newsweek--2020-12-20--Laurie Santos, Yale Happiness Professor, on 5 Things That Will Make You Happier

As a professor of psychology at Yale and host of The Happiness Lab podcast , I 've spent the last few years teaching simple science-backed tips to improve our well-being .
I know the research inside out—but the giant dumpster fire of a year that was 2020 has had me struggling , too .
The COVID-19 pandemic has cheated us out of all the good times we live for—the weddings , the vacations , the graduations and celebrations .
Our work lives have been upended and our livelihoods threatened .
There are people we love who we have n't seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see again ; millions of us are mourning someone close who 's been taken by this awful disease .
These overwhelming losses have had a devastating effect on our mental health , with rates of depression , anxiety and even suicidality surging around the world .
The good news is that there 's a lot to be hopeful for in the new year .
With a vaccine on the way , there 's a real hope that we 'll soon be returning to the way of life we miss so much .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just yet .
Even under the best public health scenarios , we 're in for several more months of cancelled plans , social distancing , and skyrocketing COVID cases , all during the coldest and darkest times of the year .
For a while at least , 2021 is going to feel like 2020 2.0 .
So how do we get it through it ?
Most of us realize that we need to take steps to manage our stress and emotions during tough times .
The problem is we tend to go about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you listen to my podcast , The Happiness Lab , you 'll know this is a common refrain .
Our minds have really bad intuition about what we should do to become hap- pier and feel better .
So even when we put in some work to improve our well-being , we often wind up doing it wrong .
But there is a better , scientific approach to improving our own happiness .
Over the last two decades , psychologists have studied the kinds of behaviors and mindsets that really can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific findings together long before anyone had heard of COVID-19 .
It was back in 2018 when I had just come face-to-face with a different mental health crisis : the one facing my students at Yale .
I had just taken on a new role as a Head of College , which meant living with students on campus and seeing their daily lives up close .
I witnessed the high rates of stress and anxiety my students were facing first hand .
Too many of the young people I cared about were lonely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried about their grades .
But it was n't just Yale students who were struggling .
A 2018 survey of college students nationally reported that more than 40 percent were so depressed it was difficult to function , more than 60 percent had experienced overwhelming anxiety , and more than one in 10 had seriously considered suicide in the previous year .
Faced with these awful statistics , I wanted to do something to help .
I decided to create a new class on the science of happiness—one that gave students practical , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving their well-being .
And the students showed up in droves .
Over a thousand students attended class the first week .
We had to move to a concert hall .
In the end , it became the largest class in Yale 's history with just under a quarter of the entire student body registered .
The popularity of the class prompted Yale to share the happiness class more broadly .
We put a six week version of the course—called The Science of Well-Being—on Coursera.org so that anyone in the world could take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people signed up .
But that was all before COVID hit .
Starting in March of 2020 , en- rollment in my online happiness class doubled , tripled—then octupled .
In the middle of a pandemic , more than three million people signed up to take an Ivy League class about how to feel happier .
But did it work ?
Could taking a scientific approach to happiness help people feel better in the midst of a deadly pandemic ?
My team and I are still compiling the results formally , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review .
But I had a chance to see for myself the powerful impact the class was having on my learners ' well-being .
The evidence , it turns out , was there in my university mailbox .
`` Your mailbox is overflowing . ''
So began the terse email I received from our psychology department administrative assistant .
`` And there is more mail on the counter , too .
Please stop by some point . ''
With so many COVID restrictions on campus , I had neglected to pick up my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I expected to be greeted by the normal stack of flyers and junk mail .
Instead I found letter after letter from people writing to thank me .
I saw just how powerful the lessons I was teaching could be .
Through happy tears , I read literally hundreds of stories of my students using what I taught them to make it through the anxiety and frustration of the pandemic dark times .
But one story in particular struck me , from Susan , an 81-year old retired social studies teacher .
Susan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beloved hus- band before he died that Christmas Eve .
They 'd been in love since seventh grade .
`` He was the kindest , sweetest and—I think—most handsome man , '' she wrote .
Susan was devastated by her loss , and thought things could n't possibly get worse .
And then COVID hit .
`` Your psychology of happiness was a godsend . ''
Susan decided to put the evidence-based tips I taught in class into practice in her daily life .
Did these new practices fully eradicate the pain of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But when 2020 plunged Susan into the darkest time of her life , the five main takeaways of my class really helped .
By incorporating these tips into her life , she said , she wound up significantly happier than she otherwise would have been .
And that 's the message I heard over and over again from all those let- ters : scientific research gives us a set of small practices that we can use to make things a little better .
And these days , a little bit of happiness counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these five practices I share with my students ?
Here are the key ideas that worked for Susan and—as you 'll see from the evidence below—are backed up by science .
One of the many cruelties of coViD-19 is that it has robbed us of one of the primary behaviors we can engage in to improve our happiness : being with other people .
When psychologists Ed Diener and Marty Seligman looked at people who scored in the highest 10th percentile on happiness surveys , they discovered that there was one activity that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us—happy people were more social .
The results were so strong that these researchers deemed being around other people as a necessary condition for very high happiness .
We think that solitude feels good , especially when we 're having a tough time , but in truth being with other people will almost always make us feel better .
Even if those people are strangers .
Of course , social distancing has made connecting with other people a lot trickier over the past months .
But if you want to feel happier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to connect with the people you care about .
Try a socially distanced walk with a neighbor .
Or use online tools like Zoom and FaceTime to connect not just with people who live near us , but friends in far-off time zones .
If you put in some work and get creative , the possibilities for social connection are endless , even during COVID .
I 've started a monthly virtual spa night with my college roommates , as well as an online morning yoga practice with some professor friends in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit more of a start-up cost than running into a colleague at the water cooler , but if we put in the effort we can reap the rewards of a richer social life .
Another way to supercharge your well-being is with a Dose of gratitude—the simple act of stopping to consider all the good things in your life .
Now , I freely admit that feeling thankful in the midst of a ter- rible pandemic is n't always easy .
But research shows that grateful people—those who count their blessings on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grateful people tend to be happier and show lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol .
Health care workers who keep a gratitude journal show reductions in stress and depression .
And people suffering from chronic pain who practice gratitude show improvements in both sleep quality and mood .
The good news is that there are easy ways to boost your own gratitude level even if that 's not something that comes naturally .
For example , grab a notebook and try jotting down three to five things you 're grateful for every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research shows that this practice can boost your overall happiness in as little as two weeks .
Or write a thank-you letter to a loved one , friend or co-worker .
Not only do gratitude letters help you to organize all those grateful feelings into words , but they also strengthen your bonds to the people in your life who matter most to your happiness .
Be in the Moment The new year is naturally a time of looking backwarDs anD forwards .
But that 's not the only time our minds tend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One study by a team of Harvard psychologists found that we spent more than 40 percent of the time mind-wandering—not paying attention to the here and now .
Which is bad news for our happiness levels , because a growing body of research shows that focusing on the here and now makes us feel better .
So this new year , try getting your mind back on the present moment .
If that feels tough , consider developing a meditation practice , something that has worked wonders for me .
Studies show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meditation every day can boost not only your daily concentration but also your mood levels .
A regular meditation practice can also help you realize that your thoughts are just ... well , thoughts .
The practice of sitting with unhelpful emotions like fear , anger or jealousy—even for a few minutes—can help us start to put them in some perspective , and to notice that they often depart just as suddenly as they arrive in our minds , which can help us avoid letting our negative emotions dictate our actions .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice feels like too much during the pandemic , you can take baby steps towards being present by engaging in a bit more savoring .
Commit to noticing the taste of your morning coffee or how nice a warm shower feels .
The simple act of intentionally noticing afresh what the world around you looks , sounds , and feels like can help you remember that there are good , pleasurable things all around , if you take a little time to pay attention .
When my students ask me what 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happier , my answer is always the same : Get some sleep .
We know that sleep is important for our physical health , but research shows that it 's also extremely important for our mental health .
Having a solid eight hours of shut-eye is the foundation on which all the other happiness habits rest .
The problem is that getting the right amount is n't easy .
For me , there 's always that one last email to send before bed .
Or one more quick peak to take on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show to check out .
So this year , try to embrace healthier sleep hygiene .
Ban devices from your bedroom .
Instead , read a book or magazine—one made of paper—before bed .
And make sure your bedroom is as dedicated to sleep as possible .
If you allow your sleeping space to become an office , lounge or home cinema , you end up confusing your body .
A pre-sleep ritual ( such as a glass of warm herbal tea or a nice bath ) can also help reinforce the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your all-important sleep time is beginning .
But sleep is n't the only healthy habit that promotes better mental health in addition to better physical health .
Another great healthy happiness boosting habit is exercise .
One study found that doing a half-hour of cardio on a stationary bike reduces the likelihood that we 'll feel things like tension , anger , depression , and even fatigue .
And the effect was shown to last for over 12 hours .
At times of crisis , we 're often tempted to turn inward : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own needs first .
Treat yourself , as the current mantra says .
But the science suggests that these self-centered inclinations are wrong .
In fact , the best way to promote your own self-care is to provide other-care .
Research shows that we get happiness from doing nice things for other people .
The people who self-report being happiest are focused on those in need—they donate more of their time and money to charity and engage in random acts of kindness .
So why not bolster your mental health in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anoth- er person ?
If you 're working remotely , donate the money you saved on gas this month to a good cause .
Or just check in with a friend who 's struggling .
Doing kind things for others is a surprisingly effective way of boosting our own well-being .
But do be kind to yourself as well .
The season of New Year 's resolutions can be a time when it 's easy to beat yourself up .
We shame ourselves like an inner drill sergeant by ruminating on how badly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how we need to turn things around for the new year .
Or else .
But research shows that our inner brutal drill sergeant is n't as motivating as we assume .
Harsh self-criticism and unrealistic expectations will destroy your morale and make you give up before you even begin .
A better strategy for the new year is to extend yourself some kindness , or what psychologists call self-compassion .
Self-compassion means remembering that you 're human and that—just like everyone else on the planet—you 're doing the best you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself a bit of kindness does n't just feel good .
It 's also a surprisingly effective way to meet your new year goals .
Research by Kristin Neff and her colleagues , for example , shows that talking to yourself in the manner of a caring and helpful friend helps us reduce procrastination , eat healthier and exercise more .
So try doing unto yourself as you would do unto others and give yourself the benefit of the doubt a little more in 2021 .
The tips I 've outlined here wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic disappear the moment the calendar switch- es over to 2021 , but research shows these quick practices can boost your mood and give you a bit more resilience—more happiness , even—in the New Year .
Dr. Laurie Santos is a professor of psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast .
To learn more , you can check out her online course called The Science of Well-Being , available for free here .

