newsweek--2020-12-09--Half a Million Children Living in Destitution Across U.K.

Half a million children across the U.K. are living in destitution , with the number of children living in extreme poverty increasing by 52 percent in two years , a new study claims .
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation ( JRF ) , a charity that aims to solve poverty , says that 2.4 million people experienced destitution in 2019 , which is an increase of 54 percent from 2017 .
Destitution is defined as when a household can not afford two or more of the essentials that we all need to live , like shelter , food , heating and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to levels of extreme poverty across the country , with North East , London and the North West particularly impacted .
The report `` Destitution in the UK 2020 '' also warns that levels of destitution could be set to double due to the COVID-19 pandemic , with a million families set to struggle to feed themselves as unemployment is also expected to rise over the coming months .
It also said that while single people continued to be hardest impacted by risks of destitution , lone parents were more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The report states : `` This study , the third in the Destitution in the UK series , reveals that even before the COVID-19 outbreak destitution was rapidly growing in scale and intensity .
Since 2017 many more households , including families with children , have been pushed to the brink .
Their precarious existence offered little protection when the pressure of COVID-19 threatened to push them even deeper into destitution .
`` The UK and devolved governments quickly provided a series of temporary lifelines to help people weather the coronavirus storm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep afloat people who are already struggling , and to turn back the rising tide of destitution . ''
Director of Policy at the Child Poverty Action Group , Louisa McGeehan , said it was important to distinguish between factors affecting child poverty before the pandemic to those during the pandemic , which means some of the most vulnerable families and children are being pushed to the brink .
She told Newsweek : `` Before the pandemic , the most significant issue we were tackling was in work poverty , so the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least one parent who worked .
Our issue around work has been that we now have a minimum wage but we do n't have minimum hours so many people are working in low-paid insecure work where they are going in and out of low-paid insecure work which is not quite bringing them above the poverty line .
At times , it 's a zero-hour contract which can contribute to the extreme end of poverty . ''
McGeehan said that a decade of cuts to social security and welfare payments meant that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall back on , with the five-week wait for Universal Credit payments also pushing families into poverty .
She said : `` It 's no surprise that we are now seeing families and children coming up in figures on destitution .
We 're going to be back to a position of large scale unemployment which changes the nature of it so when you get policies such as the benefit cap the policy intent is to say to people in order to get enough money to get by , you 've got to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this cap .
That option wo n't be there for many people now which makes that policy cruel and immoral in the current setting .
`` So families getting by in low-paid jobs are among some of those most affected by the pandemic and a lot of women 's work has been particularly affected so we expect a lot of mothers to be struggling to get back into the workforce . ''
She called on the government to maintain a £20 ( $ 26 ) a week uplift in universal credit payments which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic but which is due to end in April .
The JRF also called on the government to make the £20 ( $ 26 ) weekly uplift in Universal Credit ( UC ) and Working Tax Credit ( WTC ) permanent and extend this lifeline to those claiming legacy benefits .
( A legacy benefit is a benefit which is being replaced by Universal Credit .
There are six legacy benefits : Income-based Jobseekers Allowance .
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance .
Income Support . )
It also called for a targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renters who have fallen into arrears which they will otherwise struggle to pay back .
The government said it had boosted welfare support by billions .
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said : `` Making sure every child gets the best start in life is central to our efforts to level up opportunity across the country , which is why we have raised the living wage for all and boosted welfare support by billions , including £170 million to help families stay warm and well-fed over Christmas . ''

Half a million children across the U.K. are living in destitution, with the number of children living in extreme poverty increasing by 52 percent in two years, a new study claims.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), a charity that aims to solve poverty, says that 2.4 million people experienced destitution in 2019, which is an increase of 54 percent from 2017. Destitution is defined as when a household cannot afford two or more of the essentials that we all need to live, like shelter, food, heating and clothing.
There are also regional disparities when it comes to levels of extreme poverty across the country, with North East, London and the North West particularly impacted. The report "Destitution in the UK 2020" also warns that levels of destitution could be set to double due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a million families set to struggle to feed themselves as unemployment is also expected to rise over the coming months.
It also said that while single people continued to be hardest impacted by risks of destitution, lone parents were more likely to face destitution than previously.
The report states: "This study, the third in the Destitution in the UK series, reveals that even before the COVID-19 outbreak destitution was rapidly growing in scale and intensity. Since 2017 many more households, including families with children, have been pushed to the brink. Their precarious existence offered little protection when the pressure of COVID-19 threatened to push them even deeper into destitution.
"The UK and devolved governments quickly provided a series of temporary lifelines to help people weather the coronavirus storm. But we need more sustained efforts to keep afloat people who are already struggling, and to turn back the rising tide of destitution."
The Child Poverty Action Group fears unemployment could further increase child poverty Getty
Director of Policy at the Child Poverty Action Group, Louisa McGeehan, said it was important to distinguish between factors affecting child poverty before the pandemic to those during the pandemic, which means some of the most vulnerable families and children are being pushed to the brink.
She told Newsweek: "Before the pandemic, the most significant issue we were tackling was in work poverty, so the majority of people growing up in poverty had at least one parent who worked. Our issue around work has been that we now have a minimum wage but we don't have minimum hours so many people are working in low-paid insecure work where they are going in and out of low-paid insecure work which is not quite bringing them above the poverty line. At times, it's a zero-hour contract which can contribute to the extreme end of poverty."
McGeehan said that a decade of cuts to social security and welfare payments meant that people in low-paid precarious work had nothing to fall back on, with the five-week wait for Universal Credit payments also pushing families into poverty.
She said: "It's no surprise that we are now seeing families and children coming up in figures on destitution. We're going to be back to a position of large scale unemployment which changes the nature of it so when you get policies such as the benefit cap the policy intent is to say to people in order to get enough money to get by, you've got to get into work if you want to avoid this cap. That option won't be there for many people now which makes that policy cruel and immoral in the current setting.
"So families getting by in low-paid jobs are among some of those most affected by the pandemic and a lot of women's work has been particularly affected so we expect a lot of mothers to be struggling to get back into the workforce."
She called on the government to maintain a £20 ($26) a week uplift in universal credit payments which was given to families claiming benefits during the pandemic but which is due to end in April.
The JRF also called on the government to make the £20 ($26) weekly uplift in Universal Credit (UC) and Working Tax Credit (WTC) permanent and extend this lifeline to those claiming legacy benefits. (A legacy benefit is a benefit which is being replaced by Universal Credit . There are six legacy benefits: Income-based Jobseekers Allowance. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Income Support.)
It also called for a targeted grant program to support private and social renters who have fallen into arrears which they will otherwise struggle to pay back. The government said it had boosted welfare support by billions.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Making sure every child gets the best start in life is central to our efforts to level up opportunity across the country, which is why we have raised the living wage for all and boosted welfare support by billions, including £170 million to help families stay warm and well-fed over Christmas."


newsweek--2020-12-09--Ending Paycheck Protection Before Economic Recovery Put 2.8M Jobs at Risk

New research has shown that small businesses have emerged from the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) in no better shape than when they received the loan .
Gusto , a payroll and benefits provider for 100,000 small businesses , found that rolling off of PPP requirements at a time when the economy has not recovered from the toll of the pandemic , and when this winter threatens to exact an even more devastating toll , has left businesses in the lurch .
A further 2.8 million jobs are now at risk .
Its research showed that as the PPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced active employment by a statistically significant 0.43 percent .
This drop in weekly net headcount change from +0.22 percent to -0.21 percent represents a 200 percent swing from net headcount growth to net terminations .
As a result of PPP employment requirements expiring , more than 900,000 jobs were lost within the first 4 weeks .
This represents approximately 40 percent of the 2.3 million jobs that PPP has been credited with saving .
These programs were the main sources of support the federal government gave to small businesses hurt by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the $ 2.2 trillion CARES act which was approved by Congress in March .
The Small Business Administration ( SBA ) , tasked with approving and processing the money , had processed more than 5.2 million PPP loans to individuals which totaled $ 525 billion as of November .
It also processed Economic Injury Disaster Loan ( EIDL ) loans worth $ 195 billion .
Gusto research also found this reduction in employment following the drop off of the support is due largely to a spike in terminations the week that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these headcount criteria expire , the likelihood a worker will lose his or her job increases 25 % .
These adverse effects are particularly concentrated in sectors hit hard by the pandemic , such as facilities management and retail trade .
The report says : `` Applying this causal estimate to all small businesses that received PPP , we find that 232,000 jobs have been lost as companies no longer need to maintain pre-COVID-19 headcount levels to receive PPP loan forgiveness . ''
The research comes on top of data released last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 10 million businesses and individuals who received pandemic aid under the EIDL and the PPP .
The data showed that more than half of the money from the Treasury Department 's fund went to around 5 percent of recipients .
In addition , the top 1 percent of loans accounted for more than a quarter of the total loan value .
The PPP data showed that around 600 companies hoovered up the maximum of $ 10 million allowed under the program .
These were mostly larger companies .
As of August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for less than $ 150,000 , leading the Treasury Department and SBA to argue that the program primarily benefited smaller businesses .
However , new data highlights that more than half of the $ 552 billion in that time frame went to bigger businesses .
The latest data show that only 28 percent of the money given out amounted to less than $ 150,000 .
On Tuesday afternoon , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a $ 916 billion stimulus proposal as hope for further relief before the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes a provision for a $ 600 stimulus check for Americans .
The this data coupled with the information released last week may be instrumental in shaping future stimulus policy and will shed a light on issues with previous programs .
The evidence seems to suggest greater and sustained measures to support the economy are needed to prevent jobs numbers from cratering .

