Morning Wire XX
[0] Dozens have been confirmed dead as a result of historic winter weather in the Northeast.
[1] We have the details on the crisis unfolding in upstate New York and what to expect in the coming days.
[2] I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor -in -Chief John Bickley.
[3] It's Tuesday, December 27th, and this is Morning Wire.
[4] More and more health care providers have begun prescribing anti -addiction medications, but are all these new drugs actually making a dent in the opioid drug?
[5] crisis, we break down the data.
[6] And the holiday season is also heart attack season.
[7] Why do cardiac deaths spike on major holidays?
[8] And what can you do to protect your loved ones?
[9] Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire.
[10] Stay tuned.
[11] We have the news you need to know.
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[20] A record winter storm descended on the majority of the U .S. this Christmas, killing dozens, stranding thousands, and knocking out power for millions of Americans, has frigid temperatures and snow wreaked havoc.
[21] Here with the latest on what experts call a bomb cyclone and how long the storm is expected to impact Americans is Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips.
[22] So Cabot, first off, what is a bomb cyclone?
[23] So according to meteorologists, a storm is considered a bomb cyclone when air pressure drops by 24 millibars in 24 hours.
[24] In this case, frigid air from a polar vortex came down across the Great Lakes and collided with warm air from the East Coast, resulting in intense winds and rapid pressure changes.
[25] Now, because of the Earth's rotation, as the systems collided, they ended up spinning counterclockwise, which created that cyclone effect.
[26] Now, these types of storms aren't actually that rare, but they almost never last this long or bring such extreme fluctuations.
[27] Right.
[28] Well, even here in Nashville, we got into the negative temperatures.
[29] Right, and it was not just us.
[30] As the storm descended over the weekend, over 60 % of the U .S. population was under some sort of winter weather advisory.
[31] According to the National Weather Service, that's, quote, one of the greatest extents of winter weather warnings and advisories ever.
[32] Numerous states logged the coldest Christmas on record, and others were buried under feet of snow.
[33] Right now, nearly 40 people have been killed as a result of the storm, most from traffic -related incidents, but there were also cases of death from exposure and falling trees, and experts say those numbers will likely creep up here in the next few days.
[34] Newark was hit especially hard with at least 17 people killed across the state, and it was Buffalo in particular that really bore the brunt of it.
[35] They were buried under nearly four feet of snow in what Governor Kathy Hokel called the most devastating winter storm in the city's history, which for Buffalo is really saying something.
[36] Hundreds of rescue crews there ended up getting stuck themselves, and over the weekend, numerous people were found dead in their trapped cars or on the street in snow embankments.
[37] And it's also worth noting a number of states from Oregon to Ohio reported a shortage of available snowplow drivers, and we're basically begging people to take jobs.
[38] So we've talked plenty on the show about that labor shortage.
[39] Now we're seeing its impact felt here during an emergency.
[40] Now, how has all of this affected holiday travel?
[41] Yeah, the day before Christmas Eve is typically in the top five busiest days of the year at most airports, so the timing here really could not have been worse.
[42] From Thursday to Sunday, over 12 ,000 flights were canceled nationwide.
[43] And because flights were already so full, there were very few options for people to get rebooked, and that left tens of thousands stranded airports unable to get a home for Christmas.
[44] Worst all for those on Southwest Airlines, they canceled a third.
[45] of their flights Friday and Saturday, and reduced their offerings by 30 % on Sunday as well.
[46] At Atlanta's Hartsfield -Jackson Airport, that's the world's busiest airport, four in ten flights over the weekend were canceled or delayed, and other airports shut down entirely.
[47] Buffalo, for example, was closed through the weekend and won't open until later this morning.
[48] So looking ahead, how long is this weather going to last?
[49] We just got a little more snow here yesterday.
[50] Should we expect a few more days?
[51] Well, that's the good news.
[52] The cold weather in most parts of the country will start to lift in the next day or so.
