CDC is weighing an update to its guidance for states considering lifting local public health measures. The health policies receiving the most discussion are mask mandates, expiring in many cities, and mask mandates in schools. Several states, including New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, announced lifting their mandates in schools. This prompted an internal debate within CDC regarding whether the agency will continue to use transmission data as the benchmark for easing public health standards. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University, believes case numbers are not the right metric for making decisions on restrictions. “The metrics for deciding when restrictions should be lifted should be solely on hospitalizations and ICU capacity,” she said. Forbes reported the CDC would update the indoor mask-wearing guidelines as early as next week. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky underscored the CDC’s commitment to wearing masks in areas with high COVID-19 transmission and “universal masking in schools.”
Pfizer extended its timeline for vaccines for children six months through four years of age. FDA decided to postpone the agency’s February 15 scheduled Advisory Committee Meeting for emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine following the company’s release of new data. This move comes as additional findings in Pfizer’s clinical trial have prompted the FDA to take extra time to evaluate the data. Many in the White House and at HHS were reportedly caught off guard by the announcement but learned that the delays were not safety-related. The FDA’s press statement said the Administration would provide an update on the timing when sufficient evaluation of the data is complete.
Capitol Hill
The Biden Administration signaled to Congress that it wants $30 billion in additional COVID aid, according to The Washington Post. HHS officials made the informal pitch to lawmakers, with a formal White House request expected at a later date. An HHS spokesperson confirmed the discussions took place this past Tuesday, saying the funds would help the U.S. stay ahead of the virus. HHS is reportedly seeking $17.9 billion for medical countermeasures like antivirals and vaccines, in addition to $4.9 billion for testing, $3 billion to treat the uninsured and $3.7 billion to prepare for future variants. Another $500 million could be targeted for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance and operations.
Democrats and Republicans are working behind closed doors over the next two weeks to finish a full-year FY22 appropriations package, hoping to pass it by the time the soon-to-be-enacted stopgap funding bill (which the Senate is likely to vote on and approve today) expires on Friday, March 11. Appropriators set tentative top-line spending levels for the various appropriations subcommittees and it is unclear how the HHS request would factor into that emerging compromise. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Pat Leahy (D-VT) told reporters earlier this week that he was not interested in dealing with the HHS request as part of the FY22 omnibus spending package and would rather move it as a separate bill. Additionally, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said on the Senate floor recently that any funds for COVID efforts should come from re-purposing previously appropriated relief from earlier COVID spending packages, including the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL) has also endorsed looking to re-purpose funds.
On Feb. 15, the Senate voted 50-46 to confirm Dr. Robert Califf as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Republican senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Richard Burr (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Pat Toomey (R-PA) voted for Califf’s confirmation, while Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) voted against it. Califf previously served in the role during the last year of the Obama Administration.
On Feb. 14, House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and E&C subcommittee ranking members Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA) sent letters to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins “about their apparent attempts to suppress scientific debate and information about the origins of COVID-19 and how such efforts may have influenced the advice they gave the White House and policymakers in the early days of the pandemic.”
Administration
Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Rochelle Walensky expressed qualified optimism about the direction of the pandemic but indicated it is still too soon for an end to indoor masking requirements. Dr. Walensky also advised against dropping school mask mandates.
Approximately 130 nations are on the CDC’s Level 4 travel advisory list. Level 4 is the highest level, indicating travel to those countries on the list should be avoided.
USDA announced the final strategic framework outlining how the Agency will advance surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging zoonotic diseases. USDA noted early detection and response to pathogens with zoonotic potential while still in animals is essential in limiting or preventing human outbreaks.
HHS is providing $66.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding to eight grantees to expand outreach efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence and vaccinations.
The White House announced that more than 10 million households are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, the federal government’s broadband affordability program.
A Florida woman was sentenced to 44 months in prison for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program of more than $3.3 million in loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the CARES Act.
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Los Angeles County eased its outdoor mask mandate, allowing people to go without masks at more places and events such as schools and sporting events. Under the revised guidelines, residents will be allowed to go without masks outdoors at K-12 schools and childcare facilities, as well as outdoor “mega-events” at venues like the Hollywood Bowl and SoFi Stadium.
BioNTech announced it plans to create manufacturing facilities in Africa in order to bolster the company’s ability to provide more essential medicines, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Pending approval from local regulators, BioNTech will aim to begin producing up to 50 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine within the year in Africa.
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency released a new review of 15 studies finding that “long COVID-19” – COVID-19 symptoms that develop after acute coronavirus infection – is less likely to affect those who have been vaccinated against the virus. The review found that people who have received at least two doses of the Moderna, Pfizer, or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are half as likely to get long COVID-19 compared to their unvaccinated counterparts.
Data from two CDC reports today show COVID-19 vaccine boosters remain safe and continue to be highly effective against severe disease over time.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced this week the state would be conducting a COVID-19 booster lottery with cash prizes totaling $2 million as an incentive to get Marylanders to receive their extra coronavirus shots. The lottery, the first drawing of which starts next week, will allow any Maryland resident aged 18 years and older who has received their initial vaccine doses and booster shot in the state to enter for a chance to win thousands of dollars.
The nation’s largest business groups called on North American leaders to end disruptions at U.S.-Canada border crossings caused by truckers protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and Business Roundtable said that the blockades are “adding to the significant supply chain strains” on American companies.
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Webinars, Events and Resources |
Investing ARPA Funds in Behavioral Health Crisis Response
NACo
February 22, 3:00 PM ET
City Strategies and Partnerships to Increase Vaccine Access
NLC
February 23, 3:00 PM ET
A Post-Pandemic Legacy: How Can We Build a Justice System That Works For Everyone?
NACo
February 23, 2:00 PM ET
How to Use Community Data for ARPA & Grant Targeting
NLC
February 24, 2:00 PM ET
CRS Reports:
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