Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
About-Face On Contact Tracing: Airlines To Collect Passenger Data
The Washington Post: U.S. Airlines Agree To Voluntary Program To Speed Contact-Tracing Efforts
Seven U.S. air carriers said Friday that they will begin collecting information from international passengers intended to help health officials more quickly warn travelers if they have been exposed to the coronavirus on a flight. The announcement is a turnabout for the industry, which previously pushed back against government efforts to require it to provide passenger information for contact tracing. (Aratani, 2/19)
Stat: Could The Pandemic Drive A Rise In Vision Problems Among Children?
Researchers around the world are closely watching for a potential ripple effect of the Covid-19 pandemic: an uptick in vision problems in children, many of whom are spending less time outside, and more time than ever in front of screens during work and play. (Goshua, 2/22)
KHN: Feds OK’d Export Of Millions Of N95 Masks As U.S. Workers Cried For More
In the midst of a national shortage of N95 masks, the U.S. government quietly granted an exception to its export ban on protective gear, allowing as many as 5 million of the masks per month to be shipped overseas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the waiver in the final moments of Donald Trump’s presidency last month, allowing a Texas company to export its products after it failed to secure U.S. customers, according to the FEMA letter obtained by KHN. (Jewett, 2/19)
CNN: People With Body Dysmorphia Find Relief In Wearing Covid-19 Masks
For Lavinia Darr, a public bus was dangerous territory. There were the other passengers, who she feared would be aghast at her physical flaws. And there were the mirrors and windows, which she knew would propel her into deep self-loathing. Daily commute debilitated the 23-year-old -- because body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) defined so many parts of her daily life. (Morava and Andrew, 2/21)
