Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Oregon, New Mexico Issue Near-Lockdowns, North Dakota Begins Mask Mandate
AP: Oregon, New Mexico Order Lockdowns As Other States Resist
The governors of Oregon and New Mexico ordered near-lockdowns Friday in the most aggressive response yet to the latest wave of coronavirus infections shattering records across the U.S., even as many of their counterparts in other states show little appetite for reimposing the hard-line restrictions of last spring. “We are in a life-or-death situation, and if we don’t act right now, we cannot preserve the lives, we can’t keep saving lives, and we will absolutely crush our current health care system and infrastructure,” Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico said in imposing a two-week stay-at-home order. (Smith, Johnson and Pane, 11/13)
The Hill: North Dakota Issues Statewide Mask Mandate To Stem Spread Of COVID-19
North Dakota’s governor on Friday issued a statewide mask mandate as coronavirus cases continue to surge in the state. Gov. Doug Burgum’s (R) office released a series of mitigation measures that will go into effect on Monday. Face coverings will now be required in indoor business and indoor public settings, as well as outdoor public settings where physical distancing isn’t possible. (Gstalter, 11/14)
The Washington Post: With Cases Up, Washington Region Steps Up Coronavirus Restrictions And Enforcement
To help reverse the trend, tighter coronavirus restrictions in Virginia, set to take effect at 12:00 a.m. Monday, come with broader tools for enforcement, including potential penalties of up to $2,500 covering a wide range of businesses deemed essential, from grocery stores to dry cleaners, according to Alena Yarmosky, a spokeswoman for Gov. Ralph Northam (D). (Laris, 11/15)
The Hill: Oregon Governor Warns Violators Of Coronavirus 'Freeze' Could Face Jail, Hefty Fines
Those who violate Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) statewide two-week “freeze” issued over the weekend to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 could face jail time or a hefty fine. According to The Oregonian, violations of the new order, which prohibits indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than six people from two separate households, amount to misdemeanors. (Folley, 11/15)
The Hill: Navajo Nation To Reinstate Reservation Lockdown For Three Weeks Amid Coronavirus Surge
The Navajo Nation announced on Friday that it will implement a three-week lockdown for the reservation amid a surge in coronavirus cases. Navajo Nation reported 97 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing its cumulative total up to 13,897. The reservation reported 598 total deaths. President Jonathan Nez said in a statement that 34 communities in the nation have “uncontrolled spread” of the virus, and warned that its healthcare system cannot sustain a long-term increase in infections. (Williams, 11/14)
In related news —
The Hill: Northeast Governors To Meet To Coordinate On Coronavirus Surge
Governors of several Northeast states are planning to meet over the weekend to discuss possible coordination on combating the coronavirus as the region and the country see sharp spikes in COVID-19 cases. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said during a press call Friday that the planned meeting would include him and the executives of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut. (Axelrod, 11/13)
The Hill: States Split On COVID-19 Responses As Cases Surge
Governors across the country are grappling with an alarming surge of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, so far putting forward a fractured response. Despite the escalating public health crisis, many governors have taken only modest actions; most states still allow major sources of spread such as bars and indoor restaurants to remain open. (Sullivan, 11/14)
Axios: The States Where Face Coverings Are Mandatory
The governors of Utah and North Dakota are the latest to issue statewide mask mandates for public spaces, amid a steep spike in COVID-19 cases across the country. The big picture: States are reintroducing mitigation efforts like closing businesses and advising people to stay home as the U.S. averages the most daily cases of any point in the pandemic. (Fernandez and Arias, 11/15)
