Latest Morning Briefing Stories
‘Needs To Happen Immediately’: Judges Press California Governor To Reduce Prison Populations
Over the weekend, four prisoners died at San Quentin, where there have been more than 1,500 confirmed infections. Other California news focuses on ICE detention facilities, rising hospitalizations, the Assembly’s recess and closures of more businesses, among other things.
As shootings increase in places like Atlanta, Chicago and New York City, local and state officials work to respond to multiple public health emergencies, including gun violence and the coronavirus crisis.
After Reopening Of Public Spaces, Florida Education Official Orders Schools To Follow
“All school boards and charter school governing boards must open brick and mortar schools in August at least five days per week for all students,” state Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said — although some leeway was given to local jurisdictions as infections rise. New York and New Jersey schools are in the news, as well.
Food insecurity has surged over the last three months across all demographics, but has disproportionately impacted Black and Hispanic households with children. And other news stories on how racial and income disparities impact health care cover evictions and homelessness; period poverty; immigrant caregivers; child care challenges; and the potential for tech companies to try to close the gap.
Trodelvy Boosts Survival Rate For Women With ‘Triple-Negative’ Breast Cancer, Study Shows
In other pharmaceutical news: Jonathan Sackler, co-owner of Purdue Pharma, dies at 65 of cancer; J&J lowers the price of a tuberculosis drug; the EPA approves Lysol to fight COVID-19; and more.
Trump’s Opposition To Masks Muddles Public Health Messages And His Re-Election Campaign
To wear a mask or not to? It’s a debate that marks the federal response as well as efforts at the state and local level to curb the spread of COVID-19. It is also a question that ignites deep political passions and personal reactions.
Younger People Criticized For Thinking They’re ‘Invincible’ As Their Cases Rise
Also, The New York Times takes a look at why Broadway star Nick Cordero’s death underscores the many unknowns about COVID-19 — including how it could affect young, healthy people.
New Rule For Foreign Students Could Force Colleges To Reopen Despite Risks
The Trump administration said Monday that international students will be forced to leave the U.S. or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online this fall.
Fauci’s Take On U.S. Coronavirus Outbreak: ‘Really Not Good’
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institutes of Health’s infectious disease expert, said Monday that the need for public health practices to curb the virus’s spread should not be considered at odds with efforts to reopen the nation’s economy.
As the coronavirus outbreak spins “out of control,” according to some medical professionals, 10 states report daily records for confirmed cases. Only six days into July, nearly 300,000 Americans tested positive for the virus. In June, 820,000 cases were tallied.
‘Windy City Is Becoming Bloody City’: Gun Violence Soars In Chicago, Targets Younger Victims
At least 336 people have been killed in Chicago through July 2 of this year, a homicide rate that is on track to hit the 2016 record of 778 deaths and comes at time when the nation debates policing. Nine children under 18 have been killed since June 20. News on spiking gun violence is also from Atlanta.
New CDC Data Reinforces Evidence That Black, Latino Americans Disproportionately Hit By Pandemic
The New York Times sued for access to the numbers that confirm drastic disparities in the impact of COVID-19 on African-American, Latino and Native American communities, while The Associated Press interviews doctors who say the inequalities and poor health outcomes are nothing new. Unemployment and mental health challenges based on race are also reported.
School Districts Wrestle With Plans To Reopen In The Fall
The task is not easy as school officials attempt to balance the public health concerns and the need to implement steps such as temperature checks and social distancing with the imperative to bring children back to the classroom to prevent further damage to their social and educational development.
Study Links COVID-19 To Neanderthals
In other science news, researchers find new evidence that deepens the debate on whether a mutation helped the coronavirus spread.
As COVID Crisis Deepens, Kids Struggle With Sleep, Anxiety, Social Isolation
Meanwhile, summer camps debate how and whether to operate. In other news affecting youths: antibiotic use; and safety risks in foster care.
“When you’re engaging in all the correct practices, you stay safe,” said Dr. Seth Toomay, chief medical officer for UT Southwestern Health System. “Most of us [at UTSW] feel safer when we’re at work than when we’re out in the community.” News on health workers is on other essential hospital workers at hospitals and nurses face lawsuits, as well.
More Testing Challenges Come With Surges In COVID Cases
As the U.S. works to get a handle on coronavirus testing, some health officials see pooled testing as an approach that could prove helpful. But what does that mean?
About Face On Mask-Wearing: Texans, Kansans Get New Orders As Tensions Rise
Some citizens continue to view the orders as signs of governmental overreach despite the rapid rise in cases in their states. Other news on masks is on confusion surrounding them, their role in saving lives, problems with makeup, potential health risks for some and mask hostility, as well.
New Guidelines Released On How To Reuse N95 Respirators
Also the latest on: ventilator supplies from Britain and the Czech Republic; medical supplies from China; and the U.S. task force on hoarding and price-gouging.
High Court Takes A Pass On Hearing Pending Abortion Cases
Just days after striking down a restrictive Louisiana law, the Supreme Court declined to take up several others. Meanwhile, House Democrats also take a pass on scrapping the decades-old Hyde amendment.
