newsweek--2020-12-29--Top 20 Sports Moments of 2020: Nos. 11-15

This year began just like any other , with a college football national championship , NFL playoffs and with basketball in full throttle .
Then , in mid-March , madness struck the world with the COVID-19 pandemic .
There were immediate postponements and shutdowns in the sports world , which went relatively dormant for three months .
However , sports in the world slowly came back .
Though arenas are n't packed with fans , players have gone back to the fields and courts , and championships have been played .
Despite a year of setbacks , there have still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsweek has whittled it down to the top 20 moments in the sports world .
The countdown continues today with No .
11-15 ( in reverse order ) .
No .
15 Football returns , many with fans in stands With COVID-19 shutting down sports around the country , many wondered if football would ever get on the field this fall .
The NFL vowed to play , and college conferences were split on what to do .
The Big Ten and Pac-12 Conferences in August stated they would forego the 2020 fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 and SEC pressed on .
The NFL skipped its preseason and kicked off the regular season on time .
Through 16 weeks , there have been no canceled games .
Colleges started with staggered schedules , and the Big Ten and Pac-12 reversed their course and joined the 2020 season with fewer games played .
A little more than half of NFL stadiums had fans in the stands this season—with limited capacity and mask requirements .
Colleges in the south and southwest had fans in their stands , but also with limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season is happening , but with some cancellations .
The NFL playoffs are set to begin next weekend .
No .
14 Dodgers win 7th title , first since 1988 The Los Angeles Dodgers had not won a World Series since 1988 , and they recaptured the crown in 2020 by knocking off the Tampa Bay Rays in 6 games .
It was the Dodgers ' seventh World Series title in history , and first this century after falling to the Houston Astros ( 2017 ) and Boston Red Sox ( 2018 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baseball season was delayed until late summer , and then played at home stadiums—with no fans .
The Dodgers won both the NLCS and World Series , all played at the neutral site of Globe LIfe Field in Arlington , Texas , which allowed minimal fans for both of those series .
No .
13 Patrick Mahomes $ 500 million contract Kansas City Chiefs quarterback won the NFL MVP award for the 2018 season , and then the Super Bowl and its MVP award following the 2019 season .
The Chiefs rewarded him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports history .
Mahomes signed a deal worth a half billion dollars to keep the young quarterback in Kansas City for a long time .
The investment is doing well , too , as the Chiefs are 14-1 this season and have wrapped up the AFC 's top seed for the upcoming playoffs .
No .
12 Michael Jordan documentary `` The Last Dance '' When there was a lull in most of the sports world , ESPN moved their showing of `` The Last Dance '' from late summer up to May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career in basketball , and mostly his last year with the Chicago Bulls , when they won the 1996 NBA title .
It was the sixth NBA championship in Jordan 's career .
The documentary created an even bigger wedge between Jordan and some of his former teammates , and it showcased his relationship with teammate Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson .
The documentary was highly-popular , and the ratings were a bonanza for ESPN .
No .
11 Tom Brady leaves New England , signs with Tampa Bay Tom Brady spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New England Patriots , guiding them to nine AFC championships and six Super Bowl titles .
During the early days of COVID quarantine , Brady left the Patriots and entered the free agent market .
He eventually signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
Since then , he has guided the Bucs to their first playoff berth in 13 years , and the Patriots have a losing record and will miss the playoffs .
Here 's a recap of the others so far : No .
16 LeBron James makes 10th NBA Finals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 Dustin Johnson wins the November Masters Tournament No .
18 NFL injuries No .
19 NFL 's Raiders move from Oakland to Las Vegas No .
20 U.S. Women 's Soccer demands equal pay , but judge dismisses the case • 2017 Astros coaches not around in 2020 for their cheating roles • Los Angeles wins two pro titles in same year ( Lakers/Dodgers ) • Dodgers ' Justin Turner pulled from championship-deciding game for COVID , returns for celebration with no mask • Notre Dame football joins the ACC for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rock buys the league .

This year began just like any other, with a college football national championship, NFL playoffs and with basketball in full throttle. Then, in mid-March, madness struck the world with the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were immediate postponements and shutdowns in the sports world, which went relatively dormant for three months.
However, sports in the world slowly came back. Though arenas aren't packed with fans, players have gone back to the fields and courts, and championships have been played.
Despite a year of setbacks, there have still been a lot of memorable moments. Newsweek has whittled it down to the top 20 moments in the sports world. The countdown continues today with No. 11-15 (in reverse order).
No. 15
Football returns, many with fans in stands
With COVID-19 shutting down sports around the country, many wondered if football would ever get on the field this fall. The NFL vowed to play, and college conferences were split on what to do. The Big Ten and Pac-12 Conferences in August stated they would forego the 2020 fall season, but the ACC, Big 12 and SEC pressed on.
The NFL skipped its preseason and kicked off the regular season on time. Through 16 weeks, there have been no canceled games. Colleges started with staggered schedules, and the Big Ten and Pac-12 reversed their course and joined the 2020 season with fewer games played.
A little more than half of NFL stadiums had fans in the stands this season—with limited capacity and mask requirements. Colleges in the south and southwest had fans in their stands, but also with limited capacity. Now, the college bowl season is happening, but with some cancellations. The NFL playoffs are set to begin next weekend.
No. 14
Dodgers win 7th title, first since 1988
The Los Angeles Dodgers had not won a World Series since 1988, and they recaptured the crown in 2020 by knocking off the Tampa Bay Rays in 6 games.
It was the Dodgers' seventh World Series title in history, and first this century after falling to the Houston Astros (2017) and Boston Red Sox (2018) in the Fall Classic.
The 2020 baseball season was delayed until late summer, and then played at home stadiums—with no fans. The Dodgers won both the NLCS and World Series, all played at the neutral site of Globe LIfe Field in Arlington, Texas, which allowed minimal fans for both of those series.
No. 13
Patrick Mahomes $500 million contract
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback won the NFL MVP award for the 2018 season, and then the Super Bowl and its MVP award following the 2019 season. The Chiefs rewarded him by offering him the biggest contract in sports history.
Mahomes signed a deal worth a half billion dollars to keep the young quarterback in Kansas City for a long time. The investment is doing well, too, as the Chiefs are 14-1 this season and have wrapped up the AFC's top seed for the upcoming playoffs.
No. 12
Michael Jordan documentary "The Last Dance"
When there was a lull in most of the sports world, ESPN moved their showing of "The Last Dance" from late summer up to May. The documentary chronicled Michael Jordan's career in basketball, and mostly his last year with the Chicago Bulls, when they won the 1996 NBA title. It was the sixth NBA championship in Jordan's career.
The documentary created an even bigger wedge between Jordan and some of his former teammates, and it showcased his relationship with teammate Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson. The documentary was highly-popular, and the ratings were a bonanza for ESPN.
After spending 20 years with the New England Patriots, Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2020 offseason. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
No. 11
Tom Brady leaves New England, signs with Tampa Bay
Tom Brady spent 20 years as the quarterback of the New England Patriots, guiding them to nine AFC championships and six Super Bowl titles. During the early days of COVID quarantine, Brady left the Patriots and entered the free agent market. He eventually signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Since then, he has guided the Bucs to their first playoff berth in 13 years, and the Patriots have a losing record and will miss the playoffs.
Here's a recap of the others so far:
No. 16 LeBron James makes 10th NBA Finals, wins fourth career title
No. 17 Dustin Johnson wins the November Masters Tournament
No. 18 NFL injuries
No. 19 NFL's Raiders move from Oakland to Las Vegas
No. 20 U.S. Women's Soccer demands equal pay, but judge dismisses the case
Honorable mentions:


newsweek--2020-12-29--Georgia Senate Dems Lead GOP Incumbents Amid Fight for $2K Stimulus Checks: Poll

A recent poll shows Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia leading the state 's Republican incumbents , Senators David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler by a narrow margin .
The poll was released shortly after Ossoff and Warnock both hammered their Republican opponents for not backing the congressional fight to give $ 2,000 checks to Americans struggling economically during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
The poll , conducted by The Trafalgar Group—a political and corporate market research polling firm based in Atlanta , Georgia—asked 1,022 likely Georgia voters who they planned to vote for .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48.6 percent said Ossoff and 46.4 percent said Purdue , a difference of 2.2 percent .
In the race featuring Warnock and Loeffler , 47.1 percent said Warnock and 46.8 percent said Loeffler , a difference of 0.3 percent .
The poll was conducted from December 23 to 27 using a combination of live callers , text messages , emails and two other proprietary methods .
The poll has margin of error of plus or minus 2.99 percent .
With one week left until the state 's special runoff election , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past two weeks have shown the Democratic candidates as neck-and-neck or trading leader positions well within the margin of error against their Republican opponents .
The race will determine party control of the U.S. Senate .
Late last week , Ossoff and Warnock began using President Donald Trump 's unexpected call for $ 2,000 stimulus checks as a way to criticize Perdue and Loeffler for not supporting larger direct payments to Americans struggling economically during the pandemic .
On Monday , Ossoff tweeted that Perdue had never supported direct payments .
`` David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of stimulus checks , '' Ossoff wrote in a tweet that featured video footage of Perdue saying , `` A direct payment , I really oppose that . ''
Last Wednesday , Warnock published tweets asking if Loeffler `` supports Trump 100 % of the time , why wo n't she support $ 2,000 relief checks ? ''
In a second tweet , Warnock wrote : `` Even Donald Trump agrees that a $ 600 relief check is totally inadequate .
But @ KLoeffler still wo n't step up to deliver real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , both GOP Senators said that they support $ 2,000 checks .
A report released on December 22 showed that Ossoff and Warnock had outraised their opponents by tens of millions of dollars during autumn leading up to the election .
Warnock has also reportedly spent 38 times more on Facebook Ads than Loeffler , although the Republicans have spent more on television advertising .
Democratic activist and organizer Stacey Abrams has praised Ossoff and Warnock for `` increasing '' voter participation and `` leading the kind of turnout '' that Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
If both Democrats win , the Senate will be divided with each party holding 50 seats and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote .

A recent poll shows Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia leading the state's Republican incumbents, Senators David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler by a narrow margin. The poll was released shortly after Ossoff and Warnock both hammered their Republican opponents for not backing the congressional fight to give $2,000 checks to Americans struggling economically during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The poll, conducted by The Trafalgar Group—a political and corporate market research polling firm based in Atlanta, Georgia—asked 1,022 likely Georgia voters who they planned to vote for.
In the race featuring Ossoff and Purdue, 48.6 percent said Ossoff and 46.4 percent said Purdue, a difference of 2.2 percent. In the race featuring Warnock and Loeffler, 47.1 percent said Warnock and 46.8 percent said Loeffler, a difference of 0.3 percent.
A recent poll shows Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia leading the state's Republican incumbents, Senators David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler, amid the congressional fight over whether to give American adults $2,000 checks to help those facing economic hardship during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this November 15, 2020 photo, Warnock and Ossoff wave to supporters during a rally in Marietta, Georgia. Jessica McGowan/Getty
The poll was conducted from December 23 to 27 using a combination of live callers, text messages, emails and two other proprietary methods. The poll has margin of error of plus or minus 2.99 percent.
With one week left until the state's special runoff election, more than half a dozen polls conducted in the past two weeks have shown the Democratic candidates as neck-and-neck or trading leader positions well within the margin of error against their Republican opponents. The race will determine party control of the U.S. Senate.
Late last week, Ossoff and Warnock began using President Donald Trump's unexpected call for $2,000 stimulus checks as a way to criticize Perdue and Loeffler for not supporting larger direct payments to Americans struggling economically during the pandemic.
On Monday, Ossoff tweeted that Perdue had never supported direct payments. "David Perdue didn't even want the first round of stimulus checks," Ossoff wrote in a tweet that featured video footage of Perdue saying, "A direct payment, I really oppose that."
Last Wednesday, Warnock published tweets asking if Loeffler "supports Trump 100% of the time, why won't she support $2,000 relief checks?" In a second tweet, Warnock wrote: "Even Donald Trump agrees that a $600 relief check is totally inadequate. But @KLoeffler still won't step up to deliver real relief to Georgia families."
On Tuesday, both GOP Senators said that they support $2,000 checks.
A report released on December 22 showed that Ossoff and Warnock had outraised their opponents by tens of millions of dollars during autumn leading up to the election. Warnock has also reportedly spent 38 times more on Facebook Ads than Loeffler, although the Republicans have spent more on television advertising.
Democratic activist and organizer Stacey Abrams has praised Ossoff and Warnock for "increasing" voter participation and "leading the kind of turnout" that Democrats need to win in the traditionally conservative state.
If both Democrats win, the Senate will be divided with each party holding 50 seats and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.
Newsweek contacted the Georgia Republican Party for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-29--A New App Appears to Promote Dangerous 'Gatherings' During COVID Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues , Vybe Together , a new app provides a platform for people to host gatherings with strangers .
Despite the app 's claims that they do n't support parties or large gatherings , its materials and whole vibe ( pun intended ) make this appear otherwise .
According to the Apple App Store , Vybe Together hit the market as an app about four months ago .
Its description in the store is below : '' Find Parties : Find private parties .
Apply to get access .
If you are approved the location will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party begins .
Create parties : Organize and create get-togethers for trendy people in your area .
It 's super easy !
Vet everyone who applies to your party , and only approve who you want .
Create a beautiful profile with photos that tells the world who you are . ''
The slogan found on the app 's website is : `` Get your rebel on .
Get your party on . ''
The website also asks people if they `` miss playing beer pong , flirting with strangers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew ?
, '' and tells users to apply with their friends for access to activities like `` speakeasies , jam sessions or beer pong . ''
A New York-targeted TikTok ( that has since been deleted ) posted by the app on Monday calls it a `` secret party app '' and boasts `` Gatherings every weekend . ''
According to Business Insider , TikTok took down the Vybe Together account .
While this may seem good in normal times , given the current coronavirus pandemic , the app 's functions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been discouraged to contain the spread .
Called by Newsweek for comment , a Vybe Together spokesperson quickly denied that the app was encouraging parties .
When Newsweek called again , two people were on the phone , including one who said to identify him as a spokesperson .
The other would interject and occasionally provide commentary .
For clarity , they will be identified as spokespersons 1 and 2 .
Spokesperson 1 said that the site was similar to event management and ticketing site Eventbrite and simply gave people a platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're like Eventbrite-just a platform , but cooler , and this got way overhand .
Vybe can be anything from playing board games to pingpong balls .
We did this because a lot of people have been isolated and lonely , and wanted to meet .
So we do n't promote any large gatherings , and I know it looks like that , and that 's why we 're freaking out .
We promote small like apartment stuff .
If we see events being popular , we always take them out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotional videos that appear to promote large gatherings and using vintage images of Studio 54 to draw attention , they said that there were `` not more than 20 people '' in the video—later in the call , they said that it was only about 10—and said the images were misconstrued .
`` However you interpret it is not the way that we wanted to showcase it , it 's literally just board games to pingpong at people 's places , '' spokesperson 1 said in another phone call .
When asked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organize a small board game night in one 's apartment , spokesperson 1 said that it was targeting people who may not have people that they can easily reach out to .
`` You 're not like most Millennials in New York City .
There 's so many people that do n't have friends , and so what if you then threw this entire-I understand where you 're coming from , but just think about how many people are out there .
They do n't have those friends that you 're talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by themselves .
What about them ? ''
spokesperson 1 said .
The two people that Newsweek spoke to , said that while the app provides a space for people to connect , they appeared to shift responsibility to be precautious to those who are organizing the events or planning to go them , saying the host and attendees can communicate beforehand .
They also said a warning appears on the app .
`` Before you request a party , it literally tells them to be careful with the current situation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instagram is linked to the profiles , '' spokesperson said .
Despite their insistence on not promoting large parties and being cautious , the Vybe Together 's site 's FAQ section regarding COVID appears half-hearted at most .
`` We are aware that Covid is a major health problem to the country , our communities , our friends and family .
If we all could just be in isolation this could actually go away .
Having large scale parties is very dangerous .
That is why we do n't support that .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties but small gatherings .
We could be living , at least a little during these times with Vybe , '' it says .
On the hosts page on the Vybe Together website , it does feature a graphic that says `` Host small social gatherings . ''
The spokesperson also said that coders will remove events if the number of attendees matches the number of maximum people for gatherings in the state .
`` If we see there 's more people going to the event , as soon as they hit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app is no longer public .
It stops there , '' spokesperson 1 said .
Later in the second phone call , spokesperson 2 reiterated that what they allow people to do is plan small gatherings and notify and remove posts that appear to be growing past state limits .
`` We 're not promoting parties .
We 're promoting small gatherings .
Whenever we see or feel like people are having way too many people apply to their gathering , we notify them , '' he said .
Spokesperson 2 also noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also use the app , and that the number of participants allowed varies depending on the state .
When asked what they said to people who they felt were actually promoting parties , they again deferred responsibility to the people hosting and attending .
`` We 're sorry that they feel that we 're doing that .
We 're just promoting our tool , our app so that people could gather .
People that do n't have anyone can just post card games for instance .
They do n't want to share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody 's profile so they could determine and do n't invite that person into their homes .
Just like Tinder .
We 're not promoting the amount of people that can go into your apartment .
You decide that on your own , '' spokesperson 2 said .
Despite the two people 's insistence that they were n't promoting parties , their website repeatedly uses the word `` Party . ''
On Tuesday night , Vybe Together appears to have deleted all content from its Instagram account , leaving only one post that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the media .
We DO NOT CONDON LARGE GATHERINGS !
!
! ''
The app also appears to have been deleted from the Apple App Store , and its website is down .
Update 12/29/20 7:35 p.m. EST : This story has been updated to reflect that Vybe Together 's TikTok has been removed , the website being taken down , the app being removed from the app store , and the app deleting most of its Instagram content .

