newsweek--2020-11-26--Thanksgiving 2020 College Basketball Schedule, Where to Watch and Live Stream

The NFL will take center stage again this year on Thanksgiving Day , with a three-game slate featuring two divisional rivalries with potentially crucial ramifications for the playoffs race .
The Detroit Lions get the ball rolling , making their 81st appearance on Thanksgiving Day when they host the Houston Texans at 12:30 p.m .
ET , before the Dallas Cowboys play in their 53rd game on the holiday when they welcome NFC East rivals Washington at 4:30 p.m .
ET .
The football bonanza concludes with an all-AFC North matchup in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , where the 10-0 Steelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their matchup in Week 8 that Pittsburgh won 28-24 .
If the NFL is the main course on the Thanksgiving menu from a sporting standpoint , football comes with a generous side helping of college basketball .
Eight months after coronavirus wiped out several conference tournaments and March Madness as the pandemic began to spread across the U.S. , college hoops makes its return just in time for Thanksgiving .
The regular season begins on Wednesday , but Turkey Day features five games , including a matchup between Gonzaga and Kansas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
6-ranked programs in the Associated Press Top 25 poll .
The game tips off at 1:30 p.m .
ET , while No .
8 Illinois takes on Chicago State at 12 p.m .
ET .
Elsewhere , Nevada takes on Nebraska at 2 p.m .
ET , while LaSalle plays St. John and Ole Miss takes on Jackson State , with both games also starting at 2 p.m .
ET .
The five games will be broadcast across Big Ten Network , FOX and SEC Network , with live stream available via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving schedule is as follows : • ( No .
1 ) Gonzaga vs. ( No .
6 Kansas ) —1:30 p.m. , FOX The excitement surrounding college basketball 's return after eight months , however , is tempered by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak .
As has been the case with college football , expect coronavirus to wreak havoc with the schedule and games to be rescheduled or canceled at short notice .
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and his Syracuse counterpart Jim Boeheim both tested positive during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdown training facilities .
On Tuesday , Utah confirmed men 's basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak and multiple Utes players had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Baylor head coach Scott Drew suffered the same fate over the weekend , forcing the cancelation of the matchup between the No .
2 ranked Bears and No .
18 Arizona State .
Baylor 's game against Seton Hall this coming Sunday has also been canceled .
The Bears and Arizona State are just two of several top 25 ranked programs to have seen their games canceled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 Duke had their matchups against Florida and Gardner Webb called off and the same applied to No .
10 Kentucky 's game against Detroit Mercy , No .
11 Creighton 's game against South Dakota State and to matchups pitting No .
12 Tennessee against Charlotte and VCU .
The game between No .
20 Oregon and Eastern Washington was also canceled .

The NFL will take center stage again this year on Thanksgiving Day, with a three-game slate featuring two divisional rivalries with potentially crucial ramifications for the playoffs race.
The Detroit Lions get the ball rolling, making their 81st appearance on Thanksgiving Day when they host the Houston Texans at 12:30 p.m. ET, before the Dallas Cowboys play in their 53rd game on the holiday when they welcome NFC East rivals Washington at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The football bonanza concludes with an all-AFC North matchup in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the 10-0 Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in a repeat of their matchup in Week 8 that Pittsburgh won 28-24.
If the NFL is the main course on the Thanksgiving menu from a sporting standpoint, football comes with a generous side helping of college basketball.
Eight months after coronavirus wiped out several conference tournaments and March Madness as the pandemic began to spread across the U.S., college hoops makes its return just in time for Thanksgiving.
The regular season begins on Wednesday, but Turkey Day features five games, including a matchup between Gonzaga and Kansas, respectively the No. 1- and No. 6-ranked programs in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
The game tips off at 1:30 p.m. ET, while No. 8 Illinois takes on Chicago State at 12 p.m. ET.
Elsewhere, Nevada takes on Nebraska at 2 p.m. ET, while LaSalle plays St. John and Ole Miss takes on Jackson State, with both games also starting at 2 p.m. ET.
The five games will be broadcast across Big Ten Network, FOX and SEC Network, with live stream available via both fuboTV and SlingTV. The complete Thanksgiving schedule is as follows:
Chicago State vs. (No. 8) Illinois—12 p.m., Big Ten Network
(No. 1) Gonzaga vs. (No. 6 Kansas)—1:30 p.m., FOX
Jackson State vs. Ole Miss—2 p.m., SEC Network
LaSalle vs. St. John—2 p.m., FOX Sports 1
Nevada vs. Nebraska—2 p.m., Big Ten Network
The excitement surrounding college basketball's return after eight months, however, is tempered by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.
As has been the case with college football, expect coronavirus to wreak havoc with the schedule and games to be rescheduled or canceled at short notice.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and his Syracuse counterpart Jim Boeheim both tested positive during the offseason, temporarily forcing their programs to shutdown training facilities.
On Tuesday, Utah confirmed men's basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak and multiple Utes players had tested positive for COVID-19.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew suffered the same fate over the weekend, forcing the cancelation of the matchup between the No. 2 ranked Bears and No. 18 Arizona State.
Baylor's game against Seton Hall this coming Sunday has also been canceled.
The Bears and Arizona State are just two of several top 25 ranked programs to have seen their games canceled.
No. 4 Virginia and No. 9 Duke had their matchups against Florida and Gardner Webb called off and the same applied to No. 10 Kentucky's game against Detroit Mercy, No. 11 Creighton's game against South Dakota State and to matchups pitting No. 12 Tennessee against Charlotte and VCU. The game between No. 20 Oregon and Eastern Washington was also canceled.


newsweek--2020-11-26--'Saved By the Bell' Reboot: Will Dustin Diamond Return As Screech?

The Saved By The Bell reboot on Peacock sees actors from the original show like Elizabeth Berkley , Mario Lopez and Mark-Paul Gosselaar return as their former characters from the iconic teen comedy .
The biggest actor from the show missing from the new series , however , is Dustin Diamond , who does not return as Samuel 'Screech ' Powers .
There was , of course , rumors of a feud between Diamond and some members of the Saved By the Bell cast for some time , after he released a tell-all book titled Behind the Bell that alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place on set .
Diamond himself has apologized for this book , which he claims had many of its juiciest details made up by a ghostwriter .
However , if there was a feud , then the cast have put it behind them—though things might not be overly friendly .
In March 2019 , for example , Zach Morris actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar told The Hollywood Reporter podcast : `` Who cares about the book ?
The book was fiction . ''
He later added : `` Listen , I 've worked with actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the room with .
Dustin is not one of those people , '' but later added , `` Would we go grab a beer afterwards ?
Probably not , but that does n't mean anything . ''
Both Lopez and Berkley have said in interviews that they have not spoken to Diamond since they stopped making the show in the mid-'90s , but they seem open to him returning—or at least , are open to saying they are open to generate speculation about the future of the show .
Berkeley said on Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 'll see if there 's another season , maybe it 's something to explore . ''
Lisa Turtle actor Lark Voorhies , meanwhile , said on The Roz and Mocha Show : `` The almighty dollar rules on that .
They do have a segment in there that explains why he 's not here [ but ] he wants to be paid and respected , we would [ love ] for him to come back on set . ''
The show 's writers explained why Screech is not on the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the school reunion episode of the Peacock reboot , Lopez 's character Slater says : `` Screech is so lucky he and Kevin get to live on the International Space Station so he does n't have to deal with all this . ''
Kevin , fans will remember , was Screech 's robot from the first two seasons of the show .
Diamond , meanwhile , has complained about not being included in the show .
He told TMZ : `` Out of all the cast members , I was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And how do you have Saved by the Bell without Screech , right ?
We should all be a part of this . ''
The Saved By the Bell reboot is streaming now on Peacock .

The Saved By The Bell reboot on Peacock sees actors from the original show like Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez and Mark-Paul Gosselaar return as their former characters from the iconic teen comedy. The biggest actor from the show missing from the new series, however, is Dustin Diamond, who does not return as Samuel 'Screech' Powers.
There was, of course, rumors of a feud between Diamond and some members of the Saved By the Bell cast for some time, after he released a tell-all book titled Behind the Bell that alleged all sorts of sexual shenanigans that took place on set. Diamond himself has apologized for this book, which he claims had many of its juiciest details made up by a ghostwriter.
However, if there was a feud, then the cast have put it behind them—though things might not be overly friendly. In March 2019, for example, Zach Morris actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar told The Hollywood Reporter podcast: "Who cares about the book? The book was fiction."
He later added: "Listen, I've worked with actors that I couldn't stand being in the room with. Dustin is not one of those people," but later added, "Would we go grab a beer afterwards? Probably not, but that doesn't mean anything."
Dustin Diamond does not appear in the first season of the 'Saved By the Bell' reboot – though he may appear in the future. Getty
Both Lopez and Berkley have said in interviews that they have not spoken to Diamond since they stopped making the show in the mid-'90s, but they seem open to him returning—or at least, are open to saying they are open to generate speculation about the future of the show.
Berkeley said on Watch What Happens Live, for example: "We'll see if there's another season, maybe it's something to explore."
Lisa Turtle actor Lark Voorhies, meanwhile, said on The Roz and Mocha Show: "The almighty dollar rules on that. They do have a segment in there that explains why he's not here [but] he wants to be paid and respected, we would [love] for him to come back on set."
The show's writers explained why Screech is not on the show with an absurd callback to the show. During the school reunion episode of the Peacock reboot, Lopez's character Slater says: "Screech is so lucky he and Kevin get to live on the International Space Station so he doesn't have to deal with all this." Kevin, fans will remember, was Screech's robot from the first two seasons of the show.
Diamond, meanwhile, has complained about not being included in the show. He told TMZ: "Out of all the cast members, I was in... the most [episodes]...And how do you have Saved by the Bell without Screech, right? We should all be a part of this."
The Saved By the Bell reboot is streaming now on Peacock.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Black Lives Matter Raising Half a Million for Democrats in Georgia Senate Runoffs

