Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House To Send 25M Masks To Health Centers, Food Banks
NPR: Biden Administration To Deliver 25 Million Masks To Health Centers And Food Banks
The Biden administration will distribute millions of face coverings to thousands of community health centers and food banks in an effort to help vulnerable Americans more easily mask up, officials said on Wednesday. The federal government will distribute some 25 million masks to more than 1,300 community health centers and 60,000 food pantries and soup kitchens across the country, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said at a briefing. The White House said in a press release that the masks will be available between March and May, and are expected to benefit some 12 to 15 million Americans. (Treisman, 2/24)
CNN: Biden Administration To Send 25 Million Masks To Community Health Centers And Food Pantries
The Biden administration said Wednesday it would send more than 25 million masks to community health centers, food pantries and soup kitchens across the country in order to reach some of the nation's most vulnerable populations. "While masks are widely available in many different shapes and sizes, many low-income Americans still lack affordable access to this basic protection. That's why we're taking this important action to keep Americans safe," President Joe Biden's Covid-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said at a White House briefing. (Sullivan, 2/24)
And the White House launches an advertising campaign —
The Washington Post: ‘It’s Up To You’ Ad Campaign Encourages Hesitant Americans To Get Coronavirus Vaccine
For tens of millions of Americans still unsure about taking coronavirus vaccine shots, advertising industry experts and government scientists have a new message: “It’s Up to You.” That message and accompanying ad campaign — shaped by months of consumer research and backed by more than $50 million in donated funds — is to be unveiled Thursday across TV and digital video, social media and audio platforms like Pandora and Spotify. It also will include messaging tailored toward Black and Hispanic communities, where studies have found a lack of trust about the coronavirus vaccines and their long-term effects. The ads and related events will feature celebrities, scientists and members of the faith community. (Diamond, 2/25)
In related news from the Biden administration —
NBC News: Biden Signs Executive Order Targeting America's Supply Chains In Critical Areas
President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday requiring a review of the global supply chains in key industries in an effort to boost domestic production and avoid shortages in critical goods amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Clark, 2/24)
Becker's Hospital Review: Biden Adds Vaccine Consultant To COVID-19 Team
Lauren Silvis, who served as chief of staff for former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, was chosen as a vaccine consultant to President Joe Biden's COVID-19 response team, her current employer confirmed to Becker's Hospital Review Feb. 24. Ms. Silvis serves as senior vice president of external affairs at Tempus, a genomics-based diagnostic company headquartered in Chicago. (Gooch, 2/24)
AP: Jill Biden Says Health Inequities Have Lasted 'Far Too Long'
During a visit to a cancer center Wednesday, first lady Jill Biden said health disparities have hurt communities of color “for far too long” and “it’s about time” the country got serious about ending those inequities. Jill Biden’s visit to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center in Richmond was her first public trip outside Washington since her husband’s inauguration last month. (Lavoie, 2/24)
