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Inconsistent Documentation and Management of COVID-19 Vaccinations for Community Living Center Residents
From the Document: "While reviewing the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) plans to document receipt and distribution of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) determined that VHA facilities did not consistently document the COVID-19 vaccination status of veterans living in VA's [Department of Veterans Affairs] community living centers (CLCs). This management advisory memorandum is meant to provide information to help VHA leaders determine if there is a need for additional national guidance or other remedial action before the OIG releases its full report on vaccine distribution."
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
2021-04-14
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Island Voices and Covid-19: Vulnerability and Resilience, Views from 'The Strategist'
From the Introduction: "This Strategic Insights report is being published as part of an ASPI [Australian Strategic Policy Institute] project that focuses on the vulnerabilities of Indo-Pacific island states in the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] era. It presents a series of views on ways that insiders and external observers have viewed the vulnerabilities and resilience of island countries in the Pacific and Indian Oceans in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. All of these contributions have appeared as posts on 'The Strategist' [hyperlink]. They don't try to offer a sequential account of events or perceptions but represent a collection of responses to the crisis. The authors were not asked to address a single issue but, rather, were encouraged to focus on issues of relevance to them. The result is a mosaic rather than a portrait of nearly a year of living with the tensions posed by the pandemic. Two key themes do tend to dominate this mosaic. One concerns the way vulnerabilities are expressed as challenges. The second identifies the opportunities that resilience can create. Many small island states in the Pacific and Indian Oceans lack the resilience in medical infrastructure--physical and human--to absorb the onslaught of the pandemic if it had hit them with the ferocity of the European or American experience. While this has not occurred (and may not, if an effective vaccine reaches them soon), their economic resilience has been put under serious pressure by the policies adopted to manage the pandemic's continuing public health threat."
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Brewster, David; Herr, Richard
2021-04-13?
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Private Schooling After a Year of COVID-19: How the Private Sector Has Fared and How to Keep it Healthy
From the Executive Summary: "As COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] struck the United States in March 2020, sending the nation into lockdown, worry about the fate of private schools was high. These schools, which only survive if people can pay for them, seemed to face deep trouble. Many private schools have thin financial margins even in good economic times and rely not only on tuition but also on fundraisers, such as in-person auctions, to make ends meet. When the pandemic hit, many such events were canceled, and churches no longer met in person, threatening contributions that help support some private schools. Simultaneously, many private schooling families faced tighter finances, making private schooling less affordable. Finally, families that could still afford private schooling might have concluded that continuing to pay for education that was going to be online-only made little sense. To gauge how the private schooling sector has fared amid the coronavirus pandemic, Cato's Center for Educational Freedom launched the COVID-19 Permanent Private School Closures tracker. The tracker attempts to capture all private schools that announced permanent closure--not just temporary closure of a building to in-person education--with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic having at least partially driven the decision."
Cato Institute
McCluskey, Neal P., 1972-
2021-04-13
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Virality Project Weekly Briefing #16: 'April 6, 2021 - April 13, 2021'
From the Key Takeaways: "[1] Discussions about 'vaccine passports continued to dominate online' spaces as states announced plans to roll out or ban using proof of vaccination for events and businesses. In response, people have used social media to share ways to 'fake vaccination status.' [2] 'Concerns about AstraZeneca's vaccine and blood clots' continued to grow as the European Medical Association announced a possible causal link. Meanwhile, breaking news of the 'suspension of the J&J [Johnson & Johnson] vaccine' for blood clot concerns is already fueling vaccine safety concerns in the US. We will monitor online discussion around this event as it unfolds this week. [3] The 'high-profile deaths' of Prince Philip and rapper DMX were both falsely linked to their recent COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccinations. These deaths, along with 'reports of more military members refusing to receive a vaccine,' have promoted vaccine hesitancy online."
Virality Project
2021-04-13
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COVID-19: Financial Relief and Assistance Resources for Renters [Updated April 12, 2021]
From the Document: "This Insight highlights resources from selected federal agencies and other organizations that may aid renters at risk of eviction due to circumstances related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Minter, Alyse N.
