Tuesday, January 25, 2022 - Kaiser Health News

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Kaiser Health News Original Stories

Pharmacies Are Turning Away Immunocompromised Patients Seeking 4th Covid Shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly changed its guidance to allow an extra shot in certain cases, but some pharmacy personnel are confused about who is eligible. (Liz Szabo, 1/25)

With a Vaccine Mandate Looming, Nursing Homes Face More Staffing Problems

Missouri has the worst covid-19 vaccination rate for nursing home health care workers in the nation. There, the federal mandate for workers to get vaccinated — upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court — reveals the problems that operators have hiring staff, keeping them, and providing decent care. (Eric Berger, 1/25)

I Write About America's Absurd Health Care System. Then I Got Caught Up in It.

A KHN reporter had written for years about the people left behind by the absurdly complex and expensive U.S. health care system. Then he found himself navigating that maze as he tried to get his insulin prescription filled. (Bram Sable-Smith, 1/25)

Here's today's health policy haiku:

If you have a health policy haiku to share, please Contact Us and let us know if you want us to include your name. Keep in mind that we give extra points if you link back to a KHN original story.

Summaries Of The News:

Vaccines and Covid Treatments

FDA Restricts Use Of Two Antibody Drugs That Don't Work Against Omicron

With the omicron variant currently responsible for 99% of U.S. covid infections, the Food and Drug Administration is rescinding emergency use authorization for Regeneron and Eli Lilly's monoclonal antibody treatments, for now. The drugs could be reauthorized if a variant emerges against which they are effective.

AP: FDA Halts Use Of Antibody Drugs That Don't Work Vs. Omicron
COVID-19 antibody drugs from Regeneron and Eli Lilly should no longer be used because they don't work against the omicron variant that now accounts for nearly all U.S. infections, U.S. health regulators said Monday. The Food and Drug Administration said it was revoking emergency authorization for both drugs, which were purchased by the federal government and have been administered to millions of Americans with COVID-19. If the drugs prove effective against future variants, the FDA said it could reauthorize their use. (Perrone, 1/24)

The Hill: Biden Administration Limits Use Of Two Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
The agency said the therapies made by Eli Lilly and Regeneron should only be used in patients that have been infected with or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to the treatments.  "Because data show these treatments are highly unlikely to be active against the omicron variant, which is circulating at a very high frequency throughout the United States, these treatments are not authorized for use in any U.S. states, territories, and jurisdictions at this time," the FDA said. (Weixel, 1/24)

The Washington Post: FDA Ends For Now Use Of Two Monoclonal Antibodies, Spurring A Halt In Federal Shipments Of The Covid-19 Treatments - The Washington Post
As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services, which distributes covid treatments to states, notified state health officials that it has halted distribution of the antibody medications made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, according to an email sent to the states and obtained by The Washington Post. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement that data show the two antibody treatments "are highly unlikely to be active against the omicron variant, which is circulating at a very high frequency throughout the United States." Omicron is responsible for more than 99 percent of cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (McGinley, 1/24)

In related news from Florida and Maine —

CNN: Florida Shuts Down All Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Sites After FDA Decision To Limit Use Of Certain Treatments Not Proven Effective Against Omicron
Florida is closing its monoclonal antibody treatment sites, health officials announced late Monday, citing the US Food and Drug Administration's decision to limit the use of certain versions of the treatments that were found less effective against the now-dominant Omicron variant of coronavirus. "Unfortunately, as a result of this abrupt decision made by the federal government, all monoclonal antibody state sites will be closed until further notice," the Florida Department of Health said in a statement. More than 2,000 appointments for the treatment were canceled in the state on Tuesday alone, according to a statement from Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Boyette, 1/25)

Bangor Daily News: Maine's Supply Of Omicron Treatment Will Almost Double After State Demands More From Feds
Maine's weekly allocation of a drug vital to treating the omicron variant of COVID-19 will nearly double after Gov. Janet Mills asked the federal government for more of the life-saving drug. Maine will receive 120 doses of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab, the only available monoclonal antibody known to fight off infections from the omicron variant, this week instead of the previously allocated 66, Mills' office said Monday. The increase in doses came after Mills reached out to White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients over the weekend. She told him that Maine was not receiving an adequate number of doses for the cases it was seeing, her office said. (Marino Jr., 1/24)

Third Pfizer Shot Leads To Persistent Antibodies To Fight Omicron

A booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine in addition to the regular two-shot vaccination can result in antibodies remaining in people's systems for around four months, potentially battling omicron infections. Meanwhile, a fourth shot is available for some immunocompromised patients — but some pharmacies are turning them away.

