2 Bills In California Aim To Stop Covid Misinformation
As the San Francisco Chronicle reports, the first bill would require social platforms to publicly disclose how their algorithms work, in an effort to show how sites such as Facebook use technology that amplifies salacious content like conspiracy theories about the virus. The second bill would make it easier for the state to discipline physicians who spread incorrect claims about covid-19.
San Francisco Chronicle:
California Bills Target Big Tech, Rogue Doctors To Combat COVID Vaccine Misinformation
California legislators introduced a pair of bills Tuesday designed to crack down on social media platforms and rogue doctors who spread false information about COVID-19 vaccines. The measures are part of a broader package of bills that aim to fight vaccine hesitancy — unfounded fears about immunizations that public health officials say have prolonged the pandemic and increased hospitalizations and deaths from the coronavirus. (Gardiner, 2/15)
In more news from California —
San Francisco Chronicle:
D.A. Chesa Boudin Drops Case Against Suspect Allegedly Linked To A Property Crime From Rape Exam DNA
San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin has dismissed the property crime case against a woman whose DNA collected from a rape kit was used to link her to a recent property crime, officials said Tuesday. Officials said the case amounted to “fruit of the poisonous tree,” meaning evidence that led to the arrest was gathered in a way that violated the defendant’s rights. Boudin declined to comment on the case, citing privacy concerns. News of the dismissal comes a day after Boudin leveled a bombshell allegation that the San Francisco Police Department crime lab had used a rape victim’s DNA evidence gathered years ago to tie her to an unrelated crime. (Cassidy, 2/15)
In mental health news from Connecticut, North Carolina and Florida —
The CT Mirror:
CT Senate Leaders Announce Big Children's Mental Health Bills
Senate Democrats announced on Tuesday two omnibus bills aimed at expanding children’s mental health and child care this legislative session. The initiative, titled “Healthy Students, Healthy Schools,” lays out legislative proposals being introduced through Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 2 to help support youth mental health, provide training to school staff, increase health services in schools and expand preschool and child care. (Watson and Carlesso, 2/15)
North Carolina Health News:
NC Leaders Talk COVID Exit Strategy, Mental Health Need
Though many North Carolinians are ready to say so long to the COVID pandemic, Kody Kinsley, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services told lawmakers Tuesday that the state is getting closer to that point but it’s not quite there. Lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services encouraged Kinsley and his team to develop an exit strategy. (Blythe and Thompson, 2/16)
WUFT:
Alachua County Explores Ways To Curb Reliance On ER For Mental Health Conditions
More mental health resources, medicated-assisted treatment and increased peer specialist follow-ups after overdoses or mental health crises were among the recommendations made Friday by Alachua County's Healthcare Advisory Board Mental Health Subcommittee and Outreach and Case Management Subcommittee. Data collection by the subcommittees found increased emergency room use by residents living in ZIP codes 32609 and 32641, which span from the northeast and central parts of the [Florida] county. ER use is twice the state average in the 32609 ZIP code area and three times the state average in the 32641 area. Many of these emergency room visits are related to substance use or mental health. The committee decided to draft three action items to present to the county — education, treatment and follow-up. (Macia, 2/15)
In other health news from across the U.S. —
Mississippi Clarion Ledger:
West Nile Virus: Mississippi Health Department Reports 2nd Case
A second case of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness, was reported in a Hinds County resident on Tuesday. West Nile virus season typically occurs July through October. However, mosquitoes can carry the virus anytime of the year. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported the state's first 2022 case Jan. 28. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms in people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes. It can progress to be more serious, leading to meningitis or encephalitis. Since 2015, five people in Mississippi have died of the virus. (Haselhorst, 2/15)
Health News Florida:
A State House Panel Backs Changes To A Bill On Nursing Home Staffing
Florida lawmakers moved closer Monday to revamping staffing standards in nursing homes, amid criticism that the proposed changes could reduce hands-on care for residents. The debate centers on the amount of time that certified nursing assistants spend providing care to residents. Certified nursing assistants play key roles in nursing homes, but the industry says it cannot find enough of the workers — resulting, at least in some cases, to unfilled beds. (Saunders, 2/15)
AP:
Wolf Official Pressed Over Fate Of 3 Elderly In Philadelphia
The head of Pennsylvania’s Department of Aging refused to tell lawmakers Tuesday whether three older adults are alive or dead, after department employees raised an alarm over how a Philadelphia agency handled the three cases of abuse or neglect. The Associated Press reported in September that those cases prompted Secretary of Aging Robert Torres to order improvements at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, a nonprofit with a state contract to field and respond to calls about elder abuse and neglect in the city. (Levy, 2/16)
