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March 2, 2022 - Brief Issue 293
The Coronavirus Daily Brief is a daily news and analysis roundup edited by New America’s International Security Program and Arizona State University.
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Top Headlines
CDC Estimates 140 Million in US Have Had Coronavirus (Health & Science)
Study: Rapid Antigen Tests Do Detect Omicron (Health & Science)
Scientists Discover New Coronavirus Lineage in Deer (Health & Science)
War in Ukraine Could Cause Surge of Covid, Other Diseases (Around the World)
Queen Elizabeth Returns to Work After Having Covid; Wales and Scotland Relax Covid Restrictions (Around the World)
Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong Abandoned as Cases Surge (Around the World)
Egypt Sees 40% Decline in Covid Cases (Around the World)
Biden Addresses Pandemic in the State of the Union (U.S. Government & Politics)
Post-ABC Poll: Most Americans Don’t Think Pandemic Fully Under Control; AP-NORC Poll Finds Concern About Pandemic Waning (U.S. Government & Politics)
Three Members of Congress with Positive Covid Tests Miss the State of the Union (U.S. Government & Politics)
Biden Extends FEMA Coronavirus Aid for States to July 1 (U.S. Government & Politics)
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Adds to Existing Pandemic-Driven Supply Chain Issues (U.S. Economy)
Companies Try to Limit Salary Increases by Relying on New Perks and Benefits (U.S. Economy)
Large Companies Plan to Reopen Offices This Month (U.S. Society)
Health & Science
There have been 79,092,025 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 952,509 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has administered 553,378,046 vaccine doses, with 76.4% of all Americans having received at least one vaccine dose and 65% fully vaccinated. Among adults aged 18 or older 87.9% have received at least one dose, and 75% are fully vaccinated (U.S. CDC). 43.8% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster shot. Worldwide, there have been 438,922,584 cases of coronavirus, with 5,967,076 deaths.
CDC Estimates 140 Million in US Have Had Coronavirus
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's estimates from blood tests that reveal antibodies from infection, about 140 million Americans have had the coronavirus. That is nearly double the rate regularly cited by national case counts (WaPo). The data goes through late January and shows that about 43% of the country has been infected and that the majority of children have also been infected. It is estimated that 58% of children up to age 11 have antibodies, and the same share of children aged 12 to 17 have antibodies as well. The study also gave a state-by-state breakdown, which showed Vermont had the lowest infection rate with just 18% while Wisconsin and Georgia had the highest levels at 58%.
The data comes from tens of thousands of blood tests analyzed by commercial labs across the country for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus, like regular checkups. The CDC tests those samples for coronavirus antibodies and the percentage of people with antibodies is known as seroprevalence.
Study: Rapid Antigen Tests Do Detect Omicron
A new real-world study found that several rapid antigen tests that are widely used in the United States, specifically Abbott BinaxNow, BD Veritor At-Home and Quidel QuickVue — are effective in detecting the Omicron variant of the coronavirus (NYT). The study, which was released on Monday but has not yet been peer-reviewed, found that among people who tested positive for the virus on a PCR test, 61% of those with Omicron also tested positive on a rapid antigen test within 48 hours, compared with 46% of those with Delta infections. The rapid antigen tests worked better among people who had higher viral loads, detecting more than 90%of Omicron and Delta infections in that group of people. “This study adds to the body of evidence that says that Omicron can be detected with the home tests that we have,” said Nathaniel Hafer, a molecular biologist at the UMass medical school and an author of the study. Rapid antigen tests are less sensitive than PCR tests and work by detecting proteins on the surface of the virus, but if genetic mutations alter these proteins (which happens when a variant emerges), it could affect the ability of the tests to detect the virus.
Scientists Discover New Coronavirus Lineage in Deer
A new, highly mutated version of the coronavirus has been discovered in white-tailed deer in Ontario. Scientists say the virus could have been evolving in animals since late 2020 and there is possible deer-to-human transmission of the virus based on evidence of a similar viral sequence in one person in the area who had close contact with deer (NYT). “The virus is evolving in deer and diverging in deer away from what we are clearly seeing evolving in humans,” said Samira Mubareka, a virologist at Sunnybrook Research Institute and the University of Toronto and an author of the new paper. The report has not yet been published or peer reviewed, and the researchers emphasize that there is no evidence that the deer lineage poses an increased risk to people. But the study does add to mounting evidence that deer could be a long-term reservoir for the coronavirus that could cause future mutations.
