Click here to subscribe to the daily brief.

February 1, 2021 - Brief Issue 145

The Coronavirus Daily Brief is a daily news and analysis roundup edited by New America’s International Security Program and Arizona State University

Join our team: We’re looking for a science writing intern to help produce the Coronavirus Daily Brief. Apply here.

Listen and subscribe to our weekly audio brief here.

Please consider making a donation to support our ongoing analysis of the most important news and headlines surrounding Covid-19.​

Top Headlines

Daily Covid-19 Cases Continue to Fall in U.S., But Risk Remains High (Health & Science)

Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine 66 Percent Effective in Global Study (Health & Science)

WHO Changes Recommendation on Covid-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy; Studies Show Covid-19 Antibodies Passed on to Newborns (Health & Science)

Maryland Becomes the Second U.S. State to Report South Africa Coronavirus Variant; Experts Urge Faster Vaccination to Curb Variant Spread (Health & Science)

Inequality in Vaccine Distribution Threatens Global Safety, Experts Say (Health & Science)

Vaccination Schedules Slip, Along with Hope for Normalcy in 2021 (Around the World)

Australia Locks Down City Over Single Coronavirus Case (Around the World)

China’s Economy Tripped Up by New Covid-19 Outbreak (Around the World) 

EU, AstraZeneca Resolve Dispute Over Vaccine Contractual Obligations (Around the World) 

Canadian Companies Pilot Rapid Testing Program (Around the World) 

Ten Senate Republicans Pitch Slimmer Covid Relief Package, Will Meet with Biden Today (U.S. Government & Politics)

U.S. Pauses Plan to Vaccinate Guantanamo Detainees (U.S. Government & Politics)

Pandemic Unlikely to Kill Off Cash… Yet (U.S. Economy)

Anti-Vaccine, Far-Right Protesters Shut Down Los Angeles Vaccine Site Temporarily (U.S. Society)

Health & Science

There have been 26,186,812 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 441,324 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has conducted 304,415,413 tests and distributed 49,933,250 vaccine doses, with 31,123,299 doses administered (U.S. CDC). Worldwide, there have been 102,997,921 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 2,228,909 deaths. At least 57,108,024 people have recovered from the virus.

Daily Covid-19 Cases Continue to Fall in U.S., But Risk Remains High

After weeks of surging cases and a subsequent high death toll, new Covid-19 cases are falling in the United States again (NYT). On average, the number of new cases across the country is 40 percent lower than it was three weeks ago. Hospitalizations are down, as is the test positivity rate, indicating reduced spread. Experts are hopeful that the decrease heralds a turning point. However, that hope is edged with caution as more-contagious variants pop up around the country. Officials have warned that a variant from the U.K. could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March, and a handful of cases of variants first identified in Brazil and South Africa have surfaced as well. Experts say that residents of most U.S. counties remain at high risk of contracting the virus and urge residents to continue adhering to public health guidelines.

The decline in cases has been even more pronounced in nursing homes, which have been prioritized in the vaccine rollout (NYT). Deaths throughout the pandemic have been particularly high in nursing homes. Experts say the steep drop in nursing home cases is encouraging and indicative of the role vaccines are playing in halting Covid-19 transmission. Still, the vaccine rollout has been frustratingly slow in some facilities, and officials continue to work on getting vaccines to residents and staff.

Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine 66 Percent Effective in Global Study

Johnson & Johnson announced Friday that their Covid-19 vaccine is, on average, 66 percent effective in protecting against the disease (CNBC, NYT, STAT). However, this effectiveness varied widely by region. In the United States, effectiveness was 72 percent; this number dropped to 66 percent in Latin America and 57 percent in South Africa. The discrepancy adds to concerns over viral variants. In South Africa, for instance, the variant driving most cases contains mutations that are thought to partially evade vaccines. Though the efficacy is lower than that of vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna – each boasting an efficacy of around 95 percent – the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still considered effective by scientists. Flu vaccines, for instance, tend to be around 40 to 60 percent effective in any given year. Importantly, global clinical trials show that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 85 percent effective in preventing severe cases of Covid-19.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine also has several logistical advantages over the Pfizer and Moderna shots. It can be kept in a normal refrigerator for up to two years, making it easier to ship and store in smaller and more rural clinics, which often lack the cold storage capacity needed for the Pfizer and Moderna shots. It also requires only one dose, speeding administration and removing the logistical challenges of calling people back for second doses. Johnson & Johnson plans to seek emergency use authorization in the U.S. in early February, putting it on track for approval by the end of that month. The U.S. has pre-ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine, though the company said it will have only 10 million ready to go in February. Globally, Johnson & Johnson plans to distribute 1 billion doses this year (CBS). Bonus Read: “What’s the Use of a Pretty Good Vaccine?” (Atlantic).

