Internal Census Bureau document faults month-early end to count
Census Bureau officials concluded that the shortened time frame for the 2020 count could lead to “serious errors” in the data used to apportion congressional seats and more, according to an internal agency document released Wednesday by congressional Democrats.
The document, which appears to be part of an Aug. 3 presentation marked “not for public distribution,” outlines several risks presented by the current plan to end in-person counting on Sept. 30 rather than Oct. 31. Previously, administration officials said they were confident the agency could complete the count in the abbreviated time frame and deliver accurate data used to apportion the House and guide $1.5 trillion in federal spending each year.
However, the Census Bureau document released by House Oversight and Reform Committee said the fast-tracked timeline not only threatens the accuracy of the headcount but the time needed afterward to review the information, which “creates risk for serious errors not being discovered in the data — thereby significantly decreasing data quality.”
Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., cited the internal agency document in a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass legislation to extend the current mandated Dec. 31 deadline to finish operations until the end of April 2021.
Government attorneys, responding to cities and civil rights groups suing to add the month back in order to ensure that minority communities aren’t undercounted, said an extension would be costly and burden the bureau.
Doctors’ fees might mean ‘free’ COVID-19 vaccine won’t be free
Millions of uninsured Americans seeking a COVID-19 vaccine could be on the hook for a fee if health care providers charge to administer it.
So even while the federal government has bought millions of doses of vaccine in deals worth billions of dollars, it is not clear that everyone will be able to get one for free.
Even if pharmacists and doctors don’t charge for a vaccine, they can charge an “administrative fee.” It offers a financial incentive to provide the vaccine, and covers costs associated with storage and the health care providers’ time, but it also imposes another barrier to vaccination, according to Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers, which works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and states to implement immunization.
Bloomberg donates $100M to historically Black medical schools
In the midst of the pandemic, Michael Bloomberg is focusing on a unique way to improve the health of Black communities: by giving money to Black students studying to become doctors.
The former New York City mayor said Thursday that his philanthropic organization will give $100 million to four historically Black medical schools.
The immediate goal is to reduce medical students’ financial burdens by giving about 800 of them up to $100,000 in grants. The bigger goal, architects of the gift say, is to improve the health and wealth of Black Americans.
Portland mayor to move from condo building beset by protests
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler says he’s looking for a new place to live after his condominium building has been the site of repeated demonstrations, including on Monday when people in a crowd demanding that he resign set fires and broke windows.
In an email Tuesday from Wheeler to other residents of the 16-floor highrise tower, the mayor apologized for the damage and said it would be “best for me and for everyone else’s safety and peace” that he finds a new home. He assured them that police are taking their safety concerns seriously.
The building has 114 units and retail space. Wheeler bought his two-bedroom condominium for $840,000 in 2017, according to Multnomah County property records.
Ex-michigan Gov. Snyder latest Republican to back Biden
Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder backed Joe Biden for president on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile Republican to support the Democratic nominee over President Donald Trump.
“Joe Biden is a man of deep faith and commitment to family, decency and integrity, which will serve us all well when he is in the White House,” Snyder said in a statement released after he announced his decision in a USA Today op-ed. “We must elect Joe Biden in November so that we can begin the arduous but essential process of healing America and putting society back on a positive path where civility and working together help us achieve great things as a nation once again.”
In the op-ed, Snyder — who is known for staying positive — was uncharacteristically critical of Trump. He called him a “bully,” saying it is “tragedy watching our world suffer from one.” He said Trump lacks a moral compass, ignores the truth and does not fully appreciate public policy matters.
Dwyane ‘Rock’ Johnson, family recover from coronavirus
Dwayne Johnson, the actor and former wrestler known as the Rock, announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he and his family had recently tested positive for the coronavirus.
Johnson, 48, said they were infected about 2 1/2 weeks ago by “very close family friends.” He called it “one of the most challenging and difficult things we have ever had to endure as a family,” but he added that he and his family were now “on the other end of it” and were healthy and no longer contagious.
Although the symptoms were mild for his youngest daughters, Jasmine and Tiana, Johnson said, he and his wife had a “rough go” with the virus.
Johnson also used urged people to wear masks.