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KHN Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Monday, Nov 16 2020
'We Need To Take Some Action': Restrictions Ordered In Michigan, Washington
Schools, restaurants, recreational activities and group gatherings will all be impacted as the two states take more aggressive steps to try to curtail the latest virus surge.
Reuters: Michigan, Washington State Impose Severe COVID-19 Restrictions As U.S. Infections Soar
Michigan and Washington state on Sunday imposed sweeping new restrictions on gatherings, including halting indoor restaurant service, to slow the spread of the coronavirus as total U.S. infections crossed the 11 million mark, just over a week after hitting 10 million. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered a ban on in-person high school and college classes as well as indoor dining service for three weeks starting on Wednesday as increasingly cold weather drives people indoors where the virus can spread more easily. She banned public events at concert halls, casinos, movie theaters, skating rinks and other venues, while in-home gatherings will be limited to 10 people from no more than two households. (Shepardson and Lawder, 11/15)
Detroit Free Press: Whitmer Announces Sweeping New COVID-19 Shutdowns
In-person classes at high schools and colleges statewide will be suspended for three weeks along with eat-in dining at restaurants and bars under sweeping new restrictions aimed at reining in the exponential growth of coronavirus cases in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Sunday. The new public health order is to take effect Wednesday, and includes the cancellation of organized sports and group exercise classes, though gyms may remain open for individual exercise with strict safety measures, and professional and college athletics may continue. (Jordan Shamus, 11/15)
AP: Michigan Halts Classes, Indoor Dining As Coronavirus Surges
The restrictions will begin Wednesday and last three weeks. They are not as sweeping as when the Democratic governor issued a stay-at-home order last spring but are extensive. They were announced as Michigan faces surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations statewide and rising deaths. "The situation has never been more dire. We are at the precipice and we need to take some action," Whitmer said at an evening news conference. (Eggert, 11/16)
Seattle Times: Gov. Inslee Orders Sweeping Restrictions On Indoor Gatherings, Restaurants, Bars, Gyms As COVID-19 Cases Surge In Washington State
Social, economic and cultural life in Washington will slow to a crawl at 11:59 p.m. Monday night, as Gov. Jay Inslee orders broad restrictions and shutdowns for restaurants, theaters, gyms and all indoor gatherings in an effort to slow the state's burgeoning coronavirus epidemic. Inslee on Sunday morning ordered restaurants and bars to shut down indoor service and to limit outdoor service to parties of five or fewer. Indoor gyms and fitness centers must also shut down. Same with movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums. Indoor gatherings with people outside your household will be prohibited unless participants have quarantined for at least a week and tested negative. ( Gutman, Patrick and Lindblom, 11/15)
In related news —
CNN: Trump Coronavirus Adviser Scott Atlas Urges Michigan To 'Rise Up' Against New Covid-19 Measures
White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Scott Atlas criticized Michigan's new Covid-19 restrictions in a tweet shortly after they were announced Sunday evening, urging people to "rise up" against the new public health measures. "The only way this stops is if people rise up," Atlas said. (LeBlanc and Diamond, 11/15)
The Hill: Whitmer Responds To Atlas: I Won't 'Be Bullied Into Not Following Reputable Scientists'
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) fired back at Dr. Scott Atlas, one of President Trump's coronavirus task force advisers, on Sunday after Atlas criticized a set of restrictions on public life in Michigan meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. Atlas earlier Sunday evening tweeted that "[t]he only way this stops is if people rise up," referring to Whitmer's decision to end indoor dining in Michigan restaurants as well as in-person learning in high schools and universities. (Bowden, 11/15)
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