Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Begin Colon Cancer Screening Earlier, At Age 45, Key Panel Urges
The Hill: Colon Cancer Screening Should Begin At Age 45, Not 50, US Task Force Says
A key panel of experts on Tuesday recommended for the first time that people get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 45, instead of age 50, pointing to new evidence of the cancer in younger people. The recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force comes after American Cancer Society recommended the same age change in 2018. The draft recommendation is open for comment until Nov. 23. (Sullivan, 10/27)
In other public health news —
Lexington Herald Leader: Restaurants Should Hire COVID-19 Survivors, Rand Paul Says
Sen. Rand Paul said Sunday people who have recovered from COVID-19 can not get it again, despite scientific evidence that refutes his claim. Speaking at a campaign event for Nick Freitas, a congressional candidate in Virginia, the outspoken Kentucky senator urged restaurants and cruise ships to hire people who have had COVID-19. (Stunson, 10/27)
Stat: Inside The Internal Fight Over Pinterest’s Health Misinformation Policy
Pinterest has built its massive brand around its identity as a cheery, curated hub of health and wellness content — complete with a widely praised, hardline policy against medical misinformation. But behind the scenes, Pinterest’s battle against misinformation has been just as much a fight inside the company’s own doors. A STAT investigation has found that the platform’s policy was crafted and championed by a handful of employees — largely women of color — who say they were met with pushback and apathy from co-workers and supervisors. (Brodwin, 10/28)
The Wall Street Journal: The Covid Thanksgiving: Outdoor Heaters, Virtual Meals, Grandma Stays Home
Ted Teuten is facing an agonizing question for Thanksgiving this year: Is it safe for his 76-year-old mother to come? Mr. Teuten, an interior designer, normally hosts a feast with family and friends. This year, he’s debating the risks his mom will face if she travels to his home in Chicago from hers near Albany, N.Y. “My sister and I just finished texting about whether to put my mom on a plane,” he says. He’s worried too about the risks of a long, indoor dinner at close quarters. “The whole thing is deeply questionable at this point,” he says. (Chaker, 10/27)
USA Today: Chrissy Teigen Reveals Why She Shared Pregnancy Loss Photos In Moving Essay
Chrissy Teigen is "ready" to talk about her pregnancy loss. In September, Teigen, 34, announced in a series of emotional hospital room photos on Instagram that she and her husband John Legend, 41, lost their unborn son, three days after Teigen was hospitalized for bleeding issues. On Tuesday, the model and TV personality got even more candid about the heartbreaking experience, describing it in detail in a Medium essay and sharing how she's coped since. (Trepany, 10/27)
The Wall Street Journal: Parents Are The New Remote-School Zoom Bombers
Now that moms and dads have gotten a new window into the classroom, many are having a hard time staying out of it. Some are asking questions during live video classes or texting teachers while class is in session. Others are sitting next to their kids and asking them questions or prodding them to speak up. In one hybrid class, an at-home parent on Zoom interrupted a teacher to point out that a student in the physical classroom wasn’t wearing his mask over his nose. (Jargon, 10/27)
Kaiser Health News: Seniors Are Forming Pandemic Pods To Ward Off Winter Isolation
Over the past month, Dr. Richard Besdine and his wife have been discussing whether to see family and friends indoors this fall and winter. He thinks they should, so long as people have been taking strict precautions during the coronavirus pandemic. She's not convinced it's safe, given the heightened risk of viral transmission in indoor spaces. (Graham, 10/28)