The Washington Post: Lab Study Shows Omicron-Blocking Antibodies Persist Four Months After A Pfizer-BioNTech Booster 
Virus-fighting antibodies capable of blocking the omicron variant persist four months after a third shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, according to a new study. The study, which was published on a preprint server Saturday, gives a first hint about the durability of coronavirus vaccine protection, with a key line of immune defense remaining intact. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed and will need to be replicated and extended to a longer period. (Johnson, 1/24)

The Hill: Study Finds High Levels Of Omicron-Fighting Antibodies Four Months After Pfizer Booster
A new study shows high levels of coronavirus antibodies that fight the omicron variant four months after a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine, a positive sign for the durability of a booster shot's effectiveness.  The study from researchers at Pfizer, BioNTech and the University of Texas Medical Branch shows virus-fighting antibodies enduring four months after the third dose, helping answer the key question of how long protection from the booster shot lasts.  (Sullivan, 1/24)

And Pfizer starts its clinical trial for an omicron-specific vaccine —

CNN: Pfizer And BioNTech Begin Clinical Trial For Omicron-Specific Vaccine
Pfizer and BioNTech have begun a clinical trial for their Omicron-specific Covid-19 vaccine candidate, they announced in a news release on Tuesday. The study will evaluate the vaccine for safety, tolerability and the level of immune response, as both a primary series and a booster dose, in up to 1,420 healthy adults ages 18 to 55. (Sealy, 1/25)

In more news about vaccines —

KHN: Pharmacies Are Turning Away Immunocompromised Patients Seeking 4th Covid Shot
Patients with weakened immune systems — who are at high risk from covid-19 — say pharmacies are turning them away when they seek additional vaccine doses recommended by federal health officials. Alyson Smith became eligible this month for a fourth vaccine dose because her medications leave her immunocompromised. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages most adults to receive a total of three mRNA vaccines — two "primary" vaccinations and a booster — the agency now advises people with weak immune systems to receive three primary shots plus a booster, for a total of four doses. (Szabo, 1/25)

Oklahoman: Fourth Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Available For Immunocompromised Oklahomans
Some immunocompromised Oklahomans may be eligible now for a COVID-19 booster dose, depending on when they had their last shot. In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that some immunocompromised people get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after their second shot of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. For people in that group, a third dose is considered part of the primary vaccine series, said Dr. Gitanjali Pai, the chief medical officer with the Oklahoma Department of Health. (Branham, 1/25)

In other news about covid treatments —

Stat: It's Too Early To Say CBD Helps Against Covid. Will That Stop CBD Makers?
The scientists stressed the caveats that early-stage research demands: the compounds they had studied showed hints — in cells in lab dishes and in animals — of being able to combat the coronavirus. Definite answers could only come from clinical trials. But the compounds were CBD and other marijuana and hemp derivatives, so the news took off. Kimmel and Colbert cracked jokes. The studies received coverage in outlets from Fox News to The Daily Beast. The latest hubbub is an example of both the promise of cannabinoids — components of cannabis — as potential therapies, but also the hype around them, which can far outpace the evidence that they work. (Florko and Joseph, 1/25)

Covid-19 Crisis

New Mutation Of Omicron May Spread Even Faster; It's Already In The US

At least two cases of omicron subvariant BA.2 were reported earlier this month in Washington state. Symptoms of infection don't appear to be any different so far from the original omicron strain. However, the "stealth" version, as it has been dubbed, does appear to be even more transmissible.

