Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Inconsistent On Covid Masking During Ceremony
President Joe Biden turned up in a mask for the first time in months on Tuesday, a day after his wife tested positive for COVID-19. But the president quickly ditched it during a ceremony honoring an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran, and the two unmasked octogenarians shared a hearty handshake before they parted. The White House had said earlier that Biden, who had tested negative for the virus earlier in the day, would wear a mask indoors, but that he might remove it when standing at a distance from others. (Long, 9/5)
The president was tested for the virus Monday and again Tuesday, and he tested negative both days. He is not experiencing any symptoms, Jean-Pierre said. (Samuels, 9/5)
Citing arguments that masks didn't work to slow the spread of the virus during COVID鈥攚hich most studies contest鈥擮hio Republican Senator JD Vance announced plans September 5 to introduce the Freedom to Breathe Act, which would permanently prevent the federal government from reimposing federal mask mandates in the United States. (Reynolds, 9/5)
He ruled out mask mandates, but urged Americans to consider masking if COVID cases surge. (Taylor, 9/4)
Masks are returning to some schools 鈥
New York State is sending masks and COVID-19 rapid tests to school districts that request them for the start of the 2023-24 school year. According to a release sent by Gov. Kathy Hochul鈥檚 office Tuesday, the state will conduct an outreach survey this week to determine which districts and organizations need masks and test kits. The supplies will then be delivered to the districts for distribution. (Battaglia, 9/5)
Students and staff in one class at a public school in Montgomery County, Maryland, are being told that they must wear masks for the next 10 days after three 鈥渙r more鈥 people tested positive for COVID-19. (Ryan, 9/6)
A late summer COVID surge is prompting some school districts to reinstate safety measures, as they try to protect student and teacher health without risking further disruptions to learning. Widespread school closings are a non-starter, and officials in red and blue states also insist broad mask mandates won't return. But, in a flashback to the dark days of the pandemic, some districts in consultation with local health officials have reinstated limited masking and other precautions as COVID cases and hospitalizations rise. (Bettelheim and Goldman, 9/6)
