Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal List Of Dangerous ‘Red Zone’ States Grows To 21; US Nears 150,000 Deaths
According to a Trump administration report, 21 states fall into the “red zone” where coronavirus outbreaks are so serious that federal officials recommend more restrictions; 28 states qualify for the “yellow zone.” Meanwhile, new cases may be plateauing in some of those places, yet six of the states report record deaths.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages express views about the quality of COVID research, a nationwide effort to tackle the virus and other topics.
Appeals Court Rejects Bid To Block California Ban On ‘Pay-To-Delay’ Deals
California officials say the ban is necessary to prevent drug companies from thwarting competition and maintaining higher prices. In other news from the state: Legislators say they may offer extra jobless benefits if the federal government doesn’t act in time; and how California’s pandemic fight compares with New York’s.
How Other Countries Are Faring; Thousands More Children Facing Food Insecurity
Media reports from England, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bosnia, Mexico, Burkina Faso and elsewhere.
Viewpoints: Is It Time To Enforce Mask Wearing?; Lessons On Reopening Schools
Opinion writers express views about mask wearing, opening schools and other public health issues.
While few question the sweeping impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law 30 years ago, the legislation falls short in certain areas and the COVID pandemic has revealed other flaws.
Media reports about COVID from Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, Maine, Texas, Oregon, Montana and Nevada.
While professional sports teams continue to grapple with how to bring the paying public into stadiums, let alone how to field a healthy team, cruise ship companies examine ship systems that could spread the virus onboard. Also, a water park flouts rules, as do wealthy partygoers on the Hamptons.
FDA Issues Hand Sanitizer Warnings; Google Workers Can Stay Home Until Summer 2021
Toxic hand sanitizers contain methanol or wood alcohol. Public health news includes Sinclair Broadcast’s decision to not run a false Fauci conspiracy story, Google’s work-from-home plans and an assurance that hyper-hygiene is unnecessary.
School Reopenings Continue To Vex
New stories look at children’s fears, parents promoting homeschooling, shifting decisions and a look at HBCU decisions, as well.
Body Patches Might Help Keep Tabs On Changing Symptoms
Dermal Photonics joins other companies trying to market sensors using new technologies. Other medical tech news includes bioprinting, biotech funding and taking safety to extremes at a biosafety lab.
Calling In Reinforcements: Military Teams Arrive At Los Angeles Hospitals
In other news affecting health care personnel: Monument Health hospitals open doors to visitors; Massachusetts doctors weigh in on an increase in cases; and a call to raise pay for home health workers. Also, Dr. Joseph J. Costa, head of Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center ICU, dies at 56 of COVID-19.
COVID’s Long-Term Impact Includes Heart Damage, Lingering Symptoms
As scientists work to discover the effects coronavirus has on the human body, new research finds alarming heart damage. Another study shows that 1 in 5 people exhibit longer-term symptoms.
Prevent Spread, Lessen COVID Severity: Research Confirms Mask Benefits
While some Americans still question the efficacy of masks, scientists find that even if masks don’t block the virus entirely that they can result in a milder form of the disease.
California, Maine Mobilize To Shore Up Testing In Hard-Hit Areas
Officials in those states both take actions to boost coronavirus testing in vulnerable regions.
Most Iowa Providers Unhappy With Privatized Medicaid: Survey
Quality of care for beneficiaries and reimbursement speed are among the complaints cited by health care providers about Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program. Other news stories cover New York’s rebate efforts and Medicaid enrollment.
Vaccine Distribution Snafus Predicted
The U.S. is unprepared to distribute a COVID vaccine, a Democratic think tank says, because of potential shortages of vaccine-brewing equipment, cold storage and raw materials. It predicts major bottlenecks.
Pfizer Begins Human Trials Testing Of COVID Vaccine
Pfizer’s developmental vaccine, BNT162b2, encodes a version of the virus’s whole spike protein, which it how the virus enters cells. The choice of vaccine should lead to “more consistent responses across diverse populations and in older adults,” Pfizer said.
Democratic Platform Nixes ‘Medicare For All’
The Democratic Party platform aligns with Joe Biden’s campaign promises, but almost 400 delegates to the convention wanted the promise of “Medicare for All” included. Legalizing marijuana is also not in the platform.