Black Lives Matter plans to raise $ 500,000 to help the campaigns of Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff as they look to overturn the Republican Senate majority in Georgia 's runoff elections in January .
In an email to voters seen by Fox News , the Black Lives Matter PAC said the outcome of Georgia 's Senate races would have a direct impact on efforts to reform the criminal justice system , electoral processes and access to health care .
It was also reported by Fox News that the email said Georgia 's Senate runoff races could also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as the BREATHE Act—which looks to divest funds from policing and redirect federal money to other agencies and initiatives .
`` We know how important this election is going to be in determining what decisions will be made in the Senate for the next few years , '' the Black Lives Matter email , seen by Fox News , reportedly read .
`` Decisions that will impact us directly , like access to quality and affordable health care , reforming the criminal justice system , all the way to major electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Newsweek has contacted Black Lives Matter for further details and comment .
This article will be updated with any response .
Fox News reported on the group 's plans to back Ossoff and Warnock in the Georgia Senate runoff elections as millions of dollars flooded into the races—putting them in the running to be two of the most expensive Senate contests in U.S. history .
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he had wired $ 1 million from his own re-election campaign fund to Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold onto their seats in the upper chamber .
The South Carolinian lawmaker also called on his colleagues to send in any left over funds from their campaigns to Loeffler and Perdue before the January 5 elections .
It was reported by The New York Times last week that more than $ 125 million had been donated to the Georgia Senate runoff campaigns within the space of a fortnight .
Similar sums have also been spent on campaign advertising .
Even romance writers have gotten in on the act , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 400,000 for the Ossoff and Perdue campaigns in the hope of winning effective control of the Senate .
Should the Republican incumbents lose their seats in the upper chamber , the Senate will be taken to a 50-50 split .
Under that composition , Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would have a crucial tiebreaker vote .

Black Lives Matter plans to raise $500,000 to help the campaigns of Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff as they look to overturn the Republican Senate majority in Georgia's runoff elections in January.
In an email to voters seen by Fox News, the Black Lives Matter PAC said the outcome of Georgia's Senate races would have a direct impact on efforts to reform the criminal justice system, electoral processes and access to health care.
It was also reported by Fox News that the email said Georgia's Senate runoff races could also affect the future of progressive policy proposals, such as the BREATHE Act—which looks to divest funds from policing and redirect federal money to other agencies and initiatives.
"We know how important this election is going to be in determining what decisions will be made in the Senate for the next few years," the Black Lives Matter email, seen by Fox News, reportedly read.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff (R) and Raphael Warnock (L) of Georgia taps elbows during a rally for supporters on November 15, 2020 in Marietta, Georgia. Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
"Decisions that will impact us directly, like access to quality and affordable health care, reforming the criminal justice system, all the way to major electoral reform like passing the BREATHE Act."
Newsweek has contacted Black Lives Matter for further details and comment. This article will be updated with any response.
Fox News reported on the group's plans to back Ossoff and Warnock in the Georgia Senate runoff elections as millions of dollars flooded into the races—putting them in the running to be two of the most expensive Senate contests in U.S. history.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he had wired $1 million from his own re-election campaign fund to Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue earlier this week, as the Georgian incumbents sought to hold onto their seats in the upper chamber.
The South Carolinian lawmaker also called on his colleagues to send in any left over funds from their campaigns to Loeffler and Perdue before the January 5 elections.
It was reported by The New York Times last week that more than $125 million had been donated to the Georgia Senate runoff campaigns within the space of a fortnight. Similar sums have also been spent on campaign advertising.
Even romance writers have gotten in on the act, with the Democratic Romancing the Runoff group raising nearly $400,000 for the Ossoff and Perdue campaigns in the hope of winning effective control of the Senate.
Should the Republican incumbents lose their seats in the upper chamber, the Senate will be taken to a 50-50 split. Under that composition, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would have a crucial tiebreaker vote.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Jon Ossoff Says He and Raphael Warnock Will 'Outhustle' David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in Georgia R

Jon Ossoff Says He and Raphael Warnock Will 'Outhustle' David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in Georgia Runoffs

Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff has said he and fellow challenger Rev .
Raphael Warnock will `` outhustle '' the Republican incumbents they hope to oust in Georgia .
Asked about being outspent on ads in the race , Ossoff said he was not concerned and spoke of having a `` huge advantage in our ground game . ''
He outlined the desire to defeat Sens .
David Perdue ( R-GA ) , his opponent , and Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) in the state 's runoff votes .
`` The work that has been done over the last ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and organizing capacity , volunteer recruitment , we are putting all of that to work with a profound determination to win , because the stakes are so high , '' he told CNN .
He also spoke of people 's struggles during the COVID-19 crisis , referring to empty seats at Thanksgiving , and spoke of his desire to win the race in order to shape the response .
`` Our ability to respond to this pandemic , and to invest in economic recovery and get financial relief to people depends on victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win and we are going to outhustle the other side on the ground to make it happen , '' he added .
Speaking about tactics in the race , Ossoff called Perdue `` a crook '' but said that running a negative campaign was `` not enough '' to win .
`` We also have to present a positive vision at a moment of suffering , when people are looking for direction and leadership , '' he said .
`` We have to chart the course out of this crisis and into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Newsweek has contacted Ossoff , Warnock , Perdue and Loeffler 's campaigns for comment .
Polling has shown each race running tight , with the Democrats having close the lead on the incumbents .
It comes amid major fundraising endeavors by both sides .
The race looks to have a major outcome on control of the Senate .
If both Democrats win , it would split the Senate 50/50 between Democrats and Republicans .
In the instance of a tie , this would give the Vice President the deciding vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ races in Georgia is due to begin on December 14 and mail-in ballots have begun to be sent out .
December 7 the last day for voters to register to cast ballots in the race .
The main voting day is set for January 5

Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff has said he and fellow challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock will "outhustle" the Republican incumbents they hope to oust in Georgia.
Asked about being outspent on ads in the race, Ossoff said he was not concerned and spoke of having a "huge advantage in our ground game."
He outlined the desire to defeat Sens. David Perdue (R-GA), his opponent, and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) in the state's runoff votes.
"The work that has been done over the last ten years to register voters and build infrastructure and organizing capacity, volunteer recruitment, we are putting all of that to work with a profound determination to win, because the stakes are so high," he told CNN.
He also spoke of people's struggles during the COVID-19 crisis, referring to empty seats at Thanksgiving, and spoke of his desire to win the race in order to shape the response.
"Our ability to respond to this pandemic, and to invest in economic recovery and get financial relief to people depends on victory here. So we are determined to win and we are going to outhustle the other side on the ground to make it happen," he added.
"We've made clear to the people of Georgia that [GOP Sen.] David Perdue is a crook who has abused his office to enrich himself. But it's not enough just...
Speaking about tactics in the race, Ossoff called Perdue "a crook" but said that running a negative campaign was "not enough" to win.
"We also have to present a positive vision at a moment of suffering, when people are looking for direction and leadership," he said. "We have to chart the course out of this crisis and into the next era of this country's history."
Newsweek has contacted Ossoff, Warnock, Perdue and Loeffler's campaigns for comment.
Read more Romance Novelists Raise Nearly $400,000 for Dems in Georgia Runoff Romance Novelists Raise Nearly $400,000 for Dems in Georgia Runoff
Polling has shown each race running tight, with the Democrats having close the lead on the incumbents. It comes amid major fundraising endeavors by both sides.
The race looks to have a major outcome on control of the Senate. If both Democrats win, it would split the Senate 50/50 between Democrats and Republicans. In the instance of a tie, this would give the Vice President the deciding vote.
Early in-person voting for the Senate runoff races in Georgia is due to begin on December 14 and mail-in ballots have begun to be sent out. December 7 the last day for voters to register to cast ballots in the race. The main voting day is set for January 5


newsweek--2020-11-26--Hundreds of Anti-Lockdown Protesters Gather for Thanksgiving Meal at Oregon State Capitol

