newsweek--2020-12-23--500 Families Of COVID Victims Sue Italian Government, Citing Mistakes In Virus Response

Families of coronavirus victims in Italy are suing local and national government leaders for an early pandemic response that they say was riddled with negligence and mistakes .
A group of 500 families filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday with prosecutors in the Lombardy province of Bergamo , Italy , which experienced one of the worst virus outbreaks at the beginning of the pandemic .
The families have alleged that Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte , Health Minister Roberto Speranza and Lombardy regional president Attilio Fontana contributed to over 70,000 virus deaths in Italy .
The lawsuit accuses the government authorities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against an early virus outbreak that resulted in thousands of deaths across the Lombardy region .
The action was filed by members of Noi Denunceremo , or We Will Denounce , a coronavirus advocacy group that first came together in April .
`` These complaints are our Christmas present to those who should have done what they were supposed to do and did not do while in Italy , on December 25 , there will be 70,000 empty chairs , '' said Luca Fusco , president of Noi Denunceremo , according to NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as requested over and over again by the E.U .
and WHO , we are sure there would have been many fewer , '' Fusco added .
The lawsuit will focus on the decision that authorities made to re-open a hospital in Lombardy hours after an outbreak occurred on February 23 , and the subsequent failure to immediately issue a quarantine in the area , The Guardian reported .
The legal action also alleges that the government officials failed to update national and regional pandemic plans in a timely enough manner to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committee are asking for monetary compensation of about $ 315,000 for each family , totaling more than $ 120 million , NBC reported .
`` The government and region are responsible for violating rules and for dereliction of duties , '' Consuelo Locati , a leading lawyer on the case , said according to The Guardian .
`` The law obliged Italy to have an adequate national plan and for the regional authority to implement an adequate regional plan . ''
Locati claims that Italy 's pandemic plan was severely outdated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to determine if it were effective .
`` They had no guidelines , '' she said .
`` And even if [ the old plan ] was implemented it would n't have worked as it lacked a series of steps that should have been followed in order to have been prepared for this pandemic . ''
Italy was one of the first countries to be hit by the coronavirus pandemic in March , and received backlash early on for its slow and mixed response .
`` My idea is that if we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , probably now we would be celebrating victory , '' Fontana told The New York Times in a piece published on March 21 .
As of Wednesday , Italy has experienced over 1.9 million coronavirus cases , and 70,373 deaths , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Representatives for Conte , Speranza , Fontana have yet to respond to the lawsuit , according to Reuters and NBC News .

Families of coronavirus victims in Italy are suing local and national government leaders for an early pandemic response that they say was riddled with negligence and mistakes.
A group of 500 families filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday with prosecutors in the Lombardy province of Bergamo, Italy, which experienced one of the worst virus outbreaks at the beginning of the pandemic.
The families have alleged that Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Health Minister Roberto Speranza and Lombardy regional president Attilio Fontana contributed to over 70,000 virus deaths in Italy.
The lawsuit accuses the government authorities of being underprepared and failing to take action against an early virus outbreak that resulted in thousands of deaths across the Lombardy region. The action was filed by members of Noi Denunceremo, or We Will Denounce, a coronavirus advocacy group that first came together in April.
"These complaints are our Christmas present to those who should have done what they were supposed to do and did not do while in Italy, on December 25, there will be 70,000 empty chairs," said Luca Fusco, president of Noi Denunceremo, according to NBC News.
"With proper planning, as requested over and over again by the E.U. and WHO, we are sure there would have been many fewer," Fusco added.
The lawsuit will focus on the decision that authorities made to re-open a hospital in Lombardy hours after an outbreak occurred on February 23, and the subsequent failure to immediately issue a quarantine in the area, The Guardian reported.
The legal action also alleges that the government officials failed to update national and regional pandemic plans in a timely enough manner to prevent the virus from spreading.
500 families filed a lawsuit against local and national leaders in Italy for failing to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. In this photo, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte holds a press conference to announce a new emergency decree on Coronavirus restrictions, on December 3, 2020 in Rome, Italy. Augusto Casasoli/Getty
Lawyers representing the committee are asking for monetary compensation of about $315,000 for each family, totaling more than $120 million, NBC reported.
"The government and region are responsible for violating rules and for dereliction of duties," Consuelo Locati, a leading lawyer on the case, said according to The Guardian. "The law obliged Italy to have an adequate national plan and for the regional authority to implement an adequate regional plan."
Locati claims that Italy's pandemic plan was severely outdated, and that it had never been tested to determine if it were effective.
"They had no guidelines," she said. "And even if [the old plan] was implemented it wouldn't have worked as it lacked a series of steps that should have been followed in order to have been prepared for this pandemic."
Italy was one of the first countries to be hit by the coronavirus pandemic in March, and received backlash early on for its slow and mixed response.
"My idea is that if we had shut everything in the beginning, for two weeks, probably now we would be celebrating victory," Fontana told The New York Times in a piece published on March 21.
As of Wednesday, Italy has experienced over 1.9 million coronavirus cases, and 70,373 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Representatives for Conte, Speranza, Fontana have yet to respond to the lawsuit, according to Reuters and NBC News.


newsweek--2020-12-23--GOP Rep Slams Trump for Doubling Back on Stimulus Checks, Says White House Rejected $2K

Representative Peter King called out President Donald Trump Wednesday for reversing course on direct payments to Americans after Congress finally reached a long-awaited deal on an economic relief package .
Calling into radio 's Joe Piscopo Show , the New York Republican said he agreed with those who think the $ 600 stimulus checks approved by lawmakers Monday are n't enough but criticized the president for threatening to not sign the legislation .
`` Why did n't the president say this before ?
Why did his administration say it had to be $ 600 ? ''
King asked .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The retiring congressman added : `` Nancy Pelosi wanted $ 2,000 all along , and I 'm not a Pelosi fan .
Bernie Sanders wanted $ 2,000 .
The president and his administration refused to give it , and now he 's trying to somehow double back .
He 's leaving Republicans out there hanging out to dry after signing off on an agreement and asking us to vote for it . ''
On Tuesday night , Trump released a video online calling the stimulus package `` a disgrace . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ridiculously low '' $ 600 direct payment to $ 2,000—a sum that had been proposed by several Democrats over the past nine months .
Both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly approved the $ 900 billion bill to provide aid to households and businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic .
The measure—which includes $ 600 cash payments for Americans making $ 75,000 or less—passed 359-53 in the House and 92-6 in the Senate .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said people could start receiving the checks as early as next week .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would n't have voted for it if the Trump administration did n't tell us to ? ''
King asked .
`` So I 'm really disappointed in the president . ''
Negotiations for the relief package were stalled for nearly nine months as Republicans and Democrats disagreed over the size and scope of the bill .
In May , the Democrats passed their own package , the $ 3 trillion HEROES Act , which included $ 1,200 payments , but it failed in the Senate .
The GOP-controlled chamber attempted to pass its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the effort ultimately failed .
King said that it was the Trump administration that `` led the negotiations '' and that they knew about the compromise bill `` from beginning to end . ''
Representative Ted Lieu ( D-Calif. ) criticized Treasury Secretary Mnuchin for his role in the negotiations after Trump came out in opposition to the bill .
According to The New York Times , Mnuchin had 190 calls about the package between December 14 and 20 that included the president .
`` Were you just making stuff up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you were n't speaking for @ realDonaldTrump , then who were you speaking for ? ''
Lieu tweeted , addressing Mnuchin .
Democrats have welcomed Trump 's push for $ 2,000 stimulus checks with open arms .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber was ready to bring the issue to the floor by unanimous consent this week .
Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
tweeted Wednesday that Democrats were completely united on the matter , but asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell if his caucus had `` the heart to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed for months ? ''
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont responded to Trump 's proposal with the tweet : `` That 's great !
I first introduced a bill to provide a $ 2,000 direct payment with @ SenKamalaHarris & @ EdMarkey 7 months ago .
Now , Mr. President , get Mitch McConnell and your Republican friends to stop opposing it and we can provide working class Americans with $ 2,000 .
Let 's do it . ''
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a @ @ @ @ @ @

