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July 29, 2021 - Brief Issue 236
The Coronavirus Daily Brief is a daily news and analysis roundup edited by New America’s International Security Program and Arizona State University.
The Coronavirus Daily Brief will be on hiatus for the month of August.
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Top Headlines
UK’s Cases Fall, Puzzling Experts Who Had Expected the Opposite (Health & Science)
Pfizer Released Data on Booster Shots, But Experts Not Sure They’re Needed (Health & Science)
CDC Updates Testing Recommendation, Urges Vaccinated People to Get Tested After Contact (Health & Science)
New York State to Mandate Employees Get Vaccinated or Tested (Health & Science)
China Urges an End to “Politicizing” Origins of Virus (Around the World)
Sydney Adds Four Weeks to Lockdown (Around the World)
England to Scrap Quarantine Rules for Fully Vaccinated EU, U.S. Travelers (Around the World)
Organized Labor in Disarray Following Biden Talk of Vaccine Mandates (U.S. Government & Politics)
New Mask Guidance Upends Office Return Plans (U.S. Economy)
White Evangelicals Most Vaccine Resistant of Religious Groups (U.S. Society)
HBCUs Use Pandemic Funds to Relieve Student Debt (U.S. Society)
Health & Science
There have been 34,675,359 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 611,805 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has administered 343,361,524 vaccine doses, with 57.1% of all Americans having received their first vaccine dose and 49.3% fully vaccinated. Among adults aged 18 or older 69.3% have received at least one dose, and 60.2% are fully vaccinated (U.S. CDC). Worldwide, there have been 196,040,884 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 4,188,536 deaths.
UK’s Cases Fall, Puzzling Experts Who Had Expected the Opposite
The trajectory of the virus in the UK isn’t what many scientists and government officials had predicted: instead of soaring, case numbers are falling. Scientists aren’t sure why. The daily number of new infections in the UK fell for seven days in a row before a slight increase on Wednesday (WaPo). The daily number, 27,734 cases, was still almost half of what the caseload was a week ago. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government ended almost all government mandates in England just over a week ago and as a result, some of the best infectious disease modelers in the world warned that 100,000 new cases a day could be the norm for the rest of the summer. But instead, there has been a sharp decline. Some hypothesize that Britain has reached herd immunity; more than 70% of adults are fully vaccinated and 88% have had a first dose. Many of those who are unvaccinated have had Covid-19, adding to natural immunity. Others guess that the school break lowered the spread of the disease, or that the heat and sunshine cut down on transmission.
Pfizer Released Data on Booster Shots, But Experts Not Sure They’re Needed
On Wednesday, Pfizer reported that the power of its two-dose Covid-19 vaccine wanes slightly over time but still offers lasting and robust protection against serious disease. The company said that a third shot could improve immunity, but the idea of a booster shot is still hotly debated among scientists and officials (NYT). According to the Times, “in a study posted online but not yet peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, Pfizer and BioNTech scientists reported that the vaccine had a sky-high efficacy rate of about 96 percent against symptomatic Covid-19 for the first two months following the second dose. But the figure declined by about 6 percent every two months after that, falling to 83.7 percent after about four to six months. Against severe disease, however, the vaccine’s efficacy held steady at about 97 percent.” Federal officials have said that booster shots for the general population are unnecessary and many experts questioned whether vaccinated people should get more doses when so many people around the world have yet to be inoculated at all. But the data is a useful tool for future consideration, especially as the Biden administration closely tracks the spread of the Delta variant in many states. If booster shots become necessary and the FDA approves a third dose, it could mean a multi-million dollar boost in business for Pfizer. On Wednesday, Pfizer forecast its 2021 sales to increase by 29% by $33.5 billion with the news that booster shots could be needed (Reuters).
