Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Florida Ends Covid Rules; New Law Lets State Undo Local Emergency Measures
Health News Florida: DeSantis Orders End Of Local COVID Mandates, Signs Bill That Includes Vaccine 'Passport' Ban
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed an executive order to immediately suspend COVID-19 restrictions imposed by communities across the state. He also signed legislation giving his office sweeping powers to invalidate local emergency measures put in place during the pandemic, including limitations on business operations and the shuttering of schools. The law, which goes into effect July 1, codifies much of the actions DeSantis had already taken, including a ban on vaccine "passports." (Davis and Mayer, 5/3)
WUSF 89.7: No Masks In Schools? USF Pediatrics Chair Says It May Be Too Soon
In mid-April, Florida's education commissioner urged schools to abandon mandatory mask policies in the fall, saying district face-covering policies do not impact the spread of the coronavirus. Dr. Patricia Emmanuel, chair of pediatrics at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, said an edict like that for the entire state may be premature. She spoke about the issue with WUSF's Kerry Sheridan. (Sheridan, 5/3)
Health News Florida: Florida Capitol To Reopen To Public; No COVID Testing Or Vaccine Proof Needed
After nearly 14 months of being closed to the public, the Florida Capitol will reopen this week ahead of a special legislative session on gambling. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, made the announcement Monday, but it’s not clear if other parts of state government will follow a public health advisory by Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees to open back up as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Simpson’s office sent out a memo that said the Capitol will be open to the public Friday, one week after lawmakers finished the regular 60-day legislative session. (Sexton, 5/3)
In updates from California. Nevada and Washington state —
San Francisco Chronicle: It's Official: Face Masks Are No Longer Required Outdoors In California For Fully Vaccinated
California updated its guidance on face coverings for fully vaccinated people Monday, matching recommendations made by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week. California’s Department of Public Health says face coverings are no longer required outdoors for fully vaccinated people except in crowded settings such as performances, festivals and sports events. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last shot. Those who are not fully vaccinated should continue wearing face coverings outdoors when they can’t maintain distancing of at least six feet, the state says. (Vaziri, 5/3)
Bay Area News Group: How California's New Mask Guidelines Differ From The CDC's
Let’s say you’re walking down a busy street, or hiking on a popular trail, and see people coming the other way. The path you’re sharing is narrow and you’ll have to pass less than six feet from the other group. Do you need to put on a mask? According to the state of California, if you aren’t fully vaccinated, you do. That differs from new guidelines that the Centers for Disease Control released last week — and what epidemiologists who study how coronavirus spreads advise. Even if you aren’t vaccinated, the CDC suggested, the risk of transmitting the virus through that kind of fleeting contact in an outdoor setting is pretty much nonexistent. (Savidge, 5/3)
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Mask Mandate Eased In Nevada
Nevadans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may now move about outdoors mask-free following the state’s move to align local restrictions with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gov. Steve Sisolak signed the latest emergency directive Monday. The CDC’s new guidance was issued April 27. The governor’s directive includes language that will see Nevada track all future changes in guidance from the CDC. Fully vaccinated individuals are classified as those two weeks out from either their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Dentzer, 5/3)
AP: All Nevada Counties Now Have Local COVID-19 Control
Local authority over COVID-19 restrictions has now been granted to all of Nevada’s 17 counties after Washoe County commissioners approved a revised plan for the Reno-Sparks area Monday and successfully submitted the necessary endorsements to the state’s mitigation task force. Masks remain mandatory, but control over most all other COVID-19 mitigation measures began May 1 under local plans in Las Vegas and all other Nevada counties, where capacity limits and social-distancing limits vary through the end of the month. (Sonner and Ritter, 5/4)
AP: WA Events Can Increase Capacity With Vaccinated Sections
More people will be allowed at indoor and outdoor spectator events and indoor religious services if there are designated COVID-19 vaccination sections, under new guidance issued by Gov. Jay Inslee Monday. The change — which takes effect immediately — affects capacity at sporting events, graduations and other events for counties in the second and third phases of the state’s economic reopening plan. A vaccination card or other documentation that proves vaccination status will be needed for access to vaccination sections. (5/3)
