newsweek--2020-12-05--'I'm 23, I Had a Mini Stroke Days After Contracting COVID'

My family lives in San Francisco , so in late November I had been isolating at home in Tempe , Arizona , where I live , as I was planning to travel back to California to spend Thanksgiving with them .
My parents are a little older so I did n't want to put anyone at risk .
About half way through the two week isolation period , one of my friends lost their housing and asked if they could stay with me .
Then , on Saturday 21 November , it came to light that my friend had attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with me , and someone there had tested positive for COVID-19 .
I was asymptomatic at that point , but my friend and I both got tested .
I recall explaining to my dad that I did n't feel unwell , but that I did n't want to risk coming home to San Francisco and making him or my family sick .
My flight to go home was booked for November 22 , so unfortunately I had to cancel it immediately .
My friend and I both found out on Wednesday , November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Until then , I had still had no symptoms , but that night I began to experience a headache .
It got progressively worse over the next couple of days and by the morning of Saturday 28 I had also started to lose sensation on my left side .
I felt extremely weak and could n't balance on my left leg or even grip my dog 's leash in my left hand .
I was experiencing a lot of dizziness ; no spinning but a sensation of rocking back and forth , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision started spotting on the left side , too .
It seemed like I was looking at the world through swiss cheese ; there were circles blocking my left eye that meant my vision in my left eye was only at around 40 percent .
Prior to contracting COVID , the only health condition I have had is exercise-induced asthma .
But it 's not like I walk down the street and get out of breath ; I am someone who could play 80 minutes of a rugby match with no problems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the pandemic began , but last year , I would play up to three full games a day ; that 's non-stop , full-contact exercise .
By the end of the day I would still have the energy to go out to dinner and onto a bar with friends .
That Saturday before I went to the hospital , I could not walk my dog 20 yards down the hallway without getting tired .
But , I really dislike going to the hospital , so that Saturday morning I got up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after , I dropped a plate in a sink while doing the dishes .
At that point I realized that if I could n't even hold a plate in my left hand , something must really be wrong .
I ended up calling my dad and then my doctor and the doctor told me to go to the emergency room ( ER ) right away .
When I arrived at the ER , I was almost immediately given X-rays , an IV and CT scans were taken of my brain .
The doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they admitted me to hospital and later , a second neurologist explained that they were going to carry out an MRI because they suspected I had had a transient ischaemic attack ( TIA ) , which is also known as a mini stroke .
I had four different MRIs in the end , and because my family were all in California no-one could come and visit me , so of course I was a little scared .
But , I was so weak physically I did n't really have the energy to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MRIs came back OK , which the doctors explained indicated I had experienced a TIA —since full ischemic strokes normally show up on an MRI , but TIAs typically do n't .
The doctors explained that my TIA had happened as a result of having contracted COVID-19 , and also told me that they have seen complications from COVID-19 patients that they have never seen before with other virus ' .
I am back at home now and I feel better , but I 'm still experiencing weakness in my left side ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retain balance .
I was told that one in five people who have suffered TIAs are at risk of going on to suffer a full ischemic stroke within a year , and I definitely do n't feel good yet .
My vision is still only about 90 percent and I do n't have an appetite .
Up until the day I came home from the hospital I had n't eaten a full meal in around four days .
Typically TIAs resolve on their own , which is why nothing shows up on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also supposed to resolve within around 24 hours , and around 72 hours later I was still experiencing problems .
So now the neurologists have suggested sending me to the neurology department , physical therapy and occupational therapy for further treatment and all sorts of tests because they do n't understand why I do n't feel better .
I still get winded from just walking .
I do n't expect to play rugby again .
There are several reasons ; I have experienced a few concussions in the past couple of years—that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic but not playing .
Although the neurologist does n't think there is any link between my concussions and the TIA , doctors have now told me that between this mini stroke and my previous concussions , any head injury now could be fatal for me .
It 's frustrating and hard to comprehend that I wo n't play again , but it 's just not worth the risk .
I 've now tested negative for COVID so I 'm no longer contagious , I 'm just still experiencing symptoms .
So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my dog , for the next few weeks .
Even after that I 'm still not going to go out partying , I 'm going to set an example and wear a mask .
What 's shocking to me is that although I live in Phoenix , which is a college town , I 'm still seeing lots of people walking around without wearing masks .
Arizona 's COVID-19 cases are increasing exponentially—on December 1 , we had more than 10,000 new cases in one day .
We all need to wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to realize that COVID-19 does n't discriminate , you may be less at risk from certain complications but you have no way to predict how your body is going to respond .
If someone had asked me a few weeks ago if I thought I would get this sick from COVID , I probably would have laughed in their face .
Riley Behrens is studying at Harvard University , as well as being an athlete and mental health advocate .
He lives in Phoenix , Arizona with his dog .
You can follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All views expressed in this piece are the author 's own .

My family lives in San Francisco, so in late November I had been isolating at home in Tempe, Arizona, where I live, as I was planning to travel back to California to spend Thanksgiving with them. My parents are a little older so I didn't want to put anyone at risk. About half way through the two week isolation period, one of my friends lost their housing and asked if they could stay with me.
Then, on Saturday 21 November, it came to light that my friend had attended a wedding prior to coming to stay with me, and someone there had tested positive for COVID-19.
I was asymptomatic at that point, but my friend and I both got tested. I recall explaining to my dad that I didn't feel unwell, but that I didn't want to risk coming home to San Francisco and making him or my family sick. My flight to go home was booked for November 22, so unfortunately I had to cancel it immediately.
My friend and I both found out on Wednesday, November 25 that we had tested positive. Until then, I had still had no symptoms, but that night I began to experience a headache. It got progressively worse over the next couple of days and by the morning of Saturday 28 I had also started to lose sensation on my left side. I felt extremely weak and couldn't balance on my left leg or even grip my dog's leash in my left hand.
I was experiencing a lot of dizziness; no spinning but a sensation of rocking back and forth, like I was on a boat. My vision started spotting on the left side, too. It seemed like I was looking at the world through swiss cheese; there were circles blocking my left eye that meant my vision in my left eye was only at around 40 percent.
Prior to contracting COVID, the only health condition I have had is exercise-induced asthma. But it's not like I walk down the street and get out of breath; I am someone who could play 80 minutes of a rugby match with no problems.
I've only been going to practice since the pandemic began, but last year, I would play up to three full games a day; that's non-stop, full-contact exercise. By the end of the day I would still have the energy to go out to dinner and onto a bar with friends. That Saturday before I went to the hospital, I could not walk my dog 20 yards down the hallway without getting tired.
But, I really dislike going to the hospital, so that Saturday morning I got up and started moving around as normal. Soon after, I dropped a plate in a sink while doing the dishes. At that point I realized that if I couldn't even hold a plate in my left hand, something must really be wrong. I ended up calling my dad and then my doctor and the doctor told me to go to the emergency room (ER) right away.
Riley Behrens pictured in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona after experiencing a mini stroke, known as a TIA. Behrens experienced the stroke after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier the same week. Riley Behrens
When I arrived at the ER, I was almost immediately given X-rays, an IV and CT scans were taken of my brain. The doctors weren't sure what was happening but they admitted me to hospital and later, a second neurologist explained that they were going to carry out an MRI because they suspected I had had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which is also known as a mini stroke.
I had four different MRIs in the end, and because my family were all in California no-one could come and visit me, so of course I was a little scared. But, I was so weak physically I didn't really have the energy to engage with those thoughts.
Luckily, my MRIs came back OK, which the doctors explained indicated I had experienced a TIA —since full ischemic strokes normally show up on an MRI, but TIAs typically don't. The doctors explained that my TIA had happened as a result of having contracted COVID-19, and also told me that they have seen complications from COVID-19 patients that they have never seen before with other virus'.
I am back at home now and I feel better, but I'm still experiencing weakness in my left side; it's still difficult to walk and retain balance. I was told that one in five people who have suffered TIAs are at risk of going on to suffer a full ischemic stroke within a year, and I definitely don't feel good yet. My vision is still only about 90 percent and I don't have an appetite. Up until the day I came home from the hospital I hadn't eaten a full meal in around four days.
Typically TIAs resolve on their own, which is why nothing shows up on an MRI. But, the symptoms are also supposed to resolve within around 24 hours, and around 72 hours later I was still experiencing problems. So now the neurologists have suggested sending me to the neurology department, physical therapy and occupational therapy for further treatment and all sorts of tests because they don't understand why I don't feel better. I still get winded from just walking.
Riley Behrens experienced a TIA after contracting COVID-19 in November. He is now recovering at home, though still experiencing lingering symptoms. Riley Behrens
I don't expect to play rugby again. There are several reasons; I have experienced a few concussions in the past couple of years—that's partly why I was practicing during the pandemic but not playing. Although the neurologist doesn't think there is any link between my concussions and the TIA, doctors have now told me that between this mini stroke and my previous concussions, any head injury now could be fatal for me. It's frustrating and hard to comprehend that I won't play again, but it's just not worth the risk.
I've now tested negative for COVID so I'm no longer contagious, I'm just still experiencing symptoms. So I'm still isolating, apart from walking my dog, for the next few weeks. Even after that I'm still not going to go out partying, I'm going to set an example and wear a mask.
What's shocking to me is that although I live in Phoenix, which is a college town, I'm still seeing lots of people walking around without wearing masks. Arizona's COVID-19 cases are increasing exponentially—on December 1, we had more than 10,000 new cases in one day. We all need to wear a mask.
I'd like younger people to realize that COVID-19 doesn't discriminate, you may be less at risk from certain complications but you have no way to predict how your body is going to respond. If someone had asked me a few weeks ago if I thought I would get this sick from COVID, I probably would have laughed in their face.
I had no idea.
Riley Behrens is studying at Harvard University, as well as being an athlete and mental health advocate. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his dog. You can follow him on Twitter at @RileyBehrens.
All views expressed in this piece are the author's own.
As told to Jenny Haward.


newsweek--2020-12-05--Mega Millions Results, Numbers for 12/04/20: Did Anyone Win the $244 Million?

