New York City's subway, Supreme Court case, Nurses Week: 5 things to know Wednesday
NYC's 24-hour subway system disrupted for regular disinfecting
New York City's public-transit system, the largest in the nation, will shut down from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, a new daily ritual for disinfecting during the coronavirus pandemic. This shutdown plan will disrupt the subway system's 24-hour service, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo said was necessary to ensure each train is appropriately cleaned as the state remains the epicenter of the nation's coronavirus outbreak. Prior to this shutdown, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority had been disinfecting in-use buses and trains every 72 hours during the pandemic.
- New York City mayor speaks out: Trump enjoys 'stabbing his home town in the back,' De Blasio says
- Fact Check: New York legislators did not just vote a pay raise during the coronavirus shutdown
- Open or closed? How areas are easing social distancing restrictions amid coronavirus outbreak
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Supreme Court to hear case on religious objection to contraceptives
The long clash between religious liberty and reproductive rights returns to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The case of Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania, which will be argued by phone, brings up yet again which entities are exempt from the 2010 Affordable Care Act's mandate that employers provide contraceptive coverage. This time, the dispute is back with several twists: The Trump administration sides with the religious objectors against the position taken by the Obama administration. It has sought to exempt groups with religious or moral objections but has been blocked by federal courts. The Supreme Court, previously deadlocked, now has a solidly conservative majority.
- 'Non-surgical treatment': Justice Ginsburg hospitalized, will participate in arguments via telephone
- Supreme Court makes history: First case heard by phone, with audio livestreamed
- 'In the tea leaves': Casting aside its precedents, Supreme Court moves inexorably toward those on abortion rights
Biden to be endorsed by major LGBTQ group on notable anniversary
The largest national LGBTQ rights organization, the Human Rights Campaign, told The Associated Press that it will be formally endorsing Joe Biden for president on Wednesday. The endorsement will come on the eighth anniversary of the former vice president declaring on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he supported the legalization of same-sex marriage – getting out ahead of his boss at the time, President Barack Obama. The endorsement is no surprise, given the antipathy that most LGBTQ activists have toward Biden's likely opponent, President Donald Trump. As Biden continues to run a modified campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new poll revealed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., tops the list of potential running mates Democrats hope to see Biden consider. The presumptive nominee previously said he'll choose a woman as vice president on the ticket.
- Potential roadblock: Secretary of Senate says can't comply with Biden request to release records on alleged Reade complaint
- 'Answers were credible and convincing': Prominent Democratic women are standing by Biden amid Reade's sexual assault claim
- Susan Page's analysis: Biden's denial was unequivocal. That doesn't mean he's put this issue to rest.
Thank you, nurses. It’s National Nurses Week.
There's the COVID unit nurse whose sister got infected and became a patient. The staffer who works 12-hour shifts, only to come home to unruly and frustrated children. National Nurses Week begins Wednesday, and this year’s celebration comes as medical professionals are working around the clock on the front lines of COVID-19. The event comes on the heels of members of the National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the U.S., protesting in front of the White House in April to call attention to the thousands of health care workers nationwide who have become infected with COVID-19 due to lack of personal protective equipment.
- National Nurses Week: Freebies and discounts for health care workers
- 'Death is our greeter': Doctors, nurses struggle with mental health as coronavirus cases grow
Royal baby Archie turns 1 in LA with Harry and Meghan
Royal expatriates Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and parents Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan celebrate his first birthday Wednesday in their Los Angeles quarantine home, thousands of miles from his birthplace and his royal relatives in Britain. Fans (and even critics) hope the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will release a picture of Archie, unseen in public since his parents' tour of southern Africa in September when the couple introduced him to the world while meeting retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu..
- 'Finally present the truth': New book to tell Harry and Meghan's 'real' story (and defend them from critics)
- New platform called HeadFIT: Prince Harry, British military launch mental-health resources for troops
- A familiar theme: Duchess Meghan spreads message of empowerment in new video for charity amid coronavirus
Contributing: Associated Press