Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: We Can Learn From Sweden's Handling Of Covid; How Have Some People Avoided Covid?
The Boston Globe: Only Sweden Had The Right COVID-19 Response
How would the COVID-19 experience have turned out had there been no government-imposed states of emergency, no mask mandates, no orders to shelter in place, and no shutdowns of schools, restaurants, offices, and gyms? (Jeff Jacoby, 9/6)
CNN: For People Like Me Who Haven’t Had It Yet, Covid Is A Waiting Game
Covid-19 has changed me. No, I’m not suffering the effects of long Covid. In fact, I’m among a shrinking minority of Americans who hasn’t, as far as I know, contracted any of the alphanumeric soup variants associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. (Rose Rubin Rivera, 9/7)
The Washington Post: We Need To Separate Discussions Of Masks Versus Mask Mandates
The recent rise in coronavirus cases and the development of highly-mutated variants have prompted renewed discussions and questions about masks. In response to speculation that the government might impose mask mandates again, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said last week that it will not call for these requirements at this time. (Leana S. Wen, 9/7)
Also —
The CT Mirror: CT's Office Of Health Strategy Shows The Way
Connecticut has rural hospitals but no Rural Health Plans. Connecticut is one of only five states which has no federally approved rural health plan. In consequence, there is no organized effort at the state level to preserve or enhance rural health services. (Deborah Moore, 9/8)
Stat: Snackable Artificial Intelligence, Expert AI, And The Pharma Industry
While it’s widely accepted that the pharma industry is innovative in R&D, it is also true that it can be slow at embracing technological revolutions. Many people have criticized pharma companies for being slow to adopt AI. Indeed, some CEOs I talk to are concerned about too widely adopting AI, citing fears of unknown threats. But as the CEO of Sanofi, I don’t believe those challenges should guide our thinking or adoption of AI in the pharma business, as AI has the potential to improve and reinvent the way our business operates. (Paul Hudson, 9/8)
Stat: What Drug Price Negotiations Mean For Medicare Part D
After the recent announcement of the first 10 drugs selected for Medicare price negotiation, much has been discussed about the drugs that were selected and the magnitude of price decreases that can be achieved. Less attention has been given to what this all means for Medicare beneficiaries. (Mariana Socal, 9/8)
The Wall Street Journal: I Spent One Day Trying To Eat, Sleep And Exercise The Way Health Experts Recommend
Is it possible to live a perfectly healthy day? I decided to put myself to the test for you. I knew I would stumble at times, but hoped that my own successes and failures would help you figure out what the biggest pitfalls might be in your own life. I planned a 24-hour schedule that would incorporate the main advice on sleeping, eating, exercise and mental well-being. It was no easy task. Some plans went well and others…. didn’t. Here’s what happened. (Alex Janin, 9/7)
