• The Centers for Disease Control issued new guidelines that strongly recommend that all passengers and employees wear masks on planes, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation, but the guidance fell short of the federal mandate industry leaders and unions asked for. The CDC had previously planned to require masks on all forms of public transportation under the agency’s quarantine powers, according to a CDC official, but the order was blocked by the White House. (The Washington Post)

• President Donald Trump referred to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, as a “disaster” on a campaign call and said Americans were sick of hearing about the coronavirus pandemic from “all these idiots who got it wrong,” after Fauci said he wasn’t surprised the president got COVID-19 given the lack of precautions taken by the White House. At a campaign rally in Arizona later, Trump used Fauci to attack Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s coronavirus plan, saying Biden would “listen to Dr. Fauci” and impose widespread lockdowns again, though Fauci said last week that no one wants to “shut down the country again.” (The New York Times)

• Moderna Inc. Chief Executive Stéphane Bancel said the drugmaker could see interim results from its coronavirus vaccine clinical trial in November and, if the data is positive, could seek emergency authorization for the vaccine as early as December, though he acknowledged that it was difficult to say when the first analysis would occur “because it depends on the cases, the number of people getting sick” in the late-stage trial. He cautioned that it is possible that authorization may not happen until early next year if the company doesn’t get sufficient interim results earlier. (The Wall Street Journal)

• The Government Accountability Office said it will investigate whether “scientific integrity and communications policies have been violated” at the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration during the coronavirus pandemic, following a recent request from Senate Democrats who raised concerns that Trump administration officials were interfering in public health guidance and scientific reports, but the watchdog won’t begin its investigation for about three months. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said the agency “has always provided public health information based on sound science.” (Politico)

Dr. Scott Gottlieb: U.S. about ‘a week away from a rapid acceleration’ of coronavirus cases
Emily DeCiccio, CNBC

Dr. Scott Gottlieb is warning that the United States is about “a week away from seeing a rapid acceleration in cases” of Covid-19 as the number of coronavirus infections and hospitalizations surge.

States’ Pleas for Vaccine Rollout Cash Rejected by HHS Chief
Shira Stein and Angelica LaVito, Bloomberg Law

States have enough money to distribute a future Covid-19 vaccine, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said Monday, contradicting his own CDC head and state officials.

A Viral Theory Cited by Health Officials Draws Fire From Scientists
Apoorva Mandavilli and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, The New York Times

A manifesto urging reliance on “herd immunity” without lockdowns was warmly received by administration officials. But the strategy cannot stem the pandemic, many experts say.

Trump Official’s Tweet, and Its Removal, Set Off Flurry of Anti-Mask Posts
Katherine J. Wu, The New York Times

For months, public health experts — backed by guidelines from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — have stood firm on one resounding refrain: Against the coronavirus, masks work.

Some California Hospitals Refused Covid-19 Transfers for Financial Reasons, State Emails Show
Melanie Evans et al., The Wall Street Journal

Several large Southern California hospital systems improperly refused or delayed accepting Covid-19 patients based on their insurance status, according to internal emails among local and state government, hospital and emergency-response officials, leaving severely ill patients waiting for care and adding strain on hospitals overrun by the pandemic.

A week after Covid-19 vaccine trial goes on pause, Johnson & Johnson and FDA won’t reveal critical details
Elizabeth Cohen, CNN

Despite repeated claims they’re committed to transparency, Johnson & Johnson and the US Food and Drug Administration still aren’t revealing crucial details one week after the pharmaceutical giant’s Covid-19 vaccine trial went on pause.

Why this week’s meeting of an FDA advisory panel on Covid-19 vaccines matters
Helen Branswell, Stat News

For those closely watching the development of Covid-19 vaccines, Thursday is a crucial date.

California says it will independently review coronavirus vaccine
Mimi Dwyer, Reuters

A California panel of experts will independently review the safety of new coronavirus vaccines and initial plans for distribution, Governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday.

UNICEF To Stockpile Over Half A Billion Syringes For Future COVID-19 Vaccine
Reese Oxner, NPR News

UNICEF, the largest single buyer of vaccines in the world, wants to hit the ground running as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is ready.

