental model of cyber war .
I see it as part of the spectrum of conflict between nation-states .
But if it ’ s useful for politicians to use martial language to pass legislation and rally support for supply chain protections and better security , then we should allow them the indulgence .
That leaves the question : How do we deter Russia from doing this again ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the near-term .
We are past the point at which cyber deterrence might have worked .
Kicking out spies , retaliating with cyberattacks , even responding with physical-world weapon attacks , sanctions — all of these have been attempted .
They ’ ve failed .
What does work , then ?
Making it really , really hard to get into systems .
Making it costly — so costly that it ’ s not worth the effort , so costly that the effort to penetrate our systems this deeply would force Russia to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other than that , short of a thaw between the two countries , there is no reliable method of deterrence .
We live , we learn and we wait for the next move .


msnbc--2020-12-19--Trump tweet downplays Russia hack, implicates China

Oglala Sioux activist hopes Haaland will be the voice of ‘ land , earth and indigenous people ’ at Interior

President Trump took to twitter to comment for the first time on a cyber hack that attacked the U.S. government, saying the hack is “in the Fake News Media than in actuality.” The president implicates China is responsible, contradicting Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who says Russia is behind it.Dec. 19, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-19--McConnell urges cooperation as congress rushes to finalize spending, Covid relief deal

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msnbc--2020-12-19--Oglala Sioux activist hopes Haaland will be the voice of ‘land, earth and indigenous people’ at Inte

Oglala Sioux activist hopes Haaland will be the voice of ‘land, earth and indigenous people’ at Interior

Tatewin Means is the former Attorney General for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and current Executive Director of the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation. Responding to the nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior, she says, “For a patriarchal system to have an indigenous woman to lead those efforts is truly a sign that the status quo of white men making decision is going to change.”Dec. 19, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-19--Sen. Coons says Senate COVID relief vote ‘still days away’

A COVID relief package bill being passed by the Senate is ‘still days away’ Sen. Chris Coons tells Tiffany Cross, as they discuss how struggling Americans will cope as they wait for pandemic economic assistance.Dec. 19, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-19--Common talks canvassing in Georgia ahead of Senate runoff elections

With early voting already underway in the Georgia runoffs, Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award-winning artist Common talks to Ali Velshi about getting out the vote with BlackPAC in Georgia this week. Common describes what he’s hearing from “inspired’ Georgia voters: “They realize the power they have in their hands to change the vision and direction of this country.”Dec. 19, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-19--Experts share advice for coping with social isolation and stress during holidays

Experts share advice for coping with social isolation and stress during holidays
COVID isolation and holiday blues are reasons to reach out safely to friends and family these experts say. Psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere and actress and author Tina Lifford join Tiffany Cross to discuss self care this winter.Dec. 19, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-19--Trump's getting the boot from the White House — and from shows like 'SNL'

This Saturday will be the last time this year we hear the familiar intro refrain of “ Live from New York , it ’ s Saturday night !
” broadcast on our screens in real time .
The season finale falls shortly before President Donald Trump gets the boot from the White House on Jan. 20 , and , undoubtedly , some will wonder if the iconic late-night comedy show — and political comedy in general — will suffer with Trump out of office .
That ’ s a fair question since some late-night comedy shows , including `` Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ratings under Trump , especially in the early days of his presidency .
Trump has been a reliable muse for shows like `` SNL , '' which have featured episode after episode of comical skewering of the commander in chief .
( `` Saturday Night Live '' is owned by NBCUniversal , which also owns MSNBC . )
But for those who truly want to “ make comedy great again , ” Trump leaving office is a big step in the right direction .
For starters , with Trump gone , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return of an annual political comedic tradition : the president appearing at the White House Correspondents ' Association dinner .
Trump boycotted the annual event in large part because he was too thin-skinned to allow himself to be mocked on national TV .
( He also called for `` SNL '' to be canceled and investigated by the Federal Communications Commission for mocking him . )
But there are two other , bigger issues at play that will bolster comedy when Trump leaves office .
First , much of comedy is about heightening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the production staff of `` SNL '' for eight seasons and has written and performed comedy , I know the formula when it comes to political comedy : A politician says something , and then comedians will escalate their words for a laugh or poke fun at the absurdity of it .
Take Tina Fey ’ s infamous line , when she parodied Sarah Palin on `` SNL , '' `` I can see Russia from my house ! ''
Palin never actually said that line , but many people ended up believing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNL '' escalating some of Palin ’ s past comments for laughs , taken from the 2008 presidential campaign when people criticized her for desperately attempting to prove she possessed some type of foreign policy experience .
But with Trump , how do you heighten reality when the starting point is already so far off the charts ?
This is the same Trump who suggested people inject disinfectant into themselves to kill the Covid-19 virus .
Comedian Sarah Cooper rose to social media fame by simply lip-syncing Trump ’ s comments while mimicking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in no way trying to take away from Cooper ’ s talent — just making a point about the inherent absurdity of Trump 's rhetoric . )
But the second big reason why Trump exiting the White House is good for comedy is far more serious : For many , Trump is rightly viewed as an actual danger .
This explains the relief expressed by some funny people who have themselves profited from mocking Trump in reaction to his loss in the 2020 election .
Alec Baldwin , who Trump viciously attacked on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him on `` SNL '' to the point that Baldwin in 2019 expressed concerns for his and his family ’ s safety , tweeted after Trump lost , `` I don ’ t believe I ’ ve ever been this overjoyed to lose a job before ! ''
Even Stephen Colbert , whose ratings under Trump soared with his nightly takedowns of the president , cheered Trump ’ s loss by sharing words that I ’ m sure resonated with many : “ And when he leaves , do you know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” This sentiment is not new for many in the comedy world .
In March 2017 , Baldwin commented on that same concern , noting he didn ’ t know then how much longer he would continue playing Trump on `` SNL '' because “ the maliciousness of this White House has people worried.
” And , as NBC ’ s Seth Meyers said on my SiriusXM radio show back in 2017 , he would trade the comedic material Trump had inspired for having a different president “ in a heartbeat ” given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has caused for so many .
These comedians ’ comments sum up so much of what the Trump presidency has been about : His message wasn ’ t political , it was personal .
At his worst , Trump has encouraged violent extremism , demonized Muslims , spewed lies about Mexico sending “ rapists , ” enacted policies that kept kids in cages and separated families and allowed hundreds of thousands of Americans to die in a pandemic .
At the very least , Trump has aged many of us by depriving us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels .
The sense of fear Trump inspired prompted comments about political comedy that I had never heard before .
It was the fear that comedy about Trump could help normalize his words and actions and prevent people from seeing the danger he poses to so many .
I heard this sentiment from listeners to my show and especially from those in minority communities who suffered uniquely under Trump , including my own community of Muslim Americans .
This is in sharp contrast to how people reacted to comedy based on the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush 's treatment on `` SNL '' then was seen as both funny and cathartic .
It ’ s not that progressives and people in my community didn ’ t view Bush ’ s policies as alarming — especially the Iraq War — but there wasn ’ t a daily sense that Bush was intentionally trying to turn Americans against one another .
And Bush never defended his supporters committing acts of violence — which , however alarming it still is , Trump certainly has done .
So for those looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 , I give you one more reason to celebrate a post-Trump America : It should be a lot funnier .
The end of Trump ’ s presidency should be a big step in making America laugh again .