As a professor of psychology at Yale and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, I've spent the last few years teaching simple science-backed tips to improve our well-being. I know the research inside out—but the giant dumpster fire of a year that was 2020 has had me struggling, too.
The COVID-19 pandemic has cheated us out of all the good times we live for—the weddings, the vacations, the graduations and celebrations. Our work lives have been upended and our livelihoods threatened. There are people we love who we haven't seen in months and some we'll never see again; millions of us are mourning someone close who's been taken by this awful disease. These overwhelming losses have had a devastating effect on our mental health, with rates of depression, anxiety and even suicidality surging around the world.
The good news is that there's a lot to be hopeful for in the new year. With a vaccine on the way, there's a real hope that we'll soon be returning to the way of life we miss so much. But we can't toss out our masks just yet. Even under the best public health scenarios, we're in for several more months of cancelled plans, social distancing, and skyrocketing COVID cases, all during the coldest and darkest times of the year. For a while at least, 2021 is going to feel like 2020 2.0.
So how do we get it through it? Most of us realize that we need to take steps to manage our stress and emotions during tough times. The problem is we tend to go about managing those feelings in surprisingly ineffective ways. If you listen to my podcast, The Happiness Lab, you'll know this is a common refrain. Our minds have really bad intuition about what we should do to become hap- pier and feel better. So even when we put in some work to improve our well-being, we often wind up doing it wrong.
But there is a better, scientific approach to improving our own happiness. Over the last two decades, psychologists have studied the kinds of behaviors and mindsets that really can boost well-being.
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I started gathering these scientific findings together long before anyone had heard of COVID-19. It was back in 2018 when I had just come face-to-face with a different mental health crisis: the one facing my students at Yale. I had just taken on a new role as a Head of College, which meant living with students on campus and seeing their daily lives up close. I witnessed the high rates of stress and anxiety my students were facing first hand. Too many of the young people I cared about were lonely, stressed about the future and intensely worried about their grades. But it wasn't just Yale students who were struggling. A 2018 survey of college students nationally reported that more than 40 percent were so depressed it was difficult to function, more than 60 percent had experienced overwhelming anxiety, and more than one in 10 had seriously considered suicide in the previous year.
Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos, whose class on the science of happiness is the most popular in the university’s history. Enrollment for the free online version has skyrocketed since COVID, as people search for ways to be happy amid tragedy. Marsland Michael
Faced with these awful statistics, I wanted to do something to help. I decided to create a new class on the science of happiness—one that gave students practical, evidence-based tips for reducing their stress and improving their well-being. And the students showed up in droves. Over a thousand students attended class the first week. We had to move to a concert hall. In the end, it became the largest class in Yale's history with just under a quarter of the entire student body registered. The popularity of the class prompted Yale to share the happiness class more broadly. We put a six week version of the course—called The Science of Well-Being—on Coursera.org so that anyone in the world could take it for free. Hundreds of thousands of people signed up.
But that was all before COVID hit. Starting in March of 2020, en- rollment in my online happiness class doubled, tripled—then octupled. In the middle of a pandemic, more than three million people signed up to take an Ivy League class about how to feel happier.
But did it work? Could taking a scientific approach to happiness help people feel better in the midst of a deadly pandemic?
Read more 21 Things to Look Forward to in 2021 21 Things to Look Forward to in 2021
My team and I are still compiling the results formally, which requires months of careful data analysis and review. But I had a chance to see for myself the powerful impact the class was having on my learners' well-being. The evidence, it turns out, was there in my university mailbox.
"Your mailbox is overflowing." So began the terse email I received from our psychology department administrative assistant. "And there is more mail on the counter, too. Please stop by some point." With so many COVID restrictions on campus, I had neglected to pick up my office mail for a few months. I expected to be greeted by the normal stack of flyers and junk mail. Instead I found letter after letter from people writing to thank me. I saw just how powerful the lessons I was teaching could be.
Through happy tears, I read literally hundreds of stories of my students using what I taught them to make it through the anxiety and frustration of the pandemic dark times. But one story in particular struck me, from Susan, an 81-year old retired social studies teacher. Susan had spent most of 2019 nursing her beloved hus- band before he died that Christmas Eve. They'd been in love since seventh grade. "He was the kindest, sweetest and—I think—most handsome man," she wrote. Susan was devastated by her loss, and thought things couldn't possibly get worse. And then COVID hit.
"Your psychology of happiness was a godsend." Susan decided to put the evidence-based tips I taught in class into practice in her daily life. Did these new practices fully eradicate the pain of her loss? Of course not. But when 2020 plunged Susan into the darkest time of her life, the five main takeaways of my class really helped. By incorporating these tips into her life, she said, she wound up significantly happier than she otherwise would have been. And that's the message I heard over and over again from all those let- ters: scientific research gives us a set of small practices that we can use to make things a little better. And these days, a little bit of happiness counts for a lot.
An outpouring of thank you letters attests to the success of the course online—so far, more than 3 million people have taken the class. Courtesy of Laurie Santos
So what are these five practices I share with my students? Here are the key ideas that worked for Susan and—as you'll see from the evidence below—are backed up by science.
Get Social
One of the many cruelties of coViD-19 is that it has robbed us of one of the primary behaviors we can engage in to improve our happiness: being with other people.
When psychologists Ed Diener and Marty Seligman looked at people who scored in the highest 10th percentile on happiness surveys, they discovered that there was one activity that set happy people apart from the rest of us—happy people were more social. The results were so strong that these researchers deemed being around other people as a necessary condition for very high happiness.
We think that solitude feels good, especially when we're having a tough time, but in truth being with other people will almost always make us feel better. Even if those people are strangers.
Of course, social distancing has made connecting with other people a lot trickier over the past months. But if you want to feel happier, research suggests you should redouble your efforts to connect with the people you care about. Try a socially distanced walk with a neighbor. Or use online tools like Zoom and FaceTime to connect not just with people who live near us, but friends in far-off time zones. If you put in some work and get creative, the possibilities for social connection are endless, even during COVID. I've started a monthly virtual spa night with my college roommates, as well as an online morning yoga practice with some professor friends in four different cities. It requires a bit more of a start-up cost than running into a colleague at the water cooler, but if we put in the effort we can reap the rewards of a richer social life.
Give Thanks
Another way to supercharge your well-being is with a Dose of gratitude—the simple act of stopping to consider all the good things in your life.
Now, I freely admit that feeling thankful in the midst of a ter- rible pandemic isn't always easy. But research shows that grateful people—those who count their blessings on a regular basis—experience a host of benefits. Grateful people tend to be happier and show lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Health care workers who keep a gratitude journal show reductions in stress and depression. And people suffering from chronic pain who practice gratitude show improvements in both sleep quality and mood.
Research shows that keeping a gratitude journal reduces stress and depression. Mint Images/Getty
The good news is that there are easy ways to boost your own gratitude level even if that's not something that comes naturally. For example, grab a notebook and try jotting down three to five things you're grateful for every day. It sounds simple, but research shows that this practice can boost your overall happiness in as little as two weeks. Or write a thank-you letter to a loved one, friend or co-worker. Not only do gratitude letters help you to organize all those grateful feelings into words, but they also strengthen your bonds to the people in your life who matter most to your happiness.
Be in the Moment
The new year is naturally a time of looking backwarDs anD forwards. But that's not the only time our minds tend to move away from the present moment. One study by a team of Harvard psychologists found that we spent more than 40 percent of the time mind-wandering—not paying attention to the here and now. Which is bad news for our happiness levels, because a growing body of research shows that focusing on the here and now makes us feel better.
So this new year, try getting your mind back on the present moment. If that feels tough, consider developing a meditation practice, something that has worked wonders for me. Studies show that even five or ten minutes of meditation every day can boost not only your daily concentration but also your mood levels.
Read more Mental Health Toll of Coronavirus Could Rival that of the Disease Itself Mental Health Toll of Coronavirus Could Rival that of the Disease Itself
A regular meditation practice can also help you realize that your thoughts are just...well, thoughts. The practice of sitting with unhelpful emotions like fear, anger or jealousy—even for a few minutes—can help us start to put them in some perspective, and to notice that they often depart just as suddenly as they arrive in our minds, which can help us avoid letting our negative emotions dictate our actions.
And if signing on for a regular meditation practice feels like too much during the pandemic, you can take baby steps towards being present by engaging in a bit more savoring. Commit to noticing the taste of your morning coffee or how nice a warm shower feels. The simple act of intentionally noticing afresh what the world around you looks, sounds, and feels like can help you remember that there are good, pleasurable things all around, if you take a little time to pay attention.
Rest and Move
When my students ask me what's the first step they should take to be happier, my answer is always the same: Get some sleep. We know that sleep is important for our physical health, but research shows that it's also extremely important for our mental health. Having a solid eight hours of shut-eye is the foundation on which all the other happiness habits rest. The problem is that getting the right amount isn't easy. For me, there's always that one last email to send before bed. Or one more quick peak to take on my Twitter feed. Or that new Netflix show to check out.
Read more 12 Scientifically Proven Ways to Succeed at Your New Year's Resolutions 12 Scientifically Proven Ways to Succeed at Your New Year's Resolutions
So this year, try to embrace healthier sleep hygiene. Ban devices from your bedroom. Instead, read a book or magazine—one made of paper—before bed. And make sure your bedroom is as dedicated to sleep as possible. If you allow your sleeping space to become an office, lounge or home cinema, you end up confusing your body. A pre-sleep ritual (such as a glass of warm herbal tea or a nice bath) can also help reinforce the idea that your waking day is ending and your all-important sleep time is beginning.
But sleep isn't the only healthy habit that promotes better mental health in addition to better physical health. Another great healthy happiness boosting habit is exercise. One study found that doing a half-hour of cardio on a stationary bike reduces the likelihood that we'll feel things like tension, anger, depression, and even fatigue. And the effect was shown to last for over 12 hours.
Be Kind
At times of crisis, we're often tempted to turn inward: It seems like feeling better requires putting our own needs first. Treat yourself, as the current mantra says. But the science suggests that these self-centered inclinations are wrong. In fact, the best way to promote your own self-care is to provide other-care.
Research shows that we get happiness from doing nice things for other people. The people who self-report being happiest are focused on those in need—they donate more of their time and money to charity and engage in random acts of kindness. So why not bolster your mental health in an evidence-based way by doing something good for anoth- er person? If you're working remotely, donate the money you saved on gas this month to a good cause. Or just check in with a friend who's struggling. Doing kind things for others is a surprisingly effective way of boosting our own well-being.
Studies indicate people get happiness from lending others a hand when they need it and engaging in random acts of kindness. Hill Street Studios/Getty
But do be kind to yourself as well. The season of New Year's resolutions can be a time when it's easy to beat yourself up. We shame ourselves like an inner drill sergeant by ruminating on how badly we've done in the past year and how we need to turn things around for the new year. Or else.
But research shows that our inner brutal drill sergeant isn't as motivating as we assume. Harsh self-criticism and unrealistic expectations will destroy your morale and make you give up before you even begin. A better strategy for the new year is to extend yourself some kindness, or what psychologists call self-compassion. Self-compassion means remembering that you're human and that—just like everyone else on the planet—you're doing the best you can in some pretty tough times. Giving yourself a bit of kindness doesn't just feel good. It's also a surprisingly effective way to meet your new year goals. Research by Kristin Neff and her colleagues, for example, shows that talking to yourself in the manner of a caring and helpful friend helps us reduce procrastination, eat healthier and exercise more. So try doing unto yourself as you would do unto others and give yourself the benefit of the doubt a little more in 2021.
The tips I've outlined here won't make the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic disappear the moment the calendar switch- es over to 2021, but research shows these quick practices can boost your mood and give you a bit more resilience—more happiness, even—in the New Year.
Dr. Laurie Santos is a professor of psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast. To learn more, you can check out her online course called The Science of Well-Being, available for free here.


