Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Malware Attack Disrupts Alaska's Health Department Website
The Hill: Alaska Health Department Website Targeted In Cyberattack
Alaska's health department on Tuesday reported a malware attack that disrupted its website's services. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services' (DHSS) website was taken offline on Monday evening and remained unavailable on Tuesday evening due to the cyberattack. “At this time, there are no details about who initiated the attack, why they targeted DHSS, whether this attack is related to any other recent attacks, or how long the website may be down,” the state health department wrote in news release. (Jenkins, 5/19)
Stat: California Could Be First To Mandate Biosecurity For Mail-Order DNA
California lawmakers on Thursday will vote on a bill that would require the state’s growing gene synthesis industry to adopt screening protocols to keep dangerous DNA out of the hands of the wrong people. The proposed legislation would be the first in the nation to tackle the biosecurity risks that accompany cheap and easy DNA writing technologies. (Molteni, 5/20)
The Hill: US-Canadian Border Restrictions To Be Extended Through June: Report
Restrictions on nonessential travel across the U.S.-Canadian border will be extended through June, Canadian news outlet CTV News reported Tuesday. The report comes two days before the most recent extension is set to expire. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on April 20 that the restrictions will continue through May 21. (Williams, 5/19)
Health News Florida: Physician Groups Seek Veto Of 'Parents' Bill Of Rights'
Some of the state’s largest physician associations are asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a bill (HB 241) that would put into law a “parents’ bill of rights.” The bill would enumerate rights of parents related to health care and education. But critics contend it could turn physicians into criminals if they provide health care to children without first getting parental consent. (5/19)
The Baltimore Sun: Baltimore Roared Back To Life From Deadly 1918 Flu Pandemic After Just A Few Weeks Of Restrictions
When the 1918 pandemic hit Baltimore nearly 5,400 persons died within a few weeks. The influenza landed lethally in October, prompting authorities to close schools, churches, synagogues, racetracks and theaters. There were marked differences between 1918 and 2020-2021. The 1918 pandemic cut down young persons in the 20 to 44 age group with alarming speed. In 2021, it was seniors who were most susceptible, though health officials say younger people are currently fueling transmission of COVID-19. (Kelly, 5/20)
KHN: Seed Money: Black Entrepreneurs Hope Pandemic Gardening Boom Will Grow Healthier Eating
Ietef Vita had planned to spend most of 2020 on the road, promoting “Biomimicz,” the album the rapper had released on his #plantbasedrecords label in January. Vita, known to his fans as “DJ Cavem Moetavation” and “Chef Ietef,” had those plans unexpectedly cut short. “We were in Berkeley, California, on Feb. 29, playing there and literally got out of town right before they shut the whole country down,” recalled Vita, 34, who has performed for the Obamas and is widely considered the father of what’s known as eco-hip-hop. “It was scary.” (Thomas Whitfield, 5/20)
WSBTV.com: Georgia Woman Faked Cancer Diagnosis, Collected $15K In Donations, Deputies Say
For a year, authorities said a Georgia woman used Facebook, her church and other people in her community to raise money for her cancer treatment. The problem is that she wasn’t sick. Polk County police said 22-year-old Katie Lynn Shellhorse collected thousands of dollars from the Cedartown area in a case of deception. In April, authorities began investigating the case after they received a tip from a family member of Shellhorse that she was telling people she had cancer when she really didn’t. (5/19)
