Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fall Could Be Worse Than Spring: Trudeau Warns Canada About Second Wave
Politico: Trudeau: Canada Already In Second Wave Of Coronavirus
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is warning Canadians that the second wave has arrived in many parts of the country. “We’re on the brink of a fall that could be much worse than the spring,” Trudeau said Wednesday during a 12-minute takeover of suppertime television. “It’s all too likely we won’t be gathering for Thanksgiving [Oct. 12], but we still have a shot at Christmas.” (Blatchford, 9/23)
Fox News: German Lufthansa Airline Plans Rapid COVID-19 Testing For Passengers
German airline Lufthansa announced this week that it would start offering rapid coronavirus testing for passengers in October. The company's senior director for product management, Bjoern Becker, said Tuesday that the new antigen tests will initially be available for first-class and business-class passengers only because supplies are limited, according to Reuters. (Musto, 9/23)
AP: Israel's Netanyahu Calls For Tough Lockdown As Virus Rages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday announced plans for a strict, two-week nationwide lockdown in a bid to slow a raging coronavirus outbreak. In a video statement, Netanyahu said there would be a “full lockdown” beginning Friday that would run through Oct. 10. He said the lockdown would continue for at least another two weeks, albeit “hopefully” with some restrictions eased. (Federman, 9/23)
Los Angeles Times: Malaysia Tackles Charges Of Forced Labor At Glove Companies
COVID-19 has created a windfall for the Malaysian companies that supply nearly two-thirds of the disposable latex and synthetic gloves used to fight contamination in hospitals, labs, pharmacies and kitchens worldwide. But record-breaking sales have been accompanied by fresh scrutiny over labor practices — especially treatment of the low-paid migrant workers who run the assembly lines. (Bengali, 9/22)
AP: 'Are People To Be Left To Die?' Vaccine Pleas Fill UN Summit
If the United Nations was created from the ashes of World War II, what will be born from the global crisis of COVID-19? Many world leaders at this week’s virtual U.N. summit hope it will be a vaccine made available and affordable to all countries, rich and poor. But with the U.S., China and Russia opting out of a collaborative effort to develop and distribute a vaccine, and some rich nations striking deals with pharmaceutical companies to secure millions of potential doses, the U.N. pleas are plentiful but likely in vain. “Are people to be left to die?” Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, a COVID-19 survivor, said of the uncertain way forward. (Anna, 9/24)
NPR: Vietnam's 'Self Help Clubs' Get Older People To Help Themselves
It's a bit hard to describe Vietnam's Intergenerational Self Help Clubs. But one thing is easy to say. If you're older — like above the age of 60 — and need help, the club will help you get it. That could mean a microloan if times are tough, a drum lesson as a chance for self-expression and social activity (and to prove that old people can play drums, too). And during the pandemic, the clubs have played a critical role informing and supporting its members. There are around 3,000 of the clubs in Vietnam, with 160,000 participants, most of them older people. The goal is to help older people and people with disabilities — and people in any age group can volunteer. That's why "intergenerational" is part of the name. (Gharib, 9/23)
