Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cruise Ships Will Go On Test Runs
AP: CDC Sets Rules For Trial Cruises With Volunteer Passengers
Cruise lines can soon begin trial voyages in U.S. waters with volunteer passengers helping test whether the ships can sail safely during a pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave ship operators final technical guidelines Wednesday for the trial runs. The CDC action is a step toward resuming cruises in U.S. waters, possibly by July, for the first time since March 2020.A spokeswoman for the cruise industry’s trade group said the group was reviewing the CDC instructions. Each practice cruise — they’ll run two to seven days — must have enough passengers to meet at least 10% of the ship’s capacity. Volunteers must be 18 or older and either fully vaccinated or free of medical conditions that would put them at high risk for severe COVID-19. (5/6)
In news about airline travel —
The Washington Post: Indonesian Airport Workers Accused Of Reusing Nasal Swabs For Coronavirus Testing
As many as 9,000 people may have been given coronavirus tests using nasal swabs that had been washed and reused by an Indonesian pharmaceutical company at Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, according to police, who said they have arrested several employees and the Medan facility’s business manager. Staff working for the state-owned company Kimia Farma have reportedly been rinsing swabs and using them on passengers since late last year. Under coronavirus regulations, travelers are required to produce a negative result before flying, and the airport had used the company to supply the rapid antigen test kits. (Hassan, 5/5)
CNN: Feds Fine Unruly And Maskless Airplane Passengers As Violent Incidents Increase
Federal authorities are planning to fine two unmasked and unruly passengers accused of hitting and grabbing flight attendants amid a rash of disruptive and sometimes violent incidents on board planes. One passenger accused of grabbing and striking two flight attendants during a February flight faces a fine of $32,750, the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN on Wednesday. A passenger on a different flight is accused of hitting "one of the flight attendants with his bags" and faces a $16,500 fine. (Wallace and Muntean, 5/5)
The Washington Post: Air Traveler Faces $32,750 In Fines For Refusing To Wear Mask And Throwing Items, FAA Says
A woman aboard a JetBlue flight from the Dominican Republic to New York faces $32,750 in fines after refusing to wear a mask, throwing food and an empty bottle of alcohol into the air, and shouting obscenities at crew members, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday. The passenger, who was not identified, is one of four the agency is taking action against for unruly behavior while flying. (Aratani, 5/5)
The Washington Post: Argentina Man Faked Covid Certificate To Fly From Miami To Buenos Aires, Authorities Say
Just hours before he was set to board a flight home to Argentina on Saturday, Santiago Solans Portillo received some news that appeared to throw a wrench in his travel plans: His coronavirus test had come back positive, authorities say. But when the 29-year-old arrived at the airport in Miami, he made no such disclosure to the American Airlines agents checking him in, instead presenting a medical certificate that said he was fit to fly. (Armus, 5/5)
CNBC: Is It Safe To Travel This Summer Or Fall? Here’s What Experts Say
For some homebound travelers yearning for a vacation, the question isn’t whether to book a vacation this year, but when. Enthusiasm for travel is at its highest point in a year, with 87% of American travelers expected to take a trip this summer, according to a survey conducted last week by travel market research company Destination Analysts. But is the summer the best time to travel this year, or is it prudent to wait? Medical professionals present several scenarios of how the rest of 2021 may play out. (Pitrelli, 5/5)
