Why Are So Many Americans Dying of COVID? ‘Gas-Station Heroin;’ Measles Outbreak

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About 1,500 Americans are dying of COVID-19 every week. Why? (ABC News)

The FDA is temporarily allowing the import of extencilline into the U.S. to address syphilis drug shortages. (Reuters)

The use of tianeptine — sold as a dietary supplement and also known as “gas-station heroin” — is alarming health officials. (New York Times)

FDA has cleared ZetrOZ Systems’ sam 2.0 wearable ultrasound unit for expanded indications to treat soft tissue injuries and knee osteoarthritis, the company announced.

After decades of decline, car accident fatality rates are on the rise. (New York Times)

The food industry is mobilizing to defend food processing. (Wall Street Journal)

Over 20 million people have selected coverage from the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace since open enrollment began November 1.

U.S. healthcare has a cost and quality problem — is private equity making it worse? (Washington Post)

The National Hockey League Players’ Association has launched a pilot program to teach players the basics of mental health. (ESPN).

After a closed-door session in which former top health official Anthony Fauci, MD, was interrogated about the origins of the COVID pandemic, House Republicans said they want to consider new rules on foreign research. (STAT)

Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said if he is elected to the White House he plans to “bring a reckoning” to Fauci. (The Hill)

A measles outbreak in Philadelphia expanded to include eight people over the past month. (CNN)

A new variant, as well as holiday gatherings, is behind the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, according to the head of the World Health Organization. (ABC News)

A mom-to-be had severe chest pains that were dismissed as a panic attack; it turned out she had an aortic dissection. (Today)

A U.S. diet panel, after dropping two researchers with financial conflicts of interest, added one with financial ties to the alcohol industry. (New York Times)

Few rural hospitals have taken advantage of a federal program that will help them provide emergency and outpatient services while ending inpatient care. (NPR)

The Ohio House of Representatives overrode Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors and transgender women and girls from competing on female school sports teams. (The Hill)

Federal judges ruled that a Missouri lawsuit alleging that China hoarded masks and other protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic can proceed. (ABC News)

Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate expect the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to consider the legality of Idaho’s restrictive abortion law will spur efforts for similar measures in other states. (STAT)

The 87-year old owner of the Houston Texans football team is fighting efforts by one of her sons to have her declared incompetent. (ESPN)

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