Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
In Loss For Florida Governor, Judge Says Cruise Line Can Require Vaccines
AP: Judge: Norwegian Cruises Can Require Proof Of Vaccination
A federal judge on Sunday night granted Norwegian Cruise Line’s request to temporarily block a Florida law banning cruise companies from asking passengers for proof of coronavirus vaccination before they board a ship. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams granted the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the state’s “vaccine passport” ban, which was signed into law in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. (8/9)
CNBC: Norwegian Cruise Can Require Florida Passengers To Be Vaccinated, Judge Rules
“It’s scary what’s happening in Florida,” Derek Shaffer, an attorney for Norwegian Cruise Line, said during a court hearing held Friday to request the injunction. “All of Florida is a hot spot ... All we’re doing is trying to protect our staff and passengers.” Norwegian CEO Frank Del Rio said the company is trying to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. “The health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is our number one priority, today, tomorrow and forever,” Del Rio said in a statement Sunday. (El-Bawab, 8/8)
And in more news about Florida —
NPR: With Record-High Cases, Florida Emerges As COVID-19 Epicenter
The coronavirus is running rampant in Florida as case numbers climb to an all-time high and hospitals start to fill up. On Sunday, approximately 1 in 4 hospital beds in the state had a COVID-19 patient in it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 23,903 new coronavirus cases in Florida on Friday, the state's highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic. Two days later, numbers from hospitals reporting to the Department of Health and Human Services showed Florida's inpatient beds at more than 83% occupancy. As of Sunday, 13,793 coronavirus patients accounted for 24% of the state's inpatient beds. (Jones, 8/8)
Politico: Cassidy Splits With DeSantis On School Mask Mandates
Sen. Bill Cassidy said Sunday he disagrees with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' opposition to mask mandates in schools. “I do disagree with Gov. DeSantis. The local officials should have control here,” the Louisiana Republican said on CNN’s "State of the Union." Cassidy, a physician, added that “when it comes to local conditions, if my hospital is full, and my vaccination rate is low and infection rate is going crazy, we should allow local officials to make those decisions best for their community.” (Greene, 8/8)
CNN: 6 Members Of A Florida Church Died Of Covid-19 In 2 Weeks, Pastor Says. On Sunday The Church Held A Vaccination Clinic
In just two weeks, six members of a Florida church died from Covid-19. All were unvaccinated, their pastor said. Now the church is hosting a vaccination clinic. Pastor George Davis at Impact Church in Jacksonville addressed members during Sunday's service and said the past week had been very difficult. "We've had now six members of our church over the course of a couple weeks now that have passed away from Covid," said Davis during the service that was livestreamed on the church's Facebook page. "It has just absolutely ripped our hearts apart. The most recent one was actually a young lady on our worship team." (Jackson, 8/8)
