Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Lockdown Blues Are Melting Away: New York Plans July 1 Full Reopening
Axios: De Blasio Says New York City Plans To "Fully Reopen" On July 1
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on MSNBC Thursday that New York City plans to "fully reopen" on July 1, with no restrictions on restaurants, retail, or any other business. It will be a major milestone for America's most populous city, which was once the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. (4/29)
AP: Disneyland Opening Highlights California's COVID Turnaround
Four months ago, America’s most populous state was struggling to combat a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations that packed patients into outdoor tents and killed hundreds of people each day. On Friday, Disneyland, California’s world-famous theme park, will reopen to visitors after an unprecedented 13-month closure in what tourism officials hope is a sign of the state’s rebound from the pandemic. For now, the park is allowing only in-state visitors and operating at limited capacity. (Taxin, 4/30)
AP: Michigan Governor Ties Eased Restrictions To Vaccine Rate
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday announced a plan to tie the lifting of coronavirus restrictions to Michigan’s vaccination rate, setting specific benchmarks that must be reached to return to normal. As more people get shots, she said, the state will allow office work, relax and ultimately end indoor capacity limits, and lift a health order designed to curb COVID-19. About half of residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose. (Eggert, 4/30)
In other news about reopenings —
CNN: As America Starts To Reopen, Experts Warn More People Need To Get Vaccinated
As May arrives, the US is taking a major step toward resuming normal life, with cities, businesses and entertainment venues announcing plans to begin reopening after the deadly winter surge of Covid-19 infections. The travel industry is gearing up for a big summer season. This week, Delta will resume filling the middle seat on flights while Disneyland in California is opening its park gates for the first time in more than a year at around 25% attendance capacity. (Caldwell, 4/30)
The New York Times: With New C.D.C Mask Rules, Uncertainty On How To Proceed
After the trauma of the last year, the quarantined are emerging into sunlight, and beginning to navigate travel, classrooms and restaurants. And they are discovering that when it comes to returning to the old ways, many feel out of sorts. Do they shake hands? Hug? With or without a mask? (Richtel, 4/29)
The Washington Post: Maryland Masking Mandate: Counties Focus On New Rules
A day after Gov. Larry Hogan (R) repealed Maryland’s universal outdoor masking order, some of the state’s biggest jurisdictions were grappling Thursday with what to do. The repeal means many large gatherings may happen without face coverings: outdoor weddings, big neighborhood cookouts, festivals and parades — events at which federal health officials suggest everyone should still be masked. (Cox and Tan, 4/29)
Also —
CIDRAP: CDC: 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally a COVID-19 super-spreader event
The August 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota spread COVID-19 across the country, resulting in at least 649 infections—including transmission to household and workplace contacts—over the next 6 weeks, according to a study today in Clinical Infectious Diseases. In the study, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data and phone interview results from 39 state, county, and city health departments involving COVID-19 patients who had either traveled to Meade County in August 2020 or attended the rally from Aug 7 to 16. (4/29)
