Bear Pit: now the sole domicile of politics at LuLa

[faberryman]

Trump's team could lose even more, if they want re-counts.

I don't think they can realistically expect to make up the 20,000 votes Biden leads by in a recount. Or so I have read.

[chez]

All this rugged individualism is going to get some people killed. But at least they have the freedom to assess the risks and make their own decisions about what is best for themselves and their families. The bright side is that 60% of Americans exhibit some common sense. That's actually higher than I may have previously thought.

About 40% of Americans intend to celebrate Thanksgiving with at least 10 people, study finds

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/40-percent-americans-big-thanksgiving-coronavirus

That's a shame as these people will have to gather once again for the funerals.

[Alan Klein]

What you think is often wrong. That idea too. The CDC for example has done a great deal, including recommendations Trump himself has ignored. The Covid task force; ditto. Those who do the good work under Trump, work he pays little if any attention to, can assist the incoming administration which Trump is blocking while playing golf. Do try to examine the facts, connect those dots and see how Trumps childish behavior will cause some of our fellow Americans to die.

Facts, data, news which is not fake:

WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday stressed that he's concerned that the Trump administration has not yet greenlighted the formal transition to the incoming Biden administration, which the infectious disease expert said is key to the quick distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine.

In an interview on NBC's "TODAY" show, host Savannah Guthrie asked Fauci whether he's concerned that the Trump administration has not signed off on the formal transition period for the Biden team.

"Obviously, it's something that we're concerned about," he said. "I mean, as you know, I've served in six administrations, so I've seen a number of transitions and I know that transitions are very important. Hopefully, we'll see that soon."

It seems that two or three vaccines are getting ready to be released in just a few months instead of years.  All done during his term like when he restored the ice skating rink in NYC in a few months when the City government couldn't get it done in ten years.  If he depended on the CDC and Fauci who was in charge, they would have never done any better than their CDC Covid tests that didn't work when it first hit.  The CDC was also the organization that said early on that we shouldn't wear masks. 

[Chris Kern]

Excellent snap of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, made at their joint economic statement and press conference in Wilmington, Delaware, today (attached because linking to the image URL didn't work).

New York Times photographer Ruth Fremson did a great job of framing the two figures and the bokeh on Harris is just right: soft enough to leave no doubt that she is not the subject of the photo but clear enough for her to be easily recognizable.  The only quibble I have with the shooter's technique is that she might have positioned herself at an ever-so-slightly higher angle in order to push the top of Harris's hair below the illuminated part of the window.

And — nothing to sneeze at — now that he is comfortable about his margin of victory and well-rested, Biden really looks presidential compared to his dour, red-faced, puffy, yellow-haired, obese predecessor.  The president-elect has his share of foibles and personality oddities, including an unfortunately Trumplike susceptibility to flattery, and a dose of Martin Scorcese's de-aging technology wouldn't hurt, but central casting couldn't have done a better job.

[LesPalenik]

All this rugged individualism is going to get some people killed. But at least they have the freedom to assess the risks and make their own decisions about what is best for themselves and their families. The bright side is that 60% of Americans exhibit some common sense. That's actually higher than I may have previously thought.

About 40% of Americans intend to celebrate Thanksgiving with at least 10 people, study finds

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/40-percent-americans-big-thanksgiving-coronavirus

Americans could learn from Canada. The infections here jumped up noticeably after the Canadian Thanksgiving. Today was the first day that the numbers started to come down again.

As the holiday season approaches amid a surge in novel coronavirus cases across the country, a Thanksgiving-related spike in Canada may serve as a cautionary tale for the United States. Case counts in much of Canada are climbing, even in parts of the country that imposed new autumn restrictions. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, and both provincial and federal officials have pointed to the holiday as a culprit.

“In some areas we are learning that gathering during the Thanksgiving weekend contributed to the elevated case counts we are seeing today,” Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer, told reporters Tuesday in Ottawa. “Our actions matter.” Before the holiday, officials advised Canadians to curtail their plans by limiting celebrations to those living under the same roof or moving the party online, but it is not clear how widely the advice was heeded.

Canadian officials are now dealing with the aftermath of the holiday. Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Deena Hinshaw, said last week that the Thanksgiving-related cases showed how the virus can exploit human interaction. “People did not mean to spread COVID-19,” she said. “But it is a reminder that social gatherings where distancing and masking are not used consistently are a significant risk for spread.”

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/canadas-had-its-thanksgiving-and-now-has-a-covid-19-spike/

[Alan Klein]

BTW Alan, by all means, do tell us the justification of Trump NOT allowing those under him to assist the Biden team in a transition even if he actually believes he can stay as President from law suites and the Supreme Court (never of which will happen, even on Planet Trump). Let's say, in the realm of utter fiction, he does stay; what harm is it to allow Biden's team to pretend they will have the White House and help with the virus when they will never do so (all in his mind of course)? Now, what harm does it do blocking this, should, in that rare, rare case, Biden does get to run the Government? Why not err on the side which benefits Americans in either case? It's all fine because all Trump is doing is pulling people's chain, right? No.

On planet Earth, (what on planet Trump/Alan is called 'pulling peoples chains'), such actions Trump is taking has a direct and negative outcome due to a lack of Covid-19 preparedness.
Trump doesn't care if people die due to this lack of preparedness but do you? How is this childish action by Trump acceptable to Republicans or anyone who cares about their fellow humans? 

There's two  months before Biden takes over. In England, someone mentioned that the transfer takes place in around a week or ten days.  Fauci will still be there as will all the other department heads just like Obama's people continued on.  Ambassadors, CIA head, FBI chief, etc.  They don't leave on Jan 21st, oops, 20th. When Biden wants to make the transfer to new people, he can do that at any time later.  HOw long does a briefing take to find out what the North Koreans are up too? Does anyone think the Biden's going to remember anyway?

[faberryman]

It seems that two or three vaccines are getting ready to be released in just a few months instead of years.  All done during his term like when he restored the ice skating rink in NYC in a few months when the City government couldn't get it done in ten years.  If he depended on the CDC and Fauci who was in charge, they would have never done any better than their CDC Covid tests that didn't work when it first hit.  The CDC was also the organization that said early on that we shouldn't wear masks.

There's two  months before Biden takes over. In England, someone mentioned that the transfer takes place in around a week or ten days.  Fauci will still be there as will all the other department heads just like Obama's people continued on.  Ambassadors, CIA head, FBI chief, etc.  They don't leave on Jan 21st, oops, 20th. When Biden wants to make the transfer to new people, he can do that at any time later.  HOw long does a briefing take to find out what the North Koreans are up too? Does anyone think the Biden's going to remember anyway?

Trump voters, and I'm one, know it's over and have moved on.

That didn't last long.

[Alan Klein]

All this rugged individualism is going to get some people killed. But at least they have the freedom to assess the risks and make their own decisions about what is best for themselves and their families. The bright side is that 60% of Americans exhibit some common sense. That's actually higher than I may have previously thought.

About 40% of Americans intend to celebrate Thanksgiving with at least 10 people, study finds

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/40-percent-americans-big-thanksgiving-coronavirus

They're the ones who'd have to invite their in-laws. 

[Alan Klein]

Excellent snap of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, made at their joint economic statement and press conference in Wilmington, Delaware, today (attached because linking to the image URL didn't work).

New York Times photographer Ruth Fremson did a great job of framing the two figures and the bokeh on Harris is just right: soft enough to leave no doubt that she is not the subject of the photo but clear enough for her to be easily recognizable.  The only quibble I have with the shooter's technique is that she might have positioned herself at an ever-so-slightly higher angle in order to push the top of Harris's hair below the illuminated part of the window.

And — nothing to sneeze at — now that he is comfortable about his margin of victory and well-rested, Biden really looks presidential compared to his dour, red-faced, puffy, yellow-haired, obese predecessor.  The president-elect has his share of foibles and personality oddities, including an unfortunately Trumplike susceptibility to flattery, and a dose of Martin Scorcese's de-aging technology wouldn't hurt, but central casting couldn't have done a better job.

His hair plugs help.

[armand]

It seems that two or three vaccines are getting ready to be released in just a few months instead of years.  All done during his term like when he restored the ice skating rink in NYC in a few months when the City government couldn't get it done in ten years.  If he depended on the CDC and Fauci who was in charge, they would have never done any better than their CDC Covid tests that didn't work when it first hit.  The CDC was also the organization that said early on that we shouldn't wear masks.

Are you for real? No shame whatsoever? The idiot in charge opposed science at every step and now you give him credit for something that he literally has nothing to do with, when he actually contributed to more deaths?
Those companies are private, they would have come up with a vaccine regardless of Trump and co; they did it because there is money to be made, the market is huge and so is the demand.
I know better than to argue with you but this is really over the top.

[armand]

All this rugged individualism is going to get some people killed. But at least they have the freedom to assess the risks and make their own decisions about what is best for themselves and their families. The bright side is that 60% of Americans exhibit some common sense. That's actually higher than I may have previously thought.

About 40% of Americans intend to celebrate Thanksgiving with at least 10 people, study finds

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/40-percent-americans-big-thanksgiving-coronavirus

Those who do this parties should sign a form saying that they would not seek medical care if they get Covid after these gatherings. I foresee a tremendous decrease in the numbers of those still willing to go for it.

[LesPalenik]

Those who do this parties should sign a form saying that they would not seek medical care if they get Covid after these gatherings. I foresee a tremendous decrease in the numbers of those still willing to go for it.

Yes, that would be much more effective way to reduce the infections than to explain to them the safe practices.

[Alan Klein]

Are you for real? No shame whatsoever? The idiot in charge opposed science at every step and now you give him credit for something that he literally has nothing to do with, when he actually contributed to more deaths?
Those companies are private, they would have come up with a vaccine regardless of Trump and co; they did it because there is money to be made, the market is huge and so is the demand.
I know better than to argue with you but this is really over the top.

You just can't give Trump credit for anything, can you?

Boston Herald
PUBLISHED: July 22, 2020 at 8:29 p.m.
The Trump administration will pay Pfizer nearly $2 billion for a December delivery of 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine the pharmaceutical company is developing.

The U.S. could buy another 500 million doses under the agreement, if the vaccine is safe and effective, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.

The agreement is part of President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed vaccine program, under which multiple COVID-19 vaccines are being developed simultaneously. The program aims to deliver 300 million doses of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine by January 2021.

Under the initiative, the government will speed development and buy vaccines — before they are deemed safe and effective — so that the medication can be in hand and quickly distributed once the FDA approves or authorizes its emergency use after clinical trials
https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/07/22/trump-admin-orders-100-million-doses-of-pfizer-covid-vaccine-one-of-many-companies-to-get-hhs-funding/

[faberryman]

His hair plugs help.

Good one.

[Alan Klein]

Those who do this parties should sign a form saying that they would not seek medical care if they get Covid after these gatherings. I foresee a tremendous decrease in the numbers of those still willing to go for it.

America isn't China.

[LesPalenik]

America isn't China.

Yeah, in this case they reward the dumb and irresponsible ones.
Almost 150,000 cases today. The After-Thanksgiving daily count could easily jump to a quarter million.

[faberryman]

America isn't China.

Do they do that in China, require their citizens to sign waivers of medical treatment if they host large Thanksgiving gatherings?

[digitaldog]

Are you for real? No shame whatsoever? The idiot in charge opposed science at every step and now you give him credit for something that he literally has nothing to do with, when he actually contributed to more deaths?
Those companies are private, they would have come up with a vaccine regardless of Trump and co; they did it because there is money to be made, the market is huge and so is the demand.
I know better than to argue with you but this is really over the top.

All factual and correct.
You'll also notice a question to Alan to justify the feet dragging of a sore loser child with respect to providing data to the next administration to reduce the further unnecessary death of Americans goes unanswered. He is not for real.

[digitaldog]

You just can't give Trump credit for anything, can you?

He gets a lot of credit for much needless infections and deaths, for among many actions, one no less egregious as making mask wearing political. Any idea Alan how many of his staff and The secret service has been infected?

Did the CDC say not to wear masks way back in early April, when masks were far more unavailable for all and health care workers desperately needed them, and what was known about the spread from asymptomatic carriers unknown? Yes. Did the CDC learn more and massively change the recommended use of masks for all, all while Trump double-downed on mocking masks? Yes. He's a fact and science denier.

“When the Facts Change, I Change My Mind. What Do You Do, Sir?” John Maynard Keynes

Sir and sir: the answer based on posting here and Trumps words on TV are clear. No.

[faberryman]

All done during his term like when he restored the ice skating rink in NYC in a few months when the City government couldn't get it done in ten years.

Speaking of ice skating rinks, last year they removed Trump's name from the names of the rinks because people didn't want to skate there with his name on the signs.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/22/once-a-point-of-pride-trump-name-reportedly-scrubbed-from-new-york-ice-rinks