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December 9, 2021 - Brief Issue 271

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

Hospitalizations in the U.S. Rise, as Cases Surge in 4 States (Health & Science)

World Unprepared for Next Pandemic (Health & Science)

Coronavirus Attacks Fat Tissue, Say Scientists (Health & Science)

Boris Johnson’s Government Criticized for Flouting Christmas Coronavirus Rules; New Restrictions Imposed (Around the World)

In Singapore, Unvaccinated Must Pay for Treatment (Around the World)

Some Democrats Sour on Vaccine Mandates (U.S. Government & Politics)

4.2 Million Americans Quit Their Jobs in October; Workers See Greater Power (U.S. Economy)

Schools Close for Fridays, Angering Parents (U.S. Society)

Health & Science

There have been 49,538,960 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 793,228 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has administered 475,728,399 vaccine doses, with 71.4% of all Americans having received at least one vaccine dose and 60.4% fully vaccinated. Among adults aged 18 or older 83.8% have received at least one dose, and 71.8% are fully vaccinated (U.S. CDC). 24.4% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster shot. Worldwide, there have been 267,991,056 cases of coronavirus, with 5,282,610 deaths.
 

Hospitalizations in the U.S. Rise, as Cases Surge in 4 States

Hospitalizations from Covid-19 are rising in the United States, driven largely by surges in four states that account for nearly half the increase across the country. The seven-day average number of people hospitalized has risen by nearly 12,000, or 29%, since Nov. 10 (WaPo). On Dec. 5, an average of about 52,000 people were hospitalized. The Washington Post writes, “During that time, the number of covid hospitalizations in Michigan rose by nearly 1,900, CDC data shows, the highest figure for a single state. Hospitalizations went up by more than 1,400 patients each in Ohio and Pennsylvania and by more than 900 in Indiana. The four states, which also have some of the highest per capita current hospitalization numbers, are responsible for almost half the country’s increase in covid hospitalizations.” 

World Unprepared for Next Pandemic

Research compiling the Global Health Security Index, a project of the D.C.-based nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, found that the world is still unprepared for and extremely vulnerable to future health emergencies. The assessment considers each country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies based on publicly available information in addition to other factors, such as public confidence in government. The Washington Post summarizes: “The average country score for 2021 was 38.9 out of a possible 100 points, essentially unchanged from 2019. No country scored above 75.9. The United States, with its vast wealth and scientific capability, maintained its top overall ranking — it was also No. 1 when the first index was released in 2019. But the United States also scored lowest on public confidence in government, a key factor associated with high numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths.” Other countries in the top 10 include: Australia, Finland, Canada, Thailand, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea and Sweden.

Coronavirus Attacks Fat Tissue, Say Scientists

Researchers have found that the coronavirus infects fat cells and certain immune cells within body fat, which could explain why the virus has seemed to be more severe in people who are overweight. These patients often have other health conditions, like diabetes, that compound their risk, but scientists now believe that there is a strong connection between obesity and the coronavirus (NYT). The research, which has not yet been peer reviewed, was published online in October, has prompted further study into the link and a potential new path of investigation for treatment that would target body fat. “Maybe that’s the Achilles’ heel that the virus utilizes to evade our protective immune responses — by hiding in this place,” Dr. Vishwa Deep Dixit, a professor of comparative medicine and immunology at Yale School of Medicine, said. 

It seems that body fat, which used to be considered inert, is “biologically active, producing hormones and immune-system proteins that act on other cells, promoting a state of nagging low-grade inflammation even when there is no infection,” writes the Times. “This paper is another wake-up call for the medical profession and public health to look more deeply into the issues of overweight and obese individuals, and the treatments and vaccines we’re giving them,” said Barry Popkin, a professor of nutrition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who has studied the heightened risk that Covid poses to those with obesity.

Around the World

Boris Johnson’s Government Criticized for Flouting Christmas Coronavirus Rules; New Restrictions Imposed

As the U.K. enters another holiday season under the shadow of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under fire for allegations that his staff broke lockdown rules last year by holding a Christmas gathering when such festivities were banned (NYT). On Tuesday, a video surfaced of senior staff members joking about a party four days after they had reportedly gathered to eat snacks, drink wine, and play party games in Downing Street. The incident has prompted outrage from weary citizens who at the time the party took place, were prevented even from saying goodbye to dying loved ones. Allegra Stratton, a senior aide, resigned in response to the video on Wednesday. At the time the video was filmed, she was serving as Johnson’s spokesperson. She acknowledged the remarks she made in the video that seemed to make light of “rules that people were doing everything to obey.” Downing Street has denied that a Christmas party took place but does not deny that there was a gathering of some kind. 

