A 58-year-old man was hospitalized in serious condition Sunday morning after being bitten by a shark while surfing off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii. Surfers nearby had already applied a tourniquet to the victim's wound before EMS and the Honolulu Fire Department arrived to administer life-saving treatment. Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources advises people to be aware of their surroundings while in the ocean and to avoid swimming or surfing near schools of fish.
Posts published in “Health”
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut suffered a broken leg during a victory parade for the University of Connecticut men's basketball team on Saturday, but is expected to make a full recovery after successful surgery. Despite the injury, Blumenthal got back up and finished the parade, and is currently staying at Stamford Hospital overnight. He plans to be back at work next week.
Xavier Becerra, President Joe Biden's health secretary, has spoken out against a court ruling that threatens the availability of a main drug used in medication abortion. The ruling, made by Donald Trump-appointee Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas, has been met with criticism from reproductive rights advocates. The Biden administration has committed to protecting women's reproductive rights and will do whatever is necessary to ensure that women have access to the medication they need.
The Biden administration is facing a legal challenge that could restrict access to the leading abortion drug in the U.S. A 19th century “anti-vice” law, the Comstock Act, has been revived by anti-abortion groups and conservative states in an effort to block the mailing of mifepristone. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has said that all options are on the table to ensure access to the drug, including Supreme Court intervention. Pro-choice advocates have criticized the ruling, arguing that it will have a negative impact on women’s health and rights.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal fractured his femur during a UConn men's basketball victory parade on Saturday after a fellow parade attendee tripped and fell on him. Blumenthal will undergo routine surgery on Sunday to ensure proper healing, and is expected to make a full recovery. Fellow Connecticut Democrat Senator Chris Murphy jokingly commented on the incident on Twitter.
A U.S. District Judge appointed by former President Donald Trump has suspended the FDA's approval of abortion pills, sparking outrage among Congressional Democrats. Chuck Schumer has urged Republicans to speak out against the ruling, while President Joe Biden has said his administration will file an appeal. Republicans in Congress have yet to respond to the ruling.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently sparked controversy with their statement that genetic material from Wuhan, China, should have been shared three years ago. Chinese health officials have accused the WHO of attempting to smear China and of politicizing COVID-19. The WHO has not yet responded, but has previously stated its commitment to working with China to find the source of the virus. International cooperation is essential to ensure that all relevant information is shared in a timely manner to prepare for future pandemics.
A federal judge in Texas has issued a stay on the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a drug used for medication abortions, which has been met with criticism from abortion rights advocates. The U.S. Department of Justice and President Joe Biden have both released statements in response to the ruling, and the DOJ has filed an appeal and is seeking an immediate stay of the decision. The outcome of the DOJ's appeal could set a precedent for future cases and have a significant impact on access to abortion services in the United States.