New research has shown that small businesses have emerged from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in no better shape than when they received the loan.
Gusto, a payroll and benefits provider for 100,000 small businesses, found that rolling off of PPP requirements at a time when the economy has not recovered from the toll of the pandemic, and when this winter threatens to exact an even more devastating toll, has left businesses in the lurch. A further 2.8 million jobs are now at risk.
Its research showed that as the PPP covered period expired in November, companies reduced active employment by a statistically significant 0.43 percent.
This drop in weekly net headcount change from +0.22 percent to -0.21 percent represents a 200 percent swing from net headcount growth to net terminations.
As a result of PPP employment requirements expiring, more than 900,000 jobs were lost within the first 4 weeks. This represents approximately 40 percent of the 2.3 million jobs that PPP has been credited with saving.
These programs were the main sources of support the federal government gave to small businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, and were the centerpiece of the $2.2 trillion CARES act which was approved by Congress in March.
The Small Business Administration (SBA), tasked with approving and processing the money, had processed more than 5.2 million PPP loans to individuals which totaled $525 billion as of November. It also processed Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans worth $195 billion.
Gusto research also found this reduction in employment following the drop off of the support is due largely to a spike in terminations the week that the covered period expires.
Within the week that these headcount criteria expire, the likelihood a worker will lose his or her job increases 25%. These adverse effects are particularly concentrated in sectors hit hard by the pandemic, such as facilities management and retail trade.
The report says: "Applying this causal estimate to all small businesses that received PPP, we find that 232,000 jobs have been lost as companies no longer need to maintain pre-COVID-19 headcount levels to receive PPP loan forgiveness."
The research comes on top of data released last week, which outlined the names of the 10 million businesses and individuals who received pandemic aid under the EIDL and the PPP.
The data showed that more than half of the money from the Treasury Department's fund went to around 5 percent of recipients. In addition, the top 1 percent of loans accounted for more than a quarter of the total loan value.
The PPP data showed that around 600 companies hoovered up the maximum of $10 million allowed under the program. These were mostly larger companies.
As of August, more than 87 percent of loans were for less than $150,000, leading the Treasury Department and SBA to argue that the program primarily benefited smaller businesses.
However, new data highlights that more than half of the $552 billion in that time frame went to bigger businesses. The latest data show that only 28 percent of the money given out amounted to less than $150,000.
On Tuesday afternoon, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a $916 billion stimulus proposal as hope for further relief before the end of year grows. The new stimulus package includes a provision for a $600 stimulus check for Americans.
The this data coupled with the information released last week may be instrumental in shaping future stimulus policy and will shed a light on issues with previous programs. The evidence seems to suggest greater and sustained measures to support the economy are needed to prevent jobs numbers from cratering.


newsweek--2020-12-09--Russia's COVID Vaccine Creator Rejects Six-Week Booze Ban Recommended After Shot

In news that will lighten the New Year holiday period for Russians , the developer of Sputnik V says recipients of the home-grown COVID vaccine should only abstain from alcohol for six days , rather than the six weeks initially advised by the government .
Last week , Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova was ordered by President Vladimir Putin to roll out a widespread vaccination program across the country .
She recommended that people avoid alcohol and immunosuppressants for 42 days after the first injection of the two-shot vaccine is administered .
She also advised people to avoid crowded places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
Her recommendations were backed by Anna Popova , who heads the country 's consumer safety watchdog , Rospotrebnadzor .
Popova went even further , saying that recipients should also abstain from alcohol for two weeks before and 42 days after the vaccination , totaling 56 days .
She told Komsomolskaya Pravda radio : `` It is absolutely necessary to stop taking ( alcohol ) at least two weeks before immunization . ''
`` The development of immunity is 21 days between the two injections , and another 21 days after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that the 42 days from the first injection to the last 42 days is the period when immunity forms , and during this time , we still need to be careful , '' she added .
However , Alexander Gintsburg , who is the director of the Gamaleya Center where the vaccine was developed , simply recommended moderation .
`` We strongly recommend refraining from alcohol for three days after each injection , '' he told reporters on Wednesday .
`` This is just a reasonable limitation of consumption until the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said , `` and this is true not only for Sputnik V , but for any other vaccine . ''
`` Of course , there is no question of any complete ban on alcohol during vaccination , '' he added .
However , he said that excessive alcohol consumption `` can significantly reduce immunity , and therefore , reduce the effectiveness of vaccination or even make it meaningless . ''
He also said that during the 42 days while immunity is developing , it is not recommended to take drugs that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all standard recommendations for vaccination to maximize its effectiveness , '' he said .
Frontline workers such as medical staff and teachers are among the 100,000 Russians who have taken the vaccine so far .
However , there are concerns within Russia 's medical establishment about the data so far provided on Sputnik V , which developers say is 95 percent effective .
Despite skepticism at the speed of Russia 's development of the vaccine , it has been purchased by dozens of countries .
Russian authorities reported 26,190 new daily coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total to 2,541,199 , the world 's fourth-highest .
The graphic below provided by Statista compares COVID cases in Europe with the U.S .

In news that will lighten the New Year holiday period for Russians, the developer of Sputnik V says recipients of the home-grown COVID vaccine should only abstain from alcohol for six days, rather than the six weeks initially advised by the government.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova was ordered by President Vladimir Putin to roll out a widespread vaccination program across the country.
She recommended that people avoid alcohol and immunosuppressants for 42 days after the first injection of the two-shot vaccine is administered. She also advised people to avoid crowded places, use personal protective equipment and maintain social distancing.
Her recommendations were backed by Anna Popova, who heads the country's consumer safety watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor.
Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in March 2016. The champagne he is holding would be allowed for those vaccinated against COVID within six days, the developer of Sputnik V has said. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
Popova went even further, saying that recipients should also abstain from alcohol for two weeks before and 42 days after the vaccination, totaling 56 days.
She told Komsomolskaya Pravda radio: "It is absolutely necessary to stop taking (alcohol) at least two weeks before immunization."
"The development of immunity is 21 days between the two injections, and another 21 days after the injection—42 days. We must clearly understand that the 42 days from the first injection to the last 42 days is the period when immunity forms, and during this time, we still need to be careful," she added.
However, Alexander Gintsburg, who is the director of the Gamaleya Center where the vaccine was developed, simply recommended moderation.
"We strongly recommend refraining from alcohol for three days after each injection," he told reporters on Wednesday. "This is just a reasonable limitation of consumption until the body has formed its own immune response," he said, "and this is true not only for Sputnik V, but for any other vaccine."
Read more Putin's World-beating COVID Vaccine Faces Doubts From Doctors, Russians Putin's World-beating COVID Vaccine Faces Doubts From Doctors, Russians
"Of course, there is no question of any complete ban on alcohol during vaccination," he added.
However, he said that excessive alcohol consumption "can significantly reduce immunity, and therefore, reduce the effectiveness of vaccination or even make it meaningless."
He also said that during the 42 days while immunity is developing, it is not recommended to take drugs that suppress the immune system. "These are all standard recommendations for vaccination to maximize its effectiveness," he said.
Frontline workers such as medical staff and teachers are among the 100,000 Russians who have taken the vaccine so far. However, there are concerns within Russia's medical establishment about the data so far provided on Sputnik V, which developers say is 95 percent effective.
Despite skepticism at the speed of Russia's development of the vaccine, it has been purchased by dozens of countries. Russian authorities reported 26,190 new daily coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the national total to 2,541,199, the world's fourth-highest.
The graphic below provided by Statista compares COVID cases in Europe with the U.S.


