Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cruise Companies Take Steps To Reassure The Public
Planning to cruise in the future? Companies say they will mandate COVID tests for all passengers and crew prior to boarding once U.S. departures resume. The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), a lobbying group that represents major cruise companies, said its members will adopt other health protocols such as mandatory mask wearing onboard and during certain excursions as well as increased social-distancing in terminals and aboard the ships. (Maile, 9/21)
Cruise lines said they plan to test all passengers and crews for the coronavirus before boarding ships as they prepare to resume sailing in the U.S.聽The Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group that represents 95 percent of global ocean-going cruise capacity, shared the plan Monday as cruise lines prepare to start sailing again after pausing trips amid the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press reported. (Klar, 9/21)
In other public health news 鈥
The NFL fined three coaches 鈥 Seattle鈥檚 Pete Carroll, San Francisco鈥檚 Kyle Shanahan and Denver鈥檚 Vic Fangio 鈥 $100,000 apiece for violating the league鈥檚 directive to wear masks on the sideline during games, according to a person familiar with the penalties. The Seahawks, 49ers and Broncos also were fined $250,000 each, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday night because the NFL had made no formal announcement of the fines. (Maske, 9/22)
Hollywood鈥檚 unions have announced that they have reached an agreement on pandemic protocols with major studios that will allow the broad resumption of production of films and television after six months of stagnant sets and widespread unemployment. The Directors Guild of America, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Basic Crafts unions and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists on Monday jointly announced the deal reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after months of planning and negotiating. (9/22)
A group of people who oppose wearing masks聽took them off at a Florida Target store, blasting and singing the 1984 hit Twisted Sister song "We're Not Gonna聽Take It." The small but vocal group approached customers inside the Fort Lauderdale store [last] week." Take your masks off. We're not doing it. Take off your masks. We're not going to take it anymore,"聽the group shouted, pumping their fists in the air, some wearing "Make America Great Again" gear. 鈥淲e鈥檙e Americans, breathe,鈥 a woman yelled. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all a lie!鈥 Dee Snider, the frontman of the 1980s metal band, tweeted in response to the viral video, scolding the group: "No ... these selfish (expletive) do not have my permission or blessing to use my song for their moronic cause." The stunt drew quick action from Broward County officials. Target was fined for not enforcing the county鈥檚 mask law, and citations were mailed to the protesters, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. (Tyko, 9/17)