February 7 News: Chinese doctor who warned of outbreak dies from coronavirus, flavored e-cigarette pod ban starts, desk plants help reduce workplace stress

The New York Times — Chinese doctor who warned of outbreak dies from coronavirus

He was the doctor who tried to sound a warning that a troubling cluster of viral infections in a Chinese province could grow out of control — and was then summoned for a middle-of-the-night reprimand over his candor. On Friday, the doctor, Li Wenliang, died after contracting the very illness he had told medical school classmates about in an online chat room, the coronavirus.

The Hill – Bipartisan ways and means leaders unveil measure to stop surprise medical bills

The bipartisan leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee on Friday released their legislation to protect patients from getting massive, surprise medical bills, as congressional action on the subject intensifies.

STAT – A lottery like no other offers up a cutting-edge medicine — with lives on the line

There is a treatment, a gene therapy that is designed for children who have a neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy. Without it or other treatments, those with the most serious type are likely to die as babies. It was first approved by U.S. regulators only last year, and is not yet available in other countries.

Kaiser Health News – Which is the greater threat: coronavirus or the flu?

Although Americans are donning face masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus, experts say that influenza poses a much greater risk. Influenza kills more Americans each year than any other virus.

The Washington Post – Flavored e-cigarette pod ban starts: What it means for users, kids and parents

The Trump administration's ban on some flavored pod-based e-cigarettes goes into effect on Feb. 6. Juul will not be affected because it has already suspended sales of sweet, fruity and mint flavors. Menthol and tobacco flavors, which the company is still selling, are not covered by the ban.

CNN – Keeping a plant on your desk can reduce workplace stress, study says

Having a hard day at work? It may help to stare a plant, according to a study. The findings showed that the number of employees with high scores on an anxiety measurement test decreased their scores slightly. Another 27% of employees in the study showed a significant decrease in resting heart rate.