Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
COVID Restrictions Struck Down In Michigan But Upheld In Wisconsin
Detroit Free Press: Michigan Supreme Court Strikes Down Gov. Whitmer's Emergency Orders, Effective Immediately
Emergency orders Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued under the Emergency Powers of Governor Act are struck down, effective immediately, the Michigan Supreme Court said Monday in a 4-3 order that added an exclamation mark to an Oct. 2 ruling. But new emergency orders that the Whitmer administration has issued through the state health department director — which replicate mask requirements, restrictions on gathering sizes and restaurant capacity, among other features — are not affected by the court's ruling. (Egan, 10/12)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Judge Denies GOP Effort To End Tony Evers' Mask Mandate
A Wisconsin judge on Monday blocked an effort by Republicans to end Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate at a time when coronavirus cases are surging and hospitalizations reached a record. The conservative group that brought the lawsuit promised to immediately appeal, and Republicans who control the Legislature took an initial step Monday to eliminate a separate COVID-19 order from Evers that limits business occupancy. (Becky and Marley, 10/12)
In other news from the Midwest —
The Hill: Michigan Senator Shares Story Of Wife's Life-Saving Abortion
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) in an interview with Elle magazine disclosed his wife's abortion for the first time, which she underwent after doctors warned she was at risk of losing her uterus or possibly dying. While Heidi Peters was four months pregnant with the couple’s second child in the 1980s, her water broke and her doctor recommended she go home and wait to miscarry. The next day, however, a heartbeat was still detectable. (Budryk, 10/12)
Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Crime: City Sees Most Violent Year Ever With Months Left
A total of 154 criminal homicide cases were investigated by IMPD in 2019. Until last year, annual criminal homicide numbers had grown annually since 2011, reaching record highs from 2015 to 2018. The criminal homicide total does not include killings made in self-defense, police action shootings or accidental homicides. Homicides in other parts of Marion County, such as in Lawrence or Cumberland, are also not included. There have been 187 total homicides in Indianapolis this year. (Mack, 10/12)
In news from the South and East —
Houston Chronicle: Texans Delaying Or Skipping Health Care Visits During Pandemic, Study Finds
More than a third of Texans have put off health care decisions and are now without health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to figures from the Episcopal Health Foundation, a Houston-based health advocacy organization. (Wu, 10/13)
New Orleans Times-Picayune: True Toll Of Coronavirus: Deaths Are Up By 27% In Louisiana. That's Even Higher Than U.S. Average.
The coronavirus pandemic in Louisiana has marked some of the deadliest months on record for the state. From March 1 to August 1, about 24,000 people died, a 27% increase compared to the same five-month span in at least the last six years, according to a new study analyzing deaths during the pandemic. (Woodruff, 10/12)
USA Today: Nashville 'Worship Protest' Under Investigation After Drawing Largely Unmasked Crowd Of Thousands
Christian worship leader Sean Feucht hosted a "worship protest" that is now under investigation by health officials after it drew thousands of people who appeared to be largely without masks in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday night. Feucht, who is based in California and has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across social media, posted a video of the gathering, saying the event faced resistance and had three venue changes before landing at the courthouse grounds. (Wegner, 10/12)
The Washington Post: Goucher Poll: Half Of Maryland Residents Would Not Take Coronavirus Vaccine
Half of Maryland residents would not take a federally approved coronavirus vaccine today even if it were offered free, a new poll found. The Goucher Poll released Tuesday also found widespread concern in Maryland about contracting the coronavirus. About 7 in 10 people say they are either “somewhat” or “very concerned” about themselves or a loved one getting sick. (Cox, 10/13)
The New York Times: In Emptier Subways, Violent Crime Is Rising
When the pandemic hit New York and subway ridership plunged, misdemeanor and felony crimes dropped to record lows: Between January and the end of September, the number of reported crimes in the system fell roughly 40 percent compared with the same period last year. But even as overall crime has declined, violent crime and episodes of vandalism are rising, a trend that is stoking fear among passengers and posing another challenge for a transit system crippled by a virus outbreak that has deprived it of riders and money. So far this year, the number of reported homicides, rapes, burglaries and robberies in the subway are higher than during the same period last year, according to Police Department statistics. (Goldbaum, 10/12)
