newsweek--2020-11-16--Federal Official Blocking Biden's Transition Secretly Seeks New Job for 2021

Emily Murphy , the Chief of the General Services Administration ( GSA ) who has blocked President-elect Joe Biden 's access to transition resources , has reportedly been seeking new employment for 2021 , suggesting her acknowledgment that Trump lost the election despite her refusal to start Biden 's transition into the presidency .
Murphy has sent a message to `` an associate '' inquiring about employment opportunities , according to a report from ABC News .
When the network asked the GSA for comment , the agency said it was n't unusual for government employees to consider future work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains focused on doing her job . ''
Democratic Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly told ABC , `` Here 's somebody who refuses to sign the letter of transition but is self-dealing at the same time .
That 's a de facto recognition that there 's an incoming administration , and it 's not called Trump—it 's called Biden . ''
According to The New York Times , officials in the White House presidential personnel office have threatened to fire appointees who search for new non-administration jobs during this time .
Murphy , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump , has refused to approve documentation that would provide millions in federal funds to aid Biden 's presidential transition .
Murphy 's letter would also allow Biden 's team to attend agency briefings to identify critical decisions needing attention at the start of his administration and provide resources for his team to begin background checks of Biden 's top cabinet nominees who would need access to classified information .
According to CNN , the GSA under prior administrations have typically issued the transition letter mere hours after TV networks projected a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two other Democratic representatives , New Jersey 's Bill Pascrell Jr. and Nevada 's Dina Titus , requested Murphy to explain the delay in her acknowledging the `` apparent '' election outcome and to state whether Trump administration officials had told her to block Biden 's transition .
`` Your actions delaying 'the orderly transfer of the executive power ' fly in the face of congressional intent and ignore the will of the people while endangering public health and national security , '' the representatives wrote .
The GSA has reportedly not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he would sue Murphy to issue the letter if Biden 's team gave him their blessing , but no such lawsuit has yet been filed .
Last Friday , a progressive advocacy group , Defend American Democracy , began targeting Murphy in ads stating , `` EMILY MURPHY : DO YOUR JOB . ''
In a statement , GSA spokesperson Pamela Pennington said that `` an ascertainment ( into the winner of the 2020 election ) has not yet been made . ''
She did n't say when the GSA would decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of November 16 , Biden leads Trump by 58 electoral votes and 5,670,390 popular votes , according to the Associated Press .
Trump has refused to concede and repeatedly claimed that he actually won the election except for yet-to-be-substantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud that fradulently vaulted Biden to victory .

Emily Murphy, the Chief of the General Services Administration (GSA) who has blocked President-elect Joe Biden's access to transition resources, has reportedly been seeking new employment for 2021, suggesting her acknowledgment that Trump lost the election despite her refusal to start Biden's transition into the presidency.
Murphy has sent a message to "an associate" inquiring about employment opportunities, according to a report from ABC News. When the network asked the GSA for comment, the agency said it wasn't unusual for government employees to consider future work opportunities, adding, "The administrator remains focused on doing her job."
Democratic Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly told ABC, "Here's somebody who refuses to sign the letter of transition but is self-dealing at the same time. That's a de facto recognition that there's an incoming administration, and it's not called Trump—it's called Biden."
Emily Murphy, the Chief of the General Services Administration (GSA) who has blocked President-elect Joe Biden's access to transition resources, is reportedly looking for a new job in 2021. In this November 16, 2020 photo, Biden expresses frustration on bout Donald Trump's refusal so far to cooperate on the White House transition process. Roberto Schmidt / AFP/Getty
According to The New York Times, officials in the White House presidential personnel office have threatened to fire appointees who search for new non-administration jobs during this time.
Murphy, who was nominated to her position by President Donald Trump, has refused to approve documentation that would provide millions in federal funds to aid Biden's presidential transition.
Murphy's letter would also allow Biden's team to attend agency briefings to identify critical decisions needing attention at the start of his administration and provide resources for his team to begin background checks of Biden's top cabinet nominees who would need access to classified information.
According to CNN, the GSA under prior administrations have typically issued the transition letter mere hours after TV networks projected a winner.
On November 9, Connolly and two other Democratic representatives, New Jersey's Bill Pascrell Jr. and Nevada's Dina Titus, requested Murphy to explain the delay in her acknowledging the "apparent" election outcome and to state whether Trump administration officials had told her to block Biden's transition.
"Your actions delaying 'the orderly transfer of the executive power' fly in the face of congressional intent and ignore the will of the people while endangering public health and national security," the representatives wrote. The GSA has reportedly not responded to their letter.
Connolly has said he would sue Murphy to issue the letter if Biden's team gave him their blessing, but no such lawsuit has yet been filed. Last Friday, a progressive advocacy group, Defend American Democracy, began targeting Murphy in ads stating, "EMILY MURPHY: DO YOUR JOB."
In a statement, GSA spokesperson Pamela Pennington said that "an ascertainment (into the winner of the 2020 election) has not yet been made." She didn't say when the GSA would decide that such an ascertainment had been reached.
As of November 16, Biden leads Trump by 58 electoral votes and 5,670,390 popular votes, according to the Associated Press. Trump has refused to concede and repeatedly claimed that he actually won the election except for yet-to-be-substantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud that fradulently vaulted Biden to victory.


newsweek--2020-11-16--'The Crown': What Has Prince Charles Said About Lord Mountbatten's Assassination?

The fourth season of Netflix 's The Crown starts with tragedy .
In the first episode , Lord Mountbatten ( portrayed by Charles Dance ) is assassinated at sea by the Irish Republican Army , commonly known as the IRA .
Prince Charles ( Josh O'Connor ) was especially close to Lord Mountbatten , and considered him an honorary grandfather .
He was the brother of Prince Philip 's mother , Princess Alice of Battenberg , and Queen Elizabeth 's second cousin , once removed .
Louis Mountbatten ( who was known affectionately to the royal as Uncle Dickie ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in northwestern Ireland on August 27 , 1979 .
Aboard Shadow V with him were his daughter Patricia , her husband , Lord John Brabourne , their 14-year-old twin sons , Timothy and Nicholas , and Lord Brabourne 's mother , the dowager Lady Doreen Brabourne .
15-year-old Paul Maxwell , who worked on the boat , was aboard the ship that day as well .
Fifteen minutes after setting sail , a planted bomb was detonated .
Lord Mountbatten , Nicholas , and Maxwell were killed by the explosion .
Lady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest survived .
Prince Charles was vacationing in Iceland when he heard of the news , and wrote in his diary about the immense loss .
`` A mixture of desperate emotions swept over me—agony , disbelief , a kind of wretched numbness , closely followed by fierce and violent determination to see that something was done about the IRA , '' he wrote in his diary .
He added , `` Life will never be the same now that he has gone and I fear it will take me a very long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieved something that two world wars and thousands of Germans and Japanese failed to achieve .
`` I only hope I can live up to the expectations he had of me and be able to do something to honour the name of Mountbatten . ''
Prince Charles also spoke at Lord Mountbatten 's funeral , which was held at Westminster Abbey and broadcasted in 20 countries .
He said that his uncle was `` a constantly active brain which was never allowed a moment 's rest . ''
`` There was always a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects to be set in motion , more opposition to be defeated – all of which were pursued with a relentless and almost irresistible single-mindedness of purpose , '' Prince Charles continued .
`` Although he could certainly be ruthless with people when the occasion demanded , his infectious enthusiasm , his sheer capacity for hard work , his wit made him an irresistible leader among men . ''
In 2015 , Prince Charles visited the County Sligo village of Mullaghmore , 36 years after his uncle was murdered .
His wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's been a long time , '' Charles told one of the villagers , speaking of his visit to the site of his uncle 's assassination .
`` I never thought it would happen , '' he said .
He spoke of his grief regarding the tragedy during the visit .
`` At the time I could not imagine how we could come to terms with the anguish of such a deep loss , since for me Lord Mountbatten represented the grandfather I never had , '' he said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the foundations of all that we held dear in life had been torn apart irreparably , '' Prince Charles continued .
`` Through this experience , I now understand in a profound way the agonies borne by so many others in these islands , of whatever faith , denomination or political tradition . ''
All 10 episodes of The Crown season four are available to stream on Netflix .

The fourth season of Netflix's The Crown starts with tragedy. In the first episode, Lord Mountbatten (portrayed by Charles Dance) is assassinated at sea by the Irish Republican Army, commonly known as the IRA.
Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor) was especially close to Lord Mountbatten, and considered him an honorary grandfather. He was the brother of Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, and Queen Elizabeth's second cousin, once removed.
Louis Mountbatten (who was known affectionately to the royal as Uncle Dickie) was aboard his boat, Shadow V, in northwestern Ireland on August 27, 1979. Aboard Shadow V with him were his daughter Patricia, her husband, Lord John Brabourne, their 14-year-old twin sons, Timothy and Nicholas, and Lord Brabourne's mother, the dowager Lady Doreen Brabourne. 15-year-old Paul Maxwell, who worked on the boat, was aboard the ship that day as well.
Fifteen minutes after setting sail, a planted bomb was detonated. Lord Mountbatten, Nicholas, and Maxwell were killed by the explosion. Lady Brabourne died the following day. The rest survived.
Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten in Netflix's "The Crown." Courtesy of Sophie Mutevelian / Netdflix
Prince Charles was vacationing in Iceland when he heard of the news, and wrote in his diary about the immense loss. "A mixture of desperate emotions swept over me—agony, disbelief, a kind of wretched numbness, closely followed by fierce and violent determination to see that something was done about the IRA," he wrote in his diary.
Read more 'The Crown': A Brief History Of Princess Anne's Horseback Riding Career 'The Crown': A Brief History Of Princess Anne's Horseback Riding Career
He added, "Life will never be the same now that he has gone and I fear it will take me a very long time to forgive those people who today achieved something that two world wars and thousands of Germans and Japanese failed to achieve.
"I only hope I can live up to the expectations he had of me and be able to do something to honour the name of Mountbatten."
Prince Charles also spoke at Lord Mountbatten's funeral, which was held at Westminster Abbey and broadcasted in 20 countries. He said that his uncle was "a constantly active brain which was never allowed a moment's rest."
"There was always a new challenge to be overcome, fresh projects to be set in motion, more opposition to be defeated – all of which were pursued with a relentless and almost irresistible single-mindedness of purpose," Prince Charles continued.
"Although he could certainly be ruthless with people when the occasion demanded, his infectious enthusiasm, his sheer capacity for hard work, his wit made him an irresistible leader among men."
Killing of Lord Louis Mountbatten by IRA explosion at Mullaghmore,Co. Sligo. Part of the wreakage of Lord Mountbattens boat the "Shadow V," circa August 1979. Independent News and Media/Getty Images
In 2015, Prince Charles visited the County Sligo village of Mullaghmore, 36 years after his uncle was murdered. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall accompanied him.
"It's been a long time," Charles told one of the villagers, speaking of his visit to the site of his uncle's assassination. "I never thought it would happen," he said.
He spoke of his grief regarding the tragedy during the visit. "At the time I could not imagine how we could come to terms with the anguish of such a deep loss, since for me Lord Mountbatten represented the grandfather I never had," he said at the time.
"It seemed as if the foundations of all that we held dear in life had been torn apart irreparably," Prince Charles continued. "Through this experience, I now understand in a profound way the agonies borne by so many others in these islands, of whatever faith, denomination or political tradition."
All 10 episodes of The Crown season four are available to stream on Netflix.


newsweek--2020-11-16--Former Baseball Star Aubrey Huff Calls California Governor Newsom 'Tyrannical' Over Curfew Speculati

Former Baseball Star Aubrey Huff Calls California Governor Newsom 'Tyrannical' Over Curfew Speculation

Aubrey Huff lives in Solana Beach , California -- a liberal city in a notoriously liberal state .
But the former baseball star describes himself in his Twitter bio as `` [ p ] ro God , America , gun , whiskey , and Toxic Masculinity . ''
He 's also a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump , and thus no fan of liberal politicians like Governor Gavin Newsom of the state he currently calls home .
It comes as little surprise then that the former Silver Slugger Award winner was left seething about the news that Newsom is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rates do n't subside .
Huff wrote on Twitter today that Newsom `` attends huge birthday parties ... but is about to lockdown California again with an added bonus of a curfew .
I 'm so over this tyrannical d***head ! ''
During a press conference today , Newsom noted daily COVID-19 cases in California have doubled in the past 10 days .
He said the state was hitting an `` emergency brake '' and moving 28 counties back to the most restrictive tier of the state 's governing business operations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's 58 counties are in the restrictive `` purple '' tier -- up from 13 counties -- which severely restricts capacity at retail establishments , closes fitness centers , and limits restaurants to socially distanced outdoor-only service .
These 41 counties represent 94 percent of the state 's population .
He also discussed a statewide curfew as an option .
He said , `` All of that is being assessed ... We have a lot of questions about what that looks like , what that does n't look like , who does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact , what does a real curfew mean in terms of certain kinds of industry and business activities .
That 's what we 're referring to in this space . ''
Huff has used Twitter to espouse conservative views before , and he 's especially critical about the response to COVID-19 , which he feels is extremely exaggerated .
He 's also stated , often in very colorful language , how wearing masks infringes upon individual liberty , despite infectious disease experts declaring masks prevents the spread of the virus .
Huff played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning two World Series rings while with the San Francisco Giants .
He also played for the Tampa Bay Rays , Houston Astros , Baltimore Orioles , and Detroit Tigers .
In February of this year , Huff was told by the San Francisco Giants that he would not be invited to a planned 2010 World Series championship reunion .
A statement from the Giants organization at that time read : `` Aubrey has made multiple comments on social media that are unacceptable and run counter to the values of our organization .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aubrey made to the 2010 championship season , we stand by our decision . ''
Huff , though , singled out his political beliefs for the decision , claiming that when he was told about the Giants ' decision , he was informed `` that the board did n't approve of my Twitter posts and my political support of Donald Trump . ''
Just last week , Huff suggested Trump had been denied a win in California , despite all the mounting evidence that no evidence of voter fraud has been found .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes were counted , and illegal votes tossed Donald Trump wins California , '' he wrote on Twitter , without providing any evidence to his claim .
In a tweet last night , he said he had considered he might run for Governor of California in 2022 , but had changed his mind , because he was `` thinking a 2024 Presidential run is in order after Donald Trump leaves office . ''

Aubrey Huff lives in Solana Beach, California--a liberal city in a notoriously liberal state. But the former baseball star describes himself in his Twitter bio as "[p]ro God, America, gun, whiskey, and Toxic Masculinity." He's also a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, and thus no fan of liberal politicians like Governor Gavin Newsom of the state he currently calls home. It comes as little surprise then that the former Silver Slugger Award winner was left seething about the news that Newsom is considering a statewide curfew if the coronavirus infection rates don't subside.
Aubrey Huff in 2012 as a member of the San Francisco Giants. Jason O. Watson/Getty
Huff wrote on Twitter today that Newsom "attends huge birthday parties...but is about to lockdown California again with an added bonus of a curfew. I'm so over this tyrannical d***head!"
.@GavinNewsom attends huge birthday parties....but is about to lockdown California again with an added bonus of a curfew. I’m so over this tyrannical dickhead! — Aubrey Huff (@aubrey_huff) November 16, 2020
During a press conference today, Newsom noted daily COVID-19 cases in California have doubled in the past 10 days. He said the state was hitting an "emergency brake" and moving 28 counties back to the most restrictive tier of the state's governing business operations. This means that now 41 of the state's 58 counties are in the restrictive "purple" tier--up from 13 counties--which severely restricts capacity at retail establishments, closes fitness centers, and limits restaurants to socially distanced outdoor-only service. These 41 counties represent 94 percent of the state's population.
He also discussed a statewide curfew as an option. He said, "All of that is being assessed...We have a lot of questions about what that looks like, what that doesn't look like, who does it impact, who doesn't it impact, what does a real curfew mean in terms of certain kinds of industry and business activities. That's what we're referring to in this space."
Watch his full press conference here:
Huff has used Twitter to espouse conservative views before, and he's especially critical about the response to COVID-19, which he feels is extremely exaggerated. He's also stated, often in very colorful language, how wearing masks infringes upon individual liberty, despite infectious disease experts declaring masks prevents the spread of the virus.
I don’t wear a mask because I’m protecting you from tyranny. #COVID19 = Flu pic.twitter.com/pbZ3Wq1vyi — Aubrey Huff (@aubrey_huff) November 16, 2020
Huff played in the MLB for 13 seasons, winning two World Series rings while with the San Francisco Giants. He also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers.
In February of this year, Huff was told by the San Francisco Giants that he would not be invited to a planned 2010 World Series championship reunion. A statement from the Giants organization at that time read: "Aubrey has made multiple comments on social media that are unacceptable and run counter to the values of our organization. While we appreciate the many contributions that Aubrey made to the 2010 championship season, we stand by our decision."
Huff, though, singled out his political beliefs for the decision, claiming that when he was told about the Giants' decision, he was informed "that the board didn't approve of my Twitter posts and my political support of Donald Trump."
Just last week, Huff suggested Trump had been denied a win in California, despite all the mounting evidence that no evidence of voter fraud has been found.
"I'm telling you if legal votes were counted, and illegal votes tossed Donald Trump wins California," he wrote on Twitter, without providing any evidence to his claim.
In a tweet last night, he said he had considered he might run for Governor of California in 2022, but had changed his mind, because he was "thinking a 2024 Presidential run is in order after Donald Trump leaves office."


newsweek--2020-11-16--Black and Latino Groups Eye High-Stakes Georgia Senate Runoffs Needing a Sweep for Democrats

