huffpost--2020-05-20--In Suits Over Pandemic Conditions, Officers And Prisoners Find Themselves On The Same Side

But Keck has spent little time with his newly adopted children or his three other children .
With the coronavirus burning through Michigan ’ s prison system , Keck has been sleeping in a camper in his backyard in Carson City , a rural town in central Michigan .
His wife leaves him meals on the patio , and he only goes inside to shower , after which he carefully cleans the bathroom .
Inadequate testing is only one of a litany of concerns MDOC officers shared with HuffPost .
Among other issues , they say MDOC is failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and isn ’ t providing enough personal protective equipment .
Officials have also failed to address staffing shortages , forcing fatigued officers to work up to 25 hours of overtime weekly .
When prison staff gets sick , they are using paid time off ― and if they run out , they don ’ t get paid .
As cases spike in other state prisons , officers with the OCSEA have been demanding testing for all officers at prisons where there ’ s been a confirmed case and for sick officers to test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one hot-spot prison have yet to be issued N95 masks , and the union is demanding more PPE and more inmate lockdowns .
The union also filed a statewide grievance after the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections shorted officers on emergency pay by about $ 6 per hour .
In New York City , the union that represents 9,000 officers sued the New York City Department of Corrections to demand N95 face masks for staff , hand sanitizer , COVID-19 symptom screening , a requirement that staff test negative for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an end to 24-hour shifts , which the union called a “ death sentence ” because of the long exposure to a high-risk environment .
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an end to 24-hour shifts after the union filed its lawsuit , though the guards still work 16-hour shifts .
Officers Are ‘ Being Penalized ’ For Getting Sick Critics say corrections departments should be testing every officer and providing PPE , such as masks and gloves , now that they ’ re more readily available .
Officers in Michigan and Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done to restrict inmate interactions — even in some Michigan prisons with confirmed cases , prisoners still regularly congregate in the chow hall , classes , exercise yard and other common spaces , officers say .
Separating and locking down sick inmates in high-security prisons with individual cells is a far easier task than in lower-security facilities , which tend to have open barracks-style layouts .
But unions and advocates say there ’ s more that can be done .
The Michigan lawsuit asks a judge to order the MDOC to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already done in some cases , and to seek assistance from the National Guard .
Open dialogue between administration and staff would also help alleviate tensions , said Brian Miller , an officer at Marion and a union representative .
The union has tried to work with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections , he said , but the department has “ from the beginning shut us out and is not talking or working with the union whatsoever.
” “ We ’ re not here to hamper administration ; we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as possible , ” he said .
“ My philosophy is ’ Hey , let ’ s work together to try to get through this .
Come and talk to me , and maybe we can come up with a better solution together .
”

CARSON CITY, Mich. ― In early April, Michigan corrections officer Richard Keck and his wife completed the process of adopting five siblings.
But Keck has spent little time with his newly adopted children or his three other children. With the coronavirus burning through Michigan’s prison system, Keck has been sleeping in a camper in his backyard in Carson City, a rural town in central Michigan. His wife leaves him meals on the patio, and he only goes inside to shower, after which he carefully cleans the bathroom.
Advertisement
It’s “stressful,” said Keck, but he will keep living in his backyard until the Michigan Department of Corrections can quell the COVID-19 outbreaks that have ravaged prison systems in his state and across the country.
“I miss my kids. I miss my wife,” he said in a written statement. “And I’m right outside in the backyard.”
Corrections officers like Keck are also facing uncertainty and fear as the virus sickens prisoners and MDOC staff. As of Monday, 334 officers have been confirmed positive, though the true figure is thought to be much higher because the department has conducted limited testing.
Inadequate testing is only one of a litany of concerns MDOC officers shared with HuffPost. Among other issues, they say MDOC is failing to manage sick inmates in a safe way and isn’t providing enough personal protective equipment. Officials have also failed to address staffing shortages, forcing fatigued officers to work up to 25 hours of overtime weekly. When prison staff gets sick, they are using paid time off ― and if they run out, they don’t get paid.
Advertisement
It’s not just officers facing the consequences of working in a high-risk environment. They can carry the disease from hot spot prisons to their families and what are often rural, working-class communities ill-equipped to handle a local outbreak. Meanwhile, the situation has created a deadly loop in which inmates and officers contract the virus from one another.
Frustrated officers and their union are calling on the MDOC and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration to take meaningful action, but they say there’s been little help. Michigan Corrections Officers union President Byron Osborn said officers are being forgotten.
“In our line of work, we know what’s expected, and it doesn’t matter what’s going on at the facility — sickness, disturbance — that’s our job because we’re the ones keeping citizens of Michigan safe,” he said. “But we need support from the department, and we need support from the governor’s office. ”
Corrections officers across the country are contracting COVID-19 at much higher rates than the rest of the population, and as more officers get sick, those remaining on the job are feeling the strain of working multiple 16-hour shifts each week or even shifts as long as 24 hours in some places.
Though facilities are highly complex environments, the failure to protect prison staff typically results from some combination of poor leadership and a lack of resources, said Martin Horn, a retired distinguished lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Advertisement
He ran New York City’s jails during 2009’s H1N1 epidemic and said departments should be doing all they can to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and test every officer and inmate.
“If they are not, then I think it is shortsightedness, a failure of leadership or impetuousness,” he said. “There’s also no question that around the country corrections agencies are grossly underfunded and understaffed. They all went into this with no money and teetering on the edge to begin with.”
Turning To The Courts
In some cases, unions representing corrections officers are turning to the court system to force change, creating a de facto alliance between inmates and officers against administrations.
The officers union for the Washington, D.C., Department of Corrections joined a federal lawsuit inmates brought after about a quarter of the staff got sick in the first five weeks of the pandemic. Positive test rates among the officers was about six times that of the general population. A judge in April ordered the department to provide more protective gear and implement other safety measures.
A federal lawsuit filed in Michigan on behalf of inmates against the MDOC asks a judge to order the department to test all its corrections officers and provide them with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The MDOC did not respond to a request for comment. The department announced this week that it would provide voluntary testing for officers.
Advertisement
The prison courtyard at Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio. MEGAN JELINGER via Getty Images
In mid-April, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine dispatched the National Guard to the Marion Correctional Facility after 80% of 2,000 inmates and at least 117 officers tested positive for COVID-19.
Sally Meckling, communications director of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, said DeWine was slow to send the National Guard to assist officers at Marion. Officers are still working 16-hour shifts at Marion and elsewhere around the state.
As cases spike in other state prisons, officers with the OCSEA have been demanding testing for all officers at prisons where there’s been a confirmed case and for sick officers to test negative before returning to work. Officers in one hot-spot prison have yet to be issued N95 masks, and the union is demanding more PPE and more inmate lockdowns. The union also filed a statewide grievance after the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections shorted officers on emergency pay by about $6 per hour.
In New York City, the union that represents 9,000 officers sued the New York City Department of Corrections to demand N95 face masks for staff, hand sanitizer, COVID-19 symptom screening, a requirement that staff test negative for COVID-19 before being ordered back to work, and an end to 24-hour shifts, which the union called a “death sentence” because of the long exposure to a high-risk environment. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an end to 24-hour shifts after the union filed its lawsuit, though the guards still work 16-hour shifts.
Advertisement
Officers Are ‘Being Penalized’ For Getting Sick
The MDOC’s administrative leave policy allows the department to approve paid time off for officers in a situation like a pandemic.
Enacting the policy is a simple, common-sense change that would provide relief to officers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty and miss days or weeks of work, Osborn said.
Instead, officers have been told to use their regular sick time, which Osborn said amounts to “being penalized” for contracting the coronavirus.
“This is something that our employer and state can easily fix, and we’ve been patiently reminding them that it’s the state’s obligation to cover these folks, who by no fault of their own, by following protocols that are in place, have gotten sick,” Osborn said.
Critics say corrections departments should be testing every officer and providing PPE, such as masks and gloves, now that they’re more readily available. Officers in Michigan and Ohio have also questioned why more has not been done to restrict inmate interactions — even in some Michigan prisons with confirmed cases, prisoners still regularly congregate in the chow hall, classes, exercise yard and other common spaces, officers say.
Advertisement
Separating and locking down sick inmates in high-security prisons with individual cells is a far easier task than in lower-security facilities, which tend to have open barracks-style layouts. But unions and advocates say there’s more that can be done. The Michigan lawsuit asks a judge to order the MDOC to open unused cellblocks and facilities, which it has already done in some cases, and to seek assistance from the National Guard.
A young girl at a protest to bring awareness to the conditions inside the Marion Correctional Institution on May 2. MEGAN JELINGER via Getty Images
Open dialogue between administration and staff would also help alleviate tensions, said Brian Miller, an officer at Marion and a union representative. The union has tried to work with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, he said, but the department has “from the beginning shut us out and is not talking or working with the union whatsoever.”
“We’re not here to hamper administration; we’re here to help them out as much as possible,” he said. “My philosophy is ’Hey, let’s work together to try to get through this. Come and talk to me, and maybe we can come up with a better solution together.”
A similar scenario is playing out in Michigan, said Hannah Fielstra, an attorney representing inmates in the MDOC lawsuit. “One of the biggest issues is that the department seems to think its policies are enough, but they’re not taking into consideration what the groups of people on the ground have to say.”
Advertisement
On an individual level, there’s little recourse for officers who are put in dangerous situations, Horn said, but he noted unions’ wins.
“[Officers] can disregard their own safety and continue to work, which is not something I recommend, but if they refuse to work and use up sick leave, then the prisons are understaffed and that makes matters worse,” he said. “A lot of people want to demonize unions, but this is where they’re important.
‘Prison Bars Don’t Keep Germs In’
Miller lives in a small town in north-central Ohio, a short commute from his job at the Marion Correctional Institution. Like many officers around the country working in prisons in rural areas, he applied for the job because few other careers in the area could beat its pay and benefits.
“When I was hired in 2000, without having a degree, it was one of the best jobs you could get,” Miller said.
Miller had joined other officers living in a hotel near the prison to try to avoid carrying the disease back to his family. With the outbreak at his prison now under control, he has returned home.
Advertisement
“It’s pretty stressful, pretty straining on the whole family, but it’s what’s best for everyone,” he said. Michigan and Ohio have been paying for some officers to stay in hotels ― though it’s unclear how many officers were actually given that option.
“Remember, at the end of the day, it’s the public that’s at risk because all these people are coming home,” Horn said. “Prisoners are coming home at some point, and the officers are going back and forth from the prisons into supermarkets, churches, gas stations — prison bars don’t keep germs in.”
In a statement sent via the Michigan Corrections Union, a wife of an officer in Jackson, Michigan, said her husband has had to transport sick patients to the hospital and stand by their beds.
He’s now isolated in the family’s basement.
“If you ask these officers what they fear the most, it isn’t getting it, it’s bringing this virus home to their families,” she said.


huffpost--2020-05-25--The Bloopers Keep Coming For News Reporters Working From Home

Just because many journalists are reporting the news from their homes doesn ’ t mean the laughs are on lockdown @ @ @ @ @ who have been covering the serious events of the COVID-19 pandemic have found themselves in @ @ @ @ @ in the process .
Inside Edition has compiled some of the wildest bloopers ( viewable @ @ @ @ @ , from news anchors ’ pets taking over their live reports to some , er @ @ @ @ @ One lesson learned : Journalists who invite their kids on camera always make the cutest @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Just because many journalists are reporting the news from their homes doesn’t mean the laughs are on lockdown.
Turns out, reporters who have been covering the serious events of the COVID-19 pandemic have found themselves in some pretty hilarious news bloopers in the process.
Advertisement
Inside Edition has compiled some of the wildest bloopers (viewable in the clip above), from news anchors’ pets taking over their live reports to some, er, unexpected birthday suits.


huffpost--2020-05-25--Car Thefts Spike During COVID-19 Pandemic

With more people than ever staying home to lessen the spread of COVID-19 , their sedans , pickup trucks and SUVs are parked unattended on the streets , making them easy targets for opportunistic thieves .
Despite silent streets and nearly nonexistent traffic , vehicle larcenies shot up 63 % in New York and nearly 17 % in Los Angeles from Jan. 1 through mid-May , compared with the same period last year .
And many other law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are reporting an increase in stolen cars and vehicle burglaries , even as violent crime has dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a low-risk crime with a potentially high reward , police say , especially when many drivers leave their doors unlocked or their keys inside .
“ You might as well put a sticker on the window that says ‘ come take my stuff , ’ ” said an exasperated Alex Villanueva , the Los Angeles County sheriff .
In Austin , Texas , last month , a whopping 72 % of the 322 stolen vehicles had their keys nearby .
The total number of auto thefts in April spiked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were up 2 % from April 2019 .
The elements for that storm : Drivers are at home and not using or checking their cars regularly .
School ’ s out , so teenagers are trying their luck .
Criminals are out of work and have more time on their hands or need fast money to support a drug habit .
“ You can get on the internet nowadays and learn how to break into vehicles just searching YouTube , ” Vetrano said .
“ It ’ s really 10 seconds , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not spending a lot of time in your car .
It ’ s a smash-and-grab-and-go , ” sometimes in broad daylight .
In Baltimore , though , a push to reduce the city ’ s historically high numbers of vehicle thefts and burglaries appears to have paid off .
Thefts from autos plunged 24 % and stolen vehicles dropped 19 % from January to May compared with the same period last year .
Col. Richard Worley , the chief of patrol , in part credits aggressive efforts to remind residents to lock their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park in well-lit areas .
In this case , however , the pandemic has actually helped police : Residents are home , driving less and keeping an eye on the neighborhood , and officers now have time for proactive patrols because calls for service and violent crime have decreased .
A thief was recently arrested with 13 stolen catalytic converters during a motor vehicle stop .
Sometimes , however , it ’ s just a matter of luck .
Like for Lindsey Eldridge , the police department ’ s community outreach coordinator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cupholder .
She realized her mistake just before falling asleep .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The coronavirus hasn’t been kind to car owners.
With more people than ever staying home to lessen the spread of COVID-19, their sedans, pickup trucks and SUVs are parked unattended on the streets, making them easy targets for opportunistic thieves.
Despite silent streets and nearly nonexistent traffic, vehicle larcenies shot up 63% in New York and nearly 17% in Los Angeles from Jan. 1 through mid-May, compared with the same period last year.
Advertisement
And many other law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are reporting an increase in stolen cars and vehicle burglaries, even as violent crime has dropped dramatically nationwide in the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a low-risk crime with a potentially high reward, police say, especially when many drivers leave their doors unlocked or their keys inside.
“You might as well put a sticker on the window that says ‘come take my stuff,’” said an exasperated Alex Villanueva, the Los Angeles County sheriff.
In Austin, Texas, last month, a whopping 72% of the 322 stolen vehicles had their keys nearby. The total number of auto thefts in April spiked about 50%, and burglaries to vehicles were up 2% from April 2019.
The virus has created a “perfect storm,” said Austin police Sgt. Chris Vetrano, a supervisor in the 11-detective auto theft unit that investigates stolen vehicle cases.
Advertisement
The elements for that storm: Drivers are at home and not using or checking their cars regularly. School’s out, so teenagers are trying their luck. Criminals are out of work and have more time on their hands or need fast money to support a drug habit.
“You can get on the internet nowadays and learn how to break into vehicles just searching YouTube,” Vetrano said.
(He should know: Someone broke into his locked Ford F-150 pickup truck, one of the most commonly stolen vehicles, about a year ago.)
Salt Lake City police Detective Greg Wilking said a 22% spike in vehicle burglaries there could be from a few criminals working quickly on “car prowls.”
“It’s really 10 seconds,” he said. “They’re not spending a lot of time in your car. It’s a smash-and-grab-and-go,” sometimes in broad daylight.
Advertisement
Wilking worries the numbers will keep rising because “people get more desperate as time goes on.”
In Baltimore, though, a push to reduce the city’s historically high numbers of vehicle thefts and burglaries appears to have paid off. Thefts from autos plunged 24% and stolen vehicles dropped 19% from January to May compared with the same period last year.
Col. Richard Worley, the chief of patrol, in part credits aggressive efforts to remind residents to lock their cars, take their keys home and park in well-lit areas. In this case, however, the pandemic has actually helped police:
Residents are home, driving less and keeping an eye on the neighborhood, and officers now have time for proactive patrols because calls for service and violent crime have decreased. A thief was recently arrested with 13 stolen catalytic converters during a motor vehicle stop.
Sometimes, however, it’s just a matter of luck. Like for Lindsey Eldridge, the police department’s community outreach coordinator, who left her keys in her car’s cupholder. She realized her mistake just before falling asleep.
As Worley said: “She could have been a statistic.”
___


huffpost--2020-05-25--Joe Biden Makes His First Public Appearance In More Than 2 Months