This Saturday will be the last time this year we hear the familiar intro refrain of “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” broadcast on our screens in real time. The season finale falls shortly before President Donald Trump gets the boot from the White House on Jan. 20, and, undoubtedly, some will wonder if the iconic late-night comedy show — and political comedy in general — will suffer with Trump out of office.
At the very least, Trump has aged many of us by depriving us of sleep and ratcheting up our stress levels.
That’s a fair question since some late-night comedy shows, including "Saturday Night Live," did do well in ratings under Trump, especially in the early days of his presidency. Trump has been a reliable muse for shows like "SNL," which have featured episode after episode of comical skewering of the commander in chief. ("Saturday Night Live" is owned by NBCUniversal, which also owns MSNBC.)
But for those who truly want to “make comedy great again,” Trump leaving office is a big step in the right direction. For starters, with Trump gone, we can almost definitely expect to see the return of an annual political comedic tradition: the president appearing at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Trump boycotted the annual event in large part because he was too thin-skinned to allow himself to be mocked on national TV. (He also called for "SNL" to be canceled and investigated by the Federal Communications Commission for mocking him.)
But there are two other, bigger issues at play that will bolster comedy when Trump leaves office. First, much of comedy is about heightening reality. As someone who worked on the production staff of "SNL" for eight seasons and has written and performed comedy, I know the formula when it comes to political comedy: A politician says something, and then comedians will escalate their words for a laugh or poke fun at the absurdity of it.
With Trump, how do you heighten reality when the starting point is already so far off the charts?
Take Tina Fey’s infamous line, when she parodied Sarah Palin on "SNL," "I can see Russia from my house!" Palin never actually said that line, but many people ended up believing she did. This was simply "SNL" escalating some of Palin’s past comments for laughs, taken from the 2008 presidential campaign when people criticized her for desperately attempting to prove she possessed some type of foreign policy experience.
But with Trump, how do you heighten reality when the starting point is already so far off the charts? This is the same Trump who suggested people inject disinfectant into themselves to kill the Covid-19 virus. Comedian Sarah Cooper rose to social media fame by simply lip-syncing Trump’s comments while mimicking his gestures. (I’m in no way trying to take away from Cooper’s talent — just making a point about the inherent absurdity of Trump's rhetoric.)
Nothing funny about tired Saturday Night Live on Fake News NBC! Question is, how do the Networks get away with these total Republican hit jobs without retribution? Likewise for many other shows? Very unfair and should be looked into. This is the real Collusion! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2019
But the second big reason why Trump exiting the White House is good for comedy is far more serious: For many, Trump is rightly viewed as an actual danger. This explains the relief expressed by some funny people who have themselves profited from mocking Trump in reaction to his loss in the 2020 election. Alec Baldwin, who Trump viciously attacked on Twitter over the years for his depiction of him on "SNL" to the point that Baldwin in 2019 expressed concerns for his and his family’s safety, tweeted after Trump lost, "I don’t believe I’ve ever been this overjoyed to lose a job before!"
I don’t believe I’ve ever been this overjoyed to lose a job before! — AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin) November 7, 2020
Even Stephen Colbert, whose ratings under Trump soared with his nightly takedowns of the president, cheered Trump’s loss by sharing words that I’m sure resonated with many: “And when he leaves, do you know what I'm looking forward to? Sleep.”
This sentiment is not new for many in the comedy world. In March 2017, Baldwin commented on that same concern, noting he didn’t know then how much longer he would continue playing Trump on "SNL" because “the maliciousness of this White House has people worried.” And, as NBC’s Seth Meyers said on my SiriusXM radio show back in 2017, he would trade the comedic material Trump had inspired for having a different president “in a heartbeat” given all “anxiety and stress” Trump has caused for so many.
At the very least, Trump has aged many of us by depriving us of sleep and ratcheting up our stress levels.
These comedians’ comments sum up so much of what the Trump presidency has been about: His message wasn’t political, it was personal. At his worst, Trump has encouraged violent extremism, demonized Muslims, spewed lies about Mexico sending “rapists,” enacted policies that kept kids in cages and separated families and allowed hundreds of thousands of Americans to die in a pandemic. At the very least, Trump has aged many of us by depriving us of sleep and ratcheting up our stress levels.
The sense of fear Trump inspired prompted comments about political comedy that I had never heard before. It was the fear that comedy about Trump could help normalize his words and actions and prevent people from seeing the danger he poses to so many. I heard this sentiment from listeners to my show and especially from those in minority communities who suffered uniquely under Trump, including my own community of Muslim Americans.
This is in sharp contrast to how people reacted to comedy based on the last GOP president, George W. Bush. Bush's treatment on "SNL" then was seen as both funny and cathartic. It’s not that progressives and people in my community didn’t view Bush’s policies as alarming — especially the Iraq War — but there wasn’t a daily sense that Bush was intentionally trying to turn Americans against one another. And Bush never defended his supporters committing acts of violence — which, however alarming it still is, Trump certainly has done.
So for those looking forward to Trump leaving the White House on Jan. 20, I give you one more reason to celebrate a post-Trump America: It should be a lot funnier. The end of Trump’s presidency should be a big step in making America laugh again.


msnbc--2020-12-20--Republicans, Democrats reach compromise over Covid-19 stimulus package

WASHINGTON — Senior lawmakers reached a compromise over the Federal Reserve 's emergency lending powers late Saturday night , overcoming a major hurdle that prevented Congress from completing a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package earlier in the week , according to multiple sources .
A last-minute roadblock emerged on Friday as Democrats accused Republicans , namely Pennsylvania 's Sen. Pat Toomey , of attempting to encumber the incoming Biden administration by cutting off the Federal Reserve 's emergency lending abilities created by the CARES Act meant to protect the already battered economy .
“ Now that Democrats have agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s important language , we can begin closing out the rest of the package to deliver much-needed relief to families , workers , and businesses , ” a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , told NBC News .
Compromise language is being finalized and any open items are expected to be worked out overnight , according to two aides .
The legislation hasn ’ t been released yet , but the deal is expected to include direct payments of $ 600 for qualifying Americans , a federal unemployment insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more money for businesses struggling to pay rent and workers and vaccine distribution funds .
A spokesperson for Toomey called the agreement an `` unqualified victory for taxpayers . ''
“ Senate Republicans achieved all four of our objectives regarding the CARES Act Federal Reserve lending programs , ” Toomey spokesperson Steve Kelly said .
“ This agreement rescinds more than $ 429 billion in unused CARES Act funds ; definitively ends the CARES Act lending facilities by Dec. 31 , 2020 ; stops these facilities from being restarted and forbids them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly added .
`` This agreement will preserve Fed independence and prevent Democrats from hijacking these programs for political and social policy purposes . ''
Democrats , on the other hand , said the new language was a concession to Toomey and his GOP allies .
“ After going back and forth all day with Leader Schumer , Sen. Toomey has agreed to drop the broad language in his proposal that would have prevented the Fed Chair from establishing similar facilities in the future to the ones created in March , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settled on a framework midweek that was expected to include a $ 300 federal unemployment bonus , a new round of direct payments , small business funding and money to distribute Covid-19 vaccines .
The House had already advised votes as early as 1 p.m. Sunday .
“ We ’ re getting very close .
Very close , ” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , told the Capitol Hill pool late Saturday .
He said it “ looks like we ’ ll be able to ” pass a Covid-19 relief bill in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this path , and nothing gets in the way.
” The negotiations come after months of fits and starts of unsuccessful talks that led to lapses in various provisions of the CARES Act , including the $ 600-per-week federal unemployment bonus , augmenting the suffering of millions of Americans across the country who have struggled to make ends meet .
The agreement was expected to be reached earlier in the week but hit a roadblock after some Republicans demanded an end to Federal Reserve authorities over emergency lending .
Democrats pushed back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy overseen by incoming President Joe Biden .
The two parties had long been at odds over price tag and policy , but negotiations were kick-started in recent weeks by a bipartisan group of moderate senators and House members , known as the Problem Solvers Caucus , which quietly began informal discussions to hammer out a viable framework .
Their talks resulted in agreement on a $ 748 billion proposal that became the basis of negotiations between McConnell , Schumer , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and House Minority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Trump administration .
Alex Moe and Sahil Kapur reported from Washington and Alicia Victoria Lozano from Los Angeles .