The Mega Millions jackpot on Friday was estimated to be $ 244 million , with a cash value of $ 184.7 million .
Here is a breakdown of the winners of last night 's draw .
The winning numbers were 3,19 , 24 , 44 and 50 with the Mega Ball 8 and the Megaplier 3x , according to the Mega Millions website .
Nobody purchased a ticket that successfully matched all the white numbers and the gold Mega Ball , meaning that the jackpot will roll over to the next drawing on Tuesday .
But there was one winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest prize of $ 1 million on offer .
There were also 13 winners of the $ 10,000 prize after they correctly chose four of the white balls and the gold Mega Ball .
Two of those winners trebled their winnings to $ 30,000 because they also purchased the additional 3x Megaplier .
Some 441 players won $ 500 by matching four numbers and , of those winners , 82 won $ 1,500 using the Megaplier .
Additionally , 1,343 people won $ 200 by matching three numbers and the Mega Ball , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 400 using the Megaplier .
In total , around 645,000 tickets won at least $ 2 last night .
The lack of a winner of the big prize means that the jackpot has rolled over to $ 264 million for Tuesday 's drawing , with a cash prize of $ 199.8 million .
There have been some big winners this year .
A ticket sold in Wisconsin on 09/15/20 won a jackpot worth $ 119 million , which was only the fifth Mega Millions jackpot won in the 2020 calendar year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 372 million ticket sold in Ohio and a $ 227 million ticket that was sold on September 24 , 2019 , in the city of Cedar Park , Texas .
One of the most popular multi-state lotteries in the country , Mega Millions first launched on August 31 , 1996 , as `` The Big Game . ''
Tickets are sold in 45 states , as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands .
The five states not to sell lottery tickets are Alabama , Alaska , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at WSB-TV in Atlanta by host John Crow .
Five white balls are drawn from a set numbered 1 through 70 , with one gold Mega Ball drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 through 25 .
With nine different ways to win a prize , your chances of winning at least $ 2 are 1 in 24 , according to the Mega Millions website .
If you are a lucky winner , you will have between 90 days and one year to redeem your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations .
All jackpot winners are entitled to either a cash option or an annuity option of an initial payout followed by 29 annual payments that are each five percent larger than the previous ones .
All prizes are subject to income taxes .

The Mega Millions jackpot on Friday was estimated to be $244 million, with a cash value of $184.7 million. Here is a breakdown of the winners of last night's draw.
The winning numbers were 3,19, 24, 44 and 50 with the Mega Ball 8 and the Megaplier 3x, according to the Mega Millions website.
Nobody purchased a ticket that successfully matched all the white numbers and the gold Mega Ball, meaning that the jackpot will roll over to the next drawing on Tuesday.
But there was one winner who matched five numbers for the second biggest prize of $1 million on offer. There were also 13 winners of the $10,000 prize after they correctly chose four of the white balls and the gold Mega Ball. Two of those winners trebled their winnings to $30,000 because they also purchased the additional 3x Megaplier.
A woman fills out a Mega Millions lottery ticket. Over $264 million was up for grabs for the drawing on December 4. ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images
Some 441 players won $500 by matching four numbers and, of those winners, 82 won $1,500 using the Megaplier. Additionally, 1,343 people won $200 by matching three numbers and the Mega Ball, 252 of whom doubled their prize to $400 using the Megaplier. In total, around 645,000 tickets won at least $2 last night.
The lack of a winner of the big prize means that the jackpot has rolled over to $264 million for Tuesday's drawing, with a cash prize of $199.8 million.
There have been some big winners this year. A ticket sold in Wisconsin on 09/15/20 won a jackpot worth $119 million, which was only the fifth Mega Millions jackpot won in the 2020 calendar year. Other winners over the 18 months included a $372 million ticket sold in Ohio and a $227 million ticket that was sold on September 24, 2019, in the city of Cedar Park, Texas.
How does Mega Millions work?
One of the most popular multi-state lotteries in the country, Mega Millions first launched on August 31, 1996, as "The Big Game." Tickets are sold in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The five states not to sell lottery tickets are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at WSB-TV in Atlanta by host John Crow.
Five white balls are drawn from a set numbered 1 through 70, with one gold Mega Ball drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 through 25. With nine different ways to win a prize, your chances of winning at least $2 are 1 in 24, according to the Mega Millions website.
If you are a lucky winner, you will have between 90 days and one year to redeem your ticket, depending on local rules and regulations. All jackpot winners are entitled to either a cash option or an annuity option of an initial payout followed by 29 annual payments that are each five percent larger than the previous ones. All prizes are subject to income taxes.


newsweek--2020-12-05--Fauci's Timeline for When He Thinks America Will Beat COVID

The U.S. COVID-19 outbreak will `` get worse before it gets better '' and the country wo n't see `` dramatic changes '' until the third quarter of next year , Dr. Anthony Fauci told Newsweek .
Speaking to Newsweek , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID ) and member of the White House COVID-19 task force said : `` I think the decreases are going to start as we get into April and as more of the general population gets vaccinated .
`` Then as you get to May , June and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second quarter of 2021 , I think you 're going to start seeing some dramatic changes as we go into the third quarter .
Noting the country `` never got out of the first wave '' of the COVID-19 outbreak , Fauci explained : `` I do n't even talk in waves anymore [ when describing the outbreak ] .
I see it more like a high background with different surges super-imposed upon it , as opposed to a wave that comes and goes . ''
Is there hope for this virus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yes .
But it 's going to get worse before it gets better because we 're having these surges now that are not going to be impacted by the vaccine for at least a few months .
`` We 're not going to see that [ a dramatic decline ] for the next couple of months , because the next couple of months are going to be reflecting what 's happening out and what happened a few weeks ago [ in terms of rising cases ] .
`` If people take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to really diminishing dramatically [ in cases ] as we get into the second and third quarter of 2021 .
Then I think you 'll start to see a dramatic diminishing of cases . ''
As COVID-19 hospitalizations soar across the country , Fauci told Newsweek `` it 's entirely conceivable that January could be the worst '' stage of the outbreak .
`` I think January is gon na be terrible , because you 're gon na have the Thanksgiving surge super-imposed upon the Christmas surge . ''
The country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on January 20 , if `` vaccination distribution is scaled up over 90 days and `` governments do not re-impose mandates if cases increase , '' according to the latest projection from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) .
The daily case tally could is projected to be around 448,000 on January 20 , if `` vaccine distribution is scaled up for 45 days , '' according to the IHME .
Over 100,600 COVID-19 patients were reported to be hospitalized as of Thursday , according to data compiled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to forecasts received by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) from 12 modeling groups , `` For December 28 , the forecasts estimate 2,300 to 23,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per day .
`` Four national forecasts predict a likely increase in the number of new hospitalizations per day over the next four weeks , one forecast predicts a likely decrease , and four forecasts are uncertain about the trend or predict stable numbers . ''
`` State-level forecasts also show a high degree of variability , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use different sources of data for COVID-19 cases or deaths , with different limitations , and make different assumptions about social distancing , '' said a CDC report published Wednesday .
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 65.4 million people since it was first reported in Wuhan , China .
More than 1.5 million people have died worldwide and more than 42 million have recovered as of Friday , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The graphic below , provided by Statista , shows the distribution of COVID-19 deaths among the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Statista , shows the number of current COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S .

