Latest KFF Health News Stories
Omicron Threat Pushes Harvard Into Online Learning For Early January
Harvard University said Saturday it would implement remote learning for the first three weeks of 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, said that unvaccinated students exposed to covid can remain in school subject to a testing regime.
Trump, Republicans Squeezed NIH Director To Back Unproven Covid Drugs
News outlets report on interviews with the outgoing director of the National Institutes Of Health Francis Collins. Collins admits President Donald Trump and other Republicans pressured him to endorse unproven covid drugs like hydroxychloroquine. But the story is complex when it comes to pressure to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci: CNN’s report says he did face such calls, but Fox News’ says Collins called such pressure “rumors.”
Royal Caribbean Cruise Hit With Over 40 Covid Cases
The cruise ended in Miami on Saturday, with at least 44 people on board testing positive for covid. The New York Times reports on how surging covid is impacting holiday travel plans, and outgoing National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said travel for unvaccinated people was not “a great idea.”
Here’s What Health Workers Confront: Full ICUs, Patients Dying. And Violence.
In overtaxed U.S. health facilities where covid is surging, more doctors and nurses report facing hostility and even physical threats while trying to save their patients.
Fauci Warns Of ‘Raging’ Omicron; NIH Director Warns Of Million-Case Days
Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke to the press and said the new omicron covid variant was “raging around the world.” Outgoing National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins warned the U.S. could even see days where a million new cases were reported, unless people took covid more seriously.
CDC Miscounted Number Of Americans Who Have Received First Covid Shot
The CDC says the number of people 65 and older with at least one shot is 95%, lowered from 99.9%. Bloomberg reported that the move acknowledged what state officials have discovered: The U.S. has counted too many shots as first doses when they are instead second doses or booster shots.
Pfizer Trials For Young Kids Miss Immunity Marks; More Testing Needed
Two shots of a low-dose Pfizer covid vaccine did not produce an adequate immune response in children ages 2 to 5 participating in a clinical trial. Pfizer and BioNTech say they will next test a third dose.
Moderna Finds Third Vaccine Shot Boosts Protection Against Omicron
Preliminary lab data finds that a booster half dose of Moderna’s covid vaccine raises antibody levels against the variant by 37 times, the drugmaker said in a statement. The company is still moving forward with plans to develop a vaccine modified for omicron.
Manchin Derails Biden’s Spending Bill; Democrats Scramble To Revive It
Democrats erupted in anger over Sen. Joe Manchin’s surprise announcement Sunday that he would not support the $2 trillion legislation after 5 months of negotiation, while Republicans hailed the “maverick” move. The White House did not mince words, calling it “a breach of his commitments to the president and the senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages examine these public health issues.
Opinion writers delve into these covid and vaccine issues.
Omicron Is Impacting Holiday Plans Globally
News outlets cover how the infectious omicron covid variant is reshaping, at the last minute, travel and booster shot plans around the world. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared its 13th Ebola outbreak over, and The Washington Post covers a US-built cancer hospital in Iran.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on melioidosis, HPV, suicide, “The Biggest Loser,” covid and more.
Navy’s Water-Contaminating Hawaii Jet Fuel Facility To Stay Open
The Navy is reportedly not considering closing the jet fuel storage facility, which dates from World War II, even after it was found to have contaminated local water supplies. A link between rural poverty and a state’s decision to not expand Medicaid and a proposal to split Alaska’s health budget in two are also in the news.
Prosecutors Close Arguments In Elizabeth Holmes Case
Media outlets cover the closing arguments, saying Elizabeth Holmes “willfully lied” about the blood testing technology at the core of Theranos’ business. Calls for drug supply chain restructuring, an FDA rebuke for Endo, demotions at Amazon Pharmacy and CMS’ “breakthrough device” rules are also reported in health industry news.
Oracle Trying To Buy Medical Records Firm Cerner In Possible $30 Billion Deal
Meanwhile, OSHA’s emergency covid prevention standards may lapse in less than a week, and Modern Healthcare reports stakeholders aren’t sure what’s next. Prospect Medical is reportedly seeking buyers, Acadia partners with Fairview for a new hospital in Minnesota, hospital “facility” fees and more.
NFL, NBA Revise Covid Protocols As Infections Rise
The professional basketball league enhanced its safeguards through the holiday season with more testing and a return of masks for many situation. And the football league is making it easier for fully vaccinated players who test positive but are asymptomatic to return to the field.
Commencement Canceled, Booster Shots Mandated: Covid Hits Schools
The University of Maryland has had to cancel its winter commencement after over 100 covid cases hit its campus. Meanwhile, Emory University and Stanford University are mandating booster shots as omicron looms. Other covid news in education is also reported.
Judge Tosses Purdue Pharma’s Opioids Deal That Shielded Sacklers
At issue for the federal judge: a measure in the bankruptcy settlement in the opioids lawsuits that would have protected members of the Sackler family from facing individual litigation. Purdue Pharma plans to appeal the ruling.