Former Vice President Joe Biden made his first public appearance in more than two months on Monday , breaking from his online-only campaign as social distancing measures begin to ease .
“ Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made , ” he told reporters after laying down a wreath .
“ Never , ever forget.
” His late son , Beau Biden , was an army veteran who served in the Iraq War before dying of brain cancer in 2015 .
The former vice president has been campaigning exclusively from his Delaware home for the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other 2020 campaign functions to come to a screeching halt .
The circumstances have sowed some anxiety among his supporters , who worry that Biden ’ s at a disadvantage while President Donald Trump continues to hold press conferences .
The Biden campaign did not say whether Monday ’ s appearance means he will begin to appear in public again .
“ Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden believe that as the American people support each other and persevere together to overcome this crisis , it ’ s more imperative than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and their families , who sacrificed everything for this nation , and who always represent the very best in us as Americans , ” a campaign official told HuffPost .
“ It ’ s that spirit that will get us through this challenge and enable us to come back stronger than before.
” While Biden wore a mask Monday , complying with advice from public health officials , Trump has refused to wear one .
During a tour at a Ford Motor Co. plant last Thursday , the president told reporters he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but took it off to spite them .
“ I didn ’ t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it , ” Trump said .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Former Vice President Joe Biden made his first public appearance in more than two months on Monday, breaking from his online-only campaign as social distancing measures begin to ease.
Sporting a protective face mask with his wife, Jill Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee commemorated Memorial Day by visiting Delaware Memorial Bridge Veterans Memorial Park.
Advertisement
“Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made,” he told reporters after laying down a wreath. “Never, ever forget.”
His late son, Beau Biden, was an army veteran who served in the Iraq War before dying of brain cancer in 2015.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, visit Delaware Memorial Bridge Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, May 25. OLIVIER DOULIERY via Getty Images
The former vice president has been campaigning exclusively from his Delaware home for the last two months after the coronavirus outbreak forced rallies and other 2020 campaign functions to come to a screeching halt. The circumstances have sowed some anxiety among his supporters, who worry that Biden’s at a disadvantage while President Donald Trump continues to hold press conferences.
Advertisement
The Biden campaign did not say whether Monday’s appearance means he will begin to appear in public again.
“Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden believe that as the American people support each other and persevere together to overcome this crisis, it’s more imperative than ever that we honor and remember the veterans, and their families, who sacrificed everything for this nation, and who always represent the very best in us as Americans,” a campaign official told HuffPost. “It’s that spirit that will get us through this challenge and enable us to come back stronger than before.”
While Biden wore a mask Monday, complying with advice from public health officials, Trump has refused to wear one. During a tour at a Ford Motor Co. plant last Thursday, the president told reporters he had a mask on at one point but took it off to spite them.


huffpost--2020-05-25--Jason Derulo's TikTok Just Won The 'Wipe It Down' Challenge

Jason Derulo just did whatever a spider can in his take on the “ Wipe It Down ” challenge on @ @ @ @ @ To Want Me ” singer transformed into Spider-Man as part of the challenge , which @ @ @ @ @ video app to clean a mirror and reveal other versions of themselves .
Derulo ’ @ @ @ @ @ posted on Sunday , came complete with a spider bite , spandex and web-shooting awesomeness @ @ @ @ @ , er , Derulo : He ’ s put other “ Wipe It Down ” @ @ @ @ @ , on notice .
The “ Cats ” star has been a TikTok dynamo during @ @ @ @ @ week , he appeared to lose his teeth while eating corn on the cob as @ @ @ @ @ drill .
Spider-Man definitely did not come to the rescue on that one ( although @ @ @ @ @ around ) .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Jason Derulo just did whatever a spider can in his take on the “Wipe It Down” challenge on TikTok.
The “Want To Want Me” singer transformed into Spider-Man as part of the challenge, which asks users on the short-form video app to clean a mirror and reveal other versions of themselves.
Derulo’s video, which he posted on Sunday, came complete with a spider bite, spandex and web-shooting awesomeness.
Advertisement
Here comes the Spider-Man, er, Derulo:
He’s put other “Wipe It Down” participants, including Will Smith, on notice.
The “Cats” star has been a TikTok dynamo during the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, he appeared to lose his teeth while eating corn on the cob as it spun on a power drill. Spider-Man definitely did not come to the rescue on that one (although Derulo may have been joking around).


huffpost--2020-05-25--Trump Threatens To Move GOP Convention Unless Full Arena Is Allowed

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to relocate the upcoming Republican National Convention from North Carolina to another state if its Democratic governor doesn ’ t allow his party “ full attendance ” at the event .
In a series of tweets , Trump targeted Gov .
Roy Cooper for being “ still in Shutdown mood ” during the coronavirus pandemic , saying he would find a more accommodating state if Cooper doesn ’ t cave to his demand .
“ Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans , and others , to head to beautiful North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied , ” Trump tweeted .
“ If not , we will be reluctantly forced to find , with all of the jobs and economic development it brings , another Republican National Convention site.
” I love the Great State of North Carolina , so much so that I insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the end of August .
Unfortunately , Democrat Governor , @ RoyCooperNC is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that by August we will be allowed ... — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 25 , 2020 ... full attendance in the Arena .
In other words , we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space .
Plans are being ... .
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 25 , 2020 ... made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans , and others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August .
They must be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied .
If not , we will be reluctantly forced ... — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 25 , 2020 ... to find , with all of the jobs and economic development it brings , another Republican National Convention site .
This is not something I want to do .
Thank you , and I LOVE the people of North Carolina !
— Donald J.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Nearly 50,000 people are expected to attend the August 24-27 event in Charlotte , according to the RNC ’ s website .
“ It ’ s an issue we ’ ve been talking about because these national conventions literally take many months to organize and prepare , ” Pence said .
“ There are states around the country — we think of Texas , we think of Florida , Georgia — the last two states I visited last week that have made tremendous progress on reopening their communities and reopening their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North Carolina , is scheduled to hold the Republican National Convention in August .
A spokesperson for Cooper ’ s office said state health officials are working with the RNC to address Trump ’ s capacity concerns and will review its plans as they make decisions about how to hold the convention in Charlotte .
“ North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state ’ s public health and safety , ” press secretary Dory MacMillan said in an email to HuffPost .
The Democratic National Convention is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin .
Both the Republican and Democratic events will see their parties formally nominate their respective choices for the next president and vice president of the United States .
Due to health concerns , the DNC ’ s organizers are considering turning it into a virtual gathering .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to relocate the upcoming Republican National Convention from North Carolina to another state if its Democratic governor doesn’t allow his party “full attendance” at the event.
In a series of tweets, Trump targeted Gov. Roy Cooper for being “still in Shutdown mood” during the coronavirus pandemic, saying he would find a more accommodating state if Cooper doesn’t cave to his demand.
Advertisement
“Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans, and others, to head to beautiful North Carolina in August. They must be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied,” Trump tweeted. “If not, we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site.”
I love the Great State of North Carolina, so much so that I insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the end of August. Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
...full attendance in the Arena. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space. Plans are being.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
...made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans, and others, to head to beautiful North Carolina in August. They must be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied. If not, we will be reluctantly forced... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
Advertisement
...to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site. This is not something I want to do. Thank you, and I LOVE the people of North Carolina! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
Nearly 50,000 people are expected to attend the August 24-27 event in Charlotte, according to the RNC’s website.
In an interview on “Fox & Friends” Monday, Vice President Mike Pence said Trump’s request of Cooper is “very reasonable.”
“It’s an issue we’ve been talking about because these national conventions literally take many months to organize and prepare,” Pence said. “There are states around the country — we think of Texas, we think of Florida, Georgia — the last two states I visited last week that have made tremendous progress on reopening their communities and reopening their economies.”
The Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, is scheduled to hold the Republican National Convention in August. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Advertisement
A spokesperson for Cooper’s office said state health officials are working with the RNC to address Trump’s capacity concerns and will review its plans as they make decisions about how to hold the convention in Charlotte.
“North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state’s public health and safety,” press secretary Dory MacMillan said in an email to HuffPost.
The Democratic National Convention is also scheduled for August in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both the Republican and Democratic events will see their parties formally nominate their respective choices for the next president and vice president of the United States. Due to health concerns, the DNC’s organizers are considering turning it into a virtual gathering.
Representatives for the RNC did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment on Monday.


huffpost--2020-05-25--Andrew Cuomo Congratulates His Daughter On College Graduation With A Promise

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo congratulated his daughter Michaela on her graduation from Brown University on Sunday with a @ @ @ @ @ take to heart during the coronavirus pandemic .
The state leader gave a shoutout to @ @ @ @ @ addressing his youngest child , who officially graduated from the Ivy League school in a @ @ @ @ @ best is yet to come .
That I promise , ” the governor wrote in @ @ @

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo congratulated his daughter Michaela on her graduation from Brown University on Sunday with a message that young people can take to heart during the coronavirus pandemic.
The state leader gave a shoutout to all graduates on Twitter before addressing his youngest child, who officially graduated from the Ivy League school in a virtual ceremony.
“The best is yet to come. That I promise,” the governor wrote in his tweet.


huffpost--2020-05-25--Dominic Cummings Has No Regrets Over Alleged Lockdown Breaches

