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May 19, 2021 - Brief Issue 200
The Coronavirus Daily Brief is a daily news and analysis roundup edited by New America’s International Security Program and Arizona State University.
Today marks the 200th issue of the Coronavirus Daily Brief. When we began writing the brief, 341,000 people had contracted the virus around the world, and 14,700 had died. Today, those numbers stand at more than 164 million cases and 3.4 million deaths worldwide.
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Top Headlines
D.C. Lifts Mask Mandate, Some Capacity Limits (Health & Science)
Immunocompromised Individuals React to Controversial CDC Guidance on Masking (Health & Science)
Vaccination Push Continues on Community Level, As U.S. Reaches Milestone of 60% of Adults At Least Partially Vaccinated (Health & Science)
Israeli Airstrike Damages Gaza’s Only Lab that Processes Coronavirus Tests (Around the World)
Americans Share Vaccines with Canadian Neighbors (Around the World)
India Puts Vaccine Exports on Hold Until October (Around the World)
DC Considers Resuming Evictions, Chooses Not To (U.S. Government & Politics)
Andrew Giuliani Announces Run for New York Governor; Cuomo to Make $5 Million From Pandemic Book Deal (U.S. Government & Politics)
CDC Principal Deputy Director to Retire in Second Major Departure (U.S. Government & Politics)
Hotels Concerned that Staffing Shortages May Hurt Their Recovery (U.S. Economy)
Amid the Pandemic, Momentum Built for Free or Reduced-Fair Transit (U.S. Society)
Health & Science
There have been 32,997,870 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 587,225 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has administered 275,535,207 vaccine doses, with 47.7% of Americans having received their first vaccine dose and 37.5% fully vaccinated (U.S. CDC). Worldwide, there have been 164,308,019 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 3,406,607 deaths.
D.C. Lifts Mask Mandate, Some Capacity Limits
In response to the CDC’s updated masking guidance, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Monday that the District will lift its mask mandate for fully vaccinated residents (WaPo). Businesses can still choose to require masks, and everyone will need to mask up in schools, health care settings, D.C. government buildings, and on public transit. Yet fully vaccinated people can now unmask outside and in a number of indoor settings, including social gatherings, places of worship, and some stores. “Take a mask with you when you leave your home, then also respect signs at the places you are visiting,” Bowser said. D.C. will also lift most capacity restrictions on businesses starting May 21 (WaPo). Public health experts are urging unvaccinated D.C. residents to stay cautious: “If you’re not fully vaccinated, you should think about just wearing a mask as a way of life until you’re fully vaccinated,” D.C. Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said.
Immunocompromised Individuals React to Controversial CDC Guidance on Masking
On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated Americans can unmask in almost all situations, indoors and outdoors – a move that reflected divisions within the agency itself and spurred conflict among public health experts (Politico). CDC Director Rochelle Walensky cited increasing evidence for the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines as part of the CDC’s logic. Yet the updated masking guidance has heightened feelings of frustration and alienation among immunocompromised Americans, who may not gain as much protection from the vaccines (WaPo). About 3-4% of the U.S. population is immunocompromised, and though research on coronavirus vaccines in this demographic is scattered, studies show that 15-80% of people with immunocompromising conditions – like some cancers – aren’t generating as many antibodies in response to the Covid-19 shot. “Risk is very different for people in my situation,” said Maria Hoffman, an immunocompromised individual in Charleston, South Carolina. “I am 100 percent acting like I am not immunized.” As states lift mask mandates, some immunocompromised people are worried they’ll be placed in greater danger. Researchers are looking into booster shots, higher-dose vaccines, and antibody treatment as potential solutions for immunocompromised Americans.
Vaccination Push Continues on Community Level, As U.S. Reaches Milestone of 60% of Adults At Least Partially Vaccinated
As of Tuesday, 60% of American adults and 4.1 million people between 12 and 17 years old had received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine (CNN). Half of vaccinations in the last two weeks were administered to people of color, as part of what White House Covid-19 Response Team senior adviser Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith called "encouraging national trends” (CNN). Efforts to vaccinate minority communities, who have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic, seem to be working; the majority of shots given through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s vaccination sites and federal community health centers have gone to people of color.
