Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Still Impacting Nursing Homes
AP: Despite Vaccines, Nursing Homes Still Struggle With Covid Outbreaks, Deaths
Jeannie Wells had hoped that regular visits would resume at her elderly mother’s New York nursing home once all the residents were fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Around Easter, her wish finally came true, and she was able to hold the 93-year-old’s hand more than a year after bringing her mother to the facility for rehabilitation for a fractured hip and knee. But that reunion was short-lived. Visits were quickly stopped for about six weeks after an employee tested positive for Covid-19, and Wells said visits are still far from normal even when there haven’t been outbreaks. (6/1)
KHN: The ‘Grief Pandemic’ Will Torment Americans For Years
Cassandra Rollins’ daughter was still conscious when the ambulance took her away. Shalondra Rollins, 38, was struggling to breathe as covid overwhelmed her lungs. But before the doors closed, she asked for her cellphone, so she could call her family from the hospital. It was April 7, 2020 — the last time Rollins would see her daughter or hear her voice. (Szabo, 6/2)
In updates on restrictions and reopenings —
AP: Disney Cruise Line To Set Sail On 2-Night COVID Test Cruise
After a catastrophic coronavirus cruise season, Disney Cruise Line will finally set sail later this month, the company said in a statement Tuesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the cruise line’s request to conduct a two night simulation cruise on June 29 on the Disney Dream departing from Port Canaveral. (6/2)
CNN: Gorsuch Denies Colorado Churches' Petition Challenging Covid-Related Restrictions
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch on Tuesday denied a request from two Colorado churches and their pastors challenging Covid-19-related restrictions that they said treated them less favorably than secular organizations. Gorsuch, who has jurisdiction over cases out of Colorado, denied the churches' petition without referring the matter to the full court, suggesting he didn't think his colleagues would be interested in the arguments put forward by the houses of worship in the case at hand. (de Vogue and Kelly, 6/2)
AP: Kentucky Reopening Senior Centers Starting June 11
Kentucky’s senior centers will reopen at full capacity starting June 11, Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday in announcing the latest coronavirus-related restriction nearing an end. The reopening date for senior centers will come on the same day that most of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. The increasing number of vaccinations makes it safe to let Kentuckians gather once again at senior centers, the governor said at a news conference. (Schreiner, 6/1)
Los Angeles Times: California To Reconsider Some Workplace Mask Requirements
A California workplace safety board on Thursday is scheduled to consider whether to relax mask and physical distancing rules for workers. The proposal would allow workers in a room to take off masks if everyone in a room is fully vaccinated and do not have COVID-19 symptoms. Masks would still be required if anyone in a room was not fully vaccinated, according to the proposal. “Vaccinated persons are at lower risk for COVID-19 infection and transmission,” officials wrote. “In mixed groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, however, unvaccinated employees would be at risk without the use of face coverings indoors.” (Lin II, 6/1)