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Vybe Together, a new app provides a platform for people to host gatherings with strangers. Despite the app's claims that they don't support parties or large gatherings, its materials and whole vibe (pun intended) make this appear otherwise.
According to the Apple App Store, Vybe Together hit the market as an app about four months ago. Its description in the store is below:
"Find Parties: Find private parties. Apply to get access. If you are approved the location will be revealed to you two hours before the party begins. Create parties: Organize and create get-togethers for trendy people in your area. It's super easy! Vet everyone who applies to your party, and only approve who you want. Create a beautiful profile with photos that tells the world who you are."
The slogan found on the app's website is: "Get your rebel on. Get your party on." The website also asks people if they "miss playing beer pong, flirting with strangers, and generally just having a blast with the crew?," and tells users to apply with their friends for access to activities like "speakeasies, jam sessions or beer pong."
A New York-targeted TikTok (that has since been deleted) posted by the app on Monday calls it a "secret party app" and boasts "Gatherings every weekend." According to Business Insider, TikTok took down the Vybe Together account.
While this may seem good in normal times, given the current coronavirus pandemic, the app's functions are at questionable at a time when gatherings have been discouraged to contain the spread.
Called by Newsweek for comment, a Vybe Together spokesperson quickly denied that the app was encouraging parties. When Newsweek called again, two people were on the phone, including one who said to identify him as a spokesperson. The other would interject and occasionally provide commentary. For clarity, they will be identified as spokespersons 1 and 2.
Spokesperson 1 said that the site was similar to event management and ticketing site Eventbrite and simply gave people a platform to host their own small gatherings.
"We're like Eventbrite-just a platform, but cooler, and this got way overhand. Vybe can be anything from playing board games to pingpong balls. We did this because a lot of people have been isolated and lonely, and wanted to meet. So we don't promote any large gatherings, and I know it looks like that, and that's why we're freaking out. We promote small like apartment stuff. If we see events being popular, we always take them out," he said.
Asked about promotional videos that appear to promote large gatherings and using vintage images of Studio 54 to draw attention, they said that there were "not more than 20 people" in the video—later in the call, they said that it was only about 10—and said the images were misconstrued. "However you interpret it is not the way that we wanted to showcase it, it's literally just board games to pingpong at people's places," spokesperson 1 said in another phone call.
When asked about why an app would be needed to organize a small board game night in one's apartment, spokesperson 1 said that it was targeting people who may not have people that they can easily reach out to.
"You're not like most Millennials in New York City. There's so many people that don't have friends, and so what if you then threw this entire-I understand where you're coming from, but just think about how many people are out there. They don't have those friends that you're talking about. They've spent the entire pandemic by themselves. What about them?" spokesperson 1 said.
The two people that Newsweek spoke to, said that while the app provides a space for people to connect, they appeared to shift responsibility to be precautious to those who are organizing the events or planning to go them, saying the host and attendees can communicate beforehand. They also said a warning appears on the app.
"Before you request a party, it literally tells them to be careful with the current situation, and they speak to each other, because Instagram is linked to the profiles," spokesperson said.
Despite their insistence on not promoting large parties and being cautious, the Vybe Together's site's FAQ section regarding COVID appears half-hearted at most. "We are aware that Covid is a major health problem to the country, our communities, our friends and family. If we all could just be in isolation this could actually go away. Having large scale parties is very dangerous. That is why we don't support that. But Vybe is a compromise, no big parties but small gatherings. We could be living, at least a little during these times with Vybe," it says.
On the hosts page on the Vybe Together website, it does feature a graphic that says "Host small social gatherings."
The spokesperson also said that coders will remove events if the number of attendees matches the number of maximum people for gatherings in the state. "If we see there's more people going to the event, as soon as they hit the trigger for the local laws, the app is no longer public. It stops there," spokesperson 1 said.
Later in the second phone call, spokesperson 2 reiterated that what they allow people to do is plan small gatherings and notify and remove posts that appear to be growing past state limits. "We're not promoting parties. We're promoting small gatherings. Whenever we see or feel like people are having way too many people apply to their gathering, we notify them," he said.
Spokesperson 2 also noted that people in states besides New York can also use the app, and that the number of participants allowed varies depending on the state.
When asked what they said to people who they felt were actually promoting parties, they again deferred responsibility to the people hosting and attending.
"We're sorry that they feel that we're doing that. We're just promoting our tool, our app so that people could gather. People that don't have anyone can just post card games for instance. They don't want to share their address. Instagrams are linked to everybody's profile so they could determine and don't invite that person into their homes. Just like Tinder. We're not promoting the amount of people that can go into your apartment. You decide that on your own," spokesperson 2 said.
Despite the two people's insistence that they weren't promoting parties, their website repeatedly uses the word "Party."
On Tuesday night, Vybe Together appears to have deleted all content from its Instagram account, leaving only one post that says, "blown out of proportion by the media. We DO NOT CONDON LARGE GATHERINGS!!!"
The app also appears to have been deleted from the Apple App Store, and its website is down.
A screenshot from the Vybe Together website's main page shows the "Get your rebel on. Get your party on" slogan. Screenshot/Vybe Together
Update 12/29/20 7:35 p.m. EST: This story has been updated to reflect that Vybe Together's TikTok has been removed, the website has been taken down, the app has been removed from the app store and that the app has deleted most of its Instagram content.


newsweek--2020-12-29--Bernie Sanders Slams GOP for 'Turning Their Backs' After McConnell Blocks Stimulus

Bernie Sanders slammed Senate Republicans for `` turning their backs '' on Americans after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a Democratic effort to boost stimulus checks to from $ 600 to $ 2,000 on Tuesday .
`` We are at a historic moment .
Do we turn our backs on working families who are hurting like they have never hurt before ?
Or do we provide them with the help they need ? ''
Sanders , an independent senator from Vermont , tweeted Tuesday .
`` Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are turning their backs .
Enough !
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
he added .
On Monday , the House of Representatives passed the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help ( CASH ) Act in a 275-134 bipartisan vote .
The measure would increase stimulus checks from $ 600 for individuals , as provided in the current relief package , to $ 2,000 , following a demand from President Donald Trump to do so .
In response , McConnell said Tuesday that his chamber would `` begin a process '' to consider the coronavirus relief demands , but quickly blocked two efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate floor , McConnell noted a list of demands that Trump has issued , which includes increasing direct payments to $ 2,000 , investigating the 2020 election , and regulating large technology companies including Twitter and Facebook via a repeal of Section 230 .
`` This week the Senate will begin a process to bring these three priorities into focus , '' he said .
But when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for unanimous consent from the Senate floor to boost the stimulus payments to $ 2,000 , McConnell swiftly objected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money into Americans ' pockets is to send some of their tax dollars right back from where they came , '' Schumer said on the floor .
`` Two-thousand dollar stimulus checks could mean the difference between American families having groceries for a few extra weeks or going hungry . ''
Minutes later , Sanders asked for unanimous consent to raise the payments after Wednesday 's vote on the National Defense Authorization Act , but McConnell rejected that as well .
Instead of allowing the efforts to quickly pass on Tuesday , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2,000 direct payments with Trump 's request to regulate technology companies and commission an election fraud study .
But Schumer criticized this approach and accused McConnell of attempting to kill the stimulus checks by adding `` unrelated , partisan provisions '' to the CASH Act .
`` Senator McConnell knows how to make $ 2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them .
If Sen. McConnell tries loading up the bipartisan passed CASH Act with unrelated , partisan provisions that will do absolutely nothing to help struggling families across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House and can not become law , '' he said in a statement Tuesday .
`` Any move like this by Senator McConnell would be a blatant attempt to deprive Americans of a $ 2,000 survival check , '' he added .
In an effort to increase the pressure , Sanders threatened to delay the Senate 's vote to override Trump 's veto of the defense spending package on Wednesday , unless McConnell allows the chamber to vote on the $ 2,000 payments as introduced by the CASH Act .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us what 's going to happen , but I would say that at a time when two-thirds of the House voted to provide those $ 2,000 checks , the overwhelming majority of Americans want that .
Trump wants it , Biden wants it , Pelosi wants it , Schumer wants it .
Let 's have a vote , and let 's pass this damn thing , '' Sanders said on Tuesday , according to ABC News .
On Tuesday , Trump weighed in on the matter , telling Republicans that passing the increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do . ''
`` Unless Republicans have a death wish , and it is also the right thing to do , they must approve the $ 2000 payments ASAP .
$ 600 IS NOT ENOUGH ! ''
Trump tweeted .
He added , `` Also , get rid of Section 230 - Do n't let Big Tech steal our Country , and do n't let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election . ''
Newsweek reached out to Sanders for additional comment , but did not hear back in time for publication .

Bernie Sanders slammed Senate Republicans for "turning their backs" on Americans after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a Democratic effort to boost stimulus checks to from $600 to $2,000 on Tuesday.
"We are at a historic moment. Do we turn our backs on working families who are hurting like they have never hurt before? Or do we provide them with the help they need?" Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, tweeted Tuesday.
"Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are turning their backs. Enough! Let the Senate vote on $2,000 checks!" he added.
We are at a historic moment. Do we turn our backs on working families who are hurting like they have never hurt before? Or do we provide them with the help they need?
Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are turning their backs. Enough! Let the Senate vote on $2,000 checks! https://t.co/s8hHB1AqeK — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 29, 2020
On Monday, the House of Representatives passed the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act in a 275-134 bipartisan vote. The measure would increase stimulus checks from $600 for individuals, as provided in the current relief package, to $2,000, following a demand from President Donald Trump to do so.
In response, McConnell said Tuesday that his chamber would "begin a process" to consider the coronavirus relief demands, but quickly blocked two efforts to pass the legislation unanimously.
Speaking from the Senate floor, McConnell noted a list of demands that Trump has issued, which includes increasing direct payments to $2,000, investigating the 2020 election, and regulating large technology companies including Twitter and Facebook via a repeal of Section 230.
"This week the Senate will begin a process to bring these three priorities into focus," he said. But when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for unanimous consent from the Senate floor to boost the stimulus payments to $2,000, McConnell swiftly objected.
"The fastest way to get money into Americans' pockets is to send some of their tax dollars right back from where they came," Schumer said on the floor. "Two-thousand dollar stimulus checks could mean the difference between American families having groceries for a few extra weeks or going hungry."
Minutes later, Sanders asked for unanimous consent to raise the payments after Wednesday's vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, but McConnell rejected that as well.
Senator Bernie Sanders slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Tuesday for blocking a Democratic effort to increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000. Here, Sanders speaks at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on September 24. NICHOLAS KAMM/Getty
Instead of allowing the efforts to quickly pass on Tuesday, McConnell introduced a combination bill that ties the $2,000 direct payments with Trump's request to regulate technology companies and commission an election fraud study.
But Schumer criticized this approach and accused McConnell of attempting to kill the stimulus checks by adding "unrelated, partisan provisions" to the CASH Act.
"Senator McConnell knows how to make $2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them. If Sen. McConnell tries loading up the bipartisan passed CASH Act with unrelated, partisan provisions that will do absolutely nothing to help struggling families across the country, it will not pass the House and cannot become law," he said in a statement Tuesday.
"Any move like this by Senator McConnell would be a blatant attempt to deprive Americans of a $2,000 survival check," he added.
In an effort to increase the pressure, Sanders threatened to delay the Senate's vote to override Trump's veto of the defense spending package on Wednesday, unless McConnell allows the chamber to vote on the $2,000 payments as introduced by the CASH Act.
"I think Leader McConnell is going to tell us what's going to happen, but I would say that at a time when two-thirds of the House voted to provide those $2,000 checks, the overwhelming majority of Americans want that. Trump wants it, Biden wants it, Pelosi wants it, Schumer wants it. Let's have a vote, and let's pass this damn thing," Sanders said on Tuesday, according to ABC News.
On Tuesday, Trump weighed in on the matter, telling Republicans that passing the increased stimulus checks was "the right thing to do."
"Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP. $600 IS NOT ENOUGH!" Trump tweeted. He added, "Also, get rid of Section 230 - Don't let Big Tech steal our Country, and don't let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election."
Newsweek reached out to Sanders for additional comment, but did not hear back in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-29--Wokeism Should Terrify Liberals | Opinion

