Crash Course: Why did CDC cut isolation time in half?

Plus: Trump suffers "a meltdown in Mar-a-Lago" as Jan. 6 probe closes in none Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0QWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tL1cDc3BjQgphu9JNzGGPyan6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). none Fascism in America: Not nearly as new as you might think As America draws near the tipping point into fascism, Elyane Clift [writes](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvZmFzY2lzbS1pbi1hbWVyaWNhLWl0cy1ub3doZXJlLW5lYXItYXMtbmV3LWFzLXlvdS1taWdodC10aGluay9XA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), it's important to remember that it's happened before. The pro-Nazi movement in America culminated in an infamous [1939 rally at Madison Square Garden](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmF0aW9uYWx3dzJtdXNldW0ub3JnL3dhci9hcnRpY2xlcy9hbWVyaWNhbi1uYXppc20tYW5kLW1hZGlzb24tc3F1YXJlLWdhcmRlblcDc3BjQgphu9JNzGGPyan6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~), when 22,000 members of the German American Bund delivered Nazi-style salutes before large banners depicting George Washington surrounded by [swastikas](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmF0aW9uYWx3dzJtdXNldW0ub3JnL3dhci9hcnRpY2xlcy9hbWVyaWNhbi1uYXppc20tYW5kLW1hZGlzb24tc3F1YXJlLWdhcmRlblcDc3BjQgphu9JNzGGPyan6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~), Clift recalls. "We've already heard talk of book burning, people spying on each other, and Jewish people (and members of other marginalized groups) altering their behavior as precautionary measures. We've witnessed racist violence, attacks on peaceful protesters and acts of white supremacy grounded in the claim that we are a "Christian nation." Congress has its share of pro-autocracy politicians, and our local and state governments have all been infiltrated. Vigilante groups prowl the streets, often armed with both guns and hate." The only question about fascism in the U.S. remains: What more do we need to wake up? none none Why did CDC cut isolation time in half? The reasoning behind the latest shift in guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) looks to be "rooted in economics perhaps more than science," Matthew Rozsa [reports](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvc2ljay1tYWRuZXNzLXRoZS1wdWJsaWMtcmVhY3RzLXRvLXRoZS1jZGNzLWRlY2lzaW9uLXRvLWN1dC0xOS1zZWxmLWlzb2xhdGlvbi10aW1lLWluLWhhbGYvVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~). On Monday, the CDC announced that people who tested positive for COVID-19 no longer had to isolate themselves for 10 days, but only five instead. The move came only days after Reuters reported that the CEO of Delta had pressed the federal government for that exact change. "In both Europe and the US, employers have frequently worked against [COVID-19] policies perceived by them to threaten profits," Dr. Richard Wolff, the professor emeritus of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, explained. The president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants–CWA has made explicit what has been left implied. "The CDC gave a medical explanation about why the agency has decided to reduce the quarantine requirements from 10 to five days," Sara Nelson said in a [statement](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0Q5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWZhY3dhLm9yZy9rZXlfY29tcF9uZXdfY2RjX2FzeW1wdG9tYXRpY19tYXNrVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) , "but the fact that it aligns with the number of days pushed by corporate America is less than reassuring." (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) none - Salon's Mary Elizabeth Willams [recounts her 2021 in the kitchen as a personal revolutionÂ](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvbXkteWVhci1vZi1jb29raW5nLXF1aWNrLWFuZC1kaXJ0eS1ob3ctaS1sb3dlcmVkLXRoZS1iYXItYW5kLXNldC1teXNlbGYtZnJlZS9XA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)triggered by her new Quick & Dirty column: "Writing about food every single week of this year challenged me and changed me. - The text messages Mark Meadows handed over to the Jan. 6 committee before the former White House staffer quit cooperating reportedly have sent Trump into "[a meltdown in Mar-a-Lago](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvc3VmZmVycy1hLW1lbHRkb3duLWluLW1hci1hLWxhZ28tYXMtamFuLTYtcHJvYmUtY2xvc2VzLWluLXJlcG9ydF9wYXJ0bmVyL1cDc3BjQgphu9JNzGGPyan6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)" - Why [replacing Meghan McCain is proving to be so hard](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvdGhlLXZpZXctaGFzLWFuLWFudGktdmF4eGVyLXByb2JsZW0td2h5LXJlcGxhY2luZy1tZWdoYW4tbWNjYWluLWlzLXJlcG9ydGVkbHktc28taGFyZF9wYXJ0bmVyL1cDc3BjQgphu9JNzGGPyan6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) for "The View" - Igor Derysh reports that [Trump’s struggling U.K. golf resorts](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvdHJ1bXBzLXN0cnVnZ2xpbmctdWstZ29sZi1yZXNvcnRzLWNsYWltZWQtbWlsbGlvbnMtaW4tYWlkLXdoaWxlLWhlLXdhcy9XA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) claimed millions in COVID aid while he was president - PEN America, the press organization captured by the Democratic National Committee, has betrayed its commitment — and Julian Assange, [writes Chris Hedges](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvcGVuLWFtZXJpY2EtdGhlLWh1bWFuLXJpZ2h0cy1jYXJlZXJpc3RzLWFuZC10aGUtYmV0cmF5YWwtb2YtanVsaWFuLWFzc2FuZ2UvVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Not a subscriber yet? [Sign up](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0QgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJXA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) to