Declaration

• A federal judge in Oregon ruled on March 20, 2026, that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overreached by issuing a December declaration labeling puberty blockers and surgeries for gender dysphoria as unsafe without proper procedures. • The declaration warned doctors of exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid for providing such treatments, prompting a lawsuit led by New York Attorney General Letitia James alleging coercion and lack of public notice or comment period. • The ruling provides legal clarity for patients, families, and providers, affirming that transgender health services remain available despite major medical groups like the AMA opposing restrictions.

The United States commemorates six years since President Donald Trump declared a national COVID-19 emergency on March 13, 2020, when nearly 2,000 Americans were infected, marking a pivotal shift to a 'new normal' with ongoing mysteries in long COVID and vaccine developments. A meta-analysis shows long-COVID prevalence at 29% overall, dropping to 23% post-Omicron, with Omicron linked to brain fog and paresthesia while earlier variants caused shortness of breath and loss of smell. Severe COVID-19 and flu infections prime lungs for cancer development months or years later, but vaccination prevents these effects, per UVA Health research. Hospitals continue facing nursing shortages, with over 138,000 nurses leaving since 2022 due to pandemic stress.

The United States commemorates six years since President Donald Trump declared a national COVID-19 emergency on March 13, 2020, when nearly 2,000 Americans were infected, marking a pivotal shift to a 'new normal' with lasting impacts on healthcare. A meta-analysis shows long-COVID prevalence at 29% overall, dropping to 23% after Omicron dominance, with Omicron linked to brain fog and paresthesia while earlier variants caused shortness of breath and loss of smell. Severe COVID-19 and flu infections can prime lungs for cancer development months or years later, but vaccination prevents these effects, per UVA Health research. Hospitals continue facing a nursing shortage, with over 138,000 nurses leaving since 2022 due to pandemic-related stress.