• In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss how COVID-19 risk mitigation measures can help reduce incidents and spread of influenza and other infectious respiratory diseases. Read more below.
• The NYT talks with workers in essential industries expressing their fears and concerns, feeling as “sitting ducks”, with the lifting of mask requirements, especially given customer reactions as they interact with workers.
• President Biden has announced the next month-long push for COVID-19 vaccination, with hopes to achieve at least a one-dose vaccination rate of 70% for the U.S. Some incentivization include: (a) “shots in shops” which hopes to “turn barber and beauty shops in predominantly Black neighborhoods into vaccine sites”; (b) continuing to provide free vaccine appointment rides via Lyft and Uber; (c) free childcare for parents getting vaccines at YMCAs; (d) increasing hours and access to vaccinations at pharmacies (e.g. Walgreens, CVS, etc.); (e) “Anheuser-Busch […] offering free beer to Americans who post pictures of themselves with vaccination cards on social media before July 4”. Additionally, many states and regions are increasing their own incentivization including tickets to games, lottery, and educational initiatives. [CIDRAP / NPR]
• Bahrain is encouraging residents “over 50, are obese or have chronic illnesses” to receive a Pfizer booster vaccine”, especially if the resident has received a Chinese vaccine.
• There have been two (2) billion vaccine doses administered worldwide. In terms of equity, “the world’s 27 wealthiest countries have administered nearly a third of all shots, despite being home to only 10 percent of the global population. In the U.S., 89.4 doses have been administered for every 100 people, compared to 1 dose per 100 people living in sub-Saharan Africa”.
• While COVID-19 cases decrease in the U.S., other countries are seeing higher and increasing case rates, including in Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
• Germany continues its fight against the increase in fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates.
• VOX explores the 6 reasons that U.S. individuals are not getting vaccinated, these reasons include: (a) lack of access (real or perceived); (b) feeling that COVID-19 is not a threat; (c) fear of vaccine side effects; (d) lack of trust in the institutions; (e) lack of trust in vaccines; (f) conspiracy theories.

COVID-19 Mitigation Measures Can Reduce Incidents of Flu and other Infectious Diseases

Studies from the disease control and prevention centers from both the US and China have found that pandemic protective behaviors, such as masking and social distancing, not only helped reduced transmission of COVID-19, but also that of the seasonal influenza in 2020.

• The study out of China found these non-pharmaceutical interventions reduced influenza in China by 79% and in the U.S. by 67%, suggesting that these results can help inform longer-term disease prevention efforts for influenza and other seasonal viruses.
• The CDC-published study showed a 98% decrease in influenza activity as measured by percentage of specimens submitted to US clinical labs that tested positive during September 29, 2019–February 29, 2020 and March 1–May 16, 2020. Additionally, the influenza rate over the summer 2020 showed historical lows.
• As also reported in the second study, influenza data reported to the World Health Organization’s FluNet platform from three Southern Hemisphere countries that serve as robust sentinel sites for influenza from Oceania (Australia), South America (Chile), and Southern Africa (South Africa) showed very low influenza activity during June–August 2020, the months that constitute the typical Southern Hemisphere influenza season.

As is indicated by both reports, the use of the mitigation measures initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to help reduce (or, along with vaccinations, even prevent) the spread and impact of influenza – and other respiratory illnesses – in the coming seasons. As such, TAG recommends that businesses consider implementing such measures in their infectious disease plans, particularly for those with signs of respiratory illnesses and/or when these rise within your community or business.

If you have not developed an infectious disease plan, give TAG a call. We can work with you to help protect the health of your workers and your business.

• In Wednesday’s Recommendations for Industry, we discussed considerations and recommendations for moving into the next phase of the pandemic, including demasking, infectious disease cautions, and avoiding fraud. Read more here
• The CDC provided updated guidance on mask usage for unvaccinated individuals. This guidance includes NOT wearing masks that (a) have exhalation valves or vents; or (b) are single layer or made of thin fabrics that don’t block light. Additionally, the CDC recommends that unvaccinated individuals continue to wear masks anytime they are indoors or outdoors around people that don’t live with them.
• The CDC has also released updated information and guidance for vaccinating migrant/migratory and seasonal food and agriculture workers as these populations are “at higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19 [and have had] disproportionate illness and mortality.” The CDC has even created a “Guide to Vaccinating Workers” to “help jurisdictions identify and quantify sub-populations of workers and then create a specific vaccination plan.”
• The WHO has announced “simple, easy-to-say labels for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of interest and concern.” This effort is also intended to decrease the stigmatization of countries that are linked specifically to certain variants. See table below:

• China’s Sinovac vaccine has received WHO urgence approval.
• A recent study in the Brazilian town of Serrana found that a 95% drop in COVID-19 deaths, 86% drop in hospitalizations, and 80% symptomatic drop of COVID-19 cases after 75% of individuals were fully vaccinated. This study further highlights the benefits of having more 70% fully vaccinated.
• Canada has joined countries like the UK & Spain to recommend “mixing and matching AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.”
• Vietnam has detected a new highly contagious COVID-19 variant that seems to contain/express traits from both COVID Variant Alpha (B117 variant) and COVID Variant Delta (B1617.2 variant).
• The UK is thought to be in the early stages of its third wave.
• An increasing number of fungal infections have arisen in India resulting from the use of immune-suppressant drugs and an overburdened healthcare system. Not only was there the black fungus, now there is also concern of a white fungus caused by Candidas auris (C. auris) that has a 70% mortality rate (much higher than the black fungus).
• The FDA is recommending that testers stop using the Lepu Medical Technology SARS-CoV-2 Antigen and Leccurate antibody tests. Not only is there a high risk of false results, BUT this test is not authorized, cleared, or approved by the FDA for usage!
• OSHA has updated and solidified its vaccination information for employers (on what can be asked and incentivized). This includes:
  • Federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19, so long as employers comply with the reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other EEO considerations. Other laws, not in EEOC’s jurisdiction, may place additional restrictions on employers. From an EEO perspective, employers should keep in mind that because some individuals or demographic groups may face greater barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination than others, some employees may be more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccination requirement.
  • Federal EEO laws do not prevent or limit employers from offering incentives to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination obtained from a third party (not the employer) in the community, such as a pharmacy, personal health care provider, or public clinic. If employers choose to obtain vaccination information from their employees, employers must keep vaccination information confidential pursuant to the ADA.
  • Employers that are administering vaccines to their employees may offer incentives for employees to be vaccinated, as long as the incentives are not coercive. Because vaccinations require employees to answer pre-vaccination disability-related screening questions, a very large incentive could make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information.
  • Employers may provide employees and their family members with information to educate them about COVID-19 vaccines and raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination. The technical assistance highlights federal government resources available to those seeking more information about how to get vaccinated.
• In December 2020, Barcelona held an indoor concert; however, findings were that this well-controlled indoor concert did not lead to any additional COVID-19 cases as the concert-organizers employed “rapid COVID-19 lateral-flow screening, N95 respirators, and a well-ventilated venue.” Read more here.
• Although COVID-19 vaccinations continue to increase in the US, with 62% of adults now saying they’ve received at least one shot (up from 56% in April), vaccinations across the country vary by region with Southern states lagging behind (especially in Mississippi & Alabama which have the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S.).
• In last Friday’s Recommendations for Industry, we discussed how and why businesses should be using the expected “quiet” of summer to develop plans to reduce the impacts of fall respiratory illnesses. Read more here.
• The HHS has begun a “We Can Do This: COVID-19 Public Education Campaign” to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic preventive measures (like wearing masks and social distancing). The idea is to drive communication science and provide tailored info for at-risk groups. Please check this out for further messaging for your communities!
• As cases in Delhi (and across India) slowly decrease, Delhi and other areas are easing lock-down measures to allow operations and construction activities to continue.
• Like Ohio (which has incentivized vaccinations), California will give away $116.5M to vaccinated residents!
• In its testing phases, Moderna has announced that its COVID-19 vaccine appears to be safe and effective in adolescents (12 – 17 years).
• Researchers are designing a new way to deliver vaccines using inhaled nanobodies. So far, the research in hamsters is showing promise!
• In last Wednesday’s Recommendations for Industry, we discussed this week’s COVID-19 Risk Matrix as well as a perspective on CDC’s travel recommendations. Read more here.
• The CDC has provided new recommendations for domestic travel for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the U.S. including recommending that unvaccinated individuals should not travel until they are fully vaccinated. However, if unvaccinated individuals do want to travel, they should follow CDC’s recommendations for unvaccinated people.

• NPR reports that in 25 states, more than 50% of all adults are fully vaccinated! The majority are in the Northeastern states of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
• In South Africa, testing of wastewater is helping to identify the spread of COVID-19.
• Moderna is applying for FDA approval of its COVID-19 vaccine for 12-17 year olds.