Latest KFF Health News Stories
Olympians Can Now Unmask For Medal Photos On The Podium — Briefly
The International Olympic Committee announced the change Sunday, noting unmasking can only last 30 seconds. Separately, news outlets reports on behind-the-scenes action at the covid-afflicted Olympics, and 16 more people at the Games, including three athletes, tested positive.
Marlboro Cigarettes To Disappear From UK Shelves Inside 10 Years
Philip Morris revealed its plans Sunday, with CEO Jack Olczak saying, “The first choice for consumers is they should quit smoking.” Meanwhile, EU regulators have approved Moderna’s covid vaccine for kids 12 to 17; notably, the FDA has not approved Moderna for children younger than 16 in the U.S.
10-Year-Old’s Death Linked To Plague Infection In Colorado
Colorado state health officials are investigating reports of plague in animals and fleas. Separately, reports say the abortion rate in Georgia has now increased for the third consecutive year; Missouri joins opioid monitoring prescriptions; a North Carolina woman will be a two-time living organ donor; and more.
Even As Schools Plan Reopening, Homeschooling Is Booming
The AP reports on homeschooling across the U.S., as parents opt to teach their kids at home as pandemic-related education restrictions ease. Salmonella in carrots, IUD pain, Disney executives and CinemaCon, and a Japanese man who almost died from masturbation are also in the news.
How Common Is Drug Cross-Contamination? More Than You Think
Bloomberg reports on the pharmaceutical industry’s “little secret.” Psychedelic drugs, microbiome therapy and synthetic biology are also in industry news.
In Weekend Marches Across The US, Demonstrators Urge Medicare For All
Advocates in 50 cities gathered in the ongoing effort to establish a national single-payer insurance program. In other news, a Georgetown University analysis shows that Latino children in the U.S. are twice as likely to be uninsured as non-Latino children.
Worries Emerge Over Covid Connection To Alzheimer’s
Scientists examining the impact of a covid infection on the brain discover a few concerning links between the virus and Alzheimer’s disease. Separate reports say malnutrition is linked to worse covid outcomes, and doctors are concerned over more long covid cases in children.
Costs Mount For Providers Seeking Health Workers In Short Supply
As hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities clamor for more help, traveling nurses and caregivers can command higher bonuses and other incentives.
US Purchases Another 200 Million Pfizer Covid Shots
The extra shots will arrive between October this year and April next year — around the same time it’s expected that younger kids will be approved for the Pfizer vaccine. Separately, reports say Iowa may have to dispose of nearly 40,000 unused covid vaccine doses over the next six weeks as public demand for the vaccine has stalled below supply levels.
Arkansas Governor Blames Myth-Spreading For Low Vaccine Uptake
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said resistance to covid shots has “hardened” in some areas, even as cases of delta covid are soaring in states like Arkansas — with new daily cases topping 2,000 for the first time since February. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is also in the news.
GOP Muddles Pro-Vaccine Messaging With Words On Personal Liberty
News outlets discuss the pivot some Republican lawmakers have made to supporting covid vaccines, noting that repeated mentions of privacy and personal liberty are actually confusing their message. Separately, House Republican Rep. Clay Higgins announced his second, and far worse, covid infection.
Cruise Ships Can’t Enforce Covid Safety Rules In Florida, Court Decides
Judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta reversed course Friday, siding with Florida and banning mandated covid restrictions on cruises sailing from Florida. A court decision just six days previously had stated the opposite, and no explanation was made for the change.
As Delta Surges, So Does Frustration Over Vaccine Holdouts
As projections forecast that a fourth wave of covid cases in the U.S. could last months, Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey expressed a growing, but touchy sentiment: “It’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.” And another worrying trend: while infections surge again, some states are trimming their covid reporting.
Mask Mandate Back In Effect In St. Louis; Debate Flares In Other Areas
Starting today, masks are once again mandatory in indoor public places and on public transportation, no matter vaccination status. Wearing masks outdoors is encouraged, St. Louis County officials said.
CDC Weighs Whether It’s Time To Tell Vaccinated To Mask Back Up
Federal health officials are actively considering whether to again revise guidance on face coverings, as covid cases rapidly rise. And some experts believe that the quality of masks needs to be upgraded, too.
‘Two Kinds Of America’: Fauci Urges Leaders To Reach Out To Unvaccinated
Dangerous covid trends in many regions of the U.S. “is an issue predominantly among the unvaccinated,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a Sunday morning interview, “which is the reason why we’re out there, practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get vaccinated,”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Antiviral Pills Being Tested To Treat Covid; Should Religious Exemptions Be Eliminated?
Opinion writers investigate these covid and vaccine topics.
Perspectives: New Relief For Migraines; Cosmetic Surgery Increases During Covid
Editorial writers explore these public health issues.
Unlocked UK’s Return To ‘Normal’ Marred As Covid Exposure Alerts Soar
Hundreds of thousands of U.K. citizens are receiving alerts from the official covid app recommending they socially isolate after a covid exposure — a “pingdemic” that’s affecting business and services. Italy, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia and Chile are also in the news.
