Medical / Health

Social Media Rumors of Local Coronavirus Case Are False, Per Official Sources

by Thadeus Greenson on February 3, 2020 at 9:12PM

Rumors spreading on Facebook this evening about a confirmed Coronavirus case locally are categorically false, per multiple sources. The rumors began spreading around 8 p.m., warning that a case of the virus that originated in Wuhan, China, had been confirmed in a patient — or two — at St. Joseph Hospital.

Governor Looks to Get CA into the Rx Business

by Judy Lin and Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters on January 15, 2020 at 8:51AM

In a bold strategy to drive down prescription drug prices, Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing that California become the first state in the nation to establish its own generic drug label, making those medications available at an affordable price to the state’s 40 million residents. The proposal, part of the new state budget Newsom sent to the Legislature on Friday, would authorize the state to negotiate contracts with drugmakers to manufacture selected prescriptions on behalf of California.

Arcata House to Provide Hot Meals, Needs Some Help to Do So

by Kimberly Wear on December 22, 2019 at 3:56PM

The Arcata House Partnership will be hosting meal events during Christmas week to help folks in need of a hot meal during the holiday season. Meals will be available from noon to 3 p.m. at the nonprofit’s Ninth Street annex Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

UPDATE: Covered California Has Extended Deadline to Friday, Officials Say New Subsidies and Eligibility Requirements Are Available

by Thadeus Greenson on December 16, 2019 at 12:56PM

UPDATE: The state has extended the deadline to sign up and receive Covered California coverage beginning Jan. 1 until Friday due to a surge in enrollment.

Trump Administration Food Stamp Cuts Will Hit 3,600 in Humboldt

by Thadeus Greenson on December 9, 2019 at 9:05AM

The Trump administration has announced that it will be changing food stamp eligibility requirements, which could cut nutrition assistance to 688,000 Americans, including more than 3,500 in Humboldt County. On Dec. 4, the administration announced it would be eliminating waivers that allow counties with high unemployment rates to allow able-bodied adults without dependents who work fewer than 80 hours a month to receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for more than three months.

St. Joseph Hospital and Redwood Memorial Hospital Healthcare Workers on Strike

by Iridian Casarez on November 21, 2019 at 3:50PM

will be able to report to work after the replacement period ends on Monday, Nov. 25, for their next regularly scheduled shift. Some striking employees may be able to return earlier if patient needs dictate.”

CDC Reports Links Vaping Lung Injuries to Vitamin E

by Thadeus Greenson on November 8, 2019 at 12:41PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified vitamin E acetate, an ingredient used to cut cannabis concentrate oils, as a "very strong culprit" in the rash of vaping-related lung injuries across the nation that now include more than three dozen deaths. The CDC report released today does not rule out the possibility other chemicals or toxins could be contributing to the vaping-related illnesses, which have now impacted more than 2,000 people, and warns against vaping products that contain THC, "especially obtained from informal sources such as friends or family, or those from the illicit market, where product ingredients are unknown or can be hugely variable."

State DOJ Denies Proposed St. Joseph, Adventist Health System Merger

by Kimberly Wear on October 31, 2019 at 3:11PM

The California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) today issued a letter denying the proposed partnership between Adventist Health System/West and St. Joseph Health System. The parties submitted notices to the CA DOJ that requested approval to form a joint operating company to manage and have authority over each health system’s facilities in Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma Counties.

Where to Get Medical Supplies, Charge Devices During the Blackout

by Thadeus Greenson on October 25, 2019 at 3:30PM

With Humboldt County’s impending blackout looming, the county Office of Emergency Services is urging residents to stock up on enough medical supplies to last at least a few days and officials are scurrying to set up medical device charging stations throughout the county. The entirety of Humboldt County is expected to lose power Saturday afternoon and officials say the fire warnings that prompted it could last until Monday afternoon, after which it could take several days for PG&E to inspect and re-energize the lines.

NBC News Investigation Finds Vitamin E, Pesticides in Illicit Vape Cartridges

by Thadeus Greenson on September 27, 2019 at 2:35PM

Here’s a description from our Dec. 21, 2017, story “High Stakes,” which looked at the local cannabis industry’s concerns about coming into compliance with the state’s recreational cannabis testing program that was set to come online in the beginning of 2018: The biggest pesticide offender was myclobutanil — the active ingredient in fungicides like Eagle 20 and Nova 40 that are used to treat black rot and powdery mildew — which was responsible for the majority of failed tests.

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