2021-04-12
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Legal Issues Related to Transportation Mask-Wearing Mandates [April 12, 2021]
From the Document: "On January 21, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order [hyperlink] directing federal agencies to require mask wearing in a range of transportation contexts nationwide. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order [hyperlink] (Mask Order) requiring mask wearing on commercial and public transportation. A number of other federal agencies have since taken additional actions to support the enforcement of these mask-wearing requirements. This Legal Sidebar provides a brief overview of the CDC's Mask Order and the role of other federal agencies in enforcing its requirements. It then discusses a number of related legal considerations for Congress, including the scope of the federal government's authority to impose mask-wearing requirements in transportation contexts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Adkins, Bryan L.
2021-04-12
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COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update [As of April 12, 2021]
From the Document: "Travel Restrictions LIFTED at 147 of 230 Installations (64%) (Met: Step 1 & Step 2). Of the 147 installations with lifted travel restrictions this week, 0 reinstated travel restrictions while 2 lifted restrictions."
United States. Department of Defense
2021-04-12
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SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVOG) [Updated April 12, 2021]
From the Summary: "Most of the SBA's [Small Business Administration's] funding during the 116th Congress was provided through supplemental appropriations for new and expanded programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program ($806.45 billion), Economic Injury Disaster Loans ($50.02 billion), Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance (grant) payments ($20 billion), Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance (grant) payments ($20 billion), and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program ($15 billion). This report focuses on the new $16.25 billion SVOG program--authorized by P.L. [public law] 116-260, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (Division N, Title III of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021), provided an additional $1.25 billion by P.L. 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and administered by the SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance--which provides grants to shuttered venues affected by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean
2021-04-12
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 12, 2021: Emergency Department Visits for COVID-19 by Race and Ethnicity -- 13 States, October-December 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Emergency Department Visits for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] by Race and Ethnicity -- 13 States, October-December 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-04-12
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 12, 2021: Trends in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Hospitalizations, by Region -- United States, March-December 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Trends in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Hospitalizations, by Region -- United States, March-December 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-04-12
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COIVD-19 and Private Health Insurance Coverage: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated April 9, 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues in 2021. As private health insurance is the predominant source of health coverage in the United States, there is considerable congressional interest in understanding private health insurance coverage of health benefits related to COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. This report addresses frequently asked questions about covered benefits and consumer cost sharing related to COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination. It explains relevant legislation enacted in 2020, references existing federal requirements, discusses applicable administrative guidance, and notes state and private-sector actions. It begins with background information on types and regulation of private health insurance plans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Forsberg, Vanessa C.
2021-04-09
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 9, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Use of Real-Time PCR for 'Chlamydia psittaci' Detection in Human Specimens During an Outbreak of Psittacosis - Georgia and Virginia, 2018"; "COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Among American Indian/Alaska Native and White Persons - Montana, March 13-November 30, 2020"; "Use of Stay-at-Home Orders and Mask Mandates to Control COVID-19 Transmission - Blackfeet Tribal Reservation, Montana, June-December 2020"; "Provisional Mortality Data - United States, 2020"; "Death Certificate-Based ICD-10 Diagnosis Codes for COVID-19 Mortality
Surveillance - United States, January-December 2020"; "Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with a Local Bar Opening Event - Illinois, February 2021"; "COVID-19 Stats: College and University COVID-19 Student Testing Protocols, by Mode of Instruction§ (N = 1,849) - United States, Spring 2021"; and "QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Who Had an Influenza Vaccination in the Past 12 Months, by Sex and Race/Ethnicity§ -National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
McGovern, Olivia L.; Kobayashi, Miwako; Shaw, Kelly A. . . .