LONDON ― Dominic Cummings , a senior aide to U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson , said at an extraordinary briefing in Downing Street he “ acted reasonably ” by driving to Durham during lockdown , and has no regrets .
Cummings was under intense pressure to resign after he drove some 260 miles to Durham and made another trip to the town of Barnard Castle while there .
A string of Tory MPs have called on the PM to sack his adviser , after they were inundated with complaints from the public who have been obeying the ‘ stay at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said fears over a lack of childcare for his four-year-old son , as well as concern that he and his ill wife were possibly infected with COVID-19 , drove the decision .
Asked if he felt he owed an apology to the public , he said , “ I don ’ t think I ’ m so different , and I don ’ t think there ’ s one rule for me and one rule for other people .
“ As I said , I knew what the guidance was .
It talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think that in all the circumstances I behaved reasonably and legally as I said.
” He went on to say , “ I do not regret what I did ” but added that “ reasonable people may well disagree.
” The former Vote Leave boss also confirmed that he went on a “ short drive ” to Barnard Castle because his eyesight had been affected by the disease and his wife did not want to risk the long drive back to London .
He said : “ My wife was very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been affected by the disease.
” Cummings said that during his time in Durham “ at no point did any of the three of us enter my parents ’ house or sister ’ s house.
” Addressing criticism from scores of families who felt they had to stick to the ‘ stay at home ’ advice issued by government , and Cummings said : “ I know that millions of people in this country have been suffering , thousands have died , many are angry about what they have seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he also had concerns about his family ’ s safety as his home in London had become “ a target.
” “ The truth is that I had argued for lockdown , I did not oppose it but these stories had created a very bad atmosphere around my home , I was subjected to threats of violence , people came to my house shouting threats , there were posts on social media encouraging attacks.
” Cummings said he was worried that “ this situation would get worse ” and that he “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my wife and child at home all day and often into the night while I worked in Number 10 .
”

LONDON ― Dominic Cummings, a senior aide to U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said at an extraordinary briefing in Downing Street he “acted reasonably” by driving to Durham during lockdown, and has no regrets.
Cummings was under intense pressure to resign after he drove some 260 miles to Durham and made another trip to the town of Barnard Castle while there.
A string of Tory MPs have called on the PM to sack his adviser, after they were inundated with complaints from the public who have been obeying the ‘stay at home regulations’ stringently.
Advertisement
But Cummings attempted to bat down criticism of his actions on Monday, telling reporters “I have not offered to resign,” adding, “I have not considered it.”
The adviser said fears over a lack of childcare for his four-year-old son, as well as concern that he and his ill wife were possibly infected with COVID-19, drove the decision.
He denies breaking the rules or the spirit of the rules.
Asked if he felt he owed an apology to the public, he said, “I don’t think I’m so different, and I don’t think there’s one rule for me and one rule for other people.
“As I said, I knew what the guidance was. It talks about exceptional circumstances with small children, and I think that in all the circumstances I behaved reasonably and legally as I said.”
Advertisement
He went on to say, “I do not regret what I did” but added that “reasonable people may well disagree.”
The press conference was hastily organized on Monday afternoon after Johnson refusing to sack Cummings and claiming his aide acted “responsibly, legally and with integrity” stoked further fury.
The former Vote Leave boss also confirmed that he went on a “short drive” to Barnard Castle because his eyesight had been affected by the disease and his wife did not want to risk the long drive back to London.
He said: “My wife was very worried, particularly as my eyesight seemed to have been affected by the disease.”
He added: “We did not visit the castle, we did not walk around the town.”
Cummings said that during his time in Durham “at no point did any of the three of us enter my parents’ house or sister’s house.”
Advertisement
He said their only exchanges were “shouted conversations at a distance” and his sister left shopping outside for them.
Addressing criticism from scores of families who felt they had to stick to the ‘stay at home’ advice issued by government, and Cummings said: “I know that millions of people in this country have been suffering, thousands have died, many are angry about what they have seen in the media about my actions.”
He said he also had concerns about his family’s safety as his home in London had become “a target.”
“The truth is that I had argued for lockdown, I did not oppose it but these stories had created a very bad atmosphere around my home, I was subjected to threats of violence, people came to my house shouting threats, there were posts on social media encouraging attacks.”
He also admitted he did not tell the prime minister, who had tested positive for coronavirus, about his decision.
Cummings said he was worried that “this situation would get worse” and that he “was worried about the possibility of leaving my wife and child at home all day and often into the night while I worked in Number 10.”
Advertisement


huffpost--2020-04-18--What It's Like To Give Birth In The Epicenter Of A Pandemic

Just hours before , the hospital had begun a controversial policy banning support partners from labor and delivery rooms to protect against COVID-19 — a policy that would later be reversed .
She had heard about the possibility of such a policy on a Saturday , confirmed with her doctor that it was set to start on Sunday , and went into labor hours later — a week and a half before her due date .
Elaine , who requested that only her first name be used because she was sharing intimate details of her private birth experience , sobbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly frantic husband .
She was joined in the elevator by another woman who had come in for a scheduled cesarean section , and who had also begged for her partner to be allowed upstairs .
Elaine felt herself growing “ hysterical ” when she made it to labor and delivery , breathing through contractions on her own for long stretches of time in triage .
Elaine delivered a healthy baby boy with the help of a nurse , her own health care provider , and two other midwives she did not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aghast at the hospital ’ s new policy of barring support partners they promised not to leave her side .
Less than a week later , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced an executive order that all women delivering in public and private hospitals must be allowed to have a partner or support person , reversing the policy that led Elaine to give birth alone .
The decision was heralded as a win by local birth workers and thousands of expectant women and their partners , and set a precedent for other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider .
But in some hospitals in New York City — which now has well over 120,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and is the epicenter of the pandemic in America— those same partners are still being banned from postpartum units and recovery rooms by individual hospitals and hospital networks .
Hospitals that have set policies barring support partners from postpartum units and in recovery rooms post-C-section say they simply hope to keep moms , newborns and hospital staff safe .
The website for the NewYork-Presbyterian network of hospitals , for example , acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from postpartum units will be painful for patients and their loved ones , but called it a “ necessary step ” to protect women and their babies .
The hospital has not returned a request for comment .
But opponents of such policies say they put far more pressure on the nurses working in postpartum units to be available to moms , who need help with everything from feeding their babies to simply going to the bathroom .
Under even the best of circumstances , the postpartum period is taxing , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women are at their highest risk of postpartum hemorrhage , for example , immediately after delivery .
And their experiences in the hospital can have a clear impact on their subsequent risk for mental health challenges like postpartum depression and anxiety .
“ One-third of American women who go into labor and delivery will have a cesarean birth , which is major abdominal surgery .
I can ’ t imagine any other situation where someone is sent into major surgery and then handed a dependent person to then take care of afterwards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that alone ?
” “ They put on PPE and once they are with you , they stay with you for the duration , ” she said .
That does not simply mean they can not leave the hospital ; it means they can not leave the room until the mother and baby are discharged — which is now a shorter period of time in many hospitals .
The nurses did their very best to help her , Elaine said , but they were busy .
She lost her sense of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but believes she was alone for hours at a time — and when she was not , she felt guilty about paging her busy nurses to come in to help with things she would have happily leaned on her husband for .
Like changing the baby ’ s first diaper .
Or getting her food .
( Elaine is a vegetarian , and the hospital did not have options for her , so she did not eat a full meal during her stay . )
During her first long night as a mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FaceTime , but he was not there to hold the baby .
Elaine was bleary and frightened of the virus she knew was ravaging other parts of the hospital .
Part of her thinks the hospitals that are permitting support partners during birth but not after have got it wrong .
Yes , she desperately wanted her husband with her during labor , but at least then she was surrounded by care providers .
And she had a clear job : get her baby safely out .
After , when Elaine was physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she put it “ definitely started to go a little crazy ” — that is when she needed a support person most of all .