About 250 anti-lockdown protesters gathered for a Thanksgiving meal in Oregon on Wednesday , just hours after the state 's governor extended COVID-19 restrictions .
Attendees at the `` Defeat the Steal and Defy the Lockdown '' rally reportedly included crowds from past pro-Trump events and members of the far-right Proud Boy group , Demonstrators were encouraged to bring dishes , such as turkey and pies , for a sharing buffet and were pictured sitting at rows of tables or under tents amid the afternoon drizzle in Salem , the Statesman Journal reports .
`` The lockdown should n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shipman of Springfield , told the local newspaper .
`` When businesses have to close ... it affects them .
A lot of people have worked their whole lives to build a company to support their family and they 're getting shut down because they ca n't afford to stay open ... and that 's not fair . ''
Several anti-lockdown protests have been held in Oregon in recent weeks , with Governor Kate Brown defeating a legal challenge from local restaurant owners calling for statewide anti-coronavirus measures to be lifted .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving as she revealed plans to replace the state 's two-week `` freeze '' restrictions with softer , longer-lasting measures .
At a press conference Wednesday , Brown announced that the `` freeze '' —in which restaurants are limited to takeout and other businesses are shut—would be replaced by a tier system next Thursday .
Under this plan , counties ' coronavirus data will be used to assign one of four risk levels : extreme risk , high risk , moderate risk and lower risk .
Measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being limited to 50 customers for outdoor dining only , gyms remaining closed , and retail and grocery stores operating at no more than 50 percent capacity .
The limits are expected to continue until at least January and could be in place until a majority of the population has been vaccinated , the Journal reported .
Announcing the changes , Brown said : `` Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available , health and safety precautions will remain in place so that schools , businesses and communities can reopen , and stay open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks , Oregonians must continue to wear face coverings , watch their physical distance , wash hands , stay home when sick and keep social get-togethers and gatherings small . ''
Figures for COVID cases , hospitalizations and deaths have hit record highs in Oregon in recent days .
New confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus reached 1,517 on Sunday—the third consecutive day the record has been broken , according to official state figures .
The total number of cases in Oregon now stands at more than 65,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , another state record , bringing the total number to 867 , according to Johns Hopkins University .
On Monday , the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 stood at 456 , another new high .
Last week , the director of the state health department Patrick Allen warned : `` Oregon is on a steep and stark slope .
`` But we are n't powerless in the face of this virus .
Because it depends on us to slow the spread .
Your choices make a difference . ''

About 250 anti-lockdown protesters gathered for a Thanksgiving meal in Oregon on Wednesday, just hours after the state's governor extended COVID-19 restrictions.
Attendees at the "Defeat the Steal and Defy the Lockdown" rally reportedly included crowds from past pro-Trump events and members of the far-right Proud Boy group,
Demonstrators were encouraged to bring dishes, such as turkey and pies, for a sharing buffet and were pictured sitting at rows of tables or under tents amid the afternoon drizzle in Salem, the Statesman Journal reports.
"The lockdown shouldn't be happening," one attendee, Geena Shipman of Springfield, told the local newspaper.
"When businesses have to close ... it affects them. A lot of people have worked their whole lives to build a company to support their family and they're getting shut down because they can't afford to stay open ... and that's not fair."
Oregon State Capitol protesters eat Thanksgiving meal, defy Gov. Kate Brown's 'freeze' https://t.co/tGHibjNtY4 — Statesman Journal (@Salem_Statesman) November 26, 2020
Several anti-lockdown protests have been held in Oregon in recent weeks, with Governor Kate Brown defeating a legal challenge from local restaurant owners calling for statewide anti-coronavirus measures to be lifted.
The latest demonstrations came only hours after Brown urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving as she revealed plans to replace the state's two-week "freeze" restrictions with softer, longer-lasting measures.
At a press conference Wednesday, Brown announced that the "freeze"—in which restaurants are limited to takeout and other businesses are shut—would be replaced by a tier system next Thursday.
Under this plan, counties' coronavirus data will be used to assign one of four risk levels: extreme risk, high risk, moderate risk and lower risk.
Measures for extreme-risk counties include restaurants and bars being limited to 50 customers for outdoor dining only, gyms remaining closed, and retail and grocery stores operating at no more than 50 percent capacity.
The limits are expected to continue until at least January and could be in place until a majority of the population has been vaccinated, the Journal reported.
Announcing the changes, Brown said: "Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, health and safety precautions will remain in place so that schools, businesses and communities can reopen, and stay open."
"At every risk level, to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, Oregonians must continue to wear face coverings, watch their physical distance, wash hands, stay home when sick and keep social get-togethers and gatherings small."
Figures for COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths have hit record highs in Oregon in recent days.
New confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus reached 1,517 on Sunday—the third consecutive day the record has been broken, according to official state figures. The total number of cases in Oregon now stands at more than 65,000.
A further 21 deaths were recorded on Tuesday, another state record, bringing the total number to 867, according to Johns Hopkins University.
On Monday, the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 stood at 456, another new high.
Last week, the director of the state health department Patrick Allen warned: "Oregon is on a steep and stark slope.
"But we aren't powerless in the face of this virus. Because it depends on us to slow the spread. Your choices make a difference."


newsweek--2020-11-26--Richard Schiff's COVID Warning Following Recovery: 'It Wants To Stop You From Breathing'

Richard Schiff issued a stark warning about COVID-19 after The Good Doctor actor was hospitalized with the virus this month .
The actor told MSNBC 's Lawrence O'Donnell that coronavirus `` wants to beat you , '' in a sobering recount of his experience where he was required to go on oxygen to help his breathing .
`` It gets into your system and it feels like wherever you think you can get a breath in , it 's going to go there—and that 's where the cough is going to go , '' he said .
`` It wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff and his wife Sheila Kelley tested positive for COVID-19 on Election Day , November .
While his wife 's condition was mild , Schiff was admitted to Vancouver General Hospital with serious symptoms .
In a November 10 post , the actor who is perhaps best known for starring in The West Wing , tweeted : `` On Election Day I tested positive for Covid-19 .
This has been the most bizarre week of our lives .
@ thesheilakelley is also positive .
This is tough .
We are determined to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ root for everyone out there who are struggling with this thing .
Love from here . ''
This was followed by a November 13 update from Kelley reading : `` Covid update .
Richard is definitely slammed a bit harder than me or @ schiffboat Gus [ Schiff and Kelley 's son ] and I are having a better day than yesterday .
@ Richard_Schiff had a better day yesterday .
Please send lots of prayers . ''
After responding positively to anti-viral drug remdesivir and steroids , Schiff was released from hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff for the care he received in hospital in Canada .
`` Big thank you to Vancouver General .
Yes , socialized medicine .
Doc Charlie Shaw , Nurses Mako , Jacqueline et .
al .
Efficient , caring and effective , '' he tweeted .
However , despite his recovery , Schiff explained Wednesday night that he is not out of the woods yet .
`` It 's scarier than you 've read , and it 's scarier than you 've heard , '' he warned .
`` There 's something binary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it felt like the virus was stopping him from breathing for 13 days until he finally went to the hospital .
He also explained that he had taken the strictest precautions yet he still managed to contract the virus , adding that he did not catch coronavirus from working on set .
`` No one that I know is more vigilant , '' he said .
`` I kept my family from going out , we all learned how to cook for months and months and months .
`` We did go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very much a part of setting the protocols for production . ''
Schiff emphasised the seriousness of the illness saying that while some cases are milder , his was incredibly tough to cope with .
`` I ca n't stress enough that while some people are very lucky to get a light viral load , and skip through this thing like some younger people and athletes , those of us that are normal , this thing will debilitate you .
`` All of my energy is gone , my strength is gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheila who had a milder case is still fighting to get some normal energy . ''

Richard Schiff issued a stark warning about COVID-19 after The Good Doctor actor was hospitalized with the virus this month.
The actor told MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell that coronavirus "wants to beat you," in a sobering recount of his experience where he was required to go on oxygen to help his breathing.
"It gets into your system and it feels like wherever you think you can get a breath in, it's going to go there—and that's where the cough is going to go," he said. "It wants to stop you from breathing."
Schiff and his wife Sheila Kelley tested positive for COVID-19 on Election Day, November. While his wife's condition was mild, Schiff was admitted to Vancouver General Hospital with serious symptoms.
Read more 'The Good Doctor''s Richard Schiff Speaks After Coronavirus Hospitalization 'The Good Doctor''s Richard Schiff Speaks After Coronavirus Hospitalization
In a November 10 post, the actor who is perhaps best known for starring in The West Wing, tweeted: "On Election Day I tested positive for Covid-19. This has been the most bizarre week of our lives. @thesheilakelley is also positive. This is tough. We are determined to find a way to health again. We root for everyone out there who are struggling with this thing. Love from here."
This was followed by a November 13 update from Kelley reading: "Covid update. Richard is definitely slammed a bit harder than me or @schiffboat Gus [Schiff and Kelley's son] and I are having a better day than yesterday. @Richard_Schiff had a better day yesterday. Please send lots of prayers."
After responding positively to anti-viral drug remdesivir and steroids, Schiff was released from hospital on November 19 and he praised the staff for the care he received in hospital in Canada.
'The Good Doctor' star Richard Schiff has been hospitalized with coronavirus. ABC
"Big thank you to Vancouver General. Yes, socialized medicine. Doc Charlie Shaw, Nurses Mako, Jacqueline et. al. Efficient, caring and effective," he tweeted.
However, despite his recovery, Schiff explained Wednesday night that he is not out of the woods yet.
"It's scarier than you've read, and it's scarier than you've heard," he warned. "There's something binary about this COVID-19 thing."
Schiff said it felt like the virus was stopping him from breathing for 13 days until he finally went to the hospital.
He also explained that he had taken the strictest precautions yet he still managed to contract the virus, adding that he did not catch coronavirus from working on set.
"No one that I know is more vigilant," he said. "I kept my family from going out, we all learned how to cook for months and months and months.
"We did go back to work in Vancouver and I was very much a part of setting the protocols for production."
Schiff emphasised the seriousness of the illness saying that while some cases are milder, his was incredibly tough to cope with.
"I can't stress enough that while some people are very lucky to get a light viral load, and skip through this thing like some younger people and athletes, those of us that are normal, this thing will debilitate you.
"All of my energy is gone, my strength is gone, my muscles have atrophied. Even sheila who had a milder case is still fighting to get some normal energy."


