November kicked off with numerous key developments in the fight against COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 after the unanimous recommendation by the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Pfizer reported clinical study results indicting that their experimental antiviral pill reduced the risk of death and hospitalization by 89% in patients who were newly diagnosed with Covid-19. This follows on the heels of the U.K.’s approvals of Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral pill. This week, President Biden announced details of a rule requiring employers with more than 100 employees to ensure that their workers are either fully vaccinated by January 4th or that they test negative for COVID-19 at least once a week.
COVID-19 cases nationally have continued to average around 70,000 for the past several days, as hospitalizations and deaths decline. Cases are rising in around 24 states, a troubling sign as colder weather drives people indoor. Michigan reported 10,094 new cases of COVID-19 and 90 virus-related deaths on Friday, an average of 5,047 cases over the past two days, the highest daily average since April. Many health experts caution that a winter surge is likely, although less severe than last year.
This Weekend Reading series begins with It’s Time, with articles on open enrollment, healthcare reform and 988 number implementation. In It’s Codswallop, check out some of the latest COVID and vaccine misinformation. Next explore It’s for the Kids with articles on a variety of current children’s healthcare topics. Finally, do not miss It’s a Part of Life, with the stories of the scammers and scams of the past!
I hope you enjoy the following:
1. It’s Time
- The Commonwealth Fund: During the ACA’s Open Enrollment Period, Consumers Will Get Lower Premiums, More Time, and More Help
- New York Times: Why Aren’t More People Comparison Shopping for Health Plans?
- Healthcare Dive: Adults support major changes to US healthcare system amid rising costs, survey finds
- The Pew Charitable Trusts: Most States Have Not Yet Acted to Support New 988 Behavioral Health Lifeline
2. It’s Codswallop
- AFP: New Pfizer vaccine ingredient addresses storage issues, not heart problems
- USA Today: Fact check: COVID-19 vaccines aren’t linked to cancer, HIV
- MedicalXpress: No, the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain a glowing ‘Lucifer’ protein
- Poynter Institute: Japan has not stopped its COVID-19 vaccine rollout
- Reuters: Fact Check-Study does not show 79.4% of infants died on same day as vaccination
3. It’s for the Kids
- MedicalXpress: Mayo Clinic Minute: Why it’s important for kids to be vaccinated for flu
- University of MI Health: 20 things to know about COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 12
- Becker’s Hospital Review: US babies born with syphilis quadrupled in 5 years; Read more here
- The Conversation: The COVID-19 pandemic increased eating disorders among young people – but the signs aren’t what parents might expect
4. It’s a Part of Life
- JSTOR Daily: A 19th-Century Catfishing Scheme In the late 1800s, a U.K. scheme lured lonely bachelors with newspaper advertisements supposedly placed by wealthy women
- Leaps.org: Americans Fell for a Theranos-Style Scam 100 Years Ago. Will We Ever Learn?
- MDLinx: 5 infamous quacks from medical history
- NPR: How Scams Worked In The 1800s
Enjoy your weekend!
Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]
