Trump Calls for ‘Mental Institutions’; Masks Reduce COVID; U.S. Infant Deaths Rise

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Former president Donald Trump called for the return of “mental institutions” as a way to reduce homelessness if elected to a second term. (Axios)

Veterans treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection had similar long COVID rates as their untreated counterparts, except for a lower combined risk for venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism. (Annals of Internal Medicine)

Robust data support using face masks in community settings to reduce COVID-19 transmission, researchers argued. (JAMA Network Open)

Americans have less confidence in vaccines overall now than in 2021 and more people accept misinformation about vaccines and COVID, a survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania showed.

Lawrence Faucette, the second person to receive a transplanted heart from a pig, died nearly 6 weeks after the procedure (CNN)

U.S. infant mortality rates rose by 3% last year, the largest increase in two decades, according to a report from the CDC. (AP)

A visiting nurse was found dead in the basement of a patient’s home in Connecticut, police said. (ABC News)

Some surgeons endangered patients’ lives or disfigured them by performing a complicated hernia repair after watching social media videos, according to a New York Times investigation.

New research shed light on possible mechanisms linking high insulin levels and pancreatic cancer. (Cell Metabolism)

Self-reported cell phone use was linked with semen quality in young men. (Fertility and Sterility)

The FDA granted a new indication for secukinumab (Cosentyx), the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa, Novartis announced.

While Merck announced approval of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with chemotherapy as initial therapy for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer.

Meanwhile, the agency warned that WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches may have elevated lead levels and should not be given to young children; and advised restaurants and retailers not to sell — and consumers not to eat — certain oysters harvested by Fanny Bay Oysters in British Columbia that may have high levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health launched Impact Wellbeing, a federal campaign to help hospital leaders battle burnout among healthcare workers.

An updated American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement supported permanent standard time. (Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine)

Should over-the-counter drugs taste like candy? The FDA convened a meeting of experts to discuss. (NBC News)

Emerging biomarkers should detect risk factors for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in kids sooner, the American Heart Association said. (Circulation)

Of approximately 1 million coronary stents placed by hospitals from 2019 to 2021, 22% met criteria for overuse, leading to $2.44 billion in unnecessary Medicare expenditures, according to the Lown Institute.

Spain’s general nursing council asked retailers to stop selling “sexy nurse,” zombie nurse, and killer nurse Halloween costumes. (The Guardian)

Hospitals in Egypt are ready to treat injured Gazans once the Rafah crossing is open. (Reuters)

The University of California health system paid 113 medical professors at least $1 million last year, but only 12 were women. (Sacramento Bee)

Here’s how hospital closures may affect physicians. (Becker’s ASC Review )