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The White House said the masks, which come from the nation's emergency Strategic National Stockpile, are the largest deployment of PPE in U.S. history. Meanwhile, a mask battle among Supreme Court justices is proof that no office is immune to the debate over face coverings.
Investigators and lawmakers try to tackle allegations of fraudulent or predatory businesses trying to cash in on the short supply of covid testing supplies during the omicron wave.
COVIDtests.gov is set to officially launch mid-morning Wednesday, though the site was quietly made available the day before to identify bugs — which a good number of users reported, particularly those who live in multi-dwelling buildings. Delivery of ordered test kits are expected to begin by the end of the month.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
A volcanic eruption covered the island in ash and damaged infrastructure. But Tonga has dodged covid and wants to keep the virus out, despite relief efforts. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization says a billion covid shots have been sent to poorer nations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said flu is ending but levels were still elevated, and the risk will remain for at least a few more weeks. Separate reports say flu is also fading in Europe. Meanwhile, Moderna said it will launch a combination flu and covid vaccine as soon as late 2023.
The real estate company had promised millions to Harvard University but has reneged on its promise. Inmate mental health in Georgia, health care in Georgia's budget, nursing education in Indiana and more are also in the news.
Reports say that there's been an 8.8% rise in Medicare Advantage enrollments, as of Jan. 1, over the same period last year. But while most beneficiaries in Parts A and B are expected to join Advantage plans by next year, the spending may still outpace traditional paid health costs.
NPR and NBC News report on how long lines at free covid test sites and scarce at-home tests have driven more people to pay for tests, with potentially high prices. But the ongoing price of testing and masking up is not easy for a significant number of people. Media outlets cover other testing news.
A study from Israel has complicated implications for the future of covid vaccinations, since it showed that a fourth dose of Pfizer or Moderna can bring a boost in antibodies but not enough to prevent breakthrough infections of the omicron variant. Meanwhile, ivermectin is in the news again.
Some epidemiologists say case counts should be relied on only as broad indicators of the velocity and direction of the disease’s transmission, Stateline reports. Also: Hospitals in Oklahoma, Arizona and Utah struggle with a crush of covid patients; Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley tests positive for covid; and more.
The agency clarified its guidance on masks after recently saying that wearing any mask was better than wearing no mask. It also updated its website to say that there is no longer a shortage of N95s and that anyone can wear them without worrying they will be shortchanging health care workers.
It's also too soon to know if the covid variant will be the beginning of the end of the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci says: "I would hope that that’s the case. But that would only be the case if we don’t get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky has come under fire for the agency's mish-mash of public health guidelines. One recent advisory in particular touched a nerve: A CDC update on Jan. 6 advised schools to cancel football, band and even exercise in communities with high covid transmission rates.
Medical professionals working in one of the 24 states where the vaccine mandate was reinstated by last week's Supreme Court decision get a few more weeks to get their covid shots — the first must be done by Feb. 14 and the second by March 15. The deadline everywhere else remains Feb. 28 to be fully vaccinated.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request from health providers to instead return the case to district court. The decision means that Texas' law effectively banning almost all abortion procedures will remain in effect for additional months as the legal challenge winds its way through the courts.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
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