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In 1918 U.S. life insurer's death payouts jumped 41% due to the flu and, though smaller than that, in 2020 death benefits surged up 15.4%, mostly due to the pandemic. The Washington Post covers the long-term career damage long covid is causing. Other covid news, including surges, are also reported.
Thirteen hospitals were reported to be at capacity with both covid and non-covid cases, and "several" more are expected to fill next week, so the local National Guard has been called in. Meanwhile, a nursing shortage in Kentucky has reached emergency levels, according to the governor.
Count Dr. Anthony Fauci among the health experts who are not yet sure an omicron-specific jab is necessary. And while some vaccine makers plan revamped versions, others think boosters of the original vaccines could be best.
"Mixing and matching" is not an option for this group because Pfizer's vaccine is the only one cleared for use in children under 18. At least six months must have passed since receiving a second Pfizer jab.
Senators punted one round of impending cuts to Medicare providers to March 2022 while pushing another cut to 2023. Separately, the Senate approved legislation that paves the way to a simple majority vote on raising the debt ceiling. Other news from the Hill reports on the spending package still under negotiation.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
New Zealand is planning to lift the legal age of tobacco purchasing year by year, so for people aged 14 and younger when the law goes into effect smoking will be forever banned. Meanwhile among other news, the U.K. tightens covid rules, and China "clamps down" on vasectomies.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
The DOJ's "strong condemnation" of the state comes after a year-long investigation into provision of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Meanwhile, in Minneapolis preterm births are linked to "heavy" policing, and reports say Wisconsin lacks therapists.
News outlets cover moves by abortion providers, political leaders to make California a "sanctuary" for people seeking abortion, including financial and logistical support. Meanwhile, Ohio passes a "born alive" anti-abortion bill. Vox reports on why adoption isn't a replacement for abortion.
News outlets cover the appearance of Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri before a Senate panel investigating risks of social media harms for younger users, including questions over self-regulation and calls for multi-platform solutions. Other mental health matters are also in the news.
The state's attorney general announced the settlement yesterday. Allergan had been an opioid manufacturer and faced allegations that it helped fuel the opioid crisis. Meanwhile, the defense rests its case in the Elizabeth Holmes trial. Plus Aduhelm, gene therapy and asthma drugs are in the news.
The deal is said to be worth $390 million. Stat notes City of Hope helped develop synthetic insulin and cancer drugs, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America has been criticized for aggressive marketing. Centene, Memorial Sloan Kettering and other health industry names are also in the news.
The Senate also reportedly issued a rebuke over President Joe Biden's covid shot mandate, amid controversies over federal overreach. Vaccine mandates and some associated legal matters are also reported from New York City, Los Angeles, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
"The unvaccinated are ... risking the lives of others who may die of preventable diseases who can't get their needed health care," said Dr. Marschall Runge, dean of the University of Michigan Medical School. As if to prove his point, new research finds that 703 deaths at nursing homes over a 10-week period this summer would've been prevented had more workers been vaccinated.
The Food and Drug Administration determined that additional study by an advisory committee would not be required in reviewing a third Pfizer covid shot for those aged 16 and 17. News outlets report on other developments related to youth vaccines.
The Boston Globe says the National Guard is being called in to help at hospitals and long-term care facilities facing high volumes of covid cases. In Maine, care may have to be rationed for the first time, and Wisconsin's top health official calls for federal help in the face of staffing shortages.
Researchers have found that the coronavirus infects both fat cells and certain immune cells within body fat, prompting a damaging defensive response in the body, The New York Times writes. The findings could lead to new covid treatments that target body fat.
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