Family Health Corner

News That Affects Your Family's Health

FAMILY HEALTH CORNER
News That Affects Your Family's Health

Staff Reporter

Teen COVID-19 patient on ventilator entering ‘recovery stage,’ doctor says

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A doctor helping to care for a Florida teen who has been in a coma while battling COVID-19 said she is entering the recovery stage, bringing hope to her devastated relatives. 

“It’s very encouraging,” Dr. Jennifer Davis, who is helping to care for 15-year-old Paulina Velasquez at Broward Health Main Campus, told Local10.com. “Probably the first week of her treatment she was very, very ill, unstable I would say, and now she’s definitely on the recovery stage.” 

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Velasquez and her mother, Agnes, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, NBCMiami.com reported, with the teen entering the hospital on July 17. Agnes Velasquez, who had a milder case of the virus, had received the vaccine, but her daughter did not. 

The teen’s brother told CBS12.com that his sister had told him she wanted to get the shot. 

“It was a real shock,” Tomas Velasquez, the teen’s brother, told NBCMiami.com. “There were no preexisting medical conditions with her, she was a perfectly healthy 15-year-old, just someone who loved life. It was just a shock to all of us.” 

FLORIDA HOSPITAL REPORTING INCREASE IN COLOMBIA COVID-19 VARIANT

Her family told local media outlets that the teen always wore a mask in public and was careful about exposure. 

Experts have been warning about increasing cases of COVID-19 among teens and younger children amid rapid spread of the delta variant. On Tuesday, an Infectious Disease Society of America expert advised all K-12 schools to enforce universal mask mandates, hours ahead of an update issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that recommended the same. 

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Dr. Tina Tan, a member of the IDSA board of directors, noted that only 30% of teens ages 12-17 have received a COVID-19 vaccine so far, leaving a high number of their classmates vulnerable to infection. 

Davis, the doctor involved with the teen’s treatment, told CBS12.com that during the first wave of COVID-19, hospitals were not seeing pediatric patients “this sick.” 

Local10.com reported that the teen was treated with steroids, blood thinners and Remdesivir. 

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Originally Appeared Here

Delta variant ‘absolutely’ driving Covid breakthrough cases, says doctor

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Professional sports leagues are uniquely positioned to track breakthrough Covid cases because they test thousands of athletes consistently, according to Dr. Robby Sikka, a physician who has worked with numerous NBA and NFL teams.

Sikka told CNBC that the highly transmissible delta variant is “absolutely” driving most of the Covid breakthrough cases he’s studied.

“Delta is driving this,” said Sikka, the founder of Sports Medicine Analytics Research Team, an organization that assists numerous professional sports leagues with injury data.

“We know that the delta variant has a higher viral load, it’s more infectious, it’s more contagious, and it is driving cases in the community. There’s an extremely high viral burden in the community.”

As Covid cases surge nationwide, new research is showing that fully vaccinated people can transmit the virus as asymptomatic carriers. More than 5,900 fully vaccinated Americans have either died or been hospitalized with Covid breakthrough infections through July 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent data. The website also notes that 1,821 of those cases were either “asymptomatic or not related to Covid-19.”

Sikka told “The News with Shepard Smith” that vaccines do work to prevent severe illness when it comes to Covid and the delta variant, and that a key takeaway from sports is that vaccinated athletes come back sooner than those who are unvaccinated. 

“The athletes that have gotten Covid, despite being vaccinated, by and large, returned and have done well and been able to return and perform at a high level,” said Sikka. 

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Originally Appeared Here

The Latest: Filipino leader says unvaccinated may be shut in | Political

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MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is warning that Filipinos who refuse to get vaccinated against the coronavirus will not be allowed to leave their homes as a safeguard against the more contagious delta variant.

Duterte said in televised remarks Wednesday night that there is no law mandating such a restriction but added he is ready to face lawsuits to keep people who are “throwing viruses left and right” off the streets.

The brash-talking president adds that for people who don’t want to be vaccinated, “well, for all I care, you can die anytime.”

However, more than public hesitance, the Philippines has been grappling with vaccine shortages.