Also on Wednesday, Johnson announced major new restrictions that were to be put in place to curb the spread of the virus, including encouraging working from home and a vaccine passport for some indoor venues (NYT). Under the new rules, known as Plan B, people will be required to wear masks in cinemas, theaters, and most other indoor spaces and to show a pass proving vaccination status for entrance to nightclubs and sports stadiums. “It’s become increasingly clear that Omicron is growing much faster than the previous Delta variant, and is spreading rapidly throughout the world,” the prime minister said. “We need to go further and faster still.” Johnson’s critics say the new measures are being rushed in order to distract the public from his office’s Christmas party scandal (Guardian).

In Singapore, Unvaccinated Must Pay for Treatment

As part of efforts to encourage vaccination against Covid-19, Singapore announced that the government would stop fully covering medical bills for unvaccinated individuals (WSJ). Under a pandemic-era policy meant to ensure financial considerations wouldn’t contribute to public concern about the virus, the treatment costs of nearly all Covid-19 patients since last year were paid for by the government. “We have to send this important signal, to urge everyone to get vaccinated if you are eligible,” Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said last month. Right now, 96% of Singapore’s eligible population is fully vaccinated. Still, the roughly 44,000 unvaccinated older citizens are causing concern among officials. In early November, about 95% of deaths in the previous six months were in people over 60 and 72% of deaths were among the unvaccinated. “Because of their choice, unvaccinated individuals account for the bulk of hospital isolation and [intensive care unit] beds, and contribute disproportionately to the strain on our healthcare resources,” a Health Ministry spokesman said.

Australia’s Increase in Cases Driven by Pubs, Clubs

Covid-19 has been spreading in pubs and clubs in Australia’s largest city, Sydney, after authorities eased restrictions in early October (Reuters). Dozens of people who attended a pub quiz later tested positive for the coronavirus and officials are now waiting to see if any were infected with the Omicron variant. Some 50 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the past two weeks, including three that were linked to a party cruise. "We have seen recently increased transmission in larger social venues ... and that is certainly a contributing factor to the increase in cases," Marianne Gale, New South Wales Deputy Chief Health Officer, said in a video posted on Twitter.

U.S. Government & Politics

Some Democrats Sour on Vaccine Mandates

According to Politico, some Democrats are now souring on vaccine mandates (Politico). In its “West Wing Playbook” Politico noted that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed opposition to imposing a state mandate, saying, “We’re an employer too, the state of Michigan is,” adding, “I know if that mandate happens, we’re going to lose state employees. That’s why I haven’t proposed a mandate at the state level. Some states have. We have not, we’re waiting to see what happens in court." Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) likewise has opposed mandates on businesses with more than 100 employees. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed opposition to New York City’s newly announced plan to mandate vaccination by private businesses in the city. Other Democrats who have expressed various forms of skepticism regarding the value or desirability of mandates include Montana Senator John Tester and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. As we have covered in prior briefs, opposition to vaccine mandates has also been a major political cause among Republicans.

WSJ Poll: Hispanics Now Evenly Split Among Democrats, Republicans

A new Wall Street Journal poll finds that Hispanic support for Democrats is slipping with Hispanics now evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans in their preference to hold Congress (WSJ). The Journal writes, “One year after giving Democratic House candidates more than 60% of their vote, according to polls at the time, the Journal survey found that Hispanic voters are evenly split in their choice for Congress. Asked which party they would back if the election were today, 37% of Hispanic voters said they would support the Republican congressional candidate and 37% said they would favor the Democrat, with 22% undecided. Hispanic voters were also evenly divided when asked about a hypothetical rematch in 2024 of the last presidential contenders, with 44% saying they would back President Biden and 43% supporting former President Donald Trump. In 2020, Mr. Biden won 63% support among Hispanic voters, nearly 30 points more than Mr. Trump, according to AP VoteCast, a large survey of the presidential electorate.” Democratic pollster John Anzalone, whose company conducted the poll, stated, “Latinos are more and more becoming swing voters.…They’re a swing vote that we’re going to have to fight for.” The Journal notes that the pandemic may be playing a role in the poll result, writing, “Analyses by various groups have cited a range of causes for the shift, including higher turnout among the most conservative Hispanic voters, GOP success in persuading voters who turn out infrequently and frustration over job losses due to pandemic-related business shutdowns.” However, the poll did find that “Hispanic voters saw Democrats in Congress as better able to control the Covid-19 pandemic, rebuild infrastructure and make healthcare more affordable.”

U.S. Economy

4.2 Million Americans Quit Their Jobs in October; Workers See Greater Power

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing that 4.2 million Americans quit their jobs in October (NYT, WaPo, WSJ, Marketwatch), Those Americans made up 2.8% of the workforce. Though still a near-record number of Americans quitting, the numbers represent a decline from the peak in September. The Washington Post writes, “A record 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs in September. Workers took advantage of the surge in job openings across the country. August’s numbers, at 4.3 million, were also a record at the time. In contrast, in February 2020, before the big wave of pandemic-related layoffs began, 2.3 percent of workers quit their jobs. So the October data remain extremely elevated.” Bonus Read: “Three Myths About the Great Resignation,” (Atlantic).

Meanwhile, job openings continued to grow. The New York Times writes, “Job openings rose 431,000 to 11 million, paced by a 254,000 jump in the accommodation and food services industries.” The Wall Street Journal notes that the large number of openings and other pandemic-era factors are empowering workers (WSJ). The Journal writes, “Already, workers’ bargaining power appears to be on the upswing. In the third quarter, median weekly earnings for full-time workers were 6.9% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to the Labor Department, while earnings for full-time workers in the bottom 10th by income rose 9.2%. Unions also appear to be pushing back harder, with actions such as the continuing strike at Kellogg.”

U.S. Society

Bonus Read: “A dance, not a war: One woman’s resolve to beat cancer during covid, (WaPo).

Schools Close for Fridays, Angering Parents

The New York Times reports that some school districts are closing schools on Friday, generating anger among parents struggling to find child care (NYT). On November 17th, Detroit Public Schools announced they would only provide virtual instruction on Fridays in December and then also announced that school would be canceled for the entire week of Thanksgiving. The Times write, “At least six other school districts in Michigan extended Thanksgiving break, and three districts in Washington State, including Seattle Public Schools, unexpectedly closed on Nov. 12, the day after Veterans Day. In one instance, Brevard Public Schools in Florida used leftover “hurricane days” to close schools for the entire week of Thanksgiving.” Schools are citing teacher burnout among the reasons for their decision. Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, stated, “What you hear from teachers is that it’s been too much,” adding, “And they’re trying the best that they can.” However, many parents have expressed anger with the new policies. The Times writes, “A few of these districts have closed with very little notice, sending parents  to find child care, as well as summon the wherewithal to supervise remote learning. Beyond the logistics, many parents are worried that with additional lost days of in-person school, their children will fall further behind.” Missy Kisselman, whose eighth grader attends an Oregon school that canceled classes from November 18 to December 7 with only two days of notice expressed the frustration, saying, “Are you kidding me?” and adding, “I feel like, if this school knew that they were already understaffed starting this school year, it should have just stayed online.” The Times writes, “Ms. Kisselman, who is working out of her living room as a county case manager, said it was ‘nearly impossible’ for her to help Sophia, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with her schoolwork. Steven Padilla, a spokesman for that district, told the Times that the district is using the time to reflect on safety protocols in order to “ensure that we will not have to return to short-term distance learning.”

Bonus Read: “Covid-Era Travel Risks Are Changing: What to Consider So You Don’t Get Stranded, (WSJ).

Analysis & Arguments

The Washington Post examines the efficacy of travel bans as pandemic response (WaPo).

Alexey Kovalev writes that the pandemic is revealing the limits of Putin’s power (NYT).

Rob Davidson, an ER doctor, reports on his experience of surging cases in Michigan (NYT).

Joan C. Williams argues that a return to the office could impoverish the middle class (Politico).

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

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

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