newsweek--2020-12-20--Why Wall Street Is Predicting a Stock Market Boom in 2021 | Opinion

Happy holidays , my friends .
In the spirit of the season , I 'll try not to be too negative .
No asking questions like , `` What really happened to Lindsey Graham ? ''
Or , `` did Zoom kill the snow day ? ''
Or `` If Texas does secede from the union , can we keep Austin ? ''
So let 's get started .
This week in On the Street , we 'll have a look at all that `` bullishness '' on Wall Street ( or something else that starts with a `` B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business and a holiday song from the Chuck Berry archives .
But first , the latest on the Republicanized COVID-19 relief package : Fingers Crossed : As I write this very early Sunday morning , there 's a reported compromise over the $ 900 billion COVID relief package—all this despite Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's pulling-the-football-from-Charlie Brown act .
For some reason , Republicans , at the last minute , demanded the bill limit the powers of the Federal Reserve to deal with an economic crisis in the future .
You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
( Read here for the latest . )
So here 's what it looks like now : the legislation , if passed , will provide , among other things : money for vaccine distribution ; food assistance ; aid for small businesses ; enhanced unemployment benefits of $ 300 a week ; and a $ 600 one-time payout for many of us .
And not a moment too soon .
Another 935,000 Americans , for example , signed up for first-time , standard unemployment benefits last week .
And for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bill , of course , ai n't perfect .
Before the little Federal Reserve trick , there was push back from the likes of Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez who said that Republican negotiators were too Scroogey when it came to helping the less fortunate .
( A shock . )
But at this point , any assistance is a good thing .
The trouble is that this could be the Democrats ' last bite at the apple .
Unless , of course , those wacky Republican stock traders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their early January U.S. Senate runoff races in Georgia—and the Democrats take control of Congress .
Like I said , fingers crossed .
Did n't We Warn You ?
The S & P 500 stock index is , year to date , up almost 15 percent as I write this .
( Did a pandemic really happen ? )
Last week , some of the major brokerage firms released their vaccine-fueled predictions for 2021 .
JPMorgan Chase sees the S & P 500 going up a crazy 25 percent next year .
Goldman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I mean , who knows - right ?
Diane Harris , former Money magazine editor and Newsweek 's deputy editor-in-chief , kind of knows .
Back in February , when the dark clouds were forming , she warned folks not to haphazardly jump out of the market .
Her article , `` How to Stay Sane in a Crazy Market `` is officially my personal finance bible—and it should be yours .
Now that the market is booming , her lessons still hold true .
`` Calm the hell down and stay the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it also works when the market is soaring , '' says Harris .
`` When you see those crazy numbers ... it feels like you should be doing something when doing nothing is probably the way to go . ''
If you must , she adds , take a look at rebalancing your portfolio .
At this point , because of this year 's results , you may be too heavy on stocks compared with bonds .
So , Harris says , you could , for example , `` sell enough of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice bond index fund to restore your mix to where it should be . ''
And , oh : stop watching Mad Money and getting all riled up again .
Climate Change Inc. : Remember when everyone got all hot and bothered about President-elect Biden 's kill-off-all-fracking comment during his October debate with President Trump ?
Well he may be for eliminating it or just for eliminating new fracking .
It really does n't matter .
When it comes to climate change , just watch what big business is going to do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the state—or the Texas Republican Party— withdraws from the Union .
But elsewhere , change is in the air .
As you know , GM chief executive Mary Barra last month abandoned the Trump administration 's suit against the state of California .
The Golden State had the gall to insist on stronger emission standards .
Instead , Barra doubled down on GM 's plans to produce more electric vehicles .
If you have been watching pro football , Ford has been running commercials touting electric vehicles .
Even Exxon has found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week its CEO Darren Woods said the company would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20 percent in 2025 compared with 2016 .
Not as generous as some European oil companies , but a start .
Exxon was under tremendous pressure by its investors to do something .
Last spring , BlackRock , Exxon 's second-largest shareholder , backed a resolution to split the chairman and CEO roles .
The big investing firm , and others , said the combined job was a speed bump that impeded any action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like New York State 's pension fund—and its $ 226 billion in assets— are abandoning fossil fuel stocks .
In other words : dealing with reality .
As Biden 's climate czar John Kerry said on NPR : `` Real business people understand this ( is ) an imperative ...
They understand changes are coming . ''
Loose Change : I was just thinking about all those folks who said they 'd move to Canada if President Trump won again .
They were onto something .
Check out this great climate change piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Pro Publica and The New York Times .
The conceit : how Russia—and northern countries such as Canada and Sweden—will eventually dominate agricultural production , thanks to gradually warming , and extended , planting seasons ...
Taking From the Poor and Giving to the Rich ?
Not a great week for the trendy brokerage Robinhood , a favorite among young day traders .
As reported in Business Insider , the firm agreed to hand over $ 65 million to the SEC .
Among other things , the SEC said Robinhood misled customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its trades .
Also : Massachusetts regulators complained that Robinhood was taking advantage of its young , inexperienced customers .
`` The ( firm 's ) platform is not presented as serious investing with substantial risk ...
It 's presented as some sort of game that you might be able to win , '' William Galvin , secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts , told The Wall Street Journal ... Coolest Headline of the Week : Courtesy of The Daily Beast , `` Swedish King : Our Wingnut-Approved COVID Strategy Was Deadly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the Street Jukebox : Well , one more holiday song for you .
This one courtesy of Peter Carbonara , one of Newsweek 's musicologists : Chuck Berry and `` Run Rudolph Run '' ... Merry Christmas .

