Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

WHO Recognizes That Airborne Spread Of Coronavirus Indoors Is Possible

Morning Briefing

The World Health Organization previously dismissed the possibility that respiratory droplets can linger in the air and transmit the virus. A group of 200 scientists penned a letter to the agency earlier this week urging them to acknowledge the scientific evidence.

Time To Pause Reopenings In States With Growing Infections, Fauci Says

Morning Briefing

In an interview with The Hill, Dr. Anthony Fauci said, “I think any state that is having a serious problem, that state should seriously look at shutting down.” With infections surging in so many places, the question of re-instituting restrictions is being fiercely debated by government and public health officials across the U.S.

States Struggle To Cope With High Infection Tallies

Morning Briefing

This sampling of news stories reflects high numbers in Oregon, Wisconsin and Illinois as well as from a Navajo nation reservation that encompasses parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Ivy League Halts Sports Until January; Will Other Schools Follow?

Morning Briefing

In a statement, the Ivy League Council of Presidents said it didn’t think it could maintain “acceptable levels of risk” for student athletes. Also: Stanford eliminates 11 varsity sports; the UIL mandates masks in its summer workouts for anyone over 10.

Transcripts Show George Floyd Told Arresting Officers Over 20 Times That He Could Not Breathe

Morning Briefing

“You’re going to kill me, man,” George Floyd said, according to a transcript of video from a police body camera. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who had his knee on Floyd’s neck, responded: “Then stop talking, stop yelling. It takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk.”

Back To School Rules Aren’t Clear Cut

Morning Briefing

School districts across the country struggle with establishing guidelines and procedures that would allow children to return to classes but still protect the students, the school staff and parents from coronavirus infections. Few are opening all the way.

‘Ethical Heartburn’: FDA Official Pauses Over Safety Of Exposing Vaccine Trial Patients To COVID

Morning Briefing

In human challenge studies, people are exposed to the disease. But no cures exist for COVID-19, lethal to vulnerable patients. “If something bad happens, you don’t have a perfect fix for it,” said the FDA’s Peter Marks. News on vaccines is on how to volunteer, how it will get to market and more.