Latest KFF Health News Stories
With Two Effective Vaccines, Approval And Delivery Plans Next To Be Tested
The FDA will work “as quickly as possible” to review testing data for Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidates to clear their emergency use, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. Meanwhile, Pfizer begins a pilot distribution program in four states.
What’s The Harm Of Transition Delay? ‘More People May Die,’ Biden Says
In a speech Monday, President-elect Joe Biden warned about the worsening coronavirus crisis and criticized President Donald Trump for stonewalling the transition team’s efforts to get up to speed on vaccine distribution plans and other pandemic efforts.
Biden Calls On Congress To Pass Stimulus Bill Ahead Of ‘Dark Winter’
Both sides need to get together on the long-stalled coronavirus relief legislation, President-elect Joe Biden said: “Refusal of Democrats, Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control. It’s a conscious decision.” Biden also reinforced CDC guidance on Thanksgiving gatherings.
Michigan Restrictions In Spotlight As Atlas Draws Rebukes For ‘Reckless’ Remark
A tweet from White House coronavirus task force member Scott Atlas calling on Michigan residents to “rise up” against reinstated pandemic restrictions drew reactions from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Dr. Anthony Fauci and Stanford University, where Atlas is a fellow.
California Pulls ‘Emergency Brake’; More States Order COVID Restrictions
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that many restrictions will be reimposed to try to stave off the rapid spike of COVID infections. Other steps city and state governments are taking are reported from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Iowa, Texas and other U.S. hot spots.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Public Health Programs See Surge in Students Amid Pandemic
Catalyzed by the paltry response to the pandemic and the inequities it is causing, people are flocking to graduate programs in public health to become the next front-line workers.
Patients Struggle to Find Prescription Opioids After NY Tax Drives Out Suppliers
The tax was touted as a way to generate funding for treatment programs across the state. But to avoid paying, scores of manufacturers and wholesalers stopped selling opioids in New York.
What Doctors Aren’t Always Taught: How to Spot Racism in Health Care
Activists across the country are demanding that medical schools eliminate the use of race as a diagnostic tool, recognize how systemic racism harms patients and reckon with some of medicine’s racist history.
Viewpoints: Governors Need To Extend Restrictions; Public Health Lessons On Leadership Failings
Editorial writers express views about these public health topics and others.
Virus Sidelines Nevada Gov., Spreads At ‘Truly Alarming Rate’ In Kentucky
Media outlets report on news from Nevada, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Mississippi and more.
Boris Johnson Self-Isolates; Music Festival Jammed In Case-Free Taiwan
News is from England, Taiwan, China, Germany, and Japan.
Different Takes: PPE’s Broken Pipeline; In-Person Instruction; Social Distancing Vs. Social Unrest
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and other health issues.
Problems Escalate At Crowded Rural Hospitals
Other news is on Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Ochsner Health, Methodist Le Bonheur, Tenet Healthcare Corp. and more.
Back To College After Thanksgiving? Not Without A Test, NC State Says
Although many universities require that students get tested for COVID before leaving campus for the long holiday weekend, some schools are also turning their attention to the post-holiday headache.
Mask Policy Tightens At Costco; NYC Parties Shut Down; Stockpiling Again?
If a medical condition prevents someone from wearing a mask, Costco now requires them to wear a face shield at its nearly 560 stores. News is on sheriffs breaking up parties; businesses taking measures to keep shelves full and more.
Rapid COVID-19 Testing Is Less Accurate Than Earlier Studies Indicated
In related news, airport screening effectiveness, algorithm-aided tracking and more.
Doctors, Nurses At Their Breaking Points
Many physicians — stressed, burned out or worried about catching COVID — are leaving their jobs or retiring early. In North Dakota, nurses fret about catching COVID after the state decided to allow asymptomatic hospital employees to stay on the job.
Antibiotic Use In Children Younger Than 2 Linked To Ongoing Illnesses
Problems range from allergies to obesity in later life, according to the study in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The authors stressed the findings show association, not causation and more research about safe dosing is critical. News is on the use of kickbacks, heart failure drugs, and more.
On Lawmakers’ Plates: COVID Testing, Leadership Elections And A Side Of Lame Duck
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently announced the addition of up to 2,000 weekly COVID-19 tests for current members and staff.