newsweek--2020-11-26--Michael Flynn's Brother Appears to Thank QAnon Supporters After Trump Pardons Former Aide

The brother of Michael Flynn appeared to thank supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory after Donald Trump pardoned his former national security adviser for lying to the FBI .
Trump announced with `` great pleasure '' on Tuesday that the retired army general has been granted a full pardon .
Flynn had previously admitted to twice lying to the FBI about conversations with the then-Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak .
`` Congratulations to @ GenFlynn and his wonderful family , I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving !
, '' Trump tweeted .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotions and theories by supporters of QAnon , who believe Trump is fighting a secret war against the `` deep state '' and high-profile satanic pedophiles .
Flynn has been seen as a hero in the QAnon movement ever since he tweeted a video in July of him standing in a back yard with his family taking a generic oath of office before ending with `` where we go one we go all , '' the main slogan of the QAnon theory .
It is often abbreviated to WWG1WGA .
His tweet included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by other followers of the QAnon movement when posting similar videos of them expressing their support on social media .
Other hashtags used by QAnon supporters include # WWG1WGA # QArmy and # DigitalSoldiers .
Flynn has both # TakeTheOath and # DigitalSoldiers in his Twitter bio .
Following his pardon , Flynn 's brother Joseph Flynn also thanked the `` digital soldiers '' who have supported the former national security down the years in a tweet , albeit with a spelling mistake .
`` To all of our friends , extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for your moral , spiritual and financial support these past 4 years , '' he wrote .
`` There is no way in Hell we would have survived without you ... this Thanksgiving is for you ! ''
Joseph Flynn has been contacted for comment .
Given that the radical conspiracy theory contains a wide range of false beliefs that frequently change and alter to suit their needs , it is unsurprising that QAnon supporters have given a number of possible and incoherent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have suggested that the November 25 date of the pardon is significant as it coincides with John F. Kennedy Jr 's birthday .
Many QAnon supporters believe that the son of the former president , who died in 1999 , is still alive and would make a triumphant return to campaign for Trump during the election .
Others believe that the pardon is linked to a number of lawsuits filed by Trump 's former lawyer Sidney Powell .
Powell 's lawsuits , which both she and QAnon supporters refer to as the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud in Michigan and Georgia .
Powell , who recently gave a press conference alleging that former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez , who died in 2013 , helped rig the election for Biden by creating the Dominion Voting Systems , is Flynn 's personal attorney .
Other QAnon supporters believe that Flynn 's pardon means Trump will soon start arresting elite members of a satanic pedophile ring , whose members include leading Democrats .
This moment , known as `` The Storm '' has been frequently tipped to happen by QAnon supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past three years to no avail .
In a further statement following his pardon , Flynn 's family said : `` For four long years , our family and millions of American patriots stood arm-in-arm together with our brother , General Michael T. Flynn , fighting the vicious , deep-rooted corruption of government institutions and vengeful individuals intent on destroying General Flynn and our country in shameful defiance of justice and the Rule of Law .
`` Today , the Flynn family is grateful to President Donald J. Trump for answering our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by removing the heavy burden of injustice off the shoulders of our brother , Michael , with a full pardon of innocence . ''

The brother of Michael Flynn appeared to thank supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory after Donald Trump pardoned his former national security adviser for lying to the FBI.
Trump announced with "great pleasure" on Tuesday that the retired army general has been granted a full pardon. Flynn had previously admitted to twice lying to the FBI about conversations with the then-Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak.
"Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!," Trump tweeted.
The move was met with a wide range of emotions and theories by supporters of QAnon, who believe Trump is fighting a secret war against the "deep state" and high-profile satanic pedophiles.
Flynn has been seen as a hero in the QAnon movement ever since he tweeted a video in July of him standing in a back yard with his family taking a generic oath of office before ending with "where we go one we go all," the main slogan of the QAnon theory. It is often abbreviated to WWG1WGA.
His tweet included the hashtag #TakeTheOath, which is used by other followers of the QAnon movement when posting similar videos of them expressing their support on social media.
Other hashtags used by QAnon supporters include #WWG1WGA #QArmy and #DigitalSoldiers.
Flynn has both #TakeTheOath and #DigitalSoldiers in his Twitter bio.
Following his pardon, Flynn's brother Joseph Flynn also thanked the "digital soldiers" who have supported the former national security down the years in a tweet, albeit with a spelling mistake.
"To all of our friends, extended family, Patriots and #DigitalSoliders we thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for your moral, spiritual and financial support these past 4 years," he wrote. "There is no way in Hell we would have survived without you...this Thanksgiving is for you!"
Joseph Flynn has been contacted for comment.
Given that the radical conspiracy theory contains a wide range of false beliefs that frequently change and alter to suit their needs, it is unsurprising that QAnon supporters have given a number of possible and incoherent meanings behind Fynn's pardon.
Some have suggested that the November 25 date of the pardon is significant as it coincides with John F. Kennedy Jr's birthday. Many QAnon supporters believe that the son of the former president, who died in 1999, is still alive and would make a triumphant return to campaign for Trump during the election.
Others believe that the pardon is linked to a number of lawsuits filed by Trump's former lawyer Sidney Powell.
Powell's lawsuits, which both she and QAnon supporters refer to as the "Kraken," claim to reveal widespread voter fraud in Michigan and Georgia.
Powell, who recently gave a press conference alleging that former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013, helped rig the election for Biden by creating the Dominion Voting Systems, is Flynn's personal attorney.
Other QAnon supporters believe that Flynn's pardon means Trump will soon start arresting elite members of a satanic pedophile ring, whose members include leading Democrats.
This moment, known as "The Storm" has been frequently tipped to happen by QAnon supporters, including on specific dates, for the past three years to no avail.
In a further statement following his pardon, Flynn's family said: "For four long years, our family and millions of American patriots stood arm-in-arm together with our brother, General Michael T. Flynn, fighting the vicious, deep-rooted corruption of government institutions and vengeful individuals intent on destroying General Flynn and our country in shameful defiance of justice and the Rule of Law.
"Today, the Flynn family is grateful to President Donald J. Trump for answering our prayers and the prayers of a nation by removing the heavy burden of injustice off the shoulders of our brother, Michael, with a full pardon of innocence."


newsweek--2020-11-26--CIA Officer Killed in Somalia Is 136th Known to Have Died Serving Spy Agency

A CIA officer has reportedly been killed in combat in Somalia .
The officer , said to be a former Navy SEAL , died in recent days , according to the New York Times , which first reported the story and quoted current and former U.S. officials .
The unnamed individual is the 136th CIA officer known to have been killed on active duty with the CIA .
While the agency does not routinely comment on its operations abroad , it tweeted in September that its memorial wall featured 135 stars honoring officers who `` gave their lives in service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was unclear whether the officer died during an enemy attack or was killed in a counterterrorism raid .
The officer was reported to be involved in a CIA operation against the jihadist organization Al-Shabab , which is waging an insurgency against the Western-backed federal government in Somalia and has also declared war on Kenya following the latter 's invasion of Somalia in 2011 in response to cross-border raids by the militants .
The Islamist group remains the most active and deadly in Africa , and claims control of swathes of southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CIA for comment .
Earlier this month , U.S. officials said Donald Trump was considering withdrawing nearly all troops from Somalia as part of a global pullback .
In September , a U.S. soldier was injured and two Somali soldiers were killed when an Al-Shabab suicide bomber was stopped at a checkpoint .
A Somali information ministry statement said the attack took place about 60 kilometers north of the port city of Kismayo .
The Al-Shabab extremist was killed .
U.S. Africa Command spokesman Christopher Karns said at the time : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition and receiving treatment for injuries that are not assessed to be life-threatening . ''
Last year , a survivor of 9/11 was named as one of the victims of an attack by Al-Shabab on a hotel complex in Nairobi , Kenya , which left more than a dozen people dead .
Jason Spindler died during an attack on the DusitD2 complex , which also contains offices and shops , in an upmarket area of the Kenyan capital city .
Spindler , 40 , was the CEO of I-DEV International , a consultancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company , which focused on the developing world , had a base in Nairobi .
In 2017 , a U.S. Navy SEAL was killed in Somalia—the first American military casualty in the country for two decades .
Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Kyle Milliken , 38 , was killed during a mission targeting Al-Shabab , around 40 miles west of the Somali capital Mogadishu .
Two other American personnel were wounded in the incident .