The U.S. COVID-19 outbreak will "get worse before it gets better" and the country won't see "dramatic changes" until the third quarter of next year, Dr. Anthony Fauci told Newsweek.
Speaking to Newsweek, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and member of the White House COVID-19 task force said: "I think the decreases are going to start as we get into April and as more of the general population gets vaccinated.
"Then as you get to May, June and July, towards the end of the second quarter of 2021, I think you're going to start seeing some dramatic changes as we go into the third quarter.
Noting the country "never got out of the first wave" of the COVID-19 outbreak, Fauci explained: "I don't even talk in waves anymore [when describing the outbreak]. I see it more like a high background with different surges super-imposed upon it, as opposed to a wave that comes and goes."
Is there hope for this virus to get under control? "Oh absolutely, yes. But it's going to get worse before it gets better because we're having these surges now that are not going to be impacted by the vaccine for at least a few months.
"We're not going to see that [a dramatic decline] for the next couple of months, because the next couple of months are going to be reflecting what's happening out and what happened a few weeks ago [in terms of rising cases].
"If people take the vaccine, we could go a long way to really diminishing dramatically [in cases] as we get into the second and third quarter of 2021. Then I think you'll start to see a dramatic diminishing of cases."
As COVID-19 hospitalizations soar across the country, Fauci told Newsweek "it's entirely conceivable that January could be the worst" stage of the outbreak.
"I think January is gonna be terrible, because you're gonna have the Thanksgiving surge super-imposed upon the Christmas surge."
The country's daily case count is estimated to peak on January 20, if "vaccination distribution is scaled up over 90 days and "governments do not re-impose mandates if cases increase," according to the latest projection from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
The daily case tally could is projected to be around 448,000 on January 20, if "vaccine distribution is scaled up for 45 days," according to the IHME.
Over 100,600 COVID-19 patients were reported to be hospitalized as of Thursday, according to data compiled by The Atlantic's COVID Tracking Project.
According to forecasts received by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 12 modeling groups, "For December 28, the forecasts estimate 2,300 to 23,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per day.
"Four national forecasts predict a likely increase in the number of new hospitalizations per day over the next four weeks, one forecast predicts a likely decrease, and four forecasts are uncertain about the trend or predict stable numbers."
"State-level forecasts also show a high degree of variability, which results from multiple factors. Hospitalization forecasts use different sources of data for COVID-19 cases or deaths, with different limitations, and make different assumptions about social distancing," said a CDC report published Wednesday.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House on November 19. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
The wider picture
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 65.4 million people since it was first reported in Wuhan, China.
More than 1.5 million people have died worldwide and more than 42 million have recovered as of Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, shows the distribution of COVID-19 deaths among the U.S. population.
STATISTA
The graphic below, produced by Statista, shows the number of current COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S.


newsweek--2020-12-05--State Department Ends 'Cultural Exchange' Programs With China After Enacting Visa Restrictions

The U.S. Department of State announced a ban on several cultural exchange programs with China on Friday , shortly after enacting new restrictions on many Chinese citizens seeking visas to enter the country .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the five programs , which are `` fully funded and operated '' by the Chinese government , are ending because they are covert `` soft power propaganda tools . ''
The move comes only two days after strict new rules limiting visas for members of the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) took effect .
`` Today , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disguised as 'cultural exchanges , ' with the People 's Republic of China ( PRC ) , '' Pompeo said in a statement obtained by Newsweek .
`` They provide carefully curated access to Chinese Communist Party officials , not to the Chinese people , who do not enjoy freedoms of speech and assembly . ''
`` The United States welcomes the reciprocal and fair exchange of cultural programs with PRC officials and the Chinese people , but one-way programs such as these are not mutually beneficial , '' he added .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act ( MECEA ) that allows federal workers to fund their travel with money from foreign governments .
Programs set to end include the U.S.-China Friendship Program , the U.S.-China Leadership Exchange Program , the U.S.-China Transpacific Exchange Program , the Hong Kong Educational and Cultural Program and the Policymakers Educational China Trip Program .
While Pompeo singled out the five programs as disguised `` propaganda '' operations by the Chinese government , he said that other programs `` under the auspices '' of MECEA would remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , new U.S. visa restrictions were placed on the more than 90 million Chinese citizens who are CCP members .
The restrictions took effect immediately and are intended to limit U.S. travel visas obtained by CCP members , along with their immediate family members , to one month .
`` It is obvious to all that this is an escalation of political suppression by some extreme anti-China forces in the U.S. out of strong ideological prejudice and deep-rooted Cold War mentality against China , '' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Thursday briefing .
Pompeo said the visa restrictions were needed because the CCP `` has long sought to spread Marxist-Leninist ideology and exert its influence all over the world '' and the U.S. was seeking to block its `` malign activities '' from furthering China 's `` authoritarian narratives and policy preferences . ''
However , the extent to which the new measures will be enforced is unclear .
It could be difficult for U.S. officials to determine which Chinese citizens applying for visas are CCP members , since many members do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify them .

The U.S. Department of State announced a ban on several cultural exchange programs with China on Friday, shortly after enacting new restrictions on many Chinese citizens seeking visas to enter the country.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the five programs, which are "fully funded and operated" by the Chinese government, are ending because they are covert "soft power propaganda tools." The move comes only two days after strict new rules limiting visas for members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took effect.
"Today, the Department of State terminated five programs, disguised as 'cultural exchanges,' with the People's Republic of China (PRC)," Pompeo said in a statement obtained by Newsweek. "They provide carefully curated access to Chinese Communist Party officials, not to the Chinese people, who do not enjoy freedoms of speech and assembly."
"The United States welcomes the reciprocal and fair exchange of cultural programs with PRC officials and the Chinese people, but one-way programs such as these are not mutually beneficial," he added.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in New York City on September 26, 2019. BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty
The programs were operating under a provision of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (MECEA) that allows federal workers to fund their travel with money from foreign governments.
Programs set to end include the U.S.-China Friendship Program, the U.S.-China Leadership Exchange Program, the U.S.-China Transpacific Exchange Program, the Hong Kong Educational and Cultural Program and the Policymakers Educational China Trip Program.
While Pompeo singled out the five programs as disguised "propaganda" operations by the Chinese government, he said that other programs "under the auspices" of MECEA would remain intact because they were mutually beneficial.
On Wednesday, new U.S. visa restrictions were placed on the more than 90 million Chinese citizens who are CCP members. The restrictions took effect immediately and are intended to limit U.S. travel visas obtained by CCP members, along with their immediate family members, to one month.
"It is obvious to all that this is an escalation of political suppression by some extreme anti-China forces in the U.S. out of strong ideological prejudice and deep-rooted Cold War mentality against China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in reaction to the restrictions during a Thursday briefing.
Pompeo said the visa restrictions were needed because the CCP "has long sought to spread Marxist-Leninist ideology and exert its influence all over the world" and the U.S. was seeking to block its "malign activities" from furthering China's "authoritarian narratives and policy preferences."
However, the extent to which the new measures will be enforced is unclear. It could be difficult for U.S. officials to determine which Chinese citizens applying for visas are CCP members, since many members do not participate in activities that would publicly identify them.


newsweek--2020-12-05--Trump-Appointed Judge Denies Appeal to Give Sidney Powell, Lin Wood Voting Machine Access

Attorneys Sidney Powell and Lin Wood , who had filed lawsuits in the state of Georgia alleging fraud in the 2020 presidential election , had an appeal to analyze Dominion voting machines in the state denied by a federal judge on Friday .
President Donald Trump has claimed without evidence , among other things , that voting machines from the Dominion Voting Systems company were programmed to flip votes that were cast for him over to President-elect Joe Biden .
Dominion has denied Trump 's allegations .
Powell and Wood have publicly stated their agreement with Trump 's allegations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the claims .
On Wednesday , Powell submitted a filing that asked the court to allow some Dominion voting machines to be examined by Republican electors .
Members of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals were not sure if they had the authority to examine the appeal .
On Friday , Powell entered a briefing alleging mitigating circumstances would allow the court to rule on the appeal .
Judge Andrew Brasher of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Georgia denied the appeal later that day .
Brasher was nominated to the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Senate in February .
`` This appeal arises from last-minute litigation that alleges widespread election related misconduct and seeks sweeping relief , '' Brasher wrote .
However , Brasher ruled that his court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the appeal .
`` Because we lack jurisdiction , the appeal is DISMISSED and the motion for permissive appeal is DENIED , '' the ruling concluded .
`` Because we must dismiss this appeal , the defendants ' conditional cross appeal is also DISMISSED .
Any other pending motions are DENIED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the latest blow to the Trump campaign 's attempts to overturn election results in Georgia .
On Friday , after three recounts of the ballots , Georgia projected that President-elect Joe Biden had won the state 's election .
According to the Associated Press , Biden garnered 49.5 percent of Georgia 's popular vote while Trump obtained 49.3 percent of the vote .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment .
On Friday , the Trump campaign filed a separate lawsuit in Georgia seeking to invalidate the state 's election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from people involved with the voting process in Georgia that alleged fraudulent activity .
`` What was filed today clearly documents that there are literally tens of thousands of illegal votes that were cast , counted , and included in the tabulations the Secretary of State is preparing to certify , '' said Ray S. Smith III , lead counsel for the Trump Campaign in a Friday news release .
`` The massive irregularities , mistakes , and potential fraud violate the Georgia Election Code , making it impossible to know with certainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia . ''
In a Friday statement , Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said that his office had `` found no evidence of widespread fraud '' despite the multiple recounts .

