Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Alarm Mounts Over Trump's Inaction In Face Of Deadly COVID Surge
Politico: Health Officials Sound Alarm Over Impact Of Trump’s Transition Blockade
Public health officials, members of Joe Biden’s transition team, and elected Democrats and Republicans urged President Donald Trump on Sunday to begin the transfer of power to President-elect Joe Biden, warning that continuing to waylay the process amid a spiking pandemic could endanger American lives. “Of course it would be better” if public health officials could begin working with Biden’s transition team right now, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “That is obvious.” (Mueller, 11/15)
The Hill: Biden Calls For 'Urgent Action' From Trump Amid COVID-19 Surge
President-elect Joe Biden on Friday called for the Trump administration to take immediate action to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, as daily case numbers and hospitalizations hit new highs. Biden wrote on Twitter that he was "alarmed" by the surging number of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths reported across the country. "This crisis demands a robust and immediate federal response which has been woefully lacking," he wrote. (Byrnes, 11/13)
CNN: Governors Are Left To Manage The Spread Of Covid-19 Cases As Rates Are Projected To Get Worse
State and local leaders have been left to manage the spread of Covid-19 as infections increase at unprecedented speed -- and as things get worse, their participation will likely be more important, experts say. For much of the pandemic, health experts have lamented the lack of a strong national response from the United States while state leadership has implemented measures and restrictions. And now, on the heels of the country adding 1 million cases in less than a week (the fastest it ever has), two former Food and Drug Administration commissioners said Sunday slowing the spread is "now up to governors." (Holcombe, 11/16)
USA Today: Trump Facing Criticism On COVID Fight As He Delays Biden Transition
President Donald Trump faced mounting criticism Sunday for continuing to focus his message on the election and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud while sidestepping a resurgent coronavirus pandemic raging across the country. Trump struck a defiant tone in a series of weekend tweets, claiming voting was "rigged" for President-elect Joe Biden. His critics said Sunday that by refusing to acknowledge the results of the Nov. 3 election, Trump was delaying the transition and complicating Biden's ability to hit the ground running in the battle against COVID-19. (Fritze, 11/15)
The Hill: 13 Million More Americans Could Get COVID-19 Before Inauguration Day: Report
President-elect Joe Biden has started assembling a task force and taking steps to prepare to combat the COVID-19 pandemic when he enters office, but a new analysis finds that millions of Americans could be infected with the disease in the next two months before Inauguration Day. Reuters reported this week, based on data and growth trends from early November, that the U.S. could face between 8 million and 13 million more coronavirus cases as well as 70,000 more deaths before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. (Polus, 11/14)
