Latest KFF Health News Stories
To Mask Or Not To Mask In School — States Are Deciding, Differently
In New Mexico, officials say vaxxed students in K-12 schools may unmask in some situations. In Hawaii, a week before school starts, authorities suggested masking at all times indoors. Louisiana’s schools can decide their own covid restrictions.
Biden Says Federal Disability Law Should Cover Serious Long Covid Cases
The departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Labor and Education issued guidelines to help Americans experiencing long-haul symptoms from covid to navigate federal benefits.
US Travel Bans To Remain, New Warnings Issued As Delta Flares Around Globe
The Biden administration plans to maintain restricted entry into the country by non-U.S. citizens from the U.K., Europe and other nations. The CDC and State Department is also warning Americans against travel to countries like Israel, Portugal and Spain.
Worst In The US: Florida, Arkansas Have ‘High Transmission’ Everywhere
In the past week, Florida accounted for nearly a quarter of all cases in the country — more than any other state. Meanwhile, health care workers at Jacksonville’s Baptist Medical Center say severely ill covid patients are begging to receive the vaccine just before being put on ventilators.
FDA Wants Pfizer, Moderna To Expand Vaccine Safety Trials For Kids
Wider testing — spurred by rare cases of heart inflammation in teens — could delay approval for the covid shot to be administered to children 11 and under.
Over 50 Medical Groups Press For Mandatory Shots For Health Workers
In a joint statement, many prominent associations that represent health care workers, including the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association called for health facilities to require the covid vaccine. And some hospitals are revising or weighing their policies.
Want To Drink In 300 San Francisco Bars? Prove You’re Vaxxed Or Negative
The San Francisco Bar Owner Alliance, which represents 300 businesses, has decided to protect employees and patrons by limiting indoor service to those who are vaccinated or provably covid-negative. Separately, reports say California’s current surge is driven by vaccine holdouts.
VA Mandates Vaccines For Its Health Workers; California, NYC Set New Rules
The Department of Veterans Affairs became the first federal agency to require employees to get vaccinated for covid-19. The order impacts 115,000 of its “patient-facing” health workers. In California and New York City, unvaccinated state workers will face weekly testing starting in August.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages examine these public health topics.
Marlboro Cigarettes To Disappear From UK Shelves Inside 10 Years
Philip Morris revealed its plans Sunday, with CEO Jack Olczak saying, “The first choice for consumers is they should quit smoking.” Meanwhile, EU regulators have approved Moderna’s covid vaccine for kids 12 to 17; notably, the FDA has not approved Moderna for children younger than 16 in the U.S.
Olympians Can Now Unmask For Medal Photos On The Podium — Briefly
The International Olympic Committee announced the change Sunday, noting unmasking can only last 30 seconds. Separately, news outlets reports on behind-the-scenes action at the covid-afflicted Olympics, and 16 more people at the Games, including three athletes, tested positive.
Opinion writers tackle these Covid and vaccine issues.
How Common Is Drug Cross-Contamination? More Than You Think
Bloomberg reports on the pharmaceutical industry’s “little secret.” Psychedelic drugs, microbiome therapy and synthetic biology are also in industry news.
Even As Schools Plan Reopening, Homeschooling Is Booming
The AP reports on homeschooling across the U.S., as parents opt to teach their kids at home as pandemic-related education restrictions ease. Salmonella in carrots, IUD pain, Disney executives and CinemaCon, and a Japanese man who almost died from masturbation are also in the news.
10-Year-Old’s Death Linked To Plague Infection In Colorado
Colorado state health officials are investigating reports of plague in animals and fleas. Separately, reports say the abortion rate in Georgia has now increased for the third consecutive year; Missouri joins opioid monitoring prescriptions; a North Carolina woman will be a two-time living organ donor; and more.
Costs Mount For Providers Seeking Health Workers In Short Supply
As hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities clamor for more help, traveling nurses and caregivers can command higher bonuses and other incentives.
Worries Emerge Over Covid Connection To Alzheimer’s
Scientists examining the impact of a covid infection on the brain discover a few concerning links between the virus and Alzheimer’s disease. Separate reports say malnutrition is linked to worse covid outcomes, and doctors are concerned over more long covid cases in children.
In Weekend Marches Across The US, Demonstrators Urge Medicare For All
Advocates in 50 cities gathered in the ongoing effort to establish a national single-payer insurance program. In other news, a Georgetown University analysis shows that Latino children in the U.S. are twice as likely to be uninsured as non-Latino children.
GOP Muddles Pro-Vaccine Messaging With Words On Personal Liberty
News outlets discuss the pivot some Republican lawmakers have made to supporting covid vaccines, noting that repeated mentions of privacy and personal liberty are actually confusing their message. Separately, House Republican Rep. Clay Higgins announced his second, and far worse, covid infection.