Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden's Contractor Mandate Hits Another Roadblock
AP: Missouri Court Adds To Ban On Biden Contractor Vaccine Rule
A federal judge in Missouri added another legal block Monday against President Joe Biden’s requirement that federal contractors receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The new preliminary injunction prohibits enforcement of the contractors’ vaccine mandate in 10 states that collectively sued. It comes on top of a nationwide injunction issued earlier this month by a federal judge in Georgia. (Lieb, 12/21)
The Washington Post: Vaccine Mandates: Biden's Policies Arrive At Supreme Court
The Biden administration’s coronavirus protection requirements intended to persuade millions of health-care and other workers to get vaccinated are taking center stage at the Supreme Court. More than half the states and coalitions of business and religious groups are asking the justices for emergency action to block the administration’s nationwide vaccine-or-testing mandate for large businesses, which would cover about 80 million workers. (Barnes, 12/20)
In school news —
Los Angeles Times: Judge Rules Against San Diego Unified COVID Vaccine Mandate
A San Diego County judge has struck down the student COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the San Diego school system, a ruling with potential implications elsewhere, including in the Los Angeles Unified School District. In a four-page decision, Superior Court Judge John S. Meyer concluded that California school systems did not have the authority under state law to establish their own vaccine mandates. His ruling applies only to San Diego Unified. In separate vaccine mandate litigation against L.A. Unified, an L.A. County judge recently appeared to be leaning in the other direction, siding with the right of the Los Angeles district to impose its own requirements. (Blume and Taketa, 12/20)
AP: University Of Oregon Requiring COVID Booster
As the highly transmissible omicron variant spreads across the country, University of Oregon students, faculty and staff will be required to get a COVID-19 booster shot as soon as they are eligible, school officials announced Monday. Currently the university and the state’s six other public universities require COVID-19 vaccinations for those on campus. As of Monday afternoon, the University of Oregon is the only public university in the state to publicly announce a booster requirement. (12/20)
In sports news —
The Washington Post: NHL is first U.S. sport to halt schedule amid coronavirus surge, with stoppage starting Wednesday
The NHL will halt its season Wednesday amid a spike in coronavirus cases and the rise of the omicron variant, the league announced Monday night, becoming the first major pro sports league in North America with plans to halt play entirely, albeit briefly. Team facilities will be closed from Wednesday through Saturday, and players will return Sunday for coronavirus testing and practice. Games are in line to resume Monday, Dec. 27. The league’s previously scheduled holiday break was Friday through Sunday. (Pell, 12/20)
The Washington Post: NFL’s Covid Testing Rules Divide Public Health Experts
With the omicron variant baring its teeth, the NFL’s revamped coronavirus testing policy will lead to an increase in infections among its ranks, experts said Monday, and could risk spreading the virus as hospital systems struggle to bear the weight of another wave of covid-19 infections. But some epidemiologists said the league’s plan also could provide a hint of what the general public can expect as the coronavirus becomes further entrenched in everyday life. (Maese, 12/20)
AP: NFL Could Become Trend-Setter For COVID-19 Testing Policies
The NFL’s decision to reduce COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic, vaccinated players could signal a trend for pro sports leagues and provide an example for society to follow heading into 2022. ... The NFL previously required vaccinated players to get tested weekly before amending the protocols. The NFLPA had advocated for daily testing for vaccinated players but eventually agreed to “target” testing. The NBA didn’t require vaccinated players to get tested during the season but revised its policy to increase testing for a two-week period starting Dec. 26. (Maaddi, 12/21)
AP: AP Source: Several Asymptomatic NFL Players Test Positive
Several asymptomatic, vaccinated NFL players tested positive for COVID-19 on the first day of “targeted” testing, a person familiar with the results told The Associated Press on Monday. Overall, 47 players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the most in a single day since the pandemic began. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of privacy issues, didn’t specify how many of the players are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated. (Maaddi, 12/21)
