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• Pandemic Highlights Need for Additional Tribal Drinking Water Assistance and Oversight in EPA Regions 9 and 10

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  From the Document: "The Office of Inspector General initiated [hyperlink] this evaluation to determine how the coronavirus pandemic--that is, the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus and resultant COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] disease--affected the ability of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regions 9 and 10 to provide oversight to help public water systems in Indian Country deliver safe drinking water to customers. Our work focused on oversight of tribal drinking water systems in Regions 9 and 10, as more federally recognized tribes are located in these two regions than in other EPA regions. We sought to understand the conditions facing tribal drinking water systems and how the pandemic affected the regions' direct implementation and use of existing regulations and tools during the pandemic."

  United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General

  2021-09-27
• Care Concerns and the Impact of COVID-19 on a Patient at the Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System in North Carolina

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  From the Executive Summary: "The VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a healthcare inspection at the Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System (facility) in North Carolina to assess concerns related to quality, coordination, and timeliness of a patient's care in 2020. The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the care of the patient was also evaluated. The patient later died at another Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility."

  United States. Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Inspector General

  2021-09-27
• Influence of Social Distancing Behaviors and Psychosocial Factors on Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

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  From the Abstract: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has arguably facilitated a shift toward increased sedentariness and reduced physical activity. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that mental health has also declined during the pandemic. However, it remains unknown to what extent social distancing (SD) behaviors and mental health have affected the physical activity levels of the general population. [...] The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of SD behaviors and prevailing mental health on the odds of being physically active during the early COVID-19 pandemic response"

  JMIR Publications

  Cross, Troy J.; Isautier, Jennifer; Morris, Sarah J. . . .

  2021-09-24
• COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors

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  From the Introduction: "On September 9, President Biden announced his Path Out of the Pandemic: COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Action Plan [hyperlink]. One of the main goals of this science-based plan is to get more people vaccinated. As part of that plan, the President signed Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors [hyperlink], ('the order') which directs executive departments and agencies, including independent establishments subject to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. [United States Code] § 102(4)(A), to ensure that covered contracts and contract-like instruments include a clause ('the clause') that the contractor and any subcontractors (at any tier) shall incorporate into lower-tier subcontracts. This clause shall specify that the contractor or subcontractor shall, for the duration of the contract, comply with all guidance for contractor or subcontractor workplace locations published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force ('Task Force'), provided that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget ('OMB') approves the Task Force Guidance (the or this 'Guidance') and determines that the Guidance, if adhered to by covered contractors, will promote economy and efficiency in Federal contracting. The actions directed by the order will ensure that parties who contract with the Federal Government provide COVID-19 safeguards in workplaces with individuals working on or in connection with a Federal Government contract or contract-like instrument. [...] Pursuant to this Guidance, and in addition to any requirements or workplace safety protocols that are applicable because a contractor or subcontractor employee is present at a Federal workplace, Federal contractors and subcontractors with a covered contract will be required to conform to the following workplace safety protocols: 1. COVID-19 vaccination of covered contractor employees, except in limited circumstances where an employee is legally entitled to an accommodation; 2. Compliance by individuals, including covered contractor employees and visitors, with the Guidance related to masking and physical distancing while in covered contractor workplaces; and 3. Designation by covered contractors of a person or persons to coordinate COVID-19 workplace safety efforts at covered contractor workplaces."

  Safer Federal Workforce Task Force

  2021-09-24
• MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 24, 2021: Association Between K-12 School Mask Policies and School-Associated COVID-19 Outbreaks -- Maricopa and Pima Counties, Arizona, July-August 2021

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  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: "Association Between K-12 School Mask Policies and School-Associated COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Outbreaks -- Maricopa and Pima Counties, Arizona, July-August 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.)

  2021-09-24
• MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 24, 2021: COVID-19-Related School Closures and Learning Modality Changes -- United States, August 1-September 17, 2021

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  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: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-Related School Closures and Learning Modality Changes -- United States, August 1-September 17, 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.)

  2021-09-24
• MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 24, 2021: Pediatric COVID-19 Cases in Counties with and Without School Mask Requirements -- United States, July 1-September 4, 2021

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  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: "Pediatric COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Cases in Counties With and Without School Mask Requirements -- United States, July 1-September 4, 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.)

