Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Vaccine Passports Are Back In Spotlight
CBS News: As COVID Restrictions Loosen, The Debate Over "Vaccine Passports" Intensifies
Medical experts support the use of "vaccine passports," but the idea is a hard sell for the millions who distrust government mandates. (Novak, 5/23)
Axios: Coronavirus Vaccine Mandates More Popular Than Vaccine Passports
There's much higher public support for government-imposed vaccine mandates than businesses' use of "vaccine passports," even if they're called something else, according to recent surveys by the COVID States Project. Private businesses are increasingly responsible for making pandemic policy, but this polling suggests that it'd be much more popular for the government to take the stronger role, at least when it comes to vaccine requirements. (Owens, 5/24)
CNBC: Covid Vaccine Passports: Everything We Know So Far
Italy, Iceland, Greece and Spain now allow or are opening their borders to people who’ve been vaccinated or who recently tested negative for Covid-19. The European Union has agreed to open its borders to more vaccinated tourists, including from the U.S.The question is: How will individuals prove their vaccine or Covid status? (Josephs, 5/22)
Axios: Employers Dangle Rewards For COVID-19 Vaccines Despite Legal Hurdles
Instead of mandating COVID-19 vaccination, more companies are offering employees cash, paid time off, and other financial incentives to get the shot. Employers are favoring "carrots" over "sticks" in the push to get more people vaccinated. But those carrots could run afoul of federal law — if the rewards are too big. (Herman, 5/24)
KHN: If You Are Vaccinated, You Can Dance The Night Away
Marissa Castrigno was walking through downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, when she spotted the sign in the window of one of her favorite dance clubs. After months of being shuttered by the pandemic, Ibiza Nightclub was reopening April 30, it announced. Thrilled, Castrigno immediately made plans with friends to be there. About 50 miles north in Jacksonville, Kennedy Swift learned of Ibiza’s reopening on social media. He, too, decided to attend with friends. (Pattani, 5/21)
