Coronavirus Update
May 26, 2022
Information and resources on federal responses to the coronavirus crisis for state, local, and regional government.
Top News
The Food and Drug Administration authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Children in the age group can get a booster shot at least five months after they’ve received the primary two-dose series, the FDA said in a statement. The booster shot is 10 micrograms, the exact dosage as the primary series for the age group and a third of the dosage given to people ages 12 and up. 

In a recent study, COVID-19 vaccinations may only offer limited protection against long COVID symptoms. The Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs national database to compare the prospects of long COVID symptoms. The study finds that one out of four adults aged 65 and older has had one or more long COVID health problems up to one year after an infection. Congress held a hearing last year to learn more about long COVID and what is being done to address it.  
 
A Gallup Poll published on May 23 found one-third of Americans think the coronavirus pandemic in the US is over. Twenty-one percent say their lives are back to normal while an equal number say their lives are not at all back to normal. 


Capitol Hill

The Senate failed to advance a bill that would have provided $48 billion to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The Small Business COVID Relief Act (S. 4008) included $40 billion to help restaurants and $8 billion to help other businesses, including gyms, live venues, minor league sports teams, and bus companies. The bill, which was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), failed to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster by a 52-43 vote due to concerns about ongoing deficit spending. The vote effectively ends a year-long lobbying push by the affected businesses to receive additional pandemic aid.  

Please visit our TFG Coronavirus Legislative Trackers on public health & safety, local government relief, and business assistance for detailed information on recently introduced bills. 

Administration

Treasury Deputy Secretary Adewale Adeyemo sent a letter on May 16 to state and local leaders urging them to use State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) in three ways: expanding the workforce and providing competitive wages; expanding access to affordable housing; and keeping families and communities safe. Treasury is in the process of releasing the second tranche of SLFRF funds – approximately one year after the first tranche was transferred.

The CDC found that one in five adults have a "long COVID" health condition that might be related to their previous COVID-19 illness, including neurologic and mental health conditions; kidney failure; musculoskeletal conditions; cardiovascular conditions; respiratory conditions; and blood clots and vascular issues. CDC also found COVID survivors have twice the risk of developing pulmonary embolism or respiratory conditions.  

The National Academy of Sciences published a research article noting that aerosol particle emissions during high-intensity aerobic workouts increase 132-fold as compared to a resting state. The findings – based on a study of an admittedly small group – suggest that high-intensity indoor exercise activities create an environment relatively heavily ladened with COVID-19.

The White House announced that the second Global COVID-19 Summit, co-hosted by the United States, Belize, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal, garnered new financial commitments totaling $3.2 billion, including $2.5 billion for COVID-19 and related response activities. It also raised $712 million in new commitments toward a new pandemic preparedness and global health security fund at the World Bank.

The Biden administration is delaying the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) “Buy America” requirements due to price and sourcing pressures. The Department of Transportation postponed the new requirement for 180 days. The administration issued guidance in April requiring projects funded by BIL to source domestic steel, iron, and construction materials. The BIL and Buy America provisions were enacted, in part, to help the nation recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the US had more deaths above normal levels during the pandemic than most other wealthy countries. WHO studied the “excess deaths” -- the number of deaths in a particular period, relative to that expected during “normal times.” According to the estimate, the US had 15% deaths above normal in 2020 and 2021. By contrast, Australia saw a four percent decrease in excess deaths during the same period. 

The National Vital Statistics System reported 3,659,289 births in 2021, an increase of about 46,000 (or 1%) from 2020, when there was a sharp drop in births. 
Industry & Advocacy
Some people disabled by long COVID are struggling in the workplace and employers are refusing to make accommodations for the new condition, according to disability advocates who recently testified on Capitol Hill. During a House Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion hearing, witnesses detailed the challenges that disabled people continue to face in accessing financial services, equitable housing, and work opportunities. Witnesses spoke about accommodations that would be helpful to long COVID sufferers, such as allowing them to work from home, making schedules more flexible, adjusting dress codes, and allowing employees, such as cashiers, the option to sit or stand during the workday. The rate at which long COVID occurs among patients still remains unclear. Symptoms of the condition are diverse and can range from mild to debilitating. Many people report breathing issues, persistent brain fog, and fatigue. 
 
The U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Conference of State Legislatures, International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, and National League of Cities are calling for a national strategy to invest in the nation's workforce. Their call states that “it is imperative for all levels of government to come together to support economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent Great Resignation, and the aging of the country’s core infrastructure.” The groups are urging Congress to support employers' urgent workforce needs by providing at-scale investments in the nation’s workforce development systems and programs. The groups also support increasing legal immigration by raising employment-based visa program caps to expand the pool of qualified individuals for jobs.  

The National League of Cities (NLC) published an article titled, "How Cities Can Build Equitable and Effective Emergency Rental Assistance Programs," which discusses the significance of emergency rental assistance programs. The article provides comprehensive information on designing, launching, implementing, and refining an emergency rental assistance program.  
 
Vaccine & Treatment News

Pfizer and BioNTech have stated that three doses of their COVID-19 vaccine triggered a strong immune response in children younger than five years old, proving to be about 80 percent effective at preventing symptomatic illness. The trial was conducted when the highly transmissible omicron variant was dominant. It involved more than 1,678 children under five years of age. Children received a dosage that is one-tenth the level given to adults. 
Webinars, Events and Resources
Addressing the Nation’s Behavioral Health Crisis with Recovery Funds 
NACo 
June 6, 3:00 PM ET 

GAO Reports


CRS Reports

For more information please contact Mike Miller: mmiller@tfgnet.com (707) 224-8648