Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Uber Requires Masks For Everyone; DeSantis Pardons All Floridians Who Broke Mask Rules
San Francisco Chronicle: Uber Requires Masks On Rides, Even For Those Who Are Vaccinated
The ride-sharing company detailed its “no mask, no ride” policy to app users on Wednesday, saying it will continue to require all customers to wear masks in its vehicles. “To help keep each other safe, all riders and drivers are required to wear a mask when using Uber,” it said in an email, adding “if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, you are still required to wear a mask when using Uber.” The app will require customers to complete a safety checklist before using its service. (Vaziri, Beamish and Fracassa, 6/16)
Health News Florida: DeSantis Pushes Through Pardons For All COVID-19 Violators
With Gov. Ron DeSantis saying lockdown restrictions and mask mandates meant to stop the spread of COVID-19 did more harm than good, the state clemency board on Wednesday pardoned all Floridians who were arrested or fined for violating local government requirements about wearing masks or social distancing. “This action is necessary so that we can recover, have a good transition to normal operations, and also just a recognition that a lot of this stuff was way, way overboard,” DeSantis said. (Sexton, 6/16)
The Baltimore Sun: Baltimore City To Lift Mask Mandate July 1 Following End Of Maryland’s COVID-19 State Of Emergency
Starting July 1, Baltimore will lift its citywide mask mandate and state of emergency, a decision that came just one day after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced the same measures for the state. Mayor Brandon Scott and health commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, speaking at a news conference Wednesday outside the Baltimore City Health Department, said the move validates the “incredible progress” the city has made in mitigating the infections, deaths and hospitalizations caused by the virus. (Miller, 6/16)
Albuquerque Journal: NM Reopening Target In Doubt As Vaccinations Short Of 60%
After an earlier slowdown, New Mexicans are completing their COVID-19 vaccinations at a faster pace since the Department of Health started offering $100 in cash to get the shot, top health officials said Wednesday. But it isn’t clear whether New Mexico will reach its goal of vaccinating 60% of adult residents by the end of Thursday – the target Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration said would allow the state to fully reopen July 1. (McKay and Boyd, 6/16)
AP: California To Loosen Worksite Pandemic Rules Amid Reopening
California regulators on Thursday are set to approve revised worksite pandemic rules that allow fully vaccinated employees the same freedoms as when they are off the job. The revised regulations would conform with general state guidelines that took effect Tuesday by ending most mask rules for people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus. (Thompson, 6/17)
Des Moines Register: Iowa Mom Sues Ankeny School District, Claiming Retaliation Over Masks
Kimberly Reicks says in the lawsuit that she sent a doctor's note in December informing the district that her kindergarten-age daughter should be excused from wearing a mask. The note said the face mask had caused a staph infection on the child's face. Reicks alleges in the suit that her daughter was removed from a desk she shared with other children and required to sit alone. Reicks also claims that after she publicly complained and attended a protest outside of the School Board's March 22 meeting, the district retaliated by adding a plexiglass enclosure to the desk. (Mercado, 6/16)