2021-04-09
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Resources for Tracking Federal COVID-19 Spending [Updated April 9, 2021]
From the Summary: "Congress has responded to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with supplemental appropriations measures providing relief and assistance to individuals and families, state and local governments, businesses, health care providers, and other entities. This report provides selected sources for tracking COVID-19 relief and assistance spending. It contains links to and information on government sources detailing spending amounts at various levels, including consolidated spending by multiple government agencies, spending by individual government agencies, and spending for specific recipients and geographies. The sources themselves are large government databases, individual agencies, oversight entities, and selected nongovernmental entities that attempt to repackage information on spending amounts obtained from available government sources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Teefy, Jennifer; Kreiser, Maria
2021-04-09
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Customer Perceptions of the U.S. Postal Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Executive Summary: "The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused a global pandemic as countries closed their borders and once-bustling streets stilled. Within the United States, various states, counties, and cities issued shelter-at-home orders, social distancing guidance, or both. As the virus spread throughout 2020, the U.S. Postal Service remained a valuable and essential institution for individuals and families who were increasingly relying on mail for deliveries of online goods. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a survey to better understand customer needs, wants, and perceptions of the Postal Service during the pandemic. This research provides a snapshot of customer behavior and perceptions during calendar year 2020, as well as self-reported expectations for potential future behavior. We fielded a nationally representative survey in October 2020. When appropriate, we compared these results against previous OIG survey data in order to analyze changes in behavior across four years. This research revealed that Americans perceived mail to be important, and many held generally favorable views of the Postal Service overall during the pandemic. When asked about specific aspects of the Postal Service, however, respondents were less familiar with their letter carriers, more dissatisfied with post office wait times, and less satisfied with the timeliness of their mail deliveries compared to previous years."
United States Postal Service. Office of Inspector General
2021-04-09
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Recovery Legislation Should Build on ACA Successes to Expand Health Coverage, Improve Affordability
From the Document: "The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health coverage to more than 24 million people, sharply dropping the uninsured rate for people of all ages, of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and at all education levels. The recently enacted American Rescue Plan -- particularly its two-year premium tax credit enhancements for marketplace enrollees and strong financial incentives for states to expand Medicaid -- is expected to reach millions of the roughly 30 million people who remain uninsured, a group disproportionately composed of people of color. To address these disparities and make further strides toward universal coverage, an essential priority for recovery legislation, Congress should make broader, permanent improvements to marketplace coverage. [...] Building on these successes to further strengthen marketplace coverage should be a top priority in recovery legislation. Permanently enhancing premium tax credits, reducing people's deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, and extending marketplace coverage to more families whose employer-sponsored coverage is unaffordable, among other policies, would expand coverage to more people and make health care more accessible and affordable."
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)
Lueck, Sarah; Straw, Tara
2021-04-08
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 14, April 8, 2021
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] National Emphasis Program focuses on protecting workers against COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], impacts EMS [Emergency Medical Services] agencies"; "Resources for security awareness and mitigation against vehicle ramming attacks on soft targets and crowded places"; "DHS S&T [Science and Technology] partnership and grant funding support regional planners in pre-coordination, licensing, and distribution of 700 and 800 MHz [Megahertz] safety band"; "Webinar: 911 - Sticking together in the critical hours"; "FBI-CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency] joint advisory on exploitation of Fortinet FortiOS vulnerabilities"; "CISA gives agencies 90 days to further harden networks against Microsoft email threat"; "Ransomware crooks are targeting vulnerable VPN [virtual private network] devices in their attacks"; and "Meet Janeleiro, a new banking Trojan striking company, government targets."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-04-08
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FEMA Funeral Assistance for COVID-19 [Updated April 8, 2021]
From the Document: "Congress authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide Funeral Assistance for deaths associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 [hyperlink] and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 [hyperlink]. This Insight provides an overview of FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, including eligible expenses, applicant eligibility criteria, and award amounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.
2021-04-08
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Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments and COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated April 8, 2021]
"In rare situations, Medicare Part A providers (e.g., acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other inpatient care facilities) and Part B suppliers (e.g., physicians, nonphysician practitioners, durable medical equipment [DME] suppliers, and others who furnish outpatient services) face cash flow challenges due to specified circumstances beyond their control. Under such circumstances, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can provide temporary relief through the accelerated payment program (Part A) and the advance payment program (Part B). CMS has offered these programs, collectively referred to as the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) programs, in an attempt to alleviate some concerns about the financial challenges faced by Medicare suppliers and providers. These amounts eventually are recovered by Medicare, typically by withholding payment for subsequent claims up to the amount of the accelerated or advance payments. [...] This report addresses frequently asked questions about the Medicare AAP programs, including the terms and conditions of eligibility, payment amounts and sources of funds, recovery of payments, applicable interest charges, and administrative and legislative changes during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] PHE [public health emergency]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hahn, Jim; Villagrana, Marco A.
