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The world's official covid death count is off by a factor of two to three, says the World Health Organization, citing a real total of between 6 and 8 million people. Separately, Texas school reopenings may have triggered hundred of deaths, and Florida has a covid surge in nursing homes.
Opinion writers discuss masks and vaccines.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Meanwhile, California lawmakers are voting on a bill for biosecurity of mailed-in DNA samples; US-Canadian border closures will last through June; doctors push back on Florida's "Parents' Bill of Rights"; and Black entrepreneurs target a post-pandemic healthy food-growing market.
And China says it has been sending vaccines to 40 countries there. The status of Europe's vaccination campaign and the buckling Gaza health system are also in the news.
Opinion pages take on masks and vaccine issues.
Separately, a study shows that long-haul covid may be more common than thought, even in those who had mild symptoms. In other news, US cervical cancers fall but other sex-related cancers rise, and actress Salma Hayek speaks about her near-fatal covid infection.
In other health news about children, Axios reports on a poll that shows nearly 70% of LGBTQ youth surveyed found more acceptance when online than in person at home or school.
A new Bristol Myers Squibb drug used in combination with its big-selling cancer medicine Opdivo extended the time it took for advanced melanoma to worsen. Other promising cancer drug news from J&J, Allogene and Merus.
U.S. officials abroad who have contracted mysterious symptoms while working abroad -- that some believe could be caused by a foreign weapon -- may get financial support from the legislation. Patent protections is also in the news from Capitol Hill.
Lowering the age for Medicare may not be the panacea some see because it could cost more than current health insurance, a study found.
Updates from Missouri, Texas and Mississippi on Medicaid expansion efforts.
The bill signed by Governor Abbott would restrict most abortions from six weeks, has no exceptions for circumstances of rape or incest, and allows anyone to sue a person they thought aided an abortion. Separately, Iowa approved an anti-abortion constitutional amendment.
And Dr. Anthony Fauci said that many Americans are "misinterpreting" the new mask guides, thinking they give the OK for unmasking. The New York Times reports on Dr. Wu Lien-Teh who's credited with helping promote mask wearing as a public health tool in the 20th Century.
Iowa's governor signs and Utah's legislature passes a ban on local mandates for face coverings for school districts. Meanwhile, Michigan is taking another approach, urging teachers and students to keep wearing masks.
Federal prosecutors are looking into the allegations of favoritism for rapid covid tests in the early days of the pandemic granted by the Cuomo administration. Also news on wastewater testing for covid.
Data from the CDC, that it didn't want to release, shows that vaccination rates lag for Black Americans and Hispanic Americans. Vaccines for children are doing better.
Particularly in nursing homes, that were hit so hard during the early days of the pandemic.
Stat reports that Emergent BioSolutions "already knew" of manufacturing quality issues even as it earned $27 million monthly for covid vaccines. Executives defended the company before a congressional panel, and said they could resume making J&J doses within days.
Pfizer and Moderna's CEOs say a third "booster" shot may be needed as early as September for people who've had their initial two doses. The third dose may be needed to maintain the vaccine's efficacy against covid. The U.K. has just begun a trial of such boosters.
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