Representative Peter King called out President Donald Trump Wednesday for reversing course on direct payments to Americans after Congress finally reached a long-awaited deal on an economic relief package.
Calling into radio's Joe Piscopo Show, the New York Republican said he agreed with those who think the $600 stimulus checks approved by lawmakers Monday aren't enough but criticized the president for threatening to not sign the legislation.
"Why didn't the president say this before? Why did his administration say it had to be $600?" King asked. "They were the ones driving this."
The retiring congressman added: "Nancy Pelosi wanted $2,000 all along, and I'm not a Pelosi fan. Bernie Sanders wanted $2,000. The president and his administration refused to give it, and now he's trying to somehow double back. He's leaving Republicans out there hanging out to dry after signing off on an agreement and asking us to vote for it."
On Tuesday night, Trump released a video online calling the stimulus package "a disgrace." The president called on Congress to increase the "ridiculously low" $600 direct payment to $2,000—a sum that had been proposed by several Democrats over the past nine months.
Both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly approved the $900 billion bill to provide aid to households and businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The measure—which includes $600 cash payments for Americans making $75,000 or less—passed 359-53 in the House and 92-6 in the Senate. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said people could start receiving the checks as early as next week.
"You think all of the Republican senators wouldn't have voted for it if the Trump administration didn't tell us to?" King asked. "So I'm really disappointed in the president."
Negotiations for the relief package were stalled for nearly nine months as Republicans and Democrats disagreed over the size and scope of the bill. In May, the Democrats passed their own package, the $3 trillion HEROES Act, which included $1,200 payments, but it failed in the Senate. The GOP-controlled chamber attempted to pass its own $500 billion bill in October, but the effort ultimately failed.
King said that it was the Trump administration that "led the negotiations" and that they knew about the compromise bill "from beginning to end."
Representative Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) criticized Treasury Secretary Mnuchin for his role in the negotiations after Trump came out in opposition to the bill. According to The New York Times, Mnuchin had 190 calls about the package between December 14 and 20 that included the president.
"Were you just making stuff up during the Covid relief negotiations? If you weren't speaking for @realDonaldTrump, then who were you speaking for?" Lieu tweeted, addressing Mnuchin.
President Donald Trump on the White House's South Lawn on December 12. On Tuesday, Trump threatened to not sign a new economic relief bill passed in Congress. Al Drago/Getty
Democrats have welcomed Trump's push for $2,000 stimulus checks with open arms. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber was ready to bring the issue to the floor by unanimous consent this week. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) tweeted Wednesday that Democrats were completely united on the matter, but asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell if his caucus had "the heart to give the American people the relief they've needed for months?"
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont responded to Trump's proposal with the tweet: "That's great! I first introduced a bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment with @SenKamalaHarris & @EdMarkey 7 months ago. Now, Mr. President, get Mitch McConnell and your Republican friends to stop opposing it and we can provide working class Americans with $2,000. Let's do it."
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Is the Stock Market Open on Christmas Eve 2020?

Money may never sleep , but the Stock Market does—at least on Christmas Day .
As noted on its website , the New York Stock Exchange will observe Christmas Day on Friday and the markets will be closed .
December 25 also has two asterisks next to the date , which indicate that the markets will close early on Christmas Eve .
Those looking to get last-minute trading in before eating their Christmas ham will need to do so before the early afternoon .
`` Each market will close early at 1:00 p.m. ( 1:15 p.m. for eligible options ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Crossing Session orders will be accepted beginning at 1:00 p.m. for continuous executions until 1:30 p.m. on this date , and NYSE American Equities , NYSE Arca Equities , NYSE Chicago , and NYSE National late trading sessions will close at 5:00 pm .
All times are Eastern Time , '' the note at the bottom of the page says .
The Nasdaq operates on the same schedule , closing at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remaining closed throughout Christmas Day .
According to Investopedia , the typical hours for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 p.m , with the Nasdaq having pre-market hours from 4 a.m. until opening , and after-hours trading extending until 8 p.m .
While the Stock Market will be open for at least a little while this Christmas Eve , it will be closed for all of Christmas Eve next year .
Because Christmas Day 2021 falls on a Saturday , both the Nasdaq and NYSE calendars note that the markets will be closed on December 24 in observance of the holiday .
The Stock Market will also be shut down on New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Friday , to kick off 2021 .
Unlike with Christmas , the markets do not close early on New Year 's Eve , and those looking to make trades can do so during normal trading hours on Thursday , December 31 .
Other holidays that will be observed by the NYSE and Nasdaq in 2021 include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ( January 18 ) ; President 's Day , a.k.a .
Washington 's Birthday ( February 15 ) ; Good Friday ( April 2 ) ; Memorial Day ( May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be observed on Monday July 5 , rather than the Fourth of July ) ; Labor Day ( September 6 ) ; and Thanksgiving ( November 25 ) .
As with this year 's Christmas Eve , the markets will also close early the day after Thanksgiving 2021 ( so that 's November 26 ) , at 1 p.m .

Money may never sleep, but the Stock Market does—at least on Christmas Day.
As noted on its website, the New York Stock Exchange will observe Christmas Day on Friday and the markets will be closed. December 25 also has two asterisks next to the date, which indicate that the markets will close early on Christmas Eve. Those looking to get last-minute trading in before eating their Christmas ham will need to do so before the early afternoon.
"Each market will close early at 1:00 p.m. (1:15 p.m. for eligible options) on Thursday, December 24, 2020. Crossing Session orders will be accepted beginning at 1:00 p.m. for continuous executions until 1:30 p.m. on this date, and NYSE American Equities, NYSE Arca Equities, NYSE Chicago, and NYSE National late trading sessions will close at 5:00 pm. All times are Eastern Time," the note at the bottom of the page says.
The Nasdaq operates on the same schedule, closing at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remaining closed throughout Christmas Day.
According to Investopedia, the typical hours for those two stock exchanges are 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m, with the Nasdaq having pre-market hours from 4 a.m. until opening, and after-hours trading extending until 8 p.m.
While the Stock Market will be open for at least a little while this Christmas Eve, it will be closed for all of Christmas Eve next year. Because Christmas Day 2021 falls on a Saturday, both the Nasdaq and NYSE calendars note that the markets will be closed on December 24 in observance of the holiday.
The Stock Market will also be shut down on New Year's Day, which falls on a Friday, to kick off 2021. Unlike with Christmas, the markets do not close early on New Year's Eve, and those looking to make trades can do so during normal trading hours on Thursday, December 31.
Other holidays that will be observed by the NYSE and Nasdaq in 2021 include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18); President's Day, a.k.a. Washington's Birthday (February 15); Good Friday (April 2); Memorial Day (May 31); Independence Day (which will be observed on Monday July 5, rather than the Fourth of July); Labor Day (September 6); and Thanksgiving (November 25).
As with this year's Christmas Eve, the markets will also close early the day after Thanksgiving 2021 (so that's November 26), at 1 p.m.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Georgia Secretary of State Voices Support for GOP Push to End No-Excuse Absentee Voting