Nearly 7 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated and more than 11 million others have received their first dose. That is a fraction of the government’s target of 60 million to 70 million people.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

— U.S. states, businesses reconsider masks amid surge

— NY to require state employees to get vaccines or get tested

— Google delays return to office, mandates vaccines

— England, Scotland end quarantine for vaccinated from US, EU

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— Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

ATLANTA — The mayor of Atlanta has decreed that face masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces including private businesses in Georgia’s largest city.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms also is ordering that city buildings remain closed to the public. Atlanta City Hall has been closed to non-employees since the start of the coronavirus pandemic but had been scheduled to fully reopen Aug. 9.

Bottoms says in a statement released Wednesday that “public health experts overwhelmingly agree, and data has proved, that wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of this deadly virus.”

The mayor’s move came hours after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp reiterated that he will not impose a statewide mask mandate or curb business and public activities.

The mayor of Savannah issued a looser mask order Monday. At least 15 Georgia public school districts are ordering students and staff to wear masks, covering more than 30% of students statewide.

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NEW YORK — New York Gov Andrew Cuomo says state employees must get vaccinated against the coronavirus by Labor Day or undergo weekly virus tests.

Cuomo said Wednesday that “it’s smart, it’s fair and it’s in everyone’s interest.”

The governor is following on the heels of California, New York City and other jurisdictions that have announced similar policies this week.

Cuomo is calling on local governments across New York to follow suit and mandate either shots or frequent testing for government workers,

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TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is imposing a mask mandate for state government workers and visitors to state buildings amid a surge in new coronavirus cases fueled by the more contagious delta variant.

Kelly’s announcement Wednesday came after a central Kansas school district ordered mask use in its building and public health officials in two of the state’s most populous counties recommended that even vaccinated people wear masks in at least some indoor public spaces.

Those moves were a day after the CDC recommended that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas where the coronavirus is surging. That would apply to 84 of Kansas’ 105 counties.

Kelly’s mask mandate takes effect Monday and applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. It covers almost 39,000 government workers, according to legislative researchers.

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ORLANDO, Fla. — All the 4,200 nonunion employees of Orange County in Florida will be required to get their first coronavirus vaccine shot by the end of August and the second by the end of September.

Mayor Jerry Demings issued the order Wednesday. He also ordered all county employees to wear masks at indoor county facilities when in the presence of others.

County officials are negotiating with unions to extend the vaccine requirement to the county’s more than 3,000 unionized workers.

The county is home to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, and the mayor is urging all private employers in the county to require their employees to get vaccinated and to their workers and patrons customers masks indoors.

Demings acknowledged that he can’t mandate such things under laws passed by the Florida Legislature.

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JACKSON, MISS. — Mississippi health officials say a teenager in the state has died of complications related to the coronavirus, marking the fourth death of a child since the start of the pandemic.

The state health officer said Wednesday that the teen had a common underlying health condition. Dr. Thomas Dobbs noted COVID-19 deaths among children are unusual, saying: “It is a rare thing, but it’s a tragedy.”

The Department of Health is not releasing further information on the teen, citing privacy laws.

Gov. Tate Reeves says he does not plan to require the use of masks in schools though the coronavirus vaccination rate in Mississippi remains among the lowest in the nation. Health official say they will echo CDC guidance and recommend that all teachers, students and visitors at schools wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

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MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota health and education officials are calling for all students, teachers and staff to wear masks in schools this fall regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated against the coronavirus, but they won’t require mask use.

The recommendation issued Wednesday follows new guidance from the CDC that everyone including those vaccinated should use face coverings in indoor spaces if they are in areas where virus cases are rising.

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says the 625 newly confirmed virus cases tallied Wednesday is the highest since May 20. The state has recorded just under 2,800 new cases in the last week, — a 72% increase over the week before. Hospitalizations are also growing at concerning rates, she said.

The commissioner also recommends that everyone age 12 and older get vaccinated against the coronavirus before returning to in-person schooling, sports or other activities.

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MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama public health officials are recommending that all students and teachers wear masks in the classroom because of a surge in coronavirus infections.

The Department of Public Health said Wednesday that schools can choose to follow the recommendation or not, but says that “these guidelines represent the best evidence available to protect students, teachers, and staff by reducing the transmission of COVID-19, along with disease, potential hospitalization, and risk of death from this virus.”

Some Alabama school systems have announced they will require students and teachers to wear masks indoors following new CDC recommendation that masks be worn by everyone in indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status.

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LANSING, Mich. — Two of Michigan’s largest health systems are requiring all employees, volunteers and medical providers at their hospitals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Spectrum Health, a 14-hospital network in western Michigan, and eight-hospital Beaumont Health on the other side of the state announced the mandates Wednesday. At least four hospital systems in the state now have announced the requirement.