  2021-09-24
• Current Responses to Housing Insecurity: A Focus on Vulnerable Residential Renters and Landlords

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  From the Document: "On July 31, 2021, the federal eviction moratorium that kept an estimated 30 million people in their homes at the height of the pandemic officially expired. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a subsequent order on August 3, 2021 to temporarily halt evictions in counties where COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] is spreading rapidly, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled later that month that the CDC exceeded its statutory authority by imposing the nationwide eviction moratorium, effectively ending it. The ruling means that eviction proceedings can resume where state or local moratoriums are not currently in place. [...] Although certain state and local governments extended their eviction moratoriums, housing experts still expect a wave of evictions this year, prompting an immediate need to alleviate the pressures on renters and landlords. In response, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (New York Fed), in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Fed), the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the Housing Initiative at Penn (HIP), convened a roundtable of housing practitioners, policymakers, and funders to identify solutions. This roundtable discussion is part of the New York Fed's broader body of work seeking to enable economic mobility for low- and moderate-income households, especially those facing poverty or structural disparities related to race or ethnicity. Below are key takeaways that we heard from experts on the experiences of renters and landlords."

  Federal Reserve Bank of New York

  Body, Dyvonne; Landau, Rebecca; Reyes, Edison . . .

  2021-09-23?
• Media Influence on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake in Africa: Policy Brief

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  From the Background: "The novel COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is triggering unprecedented crises in human wellbeing and economies. It has also accelerated the development of vaccines that will prevent further spread of infection and will induce herd immunity in the long term. While COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical control measures such as social distancing, washing hands regularly and wearing masks have proven potential to curb the spread of the disease, vaccination is the most effective public health intervention for communicable infectious disease and will result in long-term prevention and control. [...] [T]he role of media in monitoring the perceptions and attitudes towards these vaccines is important. Both the content of information about COVID-19 vaccines and the process of its dissemination influence their acceptance. Vaccine hesitancy -- delay in the uptake or outright refusal of vaccines, despite the availability of vaccination services -- is a severe threat to global health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It presents a serious risk to those who refuse vaccination as well as to the wider community from potential viral strain mutation. As elsewhere, vaccine hesitancy is a critical issue in Africa, and it is connected to media influence. Only about 1% of all 1.3 million Africans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. [...] Vaccine hesitancy can be driven by both genuine concern and by polluted media content, especially on the benefits and safety of vaccines."

  African Academy of Sciences

  2021-09-23?
• Direct Loan Program Survey Results

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  From the Purpose: "SIGPR [Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery] is currently examining the Department of Treasury's administration of the DLP [Direct Loan Program]. As part of our examination, we surveyed both approved and non-approved loan applicants to gain an understanding of how all applicants viewed the program. The purpose of this report is to provide the results of SIGPR's survey of approved and non-approved DLP applicants."

  United States. Office of Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery

  2021-09-23
• PREP Act and COVID-19: Limiting Liability for Medical Countermeasures [Updated September 23, 2021]

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  From the Document: "To encourage the expeditious development and deployment of medical countermeasures during a public health emergency, the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act [hyperlink]) authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to limit legal liability for losses relating to the administration of medical countermeasures such as diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. In a declaration effective February 4, 2020 (the HHS Declaration [hyperlink]), the Secretary of HHS (the Secretary) invoked the PREP Act and declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a public health emergency warranting liability protections for covered countermeasures. Under the HHS Declaration and its amendments, covered persons are generally immune [hyperlink] from legal liability (i.e., they cannot be sued for money damages in court) for losses relating to the administration or use of covered countermeasures against COVID-19. The sole exception to PREP Act immunity is for death or serious physical injury caused by 'willful misconduct [hyperlink].' However, individuals who die or suffer serious injuries directly caused by the administration of covered countermeasures may be eligible [hyperlink] to receive compensation through the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program [hyperlink]."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hickey, Kevin J.

  2021-09-23
• Pandemic Recovery: The American Rescue Plan's Impact on Alleviating Hardship and Supporting Economic Recovery

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  From the Document: "This memorandum describes the emerging evidence of the wide-ranging positive impacts of the American Rescue Plan's relief provisions on alleviating economic hardship, reducing poverty, and supporting economic recovery. [...] 'A new Select Subcommittee analysis shows that the American Rescue Plan's (ARP) Direct Relief Payments contributed to a 17% decline in food insufficiency and a 19% drop in housing instability in the weeks following the ARP's passage, and that these declines in hardship have been maintained many months after the relief payments were distributed as the recovery has progressed and other relief measures have been delivered.' This analysis of Census Bureau data comports with a growing body of research and emerging data showing that the ARP has had an unparalleled impact in cutting poverty, reducing childhood hunger, and aiding the American recovery."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Reform. Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

  2021-09-22
• How Effective Are Social Distancing Policies? Evidence on the Fight Against COVID-19

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  From the Abstract: "To fight the spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], many countries implemented social distancing policies. This is the first paper that examines the effects of the German social distancing policies on behavior and the epidemic's spread. Exploiting the staggered timing of COVID-19 outbreaks in extended event-study models, we find that the policies heavily reduced mobility and contagion. In comparison to a no-social-distancing benchmark, within three weeks, the policies avoided 84% of the potential COVID-19 cases (point estimate: 499.3K) and 66% of the potential fatalities (5.4K). The policies' relative effects were smaller for individuals above 60 and in rural areas."

