ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Founder Pat Quinn Dies At Age 37
The challenge raised more than $220 million around the world for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Quinn died seven years after being diagnosed. News is also on cooking burns, unsafe COVID practices, new masks, and more.
CBS News:
Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Founder Pat Quinn Has Died At Age 37 After Battle With ALS
Pat Quinn, co-founder of the viral ice bucket video challenge, has died at the age of 37 after a seven-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig's disease. The ALS Association announced Quinn's death Sunday morning. "It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of Patrick early this morning," the ALS Association posted online. "He was a blessing to us all in so many ways. We will always remember him for his inspiration and courage in his tireless fight against ALS." (Bolden, 11/23)
In other public health news —
The Washington Post:
Cooking Burns Increase As Covid Keeps People Home
For much of the pandemic, while Instagram feeds have filled with “stress baking” photos of sourdough bread and cakes, burn units have filled up with injured cooks. From Sacramento to Washington, D.C., and even as far away as Israel and Australia, more people have been spending more time in their kitchens, resulting in more fires and burns. (Ellison, 11/22)
CNN:
A Man Wearing Trump Gear Who Was Seen Deliberately Exhaling On Women Outside Trump Golf Club Has Been Charged
A man wearing a Trump shirt and an inflatable Trump innertube around his belly who was seen on video deliberately exhaling on two women outside of President Donald Trump's golf course in Virginia has been charged with simple assault. Raymond Deskins, 61, of Sterling, Virginia, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. (Mallonee and Hoffman, 11/23)
Albuquerque Journal:
Company Creates Anti-Viral Mask
A Rio Rancho small business is developing an anti-viral mask, pending U.S. Food and Drug Administration certification. Green Theme Technologies Inc. owner Gary S. Selwyn has a doctorate in chemistry. He has developed a treatment and process that can infuse a mask with anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. This formula has undergone testing at the University of New Mexico and at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Testing reflects that Selwyn’s treatment, when applied to a mask, can kill the virus that causes COVID-19. Testing at Los Alamos lab indicates the treatment was also anti-bacterial. (Byres, 11/23)
Also —
The Washington Post:
Homicides, Aggravated Assaults On Steep Rise Across U.S. During Pandemic
In Greensboro, N.C., the violence has gotten so extreme that a shootout erupted in front of the county courthouse the other day, across the street from the sheriff’s office, leaving a 20-year-old man dead. Greensboro set a city record with 45 homicides last year, and, as of Friday, already had 54 this year. “We’ve always had a level of gang activity,” Greensboro Police Chief Brian James said in an interview, “but it’s more prolific now. I’m not sure what’s changed, but the offenders are more bold than they’ve ever been.” (Jackman, 11/21)
The New York Times:
Undocumented And Pregnant: Why Women Are Afraid To Get Prenatal Care
Britani first learned there was something wrong with her pregnancy late one night in July 2019 when she started bleeding and rushed to an emergency room. The doctor on duty said she had an infection that could cause her to miscarry. Britani agreed to find an obstetrician to treat the problem, knowing that she would not keep her word. As an undocumented immigrant, Britani, now 20, had no health insurance and could not afford to pay for her treatment in cash. Her only option would be to apply for public benefits, but she had heard from friends that doing so could make her a target for deportation or jeopardize her pending green card application. So she sat tight, hoping the infection would go away on its own. (Dickerson, 11/22)
KHN:
Were You Notified About Missing Tax Forms For Your ACA Subsidy? Blame COVID.
The notice from the federal health insurance marketplace grabbed Andrew Schenker’s attention: ACT NOW: YOU’RE AT RISK OF LOSING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE STARTING JANUARY 1, 2021. As he read the notice, though, the Blacksburg, Virginia, resident became exasperated. Schenker, his wife and their teenage son have a bronze-level marketplace plan. Based on their income of about $40,000 a year, they receive tax credits that cover the $2,036 monthly premium in full. (Andrews, 11/23)
