Tremble, thou wretch

"Tremble, thou wretch,

That hast within thee undivulged crimes

Unwhipped of justice." – King Lear, King Lear by William Shakespeare

*

"The quality of mercy is not strained.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest." - Portia, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

 

What's your choice for the villainous DJT? The heavy whips of justice? Or the gentle rain of mercy? You can guess how LSR feels.

Some think it's a dilemma, but it shouldn't be. We are a nation of laws, and no one is above the law. Not no one. Not even the president. He is a criminal on so many levels! But there's a heavy, heavy political blanket wrapping it all up, and it's more complicated than it should be. 

A few presidents have broken the law in pursuit of policy, and none of them faced prosecution. But not one of them has been as criminal as the Commander-in-Cheat. To do nothing would encourage future ne'er-do-wells. 

For your reference, here are some lists of wrongdoings and crimes that the criminaliest president in history has committed. It's dizzying to think about all the wrong he has done. 

• Presidential rap sheet from The Washington Post.
• An extensive catalog of wrongdoings - criminal and otherwise odious - from McSweeney's.
• BBC outlines six cases that will dog him.
• And here is Slate's series "This is Still Happening" which outlines the corruption of the whole TЯUMP circle, including the Trumpitos.

Can we afford to prosecute the Criminal-in-Cheat? Can we afford not to?

Shared by 50 Cent, this but I can't find an original source

The Case for Pardon/Non-Prosecution

The biggest argument made in favor of Biden's pardoning 45 for his crimes while president*, or at least not seeking prosecution. is that we should not be a country that prosecutes political enemies. That's valid, but it's not entirely applicable to this case!

"Movin' on"

Essays like Michael Conway's on NBC, calling for a pardon in the name of "unity" and "healing," appeal to my Pollyanna heart. Oh, wouldn't it be great if Biden showed the gentle rain of mercy and pardoned him and all would be right in the world? We could hold hands, have a Kumbaya moment, and have a big group hug. Forgive and forget!

Yeah, right.

One of Conway's suppositions for issuing a pardon is that in accepting a pardon, Cheeto Benito would be admitting to wrong-doing. Except that this supposition is nebulous, and BLOTUS certainly wouldn't agree, nor would his sycophants, so it's moot. He certainly would not admit anything. And even if he did, an admission is not going to heal us. This is a piss-poor premise for a pardon.

Columnist Randall Eliason writing for WaPo makes the flawed argument that many of his wrongdoings weren't really illegal, so we should let it pass, and that somehow the social and political "punishment" of being voted out of office and being considered a disgraced president is enough. 

Sorry, Mr. Eliason. It's not enough for this resister. 

Writing in the New York Times, Eric Posner's rationale for not prosecuting 45 is a little more bleak. In discussing the obstruction of justice in the Russia investigation or the Ukraine quid pro quo, he suggests that it goes toward constitutional latitude for a president to do the things he did, and a judge would be loathe to rule on an issue that is constitutionally hazy. Also, there's a lot that would be hard to find evidence for. Corrupt? Hell yes. Prosecutable? Questionable. Acquittal would mean more fodder for his victimhood. By not prosecuting at all, Posner suggests the oxygen will be sucked out of 45's martyrdom.

"We do not prosecute political rivals"

It's true that we should not be a nation that appears to prosecute political opponents for political reasons. There's a danger in that. But holy jeebus 45's actions went beyond the pale! For most of us, this is obviously not a political prosecution but a criminal prosecution. Period.

"Just a misting"

In reality, a pardon like Ford's for Nixon ("for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974") for a man like SCROTUS, would be a but a misting of mercy over a huge waterfall of culpability. 

For one, Biden can only pardon federal crimes. And if he followed Ford's precedent, the pardon would be only for crimes committed while president. We all know there are many, many other crimes. SCROTUS has been committing crimes all his life. He has committed crimes before he became "president," and he will continue to commit crimes after he is "president." To pardon him for the stuff he did 2017-2020 would not preclude prosecution for a slew of other crimes. We know that New York State has ramped up their investigation into DJT and the family's organization.

Secondly, if he pardons for crimes only committed while president, it frees up the DOJ to investigate for many other crimes committed before 2017, such as tax fraud.

 

And here's the thing: the Constitution states that pardons cannot be issued for impeachments. The Mango Mussolini stands as having been impeached for obstruction of justice and abuse of power. Article II of the U.S. Constitution is clear: "[The President] shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." He can't be pardoned for those crimes. Whether prosecution is pursued or not is another question. (Side note: Even if he were to pardon himself, and that ability is highly questionable, he could still could not pardon himself for the offenses for which he was impeached). 

"Do it, and we'll make you pay"

Another argument for a pardon or non-prosecution is that if the DOJ pursues prosecution, Republican backlash would be too great for Biden and it would be difficult to do any of the important things that he needs to do. But won't the Grand Obstructionist Party, if they control the Senate, do that anyway? 

If he were to be pursued, he'd act like a trapped tiger. His go-to response to attempts at leveling consequences: hit back hard, or better yet, hit first. He has gotten away with escaping from lawsuits in the past by attacking his attackers and scaring them off. He won't go down easily. It worked well for him in civil cases, but will work less well for tough-as-nails prosecutors. The trouble is, Twitler has armed supporters, and prosecution could be met with dangerous opposition. Should we be a nation shaped by mob rule? No. But we cannot ignore the possibility of violence.

"Moot City"

Of course, all of the above would be moot if King Fear resigned on January 19 and had President Pence pardon him. That is a real possibility. Others agree with my prediction, like New York Attorney General Letitia James (D). If he did so, he could slink away to Mar-a-Lago, avoid the inauguration, and get a pardon all in one fell swoop! 

In the end, if Biden did pardon Donny in the manner that Ford did for Nixon, for any and all crimes committed while in office, he could indeed show the world he is truly merciful, a healer. This may be good for the nation: he would not appear to be persecuting political enemies; it would free up the Department of Justice to do other work; it would be a step toward healing the nation, and it would not be the be-all-end-all of justice. 

The Dangers of Pardoning

There is danger in setting the precedent of not going after outright criminal behavior. It will simply embolden future bad actors. After this election, we know that a large portion of the U.S. voting population is ok with a despot. And with the oligarchic/authoritarian/tyrannical mindset of those currently in power on the right (eg, 126 House Republicans who conspired to commit sedition), what happens in 2024 or beyond could be even worse. Millions voted for a despot. If we give Hair Furor a pass now, what will the next corrupt – and smarter – president try? We might as well not have laws at all. 

