Latest KFF Health News Stories
GOP Strategists Fear Trump’s Continued Attacks On Mail-In-Voting Will Backfire On Party In November
President Donald Trump has been vocal about his opposition to mail-in-voting, often repeating false claims that it leads to fraud. But in the midst of a pandemic, some Republicans worry that not supporting voting by mail will hurt them in the long run.
Trump Cited False And Misleading Claims In Announcing U.S. Would Cut Ties With WHO
The Associated Press fact checks a letter in which President Donald Trump laid out his problems with how the World Health Organization responded during the early days of the pandemic. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, WHO was reportedly frustrated with China’s transparency in the beginning of the year despite praising the country in public remarks.
Pandemic, Economic Fallout Amplified Long-Standing And Deep Racial Inequalities In U.S.
Black Americans have been among the hardest hit populations by the virus. Not only are they hospitalized and dying in disproportionate numbers, they also are more likely than white Americans to have lost income because of the pandemic. In Minnesota, for example, black people make up only 7 percent of the population, but they account for 16 percent of the 23,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Health Experts, Leaders Acknowledge Black Trauma Even As They Worry Protests Will Worsen Pandemic
Thousands are taking to the streets to protest police brutality, especially against black Americans. But health experts and state leaders are concerned there’s a high risk that with so many people in close proximity–even though they’re outside–the protests provide fertile ground for the coronavirus to spread further.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Missouri’s Last Abortion Clinic Can Remain Open After Licensing Decision Win
Missouri will not be the only state without an abortion facility after a state administrator ruled that Missouri’s health department was wrong not to renew the license of a St. Louis Planned Parenthood center. “In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018, the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license,” Missouri Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi wrote.
Newer, Gentler Drugs Added To Arsenals Against Lung, Colon, Prostate Cancers
The new drugs are extremely expensive, though. Tagrisso, for example, costs lung cancer patients $150,000 a year. Other cancer news is on a new immunotherapy treatment and positive study results for CAR-T cell treatments.
Media outlets report on news from California, Missouri, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Maine, South Carolina and Michigan.
Many Nursing Homes Fought Federal Mandates For Emergency Plans. Now They Are COVID Hot Spots.
The American Health Care Association congratulated President Trump when he was elected, expecting less Washington regulation on the industry during his term. One previous federal requirements was to draw up plans for outbreaks of a new infectious disease. Other news on nursing homes reports on a family’s lawsuit, end-of-life wishes and death data in Michigan, as well.
Opioid Crisis Is Engulfed By Pandemic, Leaving Many Vulnerable To Overdose, Relapse
This year was supposed to be a turning point for the opioid crisis in many states. Then the pandemic hit. In other public health news: domestic violence, online predators, family ties and more.
For Some Doctors, Risk Of Infection Comes With Extra Layer Of Worry: Deportation
A visa holder’s death could quickly change a family’s ability to stay in the U.S., and doctors are all too aware of how those on the front line can be hardest hit by the virus. In other provider news: personal protective gear, a brewing mental health crisis and more.
The Mask Market: Chaotic, Wild Wild West World Of Oddballs, Shadowy Investors And Ganjapreneurs
ProPublica takes a deep dive into the mask marketplace and uncovers a strange, cryptic and sometimes shadowy world. Meanwhile, amid all the hub bub over masks, a historian looks at the long journey of face coverings through the ages.
Russia Reports More COVID Deaths; South Africa’s Test Backlog Stretches To 100,000
Global pandemic developments are reported out of Russia, South Africa, Britain, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, Peru, Ecuador, Tibet and other nations.
Cost Of Meat, Other Foods Hit Historic Highs With Prices Expected To Remain Elevated For Months
The 2.6% jump in April food prices was the largest monthly increase in 46 years, according to the Labor Department. Burgers, chicken and even garlic prices are higher with harvesting and transporting goods more difficult during the pandemic. The situation is worse for meat largely because of illnesses among slaughterhouse workers that allowed plants to operate at only 60% capacity. Other news on the meat industry is on plants unable to meet demands and towns worried about plant’s dangers to public health, as well.
As Hurricane Season Looms, State Officials Scramble To Update Evacuation, Safety Plans
Evacuating during a pandemic would be a “nightmare,” officials say. But the forecast for an active season is grim for Southern states traditionally in the path of devastating storms.
Tuesday’s Primaries Offer States Chance To Test Drive Turn-Out Strategies, Mail-In-Voting Process
Primaries in Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington, D.C., will offer the first big test for mail-in-voting and turn-out strategies. “Any plan you had three months ago is out the window,” Brock Lowrance, a Republican strategist, tells AP about getting voters to the polls. Meanwhile, the U.S. pulled off an election during the 1918 flu pandemic. Will the country be successful during this crisis?
Next Coronavirus Relief Negotiations Could Hinge On Jobless Benefits With Millions Unemployed
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is already making clear Republicans will not support an extension of the extra unemployment benefits Congress passed in March. Democrats, on the other hand, want to push it further. Meanwhile, states and cities plead with lawmakers for more aid.
Unlike Other Respiratory Infections, Novel Coronavirus Can Make The Jump Into Blood Vessel Cells
The new findings that the novel coronavirus can infect endothelial cells could explain the wide range of baffling symptoms exhibited by coronavirus patients–from COVID toes to strokes and heart attacks. Scientists say that respiratory viruses don’t typically leave the lungs. In other scientific news: a look at what dose it takes to get really sick; a suggestion that the virus may be losing its potency; a look at who is getting infected; and more.