Thanasis Zovoilis via Getty Images In response to COVID-19, some New York City hospitals have barred support partners from postpartum units and recovery rooms.
In late March, Elaine, 32, arrived at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Hospital deep in the throes of labor with her first baby, and was told that her husband would not be allowed in with her and that she must deliver alone.
Just hours before, the hospital had begun a controversial policy banning support partners from labor and delivery rooms to protect against COVID-19 — a policy that would later be reversed. She had heard about the possibility of such a policy on a Saturday, confirmed with her doctor that it was set to start on Sunday, and went into labor hours later — a week and a half before her due date.
Advertisement
Elaine, who requested that only her first name be used because she was sharing intimate details of her private birth experience, sobbed in the lobby as she left her increasingly frantic husband. She was joined in the elevator by another woman who had come in for a scheduled cesarean section, and who had also begged for her partner to be allowed upstairs. Elaine felt herself growing “hysterical” when she made it to labor and delivery, breathing through contractions on her own for long stretches of time in triage.
But that was not the hardest part of giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.
Elaine delivered a healthy baby boy with the help of a nurse, her own health care provider, and two other midwives she did not know, but who she said were so aghast at the hospital’s new policy of barring support partners they promised not to leave her side.
The hardest part came after.
“I was just ... alone,” said Elaine, who experienced tearing and blood loss that left her dizzy and exhausted. “I had no idea what to do with this baby.”
Less than a week later, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an executive order that all women delivering in public and private hospitals must be allowed to have a partner or support person, reversing the policy that led Elaine to give birth alone. The decision was heralded as a win by local birth workers and thousands of expectant women and their partners, and set a precedent for other less hard-hit areas of the country to consider.
Advertisement
But in some hospitals in New York City — which now has well over 120,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and is the epicenter of the pandemic in America— those same partners are still being banned from postpartum units and recovery rooms by individual hospitals and hospital networks.
And critics of those hospital policies argue that the potential impact of separating new mothers and infants from fathers, partners and other support persons is just as harmful physically and emotionally.
“Hospitals are actively kicking people out within two hours after delivery, before the patient goes to postpartum recovery floor or unit,” said Jesse Pournaras, a Brooklyn-based labor and postpartum doula, who started a petition on Change.org to oppose policies that banned support partners from labor and delivery, which drew more than 600,000 electronic signatures.
Pournaras has started a second online petition urging hospitals to allow partners in postpartum units, which had more than 20,000 signatures as of Saturday morning.
“I do understand they want to limit people coming and going,” she said, “but it is vital that women have postpartum support.”
Advertisement
Hospitals that have set policies barring support partners from postpartum units and in recovery rooms post-C-section say they simply hope to keep moms, newborns and hospital staff safe. The website for the NewYork-Presbyterian network of hospitals, for example, acknowledged that its policy barring “visitors” from postpartum units will be painful for patients and their loved ones, but called it a “necessary step” to protect women and their babies. The hospital has not returned a request for comment.
But opponents of such policies say they put far more pressure on the nurses working in postpartum units to be available to moms, who need help with everything from feeding their babies to simply going to the bathroom. Under even the best of circumstances, the postpartum period is taxing, and the need for support and observation essential. Women are at their highest risk of postpartum hemorrhage, for example, immediately after delivery. And their experiences in the hospital can have a clear impact on their subsequent risk for mental health challenges like postpartum depression and anxiety.
“One-third of American women who go into labor and delivery will have a cesarean birth, which is major abdominal surgery. I can’t imagine any other situation where someone is sent into major surgery and then handed a dependent person to then take care of afterwards,” Pournaras said. “And to do that alone?”
She argued there are better ways to balance the challenges of keeping staff and patients safe in the face of COVID-19 and making sure exhausted postpartum women are not going it alone. Not all New York City hospitals are barring support partners soon after delivery.
“There are hospitals that are making it work,” Pournaras said. At NYU Langone, for example, women are allowed one visitor throughout labor, delivery and the postpartum period.
Advertisement
“They put on PPE and once they are with you, they stay with you for the duration,” she said. That does not simply mean they cannot leave the hospital; it means they cannot leave the room until the mother and baby are discharged — which is now a shorter period of time in many hospitals.
Yet even if that postpartum hospital stay is not particularly long, it can have a profound impact on women like Elaine, who has struggled in the weeks since her baby was born. She remembers her postpartum hospital stay in unhappy flashes.
The nurses did their very best to help her, Elaine said, but they were busy. She lost her sense of time while she was in the hospital, but believes she was alone for hours at a time — and when she was not, she felt guilty about paging her busy nurses to come in to help with things she would have happily leaned on her husband for. Like changing the baby’s first diaper. Or getting her food. (Elaine is a vegetarian, and the hospital did not have options for her, so she did not eat a full meal during her stay.) During her first long night as a mom, Elaine and her husband spoke via FaceTime, but he was not there to hold the baby. Elaine was bleary and frightened of the virus she knew was ravaging other parts of the hospital.
Part of her thinks the hospitals that are permitting support partners during birth but not after have got it wrong. Yes, she desperately wanted her husband with her during labor, but at least then she was surrounded by care providers. And she had a clear job: get her baby safely out. After, when Elaine was physically and emotionally drained — when she, as she put it “definitely started to go a little crazy” — that is when she needed a support person most of all.
“You’re still suffering through that postpartum period,” she said. “And then you’re really alone.”
Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus. The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time, but it’s possible guidance around COVID-19 could change as scientists discover more about the virus. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations.


huffpost--2020-06-20--My Dad Created An 'Ethical Will.' Here's What That Means And Why You May Want One Too.

The last time I saw my father in person , which may be the last time I ever sit across from him , I spoon-fed him dinner the way he spoon-fed me as a baby .
His hair , soft as a duckling ’ s down , was longer than he ’ d ever kept it when he was younger , but it suited him .
I held both of his hands in my other hand to keep them still , as I remembered different meals we ’ d shared throughout the past four decades .
He used to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a circle ― a chain reaction that never ends ― of what you pass along to your family members and community.
” He ’ d repeat himself to my siblings and me , as if there would be a quiz later .
He wanted us to remember what he meant .
My father would prompt his clients to write their Legacy Letters by asking them a few questions : What do you want people to remember about you and integrate into their own lives ?
What do you want your legacy to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re gone ?
My father would prompt his clients by asking them a few questions : What do you want people to remember about you and integrate into their own lives ?
What do you want your legacy to your community and your children to be after you ’ re gone ?
As part of his own legacy plan , he kept Dictaphone tapes of his verbal letters to us , his three kids , in the event something sudden and tragic happened to him .
Over the decades , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got a new job or spouse , had a baby , got a dog or lost one .
He prepared for the worst , but we were not prepared for what happened to him .
Parkinson ’ s and dementia overtook his brain , and within a couple of years , at the age of just 72 , he could barely speak or walk .
My titan of a father , this man who believed in building on the foundations of the generations before , could not remember our names , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because of what he ’ s taught my siblings and me , and because of what I ’ ve seen happen to him , my husband and I often update our ethical wills on our computers .
In my Legacy Letter , I tell my daughters what I want them to know after I ’ m gone .
I offer practical advice : “ Try not to let another person ’ s insecurities shape your own behavior and beliefs.
” “ Always approach dogs with your palm facing up to the sky , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace .
Approach some people like this as well.
” And I offer some opinions : “ Someday , you will consider getting a tattoo .
Fine .
Just not on the face .
Never on the face.
” “ Please don ’ t spend your college funds on collagen.
” I try to be funny .
I try not to imagine how old they will be when they read them .
More than anything , I make sure to express my unconditional love for them .
I express it out loud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When he could communicate , my dad never missed an opportunity to tell us how proud he was of us , and how much he loved us .
Even as recently as six months ago , in rare moments when he still made sense , he quietly said very important things .
I love you so much .
Don ’ t ever give up .
You go on with your life .
He repeated that last one a lot .
“ Now listen to me , ” he would say , from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Dictaphone tapes are in my desk ’ s top drawer .
If anything happens to your mother and me ― if we die ― know you must go on .
You would dishonor us by not going on with your life.
” On my most recent visit to him in the nursing facility where he lives , as I sat and fed him dinner , I made sure to let him know how proud we are of him , of his life and career .
I told him how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine who ’ d only met him for a few minutes 20 years ago .
Everyone has a fond memory or a sweet or funny story to share about Rick Friedman .
For his 73rd birthday recently , his caretakers orchestrated a video call .
We saw each other ― my brother , my sister and me with our families , and my mom and dad ― in five places simultaneously , together on one screen for a few minutes .
We talked and laughed and sang him “ Happy Birthday.
” My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the call .
I don ’ t know if he heard us or understood us , but I like to think he did .
I don ’ t know when I ’ ll be able to fly to see my father again , or when my mother will be able to simply enter his facility and sit next to him .
Quarantined and home-schooling my first- and second-grade daughters , I immerse myself in the present .
I look forward to daily walks with them .
I watch them climb trees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I share that hyacinths are mine because they smell like spring .
We even talk about grief sometimes ― the lost plans and disappointments caused by this unexpected and ongoing tragedy .
As sad as I am to be losing my father , I feel overwhelmed with gratitude .
I know what my dad believed in , who he was at his core , what he wanted for my siblings and me and how much he loved us .
Nothing was left unsaid .
He has given us these gifts that I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with the world .

The author and her father. Courtesy of Carrie Friedman
The last time I saw my father in person, which may be the last time I ever sit across from him, I spoon-fed him dinner the way he spoon-fed me as a baby. His hair, soft as a duckling’s down, was longer than he’d ever kept it when he was younger, but it suited him. I held both of his hands in my other hand to keep them still, as I remembered different meals we’d shared throughout the past four decades.
He used to say things like, “A legacy is a circle ― a chain reaction that never ends ― of what you pass along to your family members and community.” He’d repeat himself to my siblings and me, as if there would be a quiz later. He wanted us to remember what he meant.
Advertisement
Death was a dinner-table topic almost every night when I was growing up. There was no fear or stigma attached to the subject in our house. My father was a successful estate planning attorney. He wrote wills for a living, spending his days meeting with families, couples and individuals, helping them draft their plans for their funds and family businesses.
In addition to the standard will, he encouraged his clients to write what some call an “ethical will,” but what he called a Legacy Letter, as a sort of road map of wishes ― to share beliefs, experiences, life lessons, even regrets, with the family members who would outlive them.
My father would prompt his clients to write their Legacy Letters by asking them a few questions: What do you want people to remember about you and integrate into their own lives? What do you want your legacy to your community and your children to be after you’re gone?
“The letter offers trustors peace of mind,” my father would say. “It leaves nothing unsaid.”
“My father would prompt his clients by asking them a few questions: What do you want people to remember about you and integrate into their own lives? What do you want your legacy to your community and your children to be after you’re gone?”
Advertisement
As part of his own legacy plan, he kept Dictaphone tapes of his verbal letters to us, his three kids, in the event something sudden and tragic happened to him. Over the decades, he updated the tapes whenever my siblings or I got a new job or spouse, had a baby, got a dog or lost one.
“Keep it current,” he told us and his clients. “Everyone should know how loved they are.”
He prepared for the worst, but we were not prepared for what happened to him. Parkinson’s and dementia overtook his brain, and within a couple of years, at the age of just 72, he could barely speak or walk. My titan of a father, this man who believed in building on the foundations of the generations before, could not remember our names, let alone the names of our children.
Because of what he’s taught my siblings and me, and because of what I’ve seen happen to him, my husband and I often update our ethical wills on our computers. In my Legacy Letter, I tell my daughters what I want them to know after I’m gone. I offer practical advice: “Try not to let another person’s insecurities shape your own behavior and beliefs.” “Always approach dogs with your palm facing up to the sky, so the dog knows you come in peace. Approach some people like this as well.” And I offer some opinions: “Someday, you will consider getting a tattoo. Fine. Just not on the face. Never on the face.” “Please don’t spend your college funds on collagen.” I try to be funny. I try not to imagine how old they will be when they read them. More than anything, I make sure to express my unconditional love for them. I express it out loud, too, like my dad did.
When he could communicate, my dad never missed an opportunity to tell us how proud he was of us, and how much he loved us. Even as recently as six months ago, in rare moments when he still made sense, he quietly said very important things. I love you so much. Don’t ever give up. You go on with your life. He repeated that last one a lot.
Advertisement
I flash back to the phone calls he made over the years to my siblings and me any time he was about to get on a plane.
“Now listen to me,” he would say, from an airport pay phone on his calling card. “The Dictaphone tapes are in my desk’s top drawer. If anything happens to your mother and me ― if we die ― know you must go on. You would dishonor us by not going on with your life.”
The message was different for each of us. My sister recently told me that his message to her was always: “You honor us by getting along with your brother and sister after we’re gone. No infighting, you stick together for dear life, understand?”
In his phone calls to me, he’d stress: “Living well and taking care of yourself and each other is how you honor us.” In his line of work, he’d seen it too often: A family’s matriarch or patriarch died, and their children stopped living, through a variety of responses to the grief ― alcoholism or drug abuse, profound depression, suicide.
My siblings and I had come to expect these phone calls, and often rolled our eyes when he called each of us. “God, Dad, you’re so morbid!” I once said. And, “We get it, we’ll go on with our lives,” with a laugh.
Advertisement
“Even as recently as six months ago, in rare moments when my dad still made sense, he quietly said very important things. "I love you so much." "Don’t ever give up." "You go on with your life." He repeated that last one a lot.”
On my most recent visit to him in the nursing facility where he lives, as I sat and fed him dinner, I made sure to let him know how proud we are of him, of his life and career. I told him how much everyone loves him ― even friends of mine who’d only met him for a few minutes 20 years ago. Everyone has a fond memory or a sweet or funny story to share about Rick Friedman.
My dad, hearing this, grew slightly taller in his wheelchair, chest puffing out a bit with pride. Everyone should know how loved they are.
Since that trip, the unforeseen my father anticipated has happened. A pandemic has killed over 100,000 people in the U.S. alone. We cannot visit him because of the coronavirus, which has taken a particularly devastating toll on nursing home patients and staff.
For his 73rdbirthday recently, his caretakers orchestrated a video call. We saw each other ― my brother, my sister and me with our families, and my mom and dad ― in five places simultaneously, together on one screen for a few minutes. We talked and laughed and sang him “Happy Birthday.” My father sat and watched us, silent during the call. I don’t know if he heard us or understood us, but I like to think he did.
Advertisement
I don’t know when I’ll be able to fly to see my father again, or when my mother will be able to simply enter his facility and sit next to him. Quarantined and home-schooling my first- and second-grade daughters, I immerse myself in the present. I look forward to daily walks with them. I watch them climb trees. We talk about our favorite flowers. I share that hyacinths are mine because they smell like spring. We even talk about grief sometimes ― the lost plans and disappointments caused by this unexpected and ongoing tragedy.
As sad as I am to be losing my father, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I know what my dad believed in, who he was at his core, what he wanted for my siblings and me and how much he loved us. Nothing was left unsaid. He has given us these gifts that I can now share with my own children, and with the world.
A legacy is a circle, a chain reaction that never ends.
Carrie Friedman lives in Los Angeles. She has been published in The Washington Post, the New York Times and Newsweek, among other places. You can find more from her on her website, carriefriedman.com.


huffpost--2020-06-20--Why Protesting And The Pandemic Have Made Us Less In Love With Our Screens

What a world , you know ?
I don ’ t feel like the baby has shattered my attention .
I mean , he ’ s taken away my time , but I actually have noticed that whatever little writing assignments I ’ ve been doing in the months since he was born and through this whole book launch and this whole experience , if I can get an hour or 90 minutes to myself , I can make use of it , but the issue is really the time , how that has a way of just disappearing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ profound finding from neuroscience , that in order to remember something , you have to pay attention to it , and that distraction breeds forgetting .
I actually think ― and I was thinking about this a lot before this moment ― but when we were just in the hell and the trauma of the coronavirus , especially in March and April , I felt so jittery .
I was just checking The New York Times , checking the news , pulled in a million directions with anxiety .
I think that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we might look back on that time period and realize that it feels like this bizarre dream , because I don ’ t know how encoded it ’ s going to be in anyone ’ s memory because of that issue of the shattered attention and the distraction and the anxious distractibility .
I love to notice the most surreal details of the moment .
This is actually how I ’ ve stayed sane .
Every afternoon , I would push my kid in the stroller and we would just go around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be like , “ What is the craziest detail about this moment right now ?
” Just stuff like the fact that the Greek restaurant on 7th Avenue is still perfectly set for dinner , like each table is set .
Or like going to Union Market .
It struck me as insane that fancy jazz was still playing while people were darting through in a hazmat suit .
Just all these amazing time-and-place details that I guess we ’ ve also normalized very quickly .
Of course .
I got to college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit the market in the United States four years before .
I barely knew what it was , and I went into my friend ’ s dorm room one night to tell her , “ My God .
I ’ ve got an essay due tomorrow .
I haven ’ t even read the book .
What am I going to do ?
” She was like , “ Here , try an Adderall .
I can ’ t stand them .
They make me want to do cartwheels in the hall all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it is , but to her , this was a clear disqualification .
For me , this was the most seductive advertisement because that ’ s my preferred state .
I didn ’ t have ADHD , but I wound up being diagnosed with ADHD in my early 20s , but that was because I wanted to get a prescription of my own .
After just taking Adderall in college whenever it was available , at 21 or 22 , I just thought , “ I ’ m just going to liberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stash and just get it for myself and live that life forever.
” Then as my 20s wore on , it was so clear , that it was like this Faustian bargain .
I mean I knew that the whole time , but I persisted and just got gradually farther and farther away from myself and farther and farther away from clarity .
No , I don ’ t have ADHD .
I mean , I don ’ t think I have ADHD , but the thing is , it ’ s so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ADHD in a way , especially because what ’ s interesting is Adderall and the internet came up hand-in-hand at the same time .
I mean literally in the exact same chronology .
So I think it ’ s very , very easy to feel the splintering of focus these days and to think like , “ Oh , something is wrong with my attention .
Well , it must be ADHD.
” I think it ’ s easy to talk yourself into , and then I think in many cases , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a doctor if you want it to .
That ’ s what happened to me .
I wrote about my experience with Adderall for an article in the Times .
I still get emails from people who are like , “ Oh , I ’ m in the exact same boat.
” I mean , I ’ ve never gotten a response like that .
And I just realized , “ Oh , this is so much more universal than I even understood from just the raw statistics .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of what made me want to dig into this .
But just also I was looking around for what my next idea would be , and one day , I just had this thought like , “ Wow , we ’ ve given our attention away so casually.
” It was the casualness of it that was the heartbreaking part .
We just deferred to the Silicon Valley dictates .
I ’ ve been like , “ Sure , I ’ ll rush out and spend $ 800 on an iPhone that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” without even raising an eyebrow .
That ’ s an interesting question .
What I ’ ve found is that there ’ s no consensus at all among neuroscientists about , “ Is technology changing our attention ?
” Some are like , “ Obviously this is.
” This guy who ’ s rather well-known , Adam Gazzaley at UCSF , goes around talking about the cognitive crisis we ’ re in .
I mean to him , it ’ s clear .
He ’ s already on to the , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” But this brilliant neuroscientist who I interviewed in the book , Mark Stokes , who runs the attention group at Oxford , he ’ s like , “ There ’ s no proof saying that anything has changed .
In fact , don ’ t you pay attention more on your phone ?
It ’ s just that you ’ re paying attention to a lot of different things and not in a sustained way , but in a shallow way ” ― was , I think , his quote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ included any of them in the book , and I also didn ’ t want to play the role [ of ] , “ I feel like kids these days don ’ t read a book.
” That doesn ’ t appeal to me at all .
And by the way , I ’ m struggling too .
This is not a book that ’ s judging ; this is a book that ’ s in the battle , in the thick of the problem .
Because , I mean , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like that ’ s my kryptonite .
I ’ m battling it too .
I didn ’ t dig into it with what they were observing with younger kids , but now that I have a baby , I ’ m thinking so much more about that than I was when I was writing the book .
Nothing that ’ s so prescriptive like putting my phone in grayscale or something like that , but I always think about how precious attention is , even when I ’ m wasting it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing this book has made me even more resistant to cancel culture , because honestly , I feel like it ’ s so hard to pay attention to complexity and ambiguity online , and it ’ s so much easier to classify and denounce .
I try to stay in this mode of curiosity and attention rather than assumption and cancellation .
I ’ m not sure I ’ m answering your question , but it has changed my orientation towards the culture around me .
I guess I do little things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without my phone and things like that , but no .
I don ’ t exactly have an attention regimen .