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Wednesday that he supports Republican efforts to overturn a 15-year state law allowing no-excuse absentee voting .
During an over three-hour virtual hearing on election security before the Georgia state House Governmental Affairs Committee , Raffensperger claimed that no-excuse absentee voting `` makes no sense '' while paired with current voting practices in the state .
`` This cycle has shown , we need to move to an excuse-based system for absentee voting , '' Raffensperger said .
`` The no-excuses system voted into law in 2005 - long before most of you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long before I was in the General Assembly - it makes no sense when we have three weeks of in-person , early voting available .
It opens the door to potential illegal voting . ''
The Georgia Senate Republican Caucus called to end no-excuse absentee voting , along with a push to ban ballot drop boxes , in a statement on December 8 after an influx in mail-in ballots propelled Joe Biden 's victory against President Donald Trump .
Raffensperger 's support of the GOP push comes after Republican election officials , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed claims of widespread voter fraud or evidence of irregularities in Georgia 's election .
Raffensperger noted that , while he is n't happy with the results of the election , the misinformation surrounding the election and the false claims of widespread voter fraud peddled by right-wing media are `` dangerous '' and `` unfounded . ''
`` The vast majority of claims we have seen online and in the media , and even discussed in the halls of the Capitol , are simply unfounded , '' Raffensperger said .
`` What we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , One America News Network and other organizations , they 're being forced to run retractions on the stories they ran . ''
`` This is what I 've called a tsunami of disinformation and it is dangerous , '' he continued .
`` Worse yet , we have to respond to those rumors , disinformation and misinformation , chase it down , with the limited resources we have .
I 've called it the rumor whack-a-mole , as soon as we knock one down , then another pops up . ''
Raffensperger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that provides raw information on the election process in order to fact-check claims of voter fraud .
One claim mentioned involved the elections-processing room at Fulton County 's State Farm Arena , which went viral for falsely claiming that suitcases filled with ballots were rolled from underneath a table .
Raffensperger said people would be able to watch the full surveillance video without others `` misrepresenting certain situations by slicing and dicing the video . ''
Democratic state representative Bee Nguyen asked Raffensperger why he wanted to get rid of no-excuse absentee voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel for the secretary of state 's office , responded that `` it 's harder to provide confidence in that process . ''
`` To sum up the last 3 hours & 39 minutes , the Georgia SOS has no evidence of voter fraud , but they , along with Georgia Republicans , want to make voting harder for all Georgians , '' Nguyen later tweeted after the virtual hearing .
Along with an end to no-excuse absentee voting , Raffensperger also suggested that the state should move to voter ID , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee voting , after weeks of pressure from Trump and his supporters to look into signature verification .
Investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the secretary of state 's office are expected to complete an unprecedented audit of Cobb County 's absentee ballot envelope signatures next week , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
Raffensperger told reporters at the state capitol last week that the signature matching audit would help `` restore confidence in our election '' after the process had been `` attacked again and again with no evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also noted that it wo n't change the results of the election , which Biden won by more than 12,000 votes .
The results were confirmed by two statewide recounts , including a hand tally of the state 's roughly 5 million presidential votes and a second machine recount requested by the Trump campaign .
Election official Gabriel Sterling , who has called out the dangers of election misinformation earlier this month , doubled-down on the role of some media in peddling false claims of voter fraud .
`` We 've been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurate information , '' Sterling said .
`` There has been a flurry of misinformation that has been perpetuated and , as the secretary mentioned , numerous outlets who posted that are now having to issue retractions . ''
Both Fox News and Newsmax have aired segments retracting their own election fraud claims against voting machines after two election technology companies , Dominion and Smartmatic , threatened legal action over false and defamatory reports .
Sterling also mentioned that election misinformation , including allegations of vote flipping and machine malfunctioning , is nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` very similar '' claims of voter fraud made during the 2020 election were also being made during the 2018 election .
This was a reference to the 2018 gubernatorial election between Republican Brian Kemp , serving as secretary of state at the time , and Democrat Stacey Abrams .
Kemp , who beat Abrams by about 55,000 votes , continued to oversee the election during his run and was accused of suppressing Black votes that would have gone to Abrams .
However , Sterling insists that both the 2018 and 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality is , just like the claims about systematic voter suppression in 2018 were not true , the claims of widespread voter fraud in 2020 are not supported by the evidence we have seen in our investigations , '' he said .
Newsweek reached out to the secretary of state 's office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Wednesday that he supports Republican efforts to overturn a 15-year state law allowing no-excuse absentee voting.
During an over three-hour virtual hearing on election security before the Georgia state House Governmental Affairs Committee, Raffensperger claimed that no-excuse absentee voting "makes no sense" while paired with current voting practices in the state.
"This cycle has shown, we need to move to an excuse-based system for absentee voting," Raffensperger said. "The no-excuses system voted into law in 2005 - long before most of you, if not all of you, long before I was in the General Assembly - it makes no sense when we have three weeks of in-person, early voting available. It opens the door to potential illegal voting."
The Georgia Senate Republican Caucus called to end no-excuse absentee voting, along with a push to ban ballot drop boxes, in a statement on December 8 after an influx in mail-in ballots propelled Joe Biden's victory against President Donald Trump.
Raffensperger's support of the GOP push comes after Republican election officials, including the secretary of state, have repeatedly disputed claims of widespread voter fraud or evidence of irregularities in Georgia's election. Raffensperger noted that, while he isn't happy with the results of the election, the misinformation surrounding the election and the false claims of widespread voter fraud peddled by right-wing media are "dangerous" and "unfounded."
"The vast majority of claims we have seen online and in the media, and even discussed in the halls of the Capitol, are simply unfounded," Raffensperger said. "What we are now seeing is that with Newsmax, One America News Network and other organizations, they're being forced to run retractions on the stories they ran."
"This is what I've called a tsunami of disinformation and it is dangerous," he continued. "Worse yet, we have to respond to those rumors, disinformation and misinformation, chase it down, with the limited resources we have. I've called it the rumor whack-a-mole, as soon as we knock one down, then another pops up."
Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's Secretary of State, speaks onstage during a 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on January 20 in Atlanta, Georgia. Raffensperger announced Monday that a limited signature match audit of absentee ballot envelopes would be conducted in Georgia's Cobb County. Paras Griffin/Getty
Raffensperger said that his office launched a website that provides raw information on the election process in order to fact-check claims of voter fraud. One claim mentioned involved the elections-processing room at Fulton County's State Farm Arena, which went viral for falsely claiming that suitcases filled with ballots were rolled from underneath a table. Raffensperger said people would be able to watch the full surveillance video without others "misrepresenting certain situations by slicing and dicing the video."
Democratic state representative Bee Nguyen asked Raffensperger why he wanted to get rid of no-excuse absentee voting, to which Ryan Germany, general counsel for the secretary of state's office, responded that "it's harder to provide confidence in that process."
"To sum up the last 3 hours & 39 minutes, the Georgia SOS has no evidence of voter fraud, but they, along with Georgia Republicans, want to make voting harder for all Georgians," Nguyen later tweeted after the virtual hearing.
Along with an end to no-excuse absentee voting, Raffensperger also suggested that the state should move to voter ID, not signature match, as the verification for absentee voting, after weeks of pressure from Trump and his supporters to look into signature verification.
Investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the secretary of state's office are expected to complete an unprecedented audit of Cobb County's absentee ballot envelope signatures next week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Raffensperger told reporters at the state capitol last week that the signature matching audit would help "restore confidence in our election" after the process had been "attacked again and again with no evidence," according to the Associated Press. He also noted that it won't change the results of the election, which Biden won by more than 12,000 votes.
The results were confirmed by two statewide recounts, including a hand tally of the state's roughly 5 million presidential votes and a second machine recount requested by the Trump campaign.
Election official Gabriel Sterling, who has called out the dangers of election misinformation earlier this month, doubled-down on the role of some media in peddling false claims of voter fraud.
"We've been doing everything we can to get out accurate information," Sterling said. "There has been a flurry of misinformation that has been perpetuated and, as the secretary mentioned, numerous outlets who posted that are now having to issue retractions."
Both Fox News and Newsmax have aired segments retracting their own election fraud claims against voting machines after two election technology companies, Dominion and Smartmatic, threatened legal action over false and defamatory reports.
Sterling also mentioned that election misinformation, including allegations of vote flipping and machine malfunctioning, is nothing new in Georgia. He claimed that "very similar" claims of voter fraud made during the 2020 election were also being made during the 2018 election.
This was a reference to the 2018 gubernatorial election between Republican Brian Kemp, serving as secretary of state at the time, and Democrat Stacey Abrams. Kemp, who beat Abrams by about 55,000 votes, continued to oversee the election during his run and was accused of suppressing Black votes that would have gone to Abrams.
However, Sterling insists that both the 2018 and 2020 election contained no voting irregularities.
"The reality is, just like the claims about systematic voter suppression in 2018 were not true, the claims of widespread voter fraud in 2020 are not supported by the evidence we have seen in our investigations," he said.
Newsweek reached out to the secretary of state's office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Fox News Anchor Says Trump 'Throwing' Mnuchin 'Under the Bus' With Stimulus Criticism

Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier said President Donald Trump was `` throwing '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin `` under the bus '' with his criticism of the bipartisan COVID-19 stimulus package passed by Congress this week .
Trump attacked the legislation in a video message uploaded to social media on Tuesday evening , calling out funding for foreign countries and asking Congress to raise the $ 600 stimulus checks for most Americans to $ 2,000 .
Mnuchin has functioned as the Trump administration 's point person on stimulus negotiations for months .
On Monday , the Treasury secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC , saying that Americans were `` going to see this money at the beginning of next week . ''
`` President Trump is throwing his treasury secretary , Steven Mnuchin , under the bus , '' Bret Baier said Wednesday during a segment of Fox News show America 's Newsroom .
`` Mnuchin has been in the conversation for months with [ congressional ] leadership about how this was going to go and what compromise they could agree to , and finally getting to this compromise that was passed through both chambers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'It 's not good enough for me . '
'' Baier pointed out that Trump is misrepresenting the foreign aid included in the package as well .
While the COVID-19 economic stimulus package is a key portion of the legislation , it was included with an omnibus funding bill that will keep the government running in the coming year .
`` They were put together for speed , '' Baier explained .
`` But the reason that a lot of the foreign aid is in there , is because his State Department requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsweek reached out to the Treasury Department and the White House for comment on the bill , but they did not immediately respond .
The future of the relief bill and the overall omnibus funding legislation are now uncertain .
Democrats have come out largely in favor of the president 's demands to increase the $ 600 direct payments to $ 2,000 .
But a number of prominent Republican lawmakers were already staunchly against sending stimulus checks at all .
`` It 's a really foolish , eggheaded , left-wing , socialist idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Senator Rand Paul , a Kentucky Republican , told Fox News morning show Fox & Friends on Wednesday .
`` So I part ways with the president on giving people free money . ''
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tweeted on Tuesday evening , saying that Democrats were ready to pass a package including $ 2,000 stimulus checks through a unanimous consent vote .
But on Wednesday morning she urged the president to sign the current legislation and then pressure Republican leaders to provide more aid to Americans .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep government open !
Urge [ Senate Majority Leader Mitch ] McConnell and [ House Minority Leader Kevin ] McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $ 2,000 direct payments !
This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve ! ''
the top Democrat tweeted .

Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier said President Donald Trump was "throwing" Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin "under the bus" with his criticism of the bipartisan COVID-19 stimulus package passed by Congress this week.
Trump attacked the legislation in a video message uploaded to social media on Tuesday evening, calling out funding for foreign countries and asking Congress to raise the $600 stimulus checks for most Americans to $2,000. Mnuchin has functioned as the Trump administration's point person on stimulus negotiations for months.
On Monday, the Treasury secretary touted the legislation in an interview with CNBC, saying that Americans were "going to see this money at the beginning of next week."
"President Trump is throwing his treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, under the bus," Bret Baier said Wednesday during a segment of Fox News show America's Newsroom. "Mnuchin has been in the conversation for months with [congressional] leadership about how this was going to go and what compromise they could agree to, and finally getting to this compromise that was passed through both chambers and now the president's saying, 'It's not good enough for me.'"
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testifies before the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on September 1. GRAEME JENNINGS/POOL/AFP/Getty
Baier pointed out that Trump is misrepresenting the foreign aid included in the package as well. While the COVID-19 economic stimulus package is a key portion of the legislation, it was included with an omnibus funding bill that will keep the government running in the coming year.
"They were put together for speed," Baier explained. "But the reason that a lot of the foreign aid is in there, is because his State Department requested that in a budget request."
Newsweek reached out to the Treasury Department and the White House for comment on the bill, but they did not immediately respond.
The future of the relief bill and the overall omnibus funding legislation are now uncertain. Democrats have come out largely in favor of the president's demands to increase the $600 direct payments to $2,000. But a number of prominent Republican lawmakers were already staunchly against sending stimulus checks at all.
"It's a really foolish, eggheaded, left-wing, socialist idea to pass out free money to people," Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, told Fox News morning show Fox & Friends on Wednesday. "So I part ways with the president on giving people free money."
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tweeted on Tuesday evening, saying that Democrats were ready to pass a package including $2,000 stimulus checks through a unanimous consent vote. But on Wednesday morning she urged the president to sign the current legislation and then pressure Republican leaders to provide more aid to Americans.
"Mr. President, sign the bill to keep government open! Urge [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell and [House Minority Leader Kevin] McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve!" the top Democrat tweeted.


newsweek--2020-12-23--'Fortnite' Green Arrow Skin Release Date and January Crew Pack Revealed

Fortnite fans were surprised in early December following the debut of the Fortnite Crew subscription service .
After paying $ 11.99 per month , players will be granted access to the latest Battle Pass , a monthly exclusive cosmetic buddle and a monthly purse of 1,000 V-Bucks .
Looking ahead to January , the paid offering heats up considerably with a unique collaboration with DC Comics , in the form of a Green Arrow skin .
Just like the Galaxia Pack before this one , the Green Arrow Crew Pack features a bespoke Outfit , Pickaxe and Back Bling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose whatsoever .
In addition to the Green Arrow Outfit , the bundle also includes the Tactical Quiver Back Bling and Boxing Glove Pickaxe .
Most of these items can be seen in the promotional image below .
Fans of the Emerald Archer will likely notice the set 's design is a clear callback to the popular Green Arrow TV series on the CW .
The pack will become available for all Crew subscribers starting December 31 at 7 p.m. EST .
It 's worth noting that Epic advises Crew members to redeem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which their subscription was initially made , to avoid potential issues .
Of course , there 's still plenty of time between now and December 31 , which means those who subscribe today can also receive December 's rewards , in addition to the ones going live next month .
For those who happened to miss the Galaxia Outfit reveal at the start of Season 5 , you can check it out below .
The bundle features the Cosmic Llamacorn Pickaxe and Fractured World Back Bling .
We 're personally not huge fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really stepping things up big time with Green Arrow going forward .
Fortnite 's Fortnite Crew subscription service is n't quite the first of its kind , but it 's still somewhat uncharted territory for a free-to-play title primarily played on console and PC .
In many ways , the concept draws heavily from the mobile market , where individual app subscriptions have become more commonplace over the past few years .
Overall , Fortnite Crew could be a solid proposition for those who are hopelessly addicted to Epic 's Battle Royale , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casual players over a long period of time .
Those folks , however , still have the option of subscribing for one month just to get Green Arrow if they choose to do so .
Fortnite is available now on PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X|S , Xbox One , Switch , PC and Android .
What are your thoughts on the January Fortnite Crew Pack ?
Will you subscribe for Green Arrow ?
Tell us in the comments section !

Fortnite fans were surprised in early December following the debut of the Fortnite Crew subscription service. After paying $11.99 per month, players will be granted access to the latest Battle Pass, a monthly exclusive cosmetic buddle and a monthly purse of 1,000 V-Bucks. Looking ahead to January, the paid offering heats up considerably with a unique collaboration with DC Comics, in the form of a Green Arrow skin.
'Fortnite's January Crew Pack features Green Arrow. Get the bundle by subscribing for $11.99 starting December 31. 'Fortnite' is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC and Android. Epic Games
Just like the Galaxia Pack before this one, the Green Arrow Crew Pack features a bespoke Outfit, Pickaxe and Back Bling that will never be sold for any other purpose whatsoever. In addition to the Green Arrow Outfit, the bundle also includes the Tactical Quiver Back Bling and Boxing Glove Pickaxe. Most of these items can be seen in the promotional image below. Fans of the Emerald Archer will likely notice the set's design is a clear callback to the popular Green Arrow TV series on the CW.
The pack will become available for all Crew subscribers starting December 31 at 7 p.m. EST. It's worth noting that Epic advises Crew members to redeem their monthly goodies on the platform on which their subscription was initially made, to avoid potential issues.
The December Crew Pack features the Galaxia cosmetics seen here. Epic Games
Of course, there's still plenty of time between now and December 31, which means those who subscribe today can also receive December's rewards, in addition to the ones going live next month. For those who happened to miss the Galaxia Outfit reveal at the start of Season 5, you can check it out below. The bundle features the Cosmic Llamacorn Pickaxe and Fractured World Back Bling. We're personally not huge fans of the look, but Epic is really stepping things up big time with Green Arrow going forward.
Fortnite's Fortnite Crew subscription service isn't quite the first of its kind, but it's still somewhat uncharted territory for a free-to-play title primarily played on console and PC. In many ways, the concept draws heavily from the mobile market, where individual app subscriptions have become more commonplace over the past few years.
Overall, Fortnite Crew could be a solid proposition for those who are hopelessly addicted to Epic's Battle Royale, but it probably wouldn't suit most casual players over a long period of time. Those folks, however, still have the option of subscribing for one month just to get Green Arrow if they choose to do so.
Fortnite is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC and Android.
What are your thoughts on the January Fortnite Crew Pack? Will you subscribe for Green Arrow? Tell us in the comments section!


newsweek--2020-12-23--Multi-car Pileup in South Dakota Prompted by Whiteout Conditions from Winter Storm Harold

While speaking with Newsweek , South Dakota Department of Public Safety spokesperson Tony Mangan said that `` it 's about a 20 vehicle pileup in the northbound of the I-29 about one mile North of the Dell Rapids exit . ''
According to Mangan , the northbound lane on I-29 was closed to traffic , and authorities were rerouting traffic to exit 98 .
`` There 's zero visibility in the area , zero visibility , '' Mangan told Newsweek .
The South Dakota Highway Patrol also confirmed the crash on Twitter , writing that there was a `` Multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falls and Hartford . ''
The tweet added , `` Zero visibility !
This will take some time to clean up !
# keepSDsafe and stay put .
Wait for better conditions ! ''
Dell Rapids volunteer firefighter Rick Morris , told the Argus Leader that the pileup included cars and semi-trucks .
There were also several non-life-threatening injuries caused by the crash , according to the newspaper .
Mangan also noted that he has been told that there appear to be some injuries , `` to what extent has not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader reported that there was an injury crash near mile marker 390 on Interstate 90 at around 1 p.m. local time .
The multi-vehicle crash comes amid blizzard conditions in the state , which prompted the South Dakota Department of Transportation to issue no travel advisories on most roads in the eastern and central parts of the state .
`` NO TRAVEL ADVISED for the entire eastern half of the state !
Numerous crashes , white-out conditions , strong winds & snow are making travel nearly impossible - especially on I-29 .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later this evening , '' the South Dakota Department of Transportation wrote in a tweet .
According to the National Weather Service ( NWS ) in Sioux Falls , as of 2 p.m. local time , there were at least 2.1 inches of snowfall reported at the Sioux Falls Airport .
In addition to snowfall , NWS Sioux Falls warned residents that wind gusts ranging between 50 and 60 miles per hour could hinder visibility .
As the snow continues to fall in the state , many residents began posting pictures and videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
`` Weather conditions continue to rapidly deteriorate in Minnehaha County .
Strong winds and zero visibility in most locations !
We strongly urge motorists to use extreme caution and travel only if necessary .
County snow plows are not being used at this time due to the poor visibility , '' the Minnehaha County Sheriff 's Office wrote in a tweet .
The South Dakota Highway Patrol also posted a video on Wednesday morning , showing limited visibility on highways caused by the storm .
`` We all knew it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn your lights on .
This are the current conditions near Mile Marker 240 on US 14 , '' the tweet said .
Newsweek reached out to the South Dakota Highway Patrol for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .

A winter storm caused a multiple-vehicle crash on South Dakota's Interstate 29 on Wednesday.
While speaking with Newsweek, South Dakota Department of Public Safety spokesperson Tony Mangan said that "it's about a 20 vehicle pileup in the northbound of the I-29 about one mile North of the Dell Rapids exit."
According to Mangan, the northbound lane on I-29 was closed to traffic, and authorities were rerouting traffic to exit 98.
"There's zero visibility in the area, zero visibility," Mangan told Newsweek.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol also confirmed the crash on Twitter, writing that there was a "Multiple vehicle crash blocking Interstate 90 between Sioux Falls and Hartford."
The tweet added, "Zero visibility! This will take some time to clean up! #keepSDsafe and stay put. Wait for better conditions!"
Dell Rapids volunteer firefighter Rick Morris, told the Argus Leader that the pileup included cars and semi-trucks. There were also several non-life-threatening injuries caused by the crash, according to the newspaper.
Mangan also noted that he has been told that there appear to be some injuries, "to what extent has not yet been determined."
Drivers make their way along slick and snowy roads on November 26, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. Joe Mahoney/Getty
Additionally, the Argus Leader reported that there was an injury crash near mile marker 390 on Interstate 90 at around 1 p.m. local time.
The multi-vehicle crash comes amid blizzard conditions in the state, which prompted the South Dakota Department of Transportation to issue no travel advisories on most roads in the eastern and central parts of the state.
"NO TRAVEL ADVISED for the entire eastern half of the state! Numerous crashes, white-out conditions, strong winds & snow are making travel nearly impossible - especially on I-29. Please postpone travel until the blizzard lets up later this evening," the South Dakota Department of Transportation wrote in a tweet.
NO TRAVEL ADVISED for the entire eastern half of the state! Numerous crashes, white-out conditions, strong winds & snow are making travel nearly impossible - especially on I-29. Please postpone travel until the blizzard lets up later this evening.#SDWX pic.twitter.com/wIkq6IuBrY — SDDOT (@SouthDakotaDOT) December 23, 2020
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Sioux Falls, as of 2 p.m. local time, there were at least 2.1 inches of snowfall reported at the Sioux Falls Airport.
In addition to snowfall, NWS Sioux Falls warned residents that wind gusts ranging between 50 and 60 miles per hour could hinder visibility.
As the snow continues to fall in the state, many residents began posting pictures and videos on social media, showing the current conditions.
"Weather conditions continue to rapidly deteriorate in Minnehaha County. Strong winds and zero visibility in most locations! We strongly urge motorists to use extreme caution and travel only if necessary. County snow plows are not being used at this time due to the poor visibility," the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office wrote in a tweet.
Weather conditions continue to rapidly deteriorate in Minnehaha County. Strong winds and zero visibility in most locations! We strongly urge motorists to use extreme caution and travel only if necessary. County snow plows are not being used at this time due to the poor visibility pic.twitter.com/ksCblsxJbJ — Minnehaha Sheriff (@MinnehahaCounty) December 23, 2020
The South Dakota Highway Patrol also posted a video on Wednesday morning, showing limited visibility on highways caused by the storm.
"We all knew it was coming eventually! Please slow down and turn your lights on. This are the current conditions near Mile Marker 240 on US 14," the tweet said.
We all knew it was coming eventually! Please slow down and turn your lights on. This are the current conditions near Mile Marker 240 on US 14 #keepSDsafe pic.twitter.com/x0nniDCVkY — SD Highway Patrol (@SDHighwayPatrol) December 23, 2020
Newsweek reached out to the South Dakota Highway Patrol for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-23--After Joe Biden's Education Pick, a Push From Democrats to Get a Latina in Cabinet

After Joe Biden did as he said he would in nominating a `` teacher '' to be the next secretary of education , Hispanic Democrats and grassroots leaders have one more ask of him : a Latina to round out his quickly filling cabinet .
Biden on Wednesday introduced Dr. Miguel Cardona , a former fourth-grade teacher , the youngest principal in Connecticut , and the first Latino to serve as the state 's education commissioner , making him the third Puerto Rican ever to serve in a presidential cabinet .
Cardona has advocated for reopening schools , arguing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of his challenges will be working with state and local officials to accomplish that goal safely as the coronavirus pandemic rages .
He joins Alejandro Mayorkas , the Department of Homeland Security nominee , and Xavier Becerra , the pick to lead the Health and Human Services Department , as Latinos chosen by Biden to lead major agencies in his incoming administration .
But Democrats and Latino leaders say there is one more pick they would like to see before the inauguration on January 20 .
`` Miguel Cardona is a visionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead the Department of Education toward excellence , '' Representative Joaquin Castro ( D-Texas ) , the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , told Newsweek before his flight home for the holiday .
`` We will continue to push for a Latina to serve in President Biden 's cabinet .
The transition team is aware of many talented and well-qualified Latinas for various cabinet posts . ''
The push for a Latina to be among the final cabinet selections is not merely a numbers game or an effort to check a box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabinet reflect the diversity of the country , which is lacking during most administrations , those who spoke to Newsweek said .
The transition team is said to be considering Latinas for the roles that remain , with groups like Latino Victory Fund , which works to elect Latino Democrats , among those who have shared names with the transition .
Nathalie Rayes , the president of Latino Victory , said her group is encouraged by the three nominations so far , not just because they represent influential agencies , but also because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexican-American and a teacher of Puerto Rican descent bring regional and ethnic diversity to the cabinet .
There is one aspect of diversity and inclusion missing , however .
`` We have full confidence the cabinet will be diverse , and gender diversity is very important , '' Rayes said .
`` I 'm not surprised they 're looking at Latinas for different positions . ''
An initiative launched in the wake of Biden 's projected election win in November called Proyecto 20 % , is a push to ensure 20 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reflect the population of Latinos in the country , and was started by Mi Familia Vota , UnidosUS and the Hispanic Federation .
Hector Sanchez Barba , the executive director of Mi Familia Vota , who worked on a campaign to advance the labor rights of Latinas , told Newsweek his study found they are critical to the workforce of the nation , but also the most vulnerable workers in the country , experiencing the highest level of wage theft and sexual harassment in the workplace , particularly undocumented women .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this administration will open the doors we need for opportunity in the future , '' he said , especially when they were `` central in this election , overwhelmingly voting and mobilizing against Trump , while also serving as some of the most important essential workers in the nation . ''
On MSNBC with Tiffany Cross on Monday , UnidosUS President Janet Murguia said the Commerce Department , which oversees the Census and ensures every person is counted , along with the Small Business Administration , are two possibilities where a Latina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us it 's going to be very important in the Hispanic community to see a Latina in the cabinet , '' she said on the Cross Connection .
For his part , Cardona in his speech Wednesday drew a line between starting his education able to speak only Spanish , to how his background informs the leader he wants to be for all of the nation 's parents and students .
`` I , being bilingual and bicultural , am as American as apple pie and rice and beans , '' he said @

