promoearn: Nearly 300,000 dead from COVID-19

Monday, December 14

A man walks by a memorial for people who have died from the coronavirus outside Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 27, 2020.

COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in all 50 states, Trump will finally meet his electoral fate and more news to start your Monday.

The United States is approaching an unthinkable milestone — nearly 300,000 people dead from COVID-19. Let that sink in. I'm Jane, with today's Daily Briefing.

As the U.S. nears the grim statistic, the first people in the country could get Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. It's judgment day for President Donald Trump as the Electoral College convenes.

Here's Monday's news:

COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in all 50 states, inoculations may begin

The first inoculations of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine could come as soon as Monday, with health care workers and nursing home residents first in line . Pfizer has said it will deliver 6.4 million doses in its initial shipments, and an FDA official said the first shipment of vaccine doses should arrive in every state Monday. The Pfizer vaccine quietly cleared its last U.S. hurdle when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Sunday that its director, Dr. Robert Redfield, had given a green light to mass use of the vaccine. The vaccine is offering hope in the fight against the pandemic that has killed nearly 300,000 in the U.S. alone. But it will take months to produce and distribute enough to vaccinate most Americans, and experts warn that infections, hospitalizations and deaths will likely climb this winter.

•	Coronavirus updates: Donald Trump says he's not 'scheduled' for vaccine as first Pfizer shipments reach US health care facilities
•	First Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shipments to be delivered to US distribution sites starting Monday
•	Nevermind the political messenger: When it comes to COVID-19 guidance, trust the message, experts say
•	There's skepticism in minority communities about COVID-19 vaccines. Here's how women of color can help swing the momentum

The Electoral College prepares to hand Trump the loss he refuses to accept

President Donald Trump will finally meet his electoral fate Monday as 538 electors are set to convene to cast their votes for either President-elect Joe Biden or President Donald Trump, reflecting the popular votes in their states . The outcome should offer little suspense. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are set to end the day with 306 electoral votes, topping Trump's 232. Historically, the Electoral College meeting is a formality given little attention. But Trump's unprecedented efforts to overturn the election have magnified every turn in the election calendar and shined the spotlight on electors who are usually overlooked.

•	The Electoral College meets today in all 50 states. Follow live updates from the rooms where it happens
•	The Electoral College will pick the president on Monday. Here's what you should know

Early voting begins in Georgia runoffs, which will decide who controls the Senate

Early voting begins Monday for Georgia's highly anticipated runoff election that will determine which party takes control of the Senate . The races pit two Republican incumbents, Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, against Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock. If Ossoff and Warnock win, the Senate will be split 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris having the power to cast a deciding vote. If Perdue and Loeffler win, though, the Republicans will hold a slim 52-48 majority. What caused the runoff election? In November, none of the senatorial candidates garnered 50% or more of the vote, which is required by state law. Since no candidate reached the required threshold, state law requires a runoff election to determine the sole winner.

•	'Overrun with misinformation': Georgia Senate runoff elections are latest battleground for Facebook and Twitter falsehoods
•	'Let's do it again': In Georgia Senate race, Black, Latino, Asian and Native American activists hope to pull off another win

US Women's Open pushed to Monday because of thunderstorms

The final round play at the 75th U.S. Women's Open has been pushed to Monday due to dangerous weather Sunday. Hinako Shibuno of Japan, who had a one-shot lead as she goes for a second major, never teed off. The storms are expected to clear for Monday , when temperatures are expected to drop to the 50s and a strong, gusty wind comes in from the north. It will be the first Monday finish for the U.S. Women's Open since So Yeon Ryu won at The Broadmoor in Colorado in 2011. The U.S. Women's Open was postponed from early June because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More news you need to know:

•	'Everybody is in shock': New York City Christmas concert ends with police shooting gunman on cathedral steps
•	John le Carré, master spy writer, author of 'The Spy Who Came in From the Cold,' dies at 89
•	Wall Street Journal column telling Jill Biden to drop 'Dr.' title derided as 'misogynistic'
•	At least 23 arrested as crowds turn unruly after pro-Trump rally in Washington, DC
•	US government agencies hacked; Russia a possible culprit
•	Cannibal sandwich scare: Wisconsin officials urge families to pass on holiday tradition of eating raw meat
•	'Elf' reunion with Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel denied 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town' ending

Cleveland's MLB team to change its nickname

Cleveland's Major League Baseball team will be dropping the "Indians" nickname, with an official name announcement expected as early as Monday. A new team name will not be immediately announced, and the timetable for when a new name will be selected is not entirely clear. Cleveland adopted the "Indians" nickname in 1915. Previous nicknames for Cleveland's major-league teams include the Naps, Bronchos, Blues and Spiders.

•	Opinion: It's time for the Cleveland and Atlanta baseball clubs to change their team nicknames

And finally: Man drives 1,200 miles; reunites with lost dog

After losing his dog more than six months ago, this man drove 1,200 miles to reunite with his boy Blue. Watch their emotional moment in this Animalkind video.