This article is part of a series called “How to Human,” interviews with memoirists that explore how we tackle life’s alarms, marvels and bombshells.
One night when Casey Schwartz was in her first year of college, she found herself in a typical student quandary. She had an essay due the next day, but she hadn’t even read the book. She complained to a dorm mate, who offered her something that changed her life forever: a little blue pill called Adderall.
Advertisement
For 10 years Schwartz used the drug to get through school, work and life. Her latest book, “Attention: A Love Story,” details her journey on and off the drug, and dives deep into the history of how we pay attention, and to what.
Schwartz believes there is a silver lining of being cooped up in quarantine. We might all end up being a little less in love with our screens.
Earlier this month, HuffPost spoke to Schwartz about her book. This interview has been edited and condensed.
When I became a mother, one thing I found very hard was I lost the ability to pay attention. I know you have a new baby, and here you are, a new mother in the middle of a pandemic and a global uprising. I wonder, how is your capacity for paying attention these days?
Advertisement
What a world, you know? I don’t feel like the baby has shattered my attention. I mean, he’s taken away my time, but I actually have noticed that whatever little writing assignments I’ve been doing in the months since he was born and through this whole book launch and this whole experience, if I can get an hour or 90 minutes to myself, I can make use of it, but the issue is really the time, how that has a way of just disappearing.
I am lucky because I have a job that allows me to work from home, but I have kids at home, and I am interrupted all of the time. There’s a part in your book where you talk about how memories form and what it takes to make a memory, and how constant distractions can stop those memories from imprinting. Sometimes I wonder what memories my kids will have of this time or I will have, since we are all so distracted by screens and interrupted a lot.
Yeah, that’s such a profound finding from neuroscience, that in order to remember something, you have to pay attention to it, and that distraction breeds forgetting. I actually think ― and I was thinking about this a lot before this moment ― but when we were just in the hell and the trauma of the coronavirus, especially in March and April, I felt so jittery. I was just checking The New York Times, checking the news, pulled in a million directions with anxiety. I think that’s where everyone was. I think we might look back on that time period and realize that it feels like this bizarre dream, because I don’t know how encoded it’s going to be in anyone’s memory because of that issue of the shattered attention and the distraction and the anxious distractibility.
I don’t know. I’ve been trying to record these really specific details about it, just so I can put myself back in that time and place when we get past it.
What have you been recording?
I love to notice the most surreal details of the moment. This is actually how I’ve stayed sane. Every afternoon, I would push my kid in the stroller and we would just go around the neighborhood, and I’d just be like, “What is the craziest detail about this moment right now?” Just stuff like the fact that the Greek restaurant on 7th Avenue is still perfectly set for dinner, like each table is set. Or like going to Union Market. It struck me as insane that fancy jazz was still playing while people were darting through in a hazmat suit. Just all these amazing time-and-place details that I guess we’ve also normalized very quickly.
Advertisement
Your book opens with you taking Adderall as a freshman in college. Will you walk me through that experience?
Of course. I got to college in 2000, and Adderall had only hit the market in the United States four years before. I barely knew what it was, and I went into my friend’s dorm room one night to tell her, “My God. I’ve got an essay due tomorrow. I haven’t even read the book. What am I going to do?” She was like, “Here, try an Adderall. I can’t stand them. They make me want to do cartwheels in the hall all night.” I don’t know what it is, but to her, this was a clear disqualification. For me, this was the most seductive advertisement because that’s my preferred state.
I took this blue pill and it was like this figurative key in a lock where you think, “Oh, this is the missing ingredient.” That night was like this fever pitch of inspiration. I was in the library all alone and then in the dorm room. The sun rose, I finished the essay, and I felt so emboldened and limitless, and just like, “Oh, if I take this pill, I can remove this huge block to comprehension,” which is attention. It gives you this feeling of superhuman attention, which is a total illusion, I’ve found.
It sounds like after college, you tried to get your own personal prescription in order to not have to rely on others?
I didn’t have ADHD, but I wound up being diagnosed with ADHD in my early 20s, but that was because I wanted to get a prescription of my own. After just taking Adderall in college whenever it was available, at 21 or 22, I just thought, “I’m just going to liberate it myself from people who have a stash and just get it for myself and live that life forever.” Then as my 20s wore on, it was so clear, that it was like this Faustian bargain. I mean I knew that the whole time, but I persisted and just got gradually farther and farther away from myself and farther and farther away from clarity.
Advertisement
It took until I was 30 to get off of it. I accidentally spent a decade on Adderall.
That’s remarkable. Do you actually have ADHD? Because it wasn’t clear in the book if that was something you knew how to talk the talk to get the prescription or if you had symptoms.
No, I don’t have ADHD. I mean, I don’t think I have ADHD, but the thing is, it’s so easy to believe that you do have ADHD in a way, especially because what’s interesting is Adderall and the internet came up hand-in-hand at the same time. I mean literally in the exact same chronology. So I think it’s very, very easy to feel the splintering of focus these days and to think like, “Oh, something is wrong with my attention. Well, it must be ADHD.” I think it’s easy to talk yourself into, and then I think in many cases, it’s easy to have it confirmed by a doctor if you want it to. That’s what happened to me.
What I love about your book is that it takes personal story and weaves it into history, the history of how we pay attention to the world. I know I am attracted to history that I can connect to in a personal way, and I wonder if that’s why you wanted to delve into the history of attention. It made me wonder about how you pitched the book.
I think it was just about a quest to understand attention and to understand also the impulse to want to patch ourselves back together in an age of distraction. We continue to seek out distraction, and just continuously pixelate our attention span. It’s this funny push-and-pull between, we keep throwing ourselves into the distraction factory, and then coming out and trying to seek wholeness again. I think it’s something about an exploration of that contradiction.
Schwartz is the author of "Attention: A Love Story." HuffPost US
Advertisement
When did you know that this was the book that you wanted to write? Was it after you had come off of Adderall or after your other book?
I wrote about my experience with Adderall for an article in the Times. I still get emails from people who are like, “Oh, I’m in the exact same boat.” I mean, I’ve never gotten a response like that. And I just realized, “Oh, this is so much more universal than I even understood from just the raw statistics. This is a tidal wave of response.” That was part of what made me want to dig into this. But just also I was looking around for what my next idea would be, and one day, I just had this thought like, “Wow, we’ve given our attention away so casually.” It was the casualness of it that was the heartbreaking part. We just deferred to the Silicon Valley dictates. I’ve been like, “Sure, I’ll rush out and spend $800 on an iPhone that I then stare at all day,” without even raising an eyebrow.
I wanted to dig into that and just ― even though it doesn’t feel like a battle I’m going to win ― but I wanted to at least say, “Let’s explore why attention is precious.”
Do you think ― I mean, this is just my own personal observation ― that we’re in the dark ages of how we protect our ability to pay attention? Like at one point in recent history we didn’t wear sunscreen, and then scientists discovered a link to sun exposure and skin cancer, and now we all wear sunscreen. I wonder what’s being discovered now about attention. Do you think we will want to change or shift or protect our practice of paying attention?
That’s an interesting question. What I’ve found is that there’s no consensus at all among neuroscientists about, “Is technology changing our attention?” Some are like, “Obviously this is.” This guy who’s rather well-known, Adam Gazzaley at UCSF, goes around talking about the cognitive crisis we’re in. I mean to him, it’s clear. He’s already on to the, “What solutions can we come up with?” But this brilliant neuroscientist who I interviewed in the book, Mark Stokes, who runs the attention group at Oxford, he’s like, “There’s no proof saying that anything has changed. In fact, don’t you pay attention more on your phone? It’s just that you’re paying attention to a lot of different things and not in a sustained way, but in a shallow way” ― was, I think, his quote.
Advertisement
So I feel like there’s no consensus. What’s more compelling is to talk to teachers and professors, because they’re the ones who will tell you, “Oh, my students have trouble getting through books now.” They’re the ones who are seeing on the front lines the way that attention has changed since earlier in their careers.
What other details are they talking about besides their ability to actually read through several hundred pages?
I don’t know if I included any of them in the book, and I also didn’t want to play the role [of], “I feel like kids these days don’t read a book.” That doesn’t appeal to me at all. And by the way, I’m struggling too. This is not a book that’s judging; this is a book that’s in the battle, in the thick of the problem. Because, I mean, I’m such an Instagram addict. I feel like that’s my kryptonite. I’m battling it too. I didn’t dig into it with what they were observing with younger kids, but now that I have a baby, I’m thinking so much more about that than I was when I was writing the book.
Now that you’ve written this entire book and studied attention, are there new practices that you’re personally taking to push yourself to pay more attention?
Nothing that’s so prescriptive like putting my phone in grayscale or something like that, but I always think about how precious attention is, even when I’m wasting it. I think in a funny way, writing this book has made me even more resistant to cancel culture, because honestly, I feel like it’s so hard to pay attention to complexity and ambiguity online, and it’s so much easier to classify and denounce. I try to stay in this mode of curiosity and attention rather than assumption and cancellation. I’m not sure I’m answering your question, but it has changed my orientation towards the culture around me. I guess I do little things, like I try to take certain walks without my phone and things like that, but no. I don’t exactly have an attention regimen.
Advertisement
What’s something you would want for everyone, or readers, or just even in your circle, to know about their agency in attention? Having read this book, what should we take away?
I guess that the subject of attention goes so beyond the daily distraction, and it basically can determine the quality of your life. The stakes are as high as, “How do we treat other human beings?” ― ultimately what kind of life do we build for ourselves. Attention is the bedrock of these huge questions.
That’s so true. If it’s the bedrock ... how do you stabilize that foundation?
I think the first step is being conscious and just waking up to the fact that if you’re not even aware of where your attention is going, because that’s the effect that technology wants to have, is that you lose awareness. You have to push back on that.
I actually think there’s a small chance that even as the world gets more virtual, we’ll come out of this corona thing less in love with our screens. Because I think it’s so obvious what the limitations are. We’re still horribly lonely, bored and sad because we have our screens yet we are lonely, bored and sad. During this moment of the protests, it was like the screens would not suffice. You needed bodies in the street.
I just think that these are the lessons that we are learning right now in real time.
Advertisement


