When the pandemic first developed, we saw a rush to find enough masks and protective gear. The priority went to medical workers and first responders – the people who have to wear them each day on the front lines. While the supply shortage has started to ease, it’s still difficult to find some items. Now a new effort by a major insurance company along with researchers and manufacturers will solve the problem.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have formed their second health insurance network to serve the Triad. Blue Cross said it will offer, starting in January, what it is marketing as Blue High Performance network.

Think pink. The area-based Charlotte Motor Speedway will be doing just this week with the assistance of an indirect area-based source. In looking ahead to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month that gets underway tomorrow, CMS will be ceremonially painting its pit wall pink this week.