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The new vaccine rule for federal workers announced by President Joe Biden does not apply to U.S. military personnel. But he did order Defense Department leaders and medical staff to kickstart a review of a potential mandate.
The strict requirement released by President Joe Biden Thursday applies to an estimated 4 million federal employees, as well as millions more contractors. Political fallout and potential legal pushback is expected, but the White House hopes to set an example for local governments and private businesses as covid cases again surge. Biden said at the event: "If in fact you are unvaccinated, you present a problem — to yourself, to your family, and to those with whom you work. . . . You want to know how we put this virus behind us? I’ll tell you how. We need to get more people vaccinated.”
The numbers of U.S. covid infections and hospitalizations are approaching the same levels as they were a year ago. But new research finds that the dangers are vastly uneven for the vaccinated vs. the unvaccinated: almost 95% of the people dying did not get the shot.
Also in masking news: U.S. Capitol Police are ordered to enforce a new masking mandate, House Republican lawmakers protest that new masking mandate, the District of Columbia and Smithsonian museums require masks indoors and more from across the nation -- including from the Florida and Texas governors.
Kentucky, Oregon and D.C.-area schools announce masking plans for the new school year, while the mask-school debate continues to unfold across the nation. And summer camps experience covid outbreaks.
How contagious? The delta variant can be transmitted as easily as chickenpox or measles, including by vaccinated people, according to the internal document obtained by news outlets. The report also notes that delta cases can be more severe in unvaccinated patients. Confirming the report, Dr. Rochelle Walensky told CNN: "It's one of the most transmissible viruses."
A Government Accountability Office report finds that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in their last year of life were more than twice as likely to drop their policies and enroll in traditional Medicare than other Medicare Advantage enrollees. Other Medicare news covers chronic care, racial coverage gaps and provider pay hikes.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid, vaccine and masking issues.
Editorial writers examine these public health concerns.
Sam Kendricks, considered a medal contender, tested positive for coronavirus and is no longer eligible to compete. Separately, reports show Tokyo's infection surge is continuing with a third record-level day, worrying Olympic officials. News outlets also discuss Simone Biles' withdrawal.
The change is effective from Aug. 2, and was announced yesterday. Separately, reports show that though the U.K.'s covid case rate is falling, scientists don't know why. Covid in Burundi, Uruguay, Canada, Australia and China, plus a rare case of fetus-in-fetu in Israel are also in the news.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
The New York Times reports poverty levels in the U.S. have nearly been cut in half versus pre-pandemic levels, thanks to temporary expansions of the safety net made possible by covid aid. Evictions, ticks, overdoses, mental health support and actor Bob Odenkirk are also in the news.
The White House had been expected to begin allowing migrant families to start seeking asylum in late July, but the delta variant has derailed those plans, Politico reports. Other immigration news is from Texas and California.
Pfizer announced that its two-dose covid vaccine's efficacy slips from 96% to 84% after six months, supporting the company's push for a third "booster" shot. Separately, Johnson & Johnson's covid vaccine shelf life is extended to six months from four and a half by the FDA.
Congress had asked the Department of Defense to lower the cost of medicines discovered with federal funding aid but that ultimately cost more than in other nations -- now two lawmakers want to know about progress. Separately, lawmakers back an extension to spending provider relief funds.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first "interchangeable biosimilar" insulin drug, Semglee, allowing doctors to prescribe it and substitute it for brand-name insulin in an effort to lower costs for people with diabetes. The Aduhelm drug controversy is also back in the news.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell admits that he was surprised by vaccine holdouts and blames misinformation: "Clearly, we have got a job to do to try to convince reluctant Americans of all types who seem to be holding back, unconvinced that this is the right thing to do,” he told Fox Business. Meanwhile, some House Republicans are yet again fighting Capitol mask rules.
Newsweek reports that fear of "social ostracism" is prompting some Missourians seeking covid shots to go to the appointments in disguise. Bloomberg, meanwhile, reports that some vaccination upticks are being seen in southern and central parts of the U.S. where covid is surging.
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