Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Cases Rise In 21 States, Experts Debate If It’s Start Of Another Surge
While highly contagious variants spread, more Americans travel and states loosen restrictions, there is hope that past infections and vaccinations can tamp down a fourth surge in the U.S.
Miami Beach Police Use Crowd Control Measures To Disperse Spring Breakers
Emergency curfews are also in place as the South Florida city tries to control unruly crowds refusing to follow covid precautions. Over the weekend, SWAT teams were employed, who used pepper balls and arrested over 1,000 people.
CDC Drops Social Distance In Schools From 6 Feet To 3 Feet, With Limits
When attending school in person, the CDC now says students need only keep 3 feet apart for safe covid distance. But the new rules apply only under certain circumstances, including being in an area with low community transmission.
AstraZeneca Trials Show Vaccine Is 79% Effective Against Symptomatic Covid
And it provides 100% protection against severe illness and hospitalization, according to new U.S.-based testing of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. The results are an important step toward U.S. authorization of a fourth jab.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these topics, dementia care and Florence Nightingale.
Viewpoints: Dialysis Clinics Need Vaccine Allocations; Are Faster Human Vaccine Trials Ethical?
Opinion writers weigh in on vaccines and the pandemic lockdown.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, pregnancy and the ethical problems related to Nazi anatomical drawings. Also, renowned sleep researcher Rosalind D. Cartwright, 98, has died.
Judge Upholds Charges Against Former Michigan Governor In Flint Water Case
Rick Snyder, a Republican who served until 2019, is charged with failing to timely declare an emergency in Flint despite corrosion in its water supply.
‘Real Water’ Products Withdrawn In Nevada Over Liver Failure Worries
Reports of liver problems have caused withdrawal of an “alkalized water” product for sale in Nevada. Elsewhere, concerns swirl that a popular flea collar has killed nearly 1,700 pets, and a study suggests high-speed public hand dryers may spread diseases.
Rhesus Monkey Alzheimer’s Model Could Speed Research In Humans
In other news, the FDA is looking into how drug names impact public and medical profession perceptions of a drug’s efficacy, and shareholders push back against AmerisourceBergen’s large-scale payments to its CEO and management.
CDC: 56% Of Antibiotic Prescriptions From Hospitals Were Inappropriate
The analysis, published Thursday, examined prescriptions given to more than 1,500 patients at nearly 200 hospitals between May 1 and Sept. 30 of 2015.
CDC Pressured To Make Decision On Safe Distancing As Schools Reopen
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is facing calls to issue new safe-distancing guidelines, possibly lowering the current 6-foot limit, as schools begin to reopen. And new data shows that Florida’s in-person learning did not translate to covid hotspots in schools.
Concern Grows That People With Disabilities Left Out Of Vaccine Plans
In other news, Missouri and Maryland expand their covid vaccine eligibility; Atlanta Hawks staff and players get vaccines; and many medical workers still have doubts about getting a shot.
Supply And Demand Challenges Drive Uneven Rollout In States
States like California, Florida, Oregon, Arkansas and Michigan continue to report ups and downs in the vaccine distribution flow.
In Study, Aspirin Linked To Less-Severe Covid Infections
Patients taking low-dose aspirin had less-severe coronavirus outcomes, including lower requirements for ventilation. Meanwhile, the WHO has announced it may have found where the virus began.
Hearing Focuses On Spiking Violence Against Asian Americans Made Worse By Pandemic
Lawmakers and other prominent Asian Americans testified about issues with complicated public health ties, including the covid crisis, violence against women, gun laws as well as racial disparities in the U.S. health care and criminal justice systems.
Fauci And Paul Engage In Another Heated Exchange Over Masks
“I totally disagree with you,” Dr. Anthony Fauci responded to Sen. Rand Paul’s assertions that vaccinated people wearing masks is “just theater” because they can’t be infected. Fauci explained that risks remain from variants and future changes to the virus.
15 States Report Rising Covid Cases, Sparking Worries Of New Surge
The past month has seen lower covid case numbers nationally, but concerns grow that an uptick reported in more than a dozen states is a warning of an incoming wave. Experts note herd immunity has not been reached yet and restrictions are still required.
US To Send 4M Surplus Doses Of AstraZeneca Vaccine To Canada, Mexico
The plan to send 2.5 million doses to Mexico and 1.5 million to Canada is expected to be announced Friday. AstraZeneca’s vaccine is not currently authorized for use in the U.S., which has a large stockpile that the international community has urged the U.S. to share.