huffpost--2020-04-26--Miley Cyrus Sings Haunting Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' On 'SNL'

Did they get you to trade Your heroes for ghosts ?
... Did you exchange A walk on part in @ @ @ @ @ role in a cage ?
How I wish , how I wish you were here @ @ @ @ @ lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl Year after year Running over the same old @ @ @ @ @ The same old fears .
Wish you were here

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
... Did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
And how we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here


huffpost--2020-04-26--Anthony Fauci Gets Even Better Played By A Sly Brad Pitt On 'Saturday Night Live'

Trusted White House health adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci got his wish .
He was played by Brad Pitt — with attitude — on “ Saturday Night Live ’ s ” cold open for its second “ at-home ” episode .
Pitt ’ s Fauci pulled off a Donald Trump takedown , translating the president ’ s various statements about COVID-19 into the truth .
Like when Trump says America will have a vaccine “ relatively soon , ” Pitt explains that if you were to tell a friend you ’ d be over relatively soon , and turned up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ relatively pissed off.
” And when Trump says “ everyone can get a test ” for COVID-19 , he means “ almost no one , ” Pitt ’ s Fauci explains .
When the president discusses a disinfectant “ injection , ” Pitt ’ s jaw drops .
When Trump talks about hitting the body with a “ very powerful light , ” he does a facepalm .
Pitt wonders if there ’ s any truth to the rumor Trump is going to fire Fauci .
He plays a tape of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing him , I think he ’ s a wonderful guy.
” So “ yeah , I ’ m getting fired , ” notes Pitt as Fauci .
But “ until then , I ’ m gon na be there , putting out the facts for whoever ’ s listening .
And when I hear things like ‘ the virus can be cured if everyone takes the Tide Pod Challenge , ’ I ’ ll be there to say ’ please don ’ t , ” Pitt added .
Then Pitt strips off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fauci : “ To the real Dr. Fauci , thank you for your calm and your clarity in this unnerving time .
And thank you to the medical workers , first responders and their families for being on the front line .
Now , live , kinda , from all across America , it ’ s ‘ Saturday Night.
’ ” Check it out in the video above .

Pitt’s Fauci pulled off a Donald Trump takedown, translating the president’s various statements about COVID-19 into the truth. Like when Trump says America will have a vaccine “relatively soon,” Pitt explains that if you were to tell a friend you’d be over relatively soon, and turned up a year-and-a-half later, he’d be “relatively pissed off.”
Advertisement
And when Trump says “everyone can get a test” for COVID-19, he means “almost no one,” Pitt’s Fauci explains.
When the president discusses a disinfectant “injection,” Pitt’s jaw drops. When Trump talks about hitting the body with a “very powerful light,” he does a facepalm.
Pitt wonders if there’s any truth to the rumor Trump is going to fire Fauci. He plays a tape of Trump gushing: “I’m not firing him, I think he’s a wonderful guy.”
So “yeah, I’m getting fired,” notes Pitt as Fauci. But “until then, I’m gonna be there, putting out the facts for whoever’s listening. And when I hear things like ‘the virus can be cured if everyone takes the Tide Pod Challenge,’ I’ll be there to say ’please don’t,” Pitt added.
Advertisement
Then Pitt strips off his wig and offers a heartfelt tribute to Fauci: “To the real Dr. Fauci, thank you for your calm and your clarity in this unnerving time. And thank you to the medical workers, first responders and their families for being on the front line. Now, live, kinda, from all across America, it’s ‘Saturday Night.’”
Check it out in the video above.


huffpost--2020-05-16--Democratic Lawmakers To Probe Trump's Firing Of State Dept Watchdog

Trump , in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Friday , said he no longer had confidence in Inspector General Steve Linick ’ s ability to serve .
The letter did not specify a reason for the latest in a string of government watchdogs to be removed in recent weeks under the Republican president .
The Democratic-led House Foreign Relations Committee , along with colleagues in the Senate , in a statement questioned the timing and motivation of what they called an “ unprecedented removal.
” “ We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions , ” wrote House panel chairman Eliot Engel and Senator Bob Menendez , the ranking Democrat on the Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations panel .
Engel and Menendez called on the Trump administration to turn over any related documents by May 22 .
The two Democrats said it was their understanding that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally recommended Linick ’ s firing because the inspector general “ had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.
” Representatives for the White House and the department could not be immediately reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , appointed to the role in 2013 under the Obama administration , is the fourth inspector general fired by Trump since early April following his February acquittal by the Republican-led Senate in his impeachment trial .
Pelosi described the ousting as an acceleration of a “ dangerous pattern of retaliation.
” The U.S. Department of State later said Stephen Akard , the director of the Office of Foreign Missions , would replace Linick .
In April , Trump removed a top coronavirus watchdog , Glenn Fine , who was to oversee the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also notified Congress that he was firing the inspector general of the U.S. intelligence community , Michael Atkinson , who was involved in the triggering the impeachment investigation .
Earlier in May , Trump ousted Christi Grimm , who led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General ( OIG ) after accusing her of having produced a “ fake dossier ” on American hospitals suffering shortages on the frontlines of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
“ Trump is methodically eliminating anyone who would bring wrongdoing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat on the Foreign Relations panel , tweeted .

Trump, in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Friday, said he no longer had confidence in Inspector General Steve Linick’s ability to serve. The letter did not specify a reason for the latest in a string of government watchdogs to be removed in recent weeks under the Republican president.
The Democratic-led House Foreign Relations Committee, along with colleagues in the Senate, in a statement questioned the timing and motivation of what they called an “unprecedented removal.”
“We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the President’s gutting of these critical positions,” wrote House panel chairman Eliot Engel and Senator Bob Menendez, the ranking Democrat on the Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations panel.
Engel and Menendez called on the Trump administration to turn over any related documents by May 22.
The two Democrats said it was their understanding that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally recommended Linick’s firing because the inspector general “had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.”
Representatives for the White House and the department could not be immediately reached for comment on the probe.
Linick, appointed to the role in 2013 under the Obama administration, is the fourth inspector general fired by Trump since early April following his February acquittal by the Republican-led Senate in his impeachment trial.
Pelosi described the ousting as an acceleration of a “dangerous pattern of retaliation.”
The U.S. Department of State later said Stephen Akard, the director of the Office of Foreign Missions, would replace Linick.
In April, Trump removed a top coronavirus watchdog, Glenn Fine, who was to oversee the government’s COVID-19 financial relief response. He also notified Congress that he was firing the inspector general of the U.S. intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, who was involved in the triggering the impeachment investigation.
Earlier in May, Trump ousted Christi Grimm, who led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) after accusing her of having produced a “fake dossier” on American hospitals suffering shortages on the frontlines of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
“Trump is methodically eliminating anyone who would bring wrongdoing to light,” Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat on the Foreign Relations panel, tweeted.