Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Read The Signs: Many Businesses Drop Mask Rules, Some Not Yet
Axios: How Retailers Are Responding To The Latest CDC Guidance
Some retailers across the U.S. will continue requiring masks in stores, despite new coronavirus guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxing mask mandates for fully vaccinated people. Starbucks announced that masks will be "optional" for fully vaccinated customers starting May 17 "unless local regulations require them by law." Employees will still be required to wear face coverings and restrooms will remain closed to the public in stores where indoor seating is not available. (Gonzalez, 5/15)
USA Today: Starbucks Masks Optional For Vaccinated Customers Starting May 17
Starbucks is making face coverings and masks optional for vaccinated customers starting Monday. The coffee giant is the latest to update its mask policy after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new masking guidelines. Masks will still be required at locations where local or state regulations mandate them. "Facial coverings will be optional for vaccinated customers beginning Monday, May 17, unless local regulations require them by law," Starbucks said on its website. "As we continue to ensure the health and well-being of our partners and customers, our restrooms generally remain temporarily closed to the public in stores where the café or café seating is unavailable." (Tyko, 5/15)
NPR: Walmart Drops Mask Mandate Following New CDC Guidelines
Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., announced Friday that customers are no longer required to wear masks in its more than 5,000 stores nationwide. The retail super store changed the rules one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared it was safe for fully vaccinated adults to resume most activities, indoors or out, in groups or individually, mask free and without social distancing. Walmart is requesting that customers who have yet to receive their vaccine continue to wear a mask, a Walmart news release said. (Jones, 5/14)
Los Angeles Times: Trader Joe's Drops Mask Rules But Many Customers Keep Them On
Alhambra resident Jack Robb is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, having taken both doses of the Moderna vaccine by late March. Yet, when given the opportunity to shop without a facial covering at Trader Joe’s in South Pasadena on Friday afternoon for the first time since last spring, the 72-year-old Robb entered the small store double-masked. “I just don’t think you can take chances,” Robb said. “I’m an older citizen and I’m vulnerable even with the vaccinations, which help prevent serious illness, but not infection.” (Campa and Seidman, 5/15)
In updates on state reopenings —
The Baltimore Sun: Maryland Has Lifted Most COVID Mask Restrictions. Here’s What You Need To Know.
Marylanders as of Saturday are no longer required to wear masks in most settings to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday evening. Earlier this week, the Republican announced that the state is rolling back most other pandemic business restrictions, also effective Saturday. Restaurants and bars can now resume normal operations, including allowing patrons to stand in bar areas, dropping the 6-foot distance between tables and removing barriers between booths. (Deville, 5/14)
Axios: Colorado Ends Most COVID-19 Limits, Lifts Mask Order
Colorado will no longer require face masks in most settings — even for unvaccinated people — and expects to lift all public health guidelines at the end of the month. The state's move goes beyond the latest CDC guidelines that allow vaccinated people to go maskless because it also applies to those who are not immunized. (Frank, 5/14)
CBS News: New York City's 24-Hour Subway Service Resumes One Year After COVID-19 Shutdown
New York City's subway system's last COVID-related overnight shutdown occurred Sunday morning as 24-hour service will resume on Monday morning. The subway system, the nation's largest, started closing down in the overnight hours in May 2020 for cleaning during the COVID-19 crisis in the city. (Linton, 5/16)