A CIA officer has reportedly been killed in combat in Somalia. The officer, said to be a former Navy SEAL, died in recent days, according to the New York Times, which first reported the story and quoted current and former U.S. officials.
The unnamed individual is the 136th CIA officer known to have been killed on active duty with the CIA. While the agency does not routinely comment on its operations abroad, it tweeted in September that its memorial wall featured 135 stars honoring officers who "gave their lives in service to their country."
The Times said it was unclear whether the officer died during an enemy attack or was killed in a counterterrorism raid.
Read more Private U.S. Contractors Part of 'Kill Chain' in African Anti-Terrorist Ops Private U.S. Contractors Part of 'Kill Chain' in African Anti-Terrorist Ops
The officer was reported to be involved in a CIA operation against the jihadist organization Al-Shabab, which is waging an insurgency against the Western-backed federal government in Somalia and has also declared war on Kenya following the latter's invasion of Somalia in 2011 in response to cross-border raids by the militants.
The Islamist group remains the most active and deadly in Africa, and claims control of swathes of southern and central Somalia.
Newsweek has contacted the CIA for comment.
Earlier this month, U.S. officials said Donald Trump was considering withdrawing nearly all troops from Somalia as part of a global pullback.
In September, a U.S. soldier was injured and two Somali soldiers were killed when an Al-Shabab suicide bomber was stopped at a checkpoint.
A Somali information ministry statement said the attack took place about 60 kilometers north of the port city of Kismayo. The Al-Shabab extremist was killed.
U.S. Africa Command spokesman Christopher Karns said at the time: "The U.S. service member is in stable condition and receiving treatment for injuries that are not assessed to be life-threatening."
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) seal is displayed in the lobby of CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on August 14, 2008. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
Last year, a survivor of 9/11 was named as one of the victims of an attack by Al-Shabab on a hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya, which left more than a dozen people dead.
Jason Spindler died during an attack on the DusitD2 complex, which also contains offices and shops, in an upmarket area of the Kenyan capital city.
Spindler, 40, was the CEO of I-DEV International, a consultancy and investment firm he founded in 2007. The company, which focused on the developing world, had a base in Nairobi.
In 2017, a U.S. Navy SEAL was killed in Somalia—the first American military casualty in the country for two decades.
Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Kyle Milliken, 38, was killed during a mission targeting Al-Shabab, around 40 miles west of the Somali capital Mogadishu. Two other American personnel were wounded in the incident.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Thanksgiving 2020 Quotes to Help Remind You to Be Grateful

We 're all way too aware of the fact that Thanksgiving is incredibly different this year .
But people will still celebrate and remember what they 're thankful for amid one of the toughest years of recent memory .
Even though so many may not be able to get together with their family members in a normal way this year , you can still get into the holiday spirit with these thankful quotes from Wikiquote , BrainyQuote and Keep Inspiring .
`` Be thankful for what you have ; you 'll end up having more .
If you concentrate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never , ever have enough . ''
— Oprah Winfrey '' Thanksgiving just gets me all warm and tingly and all kinds of wonderful inside . ''
— Williard Scott '' Thanksgiving is more than eating , Chuck .
You heard what Linus was saying out there .
Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them , and we should be thankful , too .
We should just be thankful for being together .
I think that 's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving , ' Charlie Brown . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my favorite days of the year because it reminds us to give thanks and to count our blessings .
Suddenly , so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are . ''
— Joyce Giraud '' My Thanksgiving is perpetual .
It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite—only a sense of existence . ''
— Henry David Thoreau '' Thanksgiving Day is a good day to recommit our energies to giving thanks and just giving . ''
— Amy Grant '' Gratitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns what we have into enough , and more .
It turns denial into acceptance , chaos to order , confusion to clarity .
It can turn a meal into a feast , a house into a home , a stranger into a friend .
Gratitude makes sense of our past , brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow . ''
— Melody Beattie '' Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer .
And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maya Angelou '' Appreciation can change a day , even change a life .
Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary . ''
— Margaret Cousins '' What we 're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets .
I mean , why else would they call it Thanksgiving ? ''
— Erma Bombeck '' If you want to turn your life around , try thankfulness .
It will change your life mightily . ''
— Gerald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving tables again this year , it is a fitting time to reflect on how the events of our rich history have affected those we care about and those who came before us .
As we acknowledge the past , we do so knowing that the individual blessings for which we give thanks may have changed , but our gratitude to God and our commitment to our fellow Americans remain constant . ''
— Bill Clinton '' I love Thanksgiving .
In Canada , we do n't really have a lot of history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday devoted to food , and that warms the cockles of my being . ''
— Mackenzie Davis '' Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday .
People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year .
And then discover once a year is way too often . ''
— Johnny Carson '' I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way .
I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house , we had an enormous feast , and then I killed them and took their land . ''
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for families and friends to gather together and express gratitude for all that we have been given , the freedoms we enjoy and the loved ones who enrich our lives .
We recognize that all of these blessings , and life itself , come not from the hand of man but from Almighty God . ''
— George W. Bush '' We 're getting ready to sit down at the table and have Thanksgiving , and there 's people that are not with their families .
There are people that are in dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line to keep our country free , and I think that 's something we should all celebrate every day . ''
— Guy Fieri '' Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day , but every day of your life .
Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have . ''
— Catherine Pulsifer '' Thanksgiving , man .
Not a good day to be my pants . ''
— Kevin James

We're all way too aware of the fact that Thanksgiving is incredibly different this year. But people will still celebrate and remember what they're thankful for amid one of the toughest years of recent memory.
Even though so many may not be able to get together with their family members in a normal way this year, you can still get into the holiday spirit with these thankful quotes from Wikiquote, BrainyQuote and Keep Inspiring.
"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." — Oprah Winfrey
"Thanksgiving just gets me all warm and tingly and all kinds of wonderful inside." — Williard Scott
"Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown." — Charles Schulz
"Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year because it reminds us to give thanks and to count our blessings. Suddenly, so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are." — Joyce Giraud
"My Thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite—only a sense of existence." — Henry David Thoreau
"Thanksgiving Day is a good day to recommit our energies to giving thanks and just giving." — Amy Grant
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." — Melody Beattie
"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good." — Maya Angelou
"Appreciation can change a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." — Margaret Cousins
"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?" — Erma Bombeck
"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." — Gerald Good
"As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables again this year, it is a fitting time to reflect on how the events of our rich history have affected those we care about and those who came before us. As we acknowledge the past, we do so knowing that the individual blessings for which we give thanks may have changed, but our gratitude to God and our commitment to our fellow Americans remain constant." — Bill Clinton
"I love Thanksgiving. In Canada, we don't really have a lot of history with Thanksgiving, and it's a holiday devoted to food, and that warms the cockles of my being." — Mackenzie Davis
"Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often." — Johnny Carson
"I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land." — Jon Stewart
"Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to gather together and express gratitude for all that we have been given, the freedoms we enjoy and the loved ones who enrich our lives. We recognize that all of these blessings, and life itself, come not from the hand of man but from Almighty God." — George W. Bush
"We're getting ready to sit down at the table and have Thanksgiving, and there's people that are not with their families. There are people that are in dangerous areas, putting their lives on the line to keep our country free, and I think that's something we should all celebrate every day." — Guy Fieri
"Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have." — Catherine Pulsifer
"Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants." — Kevin James


newsweek--2020-11-26--After NY Gov. Cuomo Accuses SC of Partisanship, Cardinal Dolan Hails Decision to Block COVID Church

After NY Gov. Cuomo Accuses SC of Partisanship, Cardinal Dolan Hails Decision to Block COVID Church Restrictions

Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan , Archbishop of New York , praised the Supreme Court on Thursday for striking down Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo 's order limiting gatherings inside of houses of worship to a maximum of 10 to 25 people in the state 's high-infected areas .
Cuomo criticized the decision as reflecting the court 's newly conservative-leaning makeup .
`` I 'd like to congratulate @ BpDiMarzio and the @ BrooklynDiocese on their victory for religious freedom in the U. S. Supreme Court , '' Dolan tweeted on Thanksgiving Day , tagging Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bishop 's care .
`` Our churches are essential , '' Dolan added .
`` While we have been and will continue to adhere to all safety protocols to protect our communities , it is also important to protect that fundamental Constitutional right , religious liberty . ''
In a statement issued Thursday , DiMarzi wrote , `` I have said from the beginning the restrictions imposed by Governor Cuomo were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision knocking down Cuomo 's order , signaling the court 's willingness to challenge COVID-19 restrictions in the name of First Amendment rights .
The case was the first in which the vote of newly-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett determined the outcome .
On Thursday , Cuomo criticized the decision , saying it shows the court 's partisan leaning now that President Donald Trump has placed three conservative justices on the bench .
`` You have a different court , and I think that was the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo said , according to The New York Times .
`` We know who he appointed to the court .
We know their ideology . ''
The court 's narrow ruling only affected one of several restrictions Cuomo placed on houses of worship .
Cuomo issued the restriction in early October following a surge of COVID-19 cases in several Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Queens .
He also issued them in two suburban counties elsewhere , the Times reported .
Cuomo had already lifted the restrictions knocked down by the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had decreased .
He attributed the decline in cases to his restrictions .
Trump responded to the Supreme Court 's decision on Thursday by tweeting , `` HAPPY THANKSGIVING ! ''
alongside a link to a story about the ruling .
The decision could affect future cases as states and cities enforce crowd-size restrictions on houses of worship .

Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, praised the Supreme Court on Thursday for striking down Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's order limiting gatherings inside of houses of worship to a maximum of 10 to 25 people in the state's high-infected areas. Cuomo criticized the decision as reflecting the court's newly conservative-leaning makeup.
"I'd like to congratulate @BpDiMarzio and the @BrooklynDiocese on their victory for religious freedom in the U. S. Supreme Court," Dolan tweeted on Thanksgiving Day, tagging Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzi and the local diocese, the district under the bishop's care.
"Our churches are essential," Dolan added. "While we have been and will continue to adhere to all safety protocols to protect our communities, it is also important to protect that fundamental Constitutional right, religious liberty."
Catholic Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York, praised a recent Supreme Court decision overturning restrictions on churches during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this February 18, 2012 photo, Dolan smiles while leaving Saint Peter's Basilica after a ceremony held by Pope Benedict XVI on in Vatican City, Vatican. Franco Origlia/Getty
In a statement issued Thursday, DiMarzi wrote, "I have said from the beginning the restrictions imposed by Governor Cuomo were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners safe."
On Wednesday night, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision knocking down Cuomo's order, signaling the court's willingness to challenge COVID-19 restrictions in the name of First Amendment rights. The case was the first in which the vote of newly-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett determined the outcome.
On Thursday, Cuomo criticized the decision, saying it shows the court's partisan leaning now that President Donald Trump has placed three conservative justices on the bench.
"You have a different court, and I think that was the statement that the court was making," Cuomo said, according to The New York Times. "We know who he appointed to the court. We know their ideology."
The court's narrow ruling only affected one of several restrictions Cuomo placed on houses of worship. Cuomo issued the restriction in early October following a surge of COVID-19 cases in several Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Queens. He also issued them in two suburban counties elsewhere, the Times reported.
Cuomo had already lifted the restrictions knocked down by the Supreme Court after the number of local COVID-19 infections had decreased. He attributed the decline in cases to his restrictions.
Trump responded to the Supreme Court's decision on Thursday by tweeting, "HAPPY THANKSGIVING!" alongside a link to a story about the ruling.
The decision could affect future cases as states and cities enforce crowd-size restrictions on houses of worship.
Newsweek contacted Cuomo's office for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Scientists Warned Jude Law on Set of 'Contagion' That a Pandemic Was Inevitable: 'Alarm Bells Rang'

Actor Jude Law has revealed that scientists warned him that a future pandemic was inevitable on the set of the 2011 drama Contagion .
`` The great scientists on set with us who had worked with Scott [ Z. Burns ] , the writer , and [ director ] Steven [ Soderbergh ] were very learned and experienced individuals who knew what to expect .
And they all said to us that this was going to happen—and it was a case of when rather than if , '' Law said in a recent interview with the men 's fashion lifestyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described it , which is exactly as it has happened , just made sense , '' Law continued , adding , `` When 2020 started , and we heard about what was initially happening in China , what fast became apparent around the world , it rang alarm bells .
Unfortunately , I was n't hugely surprised . ''
In the film , Law plays Alan Krumwiede , an anti-government conspiracy theorist and freelance journalist with a large social media following .
Krumwiede claims that MEV-1 , the film 's fictional yet highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biological weapon unleashed by terrorists to disrupt the holiday season around the world .
His character claims that the government is profiting off of a vaccine .
He is later arrested for securities fraud and possible manslaughter after he claims to have cured himself of the virus using a remedy involving forsythia .
Investigators find that he had a financial interest in pushing the so-called cure .
The movie accurately predicted several social effects that have arisen during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and practice social distancing , as well as self-quarantine .
The virus in the film emerges from China , just like COVID-19 , and results in social unrest and conspiracy theories amid the hopes of an eventual vaccine .
However , the film uses Law 's character to examine a different sort of pandemic , the viral spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories amidst a public panic .
At one point in the film , when Krumwiede faces off against CDC scientist Dr. Ellis Cheever in a televised debate , Cheever tells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become sick , you have to first come into contact with a sick person or something that they touched .
In order to get scared , all you have to do is come into contact with a rumor , or the television , or the internet .
I think what Mr. Krumwiede is spreading is far more dangerous than the disease . ''
Similar theories about cures and conspiracies have flooded social media since the pandemic hit U.S. shores in early 2020 .

Actor Jude Law has revealed that scientists warned him that a future pandemic was inevitable on the set of the 2011 drama Contagion.
"The great scientists on set with us who had worked with Scott [Z. Burns], the writer, and [director] Steven [Soderbergh] were very learned and experienced individuals who knew what to expect. And they all said to us that this was going to happen—and it was a case of when rather than if," Law said in a recent interview with the men's fashion lifestyle magazine GQ.
"The way they described it, which is exactly as it has happened, just made sense," Law continued, adding, "When 2020 started, and we heard about what was initially happening in China, what fast became apparent around the world, it rang alarm bells. Unfortunately, I wasn't hugely surprised."
Actor Jude Law recently said that scientists on the set of his 2011 film "Contagion" warned him that a future pandemic was inevitable. In the film, Law plays a conspiracy theorist who claims that forsythia cured him from the virulent and deadly disease. Warner Bros. Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures
In the film, Law plays Alan Krumwiede, an anti-government conspiracy theorist and freelance journalist with a large social media following. Krumwiede claims that MEV-1, the film's fictional yet highly contagious and lethal virus, is a biological weapon unleashed by terrorists to disrupt the holiday season around the world.
His character claims that the government is profiting off of a vaccine. He is later arrested for securities fraud and possible manslaughter after he claims to have cured himself of the virus using a remedy involving forsythia. Investigators find that he had a financial interest in pushing the so-called cure.
The movie accurately predicted several social effects that have arisen during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging people to wear face masks and practice social distancing, as well as self-quarantine. The virus in the film emerges from China, just like COVID-19, and results in social unrest and conspiracy theories amid the hopes of an eventual vaccine.
However, the film uses Law's character to examine a different sort of pandemic, the viral spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories amidst a public panic.
At one point in the film, when Krumwiede faces off against CDC scientist Dr. Ellis Cheever in a televised debate, Cheever tells the TV audience, "In order to become sick, you have to first come into contact with a sick person or something that they touched. In order to get scared, all you have to do is come into contact with a rumor, or the television, or the internet. I think what Mr. Krumwiede is spreading is far more dangerous than the disease."
Similar theories about cures and conspiracies have flooded social media since the pandemic hit U.S. shores in early 2020.
Newsweek reached out to Jude Law's representatives for further comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Without Stimulus, Low-Income Americans Turn to Credit Cards While Wealthy Pay off Debts

Credit card data from the most recent months of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic has revealed that lower-income Americans are using credit cards in the absence of stimulus relief while higher-earning Americans are largely paying off their credit card debt .
The increasing reliance of lower-income Americans on credit cards has coincided with the failure of Congress to pass a federal stimulus bill that could include checks and enhanced unemployment benefits to the estimated 12.6 million Americans who remain out of work , according to Marketplace , a nonprofit economic news outlet .
The disparity of credit card debt between lower-income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market for years to come .
Credit cards often have lower interest rates than high-interest loans , making it easier for users to pay back their debts .
But if users find themselves without jobs or federal financial relief , an inability to pay their credit card bills could negatively affect their credit scores , making it more difficult for them to acquire future bank , car , school and housing loans .
Elise Gould , a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute , told Fox KTVU that if lower-income Americans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances of finding future housing .
At the beginning of September , the Trump Administration issued a national ban on evictions .
After the ban was issued through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , many renters said they were still being evicted , according to NPR .
Critics of the CDC eviction ban say it lacked an enforcement mechanism to prevent landlords from actually evicting tenants , does n't specify how landlords should collect back-owed rent and did nothing to help compensate property owners when they depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintenance or mortgages .
`` We are disappointed that the administration has chosen to enact a federal eviction moratorium without the existence of dedicated , long-term funding for rental and unemployment assistance , '' Doug Bibby , president of the National Multifamily Housing Council , told NPR .
Amid new business restrictions in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases , an October 6 Economic Policy Institute ( EPI ) report found that there were n't enough jobs for everyone in need of work .
The EPI 's report found only 6.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployed workers , with two unemployed workers competing for every single job opening .
On Thursday , Republican Representative Tom Reed of New York said that Congressional members are more focused on the outcome of Georgia 's runoff Senate races , two elections that will determine party control of the upper chamber , than on negotiating a new COVID-19 stimulus package .
Newsweek reached out to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for comment .

