Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Strong Recommendation' From CDC To Wear Masks On Planes, Trains, Buses
USA Today: CDC Advises Booting Travelers Who Refuse To Wear Masks On Planes, Trains, Buses, Other Transportation
The Centers for Disease Control endorsed Monday what has already become a required practice around the country, recommending that anyone traveling on airlines, trains, subways, buses or other public transport wear a mask. If passengers don't comply, those who won't put on masks should be ordered to get off when possible, the CDC says in its interim guidance on the issue. Airlines or other transportation providers should, "at the earliest opportunity, disembark any person who refuses to comply." (Woodyard, 10/19)
The Washington Post: CDC To Passengers And Workers: Wear A Mask When You Are On A Plane, Train, Bus Or Other Public Transit
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday strongly recommended in newly issued guidelines that all passengers and workers on planes, trains, buses and other public transportation wear masks to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. The guidance was issued following pressure from the airline industry and amid surging cases of the coronavirus and strong evidence on the effectiveness of masks in curbing transmission, according to CDC officials. (Sun, Laris and Aratani, 10/19)
In other developments related to the CDC —
Politico: Government Watchdog Will Probe Trump Officials’ Interference At CDC, FDA
The government's independent watchdog will investigate whether Trump administration officials improperly interfered with the coronavirus response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, Senate Democrats announced on Monday. The Democrats demanded the probe just over a week ago, citing reports from POLITICO and other outlets that detailed how political appointees sought to steer the science agencies' policies and communications to match with President Donald Trump's efforts to minimize the pandemic. (Diamond, 10/19)
USA Today: GAO Will Investigate Trump Administration Influence Over FDA, CDC
Both agencies have been caught in political crossfire since the start of the pandemic, as preventative health measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing and the effectiveness of different drugs in combating the COVID-19 outbreak have become politicized. President Donald Trump and others in the administration have publicly contradicted health experts at both agencies on such issues, hurting the agencies' credibility. (Behrmann and Brown, 10/19)
