newyorkpost--2020-12-20--Stop the ‘public health’ drive to racialize vaccine distribution

Frontline essential workers and people age 75 and older should be next ...

You were warned about this first in The New York Post last July. Now it’s happening. On Sunday, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, recommended that seniors aged 65 to 74 be moved toward the back of the line for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The reason, says ACIP, is that “racial and ethnic minority groups are underrepresented” in this age group. Put another way: Seniors are too white.
Vaccines are already being administered to health workers and nursing-home residents. The question is, who comes next? ACIP want to push the majority of 87 million essential workers — transit workers, supermarket employees, uniformed public servants — to the front of the line, forcing 32 million seniors to wait. Vaccinating 87 million essential workers will consume the vaccine supply for several months.
Thousands of seniors will die needlessly if this decision goes into effect. ACIP actually admits as many as 6.5 percent more elderly will die over the next six months but dismisses that loss of life as “minimal.” Not if it’s your Grandma.
A person 65 or older is at least 90 times more at risk of dying from COVID-19 than a working-age person. Vaccinating the elderly first is the obvious strategy to save the most lives. ACIP says its twisted priorities are based in “fairness, equity and justice.” What the committee really means is wokeness.
Committee member Peter Szilagyi, from the University of California, defends ACIP’s move, because “essential workers” include “a high proportion of minority, low-income and low-education workers.”
These left-wing academics are exploiting the pandemic as a launching pad for their redistributionist agenda. The lives of seniors — who need the vaccine the most — be damned.
Harald Schmidt, from the University of Pennsylvania, explains that “older populations are whiter.” He says “society is structured in a way that enables them to live longer. Instead of giving additional health benefits to them, we can start to level the playing field a bit.”
What’s alarming is that Schmidt’s call to level the playing field is widely shared. Douglas White, an ethicist at the University of Pittsburgh, says that if COVID-19 therapeutics are in short supply, they should go to patients from disadvantaged groups first, not to the patients with the most medical need.
What’s next? Requiring that when emergency rooms are packed, minorities and poor people get helped ahead of the elderly?
Medicine is no place for social engineering. It’s frightening.
In Britain, vaccines are being administered with one unambiguous goal — saving the most lives. Those over 80 are first in line, then those in their 60s and 70s, followed by younger people with high-risk health conditions. Britain’s health service explains, “The optimal strategy for minimizing future deaths” is “to offer vaccination to older age groups first.”
The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and the World Health Organization agree. But in America, the academic left has hijacked vaccination.
The bogus excuse is “structural racism” in American health care. The New York Times points to a “documented history of [minorities] receiving unequal care.”
In the distant past, yes, but there is almost no evidence of racism in medicine today. A recent article in Scientific American could cite only two studies in more than 20 years documenting unequal care. New research from NYU Langone shows that black COVID-19 patients “if anything, do a little better” than white patients in the hospital. A larger study comparing black and white COVID patients in 92 hospitals in 12 states found almost identical survival rates, though blacks again did slightly better.
The persistent and unproved claims of racism in medicine are a slap in the face to the overwhelming majority of nurses, doctors and other medical personnel who provide care to their patients based on medical need, not their race.
Medical need should be the only standard for dispensing vaccines, as well. By that standard, people 65 and over should be top priority. Beware of arguments to level the playing field. They are malevolent, and have no place in medicine. This time seniors are the victims. Next time it could be you.
Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and author of “The Next Pandemic.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-20--Rihanna shocks fan at a gas station in Barbados

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) While at a gas station @ @ @ @ @ the pop star ran into a mega fan and shot a sweet video with him @ @ @ @ @ got made merry , ” the delighted fan said in the video .
Both Rihanna @ @ @ @ @ fan were wearing masks .
Describing the circumstances of the run-in , Rihanna said they @ @ @ @ @ gas station , we ’ re not even buying gas .
We ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ the video with a shout-out to her home country , screaming “ Barbados !
” @ @ @ @ @ arrived in Barbados via private jet last week , presumably for the holidays .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ a sizzling Savage X Fenty holiday lingerie campaign , featuring the singer wearing a blue-and-white @ @ @ @ @ plus lace-up sandals and $ 200,000 worth of jewelry .

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Rihanna gave one fan the ultimate Christmas gift.
While at a gas station in her native Barbados, the pop star ran into a mega fan and shot a sweet video with him.
“My Christmas just got made merry,” the delighted fan said in the video.
Both Rihanna, 32, and the fan were wearing masks.
Describing the circumstances of the run-in, Rihanna said they were “at a random gas station, we’re not even buying gas. We’re not even driving.”
Rihanna gave a fan the ultimate holiday surprise at a gas station in Barbados. Backgrid
She ended the video with a shout-out to her home country, screaming “Barbados!” to the camera.
Rihanna arrived in Barbados via private jet last week, presumably for the holidays.
Earlier this month, she debuted a sizzling Savage X Fenty holiday lingerie campaign, featuring the singer wearing a blue-and-white bra and underwear set — plus lace-up sandals and $200,000 worth of jewelry.


newyorkpost--2020-12-20--Mysterious Qatari sheikh snaps up Flatiron property for $40M

Alo Yoga , say “ alo ” to your new landlord — a mysterious Qatari sheikh whose charitable foundation has allegedly been flagged by his country ’ s Mideast rivals for suspected ties to terrorism .
Qatari Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani al-Thani closed on the $ 40 million purchase last week of 164 Fifth Ave. , a handsome , 1918 vintage , six-story Flatiron building between West 21st and 22nd streets .
Its 17,600 square feet are home to LA-based Alo Yoga ’ s New York flagship , which houses a yoga studio and a women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lithe young men and women in what the brand calls “ mindful moments.
” Famed chef Matthew Kenney ’ s new restaurant , Sutra , is coming soon to the top floor .
The sale was a modest shot in the arm for the snoozing investment-sale market — Sitt bought 164 Fifth in 2014 for just $ 23 million .
Sources said the sheikh ’ s purchase was likely for investment purposes as Alo Yoga has 13 years left on its lease .
But the sheikh himself might be the story ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase papers in his own name — a rarity when most foreign buyers hide their identities behind limited-liability corporations .
The personal signature suggests a man with nothing to hide .
And while little known outside the Middle East , the ultra-rich royal — a member of Qatar ’ s ruling al-Thani family — is caught up in a swirl of intrigue involving Qatar and four neighboring Persian Gulf states resentful of Qatar ’ s increasing wealth and influence .
Sheikh al-Thani is the founder and a director of Doha , Qatar-based real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly traded operation but whose shares are 94 percent controlled by members of the al-Thani family .
The octopus-like property empire reported third-quarter net profit of $ 57 million , down from $ 140 million in the same period in 2019 .
It isn ’ t clear from public records whether the sheikh bought the building personally or through Ezdan ; the title ’ s in the name of 164 Fifth Ave. , Inc. at 599 Lexington Ave .
But while Ezdan ’ s Web site cites the sheikh ’ s roles in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it curiously omits the one for which he ’ s controversial .
He ’ s also a founder of the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund , according to his profile on UNHCR , the UN ’ s refugee agency to which he has lavishly donated .
The foundation , also known as RAF from its Arabic initials , appeared on a 2017 list compiled by the United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia , Bahrain and Egypt of 59 Qatari individuals and organizations suspected of aiding terrorist groups in Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside their own borders , according to Arab News , an English-language newspaper published in Saudi Arabia .
The four countries ended diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017 and have conducted a punishing trade boycott against it since then .
The Saudis once even booted 12,000 Qatari camels that strayed onto their territory .
President Trump has suggested that Qatar has terrorist ties , but the claims have not been verified .
The United States has a large air base in Qatar .
Trump said last year , “ They are investing very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re creating lots of jobs .
They ’ re buying tremendous amounts of military equipment , including planes.
” E-mails seeking comment sent to the sheikh through Ezdan ’ s Web site , and to the al-Thani humanitarian fund , were not returned .

Alo Yoga, say “alo” to your new landlord — a mysterious Qatari sheikh whose charitable foundation has allegedly been flagged by his country’s Mideast rivals for suspected ties to terrorism.
Qatari Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani al-Thani closed on the $40 million purchase last week of 164 Fifth Ave., a handsome, 1918 vintage, six-story Flatiron building between West 21st and 22nd streets.
Its 17,600 square feet are home to LA-based Alo Yoga’s New York flagship, which houses a yoga studio and a women’s athletic-wear shop filled with sexy photos of lithe young men and women in what the brand calls “mindful moments.” Famed chef Matthew Kenney’s new restaurant, Sutra, is coming soon to the top floor.
The sale was a modest shot in the arm for the snoozing investment-sale market — Sitt bought 164 Fifth in 2014 for just $23 million. Sources said the sheikh’s purchase was likely for investment purposes as Alo Yoga has 13 years left on its lease.
But the sheikh himself might be the story’s most interesting part. He signed the purchase papers in his own name — a rarity when most foreign buyers hide their identities behind limited-liability corporations.
The personal signature suggests a man with nothing to hide. And while little known outside the Middle East, the ultra-rich royal — a member of Qatar’s ruling al-Thani family — is caught up in a swirl of intrigue involving Qatar and four neighboring Persian Gulf states resentful of Qatar’s increasing wealth and influence.
Sheikh al-Thani is the founder and a director of Doha, Qatar-based real estate giant Ezdan Holding — technically a publicly traded operation but whose shares are 94 percent controlled by members of the al-Thani family. The octopus-like property empire reported third-quarter net profit of $57 million, down from $140 million in the same period in 2019.
It isn’t clear from public records whether the sheikh bought the building personally or through Ezdan; the title’s in the name of 164 Fifth Ave., Inc. at 599 Lexington Ave.
But while Ezdan’s Web site cites the sheikh’s roles in several medical, educational and humanitarian charities, it curiously omits the one for which he’s controversial. He’s also a founder of the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund, according to his profile on UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency to which he has lavishly donated.
The foundation, also known as RAF from its Arabic initials, appeared on a 2017 list compiled by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt of 59 Qatari individuals and organizations suspected of aiding terrorist groups in Turkey, Syria, Gaza, Iraq and inside their own borders, according to Arab News, an English-language newspaper published in Saudi Arabia.
The four countries ended diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017 and have conducted a punishing trade boycott against it since then. The Saudis once even booted 12,000 Qatari camels that strayed onto their territory.
President Trump has suggested that Qatar has terrorist ties, but the claims have not been verified. The United States has a large air base in Qatar.
Trump said last year, “They are investing very heavily in our country. They’re creating lots of jobs. They’re buying tremendous amounts of military equipment, including planes.”
E-mails seeking comment sent to the sheikh through Ezdan’s Web site, and to the al-Thani humanitarian fund, were not returned.


newyorkpost--2020-12-20--Jets stun Rams to win first game — damaging Trevor Lawrence hopes

As Sam Darnold kneeled on the ball three times to ...

Thanks, but no tanks.
That was the message from the Jets on Sunday as they pulled off a stunning 23-20 upset over the Rams in Inglewood, Calif. for their first win of the season.
The win dealt a severe blow to the Jets’ chances of landing the No. 1 pick in the draft and Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jets are now tied at 1-13 with the Jaguars, but the Jaguars own the tiebreaker because they have a weaker strength of schedule. There are still two weeks left and the Jaguars could win a game, but the surest way to Lawrence for the Jets was to lose every game.
Instead, the Jets players found a way to win their first game, on the road, defeating a Rams team (9-5) that could have clinched a playoff berth with a win. The victory snapped a 13-game losing streak, the longest in franchise history.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” quarterback Sam Darnold said.
The Jets entered the game as 17-point underdogs but had a 17-point lead in the third quarter before the Rams chipped away and cut it to a three-point game in the fourth quarter.
Unlike other games this season that looked like possible wins, the Jets held on.
Jets take down the Rams Getty Images
Jets coach Adam Gase ruined Christmas for Jets fans hoping for Lawrence by finding a way to win.
“They deserve this,” Gase said of his players. “They deserved this a while ago. We’ve had a few snatched away from us. To finally close out a game against a good team, too. It says a lot about what kind of character we have in this locker room.”
Darnold played an efficient game, completing 22 of 31 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. Rams quarterback Jared Goff went 22 of 34 for 209 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
A third-and-6 completion from Darnold to Frank Gore at the two-minute warning iced the game after Marcus Maye came up with a huge pass breakup on fourth down to stop the Rams. Darnold then lined up in the victory formation and took three knees before the Jets players could celebrate.
“It’s the greatest feeling in sports to be able to ice the game out and to know we had it,” Darnold said. “It’s the best.”
While the “Tank for Trevor” crowd is upset about the draft pick, the players and coaches were ecstatic about getting the win.
“Our job is to try to go out and win every week,” Gase said.
The Jets defense set the tone early. It forced three-and-outs on the Rams’ first two possessions. Quinnen Williams was a force up front and Frankie Luvu was disruptive blitzing. Goff looked out of sync and the Rams running game could not get going.
On their first possession, the Jets converted four third downs, three on passes to running back Ty Johnson. The last of those third-down conversions was an 18-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Johnson that gave the Jets a 7-0 lead with 6:25 left in the first quarter.
The Jets settled for two field goals in the first half after a blocked punt by J.T. Hassell and a Bryce Hall interception. That left them leading 13-0 instead of by more in the first half.
The Rams kicked a field goal as time expired in the second quarter after the Jets botched their last possession and gave Los Angeles time to mount a drive. Matt Gay kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 13-3 at half.
The Jets opened the second half with an impressive drive. They went 72 yards on 11 plays. Gore scored from the 1 when Gase went for it on fourth-and-goal. It was the first second-half touchdown the Rams defense had allowed at home this season in and gave the Jets a stunning 20-3 lead.
The Rams offense came to life in the second half and hit some big plays, including a 44-yard pass from Goff to tight end Tyler Higbee that set up a Robert Woods 15-yard touchdown catch to make it 20-10.
The Jets settled for another Ficken field goal to go up 23-10 with 1:39 left in the third quarter.
Woods gashed the Jets defense for a 40-yard run, and Goff found Higbee for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 13:47 left to play to cut the Jets’ lead to 23-17. The Rams made it 23-20 on a 42-yard Gay field goal with 6:35 left to play.
The Jets offense, which went into a shell after the Gore touchdown, went three-and-out and gave the Rams the ball back with 5:33 left in the game. The Rams nearly returned their punt all the way, but Jets rookie punter Braden Mann made a nice tackle on returner Nsimba Webster at the Jets’ 43. The Rams got to the Jets’ 37 and had a fourth-and-4. Maye, who just missed an earlier interception, broke up a pass to Gerald Everett to turn the Rams away and give the ball back to the offense.
The Jets took over with 3:54 left and were able to run down the clock. The biggest play was a third-and-6 pass from Darnold to Gore that got a first down at the two-minute warning.
“We knew we couldn’t give it back to them,” Darnold said. “For us to be able to execute when we really needed to. That’s obviously something we haven’t done all year. To be able to execute and see it come all into fruition. I think that was the biggest thing for us. It was an amazing feeling.”
The game ended with Darnold taking a knee three times.
“I’m just happy for our guys,” Gase said. “They’ve done such a great job of how they’ve worked, been through a lot of adversity. It’s been too long for us to even remember what a win feels like almost. It’s great to see those guys that excited.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-20--Big Tech’s sinister pro-Biden bias and other commentary

From the left : Tech ’ s Sinister Bias for Biden The “ Facebook-owned social-media giant Instagram ” is characterizing “ well-established criticisms ” of Joe Biden and his 1994 crime bill as “ False , ” reports blogger Glenn Greenwald .
A post on the platform “ said nothing more than what Biden ’ s chosen running mate , Kamala Harris , has herself said ” — namely , that the ’ 94 law “ contributed to the mass incarceration of Americans generally and African Americans specifically.
” Indeed , many “ media outlets , criminal-justice experts and politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same .
Yet Instagram plastered a “ False ” label on the post , saying it had “ no basis in fact.
” A tech giant declaring someone “ a disseminator of disinformation for voicing long-standing and well-documented criticisms of ” Biden is a scary preview of “ a future in which unseen tech overlords police our discourse by unilaterally arbitrating truth and falsity , decree what are permissible and impermissible ideas and rigidly impose the boundaries of acceptable debate.
” Small-biz owner : Are We Just Collateral ?
At The Federalist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has wrought for the boutique travel company he runs with his wife : “ Our revenue is down more than 99 percent .
We ’ ve had a total of two clients since March — a father and daughter who were receiving medical treatment in Paris.
” Will their business survive ?
“ The worry is that the government is implicitly saying to us , and a million other small businesses , that we ’ re simply collateral damage of the pandemic.
” Sure , there has been some aid , but after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government help is insufficient .
“ Washington needs to give small businesses a genuine , real chance to survive .
Big business may do the heavy lifting , but we make up 45 percent of America ’ s GDP .
Small business is the lifeblood of this economy.
” From the right : Don ’ t Normalize Impeachment Friday marked a year since the House voted to impeach President Trump in “ the only presidential impeachment that didn ’ t bother to allege an actual crime , ” writes Fred Lucas at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachments in US history , Trump ’ s “ stands out for lowering the bar , ” since “ the House accused Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — neither actual crimes and both applicable to almost any president.
” If such an arbitrary standard is normalized , it will desensitize “ the public to a legitimately impeachable offense by a future president.
” Some future chief executive may well need to be impeached , and the risk is that Dems ’ “ petty impeachment ” will prevent that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tale to Republican leadership during the upcoming Biden administration.
” In a slew of important cases before the Supreme Court , observe Adrian Vermeule and Varad Mehta at The Washington Post , Chief Justice John Roberts “ has engaged in strategic maneuvering : His goal appears to be to preserve what he takes to be the legitimacy of the Supreme Court , by disproving any suspicion that the justices vote ideologically or otherwise engage in political behavior.
” The problem : “ Because it is so clear that he is crafting opinions with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice defeats his own aims.
” His effective rewriting of the ObamaCare law in 2012 was the most notorious example .
More recently , he held that while the administration could add a citizenship question to the Census , its reasons for seeking to do so were invalidly “ pretextual.
” Liberals and conservatives alike noticed that Roberts had tried too hard to strike a “ Solomonic ” posture .
“ That the strategy was so easy to detect and explain meant — paradoxically — that it had created an appearance of judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own terms.
” Culture critic : Why We Need Beethoven “ These days , ” seethes The Week ’ s Matthew Walther , we ’ re “ accustomed to reading .
.
.
the works of Beethoven ” as “ racist , sexist , classist.
” Yet the composer , baptized 250 years ago last week , “ speaks to us across the waste of centuries , to the noblest ambitions of our species , to courage , to honor , to fraternity , to justice , above all , to love .
@