Grand Rapids-based Spectrum has 31,000 employees. Beaumont is headquartered in Royal Oak and has more than 33,000 employees. They join the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and Livonia-based Trinity Health in requiring vaccinations.

A spokesperson says about 70% of Spectrum’s onsite staff are vaccinated.

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ANKARA, Turkey — The number of new coronavirus cases in Turkey climbed above the 20,000 mark Wednesday, reaching a level previously seen in early May.

The country reported 22,291 infections in the past 24 hours, according to Health Ministry figures. It also recorded 76 deaths — the highest number of daily fatalities since mid-June.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said in a televised address that 87% of all active cases and 95% of hospitalized patients consisted of people who were not fully vaccinated, and renewed a call for people to get their shots.

Only about 30 percent of the country’s 84 million people have been fully vaccinated, using China’s Sinovac and the Pfizer vaccines.

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CHICAGO — The hordes of people expected to descend on Chicago’s Grant Park for the Lollapalooza music festival this week will be required to show proof that they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19 or tested negative for the disease within the last three days.

The four-day festival starts Thursday and is expected to be back at full capacity, with roughly 100,000 daily attendees. After missing last summer because of the threat of the coronavirus, it will easily be Chicago’s largest gathering since the pandemic started, and one of the country’s.

This year’s festival will look very different than in the past. To gain entry, attendees will have to present their vaccination cards or a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 test that is no more than 72 hours old. That means that anyone with a four-day pass who isn’t vaccinated will have to get tested twice. Furthermore, anyone who isn’t vaccinated will have to wear a mask.

Public health officials and others have raised concerns that such a large gathering, even outdoors, risks turning into a super-spreader event. Officials in the Netherlands were shocked after a much smaller music festival attended by 20,000 people over two days early this month led to nearly 1,000 cases of COVID-19, CNBC reported. That festival had similar safeguards to Lollapalooza’s.

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WASHINGTON – The State Department says Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met the head of the World Health Organization to press for additional studies into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic in China.

Blinken and WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus met Wednesday in Kuwait City, Kuwait, where Blinken is wrapping up an overseas trip.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken told Tedros that any follow-up probe into the COVID-19 outbreak must be “be timely, evidence-based, transparent, expert-led, and free from interference.”

Blinken also stressed the importance of international unity in order to understand the pandemic and to prevent future ones, Price said in a statement. He added that Blinken and Tedros had both committed to work together with all members of the WHO to “make meaningful, concrete progress in strengthening global health security to prevent, detect, and respond to future pandemics and health threats.”

The meeting, which had not been previously announced, came after China rejected WHO calls for a second investigation into the virus.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Wednesday that all public employees must be vaccinated against the coronavirus starting next month as the U.S. territory reports a new rise in cases.

The executive order goes into effect Aug. 16 with few exceptions. Those who refuse to get inoculated will be required to submit a negative virus test weekly. If an employee refuses to get tested, they will be forced to use their vacation days and eventually may not be paid, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said.

“To finish defeating the pandemic, this is the step to follow,” he said. “Vaccination is the solution.”

Some 27,000 government employees are affected by the order, which comes a day after Pierluisi ordered that masks once again be worn indoors.

The island of 3.3 million people has reported more than 124,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 2,500 deaths related to COVID-19. More than 76% of the population has received at least a first vaccine dose.

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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was defiant Wednesday as he criticized the new CDC guidance about mask-wearing indoors and in schools.

“I think it’s very important we say, unequivocally, ‘No to lockdowns, no to school closures, no to restrictions, no to mandates,’” he said in Salt Lake City during a gathering of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a group that pushes conservative policies in Republican-controlled state legislatures.

His address prompted enthusiastic applause from a mostly mask-less crowd of about 1,400.

Florida leads the nation in the rate of new COVID-19 cases and deaths over the past 14 days, driven by the delta variant and a full reopening of the state. Just 48 percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated.

Health experts say masks are an important tool in reducing transmission of the virus, especially among children who are too young to be vaccinated.

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TOPEKA, Kan. — A central Kansas school district is requiring masks in its buildings and public health officials in two of the state’s most populous counties are recommending that even vaccinated residents wear masks in at least some indoor public spaces.