WHO Changes Recommendation on Covid-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy; Studies Show Covid-19 Antibodies Passed on to Newborns

On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially changed its Covid-19 vaccination guidance to allow vaccination of pregnant individuals (NYT). Previously, the WHO recommended against inoculation in pregnancy by vaccines developed by either Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, the two Covid-19 vaccines currently available in the United States. The initial recommendation was met with criticism by some experts, who said it contradicted guidance by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and could be confusing to pregnant individuals seeking vaccination advice. Although pregnant subjects were excluded from clinical trials by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, experts say that animal studies indicate little risk and that the vaccine technology is generally safe. The WHO guidelines have now been updated to say that “pregnant women… may be vaccinated in consultation with their health care provider.”

A study published Friday in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics found that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be transferred across the placenta of people infected with Covid-19 at some point during pregnancy, suggesting that newborns of these individuals may have some degree of Covid-19 immunity (NYT, CIDRAP). The study, conducted by researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, collected maternal and cord blood sera from 1,471 parent-newborn pairs and measured concentrations of antibodies against the spike protein of the coronavirus. In total, antibodies were detected in the cord blood of 87 percent of protected individuals.

Dr. Scott Hensley, one of the lead authors on the study, said that the finding was consistent with what is known about other viruses contracted during pregnancy. The study also suggests that more antibodies are transferred when infection occurs earlier in the pregnancy. According to Dr. Hensley, this finding could imply that Covid-19 vaccination earlier in pregnancy would offer more protective benefits to the fetus, “but studies actually analyzing vaccination among pregnant women need to be completed.”

Maryland Becomes the Second U.S. State to Report South Africa Coronavirus Variant; Experts Urge Faster Vaccination to Curb Variant Spread

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced on Saturday that the state had identified a case of a coronavirus mutant first identified in South Africa (WaPo, CNBC). The mutant strain is known to be more transmissible than the original, and it may also be somewhat less susceptible to vaccines. Notably, the Maryland case occurred in an individual with no known travel history, indicating community transmission. Hogan asked Marylanders to “practice extra caution” with the emergence of the new variant, urging redoubled efforts in adhering to public health guidance.

Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and an adviser to the Biden coronavirus task force, said he expects a surge of cases in the U.S. in the next six to 14 weeks as a result of the variants, including those originally identified in the U.K., Brazil and South Africa (WaPo). If that happens, Osterholm warns, “we are going to see something like we have not yet seen in this country.” To curb a severe surge in cases, Dr. Osterholm called for prioritization of first vaccine doses.

“We still want to get two doses in everyone,” he said, but “we need to get as many one doses in as many people over 65 as we possibly can to reduce the serious illness and deaths that are going to occur over the weeks ahead.” Scott Gottlieb, a former director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said that Miami and Southern California are among the areas most susceptible to being overrun by variants, specifically the one first identified in the United Kingdom. Experts also urge people to continue abiding by public health guidelines. Dr. Osterholm particularly asked people to stop wearing masks below the nose, comparing the practice to “fixing three of five screen doors in your submarine.” Bonus Read: “One Dose Now for Everyone Most Likely to Die,” (NYT).

Inequality in Vaccine Distribution Threatens Global Safety, Experts Say

While vaccine rollout in most developed nations has been underway for over a month, rollout in poorer nations, in many cases, will still not begin for several more weeks and is likely to proceed much more slowly. Nations like the U.S. expect to finish most of their vaccinations this year, but true global coverage is not expected until 2023 or later. This inequality, experts say, threatens not just low- and middle-income countries but the entire world (NYT).

The situation is perhaps most striking in South Africa, where late last year, a new, more infectious coronavirus variant was identified. As the variant was being discovered, wealthier nations were administering their first vaccines and planning their vaccine delivery ramp-ups. In South Africa, however, there were no such plans, and, despite strict public health measures, the new variant continued to circulate. Now, the variant, which is thought to be less susceptible to vaccines, has reached dozens of other countries, including wealthier nations. South Africa is not expected to begin administering its first million vaccine doses, purchased from AstraZeneca, for two more weeks, well behind most wealthy nations. Other low-income countries lag even further behind.