The Washington Post: There's A New Version Of Omicron But So Far It Doesn't Appear To Be More Dangerous
As a new version of the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads in parts of Asia and Europe, the World Health Organization recommended Monday that officials begin investigating its characteristics to determine whether it poses new challenges for pandemic-weary nations. Known as BA. 2, the new version of the virus is a descendant of the omicron variant responsible for huge surges of covid-19 in the United States and elsewhere around the globe. Virologists are referring to the original omicron variant as BA. 1. (Bernstein, 1/24)

Newsweek: Stealth Omicron COVID Variant BA.2 That May Spread Faster Found In At Least 40 Countries
Labs in countries including Denmark and Norway have reported that the sub-variant has been gaining ground, accounting for nearly half of all COVID cases in the former as of January 20, marking a sharp increase in recent weeks. Virologists say that there is much to learn about BA.2, but it appears the sub-variant may have a transmission advantage over BA.1. (Browne, 1/24)

Fox News: Washington State Reports Two Cases Of Omicron Subvariant BA.2
A new subvariant of omicron that differs from the original variant in some mutations, including on the spike protein, has been detected in Washington state. "Two cases of BA.2, a subvariant of omicron, were detected earlier this month in Washington," a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Health told Fox News Digital on Monday. The spokesperson said that health officials do not have much information on the new subvariant, which has been reported in parts of Europe and Asia. (Best, 1/24)

Deseret News: Stealth Omicron Variant Symptoms: What We Know So Far 
Scientists are starting to express concern about a new omicron variant subvariant — nicknamed "stealth omicron" — that has accounted for more COVID-19 case numbers in recent weeks. The news: Over the weekend, multiple scientists started to talk about the new subvariants of the omicron variant, BA.2 and BA.3. ... There hasn't been anything reported about unique omicron subvariant symptoms. So far, symptoms appear to be consistent with the omicron variant. (Scribner, 1/24)

The New York Times: How Omicron's Mutations Allow It To Thrive 
As nurses and doctors struggle with a record-breaking wave of Omicron cases, evolutionary biologists are engaged in a struggle of their own: figuring out how this world-dominating variant came to be. When the Omicron variant took off in southern Africa in November, scientists were taken aback by its genetic makeup. Whereas earlier variants had differed from the original Wuhan version of the coronavirus by a dozen or two mutations, Omicron had 53 — a shockingly large jump in viral evolution. (Zimmer, 1/24)

In related news about omicron —

CIDRAP: WHO Chief Warns Conditions Ripe For More COVID-19 Variants
At a briefing to the World Health Organization (WHO) executive board today, its director-general warned that conditions remain ideal for new variants to emerge and that countries have the power to change the drivers of the pandemic. (Schnirring, 1/24)

The New York Times: Omicron Offers Hope Pandemic Could Stabilize, W.H.O. Official Says
The astonishing spread of the Omicron variant could help set the stage for the pandemic to transition from overwhelming to manageable in Europe this year, a top health official said on Monday, potentially offering the world a glimpse at how countries can ease restrictions while keeping the virus at bay. That hint of hope came with a heavy dose of caution: Immunity from the surge of infections will probably wane, and new variants are likely to emerge, leaving the world vulnerable to surges that could strain health systems. In the United States, where vaccination rates are lower and death rates are considerably higher than in Western Europe, there are bigger hurdles on the path to taming the pandemic. (Mueller and Santora, 1/24)

In other research on omicron —

Reuters: Omicron Survives Longer On Plastic, Skin Than Prior Variants
The Omicron variant can survive longer than earlier versions of the coronavirus on plastic surfaces and human skin, Japanese researchers found in laboratory tests. Its high "environmental stability" - its ability to remain infectious - might have helped Omicron replace Delta as the dominant variant and spread rapidly, they said. ... On skin, all of the variants were completely inactivated by 15 seconds of exposure to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. (1/24)

Amid Soaring Cases In Some Places, Evidence Omicron May Kill Faster

The San Francisco Chronicle reports on news from California's Public Health Director that omicron patients that succumb to the virus seem to be dying two to four weeks after hospitalization, vs. five weeks for delta covid. While local officials note omicron does seem less severe, deaths are still rising.