Attorneys Sidney Powell and Lin Wood, who had filed lawsuits in the state of Georgia alleging fraud in the 2020 presidential election, had an appeal to analyze Dominion voting machines in the state denied by a federal judge on Friday.
President Donald Trump has claimed without evidence, among other things, that voting machines from the Dominion Voting Systems company were programmed to flip votes that were cast for him over to President-elect Joe Biden. Dominion has denied Trump's allegations. Powell and Wood have publicly stated their agreement with Trump's allegations and have filed lawsuits in attempts to prove the claims.
On Wednesday, Powell submitted a filing that asked the court to allow some Dominion voting machines to be examined by Republican electors. Members of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals were not sure if they had the authority to examine the appeal. On Friday, Powell entered a briefing alleging mitigating circumstances would allow the court to rule on the appeal. Judge Andrew Brasher of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Georgia denied the appeal later that day. Brasher was nominated to the court by Trump in 2019 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February.
"This appeal arises from last-minute litigation that alleges widespread election related misconduct and seeks sweeping relief," Brasher wrote. However, Brasher ruled that his court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the appeal.
"Because we lack jurisdiction, the appeal is DISMISSED and the motion for
permissive appeal is DENIED," the ruling concluded. "Because we must dismiss this appeal, the defendants' conditional cross appeal is also DISMISSED. Any other pending motions are DENIED AS MOOT."
Attorney Sidney Powell's request to have some voting machines in Georgia analyzed by Republican electors was denied Friday by a court of appeals. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty
Brasher's decision was the latest blow to the Trump campaign's attempts to overturn election results in Georgia. On Friday, after three recounts of the ballots, Georgia projected that President-elect Joe Biden had won the state's election. According to the Associated Press, Biden garnered 49.5 percent of Georgia's popular vote while Trump obtained 49.3 percent of the vote.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
On Friday, the Trump campaign filed a separate lawsuit in Georgia seeking to invalidate the state's election results. This filing included sworn affidavits from people involved with the voting process in Georgia that alleged fraudulent activity.
"What was filed today clearly documents that there are literally tens of thousands of illegal votes that were cast, counted, and included in the tabulations the Secretary of State is preparing to certify," said Ray S. Smith III, lead counsel for the Trump Campaign in a Friday news release. "The massive irregularities, mistakes, and potential fraud violate the Georgia Election Code, making it impossible to know with certainty the actual outcome of the presidential race in Georgia."
In a Friday statement, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said that his office had "found no evidence of widespread fraud" despite the multiple recounts.


newsweek--2020-12-04--Staten Island Bar at Center of Anti-Lockdown Protests, Reopens, Defying De Blasio

Mac 's Public House , a focal point of anti-lockdown protestors in Staten Island , New York City , has re-opened in defiance of shutdown restrictions issued by both city Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York State Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo .
Although the bar was ordered to close by the city Health Department on November 27 , the bar operated on Friday night , opening at 8 p.m. and closing at 10 p.m. local time .
The bar 's co-owner , Danny Presti , was arrested on Tuesday and charged with obstruction of government administration after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state rules .
The rules requires bars and restaurants in areas with COVID-19 positivity rates above 5 percent to only offer outdoor dining .
As of December 3 , Staten Island 's positivity rate is 8.06 percent , according to city data .
Presti and co-owner Keith McAlarney had continued allowing people to dine inside and tried to skirt the law by declaring the bar as an `` autonomous zone '' and offering `` free '' food and drink with a `` suggested donation '' to cover its usual prices .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer of `` free '' food and drink did n't allow the bar to skirt state laws required for its business to maintain its liquor license for serving alcohol .
The state revoked the bar 's liquor license on November 27 , and the city Health Department ordered it to close .
On Wednesday night , protesters gathered in front of the bar to demonstrate against the lockdown orders .
Among them were members of The Proud Boys , a self-described `` male chauvinist '' group that has ties to white supremacists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican-leaning than the city 's other boroughs , according to The New York Times , potentially explaining some of its residents ' support of anti-lockdown sentiment .
`` We are not getting the support that we need , the funding , anything from our local , state governments , all governments , for what we need , and we need our livelihoods back , '' Presti told Spectrum News .
`` If they 're not going to give it to us , we 're going to take it back at this point because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what needs to be done . ''
Jack Sterne , a spokesman for the governor told the Times , `` Breaking the law and putting your neighbors ' lives at risk during a global pandemic to make a political statement is simply unacceptable . ''
Mitch Schwartz , a spokesperson for the mayor , told the publication , `` COVID-19 does n't respect autonomous zones , and neither does the sheriff—there are consequences for endangering your neighbors in a pandemic . ''
Presti and McAlarney have said that government shutdowns are harming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide for themselves whether to dine in public .

Mac's Public House, a focal point of anti-lockdown protestors in Staten Island, New York City, has re-opened in defiance of shutdown restrictions issued by both city Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York State Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Although the bar was ordered to close by the city Health Department on November 27, the bar operated on Friday night, opening at 8 p.m. and closing at 10 p.m. local time.
The bar's co-owner, Danny Presti, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with obstruction of government administration after he continued to operate the bar in defiance of state rules. The rules requires bars and restaurants in areas with COVID-19 positivity rates above 5 percent to only offer outdoor dining. As of December 3, Staten Island's positivity rate is 8.06 percent, according to city data.
Mac’s Public House, a focal point of anti-lockdown protestors in Staten Island, New York City, has re-opened in defiance of shutdown restrictions issued by the Mayor Bill de Blasio. In this December 03, 2020 photo, protesters demonstrate in front of the bar. Michael M. Santiago/Getty
Presti and co-owner Keith McAlarney had continued allowing people to dine inside and tried to skirt the law by declaring the bar as an "autonomous zone" and offering "free" food and drink with a "suggested donation" to cover its usual prices.
However, the State Liquor Authority said the offer of "free" food and drink didn't allow the bar to skirt state laws required for its business to maintain its liquor license for serving alcohol. The state revoked the bar's liquor license on November 27, and the city Health Department ordered it to close.
On Wednesday night, protesters gathered in front of the bar to demonstrate against the lockdown orders. Among them were members of The Proud Boys, a self-described "male chauvinist" group that has ties to white supremacists. The borough of Staten Island is more Republican-leaning than the city's other boroughs, according to The New York Times, potentially explaining some of its residents' support of anti-lockdown sentiment.
"We are not getting the support that we need, the funding, anything from our local, state governments, all governments, for what we need, and we need our livelihoods back," Presti told Spectrum News. "If they're not going to give it to us, we're going to take it back at this point because we have no confidence in them to do what needs to be done."
Jack Sterne, a spokesman for the governor told the Times, "Breaking the law and putting your neighbors' lives at risk during a global pandemic to make a political statement is simply unacceptable."
Mitch Schwartz, a spokesperson for the mayor, told the publication, "COVID-19 doesn't respect autonomous zones, and neither does the sheriff—there are consequences for endangering your neighbors in a pandemic."
Presti and McAlarney have said that government shutdowns are harming businesses and that patrons should be able to decide for themselves whether to dine in public.
Newsweek contacted Mac's Public House for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-05--Melania Trump, Largely Absent From Presidential Campaign, Enters the Fray in Georgia

After remaining largely absent from the campaign trail this year , Melania Trump made a rare appearance in Georgia on Saturday night alongside President Donald Trump in his first campaign event since losing the election to President-elect Joe Biden .
The president and first lady arrived in Georgia this evening to rally support for Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue ahead of the state 's Senate runoff elections on January 5 .
Melania Trump took to the podium first after the two walked on stage and urged supporters to help the GOP to retain a Senate majority by voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump continues to fight for you every single day , '' the first lady told the crowd .
`` Do not let your voices be silenced .
We must keep our seats in the Senate .
It is more important than ever that you exercise your right as an American citizen and vote . ''
`` Let your voices be heard , Georgia .
Get out and vote for Senator Loeffler and Senator Perdue . ''
Melania Trump was noticeably absent in most of Trump 's campaigning efforts in the lead up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from precedent set by her predecessors .
She first appeared beside her husband last June when he launched his reelection campaign during a Florida rally , but stayed away from most events throughout the rest of the election cycle .
`` Under my husband 's leadership our borders are safer , global terrorists have been destroyed and historic peace deals in the Middle East have been made , '' she said on Saturday .
`` Our nation is respected again and our allies are now doing their fair share globally . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 response to thunderous applause .
`` President Trump has brought jobs back to the American people and opportunities for women have expanded in our workforce , '' she said .
`` Our economy has soared and unemployment has shrunk .
When a global pandemic hit the United States in January , my husband put the American people first , and now under his administration and because of our amazing medical capabilities and resources , we are closer than ever to a vaccine that will save billions of lives . ''
Melania Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 2 , and a `` lingering cough '' caused her to postpone a planned return to the campaign trail .
She eventually returned to in-person campaigning one week before Election Day in Philadelphia in an effort to help her husband reach white female suburban voters .
Trump took to the podium after the first lady 's remarks in Georgia on Saturday night , and began his remarks by claiming that he won the state .
`` We never lost an election , we 're winning this election , '' the president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Biden more than three weeks ago , but Trump has refused to concede .
Instead , the president has alleged without evidence that widespread voter fraud caused him to lose the contest .
He has aggressively attempted to overturn the results in several key swing states by filing nearly three dozen lawsuits that have been largely unsuccessful so far .
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment .

After remaining largely absent from the campaign trail this year, Melania Trump made a rare appearance in Georgia on Saturday night alongside President Donald Trump in his first campaign event since losing the election to President-elect Joe Biden.
The president and first lady arrived in Georgia this evening to rally support for Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue ahead of the state's Senate runoff elections on January 5.
Melania Trump took to the podium first after the two walked on stage and urged supporters to help Republicans retain a Senate majority by voting for the GOP incumbents.
"President Trump continues to fight for you every single day," the first lady told the crowd. "Do not let your voices be silenced. We must keep our seats in the Senate. It is more important than ever that you exercise your right as an American citizen and vote."
"Let your voices be heard, Georgia. Get out and vote for Senator Loeffler and Senator Perdue."
Melania Trump speaks at President Donald Trump's rally in Georgia on December 5, 2020. NTD Live/Screenshot
Melania Trump was noticeably absent in most of Trump's campaigning efforts in the lead up to the 2020 election, a historic break from precedent set by her predecessors. She first appeared beside her husband last June when he launched his reelection campaign during a Florida rally, but stayed away from most events throughout the rest of the election cycle.
"Under my husband's leadership our borders are safer, global terrorists have been destroyed and historic peace deals in the Middle East have been made," she said on Saturday. "Our nation is respected again and our allies are now doing their fair share globally."
The first lady also touted her husband's COVID-19 response to thunderous applause. "President Trump has brought jobs back to the American people and opportunities for women have expanded in our workforce," she said.
"Our economy has soared and unemployment has shrunk. When a global pandemic hit the United States in January, my husband put the American people first, and now under his administration and because of our amazing medical capabilities and resources, we are closer than ever to a vaccine that will save billions of lives."
Melania Trump's COVID-19 infection, which was announced October 2, and a "lingering cough" caused her to postpone a planned return to the campaign trail. She eventually returned to in-person campaigning one week before Election Day in Philadelphia in an effort to help her husband reach white female suburban voters.
Trump took to the podium after the first lady's remarks in Georgia on Saturday night, and began his remarks by claiming that he won the state. "We never lost an election, we're winning this election," the president said.
Most media outlets called the election for Biden more than three weeks ago, but Trump has refused to concede. Instead, the president has alleged without evidence that widespread voter fraud caused him to lose the contest. He has aggressively attempted to overturn the results in several key swing states by filing nearly three dozen lawsuits that have been largely unsuccessful so far.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-05--McConnell Faces New Pressure for Big Stimulus After Grim Unemployment Report: 'Political Games Costi

McConnell Faces New Pressure for Big Stimulus After Grim Unemployment Report: 'Political Games Costing Lives'

The Labor Department 's grim unemployment report has placed new pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to take a larger stimulus deal so that Americans struggling to pay for food and rent can receive quick relief , as coronavirus cases surge across the country .
In November , the U.S. saw its slowest month of growth since spring , according to the department 's Friday report .
Employers added just 245,000 jobs last month , and while the unemployment rate decreased from 6.9 to 6.7 percent , it was largely due to a flood of people leaving the labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , '' said Diane Swonk , chief economist for Grant Thornton .
`` It will go negative next month . ''
McConnell has rejected a new $ 908 bipartisan stimulus proposal , which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and President-elect Joe Biden have supported .
Instead , the Republican leader is holding out for a slightly tweaked , $ 550 billion version of his previous GOP proposal .
But the new unemployment report has given his critics , Democrats and economists further ammunition to demand he accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs report shows the need for strong , urgent emergency relief is more important than ever .
Senator McConnell must hear the pleas of the millions of struggling American families , '' Schumer tweeted on Friday .
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden accused McConnell of blocking relief legislation .
`` Congress knows how to help workers and families .
It knows how to prevent the looming recession , '' he tweeted .
`` One person is standing in the way .
Mitch McConnell 's political games are costing lives and livelihoods . ''
Elise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonprofit Economic Policy Institute , warned that `` millions of workers and their families are in for an even harsher winter '' if Congress does n't provide relief quickly .
`` The unemployment rate edged down to 6.7 % , but for the 'wrong ' reasons as 400,000 people left the labor force , '' Gould said , citing the latest unemployment figures .
`` The number of workers unemployed 27 weeks or more—the long-term unemployed—shot up to 3.9 million in November .
Now , over one-third [ 36.9 % ] of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeremy Funk , a spokesperson for Accountable.US , a non-partisan government corruption watchdog , condemned McConnell for dismissing the bipartisan proposal .
`` Mitch McConnell is apparently ready to ruin the holidays and the economy for working families and small businesses unless he gets his way , '' Funk said in a statement .
`` McConnell must pass a serious relief bill to provide help where it is actually needed , like the communities of color that were left behind during previous pandemic relief efforts . ''
McConnell has said he wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and local governments , but a number of Republican senators—including Senators Lisa Murkowski , Kevin Cramer , Bill Cassidy , Chuck Grassley , Joni Ernst , Marco Rubio and Thom Tillis—have gravitated toward the compromise proposal .
With the remaining benefits of the COVID-19 stimulus package set to expire at the end of December , Biden expressed confidence on Friday that a bipartisan agreement will pass soon .
`` All I can say is I 'm confident there are a sufficient number of Democrats and Republicans in the United States Senate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Representatives , to put together a serious package that will keep us from going off the edge here , provide the kind of resources that are needed immediately , '' the president-elect said .
Pelosi and Schumer urged McConnell to break the stalemate on Tuesday .
`` In light of the urgency of meeting the needs of the American people and the hope that the vaccine presents , '' the top Democrats said in a statement , `` it 's time for Leader McConnell to sit down with Democrats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet the needs of the country . ''
Newsweek reached out to McConnell 's office for comment .

The Labor Department's grim unemployment report has placed new pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to take a larger stimulus deal so that Americans struggling to pay for food and rent can receive quick relief, as coronavirus cases surge across the country.
In November, the U.S. saw its slowest month of growth since spring, according to the department's Friday report. Employers added just 245,000 jobs last month, and while the unemployment rate decreased from 6.9 to 6.7 percent, it was largely due to a flood of people leaving the labor force.
"This is an ugly report," said Diane Swonk, chief economist for Grant Thornton. "It will go negative next month."
McConnell has rejected a new $908 billion bipartisan stimulus proposal, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and President-elect Joe Biden have supported. Instead, the Republican leader is holding out for a slightly tweaked, $550 billion version of his previous GOP proposal. But the new unemployment report has given his critics, Democrats and economists further ammunition to demand he accept the larger deal.
Mitch McConnell talks to reporters. Tom Williams/Getty
"This latest jobs report shows the need for strong, urgent emergency relief is more important than ever. Senator McConnell must hear the pleas of the millions of struggling American families," Schumer tweeted on Friday.
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden accused McConnell of blocking relief legislation. "Congress knows how to help workers and families. It knows how to prevent the looming recession," he tweeted. "One person is standing in the way. Mitch McConnell's political games are costing lives and livelihoods."
Elise Gould, a senior economist at the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute, warned that "millions of workers and their families are in for an even harsher winter" if Congress doesn't provide relief quickly.
"The unemployment rate edged down to 6.7%, but for the 'wrong' reasons as 400,000 people left the labor force," Gould said, citing the latest unemployment figures. "The number of workers unemployed 27 weeks or more—the long-term unemployed—shot up to 3.9 million in November. Now, over one-third [36.9%] of the total unemployed are long-term unemployed."
Jeremy Funk, a spokesperson for Accountable.US, a non-partisan government corruption watchdog, condemned McConnell for dismissing the bipartisan proposal.
"Mitch McConnell is apparently ready to ruin the holidays and the economy for working families and small businesses unless he gets his way," Funk said in a statement. "McConnell must pass a serious relief bill to provide help where it is actually needed, like the communities of color that were left behind during previous pandemic relief efforts."
McConnell has said he won't support a bill that includes aid to state and local governments, but a number of Republican senators—including Senators Lisa Murkowski, Kevin Cramer, Bill Cassidy, Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst, Marco Rubio and Thom Tillis—have gravitated toward the compromise proposal.
With the remaining benefits of the COVID-19 stimulus package set to expire at the end of December, Biden expressed confidence on Friday that a bipartisan agreement will pass soon.
"All I can say is I'm confident there are a sufficient number of Democrats and Republicans in the United States Senate, along with significant votes coming out of the House of Representatives, to put together a serious package that will keep us from going off the edge here, provide the kind of resources that are needed immediately," the president-elect said.
Pelosi and Schumer urged McConnell to break the stalemate on Tuesday. "In light of the urgency of meeting the needs of the American people and the hope that the vaccine presents," the top Democrats said in a statement, "it's time for Leader McConnell to sit down with Democrats to finally begin a true, bipartisan effort to meet the needs of the country."
Newsweek reached out to McConnell's office for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-05--'Let Us Work': Restaurant Shutdown Protesters Surround House of L.A. County Supervisor Who Dined Out

'Let Us Work': Restaurant Shutdown Protesters Surround House of L.A. County Supervisor Who Dined Out After Voting for Dining Ban