Credit card data from the most recent months of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic has revealed that lower-income Americans are using credit cards in the absence of stimulus relief while higher-earning Americans are largely paying off their credit card debt.
The increasing reliance of lower-income Americans on credit cards has coincided with the failure of Congress to pass a federal stimulus bill that could include checks and enhanced unemployment benefits to the estimated 12.6 million Americans who remain out of work, according to Marketplace, a nonprofit economic news outlet.
The disparity of credit card debt between lower-income and higher-earning Americans could affect the national market for years to come.
Credit card data during the most recent months of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have shown that, absent a federal stimulus package, lower-income Americans are using credit cards to help make ends meet while Americans with higher income are paying off their credit card debt. In this photo illustration, a woman holds three different credit cards. Farknot_Architect/Getty
Credit cards often have lower interest rates than high-interest loans, making it easier for users to pay back their debts. But if users find themselves without jobs or federal financial relief, an inability to pay their credit card bills could negatively affect their credit scores, making it more difficult for them to acquire future bank, car, school and housing loans.
Elise Gould, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, told Fox KTVU that if lower-income Americans are evicted, that too can endanger their chances of finding future housing.
At the beginning of September, the Trump Administration issued a national ban on evictions. After the ban was issued through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many renters said they were still being evicted, according to NPR.
Critics of the CDC eviction ban say it lacked an enforcement mechanism to prevent landlords from actually evicting tenants, doesn't specify how landlords should collect back-owed rent and did nothing to help compensate property owners when they depend on rent money to pay for property maintenance or mortgages.
"We are disappointed that the administration has chosen to enact a federal eviction moratorium without the existence of dedicated, long-term funding for rental and unemployment assistance," Doug Bibby, president of the National Multifamily Housing Council, told NPR.
Amid new business restrictions in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, an October 6 Economic Policy Institute (EPI) report found that there weren't enough jobs for everyone in need of work.
The EPI's report found only 6.5 million job openings for an estimated 13.1 million unemployed workers, with two unemployed workers competing for every single job opening.
On Thursday, Republican Representative Tom Reed of New York said that Congressional members are more focused on the outcome of Georgia's runoff Senate races, two elections that will determine party control of the upper chamber, than on negotiating a new COVID-19 stimulus package.
Newsweek reached out to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Trump to Campaign for Georgia Senate Candidates as His Supporters Threaten Boycott

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will travel to Georgia to campaign for Republican Senate runoff candidates as his supporters threatened a boycott of the upcoming election .
`` Speaking of Georgia , I 'll be going there , '' Trump told reporters after talking to U.S. service members in a teleconference call on Thanksgiving Day , `` Maybe I 'll go twice . ''
He noted that he wanted to encourage support for Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in a stadium , but `` ca n't , because of COVID . ''
White House spokesperson Judd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 5 .
Meanwhile , a number of pro-Trump Republicans have taken to Parler , the `` free speech '' social media network , to discourage members of their own party from voting .
Some of the users have invoked a conspiracy theory about `` rigged '' ballot machines to call for a boycott of the upcoming Georgia elections in a move that threatens Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's plan to restrain incoming President-elect Joe Biden .
`` Do n't vote !
Do n't be part of the corruption '' one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared by reporter Marcus Baram .
Another post read : `` DO NOT VOTE IN THE GEORGIA RUNOFFS , THE DEEP STATE WILL BE COLLECTING EVERYONE 'S INFO .
THIS IS A CHARADE , MEANT TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE WHO DO N'T VOTE DEMOCRAT .
STAY HOME .
OSSOFF AND WARNOCK ARE A SMALL PRICE TO PAY . ''
The two Georgia runoff elections , which will take place on January 5 with early voting starting on December 14 , will determine control of the Senate and Biden 's ability to push through his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who control the House with a slim majority , need to win both seats for a 50-50 split .
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would then cast the tie breaking vote in the upper chamber if Biden is inaugurated on January 20 .
Either Loeffler or Perdue will have to prevail against their Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Rev .
Raphael Warnock for Republicans to retain their majority in the Senate .
The boycott calls driven Trump supporters appears to have been inspired by the president , who has spent the past few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rigged '' election and widespread voter fraud caused his loss to Biden .
`` THE ONLY WAY OUR VOICES GET HEARD IS by # boycott the vote , '' one pro-Trump voter wrote on Parler .
Biden secured 306 Electoral College votes , surpassing the 270 needed to win , but Trump has yet to concede .
With 232 Electoral College votes , the president has launched nearly three dozen lawsuits in key states seeking to overturn his defeat .
The suits have so far been largely unsuccessful .
Trump took one step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would leave the White House if the Electoral College certifies Biden as the winner .
Newsweek reached out to the White House for further information .

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will travel to Georgia to campaign for Republican Senate runoff candidates as his supporters threatened a boycott of the upcoming election.
"Speaking of Georgia, I'll be going there," Trump told reporters after talking to U.S. service members in a teleconference call on Thanksgiving Day, "Maybe I'll go twice." He noted that he wanted to encourage support for Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in a stadium, but "can't, because of COVID."
White House spokesperson Judd Deere confirmed that Trump will visit Georgia on December 5.
Meanwhile, a number of pro-Trump Republicans have taken to Parler, the "free speech" social media network, to discourage members of their own party from voting. Some of the users have invoked a conspiracy theory about "rigged" ballot machines to call for a boycott of the upcoming Georgia elections in a move that threatens Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's plan to restrain incoming President-elect Joe Biden.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on November 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
"Don't vote! Don't be part of the corruption" one post read, according to a screenshot shared by reporter Marcus Baram.
Another post read: "DO NOT VOTE IN THE GEORGIA RUNOFFS, THE DEEP STATE WILL BE COLLECTING EVERYONE'S INFO. THIS IS A CHARADE, MEANT TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE WHO DON'T VOTE DEMOCRAT. STAY HOME. OSSOFF AND WARNOCK ARE A SMALL PRICE TO PAY."
The two Georgia runoff elections, which will take place on January 5 with early voting starting on December 14, will determine control of the Senate and Biden's ability to push through his "very progressive" agenda. Democrats, who control the House with a slim majority, need to win both seats for a 50-50 split.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would then cast the tie breaking vote in the upper chamber if Biden is inaugurated on January 20. Either Loeffler or Perdue will have to prevail against their Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock for Republicans to retain their majority in the Senate.
The boycott calls driven by Trump supporters appear to have been inspired by the president, who has spent the past few weeks alleging without evidence that a "rigged" election and widespread voter fraud caused his loss to Biden.
"THE ONLY WAY OUR VOICES GET HEARD IS by #boycott the vote," one pro-Trump voter wrote on Parler.
Biden secured 306 Electoral College votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win, but Trump has yet to concede. With 232 Electoral College votes, the president has launched nearly three dozen lawsuits in key states seeking to overturn his defeat. The suits have so far been largely unsuccessful.
Trump took one step closer to conceding by confirming on Thursday that he would leave the White House if the Electoral College certifies Biden as the winner.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for further information.


newsweek--2020-11-26--Trump Takes Step Toward Concession, Says He Will Recognize Electoral College Vote

On Thanksgiving Day , President Donald Trump took one step closer to conceding by confirming that he would leave the White house if the Electoral College certifies President-elect Joe Biden as the election winner .
The Electoral College will meet on December 14 to cast their ballots for the next president and vice president .
Trump 's comments , made at the White House and reported by Reuters , marks the closest he 's come to a concession since Election Day .
Most media outlets called the election for Biden more than two weeks ago .
The Democratic president-elect has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump—with 232 Electoral College votes—has declined to concede .
The Trump campaign filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in Nevada , Pennsylvania , Georgia and other key states this month alleging widespread voter fraud in an attempt to reverse his defeat .
The contents and claims of the suits have been narrower than Trump 's recent public claims of a stolen election and widespread fraud , and largely unsuccessful in court so far .
If Trump leaves the White House in January , when Biden is due to be inaugurated , he will lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting president by a longstanding Department of Justice ( DOJ ) policy .
With a number of lawsuits awaiting the president when he returns to private life , Trump on Thursday retweeted a call from Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz to consider granting a pardon to himself .
The retweet came one day after Trump pardoned Michael Flynn after the former national security adviser , who worked on the president 's 2016 transition team , pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI before moving to withdraw his plea earlier this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon , '' he tweeted on Wednesday .
`` Congratulations to @ GenFlynn and his wonderful family , I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving ! ''
The Trump administration 's first acknowledgement of his defeat came on Monday , when GSA administrator Emily Murphy informed Biden that they were ready to formally begin the transition process .
Murphy 's letter to Biden came shortly after Michigan Republican officials resisted intense White House pressure to certify Biden 's election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy and affirmed the decision to start the transition process , but he also promised to continue his lawsuits and insisted that his campaign `` will prevail . ''
In a statement to Newsweek , senior Trump campaign legal adviser Jenna Ellis said she intends to `` continue combatting election fraud around the country as we fight to count all the legal votes . ''
Newsweek reached out to Biden 's transition team for comment .