Sahil Kapur and Alex Moe and Alicia Victoria Lozano

WASHINGTON — Senior lawmakers were working Sunday to finalize legislation on coronavirus relief after they reached a compromise late Saturday on a major hurdle holding up the expected $900 billion package.
A roadblock emerged Friday as Democrats accused Republicans, namely Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, of trying to encumber the Biden administration by cutting off the Federal Reserve's emergency lending abilities under the CARES Act to protect the battered economy. Lawmakers came to an agreement on the issue late Saturday, sources said.
"Now that Democrats have agreed to a version of Sen. Toomey's important language, we can begin closing out the rest of the package to deliver much-needed relief to families, workers and businesses," a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said late Saturday.
Lawmakers worked overnight to craft compromise language, two aides said.
Speaking from the Senate floor Sunday, McConnell said he expected that the final deal would come "in a matter of hours." Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday that there were "a few issues outstanding, but I'm quite hopeful that we're closing in on an outcome."
"It appears that barring a major mishap, the Senate and House will be able to vote on legislation as early as" Sunday night, Schumer said.
Among the outstanding issues, according to sources: whether to allow small businesses to deduct loans under the Paycheck Protection Program from their taxes, a provision to provide parents with vouchers for private school and establishment of paid family leave for coronavirus-related reasons.
The final legislation hasn't been released yet, but the deal is expected to include direct payments of $600 for qualifying Americans, a federal unemployment insurance bonus of $300 a week, funds to distribute vaccines and more money for businesses struggling to pay rent and workers.
Steve Kelly, a spokesperson for Toomey, said the agreement was an "unqualified victory for taxpayers."
"Senate Republicans achieved all four of our objectives regarding the CARES Act Federal Reserve lending programs," Kelly said.
"This agreement rescinds more than $429 billion in unused CARES Act funds, definitively ends the CARES Act lending facilities by Dec. 31, 2020, stops these facilities from being restarted and forbids them from being duplicated without congressional approval," he added. "This agreement will preserve Fed independence and prevent Democrats from hijacking these programs for political and social policy purposes."
Democrats, on the other hand, said the new language was a concession to Toomey and his Republican allies.
"After going back and forth all day with Leader Schumer, Sen. Toomey has agreed to drop the broad language in his proposal that would have prevented the Fed chair from establishing similar facilities in the future to the ones created in March," a senior Democratic aide said.
Congressional leaders settled on a framework midweek that was expected to include a $300 federal unemployment bonus, a new round of direct payments, small-business funding and money to distribute Covid-19 vaccines. Months of fits and starts of unsuccessful talks led to lapses in various provisions of the CARES Act, including the $600-per-week federal unemployment bonus, aggravating the suffering of millions of Americans who have struggled to make ends meet.
The agreement had been expected earlier in the week, but it hit a roadblock after some Republicans demanded an end to Fed authorities over emergency lending. Democrats pushed back, accusing the GOP of seeking to sabotage the economy overseen by President Joe Biden.
The two parties had long been at odds over price tag and policy, but negotiations were kick-started in recent weeks by a bipartisan group of moderate senators and House members, known as the Problem Solvers Caucus, which quietly began informal discussions to work out a viable framework.
Their talks resulted in an agreement on a $748 billion proposal that became the basis of negotiations among McConnell, Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as well as the Trump administration.
Alex Moe and Sahil Kapur reported from Washington, and Alicia Victoria Lozano reported from Los Angeles.


msnbc--2020-12-20--Malcolm Nance: 'Russia doesn’t do things just because a door is open. They have been planning this a

Malcolm Nance: 'Russia doesn’t do things just because a door is open. They have been planning this attack for years.'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirms that Russia is most likely behind a wide-ranging cyberattack targeting a number of federal government agencies and private companies. Meanwhile, President Trump contradicted his own intel officials by attempting to blame China for the security breach despite a lack of evidence. MSNBC’s host of “American Voices” Alicia Menendez speaks with Malcolm Nance, MSNBC Terrorism Analyst and Author of “The Plot to Betray America” and NBC News National Political Reporter Josh Lederman.Dec. 20, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-20--Dr. Lipi Roy breaks down the new Covid-19 strain spreading rapidly in the UK

Dr. Lipi Roy offers context surrounding the new Covid-19 mutation that’s spreading rapidly in the United Kingdom, causing Prime Minister Boris Johnson to cancel Christmas. “It’s important for your viewers to understand the emergence of new strains is actually a normal part of virus evolution,” Dr. Roy said. “The data right now is showing this current strain in the UK, while it’s moving faster, growing faster, there’s no evidence it’s causing more serious disease and there’s no evidence to suggest this particular strain will not respond to the vaccines that are rolling out.”Dec. 20, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-19--Lightfoot: 2019 bodycam video 'shatters any confidence' of progress in police reform

Jones: "What the Republicans attempted to do here in Tennessee was crucify democracy and is that what they have done is resurrect the movement" 09:56


msnbc--2020-12-20--Breaking down America’s second Covid-19 vaccine

The FDA has approved a second emergency use coronavirus vaccine in addition to one it approved from Pfizer just days ago. It’s from Moderna, and it’s similar to Pfizer’s product in many ways except one: it doesn’t have to be stored in super cold temperatures. MSNBC’s host of “American Voices,” Alicia Menendez, speaks with Dr. Uche Blackstock and Justin Gill, a nurse practitioner.Dec. 20, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-20--McConnell on Covid relief deal: We reached 'the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed'

Congressional leaders announced that they have reached an agreement on a $900 Covid-19 relief bill. The deal will include direct payments of $600 for qualifying Americans, along with an unemployment insurance bonus of $300 a week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “We have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed. Now we need to promptly finalize text.”Dec. 20, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-20--Experts applaud as Moderna COVID-19 vaccine goes out for shipment

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine now out for shipment is discussed by former Sec. of Health Kathleen Sebelius, and Lt. General Russel L. Honoré (Ret.), who join Jonathan Capehart on coverage of this historic milestone in the fight against COVID-19.Dec. 20, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--Lawrence O’Donnell on $900 billion coronavirus aid package: Democrats will only be able to build on

Lawrence O’Donnell on $900 billion coronavirus aid package: Democrats will only be able to build on this if they have a Senate majority
While Congress has reached a deal to pass a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, Democrats warn that this package cannot be the only federal assistance Americans receive as the pandemic rages throughout the country. MSNBC’s host of “American Voices” Alicia Menendez speaks with Lawrence O’Donnell, host of MSNBC’s “Last Word,” about what’s included in this package and why Americans should be glad President Trump wasn’t involved in negotiations.Dec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-20--Velshi: from Gen. Sherman’s march to the slow march for change

It has been 156 years since General William Tecumseh Sherman and 60,000 Union soldiers had made their way through Georgia on a march that ended in Savannah and marked the beginning of the end of the Civil War. With roughly two weeks until the Georgia runoff election, one of Savannah’s own, Reverend Raphael Warnock, has the chance to make history by becoming Georgia’s first African American senator, and only the 11th Black Senator in American history. Racial progress has been slow in Georgia but now in just two weeks, a Black man from Savannah may be a United States Senator, marking another chapter in this city's remarkable history.Dec. 20, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-20--Disinformation on the GA senate races has run rampant on social media

Color of Change President Rashad Robinson and NBC’s Janell Ross join Ali Velshi to discuss the upcoming senate runoffs in Georgia and the targeted disinformation campaigns that have been spread on social media. Robinson says, “Part of why this is so all over the place is because of the decisions social media platforms to prioritize growth and profit over safety, integrity, & security.” Ross adds that despite this, the turnout for early voting has been significant, “it’s almost at the point where it was at this point in the general election.”Dec. 20, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--Congress reaches deal on $900 billion Covid-19 relief package

Gotcha : Amongst Trump 's 'shadowy cabol ' of loyalists , Betsy DeVos encourages career staffers to hold up Biden @

Meacham: Pence probably saved the republic, but I don't always want to count on one person to do it 08:18


msnbc--2020-12-21--Trump discussed naming Sidney Powell special counsel

The president held a meeting at the White House on Friday evening in which he discussed naming appellate lawyer Sidney Powell, a vocal proponent of many conspiracy theories, as a special counsel to investigate voter fraud in the election.Dec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--The decision to leave the GOP under a Trump Administration

A number of Republicans announced this week that they were leaving the party, including a former New Hampshire GOP Chairwoman and a member of Congress from Michigan. NBC’s Joshua Johnson speaks with Kurt Bardella, a Senior Adviser to the Lincoln Project who left the Republican Party in 2017, about what motivated him to leave the party and what dynamics have changed since then.Dec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--Georgia voters break early voting record ahead of Senate runoffs

Julia Jester speaks to Georgia voters about what issues matter the most to them ahead of the highly anticipated Senate runoffs that will decide which party controls the Senate.Dec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--The Department of Energy is a bad fit for Jennifer Granholm