And think of all of 45's pardons that came down last week, with probably more to come before January 20. Talk about corruption! If we let him off, we open the door to when another bad guy comes to power, he can surround himself with people who know he will pardon them. They'll all be above the law. (Which begs the question a whole topic unto itself: should we reform the ability of the president to give pardons at all?)

Without consequences for this bad guy, other bad guys would simply be emboldened to do more bad things. The Repugs have been doing bad things for a very long time. Their crimes must be called to bear justice. 

The dangerous precedent that Ford set in pardoning Nixon got us into this predicament. That act led to this president* flaunting the law for his own gain. It's eerie that it's all the same players that have been scheming: Roger Stone, a sumabitch who idolized Nixon – right down to emulating Nixon's famous outstretched peace signs and a Nixon tattoo across his back. Roger Stone cut his dirty-tricks teeth during the Nixon years. And then there was Roy Cohn, the mafia lawyer who also advised Richard Nixon. Cohn was a major player in Nixon's games as well as 45's, and though he died before the 2016 election, his stench still graces Donny's boots. Cohn's ghost was very much alive during the last several years. 

It's a dangerous proposition to simply move on from the last four years.

The Case for Prosecution

The Rule of Law

The best reason for prosecution: We are a nation of laws. He did damage to our nation. He did damage to our democratic ideals. He should be held accountable. 

It would be ridiculous and untenable to let all of his crimes slide. Even if it was politically expedient and "healing," the sheer volume of crimes is unable to be ignored. This is the most criminal president we've ever had in our history. The crimes he committed are really bad-uns, and were not of the garden-variety presidential "stretch the law for the perceived good of the country," these were all crimes for his own benefit. He should obey the rule of law, goshdarnit!

Prosecution of this "president" wouldn't be a political act, it would simply be a legal act. If others see it that way, then that's too bad. He acted objectively illegally and should be treated objectively according to the law. 

Many on the right will cry and moan, but we have to ignore the noise. There may be political fallout, but what's right is right. He broke the law under the color of authority. Period. Meuller brought some out to the open. The House indicted him on others. Let our third branch of government weigh in.

Clear and Present Danger

One of the purposes of criminal justice is to remove a danger from society. This man is a huge danger. If he doesn't go to jail, he will have more chances to damage our nation further. We know he monetizes every position he is in. He's in debt to the tune of $400 million to who-knows-who. He has knowledge of many state secrets that are valuable. He doesn't care about the country; he only cares about himself. All of this adds up to one dangerous cocktail. We simply must put him away so he can't do more harm. 

And! You wanna talk political danger? There is a political cost to "playing nice," which unfortunately the Democrats are all too familiar with. The GOP does not act in good faith. If the Democrats decline to prosecute as "an act of good faith," they are just asking to be cuckolded again. Grow a pair, Dems!

Threading the Needle: Multiple Methods

What if we walk this tightrope by leaving alone the crimes while president and go after him for all the rest? Congress took up impeachment and acquitted him; let's put that aside as an "adjudicated" case. There is plenty else to get him on.

Do nothing

Biden should definitely not pardon him, but maybe he should not refrain from directing his DOJ, period. He shouldn't direct them to investigate and prosecute, but neither should he inhibit them. That way, Biden gets to be a healer, it doesn't appear to be a political move, blah-blah-blah, and the DOJ can work independently in doing their job. Which is what they are supposed to do.

If that's not nothing enough, and if using the DOJ to investigate is too fraught, then let's have an independent body investigate. Appoint a special counsel. Have prosecutors outside the DOJ have the reigns, and it becomes non-political. 

The tincture of time

Time may be a way to get him ...eventually. When he continues to commit crimes, when he fades from view and from memory, and when his MAGAts start to not care about him any more. Maybe then, if statutes of limitations have not run out, he can be prosecuted for the crimes he has committed while president*. Given that he is not going to change his ways, there will undoubtedly be new crimes to prosecute. 

Comparing to another odious figure in our history: Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy was widely admired by many back in the day. In fact, his polls while in office were better than 45's. Here is a Gallup poll showing his numbers, and here is a Washington Post piece analyzing the poll numbers between McCarthy and the Tangerine Palpatine. Today, McCarthy's name is universally met with disdain as the abhorrent person that he was. The tincture of time may help millions of others who have been temporarily blinded.

And it's already happening. They are moving on. Recently in The Los Angeles Times: Letters to the editor defending Trump almost don't exist anymore. 

Prosecute him for his all his other crimes

This is a man with a singularly heinous history of crimes. He was a criminal before he became president, he was a criminal while he was a president, and there is no reason to doubt that he will be a criminal when he is no longer president. If we don't go after him for crimes while president, there are plenty of other crimes to get him on. 

• Let's let New York State get him. He and the TЯUMP Organization are both under investigation in New York for bank, tax, and insurance fraud. 

• Let's get him on taxes. Most tax crimes have a statute of limitations of six years, and if we act right away, we can get Darth TaxEvader for his tax crimes for 2015-2016. His tax crimes are black and white. They are current. They are not political. They are dull and dry, plenty uninteresting to the millions of MAGATs out there. Evidence abounds (thank you, New York Times!), and the only "witnesses" are numbers on the page. There's not many ways in which his sycophants can defend tax crimes. He's basically a mobster, after all. Famously, Al Capone was not prosecuted for his gangster crimes. What sent him to prison was tax evasion. 

• Let's support the women in their civil and criminal cases against him for the dozens of sexual assaults he committed. Those will be done in civil court and at the state level. Civilly: get him where it hurts - in the wallet. Criminally: put him in jail for the harm he has done to women. 

• Let's impeach him again. There is nothing that says that impeachment can't happen after a person leaves office. If convicted by the Senate this time, we would at least enjoy his “disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States.” 

• Let's encourage and support civil cases. There are tons of civil cases that the DOJ can't touch one way or the other. Nor would a pardon. Let's let those play out. 

• Let's bet that state investigations uncover other federal crimes. If there are new crimes uncovered, and he doesn't have a blanket pardon, then it would be hard to ignore them. 

• Let's look at the bigger picture. We true crime junkies know that there are often crimes where investigators and prosecutors know the suspect is guilty, but there isn't enough evidence to prosecute. Or foregoing prosecution for one crime might actually help the prosecution for another crime. There may be some benefits – frustrating as it is – for we the victims to drop one case to pursue another. Perhaps Biden could issue a pardon for a narrow set of crimes and then let the rest play out like they are supposed to.

