Latest KFF Health News Stories
The coronavirus continues to score points against efforts to return sporting events back to “normal.”
In many other countries, face masks have been embraced as a way to help stem the spread of the virus, but U.S. citizens remain divided even as the number of new cases has reached an all-time high. “Making individual decisions is the American way,” Max Parsell, a 29-year-old power-line worker in Jacksonville, Fla., told The Washington Post as he justified his decision not to wear a mask. News on face masks is on racial profiling, acne, repackaging, flying, and denying service, as well.
Survey: 34% Of Women Say They Are Deciding To Delay Pregnancies Because Of COVID
The Guttmacher Institute survey also reported women were deciding to have fewer children. A slightly smaller proportion of the roughly 2,000 women who responded to the survey also said they were struggling to access birth control during the pandemic. Public health news is on closed gyms in Michigan, state fair cancellations, Disneyland’s delayed opening, contact tracing, college fiscal problems, child care, social distancing, and on a salmonella outbreak, Whole Foods’ warning about its bottled water, and food insecurity, as well.
Bayer To Pay $10.9B To Settle Lawsuits Over Roundup Cancer Claims
“In short, this is the right action at the right time for Bayer,” CEO Werner Baumann said.
Delayed Treatments For Heart Conditions, Cancer During The Pandemic Worry Medical Experts
Stay-at-home orders and safety concerns kept many people from seeking medical treatment during the past few months. Doctors voice particular concern for those with cardiac disease. And cancer patients and caretakers share the ways they had to adapt to continue their medical care. Developments related to potential cancer, alcoholism and Parkinson’s disease treatments is also in the news today.
Insurers To Help Shore Up Some Physician Practices That Are Struggling Amid Pandemic
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina would offer to help struggling practices–but there are some strings attached.
‘Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia And Distress’: Mental Toll Is Extreme For Black Health Care Workers
Images in the news of racial violence, combined with the extra stress of battling a pandemic, create a toxic climate for Black health care workers. News outlets report on other stories related to outcries over the racial disparities in America.
No Longer Hidden: NASA Renames Headquarters After First Black Female Engineer
On Wednesday, NASA renamed its headquarters in the District of Columbia after Mary Jackson. A NASA spokesman said that agency “leadership is sensitive to the discussions of racism, discrimination and inequalities going on around the world. We are aware of conversations about renaming facilities and are having ongoing discussions with the NASA workforce on this topic. NASA is dedicated to advancing diversity and we will continue to take steps to do so.”
In other election news, Biden’s polling lead among women and nonwhite voters; his plans to talk Obamacare in battleground Pennsylvania; and more.
House To Vote Thursday On Policing Act As Lawmakers Continue Push For Overhaul
In other news: Vice President Mike Pence offers encouragement to Republican senators; prominent leaders say democracy is under threat.
‘Another Step Forward In Seeking Justice’: 3 Men Indicted With Murder Of Black Jogger Ahmaud Arbery
The men could face life sentences without parole. The shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery has become an integral part of the broader wave of protests against racism, racial profiling and the police killings of black people that have broken out across the country in recent weeks.
With Mount Rushmore Celebration, Trump Courts Danger From Dual Threats Of Wildfires, Virus
President Donald Trump wants to put on a massive fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, where pyrotechnics have been banned for at least a decade. Public health experts are alarmed not only about the potential spread of coronavirus but by the wildfire threat.
Trump’s Rhetoric On Mail-In Voting Resonating With Base Despite Lack Of Evidence For Fraud
President Donald Trump has made five dozen false claims about mail balloting since April, as officials in various states began contemplating the need for expanded use of the option amid the pandemic. A new poll suggests widespread support for mail-in voting but also hints that Trump’s messaging on fraud is getting through to his base. Meanwhile, Americans are going to have to come to terms with delayed election results.
Dozens Of Secret Service Agents Self-Quarantine After Potential COVID Exposure At Tulsa Rally
Public health experts pleaded with President Donald Trump to either cancel or move his rally outdoors, but the event went on as planned. Now dozens of Secret Service agents who staffed the event are quarantined after at least two of their colleagues tested positive for the virus.
Trump Administration To End Funding For 13 Federally Run Coronavirus Testing Sites
The federal government plans to withdraw support for COVID-19 testing sites located in five states by the end of this month. Trump administration officials say that operations of facilities still open will be transferred to state or local governments. Seven of those sites are in Texas, where a record number of confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are being reported.
COVID Antibodies Could Fade In As Little As 2 Months Adding Layer Of Complexity To Vaccine Search
Public health experts also say that the findings suggest people shouldn’t assume they can’t be reinfected by the virus once they had it. Scientists warn that a vaccine will need to offer longer protection than the body’s natural immune response.
On Wednesday, 36,880 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported, as the outbreak spikes again primarily in the West and South. Public health experts fear “apocalyptic” surges in Texas, California and Florida cities. While new cases trend upwards, so far deaths are not rising at the same rate, though that may not continue to be the case for much longer.
3 States Announce Travel Quarantine; Trump Says He Won’t Abide By The Advisory
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut say anyone traveling from other high-risk states must quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. Rhode Island is considering a quarantine rule, as well. In other news: the Department of Justice says it supports suing Hawaii over its quarantine rule.
‘Alarming’ Surge Of Cases In Texas Could Overwhelm ICUs, But Governor Hesitant To Shut Back Down
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has done an about-face of sorts since he pushed the state to reopen in May. As Texas’ case counts skyrocket, Abbott has tried to impose new rules to help flatten the curve once more, but he sees another shutdown as a last option.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.