European lockdown Father’s dying wish Test before the break Late-day clearing Europe reimposes COVID-19 measures Terminally ill man gets to hold his newborn UConn women face sixth-ranked Louisville Some afternoon sun, breezy; amid omicron variant surge. News, Page 8 son in his final hours. Sunday CT, Page 1 before the holiday break. Sports, Page 1 high of 38. Sports, Page 8 VOLUME CLXXXV CCOOUURRAANNTT..CCOOMM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 CORONAVIRUS IN CONNECTICUT Physicians call for more urgency But state officials say to treat the situation with greater cials getting out there and talking “Right now, there’s no need to do large restaurant industry gather- urgency. to frontline physicians and poten- that,” the governor said last week. ing. Connecticut doesn’t To some of these doctors, that tially visiting the hospitals and “We have capacity in our hospi- “State leadership may consider need new mandates means a mask mandate or other seeing what the situation is on the tals, and people are doing the right actually visiting hospitals and pandemic-related restrictions, in frontlines,” said Dr. Luke Davis, an thing.” emergency rooms,” Kaminski said. addition to a continued push for associate professor of epidemiol- Dr. Naftali Kaminski, chief of “And also they should consider By Alex Putterman wider vaccination. To others, it ogy at the Yale School of Public pulmonary, critical care and sleep projecting safe behaviors. For Hartford Courant means more modest measures — Health. medicine at the Yale School of many of us, seeing the photo in such as a return of regular COVID- Gov. Ned Lamont has been reso- Medicine, said he doesn’t think front of 1,000 people without a As hospitals crowd with COVID- 19 press briefings — that would lute that he won’t impose a state- state officials are currently taking mask was an insult.” 19 patients and the omicron variant help convey the growing urgency wide mask mandate or any other the COVID-19 crisis seriously Max Reiss, a spokesperson for begins to spread in the state, some of Connecticut’s viral outbreak. pandemic-related restrictions, enough. He noted that Lamont has Lamont, said the governor wears prominent Connecticut physi- “I would love to see the gover- even as Rhode Island and New been seen in recent weeks going cians are appealing to state leaders nor and other public health offi- York have done so, mask-free indoors, including at a Turn to COVID-19, Page 4 BIG EAST BASKETBALL RETURNS Diluting Packed house for Huskies power of Black Dems Republicans draw congressional lines, costing Democrats By Nick Corasaniti and Reid J. Epstein The New York Times More than 30 years ago, Robert Reives Sr. marched into a meet- ing of his county government in Sanford, North Carolina, with a demand: Create a predominantly Black district in the county, which was 23% Black at the time but had no Black representation, or face a lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act. The county commission refused, and Reives prepared to sue. But after the county settled and redrew its districts, he was elected in 1990 as Lee County’s first Black commissioner, a post he has held comfortably ever since. Until this year. Republicans, newly in power and in control of the redrawing of county maps, extended the JESSICA HILL/SPECIAL TO THE COURANT district to the northeast, adding The fans return to downtown Hartford on Saturday evening as UConn and Providence tip off at the sold-out XL Center for their Big East men’s more rural and suburban white basketball opener. Downtown bars and restaurants also got a much-needed boost from the influx of fans. Providence won the game 57-53. voters to the mostly rural district STORIES, SUNDAY CT, PAGE 1 AND SPORTS, PAGE 1 southwest of Raleigh, effectively diluting the influence of its Black voters. Reives, who is still the county’s only Black commis- Friction grows over virus policies sioner, fears he will now lose his seat. “They all have the same objec- tive,” he said in an interview, referring to local Republican offi- GOP pushing against But now, as the pandemic cials. “To get me out of the seat.” approaches its third year and the Reives is one of a growing electronic vaccine state experiences a worrisome spike number of Black elected offi- cards, other measures in cases, with the omicron variant cials — ranging from members on the horizon, Lamont is facing of Congress to county commis- By Daniela Altimari increasingly strong resistance. sioners — who have been drawn Hartford Courant Republicans are pushing back out of their districts, placed in on his administration’s COVID-19 newly competitive districts or When the coronavirus first rules, from vaccination require- bundled into new districts where struck Connecticut in March of ments to school protocols, hoping they must vie against incumbents 2020, partisan hostilities were to win over virus-weary voters in from their own party. largely set aside as politicians from advance of the 2022 election, when Almost all of the affected both parties united behind Demo- Lamont will be on the ballot seeking lawmakers are Democrats, and cratic Gov. Ned Lamont to face a a second term. most of the mapmakers are common foe. With winter approaching and white Republicans. The GOP is J.R. Romano, the then-leader of COVID-19 cases quickly rising, currently seeking to widen its the Connecticut Republican Party Lamont has opposed calls from advantage in states including and a frequent Lamont critic, even physicians for a mandatory mask Gov. Ned Lamont is facing increasingly strong pushback from North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia praised the governor for “not polit- Connecticut Republicans on a host of pandemic-related policies. icizing the crisis.” Turn to Policies, Page 4 JESSICA HILL/AP Turn to Maps, Page 2 Electric Boat faces a new Carjacking suspect Deck arrested in New Britain challenge in making subs Police in New Britain arrested a highly the halls sought fugitive wanted by the FBI and other police agencies after a Competition for welders The sub builder is now looking to series of armed robberies, carjackings one possible pipeline for new hires an issue as federal funds and assaults. Christian Velez, 24, is that has long been overlooked in suspected in more than 20 crimes. move for infrastructure the male-dominated construction He was driven to state police Troop industry: women. H in Hartford, where his bond was set By Stephen Singer Electric Boat, a subsidiary of at $2.5 million. Sunday CT, Page 1 Hartford Courant General Dynamics Corp., is look- Limited Quantities! ing to hire more women, who now Electric Boat, which navigates a comprise 14% of the 17,800 work- demanding submarine construc- ers. In the last year, Electric Boat DelicatoDiamondNecklace tion schedule for the U.S. Navy, increased the number of employ- in14kyellowgold faces new competition for critically ees with a diverse background by $695 needed workers when hundreds of about 11%. billions of dollars flow from Wash- “The whole purpose is to demon- ington for public works construc- tion and repairs. Turn to Submarines, Page 2 Opinion ...................Insight, 1-3 Lottery ...........................News, 2 Puzzles ........News, 15; Arts, 7 LBGreen.com 800.524.7336 Obituaries ...Sunday CT, 6-10 Classified ..............News, 14-15 Success ..........Sunday CT, 4-5 2 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Sunday, December 19, 2021 FROM PAGE ONE Submarines congressional Democrats enthu- siastically supported. from Page 1 “Nobody needed to be a Nobel-winning economist to strate that work historically domi- see the pressures that would be nated by males is absolutely a exacted in creating new jobs,” he viable career path for women,” said. “It’s a good thing, but there’s Electric Boat President Kevin also the need for skills training. Graney said. This was kind of elemental.” This year recruiters have partic- John Beauregard, special ipated in 119 job fairs, virtual and adviser to the president of the in person, and Electric Boat is Eastern Connecticut Workforce expanding its reach to areas far Investment Board, said the pace of beyond Groton. training has accelerated more than Welders are among the most in 2019 before the pandemic, with critical jobs that Electric Boat more training