Yet across the country, officials are working hard to keep vaccination rates up to prevent future deadly outbreaks. One target population is the vaccine-ambivalent – those who aren’t strictly “anti-vax,” but haven’t made a vaccination appointment (WSJ). According to a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation, Americans who aren’t yet vaccinated cite a range of reasons, including access issues, safety concerns, and a general feeling that the vaccine isn’t necessary. To reach the unvaccinated, clinics are popping up in small, local spaces – including ballparks, churches, and public transportation. Some businesses are even offering prizes to those who get the shot. Terry Parker of Washington state said he got vaccinated when the shot became available at his local pizza parlor: “You got a slice of pie and then a choice of drink after your 15-minute wait period.”
mRNA Vaccines Offer Some Protection Against Indian Coronavirus Variant
A preprint from an Emory University research team suggests that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can neutralize B.1.617, the fast-spreading coronavirus variant currently sweeping through India and over 40 other countries, to some extent (Nature). This is the first study to use the actual B.1.617 virus, as opposed to lab-made viruses with similar mutations. A team led by immunologist Mehul Suthar exposed blood samples from 25 Moderna- or Pfizer-vaccinated individuals to B.1.617.1, a subtype of the Indian variant. While this virus was 6.8-fold more resistant to the vaccines than earlier coronavirus strains, all the blood samples were able to neutralize it somewhat. “Because of the spectrum of mutations that have accumulated within the spike protein, the antibodies just don’t work as well,” Suthar said. Even though vaccines didn’t appear to be as effective against B.1.617, he added, the results support the need for widespread vaccination: “So long as there is a naive population out there, the virus is going to infect, replicate and mutate.”
Some Say Biden’s Pledge to Fight Vaccine Inequality Isn’t Enough
After President Biden pledged to ship 80 million coronavirus vaccine doses overseas by the end of June, some experts and activists are arguing that amount isn’t nearly enough to curb global transmission as SARS-CoV-2 mutates and spreads (NPR, NYT). “Donating 80 million doses of vaccines without a plan to scale up production worldwide is like putting a Band-Aid on a machete wound,” said AIDS activist Gregg Gonsalves. Although Biden touted his 80 million doses as five times the amount donated by any other country, researchers estimate that 11 billion doses will be needed to vaccinate 70% of the world’s population – possibly more, if variants necessitate booster doses. Only 1.7 billion have been produced thus far, estimated analytics group Airfinity. White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients will draft a global vaccine distribution plan to present at next month’s G7 summit. With the Covid-19 pandemic widening the gap between rich and poor countries, some health experts say the U.S. has a responsibility to push for vaccine equity (WSJ). “People will remember how a country responded to a global pandemic not just within its borders but outside,” said Yale Institute for Global Health director Saad Omer.
Fauci Estimates Vaccinations of Young Kids Will Begin Early Next Year
Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the White House, announced the U.S. would likely be able to start vaccinating kids under 12 years old by early 2022 (WaPo). Vaccine producers are currently conducting studies of various dosages on 12-year-olds to infants. “It is likely and almost certain that by the time we get to the end of this calendar year and the first quarter of 2022 that we will have enough information regarding safety and immunogenicity to be able to vaccinate children of any age,” Fauci said.
Bonus Read: “Cleaning Indoor Air May Prevent COVID-19’s Spread. But It’s Harder Than It Looks,” (Science News).
Around the World
Middle East
Israeli Airstrike Damages Gaza’s Only Lab that Processes Coronavirus Tests
The sole laboratory in Gaza that processes Covid-19 tests was rendered inoperable after an Israeli airstrike on Monday, officials in Gaza said (NYT). The strike targeted another building in Gaza City but the debris and shrapnel damaged the lab and offices of the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Israel began its bombing campaign in Gaza on May 10 and, as we covered in yesterday’s brief, has disrupted vaccination efforts and put residents at risk of contracting the virus as they gather together in crowded make-shift shelters. The Israeli army has said its airstrikes aim solely at militants and their infrastructure, but Dr. Majdi Dhair, director of the ministry’s preventive medicine department, said, “This attack was barbaric," adding, “There’s no way to justify it.”