Surprising Results in Initial Virus Testing in N.Y.C. Schools
Dana Rubinstein and J. David Goodman, The New York Times

The absence of outbreaks, if it holds, suggests that the city’s efforts to return children to classrooms could serve as an influential model for the nation.

Covid Patients With Long-Term Symptoms Turn to Online Support Groups
Sumathi Reddy, The Wall Street Journal

For many Covid patients with long-term symptoms, online support groups have been an invaluable resource.

U.S. borders with Canada, Mexico to stay closed to non-essential travel until Nov. 21
David Shepardson and Steve Scherer, Reuters

The extension comes as the United States remains one of the worst-affected countries in the world and is reporting the second-highest number of new cases daily.

Trump administration says Obamacare plan premiums 2% lower in 2021
Vishwadha Chander, Reuters

Premiums for an average health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act has dropped by 2% for the 2021 coverage year, according to a report released by the Trump administration, which is seeking to invalidate the 2010 healthcare law.

“Trumpcare” Does Not Exist. Nevertheless Facebook and Google Cash In on Misleading Ads for “Garbage” Health Insurance.
Jeremy B. Merrill and Marshall Allen, ProPublica

The thousands of “Trumpcare” ads Facebook and Google have published show that the shadowy “lead generation” economy has a happy home on the platforms — and even big names like UnitedHealthcare take part.

Hospitals to See Fewer Admissions Than Predicted Despite Rebound
Tony Pugh, Bloomberg Law

Hospital admissions have rebounded since the pandemic started but will likely be 10.5% lower than predicted for 2020, according to a new study.

New Hampshire Hospital Group Goes Bankrupt After Covid Stress
Lauren Coleman-Lochner, Bloomberg

LRGHealthcare filed for Chapter 11 on Monday, the latest hospital chain to succumb to disruptions from the novel coronavirus.

Private equity-backed dermatology groups got COVID-19 small-business loans
Rachel Cohrs, Modern Healthcare

The complex business structures of some private equity-backed dermatology groups allowed them to receive millions in COVID-19 funds intended for small businesses, federal disclosures reveal.

CBC Group sets up AffaMed, EverInsight merger, eyes IPO
Jonathan Chan, Stat News

With Everest Medicines’ $451 million listing now in the rear-view mirror, health care-focused CBC Group is paving the way for another portfolio company to IPO. But, first, a merger.

Kodak to Push Forward on Making Drug Ingredients Despite U.S. Loan Troubles
Rachael Levy, The Wall Street Journal

Eastman Kodak Co. Chief Executive Jim Continenza defended his company’s handling of a halted U.S. loan and said Kodak would continue to move ahead in making drug ingredients regardless of whether it receives government assistance.

State treasurers urge Cardinal Health shareholders to reject CEO bonus over opioid crisis
Ed Silverman, Stat News

Two state treasurers are urging Cardinal Health (CAH) shareholders to reject a hefty, $2.5 million bonus for the chief executive officer, citing his long-standing tenure at the wholesaler and its role in fomenting the opioid crisis.

Pharma contributed to attorneys general who want to repeal the Affordable Care Act
Ed Silverman, Stat News

The Affordable Care Act has driven a huge boost in revenue for pharmaceutical companies — but ironically, $1.5 million in drug industry donations last election cycle were funneled to Republican state attorneys general who will soon make a case for repealing the law before the Supreme Court.

How Banner Health is using AI to keep electives going
Samantha Liss, Healthcare Dive

Some health system executives are turning to artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to help them manage electives without the need for more shutdowns.

Legal Action Is Not the Solution to Improving Nursing Homes’ Response to COVID
Matt Parkinson, Morning Consult

Long-term care providers have waged a long and hard-fought battle against COVID-19.

Trends in Overall and Non-COVID-19 Hospital Admissions
Tyler Heist et al., Kaiser Family Foundation/Epic Health Research Network

The analysis of electronic medical record data shows a precipitous drop in hospital admissions starting the week of March 14, falling to a low of roughly 70% of predicted admissions by the week of April 11. Total admissions are now at about 90% of predicted levels.

Deadly Bacteria Lurk In Coastal Waters. Climate Change Increases The Risks.
Ali Raj et al., The Center for Public Integrity

Health workers see Vibrio as a rare danger, if they’ve heard of it at all. But it’s already causing more cases of flesh-eating disease. And it’s poised to get worse.