San Francisco Chronicle: COVID In California: Omicron Appears To Kill Faster Than Other Coronavirus Strains, L.A. Data Shows
Los Angeles County data suggests that the highly infectious omicron variant strikes down its patients quicker than previous strains of the coronavirus, according to Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. The county last Thursday recorded 102 fatalities, the highest tally since March 2021. Ferrer said patients with omicron on average appear to be dying within 2-4 weeks after requiring hospitalization, compared with an average of 5 weeks observed with the delta variant. "It looks to us that folks may be progressing faster — folks who have omicron — so we're seeing a much shorter timeframe," from infection to death, said Ferrer. "It looks like they get hit pretty hard earlier on." (Vaziri and Beamish, 1/24)

Los Angeles Times: L.A. County Seeing More Fatalities From Omicron
Deaths from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County have soared over the last week, with officials saying most of the recent fatalities appear to be from the Omicron variant. The spread of the latest coronavirus variant has moved with unprecedented speed since December, although officials have said people who get infected with Omicron generally get less severe symptoms than with the earlier Delta variant. Even so, officials say it is fatal for some. Of 102 deaths reported Thursday — the highest single-day tally since March 10 — 90% involved people who became ill with COVID-19 after Christmas, and 80% were among those who fell ill after New Year's Day, indicating a high likelihood of Omicron infection, Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. (Lin II, Money and Alpert Reyes, 1/24)

In more news about the spread of covid —

AP: 6th Michigan Hospital To Get Federal Medical Team Amid Surge 
A sixth Michigan hospital will receive staffing assistance from a federal medical team to help treat COVID-19 patients during the latest surge, state health officials said Monday. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, where 100% of beds were occupied as of Monday, will be supported by as many as 25 additional personnel for 30 days starting Feb. 7, the state health department said. Teams already are in place at hospitals in Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Saginaw and Wyandotte. (Eggert, 1/24)

Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio National Guard Arrives To Assist UC Medical Center With COVID-19 Surge
Another 70 Ohio National Guard troops arrived Monday to help University of Cincinnati Medical Center staff during the latest COVID-19 hospitalization surge. The troops are among those Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine sent to the state's hospitals to help healthcare staff during the barrage of COVID-19 cases triggered by the omicron variant. The addition of Guard members at UC Health's Corryville facility comes days after a group arrived at Christ Hospital Health System in Mount Auburn. (DeMio, 1/24)

AP: Crisis Standards Activated For Southern Idaho Health Systems 
Idaho public health officials activated crisis standards of care for much of southern Idaho on Monday, citing major staffing and blood supply shortages. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare activated the crisis standards for the southwest, central and south central health districts, which encompass 18 counties including the Boise, Nampa and Twin Falls metro regions. Crisis standards of care allow hospitals to triage health care as needed when they don't have the capacity to deal with patient influxes. (Boone, 1/24)

Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage ICU Space Limited As Alaska Reports 21 COVID-19 Deaths And Rising Hospitalizations
Alaska's largest hospital on Monday reported no available intensive care beds as the state's health care system grapples with growing pressure from the ongoing COVID-19 surge linked to the highly contagious omicron variant. State health officials on Monday also reported 21 more deaths in Alaskans with COVID-19, three of them recent. Generally, the variant is thought to lead to less severe infections but its impact is being felt in health care worker absences compromising Alaska's hospital capacity, as well as continued illness, long-term complications, and death. (Hollander, 1/24)

In related news —

CIDRAP: Study: Mental Health Visits Increased For Physicians During Pandemic
A new Canadian study shows visits for mental health and substance abuse problems by physicians increased 27% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is published in JAMA Network Open. The study was based on mental health and substance use outpatient records of 34,055 practicing physicians in Ontario, Canada. The number of visits per 1,000 physicians increased by 27% during the first year of the pandemic, and the absolute proportion of physicians with one or more mental health and substance use visits increased to 13.4% during the first year of the pandemic, compared with 12.3% in the prior year. (1/24)

Post-Tribune: Hospital Chaplains Remain Family Link As COVID-19 Pandemic Closes In On 2-Year Mark: 'It Takes A Toll ... On Us And On One Another' 
When the Rev. Dale Cudjoe looks back on his workday as a chaplain for Methodist Hospitals he says knowing he maybe was able to help one person through this tough time keeps him going. "It's just a joy knowing I'm making a difference in somebody's day. I mean just the fact we are able to help somebody makes it all worth it. If I can help somebody, if I can cheer somebody, then my living won't be in vain. If I help one person it's worth it," Cudjoe said. (Napoleon, 1/23)

