Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Parents With Autistic Son Kicked Off Southwest Flight After He Won't Wear Mask
USA Today: Southwest Flight Removes Family: Son, 3, With Autism Won't Wear Mask
A Texas woman says that she was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight Monday after her three-year-old son with autism would not wear a face mask, in violation of the airline's COVID-19 policy. Houston resident Alyssa Sadler says that her Southwest flight from Midland, Texas to Houston returned to the gate when her son refused to wear the protective mask. Her family, including her one-year-old daughter, was asked to exit the plane. (Alexander, 8/11)
Kaiser Health News: Bereaved Families Are ‘The Secondary Victims Of COVID-19’
Every day, the nation is reminded of COVID-19’s ongoing impact as new death counts are published. What is not well documented is the toll on family members. New research suggests the damage is enormous. For every person who dies of COVID-19, nine close family members are affected, researchers estimate based on complex demographic calculations and data about the coronavirus. (Graham, 8/12)
WBUR: Contact Tracers In Massachusetts Order Milk And Help With Rent. Here's Why
It's a familiar moment. The kids want their cereal and the coffee's brewing, but you're out of milk. No problem, you think — the corner store is just a couple of minutes away. But if you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to the coronavirus, you're supposed to stay put. Even that quick errand could make you the reason someone else gets infected. But making the choice to keep others safe can be hard to do without support. For many, single parents or low-wage workers, for instance, staying in isolation is impractical as they struggle with how to feed the kids or pay the rent. (Bebinger, 8/11)
WBUR: 'We Had To Get Out': Despite The Risks, Business Is Booming At National Parks
After a slow start to the summer tourism season, visitation is now booming at Yellowstone and many other national parks, as Americans look to escape their coronavirus confines and spend time in the relative safety of the great outdoors. In recent weeks, the number of cars entering Yellowstone has exceeded last year's count for the same period. The swell in tourists is a welcome relief in many gateway towns like Gardiner, where the bulk of the year's earnings are made during the summer months. (Rott, 8/11)
The Hill: WHO Urges Postponing Dental Checkups During Pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending routine dental visits be postponed until COVID-19 is under control to help protect dentists and their patients. Oral health checkups, dental cleanings and other preventive care should be delayed until transmission rates drop in communities because dentists work in “close proximity to patients’ faces for prolonged periods,” WHO said in guidance released Tuesday. (Hellmann, 8/11)
Burlington Free Press: UVM Medical Center Bills Patient $500 For A COVID-19 Test
Adam Jacobs was tested at the University of Vermont Medical Center for COVID-19 on March 12. Nearly five months later, he's still fighting the $500 bill he received for the test. His health insurance initially covered $65. Since then, Jacobs said he has gotten the billing adjusted to provide additional coverage, but a $261 balance remains. Jacobs said he's disputing the bill more out of principal than necessity. (D'Ambrosio, 8/12)
NBC News: North Carolina Dog That Died After 'Acute' Illness Tests Positive For Coronavirus
A North Carolina dog that died after suffering an "acute illness" earlier this month has tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Monday. The death could mark a rare, potentially fatal case of COVID-19 in a pet, though it's still unclear if there were other underlying conditions that contributed to its death. (Stelloh, 8/11)
In sports news —
The Hill: Big Ten Conference Officially Cancels Fall Football Season Due To Coronavirus
The Big Ten on Tuesday announced the postponement of the upcoming fall football season, becoming the first major athletic conference in the U.S. to take such a step because of the coronavirus pandemic. The conference said that the decision was based on multiple factors, including medical advice from a task force on infectious diseases. (Wise, 8/11)
Los Angeles Times: Chargers Coach Anthony Lynn Reveals On 'Hard Knocks' He Tested Positive For Coronavirus
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn revealed on the first episode of “Hard Knocks” that he tested positive for the coronavirus. The moment came Tuesday night during the opening scene of the first episode of the annual HBO series, which this year is featuring the Chargers and Rams. (Miller, 8/11)
In obituaries —
NBC News: '60s Singer Trini Lopez, 83, Dies While Battling Coronavirus
Singer Trini Lopez, who enjoyed a heyday in the 1960s with hits including “If I Had a Hammer” and “This Land Is Your Land,” died Tuesday from complications related to coronavirus, collaborators said. He was 83. Lopez had been in and out of a hospital setting for about six weeks before dying about 5 a.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California, said songwriting partner Joe Chavira. (Romero, 8/12)
