Latest KFF Health News Stories
More Lawmakers Infected By Coronavirus
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Georgia), who was tested multiple times with mixed results, appeared with Vice President Mike Pence at a campaign rally on Friday. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) and Reps. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin) and Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut) all tested positive for COVID-19.
Trump Unveils Drug-Price Rules, Also Uses Moment To Slam Vaccine Makers
President Donald Trump accused Pfizer “and others” of delaying vaccine trial results for political reasons — without offering evidence to support the accusation.
More Americans Than Ever Are Sick Enough With COVID To Be Hospitalized
Daily hospitalizations broke records for the 13th day in a row, with no end in sight. Over 3 million new cases have been reported in November, with a week still to go — bumping the total U.S. cases during the pandemic to 12 million.
Fauci, Other Health Experts Press On Against Large Thanksgiving Gatherings
The nation’s top infectious disease expert urged Americans to conduct a “risk-benefit assessment” before getting together. “Every family is different. Everyone has a different level of risk that they want to tolerate,” he said.
Thanksgiving Travel Already Spiking As People Ignore Advice To Stay Home
A new poll shows that 1 in 3 parents think the benefits of getting together for Thanksgiving is worth the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.
Regeneron’s Antibody Treatment Gets FDA Emergency Authorization
On Saturday the FDA granted emergency use authorization for REGN-COV2, Regeneron’s therapy that is a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies. While the drug was still experimental it was given to President Donald Trump.
Vaccine Rollout?: Delay Of Freezers, Short Shelf Life Could Stymie Plans
“We really don’t want to lose a drop of this stuff, so it’s a concern. And I don’t have all the answers for how we’re going to do this yet,” said Paul Cieslak, Oregon’s medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations.
First Vaccine Could Be Administered In US As Early As Dec. 11
Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed, said that if approvals proceed as expected, the nation’s vaccination program could start by mid-December and that 70% of Americans could be inoculated by mid-May.
AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Prevents Virus In Average Of 70% Cases
Two dosing regimens were tested by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford — one regimen showed 90% efficacy while the other showed 62%.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Who Gets The Vaccine First? Depends On Who You Ask; Lessons On Hoarding Virus Therapies
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Perspectives: Masking Up For Thanksgiving; Getting Good Care; Keeping Schools Open
How honest will people be about the size of their bubbles during the holidays? Opinion pages focus on that issue and other COVID topics.
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 masks, tattoos, wasp venom, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Obamacare, death doulas and more.
Report: EU Gets Lower Price Than U.S. For Pfizer, CureVac Vaccines
The report from Reuters says that the lower price reflects the financial support given by the European Union to BioNTech for the drug’s development. News is on Mexico and Serbia, as well.
Lawmakers Push For Georgia To Free Detainees Over Gynecology Care
A letter from more than 100 congressional Democrats calls for the women to receive necessary certifications for a chance to apply for U-visas, which allow undocumented immigrants who have assisted law enforcement to apply to stay in the country legally, The Washington Post reports.
Vaping Rate Rising; Rate Of Decline in Cigarette Smoking Stalls
The adult smoking rate last saw a substantial drop in 2017. The new figures mean there are more than 34 million adult smokers in the U.S. About 11 million people are e-cigarette users. News is on the pandemic’s toll on smokers, a delay in the execution of a woman on death row, and more.
Rise In Cases Among TSA Employees Noted Nationwide Since October
Miami International has the largest number of cases — 157 — reported. News is on ways to keep yourself safe while navigating airports, and updates on sports and celebrities.
Sigh: More Schools Are Shifting Students Online
Some or most schools except K-8 are closing in places like New York City, Kentucky and Michigan. Many are receiving political pushback over whether closures help reduce infection spread.
Milwaukee Health Department Staffers Receiving Death Threats
“MHD staff have received death threats, have actively had their identity circulated over social media in posts or comments promoting aggressive acts, and had two individuals appear at an MHD location requesting access to such MHD staff,” the department said in a statement.
Promising News In The Fights Against Cancer And HIV
New research published this week suggests that combining a cancer vaccine with adjuvant molecules might help prevent the recurrence of melanoma. In AIDS developments, deaths related to HIV plunged from 2010 to 2018, data show.