• Let's wait, ummm, maybe 24 hours. We'd just have to wait maybe a day, max, before he crimes again. He can't help it. He's a criminal. We just wait.

• Let's go after all of his associates. There be lots of 'em. This would be a strong message to future conspirators: You will be held accountable.

• Let's go after his kids. The Don could issue pardons for his children, but it's not likely that he can issue a blanket pardon for them. In order for him to pardon them, he would have to lay out the crimes that they committed. He won't do that. It opens too many cans of worms for them to be prosecuted for related crimes, or to implicate himself. It would hurt them politically. Donny Jr. and Ivanka, at least, have their eyes on future political aspirations. The Orange Anus does *not* admit wrong-doing. In the biggest irony, he won't throw his kids under the bus with pardons. So, let's go after them. There are plenty of crimes to charge them with. At least it's some justice. 

Truth will out

History will bear witness to all of this. In the meantime, what do you want to happen? What do you think will happen?

"Well, time is the old justice that examines all such offenders, and let time try." – Rosalind, As You Like It, William Shakespeare

***

Further Reading

The Intercept: Losing could expose Trump to prosecution for any number of crimes 

Independent Australia: What to do about Trump's crimes

New York Times Magazine: Individual-1

The Atlantic: Trump Has Justified Breaking One of America's Most Sacred Norms

CBS News: The candidates who could end up prosecuting Trump weigh in on New York's criminal investigation

Los Angeles Times: Column: Why Biden should hope that Trump pardons himself on the way out the door

Huffpost: Donald Trump Has Hidden Evidence Of His Crimes For Years. Joe Biden Can Expose It.

Salon: Forget about "moving on" from Trump — the nation can't heal without accountability

CNN: Hold President Trump accountable for his misdeeds

Washington Post: Yes, the Biden administration should hold Trump accountable

Mother Jones: Here Are the Various Ways Donald Trump Could Be Prosecuted

The Last Gasp

It was a quieter week in the transition as the attempted coup breathed its final agonal breaths.

Bill Bramhall

SCOTUS says nay.

As promised, SCROTUS brought his grievances to SCOTUS. But they didn't wanna play. Even "his" three justices didn't show any interest in taking part in overturning the will of millions of voters.

On Tuesday, one sentence was all it took to send him and cronies home when they asked the Supreme Court to overturn the results in Pennsylvania.

U.S. Supreme Court 

And on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled on a case brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton decided to commit an act of sedition, and seduced 126 House Republicans to support his petition to SCOTUS to toss out the results of four battleground states. 

Truly appalling. 

Thankfully our Supreme Court rejected this case, too. Here's their terse dismissal:

U.S. Supreme Court

Predictably, Baby Fingers threw a twitter tantwum: “The Supreme Court really let us down. No Wisdom, No Courage!” 

Paxton had nothing to lose politically by playing this dangerous gambit, as he is already under investigation by the FBI. But the 126 House Republicans? Here is who they are. Make them pay for their anti-democracy act in the next election. 

I've lost count of how many cases TЯUMP has lost in his quest to "win" – it's something like 50. The Washington Post reports that at least 86 judges at all levels and of all political persuasions have weighed in, nearly unanimously, to reject his attempts. He thought he was being clever to pack the courts during the last four years, including three Supreme Court justices. But we the people prevailed. We should be gratified that our checks and balances work. 

It ends tomorrow.

The Electoral College meets tomorrow, Monday December 14. End of the line for the MAGAt. And the end of the line for at least one of his cons. Maybe. A Republican group called "Republicans for the Rule of Law" has started airing ads warning people of the "legal fund" scam.

Follow-up. 

Remember Mellissa Carrone, who appeared in front of the Michigan state senate as a "witness" for Giuliani's attempt to contest the election there? Gossip column time! It turns out she is an interesting character. Apparently she is a "model/actress." Wow, what a portfolio of amazing modeling shots! She also has a criminal record. Questions abound about her performance in the Michigan state house. Was she acting? Was she paid? Was she drunk?

Shortly after her appearance, folks started comparing her to Cecily Strong's SNL character Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With. I wouldn't be surprised if Carrone didn't study SNL skits in preparation for her appearance as a witness. 

Coming full circle, Cecily took her on in last Saturday's episode:

COVID update.

It's bad out there. The surge isn't slowing. There has been record after record falling, in daily cases, in hospitalizations, in deaths. We've hit 3000 deaths per day in the U.S. It's almost too much to comprehend. We're losing more Americans each day than we did on 9/11 or in Pearl Harbor. We've surpassed the number of U.S. and allied military deaths during the nine years of Vietnam.

Rudy Giuliani was the latest from the Whitewash House superspread to test positive. This, after attending – maskless – dozens of hearings regarding the election fight. Arizona, smartly, decided to cancel its legislative session for a week after his many appearances with state lawmakers. Giuliani was hospitalized for a few days in Washington D.C. Lucky for the entitled jerk, he got "celebrity" treatment. He, like his boss, got medications not readily available to the average person. 

The Twitiot continues to refuse to acknowledge the surge or demonstrate an inkling of leadership or caring. Remember during the campaign he said, "'Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid.' By the way, on November 4, you won't hear about it anymore."  Looks like he was projecting again. He just doesn't care. 

The biggest, bestest news was that the vaccine is being shipped across the country today! The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine late last week. This week, they'll look at Moderna's data, and that vaccine is also likely to be authorized. There is light at the end of the tunnel. 

Wondering when you might get the vaccine? Check this tool from the New York Times. It's been estimated that everyone who wants a vaccine will get one by summer, 2021. It's going to be a brutal few months, though, at the pace we're on.

Please. Stay home. Mask up when you do go for essential errands. Stay 6 feet away and wash your hands frequently. Let's help each other get through this. 

This week in Coup-ville

“With a smile to his soul, he descended Mount tRumpet

Cheerily blowing “Coup! Coup!” on his trumpet.” (with apologies to Dr. Suess)

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

This week in Coup-ville...

 

Calls for violence

We've moved from lawsuits to increased calls for violence this week. In the aftermath of the election, some election officials, both Democrat and Republican, were faced with threats of violence. The threats have escalated and expanded. They've moved from threatening secretaries of state to threatening low-level poll workers. For example, there was one 20-year-old contractor to Dominion Voting Systems in Georgia who was videoed transferring data, which was part of his normal humdrum duties. QAnon posted the video, laced it with conspiracy theories, and the worker was soon identified. Threats came rolling in, including a noose left at his home. 

Chris Krebs, head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, who was fired for stating that the election was "the most secure in American history," was threatened by one of Hair Furor's own lawyers, saying Krebs should be "drawn and quartered" and "shot." WTAF.

Gabriel Sterling, Voting System Implementation Manager for Georgia's Secretary of State, responded to these and threats against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger with an impassioned plea for the violence to stop, directing his comments straight to the president*. See below.

Here's a very good summary of the myriad threats in the New York Times. 

Can't stop the losing

There were several lingering lawsuits this week and more judges had scathing remarks in their dismissals. Some of them were 45's appointees, too. SCROTUS lost five times in a matter of hours on Friday, plus a another yesterday to add a little salt. Here's what conservative Judge Brian Hagedorn wrote for the Wisconsin state Supreme Court in their 3-member decision: “The relief being sought by the petitioners is the most dramatic invocation of judicial power I have ever seen. Judicial acquiescence to such entreaties built on so flimsy a foundation would do indelible damage to every future election. Once the door is opened to judicial invalidation of presidential election results, it will be awfully hard to close that door again. This is a dangerous path we are being asked to tread.” 

Here is a recap of this week's lawsuits from Politico.

*Shrug* ...just suspend the Constitution 

Twice-guilty Michael Flynn, freshly pardoned, suggested that the Mango Mussolini simply suspend the Constitution and impose martial law to get what he wants. Coup much, Mike? 

Odious. 

The Long Con

It's not the first time I've said this, but a major reason – if not the reason – 45 has been launching lawsuit upon lawsuit is not that he really wants to overturn the election, but that he really wants to pad his pockets on the way out the door. Since losing the election, he has raised 207 million dollars from his adoring fans. In his barrage of over 500 emailed pleas for money since the election, you had to squint to see the fine print that the money was not really going to his legal fund, but into his big fat wallet. 

The Washington Post reported that during the weeks leading up to the election, the president's* campaign spent over $1.1 million at Donny's properties.

He has said he'll run again in 2024, but I reckon that, too, is just part of his long con. 

Pay to Play

Speaking of cons, there's the stench of a pay-for-pardon scheme in Washington. Names have been redacted and no charges have been filed, but something fishy is going on. 

Side note regarding pardons: A judge has indicated that Flynn's pardon may have been too broad. This bodes interesting for the Orange Scourge's plans to pardon his children. He may have to specify the crimes they did in order to pardon them. I'd tune in to watch that!

Gone with the Wind?

With seven weeks to go, Attorney General Bill Barr must have decided that his job wasn't that great anyway. He publicly admitted that the DOJ found no evidence of fraud in any aspect of the presidential election. This is in direct contradiction to the wind that blows from the ass Barr's lips are usually fast adhered to. Be ready for a new AG to see out the last gasps of this administration.

Speaking of Wind....

Rudy Giuliani is still out there. He met with some Michigan officials in a hearing over the election, and mics picked up his rather loud toots. Yes they really happened. If you giggle at farts, here is the video:

....and yet another bag o' wind

Rudy brought along a "witness" to the election proceedings in Michigan, and, ...well, I'll let Stephen Colbert and his gang tell you all about it.

Straight to Voicemail

What a wonderfully apposite moment: Governor Doug Ducey (R) of Arizona was sitting at his desk with cameras a-rollin' when he got a cell phone call. Some months ago, he had bragged that he speaks to TЯUMP so often by phone that he customized the ringtone to play "Hail to the Chief" when his li'l buddy calls. Well, as he sat with pen in hand, ready to sign to certify Arizona's electors for Joseph R Biden, Jr, the faint sound of Hail to the Chief came from his breast pocket (video). Glancing dismissively, he silenced his phone, set it down, and fixed to sign the certification. Lovely moment. Just lovely. 

All states have now certified the election results, by the way. (Spoiler: Joe Biden won.)

Grand Ouroboros Party

Most delicious of all is that we finally get to witness the GOP self-destruct right before our eyes. The Drumpf team laid the groundwork beautifully for for their base to distrust the system. Repugs have been in lock-step with his insanity. All of this talk about rigged elections and not trusting mail-in ballots? Well, guess who is going to sit out the January Georgia Senate run-off election? Yup, the Repugs are handing over control of the Senate to the Democrats wrapped up with a pretty red bow. 

How? Firstly, a subset of right-wing Georgians (the deepest red MAGAts) want to destroy the Republican Party because the Republican leadership in Georgia (Republican Governor Brian Kemp and Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger) are not leaning on the scale and throwing the election the way that Ghengis Can't wants. So, his base wants to make the Republican Party pay for their outrageous behavior that allowed a free and fair election. "Boycott the election!"

Secondly, another subset of right-wing Georgians are just plain distrustful and feel that the election is already rigged for the Dems, so why bother voting at all? "Do not be fooled twice. This is Georgia, we ain't dumb. We ain't gonna go vote on Jan. 5 on another machine made by China," said pro-Trump attorney Lin Wood, who has no formal affiliation with Trump's campaign. "You're not gonna fool Georgians again." (From NPR)

The Democrats just have to sit back and enjoy the show. ...and enjoy a unified government, with control of both houses of Congress and the Presidency. It shall be a productive – and hopefully progressive – two years. 

(That being said, do not rest! Continue to work hard to support the Dem senate candidates in Georgia!)

The Sound of Silence

The COVID pandemic is raging. Worse-case scenario? It's here. And we haven't even seen the effects of Thanksgiving gatherings yet. And who is the silent-est of them all? BLOATUS, of course. Not a single tweet or word noting the escalation, the lives lost (now at a pace of over 2000 deaths per day), the dangers to come. Just rigged this, fraudulent that, blah blah blah. What a loser. 

Our True Leader

Biden is not waiting until January 20 to lead. He has real plans to combat COVID; he has asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to remain in his role in the new administration; he has stated that he will ask Americans to mask up for his first 100 days; he has urged Congress to act quickly to pass a relief bill. He continues to pick a wonderfully diverse group to help him lead. He has chosen an all-female communications team and will nominate Janet Yellen, the first woman to lead the Treasury Department. There's a lot of hope to be had. 

🎶 Fah who foraze! Dah who doraze!

Welcome Biden, come this way!

Fah who foraze! Dah who doraze!

Welcome, welcome Inauguration Day! 🎶

"Empires implode from within due to their own excesses"

"Empires implode from within due to their own excesses." – Gad Saad


Week three of our chaos and calm. The short version: More calm than chaos during this week of the presidential transition.