Americas
Americans Share Vaccines with Canadian Neighbors
A growing number of America’s northern border states and communities have been offering their excess vaccines to their northern neighbors in Canada. Just 3% of Canadians are fully vaccinated, compared to the U.S. where more than 36% of the population is fully vaccinated and 60% has had at least one dose. Last month, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said his state will vaccinate 4,000 truck drivers from Manitoba at roadside clinics and may also add oil workers (NPR). He said the program would have no impact on the progress of vaccinating North Dakotans. "We're starting to move from that place where instead of rationing vaccine, where we're marketing it," Burgum said in a news conference with the premier of Manitoba. "This is the time to move to start working closely with our neighbors." Last week, Montana began vaccinating drivers from Alberta. Vaccine eligibility is still descending by age group in Canada and many people are struggling to find appointments even when they become eligible because demand is so high. Canada has ordered large numbers of doses but they haven’t arrived yet. Meanwhile, mass vaccination clinics in the U.S. are closing because they have too many doses and not enough people who want them. The U.S.-Canada border has been closed since the pandemic began, but many essential workers have been allowed to continue crossing the border for work.
Asia
India Puts Vaccine Exports on Hold Until October
According to an exclusive report by Reuters, India is unlikely to resume major exports of Covid-19 vaccines until at least October as it diverts shots for domestic use. Three government sources told Reuters about the longer-than-expected delay that will affect supplies around the world through the global COVAX initiative. The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's biggest vaccine maker producing the AstraZeneca vaccine, said that it hoped to restart deliveries to COVAX and other countries by the end of this year. "We would like to reiterate that we have never exported vaccines at the cost of the people of India and remain committed to do everything we can in the support of the vaccination drive in the country," SII said in a statement. India halted vaccine exports a month ago as the country has battled the world’s biggest jump in coronavirus infections.
In Japan a New Poll Finds 83% Don’t Want the Olympics This Summer
Opposition to the Tokyo Olympics is continuing to grow even with the Games just a little more than two months away. A new survey, released on Monday in Japan, found that 83% of those polled did not want Tokyo to hold the Olympics and Paralympics (NYT). That number was up 14 percentage points from a survey in April. Reuters also reported that the Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association also wants the games cancelled. The organization posted an open letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on its website on Monday saying that it would “strongly request” the authorities to arrange a cancellation.
U.S. Government & Politics
Bonus Read: “Troubled Vaccine Maker and Its Founder Gave $2 Million in Political Donations,” (NYT).
DC Considers Resuming Evictions, Chooses Not To
On Tuesday, the DC council considered whether to allow evictions to resume, as the federal government’s pandemic guidance changes and liberalizes, but chose not to resume evictions (WaPo, WaPo). Early on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported, “Since March 2020, the District of Columbia, like most of the country, has prohibited almost all evictions in the interest of keeping people in their homes so they could avoid catching the virus. Now, with more and more of the population vaccinated against the coronavirus and other activities permitted to resume, the D.C. Council faces a contentious vote Tuesday about how to slowly return to being a city where people can legally be evicted.” The Post later reported, “the D.C. Council on Tuesday backed down from a plan to end the city’s pandemic-era ban on eviction filings for nonpayment of rent.” Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) proposed allowing landlords to file for eviction beginning on June 1. The proposal drew criticism from other legislators and advocacy organizations. Some worry a resumption of evictions could have a disparate racial impact in addition to its impact on people generally. The Post writes, “Eighty percent of the 18,000 D.C. households behind on their rent have a Black head of household, while only 5 percent have a White head of household, according to the Legal Aid Society.”
Andrew Giuliani Announces Run for New York Governor; Cuomo to Make $5 Million From Pandemic Book Deal
On Tuesday, Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City mayor and Trump confidant Rudy Giuliani, announced that he is running for New York governor (Politico). Andrew Giluiani served as a special adviser to Trump, and his announcement comes as Republican hopes have risen for taking the governorship as a result of a set of scandals over alleged sexual misconduct by Governor Andrew Cuomo and allegations that he concealed the extent of Covid deaths in New York nursing homes. However, as Politico previously reported, and we covered in a prior brief, Giuliani and other prospective candidates do not fit the presumed model of a moderate Republican who might win in the state, which has heavily favored Democrats and whose last Republican governor, George Pataki, ran in large part as a moderate.
