Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Near Biden, Nobody Removes Masks ... And Other Efforts To Keep Him Healthy
AP: All-Out Effort To Keep Biden COVID-Free; No 'Normal' Yet
When President Joe Biden met with U.S. governors at the White House on Monday, he was the only one given a glass of water — lest anyone else remove their mask to take a drink. The president was seated more than 10 feet from everyone, including Vice President Kamala Harris and members of his Cabinet. A White House staffer who was wearing a surgical mask when Biden entered the room was quickly handed an N95 version. (Miller, 1/31)
In other news about mask-wearing —
Bloomberg: Denver To End Mask Mandate For Businesses This Week, Mayor Says
Denver will end its mask mandate for businesses Feb. 4 as Covid-19 cases decline, Mayor Michael B. Hancock said Monday, while cautioning “this is still a public health emergency.” Masks are still required at city schools, on public transit and at Denver International Airport, Hancock said during an online briefing. He also appealed for “a little less anger and petulance” over the ongoing restrictions. Scientific modeling suggests “omicron has run out of fuel in our community,” said Bob McDonald, director of the city’s department of public health and environment. (Del Giudice, 1/31)
WKRN: Free N95 Masks Now Available At Kroger
Need an N95 mask? Major regional grocery store Kroger now has them in stock. Under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, Kroger now has N95 masks in stock and every person can get up to three free of charge as part of measures taken by the federal government to reduce further spread of the COVID-19. Most stores across Kroger’s Nashville division now have the masks and those that don’t should have them by Tuesday, Feb. 1. (Stilwell, 1/310
EdSource: What Are The Best Masks For Children To Wear At School During The Omicron Surge?
The state Office of Emergency Services is currently distributing a total of 6 million child-size KN95 masks to county offices of education, which will distribute them to schools. For students who don’t have access to those masks, California public health officials advise wearing a surgical mask or a surgical mask with a cloth mask on top. Students who wear fabric masks are advised to opt for ones with three or more cloth layers. Any mask worn comfortably by a student is better than no mask at all, public health officials said. (Tadayon, 1/31)
Politico: Newsom Defends Maskless Photo At NFL Playoff Game
California Gov. Gavin Newsom defended himself on Monday amid outrage over a maskless photo he took Sunday with basketball legend Magic Johnson at an NFL playoff game in Los Angeles where all spectators were required to wear masks. "I was trying to be gracious, and I made a mist — you know, I mean, I was trying to be gracious," the governor told reporters at a news conference on state mental health initiatives. "I took the mask off for a brief second. But I encourage people to continue to wear them." (Luthi, 1/31)
New York Post: Trump Supporter Asked To Remove 'Let's Go Brandon' Mask On Flight
A passenger aboard a Spirit Airlines flight claimed he was forced to remove his electronic face mask featuring the glowing slogan, “Let’s go Brandon,” along with the letters FJB — the code for “F— Joe Biden.” Adam Radogna, a supporter of former President Donald Trump flying from Cleveland, Ohio, to Tampa, Florida, on Friday, posted a viral video showing him being handed a surgical mask to replace the one he was wearing. (Steinbuch, 1/31)