Experts say that the longer countries go without being able to vaccinate their populations, the likelier it becomes that a variant will emerge that is less responsive to vaccines. This threatens not just people living in poorer nations, but also those living in wealthier countries with successful vaccination programs. Fatima Hassan, a South African human rights lawyer who works for equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, asserted, “what you need right now is the explicit cooperation of every single government and every single pharmaceutical company.” She added, “we’ve got to share the technology and spend billions to save trillions.”

CDC Issues Mask Order for Travelers Using Public Transportation

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new order on Friday requiring face masks for anyone traveling by plane, bus, subway, train, ferry or ride-share (Politico). The new order applies while “boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel” and specifies that masks must completely cover the wearer’s nose and mouth. Face shields and bandanas are not acceptable as stand-alone forms of face coverings. Children under two years of age and those with certain disabilities are exempted from the order. The order goes beyond the stipulations of an executive order issued last week requiring face coverings to be worn during interstate travel.

Data on Covid-19 Vaccinations and Race is Missing or Insufficient in Most States

With Covid-19 disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic Americans, health officials consider race and ethnicity data to be vital to the vaccination effort. However, although this reporting is required by the federal government, only 20 states are reporting this data publicly on their vaccine dashboards (WaPo). In most of those states, “unknown” is among the top categories.

Health equity experts say that the data is essential for ensuring equitable vaccine distribution. Black Americans are three times as likely to die of Covid-19 as white Americans, and early reports suggest that vaccine doses are being given disproportionately to white people. In some areas, vaccination slots in predominantly minority neighborhoods are being taken mostly by residents of majority-white neighborhoods, who tend to have better Internet access, more transportation options and a greater ability to take time off from work.

In addition to access issues, many Black and Hispanic medical workers, particularly those working in nursing homes, are refusing vaccination, citing mistrust of the medical establishment. Experts say data collection is essential to identifying problems and deciding how to address them. Marcella Nunez-Smith, leader of President Biden’s Covid-1 Health Equity Task Force, called for better data collection so that the task force can adequately respond to inequities in the vaccine rollout. Bonus Read: “Essential Workers Get Lost in the Vaccine Scrum as States Prioritize the elderly,” (WaPo).

Restaurants Across Michigan Defy State’s Dining Restrictions

Despite a statewide ban on sit-down dining, some Michigan restaurant owners are operating at full capacity (WaPo). Many are operating with the support of local police, making it difficult for public health officials to enforce restrictions. A group called Stand Up Michigan, organized by Michigan business owners, advertises the rule-flouting restaurants, drawing in customers from all over the state who want to express their disagreement with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s policies. Restaurant owners often feel they are in an impossible situation. Some have said that a takeout-only model is unsustainable and that they can’t afford to adhere to public health restrictions. Although dine-in was reinstated earlier this month at 25 percent capacity, many restaurants on the Stand Up Michigan list say they will continue to operate at full capacity.

The rule-bending, however, has had severe consequences for Michigan hospitals. Many ICUs have been near capacity for months and are struggling to handle the influx of Covid-19 patients. Medical workers, overwhelmed by long shifts and overcrowded facilities, are suffering from exhaustion and burnout. “You’d like to think if people could see the results and know they’re possibly putting people in harm’s way, they wouldn’t do it,” said Alan Vierling, the president of Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital. “But with this virus, it’s very likely large numbers of people are responsible for deaths of other people and never know it.”

Bonus Read: “Trump Officials Actively Lobbied to Deny States Money for Vaccine Rollout Last Fall,” (STAT).

Around the World

Vaccination Schedules Slip, Along with Hope for Normalcy in 2021

Timetables for vaccinating a majority of people in order to effectively curb the spread of Covid-19 are slipping in many countries, raising fears that much of the world will still be under lockdown for most of 2021 (WSJ). Health experts and economists have seen the slow vaccine rollouts in parts of Europe, Asia, and Latin America and concluded that many countries will not have their populations vaccinated by late summer, which was the initial goal that many politicians had declared. Some countries, including Germany and Mexico, are running into problems sourcing vaccines. Other countries, like Japan and South Korea, are in no hurry to begin vaccination campaigns, preferring instead to wait, watch, and learn from other countries’ mistakes (NYT). The Wall Street Journal writes: “At the current rates of vaccination, only about 10% of the world would be inoculated by the end of the year and 21% by the close of 2022, UBS says. Just 10 countries are on track to vaccinate more than one-third of their population this year. The UBS data includes hard-hit middle-income countries such as South Africa where vaccination rates are expected to be painfully slow, though some countries it measured are expected to increase the pace of vaccinations soon.” Bonus Read: “Not Yet Desperate, Japan and South Korea Plod Toward Vaccinations” (NYT).