From the left: Tech’s Sinister Bias for Biden
The “Facebook-owned social-media giant Instagram” is characterizing “well-established criticisms” of Joe Biden and his 1994 crime bill as “False,” reports blogger Glenn Greenwald. A post on the platform “said nothing more than what Biden’s chosen running mate, Kamala Harris, has herself said” — namely, that the ’94 law “contributed to the mass incarceration of Americans generally and African Americans specifically.” Indeed, many “media outlets, criminal-justice experts and politicians from both parties” have said the same. Yet Instagram plastered a “False” label on the post, saying it had “no basis in fact.” A tech giant declaring someone “a disseminator of disinformation for voicing long-standing and well-documented criticisms of” Biden is a scary preview of “a future in which unseen tech overlords police our discourse by unilaterally arbitrating truth and falsity, decree what are permissible and impermissible ideas and rigidly impose the boundaries of acceptable debate.”
Small-biz owner: Are We Just Collateral?
At The Federalist, small-business owner John Romano laments what COVID-19 has wrought for the boutique travel company he runs with his wife: “Our revenue is down more than 99 percent. We’ve had a total of two clients since March — a father and daughter who were receiving medical treatment in Paris.” Will their business survive? “The worry is that the government is implicitly saying to us, and a million other small businesses, that we’re simply collateral damage of the pandemic.” Sure, there has been some aid, but after 10 months of absolutely no revenue, the government help is insufficient. “Washington needs to give small businesses a genuine, real chance to survive. Big business may do the heavy lifting, but we make up 45 percent of America’s GDP. Small business is the lifeblood of this economy.”
From the right: Don’t Normalize Impeachment
Friday marked a year since the House voted to impeach President Trump in “the only presidential impeachment that didn’t bother to allege an actual crime,” writes Fred Lucas at National Review. Of the three presidential impeachments in US history, Trump’s “stands out for lowering the bar,” since “the House accused Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — neither actual crimes and both applicable to almost any president.” If such an arbitrary standard is normalized, it will desensitize “the public to a legitimately impeachable offense by a future president.” Some future chief executive may well need to be impeached, and the risk is that Dems’ “petty impeachment” will prevent that. Let that “serve as a cautionary tale to Republican leadership during the upcoming Biden administration.”
Conservatives: Roberts’ Self-Defeating Quest
In a slew of important cases before the Supreme Court, observe Adrian Vermeule and Varad Mehta at The Washington Post, Chief Justice John Roberts “has engaged in strategic maneuvering: His goal appears to be to preserve what he takes to be the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, by disproving any suspicion that the justices vote ideologically or otherwise engage in political behavior.” The problem: “Because it is so clear that he is crafting opinions with this end in mind, the chief justice defeats his own aims.” His effective rewriting of the ObamaCare law in 2012 was the most notorious example. More recently, he held that while the administration could add a citizenship question to the Census, its reasons for seeking to do so were invalidly “pretextual.” Liberals and conservatives alike noticed that Roberts had tried too hard to strike a “Solomonic” posture. “That the strategy was so easy to detect and explain meant — paradoxically — that it had created an appearance of judicial politicking and was thus unsuccessful on its own terms.”
Culture critic: Why We Need Beethoven
“These days,” seethes The Week’s Matthew Walther, we’re “accustomed to reading . . . the works of Beethoven” as “racist, sexist, classist.” Yet the composer, baptized 250 years ago last week, “speaks to us across the waste of centuries, to the noblest ambitions of our species, to courage, to honor, to fraternity, to justice, above all, to love.”
— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board


newyorkpost--2020-12-20--De Blasio, Carranza exploit pandemic to strike at public-school standards

It ’ s beyond disgraceful that Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza are exploiting the pandemic to forward their war on standards in the public schools .
On Friday , they announced they ’ re scrapping academic-based screening for middle schools this year , substituting an admissions lottery .
Carranza claims this is “ simpler and fairer , ” because remote learning was a particular challenge to lower-income families .
In fact , it ’ s more about axing the standards at the 196 screened middle schools , which will now have to handle students who aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do the schools dumb everything down ?
Or add special classes for kids who aren ’ t ready — or simply flunk children misassigned thanks to this nonsense ?
It ’ s not actually boosting opportunity for the underprivileged : It ’ s a step toward removing the opportunity for a challenging middle-school education for children who are prepared for it .
Fine : The pandemic made it harder to use the normal screening procedures , but it was still possible to salvage some of them .
The mayor and chancellor are instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dubious ideology .
The real way to add opportunity for less-privileged kids is to improve the schools that now fail to teach them enough to make it into a screened school — or to open new selective middle schools designed to help them catch up .
The de Blasio-Carranza approach , as Matt Welch noted in Saturday ’ s Post , will simply drive middle-class kids out of the public system .
Indeed , it gives these families one more reason to move out of the city altogether .
This isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack on excellence .

It’s beyond disgraceful that Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza are exploiting the pandemic to forward their war on standards in the public schools.
On Friday, they announced they’re scrapping academic-based screening for middle schools this year, substituting an admissions lottery. Carranza claims this is “simpler and fairer,” because remote learning was a particular challenge to lower-income families.
In fact, it’s more about axing the standards at the 196 screened middle schools, which will now have to handle students who aren’t prepared for their curricula. Do the schools dumb everything down? Or add special classes for kids who aren’t ready — or simply flunk children misassigned thanks to this nonsense?
It’s not actually boosting opportunity for the underprivileged: It’s a step toward removing the opportunity for a challenging middle-school education for children who are prepared for it.
Fine: The pandemic made it harder to use the normal screening procedures, but it was still possible to salvage some of them. The mayor and chancellor are instead seizing on the crisis to indulge their dubious ideology.
The real way to add opportunity for less-privileged kids is to improve the schools that now fail to teach them enough to make it into a screened school — or to open new selective middle schools designed to help them catch up.
The de Blasio-Carranza approach, as Matt Welch noted in Saturday’s Post, will simply drive middle-class kids out of the public system. Indeed, it gives these families one more reason to move out of the city altogether.
This isn’t boosting equity: It’s an attack on excellence.


newyorkpost--2020-12-20--Steve Nash adds caveat to Kevin Durant’s Nets comeback

Steve Nash said he wanted to use the Nets ’ preseason ...

After an 18-month rehab and a great preseason, the Nets’ Kevin Durant finally returns to the court Tuesday against his old Golden State team almost completely back to the scoring champion that led the Warriors to two titles.
That almost — be it 10 percent, 1 percent or anywhere between — will be the final steps of Durant’s marathon journey back from Achilles surgery to his dominant MVP self. And those are the steps that Steve Nash keeps cautioning him not to rush, lest he stumble.
“This is tough for me to actually put a number on. It’s really hard. But he’s in the 90s, for sure. Whether it’s 90 or 99, I don’t know,” Nash said when asked how far back Durant is. “But I keep trying to tell him that he’s got to give himself 15, 20 games before he starts judging himself. Sometimes, they say the amount of time you have off takes you that much time once you’re back to feel like yourself.
“He’s done absolutely everything we could ask, but there’s no way to finalize what he is, who he is post-injury without playing NBA games. You can’t recreate it, you can’t simulate it, and you can’t replace it. So he’s going to go through this process, play some games, and before long — if we’re fortunate enough with his health and all the things he’s put into this — he’s going to be 100 percent Kevin Durant, no question.”
Durant had plenty of time off, with Tuesday marking 561 days since he ruptured his Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant and Steve Nash Getty Images (2)
Nash had served as a player development consultant for the Warriors, getting both a championship ring and vital apprenticeship under Steve Kerr. Now, both Durant and Nash get to tip off the Nets’ quest for a title with an emotional reunion with their old club.
“Lot of excitement that it starts for real, and there’s consequences and pressure and all that stuff why we love playing this game,” said Nash.
“And then obviously for Kevin and I having ties with the Warriors — Kevin obviously has pretty extensive ties — we’re both excited about that, too. We’ve got a lot of love for those guys over there and [are] excited to see them come to town and play against them and measure ourselves.”
Joe Harris said the Nets were “champing at the bit, excited.” But one of those measuring sticks is going to be defensively, with Nash admitting he’s going to be careful of overexposing Durant to too much individual defensive responsibility out on the wing.
“I think in time. Right now, Kevin … he’s capable of being an ‘A’ defender, but I don’t want to overburden him. He hasn’t played basketball for 18 months,” said Nash, who’ll use Durant at power forward. “We want to continue to build his individual defense as he acclimates back to the demands of the NBA. And at the same time, we always want to improve collectively, so he does give us versatility.
“He’s so long and athletic and quick that he can cover pretty much anyone on the floor to a high level. But that’s something we have to be patient with. It’s a big change from playing pickup games. And recovering from an Achilles rupture, we can’t just expect his best out of the gates. We’ve got to give him time to adapt at both ends of the floor but more so defensively.
“Let’s say he’s been playing basketball for 10 months-ish: You’re going to focus on offense when you’re in an informal environment. So now, it’s time for him to start building that defense back up: His footwork, positioning, understanding. He’s been great, improving every day. But that’s a tall ask to not play organized basketball for a long time. To defend is usually the last thing that comes.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Jets stunning upset was good for somebody besides the Jaguars

The Jets pulled off a stunning win on Sunday , beating the Rams 23-20 as 17-point underdogs .
The Jets cashed in first-quarter and first-half spread and moneyline bets and were covering the spread for all 60 minutes .
At William Hill US sportsbooks , 74 percent of the bets and 85 percent of the money was on the Rams to cover the big spread .
It was , however , the least-best game in terms of total tickets at William Hill .
At PointsBet sportsbooks , 63 percent of the bets and 69 percent of the handle was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second-biggest need for PointsBet in the late-afternoon games .
“ New York winning was big for us , ” South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews told VSiN .
“ There were lots of moneyline parlays tied to the Rams .
People just figured it was a free winner.
” Two William Hill bettors cashed in big with the Jets winning , as one New Jersey bettor wagered $ 250 on the Jets to win at +1100 odds ( 11/1 ) , winning $ 3,000 when New York was victorious .
Another bettor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jets to win at the same odds , taking home $ 2,400 .
“ The Jets winning outright was the biggest game of the day in our favor , ” Thomas Gable , sportsbook director at the Borgata in New Jersey , told VSiN .
“ I think we took our first Jets wager on the spread about 20 minutes before kickoff .
There were definitely a few brave people who took the Jets on the money line though , which closed at +950 here.
” According to ESPN , NFL teams favored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight-up , before Sunday ’ s Jets ’ win .
The win was the biggest spread upset since Week 17 of last season when the Dolphins beat the Patriots , 27-24 , as 17-point underdogs .
It is believed to be the Jets ’ biggest point-spread upset since Dec. 6 , 1992 , when they defeated the Bills , 24-17 , in Orchard Park as 17-point underdogs .
The Jets improved to 5-9 against the spread on their season and have covered four of their past six games .

