Latest KFF Health News Stories
Georgia’s Election Deemed ‘Hot, Flaming Mess’ In A Troubling Preview Of What November Could Bring
Georgia’s primary elections were besieged with issues creating long lines of people waiting to vote in the midst of a pandemic. Predominantly black areas experienced some of the worst problems with voting machines. Many watched the events unfold with trepidation as they brace for a general election during another predicted wave of the coronavirus that could potentially be worse than the first. And the RNC eyes Jacksonville, Florida as a potential spot for its national convention.
After Backlash And Mass Confusion, WHO Clarifies Statements About Asymptomatic Transmission
A WHO official’s comments about rare asymptomatic transmissions touched off a fierce scientific debate–along with a lot of confusion since many believed that asymptomatic spreaders are the Achilles Heel of the pandemic. The international organization clarified its position, saying that the official was talking about the uncertainty surrounding truly asymptomatic transmissions and not pre-symptomatic transmissions. Meanwhile, critics see a familiar pattern of mistakes in WHO’s pandemic response.
The numbers are trending up in an alarming number of states even as governors, state leaders and the public itch to reopen fully. While the nation’s cases overall have flattened, they are not yet declining, and steep drop offs in hot spots hide surges in other areas of the country.
COVID-19 Is Fauci’s Worst Nightmare–And ‘It Isn’t Over Yet’
“In a period of four months, it has devastated the whole world,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in a wide-ranging interview. Fauci said the virus met all four criteria for a nightmare scenario — it is new, respiratory-borne, easily transmissible and has a significant degree of illness or mortality.
For Some Health Experts, Negative Consequences Of Racism Exceed Virus Risk For Protesters
Despite months of warning people to socially distance and stay inside, some doctors and public health experts support the protesters. “Racism is a public health crisis,” Dr. Peter Chin-Hong tells the Los Angeles Times. In other news on the protests: dangerous police tactics, infections in the National Guard, transportation to and from the protests, and more.
Magnitude Of Public’s Shift On Racial Inequalities Could Signal Potential For Long-Lasting Changes
“After the Eric Garners, the Trayvon Martins, that have left kind of an impression — this thing left a seismic quake and a crack, not just an impression,” Scott Finnie, executive director of Eastern Washington University’s race and cultural studies program, tells Politico. In other news on disparities: President Donald Trump frames inequality through an economic lens, the pandemic wipes out a decade-long economic expansion for black Americans, interracial families grapple with the complexities of the current times and more.
Republicans Scramble To Craft Police Reform Legislation Amid Bipartisan Public Pressure
Congressional Republicans were caught off guard by their constituents’ demands for police reform. They’ve picked Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the lone black lawmaker in their ranks, to take the lead. Meanwhile, cities and states across the country are considering or passing legislation as new examples of police violence comes to light.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Perspectives: The Benefits Of A Mega-Merger During A Pandemic Might Not Be Worth The Risk
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drugmakers Have Opportunity To Name Their Price On Virus Treatment, But They May Play It Safe
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
3M Files Lawsuit Against Company Charging Outrageous Prices For N95 Masks On Amazon
The lawsuit says Mao Yu and his affiliated companies sold what he described as 3M masks for an average price of $23.21 each on Amazon. The list price is $1.25. Amazon said it has tried to control price gouging. News on PPE is on signing off on a mask made in China ordered by California, New Balance’s shift in production, and the Duluth mayor’s attempt at normalizing mask wearing, as well.
Scientists Are Including More Females In Studies But Still Falling Far Short Of What’s Needed
A new study finds that while the number of studies that included females grew, the proportion of studies that analyzed study results by sex did not improve. In other public health news: inhalers for seizures, toxic sites and drinking water.
Ensuring Online Voting Is Secure Could Take A Decade, But Some States Are Eager To Explore Options
Unlike with mail-in ballots, the internet is riddled with security flaws that hackers can exploit. But some states that are bracing for a second virus wave in the fall are moving forward. Meanwhile, an analysis of mail-in voting during the 2016 and 2018 elections find that fraud is all but nonexistent.
More Meat Shortages Likely As Industry Struggles To Get Back To Speed, Protect Workforce
The Washington Post examines the new look of workplaces at Tysons Foods, Smithfield Foods and JBS and finds that despite efforts to protect workers, the numbers of people becoming infected has soared from 1,600 to more than 7,000. News on the industry looks at the expected revenue loss of hog farmers and the toll on the immigrant workforce, as well.
For many children, the pandemic has confined them to their homes, the most dangerous place they can be and with people who are likely to abuse them. That’s why the drop in the number of cases in NYC by 51% from the same time last year is keeping child welfare advocates awake at night. Public health news is on new friends for seniors, risks facing older employees, front-line help from 3-D print hobbyists, challenges of pregnancy, confronting cancer, intellectually challenged patients, navigating elevators and the stress-load on postal workers, as well.
More Than 60% Of Sailors On Aircraft Carrier Had Antibodies In Latest Sign Of Widespread Infections
The joint Navy and CDC study will be the first major study of how a young adult population reacts to exposure to the virus, but other serological studies have hinted that the number of people who have been infected with COVID-19 is far greater than the confirmed case count. Meanwhile, WHO says it is rare for asymptomatic carriers to transmit the virus, but other experts quickly expressed doubts about those findings.
‘Everyone Is Confused’: Federal Aid Getting Caught Up In Red Tape If It Even Gets To States At All
Congress sent more than $150 billion in aid to states and cities two months ago, but many of the areas that need help the most have found they either don’t qualify or can’t get money. “I haven’t got any money to fight the pandemic. My fight of the pandemic is go in your house and stay there,” says Phil Stang, the volunteer mayor of Kimmswick, Missouri. Meanwhile, lawmakers say another relief package might not be coming until late July.
Only 0.5% Of Money Allocated By Congress To Pay For Testing For Uninsured Has Been Approved
The Health Resources and Services Administration has only approved $10.8 million in testing claims as of June 2. The numbers reflect a larger distribution problem with federally allocated money that’s meant to be going to the health system. In other news: FDA approves a saliva test, Japan tries a novel approach, and Rhode Island will test people without symptoms.
Media outlets report on news from District of Columbia, Maryland, Tennessee, Washington, Georgia, Colorado, South Dakota, Maine, Rhode Island, Texas and Missouri.
