Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Federal Judge Fast-Tracks Disability Case Against Texas' Mask Mandate Ban
Houston Chronicle: Federal Judge Fast-Tracks Lawsuit Challenging Gov. Abbott's Ban On School Mask Requirements
Federal District Judge Lee Yeakel said Wednesday morning he intends to fast-track a lawsuit filed on behalf of 14 Texas schoolchildren with disabilities who allege that Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates breaks federal law by discriminating against them because they are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. In Wednesday’s hearing, Yeakel denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have barred Texas from enforcing Abbott’s order until Oct. 6, when the case is scheduled for trial. (McKinley, 9/15)
AP: Federal Judge Declines To Block Florida Ban On Mask Mandates
A federal judge declined Wednesday to block a ban imposed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to prevent mandating masks for Florida school students amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Judge K. Michael Moore in Miami denied a request by parents of disabled children for a preliminary injunction against an executive order that DeSantis issued in July that served as the basis for the Florida Department of Health issuing a rule that required school districts to allow parents to opt out of any student mask mandates. (9/16)
AP: Arkansas' Largest School District Ends Its Mask Mandate
Arkansas’ largest school district has ended its mask mandate as the state reported 28 new COVID-19 deaths. The Springdale School Board on Tuesday voted to end its requirement Wednesday for K-7 students to wear masks indoors and on buses. Springdale was among more than 100 districts that imposed mask requirements after a judge blocked the state’s ban on government mask mandates. The requirements have covered more than half of the state’s public-school students. (9/15)
San Francisco Chronicle: Two Large Bay Area School Districts To Vote On Mandatory COVID Vaccinations For Eligible Students
The school boards for two of the Bay Area’s biggest public school districts — Oakland and West Contra Costa Unified — plan to vote next week on whether to require mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all staff and eligible students 12 and older. These districts would become the first in Northern California to require vaccinations if mandates are approved. Los Angeles and Culver City school districts have recently mandated shots against COVID-19 for staff and students. (Swan, 9/15)
Axios: Denver Looks To Students To Help Close The Latino Vaccination Gap
COVID-19 vaccination rates among Hispanic people and Latinos continue to lag behind all other ethnicities in Denver — and the division appears to be widening. Over the past few weeks, city health officials have ramped up vaccine outreach at K–12 public schools to target students and their families. The city launched an in-school immunization program offering free vaccines to eligible students and their relatives. (Alvarez, 9/15)
