Airlines lift CDC mask mandate after Florida judge’s ruling

On April 18, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask mandate for airplanes and public transportation was an unlawful extension of authority. As a result, several major U.S. airlines have…

CDC releases new COVID-19 community-level tracker as cases decrease across the nation

The tracker is part of the CDC’s effort to analyze daily COVID-19 numbers by individual communities. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky explained that this new system is intended to help guide research toward more efficient precautionary measures.

Maryland schools eagerly await COVID vaccine OK for kids

Pfizer and BioNTech announced Sept. 20 that a smaller dose of their vaccine was safe for 5- to 11-year-olds, and the FDA set a vaccines advisory committee for Oct. 26 in anticipation of a request for the vaccine’s authorization.

FDA readying ban on flavored e-cigarettes amidst health scare

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has announced plans to ban flavored electronic cigarettes, the culmination of a nationwide crackdown on vaping following a spike in respiratory illnesses connected to e-cigarette use.  Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said banning…

HHS initiative aims to prevent new cases of HIV in Maryland and other “trouble spots”

The US Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with local health departments to help diagnose and prevent new cases of HIV. In Maryland there are three “hot spots:” Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County.

The Washington Bullpen, Episode 6

WASHINGTON – On this week’s episode of the “Washington Bullpen” podcast, host Jarod Golub talks about the outbreak of acute flaccid myelitis that’s been the focus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York Times report on Jared…

Maryland’s heroin and opioid crisis reaches an all-time high

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Barbara Allen signs her emails with the names of her family members she has lost to addiction. Jim’s mom, Bill’s sister, Amanda’s aunt. Her son, Jim, died from a heroin and alcohol overdose in 2003 after battling…

Flu Is Around the Corner, So Experts Urge Marylanders to Get Their Shots

Flu vaccines expected to provide better protection this flu season

PAVE Helps Teens Deal with Sexual Abuse

PAVE (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment) is a non-profit founded by Angela Rose to help high schoolers overcome and speak out on sexual abuse.

Health Officials Grilled on Ebola Response, Members of Congress Push for Travel Ban

Banning air travel to the United States from the West African countries affected by Ebola could cause people to travel by other means that cannot be monitored, said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing Thursday.