Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Slams Unvaxxed Americans, Says He'll Push Mandates 'Wherever I Can'
CNBC: Biden: Unvaccinated People Are 'Costing All Of Us,' Presses Covid Shot Mandates
President Joe Biden on Friday blamed unvaccinated Americans for slowing down the U.S. economic recovery, accusing some elected officials of actively trying to undermine the administration’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. ... “The vast majority of Americans are doing the right thing,” Biden said in addressing the nation, noting that three-fourths of those eligible have gotten at least one shot. He criticized the more than 70 million people who haven’t yet started the vaccination process. “And to make matters worse, there are elected officials actively working to undermine with false information the fight against Covid-19. This is totally unacceptable.” (Towey, /24)
CNN: Want To Help Prevent More Variants Down The Road? Get Vaccinated, CDC Director Says
Adequate rates of vaccination can help prevent the rise of new mutations that could force people to get booster after booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine, the head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday.The CDC and the US Food and Drug Administration recommended booster shots for many Americans last week to help preserve their immunity. ... "Our goal right now is to stay ahead of the virus. We want to boost now so we don't end up in a vulnerable place," Walensky said. (Elamroussi, 9/26)
In news from Connecticut —
Hartford Courant: After Imposing Vaccine Mandates, Connecticut Colleges And Universities Seeing Few COVID-19 Cases
After nearly all Connecticut colleges and universities chose to require COVID-19 vaccination for all students returning to campus this fall, most have recorded few coronavirus cases in the early weeks of the semester, numbers from the schools show. That marks a dramatic change from last fall, when COVID-19 cases surged on college campuses, leading schools to quarantine dorms, send home students who violated social distancing rules and, in one case, threaten to halt all in-person classes. (Putterman, 9/26)
The CT Mirror: State Will Pay For Some COVID Tests For Unvaccinated State Workers
As the deadline approaches for state workers to get vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID tests, the Lamont administration has reached an agreement with its largest state employee union to pay for four tests for those who aren’t vaccinated. The agreement comes after state officials said the state will stop paying for surveillance COVID testing and that those who choose not to get vaccinated will either have to get their insurance to cover testing costs or pay for each test out-of-pocket. A COVID test can cost more than $100, depending on where it is collected. (Altimari, 9/24)
C-Hit.org: CT Doctor Accused Of Mailing Vaccine Exemptions To Anyone Who Asked
The state Medical Examining Board agreed Friday to temporarily suspend the medical license of a Durham physician who is accused of giving out exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines and masks without examining – or even knowing – the patients requesting the documents, state records show. Dr. Sue McIntosh is accused of allowing people to mail her Durham practice a self-addressed, stamped envelope to receive signed exemptions, state Department of Public Health (DPH) documents said. Her license to practice medicine and surgery is suspended until a hearing can be held on Oct. 5, officials said. (Backus, 9/24)
In other news about mask and vaccine mandates —
Boston Herald: 'Dozens' Of Massachusetts Troopers Line Up To Quit Over COVID Vaccine Mandate
“Dozens” of state troopers fed up with the governor’s vaccine mandate are filing paperwork to quit the force as a Superior Court judge has denied any delay in the mandate that kicks in Oct. 17. “Many of these troopers are going to be returning to their previous municipal police departments within the state that allow for regular testing and masks,” said union boss Michael Cherven. “To date, dozens of troopers have already submitted their resignation paperwork.” The State Police Association of Massachusetts said in a statement shared with the Herald Friday that allowing the union representing 1,800 members to negotiate with the Baker administration was their preferred route. (Dwinell and Sokolow, 9/24)
The Washington Post: Massachusetts Man Daniel Libby Attacks Rail Conductor Who Asked Him To Wear Mask, Police Say
Daniel Libby was set to board a Boston-area train when a rail conductor asked the passenger for a simple request: Put a mask on. But instead of adhering to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s mask mandate for riders regardless of vaccination status to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, the 40-year-old man responded Wednesday by allegedly attacking the conductor who asked him to wear a face covering. Libby, of Middleborough, Mass., was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a public official, MBTA police said in a news release. Police said the man “responded with several expletives and refused to place a mask on” at the Braintree MBTA Commuter Rail Station. (Bella, 9/26)
The Washington Post: A Vaccine Mandate Fractures A State Fair, Leaving Children As ‘Pawns’
Down from the New Mexico State Fair’s glittery midway, and past the stands selling funnel cakes and turkey legs, the barns that are typically packed with animals entered in the state’s premiere youth livestock contest were quiet. Resting in pens were a sleepy pig and a few sheep there only for display, not awards. About 200 miles southeast, hundreds of children instead gathered at a fairground with no rides and few spectators to show more than a thousand cows, pigs, sheep and goats in open-sided barns. It was an alternative livestock show quickly thrown together after families decided to boycott the state fair over a requirement that everyone over age 12 show proof of coronavirus vaccination, test or exemption to enter. (Brulliard, 9/26)
The New Republic: Religious Objections To Vaccine Mandates Pose A Tricky Challenge For The Courts
As vaccine mandates begin to take effect, thousands of Americans are scrambling to get religion. For those who oppose vaccination, a “sincerely held religious belief” might be the only way to avoid getting the shot—or losing their job. Online, one can find dozens of official-looking forms, letter templates, and tips on how to explain why your anti-vaccination beliefs are both sincere and religious. Some people are even attempting to turn the exemption business into a lucrative side hustle. Leaders of many major religious organizations and denominations have released statements supporting vaccination and clarifying that their teachings, official and unofficial, do not oppose vaccination. But some are offering “exemption letters” to parishioners who want a minister’s religious authority backing them up. (McCrary, 9/27)