Happy holidays, my friends. In the spirit of the season, I'll try not to be too negative. No asking questions like, "What really happened to Lindsey Graham?" Or, "did Zoom kill the snow day?" Or "If Texas does secede from the union, can we keep Austin?" So let's get started. This week in On the Street, we'll have a look at all that "bullishness" on Wall Street (or something else that starts with a "B"), the greening of big business and a holiday song from the Chuck Berry archives. But first, the latest on the Republicanized COVID-19 relief package:
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY): The COVID bailout package? Not enough help for the people who really need it. Drew Angerer/Getty Images/Getty
Finally, Help is On The Way: Jeez, that took longer than it had to. As I write this early Sunday evening, Congress reached a compromise on a $900 billion COVID relief package—all this despite Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's pulling-the-football-from-Charlie Brown act. For some reason, Republicans, at the last minute, demanded the bill limit the powers of the Federal Reserve to deal with future economic downturns. You know, like a deep recession during a pandemic. (Read here for the latest.) So here's what it looks like now: the legislation, once it's passed, will provide, among other things money for vaccine distribution, food assistance, aid for small businesses, enhanced unemployment benefits of $300 a week, and a $600 one-time payout for many of us. And not a moment too soon. Another 935,000 Americans signed up for first-time, standard unemployment benefits last week. And such benefits for many were about to run out. The bill, of course, ain't perfect. Before the little Federal Reserve trick, there was push back from the likes of Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez who said that Republican negotiators were too Scroogey when it came to helping the less fortunate. (A shock.) But at this point, any assistance is a good thing. The trouble is that this could be the Democrats' last bite at the apple. Unless, of course, those wacky Republican stock traders, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, lose their early January U.S. Senate runoff races in Georgia—and the Democrats take control of Congress. Fingers crossed.
The bull rages on: A trader at work at the New York Stock Exchange. JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images
Didn't We Warn You? The S&P 500 stock index is, year to date, up almost 15 percent as I write this. (Did a pandemic really happen?) Last week, some of the major brokerage firms released their vaccine-fueled predictions for 2021. JPMorgan Chase sees the S&P 500 going up a crazy 25 percent next year. Goldman Sachs? More than 15 percent. I mean, who knows - right? Diane Harris, former Money magazine editor and Newsweek's deputy editor-in-chief, kind of knows. Back in February, when the dark clouds were forming, she warned folks not to haphazardly jump out of the market. Her article, "How to Stay Sane in a Crazy Market "is officially my personal finance bible—and it should be yours. Now that the market is booming, her lessons still hold true. "Calm the hell down and stay the course works when the market is tanking—and it also works when the market is soaring," says Harris. "When you see those crazy numbers...it feels like you should be doing something when doing nothing is probably the way to go." If you must, she adds, take a look at rebalancing your portfolio. At this point, because of this year's results, you may be too heavy on stocks compared with bonds. So, Harris says, you could, for example, "sell enough of your winners and put the proceeds into a nice bond index fund to restore your mix to where it should be." And, oh: stop watching Mad Money and getting all riled up again.
Exxon is under pressure to change its fossil fuel ways: Environmental activists calling the company to task for intentionally ignoring the impact of global warming. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Climate Change Inc.: Remember when everyone got all hot and bothered about President-elect Biden's kill-off-all-fracking comment during his October debate with President Trump? Well he may be for eliminating it or just for eliminating new fracking. It really doesn't matter. When it comes to climate change, just watch what big business is going to do. Maybe fossil fuels will dominate in Texas once the state—or the Texas Republican Party— withdraws from the Union. But elsewhere, change is in the air. As you know, GM chief executive Mary Barra last month abandoned the Trump administration's suit against the state of California. The Golden State had the gall to insist on stronger emission standards. Instead, Barra doubled down on GM's plans to produce more electric vehicles. If you have been watching pro football, Ford has been running commercials touting electric vehicles. Even Exxon has found religion—or has been shamed into it. Last week its CEO Darren Woods said the company would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20 percent in 2025 compared with 2016. Not as generous as some European oil companies, but a start. Exxon was under tremendous pressure by its investors to do something. Last spring, BlackRock, Exxon's second-largest shareholder, backed a resolution to split the chairman and CEO roles. The big investing firm, and others, said the combined job was a speed bump that impeded any action on climate change. Meanwhile, investors like New York State's pension fund—and its $226 billion in assets— are abandoning fossil fuel stocks. In other words: dealing with reality. As Biden's climate czar John Kerry said on NPR: "Real business people understand this (is) an imperative...They understand changes are coming."
The late, great Chuck Berry is all about the holiday season (See below.) reuters
Loose Change: I was just thinking about all those folks who said they'd move to Canada if President Trump won again. They were onto something. Check out this great climate change piece by Abrahm Lustgarten, brought to you by Pro Publica and The New York Times. The conceit: how Russia—and northern countries such as Canada and Sweden—will eventually dominate agricultural production, thanks to gradually warming, and extended, planting seasons...Taking From the Poor and Giving to the Rich? Not a great week for the trendy brokerage Robinhood, a favorite among young day traders. As reported in Business Insider, the firm agreed to hand over $65 million to the SEC. Among other things, the SEC said Robinhood misled customers over the "true costs" of its trades. Also: Massachusetts regulators complained that Robinhood was taking advantage of its young, inexperienced customers. "The (firm's) platform is not presented as serious investing with substantial risk...It's presented as some sort of game that you might be able to win," William Galvin, secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, told The Wall Street Journal...Coolest Headline of the Week: Courtesy of The Daily Beast, "Swedish King: Our Wingnut-Approved COVID Strategy Was Deadly." Unfortunately, it is true...On the Street Jukebox: Well, one more holiday song for you. This one courtesy of Peter Carbonara, one of Newsweek's musicologists: Chuck Berry and "Run Rudolph Run"...Merry Christmas.
This column story was updated 6:30pm Sunday to reflect the latest news on the COVID relief bill.


newsweek--2020-12-20--'At 14, I'm the Youngest Person to Own a Restaurant in My State'

When I was a little younger , I was walking dogs , washing cars and mowing lawns in my neighborhood , to make money .
Then , I went on a trip to New York City in 2015 with my sister and waited in a really long line for a hot dog .
I probably had to wait in a line for ten minutes in Times Square , and all of the hot dog vendors had lines .
But when I got it , it did n't taste that good .
So I told myself I could take this business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I live .
A couple of years later it was coming up to Christmas time , so I asked my mom , dad and grandfather if I could have a hot dog cart .
I got my first cart in 2017—it was a little , red electrical hot dog cart , and I would sell my hotdogs at family barbeques , birthday parties and events .
I started off doing ketchup , mustard and chilli cheese dogs , they were very popular and I had a lot of attention but the cart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time .
I was selling them for $ 5 each and I was making maybe $ 200 a week , but I wanted to do more , so that 's when I started wondering about getting a bigger New York-style hot dog cart .
I started saving my money up from my catering gigs and I bought a New York-style cart when I was 12 years old .
It was a push cart that you actually had to push down the street and it was really heavy , but it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's when I started doing different types of hot dogs , like the `` Donatello '' and the `` Venus '' and `` FIRE storm '' dogs , but we still had our original `` Mighty Dogs '' and our `` Chilli Cheese '' dogs .
The `` Donatello '' dog is a pizza dog , it 's pizza sauce , parmesan cheese , pepperoni and mozzarella and the `` Venus '' dog is vegan , it has lettuce , tomatoes , onions , hot peppers and chilli sauce .
Each one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superheroes , because I love Marvel and DC Comics , and when I was in New York 's Times Square I saw all the superheroes there .
I came up with all the topping ideas myself .
My mom will tell you that it got to a point where she did not want hot dogs any more !
I have some `` big brothers '' at Morehouse College in Atlanta who support me being an entrepreneur and one day in 2018 , one of them called me and told me that they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tank on campus and that I should come and pitch my hot dog business .
I was the only entrepreneurial kid who tried out and I got nervous and messed up .
But then , as I was walking towards the campus bookstore , I saw the president of Morehouse College .
My Morehouse big brothers had told me that he was the president , so I walked up and told him my business pitch as he was leaving the bookstore .
After a little talk , we decided I could stay on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a Wednesday as long as I kept my school grades up .
Students , professors and staff all bought my hot dogs and they loved them .
They kept coming back for more , and many told me they wished I was there every day .
By early 2020 I had saved around $ 9,000 towards starting a restaurant .
I went to my sister and told her I had saved up all my money from working at Morehouse and that I need someone to help me because I believed that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money .
My sister was 22 at the time , and she was crazy enough to use her savings and leased a property for my business near my house .
It was an investment because we can now build Black generational wealth .
But my mom had no idea what was happening .
She would have thought it was crazy .
We sent her a picture with us holding some keys and my sister wrote , `` Mom , I got Mason a restaurant ! ''
It was a long process though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the place up and running .
As soon as we got it , the next day we started working on it , it was really fun .
The biggest problem we had was my age , people were saying that I was only 14 and that the restaurant should be in my sister 's name .
But she said that would be a lie because it was my restaurant .
Eventually we got the city councilman involved and it took a while , but I got my name on the license and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own a restaurant .
I got help with my business plan from the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Atlanta .
Mr. Hermann J. Russell is one of my inspirations , I want to be just like him , but unfortunately he passed away before I could meet him .
I 'd like to be the modern day Herman J Russell—I hope to earn that honor .
The opening day of Mason 's Super Dogs on October 17 was fantastic , the line was really long , it stretched to the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of the day .
We 're open Tuesday through Saturday and though business has slowed down a little with winter and the increase of COVID-19 cases , we 're still doing takeout .
My day starts at 6am and until 10am I do my schooling and then at 11am we open the restaurant .
I 'm in the eighth grade but myself and my sister were home-schooled before the pandemic anyway .
When I get here , I turn on the lights and set up the cash register .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chicken and steak and bake the beans , because we have 13 different hot dogs on the menu .
Once that 's all done I take inventory , put the hot dogs on the roller , set up the tater tots and wait for the customers .
The restaurant is doing really well , we just started doing Uber Eats .
In my neighborhood I am called the `` King of Hot Dogs . ''
I started introducing vegan hot dogs on the Morehouse campus , a lot of people were coming in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's super dog , and many of them were vegan .
When I realized vegan foods were starting to pop off , I began to experiment .
My mom is n't vegan so I had to get a new taste tester .
My sister tried a lot of my vegan hot dogs !
She still might be mad at me about that .
In 2019 , PETA sent me a certificate saying my vegan hot dogs were number five in the nation—that was really cool .
I 'm guessing someone came to Morehouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reviewed them .
My friends and family have said they 're really proud of me , but they 've also asked me how I can help them start their own businesses , because I 've inspired them .
I tell them to keep doing what they 're doing and not give up .
My friends and I have actually started a competition to see who has the better business by 2023 .
Whoever earns the most cash by a certain time wins this super cool trophy .
On the first day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second day we group together and see who had the most success .
They want to do candy and lemonade businesses , we 're very competitive .
At the moment I 'm saving up my money for something nice for my mom .
I ca n't say what it is , but this December it 's coming .
In the future I want to go international and have my businesses in airports .
I also want to take my mom on vacation and relax .
I 'd like to go to London and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieved what I have , I feel a sense of pride .
Mason Wright is the founder and owner of Mason 's Super Dogs , a restaurant in Stonecrest , Georgia .
He has been selling hot dogs since 2017 and lives with his family in Stonecrest .
You can find out more about Mason 's Super Dogs here or follow Mason on Instagram @ masonssuperdogs .
All views expressed in this article are the author 's own .

