IT: Biden's in, Barr's out, and... 💉 Will you take the COVID-19 vaccine?

Welcome to Tuesday, December 15th, u-turns and bang-a-ueys...

President-elect Joe Biden has received enough electoral votes to officially clinch the presidency.

At their meetings, electors counted the results and signed six certificates, each of which contained lists with their state’s electoral votes for the president and vice president. The six certificates were signed, sealed, certified, and will be delivered through registered mail.

One certificate goes to the president of the U.S. Senate (Vice President Mike Pence); two certificates go to their state’s secretary of state; two certificates go to the U.S. Archivist; the final certificate goes to the U.S. district court judge of the district in which the electors met.

The next step in the process: On December 23, the six certificates of electoral vote results must be delivered to their respective officers.

How do you feel about the Electoral College vote?

COVID-19 Vaccines Are Here

As 2020 comes to a close, hope is on the horizon in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Shortly after 9 a.m. EST on Monday, December 14, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was administered at Long Island Medical Center in Queens, New York.

In total, there are about 2.9 million doses in Pfizer's first shipment. Most of the vaccines will go to high-risk healthcare workers, although vaccinations will also be available to residents and employees of long-term care facilities in the initial rollout.

Over time, the criteria will be broadened to include other Americans with medical conditions that make them susceptible to complications from COVID-19.

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the average person without underlying conditions will get the vaccine by the end of March or beginning of April.

Will you get a COVID-19 vaccine once it's available?

Barr to Step Down

President Trump on Monday tweeted that Attorney General William Barr will resign from his position leading the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) effective next Wednesday, December 23rd:

“Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House. Our relationship has been a very good one, he has done an outstanding job! As per letter, Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family... Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General. Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all!”

While their parting appears to be amicable, Trump and Barr clashed in recent weeks over allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 elections, as the attorney general stated that the DOJ hasn’t uncovered evidence despite the president’s insistence to the contrary.

How do you feel about Barr’s resignation?

And, in the End…

Trade fairly in honor of International Tea Day.

The observation is meant to draw global attention to the impact of the tea trade on workers and growers.

l'chai-em,

—Josh Herman

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