Restaurant shutdown protesters in Los Angeles surrounded County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl 's house on Saturday , holding signs and chanting `` let us work ! ''
Los Angeles residents expressed outrage after Kuehl was seen eating outdoors hours after voting to ban outdoor dining throughout the county .
A large group of restaurant workers and anti-lockdown protesters gathered outside Kuehl 's home demanding to be allowed back to work , as stimulus negotiations continue to stall amid the worsening pandemic .
In a video shared to Twitter , one protester could be heard yelling : `` I have no choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are losing everything ! ''
`` We have bartenders with babies and children and they ca n't pay their rent !
They ca n't eat and it 's because of you , Sheila Kuehl , as you laugh and dine and eat out ! ''
the protester added .
`` Maybe we should hand over your paycheck to these businesses that have been shut down ! ''
another person could be heard saying .
The crowd then began to uniformly chant `` let us work ! ''
in the direction of Kuehl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kuehl 's representatives for comment .
On November 24 , Kuehl voted to ban all in-person dining at restaurants in Los Angeles County for the next three weeks amid rising coronavirus cases in the region .
`` This is a serious health emergency and we must take it seriously , '' she said at the meeting as the measure passed in a 3-2 vote .
`` The servers are not protected from us , and they 're not protected from their other tables that they 're serving at that particular time , plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working . ''
That night , Kuehl was seen eating out at an Italian restaurant near her Santa Monica home .
Although the ban was n't set to take effect until the next evening , Kuehl has faced significant backlash among residents and restaurant business for her decision to eat out hours after her vote .
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn , who voted in opposition to the ban , told FOX 11 : `` We have to remember that we who are in public office are held to a very high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kuehl 's office defended her decision to dine out on Tuesday .
`` Kuehl has eaten at Il Forno Trattoria virtually every night for many years , and on the last night that it was permitted by the county health orders , she dined there al fresco taking appropriate precautions as recommended by the Department of Public Health , '' the county supervisor 's spokesperson said in a statement .
In an interview with Spectrum News 1 SoCal , Kuehl said she went to the restaurant to personally inform the owners of @ @ @ @

Restaurant shutdown protesters in Los Angeles surrounded County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl's house on Saturday, holding signs and chanting "let us work!"
Los Angeles residents expressed outrage after Kuehl was seen eating outdoors hours after voting to ban outdoor dining throughout the county. A large group of restaurant workers and anti-lockdown protesters gathered outside Kuehl's home demanding to be allowed back to work, as stimulus negotiations continue to stall amid the worsening pandemic.
In a video shared to Twitter, one protester could be heard yelling: "I have no choice! We, in the restaurant industry, are losing everything!"
Restaraunt shutdown protesters currently outside the home of L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl chanting “Let us work!” https://t.co/PFsfeq6vPu — Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) December 5, 2020
"We have bartenders with babies and children and they can't pay their rent! They can't eat and it's because of you, Sheila Kuehl, as you laugh and dine and eat out!" the protester added.
"Maybe we should hand over your paycheck to these businesses that have been shut down!" another person could be heard saying.
The crowd then began to uniformly chant "let us work!" in the direction of Kuehl's house.
Newsweek reached out to Kuehl's representatives for comment.
On November 24, Kuehl voted to ban all in-person dining at restaurants in Los Angeles County for the next three weeks amid rising coronavirus cases in the region.
"This is a serious health emergency and we must take it seriously," she said at the meeting as the measure passed in a 3-2 vote. "The servers are not protected from us, and they're not protected from their other tables that they're serving at that particular time, plus all the hours in which they're working."
That night, Kuehl was seen eating out at an Italian restaurant near her Santa Monica home. Although the ban wasn't set to take effect until the next evening, Kuehl has faced significant backlash among residents and restaurant business for her decision to eat out hours after her vote.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who voted in opposition to the ban, told FOX 11: "We have to remember that we who are in public office are held to a very high standard, as we should be."
Kuehl's office defended her decision to dine out on Tuesday.
"Kuehl has eaten at Il Forno Trattoria virtually every night for many years, and on the last night that it was permitted by the county health orders, she dined there al fresco taking appropriate precautions as recommended by the Department of Public Health," the county supervisor's spokesperson said in a statement.
In an interview with Spectrum News 1 SoCal, Kuehl said she went to the restaurant to personally inform the owners of the upcoming ban.


newsweek--2020-12-05--GOP Gov Brian Kemp's Approval Rating Sinks Among Georgia Republicans Amid Trump's Election Pressure

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp faces a falling approval rating among Republican voters following President Donald Trump 's attacks against his state 's election results .
According to a Morning Consult poll released Saturday , Kemp 's approval rating among Georgia Republicans since Election Day has fallen from 86 percent to 77 percent .
At the same time , Kemp 's disapproval rating has nearly doubled , going from 10 percent to 19 percent between November 24 and December 3 among 551 registered Republican voters in Georgia .
The declining approval for the first-term governor among his Republican base comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia 's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , repeating unsubstantiated claims that widespread election fraud caused President-elect Joe Biden to win the state .
In his latest attack , Trump tweeted Saturday that he would win the election in Georgia if Kemp would `` permit a simple signature verification . ''
`` I will easily & quickly win Georgia if Governor @ BrianKempGA or the Secretary of State permit a simple signature verification , '' Trump wrote .
`` Has not been done and will show large scale discrepancies .
Why are these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we win Georgia , everything else falls in place ! ''
The tweet references topics reportedly discussed in a phone call between the president and Kemp Saturday morning , in which Trump pushed the governor to convince state legislatures to select their own electors who would support him and overturn the election results , according to The Washington Post , which cited anonymous sources .
Trump has also asked the governor to audit absentee ballot signatures , a request that Kemp has pushed Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to do for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state , told the president that he does n't have the authority to order the audit and declined to call a special session , The Post reports .
In response to Trump 's criticism on Saturday , the governor tweeted : `` As I told the President this morning , I 've publicly called for a signature audit three times ( 11/20 , 11/24 , 12/3 ) to restore confidence in our election process and to ensure that only legal votes are counted in Georgia . ''
State election official Gabriel Sterling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature matching process was done improperly .
In a November 13 tweet , Trump cast doubt on Kemp 's willingness to address unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in Georgia .
The next day , Trump accused Kemp of knowingly preventing the checking and matching of signatures on Georgia ballots under the direction of 2018 Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams .
`` They knew they were going to cheat , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Must expose real signatures ! ''
According to the Morning Consult poll , the governor 's ratings have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half disapprove of his job performance—eight points higher since November 3—and his approval rating has dropped 10 points to 38 percent .
Kemp saw a 6-point decline in his approval rating across the state compared to surveys conducted by Morning Consult from October 25 to November 3 .
His disapproval rating increased by 5 points .
Two years before he 's up for re-election , the latest poll shows approval and disapproval ratings on the governor 's job performance are split evenly at 46 percent each .
GOP senators David Perdue and Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical runoff elections next month that will decide which party controls the U.S. Senate , are enjoying support from the White House and not suffering the same kind of ratings damage .
Despite the consequences of being targeted by the president on social media , Kemp told The Wall Street Journal on Friday that his support for the president has n't wavered since Election Day .
`` Nobody 's fought harder for this president than me up to November 3 , and no one has supported him as much as I have after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has to contest the election , '' Kemp said .
`` But I have to do that within the bounds of the oaths of the office that I took , and that 's what I 'm going to keep doing . ''
`` I certainly support his efforts to make sure , as many people have said , that every vote that was counted was legal and every legal vote was counted—and that 's what this process has been about , that 's what the audit and the hand count have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I 'll continue to support those efforts because that 's what the law says here in our state . ''
When asked whether he would call on Trump to concede the election if the final recount in Georgia , finalized on Friday , show Biden as the winner , Kemp dodged the question .
`` I 'd rather refrain from trying to answer a hypothetical question right now , not knowing , with the investigations and the legal maneuvering that are going on , '' he said .
Newsweek reached out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not receive a response in time for publication .

