In this twisted real-life version of Rock-Paper-Scissor, crutch beats fist, intact crutch beats broken crutch, and barricade beats everything. Humanity loses.
The USPS had planned to send millions of masks to Americans, but the White House killed the plan
Some top administration officials even hoped to tap the mail service’s vast network — and its unrivaled ability to reach every U.S. Zip code — to help Americans obtain personal protective equipment. The idea originated out of the Department of Health and Human Services, which suggested a pack of five reusable masks be sent to every residential address in the country, with the first shipments going to the hardest-hit areas.
At the time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been working on coronavirus guidance that recommended face coverings, a reversal of its previous position, in the face of mounting evidence that people could spread the coronavirus without experiencing symptoms. The Postal Service prepared for the possibility it might be deputized in the effort, drawing up a news release touting that it was “uniquely suited” to help. The service specifically identified Orleans and Jefferson parishes in Louisiana as the first areas to receive face coverings, with deliveries shortly thereafter to King County, Wash.; Wayne County, Mich.; and New York, according to the newly unearthed document, which is labeled a draft.
Before the news release was sent, however, the White House nixed the plan, according to senior administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations. Instead, HHS created Project America Strong, a $675 million effort to distribute “reusable cotton face masks to critical infrastructure sectors, companies, healthcare facilities, and faith-based and community organizations across the country.” About 600 million of the 650 million masks ordered have been distributed, according to an HHS spokesperson, including 125 million set aside for schools.
A major – and majorly good for Democrats – development in Pennsylvania
After all that, NYC schools aren’t totally reopening on 9/21
Trump signals even harder that he won’t accept the results on November 3
Mayor de Blasio is furloughing himself just to send a message, which sounds about right
Hundreds of staffers in the mayor’s office — and Mayor Bill de Blasio himself — will be placed on a weeklong, unpaid furlough as the city grapples with a multibillion-dollar budget gap, the mayor announced Wednesday.
All 500 employees of the mayor’s office will be required to take five unpaid days off between Oct. 1 and March, saving about $1 million for the city. That’s a drop in the bucket compared to the $9 billion in revenue the city has lost due to the coronavirus crisis, but de Blasio said the move was intended to send a message that the budget pain is being felt at the top.
“This is a step you never want to see for good, hardworking people,” he said. “So it is with pain that I say they and their families will lose a week’s pay, but it’s something we have to do.”
De Blasio plans to work unpaid during his furlough, his office said. Other employees will not be expected to work while on furlough.
Caputo is gone, for now
Big Ten football is happening after all
The Big Ten will kick off its football season the weekend of Oct. 24 after the league’s presidents and chancellors unanimously voted to resume competition, citing daily testing capabilities and a stronger confidence in the latest medical information, the conference announced Wednesday morning.
Each team will attempt to play eight games in eight weeks, leaving no wiggle room during the coronavirus pandemic before the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 19. That date will also feature an extra cross-division game for each school, with seeded teams in each division squaring off.
The Big Ten would complete its season before the Dec. 20 Selection Day for the College Football Playoff. Fans are not expected at Big Ten games, which will be held on campus throughout the season.
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