News on the COVID-19 front this week brought confusion and hope. The CDC’s change Monday suggesting that asymptomatic individuals exposed to COVID-19 should not be tested was met by a storm of outrage. The CDC offered clarification later in the week that experts feel only added confusion. Next, President Trump announced yesterday that the administration will purchase 150 million of the Abbott Laboratories 15 minute COVID-19 tests. The portable test is about the size of a credit card, requires no additional equipment to operate, and can be conducted using a less invasive nasal swab than traditional labs and will sell for $5. More on both of these topics in the future when additional information is available.
This Weekend Reading’s starts with Rx Round-up, providing recent news on prescription drug costs and utilization. Next, explore Another Growing Threat for information on the latest scams, why people are susceptible to scams and more. Explore Bits and Pieces for short articles on current and historical medical developments, including how baby incubators went from boardwalk sideshows to the life-saving devices we know today. And lastly, stop by On the Lighter Side to brighten your day.
I hope you enjoy the following:
1. Rx Round-up
- Kaiser Health: Most People Are Unlikely to See Drug Cost Savings From President Trump’s “Most Favored Nation” Proposal
- Bridge MI: Michigan COVID-19 hospital patients got unneeded antibiotics during surge
- University of Michigan Health: These Drugs Carry Risks and May Not Help, But Many Dementia Patients Get Them Anyway
2. Another Growing Threat
- Washington Post: The Cybersecurity 202: Coronavirus crisis spawned more scams than any other event in the last decade
- ScienceDaily: We believe we’re less likely than others are to fall for online scams
- Healthcare Finance: Humana sues QuivvyTech for alleged telemarketing scam
- Kaiser Health News: Scam Alert: Things a COVID Contact Tracer Wouldn’t Say
- State of MI – Tech Support Scam
3. Bits and Pieces
- History: Baby Incubators: From Boardwalk Sideshow to Medical Marvel
- WebMD: Flushing a Public Toilet? Be Sure to Wear a Mask
- Smithsonian: The Inventor of Ibuprofen Tested the Drug on His Own Hangover
4. On the Lighter Side
- Washington Post: Texas teenagers dressed as superheroes visit kids while collecting food donations
- The Atlantic: An Ode to Balloons
- Vox: Pumpkin spice lattes – and the backlash, and the backlash to the backlash, explained
- Associated Press: She has her cake, but others can’t eat it, too
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Regards,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]
