Health
New walk-in Saltzer urgent care clinic opens in Meridian
Saltzer Health has announced a new walk-in urgent care and family medicine clinic is now open in north Meridian on Chinden Boulevard between Meridian and Linder roads. The 5,300-square-foot clinic is located at 6357 N. Fox Run Way near the Paramount neighborhood in North Meridian, according to a Saltzer press release. The clinic’s urgent care […]
Only 1 vaccine is OK for older teens. It’s also the hardest to manage in rural America.
As states expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to allow shots for 16- and 17-year-olds, teens in rural America may have trouble getting them. Of the three vaccines authorized in the U.S., currently only one can go to that age group: the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. That vaccine comes in 1,170-dose packages at minimum and expires after five days […]
Idaho inmates worked at food plants. They got COVID. So did their bunkmates.
Idaho inmates who worked in the community likely got COVID-19 at those jobs and brought the coronavirus back into their correctional facilities and dorms. A new report published Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes how COVID-19 outbreaks tied to workplaces, such as Idaho food processing plants, may have seeded outbreaks […]
Biden calls for paid time off for vaccinations as U.S. hits 200 million goal
WASHINGTON — Federal and state officials now face trying to reach Americans unable or unwilling to get the COVID-19 vaccine, after meeting President Joe Biden’s goal of administering 200 million doses within his first 100 days in office. To aid in that push, Biden on Wednesday called on employers to give their workers time off […]
From rotten teeth to advanced cancer, patients feel the effects of treatment delays
With medical visits picking up again among patients vaccinated against COVID-19, health providers are starting to see the consequences of a year of pandemic-delayed preventive and emergency care as they find more advanced cancer and rotting and damaged teeth, among other ailments. Dr. Brian Rah, chairman of the cardiology department at Montana’s Billings Clinic, was […]
Pushback against ‘vaccine passports’ puts colleges in a quandary
WASHINGTON — Florida’s Nova Southeastern University joined a small group of U.S. colleges on April 1, when the private research university announced that it would require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus this fall. In a message posted on the university’s website, NSU’s president and CEO, Dr. […]
Idaho sets a lofty goal: 80% of people vaccinated for COVID-19 — this year
State officials hope to persuade more Idahoans to get the COVID-19 vaccine — and they’ve set the goal at a statewide vaccination rate of 80%. That’s a high bar for a state whose flu vaccination rate is below 50%. Idaho public health officials said Tuesday they’re planning to ask the U.S. Centers for Disease Control […]
Idaho health officials urge pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on Tuesday issued a recommendation to health care providers to follow guidance from U.S. regulators and hold off on continuing to administer COVID-19 vaccines made by Johnson & Johnson. Federal officials issued a recommendation early Tuesday morning that health care providers pause use of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. […]
‘Reclaim Idaho’ may dominate 2021’s documentary awards race. Film debuts at Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Idaho’s Medicaid expansion fight may be next year’s award darling for best documentary. New Yorkers and first-time filmmakers Laura-Wing Kamoosi and Jim Kamoosi, the married team behind “Reclaim Idaho,” entered the documentary into the prestigious Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and so far the reception has been resoundingly positive. “Reclaim Idaho” tells the story of […]
Idaho families are still — and will always be — suffering because of COVID. Mine is one.
Editor’s note: Karen Kay died Sunday, April 11, 2021. She was 61. My Aunt Karen Kay has a sneaky smile with crooked teeth, a rebellious stubborn streak and a purse collection that rivals even Cardi B’s. She loves cold Cokes, black “kiki” cats and dozens and dozens of photo albums full of family. And as […]
Idaho Gov. Brad Little bans state involvement in COVID-19 vaccine passports
Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday signed an executive order to ban state government entities from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The order also bans state government from producing or issuing “vaccine passports” or providing information on a person’s vaccine status to be used in vaccine passports. The ban allows Idahoans to receive public services […]
Supreme Court will maintain COVID-19 precautions to keep courts open
My fellow Idahoans, Every day, members of our communities visit our local courthouses. Some are there to make or defend a legal claim or perhaps to pay a ticket. Others come to serve as witnesses or jurors. In addition, I cannot overlook the dedicated employees who work in these buildings as courthouse staff and judges. […]