CDC Updates Testing Recommendation, Urges Vaccinated People to Get Tested After Contact
On Tuesday, in addition to updating its recommendations regarding masking, the CDC updated its testing recommendations advising vaccinated people to get tested if they have contact with someone who has Covid, even if they lack symptoms (NYT). Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, stated, “Our updated guidance recommends vaccinated people get tested upon exposure regardless of symptoms.” At a news briefing Dr. Walensky pointed to data suggesting that vaccinated people can carry the Delta variant and spread it widely as a core part of the decision to issue new guidance.
New York State to Mandate Employees Get Vaccinated or Tested
On Wednesday New York’s Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state will require its employees to show proof of vaccination or face weekly testing for Covid (NYT). Cuomo also said that in state-run hospitals, employees who work with patients will be required to be vaccinated without the option of regular testing instead. Cuomo’s announcement follows similar announcements earlier this week from New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Around the World
China Urges an End to “Politicizing” Origins of Virus
On Wednesday Chinese officials called for an end to “politicizing the issue of origins tracing” for Covid-19 after an EU official added her name to a group of scientific experts and government officials calling for China to engage with the World Health Organization’s next phase of the origins study. The statement was made by China’s mission to the EU and is a “veiled warning to Brussels,” according to Politico. The statement asked “relevant parties: to “stop using this issue to scapegoat others and shirk responsibility, and stop deliberately disrupting international cooperation on global origins tracing." WHO Research and Innovation Commissioner Mariya Gabriel was just the latest of a number of scientists and officials from the U.S., Australia, and Japan who have called on the “Chinese government to reconsider its decision to not engage in the World Health Organization's proposal for the next phase of the COVID-19 origins study."
Sydney Adds Four Weeks to Lockdown
Sydney officials announced on Wednesday that they were extending a lockdown by another four weeks after the stay-at-home orders failed to stop the current outbreak of Covid-19 (Reuters). Authorities said that there would now be tougher policing of non-compliance. Residents in Australia’s largest city must now stay home until Aug. 28 due to the stubbornly high case numbers caused by the Delta variant. Authorities said that at least 46 of the new cases were people active in the community before being diagnosed, meaning that the likelihood of transmission was high. "I am as upset and frustrated as all of you that we were not able to get the case numbers we would have liked at this point in time but that is the reality," state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told a televised news conference. Berejiklian added police would boost enforcement of wide-ranging social distancing rules and urged people to report suspected wrongdoing, saying "we cannot put up with people continuing to do the wrong thing because it is setting us all back".
England to Scrap Quarantine Rules for Fully Vaccinated EU, U.S. Travelers
England will now allow fully vaccinated visitors from the European Union and the U.S. to enter the country without quarantining beginning next week (Reuters). Britain’s travel industry has been criticizing the government for not opening up to travelers sooner and while the new rule, which takes effect on Aug. 2, applies to England only, it is widely expected to be followed by the rest of Britain shortly. The government also said that international cruises could also restart from England. Travelers will still have to take a Covid-19 test before departure and again after arriving in England. "This step will allow us to reunite loved ones and get Global Britain back in business, giving the economy the vital boost it so badly needs," British Airways Chief Executive Sean Doyle said in a statement. Bonus Read: “The Cruise Industry Stages a Comeback,” (NYT).
U.S. Government & Politics
Bonus Read: “‘The CDC hasn’t changed’: Biden’s top health officials try to sell new masking guidance,” (Politico).
Organized Labor in Disarray Following Biden Talk of Vaccine Mandates
Politico reports that President Biden’s statement this week that the administration is considering imposing vaccine mandates have thrown organized labor into disarray with some advocates and groups expressing support and others voicing concern (Politico). Politico writes, “A steep divide has emerged among labor unions — as well as between members and leaders — over whether to require workers to be vaccinated. On Tuesday, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said he would support a mandate, giving a boost to White House efforts to increase vaccination rates after they stagnated in recent weeks. But Trumka’s position was at odds with some of the AFL-CIO's largest members, including the American Federation of Teachers, whose president said that vaccine protocols should be decided at individual workplaces. Other unions have also voiced opposition.” Politico cited two people with knowledge of discussions, as saying the administration did reach out to organized labor groups about changing policies. One told Politico, “The White House reached out and made it clear, the VA was the first to go and the other agencies are planning to follow suit.”
