Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Extends Mask Mandate For Airlines, Public Transit A Month
Roll Call: Airline, Transit Mask Mandates Extended Through April 18
The White House on Thursday announced it would extend the current federal mask mandate for passengers on airplanes and public transit for another month — the third extension of the mandate since it was imposed in January 2021. The requirement, which had been set to expire March 18, will now extend through April 18, according to a Biden administration official, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spending the next month examining how best to proceed. (Wehrman, 3/10)
In other updates on covid mandates —
The Washington Post: Sen. Cruz Rides With ‘People’s Convoy’ Truck To D.C. As Beltway Protest Enters Fourth Day
A group of truckers and others opposed to pandemic-related mandates looped the Capital Beltway for a fourth day Thursday, this time with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), who rode shotgun in the lead truck. Cruz visited the “People’s Convoy” at the Hagerstown Speedway, telling crowds their voice was being heard. He then boarded a truck and detoured just pass noon to head into Washington, where he and convoy organizers called for an end to such mandates. (Silverman, Elwood, Hedgpeth and Lazo, 3/10)
Chicago Tribune: Chicago Public Schools Vaccine Mandate Challenged In Court By Workers
Six Chicago Public Schools teachers are once again challenging the district’s rules requiring employees receive the COVID-19 vaccination or undergo weekly testing. The six women are “suffering continuing harm in that each is being subjected to an unlawful vaccination or testing policy without being provided their statutorily protected rights of due process of law,” according to paperwork downstate attorney Tom DeVore filed Thursday in Sangamon County court. DeVore is seeking a temporary restraining order against the Chicago Board of Education. A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, he said. (Swartz, 3/10)
AP: Proposed Idaho Law Would Protect Coronavirus Unvaccinated
Legislation preventing most private and public entities in Idaho from discriminating against people who haven’t received the coronavirus vaccine cleared a Senate panel on Thursday. The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the measure that prevents employers from requiring employees get the vaccine or entities requiring visitors or attendees be vaccinated. (Ridler, 3/10)
AP: House OKs Bill Protecting Disclosure Of COVID Shot Status
The Kentucky House voted Thursday to prevent state and local governments and public colleges from requiring employees or students to disclose their COVID-19 immunization status. The measure also would allow parents to opt out of a coronavirus vaccine for their school-aged children on the basis of “conscientiously held beliefs.” The proposal won 71-22 House passage and moves on to the Senate. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers. (Schreiner, 3/10)