Want even more betting news? Sign up for VSiN’s free daily newsletter. Listen Live to VSiN’s sports betting shows.
The Jets pulled off a stunning win on Sunday, beating the Rams 23-20 as 17-point underdogs. The Jets cashed in first-quarter and first-half spread and moneyline bets and were covering the spread for all 60 minutes.
At William Hill US sportsbooks, 74 percent of the bets and 85 percent of the money was on the Rams to cover the big spread. It was, however, the least-best game in terms of total tickets at William Hill. At PointsBet sportsbooks, 63 percent of the bets and 69 percent of the handle was on the Rams. The Jets +17 was the second-biggest need for PointsBet in the late-afternoon games.
“New York winning was big for us,” South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews told VSiN. “There were lots of moneyline parlays tied to the Rams. People just figured it was a free winner.”
Two William Hill bettors cashed in big with the Jets winning, as one New Jersey bettor wagered $250 on the Jets to win at +1100 odds (11/1), winning $3,000 when New York was victorious. Another bettor in Nevada wagered $200 on the Jets to win at the same odds, taking home $2,400.
Jets celebrate during their win over the Rams Getty Images
“The Jets winning outright was the biggest game of the day in our favor,” Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at the Borgata in New Jersey, told VSiN. “I think we took our first Jets wager on the spread about 20 minutes before kickoff. There were definitely a few brave people who took the Jets on the money line though, which closed at +950 here.”
According to ESPN, NFL teams favored by 17 or more points were 101-10 straight-up, before Sunday’s Jets’ win. The win was the biggest spread upset since Week 17 of last season when the Dolphins beat the Patriots, 27-24, as 17-point underdogs. It is believed to be the Jets’ biggest point-spread upset since Dec. 6, 1992, when they defeated the Bills, 24-17, in Orchard Park as 17-point underdogs.
The Jets improved to 5-9 against the spread on their season and have covered four of their past six games.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--London is a ghost town after city goes into strict COVID-19 lockdown

While it looks like doom and gloom for the football ...

The Swinging City has ground to a halt.
Eerie photos show London looking like a ghost town after the UK capital was forced into strict lockdown over the alarming spread of a new, highly contagious mutation of COVID-19.
Streets usually buoyant with tourists and Christmas shoppers were instead empty, while the typical fight to get a seat on a London Underground train was replaced by a struggle to spot other commuters.
Most dramatically, train stations that had been dangerously packed with people desperately trying to flee the city Saturday night before the lockdown started at midnight were almost completely deserted.
The striking images came as the Daily Mirror newspaper branded Britain the “Sick Man of Europe” amid a mounting number of nations blocking borders to keep out the new strain, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned appears to be up to 70 percent more transmissible.
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Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland are among those that have already shut off travel ties following Johnson’s warning Saturday.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo insisted Sunday that it was “reprehensible” and “grossly negligent” for the federal government to allow UK travelers to fly to the Empire State without at least being tested for COVID-19.
“Right now, this variant in the UK is getting on a plane and flying to JFK,” Cuomo said. “Literally six flights a day. And all it takes is one person,” he warned.
On Monday, new data showed that the previous week had seen more than 47,000 confirmed infections in London — more than doubling in a week, the city’s Evening Standard said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Listen to Episode 1 of ‘Fullcourt on Flatbush’: Nets Season Preview feat. Kenyon Martin

While it looks like doom and gloom for the football scene in New York with the Jets and Giants , at least the NBA season begins on Tuesday .
For Brooklyn Nets fans , that means the beginning of what is expected to be a special season .
The Nets have been waiting for the moment they can have Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant healthy and together on the court in games that count .
That journey and quest for a NBA title begins Tuesday night when the Nets take on Durant ’ s old team , the Warriors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ team this season , what better time than now for us at the New York Post to launch a weekly Brooklyn Nets podcast .
It ’ s here and it ’ s glorious .
“ Fullcourt on Flatbush ” podcast has arrived with former Nets great Kerry Kittles and Nets fan and radio personality Robin Lundberg .
This is a special Monday season preview debut episode , but the show will come out every Wednesday afternoon throughout the entire season .
• The dynamic duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant leading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court , one of most skilled ball handlers in NBA history .
• Nets deep roster , how KD and Kyrie will make Joe Harris , Caris LeVert and supporting cast better .
• Rookie head coach Steve Nash and how he will work with this roster .
Nets will be pushing the pace .
Managing two superstars , having relationship with KD/Kyrie .
• Predictions for the Nets this season .
Can they make the NBA Finals ?
Kerry ’ s Chronicles : Kerry looks back to his days with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it transpired and the win streak that followed in 2004 .
Kenyon Martin Interview : 4 seasons with Nets ( 2000-2004 ) , 2004 NBA All-Star , made back-to-back NBA Finals with Nets , Host of “ Neat & Unfiltered ” Podcast • His son playing for the Rockets .
What he thinks about the James Harden saga in Houston .
What advice he gave to his son .
Unfortunate situation for Stephen Silas .
• Steve Nash taking over as a rookie head coach .
“ We ’ ll see .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his stance against media at beginning of preseason .
Having a veteran leader and voice in the locker room goes a long way .
• The ending of his time with the Nets .
Owner Bruce Ratner was to blame for him not coming back to the Nets .
Seeing Ratner five years ago and having to walk away from him to avoid throwing punches .
• Basketball in New York City right now .
The brand of the Knicks always being there , despite how bad they have been .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town until the Nets go out and win a championship .
• Memories playing with Jason Kidd and how he made everyone better .
Catch up on all episodes of “ Fullcourt on Flatbush , ” a Brooklyn Nets podcast , by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
Follow Kerry Kittles and Robin Lundberg on Twitter @ Kerry_Kittles30 and @ robinlundberg .
The next episode of the show drops Wednesday 12/30 .

While it looks like doom and gloom for the football scene in New York with the Jets and Giants, at least the NBA season begins on Tuesday. For Brooklyn Nets fans, that means the beginning of what is expected to be a special season. The Nets have been waiting for the moment they can have Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant healthy and together on the court in games that count. That journey and quest for a NBA title begins Tuesday night when the Nets take on Durant’s old team, the Warriors.
With the Nets being a championship caliber team this season, what better time than now for us at the New York Post to launch a weekly Brooklyn Nets podcast. It’s here and it’s glorious. “Fullcourt on Flatbush” podcast has arrived with former Nets great Kerry Kittles and Nets fan and radio personality Robin Lundberg. This is a special Monday season preview debut episode, but the show will come out every Wednesday afternoon throughout the entire season.
Fullcourt on Flatbush Opening Segment with Robin Lundberg & Kerry Kittles:
The dynamic duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant leading the Nets.
Kyrie on and off the court, one of most skilled ball handlers in NBA history.
Nets deep roster, how KD and Kyrie will make Joe Harris, Caris LeVert and supporting cast better.
Rookie head coach Steve Nash and how he will work with this roster. Nets will be pushing the pace. Managing two superstars, having relationship with KD/Kyrie.
Predictions for the Nets this season. Can they make the NBA Finals?
Kerry’s Chronicles: Kerry looks back to his days with the Nets when Byron Scott was fired, how it transpired and the win streak that followed in 2004.
Kenyon Martin Interview:
4 seasons with Nets (2000-2004), 2004 NBA All-Star, made back-to-back NBA Finals with Nets, Host of “Neat & Unfiltered” Podcast
Thoughts on the current Nets team.
His son playing for the Rockets. What he thinks about the James Harden saga in Houston. What advice he gave to his son. Unfortunate situation for Stephen Silas.
Steve Nash taking over as a rookie head coach. “We’ll see. It’s tough.”
Kyrie and his stance against media at beginning of preseason. Having a veteran leader and voice in the locker room goes a long way.
Memories from early 2000s Nets days playing with Kerry.
The ending of his time with the Nets. Owner Bruce Ratner was to blame for him not coming back to the Nets. Seeing Ratner five years ago and having to walk away from him to avoid throwing punches.
Basketball in New York City right now. The brand of the Knicks always being there, despite how bad they have been. It’s going to be a Knicks town until the Nets go out and win a championship.
Memories playing with Jason Kidd and how he made everyone better.
SUBSCRIBE ON:
Catch up on all episodes of “Fullcourt on Flatbush,” a Brooklyn Nets podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Kerry Kittles and Robin Lundberg on Twitter @Kerry_Kittles30 and @robinlundberg. The next episode of the show drops Wednesday 12/30.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Why Isn’t ‘The View’ on Today? Everything We Know About ‘The View’s Holiday Hiatus

The View has been airing nonstop since September , but now , the co-hosts are finally getting a much-needed break .
Beginning today , Monday , December 21 , The View will be on hiatus to give its cast and crew a chance to properly celebrate the holidays .
Of course , no amount of time is enough to recover from the turmoil of the past few months , but a few weeks off the air is definitely a start .
Committed View fans are probably aware of the show ’ s holiday hiatus and winter schedule , but casual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know .
That ’ s where we come in .
Here ’ s everything you need to know about The View ‘ s holiday break , as well as what to expect when the show returns in 2021 .
Bye , 2020 !
You certainly won ’ t be missed .
THE VIEW CANCELLED 2020 : HAS THE VIEW BEEN CANCELLED ?
No worries here : The View most certainly has not been canceled .
You don ’ t really think ABC would bring the show to an end at this pivotal moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you ?
IS THE VIEW ON TODAY ?
THE VIEW HOLIDAY HIATUS SCHEDULE Last Friday , December 18 , The View aired its final live episode of 2020 .
For the next two weeks , viewers will have to spend their mornings without a fresh dose of Whoopi , Joy , & Co .
However , The View technically still is on today during its regular time slot ( Monday to Friday at 11/10c ) , but viewers tuning in will catch a rerun .
ABC will be airing encore episodes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year ’ s , so if you missed any guest interviews the first time around , be sure to tune in .
WHEN DOES THE VIEW RETURN WITH NEW EPISODES ?
The View will return from its holiday hiatus on Monday , January 4 .
IS MEGHAN MCCAIN RETURNING TO THE VIEW ?
Yep !
The View ‘ s conservative firebrand has been on maternity leave since late September , but a few weeks ago , she revealed that she will be returning to the show after the holidays , whether fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MEGHAN MCCAIN COMING BACK TO THE VIEW ?
In another tweet , McCain announced that she will be returning to The View on January 4 .
I ’ m sure she and her co-hosts will have plenty to discuss !
ARE THE VIEW HOSTS 2020 ALL RETURNING ?
You bet they are !
All five co-hosts — Whoopi Goldberg , Joy Behar , Meghan McCain , Sunny Hostin , and Sara Haines — will be returning when The View Season 24 resumes in 2021 .
THE VIEW RATINGS 2020 : HOW DID THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a difficult year for the world at large , but The View has managed to turn lemons into lemonade .
The ABC daytime show saw a large spike in viewers in the wake of the presidential election , and as a result , The View delivered its most-watched season in six years and ranked No .
1 in Households for the first time ever at this point in the season .
In its most recent ratings announcement , ABC revealed ( per Nielsen ) that The View averaged 2.883 million total viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , an increase of 25 % from the same week last year .
Compared to Season 23 , The View is up 14 % in total viewers ( 2.959 million vs. 2.586 million ) , a feat for any long-running talk show .
Where to stream The View

The View has been airing nonstop since September, but now, the co-hosts are finally getting a much-needed break. Beginning today, Monday, December 21, The View will be on hiatus to give its cast and crew a chance to properly celebrate the holidays. Of course, no amount of time is enough to recover from the turmoil of the past few months, but a few weeks off the air is definitely a start.
Committed View fans are probably aware of the show’s holiday hiatus and winter schedule, but casual viewers may not be as in the know. That’s where we come in. Here’s everything you need to know about The View‘s holiday break, as well as what to expect when the show returns in 2021.
Bye, 2020! You certainly won’t be missed.
THE VIEW CANCELLED 2020: HAS THE VIEW BEEN CANCELLED?
No worries here: The View most certainly has not been canceled. You don’t really think ABC would bring the show to an end at this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, do you?
IS THE VIEW ON TODAY? THE VIEW HOLIDAY HIATUS SCHEDULE
Last Friday, December 18, The View aired its final live episode of 2020. For the next two weeks, viewers will have to spend their mornings without a fresh dose of Whoopi, Joy, & Co.
However, The View technically still is on today during its regular time slot (Monday to Friday at 11/10c), but viewers tuning in will catch a rerun. ABC will be airing encore episodes of The View until the show returns after New Year’s, so if you missed any guest interviews the first time around, be sure to tune in.
WHEN DOES THE VIEW RETURN WITH NEW EPISODES?
The View will return from its holiday hiatus on Monday, January 4.
IS MEGHAN MCCAIN RETURNING TO THE VIEW?
Yep! The View‘s conservative firebrand has been on maternity leave since late September, but a few weeks ago, she revealed that she will be returning to the show after the holidays, whether fans like it or not.
WHEN IS MEGHAN MCCAIN COMING BACK TO THE VIEW?
In another tweet, McCain announced that she will be returning to The View on January 4. I’m sure she and her co-hosts will have plenty to discuss!
ARE THE VIEW HOSTS 2020 ALL RETURNING?
You bet they are! All five co-hosts — Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Meghan McCain, Sunny Hostin, and Sara Haines — will be returning when The View Season 24 resumes in 2021.
THE VIEW RATINGS 2020: HOW DID THE VIEW ON ABC FARE?
2020 has been a difficult year for the world at large, but The View has managed to turn lemons into lemonade. The ABC daytime show saw a large spike in viewers in the wake of the presidential election, and as a result, The View delivered its most-watched season in six years and ranked No. 1 in Households for the first time ever at this point in the season.
In its most recent ratings announcement, ABC revealed (per Nielsen) that The View averaged 2.883 million total viewers for the week of December 7, 2020, an increase of 25% from the same week last year. Compared to Season 23, The View is up 14% in total viewers (2.959 million vs. 2.586 million), a feat for any long-running talk show.
Where to stream The View


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Lauren Bush Lauren pregnant, expecting third child with David Lauren

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Lauren Bush Lauren ’ s family will soon be a party of five .
On Sunday , the FEED Projects CEO , 36 , announced that she and husband David Lauren are expecting their third child .
“ We are excited to welcome baby # 3 due next Spring !
” she captioned a photo of an ultrasound on Instagram .
“ It has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this truly surreal year .
Morning sickness ( more like all-day sickness ) aside , it has been a major ray of hope in our lives as we look towards a brighter tomorrow in 2021 !
Sending ❤ to all !
” David , 49 , also shared the news on social media , posting a snowy photo of the couple ’ s two sons : James , 5 , and Max , 2 .
“ Big News…We are getting a brother or a sister next year !
!
” David , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lauren , wrote Sunday .
The duo have been married since 2011 .
Lauren Bush Lauren is the daughter of Sharon Bush and Neil Bush , one of former President George H. W. Bush ’ s sons .

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
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Lauren Bush Lauren’s family will soon be a party of five.
On Sunday, the FEED Projects CEO, 36, announced that she and husband David Lauren are expecting their third child.
“We are excited to welcome baby #3 due next Spring!” she captioned a photo of an ultrasound on Instagram.
Lauren Bush Lauren and David Lauren WireImage
“It has been strange and wonderful to incubate new life during this truly surreal year. Morning sickness (more like all-day sickness) aside, it has been a major ray of hope in our lives as we look towards a brighter tomorrow in 2021! Sending ❤ to all!”
David, 49, also shared the news on social media, posting a snowy photo of the couple’s two sons: James, 5, and Max, 2.
“Big News…We are getting a brother or a sister next year!!” David, the son of famed fashion designer Ralph Lauren, wrote Sunday.
The duo have been married since 2011.
Lauren Bush Lauren is the daughter of Sharon Bush and Neil Bush, one of former President George H. W. Bush’s sons.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Wall Street stocks dip as new COVID-19 strain overshadows stimulus deal

US stocks were poised to plunge Monday as fears about a new coronavirus strain emerging in the UK outweighed hopes about Congress passing a new stimulus bill .
Futures contracts tied to the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 468 points , or 1.5 percent , to 29,645 as of 6:57 a.m. after British officials imposed a strict lockdown on London and other nearby areas over the weekend to stem the spread of the highly contagious strain .
S & P 500 futures likewise sank 1.7 percent while futures for the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 dropped about 1.1 percent as of 6:58 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street despite congressional leaders announcing a roughly $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package on Sunday .
Investors have been anticipating more stimulus spending for weeks as health officials rolled out the first coronavirus vaccines that could help bring an end to the pandemic — but the UK lockdown suggested there may be bumps in the road to recovery .
“ Markets have adopted a light at the end of the tunnel approach since Pfizer and Moderna ’ s vaccines burst onto the stage , ” said Jeffrey Halley , senior market analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend ’ s events have delivered an unceremonious Monday morning wake-up call that negotiating [ the first quarter ] of 2021 could be a torturous affair.
” Meanwhile , the CBOE Volatility Index — known as Wall Street ’ s fear gauge — surged about 32 percent to 28.95 as of 6:55 a.m. , reaching its highest level since early November .
Wall Street was set to follow European markets lower at the opening bell .
London ’ s FTSE 100 was recently down about 2.3 percent , while Paris ’ CAC 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.8 and 3.1 percent , respectively .
Oil prices also fell amid the lockdown fears .
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures were down 3.8 percent at $ 47.23 a barrel as of 7:01 a.m. and Brent crude futures were recently off about 3.7 percent at $ 50.31 a barrel .

US stocks plunged Monday as fears about a new coronavirus strain emerging in the UK outweighed optimism about Congress passing a new stimulus bill.
The Dow Jones industrial average tumbled as much as 374.57 points, or 1.2 percent, to 29,804.48 in early trading after British officials imposed a strict lockdown on London and other nearby areas over the weekend to stem the spread of the highly contagious strain.
The benchmark S&P 500 likewise sank as much as about 1.8 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq posted an early loss as large as 1.6 percent.
The new COVID-19 strain spooked Wall Street despite congressional leaders announcing a roughly $900 billion coronavirus relief package on Sunday. The UK lockdown suggested there may be bumps in the road to recovery that’s being paved as health officials roll out the first coronavirus vaccines that could help end the pandemic.
“Markets have adopted a light at the end of the tunnel approach since Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines burst onto the stage,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA. “However, the weekend’s events have delivered an unceremonious Monday morning wake-up call that negotiating [the first quarter] of 2021 could be a torturous affair.”
Investors had also been anticipating a stimulus deal for weeks despite the often rocky negotiations in Congress, meaning Sunday’s announcement wasn’t a major cause for celebration.
“The stimulus package was absolutely necessary and expected,” said James McDonald, CEO and chief investment officer of Hercules Investments. “Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to limit the economic fallout of COVID-19 and we will have to go through the process again, perhaps several times, until COVID-19 is behind us.”
Meanwhile, the CBOE Volatility Index — known as Wall Street’s fear gauge — surged more than 46 percent to an intraday peak of 31.46, its highest level since early November.
Wall Street followed European markets lower after Monday’s opening bell. London’s FTSE 100 was recently down about 2.2 percent, while Paris’ CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX were off about 3 and 3.1 percent, respectively.
Oil prices also fell amid the lockdown fears. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures were down 3.4 percent at $47.41 a barrel as of 10:02 a.m. and Brent crude futures were recently off about 3.5 percent at $50.44 a barrel.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--NJ nursing homes won’t get COVID-19 vaccine this week over missed deadline

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
New Jersey nursing @ @ @ @ @ be getting vaccinated Monday — because state officials missed the deadline .
“ In order @ @ @ @ @ there was a deadline of the 7th … we missed that date by a day @ @ @ @ @ Persichilli admitted at a press conference Friday .
“ We asked to start on the @ @ @ @ @ ‘ No , you ’ ll start on the 28th.
’ It was as simple @ @ @ @ @ said .
She blamed the “ sheer volume of information that had to be inputted @ @ @ @ @ 600 long-term care facilities , skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities for the missed @ @ @ @ @ as New Jersey is also getting 20 percent fewer doses of the Pfizer and Moderna @ @ @ @ @ the year .
The Garden State had been promised 492,075 doses of the Pfizer and @ @ @ @ @ but will only get 392,800 , Persichilli said .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
New Jersey nursing home residents won’t be getting vaccinated Monday — because state officials missed the deadline.
“In order to start on the 21st there was a deadline of the 7th … we missed that date by a day,” Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli admitted at a press conference Friday.
“We asked to start on the 21st and they said, ‘No, you’ll start on the 28th.’ It was as simple as that,” Persichilli said.
She blamed the “sheer volume of information that had to be inputted” for the more than 600 long-term care facilities, skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities for the missed deadline.
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy AP
The mishap comes as New Jersey is also getting 20 percent fewer doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines through the end of the year.
The Garden State had been promised 492,075 doses of the vaccines this month, but will only get 392,800, Persichilli said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--One killed, another wounded in Brooklyn shooting: cops

Scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research are ...

One man was killed and another wounded in a Brooklyn shooting early Monday, police said.
A 32-year-old man was blasted in the chest and a 37-year-old man in the buttocks around 1:15 a.m. on Atlantic Avenue near Grand Avenue in Prospect Heights, cops said.
The younger victim was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The older victim was taken to the Brooklyn Hospital Center by private means, in stable condition.
The shots rang out during a dispute with another man, who fled, according to police.
Both victims have an extensive arrest history, police sources said.
Their names were not immediately released pending family notification.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Walter Reed scientists study UK COVID-19 strain to check vaccine resistance

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Sunday called it `` reprehensible '' and `` grossly ...

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research are studying the contagious new mutation of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom to see if it might be resistant to new vaccines, according to a report.
Dr. Nelson Michael, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research at the institute, told CNN that while there are always concerns that a shot won’t work if a virus mutates significantly, the scientists still expect the inoculations will be effective against the new strain.
“It stands to reason that this mutation isn’t a threat, but you never know. We still have to be diligent and continue to look,” Michael told the network on Sunday.
The Walter Reed experts on Thursday began examining genetic sequences of the new UK variant posted online by British researchers. As a first step, the team is performing a computer analysis.
The “analysis will allow us to gauge how much concern we should have. Other teams around the world are doing this analysis, too,” Michael said.
If the computer analysis indicates a cause for concern, studies would need to be done in a lab and on animals to more definitively determine if the vaccines will work on the new variant, according to CNN.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday announced new holiday lockdowns in parts of the UK that have seen the spread of the new mutation.
“There’s no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant. Our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding as fast as we can,” Johnson said.
Dr. Patrick Vallance, the UK’s chief scientific adviser agreed, saying: “Our working assumption at the moment from all of the scientists is that the vaccine response should be adequate for this virus.”
Dr. William Schaffner, an adviser to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, told CNN that the vaccines are still useful because viruses mutate constantly, but usually not in ways that would make a shot useless.
“Even with mutations, the virus essentially stays the same,” Schaffner said. “It’s like with a person. I can switch out my brown coat for a gray coat, but I’m still Bill Schaffner. I’ve changed something, but I’m still the same person.”
Meanwhile, the British prime minister plans to chair a meeting of the government’s emergency committee later Monday after France closed its borders to arrivals from the UK to stem the spread of the new strain.
France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Ireland and Bulgaria were among those who on Sunday announced widespread restrictions on flights from the country.
Canada, India and Poland are among the latest countries to halt flights from the UK, following the lead of many in Europe.
On Saturday, Johnson announced that he was placing London and the southeast of England in a new Tier 4 level of restrictions after a warning from its scientific advisers — using what is widely considered to be one of the world’s most sophisticated genome sequencing regimes — that the new variant was spreading far faster than existing strains.
He said that early indications are that the new variant is 70 percent more transmissible and is driving the rapid spread of new infections in the capital and surrounding areas.
On Sunday, the UK recorded a record daily total of 35,928 new infections.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Chinese students learn English through toilet paper

Students at a Chinese business school are brushing up on their English — while doing their business .
The college @ @ @ @ @ has placed toilet paper printed with English vocabulary words and their definitions in each bathroom @ @

Students at a Chinese business school are brushing up on their English — while doing their business. The college in Kunming, China, has placed toilet paper printed with English vocabulary words and their definitions in each bathroom stall.
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newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Girlfriend says she’d marry jailed lover after his jet ski ride across Irish Sea

She ’ s ready to take the plunge with him .
Jessica Radcliffe now says she ’ d marry the wacky British Romeo who has been jailed for breaking lockdown rules by riding a jet ski across the Irish Sea to visit her .
“ If he asks me , I ’ ll say , ‘ Yes.
’ It ’ s definitely a story to tell our grandkids , ” the 30-year-old mother of two told the Daily Record .
Radcliffe said she ’ s received messages from around the world about her lovesick beau , Dale McLaughlin , 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours on the craft in his madcap dash – despite having no experience riding one and not knowing how to swim .
“ People from Italy have sent pictures of jet skis saying , ‘ This is for your boyfriend , showing our support , ’ ” she told the outlet .
“ People from Ireland have said , ‘ What he did is heroic .
You should marry that man.
’ ” All McLaughlin has to do to live happily ever after is pop the question .
Last week , Radcliffe called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities to release him in time for Christmas .
“ He is the best and everyone is right behind him , especially me … my hero , ” she told the Daily Mail .
“ What man crosses the sea for a girl unless he was so besotted and completely in love ?
” A police source has told the Isle of Man Newspapers that the jet ski only had 10 minutes of fuel left after the 25-mile journey , which McLaughlin initially thought would only take 40 minutes , when he encountered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four weeks on Dec. 14 after admitting to arriving there unlawfully , according to reports .

She’s ready to take the plunge with him.
Jessica Radcliffe now says she’d marry the wacky British Romeo who has been jailed for breaking lockdown rules by riding a jet ski across the Irish Sea to visit her.
“If he asks me, I’ll say, ‘Yes.’ It’s definitely a story to tell our grandkids,” the 30-year-old mother of two told the Daily Record.
Radcliffe said she’s received messages from around the world about her lovesick beau, Dale McLaughlin, 28, who spent four and a half hours on the craft in his madcap dash – despite having no experience riding one and not knowing how to swim.
“People from Italy have sent pictures of jet skis saying, ‘This is for your boyfriend, showing our support,’” she told the outlet. “People from Ireland have said, ‘What he did is heroic. You should marry that man.’”
All McLaughlin has to do to live happily ever after is pop the question.
Last week, Radcliffe called her new boyfriend a hero and begged authorities to release him in time for Christmas.
“He is the best and everyone is right behind him, especially me … my hero,” she told the Daily Mail. “What man crosses the sea for a girl unless he was so besotted and completely in love?”
A police source has told the Isle of Man Newspapers that the jet ski only had 10 minutes of fuel left after the 25-mile journey, which McLaughlin initially thought would only take 40 minutes, when he encountered rough weather.
He was jailed for four weeks on Dec. 14 after admitting to arriving there unlawfully, according to reports.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Gavin Newsom in quarantine after staffer tests positive for COVID-19

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom will quarantine for 10 days after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 , his @ @ @ @ @ The staffer came into contact with Newsom and a few other colleagues , Newsom ’ @ @ @ @ @ statement to KGO .
Newsom tested negative for the coronavirus on Sunday and is expected @ @ @ @ @ the coming days , his office said .
The governor ’ s office said Newsom @ @ @ @ @ state and CDC guidelines.
” Newsom quarantined for 14 days last month after three of @ @ @ @ @ a California Highway Patrol officer who was diagnosed with the coronavirus .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will quarantine for 10 days after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Sunday night.
The staffer came into contact with Newsom and a few other colleagues, Newsom’s office said in a statement to KGO.
Newsom tested negative for the coronavirus on Sunday and is expected to be tested again in the coming days, his office said.
The governor’s office said Newsom will “continue to follow state and CDC guidelines.”
Newsom quarantined for 14 days last month after three of his children were exposed to a California Highway Patrol officer who was diagnosed with the coronavirus.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Six injured as FDNY engine crashes into building en route to NYC fire

Not once .
Twice .
That ’ s how many times in the first ...

Six people were injured when an FDNY fire engine collided with a car, then crashed through a Brooklyn storefront Sunday night, authorities said.
The accident occured as the truck was responding to a reported fire at 8750 Bay Parkway at about 11:30 p.m., the FDNY said.
The truck collided with a Mercedes before barreling inside Coquette Kids clothing store at Avenue U and East 4th Street in Gravesend, police said.
The Mercedes driver and five firefighters were taken to local hospitals, authorities said.
Five occupants from the building next to Coquette Kids were evacuated for precautionary reasons, the FDNY said.
Previous 1 of 11 Next Advertisement A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea Advertisement A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea Advertisement A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea A Mercedes collides with a fire truck at E 4th Street and Avenue U, injuring a number of people. Robert Mecea Advertisement
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Giants’ Joe Judge defends costly fourth down decisions

At another time , in another year , there will be no ...

Not once. Twice.
That’s how many times in the first half Sunday that the Giants came away scoreless inside the 10-yard line, failures that erased at least six points in a critical 20-6 loss to the Browns at MetLife Stadium. Joe Judge justified his coaching decisions by taking pressure off his undermanned defense, but the specific play calls left much to be desired.
“Field goals weren’t going to win this game,” Judge said.
Even with their best player James Bradberry sidelined as a high-risk close contact for COVID-19, defense still is the clear-cut strength of the Giants. Especially with a backup offensive coordinator (Freddie Kitchens) calling plays for a backup quarterback (Colt McCoy).
The formula for winning with McCoy was on display two weeks ago, when the defense stifled Russell Wilson and the offense did just enough to beat the Seahawks, 17-12. All of which made the Giants’ willingness to risk coming away from three red-zone trips with just three total points all the more confusing.
“You don’t go in with some kind of a crystal ball and say they are only going to score 20 points,” Judge said.
On fourth-and-goal at the end of the opening possession, a fake field goal left holder/punter Riley Dixon as the shotgun quarterback and he overthrew a pass to triple-covered center Nick Gates. Kicker Graham Gano and right tackle Cam Fleming also were running routes. No typos there — and the sneak attack fooled nobody.
“I thought it was a well-designed fake — we’ve executed and practiced that throughout the year,” Judge said. “You hit that thing and everyone yells, anoints you a guru and you don’t hit that thing and everybody wants to second-guess the decision.”
With the Browns leading 7-3 in the second quarter, the Giants again got away from their identity.
Judge has coached all season — especially when the Giants are underdogs — to keep games close and try to steal a fourth-quarter win. This looked more like a game the aggressive Kitchens coached in his year in charge of the Browns in 2019, which made it worth wondering his impact whispering in Judge’s ear.
When the Giants faced fourth-and-2 at the Browns 6-yard line, Wayne Gallman replaced backup running back Alfred Morris — who had five carries for 24 yards on the drive — and was tackled short of the marker.
“We moved the ball up and down the field — we just have to figure out how to score touchdowns,” McCoy said. “If you want to point the finger at anybody, point it at me.”
The Giants entered the game ranked No. 29 in red-zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on only 50 percent of their trips inside the 20-yard line with Jason Garrett calling the plays.
It became clear the Giants were coaching and playing to score in the 20s for the first time in four games — and take some pressure off the overtaxed defense. They succeeded in holding the Browns to three first-half possessions, but those produced two touchdowns (missed PAT).
The Browns backed up tackling Gallman with a 95-yard touchdown drive to build an insurmountable 13-3 halftime lead.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Giants don’t regret ‘simple’ decision to sit Daniel Jones

