Your Daily Roundup for September 22nd

Good morning. As the COVID-19 pandemic takes a toll on life in America, our team at Future Majority is tracking the latest updates: 

Confusion at the CDC:

Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance around COVID-19 on its website to indicate that the virus was airborne -- a major development that would impact policies to help stop the spread. By Monday, the new guidance was taken down, with the agency citing “error” in its being posted in the first place. For months, the CDC had told Americans that the virus was spread through large droplets when individuals were in close contact and an infected person coughed, sneezed, or talked -- hence the 6 feet apart or mask rule  in many jurisdictions. The agency’s update that was then quickly reversed said that the virus could spread through tiny droplets called aerosols that linger in the air and can travel more than the 6 foot distance. 

Days after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the Judiciary Committee is already poised to move forward with a replacement:

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chair of the Judiciary Committee, said that his caucus had enough votes to confirm a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is expected to be nominated by President Trump later this week or weekend. What remains to be seen is if Graham and others will move quickly to vote to confirm the nominee before the November 3rd election in just 42 days.

Presidential elections are about the battlegrounds. Here’s a look at new polling in closely-watched states:

Every single vote matters. In our electoral college system, however, an outsized influence is placed on a few key states that tip the balance toward 270 electoral votes.

Maine (Boston Globe/Suffolk):

• Biden: 51%
• Trump: 39%

North Carolina (Emerson)

• Biden: 50%
• Trump: 49%

Iowa (Des Moines Register)

• Biden: 47%
• Trump: 47%

Georgia (University of Georgia)

• Biden: 47%
• Trump: 47%