Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CDC Likely To Stick With Its Current Mask Guidelines, Fauci Says
CBS News: Fauci Says It Doesn't Seem The CDC Will Change Mask Recommendations Despite Growing Concern About Delta Variant
As many U.S. states continue to relax COVID-19 protocols, concerns are growing about the more contagious Delta variant. But while the World Health Organization is encouraging people to keep wearing masks even if they're vaccinated, Dr. Anthony Fauci says it doesn't look like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently plans to change its guidelines. "The CDC continually monitors the situation and I'm sure would remain flexible, that if any changes are warranted based on the evolving situation, they would then make a change in their recommendation. But right now, it doesn't look that way," Fauci said in an interview Wednesday on CBSN. "It looks like they're going to continue to stay by their original recommendation." Under the CDC recommendations, fully vaccinated people can resume most indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. (Powell, 6/30)
CNN: It's Time To Rethink 'One-Size-Fits-All' Approach To Mask Guidance, Expert Says, As Delta Variant Is Spotted In Every US State
With uneven vaccination rates across the US and a the Delta variant now spotted in all 50 states, a health expert is warning the federal government's mask guidance should be more focused. "Part of the problem is that the CDC is trying to use a one-size-fits-all recommendation for the country rather than being a bit more surgical in identifying hot spot areas where transmission is accelerating," Dr. Peter Hotez told CNN's Jake Tapper Wednesday. (Elamroussi, 7/1)
Axios: Delta Variant Threatens Masking Guidance
Growing nervousness about the Delta variant of COVID-19 is causing some places to consider reinstating mask recommendations. But with conflicting guidance from top health agencies, it's got the potential to create new confusion around masking. Days after the World Health Organization recommended vaccinated people should still wear their masks to slow the spread of the Delta variant, the CDC reiterated its own guidance allowing individuals to unmask and leaving masking rules to states and counties to decide. (Fernandez, 7/1)
In other news about masks —
AP: GOP Congressman Flouts Mask Rules On Airline Flight To Texas
A Texas congressman who has been an outspoken critic of COVID-19 mask mandates went without a mask for at least a portion of a commercial airline flight Tuesday evening, an apparent violation of federal law. Republican Rep. Chip Roy flew from Washington back to his home district in Austin to attend a border security event held Wednesday with former President Donald Trump. (Biesecker, 7/1)
Health News Florida: Masks Are Off In Florida, But Legal Wrangling Continues
Gov. Ron DeSantis in early May blocked cities and counties from requiring people to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But that hasn’t stopped legal battles over mask mandates. Attorneys for Alachua County last week asked the 1st District Court of Appeal to reconsider a decision in a case about the constitutionality of a mask requirement that the county imposed in 2020. A panel of the appeals court on June 11 overturned a decision by an Alachua County circuit judge, who rejected a challenge to the requirement. (Saunders, 6/30)
Stateline: Parents Face Dilemma In States That Ban School Mask Mandates
This month, Tempe mother Kammy Pany was disappointed to learn the Arizona House passed a measure that would prohibit all school districts and charter schools from requiring masks. After being home for a year, her three elementary school-aged children were excited to return to lessons in person this fall. But because of their compromised immune systems and the likely mask change, Pany felt she had no choice but to find a school that offered online learning. After researching about six, she finally found one. “It’s been difficult, and the kids at this point, they stopped asking about going back to school,” Pany said. “They stopped asking about friends. They're just used to this new life. ... It’s been pretty isolating for all of us.” (Wright, 6/30)
And more states ease covid restrictions —
Billings Gazette: Gianforte Lifts Montana COVID Emergency Declaration
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday lifted the executive order declaring a state of emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement came during a visit to the Montana Club restaurant in Billings where Gianforte met with the restaurant's owner and managers to discuss how the pandemic and employment shortages have affected business during the last 15 months. The executive order, a continuation of a state of emergency initially declared by former Gov. Steve Bullock in March 2020, was signed shortly after Gianforte took office in January. (Etherington, 6/30)
The Oregonian: Masks Are No Longer Required In Most Public Settings Starting Today. Why Some Oregonians Will Keep Wearing Them.
As Gov. Kate Brown does away with the state’s mask mandates Wednesday in nearly all public settings -- nearly one year to the day after she enacted them -- it’ll change nothing about the way Emily Rader of Canby goes about her daily life. Rader said she’ll continue to wear her mask while shopping indoors and at work even though she’s fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Rader says she’ll cover up, even if most others aren’t, because the vaccines, though highly effective, don’t offer a bullet-proof defense. And wearing a mask simply isn’t that big of an inconvenience for the added peace of mind. (Green, 6/30)
The Baltimore Sun: Some Of Maryland’s COVID Emergency Mandates End Today. What Will Change?
Many of Maryland’s emergency restrictions, including a statewide mask mandate, will end Thursday. Gov. Larry Hogan announced last month that Maryland would lift its COVID-19 state of emergency in two phases, with some policies ending Thursday and others after a 45-day grace period through Aug. 15. Hogan declared a state of emergency at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, and extended it as the pandemic persisted. The order allowed the governor to impose restrictions and suspend regulations “if necessary in order to protect the public health, welfare, or safety.” (Lawrence, 7/1)
