What We’re Reading: COVID-19 Uptick Measures; Naloxone Availability; Bertagnolli’s NIH Confirmation Hearing

CDC Challenges Over Mask Mandates, Booster Recommendations With COVID-19 Uptick

A vote on Tuesday by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will determine if vaccines will be recommended for all Americans above 6 months of age, and not just those are at the highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19 infection, according to Kaiser Health News. However, former White House chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci announced that the recent increase in COVID-19 cases will not likely result in federal mask mandates, according to The Hill. Despite this uptick in cases, Fauci said that he is concerned people would not follow CDC guidelines, even if masks are recommended again.

Should Employers Have Opioid Reversal Drugs on Hand?

The Biden administration is urging employers to keep naloxone on hand amid record levels of overdoses from lethal forms of opioids, such as fentanyl, according to Axios. This recommendation by the government is similar to that of workplaces preparing emergency plans in case of a fire. Furthermore, health officials believe that office buildings, restaurants, and even schools should not only be stocking naloxone nasal spray but should offer written and verbal instructions guiding users or bystanders on how to administer the drug.

Bernie Sanders to Hold a Confirmation Hearing for NIH Nominee, Monica Bertagnolli

Senator Bernie Sanders will hold a confirmation hearing next month for the National Institutes of Health’s nominee, Monica Bertagnolli, according to STAT. Prior to this announcement, Sanders had refused to hold a hearing on Bertagnolli until President Biden promised more drug pricing reform. On Friday, HHS announced a deal with Regeneron on the development of the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody, with Sanders adding that the administration must include reasonable pricing to all drugs developed with the aid of government funding.