Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and others.
In Shutting Out Threat, Seniors In Continuing Care Communities Feel Shut In
For older adults in retirement communities ― a population especially vulnerable to COVID-19 — striking a balance between reducing the risk of contracting the coronavirus and maintaining the quality of life is a new frontier.
Pediatric Practices Struggle To Adapt And Survive Amid COVID-19
Across the U.S., pediatric practices that provide front-line care for the nation’s children are struggling to adjust to crashing revenues, terrified parents and a shortage of protective equipment — and all while being asked to care for young patients who could well be vectors for transmission without showing symptoms.
Watch: Coronavirus And Your Health Care
KHN’s Julie Rovner answers viewers’ questions on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” about how the pandemic is affecting health policy as well as patients and their insurance.
Sanders: In Coronavirus Relief Effort, Congress Fell Short On Paid Sick Leave
Capitol Hill’s guarantee does not pertain to many “essential” workers.
Analysis: The Real Tragedy Of Not Having Enough COVID-19 Tests
How can we know when to reopen society without testing many more people?
Food Bank Lines Stretch For Miles As Desperate Americans Struggle Amid Economic Crisis
“Sometimes we just don’t have it,” said Donna Furlong of Texas about her and her husband’s struggle to get food. “So, he’ll go one day without eating, so I eat. And I’ll go a day eating, and vice versa.” Across the country, Americans waited in lines that were a thousand-cars deep or more to try to get help from overwhelmed food banks.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Contact tracing is a labor-intensive process, but it’s also viewed as a crucial piece of getting the country back open. The two fierce tech rivals’ decision to partner up highlights just how serious the public health crisis is. While experts think the move could help mitigate the crisis, some critics worry about the privacy issues involved.
Federal Judge Rules Alabama Can’t Block Abortions During Coronavirus Crisis
Several states, including Alabama, have attempted to postpone abortions and shut down clinics, arguing they are not medically essential and the space and doctors might be needed to treat coronavirus patients. News on abortion rights is from Texas, Wisconsin, Ohio and Virginia, as well.
Media outlets report on news from Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Georgia, Alabama, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Arkansas, California, Texas and New York.
News outlets report on the impact of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, Israel, Spain, South Korea, Russia and China.
The 500,000 kidney patients required to get dialysis are among the most vulnerable because of the close quarters where they get treatments, The New York Times reports. Other public health news is on the opioid epidemic, virus “decision fatigue,” social-distance outliers, maternity wards, IVF postponement, demands for mental health services, virtual holiday celebrations, as well.
Pandemic Shines Harsh Light On Racial Disparities, As Well As Cultural And Class Divides In America
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus because of societal and economic factors that are rooted in deep disparities that existed long before the pandemic. The outbreak is largely falling on an urban-rural divide, which exacerbates a growing chasm between the two demographics that can be seen reflected in everything from political beliefs to the reaction to the crisis.
Grocery Store Workers Grow Increasingly Fearful In Workplace That ‘Feels Like A War Zone’
The nation’s 3 million grocery store workers have been on the front lines with little to protect themselves. “They’ve started telling people, ‘Go to the grocery store as little as possible.’ And yet I’m going there every day,” said Doug Preszler, a grocery store worker in Iowa. At least 41 workers have died. More news on the food supply reports on Smith shutting its pork plants, Amazon’s putting new shoppers on wait lists, and P&G’s efforts to make toilet paper in town that’s been hit hard.
A Navy investigation into the controversy is expected to be made public this week, but The New York Times spoke with two dozen current and former Navy and Defense Department civilian and uniformed personnel to get a sense of what’s going on behind the curtains.
Experts expect another surge of coronavirus cases in the fall, and Democrats worry that Wisconsin’s primary, where voters were forced to choose their safety or their civic duty, will play out at the national level during the general election voting. Meanwhile, there are some Republicans pushing for voting-by-mail despite President Donald Trump’s opposition to the practice.
Lightning-Fast Economic Collapse Makes Experts Scramble To Avoid Global Depression
“The depth of the recession, just in terms of jobs lost and fallen output, will not compare to anything we’ve seen in the last 150 years. The only question is duration,” said Kenneth Rogoff, a Harvard professor and former IMF chief economist.
Democrats Have Leverage Going Into Phase 4 Stimulus Negotiations–But Will They Play Hardball?
President Donald Trump, who has tied his re-election rhetoric to the success of the economy, needs another stimulus more than the Democrats do. That gives the Democrats unusual power in an era dominated by a Republican Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has declared she intends to “double down” on the CARES Act, but some Democrats are anxious to push for even more. Other news focuses on the distribution of the $2.2 trillion “Phase 3” stimulus package.