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How would the COVID-19 experience have turned out had there been no government-imposed states of emergency, no mask mandates, no orders to shelter in place, and no shutdowns of schools, restaurants, offices, and gyms? (Jeff Jacoby, 9/6)

Covid-19 has changed me. No, I’m not suffering the effects of long Covid. In fact, I’m among a shrinking minority of Americans who hasn’t, as far as I know, contracted any of the alphanumeric soup variants associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. (Rose Rubin Rivera, 9/7)

The recent rise in coronavirus cases and the development of highly-mutated variants have prompted renewed discussions and questions about masks. In response to speculation that the government might impose mask mandates again, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said last week that it will not call for these requirements at this time. (Leana S. Wen, 9/7)

Connecticut has rural hospitals but no Rural Health Plans. Connecticut is one of only five states which has no federally approved rural health plan. In consequence, there is no organized effort at the state level to preserve or enhance rural health services. (Deborah Moore, 9/8)

While it’s widely accepted that the pharma industry is innovative in R&D, it is also true that it can be slow at embracing technological revolutions. Many people have criticized pharma companies for being slow to adopt AI. Indeed, some CEOs I talk to are concerned about too widely adopting AI, citing fears of unknown threats. But as the CEO of Sanofi, I don’t believe those challenges should guide our thinking or adoption of AI in the pharma business, as AI has the potential to improve and reinvent the way our business operates. (Paul Hudson, 9/8)

After the recent announcement of the first 10 drugs selected for Medicare price negotiation, much has been discussed about the drugs that were selected and the magnitude of price decreases that can be achieved. Less attention has been given to what this all means for Medicare beneficiaries. (Mariana Socal, 9/8)

Is it possible to live a perfectly healthy day? I decided to put myself to the test for you. I knew I would stumble at times, but hoped that my own successes and failures would help you figure out what the biggest pitfalls might be in your own life. I planned a 24-hour schedule that would incorporate the main advice on sleeping, eating, exercise and mental well-being. It was no easy task. Some plans went well and others…. didn’t. Here’s what happened. (Alex Janin, 9/7)