Your Summit Weekly Briefing
Some updates to your Summit Briefing this week:
- We will now be posting on Tuesdays. We feel this allows us to report the most accurate and up to date information and gives us more time to write a cohesive and well-edited briefing.
- We have added a section: Weather! Catch it after Sports but before Actions.
- Most importantly, your briefing team has grow from Keith Dinh, our editor, and Alex Tananbaum, the briefing writer and yours truly, to include Ashwath Vimal, who will be taking over the General News, Covid-19 and Sports sections.
1. General News: San Jose Homicide, Apple Head of Security Accused of Bribing
In more local news, an adult male was recently arrested in San Jose, Calif., for stabbing five people at a church used as a homeless shelter. The crime happened Sunday night at around 8 p.m., where the police found the five people stabbed at the church. Once the police arrived, one man was deemed dead, and another woman died on the way to the hospital. The other three people are currently stable. The motive for this brutal crime is unknown, but police are investigating. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims.
Apple’s head of security, Thomas Moyer, was recently charged of bribery through offering iPads to acquire concealed firearms licenses after a year long investigation. These charges against Mr. Moyer were brought up in a Grand Jury in Calif. on Monday. Furthermore, two unnamed Californian police officers, County Undersheriff Rick Sung, and Sheriff’s Captain James Jenson were also charged with being involved in the bribery. Mr. Sung was accused of withholding the licenses unless Mr. Moyer paid him 70,000 dollars worth of iPads with Mr. Jenson’s help in one of the times he did it. Prison time may be a consequence if anyone listed is found to be guilty of this crime.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/us/california-san-jose-church-stabbing/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55052540
2. Covid-19: Curfews, New Drug, Thanksgiving
Total COVID-19 cases have officially risen to 12 million across the U.S. as of Saturday, Nov. 21 with around 200,000 new cases that day. With the rapidly increasing number of cases and deaths, many states have opted to implement curfews, with Calif. enforcing one from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Some places have chosen to impose a curfew in specific cities or ZIP codes instead of entire states.
Other recent news includes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving a new drug produced by Regeneron Pharmaceutical to treat COVID-19. However, this drug has not been allowed to be given out to the public other than in cases of emergency via the Emergency Use Authorization. So far, tests have indicated that the drug has shown to reduce hospitalization due to COVID-19 and emergency visits to the hospital for people that are at likely to develop a more severe case.
This coming week is Thanksgiving, and people are excited to celebrate it with their friends and family. However, be wary, as COVID-19 is still as big of a threat as ever, and celebrating should be done with caution. Spending time with people that do not live with you makes you more likely to contract the virus, as you do not know if they are taking the proper precautions to prevent getting COVID-19. Furthermore, around 50 million people are expected to travel during this Thanksgiving, inevitably making the already quickly spreading virus worse. It is recommended that you do not travel and only celebrate Thanksgiving with the people you live with, but if you do not, that you wear a mask and spend more of your time outdoors.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/21/us/coronavirus-curfew.html
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/22/world/covid19-coronavirus
Stay Informed: CNN reports live, bite-sized updates on Coronavirus here.
3. Politics: Trump and the vote count
The Trump campaign has demanded full recounts in states with close Biden wins, including Wisconsin and Georgia as well as a partial recount in Michigan. While the recounts began Friday in Wisconsin, they ended Thursday, Nov. 19th in Georgia, where, after election workers counted each ballot by hand, Biden was shown to be the winner.
However, the fight for Georgia does not appear to be over. Republican governor Brian Kemp, who certified the results Thursday, has called for a second by-hand recount and for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (Republican) to conduct a “sample of audit of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes and compare those to the signatures on applications and on file that the Secretary of State’s office,” (CNN). The Secretary of State’s office has noted that signature matches are not possible at this point in the process, as ballots are separated from envelopes to protect voter privacy.
The Trump campaign has since requested a second recount.
Security: A two step signature verification process has already been conducted on the ballots.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, Republican officials have called for an audit of Wayne County, in which Detroit is located, votes. This comes after Trump met with them, reportedly to press a disregard of Biden’s win. Though the White House has stated that it was “not an advocacy meeting”, BBC notes that “…he [Trump] has conducted very few engagements since the election.”