After Joe Biden did as he said he would in nominating a "teacher" to be the next secretary of education, Hispanic Democrats and grassroots leaders have one more ask of him: a Latina to round out his quickly filling cabinet.
Biden on Wednesday introduced Dr. Miguel Cardona, a former fourth-grade teacher, the youngest principal in Connecticut, and the first Latino to serve as the state's education commissioner, making him the third Puerto Rican ever to serve in a presidential cabinet.
Cardona has advocated for reopening schools, arguing that the closures are harming children, and one of his challenges will be working with state and local officials to accomplish that goal safely as the coronavirus pandemic rages.
He joins Alejandro Mayorkas, the Department of Homeland Security nominee, and Xavier Becerra, the pick to lead the Health and Human Services Department, as Latinos chosen by Biden to lead major agencies in his incoming administration.
But Democrats and Latino leaders say there is one more pick they would like to see before the inauguration on January 20.
"Miguel Cardona is a visionary, humble and experienced educator who will lead the Department of Education toward excellence," Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, told Newsweek before his flight home for the holiday. "We will continue to push for a Latina to serve in President Biden's cabinet. The transition team is aware of many talented and well-qualified Latinas for various cabinet posts."
The push for a Latina to be among the final cabinet selections is not merely a numbers game or an effort to check a box, but a drive to have the cabinet reflect the diversity of the country, which is lacking during most administrations, those who spoke to Newsweek said.
The transition team is said to be considering Latinas for the roles that remain, with groups like Latino Victory Fund, which works to elect Latino Democrats, among those who have shared names with the transition.
Nathalie Rayes, the president of Latino Victory, said her group is encouraged by the three nominations so far, not just because they represent influential agencies, but also because the choices of a Cuban-American, a Mexican-American and a teacher of Puerto Rican descent bring regional and ethnic diversity to the cabinet.
There is one aspect of diversity and inclusion missing, however.
"We have full confidence the cabinet will be diverse, and gender diversity is very important," Rayes said. "I'm not surprised they're looking at Latinas for different positions."
An initiative launched in the wake of Biden's projected election win in November called Proyecto 20%, is a push to ensure 20 percent of the 4,000 jobs in the new administration will reflect the population of Latinos in the country, and was started by Mi Familia Vota, UnidosUS and the Hispanic Federation.
I, being bilingual and bicultural, am as American as apple pie and rice and beans. Dr. Miguel Cardona, secretary of education nominee
Hector Sanchez Barba, the executive director of Mi Familia Vota, who worked on a campaign to advance the labor rights of Latinas, told Newsweek his study found they are critical to the workforce of the nation, but also the most vulnerable workers in the country, experiencing the highest level of wage theft and sexual harassment in the workplace, particularly undocumented women.
"Having Latinas in the most important spaces of this administration will open the doors we need for opportunity in the future," he said, especially when they were "central in this election, overwhelmingly voting and mobilizing against Trump, while also serving as some of the most important essential workers in the nation."
On MSNBC with Tiffany Cross on Monday, UnidosUS President Janet Murguia said the Commerce Department, which oversees the Census and ensures every person is counted, along with the Small Business Administration, are two possibilities where a Latina cabinet member could lead.
"For us it's going to be very important in the Hispanic community to see a Latina in the cabinet," she said on the Cross Connection.
For his part, Cardona in his speech Wednesday drew a line between starting his education able to speak only Spanish, to how his background informs the leader he wants to be for all of the nation's parents and students.
"I, being bilingual and bicultural, am as American as apple pie and rice and beans," he said.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Formula One Team Faces Backlash From Racing Fans Over Driver Who Posted Groping Video

On Wednesday morning , American Formula One racing team Haas announced it will keep Nikita Mazepin as one of its drivers despite a video he posted that shows him groping a female model .
F1 fans quickly took to social media to voice their anger , with # WeSayNoToMazepin quickly trending on Twitter .
The team made the announcement with the following statement on Twitter : `` Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will form its driver line-up for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship .
As per the team 's previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( December 9 ) —this matter has now been dealt with internally and no further comment shall be made . ''
The `` previous statement '' alluded to in that release was made following the groping video going viral .
At the time , the company commented : `` Haas F1 Team does not condone the behaviour of Nikita Mazepin in the video recently posted on his social media .
Additionally , the very fact that the video was posted on social media is also abhorrent to Haas F1 Team .
The matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video in question was posted by Mazepin on December 9 to his Instagram account and shows him touching the breast of a woman after her dress became loose .
The 21-year-old Russian driver promptly removed the video , but not before many people captured it and shared it around social media .
In the fallout , Mazepin issued a public apology .
However , fans want him removed from Haas F1 , a company he is signed with to make his F1 debut next season alongside fellow rookie Mick Schumacher .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contend is sexual assault .
This Twitter commenter said that Haas keeping Mazepin on the team condones unacceptable behavior to women and disrespects all women who work for other F1 teams or cover races as journalists .
This past June , Formula One announced the `` We Race As One '' initiative aimed at fighting inequality and racism in the face of COVID-19 .
Some on Twitter called out F1 for what they deemed as hypocrisy in allowing Mazepin to debut with Haas next year .
The groping video is n't the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below details , he was investigated after hitting a second place marker board in the direction of driver Yuki Tsunoda , who was in the middle of celebrating victory .
He also received a one-race ban after punching another driver , Callum Ilott , following a practice lap .
Then there are comments he 's made on social media that many feel are racist , sexist , homophobic and violent .
Meanwhile , other people on social media made note that Mazepin 's father—Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin—could be a potential sponsor for Haas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motorsports Media , Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner did not back away from suggestions that Dmitry may throw his financial backing behind the team .
Steiner said : `` Haas has made a name for itself in Formula One , but we are looking for commercial partners , of course .
Dmitry Mazepin has a company , so if everything goes well , and he sponsors us , why not ? ''
This suggestion does not sit well with many racing fans , like the writer below .
A Change.org petition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnered more than 44,000 signatures as of press time .
Newsweek reached out to Haas for comment but did not hear back in time for publication .
Formula One and Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile , F1 's governing body , provided Newsweek with this joint statement : `` We strongly support the Haas F1 Team in its response to the recent inappropriate actions of its driver , Nikita Mazepin . ''

On Wednesday morning, American Formula One racing team Haas announced it will keep Nikita Mazepin as one of its drivers despite a video he posted that shows him groping a female model. F1 fans quickly took to social media to voice their anger, with #WeSayNoToMazepin quickly trending on Twitter.
Nikita Mazepin celebrates winning the Formula 2 Championship Feature Race at Mugello Circuit on September 12, in Scarperia, Italy. Formula One racing team Haas announced it will keep Mazepin as one of its drivers despite a video he posted that shows him groping a female model. Getty
The team made the announcement with the following statement on Twitter: "Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will form its driver line-up for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. As per the team's previous statement regarding the actions of Nikita Mazepin (December 9)—this matter has now been dealt with internally and no further comment shall be made."
The "previous statement" alluded to in that release was made following the groping video going viral. At the time, the company commented: "Haas F1 Team does not condone the behaviour of Nikita Mazepin in the video recently posted on his social media. Additionally, the very fact that the video was posted on social media is also abhorrent to Haas F1 Team. The matter is being dealt with internally."
The video in question was posted by Mazepin on December 9 to his Instagram account and shows him touching the breast of a woman after her dress became loose. The 21-year-old Russian driver promptly removed the video, but not before many people captured it and shared it around social media. In the fallout, Mazepin issued a public apology.
However, fans want him removed from Haas F1, a company he is signed with to make his F1 debut next season alongside fellow rookie Mick Schumacher. Many Twitter users expressed fury for what they contend is sexual assault.
I can only hope that those who defend nikita mazepin will one day realize that whatever he did was sexual assault and that they will reflect on their words and actions and never defend a sexual predator ever again. #WeSayNoToMazepin #WeSayNoToHaas — amber ❄ says no to mazepin (@rookierussell) December 23, 2020
This Twitter commenter said that Haas keeping Mazepin on the team condones unacceptable behavior to women and disrespects all women who work for other F1 teams or cover races as journalists.
Just imagine how it looks giving the clear message that sexually assaulting women is ok to all the women who work at Haas, all the women who work at other F1 teams, & all the female journalists in the F1 paddock. What you're saying is that Mazepin can sexually assault them too. — Kay 🏳⚧🏳🌈 (@kay_1773) December 23, 2020
This past June, Formula One announced the "We Race As One" initiative aimed at fighting inequality and racism in the face of COVID-19. Some on Twitter called out F1 for what they deemed as hypocrisy in allowing Mazepin to debut with Haas next year.
So @F1 , is "we race as one" real? @nikita_mazepin is ok? Anything goes for money? And does the @fia think everything is normal? Is this the image of sport? And will @HaasF1Team sponsors support this? — Gustavo Sirelli (@gustavosirelli) December 23, 2020
The groping video isn't the only controversy dogging Nikita. As the post below details, he was investigated after hitting a second place marker board in the direction of driver Yuki Tsunoda, who was in the middle of celebrating victory. He also received a one-race ban after punching another driver, Callum Ilott, following a practice lap. Then there are comments he's made on social media that many feel are racist, sexist, homophobic and violent.
#WeSayNoToMazepin
Nikita Mazepin has
- tried to hit @yukitsunoda07 with the 2nd place board
- punched Callum Ilott
- assaulted another driver
- made racist and homophobic comments on social media
-several cases of dangerous driving
- sexually assaulted a woman pic.twitter.com/u08EptUx7j — Hamish #WeSayNoToMazepin (@hjmelanaphy) December 23, 2020
Meanwhile, other people on social media made note that Mazepin's father—Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin—could be a potential sponsor for Haas next season. When speaking with Global Motorsports Media, Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner did not back away from suggestions that Dmitry may throw his financial backing behind the team. Steiner said: "Haas has made a name for itself in Formula One, but we are looking for commercial partners, of course. Dmitry Mazepin has a company, so if everything goes well, and he sponsors us, why not?"
This suggestion does not sit well with many racing fans, like the writer below.
Sadly, @HaasF1Team cares about money more than people. Nikita Mazepin is a slimebag, yet Haas won't get rid of him because of Daddy's money. I used to care about this team, but I won't continue as long as they keep this tool in their car. #WeSayNoToMazepin #WeStillSayNoToMazepin https://t.co/818tgRNcMJ — GritsnGravy (@GritsnG) December 23, 2020
A Change.org petition to remove Mazepin from Haas F1 Team has garnered more than 44,000 signatures as of press time.
Newsweek reached out to Haas for comment but did not hear back in time for publication. Formula One and Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, F1's governing body, provided Newsweek with this joint statement: "We strongly support the Haas F1 Team in its response to the recent inappropriate actions of its driver, Nikita Mazepin."