This essay is being co-published with Kausfiles I suppose it 's conventional wisdom that the pandemic is Joe Biden 's friend .
It gives him a unifying project for a year that can distract from his shortcomings as a leader ( including , but not limited to , inability to inspire with soaring rhetoric ) .
Most Americans will support any reasonable anti-COVID actions he takes and be grateful when they eventually succeed .
Does Biden want to wriggle out of domestic policy promises ?
Delay them with a Covid excuse..
He 's Dr.-End-The-Virus , not Dr.-Ban-Assault-Weapons , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to criticize his virus policies ... how ?
Well , they can lead an anti-lockdown , anti-mask resistance .
But Biden is n't an obvious foil because he seems to want to open up the schools -- and it 's not clear that Berensonian resistance is the path to a majority as long as the virus stays at scary levels.. What I 'd like to suggest is that the virus has also opened up a bigger opportunity for Biden , via a more circuitous route .
Start with last week 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control 's own data showed that the way to save the most lives was to vaccinate older people ( 65+ ) ahead of `` essential workers , '' who 'd be next up .
But the CDC 's expert advisory committee was initially poised reject this approach on `` social justice '' grounds .
The problem ?
`` [ R ] acial and ethnic minority groups are under-represented among adults 65 [ and over ] . ''
The worker group was simply more `` diverse . ''
White people `` live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an expert in ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania .
It was time to `` level the playing field a bit . ''
Even if it meant letting more people ( including more black people ! )
die .
A trans-partisan outcry from left , right , center , and Tulsi -- plus opposition from higher ups like HHS Secretary Azar -- put a partial stop to this idiocy .
Now people 75 and up will apparently be recommended for priority , with the 65-74 and `` essential-but-not-frontline '' group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big improvement .
But the most important point had already been made .
You may have assumed that woke activism was a sideshow , destroying academic institutions and The New York Times.Yet here it had penetrated an important , once-revered government scientific agency and it was affecting , not who gets to edit the Times op-ed page but basic questions of life and death for millions .
For liberals , this should be especially terrifying -- most crucially for backers of `` Medicare for All '' and other ambitious health plans .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've always supported some kind of universal , national health insurance .
Medicare seems like a program that works -- why not expand it ?
Claims from conservatives that this gives government too much power have always seemed like a rote application of abstract dogma .
Did Medicare — run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services -- have too much power ?
Hard to see how .
There 's no obvious rationing .
No death panels .
Of course there are always worries about cost-cutting , and the insidious culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creepy end-of-life maneuvers ( like the UKs infamous Liverpool Pathway ) .
Yet we could seemingly rely on voter demand for care to overhwelm lugubrious proponents of medical austerity .
But what happened last week was not abstract : The near-hijacking of a universal medical instiution , and a potential denial of care , not in the name of budget-cutting but in the name of two-wrongs-make-up-for-racism social justice .
Fight it and you 're not just self-interested and wrong .
You 're self-interested and wrong and racist .
Where 'll this line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to worry that in the future , when I 'm wheeled into the ER , some Ivy League bioethicist will have decided I 'm too white to get care ?
Or — further up the medical supply chain — that valuable medicines wo n't even be developed because'If the government paid for this procedure it would save lives , but they would not be diverse lives ... ' If you thought Woke CDC was bad , wait till you see Woke CMS .
Yes , I 'm quite paranoid about this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our colleges have been churning out these Woke folk for many years now .
They 've infiltrated themselves into every institution of society -- including the state , apparently -- where they reward each other with tenure and civil service protections .
They 'll be hard to root out !
You ca n't fire a civil servant without months , or years , of due process .
Even then you ca n't fire them just because their loony views clash with the policies endorsed by the voters .
That would violate the First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 427 U.S. 347 ) .
Now I know how Joe McCarthy felt .
Actuallly , the Woke have a weapon that 50 's Communists never did -- the power of cancellation , which works in some contexts at least , including agencies that are terrified of even a day 's bad PR .
( Ask Shirley Sherrod . )
And if Wokeness gained power under Trump , what about under a Democrat ?
Here is Biden 's historic opportunity to perform a service for his party .
If you 're a Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Woke baby in the bathtub , before it grows up to thoroughly undermine public support for finishing the great Democratic project ( including universal health care , but also ending exclusionary zoning and stratified schooling , providing a safe environment , etc. )
.
Biden 's not 'the perfect man for the job ' -- that would be 1992 's Bill Clinton .
( Ask Sister Souljah . )
But Biden 's a solid candidate .
He 's already pushed back against the left wing of his party on Medicare for All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he contradicted his whole campaign pitch by suddenly worrying , post election , about `` two million people on our border '' trying to get in .
There are signs he 's ready to do the same thing on the HUD `` fair housing '' plan that Trump warned would `` destroy our suburbs . ''
It 's not hard to see Biden drawing the line at Woke .
He 's not typically mealy-mouthed about such things . '
C'mon man.
, ' he might say .
'That 's not what this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly be a Souljah moment -- and it would be far more effective if some woke bioethicist were slam-dunked , Souljah-style .
( May I suggest Harald Schmidt ? )
But it 's a start , and it could be enough — especially if it were coupled with a less-publicized plan to keep the Woken out of government .
We 're told Biden does n't have a `` vision . ''
He does n't .
We 're told he does n't have an ideology .
He does n't .
But he has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a middle-class guy in the center who knows what he does n't like — and he does n't like departures from common sense .
In this initial , breath-gathering post-Trump moment , that might do as a Vision Substitute .
It 's not asking not what your country can do for you or having a dream or a shining city on a hill or `` as Americans that is not enough we must be equal in the eyes of each other . ''
It 's just `` C'mon man . ''
Like @ @ @ @ @ @