Trump’s attempts to override election results through repeated recounts has cost his campaign $7.9 million in Wisconsin and taxpayers in Fulton County, Georgia’s most populated, $200,000. However, they are unlikely to change election results in the states. According to Kate Shaw, a Cardozo School of Law professor and ABC legal analyst, “There is no conceivable path by which the president’s lawsuits and recount efforts could yield him enough votes to change the result of the election.”
All that said, the President will allow a peaceful transition of power to begin after approval to do so was given by General Services Administration Administrator Emily Murphy last night. Though Trump has said he sanctioned the move, Ms. Murphy stated she initiated the move independently.
Yet this is far from a concession. Trump tweeted soon after the announcement was made: “I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.” It appears Trump may still be hoping that the above recounts come back in his favor, however unlikely it is.
4. Sports:
NBA Draft 2020
On Nov. 18, the 2020 NBA Draft occurred, with 60 college prospects being drafted. Anthony Edwards, a shooting guard who played for the Georgia bulldogs was drafted number one by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mr. Edwards is known for his dynamic scoring ability and unparalleled athleticism, which makes him a good pick for the Timberwolves, as they do not have any elite scorers and need a quality shooting guard. Other notable picks are James Wiseman, chosen by the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors picked Mr. Wiseman because they needed a “big man” to close out their roster. We also have LaMelo Ball, who was picked by the Charlotte Hornets, who need a quick guard with the ability to pass that they could ease into the roster.
Wrigley Stadium Becomes a National Historic Landmark
Moving on to baseball, the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB) have officially had their baseball park, Wrigley Field, recognized as a National Historic Landmark this past Thursday. Wrigley Field joins Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox, making it one of only 2 currently used baseball stadiums in MLB to receive this status. This acknowledgement officially cements Wrigley Field into baseball history as a significant part of American culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/wrigley-field-national-historic-landmark-status
5. Summit: Catching Up Over the Break
Though students across Summit Public Schools (SPS) have the week off for Thanksgiving break, it may not be a time to relax for everyone. As we try to catch up with the Blue Line while simultaneously balancing family responsibilities and, of course, the need to take a break, the stress can add up. When quarantine began, staff writer Albert Chang-Yoo made a suggestion to lower stress that still holds true this week: take some time in nature.
Obviously, this may not be possible for everyone. As two alternatives, I suggest:
- Taking a walk outside in your own neighborhood. A change of scenery and a literal breath of fresh air can significantly reduce stress (during the holiday season, my dad and I sometimes escape the madness by walking to the local Starbucks).
- Listening to nature sounds, which have been shown to relax the “fight or flight” part of the brain.
6. Weather
Atlas (West Seattle): Expect a rainy, cloudy and cold (at least by our West Coast sensibilities) week with temperature highs staying fairly consistently in the high 40s (with the exception of today, at a balmy 51°F) and lows in the low 40s to mid 30s. If you’re going out today or Monday, make sure to bring your umbrella along with your mask as there is a 70% and 50% chance of rain, respectively.
Olympus (Tacoma): Expect a fairly cold week with average highs of 47°F and lows of 40-42° Tuesday through Friday as well as Sunday, and 35° lows Saturday and 38° Monday, so bundle up. And remember your umbrella as well as your masks Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday if you are going out because rain is expected.
Sierra (Seattle): Expect a rainy and cloudy week with temperature highs of 46-47°F Wednesday-Monday, with the exception of Friday, which has the potential to be a practically scorching 49°F. Expect lows of 40-42°F Tuesday-Friday as well as Sunday and 35° lows Saturday and 38° Monday. Bring an umbrella along with your mask today, Wednesday and Monday as there is a 70% and 50% chance of rain those days, respectively. However, Friday-Sunday will be only mostly cloudy, so look forward to that.
Denali (Sunnyvale): Expect a sunny week with only Sunday and Monday yielding partial clouds. Temperatures will mostly see highs in the low to mid 60s, and varying lows of high 30s to higher 40s: 47°F today, 38-39°F Wednesday-Sat and finally 41° Sunday and 43° Monday which will also be partly cloudy.
Everest and Prep (Redwood City): Expect a sunny week with temperature highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s, with the exception of 47°F lows today. Finally, Sunday and Monday will be partially cloudy.
K2 (El Cerrito): Expect a sunny week with highs in the low 60s today and Wednesday, then varying 64-65°F Thursday-Monday. Lows will bounce from the low to mid to high 40s, with today’s being 48°F, Wednesday’s sitting at 44°F and Thursday’s 46°F. Friday-Monday’s lows will be around 40-43°F. Sunday and Monday will be partially cloudy, so make sure to soak up that sun earlier in the week.
