What We're Reading: California Rolls Back Reopening Plans; Abortion Requirement Waived; Reducing T2D Risk With Fruits, Vegetables

California Governor Rolls Back Reopening Plans

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday the closure of indoor facilities statewide, such as churches, gyms, and barber shops, amid a resurgence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Reported by Politico, the order expands upon prior closures in hot-spot counties and will now apply to all 58 counties in California. Serving as the new epicenter of the pandemic, California’s positive test rate now exceeds 7%, with new infections accounting for close to 9000 daily cases.

Judge Waives In-Person Visit Requirement for Abortion Pill

Yesterday, US District Judge Theodore Chuang waived a requirement during the pandemic for an in-person visit to a hospital, clinic, or medical office to receive an abortion pill. According to The Hill, Chuang cited the ongoing pandemic as a substantial hurdle to receiving mifepristone, an abortion drug, and that in-person visits are not plausible. The ruling will allow health care providers to mail or deliver mifepristone to patients as long as the public health emergency persists.

Survey Finds High-Fruit, -Vegetable Diet May Help Reduce T2D Risk

According to survey findings published in The BMJ, a diet high in fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) by approximately 50%. Reported by The Washington Post, the researchers found that for every 66-gram increase in fruit and vegetable consumption, a lower T2D risk was exhibited by 25%. These new findings add to prior research that indicates whole-grain foods also help reduce risk risk of T2D.