December 9, 2020 Issue, Page 11 of 12

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News December 9, 2020 11 Oklahoma to receive first doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week Arrival of Pfizer vaccine Dec. 11, first doses will be reserved for front line health care workers OKLAHOMA CITY — said Commissioner of Health anticipates the vaccine will be recommended by the CDC and around the state. Health. “Our goal, at the state ‘The Oklahoma State Depart- Dr. Lance Frye. “As we work available to the general public healthcare professionals.” To ensure priority popula- and local level, is to remain ment of Health (OSDH) to distribute the vaccine to in 2021. Oklahoma's COVID-19 tions are the first to receive flexible in the coming weeks announced today that the first high-priority populations “The distribution of this vaccine distribution plan was the COVID-19 virus, pre- as we usher in the first doses doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 as outlined in the state’s vaccine is key to protect- submitted to the Centers for determined sites have been of the vaccine and work to dis- vaccine is set to arrive in the distribution plan, the best ing Oklahomans’ health Disease Control and Preven- identified that will receive tribute it to our most vulner- state as early as Friday, Dec. way Oklahomans can help and safety, and ultimately tion (CDC) on Oct. 16 and has initial vaccine shipments. The able populations.” 11. Initially, Oklahoma ex- slow the spread of COVID-19 ensuring that we can keep since gone through a review sites are strategically located Beginning Dec. 11, the pects to receive 33,000 doses is by continuing to follow the our schools and businesses and approval process. This and have the storage require- COVID vaccination program team will be actively support- of the Pfizer vaccine. three W’s: wear a mask, wash open in the long term,” said plan was built by subject mat- ments necessary to manage ing local public health and “While we are optimistic your hands, and watch your Governor Kevin Stitt. “As we ter experts in their respective the requirements of the vac- provider efforts to ensure the about the arrival of a CO- distance.” work to distribute the vaccine fields, such as public health cine. vaccine is available through- VID-19 vaccine, we want to Groups such as health across the state, starting experts, medical profession- “Our vaccine distribution out the state. remind everyone that the care workers, long-term care with our frontline health care als, epidemiologists and oth- plan has to be very fluid, as For more information about first doses are reserved for facility staff members and professionals who are work- ers. The Oklahoma National there are many unknowns in the COVID-19 vaccine in Oklaho- our most at-risk populations residents, and public health ing hard to keep us safe and Guard also provided key what lies ahead,” said Keith ma, visit https://oklahoma.gov/ that will be on the front lines staff will be the first to re- healthy, I encourage everyone logistical expertise to ensure Reed, Deputy Commissioner coronavirus/vaccine-information. working to fight this virus,” ceive the vaccination. OSDH to keep taking the precautions effective vaccine distribution for the State Department of html. Faith shaken in system, Trump’s Georgia supporters consider skipping US Senate runoffs By Greg Bluestein, The At- campaign and his allies seek- tially vent to someone about the past week showed just He wasn’t alone in on Friday to participate lanta Journal-Constitution ing to overturn the election the frustrations — and their how challenging that could be. his unease. After Powell’s ina rally Vice President results. Georgia's Republican hopes that Trump will still Even as U.S. Rep. Doug rally on Wednesday, Tammy Mike Pence was holding for ATLANTA — Aimee election officials have rebutted be inaugurated for a second Collins campaigned Nov. 28 Converse of Grayson said Loeffler and Perdue. “The Nobile is a former Demo- claims of a “stolen” election term,” Wood said. for the first time with his for- she’s considering skipping election should be the most crat who “saw the light” and and certified Biden's victory. Georgia Republicans hope mer rival Loeffler, there were the vote to send a messa; secure thing ever,” he said. became a die-hard Donald Federal officials, including a recent counteroffensive will signs that the effort to over- to Kemp after he refuse “{ don’t know if it’s rigged Trump supporter. She attends U.S. Attorney General William convince the fence-sitters oth- turn the election in Georgia, Trump’s demands that he il- or what, but it needs to conservative rallies, promotes Barr, have also debunked ac- erwise. Trump staged a rally which he led on behalf of the legally block the certification be more secure than your Republican causes to friends, cusations of systemic irregu- for thousands of supporters in Trump campaign, may have of the vote. iPhone. But I'm still voting in blows up Joe Biden and other ties. Valdosta, where the senators damaged her chances. “I don’t think we should January. There are problems Democrats on social media. But remarks by Nobile and are banking on surging turn- At that event in Mari- vote until we fix the systems. in government, but we still In short, she fits the other Trump supporters at out to offset Democratic gains etta, GOP Chairwoman We need to let them know participate in it.” profile of the type of Georgia GOP rallies across the state in metro Atlanta. Ronna McDaniel was asked that it’s not acceptable,” Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan voter that U.S. Sens. Kelly this week suggest that years “Don’t be dismayed by by voters why Republicans she said of state Republican warned