At a @CFR_org virtual meeting, CDC director Robert Redfield acknowledges that for the next couple of months the pandemic will be “really rough.”
Redfield also seems to acknowledge the incoming Biden administration, stating that his tenure will end in mid-January.
Redfield flat-out states that for the next 60-90 days the United States will experience daily death tolls that exceed 9/11 and vaccine approval will have no effect on those numbers.
Redfield explains the elevated U.S. mortality rates to the fact that the United States is a fundamentally unhealthy country. Obesity, other co-morbidities, lack of health equity kicking in.
Redfield claims the controversial CDC test for COVID19 was perfectly fine; its mistake was in insisting on manufacturing it.
Redfield is using a lot of flowery language to disparage his critics and argue that those working in the arena — i.e., him — are heroes.
Btw, very impressed with @sherifink’s moderation. Respectful tone but also pushback with fact-checking where appropriate.
Redfield does not hide his disgust when discussing (without naming) governors who have pushed back on mask mandates and question their utility.
In closing, Redfield praises Rochelle Walensky, Biden’s choice to replace him, calls her “outstanding” and says he’s talked to her. Says that Americans should have confidence in the transition *at the CDC* since there are only three political appointees. #fin
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“Ellis showed up to the White House senior staff party in the East Wing on Friday as the guest of Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro and was not seen wearing a mask.”
“A review of his professional history, as well as interviews with more than a half-dozen political scientists, show that Mr. Drezner is not the seasoned political science scholar he plays on TV. He has never published in the American Political Science Review. What a loser.”
I live in mortal terror of referee reports as brutal as this @politico story about Sidney Powell: “At least twice, Powell has sued on behalf of a party that did not agree to be a part of the case.” politico.com/news/2020/12/0…
Also, as someone who is doing online instruction for grad students, it absolutely is a form of learning. It’s imperfect and suboptimal compared to in-person instruction, but it’s still teaching. Jeff’s point about online learning has more validity for younglings.
The frustrating thing for everyone involved is that online anything is, on the whole, just less efficient. Which means folks like my wife and I are working harder and nonetheless providing a less-than-ideal service. Still, contra Jeff, it’s better than nothing.
I’m glad you asked Erick, because this attempt —which you and other conservatives have made — to make a false equivalence between 2016 and 2020 is worth examining in more detail. 1/
Let’s focus on the most obvious difference: Hillary Clinton conceded the 2016 race within hours or the networks calling it. We are now approaching two weeks between a similar network call and Trump refusing to concede. 2/
Furthermore, by and large Democrats did not sabotage the transition period. Obama’s GSA ascertained the result for Trump almost immediately. Democrats in Congress did not en masse urge Clinton to litigate the outcome. FFS, Clinton attended the inauguration. 3/