Latest KFF Health News Stories
US Surpasses 160,000 Coronavirus Deaths, Adding 10,000 Over Last Week
The global picture is also grim: total confirmed cases reach 19 million. Daily cases in the United States continue to stay below July’s highs though.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Our Immune System And COVID? It’s Complicated; Only A Safe Vaccine; Flying Fears
Opinion writers express views on these pandemic topics and others.
Editorial writers focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Health News From Around The Globe: Americans Sneak Around Travel Bans
Global pandemic developments are reported out of Europe, Australia, Japan, Brazil, China, North Korea and other countries. Also: The health legacy of the atomic bomb blasts in World War II and Cold War testing is noted as the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing is marked.
Some States See Progress In COVID Fight; Others Don’t
A mixed bag of success stories and failures among the states: mask mandates, check points and misjudgments.
Research Roundup: COVID; Brain Death; MRSA; Sinusitis; And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Bill Would Stop Companies From Taking Biometric Data Without Asking
In other tech news: the use of Zoom meetings in ICU treatment; a psychiatrist touts the benefits of Twitch; and businesses adapt their technology during the pandemic.
Risks For Black Health Care Workers Are Higher; Racism Called Public Health Crisis
A Harvard study looks at the unequal footing in health care industry workplaces for Black Americans.
School Quarantines In Mississippi, North Carolina; Arizona Teacher Resigns, Fined
Media outlets report on K-12 and higher education news from across the nation.
UConn Cancels Football Season; NCAA Drops Many Fall Championships
“The safety challenges created by COVID-19 place our football student-athletes at an unacceptable level of risk,” said the University of Connecticut’s Dave Benedict. And news about cruise ships, none of it good.
Study: No Significant Benefits From Vitamin D On Depression
The results were clear, researchers said. The “Sunshine Vitamin” doesn’t improve mood either. Public health news is on STD diagnostics, tear gas dangers, climate news, food insecurity and mental health, as well.
Stop Partying Or We’ll Shut Off Your Utilities, LA Mayor Warns
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti threatened to shut off power and water to residents who hold big parties. In other states, large gatherings continue to spread the coronavirus to large numbers of people. But in Fargo, N.D., an outdoor festival goes on.
CDC Issues Dire Warning After Several Deaths: Do Not Drink Hand Sanitizer
In other public health news: rising hospital infections; the many symptoms of COVID-19; what winter might be like this year; face masks that are “Made in the USA”; and more.
Rebates for some Massachusetts health insurance customers and higher profits for CVS Health are two impacts of the pandemic; people used fewer health services.
Virginia Rolls Out First Contact Tracing App In US Using Apple-Google Tech
“No one is tracking you. None of your personal information is saved,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said in a televised briefing. Across the country in California, a genetic testing company says it’s solved many of the hurdles holding back a simpler, faster COVID-19 test.
Plasma Trials Off To Slow Start Because Focus Was On Other Treatments
Other pharmaceutical developments include the United States’ reliance on China for drugs and how to stop superbugs. Also in the news: Teladoc; Blackstone; Ancestry; and Taysha Gene Therapies.
Moderna Floats COVID Vaccine Pricing
The vaccine maker’s CEO said it will use a tiered pricing system and charge less for high-volume buyers. In other vaccine news, Johnson & Johnson secures a $1 billion deal with the federal government.
Supreme Court Allows California Jails To Not Enforce Pandemic Protections
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court overruled a federal judge’s previous order mandating that California’s Orange County jails take steps to protect inmates from the coronavirus.
Another Congressman Contracts COVID
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Illinois) announced he tested positive. Davis had made more of an effort than many other Republican Congress members to wear a mask, reports Politico.
