Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Extends Covid Testing, Vaccine Rules To Smaller Gatherings
Bay Area News Group: California Expands Vaccine Proof, COVID Test Order For Indoor Events
California health officials Wednesday said they will expand the requirement for vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for those attending large indoor events as the state continues to battle rising infections from the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. The state had already required either vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours to attend events of 5,000 people or more. Wednesday’s order which takes effect Sept. 20 expands that to gatherings of 1,000 people or more, and requires proof of full vaccination rather than the “self attestation” of having been vaccinated that had been allowed. (Woolfolk, 8/18)
San Francisco Chronicle: S.F. Is Closing Its Homeless Hotels. But With More Federal Funding On Tap, Advocates Are Pushing Back
The Biden administration is expected to announce Tuesday that it will fully reimburse states for certain COVID-19 expenses through the end of 2021, which means emergency shelter — like San Francisco’s homeless hotel program — will continue to be completely covered, an administration official confirmed to The Chronicle. The decision comes at a critical time for San Francisco, which recently began winding down its hotel program that sheltered thousands during the pandemic. Federal officials originally planned to yank emergency funding Sept. 30, but the administration decided to extend that deadline amid a troubling surge in delta variant cases across the country. (Thadani and Kopan, 8/17)
On lead risk for children —
San Francisco Chronicle: Santa Clara County Wants To Close Airport Tied To High Lead In Kids. Will FAA Let It?
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday night to speed up the closure of Reid-Hillview Airport in East San Jose following a study that found high levels of lead in thousands of children living near the airport. But county officials will need the federal government’s permission to do so.“ This is about environmental justice, public health and equity for ... residents living around Reid-Hillview Airport,” Supervisor Cindy Chavez said in a statement. (Narayan, 8/18)
In other news from Nevada, Montana and Oklahoma —
AP: Nevada Senator Seeks New Ideas To Address Wildfire Smoke
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto is urging firefighters, scientists, teachers and moms to help form new strategies to deal with increasingly unhealthy air quality in Nevada caused by wildfires that continue to worsen and no relief in sight in the years ahead. “This is something that’s happening all the time now,” the Nevada Democrat said at a roundtable gathering in Reno Wednesday with experts who shared their challenges and frustrations on numerous fronts. (Sonner, 8/19)
Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Nurses Union Wants Higher Pay In New Contract With Bozeman
Unionized nurses negotiating a new contract with Bozeman Health have reached an impasse over pay, saying the hospital’s final offer is not commensurate with Bozeman’s cost of living. (Sukut, 8/12)
Oklahoman: Oklahoma Names Its Fourth Medical Marijuana Director In Three Years
Adria Berry is being named the new director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. She will be the agency's fourth director in less than three years. Berry is replacing Kelly Williams, who worked as director for nearly a year. Berry, who most recently worked for the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma, will begin as OMMA director on Aug. 30, she said. Berry, an attorney, also advised Gov. Kevin Stitt on marijuana policy during her time as a counselor to the Oklahoma Secretary of State. As OMMA director, Berry said she wants to provide clear direction for the organization, and help make sure that direction is communicated to Oklahomans across the state. (Dishman and Denwalt, 8/18)
