Latest KFF Health News Stories
Controversial ‘Herd Immunity’ Strategy Pushed By Trump-Backed Task Force Member
Scott Atlas, President Donald Trump’s latest favored adviser on the pandemic, is urging the White House to adopt a new approach and allow COVID-19 to spread in an effort to achieve “herd immunity.” The Washington Report reports that some such policies are already being implemented.
While White House Downplayed COVID Threat To Public, It Privately Warned ‘Red Zone’ States
A House committee released eight secret White House Coronavirus Task Force reports that were only shared with states and reveal the government’s awareness of the state of the pandemic in recent months. The Center for Public Integrity had previously obtained and reported on the secret reports.
Nations Can’t ‘Just Pretend The Pandemic Is Over,’ WHO Director Says
In the U.S., while new cases decline nationally, areas of the Midwest continue to surge. And hospitalizations and deaths among kids are rising.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
How The World Is Faring: More Infectious Strain Emerges
Global news reports are from Indonesia, China, England, Iran, Chile, Mexico, Tanzania, Zambia, Japan and Germany.
Coast To Coast, States Suffer With COVID Surges
But Arizona, a former hot spot for positive cases, is emerging from lockdown as an example of how aggressive restrictions can flatten the curve.
Colon Cancer Is Increasing Among Younger People, More Likely Among Blacks
The cancer that killed 43-year-old Chadwick Boseman is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Other medical news includes addiction treatment, dermatology and darker skins, pediatrics, and ALS and medical marijuana.
Teachers Fight Back-To-School Orders
Teachers unions across the country are filing lawsuits in court to avoid going back to work in person with their students. And colleges report more and more cases of coronavirus among their students back on campus.
Researchers Identify First Reinfection Case In US
The 25-year-old man from Nevada was much sicker the second time. Three other reinfections are known to exist, calling into question the immune systems’ ability to prevent more serious illness.
Telehealth Shortfall: Doctor Counts The Ways In-Person Physicals Are Important
Many are skipping annual physicals altogether or relying on telemedicine, including pet owners.
States Struggle With Flu Shot Mandates, Too
It’s almost flu season and the anti-vaccine advocates are fighting with officials in numerous states over flu shots for children.
Nestlé To Buy Peanut-Allergy Pharma Company
The food giant is buying a California biopharmaceutical company in a deal that values the startup at $2.6 billion.
Elon Musk Unveils Brain Implant To Help People With Neural Disorders
On Friday, the inventor showed off a prototype of the device developed by his startup, Neuralink.
Getting America Vaccinated Against COVID Won’t Be Easy
As the prospects of a coronavirus vaccine improve, the logistics of getting Americans vaccinated appear daunting and not just because only half of Americans say they are highly likely to get the shot.
Little Evidence? FDA Expands Use Of Remdesivir Anyway
The FDA announced the antiviral can be used in any patient. “It seems to be a pattern of approval without science, without data, without evidence,” said Dr. Eric Topol, vice president at Scripps Research.
A COVID Stimulus Bill Just Got More Complicated
Negotiations in Congress for a fifth COVID relief bill is now tied to negotiations to avoid another government shutdown. And neither are going well.
Hurricane Laura Adds To Health Risks
The powerful hurricane that hit Gulf Coast states damaged refineries, petrochemical plants and plastics factories, which could have released dangerous pollutants into the air. But some key state and federal monitors to alert the public remain offline in Louisiana.
Maskless White House Audience Could Spread COVID Back Home
With no social distancing and few masks in use, 1,500 Trump campaign supporters crowded together to hear Donald Trump’s convention speech Thursday night. Public health experts worry that guests could have been infected. Meanwhile, the political conventions did not much change impressions of Trump or Joe Biden.
CDC, FDA Prestige Takes Hit After Missteps And Backpedaling
And the reputations of both public health agencies could be further impacted by impressions that they are bowing to political pressure from the White House.
