Top Three
On This Day: In 2020, the 1st covid case in the US was confirmed in a patient in Washington state.
How Are Private Insurers Covering At-Home Rapid COVID Tests?: Via KFF. At this time, about half of the insurers reviewed are implementing their testing coverage policy using only reimbursement.
7 insurers (Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Shield of California, Care First, Cigna, CVS Group/Aetna, and Kaiser Permanente) are currently relying on reimbursement practices (i.e., do not have a direct coverage option) and have varied reimbursement policies. (Anthem also has “a limited number of at-home diagnostic test kits available for certain members to order online.”)
4 of the 7 insurers (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Shield of California, Care First, Cigna) require receipts and a form be mailed in (typically one submission per receipt per member). One insurer (Cigna) also offers a fax option. None of these appear to provide an email or online submission. One insurer (CVS Group/Aetna) notes they will reimburse enrollees but does not describe the reimbursement procedure.
2 insurers offer an online option for submitting reimbursement forms (Anthem and Kaiser Permanente).
3 insurers also require Universal Product Code (UPC) or product barcode information to be mailed with the receipt.
K Shaped Academic Recovery: Via Zearn
"One of the evident consequences: a troubling re-emergence of a gap in participation in math learning between students in low- and high-income schools."
"This most recent K-shaped missed learning shows that students in low-income communities are experiencing a new and significant impact to their learning during this period of disruption — while students in more affluent communities are largely unaffected. This new finding comes on the heels of the reported five months of learning loss low-income students have already experienced as a result of the pandemic."
Federal
Senior White House Education Advisor on How Schools Can Access COVID Testing to Curb Omicron Amid ‘Supply Crisis’: Via The 74.
Covid Tests: The Biden Administration is launching hotline for free COVID test: 1-800-232-0233
COVID-19 Research
Why the Free Covid Test Website Was Such a Shock: Cyd Harrell in Politico.
Third Dose of COVID Vaccine: Via CDC
"These findings underscore the importance of receiving a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to prevent both moderately severe and severe COVID-19, especially while the Omicron variant is the predominant circulating variant and when the effectiveness of 2 doses of mRNA vaccines is significantly reduced against this variant."
Fact Check-Why Those With Comorbidities Are Still Counted as COVID-19 Deaths: Via Reuters.
Kids’ Covid Hospitalizations Hit Pandemic High, Worrying Doctors and Parents About Long-term Impact: Via CNBC.
Nervous System Consequences of COVID-19: Via Science
State
Maryland: Students in Montgomery Co. hold walkouts to demand switch to virtual learning amid COVID concerns.
Mississippi: Schools given OK to use hybrid scheduling during COVID-19 surge
Nevada: Clark County School District students looking to put focus on mental health with Hazel Health.
Texas: Plano ISD plans K-5 virtual learning academy for 2022-23 school year.
Utah: COVID-19 hospitalizations rising fastest for babies, small children.
Virginia:
Washington Post Editorial: Youngkin’s illogic on masks
Page County Schools parent threatens school board over masks.
Economic Recovery
Here's How Ohio Won A Bid by Intel to Build The World's Largest Chip Factory: By the Columbus Dispatch
Resources
Back to School, but Still Learning Online: Via NYT.
The Parents of the Youngest Children Are Not Okay:Via Vox.
With Omicron, Schools Are Literally Running Out of Teachers: Via Governing
Disruption Is a Huge Catalyst for Accelerating Innovation. But It’s Not a Given: Via ISTE's Richard Culatta.
Regarding the Reporter Hit By A Car: Which we shared yesterday.
Interview on the Today Show.
After More Than Eight Years of Service, This TSA Airport Sniffer Dog Officially Retired: This is how they surprised him on his final bag search.