2021-04-08
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Expiring State COVID-19 Emergency Declarations: Effects on Federal Aid [Updated April 7, 2021]
From the Document: "Some states, tribes, and territories (hereinafter 'states') may consider rescinding or sun-setting their state-level emergency and disaster declarations, as states make progress in containing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Regardless of state decisions, the federal declarations of a public health emergency (under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §247d)), two national emergencies (under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. §1601 et seq.) and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §5121 et seq., hereinafter 'Stafford Act')) and major disasters for each state (also under the Stafford Act) remain in place. This Insight examines the potential impact of lapsing state emergency declarations on the availability of federal aid, either generally or with respect to certain expenses, provided through the Stafford Act as well as six COVID-19 related supplements[.]"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stienstra, Lauren; Aussenberg, Randy Alison; Lee, Erica A. . . .
2021-04-07
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 7, 2021: Factors Associated with Participation in Elementary School-Based SARS-CoV-2 Testing--Salt Lake County, Utah, December 2020-January 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Factors Associated with Participation in Elementary School-Based Sars-Cov-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Testing--Salt Lake County, Utah, December 2020-January 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-04-07
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Serious Concerns About SBA's Control Environment and the Tracking of Performance Results in the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program
From the Document: "The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is issuing this Management Alert regarding serious concerns with the control environment and the tracking of performance results in the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program requiring immediate attention and action. Last April we issued a white paper informing the SBA about the risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic funds not being used for their intended purpose and therefore not achieving entrepreneurial development program goals and objectives. SBA should consider the risks and lessons learned as it implements a new program under a compressed timeline providing disaster assistance grants to eligible small businesses under the SVOG program. Expedited management action would improve SBA's oversight of the program and ensure it meets the intended results when administering this $16.25 billion grant program."
United States. Small Business Administration. Office of the Inspector General
2021-04-07
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Is High Inflation a Risk in 2021? [April 6, 2021]
From the Document: "Assuming public health continues to improve, many economists project rapid economic growth in 2021. The unprecedented fiscal [hyperlink] and monetary [hyperlink] stimulus in response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is also expected to continue in 2021. Some observers have questioned whether the combination of stimulus and rapid growth will result in rising prices [hyperlink]. [...] The economy experienced persistently high inflation in the 1970s and early 1980s [hyperlink], last reaching double-digits in 1981. Most economists believe this high inflation was caused by overly expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, along with significant increases in energy prices. Additionally, as expectations of higher inflation became incorporated into consumer and business decisions, these expectations contributed to actual increases in inflation. The Federal Reserve (Fed) raised short-term interest rates significantly in the early 1980s, which successfully brought inflation down quickly, though at the cost of a recession."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Keightley, Mark P.; Labonte, Marc; Weinstock, Lida R.
2021-04-06
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Review of Community-Based Outpatient Clinics Closed Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Executive Summary: "On March 11, 2020, due to the 'alarming levels of spread and severity,' the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] a pandemic. The VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review of community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) closures due to COVID-19 to evaluate the impact on the provision of patient care related to the pandemic. Based on survey responses and interviews with facility leaders, the OIG concluded that, generally, patient care needs were not interrupted. Clinicians triaged patients and offered other care delivery options including virtual care."
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General
2021-04-06
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Virality Project Weekly Briefing #15: 'March 31, 2021 - April 6, 2021'
From they Key Takeaways: "[1] The debate around vaccine passports continues in the U.S. and around the world, with conservative and conspiratorial groups expressing concern over the proposals. [2] Viral images of skin reactions after COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccines continue to further vaccine safety concerns. [3] Announcements from Pfizer about their vaccine trials for children and six-month efficacy were met with largely positive responses, though some anti-vax users misinterpreted these headlines. [4] Cases of people experiencing blood clots after AstraZeneca vaccinations continue to further safety concerns globally."