receive Crash Course. none none 2021's top 10 breakout TV performances They may [not be household names yet](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvYmVzdC1uZXctdHYtYWN0b3JzLWJyZWFrb3V0LTIwMjEvVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~), but it's only a matter of time. 2021 saw breakout characters as teenage cannibals and lively ghosts. It was that kind of year. And Salon's culture team has you covered on the 10 biggest breakout television performances of the year. "She's bluntly practical, opinionated and wisecracking with an intense energy that jumps off the screen," [Hanh Nguyen](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0QqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tL3dyaXRlci9oYW5oLW5ndXllbi0yVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~), Senior Editor of [Culture](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0QmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tL2NhdGVnb3J5L2N1bHR1cmVXA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) , writes of the manager of "We Are Lady Parts," an all-female Muslim punk band with an eponymous show on Peacock. Lucie Shorthouse, who plays manager Momtaz, "delivers such a performance almost completely covered with the exception of her eyes is a testament to her mastery." TV critic Melanie McFarland raves about Paulina Alexis in the role of Willi Jack on "Reservation Dogs." "It's not often that a [complete newcomer makes a role so entirely theirs](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDgvMDkvcmVzZXJ2YXRpb24tZG9ncy1meC1odWx1LXRhaWthLXdhaXRpdGktc3Rlcmxpbi1oYXJqby9XA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) that it looks like they were born to it. This is the feat Alexis pulls off with Willie Jack, the second quietest member of her four-person crew fresh in the mourning of their fifth friend's absence." (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) none - The Fed’s Doomsday Prophet Has a Dire Warning About Where We’re Headed. [Politico](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucG9saXRpY28uY29tL25ld3MvbWFnYXppbmUvMjAyMS8xMi8yOC9pbmZsYXRpb24taW50ZXJlc3QtcmF0ZXMtdGhvbWFzLWhvZW5pZy1mZWRlcmFsLXJlc2VydmUtNTI2MTc3VwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) - A Lavish Tax Dodge for the Ultrawealthy Is Easily Multiplied. [NYT](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8xMi8yOC9idXNpbmVzcy90YXgtYnJlYWstcXVhbGlmaWVkLXNtYWxsLWJ1c2luZXNzLXN0b2NrLmh0bWxXA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - Pictures: Lake Tahoe's massive snowfall shatters 51-year-old record. [SFGATE](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2ZnYXRlLmNvbS9yZW5vdGFob2UvYXJ0aWNsZS9QaWN0dXJlcy1MYWtlLVRhaG9lLXNldC1yZWNvcmQtc25vd2llc3QtbW9udGgtMTY3MzQxOTQucGhwVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) - Antique photo, money and newspaper uncovered in second time capsule from Robert E. Lee statue. [CBS News](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2JzbmV3cy5jb20vbmV3cy9hbnRpcXVlLXBob3RvLW1vbmV5LW5ld3NwYXBlci10aW1lLWNhcHN1bGUtcm9iZXJ0LWUtbGVlLXN0YXR1ZS9XA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - These Progressives Fought the Good Fight in 2021. [The Nation](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0Q6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlbmF0aW9uLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL3NvY2lldHkvMjAyMi1ob25vci1yb2xsL1cDc3BjQgphu9JNzGGPyan6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) none none Manchinema: 2021's most villainous duo Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are 2021's most despicable villains, Amanda Marcotte [argues](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMjgvMjAyMXMtbW9zdC1kZXNwaWNhYmxlLXZpbGxhaW5zLWpvZS1tYW5jaGluLWFuZC1reXJzdGVuLXNpbmVtYS9XA3NwY0IKYbvSTcxhj8mp-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). "Manchin and Sinema managed to do more damage to the country, and to the future of democracy than anyone else throughout the year. And that's in a year where the ex-president [Trump was actively plotting his next coup](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0SBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMTIvMDcvYXV0aG9yLXByZWRpY3RlZC1maXJzdC1jb3VwLWF0dGVtcHQtd2FybnMtb2Ytb2JzY3VyZS1sZWdhbC1kb2N0cmluZS1oZS1tYXktZXhwbG9pdC1uZXh0X3BhcnRuZXIvVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~)!" Marcotte notes that the conservative duo, unlike any Republicans in Congress, actually hold immense power. "But, due to a toxic combination of selfishness, stupidity, and greed, both Manchin and Sinema have blocked every effort Democrats have made to fight back against the Republican assault on democracy. And worse, they did so while pretending, every step of the way, that they were on the verge of being won over to the side of good, when clearly neither ever had any intention of doing anything but destroy Biden's agenda." (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) Have a tip for Salon? Feedback on this newsletter? [Let us know](mailto:brett.bachman@salon.com). Our mailing address: 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200 Wilmington, 19801 DE [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvY3Jhc2gtY291cnNlL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlP2lkPUAzNTQzOTUyVwNzcGNCCmG70k3MYY_JqfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Copyright © 2021 Crash Course, All rights reserved. [Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjrtLQP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbmVwbm83czh5c1cDc3BjQgphu9JNzGGPyan6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)