Viewpoints: Lessons On Pfizer’s Vaccine; Stay Home For Thanksgiving; Gear Up Bubble For College Football
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
17,601 - 17,620 of 112,676 Results
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
The World Health Organization is also waiting to see if President-elect Joe Biden reverses the decision to exit the agency. News reports are on Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, China, and Lebanon, as well.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN's Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
But pushback continues: In Utah — where the governor recently enacted an emergency order calling for everyone to wear masks — the Iron County sheriff said he won't enforce the order. The sheriff says pandemic restrictions are causing adverse effects on county residents' well-being.
The country's announcement follows Pfizer's reporting of a similar breakthrough. Late-stage trials have not yet finished.
News is from Vermont, Alaska, New Mexico, Montana, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada and Illinois.
Even with friends and family, take precautions or consider having virtual celebrations. News is on plans for the National Christmas Tree Lighting, superspreader events, honoring nurses and more.
A new study out from The Lancet found that 20 percent of COVID-19 patients are diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 90 days after the COVID diagnosis. New research on the virus also covers hospital readmissions, melatonin, testing and more.
The IRS is warning people about scammers who reach out about stimulus payments via text and email. Other coronavirus scam-related news is on fake clinical trials, fake COVID tests, fake cures and more.
The draft bill includes $300 million for the HHS Hospital Preparedness Program, which provides grants to states to prepare hospitals for public health emergencies, an increase of $24 million from last year.
Hospital bed availability a key metric that Gov. Kristi Noam, a Republican, has used to defend her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Also in the news: El Paso's University Medical Center, Detroit Medical Center, Tower Health and more.
At least 28 employees of the Jackson County Election Board in Missouri were infected, though it's not clear if it was due to exposure from voters. Election workers in California, Pennsylvania and Minnesota also test positive.
As the Biden transition moves forward, without concession or cooperation from the Trump administration, COVID-19 vaccine distribution emerges as a key discussion point. And speculation continues about who will be nominated to the next cabinet.
And President-elect Joe Biden says his team is preparing a contingency plan to ensure Americans do not lose coverage for preexisting conditions, in case the Supreme Court strikes down the health law. And he wants to work with Congress to improve protections.
Limited amounts of the drug and other logistical challenges could hamper the federal government to fairly distribute the newly approved treatment.
Exchanges during two hours of arguments in California v. Texas — another legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act — indicate that even conservative members of the Supreme Court may be inclined to uphold the health law. A decision is expected in late spring.
The nation surpassed a series of other alarming marks as well: Texas became the first state with over 1 million cases; the U.S. broke another daily record of over 136,000 new infections; and hospitalizations are at the highest point of the pandemic.
The current vaccine development roadmap points to general public distribution as soon as April 2021 according to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
The good news is that Pfizer's vaccine is reported to be 90% effective; the bad is that it must be stored in expensive ultra-cold freezers that many hospitals and facilities that often provide inoculations do not currently possess.
© 2026 KFF