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp faces a falling approval rating among Republican voters following President Donald Trump's attacks against his state's election results.
According to a Morning Consult poll released Saturday, Kemp's approval rating among Georgia Republicans since Election Day has fallen from 86 percent to 77 percent. At the same time, Kemp's disapproval rating has nearly doubled, going from 10 percent to 19 percent between November 24 and December 3 among 551 registered Republican voters in Georgia.
The declining approval for the first-term governor among his Republican base comes as Trump persists with attacks against Kemp and Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, repeating unsubstantiated claims that widespread election fraud caused President-elect Joe Biden to win the state.
In his latest attack, Trump tweeted Saturday that he would win the election in Georgia if Kemp would "permit a simple signature verification."
"I will easily & quickly win Georgia if Governor @BrianKempGA or the Secretary of State permit a simple signature verification," Trump wrote. "Has not been done and will show large scale discrepancies. Why are these two "Republicans" saying no? If we win Georgia, everything else falls in place!"
The tweet references topics reportedly discussed in a phone call between the president and Kemp Saturday morning, in which Trump pushed the governor to convince state legislatures to select their own electors who would support him and overturn the election results, according to The Washington Post, which cited anonymous sources. Trump has also asked the governor to audit absentee ballot signatures, a request that Kemp has pushed Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to do for some time.
Kemp, a former secretary of state, told the president that he doesn't have the authority to order the audit and declined to call a special session, The Post reports.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp speaks to the media during a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol on April 27, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty/Kevin C. Cox
In response to Trump's criticism on Saturday, the governor tweeted: "As I told the President this morning, I've publicly called for a signature audit three times (11/20, 11/24, 12/3) to restore confidence in our election process and to ensure that only legal votes are counted in Georgia." State election official Gabriel Sterling has said there's no evidence the signature matching process was done improperly.
In a November 13 tweet, Trump cast doubt on Kemp's willingness to address unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in Georgia. The next day, Trump accused Kemp of knowingly preventing the checking and matching of signatures on Georgia ballots under the direction of 2018 Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams.
The Consent Decree signed by the Georgia Secretary of State, with the approval of Governor @BrianKempGA, at the urging of @staceyabrams, makes it impossible to check & match signatures on ballots and envelopes, etc. They knew they were going to cheat. Must expose real signatures! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 14, 2020
"They knew they were going to cheat," Trump tweeted. "Must expose real signatures!"
According to the Morning Consult poll, the governor's ratings have also fallen among independent Georgia voters: Nearly half disapprove of his job performance—eight points higher since November 3—and his approval rating has dropped 10 points to 38 percent.
Kemp saw a 6-point decline in his approval rating across the state compared to surveys conducted by Morning Consult from October 25 to November 3. His disapproval rating increased by 5 points. Two years before he's up for re-election, the latest poll shows approval and disapproval ratings on the governor's job performance are split evenly at 46 percent each.
GOP senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, who are each campaigning for critical runoff elections next month that will decide which party controls the U.S. Senate, are enjoying support from the White House and not suffering the same kind of ratings damage.
Despite the consequences of being targeted by the president on social media, Kemp told The Wall Street Journal on Friday that his support for the president hasn't wavered since Election Day.
"Nobody's fought harder for this president than me up to November 3, and no one has supported him as much as I have after the election with the legal rights that he has to contest the election," Kemp said. "But I have to do that within the bounds of the oaths of the office that I took, and that's what I'm going to keep doing."
"I certainly support his efforts to make sure, as many people have said, that every vote that was counted was legal and every legal vote was counted—and that's what this process has been about, that's what the audit and the hand count have been about," he added. "And I'll continue to support those efforts because that's what the law says here in our state."
When asked whether he would call on Trump to concede the election if the final recount in Georgia, finalized on Friday, show Biden as the winner, Kemp dodged the question.
"I'd rather refrain from trying to answer a hypothetical question right now, not knowing, with the investigations and the legal maneuvering that are going on," he said.
Newsweek reached out to Kemp's office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-05--Will There Be a Second Stimulus Check This Year? AOC, Hawley Agree Relief Must Include $1,200 Paymen

Will There Be a Second Stimulus Check This Year? AOC, Hawley Agree Relief Must Include $1,200 Payments

Neither of the two competing stimulus proposals introduced this week includes a second round of stimulus checks .
However , President-elect Joe Biden has said that $ 1,200 direct payments `` may still be in play . ''
The first is a $ 908 billion bipartisan congressional plan introduced by a coalition of Republican and Democratic senators as a middle-of-the-road compromise that 's less than half of the Democrats ' latest demand of $ 2.2 trillion and nearly double the $ 500 billion `` targeted '' package proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
The proposed bill includes an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits ; $ 160 billion for state and local governments ; and nearly $ 290 billion in aid for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program .
Democratic leaders—including Biden , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—have backed the plan .
But McConnell quickly rejected the proposal , unveiling on Tuesday a slightly tweaked , $ 550 billion version of his previous proposal that has already been blocked twice this summer .
The lack of a $ 1,200 direct payment attached to either plans has resulted in opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the political aisle .
Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , independent Senator Bernie Sanders , and Republican Senator Josh Hawley have said they would n't support the $ 908 billion proposal unless it included a second stimulus check .
`` COVID relief needs to directly help everyday people .
People need stimulus checks & UI , '' Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Thursday .
`` I will gladly work w/ @ AOC and anyone else who wants to help working families .
Families and working people in need should be the FIRST consideration in COVID relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden is still pushing for the bipartisan proposal .
But on Friday , the president-elect said : `` I think it would be better if they have the $ 1,200 and I understand that may be still in play . ''
He called the $ 908 billion proposal `` immediately needed '' and a `` down payment '' that would be followed up by more stimulus in the near future .
In August , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin indicated that the government would be able to get out tens of millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passing .
The deadline to pass the next federal budget falls on December 11 , and Democrats want to seize on that window to approve a stimulus package .
If a bill with checks is negotiated before that date , then some Americans could start receiving $ 1,200 checks by the end of year .
Throughout the past five months of negotiations , additional direct payments have been proposed by Democrats and Republicans .
However , not every commonality would make it onto a smaller deal , if Congress decides to go with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties are still in disagreement with significant differences .
While it 's possible that a relief deal could pass before the Senate adjourns on December 18 , that agreement would likely not include checks .
Newsweek reached out to Pelosi and McConnell 's offices for further comment .

Neither of the two competing stimulus proposals introduced this week includes a second round of stimulus checks. However, President-elect Joe Biden has said that $1,200 direct payments "may still be in play."
The first is a $908 billion bipartisan congressional plan introduced by a coalition of Republican and Democratic senators as a middle-of-the-road compromise that's less than half of the Democrats' latest demand of $2.2 trillion and nearly double the $500 billion "targeted" package proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The proposed bill includes an extra $300 per week in unemployment benefits; $160 billion for state and local governments; and nearly $290 billion in aid for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program.
Democratic leaders—including Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—have backed the plan. But McConnell quickly rejected the proposal, unveiling on Tuesday a slightly tweaked, $550 billion version of his previous proposal that has already been blocked twice this summer.
President-elect Joe Biden speaks virtually to the National Association of Counties Board of Directors December 4, 2020 at the Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware. Alex Wong/Getty
The lack of a $1,200 direct payment attached to either plans has resulted in opposition to both among lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, independent Senator Bernie Sanders, and Republican Senator Josh Hawley have said they wouldn't support the $908 billion proposal unless it included a second stimulus check.
"COVID relief needs to directly help everyday people. People need stimulus checks & UI," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Thursday.
"I will gladly work w/ @AOC and anyone else who wants to help working families. Families and working people in need should be the FIRST consideration in COVID relief, not last," Hawley tweeted.
Biden is still pushing for the bipartisan proposal. But on Friday, the president-elect said: "I think it would be better if they have the $1,200 and I understand that may be still in play." He called the $908 billion proposal "immediately needed" and a "down payment" that would be followed up by more stimulus in the near future.
In August, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin indicated that the government would be able to get out tens of millions of direct payments within weeks of a bill passing.
The deadline to pass the next federal budget falls on December 11, and Democrats want to seize on that window to approve a stimulus package. If a bill with checks is negotiated before that date, then some Americans could start receiving $1,200 checks by the end of year.
Throughout the past five months of negotiations, additional direct payments have been proposed by Democrats and Republicans. However, not every commonality would make it onto a smaller deal, if Congress decides to go with a piecemeal approach first.
But both parties are still in disagreement with significant differences. While it's possible that a relief deal could pass before the Senate adjourns on December 18, that agreement would likely not include checks.
Newsweek reached out to Pelosi and McConnell's offices for further comment.


newsweek--2020-12-05--AOC Fires Back at Lawmaker Disparaging Her Working-Class Background: 'The GOP Acts Like They Care'

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw in a fiery tweet on Saturday after he was caught on tape mocking her former food-service job .
Crenshaw , a Texas congressman and former Navy SEAL , was recorded making fun of the New York lawmaker 's waitressing background , stating that she `` believes the biggest hardship in life '' was deciding between serving still or sparkling water .
`` These people are nuts .
It 's not just Chuck Schumer .
Chuck Schumer is controlled by people like AOC , who believes the biggest hardship in life was figuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and you do n't know hardship until you 've cried in the back , '' Crenshaw said .
He then went on to sarcastically add : `` I 'm so glad I did n't have to do that in my former career .
That was our biggest problems in the mountains of Afghanistan was figuring out , do we offer them still or sparkling ?
And what if they do n't like it ?
Rough out there , man . ''
In response , Ocasio-Cortez , who represents New York 's 14th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Crenshaw on Twitter by writing , `` The GOP acts like they care , but behind closed doors , this is what they actually say about the working class . ''
`` Good to know how little you truly think of food workers , @ DanCrenshawTX .
I wonder : did you have catering while bonding w/ wealthy donors over your disdain for the poor ? ''
she tweeted .
Ocasio-Cortez has been a vehement defender of her working-class background since being elected into Congress in 2018 .
Prior to becoming a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars in the city .
As a progressive and outspoken Democrat in Congress , Ocasio-Cortez frequently faces criticism from GOP officials seeking to disparage her past positions .
In 2019 , Piers Morgan scorned Ocasio-Cortez for being a former bartender after she criticized Ivanka Trump during the G20 summit in Japan .
`` It may be shocking to some , but being someone 's daughter actually is n't a career qualification , '' Ocasio-Cortez wrote then .
`` It hurts our diplomatic standing when the President phones it in & the world moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working the G20 .
Bringing a qualified diplomat could n't hurt either . ''
In response , Morgan fired back at Ocasio-Crotez by writing , `` Could be worse ... Ivanka could have been a bar-tender 18 months ago . ''
But the New York representative stood firm , responding , `` Working people that GOP dismiss as 'just a waitress/cook/etc ' contain multitudes , & are just as capable & intelligent as anyone .
Classism—judging someone 's character by their income—is disappointing to see from them . ''
On Thursday , Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun of the fact that I used to be a waitress , but we all know if they ever had to do a double they 'd be the ones found crying in the walk-in fridge halfway through their first shift bc someone yelled at them for bringing seltzer when they wanted sparkling . ''
The message prompted criticism from conservatives who tweeted their own stories of working service industry positions before entering politics .
`` This is wrong , '' Kasey Lovett , spokesperson for Dr. Ben Carson , the secretary of Housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I was a waitress for 5+ years throughout high school and college .
I am a Republican and I cried in walk-in fridges just like you .
The difference between us ?
I do n't expect the gvt to provide for me .
I make my own $ and provide for myself . ''
In response to those criticisms , Ocasio-Cortez tweeted , `` These Republicans who are defensively rage-tweeting 'But you 're wrong !
I worked my way to pay through college !
! ''
do n't realize they sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Hershey bars were 5¢ at the general store . ''