classes scheduled. must fill as it builds submarines But fewer students are participat- that cost as much as $3 billion ing, down to 10 to 12 from about 15 each. They also will be in demand two years ago, he said. on state and local bridge and other The schedule of classes will construction projects as money handle volumes of students “that is released in the Infrastructure rivals 2019,” Beauregard said. Investment and Jobs Act signed “We’re not there yet,” he said. into law in November by President “We’re going on such a pace, Joe Biden. churning out the same levels of “It exacerbates a tough situation graduates. We’re turning them out already,” Graney said in a recent in different ways.” interview. “Demand for skilled Jamison Scott, a Woodbridge labor will increase significantly as Workers at Electric Boat in Groton are building 58 Virginia class submarines through 2034. Welders are among the manufacturer and executive direc- we try to grow. It’s a challenge.” most critical jobs the company must fill as it builds submarines that cost as much as $3 billion each. BOB CHILD/AP tor of ManufactureCT, an advo- Still, he said employee training cacy group, said finding welders and recruitment programs “are fitters, welders and others. ment and the state. demand for materials such as is “impossible.” Training lapsed doing a good job getting welder The recently passed defense “That’s kind of new territory for steel, cement, lumber and other during the pandemic, and the skills candidates.” The median pay for authorization spending bill the Department of Defense, to get products, “in some cases creat- are not taught in high schools, he welders in 2020 was $21.25 an includes $20 million for worker into job training,” he said. “But I ing greater competition between said. hour, according to the U.S. Bureau training funding. It’s the second think the need for it is blindingly government, businesses and In addition, family-owned of Labor Statistics. year in a row training money is obvious.” households for the same goods,” manufacturers can’t easily Workers are building 58 Virginia coming from the Defense Depart- The size of the infrastructure it said. compete with large employers for class submarines through 2034, ment, said Rep. Joe Courtney, who spending bill — about $1.2 trillion Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a welders, Scott said. and the next-generation Columbia chairs a House Armed Services with an estimated $550 billion in member of the Senate Armed “Those of us who need welders class, which will replace the aging subcommittee and whose congres- spending above baseline levels — Services Committee, said compe- — they’re not there right now,” he Ohio class, is the nation’s top stra- sional district includes Electric guarantees that different sectors of tition for welders and possibly said. tegic defense priority. The work Boat’s Groton shipyard. Train- the U.S. economy will be in compe- other submarine workers was not requires numerous skilled work- ing support had previously been tition, according to the Brookings a surprise outcome of the infra- Stephen Singer can be reached ers, including electricians, pipe funded by the U.S. Labor Depart- Institution. It will promote greater structure legislation he and other at [email protected]. Maps “Let’s call it a five-alarm fire,” several Black county officials have rights groups frequently found In North Carolina and else- G.K. Butterfield, a Black congress- had their districts altered in ways themselves in court trying to where, Republicans say that their from Page 1 man from North Carolina, said of that could cost them their seats. preserve existing majority-mi- new maps are race-blind, mean- the current round of congressional Nearly 24 hours after the maps nority districts as often as they ing officials used no racial data and Texas, and because partisan redistricting. were passed, civil rights groups sought to create new ones. in designing the maps and there- gerrymandering has long been He is retiring next year after sued the state. “Without a doubt it’s worse fore could not have drawn racially difficult to disentangle from racial Republicans removed Pitt County, Across the country, the precise than it was in any recent decade,” discriminatory districts because gerrymandering, proving the which is about 35% Black, from his number of elected officials of said Leah Aden, a deputy director they had no idea where communi- motive can be troublesome. district. color who have had their districts of litigation at the NAACP Legal ties of color were. But the effect remains the same: “I just didn’t see it coming,” he changed in such ways is difficult Defense and Educational Fund Inc. “During the 2011 redistricting less political power for communi- said. “I did not believe that they to pinpoint. The New York Times Republicans, who have vastly process, legislators considered ties of color. would go to that extreme.” identified more than two dozen of more control over redistricting race when drawing districts,” The pattern has grown more A former chairman of the these officials, but there are prob- nationally than Democrats do, Ralph Hise, a Republican state pronounced during this year’s Congressional Black Caucus, ably significantly more in county defend their maps as legal and fair, senator in North Carolina, said in redistricting cycle, the first since Butterfield said fellow Black and municipal districts. And giving a range of reasons. a statement. the Supreme Court struck down members of Congress were whose seats are vulnerable or safe Kirk Smith, the Republican Given that certain demographic the heart of the Voting Rights Act increasingly worried about the depends on a variety of factors, chairman of Lee County’s board groups have aligned tightly with in 2013 and allowed jurisdictions new Republican-drawn maps. including the political environ- of commissioners, said that “to say political parties — 90% of Black with a history of voting discrim- “We are all rattled,” he said. ment at the time of elections. only a person of a certain racial or voters in Georgia voted Demo- ination to pass election laws and In addition to Butterfield, four But the number of Black legis- ethnic group can represent only a cratic in 2020, for example — offi- draw political maps without Black state senators in North Caro- lators being drawn out of their person of the same racial or ethnic cials drawing gerrymandered approval from the Justice Depart- lina, five Black members of the districts outpaces that of recent group has all the trappings of maps could simply argue that poli- ment. state House of Representatives and redistricting cycles, when voting ethnocentric racism.” tics were at play, not race. 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Visit HartfordHealthCare.org/vaccine 4 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Sunday, December 19, 2021 FROM PAGE ONE Wheels turn slowly as doctors peddle falsities Medical boards with the state medical person for the state’s medi- board. Susie Keller, the cal board, said that a recent struggle to police association’s chief executive license renewal doesn’t outliers, scammers director, said she believed it prevent the board from was the first time the group taking action. By Heather sought action against one of “Making a false, fraudu- Hollingsworth its own. Many doctors, she lent, deceptive or mislead- Associated Press explained, are fed up. ing statement” is grounds The spreading false- for discipline, Stewart said. They have decried hoods have “actually caused In Texas, Dr. Stella COVID-19 as a hoax, our physicians and nurses Immanuel appeared in a promoted unproven treat- to be subjected to verbal video that promoted the ments and pushed bogus assaults” by patients who anti-malarial drug hydroxy- claims about the vaccine, are convinced that the fake chloroquine. “You don’t including that the shots information is true, Keller need masks. There is a cure.” magnetize the human body. said. In October, the Texas The purveyors of this Cole did not respond to a Medical Board ordered her misinformation are not request for comment from to pay $500 and improve her shadowy figures operating Associated Press, but his consent procedures because in the dark corners of the work voicemail said that he it found she had prescribed internet. They are a small is “unable to prescribe medi- hydroxychloroquine to a but vocal group of doctors cations or issue vaccine or COVID-19 patient without practicing medicine in mask exemption letters.” adequate explanation of communities around the The voicemail also directed the potential health conse- country. callers to the website of the quences, records show. Now medical boards are Sherri Tenpenny had her medical license renewed after testifying in Ohio that vaccines cause Front Line COVID-19 Crit- Immanuel did not under increasing pressure magnetism. THE OHIO CHANNEL ical Care Alliance, a group respond to a Facebook to act. Organizations that that champions ivermectin. message from the AP, and advocate for public health which advocates for public said, describing the patient cal licensing board removed Under Idaho law, all the medical practice where have called on them to take health, and No License For as a “very, very sweet older from its website a recently investigations of physicians she works did not respond a harder line by disciplin- Disinformation, which lady.” adopted misinformation are conducted in private to an email. ing the doctors, including fights false medical infor- The woman later policy amid pressure from unless there is a formal Dr. Nick Sawyer, who potentially revoking their mation, issued a report acknowledged her mistake, a GOP state lawmaker and a hearing. The Washington heads No License For Disin- licenses. The push comes Wednesday that high- saying “I realize now I am new law imposing sprawl- state medical board, mean- formation, described the as the pandemic enters a lighted some of the cases. wrong, but that is who I ing virus-related restric- while, is investigating five action against Immanuel as second winter and deaths The report emerged a week thought I should listen to.” tions. complaints about Cole, a “small slap on the wrist” in the U.S. top 800,000. after the Federation of State There is widespread Even individual board spokeswoman Stephanie and accused the nation’s At least a dozen regula- Medical Boards released a support for cracking down members have been Mason said. medical boards of “not doing tory boards in states such survey that found that 67% on such doctors, according targeted. In California, the Investigating misinfor- their job of protecting public as Oregon, Rhode Island, of the boards had seen an to a national poll conducted president of the state’s medi- mation is “very challenging health.” Maine and Texas recently increase in complaints about by the de Beaumont Founda- cal board, Kristina Lawson, in that a lot of action isn’t He said he has seen the issued sanctions against COVID-19 misinformation. tion. In the survey of 2,200 said a group of anti-vac- documented,” she wrote in damage firsthand as he prac- some doctors, but many of That figure “is a sign of adults, 91% of respondents cine activists stalked her an email. Many examples tices emergency medicine in the most prolific promoters how widespread the issue said doctors do not have the at home and followed her “happen quietly in an office.” Sacramento, California. He of COVID-19 falsehoods still has become,” said Dr. Huma- right to intentionally spread to her office last week. She In Ohio, the state’s said a diabetic patient in her have unblemished medical yun Chaudhry, president false information. said the people identified medical board automati- 70s insisted just this month licenses. and CEO of the federation. But policing doctors is themselves as represent- cally renewed the license that she didn’t have COVID- “Just because it is physi- Dr. Kencee Graves, a no easy feat for boards that ing America’s Frontline of Sherri Tenpenny in 19 despite testing positive, cians, it is no different than physician at the Univer- were created long before Doctors, a group that criti- September after the Cleve- then demanded ivermectin if someone called you claim- sity of Utah hospital in Salt social media. Their investi- cizes the COVID-19 vaccine land-based osteopathic and signed out against medi- ing to be the IRS trying to Lake City, said one of her gations tend to move slowly, and spreads misinforma- doctor testified this summer cal advice when the drug steal your money,” said Brian patients decided not to get taking months or even years, tion. before a state House Health was denied. Castrucci, president and vaccinated after listening and many of their proceed- In Idaho, the state’s medi- Committee that COVID-19 “She said, ‘If I have chief executive officer of the to misinformation from a ings are private. cal association got so frus- vaccines cause magnetism. COVID, you gave it to me,’ ” de Beaumont Foundation. physician. Castrucci said it is time trated with pathologist Dr. Vaccine recipients “can he recalled, blaming the “It’s a scam, and we protect “She was led astray” by for them to “evolve,” but Ryan Cole’s promotion of the put a key on their forehead; woman’s resistance on Americans from scams.” someone she should have doing so is challenging. This anti-parasite drug ivermec- it sticks,” Tenpenny said. misinformation-spreading Castrucci’s organization, been able to trust, Graves month, Tennessee’s medi- tin that it filed a complaint Jerica Stewart, a spokes- doctors. “It is killing us.” Policies tion was still making its push the South and Midwest mirrors some of the far-right for electronic highway tolls, have lifted restrictions and extremism in the national from Page 1 a proposal that was deeply opted against rules that link Republican Party,” Norton unpopular with many voters a person’s vaccination status said. “They’re not standing order, unlike governors in and ultimately rejected by to their ability to attend up to anti-vaccine, anti-sci- neighboring Rhode Island the legislature. cultural and sporting events ence rhetoric in their own and New York. He also says Yet Lamont’s popular- and patronize restaurants. party.” Connecticut will not order ity rating has ticked down They have also embraced State Rep. Vin Candelora, restaurants and businesses slightly in recent months. a message that COVID- the Republican leader in closed. A digital poll taken in Octo- 19 vaccines are a matter the House of Representa- But he is promoting ber by Sacred Heart Univer- of personal choice, not an tives, said Democrats have a voluntary electronic sity’s Institute for Public essential tool in ending the dismissed legitimate ques- COVID-19 vaccination card. Policy and Civic Engage- pandemic. tions about the governor’s Last week, Republicans in ment found 67.6% of voters Both Stefanowski and handling of the pandemic the legislature condemned approved of his manage- Proto said they personally by denouncing critics as his plan for what they have ment of the pandemic. His support vaccinations but do anti-science. branded as a “vaccine pass- overall approval rating was not believe they should be Candelora said he feared port,” saying it could expose 50.5%, down more than mandated. the digital vaccine passport a user’s data and lead to five percentage points from “I highly encourage would ultimately lead to unvaccinated people being March. people to get it and I’ve unvaccinated individuals barred from essential busi- House Republican Leader Vin Candelora is asking for public “We’re two years into his gotten it, but at the end of being barred from essential nesses. hearings on Gov. Ned Lamont’s plan for a digital COVID-19 executive authority and it the day, it’s a personal deci- businesses such as phar- Lamont’s COVID-19 poli- vaccination card. DANIELA ALTIMARI/HARTFORD COURANT doesn’t appear anything sion,” Stefanowski said. macies and grocery stores, cies have been shrouded is getting better,” said Bob Proto said he, too, has despite the Lamont admin- in secrecy and put in place ing to an analysis by The “fearmongering.” Stefanowski, who was the received the vaccine and istration’s repeated assur- by broad executive powers New York Times. Hospi- And Sam Norton, deputy Republican Party’s 2018 a booster shot. “I think it’s ances that the program is that have left the legisla- talizations, meanwhile, press secretary for the gubernatorial nominee and one of the best defenses we not mandatory. ture largely out of the loop are at the highest level in Democratic Governors is considering another run have against