Joe Judge said the decision not to play Daniel Jones in Sunday night ’ s 20-6 loss to the Browns was an easy one , a decision based on how Jones looked this week and also how playing an impaired Jones might affect him down the road .
“ The decision for me was simple , ’ ’ Judge said .
“ He obviously had two injuries this week , he was worse off than he was the week before .
I wanted to make sure I put this guy in a position to defend himself .
I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw him in practice this week that I was doing the best thing by Daniel long term .
I ’ ve got to make decisions from 30,000 feet , I ’ ve got to look at what ’ s best for this team in the short term , I also have to consider our players long term and I ’ ve got to consider the safety of the guy going forward.
’ ’ As for Jones being able to return for the Week 16 game in Baltimore , Judge said , “ Hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to look at him on the grass this week during practice.
’ ’ Colt McCoy made his second start in place of Jones — McCoy won in Seattle two weeks ago .
“ I know he pushed really hard to play this week , ’ ’ McCoy said of Jones .
Tight end coach Freddie Kitchens took over as the play-caller , with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett away from the team after testing positive for COVID-19 .
“ It was good , ’ ’ McCoy said .
“ There was some ups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freddie did a really nice job .
It didn ’ t change much as far as the plays we would have run with Jason.
’ ’ Dexter Lawrence , one of the three players the Giants ended up with in return for trading star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns , had a big game .
In the first quarter , Lawrence deflected a fourth-down pass to the turf .
Later in the first quarter , Lawrence tackled Nick Chubb for a gain of only 1 yard and celebrated with a 342-pound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lawrence did what some believed he could not do coming out of college .
He blew by center JC Tretter , chased down the elusive Baker Mayfield , reached out and swiped Mayfield ’ s legs , dropping the quarterback for an 11-yard sack .
This loss means the Giants will finish with a losing record for the fourth consecutive season and for the seventh time in the last eight years .
The last time the Giants went a four-year span without a winning record was 1973-80 , when they went eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost a challenge disputing that the Browns recovered an onside kick with 4:06 remaining .
There was no clear indication on replay that the Giants came away with the ball .
… LB Carter Coughlin had to come off the field late in the second quarter after he dislocated a finger .
… A 15-yard taunting penalty on Browns WR Jarvis Landry after hauling in a touchdown pass in the second quarter forced Cody Parkey to attempt a 48-yard extra point .
He missed it , clanging the ball off the right upright @

Joe Judge said the decision not to play Daniel Jones in Sunday night’s 20-6 loss to the Browns was an easy one, a decision based on how Jones looked this week and also how playing an impaired Jones might affect him down the road.
“The decision for me was simple,’’ Judge said. “He obviously had two injuries this week, he was worse off than he was the week before. I wanted to make sure I put this guy in a position to defend himself. I didn’t think the state of where I saw him in practice this week that I was doing the best thing by Daniel long term. I’ve got to make decisions from 30,000 feet, I’ve got to look at what’s best for this team in the short term, I also have to consider our players long term and I’ve got to consider the safety of the guy going forward.’’
As for Jones being able to return for the Week 16 game in Baltimore, Judge said, “Hopefully he’s doing better. We have to look at him on the grass this week during practice.’’
Colt McCoy made his second start in place of Jones — McCoy won in Seattle two weeks ago.
“I know he pushed really hard to play this week,’’ McCoy said of Jones.
Tight end coach Freddie Kitchens took over as the play-caller, with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett away from the team after testing positive for COVID-19.
“It was good,’’ McCoy said. “There was some ups and downs there, but I think Freddie did a really nice job. It didn’t change much as far as the plays we would have run with Jason.’’
Daniel Jones walks off the field after the Giants’ loss to the Browns. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Dexter Lawrence, one of the three players the Giants ended up with in return for trading star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns, had a big game. In the first quarter, Lawrence deflected a fourth-down pass to the turf. Later in the first quarter, Lawrence tackled Nick Chubb for a gain of only 1 yard and celebrated with a 342-pound shimmy. Early in the third quarter, Lawrence did what some believed he could not do coming out of college. He blew by center JC Tretter, chased down the elusive Baker Mayfield, reached out and swiped Mayfield’s legs, dropping the quarterback for an 11-yard sack.
This loss means the Giants will finish with a losing record for the fourth consecutive season and for the seventh time in the last eight years. The last time the Giants went a four-year span without a winning record was 1973-80, when they went eight consecutive years with sub-500 records.
Judge lost a challenge disputing that the Browns recovered an onside kick with 4:06 remaining. There was no clear indication on replay that the Giants came away with the ball. … LB Carter Coughlin had to come off the field late in the second quarter after he dislocated a finger. … A 15-yard taunting penalty on Browns WR Jarvis Landry after hauling in a touchdown pass in the second quarter forced Cody Parkey to attempt a 48-yard extra point. He missed it, clanging the ball off the right upright.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Joe Judge’s bold Giants calls tells us all we need to know

Grading the Giants after their 20-6 loss to the Browns ...

At another time, in another year, there will be no need to take such risks. That’s the goal. That’s the objective. In another time, in another year, the Giants will feel fully on par with the team on the other side of the line of scrimmage in a key December game. They’ll do the safe thing and take the points. They won’t go with a center-eligible play.
And maybe they shouldn’t have done that this time, either. Maybe they should’ve seized the quick 3-0 lead, see if maybe that would’ve gotten the Cleveland Browns talking to themselves early.
But if we have come to know anything about Joe Judge in this first year on the job, it’s this: He’s not going to cower in the face of long odds. He’s not going to send a message to his own team that he has less than absolute faith in it.
“You can’t tell them all week that you have to play with a certain mindset,” Judge would say late Sunday, “and then not let them do it.”
That may have backfired here, in this 20-6 loss to the Browns at MetLife Stadium. There was the ill-fated play on fourth-and-goal from the 5, punter Riley Dixon misfiring on a toss to center Nick Gates. There was another fourth-and-2 from the Browns 6 late in the half. That also failed.
Maybe those six points would only have been so much Christmas window dressing, would have merely turned a 20-6 final into a more respectable 20-12. Maybe the Browns, who were awfully sharp, would’ve simply made sure to score more points; they did score 43 of them just six days earlier.
“Field goals weren’t going to win this game,” Judge said. “I’m not afraid to call things aggressively. We’ll play to our defense sometimes. We went into this game with that mindset. We’re going to call this things aggressively and play aggressively.”
Joe Judge Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Either way, this much is for certain:
Joe Judge danced with the one who brung him. And while it seems like Joe Judge’s co-mentor, Nick Saban, has been at the University of Alabama since Reconstruction, that’s actually the signature pearl of Bear Bryant, who made Alabama Alabama, and it may be the smartest thing a coach has ever said about coaching.
Always do you. Always be you.
The Giants fell to 5-9 and made it official: Whoever wins the NFC East will not represent the division with a winning record. You know how much that will matter to whoever emerges from the epic pillow fight? Zero. Less than zero. They’re a game behind the Washington Football Team still, and have another toughie at Baltimore next week, but the odds are actually quite good the Giants will face a win-and-get-in challenge at home against Dallas in Week 17 no matter what happens.
So Judge needed the Giants to keep believing in what they’re doing, even in a week when they were missing their quarterback (Daniel Jones), their best defensive player (James Bradberry) and their offensive coordinator (Jason Garrett). He’ll need them to be ready next week in Baltimore no matter what Acts of Job befall them this week.
“To be honest, I throw [this game] underneath the rug,” wide receiver Sterling Shepherd said. “We have a big challenge ahead of us, we have to get our eyes on Baltimore.”
Said safety Logan Ryan: “We have to back a coach who makes aggressive calls like that.”
But then, this is a common strain and a regular refrain from this season, and this team, and this coach, going all the way back to the start. They’re going to get after you. They’re going to come after you. They’re going to make it hard for you to believe you have the better team, even if you have the better team, because they’re going to stare you down and force you to view them as equals.
That is why the players enjoy playing for the Giants this year. Up and down the roster, the message every week is the same:
We believe.
Joe Judge makes us believe.
Judge won’t tolerate it if we DON’T believe.
The Browns? The Browns were a tough assignment. They are starting to become what the Giants hope to be a year or two from now, a team on the rise, one finding its best legs at exactly the right time of the season, one that was praised for a loss at home against the Ravens six days earlier more than it had been lauded for any win it has had for the last 35 years. The Browns are the Giants 2.0: same idea, same ideals, a little further along.
And showed that Sunday night.
The Giants will get there with this coach, with this culture, with these players or those of a similar ilk. Success breeds success and successful players tend to seek each other out. They’re just not there yet. They still need to take chances. They still need to rely on magic tricks. They still need to dust off plays like the center-eligible that were last seen around the Giants in Ed Danowski’s day.
It’s OK. It’s all right. They’ll get there. It’s coming. It is. It’s coming.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--US Embassy in Baghdad targeted by Iran-backed rocket attack, Pompeo says

The US Embassy in Baghdad was targeted with eight Katyusha rockets on Sunday , causing some damage to buildings inside @ @ @ @ @ fortified Green Zone , officials said .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran-backed militias @ @ @ @ @ said wounded Iraqi civilians .
“ The people of Iraq deserve to have these attackers @ @ @ @ @ corrupt criminals must cease their destabilizing actions , ” Pompeo wrote on Twitter .
Most @ @ @ @ @ and security checkpoint inside the zone , which houses government buildings and foreign missions , @ @ @ @ @ .
The Iraqi military also attributed the attack to an “ outlaw group.
” The @ @ @ @ @ of force .
“ The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone resulted in @ @ @ @ @ systems , ” it said in a statement .
“ There was some minor damage @ @ @ @ @ no injuries or casualties .
”

The US Embassy in Baghdad was targeted with eight Katyusha rockets on Sunday, causing some damage to buildings inside the city’s heavily fortified Green Zone, officials said.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran-backed militias for the attack that he said wounded Iraqi civilians.
“The people of Iraq deserve to have these attackers prosecuted. These violent and corrupt criminals must cease their destabilizing actions,” Pompeo wrote on Twitter.
Most missiles struck a residential complex and security checkpoint inside the zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions, according to the Iraqi military.
The Iraqi military also attributed the attack to an “outlaw group.”
The US embassy condemned the show of force.
“The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone resulted in the engagement of Embassy defensive systems,” it said in a statement.
“There was some minor damage on the Embassy compound but no injuries or casualties.”
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Giants report card: This is getting ridiculous

The sweet , innocent climb to relevance and respectability that earned ...