The balance of power in the Senate and level of effectiveness of President-Elect Joe Biden 's incoming administration depend on the outcome of two Senate runoffs in Georgia .
Black and Latino groups are mobilizing to try to win those two Senate seats in an incredibly challenging political environment .
Organizers who spoke with Newsweek acknowledge the challenge of winning two Senate seats while facing the full power of the Republican Party , but they say Joe Biden 's Georgia win—the first time a Democrat did so in 28 years—was also an unlikely outcome .
`` The fact that Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and turnout in Black communities , '' BlackPAC Executive Director Adrianne Shropshire told Newsweek .
Runoff elections in Georgia have historically worked against Democrats due to what the New York Times called a `` vestige of segregationist efforts to dilute Black voting power , '' because African-Americans and other Democrats are less likely to turn out for them .
With none of the candidates receiving more than 50 percent of the vote , Democrat Jon Ossoff must make up a 90,000-vote disadvantage against Senator David Purdue on January 5 , while Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler head-to- head , instead of in a three-way matchup that favored him on November 3 .
Groups that work to mobilize voters of color know they have their work cut out for them , but are trying to expand the electorate in the short period of time they have left , while also ramping up get-out-the-vote efforts .
Mi Familia Vota , a national grassroots group is partnering with groups on the ground inlcuding the Latino Community Fund ( LCF Georgia ) and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials ( GALEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is also launching a bilingual field and digital campaign aimed at 250,000 Latino voters in the state , Newsweek has learned .
The field program will include 40,000 door knocks , 650,000 phone calls , 50,000 mailers , and 1,000,000 text messages , along with radio and digital campaigns , the group said .
`` The Latino community is facing the twin disasters of the COVID-19 pandemic and the failed leadership of Senate Republicans , '' Mi Familia Vota executive director Hector Sanchez Barba told Newsweek .
`` We know to achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community we must win back the Senate ... That is why we are proud to be partnering with LCF Georgia and the Hispanic Federation to register and mobilize Latino voters for these critical special elections . ''
BlackPAC , which was active in Georgia for the general election , is redirecting its resources to get their canvassing team back to door-knocking , as well as launching new digital ads and direct mail efforts to reach the universe they always target : young , infrequent voters .
BlackPAC executive director Adrianne Shropshire told Newsweek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` significant impediment '' or a `` significant help '' in advancing many of the issues Black voters have said are longtime priorities .
`` Obama was not able to complete the agenda that Black voters hoped he would be able to , '' Shropshire said , `` partly because there was a Senate and Senate Majority Leader that decided to be a hindrance to that agenda . ''
One delicate issue facing Democratic vote organizers in Georgia is the altered political playing field that the runoff represents .
Groups like Stacey Abrams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project , as well as others like GALEO , have been doing the work to mobilize their communities for years , and especially so in this cycle .
They are wary of groups parachuting in at the last minute who are unfamiliar with the terrain .
That dynamic is a reason groups are trying to invest in organizations already on the ground to avoid duplicating efforts .
BlackPAC has partnered with The New Georgia Project to try to register new voters before the deadline of December 7 , including some who could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year-olds who will turn 18 by the January 5 special election .
Latino voters in Georgia , meanwhile , are n't normally talked about on the national stage , but they could make their presence felt in the Senate races .
Biden won Latinos 62 % to 37 % for Trump , according to the exit polls , while a Latino Decisions pre-election day poll of voters put the support at 69 % for Biden and 28 % for Trump .
Jerry Gonzalez , the CEO of GALEO , who has worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told Newsweek he believes the Latino Decisions breakdown is more accurate because the issue of immigration is `` near and dear to Latinos hearts '' in Georgia .
Like other Latino leaders in the South who are close with their immigrant communities , Gonzalez said those voters more acutely feel the sting and fear around increased racism and discrimination , citing Donald Trump 's rhetoric , and the horrific hate crime killing of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in El Paso , Texas , which he said was `` felt powerfully here in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our communities . ''
Gonzalez , like others working in the state , knows the numbers : The universe of Latino voters in Georgia is 250,000 , with 185,000 voting on November 3 , which means there are voters left to mobilize with his phone calls , text messages , bilingual media efforts , and three rounds of mailers that could make a real difference come January .
`` We foresaw a runoff , '' Gonzalez said .
`` What we did not foresee was that Georgia was going to be the center @ @ @ @ @ @

The balance of power in the Senate and level of effectiveness of President-Elect Joe Biden's incoming administration depend on the outcome of two Senate runoffs in Georgia.
Black and Latino groups are mobilizing to try to win those two Senate seats in an incredibly challenging political environment.
Organizers who spoke with Newsweek acknowledge the challenge of winning two Senate seats while facing the full power of the Republican Party, but they say Joe Biden's Georgia win—the first time a Democrat did so in 28 years—was also an unlikely outcome.
"The fact that Georgia turned blue was due to unprecedented enthusiasm and turnout in Black communities," BlackPAC Executive Director Adrianne Shropshire told Newsweek.
Runoff elections in Georgia have historically worked against Democrats due to what the New York Times called a "vestige of segregationist efforts to dilute Black voting power," because African-Americans and other Democrats are less likely to turn out for them.
With none of the candidates receiving more than 50 percent of the vote, Democrat Jon Ossoff must make up a 90,000-vote disadvantage against Senator David Purdue on January 5, while Rev. Raphael Warnock must now face Senator Kelly Loeffler head-to- head, instead of in a three-way matchup that favored him on November 3.
Groups that work to mobilize voters of color know they have their work cut out for them, but are trying to expand the electorate in the short period of time they have left, while also ramping up get-out-the-vote efforts.
Mi Familia Vota, a national grassroots group is partnering with groups on the ground inlcuding the Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia) and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) on voter registration and education. It is also launching a bilingual field and digital campaign aimed at 250,000 Latino voters in the state, Newsweek has learned.
The field program will include 40,000 door knocks, 650,000 phone calls, 50,000 mailers, and 1,000,000 text messages, along with radio and digital campaigns, the group said.
"The Latino community is facing the twin disasters of the COVID-19 pandemic and the failed leadership of Senate Republicans," Mi Familia Vota executive director Hector Sanchez Barba told Newsweek. "We know to achieve the bold policy priorities of the Latino community we must win back the Senate...That is why we are proud to be partnering with LCF Georgia and the Hispanic Federation to register and mobilize Latino voters for these critical special elections."
BlackPAC, which was active in Georgia for the general election, is redirecting its resources to get their canvassing team back to door-knocking, as well as launching new digital ads and direct mail efforts to reach the universe they always target: young, infrequent voters.
BlackPAC executive director Adrianne Shropshire told Newsweek that Senate control can be either a "significant impediment" or a "significant help" in advancing many of the issues Black voters have said are longtime priorities.
"Obama was not able to complete the agenda that Black voters hoped he would be able to," Shropshire said, "partly because there was a Senate and Senate Majority Leader that decided to be a hindrance to that agenda."
One delicate issue facing Democratic vote organizers in Georgia is the altered political playing field that the runoff represents.
Groups like Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight and The New Georgia Project, as well as others like GALEO, have been doing the work to mobilize their communities for years, and especially so in this cycle. They are wary of groups parachuting in at the last minute who are unfamiliar with the terrain. That dynamic is a reason groups are trying to invest in organizations already on the ground to avoid duplicating efforts.
BlackPAC has partnered with The New Georgia Project to try to register new voters before the deadline of December 7, including some who couldn't even vote on Election Day: 17 year-olds who will turn 18 by the January 5 special election.
Latino voters in Georgia, meanwhile, aren't normally talked about on the national stage, but they could make their presence felt in the Senate races. Biden won Latinos 62% to 37% for Trump, according to the exit polls, while a Latino Decisions pre-election day poll of voters put the support at 69% for Biden and 28% for Trump.
Jerry Gonzalez, the CEO of GALEO, who has worked with the Latino community in Georgia for years, told Newsweek he believes the Latino Decisions breakdown is more accurate because the issue of immigration is "near and dear to Latinos hearts" in Georgia.
Like other Latino leaders in the South who are close with their immigrant communities, Gonzalez said those voters more acutely feel the sting and fear around increased racism and discrimination, citing Donald Trump's rhetoric, and the horrific hate crime killing of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in El Paso, Texas, which he said was "felt powerfully here in Georgia because it could have been any of our communities."
Gonzalez, like others working in the state, knows the numbers: The universe of Latino voters in Georgia is 250,000, with 185,000 voting on November 3, which means there are voters left to mobilize with his phone calls, text messages, bilingual media efforts, and three rounds of mailers that could make a real difference come January.
"We foresaw a runoff," Gonzalez said. "What we did not foresee was that Georgia was going to be the center of the political universe."


