Latest KFF Health News Stories
Plastic Barriers May Actually Worsen Spread Of Coronavirus, Research Finds
The dividers can impede the natural air flow of a room, leading to aerosol buildup and potentially higher concentrations of the virus that causes covid, recent studies suggest. However, they appear to be beneficial at slowing the transmission of larger particles from sneezing and coughing.
Federal Workers Face Discipline For Being Unvaxxed, Refusing Tests
The Biden administration is clamping down on federal workers, with anti-covid guidance that includes threats of disciplinary action. Meanwhile labor advocates in Massachusetts are pushing back at the falling-away of some covid workplace protections.
More School Districts Mandate Covid Vaccines For Students, Educators
From Culver City Unified School District in California, which will require all students ages 12 and over to get covid shots, to authorities in Georgia and Connecticut, which are mandating vaccines for teachers and support staff, the idea of requiring vaccines in schools is spreading.
The Rocky Road Back To School: Vaccine Gag Rule, Mask Wars
The fierce debate over how to return kids to the classroom amid surging covid cases is playing out in nearly every state. In addition to fights over masks, one Arizona school district is also banning any discussion by employees of vaccine status.
3 Vaccinated US Senators Test Positive; Covid Deaths Are Rising In 42 States
Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker, Maine independent Angus King and Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper say they are isolating and have mild symptoms. Other covid news is from Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, Alaska, Connecticut and elsewhere.
Severely Ill Floridians Forced To Wait For Treatment On Floor Of Library
Photos that have gone viral show patients waiting for monoclonal antibody treatment at a makeshift clinic in Jacksonville, where hospitals are struggling to cope with a spike in infections.
Texas Supreme Court Pauses Ban On Mask Mandates In Schools
The justices kicked Attorney General Ken Paxton’s mask mandate challenge back to an appeals court. The decision came on the heels of the Texas Education Agency telling schools that it would not enforce Gov. Greg Abbott’s order banning any requirements for face coverings while the legal proceedings play out. And school administrators must inform parents when their child is exposed to someone who tested positive for covid.
FDA, CDC Looking Into Reports Of Myocarditis After Moderna Shot
The Washington Post reports that an investigation is underway of emerging reports that the Moderna vaccine may carry a higher risk of the rare heart condition than the Pfizer vaccine, especially for males below the age of 30.
Third Shot And Done? Annual Boosters May Not Be Needed, CDC Director Says
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said that the agency is not anticipating that Americans will need yearly covid shots, though given the unpredictability of the virus she added: “I don’t want to say never.” Meanwhile, some scientists are criticizing the Biden administration’s push for covid booster shots, saying the data provided isn’t compelling enough to support the move.
One Million Shots In 24 Hours: US Vaccination Pace Hits Seven-Week High
The week-over-week average of covid jabs administered jumped 31%. There’s still a long way to go with only 60% of eligible Americans fully vaccinated.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Biogen Should Reevaluate Expanded ALS Drug Access; US Unprepared For Synthetic Pandemic
Editorial pages weigh in on expanded access, synthetic pandemics and menthol cigarettes.
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
Data Hints 4 In 5 South Africans May Have Had Covid
Data on South Africa’s case-fatality rate and excess deaths suggest 80% of the population may have had covid, making it one of the worst-hit nations. Meanwhile, the U.S. is suggesting that next month’s UN General Assembly should be virtual to prevent it from becoming a superspreader.
Research Roundup: Covid Vaccines; Knee Surgery; Autism; Gastric Cancer
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
California Extends Covid Testing, Vaccine Rules To Smaller Gatherings
Officials in California plan to expand covid requirements for large indoor events to gatherings of 1,000 people or more. Separately, the San Francisco Chronicle reports on the closure of local homeless hostels. Lead risks, wildfires, nurses’ pay, and medical marijuana are also in the news.
Pandemic Boosts Integrating Dental Care Into Typical Medical Checks
Modern Healthcare reports on how the pandemic has boosted efforts to roll dental checkups into normal medical appointments. SSM Health and Medica, Johnson & Johnson, Vigil Neuroscience plus Illumina and Grail are also in the news.
Sackler Family Member Says They Hold No Responsibility For Opioid Crisis
The Sacklers made threats to withdraw from a $4.5 billion settlement payment unless they had immunity from opioid lawsuits, and Richard Sackler now says the family and OxyContin maker Purdue bear no responsibility at all for the crisis.
Appeals Court Rules Texas Can Ban Common Method Of Abortion
The law prohibits a dilation-and-evacuation abortion method and requires doctors to use alternative methods, The New York Times reported. Abortion advocates say dilation and evacuation is one of the safest abortion methods in the second trimester of pregnancy.
EPA Bans Pesticide Linked To Neurological Damage In Kids
The Trump administration had sought to continue the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops, issuing a proposal to do so in December, the Hill reported. Chlorpyrifos has been linked to lower IQ, impaired working memory and negative effects on motor development.
