Latest KFF Health News Stories
Return To Magic?: Disney World Set To Reopen With New Policies, New Safety Protocols
A recent surge of cases in Florida has led a group of employees at the Orlando park to request delaying the opening, but Disney says it’s committed to keeping everyone safe and is eager to open after being closed for more than 100 days. Public health news is on best safety ideas, challenges for Hollywood and more.
It’s A Growing Chorus: Wear The Mask Already
It’s being repeated by elected officials and public health experts in regard to President Donald Trump’s upcoming New Hampshire rally. It’s also the new rule if you want to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
An Ominous Sign: Big 10 Cancels This Fall’s Non-Conference Games
The plan to scale back the conference’s athletic schedule will affect football, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. It will only be put into action if public health officials advise playing sports at all, as concerns grow regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
Florida’s HCA Hospitals Slam Brakes On Non-Emergency Surgeries
Other health care companies in the news: Oscar, Sutter Health, Teladoc Health and United Hospital Fund.
In At Least A Dozen States, Testing Woes Reappear With A Vengeance
Issues like longer wait times and supply shortages are becoming apparent in many areas. In related news: Wyoming will test all prisoners for COVID-19.
Drug Behemoths Toss $1 Billion Lifeline To Small Antibiotic Companies
The fund aims to help struggling startups survive a collapsing antibiotic market that has dramatically reduced the number of promising drugs.
Foreign Students In Fraught Position Due To Trump Visa Rule
Harvard and MIT, as well as the state of California, are among entities filing suit against a Trump administration immigration policy which could lead to the deportation of international students who only take online higher-education courses — even though many institutions are not planning to offer in-person learning this fall.
Debate Over Reopening Schools — And How To Do It — Continues
The science seems iffy, political messages pitched and school officials say it will take an infusion of funds to pull it off. The stakes are high as school systems around the country begin to release their plans.
Trump Takes Step Back From Previous Mask-Wearing Reluctance
The president said he will “likely” wear a mask when he visits combat veterans and health care workers at Walter Reed Medical Center this weekend.
CDC Director Says Closed Schools Pose ‘Greater Public Health Risk’ For Kids
In public comments Thursday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said, “the reason I push it is that I truly believe it’s for the public health benefit of these kids.” The agency’s final guidelines for reopening schools are still in flux after criticism from President Donald Trump.
Study: Evidence Suggests Fetal Transmission Of Coronavirus Possible
Italian researchers studied 31 women with COVID-19 who delivered babies in March and April.
WHO Director’s Urgent Solidarity Plea To Global Leaders: ‘How Is It Difficult For Humans To Unite?’
In an impassioned speech, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns that the greatest threat to effectively fighting the pandemic is a lack of global leadership and unity.
WHO Recognizes That Airborne Spread Of Coronavirus Indoors Is Possible
The World Health Organization previously dismissed the possibility that respiratory droplets can linger in the air and transmit the virus. A group of 200 scientists penned a letter to the agency earlier this week urging them to acknowledge the scientific evidence.
Time To Pause Reopenings In States With Growing Infections, Fauci Says
In an interview with The Hill, Dr. Anthony Fauci said, “I think any state that is having a serious problem, that state should seriously look at shutting down.” With infections surging in so many places, the question of re-instituting restrictions is being fiercely debated by government and public health officials across the U.S.
States Struggle To Cope With High Infection Tallies
This sampling of news stories reflects high numbers in Oregon, Wisconsin and Illinois as well as from a Navajo nation reservation that encompasses parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
COVID Cases Keep Accelerating In U.S., Passing Another Single-Day Record
New outlets tallying the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases report that Thursday posted yet another daily high mark.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages express views on safe ways to educate students and operate sports programs during the pandemic.
Perspectives: Winners, Losers In Supreme Court’s Birth Control Ruling
Editorial pages weigh in on the Supreme Court’s contraception ruling.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