Tam (Richmond): Expect a cloudy week with temperature highs bouncing from the low 50s on Tuesday, mid 50s Sunday, and high 50s today and Monday. Lows will be in the high 30s Tuesday and Saturday, low 30s on Monday, mid to high 40s Thursday, Friday and Sunday Finally, tomorrow will have lows of 52°F tomorrow. Most of the week will be mostly cloudy, but bring an umbrella along with your mask if you are going out Thursday or Monday, because there’s a 70% and 60% chance of rain, respectively.
Shasta (Daly City): Expect a sunny week, though Monday and Sunday will be partially cloudy. Highs will remain in the high 50s to low 60s this week, and lows will remain in the low to mid 40s.
Tahoma (San Jose): Expect a sunny week, with the exception of a partially cloudy Monday and Sunday. Temperature highs will sit around the low to mid 60s, with the highest being today and Saturday-Monday with a 65-66°F prediction and lowest being Wednesday-Friday at 61-63°F. Lows will range from the mid 30s to mid 40s, with a potential 46°F today, 37-39°F Wednesday-Saturday, and 40-42°F Sunday-Monday.
7. Actions:
Editor’s note: each week, I will be posting petitions to sign/actions to take to support the BLM movement, ICE detainees, and other important matters. Remember, your voice counts, so use it.
- Sign this petition to free Juan, a young man who was unjustly arrested in Delaware County and is facing charges and deportation.
- Call or email the following Pennsylvania government officials to discourage the deportation of two Haitian families seeking asylum:
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- Senator Casey – (202) 224-6324. Email: https://www.casey.senate.gov/contact/
- Representative Evans – (202) 225-4001
- Representative Scanlon – (202) 225-2011
- Representative Houlahan – (202) 225-4315
- Representative Dean – (202) 225-4731
Script:
“I am [calling/emailing] the [Representative/Senator] to ask that they urgently intervene to stop deportation proceedings of immigrant children and their parents who ICE is planning to deport to their deaths this weekend.
In Berks, PA, there are two children who have been detained for more than eight months at the Berks County Residential Center. In Dilley TX, there are 26 children, many who have been detained for nearly a year and a half, including toddlers and teenagers. These children may be deported as early as this weekend and their lives are endangered. In a time when ICE is escalating its cruel policies towards immigrants before the end of the current administration, I’m calling on the [Representative/Senator] to step forward to stop this atrocity.”
These families were denied the right to seek asylum under Trump administration policies that federal courts have since ruled were unlawful. ICE plans to deport these children to face death or torture in their home country. These families have been locked up in unsafe conditions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two families in Pennsylvania are part of a group of 23 children and 28 families in total who are currently in long-term ICE detention at the Berks and Dilley family prisons. These families from Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Honduras, El Salvador, and Ecuador are now all facing unjust deportation. The Shut Down Berks Coalition and a coalition of national organizations are requesting urgent Congressional intervention to stop the deportations. We are asking Members of Congress to:
- Contact ICE and demand they halt the deportation of these families.
- Hold an emergency hearing in the House to investigate ICE’s unlawful attack on asylum endangering the lives of children in family detention.
- Demand a 100 day moratorium on deportation of these families, effective immediately.
We hope Members of Congress will help lift up these stories to make the public aware of what ICE is trying to do in the shadows.”
And, as always:
- Watch or listen or listen to this playlist. All advertisement revenue goes to Black Lives Matter (BLM). I currently have it on in the background as I am writing this brief. Do not skip the ads, the donations will not go through otherwise.
- Watch or listen to this video. All advertisement revenue goes to various aid organizations easing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Please note it is blocked on school Chromebooks due to being in the “Entertainment” category
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- Learn more about the crisis at www.monareliefye.org/.
Our team wishes you a happy Thanksgiving, but feels we would be remiss in neglecting to mention the preceding and following genocide of Native peoples in America through settler violence and disease. Find out more about the myths of Thanksgiving here*.
One way to honor Native peoples before your Thanksgiving feast is a land acknowledgement, or a statement detailing the Native tribes who lived on the land you inhabit before you and their culture. Find out more about land acknowledgements here as well as the tribe that lived in your area here.
*If the article is blocked by a paywall, open it in an incognito tab.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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