Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bipartisan Smiles Revealed As Biden, Harris And Lawmakers Peel Off Masks
The Washington Post: ‘Better Days Are Ahead’: Maskless Biden Marks Milestone In Virus Battle
President Biden on Thursday afternoon strolled out of the White House with a triumphant demeanor — notably without wearing a mask — and declared the country on the precipice of defeating a pandemic that has killed more than 580,000 Americans, damaged the economy and been the single-most dominant issue of his young presidency. The occasion was the surprise announcement by federal health officials that Americans who are fully vaccinated can go without masks or physical distancing in most cases — marking a crucial milestone in the nation’s battle against the pandemic. (Viser and Linskey, 5/13)
The New York Times: Removing Masks Becomes The First Bipartisan Activity Of Biden’s Washington
Mr. Biden, who last month had been criticized for not removing his mask in the days after the C.D.C. recommended that vaccinated Americans could go without them outdoors, this time promptly addressed the public after the announcement was made. ... It was a quick pivot for a White House that had been strict and to the letter about mask wearing. ... But during a meeting on infrastructure, held in the Oval Office with a bipartisan group of senators earlier in the day, Mr. Biden removed his face covering. So did the lawmakers, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Republican of West Virginia, told reporters. (Rogers and Fandos, 5/13)
Axios: Vaccinated White House Staff No Longer Required To Wear Masks On Grounds
The White House emailed staff on Thursday saying those who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus are no longer required to wear face masks on the premises. The move follows new COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC which allow fully vaccinated people to participate in indoor and outdoor activities without masks or physically distancing. (Saric, 5/13)
The Hill: Jill Biden, Jennifer Garner Go Mask-Free On Vaccine-Promoting West Virginia Trip
Jill Biden added a shot of star power in her push to encourage vaccines among young teens, teaming up Thursday with actress Jennifer Garner for a trip to a West Virginia school's vaccination clinic. "Things are getting better every day," said Biden in what are believed to be her first mask-less public remarks at an in-person event since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. (Kurtz, 5/13)
The Hill: Masks Shed At White House; McConnell: 'Free At Last'
On Capitol Hill, Republicans rejoiced at the updated guidance. “Free at last,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters as he walked out of the chamber without a mask. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) removed their masks and yelled "freedom" in celebration of the news. (Samuels, 5/13)
Axios: Pelosi Says Masks Will Still Be Required On House Floor, Despite CDC Guidance
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told CNN Thursday that members will still be required to wear masks on the House floor, despite new CDC guidance allowing fully vaccinated people to remove their masks indoors. “No,” Pelosi told CNN when asked if the rule would change. "Are they all vaccinated?” (Saric, 5/13)
In other news about the spread of covid on Capitol Hill —
The Washington Post: Former Aide Says Congressman Recklessly Exposed Staff To Coronavirus, Let Son Live In Capitol Basement
A former aide accused U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) of allowing his son to live in a storage space in the basement of the U.S. Capitol for several weeks and recklessly exposing staffers to the novel coronavirus, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court Thursday. Former aide Brandon L. Pope accused Lamborn, 66, of Colorado Springs, of consistently disregarding “ethical rules and guidelines” for lawmakers, including taking a “reckless” approach to the pandemic and retaliating against Pope when he raised objections. (Hsu, 5/13)
Politico: Eye-Popping Lawsuit Portrays GOP Lawmaker’s Office As A Covid-19 Petri Dish
“Well, I don’t care about you guys getting it.” That’s what Rep. Doug Lamborn (R–Colo.) allegedly told a staffer in October 2020, right after discovering that his Capitol Hill office was turning into a hotbed of Covid-19 infections. It’s one of the many eye-popping accusations in a new lawsuit filed Thursday afternoon in the District Court for the District of Columbia by Brandon Pope, a former Lamborn staffer who says he vocally pushed back on what he called the congressman’s “reckless and dangerous approach” to the pandemic — and was fired for it. (Bade, 5/13)