newsweek--2020-11-16--Online Service Stocks Dip as COVID-19 Vaccine Nears

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online commerce and collaborative tools that had already begun , as many companies permitted employees to work from home , supercharging the stock prices of many digital companies like Slack Technologies and Zoom Video .
Although that shift will likely continue after the pandemic finally abates , it appears that some of those pandemic-charged stock prices are beginning to return to earth .
`` So far , investors have been enjoying the ride on this balloon that may last until the end of next March , '' Manish Shah , CEO of Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then tech stocks will face reality . ''
The smart money may already be heading for the exits .
Yale University sold all its stock in Slack Technologies and Zoom Video in the third quarter , according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission .
That does n't mean investors expect either company to crash and burn—only that the burst of coronavirus-related growth is over , and some investors are pocketing profits .
Slack Technologies , a developer of real-time messaging and file sharing software , changed hands in early trading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a cumulative 35.91 % from a 52-week high of $ 40.07 .
Zoom Video Communications , a provider of video conferencing services , recently fetched $ 489.98 , down a cumulative 16.79 % from a $ 52-week high of $ 588.84 .
Other sectors , including exercise equipment and online retail , have gotten a boost from the coronavirus-related shutdown and continued wariness of many to return to the office , gym or shopping mall .
But shares have dipped recently .
Peloton Interactive , a maker of upscale home exercise equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share , down a cumulative 28.55 % from a 52-week high of $ 139.75 .
Wayfair , an online retailer of upscale home furnishings , décor and housewares , recently changed hands at $ 276.63 a share , down a cumulative 20.75 % from a 52-week high of $ 349.08 .
GrubHub , a food home delivery service , has dipped to $ 70.94 from $ 85.53 , a cumulative decline of 17.06 % a share .
DocuSign , a provider of a system that allows individuals to sign documents remotely , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a cumulative 29.24 % from a 52-week high of $ 290.23 .
But Upwork , provider of a platform that allows freelancers to seek work from home , rose 7.13 % in early trading Monday to $ 33.04 a share , just off a 52-week high of $ 33.43 .
The recent stock movement plays out against Moderna 's announcement that its coronavirus vaccine was 94.5 % effective .
Earlier , Pfizer said testing showed its vaccine to be more than 90 % effective against the disease .
If the vaccines are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the shots , civil society may return to pre-pandemic activities , boosting travel , hotels , restaurants and entertainment , including professional and college sports .
But those are big `` if 's , '' and they do n't answer the even bigger question , `` When ? ''
Estimates of the arrival of a post-pandemic `` new normal '' range from Spring to Fall 2021—contingent upon the `` if 's '' being satisfied .
News of the vaccines sent the broad market higher in early trading Monday .
The Dow Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29,882.95 and exceeded the pre-pandemic high of 29,551.42 reached on February 12 .
Other sectors benefited .
United Airlines rose 6.30 % in early trading Monday .
Southwest was up 3.81 % .
Delta gained 4.43 % .
Carnival , an operator of cruise ships , added 11.75 % in early trading Monday .
Hilton Worldwide gained 2.10 % .
But news of the vaccine is unlikely to lift brick-and-mortar retailers , as Amazon continues to grow and major retailers such as Walmart and Target expand online offerings .
The Federal Reserve has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending , which represents about two-thirds of the U.S. economy , and to support the housing market .
Despite the stock market 's recent rally on news of Covid-19 vaccines , there will be no immediate miracles in the labor market .
Unemployment dipped to 6.9 % in October from 14.7 % at the height of the pandemic in April .
In February , the unemployment rate was 3.5 % , a level not seen since data collection began in 1948 , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported .
Current unemployment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work may deepen the digital divide , and may worsen the split between those with jobs that can be performed from home and those that require facing the public , such as those in the retail and service industries , who must report to work to get paid .
The labor participation rate , or the percentage of people in the labor force , increased 0.3 % in October to 61.7 % .
But the number of long-term unemployed , or those out of work for 27 weeks or more , increased by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32.5 % of the total number of people unemployed , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said .

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online commerce and collaborative tools that had already begun, as many companies permitted employees to work from home, supercharging the stock prices of many digital companies like Slack Technologies and Zoom Video.
Although that shift will likely continue after the pandemic finally abates, it appears that some of those pandemic-charged stock prices are beginning to return to earth.
"So far, investors have been enjoying the ride on this balloon that may last until the end of next March," Manish Shah, CEO of Miami Beach-based Tollbooth Strategy told Newsweek. "Then tech stocks will face reality."
Stocks performance after the news of a promising coronavirus vaccine candidate. Statista
The smart money may already be heading for the exits.
Yale University sold all its stock in Slack Technologies and Zoom Video in the third quarter, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That doesn't mean investors expect either company to crash and burn—only that the burst of coronavirus-related growth is over, and some investors are pocketing profits.
Slack Technologies, a developer of real-time messaging and file sharing software, changed hands in early trading Monday at $25.68 a share, down a cumulative 35.91% from a 52-week high of $40.07. Zoom Video Communications, a provider of video conferencing services, recently fetched $489.98, down a cumulative 16.79% from a $52-week high of $588.84.
Other sectors, including exercise equipment and online retail, have gotten a boost from the coronavirus-related shutdown and continued wariness of many to return to the office, gym or shopping mall. But shares have dipped recently.
Peloton Interactive, a maker of upscale home exercise equipment, recently traded at $99.85 a share, down a cumulative 28.55% from a 52-week high of $139.75. Wayfair, an online retailer of upscale home furnishings, décor and housewares, recently changed hands at $276.63 a share, down a cumulative 20.75% from a 52-week high of $349.08.
GrubHub, a food home delivery service, has dipped to $70.94 from $85.53, a cumulative decline of 17.06% a share. DocuSign, a provider of a system that allows individuals to sign documents remotely, has fallen to $205.36 a share, down a cumulative 29.24% from a 52-week high of $290.23.
But Upwork, provider of a platform that allows freelancers to seek work from home, rose 7.13% in early trading Monday to $33.04 a share, just off a 52-week high of $33.43.
The recent stock movement plays out against Moderna's announcement that its coronavirus vaccine was 94.5% effective. Earlier, Pfizer said testing showed its vaccine to be more than 90% effective against the disease. If the vaccines are widely available, and if most people get the shots, civil society may return to pre-pandemic activities, boosting travel, hotels, restaurants and entertainment, including professional and college sports.
But those are big "if's," and they don't answer the even bigger question, "When?" Estimates of the arrival of a post-pandemic "new normal" range from Spring to Fall 2021—contingent upon the "if's" being satisfied.
News of the vaccines sent the broad market higher in early trading Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped about 431 points to 29,882.95 and exceeded the pre-pandemic high of 29,551.42 reached on February 12.
Other sectors benefited. United Airlines rose 6.30% in early trading Monday. Southwest was up 3.81%. Delta gained 4.43%. Carnival, an operator of cruise ships, added 11.75% in early trading Monday. Hilton Worldwide gained 2.10%.
But news of the vaccine is unlikely to lift brick-and-mortar retailers, as Amazon continues to grow and major retailers such as Walmart and Target expand online offerings.
The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates low to encourage consumer spending, which represents about two-thirds of the U.S. economy, and to support the housing market.
Despite the stock market's recent rally on news of Covid-19 vaccines, there will be no immediate miracles in the labor market. Unemployment dipped to 6.9% in October from 14.7% at the height of the pandemic in April. In February, the unemployment rate was 3.5%, a level not seen since data collection began in 1948, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Current unemployment and the continued shift to online commerce and work may deepen the digital divide, and may worsen the split between those with jobs that can be performed from home and those that require facing the public, such as those in the retail and service industries, who must report to work to get paid.
The labor participation rate, or the percentage of people in the labor force, increased 0.3% in October to 61.7%. But the number of long-term unemployed, or those out of work for 27 weeks or more, increased by 1.2 million to 3.6 million, or 32.5% of the total number of people unemployed, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said.


newsweek--2020-11-16--This Dancing Snake Is TikTok's Latest Star and Proof Reptiles Aren't All Scary

Here at Newsweek , we love a good scare .
Many times , those stories involve snakes , the oft-maligned reptile that slithers through some of our worst dreams .
TikTok has redeemed the animal 's reputation today , though , with the most adorable video of a slithering little guy who 's got a song in his heart .
The video was posted by user @ harry_jordan8 with TikTok 's favorite song : `` Break My Stride '' by Matthew Wilder .
While we 're all inclined to bop along to the tune , which has contributed to many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , one tiny reptile had an unlikely urge to dance , too .
All right , we know the snake was n't really jamming to Wilder .
It was edited later .
But still , it does n't take away from the fact that this snake looks whimsical and excited as he takes his time boogying across a road .
Instead of slithering with his whole body , the snake is seen pulsating his muscles just near his head .
It gives the illusion that he 's dancing , and it matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The scariest animal is a snake , '' the video caption reads .
Then , viewers are completely mesmerized by the animal 's great moves .
He 's certainly not going to win a race at the speed he decides to boogie , but we 'll give him an award for wholesome content any day .
The superstar snake gained nearly 482,000 likes on TikTok by the time of this article 's publication .
People in the comments could n't help but admit that there 's nothing terrifying about this snake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the least terrifying thing we 've seen all day .
Some users expressed concern for the snake 's health , as they 've apparently never seen a snake slither in such an unusual way .
One woman claimed to be a reptile keeper , though , and put concerns to rest .
`` The snake is not hurt or have a broken back , '' @ nitnat6245 wrote .
`` Is just moving in a concordion movement instead of serpentine . ''
While this snake is certainly entertaining and undeniably adorable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the video app .
While there are snakes on every social media platform that serve as sources for scares , TikTok has an entire community of kind , non-threatening snakes to make you love the creatures a bit more .
So , if you 're on a snake kick now , like we are , it 's time to dip your toes into the cutest snakes on the web .
Do n't know where to start ?
Below , there 's a video of a pet snake slithering around its human while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't get much cuter .

