Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
No Covid Vaccines Needed To Cruise On Royal Caribbean Ships
The Washington Post: Royal Caribbean Announces Cruises With No Vaccine Requirement
Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships — including some of its largest — for U.S. sailings starting July 2. The Miami-based operator will not require passengers to be vaccinated. “Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible,” the cruise line said in a news release. “Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.” Crew members will be fully vaccinated. (Sampson, 6/4)
Big Island Now: Hawaii To Abolish All Inter-Island Travel Restrictions
Pre-pandemic travel norms are on their way back to the Hawaiian Islands. All restrictions on inter-island travel throughout Hawai´i are set be lifted later this month, marking the first time state residents and visitors will be able to move entirely unencumbered in well over a year. The rollbacks will apply to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. “On Tuesday, June 15, we will be ending restrictions on inter-county travel,” Governor David Ige announced at a press conference Friday. “There will be no testing (and) no quarantine requirements.” (Dible, 6/4)
USA Today: Flying To Maui? Travelers Will No Longer Be Tested For Coronavirus On Arrival
Travelers to Maui who aren't vaccinated will no longer be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, a move that eliminates one travel restriction as vacationers flock to the island this summer. The popular Hawaii destination ended the testing program on Friday after a month of test results found just a handful of positive cases among visitors and residents. "I think the time has arrived,'' Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said this week in announcing the end of the testing. (Gilbertson, 6/4)
CNBC: United Will Require New Employees To Show Proof Of Covid Vaccine, Following Delta
United Airlines this month will start requiring new hires to show proof that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19, following a similar move by Delta Air Lines. The new rule requires external candidates with job offers made after June 15 to confirm they have been fully vaccinated by their start date, the Chicago-based airline said. (Josephs, 6/5)
In updates on the vaccine rollout —
CNN: In Rural Georgia, A Door-To-Door Push To Get Neighbors Vaccinated Against Covid-19
If it were the fall, this group of volunteers -- folders in hand, walking shoes on their feet -- would be knocking on doors to get out the vote in rural Cuthbert, Georgia. As they walked in the hot spring sun this April and May, these four have another mission. They are using their powers of persuasion to get more neighbors to take the Covid-19 vaccine. (Christensen, 6/6)
Burlington Free Press: Slow Vaccination Rate In Vermont Prompts Surge In Walk-In Clinics
Vermont's embrace of COVID vaccines remains shy of a goal that would ditch most pandemic-related restrictions — and state officials are urging folks to make a beeline to walk-in clinics this weekend. Until 80% of eligible residents receive their first dose, Vermonters must abide by rules that limit the size of gatherings and events. Some simple math, courtesy of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development: Doubling the number of Vermonters that daily step up to get the vaccine will halve the number of days until social life returns to somewhat normal. (Banner Baird, 6/4)
Mississippi Clarion-Ledger: Mississippi Health Officials Urge Residents To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
For months, State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs has been pleading with Mississippians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. During a Friday afternoon discussion, he was firm: It’s unacceptable Mississippi is last in the nation for fully vaccinated people. As of Friday afternoon, over 911,000 people were fully vaccinated in Mississippi, or 29% of the population. But it lags behind the nation's average of 41%. “There’s no excuse for that,” Dobbs said during the livestreamed talk with the Mississippi State Medical Association. “I will personally drive up to your house to give you one.” (Haselhorst, 6/4)
Also —
NPR: A New Type Of COVID-19 Vaccine Could Debut Soon
A new kind of COVID-19 vaccine could be available as soon as this summer. It's what's known as a protein subunit vaccine. It works somewhat differently from the current crop of vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. but is based on a well-understood technology and doesn't require special refrigeration. In general, vaccines work by showing people's immune systems something that looks like the virus but really isn't. Consider it an advance warning; if the real virus ever turns up, the immune system is ready to try to squelch it. In the case of the coronavirus, that "something" is one of the proteins in the virus — the spike protein. (Palca, 6/6)