President-elect Joe Biden added another luminary to his climate team last week when he named former Michigan Gov .
Jennifer Granholm as his choice to head the Energy Department .
Granholm is a great pick for what Biden wants her to do ; it 's the department that is n't quite the right fit — and it 's time to reorganize it so its perceived mandate matches its actual mandate .
Because , despite its name , dealing with energy production is n't the Energy Department 's main function , which understandably many people might assume .
The majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintaining , upgrading and guarding the country 's nuclear weapons .
As Daryl Kimball , the executive director of the Arms Control Association , told The Washington Post : `` The Energy Department is actually the Nuclear Weapons Department . ''
Rick Perry had to learn that the hard way soon after he accepted President Donald Trump 's offer to run the Energy Department .
He `` gladly accepted , believing he was taking on a role as a global ambassador for the American oil and gas industry that he had long championed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The New York Times reported in January 2017 .
Only later did he learn that he was going to be `` the steward of a vast national security complex he knew almost nothing about , caring for the most fearsome weapons on the planet , the United States ' nuclear arsenal . ''
That 's why world-renowned physicists were at the helm of the Energy Department during the Obama administration .
It 's ironic that Stephen Chu , a Nobel Prize winner who ran the department from 2009 to 2013 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus intensely on energy issues .
An extra $ 39 billion — $ 10 billion more than his annual budget — landed in his lap as part of the 2009 stimulus bill , which he then hustled to spend on new renewable energy projects .
Chu was followed by Ernest Moniz , another star physicist , who had run MIT 's Energy Initiative before he joined the administration .
Moniz 's biggest claim to fame came when he was named as a co-negotiator during the high-level talks that led to the 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major world powers on one side and Iran on the other .
His grasp of nuclear issues was so complete that his reputation was needed to sell the deal domestically .
As an Obama administration official told The Times : `` The theory is that Ernie 's judgment on that matter is unassailable . ''
The department 's dual nature vexed Biden 's transition team , which was reported to have `` struggled over whether the Energy Department should be led by someone steeped in its core mission , ensuring the safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Mr. Biden should select someone with a vision for leading a clean-energy transformation . ''
Granholm 's pick clearly means the Biden team went with the latter .
But the Energy Department needs the runway to do what it needs to on climate change .
And without a major change , I 'm not sure that it will be able to do that .
Before he became secretary , Perry famously suggested that we get rid of the Energy Department .
I 've come to agree with him — sort of .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better served splitting the department in two .
The functions related to the nuclear weapons arsenal — the National Nuclear Security Agency , the Y-12 nuclear security complex , the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and others — are all clearly important .
But they should be spun off into a new , independent agency whose Senate-confirmed administrator reports to the White House .
( The Pentagon already has enough on its plate and budget , and I 'd rather not expand the behemoth that is the Defense Department any further . )
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committed focus it deserves while deprioritizing its place in the federal bureaucracy .
A newly reformed department , which I propose would be called the Department of Energy and Climate , would encompass the rest of the current department 's functions , including continuing to run the national laboratory system .
Ideally , it would also be a new home to several other agencies that deal directly with climate change .
That could entail absorbing the Environmental Protection Agency and finally swiping the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency from the Commerce Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about making climate policy central to his administration and appointing people who can show results .
It would help if Granholm could focus her complete attention on those policies .
It would take an act of Congress to approve the split , but it 's something the Biden administration should make a priority , if not for Granholm , then for whoever comes next .
It 's her job to worry about saving the planet — she should n't also have to worry about our ability to destroy it .

President-elect Joe Biden added another luminary to his climate team last week when he named former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm as his choice to head the Energy Department. Granholm is a great pick for what Biden wants her to do; it's the department that isn't quite the right fit — and it's time to reorganize it so its perceived mandate matches its actual mandate.
Despite its name, dealing with energy production isn't the Energy Department's main function, which understandably many people might assume.
Because, despite its name, dealing with energy production isn't the Energy Department's main function, which understandably many people might assume. The majority of the department's budget is focused on maintaining, upgrading and guarding the country's nuclear weapons. As Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, told The Washington Post: "The Energy Department is actually the Nuclear Weapons Department."
Rick Perry had to learn that the hard way soon after he accepted President Donald Trump's offer to run the Energy Department. He "gladly accepted, believing he was taking on a role as a global ambassador for the American oil and gas industry that he had long championed in his home state," Texas, The New York Times reported in January 2017. Only later did he learn that he was going to be "the steward of a vast national security complex he knew almost nothing about, caring for the most fearsome weapons on the planet, the United States' nuclear arsenal."
That's why world-renowned physicists were at the helm of the Energy Department during the Obama administration. It's ironic that Stephen Chu, a Nobel Prize winner who ran the department from 2009 to 2013, was the first secretary in decades to have to focus intensely on energy issues. An extra $39 billion — $10 billion more than his annual budget — landed in his lap as part of the 2009 stimulus bill, which he then hustled to spend on new renewable energy projects.
Chu was followed by Ernest Moniz, another star physicist, who had run MIT's Energy Initiative before he joined the administration. Moniz's biggest claim to fame came when he was named as a co-negotiator during the high-level talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal between the U.S. and other major world powers on one side and Iran on the other. His grasp of nuclear issues was so complete that his reputation was needed to sell the deal domestically. As an Obama administration official told The Times: "The theory is that Ernie's judgment on that matter is unassailable."
The department's dual nature vexed Biden's transition team.
The department's dual nature vexed Biden's transition team, which was reported to have "struggled over whether the Energy Department should be led by someone steeped in its core mission, ensuring the safety of the country's nuclear arsenal, or whether Mr. Biden should select someone with a vision for leading a clean-energy transformation."
Granholm's pick clearly means the Biden team went with the latter. But the Energy Department needs the runway to do what it needs to on climate change. And without a major change, I'm not sure that it will be able to do that. Before he became secretary, Perry famously suggested that we get rid of the Energy Department. I've come to agree with him — sort of.
I think that the country would be better served splitting the department in two. The functions related to the nuclear weapons arsenal — the National Nuclear Security Agency, the Y-12 nuclear security complex, the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and others — are all clearly important. But they should be spun off into a new, independent agency whose Senate-confirmed administrator reports to the White House. (The Pentagon already has enough on its plate and budget, and I'd rather not expand the behemoth that is the Defense Department any further.) That would allow the nuclear arsenal to keep the committed focus it deserves while deprioritizing its place in the federal bureaucracy.
I think that the country would be better served splitting the department in two.
A newly reformed department, which I propose would be called the Department of Energy and Climate, would encompass the rest of the current department's functions, including continuing to run the national laboratory system. Ideally, it would also be a new home to several other agencies that deal directly with climate change. That could entail absorbing the Environmental Protection Agency and finally swiping the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency from the Commerce Department.
It's clear that Biden cares about making climate policy central to his administration and appointing people who can show results. It would help if Granholm could focus her complete attention on those policies. It would take an act of Congress to approve the split, but it's something the Biden administration should make a priority, if not for Granholm, then for whoever comes next. It's her job to worry about saving the planet — she shouldn't also have to worry about our ability to destroy it.


msnbc--2020-12-21--Voting machine companies threaten right-wing media companies with legal action

What to know about new Covid strain spreading in U.K .

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msnbc--2020-12-22--Kamala Harris: ‘We intend to work across party lines’

On tackling the ongoing pandemic, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris says, “It is my hope and prayer, and Joe Biden has said it unambiguously, that we intend to work across party lines.”Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--'Thuggery': Four star Army general blasts Trump's MAGA martial law plot

After former national security adviser Michael Flynn suggested Trump should impose martial law to overturn the election and Trump reportedly asked about doing so during a meeting, top military leaders rebuked him and released a joint statement asserting they would not get involved in the election. Former National Security Council member and retired four-star Gen. Barry McCaffrey reacts to the news, asserting he was “horrified” hearing Flynn’s suggestion and called for Senate Republicans to publicly step up against the idea.Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--What to know about new Covid strain spreading in U.K.

What to know about new Covid strain spreading in U.K.
How worried should we be about this new strain? And will vaccines still protect us? Laurie Garrett and Chris Hayes discuss.Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--Kamala Harris on Trump’s refusal to concede: ‘We need to govern’

On President Trump and members of the GOP’s refusal to concede in the election they lost the presidency, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris says, “I have to believe at some point that reality will set in and that everyone will understand that we need to govern.”Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--Watch: Biden receives coronavirus vaccine

President-elect Joe Biden received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine and took time to thank frontline workers who are combatting the epidemic. Biden thanked the current administration for their efforts in producing the vaccine but said "this is just the beginning."Dec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--House committee subpoenas HHS secretary, CDC director over Covid response

Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who is running a special committee created to investigate the government response to the coronavirus, is seeking details about what he says was HHS officials efforts to “interfere” at the CDC, claiming the actions were “far more extensive and dangerous than previously known.” NBC News’ Heidi Przybyla reports.Dec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--Peter Strzok: Trump downplaying the Russia threat is ‘exactly where we started’

Peter Strzok: Trump downplaying the Russia threat is ‘exactly where we started’
Former FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok concludes that Trump is finishing his presidency just as he started: undermining threats from Russia and with General Michael Flynn back in the White HouseDec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-21--Barr sees 'no reason' to appoint special counsel for Hunter Biden investigation

Attorney General William Barr said he saw no reason for a special counsel to be appointed in the investigation of Hunter Biden when asked at a press conference. NBC's Pete Williams has details.Dec. 21, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--America doesn't have any idea what post-Covid vaccine life will look like