The developments in the Salina school district and Shawnee and Douglas counties in northeast Kansas came quickly after a surge in new COVID-19 cases tied to the faster-spreading delta variant prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to change its guidance on masks.

The Salina school district appears to be the first in Kansas outside the Kansas City area to impose a mask mandate. Douglas and Shawnee counties are only recommending masks and not requiring them.

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Originally Appeared Here

Senate’s proposed clean energy standard is a major win for health

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We don’t have to look further than the weather app on our phones to understand why climate change poses such a risk to health. Air quality alerts were issued last week across the country, from California to New York due to smoke from wildfires raging in Canada and the West. The intensity of these wildfires is fueled by heat and drought conditions brought on by climate change. While these air pollution alerts are merely a warning for some, for others, including those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, these alerts can signal a life-threatening situation. 

While Americans try to keep their families safe from wildfires, heatwaves and droughts across the country, Congress is currently debating spending billions of taxpayer dollars on new infrastructure investments. These investments could either fund a rapid transition of our power system to clean, renewable energy or further entrench highly polluting fossil fuels. Considering these options, it is easy to appreciate how these decisions will impact our health now and in the future.  

One of the most important proposals being considered is a clean electricity payment program that would provide federal investments to our nation’s electric utilities to incentivize robust growth in their use of clean energy like wind, solar and battery storage. This “clean electricity standard” would result in a power system that runs on 80 percent clean energy by 2030, and it would meaningfully improve air quality, while significantly reducing planet-warming emissions that are fueling drought and wildfires. Multiple studies, one of which one of our organizations helped lead, have also found a rapid transition to clean power can be achieved without raising customer bills, and would create hundreds of thousands of jobs in every part of the country, a major boost for the economy.

Burning fossil fuels like oil and gas not only emits heat-trapping pollution but also produces air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter. Children with asthma are especially vulnerable because breathing in this polluted air increases their risk of having a severe asthma attack. Data also shows these particles are harmful during pregnancy and can increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Particulate pollution also increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults and can travel to the brain and impact cognitive function.

A new joint study from Harvard and Syracuse University analyzed the proposed clean electricity standard of 80 percent clean energy by 2030 and found the reductions in air pollution from this policy would save 50,000 lives between now and the end of this decade. That’s about the number of people who could fit into Yankee Stadium. In addition, it would prevent 12 million asthma attacks over the next 30 years, as well as save $1.13 trillion in health costs.

Cutting pollution is also fundamental to achieving racial justice. For decades, polluting power plants and freeways have intentionally been built near Black communities and other communities of color. Nationwide, people of color are exposed to higher pollution levels than white Americans, and Black children are five times more likely to be admitted to the hospital for an asthma attack. These are also the same communities that suffer disproportionately from a warming climate. A just-released study found that even in the same city, the temperature can be as much as 7 degrees higher in Black neighborhoods compared to white neighborhoods. 

A rapid move to clean and renewable energy would clean our air and help revitalize the health of communities that suffer disproportionately from harmful air pollution. Provisions in the proposed budget would fund home weatherization improvements that will not only cut harmful emissions and save families money on their energy bills but more importantly, will help keep people cool or warm when extreme weather hits. As shown by the “big freeze” in Texas earlier this year, when low-income people suffered hypothermia in poorly insulated homes, these efficiency improvements could save lives. In addition, the budget’s proposal of a Civilian Climate Corps for young people would help address the legacy of pollution and ensure a new generation has the skills to build our clean future.

The smoke of wildfires that has reached Washington, D.C., should be a wake-up call for our nation’s lawmakers. Congressional action to fund the strong clean energy programs, as laid out in the Senate Democrats’ budget proposal, would cut the pollution that makes us sick and is essential for solving the climate crisis. Along the way, we will have improved our children’s health, created good-paying jobs in every state, and lowered electricity bills for energy-burdened families. Surely this is a future worth voting for. 

Dr. Sarah Spengeman is the associate communications director at Energy Innovation, a board member at Interfaith Power and Light, and the host of a podcast sharing stories of mothers fighting for their children’s right to inherit a livable planet.

Dr. Neelu Tummala is an ENT surgeon and clinical assistant professor of surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and is on the Boards of the Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions.

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Originally Appeared Here

Many women with gestational diabetes do not receive type 2 diabetes screening after birth

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Women in the United Kingdom who had gestational diabetes were not often screened for type 2 diabetes in accordance with national guidelines, a recent analysis showed.

