Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives: Are Enough Olympians Vaccinated?; Will India's New Health Minister Increase Inoculations?
San Diego Union-Tribune: For The Tokyo Olympics, 80% Of Athletes Are Vaccinated. Is That Enough?
The last 18 months have seen more tragedy and division than any time in recent memory. Internationally, countries have closed borders, blamed the spread of COVID-19 on each other, and even withheld critical supplies and vaccine doses from each other. The nations of the world are isolated and divided on numerous important topics, but we are starting to see an international trend in the reduced number of cases and distribution of vaccines. The 2020 Olympic Games were postponed to this month in March 2020, and it looked like the delayed 2021 Games were in jeopardy until recently. (Ronald Stolberg, 7/7)
Bloomberg: Modi Dumps Health Minister As India Awaits Huge Progress On Vaccinations
Narendra Modi has rearranged his cabinet, but the changes give no indication of a meaningful sharing of power. Within the trappings of a parliamentary democracy, India’s prime minister will probably continue with his trademark presidential style of governance. For the country of 1.4 billion people, though, the most immediate question is: Can the new Team Modi get everyone inoculated quickly, reopen schools and bring back jobs? Replacing Health Minister Harsh Vardhan with Mansukh Mandaviya, a 49-year-old politician from Modi’s home state of Gujarat, is the most significant element of Wednesday night’s reshuffle. It’s being seen as the closest the Indian government would ever come to acknowledging its callous unpreparedness for the deadly second wave of the pandemic that has killed nearly 250,000 people. (Andy Mukherjee, 7/8)
The Boston Globe: Respect The Delta Variant, But Don’t Fear It — Unless You’re Not Vaccinated
The arrival of the Delta variant has opened another chapter in the COVID-19 pandemic. Delta emerged in India this spring and was responsible for the devastating surge in April through June that caused more than 15 million infections and 200,000 deaths — according to the official numbers, which all experts agree are grossly understated. Since then, Delta has spread to Britain and Europe, and is catalyzing surges in Africa. Delta is the dominant strain within the United States; Los Angeles is now recommending that everyone wear masks indoors regardless of their vaccination status in response to the rise in Delta variant cases. (Shan Soe-Lin and Robert Hecht, 7/7)
Bloomberg: Delta Variant: 'Follow The Science' Is No Remedy For Covid Confusion
The delta variant is the new pandemic scare story. Its spread into the U.S. hasn’t led to a surge in deaths or packed hospital wards, but the news of its existence rained on the Fourth of July parades. Public health specialists have responded with a baffling spray of contradictory recommendations, conflicting information and seemingly inconsistent scientific facts. The result, as in earlier phases of the Covid-19 scourge, has been needless confusion and rage. Should vaccinated people wear masks? It depends whom you ask. Can economic life return to normal? Expert opinions vary. (Faye Flam, 7/7)
Scientific American: What Fighting COVID And Fighting Drug Addiction Have In Common
The Jazz Age Lawn Party, which usually occurs twice a summer on Governor’s Island, in New York, has become a delightful tradition. Typically, it features live music, social dancing, dance performances and many gorgeous 1920s-style dresses and dapper suits on two weekends in June and August. This year, it became an inadvertent example of why we need better health communication and policy on COVID-19. Because it had been canceled last year, many folks at this year’s June event were especially eager to do the Charleston, the Peabody and otherwise swing their way into the 2020s, which are already echoing the 1920s in eerie ways. (Maia Szalavitz, 7/7)
