Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
COVID Has Killed More Health Workers In Mexico Than Anywhere Else
AP: Report: Mexico Leads In Health Worker Deaths From COVID-19
Mexico leads the world in coronavirus deaths among its health care workers, Amnesty International said in a new report Wednesday. It said Mexico has reported 1,320 confirmed deaths from COVIID-19 so far, surpassing the United States at 1,077, the United Kingdom at 649, and Brazil at 634. (9/2)
AP: Thailand Hits 100 Days With No Local Virus Transmissions
Thailand’s prime minister on Wednesday congratulated the nation for having achieved 100 days without a confirmed locally transmitted case of the coronavirus, even as security along the border with Myanmar is being stepped up as a measure against the disease. Health officials did not highlight the achievement, but Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha described it as a “good accomplishment” toward making the country safe. He used the occasion to urge the government and people to work together to bring the country out of the COVID-19 crisis. (Peck, 9/2)
The Washington Post: Coronavirus Quarantine Violations Result In Few Fines In U.K.
The British government has made a big show this summer about its coronavirus quarantine list — and generated lots of drama. ... Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain must be “absolutely ruthless about this, even with our closest and dearest friends and partners around the world.” But the enforcement numbers don’t suggest ruthlessness. Since June, when Britain began requiring self-isolation for people traveling from countries where the virus is spreading at a rapid rate, police have fined only three people for ignoring the rules in England and Wales. Another nine people were fined for failing to fill out contact forms. (Booth and Adam, 9/2)
The Washington Post: Tokyo Olympics: Japan Expects Vaccines To Be Ready, But Says Games Can Proceed Without One
Japan's government says it expects to vaccinate the entire country against the novel coronavirus by the middle of next year. But even if that does not happen, the organizers of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics insist the Games can proceed — perhaps with limited spectators. “We don’t think a vaccine is a prerequisite for holding the Olympics,” Toshiro Muto, CEO of Tokyo 2020, said in an interview on Monday. “It would be still beneficial if an effective vaccine is developed by next year, and we do hope that will be the case.” (Denyer, 9/3)
In other global news —
PBS NewsHour: How Switzerland Delivered Health Care For All — And Kept Its Private Insurance
Since the pandemic began, more Americans think U.S. health care is below average compared to other nations, and the possibility of moving to a system of universal coverage is up for debate. One potential model is Switzerland, which has achieved universal coverage while preserving the private marketplace. (Brangham and Kane, 9/2)
AP: Congo Sees Increase In Plague, At Least 10 Deaths This Year
Congo is seeing an upsurge in cases of the plague, as the vast Central African nation also battles outbreaks of COVID-19 and Ebola. Since June, Congo has recorded at least 65 cases of the plague, including at least 10 deaths, in the eastern Ituri province according to Ituri provincial chief of health Dr. Louis Tsolu. (Kamale, 9/2)