This essay is being co-published with Kausfiles
I suppose it's conventional wisdom that the pandemic is Joe Biden's friend. It gives him a unifying project for a year that can distract from his shortcomings as a leader (including, but not limited to, inability to inspire with soaring rhetoric). Most Americans will support any reasonable anti-COVID actions he takes and be grateful when they eventually succeed. Does Biden want to wriggle out of domestic policy promises? Delay them with a Covid excuse.. He's Dr.-End-The-Virus, not Dr.-Ban-Assault-Weapons, at least for the moment. Meanwhile, Republicans are going to criticize his virus policies... how? Well, they can lead an anti-lockdown, anti-mask resistance. But Biden isn't an obvious foil because he seems to want to open up the schools--and it's not clear that Berensonian resistance is the path to a majority as long as the virus stays at scary levels..
What I'd like to suggest is that the virus has also opened up a bigger opportunity for Biden, via a more circuitous route. Start with last week's controversy over vaccine distribution. The Centers for Disease Control's own data showed that the way to save the most lives was to vaccinate older people (65+) ahead of "essential workers," who'd be next up. But the CDC's expert advisory committee was initially poised reject this approach on "social justice" grounds. The problem? "[R]acial and ethnic minority groups are under-represented among adults 65 [and over]." The worker group was simply more "diverse." White people "live longer," explained Harald Schmidt, an expert in ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania. It was time to "level the playing field a bit." Even if it meant letting more people (including more black people!) die.
A trans-partisan outcry from left, right, center, and Tulsi -- plus opposition from higher ups like HHS Secretary Azar -- put a partial stop to this idiocy. Now people 75 and up will apparently be recommended for priority, with the 65-74 and "essential-but-not-frontline" group fighting it out after that.
A big improvement. But the most important point had already been made. You may have assumed that woke activism was a sideshow, destroying academic institutions and The New York Times.Yet here it had penetrated an important, once-revered government scientific agency and it was affecting, not who gets to edit the Times op-ed page but basic questions of life and death for millions.
For liberals, this should be especially terrifying--most crucially for backers of "Medicare for All" and other ambitious health plans. I think I'm one of them — I've always supported some kind of universal, national health insurance. Medicare seems like a program that works--why not expand it? Claims from conservatives that this gives government too much power have always seemed like a rote application of abstract dogma. Did Medicare — run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services -- have too much power? Hard to see how. There's no obvious rationing. No death panels. Of course there are always worries about cost-cutting, and the insidious culture of "good death," including creepy end-of-life maneuvers (like the UKs infamous Liverpool Pathway). Yet we could seemingly rely on voter demand for care to overhwelm lugubrious proponents of medical austerity.
But what happened last week was not abstract: The near-hijacking of a universal medical instiution, and a potential denial of care, not in the name of budget-cutting but in the name of two-wrongs-make-up-for-racism social justice. Fight it and you're not just self-interested and wrong. You're self-interested and wrong and racist.
Where'll this line of argument crop up next? Do I have to worry that in the future, when I'm wheeled into the ER, some Ivy League bioethicist will have decided I'm too white to get care? Or — further up the medical supply chain — that valuable medicines won't even be developed because'If the government paid for this procedure it would save lives, but they would not be diverse lives ...'
If you thought Woke CDC was bad, wait till you see Woke CMS.
Yes, I'm quite paranoid about this, for good reasons. Put crudely, our colleges have been churning out these Woke folk for many years now. They've infiltrated themselves into every institution of society -- including the state, apparently-- where they reward each other with tenure and civil service protections. They'll be hard to root out! You can't fire a civil servant without months, or years, of due process. Even then you can't fire them just because their loony views clash with the policies endorsed by the voters. That would violate the First Amendment! (See Elrod v. Burns, 427 U.S. 347). Now I know how Joe McCarthy felt.
Actuallly, the Woke have a weapon that 50's Communists never did -- the power of cancellation, which works in some contexts at least, including agencies that are terrified of even a day's bad PR. (Ask Shirley Sherrod.)
And if Wokeness gained power under Trump, what about under a Democrat? Here is Biden's historic opportunity to perform a service for his party. If you're a Big Government liberal, you want to strangle the Woke baby in the bathtub, before it grows up to thoroughly undermine public support for finishing the great Democratic project (including universal health care, but also ending exclusionary zoning and stratified schooling, providing a safe environment, etc.).
Biden's not 'the perfect man for the job'--that would be 1992's Bill Clinton. (Ask Sister Souljah.) But Biden's a solid candidate. He's already pushed back against the left wing of his party on Medicare for All, and more recently on immigration-- where he contradicted his whole campaign pitch by suddenly worrying, post election, about "two million people on our border" trying to get in. There are signs he's ready to do the same thing on the HUD "fair housing" plan that Trump warned would "destroy our suburbs."
It's not hard to see Biden drawing the line at Woke. He's not typically mealy-mouthed about such things. 'C'mon man.,' he might say. 'That's not what this is about.' It wouldn't exactly be a Souljah moment -- and it would be far more effective if some woke bioethicist were slam-dunked, Souljah-style. (May I suggest Harald Schmidt?) But it's a start, and it could be enough — especially if it were coupled with a less-publicized plan to keep the Woken out of government.
We're told Biden doesn't have a "vision." He doesn't. We're told he doesn't have an ideology. He doesn't. But he has a public image, which is that he's a middle-class guy in the center who knows what he doesn't like — and he doesn't like departures from common sense. In this initial, breath-gathering post-Trump moment, that might do as a Vision Substitute. It's not asking not what your country can do for you or having a dream or a shining city on a hill or "as Americans that is not enough we must be equal in the eyes of each other." It's just "C'mon man." Like Biden, it might do.


newsweek--2020-12-29--Players Say Pokémon Support Has 'No Replacement' Zarude Codes

The Pokémon Trainer Newsletter 's Zarude distribution has not gone according to plan , and it seems like many players have missed out on this Mythical Pokémon .
A code to claim Zarude , the Dark and Grass-type Pokémon , via Pokémon Sword and Shield 's Mystery Gift feature was supposed to be attached to December 's Pokémon Trainer Club Newsletter , as long as gamers signed up before November 20 .
However , when the newsletter was distributed in mid-December , many trainers said they did n't receive it .
There are threads and threads on Reddit and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't receive their newsletter with the Zarude code .
Unfortunately , there has been no official reason given for the mishap .
When Newsweek reached out to The Pokémon Company International at the time , they delivered this statement : '' Trainers who signed up for Pokémon Trainer Club email notifications by November 20 , 2020 , received a Pokémon Trainer Club email containing a distribution code for Zarude for their Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield video game by December 11 , 2020 .
Those experiencing any issues can contact Pokémon Customer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfortunately , it seems like the time to reach out to Pokémon Support has ended .
Newsweek has received numerous screenshots of apparent correspondence with Pokémon Support from multiple gamers , who look to have been told that there are no more codes to give .
`` We 're sorry to hear you had trouble receiving your recent newsletter .
We apologize but we have no replacement codes for this promotion as of 12/22/2020 .
It can be difficult to determine what may have happened that prevented you from receiving the newsletter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are signed up for newsletters in the future , '' the correspondence reads in at least two separate exchanges .
The correspondence then shares steps that trainers can take to make sure they 've opted-in to receive emails from the newsletter .
Newsweek has reached out to The Pokémon Company for comment and confirmation that there are no more codes available .
Despite the players ' correspondence saying that Zarude codes were tapped out by December 22 , some trainers believe there is still a chance to get a Zarude code .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of threads in which users share their experience with Pokémon Support and how they received a code .
When some users wrote that they were told there are no more Zarude codes , some people said to keep asking because that 's what worked for them .
`` You have to respond one more time past the first rejection .
I think that 's some kind of canned reply they use to quickly answer folks .
And remember to be nice , even if they still reject you anyway , '' one user @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee that Pokémon Support will give you a code for Zarude , but reaching out again seems like the only course of action until the Pokémon is distributed again .
Let us know your experience with Pokémon Support in the comments section .

The Pokémon Trainer Newsletter's Zarude distribution has not gone according to plan, and it seems like many players have missed out on this Mythical Pokémon.
A code to claim Zarude, the Dark and Grass-type Pokémon, via Pokémon Sword and Shield's Mystery Gift feature was supposed to be attached to December's Pokémon Trainer Club Newsletter, as long as gamers signed up before November 20.
However, when the newsletter was distributed in mid-December, many trainers said they didn't receive it. There are threads and threads on Reddit and other forums in which gamers ask why they didn't receive their newsletter with the Zarude code. Unfortunately, there has been no official reason given for the mishap.
Zarude using the move, Jungle Healing in 'Pokemon Sword and Shield' The Pokemon Company
When Newsweek reached out to The Pokémon Company International at the time, they delivered this statement:
"Trainers who signed up for Pokémon Trainer Club email notifications by November 20, 2020, received a Pokémon Trainer Club email containing a distribution code for Zarude for their Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield video game by December 11, 2020. Those experiencing any issues can contact Pokémon Customer Support at support.pokemon.com for assistance."
Unfortunately, it seems like the time to reach out to Pokémon Support has ended.
Newsweek has received numerous screenshots of apparent correspondence with Pokémon Support from multiple gamers, who look to have been told that there are no more codes to give.
"We're sorry to hear you had trouble receiving your recent newsletter. We apologize but we have no replacement codes for this promotion as of 12/22/2020. It can be difficult to determine what may have happened that prevented you from receiving the newsletter, but the following steps might help ensure you are signed up for newsletters in the future," the correspondence reads in at least two separate exchanges.
The correspondence then shares steps that trainers can take to make sure they've opted-in to receive emails from the newsletter.
Newsweek has reached out to The Pokémon Company for comment and confirmation that there are no more codes available.
Despite the players' correspondence saying that Zarude codes were tapped out by December 22, some trainers believe there is still a chance to get a Zarude code.
On Reddit, there are a number of threads in which users share their experience with Pokémon Support and how they received a code. When some users wrote that they were told there are no more Zarude codes, some people said to keep asking because that's what worked for them.
"You have to respond one more time past the first rejection. I think that's some kind of canned reply they use to quickly answer folks. And remember to be nice, even if they still reject you anyway," one user wrote.
Now, this doesn't guarantee that Pokémon Support will give you a code for Zarude, but reaching out again seems like the only course of action until the Pokémon is distributed again.
Let us know your experience with Pokémon Support in the comments section.


newsweek--2020-12-29--$2,000 Stimulus Checks, Section 230 Repeal Included in Mitch McConnell's Surprise COVID Relief Bill

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a bill Tuesday evening which would offer increased $ 2,000 direct payments to individuals sought by Democrats and President Donald Trump , but adds legislation pertaining to social media companies and election fraud studies .
McConnell introduced the parallel pandemic relief bill on Tuesday , S.5085 , which would include the $ 600 to $ 2,000 increase in checks to individual Americans , but tacks on a repeal of section 230 of the Communications Act of 1996 and funding for a commission to investigate voter fraud .
Both of these additions to McConnell 's surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Trump for months .
The Section 230 repeal would pull back protections for internet companies and allow such media companies as Twitter and Facebook to be sued if users feel wronged by messages on the platform .
McConnell has for months said he opposes added weekly unemployment benefits and only last week agreed with Democrats to add the $ 600 direct deposits for Americans struggling amid the pandemic .
Trump appeared to have predicted what McConnell 's move would be this week after the White House came out in support , alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief checks to individual Americans .
`` The Senate will start the process for a vote that increases checks to $ 2,000 , repeals Section 230 , and starts an investigation into voter fraud , '' the president wrote in a Sunday statement , days before McConnell introduced nearly identical legislation .
`` Big Tech must not get protections of Section 230 ! ''
Trump stated Sunday , in a request which McConnell appears to have granted by tacking the freedom of speech issue onto the $ 2,000 check stipulation .
`` Voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money is coming .
I will never give my fight for the American people ! ''
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to McConnell 's introduction of the bill as a `` cynical gambit . ''
Unclear in what exactly McConnell 's legislative motives are , Schumer said the GOP Senate leader is attempting to undermine the $ 2,000 by adding Trump 's election fraud and Section 230 repeal demands .
`` Senator McConnell knows how to make $ 2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CASH Act with unrelated , partisan provisions that will do absolutely nothing to help struggling families across the country , it will not pass the House and can not become law , '' Schumer said in a statement Tuesday evening .
McConnell for months has rejected Democrats ' push for increased weekly direct payments to unemployed and struggling Americans .
In a Tuesday tweet , Trump warned the GOP after McConnell blocked the Senate vote that afternoon .
The president said Republicans would lose their Georgia Senate runoffs if incumbents Kelly Loeffler and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue before the January 5 runoff .
This story is developing , check back with Newsweek shortly for additional information about McConnell 's Tuesday stimulus measure .

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a bill Tuesday evening which would offer increased $2,000 direct payments to individuals sought by Democrats and President Donald Trump, but adds legislation pertaining to social media companies and election fraud studies.
McConnell introduced the parallel pandemic relief bill on Tuesday, S.5085, which would include the $600 to $2,000 increase in checks to individual Americans, but tacks on a repeal of section 230 of the Communications Act of 1996 and funding for a commission to investigate voter fraud. Both of these additions to McConnell's surprise bill are demands which have been made by Trump for months. The Section 230 repeal would pull back protections for internet companies and allow such media companies as Twitter and Facebook to be sued if users feel wronged by messages on the platform.
McConnell has for months said he opposes added weekly unemployment benefits and only last week agreed with Democrats to add the $600 direct deposits for Americans struggling amid the pandemic.
Trump appeared to have predicted what McConnell's move would be this week after the White House came out in support, alongside Democrats, of the $2,000 stimulus relief checks to individual Americans. "The Senate will start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000, repeals Section 230, and starts an investigation into voter fraud," the president wrote in a Sunday statement, days before McConnell introduced nearly identical legislation.
"Big Tech must not get protections of Section 230!" Trump stated Sunday, in a request which McConnell appears to have granted by tacking the freedom of speech issue onto the $2,000 check stipulation. "Voter Fraud must be Fixed! Much more money is coming. I will never give my fight for the American people!"
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to McConnell's introduction of the bill as a "cynical gambit." Unclear in what exactly McConnell's legislative motives are, Schumer said the GOP Senate leader is attempting to undermine the $2,000 by adding Trump's election fraud and Section 230 repeal demands.
Twitter is going wild with their flags, trying hard to suppress even the truth. Just shows how dangerous they are, purposely stifling free speech. Very dangerous for our Country. Does Congress know that this is how Communism starts? Cancel Culture at its worst. End Section 230! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2020
"Senator McConnell knows how to make $2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them. If Sen. McConnell tries loading up bipartisan House-passed CASH Act with unrelated, partisan provisions that will do absolutely nothing to help struggling families across the country, it will not pass the House and cannot become law," Schumer said in a statement Tuesday evening.
McConnell for months has rejected Democrats' push for increased weekly direct payments to unemployed and struggling Americans.
In a Tuesday tweet, Trump warned the GOP after McConnell blocked the Senate vote that afternoon. The president said Republicans would lose their Georgia Senate runoffs if incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue were forced to vote on the issue before the January 5 runoff.
This story is developing, check back with Newsweek shortly for additional information about McConnell's Tuesday stimulus measure.


newsweek--2020-12-29--Lincoln Project Ad Says 'Trump's Wall' Is Made of Over 330,000 U.S. COVID Fatalities

In a new ad , The Lincoln Project , a political action committee of Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump , states that the president 's `` wall '' actually consists of the over 330,000 Americans who have died during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
The silent ad begins by displaying the numerical date for December 28 , 2020 over a black background .
The date then fades and a ticker begins quickly counting from zero to 330,901 over what seems to be a bird 's eye view of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico ; there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The following words fade into view : `` More than 330,901 Americans are dead . ''
In the ad 's closing shot , the `` wall '' turns out to be a row of tombstones in a desert prairie , each headstone numbered to represent a different person killed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
`` THIS IS TRUMP 'S WALL '' appears on the screen , followed by the message , `` Paid for with 330,901 American lives . ''
An eagle screeches in the distance .
As of December 29 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 19.4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
The U.S. ranks among the top 10 world countries with the highest COVID-19 case fatality rates per capita .
The Lincoln Project has repeatedly attacked Trump 's handling of the pandemic .
Their previous ads marked the grim milestone of 200,000 dead Americans in October , accused Trump of downplaying the lethality of the virus while gasping for air after being hospitalized with it , turned his praise of the medication Regeneron into a cheesy '80s-style infomercial , and edited his town hall comment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 into a dance re-mix .
Only two percent of Trump 's 729 tweets published between Election Day and December 19 were about COVID-19 , according to the Trump Twitter Archive .
None of the tweets mentioned the COVID-19 death toll or advised Americans on how to avoid the virus .
Approximately 69 percent of his tweets during that time were about the election results .
Trump repeatedly said he would erect a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico during his 2016 and 2020 election campaigns .
He also claimed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wall 's construction , but never clarified how .
During his 2016 election campaign , Trump called for 1,000 miles of new wall to be built .
In 2018 , he dropped that number to 600 to 500 , according to Bloomberg News .
By August 2020 , Trump had built only 30 miles of barriers on the border where none had existed before , according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection .
He has also repaired 245 miles of pre-existing primary and secondary barriers along the border .
Roughly $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Customs and Border Protection budget and Trump re-directed an additional $ 10 billion from the Defense Department for it , but Mexico has n't yet paid for any of the construction .
Both former Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrado have said repeatedly that their country wo n't be paying for any of the wall .
A study published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association , co-authored by former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers and Harvard University economist David Cutler , concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over $ 16 trillion .
The study 's authors called the pandemic `` the greatest threat to prosperity and well-being the U.S. has encountered since the Great Depression . ''

In a new ad, The Lincoln Project, a political action committee of Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump, states that the president's "wall" actually consists of the over 330,000 Americans who have died during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The silent ad begins by displaying the numerical date for December 28, 2020 over a black background. The date then fades and a ticker begins quickly counting from zero to 330,901 over what seems to be a bird's eye view of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico; there are sounds of wind and insects chirping.
The following words fade into view: "More than 330,901 Americans are dead."
In the ad's closing shot, the "wall" turns out to be a row of tombstones in a desert prairie, each headstone numbered to represent a different person killed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "THIS IS TRUMP'S WALL" appears on the screen, followed by the message, "Paid for with 330,901 American lives." An eagle screeches in the distance.
As of December 29, more than 336,000 Americans have died from over 19.4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. The U.S. ranks among the top 10 world countries with the highest COVID-19 case fatality rates per capita.
The Lincoln Project has repeatedly attacked Trump's handling of the pandemic. Their previous ads marked the grim milestone of 200,000 dead Americans in October, accused Trump of downplaying the lethality of the virus while gasping for air after being hospitalized with it, turned his praise of the medication Regeneron into a cheesy '80s-style infomercial, and edited his town hall comment that "everybody's going to die" from COVID-19 into a dance re-mix.
In a newly released ad from The Lincoln Project, the political action committee of Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump blames him for the over 330,000 Americans who have died during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, calling their tombstones his "wall." In this September 22, 2020 photo, Chris Duncan, whose 75 year old mother Constance died from COVID on her birthday, photographs a COVID Memorial Project installation of 20,000 American flags on the National Mall in Washington, DC as the United States crosses the 200,000 lives lost in the COVID-19 pandemic at the time. Win McNamee/Getty
Only two percent of Trump's 729 tweets published between Election Day and December 19 were about COVID-19, according to the Trump Twitter Archive. None of the tweets mentioned the COVID-19 death toll or advised Americans on how to avoid the virus. Approximately 69 percent of his tweets during that time were about the election results.
Trump repeatedly said he would erect a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico during his 2016 and 2020 election campaigns. He also claimed that Mexico would pay for the entirety of the wall's construction, but never clarified how.
During his 2016 election campaign, Trump called for 1,000 miles of new wall to be built. In 2018, he dropped that number to 600 to 500, according to Bloomberg News. By August 2020, Trump had built only 30 miles of barriers on the border where none had existed before, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has also repaired 245 miles of pre-existing primary and secondary barriers along the border.
Roughly $5 billion in wall funding came through the Customs and Border Protection budget and Trump re-directed an additional $10 billion from the Defense Department for it, but Mexico hasn't yet paid for any of the construction.
Both former Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrado have said repeatedly that their country won't be paying for any of the wall.
A study published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, co-authored by former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers and Harvard University economist David Cutler, concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic has cost Americans over $16 trillion.
The study's authors called the pandemic "the greatest threat to prosperity and well-being the U.S. has encountered since the Great Depression."
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-29--In Georgia, Democrats Desperately Need Jaded 'Low Propensity' Voters to Show Up