According to the CDC, 6% of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes.

Reference: Ward RJ, et al. Int J Clin Pract. 2021;doi:doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14447.

Previous research has shown that 35% to 60% of women with gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 to 20 years after their pregnancy. In addition, a meta-analysis showed that women with gestational diabetes were seven times more likely to develop subsequent type 2 diabetes than those without gestational diabetes, Rebecca Ward, PhD, manager of the Centre for Systems Modeling and Quantitative Biomedicine at University Hospitals of the North Midlands NHS Trust, and colleagues wrote in The International Journal of Clinical Practice.

In 2008, the U.K.’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended hyperglycemia assessments in women with gestational diabetes soon after delivery and in the long term. In 2015, NICE updated its guidance to recommend fasting plasma glucose testing for women with gestational diabetes around 6 weeks post-delivery, followed by annual testing.

For their study, Ward and colleagues calculated the proportion of diabetes tests conducted post-delivery among a cohort of 251 women who had gestational diabetes and gave birth between 1999 and 2007, and a second cohort of 260 women who had gestational diabetes and gave birth between 2015 and 2016. In the earlier group, the initial postpartum diabetes test was arranged by antenatal staff members and in the later one, the test was coordinated by primary care professionals. Subsequent tests were overseen by primary care in both groups.

Ward and colleagues reported that in the 1999 to 2007 cohort, 59.8% of women had the recommended postpartum diabetes testing at around 6 weeks compared with 35% in the 2015 to 2016 cohort (P < .001). Only 13.5% of women in the earlier cohort and 14.2% in the later cohort underwent the first annual diabetes test on time.

“Our findings are consistent with other studies investigating follow-up to 1-year postpartum,” the researchers wrote. “It is reasonable to assume that the consistently low testing rates in the years beyond this initial period, as our study demonstrates, may reflect practice in other geographical areas.”

In addition, among the 1999 to 2007 cohort during a median follow-up of 12.3 years, the proportion of women tested in any given year averaged 34.2%, with a progressive decline in the proportion of women receiving an annual diabetes test with time since delivery (P = .002).

During the follow-up period, 85 women from the entire 1999 to 2007 cohort had blood test results that indicated they had diabetes. The median time to presumed diabetes diagnosis was 5.2 years (range = 0.11-15.95). Further analysis indicated that 18.8% of women had blood test results in the diabetes range within 5 years of pregnancy, and 37.8% had similar results within 10 years, according to the researchers.

Possible reasons for the gap in universal diabetes testing include confusion regarding who should arrange the postpartum diabetes tests as well as new mothers not having enough time, lacking sufficient childcare and putting greater emphasis on the baby’s health, Ward and colleagues wrote.

Interventions such as sending mobile app reminders to new mothers with a history of diabetes or asking clinical laboratories to take the lead on scheduling may increase the number of diabetes tests and reduce the incidence of diabetes in these women, Ward and colleagues concluded.

References

CDC. Prevalence and changes in preexisting diabetes and gestational diabetes among women who had a live birth — United States, 2012–2016. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6743a2.htm. Accessed July 28, 2021.

Ward RJ, et al. Int J Clin Pract. 2021;doi:doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14447.

The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.

Perspective

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Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP

This retrospective study showed that most women with a history of gestational diabetes are not following postpartum guideline recommendations for screening for type 2 diabetes. These findings are concerning since this can delay diagnosis and contribute to long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes.

Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and, therefore, should be regularly screened for this condition after delivery. The American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Care recommends screening women for gestational diabetes at 4 to 12 weeks postpartum, using the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and lifelong screening every 1 to 3 years after that. The United Kingdom, where this study took place, has a similar recommendation of screening at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum and annually thereafter. Unlike the U.S., the U.K. recommends initial postpartum screening with a fasting glucose.

There are many barriers to the initial and ongoing postpartum screening for type 2 diabetes. One barrier that Ward and colleagues mention is the uncertainty of who is responsible — obstetricians or primary care physicians. In the United States, a 2-hour 75-g oral glucose tolerance test is often performed and requires fasting overnight, which is often difficult due to competing demands of a new baby. Although a fasting glucose test does require fasting, it only requires one lab draw, shortening the time and could, in theory, remove at least one of the barriers to initial gestational diabetes screening. Despite the increased convenience of this latter test, 40.2% women in one part of the study were still not tested within 8 weeks postpartum.