[53] According to experts, there's going to be a case of weather whiplash as temperatures quickly rise starting today and then continue to warm into the weekend.
[54] So it's looking like New years at least won't be marred by travel delays or power outages.
[55] Could be up into the 50s, 60s, even low 70s in some parts of the country for New Year's.
[56] All right, well, fingers crossed, hopefully some relief in the next few days.
[57] Cabot, thanks for reporting.
[58] Anytime.
[59] That was Daily Wire senior editor, Cabot Phillips.
[60] Coming up, the growing industry of addiction medication and its impact on the drug crisis.
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[66] As drug overdoses sore, more health care workers are expanding their practices to include addiction treatment.
[67] To meet the growing need, federal regulators have made it easier for a variety of health care professionals up to when including midwives to prescribe addiction medication to their patients.
[68] Daily Wire investigative reporter, Marade Allardy, is here with the details.
[69] So, Marade, tell us about this new trend.
[70] Hi, Georgia.
[71] Sure.
[72] More and more doctors and other medical professionals across the country are starting to regularly see patients who are battling addiction.
[73] And as a result, more of them are getting directly involved in managing addiction treatment, which typically involves medication.
[74] So what are the medications and how effective are they?
[75] Well, the traditional addiction medication that has been used for decades is called methadone, and basically it attaches to the same receptors in the brain as opioids, but does so without inducing the high.
[76] So in some ways, it's like an inert opioid.
[77] It's been shown to be quite effective at staving off withdrawal symptoms have taken properly, but it can be difficult for patients to wean themselves off over time, which is a huge issue.
[78] That's because when you stop taking methadone, the cravings and withdrawal comes back.
[79] There's a newer generation medication with the brand named Suboxone, which works in a similar way, and it's becoming more popular because the FDA has expanded who is able to prescribe it.
[80] In 2018, Congress passed the Support Act, which expanded which health care workers could prescribe Suboxone.
[81] Now, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and and even certified nurse midwives can prescribe it.
[82] So it sounds like it's easier to prescribe these synthetic opioids or opioid replacements.
[83] Is there any concern that that could also cause problems down the line?
[84] Well, it's true that addiction recovery has become a lucrative business for many doctors, which raises ethical concerns.
[85] Some people say this is just trading an illegal drug addiction for a legal drug addiction, and that doctors have an incentive to keep them hooked.
[86] But keep in mind, people are desperate, and these medications can help a lot, of people resume a normal productive life.
[87] So it's a tough situation.
[88] Now, if a lot more providers are now prescribing these drugs, are we seeing an improvement in addiction rates?
[89] Well, it's hard to say because we don't know what the trajectory would have been without these medications.
[90] Certainly, these medications can help people who have become addicted to pills like Oxycontin after a surgery, but it's less clear as to whether those treatments are reaching people who use harder street drugs.
[91] That's because fentanyl flooded the market around 2016, and fentanyl addiction is harder to treat with the medications we have.
[92] So the current drug crisis is still a step ahead of our ability to treat it effectively.
[93] To put the numbers in perspective, a report last month from the Los Angeles County Health Department showed that in 2016, 109 people died from overdoses involving fentanyl.
[94] In 2021, that number was over 1 ,500.
[95] That's almost a 1 ,300 percent increase, and that's just in L .A. County.
[96] Nationwide, over 100 ,000 people died of opioid overdose in 2021.
[97] Some good news, though, is that it looks like that number plateaued this year.
[98] A worrying caveat, though, is that the drug overdose crisis is becoming particularly bad among teenagers.
[99] That's because the drugs on the street are more powerful now, and teens typically are newer users who have not built up as much of a tolerance.
[100] According to a report from the DEA, 42 % of pills sold on the street contain at least 2 milligrams of fentanyl, which is often a lethal dose for a non -addict.
[101] Unfortunately, this is why we're seeing more cases of teens dying after just one pill.
[102] Well, hard to overstate what a crisis this is.
[103] Mairee, thanks for reporting.
