Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Invention That Saved Halloween 2020: A Candy Chute?
The Washington Post: Halloween Candy Chute Allows Trick-Or-Treaters To Socially Distance
In early September, Andrew Beattie, his wife and their 6-year-old daughter were discussing what their beloved holiday might look like and they came up with an idea. What if there was a way to hand out candy without getting closer than six feet to a single trick-or-treater? Beattie remembered he had a long tube, formerly an Amazon shipping container, in the basement. The next day, it took about 20 minutes to bring the idea to life: a candy chute. (Errigo, 9/28)
The Baltimore Sun: How Will Coronavirus Change Halloween In Maryland? What To Know About Haunted Houses, Trick-Or-Treating And More.
Harriet Berlin, owner of Artistic Costumes and Dance Fashions in Towson, quickly discovered that stocking the shelves for Halloween 2020 was a different beast. Vampire fangs are probably out, she figured, but themed face masks are in. Latex masks of werewolves, zombies and ghouls are probably a no-go (who would want to wear two masks at once, after all?), Berlin guessed, but nurse costumes are likely to be a hit. (Condon, 9/28)
The Hill: CDC Recommends Against Attending Thanksgiving Parades, Large Indoor Gatherings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised against attending Thanksgiving parades and large indoor gatherings in its coronavirus recommendations for the holiday released last week. The CDC encouraged people to stay at home “to protect yourself and others” from contracting the coronavirus, which has infected more than 7.1 million and killed 204,905 people in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University. “Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19,” the guidance reads. (Coleman, 9/28)
In other public health news —
The New York Times: Maryland Man Sentenced After Holding Large Parties During Covid Pandemic
A Maryland man has been sentenced to one year in jail and fined $5,000 for throwing two large parties in violation of the state’s ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The man, Shawn Marshall Myers, 42, was convicted on Friday of two counts of failure to comply with an emergency order, the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement. (de Leon, 9/28)
The Washington Post: Alecia Kitts Tasered On Video For Not Wearing A Mask At Logan, Ohio Football Game
When a police officer noticed Alecia Kitts without a mask at a middle school football game in Logan, Ohio, last week, he told her she either needed to cover her face or leave. Kitts, 34, repeatedly refused both requests and resisted putting her hands behind her back. The officer then pulled out a Taser, shocked her and hauled her away in handcuffs. Now, after video of the confrontation went viral, it has become the latest flash point in the battle over mask mandates. Hundreds of threats have flooded Logan, forcing the officer who Tasered Kitts to go off active duty for his safety and prompting a school system to declare a lockdown on Thursday, the Logan Daily News reported. (Elfrink, 9/28)
The Washington Post: Narcissism May Influence People's Willingness To Follow Coronavirus Health Guidelines, Psychologists Say
Several recent studies have similarly concluded that narcissistic behavior may be contributing to noncompliance with public health guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic. ... According to psychologists, [narcissists] characteristically lack empathy, have high levels of entitlement and grandiosity, and chronically seek validation, admiration and control. Together with Machiavellianism and psychopathy, narcissism makes up one-third of the “Dark Triad,” personality patterns often linked to “a lack of niceness,” said W. Keith Campbell, a psychology professor at the University of Georgia.
Also —
The Washington Post: Brain Eating Amoeba Kills 6-Year-Old, Texas Gov. Abbott Makes Disaster Declaration In Brazoria County
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in Brazoria County on Sunday after the discovery in the local water supply system of an amoeba that can cause a rare and deadly infection of the brain. “The state of Texas is taking swift action to respond to the situation and support the communities whose water systems have been impacted by this ameba,” Abbott (R) in a news release Sunday. “I urge Texans in Lake Jackson to follow the guidance of local officials and take the appropriate precautions to protect their health and safety as we work to restore safe tap water in the community.” (Villegas, 9/28)
Houston Chronicle: Ex-Texans Players Among Former NFL Athletes Indicted In Health Care Fraud Scheme
Two former Texans are among several athletes who have been indicted in a health care fraud scheme linked to the NFL player trust fund, authorities said Monday.The eight charged athletes are Corey Bradford, 44; James Adkisson, 40; Jonathan Hadnot Jr., 38; Clint Ingram, 37; Shantee Orr, 39; Chadwick Slaughter, 42; Derrick Pope, 38; and Fabian Washington, 37, officials said. (Hensley, 9/28)
USA Today: Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Reopening For Weekend Stays Amid COVID-19
Planet Hollywood will soon reopen for weekend stays. Caesars Entertainment announced Friday the resort-casino will welcome back guests at 10 a.m. on Oct. 8. While the casino floor will be open seven days a week, the hotel will only book stays Thursday through Sunday. The reopening will also debut the resort’s new William Hill Race & Sports Book, the company announced. (Komenda, 9/28)
