Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
LA Will Require Proof Of Vaccination Almost Everywhere Indoors
Los Angeles Times: L.A. Sets COVID-19 Vaccine Proof Mandate For Indoor Sites
The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a new ordinance that requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter indoor restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters, hair and nail salons and many other indoor venues. The council was scheduled to vote on the law last week but held off when Councilman Joe Buscaino said he would withhold his vote after raising concerns about how the new rules would be enforced. (Reyes, 10/6)
Los Angeles Times: UCLA Anesthesiologist, Vocal Against COVID Vaccine Mandates, Is Escorted Out Of Workplace
A UCLA anesthesiologist who is vocal about his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate was escorted out of his workplace Monday for attempting to enter the building unvaccinated. In a video that he seemingly captured himself, Dr. Christopher B. Rake is seen being escorted out of the 200 UCLA Medical Plaza in Westwood by three individuals. “This is what happens when you stand up for freedom and when you show up to work, willing to work, despite being unvaccinated, and this is the price you have to pay sometimes,” he says. “But what they don’t realize is that I’m willing to lose everything — job, paycheck, freedom, even my life for this cause.” (Anaya-Morga, 10/6)
In related news about covid mandates —
AP: Idaho Governor Repeals Political Rival's Executive Order
The Idaho governor on Wednesday issued an executive order repealing his political rival’s executive order from the previous day involving COVID-19 vaccine passports and mandatory testing. Republican Gov. Brad Little issued the order while still in Texas, a move that challenges the state’s longstanding practice of making the lieutenant governor acting governor when the governor is out of state. (Ridler, 10/6)
AP: Workers Sue Louisiana Health System To Block Vaccine Mandate
A small number of employees of Louisiana’s largest health system are suing to block a requirement that they get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to keep their jobs. The lawsuits filed Tuesday in Louisiana state district courts challenge Ochsner Health’s mandate that all employees get vaccinated by Oct. 29. (McConnaughey, 10/7)
Philadelphia Inquirer: Philadelphia COVID Vaccine Mandate Deadline For Health-Care And Higher-Education Workers Extended
Philadelphia is extending its deadline for health-care workers and higher-education students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, acting Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole announced Wednesday, citing concern from employers that they would be unable to meet next week’s deadline. “My goal is to get everyone vaccinated and not leave our health-care and higher-education systems shorthanded,” Bettigole said. (McCrystal and McCarthy, 10/6)
CNN: Some Michigan Health Departments Back Off Mask And Quarantine Orders After GOP Budget Provision Targets Their Funding
Some Michigan local health departments are rescinding school mask mandates and other measures intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus after Republican state lawmakers approved a budget that threatens the funding of local health departments that issue those rules. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, signed the budget into law last week but insisted that the provision targeting mask requirements is unconstitutional and will not take effect. "The legislature cannot unwind the Public Health Code in a budget bill or un-appropriate funds because they take issue with the actions of local health departments," she said in a letter to lawmakers then. (Bradner, 10/6)
Also —
The New York Times: President Biden Will Speak About Vaccine Mandates In A Visit To Chicago
President Biden is traveling to Chicago on Thursday to talk about vaccine mandates. Chicago was picked in part because it is the home of United Airlines, one of the first major carriers to require shots for its 67,000 U.S. employees. Other airlines have followed with similar requirements, including American Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines. (Medina, 10/7)
USA Today: COVID Vaccine Requirements Will Boost Vaccinations, White House Says
The White House released a report early Thursday on the effects of vaccination requirements in the U.S., contending that mandating vaccines will lead to millions more Americans getting shots in the arm. The report, released ahead of President Joe Biden's trip to Chicago where he will meet leaders who implemented vaccination requirements in public and private sectors, analyzed health care systems, educational institutions, public-sector agencies and private businesses. It found that businesses instituting vaccine requirements have seen their number of fully vaccinated workers rise above 90%. Nationwide, 63% of adults aged 18-64 are fully inoculated. (Tebor, 10/7)
Fox News: Vaccine Mandates For Students Opposed By 7 Out Of 10 Parents, Poll Finds
Nearly seven in 10 parents with children under age 18 do not believe there should be a vaccine mandate for students, a new poll found. Asked if students in grades K-12 should be required to take the COVID-19 vaccine once eligible for the shot, 68% of respondents that have children under 18 said they do not believe the vaccine should be mandatory, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released Wednesday. Only 30% of respondents with children under 18 agreed that the shot should be mandatory, the poll found. (Lee, 10/6)