The Washington Post: They Had Covid-19 Once. Then, They Got It Again
For the past two Christmases, Ana Siqueira has received the same unwanted gift: covid-19. And so has her husband.The one-two punch they experienced underscores the coronavirus's staying power and ability to crack through the body's defenses. The first time Siqueira got the virus, one of her sons was isolating with covid at home, and Siqueira hadn't been vaccinated. But the second time, Siqueira, 57, a children's book author and Spanish teacher from Palm Harbor, Fla., had checked all the boxes. (Rizzo, 1/24)

Like The Virus Itself, Covid Misinformation Is Still Spreading

What a difference that "mis-" prefix makes: News outlets cover a rash of covid misinformation across the country, including how misinformation (instead of real, reliable information) left U.S. kids vulnerable to omicron covid, plus how unproven covid treatments are being promoted.

KLKN-TV: Bryan Health Says Ivermectin, Other COVID Misinformation Still A Problem 
There are several questionable methods out there to treat your COVID-19, the latest coming from a North Carolina Lawmaker, saying milk and Benadryl will do the trick. But experts are warning against that and other misinformation circulating. "I haven't seen the exact recipe of like how much Benadryl people are talking about taking and so luckily probably not overly harmful but no clear evidence of benefit," Dr. Kevin Reichmuth, a Pulmonary Critical Care Specialist, with Bryan Health said. (Skonieski, 1/22)

AFP: How Vaccine Misinformation Left US Children Vulnerable To Omicron Variant Of Covid
From worries that the shots were developed too quickly, to false claims that the jabs can impact future fertility, physician Wassim Ballan of Phoenix Children's Hospital said combating misinformation has become part of his job. "Unfortunately, a lot of times when we're having this time with a family to discuss these things is when the child is already in hospital," he said of the problem. (1/22)

The Washington Post: How Robert Malone, Vaccine Scientist Spreading Misinformation, Was Embraced By Joe Rogan, Anti-Vaxxers 
As Robert Malone stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before thousands of anti-vaccine and anti-mandate demonstrators Sunday, the medical doctor and infectious-disease researcher repeated the falsehoods that have garnered him legions of followers. "Regarding the genetic covid vaccines, the science is settled," he said in a 15-minute speech that referenced the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy. "They are not working." (Bella, 1/24)

WOODTV.com: Sherriff's Office: Robbers Are Not Giving Out Knock-Out Masks 
A post circulating on social media warning about people giving out face masks that will knock you out is false, Kalamazoo officials say. A post seen on social media claims people are going door to door giving out COVID-19 masks. The post claims chemicals on the masks will knock homeowners out so that the people can then rob them. (Buursma, 1/24)

In related news about misinformation —

CNN: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Invokes Nazi Germany In Offensive Anti-Vaccine Speech 
At a rally against vaccine mandates in Washington, DC, on Sunday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likened vaccine policies in the US to the actions of a totalitarian state, even suggesting Anne Frank was in a better situation when she was hiding from the Nazis. "Even in Hitler Germany (sic), you could, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland. You could hide in an attic, like Anne Frank did," said Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, in a speech at the Lincoln Memorial. "I visited, in 1962, East Germany with my father and met people who had climbed the wall and escaped, so it was possible. Many died, true, but it was possible." (Fortinsky and Graef, 1/24)

USA Today: Neil Young Demands Spotify Remove His Music Due To Its Vaccine Misinfo
Rock legend Neil Young wants Spotify to remove his music in response to the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on the platform. In an open letter to his manager Frank Gironda and Tom Corson, co-chairman and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Records on Monday, Young demanded his classic collection of songs be pulled due to the disinformation, and specifically called out Spotify's popular podcast host Joe Rogan. "I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines – potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them," Young said. "Please act on this immediately today and keep me informed of the time schedule. (Collins, 1/24)

Los Angeles Times: Coronavirus Test Provider Says It Plans To Sue L.A. County Sheriff Villanueva Over China Claims
The company that provides Los Angeles County with coronavirus testing said it plans to sue Sheriff Alex Villanueva for defamation over claims the sheriff made alleging the company has links to the Chinese government. Fulgent Genetics, the Temple City company contracted to administer tests and track the vaccination status of county employees, alleged that Villanueva orchestrated a briefing with FBI agents a day after Thanksgiving "in a last-ditch effort" to avoid complying with the county's employee vaccine mandate, according to papers the company's lawyers filed in court Friday. After the briefing, Villanueva claimed in a letter to elected county officials that FBI agents had called the meeting to warn him about Fulgent. The Times obtained a copy of the letter the same day Villanueva sent it. (Tchekmedyian, 1/24)

CIDRAP: Black Adults Outpace White Peers In Accepting COVID Vaccine 
A pair of new US studies late last week in JAMA Network Open shed new light on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, finding that reluctance to get vaccinated fell faster among Black than White Americans and revealing a link between depression and vulnerability to vaccine misinformation. ... When the study began, about 38% of Black and 28% of White participants were vaccine-hesitant, but by June, 26% of Black and 27% of White participants were reluctant. Similarly, the belief that the vaccines were necessary rose more among Black than White participants in March and April. (Van Beusekom, 1/24)

Pandemic Policymaking

Rollout Of Free N95 Masks Begins At Stores And Clinics

News outlets report on where consumers may be able to find free N95 masks, which are being distributed out of the national stockpile by the federal government to encourage Americans to wear higher-quality face coverings.

CNN: Here's how to get free N95 masks from pharmacies or community health centers
The rollout of free N95 masks for the public began this week across the United States, with some pharmacies already handing out the masks and other expecting to do so in the coming days. The program is part of the Biden administration's effort to distribute 400 million free N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile via pharmacies and community health centers. The program is expected to be fully up and running by early February. The masks are arriving at their destinations with accompanying flyers and signage from the US Department of Health and Human Services, which paid for the masks. (Howard, 1/25)

NBC News: Free N95 Masks Arriving At Pharmacies And Stores Around The Country
Masks are expected to begin arriving at Southeastern Grocers locations as early as Friday, and they will be available at the company's Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacies. A spokesperson for Walgreens told NBC Chicago that the chain expects to start giving out masks at some locations by Friday, as well. "Participating stores will have signage indicating mask availability," the spokesperson said. (Gregorian and Egan, 1/24)

Detroit Free Press: Meijer Customers Can Receive Free N95 Masks
Metro Detroit Meijer stores as well as those across the Midwest are participating in the federal free N95 mask program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Grand Rapids-based chain announced Monday that it is providing free N95 masks to customers who need them. Meijer received about 3 million masks from the program, according to a news release. The N95 masks will be on a table near the grocery entrance and greeter stand. A Meijer greeter, who will be wearing gloves, will arrange the masks in piles of three for customers to take. (Selasky, 1/24)

NBC Chicago: Walgreens Gives New Look At Timing For Free N95 Masks 
Walgreens is preparing to begin distributing free N95 masks this week, but when exactly can customers expect to be able to get one and how will they know which stores have them? ... "We expect the first stores to begin offering masks on Friday, January 28 and will continue on a rolling basis in the days and weeks following," a spokesperson for the company told NBC 5 in a statement. "Participating stores will have signage indicating mask availability." (1/24)

Also —

Axios: Axios-Ipsos Poll: Biden's Free COVID Tests And Masks Are Popular, But They're Not Helping Him 
Two new Biden administration initiatives — mailing at-home COVID-19 tests to those who ask and making free N95 masks available — are hugely popular, each backed by 84% of Americans in the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index. Those who may need these most — the unvaccinated — are less likely to take advantage of the offerings, the survey found. And neither has boosted President Biden's numbers so far, meaning it's too little too late, or too soon to see a change. (Talev, 1/25)

New York Mask Mandate Ruled Unlawful By State Judge

State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker says that New York's state requirement for masks can't be enforced. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, says her administration will appeal.

