Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Different Takes: Monkeypox Not As Worrisome As Covid; Future Of Birth Control Unknown
NBC News: Where Did Monkeypox Originate And Is It The Next Covid Pandemic? Don't Freak Out — Yet.
We can’t seem to get a break from infectious diseases. The Covid-19 pandemic continues, and a third of Americans live in areas where the spread of the virus is currently so high that they should consider wearing masks indoors once again. Avian influenza H5N1 has hit a number of domestic poultry populations throughout the U.S., leading to almost 38 million birds killed to reduce its spread. And now close to 100 suspected human cases of monkeypox have been identified in at least 10 countries — Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, Belgium and Sweden — leading some to worry that the outbreak could be heralding a second pandemic. (Tara C. Smith, 5/21)
Bloomberg: Monkeypox Isn't Looking Like A Covid-Sized Threat
In just the past few weeks, at least 92 confirmed and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported across Europe, Canada, Israel, the US and Australia. And that number stands to grow as surveillance expands, Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said Monday. (Lisa Jarvis, 5/23)
USA Today: Monkeypox Threat Is Real. But We Have Medicines Needed To Fight It.
Although President Joe Biden said Sunday that Americans should be concerned about monkeypox, I would warn that excess hype can be destructive when we have zero evidence that the outbreak will rocket out of control. In fact, Biden sent a more reassuring message Monday, citing the smallpox vaccine's effectiveness on monkeypox: "I just don't think it rises to the level of the kind of concern that existed with COVID-19.” (Dr. Marc Siegel, 5/23)
Also —
The New York Times: How The Right To Birth Control Could Be Undone
The leaked draft opinion of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade has prompted a flurry of debate about the fate of other so-called unenumerated rights — rights that are not explicitly outlined in the Constitution — including the right to access contraception. (Melissa Murray, 5/23)
The Tennessean: Roe V. Wade’s Future Looks Bleak. What Does This Mean For Tennesseans?
Earlier this month, a draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked from the United States Supreme Court. The decision would essentially revoke federal protection of an individual’s right to choose, leaving abortion laws up to each state. In Tennessee, it would mean the end of legal abortion. (Christine Dickason, 5/23)
