Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Omicron Is Impacting Holiday Plans Globally
The Wall Street Journal: Omicron’s Surge Is Changing The Rules Of Travel
Anyone hoping to comply with the latest Covid-related travel restrictions should start by assuming they are nothing like the ones in the city, state or country next door to their destination. Countries have been swift to impose new travel restrictions due to concerns about the Omicron variant. Each destination sets its own requirements, and the rules are far from consistent, which can cause extra stress and confusion for travelers. The confusion over Omicron is just one of many for travelers. (Pohle, 12/16)
The Wall Street Journal: Covid-19 Cancels Christmas Around Europe…Again
Across Europe, tightening restrictions and new uncertainties are hitting an already virus-weary populace. In some German provinces, traditional Christmas markets have been closed and the country has banned firecrackers and big gatherings for New Year’s Eve. In Paris, the Élysée Palace canceled its holiday party while towns across the rest of France are calling off Christmas concerts. Cath Colbridge, 50, who works at a primary school in the South Wales village of Cefn Cribwr, said that she and her husband had to cancel their Christmas holiday to Spain after the hotel closed down. It was her sixth canceled holiday during the pandemic. “I’m so frustrated that they keep changing the travel rules,” Ms. Colbridge said. “It’s got to the point now that we’ve given up planning holidays abroad and bought a camper van, so we can at least get away for a few days.” (Kantchev and Dalton, 12/16)
AP: EU Leaders Urge Booster Shots, Seek Coordinated Travel Rules
European Union leaders agreed Thursday that administering booster shots is “urgent” and “crucial” to tackle the surge of coronavirus infections across the continent and the emergence of the new omicron variant. With the festive season looming, the bloc’s leaders also stressed the importance of coordinated action to avoid a confusing cacophony of rules in the 27 member states, and ensure that COVID-19 certificates continue to guarantee unrestricted travel. (Petrequin, 12/16)
In other global news —
CIDRAP: DRC'S 13th Ebola Outbreak Declared Over
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today declared the end of its thirteenth Ebola outbreak, given that two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last patient was discharged from treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) African regional office said today. There were 11 cases, 8 of them confirmed and 3 probable, and 6 people died from their infections. The outbreak was declared on Oct 8 and was focused in North Kivu province's Beni health zone, which was one of the hot spots in the country's large 2018 outbreak. (12/16)
The Washington Post: The U.S. Built A Hospital For Iraqi Children With Cancer. Corruption Ravaged It
Basra’s Children’s Hospital was meant to be the best. After the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, first lady Laura Bush took a personal interest in its establishment as a world-class hospital for children with cancer, and the U.S. government spent more than $100 million toward its completion. Eighteen years later, the hospital is a casualty of an Iraqi health-care system so riddled with corruption and damaged by neglect that World Bank figures put it among the region’s worst. After decades of war and sanctions battered the medical sector, today an army of crooks is robbing Iraqis of their aspirations for a healthy life, acknowledge former and current Iraqi officials. (Loveluck and Salim, 12/16)
