Nov 6, 2019

Judge blocks rule that denies health services based on moral, religious grounds

A federal judge in New York rejected a Trump administration rule on Wednesday that would have allowed medical workers to deny services based on their religion or ideology, including abortion or sex reassignment surgery.

The big picture: The most restrictive abortion laws in generations are being challenged in courts across America's red states. This rule from the Department of Health and Human Services was challenged by several women's groups and individual states that claimed it was unconstitutional, AP reports.

Go deeper: Planned Parenthood plans massive spending campaign for 2020

Go deeper

Birx: If you can't social distance outside, you "must wear a mask"

White House coronavirus task force coordinator Deborah Birx said on ABC's "This Week" Sunday that social distancing is "absolutely critical" and that if Americans can't maintain at least 6 feet from other people while gathering outside, they "must wear a mask."

Why it matters: As states have begun to reopen, many Americans have flocked to beaches and outdoor restaurants in large numbers to celebrate Memorial Day weekend. Birx warned that people could be spreading the virus unknowingly, and she asked those with comorbidities to remain sheltered in place.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow1 hour ago - Health

New York Times front page honors Covid-19 victims as death toll nears 100,000

The stark front page of today's New York Times, plus three inside pages, consist of two-line obituaries ("Always first on the dance floor. ... Preferred bolo ties and suspenders") for 1,000 of the nearly 100,000 Americans who have died of coronavirus — 1% of the toll:

The big picture: A huge team at The Times drew the accounts "from hundreds of obituaries, news articles and paid death notices that have appeared in newspapers and digital media over the past few months."

Go deeper (1 min. read)ArrowUpdated 1 hour ago - Health

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9 a.m. ET: 5,335,868 — Total deaths: 341,513 — Total recoveries — 2,124,851 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9 a.m. ET: 1,622,990 — Total deaths: 96,046 — Total recoveries: 361,239 — Total tested: 13,784,786 — Map.
  3. Public health: FDA blocks U.S. sale of 29 coronavirus antibody tests — Report finds "little evidence" coronavirus under control in most states — Muslim health workers balance Ramadan fasting with battling pandemic — Hurricanes, wildfires, the flu could strain COVID-19 response
  4. States: Former Florida health dept. employee says official asked her to manipulate coronavirus data — Daily deaths in New York drop under 100 for the first time since March.
  5. Business: Small business outlook is slowly improving, but the pandemic hits minority-owned small businesses harder.
  6. World: Health officials report first death in Gaza Strip — Coronavirus testing is virtually nonexistent in some poor countries — Pressure mounts on Boris Johnson to fire top aide for breaking U.K. lockdown.
  7. 1 🏀 thing: NBA in early talks to restart season at Disney World.
  8. What should I do? Hydroxychloroquine questions answered — Traveling, asthma, dishes, disinfectants and being contagious — Masks, lending books and self-isolating — Exercise, laundry, what counts as soap — Pets, moving and personal health — Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — How to minimize your risk.
  9. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it, the right mask to wear.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy