Another California County Recommends Masks For The Vaccinated: Yolo County issued an advisory Wednesday strongly recommending that residents wear masks in most public indoor settings, regardless of covid vaccination status. Read more from The Sacramento Bee, CapRadio and San Francisco Chronicle.
Brain Implant Lets Paralyzed Man ‘Speak’: A team of UCSF scientists was able to translate the unspoken words of a completely paralyzed man into written speech, a transformative step toward developing implantable brain devices. The man has not been able to speak since 2003, when he was paralyzed at age 20 by a stroke after a car crash. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, AP and Stat.
Below, check out the roundup of California Healthline’s coverage. For today's national health news, read KHN's Morning Briefing.
More News From Across The State
NPR:
U.S. Sees Record Number Of Drug Overdoses, Driven By Opioids
More than 93,000 people died of a drug overdose in the U.S. last year — a record number that reflects a rise of nearly 30% from 2019, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials said the increase was driven by the lethal prevalence of fentanyl as well as pandemic-related stressors and problems in accessing care. "This is the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, and the largest increase since at least 1999," Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told NPR. (Chappell, 7/14)
AP:
US Overdose Deaths Hit Record 93,000 In Pandemic Last Year
That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. “This is a staggering loss of human life,” said Brandon Marshall, a Brown University public health researcher who tracks overdose trends. The nation was already struggling with its worst overdose epidemic but clearly “COVID has greatly exacerbated the crisis,” he added. (Stobbe, 7/15)
CNBC:
Ease Of Covid Lockdown Restrictions May Help Diminish Drug Abuse, Doctor Says
Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” that she’s hopeful that the spike in drug overdoses will not be lasting. “One of the reasons why I’m optimistic ... is that one of the factors that contributed to that increase in drug use was the isolation, social distancing, and that does not allow you to provide Narcan, which reverses overdoses,” said Volkow. “That despair that people felt, hopefully, will start to be mitigated.” (DeCiccio, 7/14)
Los Angeles Times:
COVID Cases, Hospitalizations Up Across Southern California
COVID-19 is rebounding across Southern California, swelling the numbers of infections and hospitalizations and prompting fresh calls for residents to get vaccinated. While their overall numbers remain relatively low compared with the pandemic’s earlier high-water marks, Orange, San Diego and San Bernardino counties have all seen their daily case averages more than triple over the past two weeks — mirroring a trend in Los Angeles County, data compiled by The Times show. (Money, 7/14)
San Francisco Chronicle:
With Delta Variant 'Increasing Like Gangbusters' In California, Positivity Rate Rises Sharply
In recent weeks, coronavirus cases have started to rise again as the highly infectious delta variant takes hold. Nationwide, cases have doubled in the past three weeks. California on Tuesday recorded more than 5,000 new daily cases — the first time that has happened since March. One key indicator is the rate of positive coronavirus tests, and it is rising sharply. As of Wednesday, the seven-day positive test rate in California was 3%, according to the California Department of Public Health, up from 2.7% on Tuesday and 1.9% on July 7. (Hwang, 7/14)
Southern California News Group:
Southern California Coronavirus Cases, Hospitalizations Climb In Month Since Reopening
New cases have multiplied over the past month and the number of people getting sick enough to require hospital attention has doubled and tripled. On Wednesday, July 14, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 1,315 new cases of COVID-19. That marked the sixth consecutive day the county reported more than 1,000 infections. One month ago, the county was reporting about 200 new cases per day, the department said. (Downey, 7/14)
Sacramento Bee:
Delta Variant Of COVID Tests CA, Gavin Newsom As Cases Rise
After more than 16 months of lockdown, Capital Stage plans to resume live performances in late August with a drama called “Hold These Truths.” Ticket holders will have to show proof that they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently tested negative for the coronavirus. And they’ll have to wear masks. Capital Stage officials assume those safeguards will be enough. But they also know it’s hard to predict the future with a pandemic that’s showing signs of surging again. (Kasler and Swartz, 7/15)
San Francisco Chronicle:
COVID Outbreak Sweeps Through Sonoma County Homeless Shelter, Including Many Vaccinated Residents
At least 59 residents at Sonoma County’s largest homeless shelter have tested positive for the coronavirus, with another possible 26 positive cases, county officials said on Wednesday. Nearly half of those who tested positive were fully vaccinated, said Dr. Sundari Mase, the county’s health officer. (Vaziri, 7/14)
Southern California News Group:
Foo Fighters Postpone Forum Show Due To COVID-19
Foo Fighters postponed a show Forum in Inglewood on scheduled for Saturday, July, 17, due to the coronavirus, the band posted on social media Wednesday, July 14. The sold-out show, which was supposed to be a celebratory return to the venue after the coronavirus pandemic shut down live music for more than a year, was scrapped after someone in the Foo Fighters organization tested positive for COVID-19, according to the band’s post. (Franko, 7/14)
Modesto Bee:
Modesto-Area K-12 School Districts Developing Safety Plans
Stanislaus County school leaders are scrambling to develop COVID-19 safety plans for the fall after the state released new guidelines Monday, leaving districts and families about a month to prepare for the coming school year. K-12 schools have to follow rules issued by the California Department of Public Health, which are stricter than the recommendations laid out Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some measures from the state are required, like universal mask-wearing indoors. Others, like what to do if a student refuses to wear a face covering, are up to districts to decide. (Isaacman, 7/14)
Sacramento Bee:
CA To Spend $40 Million To Help Family Doctors Vaccinate
Initially, it was a race against time as California grappled with a double-digit positivity rate and a strained health care system throughout the winter. In the spring, when more people became eligible to get vaccinated, the larger sites and medical systems had the resources to meet the demand. Since then, more than 20.6 million people in California have gotten fully vaccinated, and another 3.1 million have received at least one dose. Of all eligible Californians, nearly 70% have protection against a deadly disease that’s infected 3.7 million people and killed 63,508 in the Golden State. Now, the state needs help vaccinating the remaining 30% of Californians who still haven’t been immunized, and it’s setting aside $40 million for the effort. (Wiley and Bojórquez, 7/15)
Los Angeles Times:
Unvaccinated May Require Tougher Tactics Amid COVID-19 Surge
With coronavirus cases rising among the unvaccinated and efforts to get them shots lagging, there is growing belief in some public health circles that more aggressive tactics are needed to get more of the population inoculated. California has already tried prizes and game show-style events to encourage people to get vaccinated. But 41% of Californians of all ages have yet to be inoculated. And two troubling and related trends are bringing calls for fresh thinking. (Money and Lin II, 7/14)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Almost A Quarter Of Young Adults Are Holding Off Getting COVID Shots. Here's Why
About 24% of unvaccinated young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 say they’re not ready to get a COVID-19 shot, mostly over concerns about the vaccine’s safety, according to a new study published by UCSF health researchers. The research, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, reviewed surveys of more than 5,000 young adults to understand why some have put off getting a COVID shot, despite their widespread availability and data backing their safety and efficacy. (Flores, 7/14)
Los Angeles Times:
CA Lawmakers Don't Have To Disclose COVID Vaccination Status
As millions of Californians return to in-person work with a requirement to say whether they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19, legislators who represent some of those residents have refused disclosure, either ignoring the question or insisting their employers — the state’s taxpayers — don’t have the right to know. In a survey conducted by The Times, 12 members of the California Legislature refused to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. Eleven of the lawmakers are Republicans, comprising almost 40% of all GOP members. (Myers, 7/15)
Orange County Register:
Vaccination Percentages By Age In Southern California Counties As Of July 14
The California Department of Public Health’s vaccination dashboard update on Wednesday, July 14, said more than 48.5 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the state. About 20.5 million Californians (60.6%) are fully vaccinated, up from 20.2 million last week. The state’s vaccine dashboard is updated weekly on Wednesdays. Here’s how the percentages by age have changed in the last week. (Snibbe, 7/14)
Orange County Register:
X-Ray Tech Who Died After Second COVID-19 Vaccine Killed By Heart Disease, Coroner Says
The X-ray technologist who died four days after his second COVID-19 shot was felled by heart disease, the Orange County Coroner has concluded. Tim Zook, 60, worked at South Coast Global Medical Center in Santa Ana and proudly displayed the Band-Aid after his last Pfizer jab on Jan. 5. He began to feel ill a few hours later, and died on Jan. 9. His death was seized upon by vaccine opponents who believe, against evidence, that the shots are dangerous. (Sforza, 7/14)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Bay Area Doctor Arrested For Allegedly Selling Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards
A Napa homeopathic doctor was arrested Wednesday for allegedly selling what she claimed was a COVID-19 antibody treatment and fake vaccination cards, according to federal authorities. Juli A. Mazi, 41, allegedly sold immunization pellets to patients, claiming it would provide “lifelong immunity to COVID-19,” and give customers fake vaccination cards with instructions on how to falsify they received two shots of the Moderna vaccine, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. (Flores, 7/14)
Los Angeles Times:
USC Nurses Strike, Demanding More Staff And Training