Here at Newsweek, we love a good scare. Many times, those stories involve snakes, the oft-maligned reptile that slithers through some of our worst dreams. TikTok has redeemed the animal's reputation today, though, with the most adorable video of a slithering little guy who's got a song in his heart.
The video was posted by user @harry_jordan8 with TikTok's favorite song: "Break My Stride" by Matthew Wilder. While we're all inclined to bop along to the tune, which has contributed to many a TikTok trend in the past few months, one tiny reptile had an unlikely urge to dance, too.
All right, we know the snake wasn't really jamming to Wilder. It was edited later. But still, it doesn't take away from the fact that this snake looks whimsical and excited as he takes his time boogying across a road.
Instead of slithering with his whole body, the snake is seen pulsating his muscles just near his head. It gives the illusion that he's dancing, and it matches perfectly with the beat. "Me: The scariest animal is a snake," the video caption reads. Then, viewers are completely mesmerized by the animal's great moves.
He's certainly not going to win a race at the speed he decides to boogie, but we'll give him an award for wholesome content any day.
The superstar snake gained nearly 482,000 likes on TikTok by the time of this article's publication. People in the comments couldn't help but admit that there's nothing terrifying about this snake. In a time of turmoil, it's the least terrifying thing we've seen all day.
"Aw what an adorable death noodle," wrote NASCAR driver @ryanvargas_23.
Some users expressed concern for the snake's health, as they've apparently never seen a snake slither in such an unusual way. One woman claimed to be a reptile keeper, though, and put concerns to rest. "The snake is not hurt or have a broken back," @nitnat6245 wrote. "Is just moving in a concordion movement instead of serpentine."
A rattlesnake tastes the air on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Reserve on March 27, 2006, near Ajo, Arizona. Getty/David McNew/Getty Images
While this snake is certainly entertaining and undeniably adorable, it's not the only such star on the video app. While there are snakes on every social media platform that serve as sources for scares, TikTok has an entire community of kind, non-threatening snakes to make you love the creatures a bit more.
So, if you're on a snake kick now, like we are, it's time to dip your toes into the cutest snakes on the web. Don't know where to start? Below, there's a video of a pet snake slithering around its human while wearing a knit hat. It just doesn't get much cuter.


newsweek--2020-11-16--Ilhan Omar Describes Trump Campaign Events as 'Klan Rallies'

Representative Ilhan Omar , a progressive Democrat from Minnesota , described President Donald Trump 's campaign events as `` Klan rallies , '' pointing out that the president had repeatedly attacked and criticized her to his supporters .
Omar and the other members of the so-called Squad of progressive Democrats have been routinely attacked by the president and other Republicans .
Democrats in the House of Representatives , joined by four Republicans , formally condemned Trump in July 2019 after he shared a series of racist tweets telling the four progressive representatives—all of whom are women of color—that they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came from .
But this did not deter Trump from repeatedly attacking Omar and the others .
`` On a personal level , I have gotten accustomed to standing up to bullies in my life .
And so , on a personal level , it has n't really impacted me , besides having my children be exposed to it and for the last two months of this election cycle waking up every single morning to text messages from my siblings asking if I was safe , '' Omar said during a video interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Omar added that `` it did n't really matter where he was—sometimes multiple times in a day , as he had held his Klan rallies throughout the country . ''
The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist hate group that was formed after the abolition of slavery at the end of the Civil War .
Although it primarily targets Black Americans , its members are largely opposed to immigrants , Jews , Muslims , Catholics , LGBTQ individuals and leftists as well .
Newsweek reached out to press representatives for Omar and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not hear back in time for publication .
Some on social media were quick to criticize Omar 's remarks .
Far-right political commentator Dinesh D'souza tweeted , `` This woman is deranged . ''
Steve Guest , the Republican National Committee 's rapid response director , tweeted a clip of the interview , writing : `` UNHINGED : Squad me ever Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar calls President Trump 's campaign rallies 'Klan rallies . '
'' Actor and producer Kevin Sorbo tweeted : `` Hey @ IlhanMN did you just compare Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're all about peace and unity right ? ''
During a September 30 rally in Minnesota , Trump unleashed xenophobic criticism against Omar as his supporters chanted `` Lock her up . ''
`` Then she tells us how to run our country , can you believe it ?
How the hell did Minnesota elect her ? ''
Trump said of Omar .
`` What the hell is wrong with you people—right ?
What the hell happened ? ''
The president repeated similar attacks at various rallies and events throughout his ultimately unsuccessful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded to Trump 's constant attacks during an interview with CNN .
`` The president clearly loves to prey on people 's fears .
He spreads the disease of hate everywhere he goes , and these cult rallies that he 's holding across the country are now being fueled by fear , and it is no surprise that he is so fearful of winning Minnesota that he has to resort to this hate , '' the congresswoman said .
`` Not only is he a racist , but he 's a racist xenophobic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he 's just against immigrants who look like me , '' Omar said .
The congresswoman , who was born in Somalia , came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1995 and became a citizen in 2000 , when she was 17 .
In 2018 , she became one of the first two Muslim women—the other being a fellow Squad member , Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan—ever elected to Congress .
Trump lost Omar 's state to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden by a margin of 7.2 percent—or more than 230,000 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district by a margin of nearly 40 percent , despite her Republican opponent raising about $ 10 million , compared with the $ 5.4 million her campaign took in .

Representative Ilhan Omar, a progressive Democrat from Minnesota, described President Donald Trump's campaign events as "Klan rallies," pointing out that the president had repeatedly attacked and criticized her to his supporters.
Omar and the other members of the so-called Squad of progressive Democrats have been routinely attacked by the president and other Republicans. Democrats in the House of Representatives, joined by four Republicans, formally condemned Trump in July 2019 after he shared a series of racist tweets telling the four progressive representatives—all of whom are women of color—that they should "go back" to where they came from. But this did not deter Trump from repeatedly attacking Omar and the others.
"On a personal level, I have gotten accustomed to standing up to bullies in my life. And so, on a personal level, it hasn't really impacted me, besides having my children be exposed to it and for the last two months of this election cycle waking up every single morning to text messages from my siblings asking if I was safe," Omar said during a video interview with The Washington Post on Monday.
Omar added that "it didn't really matter where he was—sometimes multiple times in a day, as he had held his Klan rallies throughout the country."
Representative Ilhan Omar speaks with the media on August 11 in Minneapolis. Stephen Maturen/Getty
The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist hate group that was formed after the abolition of slavery at the end of the Civil War. Although it primarily targets Black Americans, its members are largely opposed to immigrants, Jews, Muslims, Catholics, LGBTQ individuals and leftists as well.
Newsweek reached out to press representatives for Omar and the Trump campaign for further comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
Some on social media were quick to criticize Omar's remarks. Far-right political commentator Dinesh D'souza tweeted, "This woman is deranged."
Steve Guest, the Republican National Committee's rapid response director, tweeted a clip of the interview, writing: "UNHINGED: Squad me ever Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar calls President Trump's campaign rallies 'Klan rallies.'"
Actor and producer Kevin Sorbo tweeted: "Hey @IlhanMN did you just compare Trump rallies to kkk meetings? But you're all about peace and unity right?"
During a September 30 rally in Minnesota, Trump unleashed xenophobic criticism against Omar as his supporters chanted "Lock her up."
"Then she tells us how to run our country, can you believe it? How the hell did Minnesota elect her?" Trump said of Omar. "What the hell is wrong with you people—right? What the hell happened?" The president repeated similar attacks at various rallies and events throughout his ultimately unsuccessful re-election campaign.
In September, Omar responded to Trump's constant attacks during an interview with CNN.
"The president clearly loves to prey on people's fears. He spreads the disease of hate everywhere he goes, and these cult rallies that he's holding across the country are now being fueled by fear, and it is no surprise that he is so fearful of winning Minnesota that he has to resort to this hate," the congresswoman said.
"Not only is he a racist, but he's a racist xenophobic. Because he's not against immigration, he's just against immigrants who look like me," Omar said.
The congresswoman, who was born in Somalia, came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1995 and became a citizen in 2000, when she was 17. In 2018, she became one of the first two Muslim women—the other being a fellow Squad member, Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan—ever elected to Congress.
Trump lost Omar's state to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden by a margin of 7.2 percent—or more than 230,000 votes. Omar easily won re-election in her district by a margin of nearly 40 percent, despite her Republican opponent raising about $10 million, compared with the $5.4 million her campaign took in.