newsweek--2020-12-23--Andrew Yang Puts in Bid to Replace Bill de Blasio, Registers to Run for NYC Mayor

The New York City mayoral race is continuing to shape up ahead of its June election next year .
New York City Campaign Finance Board ( NYCCFB ) confirmed to Newsweek on Wednesday that Andrew Yang , founder of nonprofit Humanity Forward , has officially registered his campaign to run for mayor and fill incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio 's seat .
De Blasio is unable to run for a third term due to the city 's term limits .
Yang , an entrepreneur with no previous political experience , entered the 2020 Democratic presidential primary as a newcomer but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and managed to qualify for all of the 2019 Democratic debates .
He gained attention on the campaign trail with his MATH ( `` Make American Think Harder '' ) slogan and became well-known for his proposal to give every American adult a universal basic income of $ 1,000 a month .
Despite dropping out in November before endorsing President-elect Joe Biden , Yang managed to outlast some of his more experienced political opponents , including de Blasio and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg .
On the evening that Yang dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire , he told reporters he would consider running for NYC mayor , saying `` I would n't rule anything out . ''
Yang is poised to do well in the race , even though he has yet to officially announce his candidacy .
A new poll released by Public Policy Polling on Monday found that he would receive 17 percent support in a Democratic primary , with a lead over other likely favorites who have held elected office for years .
These include Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tied for 11 percent of likely voters ' top choice .
Yang , who was born and raised in New York state , is the son of Taiwanese immigrants and has lived in New York City for nearly 25 years .
He is the second Asian American candidate to ever run for mayor of the nation 's largest city .
State Senator John Liu ran for the position back in 2013 .
His identity as an Asian American was catalyzed in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination .
In response to calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Convention in August , Yang was invited to speak at the event after initially being snubbed .
There are currently 33 candidates running to be the next mayor of New York City , according to data from the NYCCFB .
Aside from Adams and Stringer , other Democratic candidates include Maya Wiley , the former counsel to de Blasio ; Shaun Donovan , former director of the Office of Management and Budget ; Representative Max Rose ; Kathryn Garcia , former city Sanitation commissioner ; City Council Member Carlos Menchaca ; former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city Veterans Services Commissioner Loree Sutton .
Yang is currently in Georgia stumping for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Reverand Raphael Warnock , who are both facing runoffs on January 5 for Senate seats .
Newsweek reached out to Yang 's team for comment but did not hear back before publication .

The New York City mayoral race is continuing to shape up ahead of its June election next year.
New York City Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB) confirmed to Newsweek on Wednesday that Andrew Yang, founder of nonprofit Humanity Forward, has officially registered his campaign to run for mayor and fill incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio's seat. De Blasio is unable to run for a third term due to the city's term limits.
Yang, an entrepreneur with no previous political experience, entered the 2020 Democratic presidential primary as a newcomer but developed an enthusiastic and fiercely loyal following and managed to qualify for all of the 2019 Democratic debates.
He gained attention on the campaign trail with his MATH ("Make American Think Harder") slogan and became well-known for his proposal to give every American adult a universal basic income of $1,000 a month.
Despite dropping out in November before endorsing President-elect Joe Biden, Yang managed to outlast some of his more experienced political opponents, including de Blasio and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
On the evening that Yang dropped out of the presidential race in New Hampshire, he told reporters he would consider running for NYC mayor, saying "I wouldn't rule anything out."
Yang is poised to do well in the race, even though he has yet to officially announce his candidacy.
A new poll released by Public Policy Polling on Monday found that he would receive 17 percent support in a Democratic primary, with a lead over other likely favorites who have held elected office for years. These include Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who were both tied for 11 percent of likely voters' top choice.
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is interviewed outside of Hopkinton Town Hall following a campaign event on February 9, 2020 in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Yang has officially registered his campaign to run for mayor of New York City. Scott Eisen/Stringer
Yang, who was born and raised in New York state, is the son of Taiwanese immigrants and has lived in New York City for nearly 25 years. He is the second Asian American candidate to ever run for mayor of the nation's largest city. State Senator John Liu ran for the position back in 2013.
His identity as an Asian American was catalyzed in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. In response to calls for greater representation at the virtual Democratic National Convention in August, Yang was invited to speak at the event after initially being snubbed.
There are currently 33 candidates running to be the next mayor of New York City, according to data from the NYCCFB.
Aside from Adams and Stringer, other Democratic candidates include Maya Wiley, the former counsel to de Blasio; Shaun Donovan, former director of the Office of Management and Budget; Representative Max Rose; Kathryn Garcia, former city Sanitation commissioner; City Council Member Carlos Menchaca; former nonprofit executive Dianne Morales; and former city Veterans Services Commissioner Loree Sutton.
Yang is currently in Georgia stumping for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Reverand Raphael Warnock, who are both facing runoffs on January 5 for Senate seats.
Newsweek reached out to Yang's team for comment but did not hear back before publication.


newsweek--2020-12-24--'Call of Duty: Warzone' Streetsweeper Guide—How to Get the Best Shotgun Early

Call of Duty : Warzone players are abuzz with conversations about what might be one of the game 's best shotguns for the foreseeable future .
While it was n't supposed to be possible to get the Streetsweeper until the forthcoming mid-season update , clever YouTubers like PrestigeIsKey and IceManIsaac have discovered its unlock challenge is secretly active right now .
Complete it , and the gun can be yours today .
How to unlock the Streetsweeper shotgun in Call of Duty : Warzone Just like many of the DLC weapons in Call of Duty : Warzone and multiplayer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with its unlock .
We checked out our in-game weapons locker and still do n't see the sweeper in there , but here 's what 's been deduced to be the official Streetsweeper challenge .
• Get a three killstreak with Black Ops Cold War shotguns in 15 different games So , what you 'll need to do is get very comfortable with the Gallo SA12 or Hauer 77 that were recently added to Warzone at the start of the season .
You 'll know a gun is a Black Ops Cold War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Ops logo next to it .
If you 're hoping to rack up these three killstreaks quickly , one of the best methods is to take your chosen shotgun to Superstore in Plunder .
Players often congregate there at close range , which means a moderately skilled shooter could have some luck picking off foes rapidly .
Once you get the three kills you need , simply quit the match and load up another one .
If you want to be especially safe you can finish out the game , but , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should track regardless .
Like many gun unlocks in Call of Duty , getting the Streetsweeper will be a bit of a grind , but now that you know how to do it , at least you can attempt a focused approach .
So is the Streetsweeper good ?
Following the tradition of recent Call of Duty titles , the Streetsweeper 's initial iteration is touted as extremely powerful .
Given that it 's a fully automatic shotgun , its damage output appears to be similar to that of the AA-12 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , which has allowed Streetsweeper owners to completely wreck shop in specific scenarios .
In the right hands it looks like the Streetsweeper could be one of the best shotguns in Warzone right now , but , because Treyarch now has additional data to balance the gun , it might be taken down a notch by the time it officially launches .
The Achilles heel of the Streetsweeper , however , is that it takes absolutely forever to reload its magazine .
With this weakness in mind , you 'll need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat .
One should reload after each kill and in between firefights to ensure they 're always fully stocked with ammo .
Attachments can upgrade the mag size to 18 shells once unlocked , but even that expansion does n't offer too much wiggle room .
Overall , the Streetsweeper sounds well worth the unlock whether you decide to get it early or when it 's officially live .
Call of Duty : Warzone is available now on PS4 , Xbox One and PC .
What are your thoughts on your Sttreetsweeper having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killstreaks required to unlock it ?
Tell us in the comments section !

