Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
COVID Testing: Who's Positive, Negative Or In Isolation
The Hill: Barr Reverses, Will Quarantine For Several Days After Potential Coronavirus Exposure
Attorney General William Barr reversed his decision to not quarantine following possible exposure to the coronavirus and said instead that he would isolate himself for several days, according to the Associated Press. Barr was exposed to COVID-19 last week at the White House's event announcing the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed Barr's decision to the news outlet, though the exact length of Barr's self-imposed quarantine was not immediately clear. (Bowden, 10/4)
CNN: Ron Johnson: Senate GOP's Third Positive Covid-19 Case Threatens Quick Barrett Confirmation
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has tested positive for coronavirus after being exposed to someone with the virus earlier this week, according to his spokesman, making him the third GOP senator to test positive in 24 hours and threatening the quick confirmation prospects of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. In a sign of just how little margin for error there is to get Barrett confirmed by Election Day, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wrote in an email to GOP senators obtained by CNN that he needs all Republican senators back in Washington by October 19. (Raju, 10/3)
Newsweek: Chris Christie Called Out For Seeking COVID Treatment After Cavalier Remarks, Behavior
Chris Christie was called out for checking himself into hospital after experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms after months of downplaying the virus' dangers, failing to take recommended precautions and sounding cavalier and uncaring by remarking that Americans were "gonna have to" accept high coronavirus death tolls. ... On Saturday, a viral tweet by Michael David Smith compared Christie's recent tweets with comments from that CNN interview. "When other people got COVID-19, Chris Christie said some Americans are just gonna have to die," Smith wrote. "Now that he has COVID-19, he's checking himself into the hospital as soon as he feels even mild symptoms. When he said we have to accept people dying he didn't mean him. He meant us." (Rahman, 10/4)
New York Post: Claudia Conway Announces She Has Coronavirus On TikTok
Claudia Conway announced on social media Sunday that she has coronavirus. “Hey guys currently dying of covid!” Conway, the daughter of President Trump’s former aide Kellyanne Conway, wrote on a TikTok post. Kellyanne Conway announced her own coronavirus diagnosis on Friday minutes after her daughter broke the news on the social media platform. The elder Conway was at the Sept. 26 Rose Garden event for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. There were roughly 150 high-profile guests in attendance at the event, many without masks. (Garger, 10/4)
USA Today: First Lady Melania Trump's Face Masks: Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
First lady Melania Trump, now exhibiting "mild" symptoms of coronavirus, has a mixed record on wearing face masks in public, but she's been more pro-mask than her husband. Her official Twitter account, which is less dramatic and prolific than President Donald Trump's, has been her main way of communicating publicly about COVID-19 and safety precautions, including wearing a mask. (Puente, 10/2)
CNN: Covid-19 Cases Within Trump's Circle: Here's Who Has Tested Positive And Negative
At least 10 people in President Donald Trump's family, the US government and circle of advisers and recent contacts have recently tested positive for Covid-19. (10/4)