Like everyone else , I ’ ve spent the past few weeks mesmerized by images of health care workers receiving the first doses of the vaccine .
I ’ ve rejoiced at social media posts announcing a sibling , a partner or a best friend who ’ s first in line .
“ My sister , who ’ s been treating Covid patients this year and is spending the holidays alone to keep the rest of us safe , just told our fam group chat she ’ s getting the vaccine this week , ” journalist Connie Wang tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel is inexplicable.
” We ’ re nearing the end of a movie whose driving narrative has been “ get a vaccine !
” The trials were successful , the FDA issued emergency use authorization , the world rejoiced , the first doses were administered in a flurry of joy — and then the credits rolled .
Presumably , life goes back to normal .
But when , and how ?
We ’ ve got not just one , but two viable vaccines ( with a third reportedly pending ) .
But like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s handling of Covid-19 , the plans for the vaccine ’ s distribution are opaque , piecemeal and largely delegated to the discretion of individual states .
After the initial distribution to front-line health care workers , the next few months are poised to be a “ veritable land rush for Covid shots ” as various industries and employers lobby for their employees to be next in line .
You can use a tool like this one to try to figure out where you are in the prioritized list , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my hometown of Lewiston , Idaho , and are over 65 , there is a lot that depends on whether your health conditions qualify you as “ high risk.
” And then there ’ s all the mitigating factors : Will there be adequate refrigeration ?
How will we reach the population that isn ’ t already calling their doctors , eager to be first in line ?
Is there even a plan , let alone the sort of detailed , dynamic plan that a massive distribution requires ?
What about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
As the writer Zeynep Tufekci recently put it , will the U.S. “ snatch defeat from the jaws of vaccine victory ?
” “ Few people across the country have a clear idea of how exactly the Covid-19 vaccine supply chains will be organized , ” Bruce Y. Lee , who has worked in vaccine distribution for over 15 years , recently wrote in StatNews .
“ Vaccine chains have historically been neglected and underappreciated.
” Yes , a new administration will be in charge at the federal level .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they believe in science — and have a comparatively detailed plan for how to combat the pandemic moving forward .
But like so many other Americans , my faith in our government ’ s ability to successfully execute any plan in relation to the pandemic isn ’ t just compromised .
It ’ s gone .
On the federal , state and local level , we ’ ve bungled testing and messaging .
We ’ ve repeatedly privileged businesses over human life .
Congress has failed to pass substantive , lasting relief for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experiencing food insecurity , or facing eviction .
It ’ s taken months for people to access unemployment benefits through an understaffed , labyrinthian system .
Just recently , the public learned that the U.S. government had previously refused the option of purchasing an additional 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine , raising questions of a potential “ vaccine cliff ” in which millions would wait — perhaps for months — for supply to catch up .
But to those with power , money and influence , rules can always be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about serving the neediest first hasn ’ t stopped the rich from trying to leap ahead of teachers , farmworkers and firefighters .
Dr. Jeff Toll , who has admitting privileges at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , one of the first hospitals to stock the vaccine , recalled a patient asking : “ If I donate $ 25,000 to Cedars , would that help me get in line ?
’ ” Toll said no .
I believe in the vaccine .
I will absolutely take it the second it ’ s available to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But I ’ m also mentally exhausted .
I have no room for dashed hopes , no tolerance for even more changed plans , other than my current plan , which is “ have no plans.
” Placing faith in an organized , efficient , timely distribution of the vaccine doesn ’ t just feel like folly .
It feels psychologically reckless .
I ’ d love to speak cheerfully to my mom , who hasn ’ t been in a public space since March , about the future .
I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been trying to juggle working from home with kids that relief was coming their way — or tell other friends that their restaurant jobs would be coming back soon .
I wish I could feel even slightly confident that the trail race that just announced plans to be in-person in July would come to pass .
But more than 3,000 Americans are dying every day , in part because we still can not agree , as a society , to adhere to guidelines as simple as wearing a mask or limiting the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters gather outside the homes of health officials in Boise to protest a mask mandate , even as the state ’ s hospitals face the prospect of rationing care , what cause do I have for hope or trust ?
As the vaccination rolls out , we ’ ll have new guidelines to follow , new best practices to observe .
But faith in the CDC and local health officials has been dangerously eroded .
What stats should we follow , and where should we find them ?
Even epidemiologists have pretty wildly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things will go back to normal , or what “ normal ” will even look like .
And we ’ re only just beginning to grapple with the profound physical and psychological aftereffects of this pandemic .
Which helps explain why , when I try to fast-forward the tape of this pandemic , I can ’ t make the scenes of the future into anything coherent : Will we be wearing masks in public spaces for the foreseeable future ?
When ’ s the first time I ’ ll get on a plane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When will I be able to forgive the people in my community who ’ ve behaved so recklessly , so selfishly , for so long ?
How will we reckon with our collective grief over more than 300,000 dead ?
Our brains do their best to keep us going , day after day , week after week , through grave disappointment , trauma and failure .
Right now , they ’ re trying to keep us going just a few months more .
And the best way to keep us safe , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the future as blurry — but still bright — as possible .

Like everyone else, I’ve spent the past few weeks mesmerized by images of health care workers receiving the first doses of the vaccine. I’ve rejoiced at social media posts announcing a sibling, a partner or a best friend who’s first in line. “My sister, who’s been treating Covid patients this year and is spending the holidays alone to keep the rest of us safe, just told our fam group chat she’s getting the vaccine this week,” journalist Connie Wang tweeted. “The collective relief and joy we feel is inexplicable.”
My sister, who’s been treating COVID patients this year and is spending the holidays alone to keep the rest of us safe, just told our fam group chat she’s getting the vaccine this week. The collective relief and joy we feel is inexplicable. — Connie Wang (@conniewang) December 15, 2020
We’re nearing the end of a movie whose driving narrative has been “get a vaccine!” The trials were successful, the FDA issued emergency use authorization, the world rejoiced, the first doses were administered in a flurry of joy — and then the credits rolled. Presumably, life goes back to normal. But when, and how?
Placing faith in an organized, efficient, timely distribution of the vaccine doesn’t just feel like folly. It feels psychologically reckless.
We’ve got not just one, but two viable vaccines (with a third reportedly pending). But like everything else related to the government’s handling of Covid-19, the plans for the vaccine’s distribution are opaque, piecemeal and largely delegated to the discretion of individual states. After the initial distribution to front-line health care workers, the next few months are poised to be a “veritable land rush for Covid shots” as various industries and employers lobby for their employees to be next in line.
You can use a tool like this one to try to figure out where you are in the prioritized list, but it’s all relative. If you live in my hometown of Lewiston, Idaho, and are over 65, there is a lot that depends on whether your health conditions qualify you as “high risk.” And then there’s all the mitigating factors: Will there be adequate refrigeration? How will we reach the population that isn’t already calling their doctors, eager to be first in line? Is there even a plan, let alone the sort of detailed, dynamic plan that a massive distribution requires? What about the equally important distribution of the second dose? As the writer Zeynep Tufekci recently put it, will the U.S. “snatch defeat from the jaws of vaccine victory?”
“Few people across the country have a clear idea of how exactly the Covid-19 vaccine supply chains will be organized,” Bruce Y. Lee, who has worked in vaccine distribution for over 15 years, recently wrote in StatNews. “Vaccine chains have historically been neglected and underappreciated.”
When I try to fast-forward the tape of this pandemic, I can’t make the scenes of the future into anything coherent.
Yes, a new administration will be in charge at the federal level. It’s comforting, even thrilling, that they believe in science — and have a comparatively detailed plan for how to combat the pandemic moving forward. But like so many other Americans, my faith in our government’s ability to successfully execute any plan in relation to the pandemic isn’t just compromised. It’s gone.
On the federal, state and local level, we’ve bungled testing and messaging. We’ve repeatedly privileged businesses over human life. Congress has failed to pass substantive, lasting relief for the millions of families who are suffering, experiencing food insecurity, or facing eviction. It’s taken months for people to access unemployment benefits through an understaffed, labyrinthian system.
Just recently, the public learned that the U.S. government had previously refused the option of purchasing an additional 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, raising questions of a potential “vaccine cliff” in which millions would wait — perhaps for months — for supply to catch up.
But to those with power, money and influence, rules can always be bent. California’s stern messaging about serving the neediest first hasn’t stopped the rich from trying to leap ahead of teachers, farmworkers and firefighters.
Dr. Jeff Toll, who has admitting privileges at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of the first hospitals to stock the vaccine, recalled a patient asking: “If I donate $25,000 to Cedars, would that help me get in line?’” Toll said no.
I know the pandemic will end. But I’m also mentally exhausted.
I believe in the vaccine. I will absolutely take it the second it’s available to me. I know the pandemic will end. But I’m also mentally exhausted. I have no room for dashed hopes, no tolerance for even more changed plans, other than my current plan, which is “have no plans.” Placing faith in an organized, efficient, timely distribution of the vaccine doesn’t just feel like folly. It feels psychologically reckless.
I’d love to speak cheerfully to my mom, who hasn’t been in a public space since March, about the future. I want to tell my friends who’ve been trying to juggle working from home with kids that relief was coming their way — or tell other friends that their restaurant jobs would be coming back soon. I wish I could feel even slightly confident that the trail race that just announced plans to be in-person in July would come to pass.
But more than 3,000 Americans are dying every day, in part because we still cannot agree, as a society, to adhere to guidelines as simple as wearing a mask or limiting the number of people in social gatherings. When protesters gather outside the homes of health officials in Boise to protest a mask mandate, even as the state’s hospitals face the prospect of rationing care, what cause do I have for hope or trust?
As the vaccination rolls out, we’ll have new guidelines to follow, new best practices to observe. But faith in the CDC and local health officials has been dangerously eroded. What stats should we follow, and where should we find them? Even epidemiologists have pretty wildly disparate ideas about risk, or when things will go back to normal, or what “normal” will even look like. And we’re only just beginning to grapple with the profound physical and psychological aftereffects of this pandemic.
Which helps explain why, when I try to fast-forward the tape of this pandemic, I can’t make the scenes of the future into anything coherent: Will we be wearing masks in public spaces for the foreseeable future? When’s the first time I’ll get on a plane? Eat dinner at a restaurant? When will I be able to forgive the people in my community who’ve behaved so recklessly, so selfishly, for so long? How will we reckon with our collective grief over more than 300,000 dead?
Our brains do their best to keep us going, day after day, week after week, through grave disappointment, trauma and failure. Right now, they’re trying to keep us going just a few months more. And the best way to keep us safe, at least in this moment, is to keep the future as blurry — but still bright — as possible.