When I was a little younger, I was walking dogs, washing cars and mowing lawns in my neighborhood, to make money. Then, I went on a trip to New York City in 2015 with my sister and waited in a really long line for a hot dog. I probably had to wait in a line for ten minutes in Times Square, and all of the hot dog vendors had lines.
But when I got it, it didn't taste that good. So I told myself I could take this business concept back to Stonecrest near Atlanta. where I live. A couple of years later it was coming up to Christmas time, so I asked my mom, dad and grandfather if I could have a hot dog cart.
I got my first cart in 2017—it was a little, red electrical hot dog cart, and I would sell my hotdogs at family barbeques, birthday parties and events. I started off doing ketchup, mustard and chilli cheese dogs, they were very popular and I had a lot of attention but the cart could only hold about eight hot dogs at a time. I was selling them for $5 each and I was making maybe $200 a week, but I wanted to do more, so that's when I started wondering about getting a bigger New York-style hot dog cart.
Read more 'We're Creating a City in Georgia for Black People to Live Without Racism' 'We're Creating a City in Georgia for Black People to Live Without Racism'
I started saving my money up from my catering gigs and I bought a New York-style cart when I was 12 years old. It was a push cart that you actually had to push down the street and it was really heavy, but it could hold roughly 250 hot dogs. So that's when I started doing different types of hot dogs, like the "Donatello" and the "Venus" and "FIRE storm" dogs, but we still had our original "Mighty Dogs" and our "Chilli Cheese" dogs. The "Donatello" dog is a pizza dog, it's pizza sauce, parmesan cheese, pepperoni and mozzarella and the "Venus" dog is vegan, it has lettuce, tomatoes, onions, hot peppers and chilli sauce. Each one of my super dogs are named after superheroes, because I love Marvel and DC Comics, and when I was in New York's Times Square I saw all the superheroes there. I came up with all the topping ideas myself. My mom will tell you that it got to a point where she did not want hot dogs any more!
I have some "big brothers" at Morehouse College in Atlanta who support me being an entrepreneur and one day in 2018, one of them called me and told me that they were having try-outs for the TV show Shark Tank on campus and that I should come and pitch my hot dog business. I was the only entrepreneurial kid who tried out and I got nervous and messed up. But then, as I was walking towards the campus bookstore, I saw the president of Morehouse College. My Morehouse big brothers had told me that he was the president, so I walked up and told him my business pitch as he was leaving the bookstore. After a little talk, we decided I could stay on his campus and serve my hot dogs on a Wednesday as long as I kept my school grades up. Students, professors and staff all bought my hot dogs and they loved them. They kept coming back for more, and many told me they wished I was there every day.
By early 2020 I had saved around $9,000 towards starting a restaurant. I went to my sister and told her I had saved up all my money from working at Morehouse and that I need someone to help me because I believed that if we started a restaurant we'd make money. My sister was 22 at the time, and she was crazy enough to use her savings and leased a property for my business near my house. It was an investment because we can now build Black generational wealth.
But my mom had no idea what was happening. She would have thought it was crazy. We sent her a picture with us holding some keys and my sister wrote, "Mom, I got Mason a restaurant!"
It was a long process though, it took around five months to get the place up and running. As soon as we got it, the next day we started working on it, it was really fun. The biggest problem we had was my age, people were saying that I was only 14 and that the restaurant should be in my sister's name. But she said that would be a lie because it was my restaurant. Eventually we got the city councilman involved and it took a while, but I got my name on the license and I became the youngest person in Georgia to own a restaurant.
I got help with my business plan from the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Atlanta. Mr. Hermann J. Russell is one of my inspirations, I want to be just like him, but unfortunately he passed away before I could meet him. I'd like to be the modern day Herman J Russell—I hope to earn that honor.
At 14, Mason Wright (left) is the youngest person in Georgia to own his own restaurant. Kathleen Nesbit-Wright
The opening day of Mason's Super Dogs on October 17 was fantastic, the line was really long, it stretched to the next parking lot and we were sold out by the end of the day. We're open Tuesday through Saturday and though business has slowed down a little with winter and the increase of COVID-19 cases, we're still doing takeout.
My day starts at 6am and until 10am I do my schooling and then at 11am we open the restaurant. I'm in the eighth grade but myself and my sister were home-schooled before the pandemic anyway. When I get here, I turn on the lights and set up the cash register. I start stirring the chilli, chop the chicken and steak and bake the beans, because we have 13 different hot dogs on the menu. Once that's all done I take inventory, put the hot dogs on the roller, set up the tater tots and wait for the customers. The restaurant is doing really well, we just started doing Uber Eats. In my neighborhood I am called the "King of Hot Dogs."
Mason Wright prepping food for his hot dogs inside Mason's Super Dogs in Stonecrest, Georgia. Kathleen Nesbit-Wright
I started introducing vegan hot dogs on the Morehouse campus, a lot of people were coming in from other colleges to have a Mason's super dog, and many of them were vegan. When I realized vegan foods were starting to pop off, I began to experiment. My mom isn't vegan so I had to get a new taste tester. My sister tried a lot of my vegan hot dogs! She still might be mad at me about that.
In 2019, PETA sent me a certificate saying my vegan hot dogs were number five in the nation—that was really cool. I'm guessing someone came to Morehouse College, tasted my vegan hot dogs and reviewed them.
My friends and family have said they're really proud of me, but they've also asked me how I can help them start their own businesses, because I've inspired them. I tell them to keep doing what they're doing and not give up. My friends and I have actually started a competition to see who has the better business by 2023. Whoever earns the most cash by a certain time wins this super cool trophy. On the first day of the competition we open and on our second day we group together and see who had the most success. They want to do candy and lemonade businesses, we're very competitive.
At the moment I'm saving up my money for something nice for my mom. I can't say what it is, but this December it's coming. In the future I want to go international and have my businesses in airports. I also want to take my mom on vacation and relax. I'd like to go to London and Canada.
It feels good to have achieved what I have, I feel a sense of pride.
Mason Wright is the founder and owner of Mason's Super Dogs, a restaurant in Stonecrest, Georgia. He has been selling hot dogs since 2017 and lives with his family in Stonecrest. You can find out more about Mason's Super Dogs here or follow Mason on Instagram @masonssuperdogs.
All views expressed in this article are the author's own.
As told to Jenny Haward.


newsweek--2020-12-20--Alex Moffat Is SNL's New Joe Biden After Jim Carrey Steps Down

Saturday Night Live introduced Alex Moffat in the role of President-elect Joe Biden , just hours after Jim Carrey announced he was stepping down .
In a tweet on Saturday afternoon , Carrey said he was only meant to play Biden for six weeks and called himself `` just one in a long line of proud , fighting SNL Bidens . ''
The role has previously been played by former cast members and guest stars including Jason Sudeikis , Woody Harrelson and John Mulaney .
`` Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks , I was thrilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... comedy 's highest call of duty , '' Carrey tweeted .
`` I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that sh*t. But I am just one in a long line of proud , fighting SNL Bidens ! ''
CNN reported the decision to move on from the NBC sketch show was Carrey 's .
After recruiting Carrey , creator Lorne Michaels told The New York Times that he believed what the actor would bring to the part would be `` stunning and possibly transcend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance ultimately received mixed reviews from critics and viewers .
In Saturday night 's cold open , Moffat appeared as Biden in a sketch parodying Vice President Mike Pence receiving the coronavirus vaccine .
`` I 'm sure all Americans are excited to see me , the guy who let COVID spread everywhere , get one of the first vaccines , '' Beck Bennett , as Pence , said .
After getting the jab , Beckett 's Pence rushes to cover his exposed forearms as Maya Rudolph appears as Vice President-elect , Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moments later , walking with a cane and wearing an orthopedic boot on one foot .
He then drops the cane and does a somersault before fist-bumping Rudolph .
`` You look different somehow , '' Beckett 's Pence tells Moffat 's Biden .
`` Yep , I 'm like Colonel Sanders , '' Moffat 's Biden responds .
`` Every time you see me , I 'm a different guy .
There 's a good chance that this time next year , I 'm going to be Mario Lopez . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccines at ? ''
`` I thought you were getting it on Monday , Joe , '' Beckett 's Pence says .
`` Yeah , but Kamala wants me to get it over with , '' Moffat 's Biden replies .
`` Well , I 'm worried about you Joe , '' Rudolph 's Harris explains .
`` Especially since you 're already in a cast on day minus 40 in office . ''
Moffat 's Biden then addresses the audience .
`` I just want to let the American people know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You 're about to have a real leader again and you 're going to have the most diverse Cabinet in the history of American politics . ''
Rudolph 's Harris quickly adds : `` And I will make sure that Joe never specifies what he means by diverse .
That is my Christmas present to you , America . ''