  Public Library of Science

  Glogowsky, Ulrich; Hansen, Emanuel; Schächtele, Simeon

  2021-09-22
• COVID-19: Defense-Wide Working Capital Fund Cash Management and Defense Logistics Agency Pandemic Response

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  From the Document: "This report responds to a request from the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee that we review DOD's management of the Defense-Wide Working Capital Fund's (DWWCF) cash balance and DLA's [Defense Logistics Agency] response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, and is also part of our body of work in response to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). We briefed congressional committees on our work in July, August, and September 2021."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2021-09-22
• Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Features of COVID-19 in a Cohort of Patients: Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

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  From the Abstract: "The clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] disease are variable. Multiple factors can affect the disease progression and outcome. [...] This study aimed to analyze the clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of COVID-19 in Jordan. [...] Most COVID-19 cases admitted to PHH [Prince Hamzah Hospital] were asymptomatic. Variabilities in symptoms, signs, laboratory results, and imaging findings should be noted. Increased age, male gender, smoking history, and elevated inflammatory markers were significantly associated with longer duration of hospitalization."

  JMIR Publications

  Qaisieh, Rami; Al-Tamimi, Mohammad; El-Hammuri, Naser . . .

  2021-09-21
• Lessons Learned from FEMA's Initial Response to COVID-19

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  From the Document: "During the initial months of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] response, the Nation faced dramatic shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare personnel as hospitals experienced an unprecedented demand for ventilators to treat patients. The objective of this audit was to determine how effectively FEMA supported and coordinated Federal efforts to distribute PPE and ventilators in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. [...] We made three recommendations to improve FEMA's current and future pandemic response operations."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  Salmon, Thomas; Starinsky, Yesenia; Campbell, Douglas . . .

  2021-09-21
• Potential Effects of COVID-19 on Radicalisation to Violent Extremism

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  From the Document: "On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the newly discovered coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to be a pandemic. COVID-19 has upended virtually every aspect of life around the world. One of the immediate implications of the pandemic was a significant increase in the amount of time individuals spent online. It will take some time to fully realise the effects of this spike in activity. But it was immediately evident that radicalisation to violent extremism (RVE) could be effected. In the western world, the online milieu now dominates recruitment efforts, and online platforms have become central to the mobilisation of extremist groups. Engagement in forums affords extremist groups the opportunity to bring adherents, fence-sitters, or the merely curious further into the fold and increase radicalisation. The purpose of this study was to present the results of preliminary analyses of how the pandemic influenced posting behaviour across a range of extremist platforms."

  Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET)

  Davies, Garth; Frank, Richard (PhD); Wu, Edith

  2021-09-21
• Dose of Dignity: Equitable Vaccination Policies for Incarcerated People and Correctional Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  From the Abstract: "Since its emergence in early 2020, the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has altered the lives of millions of Americans. As it so often is during times of crisis, our most vulnerable communities have disproportionately suffered and were overlooked. Among these myriad communities, incarcerated people became a particularly potent symbol of our failure to handle the spread of the virus. In December 2020, a beacon of hope emerged with the introduction of new cutting-edge vaccines which promised to bring the world back to where it was just a year-and-a-half ago. Here again, however, policy and politics have led states to adopt different distribution plans that, broadly speaking, deprioritized incarcerated populations and in some cases correctional staff as well. [...] Our findings show that vaccination policies tended to systematically ignore or disadvantage incarcerated individuals. We argue that by adopting such policies, states have neglected to comply with their legal obligations, grounded in existing and emerging Eighth Amendment jurisprudence and long-standing ethical responsibilities to proactively vaccinate this population. This is particularly true given that prisons are among the high-risk 'congregate settings' that are widely recognized by health experts, and often by the states themselves, as deserving of immediate distribution of vaccines. Based on these obligations, and given recent new virus outbreaks and the realization that some form of COVID-19 is here to stay (and other pandemics may be around the corner), this Essay concludes with recommendations for the future."

