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WTO: Ministerial Delay, COVID-19, and Ongoing Issues [Updated June 5, 2021]
From the Overview: "Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the World Trade Organization (WTO) postponed its 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) until November 2021. The biennial meeting, which usually involves active U.S. participation, was widely anticipated as an action-forcing event for the WTO amid serious challenges facing the global trading system. Some members had hoped key results for ongoing negotiations could help bolster the WTO's relevance. In addition, a dispute settlement crisis continues, with the Appellate Body ceasing to operate in December 2019, and no consensus on solutions. Broader reforms of the institution also remain under active discussion, including some U.S. proposals. While MC12 and other meetings were suspended, members have attempted to continue some WTO operations virtually. The new WTO Director-General (DG) is also getting settled into her new role. The post had been vacant since fall 2020, after the Trump Administration objected to Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the candidate who had received the majority of WTO member support. The Biden Administration supported her candidacy, removing a major obstacle to her official appointment on February 15, 2021. [...] Some Members of Congress have expressed support for ongoing WTO reform efforts, sought clarification on the positions of the Administration, and proposed trade-related legislation in response to COVID-19."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Fefer, Rachel F.; Fergusson, Ian F.
2021-06-05
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 4, 2021: Hospitalization of Adolescents Aged 12-17 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 -- COVID-Net, 14 States, March 1, 2020-April 24, 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: "Hospitalization of Adolescents Aged 12-17 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] -- COVID-Net, 14 States, March 1, 2020-April 24, 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.)
2021-06-04
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MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 4, 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: "Estimated Annual Number of HIV Infections -- United States, 1981-2019"; COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Severity and COVID-19-Associated Deaths Among Hospitalized Patients with HIV Infection -- Zambia, March-December 2020"; "Impact of Policy and Funding Decisions on COVID-19 Surveillance Operations and Case Reports -- South Sudan, April 2020-February 2021"; "Patterns in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, by Social Vulnerability and Urbanicity -- United States, December 14, 2020-May 1, 2021"; and "Excess Death Estimates in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease -- United States, February-August 2020." 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.)
2021-06-04
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Federal Emergency and Major Disaster Declarations for the COVID-19 Pandemic [June 4, 2021]
From the Introduction: "On January 31, 2020, then-Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar declared a Public Health Emergency under Section 319 the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. On March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump simultaneously issued Proclamation 9994, which declared a national emergency pursuant to the National Emergencies Act (NEA), and declared an emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) for the pandemic. Subsequently, the President approved major disaster declaration requests under the Stafford Act for all 50 states, five territories, the District of Columbia, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. later approved major disaster declaration requests from the Navajo Nation, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, on March 16, 2020, then-Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Jovita Carranza began issuing disaster declarations for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) authorized under the Small Business Act in response to states seeking assistance for small businesses. The issuance of multiple federal emergency declarations for COVID-19 has raised congressional interest in the authorities and duration of each declaration. This report summarizes the different declarations issued in response to the pandemic and tabulates the forms of assistance authorized pursuant to each declaration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lee, Erica A.; Lister, Sarah A.; Halchin, L. Elaine . . .
2021-06-04
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Potential WTO TRIPS Waiver and COVID-19 [Updated June 4, 2021]
From the Document: "On May 5, 2021, the Biden Administration announced [hyperlink] its support for a proposed waiver of intellectual property rights (IPR) obligations [hyperlink] in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) [hyperlink] for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. This is significant, given the United States' history of advancing stronger IPR protections and enforcement globally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Fergusson, Ian F.
2021-06-04
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Argentina: An Overview [Updated June 4, 2021]
From the Document: "Situated on the Atlantic coast of South America's Southern Cone, Argentina is an electoral democracy and has Latin America's third-largest economy. U.S.-Argentine relations have been strong in recent years. [...] Current President Alberto Fernández of the center-left Peronist-led 'Frente de Todos' (FdT, Front for All) coalition won the October 2019 presidential election and was inaugurated to a four-year term in December 2019. [...] Upon taking office, President Fernández faced an economy in recession, high poverty, and unsustainable public debt. He pledged to restructure Argentina's debt and opened talks with bondholders and other creditors. He also rolled out several measures, including a food program and price controls on basic goods, aimed at helping low-income Argentines cope with inflation and increased poverty. [...] Like other South American countries, Argentina has been hard hit by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Cases and deaths have surged in recent months. As of June 4, 2021, the country reported almost 80,000 deaths, with a mortality rate of 177 per 100,000 people, according to Johns Hopkins University. The procurement and rollout of vaccines has been slow compared with some other countries, and some analysts maintain that vaccine availability will not be widespread until 2022. [...] Amid the pandemic and its economic fallout, President Fernández's popularity has declined. Midterm legislative elections, delayed a month until November 2021due to the pandemic, will be a key test for Fernández and his FdT coalition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-06-04
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COVID-19: DOD Has Focused on Strategy and Oversight to Protect Military Servicemember Health, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic poses risks to the health of U.S. servicemembers. Protecting forces from COVID-19 is therefore essential to DOD's ability to defend the United States, maintain warfighting readiness, and support the whole-of-government response to the pandemic. To help facilitate the COVID-19 pandemic response, Congress appropriated about $10.5 billion to DOD through the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight related to the pandemic. GAO was also asked to examine the military health system response to COVID-19. This report examines, in regard to COVID-19, DOD's (1) strategy for protecting military servicemember health, (2) oversight of its strategy, and (3) research and development projects for vaccines, therapeutics, and testing. GAO reviewed guidance and plans for health protection and pandemic response that comprise DOD's strategy, and evaluated alignment of the strategy with key considerations from prior GAO work on pandemic preparedness. To identify oversight efforts, GAO reviewed DOD briefings on the progress of health protection measures, and analyzed 2020 DOD data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and testing. GAO also interviewed DOD leaders, officials from the military department medical organizations, combatant commands, and four military medical treatment facilities selected on the basis of military department and location."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06-03
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 22, June 3, 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: "Five-year study now underway to determine COVID-19's [coronavirus disease 2019] long-term impacts on first responders"; "CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] releases updates to Active Shooter Preparedness Program, encourages preparedness for gun-related violence"; "Transportation Research Board report offers insights on post-hurricane supply chain resilience from 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria"; "R2 Network, a nationwide public safety network connecting first responders and tech innovators, launches free learning hub"; and "Cyber Threats."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-06-03
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COVID-19 Field Feature: Historic Pact Between Neighboring Agencies Offers Aid During Global Pandemic
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic highlighted the critical importance of collaboration across agencies. As the chief of Riverside (Illinois) Police Department, I wanted to incorporate protocols for our small community to dispatch our police officers to assist other jurisdictions, and receive assistance, when needed during this unprecedented time. The original idea for a mutual aid pact between the Illinois villages of Riverside, McCook, Brookfield, and North Riverside was sparked by the fact that these communities already participate in a consolidated dispatch center--West Central Consolidated Communications (WC3). Since a common infrastructure was already in place, it made sense to leverage that arrangement for additional benefits. Under the proposed mutual aid pact, WC3 would pick from the officers on call to respond to any of the communities within the consolidated dispatch center and assist each other with 'all' calls for police service--not just those occurring within the geographic boundaries of discrete jurisdictions."
Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center
Weitzel, Thomas
2021-06-03?
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Benefits of Coronavirus Suppression: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Response to the First Wave of COVID-19 in the United States [June 3, 2021]
From the Abstract: "This paper estimates the benefits and costs of state suppression policies to 'bend the curve' during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States. We employ an approach that values benefits and costs in terms of additions or subtractions to total production. Relative to a baseline in which only the infected and at-risk populations mitigate the spread of coronavirus, we estimate that total benefits of suppression policies to economic output are between $632.5 billion and $765.0 billion from early March 2020 to August 1, 2020. Relative to private mitigation, output lost due to suppression policies is estimated to be between $214.2 billion and $331.5 billion. The cost estimate is based on the duration of nonessential business closures and stay-at-home orders, which were enforced between 42 and 65 days. Our results indicate that the net benefits of suppression policies to slow the spread of COVID-19 are positive and may be substantial. We discuss uncertainty surrounding several parameters and employ alternative methods for valuing mortality benefits, which also suggest that suppression measures had positive net benefits."
PLoS ONE
Broughel, James, 1981-; Kotrous, Michael
2021-06-03
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated June 2, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects health care or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing health care, meat and poultry processing, and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. [...] On January 21, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order directing OSHA to review whether a COVID-19 ETS is necessary and,if necessary, issue an ETS by March 15, 2021. To date, OSHA has not issued a COVID-19 ETS. As of January 14, 2021, OSHA had issued citations from 315 inspections related to COVID-19 resulting in a total of $4,034,288 in proposed civil penalties. These citations have been issued for violations of the OSH Act's General Duty Clause and other existing OSHA standards, such as those for respiratory protection that may apply to COVID-19. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker have raised concerns about the low amount of penalties being assessed for COVID-19-related violations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-06-02
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Global Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Restrictions on Crime
From the Document: "The stay-at-home restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] led to unparalleled sudden change in daily life, but it is unclear how they affected urban crime globally. We collected data on daily counts of crime in 27 cities across 23 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We conducted interrupted time series analyses to assess the impact of stay-at-home restrictions on different types of crime in each city. Our findings show that the stay-at-home policies were associated with a considerable drop in urban crime, but with substantial variation across cities and types of crime. Meta-regression results showed that more stringent restrictions over movement in public space were predictive of larger declines in crime."
Nature Publishing Group
Nivette, Amy; Zahnow, Renee; Aguilar, Raul . . .
2021-06-02
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Virality Project Weekly Briefing #23: 'May 26, 2021 - June 2, 2021'
From the Key Takeaways: "[1] On May 25, the Virality Project noted that with the approval of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccines extended to younger children [hyperlink], we would see 'old narratives recycled from adult audiences to now target youth'. This week we see those tactics in action as a right-leaning doctors' group, 'America's Frontline Doctors', petitions to 'ban the use of Pfizer in children'. [2] French and German social media influencers were the target of a 'Russian-linked campaign to smear US- and European-developed vaccines' last week, bringing attention to 'influencers' potential role in the spread of and resistance to misinformation.' [3] Exceedingly rare cases of fatal blood clots following COVID-19 vaccination continue to capture the public and media's attention after BBC's [British Broadcasting Corporation] Lisa Shaw dies one week after receiving her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine."
Virality Project
2021-06-02
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Small Business Administration: Use of Supplemental Funds for Administering COVID-19-Related Programs, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic disrupted small businesses and generated an immediate need for emergency funding to keep businesses operating. In response, Congress dramatically increased the amount of loans, grants, and other financial assistance available from SBA [Small Business Administration]. To help SBA manage the large volume of assistance, Congress provided the agency additional funds for administrative expenses. Congress included a provision in statute for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on SBA's use of supplemental appropriations provided in fiscal year 2020 for administrative expenses. This report discusses (1) the amount of supplemental appropriations SBA received in fiscal year 2020 for administrative expenses and SBA's planned uses for these funds, and (2) the extent to which SBA had obligated and expended these funds as of January 31, 2021, and for what purposes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 1, 2021: Excess Death Estimates in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease -- United States, February-August 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: "Excess Death Estimates in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease -- United States, February-August 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.)
