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COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, November 2, 2020

COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, November 2, 2020
  • Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), are warning of an “imminent cybercrime threat” to U.S. hospitals and health care providers, noting that several hospitals across the country have already been hit. In a joint advisory, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said they have “credible information” that cybercriminals are taking new aim at health care providers and public health agencies as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches new heights.
  • Moderna is “on track” to report initial data for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the next few weeks.
  • Johnson & Johnson intends to begin enrolling 12-18 year-olds in its COVID-19 vaccine candidate trials.
  • Regeneron will stop enrolling sicker patients in trials for its COVID-19 antibody therapy after safety issues were reported in some patients.

Congress

Election Day (November 3) is finally upon us. The results of the election will not only determine who controls the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives; the results will also help determine if Congress will pass new COVID-19 relief legislation before the end of the year. Democrats and Republicans could make a new attempt at passing a relief bill before the end of the election. The election results will determine which side has more leverage in those negotiations.

  • If Democrats win control of Congress, they could prefer to wait until January to pass a relief bill without the need for Republican support. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) suggested that Democrats could use budget reconciliation next year to pass more COVID-19 aid without the need for Republican support – should Democrats maintain control of the House and win control of the Senate and White House.
  • If Republicans retain either/both the White House and Senate (or win the House), there could be a renewed effort to pass COVID-19 relief before the end of the year.

White House and Federal Agencies

Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), are warning of an “imminent cybercrime threat” to U.S. hospitals and health care providers, noting that several hospitals across the country have already been hit. In a joint advisory, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said they have “credible information” that cybercriminals are taking new aim at health care providers and public health agencies as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches new heights.

Economy, Vaccine, Testing and Treatment

In positive economic news, third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 33.1 percent on an annualized basis, which exceeds the 31.4 percent annualized GDP decline in the second quarter. Also, new weekly unemployment claims fell to a seven-year low.

COVID-19 cases are increasing across many parts of the country. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is warning that national case numbers are trending in the wrong direction heading into the winter.

Moderna is “on track” to report initial data for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the next few weeks.

Johnson & Johnson intends to begin enrolling 12-18 year-olds in its COVID-19 vaccine candidate trials.

Regeneron will stop enrolling sicker patients in trials for its COVID-19 antibody therapy after safety issues were reported in some patients.

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