that Trump’s rash Loeffler and David Perdue of unsubstantiated claims what's happened,” said Ver- should bother to invest time leaders. “It’s tough. But I accusations risk “alienating” would normally consider a about structural electoral non Jones, an outgoing state and money in the runoffs if don’t think any voting is supporters in the long term. lock to return to the polls for flaws have eroded faith in legislator and Trump loyalist, they're rigged. acceptable until they prove And 18 former Republican Jan. 5 runoffs that will decide the system at a time when toa rollicking packing the “It’s not decided. This is it’s safe.” leaders called on Trump sup- control of the U.S. Senate. Georgia races have never been city’s airport. “We need to the key — it’s not decided,” Even if that means ced- porters to vote or wind up in But this isn’t a normal closer. have a united front. We've got she pointedly responded. “So ing control of the Senate to a scenario where “the trajec- election. The Milton sales ex- In interviews with dozens to hold the line.” if you lose your faith and you Democrats? “I'm torn. I don’t know. tory of our state and nation will be irreparably altered.” ecutive is among a vocal group of Republican voters and And a tide of GOP figures, don’t vote and people walk From the grassroots level, of Trump loyalists in Georgia activists, many said they national and local, are urging away, that will decide it.” T'll be watching to see what they can do before then,” she that could be a tough sell. who believe the president's were confident in the elec- conservative voters to ignore Irv Allison, a McDonough answered, before pausing. repeatedly debunked claim tion or that they would set the pleas from former Trump retiree, is among the Republi- “Pm really angry.” Matt Stout, a veteran Repub- ican field organizer, held a that the vote was “rigged.” aside concerns to vote against attorney Sidney Powell, who cans planning to vote despite ‘The two Senate incum- giant “STOP THE STEAL” And though she abhors the Democrats Raphael Warnock told a crowd of more than his misgivings about the bents have little room for sign at a pro-Trump rally this thought of Democratic victo- and Jon Ossoff. But others 1,000 Republicans at an electoral system. Specifically, error. Georgia voted Demo- week, But he also said he was ries, she says she’s genuinely openly debated whether to Alpharetta park this week to he expressed fears that Stacey cratic for president for the confident that “everyone will conflicted about voting in the participate in the runoffs. boycott the vote until Geor- Abrams, the former Demo- first time since 1992 by vote despite the conflicting January runoffs. “There has beena shift gia ditches newly purchased cratic gubernatorial nominee fewer than 13,000 votes, and messages.” “How amI supposed to in enthusiasm among some voting machines — a system vilified by conservative media, Ossoff and Warnock are rac- “The problem is that vote? I don’t have the answer. lar Republican voters who approved by GOP legislators. will somehow “control the ing to rebuild the coalition we've got to make sure the And I'm frustrated,” Nobile il honestly tell you that they “This is literally the vote.” that helped propel Biden to votes are properly counted,” said, ticking through op- don’t know who they will vote firewall,” Gov, Brian Kemp “Iam worried that it’s not victory. he said. tions she is not confident are for or are defensive about vot- said this week on Fox News. going to be a valid election. ‘With margins so tight, (EDITORS: STORY CAN secure. Even if people do vote, ing early or on Election Day,” “T think we all have to pull T'm sure I’m going to vote in even the slightest dip in END HERE) “does it count?” said John Wood, a longtime together and figure out what the runoffs,” he said. “But it’s voter participation from Tifton Mayor Julie Smith ‘There is no evidence of activist in Savannah who has we have got to do to assure a two-edged sword. Are you either party could prove the fears Trump's “fraud train” widespread or systemic voting urged Republicans to vote. people that their votes are go- wasting your vote if you vote? ifference. talk could haunt the GOP for fraud. Courts have dismissed “They want to tell you ing to count.” I would tend to err on the side “Republican need to get elections to come. dozens of lawsuits by Trump's about their fears and essen- But a series of events over of voting” as high turnout as they pos- “T supported Trump. I've sibly can, and if turnout is been a Republican for many, down just a few points lower many years. And what I'm Republicans took back 4 House seats in for this runoff, it under- mines their chances,” said Alan Abramowitz, an Emory seeing is Trump supporters who are supporting him and him only,” rather than the party, she said. “We've got to deep-blue California. How did they do it? University political scientist. “They've got to convince get back to a united mes- Republican voters it’s worth sage.” voting,” he added. “And Nobile, the Democrat- By Kate Irby, McClatchy their records,” said Torunn “Voters punished the presi- also didn’t help Democrats Trump's message that the turned-Trump loyalist, has Washington Bureau Sinclair, a spokeswoman dent and more or less favored as they had anticipated. election is stolen and that heard the same arguments. for the National Republican acenter-right direction for the While Democrats hoped you can't trust the people And she said she recognizes WASHINGTON — Repub- Congressional Committee, country,” Stutzman said. “And that Trump’s politicization running this one isn’t help- that “anything is on licans have clinched four of the campaign arm of House in parts of California that are of masks and the increasing