Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: Dangers Of Vaccine Nationalism; Pros, Cons Of Relief Checks; Failings Of State Vaccine Rollouts
Stat: With Covid-19, 'Vaccine Nationalism' Is A Worrisome Trend
Just after New Year’s Day, regulators in India granted authorization for restricted use to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, adding another Covid-19 vaccine to the list of those that have been approved for use in various countries around the world. New vaccines against Covid-19 are sorely needed worldwide, especially in low-income countries, which are being left behind as high-income countries adopt “vaccine nationalism” and snatch up doses at the expense of those with less means. (Patrick Ho, 1/14)
The Washington Post: Covid-19 Relief: $2,000 Checks Are Not As Progressive As Targeted Aid
President Trump's term is ending in utter disgrace thanks to his countenancing of mob violence against Congress. How ironic, then, that Congress might nevertheless embrace one of Mr. Trump’s policy proposals after Jan. 20, and do so at the initiative of the Democrats who will soon control both chambers. We refer to $2,000 direct payments to U.S. households, which Mr. Trump belatedly demanded as a condition of his signature on the $908 billion bipartisan stimulus package in late December, before being forced to back down in the face of resistance from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). (1/13)
The Hill: COVID-19 Vaccines: Good Intent Must Come With Good Strategy
The past few weeks have been highlighted by the initial rollout of the COVID-19 Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations. Last week, the Biden administration announced their intent to release available vaccination doses to facilitate widespread immunization and curtail rates of spread of the disease. As emergency medicine physicians, we have reasons to celebrate. (Christopher Payette and Janice Blanchard, 1/12)
Miami Herald: Amid Widespread Infection, Florida Gov. DeSantis Fails On COVID Vaccine, Too
The next logical step in the coronavirus nightmare was a vaccination program, so why is Florida in a distribution crisis with fewer vaccines on hand than a state this size demands? Why is there not a logical appointment system that works for everyone? The finger-pointing leads to the federal government, which distributes vaccines to the states. But the responsibility in Florida for the lack of an early, clear and coherent distribution plan lies with one man, the governor. (Fabiola Santiago, 1/13)
The Oregonian: State’s Vaccine Priority Plan A Barrier To Herd Immunity
Life won’t return to normal until enough people are immunized, limiting COVID-19 spread. This “herd immunity” approach takes on greater importance with the identification of new Coronavirus strains that are even more contagious. If these new strains become prevalent, more people will need to be immunized to limit person-to-person disease spread. (Linn Goldberg and Louis Speizer, 1/13)
Atlanta Journal Constitution: A Rocky Path On Covid Vaccine Rollout
COVID-19 has confounded our state from the beginning. And now, as we enter the crucial phase of vaccinating Georgia’s citizens, hopes for a smooth, well-understood and reliable effort have been quickly dashed. (1/13)
Des Moines Register: COVID-19 Demonstrated The Importance Of People At UIHC
All around our hospital, you see the signs: “We Stand Together.” It’s the motto we adopted at University of Iowa Health Care when the coronavirus hit us hard. I was working as a physician assistant in the emergency room when the first COVID-19 patients came through our door. As the trickle of patients turned into a flood, we worried the hospital would be overwhelmed. But our team came together. Colleagues with their skin rubbed raw by PPE kept standing strong, and together we cared for Iowa. We, the 4,000 union nurses and health care professionals of UIHC, have learned from this pandemic that we are better together. Today, as we begin negotiations for a new union contract, we’re bringing that lesson with us to the bargaining table. (Michele Whaylen, 1/13)
