Axios Sneak Peek: Scoop … Biden’s COVID bubble - Kamala’s niece gets branding warning

1 big thing: Scoop … Joe Biden's COVID bubble | Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Axios Sneak Peek By Alayna Treene, Hans Nichols and Kadia Goba ·Jan 19, 2021 Welcome to Sneak Peek, anchored by Alayna Treene, Hans Nichols and Kadia Goba. 🚨 Breaking: While President Trump released a parting video Tuesday, he went through the rest of the business day without divulging a reported list of at least 100 final pardons and commutations. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) released a statement saying the Justice Department would not pursue insider-trading charges against him. ⚡ Situational Awareness: "Axios on HBO" has a new day and time! It will return next Sunday, Jan. 31, at 6pm ET/PT. Watch its slick new trailer here. Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 585 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Scoop … Joe Biden's COVID bubble Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images   The incoming administration is planning extraordinary steps to protect its most prized commodity, Joe Biden, including requiring daily employee COVID tests and N95 masks at all times, Axios' Hans Nichols reports based on new guidance sent to some incoming employees Tuesday. Why it matters: The president-elect is 78 years old and therefore a high risk for the virus and its worst effects, despite having received the vaccine. While Donald Trump's team was nonchalant about COVID protocols — leading to several super-spreader episodes — the new rules will apply to all White House aides in "high proximity to principals." Besides protecting Biden, he and his team want to model best practices and are insisting that West Wing officials abide by the highest standards. Biden is asking the nation to "mask up" for the first 100 days of his administration. The bottom line: The White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building will start at a diminished capacity, as many Biden aides work from home in the administration's opening days. Go deeper.     2. Biden lawyers warn Harris' niece over branding Meena Harris addresses the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Photo: DNCC via Getty Images   Biden's transition team lawyers have reminded Kamala Harris' niece, Meena, she can't profit off her famous aunt's image, after she unveiled a collaboration between her company and Beats By Dre, reports Axios' Alexi McCammond. Why it matters: Following Republican attacks, Biden pledged that neither his family nor Harris' would profit from their service as president and vice president. While Meena Harris did nothing illegal, it underscored the challenge of keeping relatives in line, and of adhering to the higher ethical standards that the incoming administration has pledged. The team surrounding the incoming vice president was not made aware of the collaboration in advance, people familiar with the situation told Axios. Phenomenal, a female-powered lifestyle brand of which Meena Harris is CEO, has sold several other items inspired by Kamala Harris since Biden announced her as his running mate. Go deeper.     3. Biden COVID-19 adviser steps back from potential conflict Andy Slavitt is seen during congressional testimony in October 2013. Photo: Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call   It's not just family members of Biden or Kamala Harris with an early optics problem, reports Axios' Lachlan Markay. What's happening: Andy Slavitt, an incoming White House adviser on the COVID-19 response team, has also cut ties with a major brand sponsor in anticipation of joining the Biden administration. The company, a Swiss firm called Livinguard, manufactures medical-grade masks with material it says can repel bacteria and virus particles. Livinguard paid for on-air promotions on Slavitt's coronavirus-themed podcast, "In the Bubble." Slavitt said during one episode: "Why I like the Livinguard masks and why I wear them is 'cuz they actually deactivate coronavirus thanks to their incredible patented technology that's been shown to mitigate the spread of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses." Slavitt stepped back from the podcast last week as he prepared to join Biden's coronavirus team. Livinguard told Axios on Tuesday that, "as of today," his recorded endorsements would no longer air on the program.     4. A new Biden measuring stick Data: Yahoo Finance; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios     5. Schumer plans to pick Peters to run DSCC Sen. Gary Peters. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images   Incoming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is poised to name Sen. Gary Peters to head their party's Senate fundraising arm for the pivotal midterm elections, a move he hopes will allow him to retain his title, four people familiar with the matter tell Hans and Axios' Alayna Treene. Why it matters: As chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Peters will be tasked with raising the enormous amounts of money Democrats will need to preserve their razor-thin majority. The appointment is something of a surprise, given the Michigander is viewed as a low-key Midwesterner. Schumer advisers are in discussions with Christie Roberts, a Democratic strategist who was instrumental in the party's two Georgia Senate victories, to serve as executive director. There also are plans to name newly elected New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Lujan as vice chairperson of the committee. The Huffington Post reported this evening that Peters was a "key prospect" for the job. Go deeper.     6. Pics du jour Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images   Joe Biden wipes away a tear as he bids farewell to his home state of Delaware. Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images A Marine stands at the West Wing entrance on President Trump's last full day in the White House. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Jill Biden waves as she and her husband arrive at Joint Base Andrews. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images The nation's incoming leaders and their spouses pay tribute to its more than 400,000 coronavirus victims on the eve of Inauguration Day.   🎆 Thanks for reading tonight's Sneak. We'll be back tomorrow to recap Inauguration Day and look ahead to the rest of this week. Remember, you can always sign up for Axios newsletter delivery here.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. 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