  Southern California Law Review

  Ravid, Itay; Hyatt, Jordan M.; Chanenson, Steven L.

  2021-09-20
• COVID-19: Selected Financial and Social Service Resources for Older Americans [Updated September 20, 2021]

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  From the Document: "This Insight links to selected resources for older constituents who have been financially affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Breslauer, Tamar B.; Napili, Angela; Overbay, Abigail R.

  2021-09-20
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) COVID-19 Policies and Protocols at the Southwest Border [Updated September 20, 2021]

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  From the Document: "In recent months, an increase in the number of apprehensions of unauthorized migrants at the Southwest border by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is causing concern in border states [hyperlink] and communities [hyperlink] about the presence of migrants [hyperlink] who are COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] positive. Pandemic-related public health and travel restrictions [hyperlink] were established on March 21, 2020, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and CBP [hyperlink]. Limited capacity in CBP holding facilities presents logistical and health safety challenges for migrant processing as CBP implements protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Singer, Audrey

  2021-09-20
• Assessing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Effectiveness Through the North West London Vaccination Program: Retrospective Cohort Study

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  From the Document: "On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], causing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], as a pandemic. The UK mass vaccination program commenced on December 8, 2020, vaccinating groups of the population deemed to be most vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection. [...] This study aims to assess the early vaccine administration coverage and outcome data across an integrated care system in North West London, leveraging a unique population-level care data set. Vaccine effectiveness of a single dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines were compared."

  JMIR Publications

  Glampson, Ben; Brittain, James; Kaura, Amit . . .

  2021-09-17
• MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 17, 2021

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  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: "Disaggregating Data to Measure Racial Disparities in COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Outcomes and Guide Community Response -- Hawaii, March 1, 2020-February 28, 2021"; "Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] Infection Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years -- Long Beach, California, April 1-December 10, 2020"; "Longitudinal Trends in Body Mass Index Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Persons Aged 2-19 Years -- United States, 2018-2020"; "Monitoring Incidence of COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, by Vaccination Status -- 13 U.S. Jurisdictions, April 4-July 17, 2021"; "Interim Estimates of COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against COVID-19-Associated Emergency Department or Urgent Care Clinic Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Adults During SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant Predominance -- Nine States, June-August 2021" Please note, an erratum for this study has been added here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=858482]; "Effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization -- Five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, United States, February 1-August 6, 2021 [corrected]"; "'Notes from the Field': Xylazine Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths -- United States, 2019"; "'Notes from the Field': Xylazine, a Veterinary Tranquilizer, Identified as an Emerging Novel Substance in Drug Overdose Deaths -- Connecticut, 2019-2020"; "Correction and Republication: New COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations Among Adults, by Vaccination Status -- New York, May 3-July 25, 2021"; "New COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations Among Adults, by Vaccination Status -- New York, May 3-July 25, 2021 [corrected]"; and "'QuickStats': Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Cancer, by Urban-Rural Status and Sex -- National Vital Statistics System, United States, 1999-2019." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  2021-09-17
• Morocco's National Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Public Health Challenges and Lessons Learned

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  From the Abstract: "This report aimed to provide an overview of the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in Morocco and to review the actions carried out as part of the national response to this pandemic. The methodology adopted was based on literature review, interviews with officials and actors in the field, and remote discussion workshops with a multidisciplinary and multisectoral working group. Morocco took advantage of the capacities already strengthened within the framework of the application of the provisions of the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005."

  JMIR Publications

  Barkia, Abdelaziz; Laamrani, Hammou; Belalia, Abdelmounaim . . .

  2021-09-17
• Federal Student Loan Debt Relief in the Context of COVID-19 [Updated September 17, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA; P.L. 89-329, as amended) authorizes the operation of three federal student loan programs: the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program, the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, and the Federal Perkins Loan program. While new loans are currently authorized to be made only through the Direct Loan program, previously made FFEL and Perkins Loan program loans remain outstanding and borrowers of such loans remain responsible for repaying them. [...] This report provides an overview of student loan repayment flexibilities and debt relief provisions that may be available to borrowers facing financial difficulties resulting from the pandemic. It first lists some preexisting loan terms and conditions (authorized through statute and regulations) that may be available to individuals. It then discusses specific administrative and congressional actions taken to address student loan debt in the context of COVID-19. The report concludes with a brief description of additional existing authorities that could be utilized to address other aspects of student loan relief."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hegji, Alexandra

  2021-09-17
• COVID-19 Intellectual Property Waiver: Threats to U.S. Innovation, Economic Growth, and National Security