Asia and Australia

Australia Locks Down City Over Single Coronavirus Case

New lockdown measures were quickly imposed again in Western Australia after a single confirmed case of local transmission where a security guard at a quarantine hotel tested positive for the coronavirus (Reuters). It is also believed that the security guard is infected with the more contagious strain of the virus first discovered in Britain. Schools and businesses are closed for five days and new mask wearing requirements are in effect for the two million residents who are only allowed to leave home for essential reasons like exercise and grocery shopping. “I know for many Western Australians, this is going to come as a shock,” Mark McGowan, the state’s premier, said at a news conference announcing the measures (NYT). The state has “crushed” the outbreak before, he said, but “we cannot forget how quickly this virus can spread, nor the devastation it can cause.”

China’s Economy Tripped Up by New Covid-19 Outbreak

As we’ve covered in the past, China’s economy has been recovering better than expected and was the only major economy to post growth in 2020 but it now faces new challenges brought by fresh restrictions due to new coronavirus outbreaks. “Official gauges of industrial and services activities eased more than expected in January, with demand taking a particular hit as authorities discouraged travel ahead of February’s Lunar New Year festival, according to data from Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics,” says the Wall Street Journal. The latest outbreak is the worst since the initial outbreak began in Wuhan last year and has sickened hundreds of people and led to restrictions of the movement of millions of others. Government authorities are discouraging residents from traveling during the Lunar New Year, the most important holiday of the year, which starts Feb. 12. Typically, hundreds of millions of people travel to see family and spend money on gifts and dining out in celebration but the stricter quarantine rules and testing requirements will severely limit any such activity now. 

Europe

Bonus Read: “Russia, China Eye EU’s Neighbors as New Battleground for Vaccine Influence,” (Politico).

EU, AstraZeneca Resolve Dispute Over Vaccine Contractual Obligations

AstraZeneca and the European Union seem to have resolved a spat over contractual obligations after a shortfall in supply of doses to the EU, with the pharmaceutical company agreeing to supply an additional 9 million doses to the EU during the first quarter of 2021 (AP). The new target of 40 million doses by the end of March is still only half what the British-Swedish company had originally aimed for before it announced a shortfall due to production problems that triggered a legal dispute over the contract (Guardian). The EU believed that the contract requires AstraZeneca to divert doses produced in the UK to the EU to make up for the shortfall, while other lawyers argue that AstraZeneca could reasonably interpret the UK to fall outside of the EU. The EU Commission even published the original contract last week in an effort to clear up the dispute. The EU is far behind Britain and the United States in vaccinating its population of 450 million people and the slow rollout has been blamed on both national problems and an initial shortage of supply. 

Foreigners Find Loopholes in Austrian Lockdown Rules to Ski 

Austrian police in the ski resort town of St. Anton have detained nearly 100 foreign tourists who were there illegally, flouting lockdown rules in order to hit the slopes (Guardian). Austria’s current lockdown measures allow for ski areas to be in operation and used by local residents but hotels and other tourism sectors remain closed to visitors. It was reported that many of the illegal ski tourists used loopholes in Austria’s lockdown regulations, such as claiming they were job hunters applying for work, to be allowed entry initially then made their way to ski areas. “Among others Britons, Danes, Swedes, Romanians, Germans, Australians, Irish people and Poles were checked and fined,” the police force of the western province of Tyrol said in a statement on Friday night. Those found in breach face fines of up to €2,180 ($2636), the statement said.

Hundreds Arrested at Anti-Lockdown Protests in Brussels 

Police arrested at least 488 people on Sunday who were demonstrating against measures put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus (Politico). Local authorities denied the protestors a permit due to concerns that the crowds would spread coronavirus, but crowds gathered on Sunday anyway around the central train station and Mont des Arts area. Last week, Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stopped all non-essential travel in and out of the country, adding to the existing measures that include a curfew, mandatory remote work, and the closure of all restaurants and bars. Austria, the Netherlands, and Hungary also saw demonstrations in their capitals on Sunday in protest of restrictions put in place to counter rises in infections. 