The Wall Street Journal: New York Mask Mandate Struck Down By Judge 
A Long Island judge struck down New York state's indoor mask mandate Monday, saying health officials needed approval from the legislature for a December rule requiring face coverings in schools, transit hubs and other indoor settings. State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker ruled in Nassau County that Health Commissioner Mary Bassett didn't have the authority to issue an emergency regulation last year requiring masks in indoor settings. Dr. Bassett's masking rules were issued after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency amid rising Covid-19 infections on Nov. 26. (Vielkind, 1/24)

AP: State Judge Overturns NY Mask Mandate
The mandate "is a law that was promulgated and enacted unlawfully by an executive branch state agency, and therefore void and unenforceable," the judge said. The state had initially instituted a mask mandate in April 2020 that ended in June 2021 for vaccinated individuals; Hochul announced in mid-December that it would go back into effect for at least a month. Earlier this month, the state health department said the mandate would be in place until Feb 1. (1/25)

The Washington Post: New York Seeks To Save Mask Mandate, Appeal State Supreme Court Justice's Ruling 
The State Supreme Court is not New York's top judicial body and Justice Thomas Rademaker's ruling can be appealed. Gov. Hochul said in a statement that she disagreed with the decision and that her office would pursue "every option" to reverse it. "My responsibility as Governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives," she said. (1/25)

In other mask mandate news from Nebraska, Virginia and Florida —

AP: Youngkin Faces New Lawsuit As Virginia Mask Order Kicks In
Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was facing a new legal challenge over his executive action that aimed to let parents opt out of school mask mandates as his order took effect Monday but was ignored by some districts. Youngkin issued the order as one of his first acts after being sworn in as governor Jan. 15, and confusion has swirled over the implications since then. Some districts have interpreted the order as being at odds with a state law that deals with COVID-19 mitigation in schools and have opted to keep pre-existing mask mandates in place for students. (Rankin and Barakat, 1/24)

AP: Judge Hears Arguments In Case Challenging Omaha Mask Mandate 
A Nebraska judge could decide as early as Monday afternoon whether to overturn a new Omaha mask mandate that's opposed by state officials. Douglas County District Court Judge Shelly Stratman said in a court hearing that she will rule on the matter by the end of the day or noon Tuesday at the latest. (1/24)

The Palm Beach Post: Five Teachers Booted From Jupiter School For Refusing To Wear Masks
Five teachers were sent home from Limestone Creek Elementary last week for refusing to wear masks on campus, a school district spokeswoman confirmed. The teachers were instructed to leave campus Thursday for violating the Palm Beach County School District's mask policy, which requires all employees and visitors to wear facial coverings while indoors on campus. State law prohibits mask requirements for students. (Marra, 1/24)

California Bill Would Require K-12 School Kids To Get Covid Shots

Meanwhile in Boston a vaccine mandate for city employees seems to have worked, with over 94% of the workforce vaccinated. The city has extended the deadline for a week. Separately, one Bostonian has been removed from a heart transplant list for refusing a vaccine.

Los Angeles Times: California School Kids Must Get COVID Vaccine Under New Bill 
California students would be required to be immunized for COVID-19 under a bill introduced Monday, offering backup to districts such as L.A. Unified that have struggled with their own mandates while igniting familiar backlash from anti-vaccine activists and parents who say the state should not make medical decisions for their children. Senate Bill 871, by state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), would add COVID-19 vaccines to California's list of required inoculations for attending K-12 schools, which can be skipped only if a student receives a rare medical exemption. If passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the measure would supplant a more limited COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schools that was created by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year. (Gutierrez and Blume, 1/24)

The Boston Globe: More Than 94 Percent Of Boston City Workers Vaccinated, As Mayor Wu Extends Deadline For Showing Proof Of COVID Vaccine
The city of Boston will give its workforce one more week to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before employees are placed on unpaid leave, a temporary but noticeable concession in what has become an acrimonious dispute between Mayor Michelle Wu and several first responders unions. More than 94 percent of municipal employees are already complying with the mandate, Wu said Monday. (Platoff and Andersen, 1/24)

