Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Second Day Of Mandate Protests Will Continue Today On Capital Beltway
Washington Post: ‘People’s Convoy’ Plans To Circle Capital Beltway On Monday Morning, Organizer Says
The “People’s Convoy,” a group of hundreds of trucks, cars and SUVs protesting the government’s response to the pandemic, plans to leave the Hagerstown Speedway on Monday about 9:30 a.m. and head to the Capital Beltway for a second day of demonstrations in the D.C. area, an organizer said. Organizer Brian Brase said the group, which circled the Beltway twice on Sunday, aimed to loop around once Monday. He said the group plans to occupy two lanes instead of one as an “escalation.” They will drive the minimum legal speed limit, he said. (Silverman and Ellwood, 3/7)
Bloomberg: Congress’ Police Force Declares Emergency Over Trucker Convoys
The Capitol Police Board issued an emergency declaration Sunday in response to convoys of truck drivers who assembled around the capital region to protest the government response to Covid-19. The overseers of the police force that protects Congress and Capitol Hill said the truckers and other vehicles could shut highways, bridges and roadways in the capital region, including in Washington. The protest, which started Sunday with truckers making two noisy laps around the Capital Beltway interstate highway, could last several days. (Allison, 3/6)
Seattle Times: Demonstrators Rally Against WA’s COVID Mandates At Capitol
Opponents of Gov. Jay Inslee’s public-health restrictions to curb COVID-19 descended upon the Washington Capitol campus Saturday with flags, signs and vehicle convoys. Saturday’s demonstration was titled “Government Resistance Impedes Tyranny” and comes as some of Inslee’s mandates are gradually being lifted. (O'Sullivan, 3/5)
In other news about mandates —
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Bill Banning COVID-19 ‘Vaccine Passports’ Clears Georgia Senate
The Georgia Senate on Friday passed legislation on a party-line vote that would ban any state or local agency, government or school from requiring anyone to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Senate Bill 345, sponsored by Senate Rules Chairman Jeff Mullis, would not apply to health care providers. The ban on what is sometimes referred to as a “vaccine passport” would be lifted June 30, 2023. The measure passed 31-19, with Republicans supporting the bill. (Prabhu, 3/4)
The Wall Street Journal: Restaurants Debate Masks As Covid-19 Rules Rapidly Disappear
Some businesses, including Texas Roadhouse Inc., the Cheesecake Factory Inc. and Applebee’s, believe that there is a benefit for business and their workers when mask mandates are removed. The facial coverings are hot and uncomfortable to work in, and not having to put them on between bites and sips makes customers more motivated to dine out, Applebee’s President John Cywinski said Wednesday. (Haddon and Council, 3/6)