Virality Project
2021-04-06
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 5, 2021: Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with a Local Bar Opening Event -- Illinois, February 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Associated with a Local Bar Opening Event -- Illinois, February 2021." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-04-05
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Small Businesses and COVID-19: Relief and Assistance Resources [Updated April 5, 2021]
From the Document: "This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight presents selected websites and CRS products potentially relevant to small businesses that are directly affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and seeking economic relief and assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kreiser, Maria
2021-04-05
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Spending Clause Conditions and the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund [April 2, 2021]
From the Document: "The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 [hyperlink] (ARPA) tasks the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) with disbursing to states more than $190 billion appropriated for the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund [hyperlink] ('CSFRF'). States may use CSFRF dollars to cover a wide range [hyperlink] of costs incurred by December 31, 2024. States must certify [hyperlink] that they will comply with statutory conditions on the use of CSFRF funds. States that violate a condition must [hyperlink] repay Treasury 'an amount equal to the amount of funds used' in the violation. [...] One condition has attracted legal controversy. ARPA prohibits [hyperlink] states from using CSFRF funds to 'directly or indirectly offset a reduction in the net tax revenue of such State' resulting from 'a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation' that reduces 'any tax' or delays the imposition of any tax or tax increase. [...] For states participating in the CSFRF program, this tax condition applies during a 'covered period' that began [hyperlink] on March 3, 2021, and ends on the last day of the fiscal year in which a state spends or returns all CSFRF funds or Treasury recovers improperly spent funds. [...] In general, States objecting to the tax condition argue, in part, that the condition is impermissibly coercive and ambiguous. This Sidebar examines both contentions and considers what might be next for the tax condition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stiff, Sean M.
2021-04-02
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 2, 2021
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This issue of MMWR contains the following: "Use of Selected Recommended Clinical Preventive Services -- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2018"; "Community-Associated Outbreak of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in a Correctional Facility -- Utah, September 2020-January 2021"; "Willingness to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccination Among Incarcerated or Detained Persons in Correctional and Detention Facilities -- Four States, September-December 2020"; "Rapid Spread of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] in a State Prison After Introduction by Newly Transferred Incarcerated Persons -- Wisconsin, August 14-October 22, 2020"; "Counties with High COVID-19 Incidence and Relatively Large Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations -- United States, April 1-December 22, 2020"; "Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic -- United States, August 2020-February 2021"; "Interim Estimates of Vaccine Effectiveness of BNT162b2 [Pfizer-BioNTech] and mRNA-1273 [Moderna] COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Personnel, First Responders, and Other Essential and Frontline Workers -- Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020-March 2021"; and "'QuickStats': Percentage of Adults with Fair or Poor Health, by Home Ownership Status and Age Group -- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019." Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-04-02
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Water Service Issues and COVID-19: Recent Congressional Funding [April 2, 2021]
From the Document: "Several water service issues have garnered increased congressional attention during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic. Among these, some are long-standing concerns over household water-rate affordability and the condition of municipal water infrastructure. Other issues have emerged as water systems and/or local governments have experienced COVID-19-related revenue shortages, which may affect water systems' operations, maintenance, and/or financial sustainability. During the pandemic, Congress has enacted a number of proposals to address these and other issues. To address water-rate affordability, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) provided $638 million for water or wastewater rate assistance on behalf of low-income households. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) included another $500 million for such assistance, and provided $350 billion for state and local governments for COVID-19-related purposes, among them water or sewer infrastructure investments. This Insight briefly reviews water system financial practices, and identifies some challenges for water service providers and their customers raised by the pandemic. It also discusses recent congressional actions to address these issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Perl, Libby
2021-04-02
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Mexican Drug Trafficking and Cartel Operations Amid COVID-19 [Updated April 2, 2021]
From the Document: "Mexico is a primary foreign producer and transit country for illicit drugs destined [hyperlink] for the United States. Policymakers, including many in Congress, have closely watched how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting drug flow patterns out of Mexico, including the flow of potent opioids and other illicit drugs. Any changes could affect the extent to which Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), popularly described as cartels, pose a threat to U.S. national security. To date, U.S.-bound illicit drug supplies appear to be returning to pre-pandemic levels, despite early supply chain disruptions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.; Rosen, Liana W.
2021-04-02