Meanwhile, current Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to make at least $5 million from his pandemic book “American Crisis” (Politico). Tax returns released on Monday show that Cuomo received $3.12 million in initial payment and he will receive another $2 million over the next few years. Politico writes, “Cuomo's financial records indicate that after taxes and expenses, his net gain from that initial payment of $3.12 million was $1.54 million. He has since donated $500,000 to the United Way of New York State to help with pandemic ‘recovery and vaccination efforts.’ The remaining $1 million and change has been placed in a trust for his three daughters. They gave him the strength and love to make it through the crisis every day,’ Cuomo adviser Rich Azz’opardi said in a statement. According to Politico, the book payments are the largest amount Governor Cuomo has made since becoming governor.
CDC Principal Deputy Director to Retire in Second Major Departure
On Monday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced that Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, will be retiring in the summer (STAT, Politico). Walensky stated, “I have enormous gratitude for Dr. Schuchat’s leadership and contributions over three decades, and during this very challenging period for our country. I am especially thankful for her invaluable counsel, assistance and support in my transition into this role.” Previously, on May 7, Nancy Messonnier, who led the CDC’s response to Covid, announced that she was leaving. Messonnier will become the executive director of the Skoll Foundation. STAT notes, “Questions remain about the nature of Messonnier’s departure, with news reports that she’d been stripped of her role as the CDC’s liaison to the Biden administration’s pandemic response task force. But Schuchat’s resignation is being cast as a 33-year-veteran of the agency deciding it was time to leave.”
Bonus Read: “Biden’s Aid Programs Help Buttress McCarthy’s District Despite GOP Leader’s Complaints About ‘Socialist’ Spending,” (WaPo).
U.S. Economy
Bonus Read: “U.S. Bank Stocks Shine as Investors Bet on an Economic Recovery,” (WSJ).
Hotels Concerned that Staffing Shortages May Hurt Their Recovery
The hotel industry was hit hard by the pandemic and related restrictions on travel, but now many hotels are expecting conditions to improve as people look to travel over the summer and Covid restrictions are liberalized. However, hotels are also concerned that the potential for a recovery could be harmed by staffing shortages (WSJ). The Wall Street Journal reports, “Hotels say they are struggling to hire enough housekeepers, kitchen staff and other hourly workers—including the ones they laid off early in the Covid-19 pandemic—ahead of an anticipated upswing in leisure travel.” Sloan Dean, chief executive of management company Remington Hotels, told the Journal, “There have been weekends where I’ve had to let rooms go vacant because we didn’t have enough people to clean them.” His company has 500 open positions covering 78 properties that “bear major brands including Marriott International Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corp. and InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.” The staffing shortages have led some hotels to combine housekeeping and other tasks to keep up with the work required.
Walmart Sales Continue to Rise, But at a Slower Rate
The retail giant Walmart reports that its sales continued to grow in the Spring quarter albeit at a slower pace than they had earlier in the pandemic (WSJ). The Wall Street Journal writes, “Comparable sales, those from U.S. stores and digital channels operating for at least 12 months, rose 6% in the quarter ended April 30 compared with the same period last year. U.S. e-commerce sales rose 37%. It was the slowest online growth for Walmart since the coronavirus outbreak in early 2020 upended the retail landscape.” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated, “Our optimism is higher than it was at the beginning of the year. In the U.S., customers clearly want to get out and shop.” Part of the slowing growth may be due to people returning to more normal purchasing patterns after using their stimulus checks.
U.S. Society
Amid the Pandemic, Momentum Built for Free or Reduced-Fair Transit
The Washington Post reports that amid the pandemic, proposals to make transit free or at least to reduce fares have increasingly circulated (WaPo). Such proposals began to circulate in Kansas City, Missouri but is also being considered in Washington and Los Angeles as well as at the federal level. The Post notes that falling ridership placed a light upon the importance of public transit for service employees, who are disproportionately from communities of color. The Post writes, “That revelation led some transit and government leaders to ask if public transportation should not be partially subsidized — as nearly all of it is — but fully government-funded, much like roads.” The Post notes at the federal level, “Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) introduced the Freedom to Move Act last summer, which would provide federal money to help transit make the switch to a fareless system. The Sierra Club and NAACP national campaigns are lobbying for billions in federal funding for fare-free programs.” Combining graphics and audio, the Post also examines such proposals at the more local level.
Bonus Read: “‘The Choice Was Made for Me’: What Losing Work in the Pandemic Cost 15 Mothers,” (NYT).
Analysis & Arguments
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The Brief is edited by David Sterman and Emily Schneider with Senior Editor Peter Bergen.
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