the virus,” he “It’s a matter of us as a since the start of the crisis, 10 months, forcing some Association, called the GOP against Lamont next year. said. “I encourage people government [having] an said Ben Proto, the current facilities to ration care. attacks “anti-vaccine … “I understand in a situa- to do so, but I don’t believe obligation to ask these ques- chairman of the Connecticut Among the hospitalized in anti-science ... and anti-tech- tion like this you need to act the government should tell tions before something is Republican Party. Connecticut, more than 75% nology, too.” Norton pointed quickly and you can’t spend every citizen they must get rolled out,” Candelora said. “The governor and a are not vaccinated. to Lamont’s job-approval weeks or months gaining the shot. That’s a decision “We need more dialogue.” number of people in his Connecticut has one of ratings as evidence that consensus, but I think we’ve each person has to make.” Reiss said the legislature party still think this is the best vaccination records the public supports his gone too far the other way. If For many Republicans, is welcome to hold hearings March of 2020,” Proto said. in the country, with 87% of approach. there’s anything that’s hurt the debate over COVID-19 on the electronic vaccine “It’s going to soon be 2022. all Connecticut residents The governor’s approval his approach to COVID, it’s vaccinations has become a cards or any other program When we were in the early and 95% of those 12 and ratings have surged since that.” proxy battle in a larger war Lamont proposes. He called throes of this, nobody really older having received at the start of the pandemic. A The pandemic has proved over the role of government. the GOP’s focus on Lamont’s had a handle on it, but that’s least one COVID-19 vaccine Sacred Heart University poll to be a test for governors in Norton, the spokesman for pandemic-related executive a very different place than dose, while 74% of all resi- released in March showed red states and blue states. the Democratic Gover- orders “a red herring.” we are in now, almost two dents and 83.2% of those 70.7% of voters approve of Lamont and other governors nors Association, said the “The governor’s office years later.” 12 and older are fully vacci- Lamont’s handling of the in the Northeast, including Connecticut GOP is echo- doesn’t hold hearings; the More than 9,000 nated, according to the COVID-19 crisis. Republican Charlie Baker ing Donald Trump and other legislature does,” Reiss told Connecticut residents have CDC. That survey put Lamont’s of Massachusetts, have GOP leaders by politicizing a reporters on Friday. succumbed to COVID-19. Max Reiss, a spokesman overall approval rating at pursued approaches such public health decision. Infections have jumped for Lamont, said Republi- 55.9%, almost double his as the electronic vaccina- “Republicans in Connecti- Daniela Altimari can be 150% in Connecticut over can attacks on the electronic 28.1% rating in December tion records. Meanwhile, cut are going down a reached at dnaltimari@ the last two weeks, accord- vaccination card constitute 2019, when his administra- Republican governors in far-right extremist path that courant.com. COVID-19 But one member of that should join neighboring because there aren’t beds Banach, an epidemiol- nition from public officials group of doctors — in fact, states in requiring residents available.” ogy at UConn Health, said that COVID-19 is again an from Page 1 the one whose opinion now to wear masks in certain Meanwhile, the omicron masks remain important urgent problem. counts most — says new settings and should continue variant has begun to in confined spaces where Davis said he would like a mask “in accordance with restrictions are not currently to leave masking decisions spread nationwide, lead- COVID-19 might travel to see Lamont consider a existing law and existing necessary. A year ago, Dr. to towns. ing to predictions of a dire easily. mask mandate but that he’d rules” and had covered his Manisha Juthani was an “We need to have rules outbreak ahead. “From an individual also be happy to see a return face at a more recent large infectious disease specialist that people are going to Last week, Rhode Island perspective, the protection of the governor’s regu- gathering even when he was at the Yale School of Medi- follow,” Juthani said. “Ulti- restored a partial mask from vaccines and boosters lar COVID-19 press brief- not required to do so. cine and outspoken in her mately we want to do things mandate for larger indoor is quite high, but one should ings, which have become Davis and Kaminski position that Connecticut that people are going to do spaces, joining Califor- also take into account other sporadic over the second were both part of a group of needed stricter pandemic and that are going to work.” nia and New York with people they may come into half of this year. Connecticut physicians who control measures. Since the start of Novem- expanded restrictions amid contact with,” Banach said. “I would like to see the wrote to Lamont last winter Today, as Connecticut’s ber, Connecticut has seen a rising COVID-19 hospital- “So if you’re going to come governor talking more pleading for more COVID- public health commissioner, steep increase in COVID-19 izations. into contact with someone about [COVID], probably 19 restrictions as cases and she says residents should cases and hospitalizations, Asked whether Connecti- who is immunocompro- back to having more press hospitalizations spiked. A make their own decisions leading at least one hospital cut should pursue more mised or someone who is conferences,” Davis said. year later, with hospitals around masking and social to add auxiliary intensive aggressive pandemic restric- unvaccinated, those kinds “To me, those made a huge packed once again, they say distancing. care beds. Though the state’s tions, several local experts of factors will play a role.” difference in terms of public they are experiencing a sort “At the end of the day, numbers are lower than they said they viewed the situa- Experts say Connecticut awareness.” of déjà vu. people in Connecticut need were a year ago, likely due tion as complicated or didn’t is in a stronger position now Reiss said the governor “Last week I got several to know that this is their to high rates of vaccination, feel qualified to give policy than a year ago, even with would not rule out a return emails [from colleagues] personal responsibility to they are higher than at any advice. Keith Grant, senior the arrival of the omicron of the press conferences saying, ‘OK, you need to do this,” she said. other point over the past 10 system director of infec- variant, due to the state’s but that today “there’s a lot start campaigning again for In an interview Friday, months. tion prevention at Hartford high level of vaccination. more information out there,” something,’ ” Kaminski said. Juthani said her personal “The ICUs are full, and HealthCare, said he trusts Whereas last year the physi- making the briefings less “There is a real concern that advice to Connecticut resi- the hospitals are full,” said the governor’s team to make cians who wrote to Lamont necessary. we’re hitting the holidays dents is unequivocal: Wear Dr. Jonathan Siner, who proper decisions. advocated for a pause on with a health care worker masks in crowded indoor works with Kaminski at But most experts say they indoor dining, gyms and Alex Putterman can be force that’s already burned spaces. Still, she said she Yale. “Most hospitals in the themselves wear masks large gatherings, this year reached at aputterman@ out.” doesn’t think the state state have people waiting indoors in public. Dr. David they largely just want recog- courant.com. Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Sunday, December 19, 2021 5 6 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Sunday, December 19, 2021 Make all of their holiday wishes come true. Your gift is matched for a limited time. Scan here to donate now. 860-512-8496 Acceptinggiftsofcash,sharesofstockandfromdonor-advisedfunds Newington Westport Waterford Fox Memorial Clinic CThumane.org Celebrate the holidays Find it all on one site: Courant.com/celebrate So many ways to celebrate: Local shopping gift guide Festive activities Holiday photo contest Kid’s fun corner Recipe contest Plus much more Gift Giveaway Each week, we’re giving away one grand prize. View prizes and enter to win at Courant.com/celebrate Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Sunday, December 19, 2021 7 WORLD & NATION NEWS BRIEFING Judge finalizes jury instructions in Maxwell abuse trial From news services its case on Friday after Maxwell told the judge she NEW YORK — British wouldn’t testify. socialite Ghislaine Maxwell “Your Honor, the govern- appeared in court on Satur- ment has not proven its case day for a rare weekend hear- beyond a reasonable doubt ing where attorneys made so there is no reason for me arguments about how the to testify,” Maxwell said. judge should instruct a jury on the law in Maxwell’s sex Republican indicted: An abuse trial. Oklahoma County grand U.S. District Judge Alison jury indicted a top Republi- Nathan scheduled the hear- can House leader on multi- ing — held in an otherwise ple felony counts, alleging he closed courthouse and with misused his power to change jurors absent — in an effort state law so his wife could to keep Maxwell’s trial on a become a tag agent. fast track that will have her House Speaker Pro case reach a jury early next Tempore Terry O’Donnell, week. Closing arguments the second-highest ranking and Nathan’s reading of member in the House, was about 80 pages of instruc- charged in the indictment tions are set for Monday. on Friday with five felonies Prosecutors and and three misdemeanors, Maxwell’s attorneys spent The Oklahoman reported. Patricia Berkey grieves Saturday at the headstone of her late husband William Brian Berkey after laying a holiday wreath in the morning in federal court “He denies any wrong- Arlington National Cemetery during Wreaths Across America Day in Arlington, Virginia. GEMUNU AMARASINGHE/AP in Manhattan sparring over doing,” his attorney, Mack the exact wording the judge Martin, told the newspaper. will use to describe to jurors His wife, Teresa O’Don- charge of the Catoosa Tag Omicron in 89 countries: ble than previous variants, a touchstone of his presi- the legal elements that nell, who was also indicted, Agency for more than 40 The omicron variant of or a combination of both, dency, with Biden recently must be proven to convict faces three felonies and one years. Teresa O’Donnell the coronavirus has been WHO said. opening a speech in Minne- Maxwell on six criminal misdemeanor. Court records had worked there for more detected in 89 countries, sota by noting how two of counts, including sex traf- don’t indicate the name of than four years before her and COVID-19 cases involv- Biden marks sad anniver- that state’s former senators ficking of a minor. One of her attorney. appointment. ing the variant are doubling sary: President Joe Biden helped him cope. the requests by Maxwell’s The most severe offense every 1.5 to 3 days in places on Saturday commemorated Biden married Jill Jacobs lawyers that was approved: against the couple is conspir- Pakistan explosion: A with community transmis- the 49th anniversary of the in 1977 and they added the judge should refer to her acy against the state, which powerful gas explosion in a sion and not just infections car crash that killed his first daughter Ashley to the as “Ms. Maxwell” instead of has a maximum punishment sewage system in Pakistan’s acquired abroad, the World wife and infant daughter, family. “the defendant.” of 10 years in prison and a largest city, Karachi, killed at Health Organization said visiting their graves at the Both joined him at the An attentive Maxwell sat $25,000 fine. least 12 people and injured 11 Saturday. Saint Joseph on the Bran- church Saturday, as did at the defense table, some- The Catoosa Republi- others Saturday, police and a Omicron’s “substantial dywine Roman Catholic Hunter and his family, times taking notes. Her can introduced a bill in health official said. growth advantage” over Church. among others. Beau died of brother and sister, ever pres- 2019 that allowed spouses Police spokesman Sohail the delta variant means it is Their deaths occurred brain cancer in 2015. ent at the trial these past of legislators to serve as tag Jokhio said the blast was likely to soon overtake delta just after Delaware voters three weeks, were among agents. The Oklahoma Tax apparently caused when as the dominant form of the elected Biden to the Senate Italy cranes collapse: Two the spectators. Commission appointed his something ignited gas that virus in countries where in 1972 and the fatal car building cranes collapsed Maxwell, 59, has pleaded wife to take over the Catoosa had accumulated in the the new variant is spread- crash became a defining on a street in the northern not guilty to charges that Tag Agency on Aug. 1, 2019, sewer beneath a local bank ing locally, the U.N. health moment that has shaped his Italian city of Turin, killing prosecutors say show that three months after Gov. building in the Shershah agency said. persona and career. three construction work- she and financier Jeffrey Kevin Stitt signed the bill neighborhood of the port WHO noted that omicron His sons Beau and Hunter, ers and injuring passersby Epstein were involved in a into law. city. is spreading rapidly even in just under 4 and 3 at the Saturday, firefighters and scheme to groom teenag- Terry O’Donnell told The The powerful blast countries with high vaccina- time, were seriously injured news reports said. ers to have sexual encoun- Oklahoman last year his wife destroyed the HBL bank tion rates or where a signif- but survived the crash. His Two of the workers died ters with him. The defense had no intention of becom- building. Video footage aired icant proportion of the wife Neilia and 13-month- at the scene and their bodies has countered by claiming ing a tag agent when he by local television stations population has recovered old daughter Naomi died were extracted from the she’s being made a scape- sponsored the bill. He said showed the entire struc- from COVID-19 levels of after their car was broad- twisted blue metal, firefight- goat for 66-year-old Epstein, she sought the appointment ture of the Shershah branch population immunity. sided while they were en ers said in a tweet. who killed himself in his after her mother died unex- was damaged. Jokhio said It remains unclear if the route to pick up a Christ- The third was taken to a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 pectedly from pancreatic it was not yet clear what rapid growth of omicron mas tree. local hospital, where he was as he awaited his own sex cancer. ignited the gas but a team of cases is because the variant The tragedy haunted pronounced dead, Turin trafficking trial. Her mother, Geor- explosives experts had been evades existing immunity, is him at the start of his daily newspaper La Stampa The defense rested gia McAfee, had been in summoned to investigate. inherently more transmissi- Senate career and has been said. World Class animal care starts here. Learn More MysticAquarium.com 8 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Sunday, December 19, 2021 WORLD & NATION Europe reimposes virus measures As omicron sweeps nation’s health care system to prepare for a possible new continent, tougher surge in infections. restrictions start up In the U.K., where confirmed daily cases By Danica Kirka soared to record numbers Associated Press this week, the government has reimposed a require- LONDON — Nations ment for masks to be worn across Europe moved to indoors and ordered people reimpose tougher measures to show proof of vaccination to stem a new wave of or a recent negative coro- COVID-19 infections navirus test when going to spurred by the highly trans- nightclubs and large events. missible omicron variant, But the moves caused with the Netherlands lead- anger. ing the way by imposing a Critics of British Prime nationwide lockdown. Minister Boris Johnson’s All non-essential stores, latest coronavirus restric- bars and restaurants in the tions flooded Oxford Street, Netherlands will be closed a popular London shopping until Jan. 14 starting Sunday, area, on Saturday. The mask- caretaker Prime Minister less protesters blew whis- Mark Rutte said at a hastily tles, yelled “Freedom!” and arranged press conference told passersby to remove Saturday night. Schools and