Dear Friends,

This week, Speaker Pelosi imposed a mask mandate for the U.S. House of Representatives regardless of vaccination status. I told Chris Cuomo on Wednesday evening that this action will discourage those who have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from doing so. Americans need to listen to their doctors, not talk show hosts, about receiving the vaccine.

National Update:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance recommending masks indoors in COVID-19 hot spots regardless of vaccine status.

• The CDC advises communities to adjust their COVID-19 prevention strategies based on the factors listed here.
• Regardless of vaccine status, the CDC encourages indoor masking for all students, teachers, and staff at K-12 schools.

The Health Resources & Services Administration provided$121 million to enhance the Local Community-Based Workforce to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Access Program.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $250 million in grant dollars to Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers to enhance access to substance use disorder and mental health services as part of COVID-19 recovery.

The Food and Drug Administration extended the Johnson & Johnson/Jassen vaccine shelf life to up to six months.

North Texas Update:
Texas is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations The Texas COVID-19 data dashboard can be found here.

Until tomorrow, this is your doctor's note.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.