Update: The Streetsweeper challenge is disabled and the weapon is removed for those who currently have it. This development occurred shortly after the publication of this article, so we apologize for the confusion. The below will apply when the Streetsweeper officially releases in the mid-season update. As of December 24 a release date for that update has not been announced.
-----
Call of Duty: Warzone players are abuzz with conversations about what might be one of the game's best shotguns for the foreseeable future. While it wasn't supposed to be possible to get the Streetsweeper until the forthcoming mid-season update, clever YouTubers like PrestigeIsKey and IceManIsaac have discovered its unlock challenge is secretly active right now. Complete it, and the gun can be yours today.
'Call of Duty: Warzone' isn't supposed to have the Streetsweeper shotgun yet, but you can unlock it now. Find out the required challenge below. 'Call of Duty: Warzone' is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC. Treyarch/Activision
How to unlock the Streetsweeper shotgun in Call of Duty: Warzone
Just like many of the DLC weapons in Call of Duty: Warzone and multiplayer, the Streetsweeper has a specific task associated with its unlock. We checked out our in-game weapons locker and still don't see the sweeper in there, but here's what's been deduced to be the official Streetsweeper challenge.
Get a three killstreak with Black Ops Cold War shotguns in 15 different games
So, what you'll need to do is get very comfortable with the Gallo SA12 or Hauer 77 that were recently added to Warzone at the start of the season. You'll know a gun is a Black Ops Cold War weapon because its listing has a small Black Ops logo next to it.
If you're hoping to rack up these three killstreaks quickly, one of the best methods is to take your chosen shotgun to Superstore in Plunder. Players often congregate there at close range, which means a moderately skilled shooter could have some luck picking off foes rapidly. Once you get the three kills you need, simply quit the match and load up another one. If you want to be especially safe you can finish out the game, but, according to IceManIsaac, the challenge progress should track regardless. Like many gun unlocks in Call of Duty, getting the Streetsweeper will be a bit of a grind, but now that you know how to do it, at least you can attempt a focused approach.
So is the Streetsweeper good?
Following the tradition of recent Call of Duty titles, the Streetsweeper's initial iteration is touted as extremely powerful. Given that it's a fully automatic shotgun, its damage output appears to be similar to that of the AA-12. It's also got little to no recoil as well, which has allowed Streetsweeper owners to completely wreck shop in specific scenarios. In the right hands it looks like the Streetsweeper could be one of the best shotguns in Warzone right now, but, because Treyarch now has additional data to balance the gun, it might be taken down a notch by the time it officially launches.
The Achilles heel of the Streetsweeper, however, is that it takes absolutely forever to reload its magazine. With this weakness in mind, you'll need to be judicious in your approach to combat. One should reload after each kill and in between firefights to ensure they're always fully stocked with ammo. Attachments can upgrade the mag size to 18 shells once unlocked, but even that expansion doesn't offer too much wiggle room. Overall, the Streetsweeper sounds well worth the unlock whether you decide to get it early or when it's officially live.
Call of Duty: Warzone is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.
What are your thoughts on your Sttreetsweeper having seen the footage? Can you get the killstreaks required to unlock it? Tell us in the comments section!


newsweek--2020-12-24--Pfizer COVID Vaccine Causing More Allergies Than Expected Says White House's Moncef Slaoui

The Pfizer COVID vaccine has triggered more allergic reactions than would be expected , according to Operation Warp Speed chief scientific adviser Moncef Slaoui .
However , such incident are rare , and experts say the benefits of having the COVID vaccine far outweighs the risks .
On Wednesday , Slaoui said according to CNN : `` That frequency [ of allergic reactions ] as it stood yesterday , is superior to what one would expect with other vaccines . ''
At that time , he was aware of six cases .
Slaoui said vaccine manufacturers and the National Institutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on COVID vaccines involving people with serious allergies to try to determine how common such responses are , and their cause .
Such trials would include people who need to carry epinephrine pens .
His comments came after the Alabama Department of Public Health said a person had a severe allergic reaction , known as anaphylaxis , several minutes after having the Pfizer COVID vaccine on Tuesday .
The person had a history of serious allergic reactions to medicines but chose to receive the vaccine after having a risk assessment .
The individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they had also received the shot .
On Wednesday , the patient was in a stable condition and recovering .
The response was reported to the manufacturer , according to the department .
The incident was the only case of allergic reaction reported in Alabama of the 15,286 COVID vaccine doses given in the state as of Wednesday at 7 a.m. local time .
It came after the New York City health department reported a healthcare worker had a significant allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer COVID vaccine .
Like in Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its kind in over 30,000 vaccinations in the city .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommends people are monitored for 15 minutes , or 30 minutes if they have a history of anaphylaxis due to any cause , after having the Pfizer COVID vaccine .
As with all allergic reactions reported after the Pfizer COVID vaccine so far , both individuals fell ill within this time period .
The CDC said on Saturday that as of Friday six cases of anaphylaxis had occurred in the 272,001 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident in Alabama therefore is thought to mark the eighth case .
In a column for The Atlantic on Wednesday , staff writer James Hamblin , who is a medical doctor and lecturer at Yale School of Public Health , said the allergic reactions seen in COVID vaccine recipients are `` extremely manageable '' in a medical setting .
`` While these reports can sound scary—as can broad notes of caution that seem to implicate anyone with serious allergies to anything at all—they 're also a sign that the system is working .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have now received some form of the coronavirus vaccine .
I 'd be most concerned if that happened and we heard radio silence , '' he wrote .
He said : `` The alternative to getting vaccinated is n't 'playing it safe . '
The alternative to getting vaccinated is widespread death , endless masking , and distancing , and an indefinite pandemic . ''
Experts in the U.K. made similar reassurances after two health care workers had allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine earlier this month .
Stephen Evans , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , said in a statement at the time : `` For the general population this [ the allergic reactions ] does not mean that they would need to be anxious about receiving the vaccination .
One has to remember that even things like marmite [ a food spread ] can cause unexpected severe allergic reactions . ''

The Pfizer COVID vaccine has triggered more allergic reactions than would be expected, according to Operation Warp Speed chief scientific adviser Moncef Slaoui.
However, such incident are rare, and experts say the benefits of having the COVID vaccine far outweighs the risks.
On Wednesday, Slaoui said according to CNN: "That frequency [of allergic reactions] as it stood yesterday, is superior to what one would expect with other vaccines."
At that time, he was aware of six cases.
Slaoui said vaccine manufacturers and the National Institutes of Health were considering starting clinical trials on COVID vaccines involving people with serious allergies to try to determine how common such responses are, and their cause. Such trials would include people who need to carry epinephrine pens.
His comments came after the Alabama Department of Public Health said a person had a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, several minutes after having the Pfizer COVID vaccine on Tuesday. The person had a history of serious allergic reactions to medicines but chose to receive the vaccine after having a risk assessment.
The individual was treated at Decatur Morgan hospital, where they had also received the shot. On Wednesday, the patient was in a stable condition and recovering. The response was reported to the manufacturer, according to the department.
The incident was the only case of allergic reaction reported in Alabama of the 15,286 COVID vaccine doses given in the state as of Wednesday at 7 a.m. local time.
It came after the New York City health department reported a healthcare worker had a significant allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Like in Alabama, the case was the first of its kind in over 30,000 vaccinations in the city.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people are monitored for 15 minutes, or 30 minutes if they have a history of anaphylaxis due to any cause, after having the Pfizer COVID vaccine.
As with all allergic reactions reported after the Pfizer COVID vaccine so far, both individuals fell ill within this time period.
The CDC said on Saturday that as of Friday six cases of anaphylaxis had occurred in the 272,001 people who had the Pfizer vaccine. The incident in Alabama therefore is thought to mark the eighth case.
In a column for The Atlantic on Wednesday, staff writer James Hamblin, who is a medical doctor and lecturer at Yale School of Public Health, said the allergic reactions seen in COVID vaccine recipients are "extremely manageable" in a medical setting.
"While these reports can sound scary—as can broad notes of caution that seem to implicate anyone with serious allergies to anything at all—they're also a sign that the system is working. Around the world, roughly 2 million people have now received some form of the coronavirus vaccine. I'd be most concerned if that happened and we heard radio silence," he wrote.
He said: "The alternative to getting vaccinated isn't 'playing it safe.' The alternative to getting vaccinated is widespread death, endless masking, and distancing, and an indefinite pandemic."
Experts in the U.K. made similar reassurances after two health care workers had allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine earlier this month.
Stephen Evans, a professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said in a statement at the time: "For the general population this [the allergic reactions] does not mean that they would need to be anxious about receiving the vaccination. One has to remember that even things like marmite [a food spread] can cause unexpected severe allergic reactions."