Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
With Suicides Up 70%, Wichita Police Encourage People To Seek Help
AP: Wichita Police Say Suicides Increase More Than 70% This Year
The city of Wichita has seen a 70% increase in suicides this year and police officials said Monday stress caused by the coronavirus outbreak is likely a major factor. As of Friday, the city has recorded 76 suicides this year, up from 44 at the same time last year and 59 in all of 2019, police spokesman Officer Paul Cruz said. The suicides include 44 using a gun, compared with 30 total suicides using a gun last year. There have been 367 total suicide attempts so far this year, Cruz said. (11/2)
In news from Wyoming, Oklahoma and California —
Casper Star-Tribune: Wyoming Governor May Have Been Exposed To COVID-19 At Event Attended By White House Official
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon may have been exposed to COVID-19 at a meeting last week that was also attended by a White House coronavirus official. Northern Arapaho Business Council Chairman Lee Spoonhunter, who was also at the event, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Gordon's office announced his "potential exposure" to someone who had tested positive for the virus Monday afternoon, and spokesman Michael Pearlman confirmed that meeting in question was a Wednesday event at the Wind River Hotel and Casino at which Dr. Deborah Birx, the pandemic response coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, stressed the need for individuals to change their behavior to stem the virus's spread. (Foster and Reynolds, 11/2)
The Oklahoman: Lankford Seeks Answers Regarding Insurance Coverage For COVID-19 Tests
U.S. Sen. James Lankford joined an effort Monday to make sure health insurance companies cover the costs of COVID-19 tests, whether or not a person had symptoms when getting tested. The Oklahoma Republican and some of his GOP colleagues sent a letter to the Health and Human Services Department saying two different pieces of pandemic legislation “made sure that individuals can receive COVID-19 tests without out-of-pocket costs.” (Casteel, 11/3)
The Hill: Judge Rules To Limit California Governor Powers Amid Pandemic
A judge ruled on Monday to limit California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) executive powers during a pandemic. Sutter County Superior Court Judge Sarah Heckman issued a preliminary order for Newsom to stop making executive orders that could contradict state laws, after determining one of his orders was “an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power.” (Coleman, 11/2)
In news from Wisconsin, Michigan and Maryland —
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nearly 1 In 5 Jobs In The US Is Considered Vulnerable
Almost 27,000 people who worked at hotels and restaurants in the Milwaukee area made less than the median wage of $40,700 a year and did not get health insurance through their employer in 2018. That's an estimated 41% of the total jobs in the hospitality sector. In the retail sector, 21,540 people, or 27% of the workforce, are in the same category. (Boulton, 11/2)
AP: Due To Virus, Restaurants Now Taking Names And Phone Numbers
Meals at Michigan restaurants came with a new side dish Monday: What’s your name and phone number? The latest order kicked in from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s health department. Restaurants must be able to contact customers if there’s a virus case linked to the business. (White, 11/3)
Carroll County Times: Carroll County To Offer HUD-Funded Long-Term Housing Assistance To Those With HIV/AIDS
As a rainy morning melted into a dreary afternoon Thursday, Carroll County’s commissioners gave a unanimous thumbs-up for the county’s housing bureau to partner with the county’s health department in running a federally funded long-term housing assistance program for those living with HIV and AIDS. (Roberts, 11/2)