Inflation Becomes a New Battle Line in Debates Over Spending Policy
Inflation is becoming a key battle line in political debates over spending policies (NYT). The New York Times reports, “Republicans have made Americans’ concerns over rising prices their primary line of attack on President Biden’s economic agenda, seeking to derail trillions of dollars in spending programs and tax cuts by warning that they will produce rocketing 1970s-style inflation.” In turn the Biden administration has increasingly focused on and promoted policies it views as potentially reducing inflationary pressures. The political debate comes amid record price increases but also amid dispute among economists over the likely duration and roots of inflation.
Bonus Read: “Half of U.S. States Ended Federal Covid-Related Jobless Benefits Early. Here Is How They Compare With the Other Half,” (WSJ).
U.S. Economy
New Mask Guidance Upends Office Return Plans
The CDC’s reversal this week on mask guidance has upended companies’ plans to have workers return to offices (WaPo). The Washington Post reports that while Wall Street economists have not viewed the reversal as a sign of major risks to the economy, “corporate chief executives are growing worried about bringing workers back into crowded offices, a move that many employers have scheduled for September.” The return to the office is not the only area impacted by the reversal. The Post writes, “Wedding planners said couples are moving indoor events outside or paring their guest lists, hoping to ‘get married now, in case we all have to go back underground again,’ said David Wood, president of the Association of Bridal Consultants.”
New Report Looks at the Treasury’s 2020 Meltdown, Provides Recommendations
A report released on Wednesday by a group that includes former central bankers, discusses the global rush for cash in 2020 that forced the Federal Reserve to step in, and provides recommendations for how to avoid such issues (WSJ). The Wall Street Journal writes, “On Wednesday, the Group of 30, an independent group of prominent central bankers, financiers, regulators and academics whose members include Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who previously chaired the Fed, released its overview of the problems that plagued the Treasury market in March 2020, along with 10 recommendations to reduce the risk that the Fed would have to make similar interventions in future crises. Former Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner chaired the working group that produced Wednesday’s report.” The report’s recommendations discuss the importance of building a standing repo facility at the Federal Reserve, revisiting bank capital rules, and promoting central clearing houses for trading.
U.S. Society
White Evangelicals Most Vaccine Resistant of Religious Groups
A study from the Public Religion Research Institute finds that white evangelicals are the most resistant religious group when it comes to vaccines (WSJ). The Wall Street Journal writes that the study found “Some 24% of white evangelicals said in June they wouldn’t be vaccinated, down from 26% in March.” The Journal adds, “The percentage of white evangelicals who say they have been vaccinated or plan to get the shot as soon as possible was 56% in June, up from 45% in March. That is tied for the lowest figure among groups included in the survey, along with Hispanic protestants, many of whom are evangelical.” In contrast, among all Americans, 71% either have been vaccinated or say they are willing to be, according to the study. Jews were the least resistant to vaccination among religious groups studied with 85% saying they were willing to be vaccinated or already had been. The study examined racial categories for larger religious groups but not smaller ones. The Journal writes, “The study reported results for Protestants and Catholics by certain racial groups, but didn’t do so for religions with fewer adherents, such as Judaism and Mormonism. ‘White evangelicals’ were the only reported category of evangelicals.”
HBCUs Use Pandemic Funds to Relieve Student Debt
Many historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are using federal pandemic relief funds to relieve student debt (WSJ). The Wall Street Journal writes, “More than 20 HBCUs are using federal pandemic funds for debt relief, according to a tally by the United Negro College Fund, a scholarship organization for private historically Black colleges and universities.” Examples include Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, which relieved almost $1.7 million in debt involving 1,442 students and Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C., which eliminated a debt of $1.8 million among 400 students.
Analysis & Arguments
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