their face coverings. universities will shut until Hundreds of people Jan. 9, he said. blocked traffic as they In what is surely to prove marched with signs bearing a major disappointment, slogans such as “Vaccine the lockdown terms also passports kill our freedoms” rein in private holiday cele- and “Don’t comply.” Other brations. Residents only signs had the faces of John- will be permitted two visi- son or U.K. Health Secretary tors except for Christmas Travelers on Saturday at BER Airport in Berlin, Germany. The country is advising people against travel. JOERG CARSTENSEN/DPA Sajid Javid and read, “Give and New Year’s, when four them the boot.” will be allowed, according and bars and limited atten- resurgent virus. Omicron’s “substantial city’s main shopping street Scientists are warning the to Rutte. dance at indoor and outdoor “None of this is easy,” growth advantage” over was busy and urged people British government it needs “The Netherlands is going events. Martin said Friday night. the delta variant means it is to stick to coronavirus rules. to go further to prevent into lockdown again from London Mayor Sadiq “We are all exhausted with likely to soon overtake delta “I can hear the whole of hospitals from being over- tomorrow,” he said, adding Khan underscored the COVID and the restrictions as the dominant form of the the Netherlands sighing,” whelmed. Leaked minutes that the move was “unavoid- official concern about the it requires. The twists and virus in countries where Rutte said in his lockdown from the Scientific Advi- able because of the fifth climbing cases and their turns, the disappointments the new variant is spread- announcement. “All this, sory Group for Emergencies wave caused by the omicron potential to overwhelm and the frustrations take a ing locally, the U.N. health exactly one week before suggested a ban on indoor variant that is bearing down the health care system by heavy toll on everyone. But agency said. Christmas. Another Christ- mixing and hospitality, the on us.” declaring a major incident it is the reality that we are In the Netherlands, mas that is completely BBC reported. It wasn’t just the Dutch Saturday, a move that allows dealing with.” shoppers fearing the worst different from what we Omicron is now the domi- seeking to slow the spread local councils in Britain’s The World Health Orga- swarmed to commercial want. Very bad news again nant coronavirus variant in of omicron. Alarmed minis- capital to coordinate work nization reported Saturday areas of Dutch cities earlier for all those businesses and London, and efforts were ters in France, Cyprus and more closely with emer- that the omicron variant of Saturday, thinking it might cultural institutions that rely stepped up to reach people Austria tightened travel gency services. the coronavirus has been be their last chance to buy on the holidays.” who haven’t yet been vacci- restrictions. Paris canceled Irish Prime Minister detected in 89 countries, Christmas gifts. The head of the Dutch nated or boosted. its New Year’s Eve fire- Micheál Martin captured and COVID-19 cases involv- Rotterdam municipality public health institute, Jaap Thousands of opponents works. Denmark has closed the sense of the continent ing the variant are doubling tweeted that it was “too busy van Dissel, described the of vaccine requirements and theaters, concert halls, in an address to the nation, every 1.5 to 3 days in places in the center” of the port shutdown as a preventa- mask mandates protested amusement parks and saying the new restrictions with community transmis- city and told people: “Don’t tive move that would “buy Saturday in Hamburg, museums. Ireland imposed were needed to protect lives sion and not just infections come to the city.” Amster- time” for more people to get Berlin, Düsseldorf and other an 8 p.m. curfew on pubs and livelihoods from the acquired abroad. dam also warned that the booster vaccines and for the German cities. Congress ends ‘horrible year’ with bitter divisions Dems’ achievements ful of Republican senators fell short of their goals. erected a blockade. House Democrats, who eclipsed by setbacks Biden and Democrats hold a slim majority in their from Republicans can point to some major chamber, fumed at their successes in 2021, includ- counterparts in the evenly By Jonathan Weisman ing a $1.9 trillion pandemic divided Senate for failing The New York Times aid plan that included a them, while Senate Demo- $300-per-child income crats railed against two WASHINGTON — A support that slashed poverty of their own — Sens. Joe congressional year that rates; a $1.2 trillion biparti- Manchin of West Virginia began with an assault on san infrastructure law that and Kyrsten Sinema of the seat of democracy ended had eluded the two previous Arizona — for grinding at 4 a.m. Saturday with the presidents; the confirmation Biden’s agenda to a halt with failure of a narrow Demo- of 40 judges in Biden’s first their refusals to fall in line. cratic majority to deliver on year, the most of any presi- The disappointments its most cherished prom- dent since Ronald Reagan; were impossible to deny. ises, leaving lawmakers in and a House inquiry that has Democrats have been warn- both parties wondering if begun to reveal more about ing with growing urgency the legislative branch can be the roots of the Jan. 6 riot. that forces loyal to former rehabilitated without major But the desultory end to President Donald Trump “It has been a horrible year, hasn’t it?” asked Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Democrats’ changes to its rules of oper- the first session of the 117th have been moving the achievements were dimmed by legislative setbacks. STEFANI REYNOLDS/THE NEW YORK TIMES ations. Congress left few happy. pieces into place to disrupt “It has been a horrible Republicans — helped along or potentially overturn the haul the nation’s crippled no longer function as we security plan he rolled out year, hasn’t it?” asked Sen. by Democratic holdouts — next presidential election immigration laws, force the once did,” said Sen. Dick in February that could have Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, succeeded in obstructing — through new barriers to conversion of electric util- Durbin of Illinois, the No. been the basis for negoti- as she looked back on failed much of Biden’s agenda, voting, partisan election ities to renewable energy, 2 Democrat. He added, ations as the Democrats efforts to convict a former including a major voting controls and gerrymandered strengthen gun safety laws “Until we change the rules struggled to extend their president and to create a rights push meant to House districts. and reform policing rules of the Senate and get serious $300 child credit beyond bipartisan commission to neutralize new restrictions Yet efforts to enact appear dead. about legislating on behalf of 2021. No one even broached examine the Jan. 6 attack their party has enacted at expanded voting rights, Even raising the borrow- the American people, we’re the subject with him, he on the Capitol, as well the state level. Democrats institute fair election rules ing limit to make sure the going to continue to suffer said. as numerous legislative accused them of an assault or place any new controls federal government did not this frustration.” But beyond partisan endeavors that could not on the foundations of demo- on the presidency have hit a default on debt incurred Lawmakers from both finger pointing, few could find bipartisan majorities. cratic pluralism. wall in the Senate. under both Trump and parties blamed their oppo- argue the legislative branch The Senate limped out At times, Democrats tried A self-imposed Christmas Biden could only be nents for the malaise hang- of government was func- of town in predawn dark- resorting to bare-knuck- deadline to pass a $2 trillion accomplished by the most ing over the Capitol. Sen. tioning properly. As long as ness after slogging through led tactics to steer around social safety net and climate convoluted of legislative Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said most policy bills need 60 nominations one by one but that obstruction — drawing change bill through the machinations. any number of issues might votes to overcome a Senate leaving dozens of President charges from Republicans Senate came and went, with “Welcome to the United have been resolved if Demo- filibuster, Speaker Nancy Joe Biden’s nominees still that they were trampling the one senator in particular, States Senate. I’ve been here crats had simply approached Pelosi’s remarkable ability awaiting confirmation to fill rights of the congressional Manchin, looking increas- for 25 years, and I’ve seen open-minded Republicans to corral her whisper-thin key positions at home and minority in ways that they ingly intransigent. the decline of this institu- to find solutions. House majority will be for abroad — because a hand- would soon regret — and still Other promises to over- tion to the point where we He pointed to an income naught on most legislation. Party’s over: Head of UK’s ‘partygate’ probe out over office’s own events By Danica Kirka website reported Friday that and civil servants in London are saying, ‘Which depart- Until that time, the prime number of people who had Associated Press Case’s department held two were partying when lock- ment didn’t have a party?’ ” minister had steadfastly been working together in parties in December 2020. down rules separated Rayner said. “It’s incredibly denied that government offi- the same office took part LONDON — U.K. Prime Johnson tapped Sue Gray, a citizens from loved ones disappointing because we cials had broken any lock- from their desks. Minister Boris Johnson’s former senior government angered the public. all know what was happen- down rules. “The Cabinet Secretary first choice to investigate ethics adviser, to take over Angela Rayner, deputy ing when these parties were The Times of London played no part in the event allegations that govern- the inquiry. leader of the opposition going on: People couldn’t see newspaper reported Satur- but walked through the ment officials held Christ- The moves came Labour Party, said Gray their loved ones who were day that one of the events team’s office on the way to mas parties last year when after Johnson’s Conser- now has the task of restor- dying and were making held by Case’s department, his own office,” the office COVID-19 rules barred such vative Party suffered a ing public trust. One point incredible sacrifices.” the Cabinet Office, was said in a statement. “No gatherings has stepped aside stunning defeat in a parlia- in Gray’s favor may be that Case was brought in to listed in digital calendars as outside guests or other staff after he, too, was caught up mentary by-election that she was based in Belfast investigate the scandal after “Christmas party!” and was were invited or present. This in the “partygate” scandal. was attributed in part to a year ago as the senior a video surfaced of a mock organized by a member of lasted for an hour and drinks Simon Case, the head of “partygate,” which has civil servant in the North- press conference where Case’s team. and snacks were bought by the civil service, resigned dominated British news ern Ireland Department of some of Johnson’s staff The Cabinet Office said those attending. He also from leading the investiga- headlines for two weeks. Finance. appeared to make light of a Friday that the event was a spoke briefly to staff in the tion after the Guido Fawkes The idea that politicians “At the moment, people party that violated the rules. virtual quiz in which a small office before leaving.” Get more out of your subscription It’s easy to start your online access! by setting up your digital account Visit: go-activate.com Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Sunday, December 19, 2021 9 Critics’ picks make winning gifts 95 91 93 JAMES JAMES JAMES SUCKLING 9955 SUCKLING SUCKLING 93 JAMES SUCKLING JAMES SUCKLING Special savings from Unanime, just in time for the holidays! 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The introduc- her phone bleeped with loud tion of Doppler radar in alerts, friends and family the 1990s and subsequent called to compare notes and upgrades allowed forecast- customers chatted inces- ers to measure the wind santly about the tornadoes inside of a storm, to distin- that were likely to head their guish between rain, snow or way. hail and to see and predict “We all knew the storm the formation of tornadoes. was going to hit,” she said. The proliferation of weather “There’s no way a single satellites allows scientists person here didn’t know the even more visibility into the storm was coming.” formation of storms — and, For residents of Mayfield crucially, the conditions subjected to the flurry of that might create a tornado. alerts and text messages, The National Oceanic and the urgent pleadings of tele- Atmospheric Administra- vision meteorologists and tion operates 16 satellites. the barrage of warnings on The deluge of data social media, one thing has from these technologies been clear: This was not a Larry Slaughter in his home, where he sheltered from a tornado, in Bowling Green, Ky. LUKE SHARRETT/THE NEW YORK TIMES is crunched and modeled tornado that came without in real time by some of the warning. decisions, weak construc- With a footprint of up to In Mayfield, Katrina Even some of those who world’s most powerful Jackson said she was tion or just bad luck. The three-quarters of a mile Spradling became deeply may have taken the warnings supercomputers. surprised by how accurately storms that hit last weekend wide, it shredded ware- worried about the likeli- seriously ended up being “In many ways the forecasters had pegged the left at least 89 people dead in houses and houses along a hood of tornadoes as she killed in Friday’s torna- tornado warning system — timing of the tornado, one of five states. path of more than 220 miles. watched the weather fore- does for a variety of reasons: and everything that leads several that swept through “People got the warn- But while many Kentucky cast all day that Friday; her because their homes were up to it — is one of the most Kentucky that night. “They ing but we are still left with residents sought shelter phone buzzed with alerts not strong enough to resist incredible success stories said it would hit at 9:30 and the question of why people where they could find it, and messages on the sever- the tremendous force of the in applied science,” Brooks it hit at 9:30,” she said. died,” said Stephen Strader, others elected to remain ity of the storms. She urged wind, because their employ- said. “We don’t miss violent Weather prediction a professor at Villanova in their homes or report to her father, Bobby Spradling ers kept them in an unsafe tornadoes essentially ever technology has become so University who studies work. Some said they were Jr., whose home on the building, because they made now.” precise in recent years that disasters. “Something else not sure how seriously to outskirts of Mayfield did not poor decisions such as going In the wake of last week- tornadoes are almost always failed them.” take the dire predictions, have a secure place to shel- outside. end’s tornadoes, a number foreseen, a vast, if somewhat Unlike hurricanes, or did not think the storm ter, to come take cover at Research by Harold of scientists have made unheralded, improvement tornado warnings come with would hit their neighbor- her home about 10 minutes Brooks, a senior research comparisons to a similar in forecasting. a much shorter lead time: hood. away. But her father stayed scientist at the National event nearly a century ago to In the late 1980s, before around 15 to 18 minutes on At a time when the inci- home. Oceanic and Atmospheric illustrate how awareness of the use of Doppler radar and average. Friday’s tornadoes dence of extreme weather He was found dead the Administration’s National a coming danger saves lives. other technologies, meteo- had better-than-usual warn- and natural threats — hurri- next morning. The authori- Severe Storms Labora- In 1925, when the best rologists were able to issue ing times, in some cases 3 canes, wildfires, floods ties told his family that based tory, shows that about 2% the authorities could do warnings for 46 of 88 violent times as long. — seems to be rising, the on where they found his of people whose homes are was send warnings by tele- tornadoes in the United But when tornadoes strike availability of so much data body, they believed he had directly struck by a powerful