Saturday Night Live introduced Alex Moffat in the role of President-elect Joe Biden, just hours after Jim Carrey announced he was stepping down.
In a tweet on Saturday afternoon, Carrey said he was only meant to play Biden for six weeks and called himself "just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens."
The role has previously been played by former cast members and guest stars including Jason Sudeikis, Woody Harrelson and John Mulaney.
"Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks, I was thrilled to be elected as your SNL President... comedy's highest call of duty," Carrey tweeted. "I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that sh*t. But I am just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens!"
CNN reported the decision to move on from the NBC sketch show was Carrey's.
After recruiting Carrey, creator Lorne Michaels told The New York Times that he believed what the actor would bring to the part would be "stunning and possibly transcend comedy." However, Carrey's performance ultimately received mixed reviews from critics and viewers.
In Saturday night's cold open, Moffat appeared as Biden in a sketch parodying Vice President Mike Pence receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
"I'm sure all Americans are excited to see me, the guy who let COVID spread everywhere, get one of the first vaccines," Beck Bennett, as Pence, said.
After getting the jab, Beckett's Pence rushes to cover his exposed forearms as Maya Rudolph appears as Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris.
Moffat's Biden turns up moments later, walking with a cane and wearing an orthopedic boot on one foot.
He then drops the cane and does a somersault before fist-bumping Rudolph.
"You look different somehow," Beckett's Pence tells Moffat's Biden.
Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks,I was thrilled to be elected as your SNL President...comedy’s highest call of duty. I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that shit. But I am just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens! — Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) December 19, 2020
"Yep, I'm like Colonel Sanders," Moffat's Biden responds. "Every time you see me, I'm a different guy. There's a good chance that this time next year, I'm going to be Mario Lopez."
He then adds: "Now, where the vaccines at?"
"I thought you were getting it on Monday, Joe," Beckett's Pence says.
"Yeah, but Kamala wants me to get it over with," Moffat's Biden replies.
"Well, I'm worried about you Joe," Rudolph's Harris explains. "Especially since you're already in a cast on day minus 40 in office."
Moffat's Biden then addresses the audience. "I just want to let the American people know one thing," he says. "You're about to have a real leader again and you're going to have the most diverse Cabinet in the history of American politics."
Rudolph's Harris quickly adds: "And I will make sure that Joe never specifies what he means by diverse. That is my Christmas present to you, America."


newsweek--2020-12-20--'I'm An Erotic Photographer'

'I'm An Erotic Photographer'

I first tried taking sensual pictures in my late teens , and during college and afterwards I moved into erotic imagery , but I did n't put that label on my photography for a while .
I 'd often have fun with friends taking sensual pictures but a week later they 'd then say that they did n't want those pictures on the internet—which was tricky because it was a job for me .
Then at the end of 2005 , I met Justine Joli who is `` the lesbian queen of porn . ''
She wanted to meet up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her site .
That was the first time that I had seen somebody be so uninhibited around me .
She just did n't care .
I found out years later , because we became good friends , that she was trying to test me to see if I would react .
It takes a lot to shock me , and that 's not that I 've seen it all but because I 'm also keen to see how far people will go .
I 'm so intrigued and never grossed out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ great photographer and that I should meet some of her friends .
It kind of snowballed from there as I did n't realize how big of a porn star she was at the time .
When other models and porn stars found out I had photographed Justine Joli , they wanted to work with me too .
I felt like I really found myself with Justine and women in the adult industry because they wanted the pictures out there , rather than it being a fun , cute thing to do in private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it was n't as easy to just find a model , say on Instagram or other social media .
Now , when I first contact a model to do work , if it 's for ourselves and our sites I will ask them if they want to be nude and how far they would like to take it .
It 's totally up to them .
Some models might share that their OnlyFans audience want to see them be more adventurous , and others might just want to do some pretty glamor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be nude , and others want to feature sex toys—it 's up to them really .
But it 's so important to me , especially being a woman , that each model feels extremely comfortable , consensual and confident .
If I 'm working for a specific magazine , I 'll have a set of poses that I know the magazine likes and I 'll ask the model to do those poses .
In the beginning I was more experimental , but now when I take pictures for magazines there 's a certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When I am on shoots that are for myself and the model , I try to remind myself to keep that experimental edge .
But I differentiate my work as erotica rather than porn .
I think porn is made to titillate an audience but my erotic photography is for myself and the model .
I feel like if it titillates a third party that 's on them .
I 'm not trying to do it to sell to a third party , I 'm doing it to express myself .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'll sign a release and the pictures are never seen anywhere else .
These women often give it to their partner as a gift , and sometimes they just want a hot picture of themselves because they feel good .
A lot of the time , these are people who do n't often take pictures in lingerie , so they 're very shy , their shoulders are up and they 're uncomfortable .
People might suggest having a cocktail , and I recommend that they do n't .
You may think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can result in looking unfocused .
I always tell subjects to start the shoot by imagining a place that makes them happy .
Because if you 're content and happy , even if that 's thinking about a cookie , a pet or your lover , that 's going to come across .
Happiness is so much more sexy than trying really hard to look like an adult model .
I do think photography is objectifying a human being because you 're turning them into a two-dimensional object , lighting and retouching , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I do that because that 's what the people I photograph want .
The fact is , the work I do is consensual .
If a model does n't want to get naked , they do n't get naked I honestly think feminism is a choice .
Feminists choosing what we want to do with our bodies is so punk rock to me .
I had a model once ask me how she should dye her hair .
I 'm never going to tell a woman what color she should dye her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If a friend of mine wants to get breast implants , I tell her to do what she wants to do , that 's her choice .
Most of my models—because they photograph nude or are burlesque performers—want to get breast implants because they think it will fill out their costume better .
I always tell them to do whatever makes them feel best .
As long as they are doing it for themselves and not someone else .
There 's no exploitation when you are comfortable with it , confident and happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks down it is likely to be someone who is uncomfortable or needs to control .
One of my best experiences as an erotic photographer was contacting a model called Ana Foxxx about three years ago .
She is a pretty famous porn star , and when I saw her on social media I thought she was gorgeous .
She got back to me , was so excited about me being a female photographer and wanted to shoot with me .
We had one of those amazing days shooting where we were just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a pool and the sun was shining , then raindrops began to fall which made the pictures really magical and gorgeous .
I did n't actually know how famous she was until my boyfriend was like : `` You shot with Ana Foxxx , oh my god ! ''
I 've shot with her about five times since then and she 's become a good friend—I 'm mailing out my holiday cards and she 's on the list .
I have many stories like that with incredible women who I 'm still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridesmaid at one adult star 's wedding .
But not every shoot is great .
One of my least favorite experiences was with a model for Playboy.com .
I was excited as there was a whole team ; a makeup artist , hair stylist and location and everything .
All of a sudden the model disappeared and when she came back she was in a bad mood for the entire shoot .
There was a videographer on set who was asking me questions , and I think she may have been irritated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not her .
But generally , I try to make sure my shoots are positive and collaborative .
When I was shooting with Ana Foxxx , neither of us got paid but we were both excited and happy to be there together and make these incredible pictures .
It really shows you who are positive people and who are not so positive people .
I most definitely am a feminist and I believe feminism is about freedom to choose and equality .
It has nothing to do with `` women against men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and non-binary—being treated equally , no matter our race or how much money we make .
In photographing more erotic models I have also met more sex workers .
I do think sex work is real work and I think it 's a real feminist , punk rock choice .
The funny thing is that back in the 90s I loved Riot Grrrl and bands like them , and I remember telling a friend I did n't feel like I was a feminist .
She told me that I most definitely was !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think feminism is about man-hating , when it has nothing to do with that—it 's about equality .
I have gained a lot of self confidence from just being a photographer .
In college I realized that no one is perfect in these magazines—it 's lighting and retouching and a great photographer .
There are so many elements to it .
And when I started working with women in the adult industry , from burlesque dancers to strippers , porn stars and sex workers I made some of the best friends of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and women .
These people are all in the umbrella of the sex industry .
I do n't know why they 're such good people—and I 'm not saying all of them—but I have met people who have confidence in their own skin and are very healthy mentally because of it .
In my 20s I made friendships with women that were negative .
Working within the sex industry , I have learned that women can be allies and lift each other up .
I honestly think doing my erotic photography has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellen Stagg 's photography began in high school and graduated with a BFA 2000 from SVA .
In 1999 , Ellen Stagg signed with her first agent and began shooting commercially and showing at galleries around the world , winning awards for her books and photography .
Her work is at staggstreet.com and ellenstagg.com .
All views expressed in this article are the author 's own .