newsweek--2020-12-09--Guns and the Rural Vote | Opinion

Guns and the Rural Vote | Opinion

Guns may be the most polarizing issue in America .
While some progressives dismiss calls for `` understanding '' gun owners as a Trojan horse , there is a purely pragmatic reason for them to care : gun lovers are voting against them .
They do n't have to be .
And the changes it would take to reach them are nearly costless .
When it comes to political partisanship , America is divided largely along geographical lines .
Democrats tend to dominate the coasts and upper Midwest , and Republicans control the South , plains and Mountain West region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone who watched the election night newscasts could observe , the partisan divide is between urban and rural America .
Rural areas vote red , and cities vote blue .
Rural voters turned out overwhelmingly for Trump .
What 's going on ?
How has the GOP consolidated rural voters within its coalition ?
The issue of gun rights provides one piece of the puzzle , and a window into the larger issue of partisanship .
The NRA is weaker than ever , but rural Americans do n't care any less about guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to us .
In rural communities , gun-related activities are the center of life .
If you do n't see eye to eye with your family on other issues , or if they do n't approve of the paths you 've taken in life , none of it matters if you can still shoot or hunt together .
Growing up in my family , the calendar was marked not by the list of traditional holidays , but by the opening days of various hunting seasons and the associated family trips .
Guns are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confer a sense of belonging and status .
As an acquaintance in Wyoming once said to me , `` There are three seasons : hunting season ; planning-the-hunt season ; and remembering-the-hunt season . ''
It 's no exaggeration to say that guns help orient one 's life as an agent extended across time .
Nothing else can play the role of guns .
Hunting together demands a very specific mix of trust , endurance , skill and coordination .
It confers status and prestige in groups where those honors might otherwise be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun shows to others—and to yourself—that you 're fully a part .
In psychologists ' terms , guns provide a way of self-symbolizing .
Earlier I said we care about what guns mean to us , but that is n't quite right .
We care about what guns mean about us .
Some folks look down their noses at symbolic values .
I 've tried to argue that 's a mistake .
No one lives a symbol-free life .
Wanting to choose your career , or life partner , or to have your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these matter as ways of showing ( to ourselves , as much as anyone ) that we 're full members of our social world .
You might think , `` Fine , but progressives do n't want to take away people 's guns .
That 's just gun-lobby fearmongering . ''
But this response misunderstands the conflict .
When symbolic values get involved , it 's not about policy disagreement anymore .
There 's no paradox in thinking that people should n't have high-capacity magazines , but still voting against politicians who say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticize your family , but still burn with resentment when overhearing an outsider 's critique .
The bad news is that no amount of policy fine-tuning will do , as long as you sound like a contemptuous outsider .
The good news is that changing how you sound is easier than changing policy .
When symbolic issues are at stake , compromise takes symbolic—not material—concessions .
What would this look like in the case of guns ?
Though he was criticized for saying it , President Barack Obama was exactly right when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some—what religion aspires to be : a real source of meaning in life .
Politicians should talk about guns the way they talk about religion , with appreciation for their distinctive value .
Imagine a politician saying , `` Look , we do n't want to ban your religion—we just want to curb its most dangerous excesses . ''
Maybe have a government-determined waiting period to make sure you really want to join .
Or consider a politician 's reassurance that , `` Look , we do n't want to take away your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure all of the voters are appropriately credentialed so there wo n't be voter fraud . ''
People find these statements threatening , and it 's easy to see why .
They take something that many hold sacred , and treat its regulation as a matter of mere policy .
The offense is in what is said ; not what is planned .
It 's hard to really get in the mind of the person with the relevant value when you do n't happen to share it yourself .
But we all have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of existence , would bring on a kind of personal apocalypse .
Their loss would compromise our ability to make sense of our plans , our histories , relationships—even our selves .
Guns matter like that .
And whenever we talk about other peoples ' values , it helps to start with understanding what 's at stake—to them .
Ryan W. Davis is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Guns may be the most polarizing issue in America. While some progressives dismiss calls for "understanding" gun owners as a Trojan horse, there is a purely pragmatic reason for them to care: gun lovers are voting against them. They don't have to be. And the changes it would take to reach them are nearly costless.
When it comes to political partisanship, America is divided largely along geographical lines. Democrats tend to dominate the coasts and upper Midwest, and Republicans control the South, plains and Mountain West region. But more specifically, and as anyone who watched the election night newscasts could observe, the partisan divide is between urban and rural America. Rural areas vote red, and cities vote blue. Rural voters turned out overwhelmingly for Trump.
What's going on? How has the GOP consolidated rural voters within its coalition? The issue of gun rights provides one piece of the puzzle, and a window into the larger issue of partisanship. The NRA is weaker than ever, but rural Americans don't care any less about guns.
We care about what guns mean to us. In rural communities, gun-related activities are the center of life. If you don't see eye to eye with your family on other issues, or if they don't approve of the paths you've taken in life, none of it matters if you can still shoot or hunt together. Growing up in my family, the calendar was marked not by the list of traditional holidays, but by the opening days of various hunting seasons and the associated family trips. Guns are a marker of shared identity. They confer a sense of belonging and status. As an acquaintance in Wyoming once said to me, "There are three seasons: hunting season; planning-the-hunt season; and remembering-the-hunt season." It's no exaggeration to say that guns help orient one's life as an agent extended across time.
A customer looks at long guns at Coliseum Gun Traders Ltd. in Uniondale, New York on September 25, 2020. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP/Getty
Nothing else can play the role of guns. Hunting together demands a very specific mix of trust, endurance, skill and coordination. It confers status and prestige in groups where those honors might otherwise be hard to come by. Carrying a gun shows to others—and to yourself—that you're fully a part. In psychologists' terms, guns provide a way of self-symbolizing. Earlier I said we care about what guns mean to us, but that isn't quite right. We care about what guns mean about us.
Some folks look down their noses at symbolic values. I've tried to argue that's a mistake. No one lives a symbol-free life. Wanting to choose your career, or life partner, or to have your vote counted or religious traditions respected—all of these matter as ways of showing (to ourselves, as much as anyone) that we're full members of our social world.
You might think, "Fine, but progressives don't want to take away people's guns. That's just gun-lobby fearmongering." But this response misunderstands the conflict. When symbolic values get involved, it's not about policy disagreement anymore. There's no paradox in thinking that people shouldn't have high-capacity magazines, but still voting against politicians who say as much. Consider: you might criticize your family, but still burn with resentment when overhearing an outsider's critique. The bad news is that no amount of policy fine-tuning will do, as long as you sound like a contemptuous outsider. The good news is that changing how you sound is easier than changing policy. When symbolic issues are at stake, compromise takes symbolic—not material—concessions.
What would this look like in the case of guns? Though he was criticized for saying it, President Barack Obama was exactly right when he compared guns to religion. Guns are—for some—what religion aspires to be: a real source of meaning in life. Politicians should talk about guns the way they talk about religion, with appreciation for their distinctive value. Imagine a politician saying, "Look, we don't want to ban your religion—we just want to curb its most dangerous excesses." Maybe have a government-determined waiting period to make sure you really want to join. Or consider a politician's reassurance that, "Look, we don't want to take away your right to vote—we just want to make sure all of the voters are appropriately credentialed so there won't be voter fraud." People find these statements threatening, and it's easy to see why. They take something that many hold sacred, and treat its regulation as a matter of mere policy. The offense is in what is said; not what is planned.
It's hard to really get in the mind of the person with the relevant value when you don't happen to share it yourself. But we all have values which, if they went out of existence, would bring on a kind of personal apocalypse. Their loss would compromise our ability to make sense of our plans, our histories, relationships—even our selves. Guns matter like that. And whenever we talk about other peoples' values, it helps to start with understanding what's at stake—to them.
Ryan W. Davis is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-09--Why Prince Harry Thinks Military Mental Fitness is 'Amazing' and How it Could Help You

Prince Harry yesterday praised the British Armed Forces for the `` amazing step '' of incorporating these mental health techniques into annual training .
The Duke of Sussex launched HeadFIT in April after three years ' work beginning in 2017 through the Heads Together campaign .
Now the project is being included in mandatory mental fitness training for the British military and Harry says this will `` protect and strengthen the potential and resilience of our military . ''
The strategies and exercises that make up HeadFIT are available online and can be done by anyone .
They include breathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ techniques designed to increase confidence , drive , mood and to de-stress .
Prince Harry said in a statement released to Newsweek : `` This is an amazing step forward for the British military and furthers the global leadership of our Armed Forces .
`` There should be no difference between how we view our physical fitness and mental fitness—and training both will help our servicemen and women excel , as well as being best prepared for what they may face , in any situation . ''
HeadFIT says defining your own values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopting society 's values might not .
It recommends thinking of a time when you were most happy , one when you were most proud and one when you were most fulfilled then producing a list of ten values based on those experiences .
The exercise then involves compressing the list down into a top three and asking whether these still feel like your three most important values .
The website states : `` Often we do n't actually choose our own values and tend to adopt the values of the people or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we actively choose our values and then act or live in a way which matches them , we can feel more satisfied and content . ''
Values are clearly important to Harry and wife Meghan Markle as the couple has discussed them before .
Meghan told Time100 in September : `` When we vote , our values are put into action and our voices are heard . ''
HeadFIT recommends an exercise called `` The 15 Minute Rule '' for helping build the drive to begin and complete difficult tasks .
The website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels like too much effort , like taking exercise or starting a piece of work that we know is important .
`` So try this exercise .
Chunk the work down into a 15-minute task and give yourself permission to stop after 15 minutes if you want to .
`` Nine times out of ten you will just continue what you 've started . ''
The military has long had a preference for the appearance of a straight back and tall posture but HeadFIT says it can also improve mental health .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body '' makes you feel less confident while advising changing `` posture to reflect the mental state you want to move in to . ''
The website reads : `` Every time you stand , lie down , sit , walk , even when you smile , your brain recognizes the muscles you 're using and remembers how you felt when you used them before .
`` This changes your brain 's chemistry and the kind of hormones it releases into your body .
`` So striking a more powerful pose like standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will increase hormones linked to feeling powerful and confident . ''
The exercise can help de-stress and boost drive , confidence and mood , the website says .
HeadFIT recommends grounding exercises as a way to de-stress and prevent dissociative feelings .
The website reads : `` Grounding techniques are really useful when we 're feeling a bit disconnected from our current surroundings and we are caught up with our emotions and our thoughts .
`` It 's very common to dissociate ( or be somewhere else ) in this way , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be fully engaged in what we are doing so that we can pay attention and make use of all the information available to us at that moment .
`` Grounding techniques are also useful if we are feeling a bit anxious and fearful about stuff . ''
Among the exercises suggested is one that involves putting both feet `` firmly on the ground '' and focussing on the feeling of their weight on the ground for 30 seconds .
Another involves drinking a glass of water and focussing on the sensation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throat .
A third suggests thinking about five things you can see , four you can hear , three you can touch , two you can smell and one slow , deep breath .
There are many more techniques on the HeadFIT website covering the four areas of mental fitness : de-stress , drive , confidence and mood .
The prince said : `` Over the years it has been an honour to work alongside the service chiefs and the Ministry of Defence on projects such as HeadFIT , and I am delighted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect and strengthen the potential and resilience of our military .
`` Thanks especially to Johnny Mercer and to the teams of people who work tirelessly to protect and support our troops and their families ' health and wellbeing .
`` Mental fitness will become a daily practice adopted by all of us as a means to unlock potential in every aspect of our lives . ''

