Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Monday, December 7, 2020:
COVID-19: CALI LOCKDOWNS
Some 33 million Californians -- 85 percent of the state’s population -- are under a new stay-at-home order, with more likely to follow in the coming days. Residents of Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley are subject to increased restrictions, which include a ban on on-site dining, nonessential travel and most inter-household gatherings. Rudy Giuliani is at Georgetown Medical Center after he tested positive, according to the president. Giuliani has been traveling the country to attend election hearings, where he hasn’t been wearing a mask. President-elect Biden has reportedly picked Xavier Becerra, the California AG, to run the Dept. of Health and Human Services. LA TIMES
VACCINE RACE
The FDA could approve a coronavirus vaccine for use in the U.S. as soon as this week, and the government has an ambitious plan to scale up the rollout even as questions remain about the logistics of the first shipments. The White House vaccine czar says there will be a “significant decrease” in deaths among the elderly by the end of January, when the first round of shots will have been delivered to at least 20 million people -- that is, if all the stars align. In the UK, the first shots will become available to people tomorrow. NBC NEWS
So you’re saying there’s a shot?
D.C. HELL WEEK
This is a make-or break week in Congress, where a deadline to fund the government is coming on Friday and momentum for a new stimulus bill is growing. Last Friday’s weak jobs report and the worsening state of the pandemic is adding new urgency for lawmakers to agree on a new stimulus package before the lame-duck session expires. They also face a potential veto from President Trump over the annual defense bill. The president has said he won’t sign the $740 billion bill if it includes a provision to strip the names of Confederate leaders from military bases, which it currently does. POLITICO
BREXIT'S FINAL ACT
The president of the European Commission and the prime minister of the UK are meeting today in a latch-ditch effort to come to terms on a permanent trade deal between the EU and Britain in the wake of Brexit. If one can’t be reached by Dec. 31, Europe will impose tariffs on British goods into the continent. The talks had not been going well, but progress was made over the weekend on issues related to fishing rights, and a breakthrough could be imminent. GUARDIAN
TONY HSIEH'S FINAL DAYS
More details have been emerging about the tragic death of Zappos founder and e-commerce pioneer Tony Hsieh (pronounced Shay). Hsieh’s life had reportedly spiraled out of control during the pandemic. Friends say he became isolated, obsessed with his weight and fire and dependent on alcohol and drugs, specifically “whippits”. Hsieh’s friend, the singer Jewel, wrote to him warning that his lifestyle was “killing” him. On the night of his death, ruled to be from smoke inhalation, Hsieh was said to be planning to check himself into rehab. WSJ
NYC CORPORATE EXODUS
Goldman Sachs, one of the largest and most influential investment banks in the world, is said to be considering moving one of its most profitable divisions to Florida from NYC. Goldman is specifically looking at Palm Beach or Ft. Lauderdale for its asset-management arm after apparently coming to the conclusion that remote work has made it more feasible to move employees and offices from expensive, high-tax states like New York. Other Wall St. funds, such as Elliot, Citadel and Blackstone, have also been moving more operations to Florida. But if a huge bank like Goldman were to follow, the result would be a major blow to Manhattan’s status as the financial capital of the world, not to mention its tax base. BLOOMBERG
NFL WEEK 13
The Giants stunned the Seahawks with a win in Seattle, the Chiefs clinched their sixth-straight playoff berth and the Browns are on the precipice of going to the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. But the most exciting moment of the weekend happened at the Meadowlands, where the lowly Jets were on the verge of their first win, leading the Raiders 28-24 with 19 seconds left. Then Raiders QB Derek Carr threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to win the game: WATCH
FAMILY APOLOGY
The family of author Roald Dahl has apologized for the “lasting and understanding hurt” caused by Dahl’s anti-Semitism. The legacy of Dahl, undeniably one of the greatest children’s book writers of all time who died in 1990, has always been complicated by the fact that he was openly anti-Semitic during his life. In a statement quietly dropped on Dahl’s website, his surviving family members say they hope he can “remind us of the lasting impact of words.” SUNDAY TIMES
SPOTTED...
...Eminem, making a cameo in an SNL Christmas spoof of his classic song, Stan: WATCH
LEFTOVERS: YEAR IN PHOTOS
The Associated Press has selected the photos taken by its photographers around the globe that best capture the essence of 2020. From the pandemic, to protests, to natural disasters, this year’s selection shows “a world in distress”: SLIDESHOW
Listen to the N2K Podcast! Looking for more context and analysis on the big stories of the day? Check out our podcast! Hosts Jill and Carlo break down the headlines, every weekday morning Listen on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and send us your feedback!
