Latest KFF Health News Stories
Election Officials Grapple With Long Voting Lines, Surge In Mail-In Ballots
In other news on how the pandemic impacts voting: Minnesota changes its absentee ballot rules and Delaware steps back from its online voting system.
Global pandemic developments are reported out of Germany, China, England, Latin America and elsewhere.
Is it age, pre-existing conditions, blood types or virus strains that make one person more likely to die than another? Scientists says the “why” of the matter remains unclear. Science news is also on soaking up the virus with tiny, tiny sponges, having certain blood types might be helpful, trying to produce super antibodies, alleviating fears for pregnant women, exploring childhood vulnerability and analyzing infection rates among the elderly, as well.
Racism Baked Into Formulas, Algorithms Used To Help Doctors Make Medical Decisions
The new findings cut across more medical specialties than any previous study of race and algorithm-driven patient care, and come at a tense moment when the medical field is examining just how deeply racism runs in the industry. In other news on racism and disparities: hospitalization rates for Black COVID-19 patients, the stress of being the mother to a Black child in America, investigations into possible hate crimes and more.
Chokeholds, Qualified Immunity And Databases: A Look At How Proposed Policing Bills Differ
While the Republican legislation is one of the most ambitious policing efforts the party has produced in years, it still falls far short of the Democrats’ proposed reforms. Congressional leaders scheduled tentative votes for next week.
”You have parents that are demanding the schools to open. And then you have parents that are saying, we’re not going to send our kids to school,” said Dan Domenech, who runs AASA, The School Superintendents Association. “You have teachers that are saying we’re not going to go back to work. Districts that are saying, with these budget cuts, we’re going to have to lay off teachers. It’s just, this is unbelievable.” Media outlets look at where states stand on reopening, as well.
Will U.S. Have Learned Its Lessons About Testing Shortages Before Fall’s Second Wave?
Testing has long been the Achilles Heel of the U.S. pandemic response. While experts say it has improved since the beginning of the pandemic, the system will likely be stretched thin once more with the convergence of states, schools and businesses reopening and the likely second wave of the virus. Meanwhile, the adult film industry can provide a road map for how to best test workers.
Faster Than ‘Warp Speed’? Trump Tries To Put Pedal To Metal On Already Ambitious Vaccine Timeline
President Donald Trump wants some people to be able to get the vaccine sooner than the end of the year to try to demonstrate that an end to the pandemic is within reach. Meanwhile, some worry that the vaccine race will leave poorer countries in the dust.
A cheap, common steroid significantly cuts the mortality rates in severe COVID-19 cases. While many public health leaders celebrated the news, some are more cautious. Meanwhile, WHO stops its trial of the controversial anti-malarial drug that has dangerous side effects and has yet to show any benefit for coronavirus patients.
$600 Unemployment Benefit Has Been Keeping Desperate Americans Afloat, But It’s Ending Soon
Some lawmakers are concerned that people are making more money on unemployment than they did in their pre-pandemic jobs, and have been hesitant to support extending the program. Now, Republicans are starting to coalesce around Sen. Rob Portman’s (R-Ohio) solution: a $450-per-week return-to-work bonus. In other economic news: transparency and the bailout, jobless claims and financial aid for immigrants.
New Yorkers Spilling Into Bars, Shops Threatening The Very Hard-Won Victories They’re Celebrating
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) says the city is on track to move forward with reopening, but public health experts are watching anxiously as New Yorkers celebrate while flouting social distancing strategies and other safety measures.
Tulsa Records Largest Single-Day Increase Since March Just Days Before Trump’s Rally
Public health experts have been pleading with President Donald Trump to cancel or alter the rally, which they say has the potential to be a “super spreader” event. Trump’s campaign selected Tulsa in large part because the city is in Phase 3 of its reopening and many restrictions on daily life there have been lifted — a seemingly perfect backdrop for the president’s message that the country is recovering. New cases have since spiked though.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others.
KHN’s First Edition will not be published on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. Look for it again in your inbox on June 22.
Research Roundup: Children And COVID-19; Healthy Eating; And Public Benefits
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Economy Healing But Still Battered, Fed Chief Warns
Concerns mount for Black workers, restaurants, small businesses and charities. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that pressure is building on the Trump administration to disclose the names of borrowers that received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program.
Close That Lid: Flushing The Toilet Could Infect Others With Coronavirus
Aerosol droplets can carry the virus about 3 feet into the air, a new study shows. Those droplets could potentially be inhaled by the next person who uses that toilet or people in nearby stalls.
Amazon To Test Out Wearable Device That Alerts Workers When They’re Too Close To Each Other
Amazon, which has been heavily criticized in recent months for its warehouse safety measures, will also try out monitors that superimpose circles over the workers so that it’s easy to tell if they’re maintaining distance from each other.
As Months Pass, Scientists Get Clearer Picture Of How People Catch Coronavirus
The main transmission route is close-up, person-to-person interactions for extended periods, and new research shows that people younger than 20 are half as susceptible to getting COVID-19. In other science news: determining your risk for testing positive; self-cleaning masks; killing the virus with UV light; how cattle might play a role in the pandemic; and more.
Nursing Homes Begin To Relax Isolation Rules, Allow Residents To Have Outdoor Visits
Senior facilities have been hit the hardest by COVID, forcing a 3-month long isolation for most residents. Now, things are easing up in some states where facilities are beginning to set standards for outdoor visits. News on nursing homes is from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana, as well.
