Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
More Lawmakers Infected By Coronavirus
Politico: Kelly Loeffler's Latest Coronavirus Test Comes Back Negative
An inconclusive coronavirus test for Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who had been self-isolating after testing positive, was retested overnight and came back negative, her campaign said Sunday. The Georgia Republican, who has been actively campaigning for the state’s Jan. 5 runoff against Democrat Raphael Warnock, took two Covid-19 tests on Friday morning before appearing with Vice President Mike Pence at a campaign rally. The rapid test came back negative, but Loeffler, 49, learned on Friday evening that her PCR test — a more accurate sampling — came back positive, according to Loeffler’s spokesman, Stephen Lawson. (Desiderio, 11/22)
The Hill: Wisconsin Republican Tests Positive For Coronavirus
A Wisconsin congressman on Sunday announced he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and was experiencing mild symptoms. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) said in a statement he tested positive Sunday after experiencing symptoms following his return to the state from Washington, D.C. He added that he would quarantine at home. (Bowden, 11/22)
The Hill: Connecticut Democrat Diagnosed With COVID-19
A Democratic congressman from Connecticut tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement released through his office Sunday. In the statement, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) said that he was exposed to the virus by someone who did not know at the time they had contracted it. He said he was experiencing "mild" symptoms. (Bowden, 11/22)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
The Hill: US Economy Hurtles Toward 'COVID Cliff' With Programs Set To Expire
A slew of expiring emergency programs are setting up an economic “COVID cliff” come 2021, which could see millions of people lose unemployment insurance and get evictions, while a growing wave of small businesses close shop. March's CARES Act set up myriad programs to give people economic relief in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which are set to expire on Dec. 31. Unless a divided Congress can reach a deal to extend the programs, the country's economic suffering could skyrocket. (Elis, 11/22)