Mondale Robinson calls them `` fake shop talk '' videos , the carefully coordinated discussions filmed by campaigns every cycle of Black men in barbershops , supposedly telling it like it is .
But the head of the Black Male Voter Project , which is working to get out Black men in Georgia for the Senate runoffs on January 5 as it did for the general election , said those ubiquitous setups are contrived , in no small part because once there are cameras , white people and women at the events , the conversation ceases to be genuine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Black men really care about .
His group , which operates in 17 states , is laser-focused on a universe of 460,000 Black men in Georgia who did not vote in the six previous federal elections before November , meaning they did not vote for Obama in 2008 or 2012 , or Stacey Abrams in 2018 .
Where others see an electoral lost cause , Robinson said his unconventional approach , seeded by figures like Abrams and amplified by like-minded groups , helped lead to 104,000 of those men voting in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again now under more difficult circumstances .
Runoff elections traditionally see drop-off from Democratic base voters and voters of color , meaning Jon Ossoff , who received 90,000 votes less than Senator David Purdue , and the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , who faces Senator Kelly Loeffler head-to-head , instead of in a three-way matchup that favored him on November 3 , desperately need to get out as many so-called `` low propensity '' voters as possible .
Robinson wants to show Black men are `` not a big , bad monster people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also worthy of a thoughtful approach .
He cites Maslow 's Hierarchy of Needs , the 1943 psychological theory that says base needs like food , water and security must be met before there can be self-actualization , or an interest in more abstract benefits .
Black men , he argued , have the lowest social markers , the shortest lives , underemployed , overcharged by the criminal justice system leading to longer sentences , suspended and expelled from schools , and suffer worse health outcomes .
`` These are all political problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the polar ice caps do n't resonate for people living with their backs against the wall . ''
Instead , Robinson said he hears repeatedly about three issues from Black men .
They include bringing learning of skilled trades back into schools so these men can take control of their careers because they feel they often lack workplace protections .
They also want to end cash bail because of the time wasted in jail , and end qualified immunity for police , which is a term many people learned this year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd by Minneapolis police .
These men may not know the term `` qualified immunity , '' which shields cops from lawsuits , but they know there is no accountability for the brutalization of Black men by police , Robinson said .
Kara Turrentine , a Democratic strategist whose firm worked for Senator Bernie Sanders ' campaign in Georgia and South Carolina doing direct mail and communications work , said the party must do a better job of explaining how it can change the material life of low propensity voters .
`` Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be different if I vote Democrat ? '
We have to be able to show through policies that impact lives that voting blue is going to do something to improve your condition in this country , '' Turrentine said .
Among those who do outreach to infrequent voters , there is a belief that the party as well as Ossoff and Warnock could be doing a better job engaging them .
Jerry Gonzalez , the CEO of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials ( GALEO ) , said that because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much the candidates , but what 's at stake , '' including `` COVID relief , getting COVID under control , jump-starting the economy , and immigration reform , which is still what a lot of Latinos are thinking about . ''
Robinson pointed to a Warnock ad with police officers that he felt sought to assuage conservatives that Republican messaging about him being anti-police was wrong , as evidence that the candidates do n't fully understand the potential they have within their own base of voters .
`` We 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates , '' he added .
Bakari Sellers , a former state representative from South Carolina and CNN commentator , told Newsweek he spent time talking to people in barbershops and to truck drivers in Georgia and South Carolina during the campaign cycle .
While he acknowledged that meaningful outreach can be `` tough '' during this accelerated timeframe for the runoff elections , he said there is no substitute to actually speaking to these Black men whom he said feel the government has `` left them behind . ''
`` While you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging of 'defund the police , ' I wish they would shut up and help us knock on some doors , '' he said .
`` If we want to have the progressive agenda that enhances and changes people 's lives for the next two years , nothing matters more than what happens January 5 . ''
For his part , Robinson said he held 4,000 conversations and events with Black men in places likes Atlanta , Macon and Brunswick .
Away from the cameras , with no white people or women in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinions from Black men who often were politically invisible in the eyes of campaigns and consultants .
He recalled one of the few politicos he let into the room once lecturing the men in attendance about why they did n't view health care as a top issue when the Black community is disproportionately affected by co-morbidities that lead to complications and deaths .
`` Why do I need health care if a cop is gon na shoot me before I 'm 30 ? ''
a young man said , drawing the attention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to aim for my head or my heart so I wo n't even make it to the hospital . ''

Mondale Robinson calls them "fake shop talk" videos, the carefully coordinated discussions filmed by campaigns every cycle of Black men in barbershops, supposedly telling it like it is.
But the head of the Black Male Voter Project, which is working to get out Black men in Georgia for the Senate runoffs on January 5 as it did for the general election, said those ubiquitous setups are contrived, in no small part because once there are cameras, white people and women at the events, the conversation ceases to be genuine.
Robinson knows the importance of finding out what Black men really care about. His group, which operates in 17 states, is laser-focused on a universe of 460,000 Black men in Georgia who did not vote in the six previous federal elections before November, meaning they did not vote for Obama in 2008 or 2012, or Stacey Abrams in 2018.
Where others see an electoral lost cause, Robinson said his unconventional approach, seeded by figures like Abrams and amplified by like-minded groups, helped lead to 104,000 of those men voting in November.
He's trying to do it again now under more difficult circumstances.
Runoff elections traditionally see drop-off from Democratic base voters and voters of color, meaning Jon Ossoff, who received 90,000 votes less than Senator David Purdue, and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who faces Senator Kelly Loeffler head-to-head, instead of in a three-way matchup that favored him on November 3, desperately need to get out as many so-called "low propensity" voters as possible.
Robinson wants to show Black men are "not a big, bad monster people see in their minds," but also worthy of a thoughtful approach. He cites Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the 1943 psychological theory that says base needs like food, water and security must be met before there can be self-actualization, or an interest in more abstract benefits.
Black men, he argued, have the lowest social markers, the shortest lives, underemployed, overcharged by the criminal justice system leading to longer sentences, suspended and expelled from schools, and suffer worse health outcomes.
"These are all political problems," Robinson told Newsweek. "But the polar ice caps don't resonate for people living with their backs against the wall."
Instead, Robinson said he hears repeatedly about three issues from Black men.
They include bringing learning of skilled trades back into schools so these men can take control of their careers because they feel they often lack workplace protections. They also want to end cash bail because of the time wasted in jail, and end qualified immunity for police, which is a term many people learned this year in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
These men may not know the term "qualified immunity," which shields cops from lawsuits, but they know there is no accountability for the brutalization of Black men by police, Robinson said.
While you have people debating the merits of the messaging of 'defund the police,' I wish they would shut up and help us knock on some doors. Bakari Sellers, former South Carolina state representative
Kara Turrentine, a Democratic strategist whose firm worked for Senator Bernie Sanders' campaign in Georgia and South Carolina doing direct mail and communications work, said the party must do a better job of explaining how it can change the material life of low propensity voters.
"Their question is 'How is my life going to be different if I vote Democrat?' We have to be able to show through policies that impact lives that voting blue is going to do something to improve your condition in this country," Turrentine said.
Among those who do outreach to infrequent voters, there is a belief that the party as well as Ossoff and Warnock could be doing a better job engaging them.
Jerry Gonzalez, the CEO of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO), said that because of this "folks are looking at not so much the candidates, but what's at stake," including "COVID relief, getting COVID under control, jump-starting the economy, and immigration reform, which is still what a lot of Latinos are thinking about."
Robinson pointed to a Warnock ad with police officers that he felt sought to assuage conservatives that Republican messaging about him being anti-police was wrong, as evidence that the candidates don't fully understand the potential they have within their own base of voters.
"We're going to win Georgia in spite of our candidates," he added.
Bakari Sellers, a former state representative from South Carolina and CNN commentator, told Newsweek he spent time talking to people in barbershops and to truck drivers in Georgia and South Carolina during the campaign cycle. While he acknowledged that meaningful outreach can be "tough" during this accelerated timeframe for the runoff elections, he said there is no substitute to actually speaking to these Black men whom he said feel the government has "left them behind."
"While you have people debating the merits of the messaging of 'defund the police,' I wish they would shut up and help us knock on some doors," he said. "If we want to have the progressive agenda that enhances and changes people's lives for the next two years, nothing matters more than what happens January 5."
For his part, Robinson said he held 4,000 conversations and events with Black men in places likes Atlanta, Macon and Brunswick. Away from the cameras, with no white people or women in the room, Robinson would hear unvarnished opinions from Black men who often were politically invisible in the eyes of campaigns and consultants.
He recalled one of the few politicos he let into the room once lecturing the men in attendance about why they didn't view health care as a top issue when the Black community is disproportionately affected by co-morbidities that lead to complications and deaths.
"Why do I need health care if a cop is gonna shoot me before I'm 30?" a young man said, drawing the attention of the room. "He's probably going to aim for my head or my heart so I won't even make it to the hospital."
The other men agreed.
"Facts."
"That's right."
"True," they said.


newsweek--2020-12-29--First U.S. Case of Highly-Contagious U.K. COVID Mutation Reported in Colorado

Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced Tuesday the first U.S. case of a highly contagious COVID-19 variant was confirmed in a patient within his state .
Little is known so far about the variant , which health officials identify as B.1.1.7 , but it is believed to be more easily transmissible among human patients and has thus raised concerns among health and government officials after it began spreading in the United Kingdom earlier this month .
According to a statement Polis shared on Twitter , the Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the mutation in a male patient in his twenties .
Polis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is recovering in Elbert County , southeast of Denver .
`` Public health officials are doing a thorough investigation , '' Polis ' statement said .
`` The individual is recovering in isolation and will remain there until cleared by public health officials .
`` The individual has no close contacts identified so far , but public health officials are working closely to identify other potential cases and contacts through thorough contact tracing interviews , '' the governor 's statement continued .
Polis said the Colorado State Laboratory alerted the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the infection .
`` There is a lot we do n't know about this new COVID-19 variant , but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious , '' Polis said .
He added that officials will be watching the patient closely and called upon Coloradans to continue wearing masks , practice social distancing and avoid gathering with individuals outside their households in an effort to prevent further spread of the virus .
By Monday , more than 326,000 Coloradans had tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to state data .
The total number of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. exceeded 19.4 million by Tuesday , according to a Johns Hopkins University data tracker .
The discovery of the COVID-19 strain in the U.K. inspired Prime Minister Boris Johnson to introduce additional lockdown restrictions in mid-December to stem the variant 's spread .
A handful of European countries also issued temporary U.K. travel bans in their attempts to prevent the variant from finding a grip on their shores .
About 60 percent of the new COVID-19 infections reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variant , according to the CDC .
In a summary the CDC provided on its website about the new variant , the agency pointed out that variants are a natural part of a virus 's progression .
While some of those variants appear briefly before fading away , the CDC said others find a foothold in a population and begin spreading .
`` Initial studies suggest that the new variant may spread more easily from person to person , '' the CDC summary says .
`` So far , scientists in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variant cause more severe disease . ''
The CDC said researchers in the U.K. are working to determine the extent of B.1.1.7 's spread and the ways it differs from other variants , including whether any differences exist in the symptoms experienced after infection .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of President Donald Trump 's coronavirus task force , said during an appearance on PBS NewsHour last week that it was likely the new variant was already present in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , I would not be surprised if it 's already here .
When we start to look for it , we 're going to find it , '' Fauci said .
Newsweek reached out to the CDC for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .
This story has been updated with additional information and background .

Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced Tuesday the first U.S. case of a highly contagious COVID-19 variant was confirmed in a patient within his state.
Little is known so far about the variant, which health officials identify as B.1.1.7, but it is believed to be more easily transmissible among human patients and has thus raised concerns among health and government officials after it began spreading in the United Kingdom earlier this month.
According to a statement Polis shared on Twitter, the Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the mutation in a male patient in his twenties. Polis said the individual has not recently traveled and is recovering in Elbert County, southeast of Denver.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced on Tuesday a new COVID-19 mutation was confirmed in a local patient. In the photo above, a police officer talks with travelers queued at the Port of Dover on December 23, 2020 in Dover, United Kingdom. Nearly 3,000 lorries were stranded around Kent after France banned all travel from the UK, citing concerns over a new variant of COVID-19. Dan Kitwood/Getty
"Public health officials are doing a thorough investigation," Polis' statement said. "The individual is recovering in isolation and will remain there until cleared by public health officials.
"The individual has no close contacts identified so far, but public health officials are working closely to identify other potential cases and contacts through thorough contact tracing interviews," the governor's statement continued. Polis said the Colorado State Laboratory alerted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the infection.
Today we discovered Colorado’s first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the UK.
The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely. pic.twitter.com/fjyq7QhzBi — Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) December 29, 2020
"There is a lot we don't know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious," Polis said. He added that officials will be watching the patient closely and called upon Coloradans to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing and avoid gathering with individuals outside their households in an effort to prevent further spread of the virus.
By Monday, more than 326,000 Coloradans had tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to state data. The total number of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. exceeded 19.4 million by Tuesday, according to a Johns Hopkins University data tracker.
The discovery of the COVID-19 strain in the U.K. inspired Prime Minister Boris Johnson to introduce additional lockdown restrictions in mid-December to stem the variant's spread. A handful of European countries also issued temporary U.K. travel bans in their attempts to prevent the variant from finding a grip on their shores.
About 60 percent of the new COVID-19 infections reported in the U.K. were caused by the new variant, according to the CDC.
In a summary the CDC provided on its website about the new variant, the agency pointed out that variants are a natural part of a virus's progression. While some of those variants appear briefly before fading away, the CDC said others find a foothold in a population and begin spreading.
"Initial studies suggest that the new variant may spread more easily from person to person," the CDC summary says. "So far, scientists in the UK see no evidence that infections by this variant cause more severe disease."
The CDC said researchers in the U.K. are working to determine the extent of B.1.1.7's spread and the ways it differs from other variants, including whether any differences exist in the symptoms experienced after infection.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force, said during an appearance on PBS NewsHour last week that it was likely the new variant was already present in the U.S.
"Given the travel throughout the world, I would not be surprised if it's already here. When we start to look for it, we're going to find it," Fauci said.
Newsweek reached out to the CDC for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
This story has been updated with additional information and background.


newsweek--2020-12-30--Venomous Snake Found Lurking Under Sliding Doors in Family Home

An Australian family called for help this week after a venomous red-bellied black snake was found lurking under sliding doors in their home .
Reptile relocation expert Stuart McKenzie , of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 , responded to the call .
He released footage of the snake to his Facebook account on Tuesday showing how it was able to slither under an entrance to the property .
`` You can see him in there just hiding , '' McKenzie can be heard saying in the clip , taken from the home in the Queensland suburb of Wurtulla in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows how incredible they are fitting into small areas , '' he added .
In the footage , which has attracted hundreds of reactions and comments from users on the social network , the snake wrangler is seen using a hook to guide the 2-foot snake from the gap under the door , grabbing its tail and guiding it into a large bag .
`` They are generally active during the day so he was probably going to stay in there all night and sleep it off , '' McKenzie told the homeowner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows that even when [ sliding doors ] are shut some snakes can get into the channel . ''
He added that , due to the species ' sleeping patterns , it 's not often he is called to relocate a red-bellied black snake at night .
`` Is n't he stunning , what a good looking snake , '' the catcher said to the camera as he was releasing the reptile back into the bushland .
According to a profile from the Australian Museum , the average size of a red-bellied black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6.6 feet .
Unlike some other venomous snakes in the region , such as the brown , it 's considered a shy species that will only deliver a serious bite when put under severe distress .
It is one of the most frequently encountered snakes on the east coast of Australia .
`` For its size , the red-bellied black snake is probably the least dangerous elapid snake in Australia .
Despite the number of bites received every year , very few human deaths have resulted , '' an Australian Museum fact-sheet about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video to demonstrate how this smaller species of venomous snake can sneak into unexpected—even seemingly closed—areas of the home .
`` There is a tiny gap under a sliding glass door sometimes where snakes can squeeze into ... and come out the other end into a house , '' he wrote in a Facebook caption .
`` This is crazy where this 2 foot red-bellied black snake had wedged itself down into .
The family did n't notice him until they closed the door and found the snake hiding .
The pet cat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family acted quickly and got the cat away . ''
On December 24 , McKenzie released footage of his capture of a 6-foot brown snake he said `` decided to go for a dip in the waves at Mooloolaba Beach . ''
Considered one of the world 's deadliest snakes , it was caught in a drain near a children 's playground .
On December 1 , he shared a video of an encounter with a red-bellied black snake that entered a home to escape the heat and was hiding behind some kitchen @ @

An Australian family called for help this week after a venomous red-bellied black snake was found lurking under sliding doors in their home.
Reptile relocation expert Stuart McKenzie, of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, responded to the call. He released footage of the snake to his Facebook account on Tuesday showing how it was able to slither under an entrance to the property.
"You can see him in there just hiding," McKenzie can be heard saying in the clip, taken from the home in the Queensland suburb of Wurtulla in front of the alarmed residents. "Just shows how incredible they are fitting into small areas," he added.
In the footage, which has attracted hundreds of reactions and comments from users on the social network, the snake wrangler is seen using a hook to guide the 2-foot snake from the gap under the door, grabbing its tail and guiding it into a large bag.
"They are generally active during the day so he was probably going to stay in there all night and sleep it off," McKenzie told the homeowner in the video. "It just shows that even when [sliding doors] are shut some snakes can get into the channel."
He added that, due to the species' sleeping patterns, it's not often he is called to relocate a red-bellied black snake at night. "Isn't he stunning, what a good looking snake," the catcher said to the camera as he was releasing the reptile back into the bushland.
Red Belly Hiding In Sliding Door Tracks! Crazy!Snakes can even get inside when the sliding doors are shut! There is a tiny gap under a sliding glass...
According to a profile from the Australian Museum, the average size of a red-bellied black snake adult is between 4.9 feet and 6.6 feet.
Unlike some other venomous snakes in the region, such as the brown, it's considered a shy species that will only deliver a serious bite when put under severe distress. It is one of the most frequently encountered snakes on the east coast of Australia.
"For its size, the red-bellied black snake is probably the least dangerous elapid snake in Australia. Despite the number of bites received every year, very few human deaths have resulted," an Australian Museum fact-sheet about the species says.
McKenzie used the video to demonstrate how this smaller species of venomous snake can sneak into unexpected—even seemingly closed—areas of the home.
"There is a tiny gap under a sliding glass door sometimes where snakes can squeeze into... and come out the other end into a house," he wrote in a Facebook caption.
"This is crazy where this 2 foot red-bellied black snake had wedged itself down into. The family didn't notice him until they closed the door and found the snake hiding. The pet cat also noticed the snake but luckily the family acted quickly and got the cat away."
On December 24, McKenzie released footage of his capture of a 6-foot brown snake he said "decided to go for a dip in the waves at Mooloolaba Beach." Considered one of the world's deadliest snakes, it was caught in a drain near a children's playground.
On December 1, he shared a video of an encounter with a red-bellied black snake that entered a home to escape the heat and was hiding behind some kitchen cupboards.