Nurses at two USC hospitals that handle some of the country’s most challenging medical cases are protesting working conditions they say put both medical staff and hospital-goers at risk, the latest in a series of strikes by nurses nationwide that have spotlighted hospital safety. Nearly 1,400 registered nurses at USC Norris Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles and Keck Hospital of USC began a two-day strike Tuesday citing what they called unsafe working conditions that include long shifts, not enough staff and an over-reliance on contract nurses. (Olson, 7/14)
Los Angeles Times:
L.A. County Lifts Swimming Ban At Dockweiler, El Segundo Beaches
Los Angeles County public health officials late Wednesday lifted restrictions on swimming around El Segundo Beach and Dockweiler State Beach that were put in place after an emergency discharge of 17 million gallons of sewage Sunday night raised concerns about contamination. In a news release, the county Department of Public Health said it had authorized the reopenings after results from ocean water samples collected over the last two days met state standards for water quality. (Miller, 7/14)
Sacramento Bee:
Potentially Dangerous Algae Discovered In Water Basins In North Natomas Parks
California water inspectors have discovered evidence of algae that could pose a risk to humans and pets at North Natomas parks, prompting city workers to plant signs warning locals to steer clear of the water. “Don’t go in the water. Don’t let your pets go in the water. Don’t let your kids go in the water,” said Sacramento Department of Utilities spokesperson Carlos Eliason. (Delianne, 7/15)
KQED:
Extreme Heat Is Getting Worse For Low-Income, Non-White Americans, New Study Finds
As record-high heat hammers much of the country, a new study shows that in many American cities, residents of lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color often endure far higher temperatures than those who live in whiter, wealthier communities. Urban areas are known to be hotter than more rural ones, but the research published Tuesday in the journal Earth's Future provides one of the most detailed looks to date at how differences in heat extremes break down along racial and socioeconomic lines. (Shivaram, 7/14)
Los Angeles Times:
With Drought Worsening, Should California Have Much Tougher Water Restrictions?
As Californians wonder when mandatory water restrictions might be coming, officials and experts including those who played roles in addressing the 2012-2016 drought say the pace and strategy of Newsom’s current response sufficiently incorporates insights gained from the past. The governor’s approach, however, has also frustrated some scientists who consider his actions too little too late as record-high temperatures intensify the water shortage, particularly in northern and central parts of the stateAs Californians wonder when mandatory water restrictions might be coming, officials and experts including those who played roles in addressing the 2012-2016 drought say the pace and strategy of Newsom’s current response sufficiently incorporates insights gained from the past.
The governor’s approach, however, has also frustrated some scientists who consider his actions too little too late as record-high temperatures intensify the water shortage, particularly in northern and central parts of the state. (Plachta, 7/15)
HuffPost:
Obamacare Marketplace Sign-Ups Pass 2 Million, Likely Pushing Down Uninsured Rate
More than 2 million people have signed up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s online marketplaces since Feb. 15, taking advantage of the Biden administration’s extended period for open enrollment that began on that day, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on Wednesday. That figure means total marketplace enrollment is probably at an all-time high, while the number of uninsured Americans may be at an all-time low. In both cases, a big reason would be a set of temporary improvements to the Affordable Care Act that President Joe Biden and Democrats are now trying to make permanent. (Cohn, 7/14)
CNN:
Obamacare: More Than 2 Million Americans Sign Up For Coverage Under Biden's Special Enrollment Period
The report includes plan selections from February 15, when President Joe Biden reopened enrollment to the uninsured, through June. Some 1.5 million people have signed up on the federal exchange, healthcare.gov, while more than 600,000 have selected policies in the 14 states and the District of Columbia that run their own exchanges. The special enrollment period for the federal exchange is set to end August 15, though administration officials said they are looking at extending it. States that run their own marketplaces have set their own deadlines. (Luhby, 7/14)
The Hill:
More Than 2 Million Sign Up During ObamaCare Special Enrollment Period
When asked whether the enrollment period would be extended, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said, “that’s something we can discuss.” “The president obviously is very interested in getting as many Americans as possible to sign up,” he said. “Clearly, the record numbers that are taking advantage of the special enrollment period show that folks are interested, I don't believe the president wants to leave anyone behind. And so we'll take a close look.” (Coleman, 7/14)
AP:
Biden Pitches Huge Budget, Says Dems Will 'Get A Lot Done'
President Joe Biden made a quick foray to the Capitol on Wednesday hunting support for his multitrillion-dollar agenda of infrastructure, health care and other programs, a potential landmark achievement that would require near-unanimous backing from fractious Democrats. His visit came a day after Senate Democratic leaders capped weeks of bargaining by agreeing to spend a mammoth $3.5 trillion over the coming decade on initiatives focusing on climate change, education, a Medicare expansion and more. That’s on top of a separate $1 trillion bipartisan compromise on roads, water systems and other infrastructure projects that senators from both parties are negotiating, with Biden’s support. (Fram and Mascaro, 7/14)
