Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Unmasking Begins To Happen Across New York And New Jersey, With Caveats
The New York Times: New York And New Jersey Make Big Moves To Reopen
The governors of New York and New Jersey, both Democrats, took major steps on Monday toward fully reopening their states. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that New York will lift several mask requirements beginning Wednesday, and Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that New Jersey’s public school students will no longer have the option to learn remotely starting in September. (5/18)
CBS News: New York To Implement New Guidelines For Vaccinated People; NYC Marathon Set To Return
Vaccinated New Yorkers can ditch their masks, even indoors, the New York City marathon is coming back and Radio City Music Hall will reopen to vaccinated audiences, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Monday in a flurry of announcements intended to accelerate the state's reopening. (5/17)
CNN: New York Won't Require Masks Or Social Distancing For Fully Vaccinated People Starting Wednesday
Unvaccinated people should still wear masks, and masks will still be required of all people on public transit, in schools and some communal settings, [Gov.] Cuomo said at a news conference. The outdoor dining curfew ended Monday, most capacity guidelines will end Wednesday and the indoor food and beverage curfew will be lifted May 31, but private venues may continue to implement stricter Covid-19 restrictions. (del Valle and Caroline Kelly, 5/17)
Politico: On Masks, New Jersey’s Murphy Goes It Alone
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is refusing to lift his indoor mask mandate for vaccinated residents, putting the Democrat at odds with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and creating a fresh opening for Republicans looking to knock him off his perch as he campaigns for reelection. With the state’s infection rate plummeting and Covid-19 hospitalizations a small fraction of where they stood last spring, New Jersey will soon be one of the only states — and alone among its neighbors in the Northeast — to require face coverings at restaurants, retailers and indoor venues. (Sutton, 5/17)
In updates from Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington, D.C. —
The Boston Globe: Mass. To Lift Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions, Relax Mask Guidance On May 29
In a major move heralding the end of pandemic-era regulations, Governor Charlie Baker on Monday said Massachusetts will lift all restrictions on businesses Memorial Day weekend, moving up the full reopening date by two months. It was a telling sign that the state is returning to something akin to normal after more than a year of death, sickness, and punishing lockdowns. Baker announced the change at a press briefing, which followed the CDC’s easing last week of indoor mask guidance for fully vaccinated people. His office also confirmed the news in a statement that declared, “The Commonwealth is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June and all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29.” (Andersen, Kovatch, Kaufman, Hilliard, Stout and Gardizy, 5/17)
The Baltimore Sun: Baltimore City Plans To Lift Mask Mandate When 65% Of Adult Residents Have Received A Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Baltimore City residents and visitors will be wearing masks indoors and at outdoor events for a bit longer as Mayor Brandon Scott announced Monday that the requirements will remain in place until at least 65% of adults are partially vaccinated. So far, 52% of city residents 18 and over meet that description, a spokesman for the city health department said. And 42% are fully vaccinated. (Condon, 5/17)
The Washington Post: D.C. Lifts Mask Mandate Monday For Fully Vaccinated People
D.C.’s broad mask order, which has required residents for months to wear masks almost every time they leave their houses, will no longer apply to fully vaccinated people, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) announced Monday. Vaccinated or not, all residents still must wear masks on public transit, in schools (even outdoors on the playground), in medical offices and hospitals, and inside any business that chooses to require masks. (Zauzmer, Brice-Saddler and Davies, 5/17)
In updates from California —
Politico: California Won't Lift Its Mask Mandate Until June 15
California will not lift its Covid-19 mask mandate to align with new federal recommendations until after June 15, the target date for the state to fully reopen businesses, state health officials said Monday ."This four-week week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue the relentless focus on delivering vaccines," Health and Human Service Secretary Mark Ghaly said. (Colliver, 5/17)
Los Angeles Times: L.A. County Orders Trader Joe's, Other Chains Not To Relax Mask Rules
L.A. County’s director of public health Monday said officials have been contacting a number of retail chains to emphasize that existing rules that require everyone to wear masks indoors in a store remain in effect in California. The education effort came after the Trader Joe’s in South Pasadena posted a sign in front of its store on Friday that gave permission for vaccinated shoppers to enter its market without a mask — a policy that violates California orders. (Lin II, 5/17)
