‘Joints for Jabs’; $56,000 Alzheimer’s Drug; Montana Med School Madness

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Washington state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board is temporarily allowing “joints for jabs” promotions at cannabis retailers to boost COVID vaccinations. (KIRO7)

The U.K.’s RECOVERY trial found that aspirin was no help in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

In a race between vaccinations and increasing spread of the Indian variant, Britain will delay its reopening by 2 weeks. (The Times)

As of 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial COVID-19 toll in the U.S. included 33,378,767 cases and 597,983 deaths, increases of about 15,403 and 352, respectively, since the same time a day ago.

State-run veterans nursing homes in New Jersey widely misappropriated federal COVID-19 relief funds, a Wall Street Journal investigation found, with multiple senior managers who earned too much to qualify for hazard pay getting the money anyways.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced plans to defy Florida’s “vaccine passport” rule by requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when it sets sail from the state’s ports. (AP)

In a 94-page opinion on California’s ban on assault weapons, a federal judge claimed that COVID vaccines are killing more Americans than mass shootings. (Slate)

As a proportion of overall visits, telehealth in March of this year was 10 times higher than at the start of the pandemic, as healthcare leaders debate its long-term prospects. (KHN)

Pandemic-induced declines in greenhouse gas emissions did not slow carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which in May reached the highest level since accurate measurements started in 1958. (Washington Post)

Mr. Trudeau, tear down this wall: Canadian health officials issued a pandemic border policy exemption to the National Hockey League, allowing U.S.- and Canada-based NHL teams to play, if needed, during the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Washington Post)

In other news:

• Biogen’s CEO said the $56,000 annual price for aducanumab (Aduhelm), the company’s newly approved drug for Alzheimer’s disease, is “fair.” (CNBC)
• The FDA approved ravulizumab (Ultomiris) injection for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in kids 1 month and older afflicted with the rare and life-threatening blood disease.
• The Senate voted unanimously in support of legislation that would provide more funding for U.S. officials and diplomats experiencing “Havana Syndrome.” (NPR)
• “You are the world’s worst doctor!”: Fake online medical reviews are spreading, as Google and others try to crackdown. (Washington Post)
• Has reality TV jumped the unicorn? A therapeutics company was featured on an episode of a new online reality show, “Unicorn Hunters,” allowing people to invest in startups presented by the show. (STAT)
• Two universities — one for-profit, the other a nonprofit — are planning to open medical schools in Montana, one of only four states lacking a medical school. (KHN)
• One Medical announced plans to buy Iora Health, a large primary care group focused on serving Medicare patients, for about $2.1 billion.
• An international coalition of eye researchers have classified 25 subtypes of the inflammatory eye disease uveitis, the NIH announced.
• The new Apple Watch — watchOS8 — offers new health features such as an app that reminds you to breathe. (The Verge)