Prince Harry yesterday praised the British Armed Forces for the "amazing step" of incorporating these mental health techniques into annual training.
The Duke of Sussex launched HeadFIT in April after three years' work beginning in 2017 through the Heads Together campaign.
Now the project is being included in mandatory mental fitness training for the British military and Harry says this will "protect and strengthen the potential and resilience of our military."
The strategies and exercises that make up HeadFIT are available online and can be done by anyone.
They include breathing exercises, posture, visualization and other techniques designed to increase confidence, drive, mood and to de-stress.
Prince Harry said in a statement released to Newsweek: "This is an amazing step forward for the British military and furthers the global leadership of our Armed Forces.
Prince Harry attends the annual Founder's Day Parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on June 6, 2019 in London, England. He has welcomed a move to make military mental fitness training mandatory in the British Armed Forces. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
"There should be no difference between how we view our physical fitness and mental fitness—and training both will help our servicemen and women excel, as well as being best prepared for what they may face, in any situation."
Self-Awareness of Values
HeadFIT says defining your own values can make you happy in a way adopting society's values might not.
It recommends thinking of a time when you were most happy, one when you were most proud and one when you were most fulfilled then producing a list of ten values based on those experiences.
The exercise then involves compressing the list down into a top three and asking whether these still feel like your three most important values.
The website states: "Often we don't actually choose our own values and tend to adopt the values of the people or society around us.
"But when we actively choose our values and then act or live in a way which matches them, we can feel more satisfied and content."
Values are clearly important to Harry and wife Meghan Markle as the couple has discussed them before.
Meghan told Time100 in September: "When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard."
The 15 Minute Rule
HeadFIT recommends an exercise called "The 15 Minute Rule" for helping build the drive to begin and complete difficult tasks.
The website states: "Sometimes doing something just feels like too much effort, like taking exercise or starting a piece of work that we know is important.
"So try this exercise. Chunk the work down into a 15-minute task and give yourself permission to stop after 15 minutes if you want to.
"Nine times out of ten you will just continue what you've started."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle travel down The Mall in a horse drawn carriage during Trooping The Color 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London, England. Harry says making mental fitness training mandatory is an "amazing step forward" by the British armed forces. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Body Posture Feedback
The military has long had a preference for the appearance of a straight back and tall posture but HeadFIT says it can also improve mental health.
The website claims hunching with a "closed body" makes you feel less confident while advising changing "posture to reflect the mental state you want to move in to."
The website reads: "Every time you stand, lie down, sit, walk, even when you smile, your brain recognizes the muscles you're using and remembers how you felt when you used them before.
"This changes your brain's chemistry and the kind of hormones it releases into your body.
"So striking a more powerful pose like standing tall and upright with your shoulders back will increase hormones linked to feeling powerful and confident."
The exercise can help de-stress and boost drive, confidence and mood, the website says.
Grounding Techniques
HeadFIT recommends grounding exercises as a way to de-stress and prevent dissociative feelings.
The website reads: "Grounding techniques are really useful when we're feeling a bit disconnected from our current surroundings and we are caught up with our emotions and our thoughts.
"It's very common to dissociate (or be somewhere else) in this way, but to perform at our best, we need to be fully engaged in what we are doing so that we can pay attention and make use of all the information available to us at that moment.
"Grounding techniques are also useful if we are feeling a bit anxious and fearful about stuff."
Read more Prince Harry Sues Tabloid for Libel—in Couple's Sixth Lawsuit in a Year Prince Harry Sues Tabloid for Libel—in Couple's Sixth Lawsuit in a Year
Among the exercises suggested is one that involves putting both feet "firmly on the ground" and focussing on the feeling of their weight on the ground for 30 seconds.
Another involves drinking a glass of water and focussing on the sensation of the liquid entering the mouth and throat.
A third suggests thinking about five things you can see, four you can hear, three you can touch, two you can smell and one slow, deep breath.
There are many more techniques on the HeadFIT website covering the four areas of mental fitness: de-stress, drive, confidence and mood.
The prince said: "Over the years it has been an honour to work alongside the service chiefs and the Ministry of Defence on projects such as HeadFIT, and I am delighted to see such a significant step to protect and strengthen the potential and resilience of our military.
"Thanks especially to Johnny Mercer and to the teams of people who work tirelessly to protect and support our troops and their families' health and wellbeing.
"Mental fitness will become a daily practice adopted by all of us as a means to unlock potential in every aspect of our lives."


newsweek--2020-12-09--Photo of Hawaii Shark Attack Victim's Surf Board Shows Huge Bite Mark

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources ( DLNR ) said a 56-year-old male surfer from Lahaina on the island of Maui was attacked by a shark near Honolua Bay on Tuesday morning .
The man—who officials have not named to protect his identity—was reportedly paddling out from the bay 's old boat ramp before 8 a.m. local time when the incident occurred .
Conditions in the ocean at the time were poor due to high surf although the DLNR said that water clarity was good in the area .
Maui County Fire Department said the victim was already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire crews arrived , Hawaii News Now reported .
He had suffered injuries to his leg , according to the Australian Associated Press reported .
The man was rushed to hospital in critical condition where he underwent surgery .
Following the operation , the victim 's condition is now stable , Hawaii News Now reported .
On Tuesday , the DLNR released several images of the victim 's damaged surfboard in which the large bite mark can be seen .
A roughly foot-wide chunk of the board that was ripped of by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the images .
Following the incident , the DLNR put shark warning signs up on either side of Honolua Bay , which will remain in place—according to standard protocol—until at least noon on Wednesday local time .
The signs will only be removed when officials decide that there is no `` further shark presence . ''
The World Surf League ( WSL ) suspended its season-opening Maui Pro competition featuring the world 's best female surfers after organizers became aware of the shark attack .
The Maui Pro began earlier this week but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when organizers halted proceedings .
`` We had a shark incident with a recreational surfer , '' WSL chief executive officer Erik Logan said in a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday .
`` Due to that we are putting our event on hold indefinitely .
We 'll have more information as it goes as we continue to work with local officials and authorities on the status .
Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with this victim . ''
The latest incident comes just a week after a shark attack in West Maui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her front torso , the Australian Associated Press reported .

Hawaiian officials have released images of a shark attack victim's surfboard featuring a huge bite mark measuring approximately 17 inches wide.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) said a 56-year-old male surfer from Lahaina on the island of Maui was attacked by a shark near Honolua Bay on Tuesday morning.
The man—who officials have not named to protect his identity—was reportedly paddling out from the bay's old boat ramp before 8 a.m. local time when the incident occurred.
Conditions in the ocean at the time were poor due to high surf although the DLNR said that water clarity was good in the area.
Maui County Fire Department said the victim was already being given first aid on shore when fire crews arrived, Hawaii News Now reported. He had suffered injuries to his leg, according to the Australian Associated Press reported.
The man was rushed to hospital in critical condition where he underwent surgery. Following the operation, the victim's condition is now stable, Hawaii News Now reported.
On Tuesday, the DLNR released several images of the victim's damaged surfboard in which the large bite mark can be seen. A roughly foot-wide chunk of the board that was ripped of by the shark is also visible in one of the images.
Following the incident, the DLNR put shark warning signs up on either side of Honolua Bay, which will remain in place—according to standard protocol—until at least noon on Wednesday local time. The signs will only be removed when officials decide that there is no "further shark presence."
The World Surf League (WSL) suspended its season-opening Maui Pro competition featuring the world's best female surfers after organizers became aware of the shark attack.
UPDATEDSHARK WARNING SIGNS UP AT MAUI’S HONOLUA BAY AFTER MORNING INCIDENTShark warning signs are up on either side of Honolua Bay after a man encountered a shark this morning. The signs are...
The Maui Pro began earlier this week but competition had not yet started on Tuesday when organizers halted proceedings.
"We had a shark incident with a recreational surfer," WSL chief executive officer Erik Logan said in a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday.
There will be no competition at the Maui Pro today following a shark incident involving a recreational surfer this morning at Honolua Bay. The WSL is working with authorities and our thoughts are with the victim of this incident. The Maui Pro is on hold until further notice. pic.twitter.com/AGZSkF7wKZ — World Surf League (@wsl) December 8, 2020
"Due to that we are putting our event on hold indefinitely. We'll have more information as it goes as we continue to work with local officials and authorities on the status. Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with this victim."
The latest incident comes just a week after a shark attack in West Maui left a woman with severe injuries to her front torso, the Australian Associated Press reported.


newsweek--2020-12-09--California Father Charged Over Decapitation of Son, 13 and Daughter, 13

A California father has been charged with murdering his 12-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter , who were reportedly decapitated at a home in Lancaster .
Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr. , 34 , was charged in court on Tuesday on two counts of murder the L.A. County Sheriff 's Department said in a statement .
Taylor Sr. , was not in court due to COVID-19 procedures but he was ordered to be held in lieu of $ 4.2 million bail while awaiting arraignment on December 21 .
He was also charged on two counts of child endangerment in relation to two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 and 9 .
The department added that the Deputy District Attorney declined to charge Taylor Sr. with the weapon enhancement in accordance with the new directive from the District Attorney 's Office .
The two children were found dead at around 7.50 a.m. on Friday in a home on the 45000 block of Century Circle in Lancaster , the sheriff 's department said .
L.A. County Fire Department personnel were originally called to the home after reports of a possible natural gas leak .
The sheriff 's department was then called when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside .
Lt. Brandon Dean later told reporters at the scene : `` L.A. County Sheriff deputies responded out to the location and saw that there were two individual inside—both very young possibly in their teenage years—deceased .
`` One appears to be a male one appears to be a female , possibly suffering from some sort of sharp trauma either stabbing or slicing device . ''
The sheriff 's department said a man , a woman and two other children were also in the house when the discovery was made and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified by the L.A. County coroner 's office as Maurice Taylor Jr. , 12 , and Malaka Taylor , 13 , according to NBC .
Taylor Sr. could face up to 57 years and four months to life in state prison if convicted as charged , the broadcaster cited the L.A. County District Attorney 's Office as saying .
The District Attorney 's Office confirmed to NBC that the children had been decapitated .
Newsweek has contacted the D.A .
's office and the coroner 's office for comment .
Taylor Sr. reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Monica but had been conducting training sessions via Zoom during the coronavirus pandemic .
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the L.A. County Sheriff 's Department 's Homicide Bureau at ( 323 ) 890-5500 .

A California father has been charged with murdering his 12-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter, who were reportedly decapitated at a home in Lancaster.
Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr., 34, was charged in court on Tuesday on two counts of murder the L.A. County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.
Taylor Sr., was not in court due to COVID-19 procedures but he was ordered to be held in lieu of $4.2 million bail while awaiting arraignment on December 21.
He was also charged on two counts of child endangerment in relation to two other children, reportedly two boys aged 8 and 9.
The department added that the Deputy District Attorney declined to charge Taylor Sr. with the weapon enhancement in accordance with the new directive from the District Attorney's Office.
The two children were found dead at around 7.50 a.m. on Friday in a home on the 45000 block of Century Circle in Lancaster, the sheriff's department said.
L.A. County Fire Department personnel were originally called to the home after reports of a possible natural gas leak. The sheriff's department was then called when the bodies of two children were found inside.
Lt. Brandon Dean later told reporters at the scene: "L.A. County Sheriff deputies responded out to the location and saw that there were two individual inside—both very young possibly in their teenage years—deceased.
"One appears to be a male one appears to be a female, possibly suffering from some sort of sharp trauma either stabbing or slicing device."
The sheriff's department said a man, a woman and two other children were also in the house when the discovery was made and they were later questioned.
The victims were identified by the L.A. County coroner's office as Maurice Taylor Jr., 12, and Malaka Taylor, 13, according to NBC.
The bodies were found at a home in Lancaster, California. Google Maps
Taylor Sr. could face up to 57 years and four months to life in state prison if convicted as charged, the broadcaster cited the L.A. County District Attorney's Office as saying.
The District Attorney's Office confirmed to NBC that the children had been decapitated.
Newsweek has contacted the D.A.'s office and the coroner's office for comment.
Taylor Sr. reportedly worked at a physical therapy center in Santa Monica but had been conducting training sessions via Zoom during the coronavirus pandemic.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.


newsweek--2020-12-09--'The Big Show Show' Canceled: Why It is Ending After Christmas Special

The Big Show Show is joining the ever-expanding list of Netflix shows canceled after just one season .
However , fans of the series starring Paul `` Big Show '' Wight can be consoled by the fact that they are getting one last episode of the sitcom , a Christmas special that is now airing on the streaming service .
Why The Big Show Show was canceled In late August , The Big Show Show was canceled along with another Netflix comedy , Ashley Garcia : Genius in Love ( aka The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia ) , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Notably , both of these series are what 's known in the industry as multi-camera ( or multi-cam ) sitcoms , comedies filmed in front of live studio audiences on fixed sets with a number of cameras .
Famous examples include Friends , Seinfeld and , more recently , The Big Bang Theory and Mom .
Though Netflix has produced a number of multi-cams over the years , including The Ranch ( which ended in January ) , Alexa and Katie ( canceled in June ) , and One Day at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major one left , Mr. Iglesias .
The reason why the streamer has moved away from these kinds of comedies may be due to the way Netflix orders its series .
Whereas traditional multi-cams on network television film pilots , one-off episodes that allow networks to see the chemistry between the cast , before they order full series , Netflix generally orders series all at once without making a pilot first .
This means that the whole first season of these shows is essentially a pilot , allowing Netflix to see if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And , in the case of The Big Show Show , clearly they did not want to keep going .
This surely was not helped by the coronavirus pandemic .
What makes multi-cams work is two things—the chemistry between its cast members and the reaction to their performances in the room with the audience .
If Netflix already had doubts about the future of the show , the prospect of not being able to film with a studio audience probably tipped the scales against the series continuing .
The Big Show Show also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can guarantee that a Netflix series will continue .
Though the series managed a respectable 13 days in the Netflix top 10 chart in the U.S .
However , per ratings aggregator FlixPatrol , its viewing figures were not enough for it to break the top 100 most-watched shows on the streaming service this year .
The series , however , did manage to film a Christmas special before it was canceled , so fans have one more episode to enjoy .
However , as it was made before the show knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give fans the closure that many will hope for , and is not expected to tie up the loose ends left by the season finale .
The Big Show Show is one of over a dozen series to be canceled after one season this year on Netflix .
Other shows which ended after their debut seasons include Away , canceled in October , The October Faction and I Am Not Okay With This .
The Big Show Show is streaming now on Netflix .

The Big Show Show is joining the ever-expanding list of Netflix shows canceled after just one season. However, fans of the series starring Paul "Big Show" Wight can be consoled by the fact that they are getting one last episode of the sitcom, a Christmas special that is now airing on the streaming service.
Why The Big Show Show was canceled
In late August, The Big Show Show was canceled along with another Netflix comedy, Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love (aka The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia), also coming to an end after one season.
Notably, both of these series are what's known in the industry as multi-camera (or multi-cam) sitcoms, comedies filmed in front of live studio audiences on fixed sets with a number of cameras. Famous examples include Friends, Seinfeld and, more recently, The Big Bang Theory and Mom.
Though Netflix has produced a number of multi-cams over the years, including The Ranch (which ended in January), Alexa and Katie (canceled in June), and One Day at a Time, it now only has one major one left, Mr. Iglesias.
'The Big Show Show' has been canceled after one season on Netflix. Netflix
The reason why the streamer has moved away from these kinds of comedies may be due to the way Netflix orders its series. Whereas traditional multi-cams on network television film pilots, one-off episodes that allow networks to see the chemistry between the cast, before they order full series, Netflix generally orders series all at once without making a pilot first.
This means that the whole first season of these shows is essentially a pilot, allowing Netflix to see if they want to continue with the series. And, in the case of The Big Show Show, clearly they did not want to keep going.
This surely was not helped by the coronavirus pandemic. What makes multi-cams work is two things—the chemistry between its cast members and the reaction to their performances in the room with the audience. If Netflix already had doubts about the future of the show, the prospect of not being able to film with a studio audience probably tipped the scales against the series continuing.
The Big Show Show also did not seem to get the ratings that can guarantee that a Netflix series will continue. Though the series managed a respectable 13 days in the Netflix top 10 chart in the U.S. However, per ratings aggregator FlixPatrol, its viewing figures were not enough for it to break the top 100 most-watched shows on the streaming service this year.
The series, however, did manage to film a Christmas special before it was canceled, so fans have one more episode to enjoy. However, as it was made before the show knew its fate, it is not going to give fans the closure that many will hope for, and is not expected to tie up the loose ends left by the season finale.
The Big Show Show is one of over a dozen series to be canceled after one season this year on Netflix. Other shows which ended after their debut seasons include Away, canceled in October, The October Faction and I Am Not Okay With This.
The Big Show Show is streaming now on Netflix.


newsweek--2020-12-09--COVID Tracker Rebekah Jones Raises $200K on GoFundMe After Armed Raid on Her Florida Home