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw in a fiery tweet on Saturday after he was caught on tape mocking her former food-service job.
Crenshaw, a Texas congressman and former Navy SEAL, was recorded making fun of the New York lawmaker's waitressing background, stating that she "believes the biggest hardship in life" was deciding between serving still or sparkling water.
"These people are nuts. It's not just Chuck Schumer. Chuck Schumer is controlled by people like AOC, who believes the biggest hardship in life was figuring out whether it was still or sparkling, and you don't know hardship until you've cried in the back," Crenshaw said.
He then went on to sarcastically add: "I'm so glad I didn't have to do that in my former career. That was our biggest problems in the mountains of Afghanistan was figuring out, do we offer them still or sparkling? And what if they don't like it? Rough out there, man."
In response, Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York's 14th district in the House, hit back at Crenshaw on Twitter by writing, "The GOP acts like they care, but behind closed doors, this is what they actually say about the working class."
"Good to know how little you truly think of food workers, @DanCrenshawTX. I wonder: did you have catering while bonding w/ wealthy donors over your disdain for the poor?" she tweeted.
The GOP acts like they care, but behind closed doors, this is what they actually say about the working class.
Good to know how little you truly think of food workers, @DanCrenshawTX.
I wonder: did you have catering while bonding w/ wealthy donors over your disdain for the poor? https://t.co/qrZShdTbME — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 5, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez has been a vehement defender of her working-class background since being elected into Congress in 2018. Prior to becoming a lawmaker, she worked at restaurants and bars in the city.
As a progressive and outspoken Democrat in Congress, Ocasio-Cortez frequently faces criticism from GOP officials seeking to disparage her past positions.
In 2019, Piers Morgan scorned Ocasio-Cortez for being a former bartender after she criticized Ivanka Trump during the G20 summit in Japan.
"It may be shocking to some, but being someone's daughter actually isn't a career qualification," Ocasio-Cortez wrote then. "It hurts our diplomatic standing when the President phones it in & the world moves on. The U.S. needs our President working the G20. Bringing a qualified diplomat couldn't hurt either."
In response, Morgan fired back at Ocasio-Crotez by writing, "Could be worse...Ivanka could have been a bar-tender 18 months ago."
But the New York representative stood firm, responding, "Working people that GOP dismiss as 'just a waitress/cook/etc' contain multitudes, & are just as capable & intelligent as anyone. Classism—judging someone's character by their income—is disappointing to see from them."
On Saturday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fired back at Congressman Dan Crenshaw for mocking her former food service jobs. In this photo, Ocasio-Cortez endorses Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at a campaign rally in Queensbridge Park on October 19, 2019. Kena Betancur/Getty
On Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, "Republicans like to make fun of the fact that I used to be a waitress, but we all know if they ever had to do a double they'd be the ones found crying in the walk-in fridge halfway through their first shift bc someone yelled at them for bringing seltzer when they wanted sparkling."
The message prompted criticism from conservatives who tweeted their own stories of working service industry positions before entering politics.
"This is wrong," Kasey Lovett, spokesperson for Dr. Ben Carson, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, wrote on Twitter. "I was a waitress for 5+ years throughout high school and college. I am a Republican and I cried in walk-in fridges just like you. The difference between us? I don't expect the gvt to provide for me. I make my own $ and provide for myself."
In response to those criticisms, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, "These Republicans who are defensively rage-tweeting 'But you're wrong! I worked my way to pay through college!!" don't realize they sound like folks who speak of the days when Hershey bars were 5¢ at the general store."


newsweek--2020-12-05--Powerball Drawing For 12/05/20, Saturday Jackpot is $243 Million

The Powerball jackpot for 12/05/20 is $ 243 million .
The Saturday night drawing will be shortly after 11 p.m .
This page can be bookmarked and refreshed to see if you hold the winning numbers .
Tonight 's 12/05/20 Powerball jackpot is estimated at $ 243 million , with a cash option of $ 189.4 million .
The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections , according to officials .
The winning numbers on Wednesday ( 12/02/20 ) for the $ 231 million Powerball jackpot were : 28-31-40-41-46 with a Powerball of 04 .
The Power Play was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner on Wednesday , but there was a ticket sold in Arizona that matched all five white balls , and just missing out on the red Powerball , for the game 's second prize of $ 1 million .
Had they purchased the Power Play for an extra $ 1 , their second prize would be worth $ 2 million .
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12 , 2020 for a jackpot worth $ 169 million .
That ticket was sold in Florida .
Normally , the game would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half , which began with the 04/11/20 jackpot .
The previous winning ticket was sold on June 10 , 2020 .
The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $ 190 million .
The previous grand prize won before that was $ 70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan .
The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20 .
That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the $ 394 million grand prize , which had a cash option of $ 274.6 million .
The odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 , regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball 's website .
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday , and one of America 's two biggest lottery jackpot games .
Powerball jackpots start at $ 20 million , and other prizes pay from $ 1 million to $ 2 million with a Power Play .
Tickets are $ 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or any past winning numbers , on the official Powerball website .
The other multi-state lottery is Mega Millions , which is played on Tuesdays and Fridays .
Like Powerball , the jackpot is reset at $ 20 million after a jackpot is won , and one line of numbers is $ 2 , with a $ 1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier .
Here is the Mega Millions website for more information , or to check any potential past numbers .
There are nine ways to win money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerball with no other numbers pays out $ 4 , and even more if the power play is bought for an extra dollar .
The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball , and $ 7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball , or three correct numbers and no powerball .
If all five white , numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct , then the payout is $ 1 million , with an even higher payout if the power play is chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powerball 12/05/20 drawing payouts and tell if there was a winner and where that winner came from , if so .
Here are the all-time top Powerball jackpot prizes Two winning tickets were drawn , one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York Two winning tickets were drawn , one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona

The Powerball jackpot for 12/05/20 was for $243 million, and here are the winning numbers.
First Five: 03-04-06-48-53
Powerball: 10
Power Play: 2x
Saturday night's 12/05/20 Powerball jackpot was estimated at $243 million, with a cash option of $189.4 million. The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections, according to officials.
The winning numbers on Wednesday (12/02/20) for the $231 million Powerball jackpot were: 28-31-40-41-46 with a Powerball of 04. The Power Play was 3x.
There was no grand prize winner on Wednesday, but there was a ticket sold in Arizona that matched all five white balls, and just missing out on the red Powerball, for the game's second prize of $1 million.
Had they purchased the Power Play for an extra $1, their second prize would be worth $2 million.
Tickets shown for the Powerball lottery in Texas during June 2019. Photo by Scott McDonald/Newsweek
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12, 2020 for a jackpot worth $169 million. That ticket was sold in Florida.
Normally, the game would reset to a $40 million minimum, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half, which began with the 04/11/20 jackpot.
The previous winning ticket was sold on June 10, 2020. The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $190 million. The previous grand prize won before that was $70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan. The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20. That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Bonita Springs, Florida, for the $394 million grand prize, which had a cash option of $274.6 million.
The odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball's website.
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday, and one of America's two biggest lottery jackpot games. Powerball jackpots start at $20 million, and other prizes pay from $1 million to $2 million with a Power Play. Tickets are $2. You can check the numbers for tonight, or any past winning numbers, on the official Powerball website.
The other multi-state lottery is Mega Millions, which is played on Tuesdays and Fridays. Like Powerball, the jackpot is reset at $20 million after a jackpot is won, and one line of numbers is $2, with a $1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier. Here is the Mega Millions website for more information, or to check any potential past numbers.
There are nine ways to win money during the Powerball. Just getting the powerball with no other numbers pays out $4, and even more if the power play is bought for an extra dollar. The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball, and $7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball, or three correct numbers and no powerball.
If all five white, numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct, then the payout is $1 million, with an even higher payout if the power play is chosen.
Here are the all-time top Powerball jackpot prizes
1. $1.586 billion (01/13/2016)
Winning tickets sold in California, Florida and Tennessee
2. $768.4 million (03/27/2019)
Single ticket sold in Wisconsin
3. $758.7 million (08/23/2017)
Single ticket sold in Massachusetts
4. $687.8 million (10/27/2018)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York
5. $590.5 million (05/18/2013)
Single ticket sold in Florida
6. $587.5 million (11/28/2012)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona
7. $564.1 million (02/11/2015)
Winning tickets sold in Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico