Latest Morning Briefing Stories
California’s Smallest County Makes Big Vaccination Gains
In rural Alpine County, where snowbound mountain passes isolate small towns, distributing the covid vaccine is a community effort. Unlike in many urban areas where residents jockey for limited appointments, the pace of vaccinations here is strong and steady.
The State of Vaccine Supply: ‘Opaque.’ Unpredictable. ‘Hard to Pin Down.’
Americans’ frustrations surrounding the amount of available covid vaccine hinges on several factors — not the least of which is that demand far exceeds supply.
Comparing Death Tolls From Covid to Past Wars Is Fraught
Covid-19 has now killed more Americans than World War II did. That fact helps some people put the viral death toll in perspective, while others find it offensive.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Covid and Kids
Can schools safely reopen before all teachers and staffers are vaccinated against covid? And what’s the best way to communicate that science — and scientific recommendations — change and evolve? Also, get ready for a redo of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act coverage, this time with help and outreach to find those eligible. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Cara Anthony, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about a family and a baby and a very random insurance rule.
Covid-Certified Businesses Try to Woo Leery Patrons
Public health officials in Colorado have joined forces with local businesses in a new program meant to encourage people to shop and dine in a covid-crippled economy.
‘Cruel’ Digital Race For Vaccines Leaves Many Seniors Behind
Glitchy websites, jammed phone lines and long lines outside clinics are commonplace as states expand who’s eligible to be vaccinated. The oldest Americans and those without caregivers and computer skills are at a distinct disadvantage.
Hard Bargain: Biden and Congress Agree on Basic Relief, but Chasms Remain on Covid Plan
Agreement between the president and Republican senators on funding for basic public health matters such as vaccine distribution and covid testing was an easy target. That money can’t move out, though, until accord is reached on some of the president’s big-ticket economic plans.
In Austin, Some Try to Address Vaccine Inequity, but a Broad Plan Is Elusive
The east side of Austin has few of the chain stores key to the Texas vaccination plan. But local officials have done pop-up vaccination events in the community to get more shots to Blacks and Latinos.
A Recipe for Trouble? Reversal of California Outdoor Dining Ban Has Heads Spinning
Who knows whether banning outdoor dining was a good idea in the first place. But even the experts aren’t sure it was smart to bring it back.
100 Million Covid Shots in 100 Days Doesn’t Get Us Back to Normal
President Joe Biden’s promise to reach this milestone is an important step forward in vaccine rollout. But it is only the beginning of the sweeping vaccination effort required.