Rebekah Jones , the data scientist who was fired from her job at the Florida Department of Health earlier this year , has raised almost $ 200,000 in donations following an armed raid at her home .
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ( FDLE ) served a search warrant on Jones ' Tallahassee home on Monday morning .
The agency said Jones has been under investigation after the Department of Health filed a complaint about someone illegally accessing the state 's emergency alert system last month , according to the Associated Press .
Jones posted a 30-second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page , which has since amassed almost 10 million views .
The video shows multiple officers enter her home with their guns drawn and one is seen pointing his gun up a stairwell as Jones yells : `` Do not point that gun at my children ! ''
`` They pointed a gun in my face .
They pointed guns at my kids , '' Jones later tweeted , although the video does not show that .
On Twitter , Jones said authorities had taken all of her `` hardware and tech '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day to post coronavirus case numbers for Florida and the country .
Following the incident , Jones set up a GoFundMe page seeking to raise funds to replace her computer and pay legal fees .
`` Looks like I need a new computer and a hell of a good lawyer , '' she wrote on the page .
`` And if the governor manages to invent something to lock me away , my family will need help , '' she added .
As of early Wednesday , she had amassed more than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jones was fired from her post in May after raising questions about the state 's COVID-19 data .
According to the AP , records show she had been reprimanded several times and was eventually fired for violating policy by making public remarks about the information .
Since then , she has been a vocal critic of Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ' response to the pandemic .
She also alleged that managers at the Health Department had urged her to manipulate the state 's COVID-19 data to make the outbreak seem less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus restrictions and reopen the state 's economy .
State officials have denied the accusation .
The Tampa Bay Times reported that someone hacked into the Department of Health 's system in early November , warning employees to `` speak up before another 17,000 people are dead .
You know this is wrong .
You do n't have to be a part of this .
Be a hero .
Speak out before it 's too late . ''
Jones denied sending that message in a CNN interview after her home was raided , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hacker . ''
She also characterized the raid as DeSantis ' bid to intimidate and silence her .
`` They claimed it was about a security breach , '' she wrote in one tweet .
`` This was DeSantis .
He sent the gestapo . ''
`` This is just a very thinly veiled attempt of the governor to intimidate scientists and get back at me while trying to get to my sources , '' she added on CNN .
`` [ DeSantis has ] been firing DOH sources left and right .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones ' attorney Lawrence G. Walters said the agents who executed the search warrant `` were unnecessarily reckless and aggressive . ''
He added : `` We are concerned that these actions may be retaliation in response to her whistleblower claim against the Department of Health and her criticism of the governor 's COVID 19 response . ''
Walters added : `` We will thoroughly investigate the alleged basis for this search which resulted in the forced disclosure of confidential communications with our adversary in litigation .
We also intend to pursue all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ client 's property and vindicate her civil rights . ''
DeSantis ' office and the Florida Department of Health have been contacted for comment .

Rebekah Jones, the data scientist who was fired from her job at the Florida Department of Health earlier this year, has raised almost $200,000 in donations following an armed raid at her home.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) served a search warrant on Jones' Tallahassee home on Monday morning.
The agency said Jones has been under investigation after the Department of Health filed a complaint about someone illegally accessing the state's emergency alert system last month, according to the Associated Press.
Jones posted a 30-second video of the raid on her Twitter page, which has since amassed almost 10 million views.
The video shows multiple officers enter her home with their guns drawn and one is seen pointing his gun up a stairwell as Jones yells: "Do not point that gun at my children!"
1/
There will be no update today.
At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech.
They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint.
They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids.. pic.twitter.com/DE2QfOmtPU — Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) December 7, 2020
"They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids," Jones later tweeted, although the video does not show that.
On Twitter, Jones said authorities had taken all of her "hardware and tech", including the computer she uses every day to post coronavirus case numbers for Florida and the country.
Following the incident, Jones set up a GoFundMe page seeking to raise funds to replace her computer and pay legal fees.
"Looks like I need a new computer and a hell of a good lawyer," she wrote on the page. "And if the governor manages to invent something to lock me away, my family will need help," she added.
As of early Wednesday, she had amassed more than $180,000 towards her $1 million target.
Jones was fired from her post in May after raising questions about the state's COVID-19 data. According to the AP, records show she had been reprimanded several times and was eventually fired for violating policy by making public remarks about the information.
Since then, she has been a vocal critic of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' response to the pandemic.
She also alleged that managers at the Health Department had urged her to manipulate the state's COVID-19 data to make the outbreak seem less severe as leaders were moving to lift coronavirus restrictions and reopen the state's economy. State officials have denied the accusation.
A lot of people asked me how they can help.
1. A job not in Florida
2. Spread the word
3. https://t.co/jw4FHGqZxt — Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) December 8, 2020
The Tampa Bay Times reported that someone hacked into the Department of Health's system in early November, warning employees to "speak up before another 17,000 people are dead. You know this is wrong. You don't have to be a part of this. Be a hero. Speak out before it's too late."
Jones denied sending that message in a CNN interview after her home was raided, saying: "I'm not a hacker."
She also characterized the raid as DeSantis' bid to intimidate and silence her.
"They claimed it was about a security breach," she wrote in one tweet. "This was DeSantis. He sent the gestapo."
"This is just a very thinly veiled attempt of the governor to intimidate scientists and get back at me while trying to get to my sources," she added on CNN. "[DeSantis has] been firing DOH sources left and right."
In a statement to Newsweek, Jones' attorney Lawrence G. Walters said the agents who executed the search warrant "were unnecessarily reckless and aggressive."
He added: "We are concerned that these actions may be retaliation in response to her whistleblower claim against the Department of Health and her criticism of the governor's COVID 19 response."
Walters added: "We will thoroughly investigate the alleged basis for this search which resulted in the forced disclosure of confidential communications with our adversary in litigation. We also intend to pursue all lawful avenues to seek return of our client's property and vindicate her civil rights."
DeSantis' office and the Florida Department of Health have been contacted for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-09--Has a Great Pushback Begun in California? | Opinion