The Ward study, along with many others, reinforces the delay in diagnosing type 2 diabetes in this high-risk population. Efforts should be made to identify solutions to increase initial and ongoing type 2 diabetes screening in women with a history of gestational diabetes. For example, making screening more convenient and offered by a variety of providers in a variety of locations, and researching other innovative and convenient tools such as providing a woman with a professional, blinded continuous glucose monitor to wear for a few days after delivery.

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP

Endocrine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Disclosures: Issacs reports no relevant financial disclosures.

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Patrick Mahomes Makes Business Move That Reveals His Long-Term Commitment and Love for Kansas City

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If Patrick Mahomes never took another snap in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, he’d still be considered a legend by the team and its fans. That’s what winning a Super Bowl will do. But Mahomes’ playing days are long from over.

This week Mahomes showed just how much he loves the city by making a long-term commitment to the community in a business deal that will last long after his playing days are over. 

Patrick Mahomes becomes superstar in Kansas City

Since the Kansas City Chiefs named Patrick Mahomes the starting quarterback to open the 2018 season, he’s etched his name all over the club’s history books.

Mahomes wasted no time in 2018 establishing his status as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, throwing for a league-best 50 touchdowns en route to earning first-team All-Pro honors, and more impressively, winning league MVP, a first in Chiefs history. And he was just getting started.

In 2019, Mahomes guided the Chiefs through the regular season and the playoffs, all of it culminating with a win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. 

Last season, Mahomes put up more spectacular individual numbers, and once again led Kansas City to a Super Bowl appearance, but fell short to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Mahomes becomes part-owner of Sporting KC

Last year the Kansas City Chiefs showed their commitment to Mahomes by signing him to a ten-year contract extension worth $477 million that runs through the 2031 season. While 2031 seems like a long time, this week, the 25-year-old signal-caller signed another deal that shows he’s committed to the city for much longer than that.

Mahomes agreed to a deal to become a new member of the Sporting Kansas City ownership group.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Sporting Kansas City’s ownership team and strengthen my connection to the fans and city I love,” Mahomes said. “Sporting is a community-oriented club and I am excited to continue supporting the growth of soccer in Kansas City.”  

Sporting KC ownership was understandably excited to have the biggest athlete in the city show his support for the club. 

“Patrick is a tremendous ambassador for Kansas City and we are delighted to welcome him to the Sporting Club ownership group,” principal owner Cliff Illig said. “In addition to achieving excellence on the field, he is deeply committed to giving back to the community and elevating the sport of soccer.” 

Bought into Royals last year

Interestingly, Mahomes revealed his commitment and love for Kansas City almost a year to the day in a similar way back in 2020 when he was announced as a member of the Kansas City Royals ownership group. 

“I’m honored to become a part owner of the Kansas City Royals,” Mahomes said in the release. “I love this city and the people of this great town. This opportunity allows me to deepen my roots in this community, which is something I’m excited to do.”

Two years and two deals to become part-owner of teams in the city. If he wins any more Super Bowls, he might just be given ownership of the Chiefs.   

Like Sportscasting on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @sportscasting19.

RELATED: An Angry Patrick Mahomes Blasts NFL for a Huge Mistake They Continue to Commit

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Originally Appeared Here

Filed Under: MEN

Lawsuit Filed to Stop Malicious ‘Health Plan’ Marketing Scheme that Preyed on Vulnerable People

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Vulnerable Americans who needed comprehensive medical insurance were fooled into buying limited healthcare plans that didn’t meet their needs by a group of insurance agencies that used misleading advertising, according to a new federal lawsuit filed by California-based McLaren Insurance Solutions. The lawsuit alleges that Insurance Care Direct (ICD) and its various business entities engaged in a malicious scheme that hurt families and individuals. Insurance Care Direct claims to be one of the nation’s largest health and life insurance agencies.

Filed July 27, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of California, the complaint (Case 2:21-cv-06066) describes a scheme hinged on false and deceptive advertising. Families and individuals looking to purchase healthcare coverage were led to believe they would be receiving comprehensive health insurance through reputable insurers like Humana, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, or others. But instead, the ICD scheme forced nearly every person who reached to purchase a limited benefit plan that exposed the consumers to the risk of being under- or un-insured.

“ICD used deceptive and misleading marketing tactics to rip people off,” said Jim Gale, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. “This wasn’t about getting people coverage. This was about ICD making money and padding its pockets on the backs of unsuspecting victims.”