[104] Thanks, Georgia.
[105] That was Daily Wire investigative reporter, Marade Allorty.
[106] The holiday season is typically a time for joy and celebration, but it can also bring with it tragedy.
[107] The number of heart attacks tend to go up around this time of year, and there are certain ways that Americans can be vigilant, to prevent this from happening.
[108] Here to give us the details is DailyWire's Charlotte -Pens Bond.
[109] Art Charlotte, so what is the data here and what should people know about it?
[110] Hi, John.
[111] Yes, it's a sad reality, but unfortunately true, and it's been a concern for a while.
[112] Heart disease was the top cause of death in the U .S. in 2020, according to the CDC, and over 356 ,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of the hospital every year in America.
[113] Cardiac fatality is almost 5 % increased, though, during the holiday season.
[114] Research from almost two decades ago demonstrated that cardiac mortality is actually at its highest point in December and January, and non -cardiac deaths are also high during the holidays too.
[115] The study from the American Heart Association's journal showed that more cardiac fatalities happen on Christmas Day than any other day throughout the year.
[116] The second highest number happens on December 26th with the third highest on New Year's Day.
[117] And data shows that more people pass away due to a heart attack in the last week of the year than at any other time, according to the American Heart Association.
[118] I think a lot of people might be surprised by this.
[119] What's causing this trend?
[120] It could be for a few reasons, but a main factor is just that people avoid going to get medical care during the holiday season.
[121] The weather might be a factor, too, because vessels contract in the cold temperatures.
[122] But even in Los Angeles County, which is much warmer than, say, the Midwest during the winter months, a study from 1999 showed there were around a third more coronary artery fatalities in December and January, then there were in the summer months through September, which had the lowest rates.
[123] There are things people can do, though, to stay safe during the holiday season, like getting enough exercise, eating healthy, drinking moderately, and making sure not to eat too much salt.
[124] People can also try to lower stress in general, since that can be especially high during this time of year, and make sure to take their medications.
[125] The hectic schedules during the holidays can make people put off getting their meds refilled or just forgetting to bring them on a trip or not taking them all together.
[126] Another way, of course, is knowing the signs of a heart attack and what to look for.
[127] Right.
[128] What are those signs that people should be aware of, especially during these holidays?
[129] Heart attacks can happen out of the blue and be strong or begin slowly with just some moderate discomfort or pain, so people should be aware and find help if they have any of these.
[130] A major sign is chest discomfort in the middle of someone's chest that goes on for more than a couple of minutes.
[131] Or it could also stop and then come back.
[132] The American Heart Association says this can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
[133] People might also feel discomfort or pain in other parts of their upper bodies, like in their arms, either one or both, and their jaw, stomach, back, or neck.
[134] They might also be nauseous, feel lightheaded, or experience a cold sweat.
[135] And shortness of breath can also happen, and that could take place with chest discomfort or on its own.
[136] So it's important to call 911 or get to the ER right away if this happens.
[137] You can also look up a CPR video on the American Heart Association site.
[138] Well, a lot of important signs to keep an eye on here.
[139] Charlotte, thanks for reporting.
[140] Thanks for having me. That was DailyWire's Charlotte Pence -Bond.
[141] Other stories were tracking this week.
[142] Four power stations in Washington State were targeted by Vandals on Christmas Day, and authorities say they're still searching for the culprits.
[143] One of the stations was set on fire impacting more than 14 ,000 utility customers.
[144] The acts of vandalism come amid a string of attacks on substations in multiple states.
[145] The latest round of Twitter files reported by independent journalist David Swig on Monday show the federal government working with the platform to censor so -called misinformation related to COVID, which included what he described as dissident yet legitimate content related to the pandemic.
[146] Thanks for listening to Morning Wire.
[147] We created this show to bring more balance to the national conversation.
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[149] Well, that's all the time we've got this morning.
[150] Thanks for waking up with us.
[151] We'll be back tomorrow with the news you need to know.
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