Every once in a while a politician will , in a candid moment , say something that reveals they 're more interested in making us live the kinds of lives they want us to live—whether it serves our needs or not—than in serving the public .
Take , for instance , California state senator Hannah-Beth Jackson , who incredibly compared Californians who objected to legislation that made it impossible for Uber drivers to operate as independent contractors with children having candy taken away : `` It 's kind of taking away the lollipop that they had : the ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got to witness another example in person , at a memorable dinner featuring an L.A. mayoral candidate .
When it was my turn to ask a question I said that while I adored public transportation in cities that are designed for it , Los Angeles was n't one of them—and were she elected , as she pushed for funding of public transportation , could the candidate also step up construction of freeways to lessen the traffic we all have to sit through ?
To my amazement , she replied that she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ akin to how we adults must deal with children : `` we have to lead people to the right choices . ''
I was amazed .
But in that unscripted moment she showed very clearly how many of our our leaders think of those they 're elected to serve : Drivers are like children who must be guided to public transportation , and her job , she said without saying , was to not alleviate traffic for people like me but make it so utterly miserable that we 'd give up and spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be 20 minutes on an open freeway .
For those who do not live in L.A. , remember the tragic story of Kobe Bryant 's death .
He had taken to flying by helicopter for short distances because the city 's interminable traffic made it simply unbearable to drive from his home in Orange County to various activities in Los Angeles .
And while there is clearly lots of blame to go around for Bryant 's untimely death , from aircraft and pilots to fog and wind , I 'll also include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic function of government : providing us with open roads to travel on .
It 's just another , although by far the most serious , in a long series of indignities that we Californians have had to endure .
Our politicians have forced supermarkets to charge ten cents per bag to its customers ( temporarily rescinded due to COVID-19 ) , regulated construction in a manner that drives up housing costs to many times the national average , raised the price of electricity to five times what 's paid in other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constructed with taxpayer dollars and added unconscionably high taxes at the gas pump .
None of these measures hurt wealthy Californians , but they 're a dagger to the heart of the working poor who may need reminders that their leaders are there to serve them and their families , not the other way around .
It raises a question : how much does a politician have to hate his or her own citizens , especially low-income ones , to make their lives so miserable ?
We ask a few basic things of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us harm , provide a safety net for those unable to care for themselves and allow us to travel freely from one location to another .
But our leaders ' ideological fanaticism causes them to wring every last penny , even from the most vulnerable among us , and prevents them from completing simple tasks—like building roads that would have allowed our greatest sports hero to stay on the ground .
This is a basic failure of government that every Californian should remember the next time our leaders beg for our votes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us the true nature of those who govern us , and has exposed far too many politicians as hypocrites of the worst kind—casually passing laws and issuing edicts that they flout in private .
But there may be a pushback coming .
Lost in the hubbub of Trump vs. Biden were some interesting results for Californians in the recent election .
First , our famously progressive electorate rejected an attempt to raise property taxes on businesses .
And then they took their `` lollipops '' back , approving a measure that would once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elections are essentially job interviews , and the next time our leaders ask us to hire them , we should ask them variations of the question Ronald Reagan famously posed in a 1980 debate : Will we be better off four years from now ?
How do you plan to make my life easier ?
Are you going to make the life that I 've chosen to lead better than it was four years ago ?
Will you make it easier for me to go about the tasks that I 've chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 election may be the beginning not of a much-discussed Great Reset but a Great Pushback against our politicians who seem to go out of their way to make life more difficult .
A new generation of Californians , grounded in the reality that they are the bosses and public servants are their employees , must remind their political leaders who 's working for whom .
Mark Joseph is a filmmaker , author and senior columnist for Newsweek .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Every once in a while a politician will, in a candid moment, say something that reveals they're more interested in making us live the kinds of lives they want us to live—whether it serves our needs or not—than in serving the public.
Take, for instance, California state senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, who incredibly compared Californians who objected to legislation that made it impossible for Uber drivers to operate as independent contractors with children having candy taken away: "It's kind of taking away the lollipop that they had: the ability to decide essentially when they worked."
I got to witness another example in person, at a memorable dinner featuring an L.A. mayoral candidate. When it was my turn to ask a question I said that while I adored public transportation in cities that are designed for it, Los Angeles wasn't one of them—and were she elected, as she pushed for funding of public transportation, could the candidate also step up construction of freeways to lessen the traffic we all have to sit through? To my amazement, she replied that she wouldn't, and that the situation was akin to how we adults must deal with children: "we have to lead people to the right choices."
I was amazed. But in that unscripted moment she showed very clearly how many of our our leaders think of those they're elected to serve: Drivers are like children who must be guided to public transportation, and her job, she said without saying, was to not alleviate traffic for people like me but make it so utterly miserable that we'd give up and spend hours on buses and trains for what should be 20 minutes on an open freeway.
For those who do not live in L.A., remember the tragic story of Kobe Bryant's death. He had taken to flying by helicopter for short distances because the city's interminable traffic made it simply unbearable to drive from his home in Orange County to various activities in Los Angeles.
And while there is clearly lots of blame to go around for Bryant's untimely death, from aircraft and pilots to fog and wind, I'll also include the politicians who failed at the most basic function of government: providing us with open roads to travel on.
California Governor Gavin Newsom photographed wearing a mask in Los Angeles on June 3, 2020. Getty/Genaro Molina
It's just another, although by far the most serious, in a long series of indignities that we Californians have had to endure. Our politicians have forced supermarkets to charge ten cents per bag to its customers (temporarily rescinded due to COVID-19), regulated construction in a manner that drives up housing costs to many times the national average, raised the price of electricity to five times what's paid in other states, charged us to travel on roads constructed with taxpayer dollars and added unconscionably high taxes at the gas pump.
None of these measures hurt wealthy Californians, but they're a dagger to the heart of the working poor who may need reminders that their leaders are there to serve them and their families, not the other way around. It raises a question: how much does a politician have to hate his or her own citizens, especially low-income ones, to make their lives so miserable?
We ask a few basic things of our government—protect us from those who wish us harm, provide a safety net for those unable to care for themselves and allow us to travel freely from one location to another.
But our leaders' ideological fanaticism causes them to wring every last penny, even from the most vulnerable among us, and prevents them from completing simple tasks—like building roads that would have allowed our greatest sports hero to stay on the ground. This is a basic failure of government that every Californian should remember the next time our leaders beg for our votes.
COVID is doing its part to show us the true nature of those who govern us, and has exposed far too many politicians as hypocrites of the worst kind—casually passing laws and issuing edicts that they flout in private.
But there may be a pushback coming. Lost in the hubbub of Trump vs. Biden were some interesting results for Californians in the recent election. First, our famously progressive electorate rejected an attempt to raise property taxes on businesses. And then they took their "lollipops" back, approving a measure that would once again classify app-based drivers as independent contractors.
Elections are essentially job interviews, and the next time our leaders ask us to hire them, we should ask them variations of the question Ronald Reagan famously posed in a 1980 debate: Will we be better off four years from now? How do you plan to make my life easier? Are you going to make the life that I've chosen to lead better than it was four years ago? Will you make it easier for me to go about the tasks that I've chosen to do?
In California, the 2020 election may be the beginning not of a much-discussed Great Reset but a Great Pushback against our politicians who seem to go out of their way to make life more difficult. A new generation of Californians, grounded in the reality that they are the bosses and public servants are their employees, must remind their political leaders who's working for whom.
Mark Joseph is a filmmaker, author and senior columnist for Newsweek.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-09--Russia Military Shows Off Nuclear Forces with Air, Land and Sea Missile Launches

The Russian armed forces have conducted an exercise of their nuclear capabilities including a series of ballistic and cruise missile launches overseen by President Vladimir Putin .
A roughly two-and-a-half-minute video released Wednesday by the Russian Defense Ministry displayed air , land and sea assets of the country 's nuclear triad .
An accompanying statement identified the training as part of the military 's training plan and said that the `` objectives of the exercises were fulfilled . ''
In one scene , Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers that took off from the Engels and Ukrainka airfields fired off Kh-101 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed Project 667BDRM Delfin-class nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine Karelia launching an R-29RMU Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missile from below the waters of the Barents Sea .
To complete the strategic trilogy , an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from a vehicle at the Plesetsk spaceport .
Test targets were struck at the Kura and Pemboi proving grounds , according to the Russian Defense Ministry .
Russia is believed to be in possession of the world 's largest nuclear stockpile , though its arsenal is limited by the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a series of bilateral agreements first reached with the United States just months before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 .
Three decades later , as a resurgent Russian military revamps its armed forces , the deal is on the verge of expiration .
Efforts by Washington and Moscow to extend the treaty ahead of a February 4 deadline have so far failed , even with Putin 's proposal to unconditionally extend New START and freeze nuclear warhead production for a year .
The treaty 's collapse would follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Treaty in 2002 and the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces ( INF ) Treaty last year , leaving the U.S. and Russia without any arms control agreements for the first time since the middle of the Cold War .
Rather than renew the deal , however , President Donald Trump 's administration has sought a new one including additional countries such as China , which has refused to join , and a wider range of weapons platforms that have emerged over the past decade .
Moscow has developed a number of new nuclear-capable weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to avoid even the most sophisticated missile defenses .
And while Russia 's preparations for the possibility of nuclear war appeared to go as planned Wednesday , they reportedly went awry elsewhere that same day .
On Wednesday , the Russian Interior Ministry reported on the theft of around 39 pieces of radio equipment from an Ilyushin Il-80 aircraft at the Yuzhny airfield in the southern city of Taganrog .
This particular plane was specially designed as a mobile command center to house Russian leadership in the event of a nuclear strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media outlets such as Ren-TV .
The cost of this theft was projected to be at least $ 13,600 .
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the robbery an `` emergency situation '' and promised `` measures will be taken to prevent this from happening in the future , '' the Agence France-Presse reported .
Authorities have said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing .

The Russian armed forces have conducted an exercise of their nuclear capabilities including a series of ballistic and cruise missile launches overseen by President Vladimir Putin.
A roughly two-and-a-half-minute video released Wednesday by the Russian Defense Ministry displayed air, land and sea assets of the country's nuclear triad. An accompanying statement identified the training as part of the military's training plan and said that the "objectives of the exercises were fulfilled."
In one scene, Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers that took off from the Engels and Ukrainka airfields fired off Kh-101 and Kh-555 air-launched cruise missiles.
Another clip showed Project 667BDRM Delfin-class nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine Karelia launching an R-29RMU Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missile from below the waters of the Barents Sea.
To complete the strategic trilogy, an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from a vehicle at the Plesetsk spaceport.
Test targets were struck at the Kura and Pemboi proving grounds, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Russian military test fires an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Mirny, Arkhangelsk province on December 9. The weapon represents one of the main land-launched assets of the Russian nuclear triad. Russian Ministry of Defense
Russia is believed to be in possession of the world's largest nuclear stockpile, though its arsenal is limited by the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the latest instalment of a series of bilateral agreements first reached with the United States just months before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Three decades later, as a resurgent Russian military revamps its armed forces, the deal is on the verge of expiration. Efforts by Washington and Moscow to extend the treaty ahead of a February 4 deadline have so far failed, even with Putin's proposal to unconditionally extend New START and freeze nuclear warhead production for a year.
The treaty's collapse would follow the deaths of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2002 and the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty last year, leaving the U.S. and Russia without any arms control agreements for the first time since the middle of the Cold War.
Rather than renew the deal, however, President Donald Trump's administration has sought a new one including additional countries such as China, which has refused to join, and a wider range of weapons platforms that have emerged over the past decade.
Moscow has developed a number of new nuclear-capable weapons, including hypersonic missiles billed as being able to avoid even the most sophisticated missile defenses.
And while Russia's preparations for the possibility of nuclear war appeared to go as planned Wednesday, they reportedly went awry elsewhere that same day.
On Wednesday, the Russian Interior Ministry reported on the theft of around 39 pieces of radio equipment from an Ilyushin Il-80 aircraft at the Yuzhny airfield in the southern city of Taganrog. This particular plane was specially designed as a mobile command center to house Russian leadership in the event of a nuclear strike or another national catastrophe, according to media outlets such as Ren-TV.
The cost of this theft was projected to be at least $13,600. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the robbery an "emergency situation" and promised "measures will be taken to prevent this from happening in the future," the Agence France-Presse reported.
Authorities have said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.