The lawsuit alleges the people who bought these policies were carefully and deliberately targeted and deceived by ICD.

“Limited healthcare benefit plans can be right for many people,” said Gale. “But they are not the same as comprehensive plans, and ICD and its many pseudonym entities simply deceived people through its advertising and marketing.”

The ICD scheme involved operating websites under unregistered fictitious names, such as “Affordable Healthcare of California.” Unwary consumers would go to these sites that were filled with logos from well-known insurance carriers. Seeing these familiar companies, consumers would believe they were on a trustworthy website selling quality healthcare plans.

Consumers were then directed to share their personal information, including a phone number and email address, to receive “instant health plan quotes.” But instead of seeing a quote, they would receive a phone call from an agent who would then force the consumer into a limited benefit plan when they thought they were buying a comprehensive plan that would provide full healthcare coverage.

“As we detail in our lawsuit, ICD is a well-oiled marketing machine that takes advantage of people who are vulnerable,” said Gale. “It’s a classic bait-and-switch.”

In fact, in a recent bulletin, the Texas Department of Insurance warned insurance companies, agents, and marketers of discount health care programs, that this type of activity could lead to cease and desist orders, fines, suspensions, as well as possible criminal referrals.

The lawsuit also explains how ICD hired well-connected former politicians to escape regulatory scrutiny, such as former United States Senator and Governor of Nebraska, E. Benjamin Nelson and former Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, John Doak.

In addition to the false advertising and unfair competition alleged in the complaint, ICD conducted their insurance business without a registered agent, which is a direct violation of insurance regulations. In fact, the person designated as the company’s agent admitted under oath that he was just a “figurehead.”

Attorneys for McLaren have already heard from many victims of this scheme and expect to hear from more. If you suspect you are a victim, email [email protected].

Attorneys for McLaren are available for comment upon request.

SOURCE McLaren Insurance Solutions

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Originally Appeared Here

Live Updates: The Tokyo Olympics : NPR

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Simone Biles, seen on Tuesday waiting to perform on the vault at the Tokyo Olympics.

Gregory Bull/AP

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Gregory Bull/AP

Simone Biles, seen on Tuesday waiting to perform on the vault at the Tokyo Olympics.

Gregory Bull/AP

Simone Biles’ sponsors, including Athleta and Visa, are lauding her decision to put her mental health first and withdraw from the gymnastics team competition during the Olympics.

It’s the latest example of sponsors praising athletes who are increasingly open about mental health issues. Tennis star Naomi Osaka found widespread support when she withdrew from the French Open earlier this year.

Biles could still compete in other gymnastic events during the Olympics. She also has a solid history of gymnastic accomplishments, including four gold medals and a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. She has earned five more all-around titles in world championships since 2013. That earns the 24-year-old a lasting athletic legacy that sponsors can capitalize on.

“We are past the time when athletes like Simone are valued simply for their athletic prowess,” said Jim Andrews, founder of A-Mark Partnership Strategies. “She has earned a place in gymnastics history, and has proven herself to be an amazing spokesperson and influencer who has much to offer brands even without competing and eventually in retirement.”

Biles split with longtime sponsor Nike in April to sign with Athleta, the athletic clothing arm of Gap. Biles’ deal with Athleta also includes sponsorship of the Gold Over America victory tour later this year, which will star her as well as other USA Gymnastics team members.

At the time, Biles said she signed with Athleta over Nike because she wanted to be aligned with a brand more reflective of her values.

“I feel like they work very closely with women and girls and letting them have a voice and kind of breaking those beauty standards,” Biles said in May.

Biles launched her first ad campaign with Athleta in June, including a video that showcases the people that have supported her through her rise to superstardom.

Athleta put out a statement in support of Biles after her withdrawal in Tokyo.

“We stand by Simone and support her well-being both in and out of competition,” Athleta said. “Being the best also means knowing how to take care of yourself. We are inspired by her leadership today and are behind her every step of the way.”

Visa put out a similar statement, calling her decision “incredibly brave.” Nabisco said Biles is an “inspiration to us all.” Core Power, a protein shake maker, said Biles is “showing us all that her courage and strength extend well beyond the mat.”

Dropping support of Biles would hurt a brand more than it would help, said David Carter, sports business professor at the University of Southern California, and founder of marketing consultancy Sports Business Group.

