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COVID-19 News from Around the Web

Twenty-one states are reporting increased Covid-19 cases as experts warn of a fall surge
CNN - September 28, 2020
Almost half the US is reporting increased numbers of new Covid-19 cases as health experts warn of a potential coronavirus surge in the fall and winter. As of Sunday, the number of new coronavirus cases has increased by at least 10% or more compared to the week before in 21 states, most of them in the West, according to a CNN analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University. Cases are rising in Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington state, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Fewer than 10% in the US have antibodies to the novel coronavirus
CNN - September 28, 2020
A new nationwide study of the blood of more than 28,000 dialysis patients may help answer one of the big questions surrounding the pandemic: how many people have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus? The answer could tell us a lot about how many people in the United States have been exposed to the virus and how much community spread there has been. … The short answer to how many people had antibodies, as of July, is approximately 9.3% -- although numbers ranged from an average of 3.5% in the West to an average of 27% in the Northeast.
Pharmacies are bracing for a surge in demand for flu shots amid the Covid-19 pandemic
STAT - September 28, 2020
With flu season fast approaching, and the Covid-19 pandemic raging on, hospitals and pharmacies across the country are stockpiling far more flu vaccines than normal, anticipating a surge in demand. The drug store chain Rite Aid has purchased 40% more influenza vaccines than other years to meet an expected uptick in demand. Walgreens has also increased its flu vaccine stockpile this year, anticipating a 30% to 50% jump in customers who will want flu shots or other immunizations, the company’s chief medical officer told STAT.
1 in 3 parents won’t get flu shots for their child during Covid-19, study finds
CNN - September 28, 2020
One-third of American parents have no plans to get their children vaccinated for the flu this year, according to the National Poll on Children's Health released Monday, despite the very real possibility their child could also catch the deadly Covid-19. In addition, two-thirds of parents don't believe getting a flu shot for their child is more important this year, despite advice to the contrary from major government organizations and pediatricians.
Conspiracy Theories Are Helping Fuel Rejection of Masks, Vaccines
HealthDay - September 28, 2020
People who buy into conspiracy theories about COVID-19 may be especially likely to refuse a vaccine when one becomes available, a new study suggests. … Those same conspiracy believers were also less likely to regularly wear a face mask in public. The study, which surveyed 840 U.S. adults in March and July, found that many believed at least one pandemic conspiracy theory: By July, 37% believed the Chinese government had created the new coronavirus as a biological weapon. Meanwhile, others suspected the pharmaceutical industry engineered the virus, and one-third believed U.S. health authorities were exaggerating the seriousness of COVID to damage Donald Trump's presidency.
Military suicides up as much as 20% in COVID era
AP - September 28, 2020
Military suicides have increased by as much as 20% this year compared to the same period in 2019, and some incidents of violent behavior have spiked as service members struggle under COVID-19, war-zone deployments, national disasters and civil unrest. While the data is incomplete and causes of suicide are complex, Army and Air Force officials say they believe the pandemic is adding stress to an already strained force. And senior Army leaders — who say they’ve seen about a 30% jump in active duty suicides so far this year — told The Associated Press that they are looking at shortening combat deployments.
Poll: Half of Americans who lost their job during the pandemic still don’t have one
Vox - September 28, 2020
Roughly six months after the coronavirus began to wreak havoc on the US economy, about half of those who lost their job say they are still without one. … The [Pew] study, which surveyed 13,200 US adults in the first two weeks of August, found some limited recovery with respect to employment: Of all those who said they had lost a job, a third have returned to their old job, and 15 percent say they have a new job.
US parents delaying preschool and kindergarten amid pandemic
AP - September 28, 2020
Thousands of parents around the U.S. have made similar decisions, having their children delay or skip kindergarten because of the coronavirus pandemic. The opt outs, combined with huge declines in preschool enrollment, are raising worries about the long-term effects of so much lost early education. … Enrollment numbers have plunged in many places this fall as parents weigh health concerns and the prospect of helping young children to navigate distance learning while also holding onto their jobs.
Florida Governor Lifts State’s Coronavirus Restrictions on Businesses, Mask Fines Suspended
PEOPLE - September 28, 2020
During a press conference on Friday, the Republican governor, 42, acknowledged that the pandemic is far from over but claimed that the threat of COVID-19 has decreased and the need to reopen the state's businesses has increased. DeSantis announced an executive order allowing all businesses — including restaurants and bars — in the Sunshine State to operate at 100 percent capacity. … In addition to lifting health restrictions on businesses, DeSantis said he is banning cities and counties from fining people who do not wear face masks or do not adhere to social distancing guidelines.