Fox News: Boston Patient Removed From Heart-Transplant List Because He's Not Vaccinated Against COVID: Report
The parents of a 31-year-old in need of a heart transplant at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital said their son has been removed from the transplant list because he has not been vaccinated for COVID-19, according to a report. The hospital told CBS Boston that its policy is in line with other transplant programs in the U.S. that require the vaccine because it fits under the lifestyle behaviors of the candidates. The statement said it is the hospital's goal to "create both the best chance for successful operation and also the patient's survival after transplantation." David Ferguson, the father of the patient DJ Ferguson, told the station that his son was at the front of the line to receive the organ, but was removed because he refuses to take the vaccine. (DeMarche, 1/25)

KHN: With A Vaccine Mandate Looming, Nursing Homes Face More Staffing Problems 
Jamie Smith, a staffing agency nurse who loves end-of-life care, said she has been warmly welcomed by staffers and residents at Frontier Health & Rehabilitation in this conservative St. Louis suburb. That's even though she has not been vaccinated against covid-19. But leaders of the nursing home, where 22 residents died from covid before vaccines were available, likely won't be able to employ unvaccinated people like Smith for much longer. The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 13 upheld a federal mandate requiring health care workers at facilities that receive Medicaid or Medicare funding to be fully vaccinated. If all staffers — excluding those with approved religious or medical exemptions — aren't fully vaccinated, the facility will lose that money. (Berger, 1/25)

And Sarah Palin tests positive for covid after allegedly violating New York City's vaccine mandate —

The New York Times: Sarah Palin, Who Is Unvaccinated, Recently Dined Indoors In New York City Before Testing Positive.
Sarah Palin, who is not vaccinated against the coronavirus, dined indoors Saturday night at Elio's, an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side of Manhattan that regularly draws celebrities, despite New York City's requirement that all indoor guests show proof of vaccination. She tested positive for the virus on Monday. "We just made a mistake," said Luca Guaitolini, a manager for the restaurant, who was not working Saturday night but confirmed Ms. Palin's visit. In an interview on Monday, he said that the restaurant checked vaccination cards for all first-time customers but not for regulars who come each week, and that Ms. Palin had dined with a longtime guest, whom he declined to name. (Krishna, 1/24)

USA Today: Sarah Palin Tests Positive For COVID, Delaying Trial
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's day in court over defamation claims against the New York Times was put on hold Monday after she tested positive for the coronavirus. Federal Judge Jed Rakoff said the trial, which had been set to start Monday, can begin Feb. 3 if Palin has recovered. "She is, of course, unvaccinated," Rakoff said in announcing three Palin tests came back positive for the virus. Palin, the Republican candidate for vice president in 2008, has urged people not to get vaccinated, telling an audience in Arizona last month that "it will be over my dead body that I'll have to get a shot." She previously was infected last March. (Bacon, Ortiz and Tebor, 1/24)

Medicare

HHS Urged To Plug Medicare Gap That Doesn't Pay For At-Home Covid Tests

Lawmakers and advocates want the Biden administration to find a way to cover the rapid antigen tests. The laws governing Medicare currently don't reimburse for self-administered diagnostic tests.

Modern Healthcare: Democrats Push Biden On Medicare Coverage Of At-Home COVID-19 Tests
President Joe Biden's administration is facing pressure from lawmakers and advocates to close a major gap in its COVID-19 strategy, which leaves Medicare beneficiaries without coverage of at-home tests. Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Plan enrollees are eligible for no-cost at-home COVID-19 tests under the American Rescue Plan Act. Households with private health insurance now can be reimbursed for at-home tests under a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services policy that took effect this month. (Hellmann and Goldman, 1/24)

Fierce Healthcare: Senators Want Medicare To Reimburse At-Home COVID-19 Tests Just Like Commercial Insurers
A group of Democratic senators is happy the Biden administration is requiring commercial insurers to cover at-home COVID-19 tests for customers but questions why Medicare isn't doing the same thing for seniors. The group of 19 Democratic senators wrote to Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) leadership Monday seeking answers on the lack of testing reimbursement. (King, 1/24)

In Medicare news from Rhode Island —

The Providence Journal: Leaked Findings From Federal Inspection Of State Hospital Expose Deficiencies: What We Know
Leaked findings of a federal inspection of the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital reveal a mountain of "deficiencies," including a "failure to ensure" infection ...