Americas

Canadian Companies Pilot Rapid Testing Program 

A consortium of some of Canada’s largest companies has begun a rapid testing program for its 350,000 employees (NYT). The program, believed to be the first of its kind among the Group of 7 industrialized nations, is a result of continued lockdowns and a slow vaccination rollout and has attracted the attention of other world leaders and company CEOs. The consortium of 12 companies, including Canada’s biggest airline and grocery chain, created a 400-page operating manual on how to run rapid antigen tests in various workplaces. They began piloting the rapid tests in their workplaces and expect the program to include 1,200 small and medium-sized businesses. Test results will be shared with government health authorities, which experts expect to greatly increase test counts in the country and provide more information on the spread of the virus among asymptomatic people. 

U.S. Government & Politics

Ten Senate Republicans Pitch Slimmer Covid Relief Package, Will Meet with Biden Today

In a letter to President Biden on Sunday, ten Republicans sought a meeting with Biden to pitch a bipartisan deal on a Covid relief bill, which would be slimmer than what Democrats have pushed (Politico, WSJ, WaPo, NYT, NBC, CNN). The letter was signed by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Rob Portman (R-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Todd Young (R-IN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Michael Rounds (R-SD), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

The letter proposed a bill that would include $160 billion for testing, vaccines, personal protective equipment, and treatment with the overall bill costing about $600 billion according to Senator Cassidy. In contrast, the Democratic proposal would cost $1.9 trillion, which would include more economic assistance and $1,400 direct checks while Republicans seek to restrict the provision of checks via greater means testing and would only provide $1,000. The GOP proposal, according to Cassidy would also provide fewer funds for schools, and it would also not include a proposal to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

The Republican proposal is the first stimulus proposal from them since Biden’s announcement of his desired plan. It comes as the Biden administration and Senate Democratic leadership have signaled a willingness to negotiate but have also suggested that they would be willing to pass the bill on a straight party line vote through reconciliation, which would not require 60 votes to break a filibuster. The letter stated regarding its slimmer proposal, “we believe that this plan could be approved quickly by Congress with bipartisan support.” In turn, Brian Deese, who heads Biden’s National Economic Council told CNN, “We’ve received the letter and we certainly will be reviewing it over the course of the day.” 

President Biden will meet with the senators today “for a full exchange of views,” according to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (WaPo). While using reconciliation would put a premium on Democrats’ maintenance of unity, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who would shepherd the bill through as chair of the Senate Budget Committee, said that he was “absolutely confident” Democrats had the votes to do so. Bonus Read: “Ghosts of 2009 Drive Democrats’ Push for Robust Crisis Response,” (NYT).

U.S. Pauses Plan to Vaccinate Guantanamo Detainees

On Saturday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stated that the U.S. would be pausing its plan to vaccinate detainees at Guantanamo Bay (AP, NBC, CBS, CNN). Kirby tweeted, “No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated. We’re pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe.” The military had announced plans to vaccinate the prisoners, many of whom have been detained without charges for closing in on two decades, earlier in January. The AP reports, “At the time, U.S. Southern Command said it expected to have enough vaccine for all of the approximately 1,500 personnel assigned to the detention center. It said that the vaccine would be offered to prisoners but did not plan to reveal how many actually received it because of medical privacy regulations.” So far, there have been no reports of cases among the detainees. CDC guidance emphasizes that prisons should be a priority site for vaccinations given the high risk of spread within them. Bonus Read: “An Open Letter to President Biden About Guantánamo,” (NYRB).

Chicago Enters Phase Four

On Sunday, the Illinois Department of Health announced that Chicago will move into phase four of its coronavirus response plan (NBC Chicago). NBC reports, “Under the parameters of Phase 4, indoor service at bars can resume, with indoor service continuing at restaurants, according to the IDPH website. The move means that more than half of the state’s health care regions have now moved to Phase 4 mitigation rules. Most suburban communities remain under Tier 1 mitigations, which allow indoor dining but not indoor bar service.” Yet, despite the change, NBC notes, “city officials say that restaurants and bars will be required to adhere to Tier 1 limits on those numbers. Indoor service is limited to 25% or 25 or fewer persons per room, with no tables exceeding six customers indoors.” The city will also lift its curfew on non-essential activity.

U.S. Economy

Bonus Read: “Amazon Faces Familiar Opponent in Alabama Union Election,” (WSJ).

