Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Las Vegas Raiders Mandate Vaccines For All Home-Game Fans
NBC News: Las Vegas Raiders Will Require All Fans To Get Vaccinated If They Want To Attend 2021 Games
The Las Vegas Raiders became pro football's first team to require fans to be vaccinated to attend home games this season, the club announced Monday night. Starting with Las Vegas' regular-season opener, a Sept. 13 Monday night contest against the Baltimore Ravens, fans entering Allegiant Stadium will need to show proof of full Covid-19 vaccination through the Clear app. (8/17)
The Washington Post: D.C. Announces Vaccine Requirement For Health-Care Workers
All health-care employees in D.C. must get at least the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine by Sept. 30, city officials announced Monday — the latest step in the District’s drive to push workers to get vaccinated as cases continue to climb. D.C. Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said the requirement applies to licensed and unlicensed health professionals and EMS providers working in the city, and workers can, for now, opt out in favor of regular testing if their employer offers that alternative. Once one of the vaccines gets full federal approval, however, workers can opt out only if they have a religious or medical exemption. (Brice-Saddler and Stein, 8/16)
The New York Times: New York City Mandates Vaccines For Museum Visitors And Staff
New York City plans to require visitors and staff members at museums and other cultural institutions to be vaccinated, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. “Defeating the Delta variant is the best way to support cultural institutions, because it brings us all back,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news conference at which he outlined the new requirements. He said that “we believe, if we take these aggressive measure, this is going to encourage a lot of people — audience members and staff alike — to get vaccinated.” (Pogrebin, 8/16)
Axios: New York City Vaccine Mandate: Full List Of Indoor Venues
New York City will require people to provide proof of vaccination before being admitted to indoor venues beginning Aug. 17, according to an executive order signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday. The "Key to NYC" plan, which will be formally enforced beginning Sept. 13, will make New York the first major city to impose a vaccine mandate for the general public to be able to participate in a wide range of indoor activities. (Reyes, 8/16)
AP: California Assembly To Require Vaccine For Its Employees
Everyone who works in the California Assembly must receive the coronavirus vaccine or risk losing their job, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said. Rendon, a Democrat from Los Angeles, announced the policy on Monday following multiple cases among employees last month, including people who have already been fully vaccinated and wear masks while in the building. (Beam, 8/17)
In updates on mask mandates —
Axios: National Park Service Implements Mask Requirement
The National Park Service announced on Monday that all visitors and employees will be required to wear a mask inside NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Coronavirus restrictions in the parks were relaxed earlier this year but the new policy will go immediately into effect. (Dam, 8/16)
Axios: It Might Be Time For A Mask Upgrade
Experts warn it's time to invest in higher-quality masks with a tight fit in the wake of the Delta variant, especially among the unvaccinated like children and other vulnerable populations. Much of the public health message has been to persuade people to wear any mask let alone which kind to buy. Mask quality hasn’t been explained well enough, Michael Osterholm said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. (Fernandez, 8/17)
Stat: What's Safe To Do During Summer's Covid Surge? STAT Asked The Experts
With Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations spiking around the country, dreams of a summer like those many us had in mind just a short time ago have faded. The fully vaccinated have been told to resume wearing masks indoors. Companies and institutions are leveling vaccine mandates. And some municipalities are requiring people to show proof of vaccination to get into restaurants, bars, and gyms. Confusion abounds about what is safe to do. (For the unvaccinated, there’s no confusion about what’s most important to do: Get immunized.) (Branswell, 8/17)