“Given the fluidity and high-profile nature of the situation, as well as the sensitivities associated with her reasoning behind withdrawing, sponsors must be very careful not to be perceived as cutting and running,” he said. “Doing so would not only draw the ire of many consumers who staunchly support Biles, but also future athletes contemplating marketing relationships with any brands deemed tone deaf to the circumstances involved.”

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Originally Appeared Here

What St. Clair County schools will look like post pandemic

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Unless state and local recommendations change, students returning to St. Clair County schools in the fall will likely have a sense of normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the school environment. 

The Centers for Disease Control released new guidance Tuesday recommending masking for all students, teachers and staff in K-12, regardless of vaccination status. 

Superintendents at Marysville, Yale, Port Huron, Algonac, Memphis, Capac, Landmark Academy and Eastshore Leadership Academy said masks will be optional for students and staff, however, that can change based on recommendations from the state or the St. Clair County Health Department. 

Prior to the change in the CDC’s recommendations, East China School District Superintendent Suzanne Cybulla also said masking will be optional for students and staff, however, they did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.  

Annette Mercatante, the county’s medical health officer, said the health department is recommending masking for students and staff, however, it is not mandatory, per the CDC guidelines. 

The CDC also recommended that students return to in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place. 

Mercatante said the health department supports in-person instruction. 

“We support in-person learning as the best place for our children to learn and thrive. However, it is our duty to monitor the situation, watch disease transmission, do surveillance and make data-driven recommendations and decisions on the healthiest measures for our community. Remember the very real outcome of a COVID-19 outbreak/transmission are long term illness, hospitalizations and death,” Mercatante said in an email. 

“This risk, vs the risk of impaired social, emotional and academic learning, are a challenging and constantly changing juggling match that we are all learning to navigate. There are many ways to improve the resiliency of our children and population despite making sacrifices with life. We need to focus on this as much as we can. It doesn’t need to be ‘either/ or.'”

 Extracurricular activities and sports with spectators will return, several St. Clair County superintendents said, unless state and local guidelines recommend otherwise.

Mercatante said recommendations are based on the level of community transmission. During high transmission periods, activities may be paused, health screening and testing may be considered and social distancing measures implemented, as well as increased hygiene efforts put in place.

It is likely the community will see a rise in cases in the coming weeks as a result of the Delta variant, which was first identified in the county last week. The health department will support schools as much as possible to allow ongoing in-person learning. 

The most important tool to end the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help students return to in-person learning, is for more of the community to become vaccinated, Mercatante said. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, she said.

To get vaccinated, schedule an appointment online at the St. Clair County Health Department’s website at scchealth.co or call(810) 987-5300. The teen health location offers COVID vaccines for those aged 12 to 2call (810) 987-1311 for an appointment. Many local pharmacies also offer the vaccine. 

Virtual options available at some school districts

East China, Port Huron, Memphis, and Capac school districts and Landmark Academy are offering a fully virtual learning option.

“We realize that some families may not be ready to go back to in-person learning,” Algonac Community Schools Superintendent Al Latosz said. 

Keely Baribeau, Port Huron Area School District spokeswoman, said while the school district has offered a virtual option for many years, the pandemic increased requests for it and the district felt it was important to keep. 

Yale and Marysville school districts and Eastshore Leadership Academy will not offer a virtual option. 

Yale Public Schools Superintendent Kurt Sutton said the best place for students to learn is in the classroom. 

“The need to interact, have a discussion and engage is often better done in-person than it is virtually and the pandemic has really illustrated that for us,” Sutton said. 

While social and emotional supports existed for students before the pandemic, several superintendents have said it highlighted the importance of meeting all students’ needs.

Superintendents at Algonac, Yale, Memphis, Marysville and East China schools and East Shore Leadership Academy said a boost in base funding for the 2021-22 school year will be used to create additional supports to meet students’ social and emotional needs after the pandemic caused huge disruptions to students’ learning and lives.  

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a K-12 school funding bill that increased base funding from $8,111 per student in most state school districts to $8,700 per student in all schools. 

Another common plan for the increase in funding is to provide additional academic support for students who have experienced learning loss during the pandemic or may be struggling academically. 

Port Huron Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas said the district has formed a committee for student recovery as they return from the pandemic, focusing on student wellness, academics, school climate and family engagement. More details on the committee will be released next week. 

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or at lfitzgeral@gannett.com.

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Originally Appeared Here