Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fired Florida Data Scientist Turns Herself In, Tests Positive
CBS News: Fired Florida COVID-19 Data Scientist Rebekah Jones Arrested And Charged With Illegal Access To State Computer
Rebekah Jones, Florida's former COVID-19 data scientist, turned herself in to police after a warrant was issued for her arrest for illegal use of the state's computer system, CBS Miami reports. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrest of Jones, 31, on Monday morning. The agency said she is charged with one count of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices. Court records show that Jones posted a $2,500 bond following an initial appearance hearing in Tallahassee on Monday morning. ... The DeSantis administration fired Jones in May after she accused state health officials of manipulating data to suppress the number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths. After her dismissal, Jones set up a competing COVID-19 dashboard to display data about the virus. (1/19)
In news from New Mexico, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina and Maine —
KRQE News 13: Health Alert Issued For Albuquerque Due To Blowing Dust
The City of Albuquerque has issued a Health Alert due to blowing dust that will be in effect from Monday, January 18 at 7 p.m. through Tuesday, January 19 at 5 p.m. Individuals with respiratory conditions in the City of Albuquerque as well as Bernalillo County are urged to limit outdoor activity during this time. (1/18)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Health, Safety Officials Pledge To Work On Violent Crime
More than a dozen public safety and health officials gathered on Milwaukee’s west side Friday to restate their commitment to addressing violent crime as a public health issue in 2021. After an unprecedented year in homicides, nonfatal shootings and other fatal incidents, leaders implored the public to think about all the destructiveness that violence causes: from the trauma and physical injuries felt by gunshot victims, to the emotional pain felt from families missing their loved ones, and to the stress placed on first responders, violence interrupters and medical personnel. “They cannot do this alone,” Mayor Tom Barrett said. “We need more people in this community to have the sense of urgency that this is a pandemic, just as the COVID-19 crisis is a pandemic.” (Hughes, 1/15)
Des Moines Register: 'Save Your Brain' Campaign Aims To Help Iowans Prevent Dementia
Iowa’s retired state epidemiologist is coordinating a new effort to help Iowans prevent dementia. Dr. Patricia Quinlisk spent 24 years as Iowa’s top public health expert before retiring in 2018. She is now helping lead the “Save Your Brain” campaign, which will start offering dementia prevention classes Jan. 28. The program emphasizes how factors such as poor diet, social isolation, lack of exercise and untreated hearing loss can raise people's risk of developing dementia. (Leys, 1/15)
North Carolina Health News: EPA Rejects NC Groups’ PFAS Petition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rejected a petition from six North Carolina environmental groups that would have forced the Chemours chemical company to fund health studies on 54 types of “forever chemicals” released from its Fayetteville Works plant. The EPA said in a Jan. 7 response that the petitioners failed to prove the requested data was needed. (Barnes, 1/19)
Bangor Daily News: Flu Cases In Maine Are Down Significantly This Season
Maine has seen 85 percent fewer flu cases so far this season than it’s typically seen by this point in the year, likely the result of COVID-19 mitigation measures such as masks and social distancing and indications that more people received flu shots. There have been no hospitalizations or deaths because of influenza, pneumonia or related illnesses so far this flu season, according to weekly reports from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. From Oct. 10, 2020 — the start of the current flu season — to Jan. 9, health care providers reported only 80 cases of the flu statewide. (Pendharkar, 1/19)