ing” table” if Democrats control the seven competitive House Republicans. “And we held to closely divided, this is what number of cases and deaths ‘That's not lost on senior both Congress and the White races in California, proving that.” they did.” would make a case for down- Georgia Republican officials, House. wrong the dismal projections Republican strategists are “The theory that Demo- ballot Democrats, the actual who are urgently pleading Still, she said, the talk of of their chances in 2020 and emphasizing their recruitment crats could just tie Trump reception by California voters with voters to focus ahead on voting fraud she’s heard over setting up the party for pos- successes across the country to these candidates did not was more mixed. the runoffs rather than back- the years has shaken her sible further success in 2022. and in California. The four Re- work,” he added. “Steel won Lockdowns, for example, ward at Trump's November faith in the election system. It’s a reflection of the rest publican candidates who won her district and (President- which were mostly pushed by defeat. “I don’t know how to of the country, where Demo- in California are Young Kim elect Joe) Biden won her Democrats, have been contro- Savannah Uber driver vote. I’ve had people knock crats expected to expand their and Michelle Steel, the first district.” versial. Bera said Democrats Rob Henderson understands on my door. I have a flyer to majority and instead lost a two Korean women elected ‘There was a sense among needed to take a look at their what's at stake. He showed scan ifI want to request an significant amount of seats to Congress; David Valadao, a Democrats that California messaging on coronavirus, up at the Savannah/Hilton absentee ballot,” she said. to Republicans, delivering the former representative of Por- Latinos would turn out in emphasizing not just the Head International Airport “But what's the way to vote?” narrowest House majority in tuguese descent who speaks higher numbers in 2020 than health care aspect but more about a century to Democrats. fluent Spanish; and Rep. Mike polling showed, since Latinos economic aspects. Democrats weren't seri- Garcia, a Hispanic American turned out in high numbers in “(Health care) helped ously looking to expand their and the son of Mexican im- the 2018 midterms. But this in 2018 in picking up these extensive majority in Cali- migrants who first won his year, Latino voting under- seats, but if you look at the fornia — national groups did district in a special election performed up and down the overall electorate in Califor- not make financial invest- last year. NRCC Chairman Democratic ballot around the nia, you saw tax measures ments in any districts held Tom Emmer of Minnesota, country (California data on fail,” Bera said. “So maybe we by Republicans — where only said from the beginning of Latino turnout for 2020 is needed to talk more about the seven House seats were held the election cycle that they not available yet). Moderate economic security side, and by Republicans after the 2018 wanted to emphasize recruit- Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., said about how to get people back election. But they did feel ing women, veterans and he thought final vote counts to work.” optimistic about holding on to minorities. might show that California the seven battlegrounds they “Recruitment is the No. 1 Latinos did turn out, they just ‘Then there was the corona- won in 2018. reason they won back these voted more for Republicans virus stimulus negotiations. While detailed data isn’t districts in my mind, espe- than expected. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, yet available for California, po- cially getting Valadao to run “We understood there D-Calif., was the face of the litical strategists on both sides again,” said Rob Stutzman, a would be high Democratic Democrats negotiating the expect California will show an longtime GOP strategist based turnout, but I think we un- deal, and she and Treasury under-representation of the in Sacramento. “I don’t think derestimated the number of Secretary Steven Mnuchin Latino vote on the Democratic they win that one back with- Republican voters that came delivered a deal in late March side — a disaster for the party out him.” The district Valadao out,” Bera said. “Trump's that Trump signed. But that in races that were decided by just won, against Democrat margin with the Latino com- was it. a few thousand, or even a few Rep. TJ Cox, went to Hil munity was probably better, While the House passed hundred, votes. Democrats Clinton by 16 points in 2016. which would've hurt.” two huge bills with aid, known also think the lack ofa con- Valadao and Kim both In California’s 21st and as the Heroes Act, neither was gressional deal on a COVID-19 also ran in 2018 and lost to 25th congressional districts, considered by the Senate. Sen- pandemic stimulus money Democrats Cox and Rep. Gil won by Valadao and Garcia, ate Majority Leader Mitch Mc- for more than seven months Cisneros. But this year, unlike those lack of Latino votes for Connell, R-Ky., and Mnuchin before the election hurt them in 2018, suburbanites and Democrats could've particu- kept pushing for a smaller aid in the battleground districts. others who didn’t like Presi- larly hurt. Valadao’s winning package, while Pelosi held firm “We said very early on that dent Donald Trump could vote margin is currently only about that she wouldn’t go as low as these Democrats wouldn't be against him and for a Repub- 1,500 votes and Garcia's is they wanted. Trump delivered able to run on their rhetoric lican in Congress, Stutzman only about 300 votes, mixed messages about what this time, they had to run on said. ‘The coronavirus pandemic he wanted passed.