Grading the Giants after their 20-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday night.
Offense
This is getting ridiculous. This team cannot score. How about a touchdown, guys? Colt McCoy (19 of 31, 221 yards) does not have enough zip on the ball. He had Evan Engram for a touchdown in the first quarter and did not get enough on the throw. This is hardly all on McCoy, though. The receivers do not make enough plays, pure and simple. Wayne Gallman (9-29) had it going a bit in the first half but then was a forgotten man. McCoy usually had enough time but too often found no one open. Right tackle Cam Fleming was called for a holding penalty trying to stop Olivier Vernon. Darius Slayton had a horrendous drop in the fourth quarter. At least Andrew Thomas did not allow a sack by Myles Garrett until the closing seconds.
Grade: F
Defense
Not terrible work at all against the Browns’ tough ground game (only 106 rushing yards) and Nick Chubb (15-50) and Kareem Hunt (7-21) did not go off. Baker Mayfield had an easy time picking apart the secondary, completing 27 of 32 passes for 297 yards. He probably barely broke a sweat. LB Devante Downs was lost in space allowing TE Austin Hooper to run wide open on a 2-yard TD reception in the second quarter. Jarvis Landry (7-61) got a step on Isaac Yiadom in the end zone. Dexter Lawrence got a big pass deflection with his right hand on fourth down in the fourth quarter and got the only sack of Mayfield. Safeties Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan could not confuse Mayfield in the least and Julian Love and Xavier McKinney filling in for James Bradberry were not strong in coverage.
Grade: C
Special teams
Dion Lewis started the game off with a rugged 48-yard kickoff return. He later nearly lost another fumble and that is worrisome. If punter Riley Dixon chooses a different target (other than center Nick Gates) on the fake field-goal pass, it might have worked. Graham Gano hit field goals of 37 and 39 yards and now has hit 27 consecutive kicks. The coverage units were better than they have been the past three games.
Grade: B
Coaching
Joe Judge not taking points in the first half was troubling. That first-quarter fake field goal thing Judge signaled in? Didn’t like it. Did not have a problem with him going for it on fourth down on the Cleveland 5-yard line. Good move by Judge applying a 15-yard penalty on an extra-point try, which was missed. Freddie Kitchens was the play-caller for Jason Garrett (COVID-19) and did not stick with the run enough in the first half. Whoever is calling the plays or working with the offense has to figure out a way to get more points on the board. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham stayed in a zone in the secondary and it was picked apart time and again.
Grade: D


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--James Bradberry’s absence proved he’s invaluable to Giants

Save the highlight clips of interceptions, forced fumbles and blanket pass coverage.
The game film that should get Giants cornerback James Bradberry selected to his first Pro Bowl took place Sunday when he presumably was quarantined in a hotel room watching his teammates get picked apart in a 20-6 loss to the Browns at MetLife Stadium.
With all due respect to dynamic running back Saquon Barkley (sidelined since Week 2 with a torn ACL) and quarterback Daniel Jones (missing his second game with leg injuries), Bradberry is the Giants’ most irreplaceable player in 2020. And his inability to play because of a mistaken assumption that led him to be a high-risk close contact of COVID-19 loomed as large as expected.
“You can’t replace James Bradberry,” safety Logan Ryan said. “We really weren’t good on third down or in the red area, which is situationally how you win football. James missing wasn’t the only problem tonight.”
Perhaps Bradberry would’ve shadowed Jarvis Landry (six catches, 71 yards, touchdown) into the slot or taken away Rashard Higgins (four catches, 76 yards) to allow double teams elsewhere. But Bradberry’s decision to visit a chiropractor he thought was following the NFL daily COVID-19 testing protocol — instead of a Giants-approved doctor — made those potential chess matches impossible.
“I don’t know how it’s a mistake,” Ryan said. “This [virus] is something that I don’t know is 100 percent avoidable.”
Baker Mayfield completed 27 of 32 passes, including nine of his first 10, for 290 yards and two touchdowns.
The Giants moved No. 4 safety Julian Love to outside cornerback opposite Isaac Yiadom and settled into a zone that simply did not work. Of course, it wasn’t helped by a pass rush that generated just one quarterback hit.
“We sold out to stop the run and made Baker be a pocket quarterback,” Ryan said. “He was extremely efficient at that.”
Love played on the perimeter at Notre Dame and was moved to safety as a rookie last season because of speed concerns. Yiadom was acquired via trade with the Broncos for a seventh-round pick in September and benched for three games earlier this season.
Not exactly Bradberry’s NFL-leading 17 passes defended or team-high three interceptions. Actually, it was more of a painful reminder of recent failed cornerback draft picks Deandre Baker, Sam Beal and Corey Ballentine.
The Giants also played without rookie slot cornerback Darnay Holmes, who missed his second straight game with a knee injury. Safeties Xavier McKinney, Ryan and Jabrill Peppers rotated through the slot, the box and deep center field.
But Mayfield wasn’t rattled. At all.
“They used the run game to set up the pass,” coach Joe Judge said. “They found some open windows and took advantage of them. It’s our responsibility to have the players at the game coached up and ready to go.”
Setting the Browns’ franchise record for completion percentage was a result of Mayfield recognizing soft spots in the zone — especially the one in front of Love.
On the surface, holding the Browns to 20 points is a good enough job to win. But it’s a little bit of fool’s gold because the Browns did not need to risk mistakes or push the tempo.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has been a master of disguised coverages and adjustments this season. So, why didn’t he break from the zone for man-to-man coverage?
Simply, the Giants didn’t have the horses without Bradberry.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Giants on the brink after big gamble comes up short

The sweet, innocent climb to relevance and respectability that earned the Giants this unexpected meaningful December game is now in grave danger of concluding as little more than a fleeting visit to Big Blue heaven in a hot air balloon that deflated and fell back down to earth.
Of course few should have expected the Giants to upset the Browns with backup Colt McCoy quarterbacking and backup play-caller Freddie Kitchen play-calling, and so now, after Browns 20, Giants 6, the season is on the brink.
Joe Judge’s game plan: Give Colt McCoy help.
Because Colt McCoy (19-31, 221 yards) wasn’t about to engage Baker Mayfield (27-32, 297 yards, 2 TDs) in any shootout.
The Giants weren’t going to fight fire with fire, weren’t going to beat Mayfield and the Browns kicking field goals.
So here came Riverboat Joe:
A trick-play failed-fake field goal on fourth-and-5 at the Cleveland 8 that tricked his own team as much as it tricked the Browns cost them three early points.
Colt McCoy and Freddie Kitchens sit on the bench during the Giants loss to the Browns. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
A failed fourth-and-2 run up the middle out of the shotgun at the Cleveland 6 cost the Giants three more points.
Judge figured that with his backup quarterback and his backup play-caller, he would have to throw caution and convention to the wind.
The wind threw it right back at him.
“I’m not afraid to call things aggressively; I’m not afraid if I think we have a good scheme in the kicking game to call a fake; I’m not afraid to run the ball on fourth-and-1, and we’ll play to our defense at times.
“When you make calls like that, you let your players understand that you have confidence in them, and that they can play the game aggressively.
“I can’t tell them all week that they have to go into this game with an aggressive mindset, and then hold them back at some point when we feel we have a chance to make a play.”
Completely understand the philosophy. But you also cannot afford to come away empty. Because you are damned if you do.
“You hit that thing, you’re the guru,” Judge said. “You don’t hit that thing, everyone wants to second-guess the decision, and I understand that completely.”
Baker Mayfield versus Colt McCoy was never going to be a fair fight, plain and simple. So Judge was left to try to steal one any way he could with Daniel Jones inactive.
“If you want to point the finger at anybody, you can point it at me,” McCoy said.
He was being too hard on himself. McCoy took a few more downfield shots than expected, and he managed himself an error-free game, but there was no magic, no finishing drives, no getting his team in the end zone this time.
“My frustration lies in we have to be better in the red zone,” McCoy said. “A lot of that’s on me.”
There was plenty of magic from Mayfield, who didn’t have to worry about quarantined Giants shutdown corner James Bradberry.
There was really only one way for the Giants to win this one: show up as one of those Dream Teams whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
That meant every last Giant on the field and on the sideline rallying around McCoy like there was no tomorrow.
It meant the offensive line making sure that Myles Garrett, and to a lesser degree, Olivier Vernon, did not wreck the game — which they didn’t.
It meant running the ball effectively enough (21-74) to keep McCoy from operating a one-dimensional offense, which they didn’t.
It meant good old-fashioned New York Giants Dee-Fense.
The Browns, contrary to popular belief, did not try to run it down Big Blue’s throats with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Mayfield threw it down Big Blue’s throats instead.
“If we didn’t have respect for him then,” Logan Ryan said, “we definitely have it now, because he definitely was one of the most efficient quarterbacks we went against this year.”
The fake field goal on the opening possession fizzled because punter Riley Dixon threw high in the middle of the end zone for center Nick Gates.
“I thought it was a well-designed fake,” Judge said.
When Judge went for it on fourth down in the second quarter, Wayne Gallman was stuffed after 1 yard.
It was 13-3 at the half and McCoy’s right arm isn’t equipped to play catch-up against a more mature, more advanced, better team.
Next week: The 5-9 Giants travel to Baltimore to face the surging Lamar Jackson Ravens.
The first-place 6-8 Washington Football Team host the Panthers. … Ron Rivera versus his former team.
Say it ain’t, Joe.