newsweek--2020-11-16--Joe Biden's Plan to Forgive Student Loan Debt Explained

President-elect Joe Biden 's plan for student loan forgiveness does n't go as far as plans touted by some of his former challengers for the Democratic nomination , but it could result in student loans being canceled for millions of people .
Americans collectively hold more than $ 1.5 trillion in student loans and the financial burden caused people to delay marriages , purchase homes and having children .
With some legislators , including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , pushing for widespread forgiveness , Biden 's election victory sparked hope that relief was on the horizon .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his administration would forgive undergraduate loans for people who have `` responsibly made payments '' for 20 years .
Those payments would be 5 percent of a borrower 's `` discretionary income , '' defined as `` income minus taxes and essential spending like housing and food '' over $ 25,000 .
Borrowers would automatically be enrolled in the program but could opt-out if they chose to do so .
Biden 's plan also includes forgiving loans for public servants .
The new program would offer $ 10,000 worth of relief for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of national or community service , up to five years .
Five years of prior national or community service also will allow a person to qualify for the program .
He also plans to secure passage of the `` What You Can Do For Your Country Act of 2019 , a bill introduced in the House in May that would forgive 50 percent of loans and interest for certain borrowers working in public service after 60 payments and 100 percent after 120 payments .
To be eligible for forgiveness , a person must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local or tribal government organization , 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) , law enforcement , in public education , or health or another eligible organization .
Although these are the plans that Biden has listed on his website , it 's possible his administration could take student loan forgiveness one step further .
In March , Biden posted on Twitter that a coronavirus relief bill should include forgiveness of at least $ 10,000 for every federal student loan borrower .
`` Young people and other student debt holders bore the brunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't happen again , '' Biden wrote .
He reiterated the commitment to forgiving $ 10,000 in student loan debt after winning the election .
The majority of Americans support canceling up to $ 10,000 in student loan debt for each borrower , a Morning Consult poll from August found .
Biden 's ability to enact student loan reforms and forgiveness likely depends on the outcome of the Georgia runoff elections in January .
If Democrats take both Senate seats , they 'll be able to form a majority with Senator Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deciding vote in a tie .
If they lose even one of the seats , Republicans will continue to hold a majority in the Senate , creating a potential roadblock in enacting legislation .
With a $ 10,000 forgiveness program , borrowers with $ 30,000 of debt would receive about $ 100 of additional monthly spending over the next 10 years , according to the Urban Institute .
A `` long tail of payment reductions '' would do `` little to boost spending , '' the Urban Institute said , making the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , total loan forgiveness could boost real GDP by up to $ 108 billion , William Foster , a vice president with Moody 's , told NPR in 2019 .
`` Student loans are now contributing to what 's perceived as lower economic prospects for younger Americans , '' Foster said .
Biden has n't publicly released how he will finance forgiveness , but Foster noted that it would mean the federal government would have to give up revenue it 's making by collecting on the loans .
It could result in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tacking on additional taxes to people could be a `` drag on the economy , '' according to NPR .
Senators Warren , Chuck Schumer , Patty Murray and Sherrod Brown introduced a plan to forgive $ 10,000 of any federal loan days earlier .
Warren , as a presidential candidate , proposed forgiving up to $ 50,000 in student loans for about 42 million people .
She endorsed Biden for president in April .
Months later , in September , Warren urged the next president , regardless of who won the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadly cancel student loan debt '' up to $ 50,000 .
Newsweek reached out to the Biden campaign for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .

President-elect Joe Biden's plan for student loan forgiveness doesn't go as far as plans touted by some of his former challengers for the Democratic nomination, but it could result in student loans being canceled for millions of people.
Americans collectively hold more than $1.5 trillion in student loans and the financial burden caused people to delay marriages, purchase homes and having children. With some legislators, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, pushing for widespread forgiveness, Biden's election victory sparked hope that relief was on the horizon.
Under Biden's plan listed on his website, his administration would forgive undergraduate loans for people who have "responsibly made payments" for 20 years. Those payments would be 5 percent of a borrower's "discretionary income," defined as "income minus taxes and essential spending like housing and food" over $25,000.
Borrowers would automatically be enrolled in the program but could opt-out if they chose to do so.
Biden's plan also includes forgiving loans for public servants. The new program would offer $10,000 worth of relief for undergraduate and graduate debt for every year of national or community service, up to five years. Five years of prior national or community service also will allow a person to qualify for the program.
President-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks about the U.S. economy during a press briefing at the Queen Theater on Monday in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden's plan as president includes forgiving student loans for millions of people. Joe Raedle/Getty
He also plans to secure passage of the "What You Can Do For Your Country Act of 2019, a bill introduced in the House in May that would forgive 50 percent of loans and interest for certain borrowers working in public service after 60 payments and 100 percent after 120 payments. To be eligible for forgiveness, a person must work at a federal, state, local or tribal government organization, 501(c)(3), law enforcement, in public education, or health or another eligible organization.
Although these are the plans that Biden has listed on his website, it's possible his administration could take student loan forgiveness one step further.
In March, Biden posted on Twitter that a coronavirus relief bill should include forgiveness of at least $10,000 for every federal student loan borrower.
"Young people and other student debt holders bore the brunt of the last crisis. It shouldn't happen again," Biden wrote.
He reiterated the commitment to forgiving $10,000 in student loan debt after winning the election. The majority of Americans support canceling up to $10,000 in student loan debt for each borrower, a Morning Consult poll from August found.
Biden's ability to enact student loan reforms and forgiveness likely depends on the outcome of the Georgia runoff elections in January. If Democrats take both Senate seats, they'll be able to form a majority with Senator Kamala Harris, as vice president, casting the deciding vote in a tie.
If they lose even one of the seats, Republicans will continue to hold a majority in the Senate, creating a potential roadblock in enacting legislation.
With a $10,000 forgiveness program, borrowers with $30,000 of debt would receive about $100 of additional monthly spending over the next 10 years, according to the Urban Institute. A "long tail of payment reductions" would do "little to boost spending," the Urban Institute said, making the "immediate benefits" only modest.
However, total loan forgiveness could boost real GDP by up to $108 billion, William Foster, a vice president with Moody's, told NPR in 2019.
"Student loans are now contributing to what's perceived as lower economic prospects for younger Americans," Foster said.
Biden hasn't publicly released how he will finance forgiveness, but Foster noted that it would mean the federal government would have to give up revenue it's making by collecting on the loans. It could result in a "wider fiscal deficit," and tacking on additional taxes to people could be a "drag on the economy," according to NPR.
Senators Warren, Chuck Schumer, Patty Murray and Sherrod Brown introduced a plan to forgive $10,000 of any federal loan days earlier. Warren, as a presidential candidate, proposed forgiving up to $50,000 in student loans for about 42 million people. She endorsed Biden for president in April.
Months later, in September, Warren urged the next president, regardless of who won the election, to "take executive action to broadly cancel student loan debt" up to $50,000.
Newsweek reached out to the Biden campaign for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-17--Ohio Boy, 1, Shoots Himself With Father's Gun

An Ohio father has been charged after his 1-year-old son was hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself , police said .
The shooting occurred at a residence in the 2000 block of Bancroft Street in Columbus shortly before 11.30 a.m. on Monday , WSYX reported .
The Columbus Division of Police said officers arrived at the scene to find the boy 's parents leaving with residence with him .
According to the station , the boy 's parents told police that the infant had gotten hold of a gun in the residence and accidentally shot himself .
The child was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical condition , but police said he is expected to recover .
The boy 's 24-year-old father Demonte Jarrell Walker Sr. was detained and interviewed by police about the incident .
Walker was arrested on Monday based on that interview .
Walker was charged with endangering children , online records from the Franklin County Sheriff 's Office show .
He is due to appear in court on Tuesday .
According to WSYX , there are several adults and children living in the residence where the shooting occurred .
Columbus Police has been contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gun Safety , hundreds of American children gain access to firearms and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else every year .
There have been at least 246 unintentional shootings by children so far in 2020 , which have resulted in 103 deaths and 150 injuries , according to the group 's # NotAnAccident index which tracks such shootings .
In almost a quarter of those incidents , the shooter was a child aged three or under .
And the group 's research shows that there were at least 300 unintentional shootings by children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw at least 309 unintentional shootings by children , resulting in 120 deaths and 203 injuries—down slightly from at least 313 shootings in 2018 , which led to 103 deaths and 221 injuries .
Everytown notes that research shows an estimated 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in homes where there is at least one gun that is kept loaded and unlocked .
The group , along with numerous other charities and nonprofit organizations , urge gun owners to take extra precautions when children are in the presence of firearms .
Everytown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America launched a campaign called Be SMART to raise awareness that storing guns responsibly—that is , with firearms locked , unloaded and kept separate from ammunition—can help save children 's lives .

An Ohio father has been charged after his 1-year-old son was hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself, police said.
The shooting occurred at a residence in the 2000 block of Bancroft Street in Columbus shortly before 11.30 a.m. on Monday.
The Columbus Division of Police said officers arrived at the scene to find the boy's parents leaving with residence with him.
The boy's parents told police that the infant had gotten hold of a gun in the residence and accidentally shot himself.
The child was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital in a critical condition. Police said he is expected to recover.
Demonte Jarrell Walker Sr. is charged with endangering children after his toddler son accidentally shot himself. Franklin County Sheriff's Office
The boy's 24-year-old father Demonte Jarrell Walker Sr. was detained and interviewed by police about the incident.
Walker was arrested on Monday based on that interview and charged with endangering children, a third-degree felony.
Online records from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office show. He is due to appear in court on Tuesday.
According to WSYX, there are several adults and children living in the residence where the shooting occurred. Columbus Police has been contacted for comment.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, hundreds of American children gain access to firearms and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else every year.
There have been at least 246 unintentional shootings by children so far in 2020, which have resulted in 103 deaths and 150 injuries, according to the group's #NotAnAccident index which tracks such shootings. In almost a quarter of those incidents, the shooter was a child aged three or under.
And the group's research shows that there were at least 300 unintentional shootings by children every year since 2015.
Last year saw at least 309 unintentional shootings by children, resulting in 120 deaths and 203 injuries—down slightly from at least 313 shootings in 2018, which led to 103 deaths and 221 injuries.
Everytown notes that research shows an estimated 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in homes where there is at least one gun that is kept loaded and unlocked.
The group, along with numerous other charities and nonprofit organizations, urge gun owners to take extra precautions when children are in the presence of firearms.
Everytown and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America launched a campaign called Be SMART to raise awareness that storing guns responsibly—that is, with firearms locked, unloaded and kept separate from ammunition—can help save children's lives.


newsweek--2020-11-17--Internet Heaps Praise on Dolly Parton After She Donated $1m to COVID-19 Vaccine Trial

Dolly Parton has once again demonstrated why she is so beloved around the world after donating $ 1 million to a COVID-19 vaccine trial that has been highly successful .
U.S. biotechnology firm Moderna announced on Monday that its vaccine was over 94 percent effective in protecting against coronavirus .
It has now emerged that the country singer and philanthropist donated the sum towards the research for this trial .
The news follows the announcement of a separate vaccine from pharmaceutical firm Pfizer last week .
Parton 's donation came through her support of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal of Medicine has reported that she donated her own money to aid the research earlier this year .
Footnotes in the journal show that funding came from the `` Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund . ''
The 74-year-old singer announced her donation in April , posting on Instagram : `` My longtime friend Dr. Naji Abumrad , who 's been involved in research at Vanderbilt for many years , informed me that they were making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure .
I am making a donation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that research and to encourage people that can afford it to make donations . ''
The `` Nine to Five '' singer 's name began trending on Twitter after word got out that her contribution aided the successful vaccine trial , instilling hope for an end to the pandemic .
One person tweeted : `` Dolly Parton donated $ 1 million to Vanderbilt for vaccine research .
Vanderbilt researchers were involved in the Moderna trials .
Ergo , Dolly Parton helped cure COVID . ''
`` Not only did Dolly Parton write 'Jolene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ' on the same day , but she also potentially saved the world , '' tweeted radio host Eric Alper .
Actress Patricia Arquette wrote : `` You thought you loved Dolly Parton before . ''
Screenwriter Sarah Dollard joked : `` Everything is terrible but at least we 're alive at the same time as Dolly Parton . ''
Another user added : `` Dolly Parton continues to be one of the best people . ''
One tweet reads : `` Dolly Parton is one of those rare celebrities for whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn about her , the more I like her , rather than vice versa . ''
The country music icon once said : `` We can not direct the wind , but we can adjust the sails . ''
It looks like her donation may well have helped to change the course of the COVID pandemic .

Dolly Parton has once again demonstrated why she is so beloved around the world after donating $1 million to a COVID-19 vaccine trial that has been highly successful.
U.S. biotechnology firm Moderna announced on Monday that its vaccine was over 94 percent effective in protecting against coronavirus. It has now emerged that the country singer and philanthropist donated the sum towards the research for this trial.
The news follows the announcement of a separate vaccine from pharmaceutical firm Pfizer last week.
Parton's donation came through her support of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The New England Journal of Medicine has reported that she donated her own money to aid the research earlier this year. Footnotes in the journal show that funding came from the "Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund."
Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton attends the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2016, in Las Vegas. Parton announced in April this year that she was making a donation to COVID vaccine research. Getty/David Becker/Getty Images
The 74-year-old singer announced her donation in April, posting on Instagram: "My longtime friend Dr. Naji Abumrad, who's been involved in research at Vanderbilt for many years, informed me that they were making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure. I am making a donation of $1 million to Vanderbilt towards that research and to encourage people that can afford it to make donations."
The "Nine to Five" singer's name began trending on Twitter after word got out that her contribution aided the successful vaccine trial, instilling hope for an end to the pandemic.
One person tweeted: "Dolly Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt for vaccine research. Vanderbilt researchers were involved in the Moderna trials. Ergo, Dolly Parton helped cure COVID."
Dolly Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt for vaccine research.
Vanderbilt researchers were involved in the Moderna trials.
Ergo, Dolly Parton helped cure COVID. — Jonathan "Boo and Vote" Cohn (@JonathanCohn) November 17, 2020
"Not only did Dolly Parton write 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' on the same day, but she also potentially saved the world," tweeted radio host Eric Alper.
Not only did Dolly Parton write Jolene and I Will Always Love You on the same day, but she also potentially saved the world. pic.twitter.com/jyvShbaWqA — Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) November 17, 2020
Actress Patricia Arquette wrote: "You thought you loved Dolly Parton before."
You thought you loved Dolly Parton before- https://t.co/kKPLrdEmha — Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) November 17, 2020
Screenwriter Sarah Dollard joked: "Everything is terrible but at least we're alive at the same time as Dolly Parton."
Everything is terrible but at least we're alive at the same time as Dolly Parton https://t.co/mLEXK0eu8w — Sarah Dollard (@snazdoll) November 17, 2020
Another user added: "Dolly Parton continues to be one of the best people."
Dolly Parton continues to be one of the best people https://t.co/BfMX1HwSDv — The Written Ward (@WrittenWard) November 17, 2020
One tweet reads: "Dolly Parton is one of those rare celebrities for whom I can say that the more I learn about her, the more I like her, rather than vice versa."
Dolly Parton is one of those rare celebrities for whom I can say that the more I learn about her, the more I like her, rather than vice versa. https://t.co/71v0pRtG8q — Gili Bar-Hillel (@gilibugg) November 17, 2020
The country music icon once said: "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." It looks like her donation may well have helped to change the course of the COVID pandemic.


newsweek--2020-11-17--Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Ignored COVID Experts for Months Over Mask Mandate

Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds issued a statewide mask mandate on Monday after ignoring warnings and recommendations made by health experts for several months , including the White House COVID-19 task force .
The mask mandate comes eight months after Iowa recorded its first infection .
On March 8 , the state reported its first three `` presumptive '' positive cases of the virus .
The governor 's office noted in a statement at the time : `` No additional or special precautions are recommended for Iowans beyond the simple daily precautions to combat the flu including washing hands frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying home when ill. '' Reynolds said in the statement : `` The state of Iowa has been coordinating plans across state agencies , including a partial activation of the State Emergency Operations Center ( SEOC ) , to protect the health of Iowans and assess our operational needs .
While these are the first cases , it may not be the last and it 's why Iowans must continue to practice safe habits like hand washing and staying home from work when sick .
Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 9 .
Earlier that month on March 2 , Reynolds tweeted : `` This morning , I met with @ IAPublicHealth and @ IAHSEMD ( Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management ) to discuss the potential dangers of the Coronavirus .
Iowa remains at low risk , but we are taking every precaution to keep Iowans safe and healthy . ''
At the start of April , a model from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) at the University of Washington projected Iowa would see over 1,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usage expected to peak on April 30 .
At a press conference on April 1 , Reynolds questioned the accuracy of the projections made by the IHME model , which noted that non-essential services and educational facilities remained open in Iowa .
Reynolds said : `` The [ IHME ] model that 's out there does not reflect a lot of the mitigation practices that we put in place , and so that will have some bearing on the numbers . ''
At the time , schools were recommended to be closed until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and universities were transitioned to online learning .
Some non-essential businesses and services were also closed .
Health experts and others call for a mask mandate After flattening out from early May , the seven-day average of cases began increasing from mid-June to mid-July , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
On July 17 , hundreds of protesters supported the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement ( CCI ) in a Mask Up Iowa car protest in Des Moines calling for a mask order to be issued .
Back in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 other health professional groups called for the `` widespread use of cloth masks in public settings will dramatically slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives , '' in a letter to the governor .
While Reynolds encouraged residents to wear a mask , as part of the state 's Step Up Mask Up campaign at the time , she refused to order a statewide mask order .
The communications director for the governor , Pat Garrett , said in July : `` Gov .
Reynolds encourages Iowans who are interacting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks .
But she does not believe a governmental mask mandate is appropriate . ''
In a statement released on July 14 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said : `` Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus—particularly when used universally within a community setting .
All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves , their families , and their communities . ''
At a press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlighted that scientists have said face masks help to slow the spread of infection , Reynolds responded : `` But there 's people that would tell you just the opposite .
`` All along we 've said if you ca n't social distance , wear a mask .
We know that those are two things that can help slow the spread and have an impact on COVID-19 in our state .
I believe that Iowans are doing the right thing , and I 'm doing it through a PR campaign , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Reynolds was asked why she refused to issue a mask mandate , she noted `` there 's not a single answer '' to stopping the spread of the virus .
`` A lot of the states , they 've done that , but they 've said there 's absolutely no enforcement .
They 've put it right in the declaration [ saying ] : 'We 're going to issue a face mandate , but we 're not going to enforce it . '
`` And if you look [ at ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually issued a mandate , the cases are still rising , so it 's just , there 's not a silver bullet , there 's not a single answer , '' she said at the time .
Back in early August , the IHME warned the state 's lack of a mask mandate could cost 700 more COVID-19 lives over the following three months .
The institute projected the daily death toll would hit 13 by the end of October if the state carried on without a mask requirement , while it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day if 95 percent of people wore face coverings .
On August 29 , the seven-day average of cases in Iowa peaked at 1,177.29 , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins .
In a report issued on August 30 , experts from the White House coronavirus task force warned that `` mask mandates across the state must be in place to decrease transmission . ''
`` Rural and urban counties in Iowa continue to have increases in case and test positivity .
Common sense preventive measures must be implemented to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reynolds said at a press briefing at the time : `` I believe we can get there without a mask mandate , '' when asked how her team has been working to decrease the state 's number of infections .
`` I trust Iowans to do the right thing and I think they are doing the right thing . ''
Newsweek has contacted the governor 's office for comment .
As of Tuesday , total confirmed cases in Iowa have surpassed 189,500 , with 2,023 total reported deaths .
The seven-day average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , rising on a sharper incline from late October and peaking at 4,757 on November 11 , according to Johns Hopkins .
The state reported the country 's third-highest number of cases and sixth-highest number of deaths per 100,000 people in the past seven days , according to the latest report Monday by the CDC .
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 55.1 million people since it was first reported in Wuhan , China .
Globally , more than 1.3 million have died while more than 35.4 million have recovered as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The graphic below , provided by Statista , illustrates the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations reported from March to November .
The graphic below , produced by Statista , the spread of COVID-19 cases across the U.S .

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a statewide mask mandate on Monday after ignoring warnings and recommendations made by health experts for several months, including the White House COVID-19 task force.
The mask mandate comes eight months after Iowa recorded its first infection. On March 8, the state reported its first three "presumptive" positive cases of the virus.
The governor's office noted in a statement at the time: "No additional or special precautions are recommended for Iowans beyond the simple daily precautions to combat the flu including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill."
Reynolds said in the statement: "The state of Iowa has been coordinating plans across state agencies, including a partial activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), to protect the health of Iowans and assess our operational needs. While these are the first cases, it may not be the last and it's why Iowans must continue to practice safe habits like hand washing and staying home from work when sick.
Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency after five additional presumptive positive cases were reported on March 9.
Earlier that month on March 2, Reynolds tweeted: "This morning, I met with @IAPublicHealth and @IAHSEMD (Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management) to discuss the potential dangers of the Coronavirus. Iowa remains at low risk, but we are taking every precaution to keep Iowans safe and healthy."
Reynolds questions accuracy of COVID-19 projections
At the start of April, a model from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington projected Iowa would see over 1,300 total deaths from COVID-19, with resource usage expected to peak on April 30.
At a press conference on April 1, Reynolds questioned the accuracy of the projections made by the IHME model, which noted that non-essential services and educational facilities remained open in Iowa.
Reynolds said: "The [IHME] model that's out there does not reflect a lot of the mitigation practices that we put in place, and so that will have some bearing on the numbers."
At the time, schools were recommended to be closed until at least April 13, while colleges and universities were transitioned to online learning. Some non-essential businesses and services were also closed.
Health experts and others call for a mask mandate
After flattening out from early May, the seven-day average of cases began increasing from mid-June to mid-July, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
On July 17, hundreds of protesters supported the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) in a Mask Up Iowa car protest in Des Moines calling for a mask order to be issued.
Back in late July, the Iowa Medical Society and 14 other health professional groups called for the "widespread use of cloth masks in public settings will dramatically slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives," in a letter to the governor.
While Reynolds encouraged residents to wear a mask, as part of the state's Step Up Mask Up campaign at the time, she refused to order a statewide mask order.
The communications director for the governor, Pat Garrett, said in July: "Gov. Reynolds encourages Iowans who are interacting with others where social distancing is impossible to wear masks. But she does not believe a governmental mask mandate is appropriate."
In a statement released on July 14 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said: "Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus—particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities."
At a press conference in late July, when a reporter highlighted that scientists have said face masks help to slow the spread of infection, Reynolds responded: "But there's people that would tell you just the opposite.
"All along we've said if you can't social distance, wear a mask. We know that those are two things that can help slow the spread and have an impact on COVID-19 in our state. I believe that Iowans are doing the right thing, and I'm doing it through a PR campaign," she said.
At the same press briefing, when Reynolds was asked why she refused to issue a mask mandate, she noted "there's not a single answer" to stopping the spread of the virus.
"A lot of the states, they've done that, but they've said there's absolutely no enforcement. They've put it right in the declaration [saying]: 'We're going to issue a face mandate, but we're not going to enforce it.'
"And if you look [at] the cases and the timelines that they actually issued a mandate, the cases are still rising, so it's just, there's not a silver bullet, there's not a single answer," she said at the time.
Reynolds ignores White House COVID-19 task force advice
Back in early August, the IHME warned the state's lack of a mask mandate could cost 700 more COVID-19 lives over the following three months.
The institute projected the daily death toll would hit 13 by the end of October if the state carried on without a mask requirement, while it could be reduced to fewer than two deaths a day if 95 percent of people wore face coverings.
On August 29, the seven-day average of cases in Iowa peaked at 1,177.29, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins.
In a report issued on August 30, experts from the White House coronavirus task force warned that "mask mandates across the state must be in place to decrease transmission."
"Rural and urban counties in Iowa continue to have increases in case and test positivity. Common sense preventive measures must be implemented to stop further spread," said the report.
Reynolds said at a press briefing at the time: "I believe we can get there without a mask mandate," when asked how her team has been working to decrease the state's number of infections. "I trust Iowans to do the right thing and I think they are doing the right thing."
Newsweek has contacted the governor's office for comment.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks at a campaign event on October 31 in Davenport, Iowa. Reynolds issued a statewide mask mandate on Monday after months of ignoring the advice of COVID-19 experts. Mario Tama/Getty Images
As of Tuesday, total confirmed cases in Iowa have surpassed 189,500, with 2,023 total reported deaths. The seven-day average of cases has been increasing since early August, rising on a sharper incline from late October and peaking at 4,757 on November 11, according to Johns Hopkins.
The state reported the country's third-highest number of cases and sixth-highest number of deaths per 100,000 people in the past seven days, according to the latest report Monday by the CDC.
The wider picture
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 55.1 million people since it was first reported in Wuhan, China.
Globally, more than 1.3 million have died while more than 35.4 million have recovered as of Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations reported from March to November.
STATISTA
The graphic below, produced by Statista, shows the spread of COVID-19 cases across the U.S.


newsweek--2020-11-17--Loeffler Wants 'Everyone to Vote Early' in Georgia Runoff Despite GOP Attacks on Mail-In Ballots

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) has encouraged supporters to vote early in the runoff election for her seat , touting absentee ballots despite repeated attacks on the security of mail-in voting from members of the GOP .
Loeffler is being challenged by Democrat Raphael Warnock in a runoff in Georgia , with the future of both the state 's Senate seats to be determined in this manner .
Polling has shown the pair are almost tied in the race , which has gained national attention because of the impact it will have on control of the Senate .
Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wanted people to vote , given Republican concerns about mail-in voting in the 2020 elections .
Loeffler replied that she wanted people to vote early .
`` We want everyone to vote early .
Absentee ballots are available , they are going to start to be mailed out on Wednesday .
Early voting is December 14 , in-person early voting .
We encourage folks to get out and vote , vote early .
To make sure that their vote counts , '' she said .
`` And we 're going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election is fair , that only legal votes count .
We 're going to make sure that Georgians can trust this process . ''
She spoke of control of the Senate being `` on the line , '' criticizing what she has branded a `` radical agenda '' from Democrats .
Her support for mail-in voting comes after high-profile Republicans , including President Donald Trump , have spoken against the method .
Trump has tweeted that `` mail-in elections are a sick joke '' and claimed—incorrectly—that Georgia officials could not verify signatures on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decree .
Despite his comments , Loeffler and conservative groups are encouraging the practice .
Loeffler previously called for the resignation of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over allegations of irregularities in the presidential election results , suggesting in a joint statement with fellow Georgia Senator David Perdue that he had `` failed to deliver honest and transparent elections . ''
Her call for early vote support comes amid allegations that Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) had discussed with Raffensperger the possibility of tossing out legally cast mail-in ballots , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham was suggesting this be done .
Graham has denied that characterization of their conversation .
Newsweek has contacted Loeffler for comment on mail-in voting .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) has encouraged supporters to vote early in the runoff election for her seat, touting absentee ballots despite repeated attacks on the security of mail-in voting from members of the GOP.
Loeffler is being challenged by Democrat Raphael Warnock in a runoff in Georgia, with the future of both the state's Senate seats to be determined in this manner.
Polling has shown the pair are almost tied in the race, which has gained national attention because of the impact it will have on control of the Senate.
Laura Ingraham on Fox News asked Loeffler how she wanted people to vote, given Republican concerns about mail-in voting in the 2020 elections.
Loeffler replied that she wanted people to vote early.
"We want everyone to vote early. Absentee ballots are available, they are going to start to be mailed out on Wednesday. Early voting is December 14, in-person early voting. We encourage folks to get out and vote, vote early. To make sure that their vote counts," she said.
"And we're going to be keeping track to make sure that this election is fair, that only legal votes count. We're going to make sure that Georgians can trust this process."
She spoke of control of the Senate being "on the line," criticizing what she has branded a "radical agenda" from Democrats.
Her support for mail-in voting comes after high-profile Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have spoken against the method.
Trump has tweeted that "mail-in elections are a sick joke" and claimed—incorrectly—that Georgia officials could not verify signatures on absentee ballot envelopes because of a consent decree.
Despite his comments, Loeffler and conservative groups are encouraging the practice.
Read more Fact Check: Have Senior Democrats Raised Concerns about Smartmatic? Fact Check: Have Senior Democrats Raised Concerns about Smartmatic?
Loeffler previously called for the resignation of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over allegations of irregularities in the presidential election results, suggesting in a joint statement with fellow Georgia Senator David Perdue that he had "failed to deliver honest and transparent elections."
Her call for early vote support comes amid allegations that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) had discussed with Raffensperger the possibility of tossing out legally cast mail-in ballots, with the Georgia official claiming he felt that Graham was suggesting this be done. Graham has denied that characterization of their conversation.
Newsweek has contacted Loeffler for comment on mail-in voting.