Stat:
Senate Democrats Eye Drug Pricing Policies To Fund $3.5 Trillion Budget Deal
Senate Democrats intend to include several drug pricing policies in their $3.5 trillion partisan push to pass a slew of major Biden administration priorities, according to a framework of the draft package obtained by STAT. The draft suggests that certain drug pricing provisions could be used to help offset the costs of other, pricier parts of the sweeping proposal, which will include initiatives on clean energy, early childhood tax credits, and expanding safety net programs. (Cohrs, 7/14)
CNBC:
Medicare Would Cover Dental, Vision Hearing Under Democrats' Budget
Medicare — the health insurance program relied on by most older Americans — would cover dental, vision and hearing under a budget agreement announced late Tuesday by Senate Democrats. The proposal for expanded coverage was included as part of a plan to spend $3.5 trillion over the next decade on climate change, health care and family-service programs, all part of President Joe Biden’s economic agenda. Although there’s no certainty that everything in the budget blueprint will make it through the full congressional process, Medicare advocates are hopeful that coverage of the extra benefits will come to fruition. (O'Brien, 7/14)
Roll Call:
Senate Democratic Leaders Unveil Draft Bill To Legalize Marijuana
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer unveiled draft legislation Wednesday that would decriminalize cannabis and expunge federal sentences tied to the drug, which has been legalized in states across the country. The bill would erase the records of nonviolent marijuana offenders and allow those currently serving time to petition a court for resentencing. Federal tax revenues would support a trust fund to reinvest in communities most affected by enforcement involving the drug. (Clason and Kopp, 7/14)
Politico:
Schumer Launches Long-Shot Bid For Legal Weed
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released sweeping draft legislation Wednesday to legalize weed, officially kickstarting a difficult debate in his chamber that also makes a major splash for one of his campaign promises. The measure floated by the New York Democrat — along with Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) — proposes removing federal penalties on cannabis, expunging nonviolent federal cannabis-related criminal records and letting states decide if or how to legalize the drug. (Fertig, 7/14)
Politico:
Psaki: Biden Unmoved On Marijuana Legalization Despite Schumer Legislation
President Joe Biden still opposes marijuana legalization, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday, putting him at odds with Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill as it advances legislation to end the federal prohibition on pot. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled draft legislation Wednesday that would legalize marijuana as well as expunge non-violent criminal records related to marijuana. Schumer's proposal, cosponsored by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) would allow states to decide whether or not to legalize the drug. (Sheehey, 7/14)
NBC News:
Biden Administration Weakens Some Proposed Safety Rules For Public Housing, Alarming Advocates
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has backed away from new health and safety requirements for public housing that would require fire extinguishers, a minimum number of electrical outlets and other measures intended to protect residents from serious and potentially life-threatening hazards, according to the latest draft of the new standards. Housing industry groups had urged HUD to ease some of these requirements, saying they would be too burdensome for landlords — alarming some tenant advocates who were caught off guard by the recent changes. (Khimm, 7/14)
Sacramento Bee:
Cal-OSHA To Get CA Budget Boost To Hire Safety Inspectors
With COVID-19 raging in the state, officials at California’s workplace safety agency in November vowed to fill as many vacancies as quickly as possible so it could carry out more inspections at hospitals, warehouses, factories and offices. California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal-OSHA, at the time committed to filling nearly 120 vacancies by July 1, Department of Industrial Relations’ Director Katie Hagen who oversees Cal-OSHA told state legislators at a hearing that month. Yet, since then, the agency has been bleeding inspectors. (Park, 7/14)
Southern California News Group:
California Allocates $156 Million To Combat Anti-Asian Hate
A historic $156 million investment to combat anti-Asian hate, part of a $100 billion state spending bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this week, is expected to help a number of grassroots nonprofits in Southern California that have been leading the charge to fight hate and provide services to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The Asian Pacific Islander Equity Budget, developed by the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, will allocate the funds over a three-year period to a number of victim support, mental health and educational resources to address the root causes of anti-Asian racism. (Bharath, 7/15)