msnbc--2020-12-22--Congress just passed a $900B Covid aid bill. Here's what's in it.

Trump is doing his best to leave a mess for Biden to fix

Meacham: Pence probably saved the republic, but I don't always want to count on one person to do it


msnbc--2020-12-22--Feds have discussed making a legal request for Giuliani's electronic communications

Federal prosecutors have discussed making a legal request for Rudy Giuliani's electronic communications, two sources familiar with the probe tell NBC News, a sign that the investigation into President Donald Trump's personal attorney remains active and may soon be ramping up.Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--'Sociopathic': GOP presidential speechwriter blasts Trump’s scheme to overturn election he lost

With Trump’s time in the White House dwindling, his state of mind after losing the election has even some of his closest allies worried. The Washington Post’s Carol Leonnig and Ethics and Public Policy Center's Peter Wehner- who served in the administrations of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43- react to reports Trump considered instituting martial law and seizing voting machines in an effort to overturn election results. Wehner asserting “this is what happens when you elect someone who is essentially sociopathic."Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--How Trump is undermining Biden before he takes office

The Washington Post's Anne Gearan joins Morning Joe to discuss how President Trump is '...going to extraordinary lengths to disrupt and undermine the traditional transition from one administration to another despite the nation’s many crises.'Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--Bill Barr (finally) breaks with Trump on his way out the door

Bill Barr (finally) breaks with Trump on his way out the door
As his time in office comes to an end, Attorney General Bill Barr breaks with Trump saying there's no need for special counsels to look into Hunter Biden or the 2020 election. Joyce Vance reacts.Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--Rep. Clyburn calls for special commission on Trump administration’s COVID response

Rep. James Clyburn, Chairman of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, explains to Ali Velshi why the U.S. needs a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Trump administration's response to the pandemic: “We deserve to know exactly what happened and who made it happen.”Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--As Trump reportedly warms to pardon power, Giuliani focuses on reversing election for him

As Trump reportedly warms to pardon power, Giuliani focuses on reversing election for him
Rachel Maddow notes that in light of the news that Rudy Giuliani is under federal criminal investigation, he would probably appreciate a presidential pardon while he works to make Donald Trump's delusions of having won the 2020 election a reality.Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--Kansas City Star editor: The newspaper ‘failed to help the community progress’

Kansas City Star editor: The newspaper ‘failed to help the community progress’
The editor of the Kansas City Star, Mike Fannin, joins Ali Velshi to discuss his newspaper’s decision to apologize for decades of racist coverage that impacted generations and could have made a difference in making Kansas City “a more equality-based city.”Dec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--Why the new Covid relief bill feels like a letdown

I suppose we should be grateful .
Congress has finally reached a deal on a new round of coronavirus relief funding , nine months after the first package was signed into law and five months since the bulk of that funding ran out .
With this deal , an estimated 12 million Americans would avoid seeing their weekly incomes hit $ 0 as their unemployment benefits expired .
Eviction protections would be renewed , keeping families from being taken to court and thrown into the streets soon after the holidays .
And households that use SNAP benefits , aka food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto their EBT cards until June .
This is all great news .
Provisions in this bill are desperately needed to help bridge the gap until Covid-19 vaccines can be more widely distributed .
But if that 's the case ... why does this bill still feel like such a disappointment ?
It may just be the holidays talking , but the watered-down , belated efforts in this new package feel like when you 're a kid on Christmas morning , after you spent ages curating your wish list .
You 'd been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ranking your preferences , denoting the prices for your pare — er , Santa , even keeping the price cap low so nothing felt too extravagant .
Now , as you open the presents under the tree , you see some pretty decent gifts , ones that you 'll enjoy and appreciate .
But the things from your actual list are smaller than you 'd intended , in the right spirit but the wrong item — a pogo stick instead of Moon Shoes or a Lego X-Wing when the Millennium Falcon was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or they 're missing altogether .
Determined not to be a brat , you put on a brave face and smile , but the disappointment still stings .
`` You should be grateful that you got any presents at all '' — that 's the lesson that we tend to teach letdown kids at Christmas , especially when times are hard .
It 's a very American moral , one that urges children not to be greedy , to be appreciative of the good in their lives and the spirit of the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider that times are not hard for everyone equally .
And after months of delays , the people who need the most are getting less than before for entirely arbitrary reasons .
Consider unemployment benefits : People laid off in the pandemic would get a federal boost in their state unemployment checks after funding for the expansion ran out in July .
People who are self-employed , work as freelancers or were mired in the gig economy , as well as those whose state benefits are running out , would still be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than see the authorization for those programs expire at the end of the year .
However , assistance for both groups would be slashed in half , to $ 300 extra a week .
That 's money that would keep some people from drowning entirely — but still leave many thrashing and straining .
Another round of individual checks would be going out , one of the last items agreed to in the negotiations , but these would be halved , too .
The checks that would go out to Americans making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief for many .
We should n't pretend that $ 600 is a true lifeline , though , for people who have been unemployed for months or are working reduced hours as the restaurant or the retail store where they work teetered on the edge of failure .
Compare that to European countries , most of which have subsidized workers ' salaries rather than let people lose their jobs , as The Washington Post explained in October : Democrats , who for months pushed back against Republican measures that they felt would unfairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are spinning this deal as both a major win and just the first of several major packages .
`` We have now reached agreement on a bill that will crush the virus and put money in the pockets of working families who are struggling , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , wrote in a letter to her caucus Sunday , calling the bill `` an important initial step . ''
I do n't know whether I would go so far as `` crush the virus '' — that ship seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , without the kind of direct payments this deal comes nowhere close to providing .
But framing it as an `` initial step '' is important messaging , one the Democrats clearly hope tamps down on some of the disappointment .
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to push for another package in the new Congress come January .
Accordingly , Democrats have started reminding voters just what the deal could have looked like if they 'd only had control of the Senate .
Cue the reminders that Georgia 's twin Senate runoff elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's a lot in this package that would stanch some of the bleeding since this summer .
So sure , hand out that $ 600 .
But should we be grateful that this is what we get after waiting for so long ?
I 'm not sure that 's the word for how Americans are feeling right now .

I suppose we should be grateful. Congress has finally reached a deal on a new round of coronavirus relief funding, nine months after the first package was signed into law and five months since the bulk of that funding ran out.
With this deal, an estimated 12 million Americans would avoid seeing their weekly incomes hit $0 as their unemployment benefits expired. Eviction protections would be renewed, keeping families from being taken to court and thrown into the streets soon after the holidays. And households that use SNAP benefits, aka food stamps, would get more loaded monthly onto their EBT cards until June.
This is all great news. Provisions in this bill are desperately needed to help bridge the gap until Covid-19 vaccines can be more widely distributed. But if that's the case ... why does this bill still feel like such a disappointment?
It may just be the holidays talking, but the watered-down, belated efforts in this new package feel like when you're a kid on Christmas morning, after you spent ages curating your wish list. You'd been diligent and thoughtful after combing through catalogs, ranking your preferences, denoting the prices for your pare — er, Santa, even keeping the price cap low so nothing felt too extravagant.
Now, as you open the presents under the tree, you see some pretty decent gifts, ones that you'll enjoy and appreciate. But the things from your actual list are smaller than you'd intended, in the right spirit but the wrong item — a pogo stick instead of Moon Shoes or a Lego X-Wing when the Millennium Falcon was at the top of your list — or they're missing altogether. Determined not to be a brat, you put on a brave face and smile, but the disappointment still stings.
We shouldn't pretend that $600 is a true lifeline, though, for people who have been unemployed for months or are working reduced hours
"You should be grateful that you got any presents at all" — that's the lesson that we tend to teach letdown kids at Christmas, especially when times are hard. It's a very American moral, one that urges children not to be greedy, to be appreciative of the good in their lives and the spirit of the season. The analogy breaks down when you consider that times are not hard for everyone equally. And after months of delays, the people who need the most are getting less than before for entirely arbitrary reasons.
Consider unemployment benefits: People laid off in the pandemic would get a federal boost in their state unemployment checks after funding for the expansion ran out in July. People who are self-employed, work as freelancers or were mired in the gig economy, as well as those whose state benefits are running out, would still be able to draw checks, as well, rather than see the authorization for those programs expire at the end of the year. However, assistance for both groups would be slashed in half, to $300 extra a week. That's money that would keep some people from drowning entirely — but still leave many thrashing and straining.
Another round of individual checks would be going out, one of the last items agreed to in the negotiations, but these would be halved, too. The checks that would go out to Americans making $75,000 or less would be a relief for many. We shouldn't pretend that $600 is a true lifeline, though, for people who have been unemployed for months or are working reduced hours as the restaurant or the retail store where they work teetered on the edge of failure.
congrats on your $600 stimulus, pick one item from the bottom case pic.twitter.com/vaw1baZpFl — ꧁Madimoiselle꧂ (@drivingmemadi) December 20, 2020
Compare that to European countries, most of which have subsidized workers' salaries rather than let people lose their jobs, as The Washington Post explained in October:
The basic model of the European programs, sometimes called short-time work, is that struggling employers can place their workers on either full or partial furloughs, while the government takes over most of the cost of their idled time. The aims are to keep paychecks flowing to anxious citizens, prevent otherwise sound businesses from going under, and avoid the need to hire and train new workers after a crisis recedes.
Democrats, who for months pushed back against Republican measures that they felt would unfairly benefit businesses at the expense of workers, are spinning this deal as both a major win and just the first of several major packages.
"We have now reached agreement on a bill that will crush the virus and put money in the pockets of working families who are struggling," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote in a letter to her caucus Sunday, calling the bill "an important initial step."
I don't know whether I would go so far as "crush the virus" — that ship seems to have sailed a long time ago, without the kind of direct payments this deal comes nowhere close to providing. But framing it as an "initial step" is important messaging, one the Democrats clearly hope tamps down on some of the disappointment.
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to push for another package in the new Congress come January. Accordingly, Democrats have started reminding voters just what the deal could have looked like if they'd only had control of the Senate. Cue the reminders that Georgia's twin Senate runoff elections are in less than a month.
If Democrats controlled the Senate:
- the cash payments would be $1200 not $600
- there would be $175 billion, not $25 billion, to help people pay the rent
- there would be flexible money for states and cities and bonus checks for frontline workers
Let’s win Georgia. — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 21, 2020
There's a lot in this package that would stanch some of the bleeding since this summer. So sure, hand out that $600. But should we be grateful that this is what we get after waiting for so long? I'm not sure that's the word for how Americans are feeling right now.


msnbc--2020-12-23--What's next after Trump blasts virus relief bill?

Dr. Gupta : Vaccine will be effective against new strain seen in UK

Meacham: Pence probably saved the republic, but I don't always want to count on one person to do it 08:18


msnbc--2020-12-23--Trump hijacks pardon process; creates system for personal favors, special access

Michael Schmidt, Washington correspondent for the New York Times, talks with Rachel Maddow about how Donald Trump has circumvented the Justice Department process for approving pardon applications, and the high percentage of Trump pardons that are tied to one of his allies or relate to something that politically benefits him personally.Dec. 23, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-23--Convicted congressmen, killers of Iraqi civilians: A closer look at those Trump just pardoned

Convicted congressmen, killers of Iraqi civilians: A closer look at those Trump just pardoned
Chris Hayes breaks down the 20 pardons and commutations Donald Trump issued on Tuesday, including two people involved in the Mueller inquiry, three Republican congressmen, and four ex-Blackwater guards.Dec. 23, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-23--Glenn Kirschner: ‘There is no line Donald Trump won’t cross’

Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner joins Ali Velshi to discuss Donald Trump’s wave of pardons to friends and loyalists and why this is “an indiscriminate drive-by on the rule of law.”Dec. 23, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-23--Fired Florida COVID data analyst sues state over armed raid

Rebekah Jones joins Ali Velshi to discuss her lawsuit against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement after the raid of her home by armed state officers earlier this month, which she says was an act of retaliation for speaking out against Republican Governor Ron Desantis’ mishandling of Florida’s Covid-19 response.Dec. 23, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-23--Biden: Darkest days of Covid-19 pandemic still ahead of us

Biden: Darkest days of Covid-19 pandemic still ahead of us
Biden gives a sober reminder of the dark winter ahead as worries grow over a new strain of the coronavirus and Dr. Anthony Fauci publicly receives his Covid-19 vaccine. Dr. Céline Gounder of Biden's Covid task force joins to discuss.Dec. 23, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--Trump and GOP allies meet to discuss plans to overturn election

'To the right of this government, is only a wall' Impact of new judicial law in Israel 05:32


msnbc--2020-12-23--Giuliani criminal probe 'very active' as election 'clown show' rolls on

NBC News reports two sources saying the criminal investigation of Rudy Giuliani is “very active” by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. The report adds SDNY prosecutors are trying to obtain Giuliani’s electronic communications. It comes as Giuliani leads what critics call a “clown show” trying to overturn the election. New York University law professor Melissa Murray and former SDNY federal prosecutor Berit Berger discuss the developing investigation.Dec. 23, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-22--Jeff Gardere: We are just now recognizing 'tsunami of mental illness' resulting from Covid-19 isolat

Jeff Gardere: We are just now recognizing 'tsunami of mental illness' resulting from Covid-19 isolation, turmoil
Clinical psychologist Jeff Gardere unpacks the significant impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on mental health, especially in children and teenagers that are out of school and not able to participate in social activitiesDec. 22, 2020


msnbc--2020-12-23--Your present may be late. Don't take it out on the Postal Service.

As I write this , Christmas is just days away and my fiancée ’ s present is… somewhere in the United States of America .
Where exactly , I ’ m not entirely sure .
I ’ m not sure if it will actually make it here by Dec. 25 — and I can ’ t say that I ’ m surprised .
Or , for that matter , all that upset .
You see , the package I ’ m waiting for is being shipped via the United States Postal Service and to say that the boys and girls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a severe understatement .
Any inconvenience we , the consumers and customers of the Postal Service , have experienced this holiday season is a drop in the bucket compared to what they ’ ve gone through at post offices around the country .
Remember what it was like when the pandemic kicked off in March and stay-at-home orders went out in a bunch of states ?
The rush of people turning to online shopping — both to keep from going outside and as a mental balm against the crushing ennui that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the delivery drivers at the USPS , FedEx and UPS all nearly broken under the weight of the collective tonnage of our purchases .
As the packages piled up , so did the coronavirus cases in the packed sorting warehouses , where sorters showed up despite showing symptoms for fear of losing their jobs .
But while parcel shipping increased , regular mail plummeted , putting the Postal Service in a bind .
Already by April , there were warnings that the USPS would run out of cash entirely before September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Postal Service that President Donald Trump launched as part of his re-election bid .
Trump argued early and often that mail-in voting was rife with fraud , using this blatant lie as a reason to not provide more funding to the USPS .
Congress eventually managed to get a sizable loan to a stabilizing Postal Service but not without strings .
And the struggles it ’ s facing financially aren ’ t going away anytime soon .
Trump also named shipping executive Louis DeJoy as the new US Postmaster General , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instituted changes that he and his defenders claimed were meant to maximize productivity from postal workers .
Instead , his orders , including dismantling sorting machines and ordering mail workers not to finish delivering every item on their route by the end of their shift , made things worse .
( DeJoy rolled back many of those changes in September in response to the outcry . )
Thankfully the Postal Service came through for the election , despite Trump ’ s best efforts .
But now things are hellacious as the Christmas surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping .
UPS and FedEx basically saw this coming — the former placed shipping limits on some of the biggest retailers this season to keep performance levels high .
The effect , though , has been the overflow going to USPS , which already handles an estimated 40 percent of Amazon ’ s deliveries and the so-called “ last-mile ” of the private companies ’ deliveries in rural areas .
“ The plant ’ s so backed up that they ’ re sending raw unsorted mail , whole trays to carriers to manually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fields , a rural letter carrier In Knoxville , Tennessee told Labor Notes .
“ Everyone ’ s spending an hour a day just casing up mail that ’ s supposed to be run through a machine , because there ’ s no one to run the machine .
That ’ s on top of having 400 packages to deliver on your route.
” The backlog has become so severe that in some facilities employees are basically forced to craft tunnels out of the boxes , according to new reporting from the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now refusing to accept new mail shipments .
The backlogs are so pronounced that some managers have reached out to colleagues in hopes of diverting mail shipments to nearby facilities .
But often , those places are full , too .
Meanwhile , packages sit on trucks for days waiting for floor space to open so the loads can be sorted.
” Having that little space to maneuver makes it hard to keep away from coworkers , raising the risk of spreading the coronavirus no matter how many guidelines the Postal Service puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 641,000 postal workers working out of 31,500 facilities , according to the USPS ’ s Office of the Inspector General .
Of those , nearly 19,000 have called in sick or are isolating because they ’ ve been exposed to Covid-19 .
On the flip side , small businesses have been hurt in this congestion too , with vendors tweeting and posting on Facebook messages basically saying , “ delays are not our fault , so please stop yelling at us.
” The sort of dedication that it takes to have all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivering as many packages as possible as the Postal Service clearly is is frankly mindboggling .
Like I said , I ’ m not personally upset that my partner ’ s gift might not make it to her by Christmas Day .
I am , though , having to work through a version of the guilt that I felt back in the spring , as I fretted and worried over every online purchase that we made .
It ’ s a potent mix , this guilt , a combination of discomfort with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all at a time like this and knowing that each “ order now , ” no matter how small , contributes to the strain on the system .
The least — the absolute least — that we can do in response is be kind to letter carriers in our neighborhoods when we see them .
Don ’ t ask them if they know where your package is — they don ’ t .
Don ’ t hassle them for late deliveries — it ’ s not their fault .
Instead , treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see like a blue-clad Santa Claus .
If you want to go so far as to leave some cookies in your mailbox for them , just be sure to check for a nut allergy first .
I ’ m sure they ’ ll appreciate it .

As I write this, Christmas is just days away and my fiancée’s present is… somewhere in the United States of America. Where exactly, I’m not entirely sure. I’m not sure if it will actually make it here by Dec. 25 — and I can’t say that I’m surprised. Or, for that matter, all that upset.
The author’s dilemma, circa Dec. 23, 2020.
You see, the package I’m waiting for is being shipped via the United States Postal Service and to say that the boys and girls in blue have had a hard year would be a severe understatement. Any inconvenience we, the consumers and customers of the Postal Service, have experienced this holiday season is a drop in the bucket compared to what they’ve gone through at post offices around the country.
As the packages piled up, so did the coronavirus cases in the packed sorting warehouses, where sorters showed up despite showing symptoms for fear of losing their jobs.
Remember what it was like when the pandemic kicked off in March and stay-at-home orders went out in a bunch of states? The rush of people turning to online shopping — both to keep from going outside and as a mental balm against the crushing ennui that Covid-19 inspired — and the resulting crunch left the delivery drivers at the USPS, FedEx and UPS all nearly broken under the weight of the collective tonnage of our purchases.
As the packages piled up, so did the coronavirus cases in the packed sorting warehouses, where sorters showed up despite showing symptoms for fear of losing their jobs. But while parcel shipping increased, regular mail plummeted, putting the Postal Service in a bind. Already by April, there were warnings that the USPS would run out of cash entirely before September.
Complicating things further was the war against the Postal Service that President Donald Trump launched as part of his re-election bid. Trump argued early and often that mail-in voting was rife with fraud, using this blatant lie as a reason to not provide more funding to the USPS. Congress eventually managed to get a sizable loan to a stabilizing Postal Service but not without strings. And the struggles it’s facing financially aren’t going away anytime soon.
Trump also named shipping executive Louis DeJoy as the new US Postmaster General, which only added to the chaos. DeJoy instituted changes that he and his defenders claimed were meant to maximize productivity from postal workers. Instead, his orders, including dismantling sorting machines and ordering mail workers not to finish delivering every item on their route by the end of their shift, made things worse. (DeJoy rolled back many of those changes in September in response to the outcry.)
There are currently about 641,000 postal workers working out of 31,500 facilities. Of those, nearly 19,000 have called in sick or are isolating.
Thankfully the Postal Service came through for the election, despite Trump’s best efforts. But now things are hellacious as the Christmas surge has hit, despite retailers encouraging early shopping. UPS and FedEx basically saw this coming — the former placed shipping limits on some of the biggest retailers this season to keep performance levels high. The effect, though, has been the overflow going to USPS, which already handles an estimated 40 percent of Amazon’s deliveries and the so-called “last-mile” of the private companies’ deliveries in rural areas.
“The plant’s so backed up that they’re sending raw unsorted mail, whole trays to carriers to manually sort and case ourselves,” Alex Fields, a rural letter carrier In Knoxville, Tennessee told Labor Notes. “Everyone’s spending an hour a day just casing up mail that’s supposed to be run through a machine, because there’s no one to run the machine. That’s on top of having 400 packages to deliver on your route.”
The backlog has become so severe that in some facilities employees are basically forced to craft tunnels out of the boxes, according to new reporting from the Washington Post.
“Some processing plants are now refusing to accept new mail shipments. The backlogs are so pronounced that some managers have reached out to colleagues in hopes of diverting mail shipments to nearby facilities. But often, those places are full, too. Meanwhile, packages sit on trucks for days waiting for floor space to open so the loads can be sorted.”
This is why your packages are still "in transit," and why it won't be helpful to call with your tracking number. USPS package volumes are up 30-40%. Staffing is short due to COVID cases and quarantines. The mail is simply backed up. Remember to thank your carriers! #USPSdelays pic.twitter.com/cFQ6CSmBH8 — Emily May (@emtomology) December 17, 2020
Having that little space to maneuver makes it hard to keep away from coworkers, raising the risk of spreading the coronavirus no matter how many guidelines the Postal Service puts into place. There are currently about 641,000 postal workers working out of 31,500 facilities, according to the USPS’s Office of the Inspector General. Of those, nearly 19,000 have called in sick or are isolating because they’ve been exposed to Covid-19.
On the flip side, small businesses have been hurt in this congestion too, with vendors tweeting and posting on Facebook messages basically saying, “delays are not our fault, so please stop yelling at us.”
USPS got customers out here thinking they’re being scammed 😩🥴
Business owners: We shipped the packages 2 weeks ago.
Customers: It just says label created.
USPS: pic.twitter.com/OLxJoaXpOn — Eunique’s Playing #CultureTags (@eunique) December 19, 2020
The sort of dedication that it takes to have all that happening and still be as committed to delivering as many packages as possible as the Postal Service clearly is is frankly mindboggling.
Like I said, I’m not personally upset that my partner’s gift might not make it to her by Christmas Day. I am, though, having to work through a version of the guilt that I felt back in the spring, as I fretted and worried over every online purchase that we made. It’s a potent mix, this guilt, a combination of discomfort with the privilege of being able to shop online at all at a time like this and knowing that each “order now,” no matter how small, contributes to the strain on the system.
The least — the absolute least — that we can do in response is be kind to letter carriers in our neighborhoods when we see them. Don’t ask them if they know where your package is — they don’t. Don’t hassle them for late deliveries — it’s not their fault. Instead, treat each and every parcel-bearing postal worker you see like a blue-clad Santa Claus. If you want to go so far as to leave some cookies in your mailbox for them, just be sure to check for a nut allergy first. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.