Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
With No National Plan, States Cobble Together Response To Rapid Surge
CNBC: States Impose Targeted Lockdowns, Curfews, Mask Mandates Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Without a cohesive federal plan, state and local officials are reinstituting some of the stay-at-home orders, curfews and other public safety measures that were rolled back over the summer and fall. (Higgins-Dunn, 11/18)
The Washington Post: Biden Praises Republican Governors For Adopting More Stringent Measures To Fight Coronavirus In Defiance Of Trump.
An emotional President-elect Joe Biden praised Republican governors and others who have bucked President Trump to endorse more-stringent measures to control the spread of the coronavirus, while warning Wednesday that a "tough guy" approach contributes to preventable deaths. Biden contrasted restrictions imposed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and a growing number of other Republican leaders with what he suggested is Trump’s negligence. (Gearan, 11/18)
On mask mandates —
The Hill: Kansas Governor Issues New Mask Mandate
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) issued a new mask mandate on Wednesday set to go into effect the day before Thanksgiving, as Kansas and the rest of the country deals with surging coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Kelly’s executive order will require face-coverings to be worn inside public spaces, health care facilities, in line for public transportation and outdoors where social distancing is not possible. The mandate goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25. (Coleman, 11/18)
Wisconsin State Journal: Tony Evers To Extend Statewide Mask Mandate Into Next Year
One day after the state reported a record 92 COVID-19-related deaths, Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday he plans to extend the state’s emergency declaration and accompanying mask mandate through mid-January. (Schmidt, 11/19)
Arizona Republic: Gov. Doug Ducey Says He Won't Impose A Statewide Mask Mandate
As Arizona's COVID-19 trends spike, the state is giving hospitals $25 million to bolster staffing, but Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday that he won't impose a statewide mask mandate. (Innes, Altavena and Polletta, 11/18)
KHN: States’ Face-Covering Mandates Leave Gaps In Protection
Brady Bowman, a 19-year-old student at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and two friends strolled down 11th Street, all sporting matching neck gaiters branded with the Thomas’ English Muffins logo. He had received an entire box of the promotional gaiters. He thinks they are just more comfortable to wear than a face mask. “Especially a day like today, where it’s cold out,” he said, with the top of his gaiter pulled down below his chin. (Hawryluk, 11/19)
Other restrictions are ordered —
Reuters: Minnesota Governor Orders Restaurants, Bars To Halt In-Person Dining For Four Weeks
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Wednesday ordered all restaurants and bars to halt in-person dining, fitness and entertainment centers to close and youth sports to be canceled for four weeks. (11/18)
The Hill: Iowa State Limiting Attendance For Athletic Events
Iowa State will limit attendees at some athletic events to family and guests of athletes and staff, the university announced Wednesday amid a surge in coronavirus cases. The restrictions will apply to Saturday’s football game against Kansas State as well as to women’s and men’s basketball through the rest of the month, The Associated Press reported. (Budryk, 11/18)
AP: Ohio Stadium Off Limits To Family And Friends
Ohio State will prohibit family and friends of players and coaches from attending football games this season because of the dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases in the state. The school has allowed a few hundred people at the first two home games, but that will end with the No. 3 Buckeyes’ game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday against No. 9 Indiana. The stadium holds about 105,000. (11/18)
But Florida vows to stay open —
The Hill: DeSantis Promises To Keep Florida Open Despite Recent Coronavirus Case Surge
Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said this week he has no plans of imposing new coronavirus restrictions despite a recent surge in cases there. "The Governor will not lock down and hurt families who can't afford to shelter in place for 6 weeks," DeSantis's office said in a statement to local media. "Especially not for a virus that has a 99.8% survival rate. One area of concern is Assisted Living Facilities." (Mastrangelo, 11/18)
The Hill: Group Of Florida Mayors Calls On DeSantis To Issue Mask Mandate
A group of mayors in Florida called on Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to issue a statewide mask mandate during a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in the Sunshine State. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the mayors of Miami Beach, Sunrise, St. Petersburg, Hialeah and Miami Shores Village urged DeSantis to take a range of actions to confront the outbreak, including expanding state testing and contact tracing efforts. (Bowden, 11/18)