Pandemic Unlikely to Kill Off Cash… Yet

While the pandemic has reduced the number of people using cash, it is too early to conclude that it will mark a long-term decline in the use of cash, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Sunday (WSJ). The Journal reports, “Around the world, fears of infection have driven an increase in contactless payments—electronic payments like Apple Pay and tap-to-pay offerings that avoid even swiping or inserting cards—according to credit-card companies. Contactless as a share of in-person transactions grew at least 10% in more than 80 markets for Mastercard Inc. in 2020, driven by demand for increased speed and safety, Chief Executive Michael Miebach said on an earnings call Thursday.” The Journal notes, “Americans’ use of cash was gradually declining for years before the pandemic as they embraced credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, online transfers and apps. They used cash in 26% of all payments in 2019, down from 40% in 2012, according to the Federal Reserve’s annual look at payment habits.” Despite these trends, the Journal reports that economists see many reasons to doubt that cash will go away anytime soon. The Journal writes, “economists say it is too soon to know if U.S. consumers’ shift to cashless payments will as well, for several reasons. To start, U.S. household spending overall remains below its pre-pandemic level. As spending rebounds, so might cash payments. Also, much of the shift was forced. Business closures and other restrictions pushed much shopping online. It is unclear whether people will readily reach for bills and coins again once more widespread vaccinations enable them to return to stores.” In addition, privacy concerns may prevent a full shift from cash, and per the Journal, “A recent study by Visa Inc. found that 24% of U.S. consumers said they would resume their old payment methods after a vaccine is widely available.”

Bonus Read: “Covid-19 Safety Measures, Supply Constraints Crimp Manufacturers,” (WSJ).

U.S. Society

Anti-Vaccine, Far-Right Protesters Shut Down Los Angeles Vaccine Site Temporarily

On Saturday, anti-vaccine protesters temporarily shut down a vaccination site in Los Angeles by blocking the entrance (LAT, AP, WaPo). The Los Angeles Times reports, “Dodger Stadium’s mass COVID-19 vaccination site was temporarily shut down Saturday afternoon when about 50 protesters gathered at the entrance, frustrating hundreds of motorists who had been waiting in line for hours. The Los Angeles Fire Department closed the entrance to the stadium — one of the largest vaccination sites in the country — for about an hour starting just before 2 p.m. as a precaution, officials said. Several LAPD officers also responded to the scene; a spokeswoman for the department said no arrests were made.” Andrea Garcia, a spokesperson for LA Mayor Eric Garcetti commented, “We remain committed to vaccinating Angelenos as quickly and safely as possible,” adding that no appointments were canceled as a result of the protest. The protest, which reportedly also involved far-right protesters, did not involve violence, and according to police no arrests were made.

Pandemic May Erode Latino College Enrollment 

The pandemic may substantially erode Latino college enrollment numbers, according to a report in the Washington Post on Sunday (WaPo). The Post reports, “The most recent enrollment data disaggregated by race showed a 5.4 percent drop in the head count of Latino undergraduates in the fall, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. What’s more, 26.4 percent fewer high school graduates from schools with a high percentage of Black and Latino students went straight to college this year compared with 2019.” The Post also notes that data on next year’s enrollments pain a “mixed” picture with signs for concern, reporting, “A Washington Post analysis of federal education data found staggering declines in the number of Latino students applying for financial aid to attend college in the fall — a critical step for those who are college-bound.” The Post found that, “This time last year, 114,385 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms were submitted by students in schools with a Latino enrollment of 75 percent or higher. However, during the current cycle for the 2021-22 school year, 20,750 fewer applications have been submitted through Jan. 15 — an 18 percent drop. Collectively, applications are down 10 percent among all high school students.” Meanwhile, common application submissions have increased slightly but they have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The Post also notes that a focus on the common application may obscure the large role community colleges play for many Latino students and also the challenges that may face applicants due to money problems.

Bonus Read: “Covid-19 Lockdowns Spur Shift to High-End Liquor,” (WSJ).

Analysis & Arguments

New America’s Candace Rondeaux discusses how America can renew itself in the post-pandemic era (WPR). 

Varghese Mathai a University of Massachusetts at Amherst physicist discusses how to avoid spreading Covid in a car (WaPo).

Zamira Rahim examines the pandemic’s impact on those who will be the last to be able to re-enter society (CNN).

 Readers can send in tips, critiques, questions, and suggestions to coronavirusbrief@newamerica.org.

The Brief is edited by David Sterman and Emily Schneider with Jessica Scott and Senior Editor Peter Bergen.

Read previous briefs here and stream and subscribe to our weekly podcast here.

About New America

New America is dedicated to renewing the promise of America by continuing the quest to realize our nation's highest ideals. Read the rest of our story, or see what we've been doing recently in our latest Annual Report. 

Help us to continue advancing policy solutions and journalism by making a donation to New America.