Around the World
War in Ukraine Could Cause Surge of Covid, Other Diseases
Not only are hospitals in Ukraine running out of supplies and healthcare workers and patients being forced to hide in shelters, but more than half a million people have fled Ukraine so far as Russian forces invade the country. Global health officials fear that the humanitarian and refugee crisis will lead to long-lasting health consequences, not just in terms of the coronavirus pandemic, but with other diseases, too (WaPo). Ukraine has been facing a polio outbreak that has worried global experts for months and the potential for the resurgence of tuberculosis during the conflict is concerning.
“What we’re dealing with now in Ukraine is a double crisis,” said Máire Connolly, a global health professor at the National University of Ireland Galway who has studied the link between conflict and disease. “As we’ve seen in wars over the years, viruses and bacteria are happy to exploit those situations where human beings are put under pressure,” Connolly added, noting that poor hygiene and sanitary conditions in refugee camps can “increase the risk of outbreaks among a population that are already dealing with the trauma of forced displacement.”
Queen Elizabeth Returns to Work After Having Covid; Wales and Scotland Relax Covid Restrictions
On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth II is returning to work after having had Covid (NYT). The New York Times writes, “Queen Elizabeth, 95, first tested positive for the coronavirus on Feb. 20, with the palace describing her symptoms as mild.” The Queen canceled some virtual appearances after she tested positive but did continue with some “light duties.” She received at least one vaccination dose in January 2021, but further details on her vaccination status are not known.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Wales and Scotland announced that they would relax some of their Covid restrictions (NYT). Wales and Scotland set their health policies independently from England, and though they are relaxing their restrictions they will not go as far as England has in doing so. The Times writes, “Wales dropped its mask mandate for some indoor public venues, like cinemas, theaters and gyms, though it kept a requirement to wear them in retail shops, on public transportation and in health care settings,” adding, “Wales also lifted its mask mandate for students in classrooms, though it said secondary-school students should continue to wear them in communal areas.” Scotland announced that proof of vaccination is no longer required for nightclubs and some other types of indoor spaces. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week that England would lift all of its restrictions and end free Covid testing.
Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong Abandoned as Cases Surge
The rapid spread in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong has taken an especially large toll on domestic helpers. Hong Kong has around 340,000 domestic helpers, many of whom come from either the Philippines or Indonesia, and under law must live with their employers. Even though Hong Kong’s Labor Department warned employers that it is an offense to fire helpers who test positive for Covid-19, there are reports of many being kicked out of their employers’ homes and abandoned (Reuters). The Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions told Reuters last week it had received more than 20 cases of domestic helpers who had tested positive being fired. Bonus Read: “Hong Kong’s Covid-19 Measures Pressure Finance in Asian Financial Hub,” (WSJ).
Egypt Sees 40% Decline in Covid Cases
On Monday, Egyptian Minister of Health Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar stated that Egypt’s Covid case count between February 11th to 25th, fell 40.4% compared to what it was two weeks ago (Al Ahram). Al Ahram writes, “During the meeting, Abdel-Ghaffar reviewed reports on vaccination rates nationwide, noting that the governorates of Beheira in northern Egypt and Sohag in Upper Egypt have the highest daily rates of vaccinated citizens.”
U.S. Government & Politics
Biden Addresses Pandemic in the State of the Union
Last night, President Joe Biden appeared before a joint session of Congress to give the State of the Union address. While much time was devoted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and underscoring the unity in the U.S. and Europe against Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, Biden did try to extend that message of unity to the fight against the coronavirus. “Let’s use this moment to reset,” he said in the speech (WaPo). “So stop looking at Covid as a partisan dividing line. See it for what it is: a God-awful disease. Let’s stop seeing each other as enemies and start seeing each other for who we are: fellow Americans.”
Biden declared, “we’ve reached a new moment in the fight against Covid-19,” and said “we are moving forward safely, back to more normal routines.” He received bipartisan applause by calling for schools to remain open (NYT). “Our kids need to be in school,” he said.
Post-ABC Poll: Most Americans Don’t Think Pandemic Fully Under Control; AP-NORC Poll Finds Concern About Pandemic Waning
According to a Post-ABC poll conducted February 22-24, most Americans do not think the pandemic is fully under control (WaPo). Among the respondents 15% said it was “not at all under control,” and 49% said “somewhat under control.” Only 6% said it was “completely under control” with 27% saying it was “mostly under control.” As we covered in yesterday’s brief, reports prior to Biden’s State of the Union speech suggested that he and his aides agreed when drafting the speech that it was not time to be overly triumphant about the pandemic’s status.
