Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trio Of Galidesivir, Remdesivir, Favipiravir Could Treat COVID
The drugs are known as nucleoside polymerase inhibitors, or NUCs. According to scientists working on the study at the University of Florida, NUCs work by disrupting the viral replication process.
Strain Of Swine Flu Has Potential To Become A Pandemic, WHO Warns
A small study suggested that 10% of Chinese swine workers had been exposed to the virus, the “G4” variant of H1N1 swine influenza.
Spring, Not Winter, Will Bring Second Wave Of COVID, Scientist Predicts
In related news, a new study among regions that experienced a second wave found a significantly lower death rate among all confirmed cases than in the first wave. And health experts in Spain say a resurgence in that nation holds valuable lessons.
Postal Changes Led To ‘Significant’ Delays Of Medications, Senate Report Finds
Four pharmacies told senators that mail-order delivery of prescriptions drugs have been impacted by recent decisions made by U.S. Postal Service leaders.
Distribution Of Vaccine: Complex Massive Rollout
If Pfizer’s vaccine is approved, deep freeze storage capacities are required — something many doctor’s offices go without. Other vaccine news is on FDA requirements and study participants, as well.
Verma Spent $3.5M On Image Consultants: Congressional Report
Congressional Democrats obtained invoices that detail expenses submitted by a consultant for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Seema Verma.
CDC To Halt Enhanced Health Screenings For International Travelers
The U.S. will also stop limiting international arrivals from certain countries to 15 designated airports.
Review Underway Into Neurological Illness Of Vaccine Trial Participant
With the AstraZeneca trial halted, scientists are now working to determine if the volunteer’s serious symptoms were caused by the experimental COVID-19 vaccine.
Fauci Says He Did Not Hear President Distort Coronavirus Threat
White House officials try to handle the fallout from the Trump recordings. And “Rage” author Bob Woodward faces questions on why he waited six months to go public.
‘A Life-And-Death Betrayal’: Biden, Public Health Experts Assail Trump’s Misleading Statements
Revelations that President Donald Trump intentionally deemphasized the pandemic’s threat in critical early months were met with a barrage of criticism from Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, other lawmakers as well as public health officials.
Vaccine Safety Will Not Be Undercut By Politics, Administration Experts Pledge
Testifying in front of a Senate panel, NIH Director Francis Collins said that “science and science alone” will drive any decisions on a coronavirus vaccine. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said: “There’s been no politicization of the vaccine process whatsoever.”
Trump Admits He Downplayed Virus Dangers In Early Months Of Pandemic
In February President Donald Trump told journalist Bob Woodward, in taped interviews for a book, that the coronavirus was more deadly than the flu and could be transmitted in the air — but communicated none of that to the American people. The president now says he did it to avoid panic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Hospitals, Nursing Homes Fail to Separate COVID Patients, Putting Others at Risk
COVID patients have been commingled with uninfected patients in California, Florida, New Jersey, Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, New York and beyond. While officials have penalized nursing homes for such failures, hospitals have seen less scrutiny.
What Is the Risk of Catching the Coronavirus on a Plane?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says airplanes are not vectors for the spread of COVID-19 and that flying is “something that is safe for people to do.” Is the evidence really so clear?
Most Adults Wary of Taking Any Vaccine Approved Before the Election
About 60% of poll respondents are worried that federal regulators will rush to allow a vaccine because of political pressure. Opposition to getting a vaccine that might be authorized before the November election is strongest among Republicans.
Perspectives: Drugs from Mexico and Canada; Diabetes; Coinsurance Levels
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Viewpoints: Tarring A Vaccine’s Reputation Will Harm Everyone; Next Fiscal Response Is Long Overdue
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and others.
Insurer Investigating After $10,984 Bill For COVID Antibody Test
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
How The States Are Faring: Halloween Ban, High-Risk Residents
News from California, the District of Columbia, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.