graph, a tornado traveled States, or just more than half, at night, as they did last on storms and tornadoes can tried to leave his home and tornado are killed, roughly across parts of Missouri, federal data shows. In recent week, residents are more be overwhelming. get to shelter when it was the same odds of dying after Illinois and Indiana for years, powerful tornadoes likely to miss the warnings. “There’s definitely the too late. being infected with the about 220 miles — similar to have been preceded by Tornadoes at night are 2.5 potential to be getting too “I’m shaken and have coronavirus. the distance traveled by the warnings 97% of the time. times as likely to result in much information,” said never seen anything like Brooks, who lives in Okla- biggest of the tornadoes that Yet despite the advances fatalities, research shows. Alex Anderson-Frey, a this,” Spradling said of the homa, has an 8-foot by 5-foot struck this time. in forecasting, tornadoes The tornado that ravaged professor at the University damage to Mayfield. “We tornado shelter in his house The 1925 tornado killed that strike continue to have western Kentucky was a of Washington who stud- talked off and on about that doubles as a walk-in nearly 700 people, about deadly consequences — monster, an EF-3 storm ies the efficiency of tornado creating a shelter, but we closet. It has 6-inch-thick 10 times the death toll of whether because of poor with winds of 136-165 mph. warnings. never did. I wish we had.” reinforced concrete walls Friday’s worst disaster. Ransomware hacks persists as high-profile attacks slow By Eric Tucker and Alan Suderman Associated Press WASHINGTON — In the months since President Joe Biden warned Russia’s Vladimir Putin that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs in his country, there hasn’t been a massive attack like the one last May that resulted in gasoline shortages. But that’s small comfort to Ken Trzaska. Trzaska is president of Dr. Rahul Gupta, left, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Lewis & Clark Commu- walks Nov. 18 with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., at the White House. ALEX BRANDON/AP nity College, a small Illinois school that canceled classes Manchin’s stance on child tax for days after a ransom- ware attack last month that knocked critical computer credit draws criticism at home systems offline. Kenneth Trzaska leads Lewis & Clark Community College, “That first day,” Trzaska a small Illinois school where a ransomware attack knocked said, “I think all of us critical computer systems offline. JEFF ROBERSON/AP were probably up 20-plus By Ashraf Khalil Virginia Center on Budget children is estimated to live hours, just moving through to boost protections. the fuel consumed on the Associated Press and Policy. “West Virginia, in poverty and 93% of chil- the process, trying to get Yet six months after East Coast. frankly, wasn’t doing great dren in the state are eligible our arms around what Biden’s admonitions to The attack prompted WASHINGTON — Sen. before the pandemic. So this for the CTC payments, tied happened.” Putin, it’s hard to tell the company to halt opera- Joe Manchin’s reluctance to is absolutely needed now for the highest rates in the Even if the United States whether hackers have tions, causing gas shortages endorse the Biden adminis- and in the long term.” country. isn’t currently enduring eased up because of U.S. for days, though it resumed tration’s expanded child tax On Dec. 15, CTC Manchin told reporters large-scale, front-page pressure. Smaller-scale service after paying more credit program is rippling payments went out to Wednesday that assertions ransomware attacks on par attacks continue, with than $4 million in ransom. through his home state of 181,000 West Virginia fami- he wants to strip the child with ones earlier this year ransomware criminals Soon after came an attack West Virginia. lies, according to Treasury tax credit improvements that targeted the global continuing to operate on meat processor JBS, Manchin, a moderate Department figures. The were “a lot of bad rumors.” meat supply or kept millions from Russia with seeming which paid an $11 million Democrat, is one of the last payments averaged $446 Asked if he backed elimi- of Americans from filling impunity. Administration ransom. holdouts delaying passage and reached 305,000 chil- nating one of the bill’s child their gas tanks, the prob- officials have given conflict- Since then, there have of President Joe Biden’s dren. Those payments tax credit improvements lem hasn’t disappeared. In ing assessments about been some notable attacks massive social and envi- could end this month, if the — monthly checks sent to fact, the attack on Trzaska’s whether Russia’s behav- from groups believed to be ronmental package, dubbed Biden package doesn’t pass millions of families — he college was part of a barrage ior has changed since last based in Russia, including the Build Back Better Act. in the next few days. said, “I’m not negotiating of lower-profile episodes on summer. Further compli- against Sinclair Broadcast The West Virginia senator A coalition of West with any of you.” businesses, governments, cating matters, ransom- Group and the National has expressed concerns Virginia groups has been Studies suggest the schools and hospitals. ware is no longer at the top Rifle Association, but none over multiple aspects of the lobbying Manchin from child tax credit expansions The college’s ordeal of the U.S.-Russia agenda, of the same consequence roughly $2 trillion package, the local end, emphasiz- are expected to cut child reflects the challenges the with Washington focused or impact of those from last including the continuation ing the ground-level stories poverty by 40% — with 9 Biden administration faces on dissuading Putin from spring or summer. of the expanded Child Tax of families who benefitted of 10 American children in stamping out the threat invading Ukraine. One reason may be Credit program. from the expansion. benefiting. All told, some — and its uneven progress The White House said it increased U.S. government The expansion, passed “We’re hearing it from 4.1 million children are on in doing so since ransom- was determined to “fight scrutiny, or fear of it. earlier this year as part of every corner of the state,” track to be lifted above the ware became an urgent all ransomware” through The Biden administra- pandemic relief legisla- said Jim McKay of TEAM poverty line, according to national security problem its various tools but that tion in September sanc- tion, boosted the monthly for West Virginia Children. analysis from the Center last spring. the government’s response tioned a Russia-based payments for parents and “This program is really for Budget and Policy Prior- U.S. officials have depends on the severity of virtual currency exchange greatly expanded the scope having a profound impact ities. recaptured some ransom the attack. that officials say helped of those eligible. In West in a positive way.” In West Virginia, recip- payments, cracked down on Ransomware attacks — ransomware gangs launder Virginia, one of the coun- Allen warned that 50,000 ients spent 52% of their abuses of cryptocurrency, in which hackers lock up funds. try’s poorest states, the children in the state are in CTC money on food, with and made some arrests. Spy victims’ data and demand Last month, the Justice effect was immediate, advo- danger of slipping into 39% going toward cloth- agencies have launched exorbitant sums to return Department unsealed cates say. poverty if the payments ing and other essentials attacks against ransom- it — surfaced as a national charges against a suspected “There is no state that’s lapse, or the negotiations for their children, accord- ware groups and the U.S. security emergency for the Ukrainian ransomware more impacted by the CTC,” drag on so long that the Jan. ing to a study by Washing- has pushed federal, state administration after a May operator and has recov- said Kelly Allen, execu- 15 payment doesn’t happen. ton University in St. Louis’ and local governments, as attack on Colonial Pipeline, ered millions of dollars in tive director of the West One in five West Virginia Social Policy Institute. well as private industries, which supplies nearly half ransom payments.