I first tried taking sensual pictures in my late teens, and during college and afterwards I moved into erotic imagery, but I didn't put that label on my photography for a while. I'd often have fun with friends taking sensual pictures but a week later they'd then say that they didn't want those pictures on the internet—which was tricky because it was a job for me.
Then at the end of 2005, I met Justine Joli who is "the lesbian queen of porn." She wanted to meet up with a photographer to get some content for her site. That was the first time that I had seen somebody be so uninhibited around me. She just didn't care. I found out years later, because we became good friends, that she was trying to test me to see if I would react. It takes a lot to shock me, and that's not that I've seen it all but because I'm also keen to see how far people will go. I'm so intrigued and never grossed out.
She told me that I was a great photographer and that I should meet some of her friends. It kind of snowballed from there as I didn't realize how big of a porn star she was at the time. When other models and porn stars found out I had photographed Justine Joli, they wanted to work with me too.
Read more 'I Am an International Dominatrix' 'I Am an International Dominatrix'
I felt like I really found myself with Justine and women in the adult industry because they wanted the pictures out there, rather than it being a fun, cute thing to do in private. This was 15 years ago, so it wasn't as easy to just find a model, say on Instagram or other social media.
Now, when I first contact a model to do work, if it's for ourselves and our sites I will ask them if they want to be nude and how far they would like to take it. It's totally up to them. Some models might share that their OnlyFans audience want to see them be more adventurous, and others might just want to do some pretty glamor modelling. So some might want to be nude, and others want to feature sex toys—it's up to them really. But it's so important to me, especially being a woman, that each model feels extremely comfortable, consensual and confident.
If I'm working for a specific magazine, I'll have a set of poses that I know the magazine likes and I'll ask the model to do those poses. In the beginning I was more experimental, but now when I take pictures for magazines there's a certain way I have to do those shoots.
When I am on shoots that are for myself and the model, I try to remind myself to keep that experimental edge. But I differentiate my work as erotica rather than porn. I think porn is made to titillate an audience but my erotic photography is for myself and the model. I feel like if it titillates a third party that's on them. I'm not trying to do it to sell to a third party, I'm doing it to express myself.
An erotic photograph taken by Ellen Stagg. Ellen Stagg
I also do boudoir photography for women, I'll sign a release and the pictures are never seen anywhere else. These women often give it to their partner as a gift, and sometimes they just want a hot picture of themselves because they feel good.
A lot of the time, these are people who don't often take pictures in lingerie, so they're very shy, their shoulders are up and they're uncomfortable. People might suggest having a cocktail, and I recommend that they don't. You may think it would make you more comfortable but it can result in looking unfocused. I always tell subjects to start the shoot by imagining a place that makes them happy. Because if you're content and happy, even if that's thinking about a cookie, a pet or your lover, that's going to come across.
Happiness is so much more sexy than trying really hard to look like an adult model.
I do think photography is objectifying a human being because you're turning them into a two-dimensional object, lighting and retouching, they're not a person anymore. But I do that because that's what the people I photograph want. The fact is, the work I do is consensual. If a model doesn't want to get naked, they don't get naked
I honestly think feminism is a choice. Feminists choosing what we want to do with our bodies is so punk rock to me. I had a model once ask me how she should dye her hair. I'm never going to tell a woman what color she should dye her hair, that's her choice. If a friend of mine wants to get breast implants, I tell her to do what she wants to do, that's her choice. Most of my models—because they photograph nude or are burlesque performers—want to get breast implants because they think it will fill out their costume better. I always tell them to do whatever makes them feel best. As long as they are doing it for themselves and not someone else. There's no exploitation when you are comfortable with it, confident and happy in your own skin. Anybody who looks down it is likely to be someone who is uncomfortable or needs to control.
One of my best experiences as an erotic photographer was contacting a model called Ana Foxxx about three years ago. She is a pretty famous porn star, and when I saw her on social media I thought she was gorgeous.
She got back to me, was so excited about me being a female photographer and wanted to shoot with me. We had one of those amazing days shooting where we were just both elated. We were shooting outside by a pool and the sun was shining, then raindrops began to fall which made the pictures really magical and gorgeous. I didn't actually know how famous she was until my boyfriend was like: "You shot with Ana Foxxx, oh my god!"
I've shot with her about five times since then and she's become a good friend—I'm mailing out my holiday cards and she's on the list. I have many stories like that with incredible women who I'm still friends with. I was even a bridesmaid at one adult star's wedding.
But not every shoot is great. One of my least favorite experiences was with a model for Playboy.com. I was excited as there was a whole team; a makeup artist, hair stylist and location and everything. All of a sudden the model disappeared and when she came back she was in a bad mood for the entire shoot. There was a videographer on set who was asking me questions, and I think she may have been irritated that the attention was on me at times and not her.
But generally, I try to make sure my shoots are positive and collaborative. When I was shooting with Ana Foxxx, neither of us got paid but we were both excited and happy to be there together and make these incredible pictures. It really shows you who are positive people and who are not so positive people.
David Byrd
I most definitely am a feminist and I believe feminism is about freedom to choose and equality. It has nothing to do with "women against men", it's about all women—cisgender and non-binary—being treated equally, no matter our race or how much money we make. In photographing more erotic models I have also met more sex workers. I do think sex work is real work and I think it's a real feminist, punk rock choice.
The funny thing is that back in the 90s I loved Riot Grrrl and bands like them, and I remember telling a friend I didn't feel like I was a feminist. She told me that I most definitely was! I think we can be falsely educated to think feminism is about man-hating, when it has nothing to do with that—it's about equality.
I have gained a lot of self confidence from just being a photographer. In college I realized that no one is perfect in these magazines—it's lighting and retouching and a great photographer. There are so many elements to it.
And when I started working with women in the adult industry, from burlesque dancers to strippers, porn stars and sex workers I made some of the best friends of my entire life—really quality human beings, men and women. These people are all in the umbrella of the sex industry. I don't know why they're such good people—and I'm not saying all of them—but I have met people who have confidence in their own skin and are very healthy mentally because of it.
In my 20s I made friendships with women that were negative. Working within the sex industry, I have learned that women can be allies and lift each other up. I honestly think doing my erotic photography has been the best therapy for me.
Ellen Stagg's photography began in high school and graduated with a BFA 2000 from SVA. In 1999, Ellen Stagg signed with her first agent and began shooting commercially and showing at galleries around the world, winning awards for her books and photography. Her work is at staggstreet.com and ellenstagg.com.
All views expressed in this article are the author's own.
As told to Jenny Haward.


newsweek--2020-12-20--Stimulus Talks 'Very Close, Very Close' Chuck Schumer Says

Congressional lawmakers are `` very close '' to voting on a second COVID stimulus deal , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said , following late-night talks .
Democrat and Republican negotiators had been split over the terms of a proposed $ 900 billion economic relief package , including the eligibility for stimulus checks .
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol on Saturday night , Schumer ( D-NY ) said negotiators were `` very close , very close '' to agreeing a bipartisan package .
`` It looks like we 'll be able to , '' he said when asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress on Sunday .
`` If things continue on this path and nothing gets in the way , we 'll be able to vote tomorrow . ''
Earlier that night , Schumer highlighted a GOP condition on a limit to the Federal Reserve 's emergency lending powers as the `` only significant hurdle . ''
Negotiators have also clashed over the potential value of any stimulus checks to be included in the deal , as well as over who should be entitled to receive them .
The proposed relief package being discussed includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to double that amount were blocked on Friday .
The unlikely political allies of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) attempted to pass $ 1,200 payments , similar to those provided under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act in March .
The bids were blocked by a single Republican senator , Ron Johnson , who called it a `` shotgun approach '' and stated that efforts needed to be more targeted .
The first relief package included $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gross income of $ 75,000 or less and $ 2,400 for joint-filers earning up to $ 150,000 .
Whereas the CARES Act included $ 500 payments for eligible under 17 years old , another round of payments could expand eligibility to all dependents , regardless of age .
While such a change to the definition of a dependent could extend the checks to millions more Americans , a $ 600 cap for adults would lower the total size of a second stimulus check for tens of millions of families .
The House is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noon on Sunday , and the Senate resumes at 1 p.m .
If leaders do agree a deal in the coming days , Americans could begin seeing direct payments in their accounts before Christmas .
`` For most Americans , these payments will go out really quickly and in a similar timeline to the first round of stimulus checks , '' said Chantel Boyens , a former Office of Management and Budget official , told CNBC .