newsweek--2020-12-09--Florida Man Helps Friend Store Trash Can With 'Personal Items,' Finds Dead Body Inside

An unidentified man in Bradenton , Florida has discovered a badly decomposing body inside of a 55-gallon trashcan that his friend had asked him to keep for the last two months .
Police have since identified the victim and made an arrest in connection with the incident .
The person who discovered the body , a resident of Windmill Manor Mobile Home Park , said that his friend had asked him to store the trash can in his carport .
He believed the can to be filled with his friend 's `` personal items . ''
However , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the man opened it and found `` a wrapped human body in the advance stage of decomposition , '' according to the Herald-Tribune .
The man then contacted the Manatee County Sheriff 's Office ( MCSO ) who immediately came over and began an investigation .
The man told officers that the friend had never returned after asking him to store the can .
In a statement to Newsweek , MCSO spokesperson Randy Warren said that the body was identified as 40-year-old Jon Christopher Leonard .
Detectives have also arrested 42-year-old Michelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with abuse of a dead human body .
Haney told detectives that she was living with Leonard in July when she discovered him deceased inside of their home .
`` Instead of calling the Sheriff 's Office , '' Warren said , `` she stored his body in a closet , and then 3 weeks later put his body inside a trash can , sealed it up , and took it to a neighbor 's residence ... .
She admitted to doing this so she could use his social security benefits after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Though an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday , the cause of Leonard 's death is still undetermined and the autopsy results have yet to be publicly released .
The mysterious case is just one of several recent violent crimes to be uncovered in The Sunshine State .
On December 2 , single mom and Jacksonville resident Lashelle Jacobs said she was attacked by an unknown man and woman who barged into her home , knocked her out and then threatened to stab her if she cried out while they gave her a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't take anything from her home , they did take the scissors they used to cut her hair .
Jacobs said the attack left her with a concussion , a ruptured eardrum and a tender injury on the back of her head .
She also said she no longer feels safe in her own home .
The Jacksonville Sheriff 's Office is investigating but have no solid leads on the attackers ' identities so far .
In a separate incident , the Miami-Dade Police Department are searching for men in connection with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby city of Opa-locka .
The suspects allegedly tied up , tortured , shot and dumped the bodies of three men in the backyard of an abandoned house .
The two murdered men were 50-year-old Osmar Oliva and 26-year-old Johan Gonzalez Quesada .
A third unidentified man was also beaten and shot but survived the incident .

An unidentified man in Bradenton, Florida has discovered a badly decomposing body inside of a 55-gallon trashcan that his friend had asked him to keep for the last two months. Police have since identified the victim and made an arrest in connection with the incident.
The person who discovered the body, a resident of Windmill Manor Mobile Home Park, said that his friend had asked him to store the trash can in his carport. He believed the can to be filled with his friend's "personal items."
However, when the can began to emit a foul smell, the man opened it and found "a wrapped human body in the advance stage of decomposition," according to the Herald-Tribune. The man then contacted the Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) who immediately came over and began an investigation.
The man told officers that the friend had never returned after asking him to store the can.
In a statement to Newsweek, MCSO spokesperson Randy Warren said that the body was identified as 40-year-old Jon Christopher Leonard. Detectives have also arrested 42-year-old Michelle Haney in the case and charged her with abuse of a dead human body.
Haney told detectives that she was living with Leonard in July when she discovered him deceased inside of their home.
"Instead of calling the Sheriff's Office," Warren said, "she stored his body in a closet, and then 3 weeks later put his body inside a trash can, sealed it up, and took it to a neighbor's residence.... She admitted to doing this so she could use his social security benefits after he died. Additional charges are expected."
Though an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday, the cause of Leonard's death is still undetermined and the autopsy results have yet to be publicly released.
A Florida man discovered a dead body in the trash can of a friend who said it contained some "personal items" In this February 6, 2017 photo, gang graffiti is painted on a trash can near the scene of a double homicide in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty
The mysterious case is just one of several recent violent crimes to be uncovered in The Sunshine State.
On December 2, single mom and Jacksonville resident Lashelle Jacobs said she was attacked by an unknown man and woman who barged into her home, knocked her out and then threatened to stab her if she cried out while they gave her a forced haircut. While the assailants didn't take anything from her home, they did take the scissors they used to cut her hair.
Jacobs said the attack left her with a concussion, a ruptured eardrum and a tender injury on the back of her head. She also said she no longer feels safe in her own home. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating but have no solid leads on the attackers' identities so far.
In a separate incident, the Miami-Dade Police Department are searching for men in connection with the double homicide of two truckers in the nearby city of Opa-locka.
The suspects allegedly tied up, tortured, shot and dumped the bodies of three men in the backyard of an abandoned house. The two murdered men were 50-year-old Osmar Oliva and 26-year-old Johan Gonzalez Quesada. A third unidentified man was also beaten and shot but survived the incident.


newsweek--2020-12-09--DoD Senior Officials, Health Care Workers Could Be First Among Group to Get COVID Vaccine

Health care workers in the U.S. military , along with a select group of Department of Defense ( DoD ) leaders , could be recipients of the Armed Forces ' first round of COVID-19 vaccine , according to officials at a Wednesday press conference .
The DoD is expecting to receive approximately 44,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine manufactured by Pfizer , which requires two doses for effectiveness , as soon as the vaccine is cleared for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
After that , the vaccine must be recommended by the Advisory Committee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery said Wednesday that distribution of the vaccine to members of the DoD would begin shortly thereafter .
`` We expect to have shots in arms of DoD personnel within 20 to 48 hours from the time the ACIP issues its final recommendation , '' McCaffery said .
Military health care workers and first responders are expected to be in the first round of vaccinations , as are certain members of DoD leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley , acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller and Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist .
During the Wednesday briefing , Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said that vaccinating the senior officials , which may take place in a public forum , was necessary to emphasize the importance of receiving the vaccine to other members of the armed forces .
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff for comment .
Vaccination against COVID-19 is not expected to be mandatory .
More members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine as more doses become available .
`` Future allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine will focus on vaccinating priority populations quickly and safely , '' McCaffery said , `` while simultaneously refining the intricate planning for the delivery of larger volumes of vaccine in future waves . ''
According to Wednesday data from the DoD , the U.S. Army has reported the highest number of positive cases of COVID-19 with 31,486 individuals diagnosed with the virus .
The U.S. Navy has reported 18,492 positive cases while the Air Force has reported 16,084 positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the National Guard have reported over 10,000 cases of the coronavirus .
During a press briefing about the vaccines on Tuesday , President Donald Trump indicated that `` tens of millions of vaccine doses '' could be available to some members of the general American population in December .
Trump said that the decision surrounding who would receive the vaccines in the first round rested in the hands of state governments , he urged state governors to `` put America 's seniors first , and also , I think those who work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to have to do that .
I think they have to go together .
And doctors , nurses , first responders , et cetera . ''

Health care workers in the U.S. military, along with a select group of Department of Defense (DoD) leaders, could be recipients of the Armed Forces' first round of COVID-19 vaccine, according to officials at a Wednesday press conference.
The DoD is expecting to receive approximately 44,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine manufactured by Pfizer, which requires two doses for effectiveness, as soon as the vaccine is cleared for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. After that, the vaccine must be recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel that works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery said Wednesday that distribution of the vaccine to members of the DoD would begin shortly thereafter.
"We expect to have shots in arms of DoD personnel within 20 to 48 hours from the time the ACIP issues its final recommendation," McCaffery said.
Military health care workers and first responders are expected to be in the first round of vaccinations, as are certain members of DoD leadership. On the proposed vaccination list are Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller and Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist. During the Wednesday briefing, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said that vaccinating the senior officials, which may take place in a public forum, was necessary to emphasize the importance of receiving the vaccine to other members of the armed forces.
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff for comment.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery announced on Wednesday the U.S. Department of Defense's initial plans for administering a COVID-19 vaccine, Drew Angerer/Getty
Vaccination against COVID-19 is not expected to be mandatory. More members of the military will be eligible to receive the vaccine as more doses become available.
"Future allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine will focus on vaccinating priority populations quickly and safely," McCaffery said, "while simultaneously refining the intricate planning for the delivery of larger volumes of vaccine in future waves."
According to Wednesday data from the DoD, the U.S. Army has reported the highest number of positive cases of COVID-19 with 31,486 individuals diagnosed with the virus. The U.S. Navy has reported 18,492 positive cases while the Air Force has reported 16,084 positive COVID-19 cases. Both the Marine Corps and the National Guard have reported over 10,000 cases of the coronavirus.
During a press briefing about the vaccines on Tuesday, President Donald Trump indicated that "tens of millions of vaccine doses" could be available to some members of the general American population in December.
Trump said that the decision surrounding who would receive the vaccines in the first round rested in the hands of state governments, he urged state governors to "put America's seniors first, and also, I think those who work with seniors, which obviously you're going to have to do that. I think they have to go together. And doctors, nurses, first responders, et cetera."