Masks Now Mandatory On House Floor After Rep. Gohmert Tests Positive
July 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
The coronavirus infection of Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) is notable because he openly flouted previous chamber guidelines encouraging face coverings and social distancing.
Biden Calls On Congress To Pass Stimulus Bill Ahead Of ‘Dark Winter’
November 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
Both sides need to get together on the long-stalled coronavirus relief legislation, President-elect Joe Biden said: “Refusal of Democrats, Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control. It’s a conscious decision.” Biden also reinforced CDC guidance on Thanksgiving gatherings.
‘We Need To Do It’: McConnell Wants COVID-Relief Bill By End Of The Year
November 5, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Senate majority leader is fresh off his own reelection Tuesday. Meanwhile, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman warned Thursday that the United States needs a “really, really big” stimulus package to keep the economy afloat because the U.S. hasn’t managed to contain the coronavirus.
Iowa Warned To Pull Back Amid Spike While COVID Cases Down In Sun Belt
September 2, 2020
Morning Briefing
The White House coronavirus task force urges Iowa leaders to take further steps to control the state’s outbreak. Meanwhile, in most Southern and Western states that reported a huge summer spike, new cases are down.
With Jobless Benefits Set To Expire, Congress Tackles More Pandemic Aid
July 20, 2020
Morning Briefing
The next coronavirus stimulus package tops the agenda for congressional lawmakers trying to negotiate thorny issues like joblessness, state financial assistance and business liability.
Viewpoints: National Narcissism Has Rendered U.S. Complacent In Face Of Crises; Is America Too Broken To Fight Virus?
June 23, 2020
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers and editorial pages delve into the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. response to the crisis and other health care topics.
Americans Are Gargling Bleach, Misusing Other Disinfectants Amid Fear Of Coronavirus
June 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
A survey found that 39% of adults surveyed had misused cleaning products in some way during the pandemic. The survey also showed that many people did not know how to safely use different cleaning products
Next Round Of Pfizer Doses Won’t Free Up Until Summer; Did White House Turn Down Chance For More?
December 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration officials deny a New York Times report that they passed up on an offer from Pfizer to secure additional doses of its coronavirus vaccine when buying an initial batch of 100 million. Meanwhile, Pfizer tells the U.S. government that more vaccine won’t be available until June or July because of contract obligations to other nations.
Dozens Of Secret Service Agents Get COVID During Trump’s Travels
September 1, 2020
Morning Briefing
As Donald Trump and Mike Pence continue to travel for campaign rallies during the pandemic, the Secret Service agents assigned to protect them have been exposed to the coronavirus. The Washington Post reveals previously unreported cases.
After Standoff Over Coronavirus Safety Measures, Trump To Accept Republican Nomination In Florida
June 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Republican National Convention was going to be held in North Carolina, but the governor couldn’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be restrictions in place to protect those attending from the coronavirus. Meanwhile, advocates and state officials are nervous that the chaotic Georgia primaries could be a preview of things to come in November.
First Case Of Person Contracting COVID Twice Is Documented
August 25, 2020
Morning Briefing
Genetic testing shows that a Hong Kong man was reinfected with the coronavirus. While there have been anecdotal reports of such cases previously, this new evidence offers important information for scientists studying COVID-19 immunity.
Where ‘The Buck’ Will Stop On FDA’s Vaccine Review
August 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
Peter Marks, a top Food and Drug Administration career official, is likely to decide in the next several months whether a coronavirus vaccine is safe and effective enough to be given to tens of millions of Americans.
Vaccine Approved For Emergency Use Wouldn’t Be Covered By Medicare
September 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration is scrambling to make a future coronavirus vaccine free to the nation’s 44 million Medicare beneficiaries, since Medicare doesn’t currently cover costs for drugs approved under emergency-use designations, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Testing Slows When Public Health Experts Say US Needs To Ramp Up
August 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
With coronavirus results delayed in many cases, some states say they are limiting the number of test conducted to give labs time to catch up. Other testing and contact tracing developments are also in the news.
Senate Relief Bill Measures Face Revolt By Some Republicans
July 29, 2020
Morning Briefing
Despite the imminent expiration of current aid, a quick path to another round of coronavirus stimulus gets tougher as a number of Republican senators object to several of the provisions in their party’s proposal.
As Months Pass, Scientists Get Clearer Picture Of How People Catch Coronavirus
June 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
The main transmission route is close-up, person-to-person interactions for extended periods, and new research shows that people younger than 20 are half as susceptible to getting COVID-19. In other science news: determining your risk for testing positive; self-cleaning masks; killing the virus with UV light; how cattle might play a role in the pandemic; and more.
A New Daily Record: Over 48,000 More Americans Confirmed To Have Coronavirus
July 1, 2020
Morning Briefing
That’s the highest number of official U.S. cases reported in a single day since the start of the pandemic. The number of lives lost topped 126,000.
In Just 5 Days, 1 Million New Cases: Global Coronavirus Spike Alarms WHO
July 14, 2020
Morning Briefing
From July 6 through July 10, the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases totaled 1,046,200. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “too many countries are headed in the wrong direction” and called out world leaders for their mixed messaging.
Just Like That, Senate’s Vote On Amy Coney Barrett No Longer A Sure Thing
October 5, 2020
Morning Briefing
Three GOP senators have tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing the Senate to put confirmation hearings on hold until Oct. 19. Unlike the House of Representatives, which changed its rules to allow lawmakers to cast votes remotely, senators must be physically present to vote.
