Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study: Virus May Weaken Male Fertility
CNN: Male Fertility: Covid-19 May Impact Sperm, A Study Finds, But Experts Urge Caution About New Evidence
Severe cases of Covid-19 might impact the quality of a man's sperm, thus possibly impacting his fertility, according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Reproduction. (LaMotte, 1/29)
In other public health news —
AP: In-Person Classes Planned For Fall At Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State University officials on Thursday announced plans to return fully to in-person classes beginning with the fall semester in August. “We will listen and follow guidelines from the experts including wearing masks and social distancing if it means keeping people safe,” said Vice Provost Jessica Mendez. “We will adjust protocols as needed when the semester draws closer, but I am pleased to report our faculty are preparing for in-person instruction this fall.” (1/28)
North Carolina Health News: DEQ Cites Chemours For PFAS Treatment System Failure
By the end of September, a treatment system the Chemours chemical company had just installed was supposed to stop 99 percent of residual contamination of “forever chemicals” from escaping an old outfall and flowing into the Cape Fear River. Only the system did not work properly and toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS continued to flow into the river at levels exceeding the threshold. (Barnes, 1/28)
North Carolina Health News: Stemming The Tide Of Cancer, One Patient At A Time
Carolyn Nicholson has been on the diet treadmill for much of her life. The so-called “ketogenic” diet, one low in carbs and high in fat and protein, was the latest diet the 64-year-old was on. Nicholson, who lives on the Outer Banks’ Roanoke Island, said that approach served her well for a time, she lost weight and kept it off. But the high-fat diet made her cholesterol levels climb, first a little, then enough for her doctor to recommend cholesterol medication. (Engel-Smith, 1/28)
KHN, Side Effects Public Media and NPR: Kids Already Coping With Mental Disorders Spiral As Pandemic Topples Vital Support Systems
A bag of Doritos, that’s all Princess wanted. Her mom calls her Princess, but her real name is Lindsey. She’s 17 and lives with her mom, Sandra, a nurse, outside Atlanta. On May 17, 2020, a Sunday, Lindsey decided she didn’t want breakfast; she wanted Doritos. So she left home and walked to Family Dollar, taking her pants off on the way, while her mom followed on foot, talking to the police on her phone as they went. (Herman, Turner and Chatterjee, 1/29)
KHN: Pandemic Sends A Couple Into Indefinite Long Distance Though Just Miles Apart
Every Sunday afternoon, Suzan Mubarak keeps an eye on her phone. That is when her boyfriend will call to let her know he’s outside her house for their weekly wave. Mubarak, 31, and Mitch Domier, 43, live a few miles apart in Bozeman, Montana, but those drive-by visits are the closest the couple has been for nearly 10 months. The pandemic largely locked down the homes for adults with developmental disabilities where they each live, limiting them to video chats and the occasional drive-by. (Houghton, 1/29)