2021-06-01
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One for All: An Updated Action Plan for Global Covid-19 Vaccination
From the Foreword: "Right now, the world is only a little closer to ending the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic than it was at this time last year. Despite the tireless work of health care workers, the miracles of vaccine researchers and producers, and the trillions of dollars spent by governments, there are still too many people falling ill around the world and too many who have yet to receive the benefits of vaccination. And, with each new infection, we risk a mutation that could produce a variant - like the B1.1.7, B1.351 and B.1.617 variants we are seeing now - that could break out, cross borders and challenge vaccine efficacy. Nearly everyone agrees that we must vaccinate the world as soon as possible, or risk wasting all this work, sacrifice and investment. Unfortunately, until this report, 'One for All: An Updated Action Plan for Global Covid-19 Vaccination', there have been few workable, comprehensive plans to meet that objective nor the support to achieve it. The result has been inertia - a global vaccination initiative that lacks resources and ambition - and a growing gulf between the vaccinated world and the unvaccinated world."
Rockefeller Foundation
2021-06
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H. Rept. 117-49: DHS Medical Countermeasures Act, Report to Accompany H.R. 3263, June 1, 2021
From the Document: "H.R. 3263, the 'DHS Medical Countermeasures Act,' requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to establish a medical countermeasures program to facilitate personnel readiness and protection for the Department's employees and working animals in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosives attack, naturally occurring disease outbreak, or pandemic, and to support Department mission continuity. First introduced in the 114th Congress, and passed by the House of Representatives in the 115th Congress as part of H.R. 2825, the 'Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019,' this legislation is responsive to findings of an August 2014 DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report entitled, 'DHS Has Not Effectively Managed Pandemic Personal Protective Equipment and Antiviral Medical Countermeasures.' At the time, it was developed due to concern about the possibility of a severe pandemic that could cause illnesses, fatalities, and disrupt U.S. economic and social stability. The concerns of the DHS OIG report were realized on December 31, 2019, when the World Health Organization (WHO) identified a media report from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in China regarding dozens of patients receiving treatment for a 'viral pneumonia' from an unknown source. The virus, 'severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2' (SARS-CoV-2), causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since the initial cases, COVID-19 has resulted in a global pandemic. In the U.S. alone, the pandemic has resulted in the death of at least 590,000 people. COVID-19's impact was felt within the DHS workforce, which stands at more than 240,000 employees. With nearly 85 percent of the DHS personnel working on the frontlines and unable to work remotely or practice social distancing, keeping personnel safe during the pandemic has had homeland security implications."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-06-01
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Streamlining State Business Regulatory Processes to Support Economic Recovery: 'Learning from Administrative and Compliance Process Improvements During COVID-19'
From the Executive Summary: "As Governors work to facilitate a strong, rapid and equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, Governors have made reviewing business regulations and regulatory processes a priority. Innovations and changes to business regulations and their associated administrative processes were explored by many states to counter the economic fallout from the pandemic and can provide valuable lessons moving forward. This paper explores high-profile state-level changes to regulatory compliance and administrative processes from the past year, and addresses ways to assess their value and the benefit of continuing them with improved procedures for more streamlined implementation. It suggests policy areas that might be considered 'low hanging fruit' for Governors and state agencies interested in streamlining the administration of their regulations, as well as next steps to consider."
National Governors' Association; Pew Charitable Trusts
Rood, Sally A.; Rahn, Madelyn; Stephens, Rachel . . .
2021-06-01?
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Path to Resiliency: Mitigating the Impacts of COVID-19 on Essential Medicines Supply Chains
From the Abstract: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] has put a spotlight on health product supply chains, highlighting the challenges in multiple steps in the global supply chain. This paper seeks to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain of a subset of essential medicines. It identifies the main categories of b lockages in the global supply chain created by COVID-19, then uses data on trade flows, wholesalers, and pharma companies, and from surveys, to track the impact. There was significant short-term disruption to manufacturing caused by COVID-19. Surveys, pharmacy, and export data indicate that COVID-related disruptions impacted the supply of essential medicines, but this varied greatly by markets and product. The paper highlights that (1) data-driven approaches should be considered to make supply chains more robust, (2) solutions must account for the political and institutional landscape, (3) price surges benefit the wealthiest, and (4) local solutions are often needed to manage global shocks. More research is needed, particularly into how to obtain granular data to track supply shocks in real time? How do we increase surge capacity? Is it possible to improve procurement practices through pooled procurement, where applicable? And can pharmaceutical production be diversified, with products produced regionally to limit the risk of disruption?"
Center for Global Development
McDonnell, Anthony; Pisani, Elizabeth; Singhvi, Somya . . .
2021-06
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Digital Vaccine Credentials
From the Document: "Digital vaccine credentials certify that a person has been vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Such credentials can be a tool to mitigate COVID-19 transmission as countries seek to safely reopen social and economic activities, including travel. However, challenges related to data protection, interoperability, and equity may limit their use and potential public health benefits."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
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Promoting an Inclusive Recovery by Prioritizing Gender: A 'Care, Cash, and Data' Agenda for the IDA20 Replenishment
From the Document: "The World Bank estimates that the global pandemic could push between 55 and 63 million people into extreme poverty in IDA (the International Development Association) countries. With IDA being the largest source of concessional loans and grants for the world's poorest countries, its upcoming replenishment cycle (IDA20) is a key opportunity to promote a more inclusive recovery--and, in particular, one that reaches and benefits women and girls disproportionately hurt by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis. Against the backdrop of contracting fiscal space--in both donor and recipient countries--and competing priorities for IDA resources, establishing a robust agenda to promote gender equality for IDA20 is an imperative. IDA has sustained around $35 billion a year in loans and grants throughout the COVID-19 period and is aiming to maintain that level for at least the first two years of IDA20. But this will require achieving a larger financing envelope for IDA20, which can be done through a combination of donor grants and market borrowing."
Center for Global Development
O'Donnell, Megan; Bourgault, Shelby; Landers, Clemence
2021-06
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Resources for Tracking Federal COVID-19 Spending [Updated June 1, 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
2021-06-01
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VA COVID-19 Procurements: Pandemic Underscores Urgent Need to Modernize Supply Chain, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "In March 2020 and March 2021, Congress appropriated $19.6 billion and $17 billion in supplemental funds, respectively, for VA [Department of Veterans Affairs]'s COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] response effort. VA also authorized use of emergency flexibilities and automated aspects of its inventory system. In accordance with Congress's direction in the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act to monitor the exercise of authorities and use of funds provided to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the pandemic, relevant committees requested our sustained focus on VA. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to assess VA's acquisition management during its COVID-19 pandemic response. This report examines VA's efforts to obtain and track COVID-19-related products and services amid its ongoing struggle to improve its inventory and supply chain management."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
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Global Risk Landscape After COVID-19: What Role for Insurance?
From the Executive Summary: "The world is expected to transition to a 'New Normal' post-pandemic. Many trends that were already underway have been amplified by COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], and a number of lasting effects are expected to fundamentally change the risk landscape and operating environment for insurers, too. This report puts forward a baseline scenario for the post-pandemic risk landscape based on desk research and in-depth interviews, the key elements of which include changes to the political, economic, social and technological environment. Based on this baseline scenario we believe that accelerated digitalisation, 'Big Government', the pivot to sustainability, and the shift to remote working - in that order - are likely to have the most significant effects on insurers and their role in the post-pandemic world. The pandemic has hastened and amplified digitalisation and will accelerate consumers' embrace of e-commerce - for good. This offers new opportunities for insurers and their customers but also entails risks associated with strategic business objectives."
International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics
Schanz, Kai-Uwe
2021-06?