Congressional lawmakers are "very close" to voting on a second COVID stimulus deal, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said, following late-night talks.
Democrat and Republican negotiators had been split over the terms of a proposed $900 billion economic relief package, including the eligibility for stimulus checks.
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol on Saturday night, Schumer (D-NY) said negotiators were "very close, very close" to agreeing a bipartisan package.
"It looks like we'll be able to," he said when asked if leaders would be able to make progress on Sunday. "If things continue on this path and nothing gets in the way, we'll be able to vote tomorrow."
Earlier that night, Schumer highlighted a GOP condition on a limit to the Federal Reserve's emergency lending powers as the "only significant hurdle."
Negotiators have also clashed over the potential value of any stimulus checks to be included in the deal, as well as over who should be entitled to receive them.
The proposed relief package being discussed includes $600 direct payments. Two separate efforts to double that amount were blocked on Friday.
The unlikely political allies of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) attempted to pass $1,200 payments, similar to those provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March.
The bids were blocked by a single Republican senator, Ron Johnson, who called it a "shotgun approach" and stated that efforts needed to be more targeted.
The first relief package included $1,200 payments for people with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less and $2,400 for joint-filers earning up to $150,000.
Whereas the CARES Act included $500 payments for eligible under 17 years old, another round of payments could expand eligibility to all dependents, regardless of age.
While such a change to the definition of a dependent could extend the checks to millions more Americans, a $600 cap for adults would lower the total size of a second stimulus check for tens of millions of families.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) meets virtually with incoming Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge on December 17, in Washington, D.C. Sen. Schumer has told reporters that Congress could soon vote on a proposed second stimulus bill, following lengthy negotiations. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
The House is scheduled to come back into session at noon on Sunday, and the Senate resumes at 1 p.m.
If leaders do agree a deal in the coming days, Americans could begin seeing direct payments in their accounts before Christmas.
"For most Americans, these payments will go out really quickly and in a similar timeline to the first round of stimulus checks," said Chantel Boyens, a former Office of Management and Budget official, told CNBC.


newsweek--2020-12-20--SNL Mocks Mike Pence Getting Vaccine After Letting COVID 'Spread Everywhere'

Saturday Night Live parodied Vice President Mike Pence receiving the COVID-19 vaccine after letting the virus `` spread everywhere . ''
The vice president , along with Second Lady Karen Pence , received the vaccine , developed by Pfizer and BioNTech , live on television on Friday in a bid to promote the safety of the vaccine to Americans .
SNL mocked the moment in last night 's cold open , with Pence—the chair of the White House coronavirus task force—portrayed by cast member Beck Bennett .
`` I 'm sure all Americans are excited to see me , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get one of the first vaccines , '' Bennett 's Pence said .
He continued : `` Before we begin , I just want reassure the American people that this vaccine is completely safe and harmless .
That 's why President Trump refuses to take it or talk about it . ''
Referring to himself as Trump 's `` human shield , '' Beckett 's Pence later added : `` Thank you to all Americans for trusting President Trump with your health .
He may not be doing president anymore , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison . ''
Echoing the real Pence 's remark after receiving the vaccine , Beckett 's Pence said : `` I did n't feel a thing . ''
After a doctor , played by Mikey Day , noted that the vaccine was `` totally painless , '' he replied : `` No , I meant for the past four years , I have n't felt a thing ... just kind of watched the country burn . ''
Maya Rudolph then appeared , reprising her role as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris .
`` How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House ? ''
Beckett 's Pence asked her , after quickly trying to cover up his exposed forearms .
`` I won more votes , '' she replied .
She was joined moments later by Alex Moffat , replacing Jim Carrey in the role of President-elect Joe Biden , who is seen walking with a cane and wearing an orthopedic boot on one foot .
`` You look different somehow , '' Beckett 's Pence noted .
`` I 'm like Colonel Sanders , '' Moffat 's Biden responds .
`` Every time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different guy .
There 's a good chance that this time next year , I 'm going to be Mario Lopez .
Now , where the vaccines at ? ''
When Beckett 's Pence notes that Biden was supposed to be getting the vaccine on Monday , he explains that `` Kamala wants me to get it over with . ''
`` Well , I 'm worried about you Joe , '' she says .
`` Especially since you 're already in a cast on day minus 40 in office . ''
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressing American viewers before he is interrupted by Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani , who recently tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` I hope I 'm not too late , '' McKinnon 's Giuliani says .
`` I heard they were giving out free meds ! ''

Saturday Night Live parodied Vice President Mike Pence receiving the COVID-19 vaccine after letting the virus "spread everywhere."
The vice president, along with Second Lady Karen Pence, received the vaccine, developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, live on television on Friday in a bid to promote the safety of the vaccine to Americans.
SNL mocked the moment in last night's cold open, with Pence—the chair of the White House coronavirus task force—portrayed by cast member Beck Bennett.
"I'm sure all Americans are excited to see me, the guy who let COVID spread everywhere, get one of the first vaccines," Bennett's Pence said.
He continued: "Before we begin, I just want reassure the American people that this vaccine is completely safe and harmless. That's why President Trump refuses to take it or talk about it."
Referring to himself as Trump's "human shield," Beckett's Pence later added: "Thank you to all Americans for trusting President Trump with your health. He may not be doing president anymore, but he still cares deeply about not going to prison."
Echoing the real Pence's remark after receiving the vaccine, Beckett's Pence said: "I didn't feel a thing."
Beck Bennett portrayed Vice President Mike Pence receiving the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday Night Live. NBC/Saturday Night Live
After a doctor, played by Mikey Day, noted that the vaccine was "totally painless," he replied: "No, I meant for the past four years, I haven't felt a thing...just kind of watched the country burn."
Maya Rudolph then appeared, reprising her role as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
"How did you even get into the White House?" Beckett's Pence asked her, after quickly trying to cover up his exposed forearms. "I won more votes," she replied.
She was joined moments later by Alex Moffat, replacing Jim Carrey in the role of President-elect Joe Biden, who is seen walking with a cane and wearing an orthopedic boot on one foot.
"You look different somehow," Beckett's Pence noted.
"I'm like Colonel Sanders," Moffat's Biden responds. "Every time you see me, I'm a different guy. There's a good chance that this time next year, I'm going to be Mario Lopez. Now, where the vaccines at?"
When Beckett's Pence notes that Biden was supposed to be getting the vaccine on Monday, he explains that "Kamala wants me to get it over with."
"Well, I'm worried about you Joe," she says. "Especially since you're already in a cast on day minus 40 in office."
After they leave, Beckett's Pence starts addressing American viewers before he is interrupted by Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani, who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
"I hope I'm not too late," McKinnon's Giuliani says. "I heard they were giving out free meds!"


newsweek--2020-12-20--Watch Winter Solstice 2020 From Stonehenge Live Online

This December , you can watch a live stream of the sun setting and rising above the famous Stonehenge archaeological site in England to mark the winter solstice .
In year 's past , people have celebrated the summer and winter solstices by gathering at the prehistoric monument—located in Wiltshire , southwestern England—in their thousands .
Celebrations of the solstices have been observed at the site for thousands of years , and modern-day pagans still consider such traditions spiritually important .
But due to the coronavirus pandemic , English Heritage—the charity that manages the monument—has said winter solstice celebrations will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health , following discussions with local authorities .
Instead , English Heritage will host a live stream of sunrise and sunset from Stonehenge on December 20 and 21 .
Similar streams of this year 's summer solstice attracted more than five million viewers , according to the charity .
To watch the event , visit the English Heritage YouTube or Twitter pages .
Sunset on December 20 will take place at 16:01 GMT , or 11:01 a.m .
ET .
Meanwhile , sunrise on December 21 will take place at 8:09 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are very disappointed that we can not host our usual winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge , '' Nichola Tasker , Stonehenge Director , said in a statement .
`` The solstices and equinoxes are incredibly important moments in Stonehenge 's calendar , but this year has not been kind to such gatherings .
We hope instead that people will enjoy the solstice sunrise online from their home .
We ca n't wait to do the winter solstice justice at Stonehenge next year . ''
The winter solstice in the northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. , marking the point in the year that the Earth 's North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun .
The day that December solstice falls on is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere—meaning the one with the the newest daylight hours and the longest night .
Stonehenge is a Late Neolithic stone monument that was constructed around 4,500 years , likely by farmers and herders .
According to English Heritage archaeologist Susan Greaney , the stones at the monument are laid out in such a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the sunset at midwinter .
While archaeologists still have much to learn about what kinds of ceremonies originally took place at the monument , it is likely that the solstices were important to Stonehenge 's constructors on both a spiritual and practical level .
For example , the summer and winter solstices may have helped farmers to decide what crops to grow and when , while these events may have also been times to remember the dead or worship a solar deity .

This December, you can watch a live stream of the sun setting and rising above the famous Stonehenge archaeological site in England to mark the winter solstice.
In year's past, people have celebrated the summer and winter solstices by gathering at the prehistoric monument—located in Wiltshire, southwestern England—in their thousands.
Celebrations of the solstices have been observed at the site for thousands of years, and modern-day pagans still consider such traditions spiritually important.
But due to the coronavirus pandemic, English Heritage—the charity that manages the monument—has said winter solstice celebrations will not take place in the interests of public health, following discussions with local authorities.
Instead, English Heritage will host a live stream of sunrise and sunset from Stonehenge on December 20 and 21. Similar streams of this year's summer solstice attracted more than five million viewers, according to the charity.
To watch the event, visit the English Heritage YouTube or Twitter pages. Sunset on December 20 will take place at 16:01 GMT, or 11:01 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, sunrise on December 21 will take place at 8:09 a.m. GMT, or 3:09 a.m. ET.
"We are very disappointed that we cannot host our usual winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge," Nichola Tasker, Stonehenge Director, said in a statement.
"The solstices and equinoxes are incredibly important moments in Stonehenge's calendar, but this year has not been kind to such gatherings. We hope instead that people will enjoy the solstice sunrise online from their home. We can't wait to do the winter solstice justice at Stonehenge next year."
The winter solstice in the northern hemisphere occurs on December 21 at 5:02 a.m., marking the point in the year that the Earth's North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun.
The day that December solstice falls on is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere—meaning the one with the fewest daylight hours and the longest night.
Stonehenge is a Late Neolithic stone monument that was constructed around 4,500 years, likely by farmers and herders.
According to English Heritage archaeologist Susan Greaney, the stones at the monument are laid out in such a way that they frame the sunrise at midsummer and the sunset at midwinter.
While archaeologists still have much to learn about what kinds of ceremonies originally took place at the monument, it is likely that the solstices were important to Stonehenge's constructors on both a spiritual and practical level.
For example, the summer and winter solstices may have helped farmers to decide what crops to grow and when, while these events may have also been times to remember the dead or worship a solar deity.