Latest KFF Health News Stories
McConnell And Scalise, Noting Rise Of Virus, Urge Supporters Get Vaccinated
The recent surge of covid cases is prompting some Republican leaders to speak out as they try to overcome vaccine hesitancy among many conservatives.
Fauci, Paul Trade Accusations Of Lying At Covid Hearing
During a hearing Tuesday, Sen. Rand Paul tried to accuse Dr. Anthony Fauci of being partly to blame for starting the covid pandemic by helping fund research at a Wuhan lab. A frequently interrupted Fauci angrily pointed out the correct science and called Paul a liar.
NYC Mandates City Health Workers Get Vaccinated Or Be Tested Weekly
The new policy is scheduled to be announced by the mayor today and go into effect in August. Meanwhile in other states, concerns are rising about workers who have not gotten the shot, especially those working with frail seniors.
White House Renews ‘Public Health Emergency’ Pandemic Status
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the sixth renewal of the emergency state on Monday. Separately, President Joe Biden admitted there’s “a way to go yet” to beat covid. News outlets cover the administration’s covid response at six months in office.
Study: J&J Shot May Be Less Effective Against Delta, Lambda Variants
The research, posted online Tuesday, has not yet been peer-reviewed nor published in a journal, and it conflicts with research from Johnson & Johnson earlier this month. Also in the news: booster shots.
Coronavirus Cases Surging From Coast To Coast
Outlets report on the rise in coronavirus cases from Virginia, Maryland, Arkansas, California, Massachusetts, Texas and Alaska; plus, travel advisories and contact tracing.
CDC Adds To Mask Muddle, Saying ‘No Plans’ To Change Rules For Schools
Despite increasing pressure on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to “revisit” guidance on mask wearing in schools, including from pediatric groups, the CDC says it currently will not do so. Mask wearing issues on airplanes and in California, Las Vegas and Massachusetts are also reported.
Pandemic May Have Created Over A Million New Orphans
The figure comes from a global model built by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital, with “orphaned” meaning losing at least one parent. Separately, a study says 120,000 U.S. kids have lost a primary caregiver to the pandemic. Rising covid and long covid in children are also in the news.
Delta Dominates US Covid Cases: Just 17% Are Other Variants
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the country was experiencing a “dramatic increase” in cases traced to the delta covid variant — up to 83% of new cases, a rise from 50% just two weeks ago.
In 2020, US Life Expectancy Fell The Most Since World War II
Estimates place nearly 75% of the blame for the 1.5-year life expectancy slip (to 77.3 years) on covid — but those are the overall data: 90 percent of the drop in life expectancy among Hispanic Americans came from covid. Overdose deaths also played a role in the decline.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Cybersecurity Hacks Are A Health Care Risk; Pandemic Denialism Is Nothing New
Editorial writers explore health care threats, pandemic history and weight gain.
Opinion writers explore these covid and vaccine issues.
Canada Sets Aug. 9 Date To Open Borders For Fully Vaccinated Americans
The rest of the (vaccinated) world will be allowed across Canada’s borders starting Sept. 7. Also in the news, the White House will send 3 million Moderna vaccine doses to Guatemala; a WHO scientist worries we’re moving further away from the pandemic’s end; and more.
Olympic Covid Surge Grows As More Athletes And Staff Test Positive
About 70 people accredited for the Games have been identified with the virus — including a U.S. gymnast and a basketball player — but organizers say the competitions will go forward.
US Officials Advise All Americans Against Traveling To Britain
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department, citing the surge in covid cases in the United Kingdom, raised their travel advisories to “level 4,” the highest warning the federal government has made on trips to Britain.
In Divisive Move, Louisiana Lawmakers Seek To Override Transgender Bill Veto
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards refused to sign the bill that bans transgender youth from participating in sports, so the legislature will meet in special session today. In Texas, the governor says he has a way to advance legislation denying teens gender-affirming care.
Wildfire Smoke May Raise Chances Of Catching Covid
A study from the Desert Research Institute in Nevada found that covid infection rates rose during the 2020 wildfire season as smoke from other state fires reached Nevada. Ongoing wildfire risks, salmonella, lead exposure, dental care lapses and more are also in the news.
Even When In The Same Hospital, Black Patients Fare Worse Than Whites
A new analysis from the nonprofit Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds Black patients are more likely to suffer illnesses or injuries tied to surgical procedures than white patients of the same gender and age group. Another report looks at how hospitals are working to help people injured by gun violence.
FDA Approves Another Pricey Drug For Immune Condition GVHD
Kadmon is pricing Rezurock at $15,500 per month, which is comparable to other currently approved treatments for chronic graft-versus-host disease, CEO Harlan Waksal said. Other pharmaceutical industry news is on Cytokinetics, Leadiant and California Democratic U.S. Rep. Scott Peters.