Meanwhile an AP-NORC poll conducted February 18-21, found that concern about the pandemic was waning (NYT). The New York Times writes, “Of the nearly 1,300 adults surveyed in mid-February, 24 percent said they were ‘extremely or very worried’ about themselves or a family member testing positive for the virus. In December, when Omicron emerged and rapidly became the dominant variant globally, 36 percent of respondents expressed this fear.”
Three Members of Congress with Positive Covid Tests Miss the State of the Union
Three members of Congress tested positive for coronavirus in advance of the State of the Union and thus were not able to attend (WaPo). On Tuesday, Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA-1) announced that they had tested positive. The Post writes, “Raskin has mild flu-like symptoms, according to a statement, and will work from home while self-quarantining this week.” Raskin said he was “disappointed” to miss the speech. Delbene tweeted, “I am fully vaccinated & boosted,” adding, “I will be isolating & working remotely.” In addition Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) tested positive on Monday. He had previously been vaccinated. He tweeted, “I’m asymptomatic and grateful to be fully vaccinated and boosted,” adding, “In accordance with CDC guidance, I am isolating and working remotely. I will continue consulting with the Capitol’s Attending Physician and expect to return soon.”
Biden Extends FEMA Coronavirus Aid for States to July 1
On Tuesday, the White House announced that it would extend the deadline for FEMA reimbursement of state and tribal coronavirus emergency response costs until July 1 (AP). FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stated, “FEMA’s priority throughout the response to COVID-19 has been to coordinate and provide the necessary resources and personnel states, tribes and territories need to adequately respond to the pandemic,” adding, “Today’s extension of the 100% cost-share through July 1, 2022, builds on our efforts to assist impacted communities across state and federal levels.”
U.S. Economy
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Adds to Existing Pandemic-Driven Supply Chain Issues
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further disrupted supply chains that have already been hard hit by the pandemic’s impact (WSJ, NYT). The Wall Street Journal reports that the war has disrupted shipping around the globe. The Journal notes, “The world’s biggest container ship operators—A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S and Mediterranean Shipping Co.—said they would temporarily suspend services to Russian ports, including those far from the conflict in Ukraine.” Shipping in the Black Sea has been particularly hard hit with ships detained or even fired upon. However, the Journal writes that the impact “is also being felt far from the conflict zone, according to shipping executives and brokers. The disruptions are adding strains to a global supply chain already stressed from two years of pandemic imbalances.” The New York Times expands on some of the other impacts, writing that the war and European response “has caused some flights to be canceled or rerouted, putting pressure on cargo capacity and raising concerns about further supply chain disruptions. It is putting at risk global supplies of products like platinum, aluminum, sunflower oil and steel, and shuttering factories in Europe, Ukraine and Russia. And it has sent energy prices soaring, further raising shipping costs.” The Times also notes that companies are scrambling to prepare for and respond to an expanding set of sanctions on Russia, which may also have an impact.
Companies Try to Limit Salary Increases by Relying on New Perks and Benefits
As companies face rising demands for salary increases amid a tight labor market and the need to keep up with inflation, the Wall Street Journal reports that many companies are trying to limit their provision of salary increases by relying on greater perks and benefits (WSJ). The Journal explains, “Once salaries go up, they rarely come down. Increasing pay too much too fast can leave finance chiefs with little room to maneuver if inflation abates or economic conditions deteriorate. So while companies are spending more on wages and benefits, many are resisting across-the-board salary hikes.” The Journal reports, “A December survey conducted by advisory firm Gartner Inc. found that just over a third of all organizations said they plan to adjust compensation to account for inflation, with 13% saying they planned to do so for all employees.”
U.S. Society
Large Companies Plan to Reopen Offices This Month
Many large companies are planning to reopen their offices this month, March. Organizations such as American Express, Meta Platforms, and Wells Fargo & Co. are citing falling Omicron cases and less restricted mask requirements as reasons to return to in-person work environments. Companies believe they are now well informed on rapidly changing health environments, and they have the mechanisms in place for continued remote work should Covid cases soar once again. At the same time, the Wall Street Journal reports, managers and bosses “are preaching flexibility, careful not to alienate employees who have come to appreciate the upsides of remote work.” American Express, for instance, is implementing a hybrid situation in which employees will come into the office one day to three days a week, depending on their job requirements and team needs.
Analysis & Arguments
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