On Thanksgiving Day, President Donald Trump took one step closer to conceding by confirming that he would leave the White House if the Electoral College certifies President-elect Joe Biden as the election winner.
The Electoral College will meet on December 14 to cast their ballots for the next president and vice president. Trump's comments, made at the White House and reported by Reuters, marks the closest he's come to a concession since Election Day.
Most media outlets called the election for Biden more than two weeks ago. The Democratic president-elect has secured 306 Electoral College votes, but Trump—with 232 Electoral College votes—has declined to concede.
The Trump campaign filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia and other key states this month alleging widespread voter fraud in an attempt to reverse his defeat. The contents and claims of the suits have been narrower than Trump's recent public claims of a stolen election and widespread fraud, and largely unsuccessful in court so far.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump enter the Rose Garden before 'pardoning' the national Thanksgiving Turkey on November 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
If Trump leaves the White House in January, when Biden is due to be inaugurated, he will lose protection from criminal prosecution provided to a sitting president by a longstanding Department of Justice (DOJ) policy. With a number of lawsuits awaiting the president when he returns to private life, Trump on Thursday retweeted a call from Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz to consider granting a pardon to himself.
The retweet came one day after Trump pardoned Michael Flynn after the former national security adviser, who worked on the president's 2016 transition team, pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI before moving to withdraw his plea earlier this year.
"It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon," he tweeted on Wednesday. "Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!"
The Trump administration's first acknowledgement of his defeat came on Monday, when GSA administrator Emily Murphy informed Biden that they were ready to formally begin the transition process. Murphy's letter to Biden came shortly after Michigan Republican officials resisted intense White House pressure to certify Biden's election victory in the state.
Trump thanked Murphy and affirmed the decision to start the transition process, but he also promised to continue his lawsuits and insisted that his campaign "will prevail." In a statement to Newsweek, senior Trump campaign legal adviser Jenna Ellis said she intends to "continue combatting election fraud around the country as we fight to count all the legal votes."
Newsweek reached out to Biden's transition team for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-26--What Better Start for Bipartisanship and Healing Than Lowering Drug Costs? | Opinion

On November 20 , President Donald Trump , who most do n't perceive to be the most bipartisan political figure in Washington , released an executive order that could end the lame-duck gridlock currently seen in the nation 's capital .
The executive order will reduce Medicare drug prices by preventing middlemen ( namely , insurers and pharmacy benefit managers ) from pocketing cost-savings rather than passing them along to seniors .
The widely praised measure will save patients up to 30-percent on their prescription costs .
American consumers have long called for drug pricing reform .
It 's easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescription drugs has skyrocketed 33-percent since 2014 .
Over eight-percent of Americans admit to skipping their medication to save money .
Seniors have faced the brunt of the pain .
One in five aged 60 and over struggle to pay for their prescription drugs , and one in four with chronic conditions stop taking medications over cost concerns .
An April 2019 report found that over a 12 month period , they withdrew approximately $ 22 billion from their long-term savings just to cover medical expenses .
That 's what makes the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will provide relief to some of the most vulnerable members of society at a time when they can use the help the most .
But the lid on this important public policy issue should not close at this juncture .
Congress should utilize this opportunity to implement further drug pricing reforms to Medicare before the year 's end .
Both Democrats and Republicans understand the need to do so .
Both sides filled their campaign speeches this year with promises of pushing for lower medication costs .
Joe Biden provided similar rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to create review boards and implement regulatory changes to fix the problem at hand .
Down the ballot , individuals like Sen. Mark Warner , D-Va. , pressed for prescription drug relief and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , set his sights on broader system reform .
Countless others struck a similar chord .
Now is the time for Congress to latch onto the momentum created by the executive branch and provide a sweeping victory for this nation 's seniors before the holiday recess .
One bill that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass in lame-duck is the bipartisan Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act .
The legislation , which boasts a wide variety of Democratic and Republican co-sponsors in the House and Senate , would direct the Department of Health and Human services to oversee a program that further incentivizes the use of biosimilars within the Medicare program .
Biosimilars are medications that drug makers create to be near-matches to Federal Drug Administration-approved name-brand drugs .
They often cost significantly less and still deliver the same life-saving results .
In recent years , biosimilars have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a study from AARP , the average cost of a brand-name drug used to treat chronic health conditions topped $ 5,800 , despite costing only $ 1,800 in the preceding decade when its study began .
But doctors often prescribe brand-names out of habit , which prevents patients and the Medicare program from reaping the cost-savings .
IABA would create an incentive program where doctors , patients , and the program itself all share the savings from their use .
It would make life-saving drugs , like cancer treatment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care spending , and promote long-term savings on both a personal and governmental level .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , has already stated that broader system reform will likely not happen until the new Congress , assuming they can get a coronavirus deal through in December .
That said , getting immediate relief like the IABA done now will help constituents in the interim .
Over in the Senate , the path towards passing a bill like the IABA seems even clearer after attempts at drug pricing reform came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , will not have an election-concerned Senate to deal with when debating legislation .
With immediate relief being the central agenda of its December session , one would think that legislation in the profile of IABA would easily fit into the body 's current plans .
President Trump 's executive order started the Medicare drug cost conversation .
It 's up to Congress to keep the reforms coming .
The scars of the election should not stop our representatives from addressing consumers ' needs .
They need their members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the time they should provide it .
Lynn Westmoreland served as a U.S. member of Congress for Georgia 's 3rd District from 2007 to 2017 and the 8th District from 2005 to 2007 .
The views expressed in this article are the author 's own .

On November 20, President Donald Trump, who most don't perceive to be the most bipartisan political figure in Washington, released an executive order that could end the lame-duck gridlock currently seen in the nation's capital.
The executive order will reduce Medicare drug prices by preventing middlemen (namely, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers) from pocketing cost-savings rather than passing them along to seniors. The widely praised measure will save patients up to 30-percent on their prescription costs.
American consumers have long called for drug pricing reform. It's easy to understand why. The cost of prescription drugs has skyrocketed 33-percent since 2014. Over eight-percent of Americans admit to skipping their medication to save money. Seniors have faced the brunt of the pain. One in five aged 60 and over struggle to pay for their prescription drugs, and one in four with chronic conditions stop taking medications over cost concerns. An April 2019 report found that over a 12 month period, they withdrew approximately $22 billion from their long-term savings just to cover medical expenses.
That's what makes the president's Medicare executive order so critical. It will provide relief to some of the most vulnerable members of society at a time when they can use the help the most.
But the lid on this important public policy issue should not close at this juncture. Congress should utilize this opportunity to implement further drug pricing reforms to Medicare before the year's end.
Both Democrats and Republicans understand the need to do so. Both sides filled their campaign speeches this year with promises of pushing for lower medication costs.
Joe Biden provided similar rhetoric to President Trump. He outlined a desire to create review boards and implement regulatory changes to fix the problem at hand. Down the ballot, individuals like Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., pressed for prescription drug relief and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, set his sights on broader system reform. Countless others struck a similar chord.
Now is the time for Congress to latch onto the momentum created by the executive branch and provide a sweeping victory for this nation's seniors before the holiday recess.
One bill that's gotten attention recently and has the propensity to pass in lame-duck is the bipartisan Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act. The legislation, which boasts a wide variety of Democratic and Republican co-sponsors in the House and Senate, would direct the Department of Health and Human services to oversee a program that further incentivizes the use of biosimilars within the Medicare program.
Biosimilars are medications that drug makers create to be near-matches to Federal Drug Administration-approved name-brand drugs. They often cost significantly less and still deliver the same life-saving results.
In recent years, biosimilars have grown significantly in importance to American consumers. According to a study from AARP, the average cost of a brand-name drug used to treat chronic health conditions topped $5,800, despite costing only $1,800 in the preceding decade when its study began. But doctors often prescribe brand-names out of habit, which prevents patients and the Medicare program from reaping the cost-savings.
IABA would create an incentive program where doctors, patients, and the program itself all share the savings from their use. It would make life-saving drugs, like cancer treatment, more accessible to struggling constituents, reduce health care spending, and promote long-term savings on both a personal and governmental level.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has already stated that broader system reform will likely not happen until the new Congress, assuming they can get a coronavirus deal through in December. That said, getting immediate relief like the IABA done now will help constituents in the interim.
Over in the Senate, the path towards passing a bill like the IABA seems even clearer after attempts at drug pricing reform came up short earlier this year. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will not have an election-concerned Senate to deal with when debating legislation. With immediate relief being the central agenda of its December session, one would think that legislation in the profile of IABA would easily fit into the body's current plans.
President Trump's executive order started the Medicare drug cost conversation. It's up to Congress to keep the reforms coming. The scars of the election should not stop our representatives from addressing consumers' needs. They need their members of Congress' help, and now is the time they should provide it.
Lynn Westmoreland served as a U.S. member of Congress for Georgia's 3rd District from 2007 to 2017 and the 8th District from 2005 to 2007.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own.