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  From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, as well as growing economic and strategic competition from China and other traditional competitors such as Russia, have made innovation, economic growth, and national security top policy concerns. All three are threatened by the Biden Administration's support for the proposed intellectual property (IP) waiver at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Biden Administration should retract its support for the continuing negotiations of the IP waiver, and, if it fails to do so, then Congress should refuse to enact any implementing legislation of this waiver of the international commitment to honor the protection of IP rights. Commentary about the proposed IP waiver at the WTO originally focused on its theft of patents for vaccines and other medical treatments for the COVID-19 virus. As Heritage Foundation Research Fellow James Roberts explained recently, the IP waiver would facilitate the global theft of the patents that made possible the private investments necessary in creating new technologies like the mRNA [messenger ribonucleic acid] vaccines that were invented and mass produced in unprecedented time. The IP waiver would obliterate international protection for patent rights while leaving unaddressed the real problems that are impeding global distribution of vaccines to those who still need these vital medicines--problems such as eliminating the trade restrictions prohibiting international distribution of vaccines and creating distribution and transportation infrastructures in the developing world necessary to distribute the vaccines in those countries."

  Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

  Mossoff, Adam

  2021-09-17
• Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review

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  From the Summary: "Since the first reports of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronavirus in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, there has been intense interest in understanding how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in the human population. Recent debate has coalesced around two competing ideas: a 'laboratory escape' scenario and zoonotic emergence. Here, we critically review the current scientific evidence that may help clarify the origin of SARS-CoV-2."

  Elsevier; Cell Press

  Holmes, Edward C.; Goldstein, Stephen A.; Rasmussen, Angela L. . . .

  2021-09-16
• Associations Between the Perceived Severity of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Cyberchondria, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Lockdown Experience: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

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  From the Introduction: "Since 2020, hundreds of millions of people have been infected with COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and millions of people have died [...]. Due to its long incubation period, high infectiousness, and high risk of death if not treated promptly, COVID-19 has become a major public health emergency worldwide [...]. Public health emergencies, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 [...], Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012 [...], and Ebola virus disease in 2014 [...] have significantly harmed people's lives, caused people to suffer economic losses, and caused severe psychological trauma. The impacts of these events on economic development may be alleviated in the short term, but their impacts on social stability and mental health may be long-term [...]. Studies have shown that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people experienced varying degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms [...], which lasted over 4 weeks[.]"

  JMIR Publications

  Han, Lei; Zhan, Yanru; Li, Weizi . . .

  2021-09-16
• COVID-19 Testing: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated September 16, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "This report provides answers to numerous questions related to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] testing. These include, among others, questions about the types of tests and their uses, where individuals can access testing, funding for testing-related efforts, and how different payers will reimburse providers for testing. As testing for various purposes is now widely available, questions continue to arise about the settings where people can access testing, and how payment for such testing and accompanying services occurs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sarata, Amanda K.; Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Lee, Erica A. . . .

  2021-09-16
• Pursuant to the President's Memorandum on Restoring the Department of Justice's Access-To-Justice Function

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  From the Document: "In response to your May 18 Memorandum, the Justice Department has engaged in an extensive 120-day stakeholder review. Our review surfaced significant gaps in equal access to justice and revealed inequities that have become exacerbated as a consequence of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Justice Department is committed to meeting today's difficult moment. As this report explains in more detail, based upon our coordination with the Office of Management and Budget and our extensive conversations with a wide-ranging group of stakeholders, the Justice Department will immediately launch a phased strategic plan to restore and expand our access-to-justice function."

  United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Attorney General

  2021-09-15
• Provider Relief Fund: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated September 15, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. [Public Law] 116-136) to reimburse, through grants or other mechanisms, eligible health care providers for increased expenses or lost revenue attributable to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The CARES Act provided $100 billion to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus, domestically and internationally. The amounts were subsequently increased by $78 billion, with $75 billion added in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPHCEA, P.L. 116-139) and $3 billion in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). The latter was the first time the Provider Relief Fund was referred to in statute and required changes to the fund's reporting requirements and requirements for future fund allocations. The answers to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) in this report provide overview information on the PRF, how funds have been allocated, and the fund's requirements for provider reporting. In addition, this report describes the use of the PRF to pay providers for providing coronavirus testing, treatment, and vaccines to uninsured individuals and the use of the fund to pay providers for costs associated with vaccinating individuals who are underinsured (e.g., who do not have insurance that covers vaccine administration)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-

  2021-09-15