You probably did it once more, readers! We obtained greater than three dozen Halloween haiku submissions in KHN’s fourth annual Halloween haiku contest. Our knowledgeable panel of judges took the ghastly problem of selecting one of the best head-on … or off. Right here’s the winner, which was recited by Julie Rovner on final week’s “What the Well being?” podcast, plus a sampling of finalists illustrated by Oona Tempest. The judges’ favorites drew inspiration from real-life viral outbreaks and the burden of haunting medical payments. Keep watch over KHN’s social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, and Fb) for extra of our favorites. Get pleasure from!
1st Place
Covid, Ebola,
Monkeypox, seasonal flu —
Who wants Halloween?
— Paul Hughes-Cromwick
Inspiration: 24/7 ghosts, goblins, and pathogens
2nd Place
Shock billing curbs,
Just like the famed headless horseman,
Stay incomplete.
— Michael L. Millenson
Inspiration: “The way to Keep away from Shock Payments — And the Pitfalls within the New Legislation“
third Place
Ghastly, grotesque, sick!
You masks as much as trick-or-treat,
However not for covid?
— Micki Jackson
Inspiration: The continuing mask-or-not masquerade
Whereas Halloween could also be coming to an finish, KHN reporting continues year-round. Ship us your haikus at any time for doable inclusion in our Morning Briefing: https://khn.org/contact-haiku/