Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Warning: Don't Travel For Christmas
Houston Chronicle: Millions Likely To Ignore COVID Holiday Travel Warnings
The American Automobile Association predicts that 81.1 million U.S. residents will travel beginning Wednesday and ending Sunday, Jan. 3, 25 percent less than during the comparable period last year and the biggest drop since AAA began gathering statistics in 2001. In Texas, AAA predicts, 6.8 million people will travel during the holiday season, almost 30 percent fewer than in 2019. “Year-end holidays are typically when people venture out for longer, more elaborate vacations,” said Joshua Zuber, a spokesman with AAA Texas. “That’s not going to be the case this year.” (Takahashi, 12/22)
Forbes: Covid-19 Alert: The 10 Riskiest States To Visit Over Christmas, Ranked
‘Tis the season to be extremely careful if you’re planning to travel for Christmas. Public health experts had warned that Thanksgiving would be a superspreader event, yet millions of Americans traveled for the holiday weekend. Now, a week before Christmas, only one state in the continental U.S. remains out of the “high risk” category. Still, roughly 84.5 million Americans are expected to travel from December 23 to January 3, according to a report from AAA. While that’s down by about 34 million travelers from last year, public health experts are recommending against travel at this time. (Kelleher, 12/18)
WPDE (South Carolina): Traveling For Christmas? Here Are The COVID-19 Quarantine, Testing Rules For Each State
Even after COVID-19 cases spiked after people traveled for Thanksgiving, many are still considering travel for Christmas and New Years. However, a national survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association shows that 69%, nearly two-thirds, of Americans will not travel for Christmas this year. If you are traveling, some states have quarantine or testing rules for visitors and residents. (Gale, 12/21)
CNN: Dr. Anthony Fauci Says He Doesn't Want To Cancel Christmas -- He Just Wants People To 'Be More Careful'
The high number of holiday travelers during the pandemic has the nation's top infectious disease expert worried. "I know everyone wants to get back to the time when Christmas was a situation where you could have many, many guests indoors, congregating, having fun together," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the long-time director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday. But, "the situation is different now," he said. (Almasy and McLaughlin, 12/23)
Los Angeles Times: A Negative COVID-19 Test Doesn't ‘Clear’ Christmas Parties
Amid growing signs that many people are not heeding warnings to avoid Christmas gatherings and travel, some people are getting COVID-19 tests in hopes of being “cleared” to enjoy the holidays in groups. This happened before Thanksgiving with disastrous results: Many attended holiday events and got sick, causing the coronavirus to spread uncontrolled, filling hospitals and contributing to a worsening surge. Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer urged people not to believe that a negative test result means it’s safe to attend or host a holiday gathering with people from more than one household. (Smith, Lin II)
In related news —
Burlington Free Press: COVID-19 In Vermont: Gathering Rules Slightly Loosened For Christmas
Vermonters can gather with one other trusted household during the time surrounding Christmas and New Year's Day, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced on Tuesday. This tweak to the rules will take effect Dec. 23 and last until Jan. 2. The change is a slight loosening to rules put in place before Thanksgiving, which prohibited any gatherings among different households. The improvement in case numbers and the potential boost to Vermonters' mental health are good reasons to make the modification, Scott and his administration believe. (Murray, 12/22)
NBC Boston: COVID In Massachusetts: New Restrictions For Gatherings, Businesses, Hospitals
A new slate of restrictions for Massachusetts gatherings, businesses and elective surgeries was announced Tuesday, the latest to come amid a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, with fears of another one arriving after the holidays. The restrictions go into effect Saturday and last for at least two weeks, Gov. Charlie Baker announced at a news conference at the State House. He said they are aimed at keeping people from spreading the virus in what is a usually very busy, social time. (12/22)
Philadelphia Inquirer: Philly To Extend Ban On High-Risk Indoor Activities As Officials Anticipate Holiday Case Surge
Philadelphia’s restrictions were scheduled to be lifted Jan. 1, but Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said higher-risk indoor activities, such as dining, organized sports, gatherings, theaters, casinos and college classes will remain banned until Jan. 15. Some activities, however, are expected to be able to resume Jan. 4, including museums, outdoor sports, gyms, outdoor catered events, and in-person high school classes. City officials say the extension is critical in the weeks after Christmas and New Year’s, when residents may still travel and see friends and family and spread the virus, despite pleas from public health leaders to avoid holiday gatherings. (Silverman, McCrystal and Orso, 12/22)