This week, a few more excessive lawsuits imploded, re-affirming our democracy.

🎶 Someone is getting his comeuppance! 🎶


Losing over and over. It feels so good to watch the Crybaby-in-Chief lose the election again and again. In Pennsylvania on Friday, a three-judge panel rejected his appeal in challenging Pennsylvania's election. SCROTUS-appointed Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote a 21-page decision, reading in part: “Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here.... Voters, not lawyers, choose the president. Ballots, not briefs, decide elections.” Boom.

Also in Pennsylvania, the commonwealth's supreme court tossed a lawsuit challenging mail-in ballots there.

Georgia is on its second re-count, after already certifying its results for Biden. 

And most delicious, he lost again in Wisconsin. TЯUMP spent $3,000,000 on a recount in two counties in Wisconsin. The recount not only confirmed Biden's win, but it unearthed 132 more votes for Biden. That's about $22,700 spent by 45's campaign for every extra Biden vote. 

Matt Wuerker 

Transition, a long time coming. 

Emily Murphy, Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration, finally "ascertained" the "apparent winner" of the presidential election, opening the way for Biden and his team to really begin the transition by allowing release of funds and authorizing him to receive briefings. She sent her letter to President-elect Biden last Monday, stating, "Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official—including those who work at the White House or GSA—with regard to the substance or timing of my decision. To be clear, I did not receive any direction to delay my determination." 

Predictably, moments after she sent her letter, the Twitiot send out a tweet taking credit for her decision. 

I feel bad for Ms. Murphy. She was put in a tight spot with all of the lawsuits and dangerous anti-democracy rhetoric, and she got shat on by the media and the public. In any case, I hope the GSA fades back into the anonymous machinations of our government and that we never hear about the agency again for the rest of our lives. 

Concession-ish. 

In his tweet about the GSA letter, he wrote, "...I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same."

And in response to a reporter's question, he confirmed that he will step down if the electoral college votes for Biden on December 14, saying, “Certainly I will. But you know that.”

I think that's the closest we're gonna get to a concession.

The fight for Georgia. 

Don't forget: both of Georgia senate seats, and the control of the U.S. Senate, are going to be decided in a run-off on January 5. You can help! The Southern Poverty Law Center is hosting a phone bank on Wednesday. You can also write postcards on your own schedule: Postcards to Voters. Or donate to the Dam candidates, Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, or to Fair Fight. 

Leadership

Dr. Anthony Fauci has said that he would accept a position on the Biden COVID task force if asked. Yes, please! Lead us! 

via GIPHY

Biden gave a moving Thanksgiving address on Wednesday. It was full of complete sentences and well-formed thoughts. Not only that, he inched the nation forward toward unity and triumph over the coronavirus. If you missed it, here is the 17-ish minute speech.

There's just two weeks until the Electoral College votes, and just 52 days until Inauguration Day. We're nearly there! 

"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."

"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." – Henry Ford

Week two of our limbo.

Lawsuits.

45's lawsuits challenging the election kept a flyin' and were withdrawn or thrown out at great pace. Two that he won were minor matters and did not change the outcome of the election. Attorneys on the plantiff side admitted in open court that they did not have evidence of the fraud for which they were suing. Smart attorneys: they know it's quite unwise to lie to a judge. 

Not to say they aren't incompetent. After all, Rudy Giuliani is in charge. Get this: 45's lawyers filed an affidavit in Michigan where they were complaining about 150%! - 200%! - 350%! voter turnout in many precincts. The trouble is, the voter data were for precincts in Minnesota, not Michigan. What a circus.

Today a Pennsylvania lawsuit fell flat on its face, with strong rebukes from the judge. Judge Matthew W. Brann wrote in part: “Rather than requesting that their votes be counted, they seek to discredit scores of other votes, but only for one race. This is simply not how the Constitution works.”

Thank you, Founding Fathers, for our Judicial Branch and for the rule of law. Every one of 45's attempts to subvert our democracy is failing. So much failing. Are they sick and tired of failing yet?

Cracks.

Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey issued a statement after today's Pennsylvania ruling. “I congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory.... President Trump has exhausted all plausible legal options to challenge the result of the presidential race in Pennsylvania. To ensure that he is remembered for these outstanding accomplishments, President Trump should accept the outcome of the election and facilitate the presidential transition process."

Several other Republican leaders have acknowledged and supported the Biden win.

 Even ƒucker Carlson is calling them out on their ridiculousness. About 45 attorney Sidney Powell, he wrote:

But she never sent us any evidence, despite a lot of polite requests. When we kept pressing, she got angry and told us to stop contacting her. When we checked with others around the Trump campaign, people in positions of authority, they also told us Powell had never given them any evidence to prove anything she claimed at the press conference.

Powell did say that electronic voting is dangerous, and she's right, but she never demonstrated that a single actual vote was moved illegitimately by software from one candidate to another. Not one.

Why are we telling you this? We're telling you this because it's true, and in the end, that's all that matters. The truth is our only hope and our best defense. 

 

via GIPHY

Threats.

At least a couple secretaries of state have been receiving death threats. Arizona's Katie Hobbs (D) and Georgia's Brad Raffensperger (R) have both had threats against them for asserting their integrity while performing their jobs in certifying the results of the election. Philadelphia officials are also receiving death threats. Unconscionable.

Corruption. Oh, the corruption!

45's lawsuits falling flaccid, he turned to state officials. It's unknown whether 45 wielded the carrot or the stick against some Michigan Republicans. He first called a Republican member of Wayne County’s Board of Canvassers, and she nearly overturned her vote to certify. When that didn't work, he invited Michigan Senate Majority Leader and Speaker of the House to the Whitewash House for a chat. He wanted them to subvert their duties and give Michigan's electors to him. Thankfully, they didn't succumb, and they will follow the law to have Michigan's electors vote for Biden. Biden got the majority of votes in Michigan. Duh. 

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham badly overstepped ethical and legal lines when he called Georgia's Secretary of State to ask that all legally cast ballots from certain counties be thrown out. Will he face consequences for his alleged felony action? Doubtful.

Fiirings.

A man of high integrity, Chris Krebs, head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, was summarily fired after his agency made a statement that the election was "the most secure in American history." The agency did a great job in not allowing foreign – or domestic – cyber interference. And when you do your job with integrity and contradict the boss's flagrant corruption, ...well, you are fired. His firing followed a that of couple other DHS officials in his agency. It's widely speculated that more firings of perceived non-loyalists are to come. 

