Latest KFF Health News Stories
In 2020, More Michiganders Died Than Were Born, For The First Time Ever
The difference between the birth and death figures, the first in the state’s recorded history, was worsened by deaths from covid. Meanwhile, in U.S. daily deaths from covid may have reached the highest level since early 2021, and there are covid spikes in places like Maryland and Utah.
Bracing For Next Pandemic: Senators Want To Investigate How Covid Was Handled
Senate health committee chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) released their proposal for looking into the federal government’s response to the current pandemic, in order to learn lessons for the next one. Separately, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is criticized for a perceived lack of leadership during the latest covid surge.
Omicron Found To Cause Shorter Hospital Stays, Fewer Deaths
Furthering recent reports that omicron-variant covid is less severe than previous versions like delta, a new U.S. study shows that the virus causes less impact on the hospital system and fewer fatalities. Meanwhile concerns about a “stealth” variant of omicron spread, though there’s no need to panic.
These 4 Things May Raise Your Chance Of Getting Long Covid, Researchers Say
They are: 1) the level of coronavirus RNA in the blood early in the infection; 2) the presence of certain autoantibodies that mistakenly attack tissues in the body; 3) the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus; and 4) having Type 2 diabetes.
Drugs That Do Work Against Omicron Are Scarce And Tricky To Access
While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes the FDA’s decision to halt authorization for two monoclonal antibody drugs that are ineffective against omicron, the antibody treatments and antivirals that do help treat the covid variant are in short supply. News outlets offer tips on how to find them.
Booster Shots Have Gone Into Arms Of Just 40% Of Americans
Though the benefit of vaccine boosters is proven, news outlets report on the “faltering” drive to persuade citizens to go and get the shots. Meanwhile, reports say 80% of staff in nursing homes are vaccinated, and Wisconsin’s Assembly is trying to ban vaccine passports.
New Yorkers Must Wear Masks For Now
An appeals judge temporarily upheld the policy a day after a lower-court judge struck it down. In other mask news, football fans will be given KN95 masks at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
OSHA Rescinds Employer Vaccine-Or-Test Rule Blocked By Supreme Court
The Biden administration withdrew its order that would have required about 84 million private employees to be vaccinated or test weekly for covid. OSHA says it’s working on a revised version of the rule.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: How To Help Youth Handle Mental Health Struggles; Time To Revisit Quality Of Life Issue
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Different Takes: It’s Time To Switch Our Focus To Covid Treatments; N95 Masks Don’t Work On Kids
Opinion writers delve into these covid and covid related topics.
If You’re A Vaccinated Tourist, The UK Soon Won’t Ask You To Test, Too
Britain will soon drop covid testing requirements for inbound visitors, as long as they’re vaccinated. In other news, Pfizer is pressed to make its covid pill more accessible for poorer nations, and in Israel the government is being advised to give fourth shots to some vulnerable people.
Hospital Shortages Leave Missouri Jails With Hundreds Of Mentally Ill Patients
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on a troubling situation caused by staffing problems at state mental hospitals. Other news outlets cover fentanyl overdoses in the South, petitions for more medical marijuana in Ohio, Idaho teachers on state health insurance, and more.
Some New Parents Can’t Get Hold Of Baby Formula
Media outlets report on a baby formula shortage that’s affecting parts of the U.S., including disagreements between brands and stores over the reasons behind the problem. In other infant health news, giving low-income families financial support is linked to better baby brain development.
HHS Urged To Plug Medicare Gap That Doesn’t Pay For At-Home Covid Tests
Lawmakers and advocates want the Biden administration to find a way to cover the rapid antigen tests. The laws governing Medicare currently don’t reimburse for self-administered diagnostic tests.
In Face Of Drug Price Limits, Insulin Makers Step Up Lobbying Spends
Insulin is called the “poster child for dysfunction” in the U.S. medical system in a report in Stat. With lawmakers working on limiting drug prices, including potential caps on out-of-pocket expenses for patients needing insulin, some drugmakers are paying lobbyists more to fight their cause.
California Bill Would Require K-12 School Kids To Get Covid Shots
Meanwhile in Boston a vaccine mandate for city employees seems to have worked, with over 94% of the workforce vaccinated. The city has extended the deadline for a week. Separately, one Bostonian has been removed from a heart transplant list for refusing a vaccine.
Rollout Of Free N95 Masks Begins At Stores And Clinics
News outlets report on where consumers may be able to find free N95 masks, which are being distributed out of the national stockpile by the federal government to encourage Americans to wear higher-quality face coverings.
New York Mask Mandate Ruled Unlawful By State Judge
State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker says that New York’s state requirement for masks can’t be enforced. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, says her administration will appeal.
Like The Virus Itself, Covid Misinformation Is Still Spreading
What a difference that “mis-” prefix makes: News outlets cover a rash of covid misinformation across the country, including how misinformation (instead of real, reliable information) left U.S. kids vulnerable to omicron covid, plus how unproven covid treatments are being promoted.
