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Covid cases are soaring, businesses are staring at a gloomy winter, millions of Americans are struggling and Congress ..... well, they’re on recess. POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris breaks down why there’s still no deal on another round of coronavirus relief — and what role President-Elect Biden will play in future negotiations. Plus, the Trump administration lets Biden move forward with the transition. And the CDC urges overwhelmed contact tracers to prioritize certain cases.Sarah Ferris is a congressional reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Stay up on the latest congressional news in POLITICO's Huddle newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the virus rages across the country, schools are shutting down again — or remain shuttered — even though they haven't turned out to be the super-spreader sites experts feared. At the same time, many bars and restaurants remain open for business. POLITICO's Nirvi Shah explains how the situation is reigniting a heated debate over pandemic priorities. Plus, the CDC recommends travelers get tested before and after international flights. And President-Elect Biden is expected to release some Cabinet picks Tuesday.Nirvi Shah is a senior deputy editor for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: It's starting to sink in: Schools before bars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The technologies that protect us, move us and power our daily lives require mining minerals and metals in distant places. But access to these essential materials is increasingly under threat. Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath talk with experts who are sounding the alarm. Luiza Savage is the host of Global Translations.Ryan Heath is a host of Global Translations.Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.Sharon Burke is a senior advisor for the International Security Program and Resource Security Program at New America. Nedal T. Nassar is Chief of Materials Flow Analysis Section at the U.S. Geological Survey.Tom Duesterberg is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He is an expert on trade and foreign policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Short answer: No. Long answer: Listen to the episode. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro breaks down the convoluted Electoral College process between now and December 14th, when the results become official, and why there’s virtually nothing that could change the fact that Joe Biden is the President-Elect. Plus, Biden is set to meet with Pelosi and Schumer in Delaware. And the Trump administration moves to ease oil drilling rules in the Arctic.Zach Montellaro is a campaign reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more:Could GOP states ignore voters and send Trump delegates to the Electoral College?Giuliani and fellow Trump lawyers crank out conspiracies as legal challenges implodeFollow Zach's reporting in the Morning Score newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a weird moment in the pandemic: There’s promising news about vaccines and at-home testing … and a nationwide surge in cases that’s only expected to get worse in the coming weeks. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn and Dan Diamond break down the state of the Covid crisis and what’s next with the holidays just around the corner. Plus, the nation’s largest public school system shuts down in-person learning. And Republicans denounce Trump’s latest firing.Adam Cancryn is a health reporter for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is a health care policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Sign up for the POLITICO Pulse newsletter for the latest on the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black Lives Matter leaders turned out the vote and helped secure President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory. Now they want a piece of the political action. POLITICO’s Maya King reports on why that might be tough — especially under a Republican-controlled Senate. Plus, 46 percent say of voters say Trump should concede 'right away.' And the Senate blocks Trump’s nominee to the Fed.Maya King is a politics reporter for POLITICO covering race and demographics.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Inside Black Lives Matter’s push for power Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Biden won the election more than a week ago. But the General Services Administration — the agency that certifies presidential transitions — is still blocking Biden's transition team from accessing government resources. POLITICO's Alex Thompson breaks down why the GSA is holding things up and whether it could affect the Covid response. Plus, the White House orders the Pentagon to begin planning troop withdrawals in Afghanistan and Iraq. And several governors put in place stricter coronavirus measures.Alex Thompson is a national political reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Sign up for POLITICO's Transition Playbook newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-Elect Joe Biden says he wants to overhaul the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Step one: Get the nation to mask up. Easy, right? Not when a bloc of GOP governors remain opposed to the idea. POLITICO's Dan Goldberg explains how Biden is set to face some major turbulence from red states when he takes the reins in January. Plus, John Bolton calls Trump's recent firings "destructive." And Boris Johnson is self-isolating.Dan Goldberg is a health care reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Red state governors reject Biden on mask orders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the next couple months, President-Elect Joe Biden needs to put together a team to help him rebuild a shattered economy, fight a global pandemic and recover from one of the most polarizing elections in U.S. history. Sounds easy, right? POLITICO's Megan Cassella breaks down who is in contention for some of the toughest jobs in the nation. Plus, federal health officials announce a vaccine agreement with pharmacies. And Trump signs an order barring investments in some Chinese companies.Megan Cassella covers the Biden for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Meet the contenders for Biden’s Cabinet Sign up for POLITICO's Transition Playbook newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pfizer says preliminary data on its Covid vaccine shows 90 percent effectiveness. Pretty awesome, but does that mean we're on the road back to normal life? It's complicated. POLITICO's Sarah Owermohle and Dan Diamond explain why. Plus, Texas hits 1 million cases. And the CDC says masks protect the wearer, not just other people.Sarah Owermohle covers drug policy for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Subscribe to the POLITICO Pulse newsletter for the latest on the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices