UK Approves A Coronavirus Vaccine, The First Western Nation To Do So
Britain authorized emergency use for the COVID-19 shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
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Britain authorized emergency use for the COVID-19 shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
CNN obtained documents from a Chinese whistleblower detailing what local authorities knew and when, contradicting China's claims that it never concealed data.
Also, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces a new winter plan, including identifying retired nurses and doctors who could be called for staffing shortages. News is from New Jersey, California, Washington, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa.
The guidelines, published in JAMA Surgery, acknowledge the risks of misuse, but, “we don’t want to contribute to scaring parents and to scaring physicians about undertreating pain," said co-author Matthew Kirkpatrick, an addiction expert. Other public health reports are on shortages of COVID tests, failed tracing efforts and more.
Researchers stress that the MAP Growth assessments given this fall might be underestimating the impact of online learning among disadvantaged groups.
Researchers analyzed blood donations collected by the American Red Cross from residents in nine states. They found evidence of coronavirus antibodies in 106 out of 7,389 blood donations. The CDC analyzed the blood collected between Dec. 13 and Jan. 17.
The median hospital operating margin dropped 8.5% year over year and 18.7% for January through October compared with the previous year, according to an analysis of about 900 hospitals.
Additional reports are on a new HIV medication for babies and on AstraZeneca, Biogen, Kinaset and DeepMind, as well.
AP reports that the blood test has not been approved by the FDA and is not covered by insurance or Medicare. Its maker, C2N Diagnostics of St. Louis, charges $1,250 and offers discounts based on income. Results are available within 10 days.
Months into the pandemic, medical facilities continue to struggle to procure the PPE needed to keep health care personnel safe from virus exposure. In related news, nurses are in too short supply and California recommends weekly testing for workers.
The poll urges leaders to "remove politics and partisanship from their messaging" and remind people that mitigation measures are "good for the people they love and will speed up the return to a strong economy and a normal life."
NPR reports that more and more people are having to put expenses, even rent, on credit cards and default on bills. With financial struggles deepening, a bipartisan group of senators are trying to kickstart stalled stimulus negotiations.
The Trump administration will distribute early supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to the states, based on population. But how they are used is then up to state officials. Meanwhile, the White House plans to hold large indoor holiday parties.
Most state and local health departments are expected to be receptive to the guidance and changes ushered in by the next White House, but the challenges all face are steep. Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden continues to select his team.
The tenure of Dr. Scott Atlas was marked with several controversies when he espoused views on pandemic issues like masks and herd immunity that ran contrary to guidance from CDC scientists.
The panel members don't work for the government but provide expertise in how vaccines work, how the immune system responds, family medicine and infectious diseases, ABC News reports.
It's an unprecedented scientific accomplishment: Approximately 40 million doses of two very effective vaccines could be available by year’s end in the United States, enough for 20 million people to receive full protection.
More than 96,000 are severely sick enough with COVID-19 to require hospital care. In rural areas, the flood of patients means that medical professionals must treat friends and family. Hospital news is also reported from California, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Idaho and Indiana.
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