This is why we can't have nice things. Like a functioning democracy. 

The Usual. 

Hair Twitler has still been quiet in public, but tweeting the usual weird stuff like, "I WON THE ELECTION!" He has not said a word or a tweet about the surging COVID numbers across the country. Cases are increasing exponentially, and we're now losing about 1500 Americans per day to COVID. But from him: silence.

Don Jr. tested positive for "the 'rona" today, instagramming the usual inanities. What an ass. He is at least the 50th person in daddy's orbit to become infected. 

The Giuliani Factor. What is going on with Rudy? Once respected, nicknamed "America's Mayor," he's devolved into a (literally) scum-oozing sycophant. His behaviors have been bizarre for at the last year or more. He has some language difficulties in court ("I’m not quite sure what ‘opacity’ means. It probably means you can see"), and he seems to have forgotten how to lawyer. 

And why was he leaking? 

Embed from Getty Images

Whatever it was, it was hilarious!

It's altogether fitting that this insane clown is leading the Joker-in-Chief's legal posse.

Obstruction.

The current administration continues to block Biden's transition team access to briefings and funds. General Services Administration director Emily Murphy continues to refuse to send a letter formally starting the transition. It is supposed to be sent once she "ascertains" the "apparent winner" of the election. Here we are, two weeks after the election was called, and the transition is still in limbo. And Congress wants to know why. Murphy has until Monday to explain, or she may be called to testify. 

In any transition, it is important to make the hand-off as smooth and timely as possible. This year, with a raging – truly raging – pandemic, the safety and well-being of United States citizens is at risk. Most importantly, two vaccines have recently been reported to be 95% effective and are ready to manufacture and ship as soon as emergency F.D.A. approval is given. The U.S. Government will be instrumental in coordinating the distribution and administration of the vaccines. It is imperative that Biden's team be allowed to start their work so that this massive undertaking can be done as efficiently and as smoothly as possible. 

The Onion's Competition. 

It's been a real thin line between satire and reality the last four years, but this story takes the Onion Cake. TЯUMP supporters in Georgia have decided to rebel. In a way only Cheeto Benito supporters can reason out a resistance. They are going to take down the GOP in Georgia by boycotting the January Senate runoff election. Go, rebels, go! #Resist!

Moving forward.

Georgia's hand recount confirmed Biden to be the winner of Georgia's electoral votes, and Georgia's Republican governor Brian Kemp moved to certify the results. (Just this evening, though, 45 requested another recount.)

Speaking of Georgia, let's help the MAGATs in that state reach their goal! Let's move forward together in a big way by supporting the Democrat candidates for Senate in Georgia, Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock. You can write to voters in Georgia, like I'm doing! Check out Postcards to Voters; Georgia Postcard Project; or Vote Forward. Or, donate to Stacey Abrams's Fair Fight, or to the candidates' campaigns directly. Through ActBlue, you can donate to all three at one time! 

Current and former TЯUMP administration officials have been reaching out to Biden and his transition team. Though they aren't official meetings, and Biden still does not have access to briefings, it's baby steps toward the inevitable.

Though taxpayer funds allocated for the transition are being held up because of Ms. Murphy's obstruction, Joe Biden is moving ahead with the transition. He has built a diverse team – the most diverse in history. He is crowdsourcing funds and has already raised $10 million. It's common for incoming presidents to raise some transition funds themselves, but Biden has been accelerating fundraising. 

He's also been doing what leaders do. He's been reaching out to Democrat and Republican lawmakers to ask their help in ending the standstill. He hasn't directly attacked SCROTUS or the GSA administrator, but he has blasted their decision to obstruct and has calmly outlined the problems of a delayed transition, appealing for a difference course.

Twitter has announced they will be assigning @POTUS handle to Biden on Inauguration Day, along with other official Twitter handles, concession or no concession.

And the Team at Jimmy Fallon put together the concession speech we badly need:

 

A COVID TALE

Dan Wasserman

While we've been distracted by the election the past couple weeks, over 1,653,000 more Americans have contracted COVID-19, and over 14,000 more Americans have died. There has been a huge surge in infections this month, and governors from coast to coast are implementing more restrictions and mask mandates.

Of all the crimes that 45 has committed over the last four years, the crime of ignoring a public health crisis for the benefit of political standing has got to be the more heinous. 

It's Job #1 of any president to ensure the health and welfare of the country's citizens. This "president" had a direct hand in the death of over 246,000 Americans. He knew! He knew from the start that the virus was airborne, extremely contagious, and deadly. Yet he did nothing. Worse than nothing. He lied about it. He purposefully lied about it; by his own admission he downplayed the virus at the direct peril of millions of American citizens. 

The orange shitstain made the conscious choice to personally spread the disease. He flaunted mask wearing and social distancing as he hosted superspreader events. He outright mocked people wearing them in crowds right before the election! In a recent Stanford study, it was estimated that his rallies and events directly caused around 30,000 people to become ill and upwards of 700 Americans to die. Of course, that's just his rallies. By his actions and inactions throughout the last nine months, it's estimated that of the deaths so far, up to 210,000 of them could have been avoided by stronger leadership and quicker action. To my mind, that makes Hair Twitler a mass murderer. 

One of my very best friends and fellow sister resister recently became ill with the Coronavirus. She is one of the 11,463,782 reported cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. But believe me, she's not just a statistic. She is a wonderful, warm, productive, giving American. She is a sister, a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a mentor, a giver, a healer, a teacher, a lover. She is just like you. She contracted COVID. And she wants to share her story. Her story may be the story of someone you love. 

Today, a Q & A.

Q: What was your COVID experience, in a nutshell?

A: It was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Not only from being more sick than I'd ever been before, but from the reality standpoint of being a functional leper without a colony! I literally had no place to go and was getting sicker every day. 

After about two weeks of the onset of milder symptoms (a bad cough, aches, burning eyes and fever), I woke up early one morning at home struggling to breathe. I was having trouble walking and judging distances. A chest X-ray the prior week showed that I had pneumonia along with the Coronavirus. I called a good friend nearby with COPD; he brought me an oximeter to measure my oxygen saturation. It was scary low, ranging from 61-66% (it should be 90-100%), and my resting heart rate was between 99-121 beats per minute (normal is less than 100). My friend immediately went home and returned with an oxygen tank. It was obvious I needed urgent medical attention, but I had to drive myself three hours to the hospital (It's not like anyone could take me!). While I stabilized myself with oxygen, he went to fill up a portable oxygen tank in case breathing became a problem again on the road.

I fell through the cracks of the system a lot and had to handle many things myself without the stamina to do it properly. I knew there was a medical sheltering option, a quarantine program ("Covid Motel") offered in many areas, and I hoped to recuperate for 10 days there before going home. My home is rustic and cold. Normally this isn't a problem, but it was not allowing my lungs to heal. 

I found testing to be insufficient in the hospital - they released me after a rapid test showed a false negative. Before leaving, I insisted on a throat swab test, which was not rushed (and therefore in my opinion, more reliable). 

I knew I was still positive from more comprehensive tests a week earlier (lung X-ray, throat and nose swab). It was too late to drive three hours back home, and I didn't have the option to stay with my family in Los Angeles because of contamination concerns. I had no choice but to get a motel room for the night. I sanitized everything before I left. I hope it was enough. 

The next day, after I checked out out of the motel, I was still feeling very sick. I was exhausted and I had run out of food and water – I didn't think it was safe to go inside a store. I parked my car at a rest area, sleeping and wondering what to do and where to go. I couldn't risk infecting anyone; I felt paralyzed. Finally, the hospital called me, told me the throat swab test was positive, and asked me to return. 

They kept me overnight, monitored my symptoms, and arranged for me to be accepted into the Medical Sheltering Program. A doctor has to make the referral. 

This temporary quarantine program, using government-leased motels and hotels, is provided in order to prevent the spread of the virus. It includes people who can't quarantine safely at home due to shared bathrooms or other people in the home who are high risk. I had hoped to be there 10 days, but was able to receive only four days. The quarantine program is offered for 10 days - from the onset of symptoms. (They must have counted from my first positive test results the week before.)

After my stay at the "Covid Motel," I was still feeling very sick and felt like I couldn't drive the three hours back home. I literally had nowhere to go. Unbeknownst to me, family and friends arranged for me to be in a timeshare resort for 12 days to recuperate. I wasn't supposed to be there! This is what I mean by saying people like me have few options and honesty isn't one of them. (At check-in: "Have you been sick in the last 14 days?" Me, without blinking: "No.") I stayed in my room or outside on the patio and sanitized everything I touched before leaving. I had stayed there before, recently, so I knew the cleaning crew wore gloves and masks. Again, I hope it was enough. Then I returned home. 

Q: What has been the most difficult thing about all of this?

A: Being a walking germ, a deadly hazard to others. I couldn't see my friends and family; I couldn't go to the store; I couldn't even pet the neighborhood dogs who come to visit me everyday. My friends and family felt helpless. It was tough on everyone who loves me. It was probably the most difficult for my mom, who couldn't mother me in person. Family and friends were calling and texting out of concern. As much as I appreciated it, I didn't have the energy to respond. So my sister sent out text updates to family and friends while I was the most ill. After that, the people who texted me said loving things like, "I know you're too weak to respond now but I want you to know I'm thinking about you, I'm concerned and I feel helpless. Don't answer until you feel better." 

Q: What kind of treatment did you receive? 

A: Prior to the hospital admission, I was on a high dose of azithrimyacin for two weeks (to treat both pneumonia and COVID). I was also on Ivermectin for about a week. Ivermectin is usually used for parasites but has anecdotally shown to be helpful treating COVID. This treatment was from a local doctor friend. I truly received the best, most consistent care from him throughout the entire experience, both in person or via text, compared to everyone else.

At the hospital, they ran a lot of tests including a rapid test, chest X-ray and blood work. The doctor suggested I stop the azithrimyacin and switch to another antibiotic but I preferred to follow the advice of my own doctor, plus I did not want to go to a pharmacy to fill it and risk spreading the virus to others.

After I left the hospital, I continued the protocol from my doctor plus a steady diet of Tylenol to keep fever down and help minimize body aches. The next three months I need to rest a lot and take 1000 mg of Vitamin C daily. And I'm drinking tea made from fresh ginger and turmeric daily to help with the inflammation.

Q: Having experienced this for more than six weeks, what are the most important things you want people to know?

A: Several things.

How to take a test properly. With all the information out there, hardly anyone knows the best way to prepare for a COVID test. You need to allow the natural fluids in the head and throat to build up for two hours. This means no food or fluids, no brushing teeth, no chewing gum, etc. Hospitals and testing centers don't tell you this. My doctor told me this.

Learn in advance about testing. Ask what kind of test you are taking and how it is processed. How many people know that the rapid tests are only 50-70% accurate? It's the false negatives we need to worry about the most! When I went to the hospital the first time, I was given a rapid test (nose swab) that showed a false negative. The most accurate way to test is both a nose test and throat swab - not rapid tested.

Repeat infections. It is under-reported and undocumented how many people get COVID more than once. When this began last winter, there were not many tests available yet. We were told not to be tested unless gravely ill. I believe I contracted Coronavirus in early April, but I wasn't tested. I know many other people who believe they had it also; they weren't tested either. There is no way to be certain how many people have been infected. This means that the overall pandemic statistics quoted are actually much higher. 

COVID-19 is a big deal. There is a reason it's called a pandemic. It is a convenient myth, perpetuated by the president* (who turned COVID into a reality show "success story" following his own illness: "COVID Ain't No Big Thang!") that people only feel ill for a few days. It varies widely ranging from a few days to months. It's worth mentioning that the president was very ill and received drugs not available to most that turbocharged his recovery time.

There is also post-viral syndrome. A short list of symptoms include long-term respiratory issues, inflammation, ongoing loss of taste and smell, chronic fatigue, body aches, fever, hair loss, fibromyalgia, vision issues and more. It's still unknown how long the post-viral syndrome lasts, this is so new. I belong to several Facebook groups where many people note their primary care doctors are not taking Post-COVID Syndrome seriously, minimizing their patients concerns and implying it may be psychological issues. The fact is, this virus is still new. There is a lot we don't know yet.

Quarantine time. My personal doctor told me quarantine should only be lifted after 30 days and two negative tests. This is twice as long as what we are told in the media, and also double what the medical professionals in the hospital told me. Moreover, my doctor advised me to only re-test for the virus until three or four days passed without a fever and not using a fever-reducer. I was still taking Tylenol and followed my intuition instead of my doctor's advice. I tested twice within 7 days and passed.

 Q: What are your physical symptoms, then and now?

A: My initial symptoms were fatigue, lungs feeling "cold," cough, fever, body aches, burning eyes and inflammation. I found myself whimpering involuntarily. A lot. I couldn't talk on the phone for a week due to constant coughing. I was in bed most of the time, unable to do basic things (both physically and due to the quarantine), such as take my laundry out to be cleaned, so I was wearing dirty clothes and sleeping in dirty sheets.

Now, more than six weeks later? I've passed two COVID tests (taken a week apart), and have been out of quarantine several days. It's wonderful to be a free agent again! The pneumonia is long gone. My cough lingers a bit still and is mostly triggered by cold air. I haven't had a fever in five days but am still taking Tylenol daily as a fever-reducer and for pain. My inflammation is still pretty bad and the exhaustion is off the hook. I still can't do very much without symptoms flaring up. It is my body telling me to slow down and rest more.

Q: What has been the most difficult part of this experience?

A: During those six weeks it was not knowing when this would be over! Not being able to be self-sufficient but at the same time having to do things myself, even with profound weakness. It was frustrating that no one could be near me without putting themselves in jeopardy. 

Also, because there are still so many unknowns about this disease, there was a real lack of information and guidance. My symptoms were more severe than some who stay home with cold and flu symptoms, but not severe enough for hospitalization. Information was given by several people following up on a positive test result with a phone call; none of them were in a position to advocate for me in a meaningful way. Their job was to tell me how to safely quarantine, which I knew already and had been doing for two weeks prior to going to the hospital.

Q: You've been basically all alone for six weeks. How has that been for you? 

A: I thought the isolation itself would be tough but it really wasn't. I was too sick to care. I slept at least 14 hours a day. Not having the basics we take for granted when we are healthy (going to the store, necessary errands, visiting friends, etc.) was difficult. 

Q: What kind of emotions arose for you all along?

A: Many things seemed impossible, things that are normally easy for a healthy person to do. It was hard to prepare a meal and wash dishes, etc. I found myself struggling to regulate my emotions which ranged from self-pity to outright rage after I sought medical treatment in the hospital and was released after the false negative result. When I finally was accepted in the quarantine hotel program I was lodged in a 4-star hotel - The Crowne Plaza. Yet it took 20 hours and four requests for an extra blanket when the AC was stuck on and my warm clothes were out for laundry service. (Even a 1-star fleabag hotel will provide a second blanket.) The cold air increased my cough and my fever spiked again. I left the hotel feeling worse than when I checked in. As my symptoms reduced in intensity over the following weeks, it became easier to return to my more optimistic self.

Q: Have there been any positives in this experience?

A: So many! Mostly it was how my family and friends rallied around me, helping in any way they could from afar. The day I was in crisis, needing medical attention urgently, everyone jumped in to help. In addition to the aforementioned friend who brought me oxygen, another friend researched healthcare options in advance of my long drive. A bilingual friend helped with translating medical advice in one tricky situation. Another friend made advance phone calls to pave my way through challenges. Yet another friend raised money so I don't have to worry about rent for awhile as I recuperate. My sister sent out daily text updates to about 20 people so I could conserve energy. Local friends dropped off food and staples. And all along my doctor friend provided free medical care, checking in on me several times a day.

I'm a strong, independent person, and it was hard for me to accept help. At the same time, help was badly needed. Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring out the best in people and it has been truly humbling to see how many people care for me.

I think the other positive is to be able to tell my story here. To raise awareness. People like me are under-represented. While roughly 80% of infected people aren't very sick and not for very long, and many are sick enough to be in the hospital and maybe die, the remaining 20% are people like me. Sick longer, needing help and support longer, and perhaps without social support or other resources.

Q: What was your experience with your medical insurance?

A: Enrolling in Medi-Cal/Covered California was done for me at the hospital. I really appreciated that. I also learned from Little Sister Resister that federal coverage through the CARES Act is available to any American with COVID-19.

Q: What resources did you have for your recovery while you had to be isolated? What did you wish you had? 

A: The program at the quarantine hotel was run by a staffing agency. There was COVID-dedicated staff available 24/7. There was one nurse from 7am to 11:30 pm for about 100 patients. The nurse would call every morning to ask for and record my temperature. If I needed Tylenol to control my fever they brought each dose. If I wanted a cough drop, they were dispensed one at a time.Three meals a day were left outside the door and laundry service was twice a week.

I wish medicine (Tylenol and cough drops) had been dispensed more generously, say six doses at a time. I didn't want to make the nurse come to my room three times a day so I wasn't properly dosed. I wish the Crowne Plaza Hotel had moved me to another room when the AC was stuck on but they refused. No one, including maintenance staff and the nurses, were allowed in patients rooms for obvious reasons. 

Q: Do you have any idea where/when you were exposed?

A: Not really. I was likely exposed in Los Angeles (basically Covid Land) visiting family 10 days before onset of symptoms. I was wearing masks in stores and using hand sanitizer (the latter not as often I should have). My mother and uncle share a home, are in their 80s and live next door to my sister. We fastidiously practiced social distancing with masks and sanitizer in the conjoined back yard.

I'm high risk - very prone to respiratory issues and catch pneumonia and bronchitis all too often. For someone like me? With two parents with terminal lung diseases? I probably caught this by breathing air. Masks notwithstanding.

Q: Were you contacted regarding contact tracing?

A: Never. Not at the hospital, not at the quarantine hotel, and not by any of the people from the state who called to make sure I knew how to quarantine properly.

Q: What were the testing protocols afterwards?

A: None. The hotel quarantine program keeps patients there a maximum 10 days and releases without testing again. No one followed up to recommend another test. I arranged my two follow-up tests myself.

Mike Luckovich

Q: What are your takeaways?

A: We need our leaders to take this pandemic seriously. We need a president who has a plan rather than minimizing or outright lying to the American people and the world.

We need to have more options for people not sick enough to be in the hospital but still needing medical monitoring to be safely quarantined. I think quarantine hotel options must include factors like age, length of illness, only be released after fever is normal and after they have passed one COVID test. If people are released too early, they are at risk for infecting others. I'm very grateful that none of the people I was around earlier in the day I developed symptoms became sick. That would be hard for me to live with.

There was great news about two vaccines coming soon, but we won't know how truly effective they will be until they roll out to the general population. In the meantime, it's going to be a long, dark winter. The virus is surging badly. Continue your social distancing. Wear a mask when you go out. Sanitize your hands often. Don't go out when you are feeling sick! We need to keep up the protocols, folks, no matter how much of a drag it is. You just don't know how this will affect the next person, or if the resources they have will be enough.You do not want to end up like me.