Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Utah Eases Limits On Thanksgiving Gatherings; Pa. Plans Get Tougher
The Hill: Utah Drops Restrictions On Gatherings Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Utah dropped its coronavirus restrictions on resident gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving this week, though officials still recommend against them. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) announced Monday that the state was removing the two-week-old mandate against casual social gatherings of those from different households, instead making it a recommendation. The restrictions on gatherings were set to expire Monday. (Coleman, 11/23)
CNN: Pennsylvania To Ban Alcohol Sales At Bars And Restaurants On Thanksgiving Eve In Effort To Stop Coronavirus Spread
In an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19, Pennsylvania state officials announced Monday that residents will not be able to purchase alcohol at bars or restaurants the night before Thanksgiving. Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that the temporary suspension will go into effect on 5 p.m. Wednesday and remain in place until 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. (Sturla and Asmelash, 11/23)
The New York Times: Cuomo Invited His Mother For Thanksgiving. New Yorkers Noticed
For days, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has been preaching a message of sacrifice during the holidays, warning New Yorkers that Thanksgiving gatherings could be dangerous as virus cases spike across the nation, and beseeching them to reconsider their plans to help stem the rising tide. So it was surprising when Mr. Cuomo announced on Monday afternoon that he had invited his 89-year-old mother, Matilda, and two of his daughters to celebrate a very Cuomo Thanksgiving with him this week in Albany. (McKinley and Ferre-Sadurni, 11/23)
AP: 2 Holiday Displays, 2 Messages At South Dakota Capitol
On Thanksgiving Day, more than 800 empty chairs will be set up at the South Dakota Capitol, a makeshift memorial to the lives lost to the coronavirus. But the somber display is not the only event happening at the Capitol this week, with Gov. Kristi Noem two days before kicking off a Christmas celebration, complete with an appearance from Santa Claus and live music. The two displays illustrate the contrast between those weary of the virus and ready to celebrate, and those marking the season with loss and a willingness to pull back from familiar traditions to try to slow the virus spread. (Groves, 11/23)
In related news —
The New York Times: Small Gatherings Spread The Virus, But Are They Causing The Surge?
As states struggle to contain the resurgent coronavirus, many officials are laying the blame on an unexpected source: people gathering with family and friends. Household get-togethers undoubtedly do contribute to community transmission of the virus. Canada’s recent Thanksgiving certainly added to its rising cases; such an increase may happen here, too, as the United States embarks on a holiday season like no other. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday warned so strongly against gathering with others outside the household during Thanksgiving. (Mandavilli, 11/23)
Bay Area News Group: Why A Negative COVID Test Doesn't OK You For Thanksgiving
As the coronavirus pandemic soars to new heights across California just days before Thanksgiving, testing in the Bay Area is similarly surging — a trend that is raising some alarms for public health officials who fear that negative results will give people a false sense of security.“ The value of testing is that if you’re positive, you won’t gather, and that will avoid an infection,” said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California-San Francisco. “But the challenge is that a negative test also should not convince you that you’re risk-free or not infectious.” (Angst and Toledo, 11/23)
CNN: Texas Family Makes Covid-19 PSA About Large Family Gatherings After 15 Members Contracted The Virus
Although the Aragonez family is still healing after a Covid-19 outbreak, they took the time to make a public service announcement warning against large family gatherings. It's tradition for many families to gather during Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. But with the coronavirus global pandemic, those gatherings could turn Thanksgiving dinner into a superspreader event. (Murphy, 11/23)