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COVID-19: TSA Could Better Monitor Its Efforts to Reduce Infectious Disease Spread at Checkpoints, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Within TSA, approximately 46,000 TSOs [Transportation Security Officers] stationed across the nation's commercial airports perform screening and other activities that often require close interaction with passengers. As a result, both passengers and TSOs may be at an increased risk of infection during pandemics such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to conduct monitoring and oversight of the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report identifies 1) what steps TSA has taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at passenger screening checkpoints; and 2) how TSA is monitoring TSOs' implementation of amended safety and screening procedures, among other objectives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
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Border Security: CBP's Response to COVID-19, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic impacted nearly all aspects of society, including travel to and from the U.S. In response to COVID-19, the administration issued executive actions with the intention of decreasing the number of individuals entering the U.S. and reducing transmission of the virus. Within CBP [Customs and Border Protection], OFO [Office of Field Operations] is responsible for implementing these actions at ports of entry through which travelers enter the U.S., and Border Patrol is responsible for patrolling the areas between ports of entry to prevent individuals and goods from entering the U.S. illegally. Based on their role in facilitating legitimate travel and trade and securing the borders, CBP employees risk exposure to COVID-19 in the line of duty. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how CBP managed its field operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report describes: (1) available data on the number of CBP employees diagnosed with COVID-19 and unable to work; (2) actions CBP has taken related to protecting its workforce and the public from COVID-19; and (3) the extent to which CBP adjusted operations in response to the pandemic and related travel restrictions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
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Independence Day Celebrations: Estimated Costs and COVID-19 Protective Measures for 2020 Fourth of July Events, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Since July 4, 1776, Americans have celebrated Independence Day through events held in towns and cities across the nation. In the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., visitors have celebrated on the National Mall with federally sponsored parades, concerts, fireworks, and in 2019 the Salute to America. In 2020, additional federally sponsored activities were held at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. Because of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, federal Fourth of July celebrations in 2020 required adjustments and precautions in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the estimated costs associated with the 2020 Fourth of July events and describe protective measures taken because of COVID-19. This report describes (1) the total estimated costs that federal agencies and state and local jurisdictions incurred for federal 2020 Fourth of July events, the appropriations used to pay the federal costs, and the extent to which the federal government reimbursed costs incurred by state and local jurisdictions and (2) the protective measures that federal agencies and state jurisdictions took to help ensure the health and safety of the public, federal employees, and other essential workers at the events."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
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Pan[dem]ic! Rational Risk Avoidance During a Health Pandemic
From the Abstract: "During a health pandemic health workers have to balance two competing objectives: their own welfare vs. that of their patients. Intuitively, attending to sick patients during a pandemic poses risks to health workers because some of these patients could be infected. One way to reduce risk is by reducing contact with patients. These changes could be on the extensive margin, e.g., seeing fewer patients; or, more insidiously, on the intensive margin, by reducing the duration/intensity of contact. This paper studies risk avoidance behavior during the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and examines implications for patient welfare. Using primary data on thousands of patient-provider interactions between January 2019 and October 2020 in Nigeria, I present evidence of risk compensation by health workers along the intensive margin. For example, the probability that a patient receives a physical examination has dropped by about a third. I find suggestive evidence of negative effects on health outcomes."
RAND Corporation
Okeke, Edward N.
2021-06
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COVID-19: Federal Air Marshal Service Should Document Its Response to Cases and Facilitate Access to Testing, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "In the U.S. there have been over 29 million cumulative reported cases of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and about 524,000 reported deaths, as of March 23, 2021. Public health officials have recommended social distancing and other steps to reduce the spread of the disease, but air marshals often work on planes where they cannot fully adopt these measures. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to conduct monitoring and oversight of the federal government's response to the COVID19 pandemic. This report examines (1) how many air marshals have been diagnosed with COVID-19; (2) FAMS's [U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service] steps to protect air marshals' health; and (3) how FAMS adapted its operations during the pandemic."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
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Veterans Community Care Program: VA Took Action on Veterans' Access to Care, but COVID-19 Highlighted Continued Scheduling Challenges, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "In June 2019, VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] implemented a new community care program--the VCCP [Veterans Community Care Program]--under which eligible veterans can receive care from community providers. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has previously reported on challenges VA has faced regarding oversight of its community care programs, including the VCCP. VA's ability to ensure veterans have timely access to care under the VCCP is especially important as VA continues to respond to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report describes (1) VA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the VCCP and (2) challenges selected VA medical facilities experienced scheduling VCCP appointments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06
