Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hannity, Other Fox Hosts Tell Fans To Take Pandemic Seriously, Get The Shot
The Daily Beast covers Fox host Sean Hannity’s plea and his declaration of belief in the “science of vaccines” … even as he also took issue with vaccine mandates. The Hill covers other Fox hosts’ similar requests, while CNN notes Fox has quietly launched its own vaccine passport.
Covid Again Shows Its Domino Effect As Cases Soar, Deaths Rise, Economy Hit
President Biden and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy pleaded with Americans to get the jab. Meanwhile, nervous stock investors — who hate uncertainty — sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average into a freefall yesterday; if you’re still hesitant to get a covid shot, do it for your 401(k).
Federal Judge Upholds Indiana University’s Covid Vaccine Mandate
U.S. District Judge Damon R. Leichty said the university’s rule mandating that all staff and students get a shot was reasonable to protect public health. Meanwhile, Central Michigan University offers a scholarship vaccine lottery, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushes back at the cruise industry.
Biden Eases Pressure On Facebook Over Vaccine Misinformation
President Joe Biden walked back some criticisms of Facebook over the spread of vaccine misinformation and now blames a dozen bad-actor influencers for the problem. Reports say, however, that Facebook is not sharing how many Americans actually view bad information on its platform.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages delve into these public health topics.
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
US Diplomats In Vienna Struck By Havana Syndrome-Like Illness
Over 20 U.S. diplomatic staff members in Vienna have reported incidents so far, echoing the mystery brain symptoms suffered in Havana recently. Separately, medical shortages are hitting Mexico, and The Guardian reports on medical staff shortages in poorer nations from the pandemic and migration.
Several Athletes Test Positive For Covid Just Days Before Olympic Games Begin
On Sunday, Games organizers confirmed three non-Japanese athletes tested positive for covid. Separately, young tennis star Coco Gauff had to withdraw from the Games because she tested positive, too. The Wall Street Journal highlights commercial flights as a virus-spreading risk for the Olympics.
England Unlocks On ‘Freedom Day,’ But Covid Runs Rampant
Nearly all covid restrictions in England lift today, but the country is suffering a covid surge that’s among the world’s worst. The U.K.’s health minister announced Saturday he tested positive, despite being twice-vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s vaccine. The prime minister is also self-isolating.
Overdose Deaths Are Soaring; Rhode Island Tries Legalized Injection Sites
Reports say overdose deaths in Arkansas rose by 40% in 2020. Data reported in the Cincinnati Enquirer show 1 in 12 local adults had a family member or friend who overdosed in 2020. Rhode Island has decided to combat the problem with medical staff-supervised legal injection facilities.
Chemical Leak At Six Flags Water Park In Texas Sends 31 To Hospitals
Other public health news is on an increase in alcohol-related liver disease, the benefits of tarantula venom, how Black Americans are handling the pandemic and more.
Hospitals To Get $103 Million In Covid Funds To Tackle Worker Burnout
HHS says the money will go to hospitals in rural and underserved communities. In other news, a report on the high number of data breaches in the health industry this year, and hospitals are largely closing their retail pharmacies.
Texas Resident With Monkeypox Had Recently Returned From Africa
The patient is hospitalized, and public health officials say there is little cause for alarm. Although they are tracing the patient’s contacts to check for spread of the virus, they said mask requirements on the airplane have kept the risks low.
Cleveland Clinic Promoted Aduhelm On Social Media, Then Backtracked
Axios reports though Cleveland Clinic was the first of several major medical centers to say it won’t administer the controversial Alzheimer’s drug, it had previously been promoting it on social media. Stat covers the complex matter of approval standards at the FDA as Aduhelm’s approval continues to rankle.
Senators Eye Drug Price Reform To Pay For Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
Earlier plans to cover the costs of the bill to restore the nation’s roads, bridges and other structures and transportation have hit a road block with some Republican groups, and senators trying to save the deal are now looking at an effort to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices for beneficiaries, which would save the federal government money.
With Covid Cases Rising, Public Health Experts Plead For Vaccinations
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb make impassioned efforts to get large swaths of the country that have resisted vaccines to take the shots.
Covid Infections Rising Again In Every State
The number of new infections is rising in all 50 states, data out Sunday revealed. USA Today also reports the moving seven-day average increased every day over the past week. News outlets across the country cover the outbreaks and rising hospitalization numbers.
Surgeon General Says Local Mask Mandates A Good Idea As Delta Surges
Separately, former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams said easing the CDC’s mask guidelines was “premature.” Meanwhile, Los Angeles County’s sheriff says he won’t enforce the new mask mandate there.
Trump Claims People Distrust Biden’s Vaccine Rollout; Poll Shows Otherwise
The former president issued a statement Sunday saying that President Joe Biden is “way behind schedule” and “not doing well at all.” However, a new CBS News/YouGov poll found that 66% of Americans believe Biden is doing a “very good” or “somewhat good” job at managing the pandemic.
