Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fauci’s Security Detail Beefed Up After Receiving Online Death Threats From Conspiracy Theorists
Dr. Anthony Fauci has emerged as a leading voice in the crisis and has not shied away from realistic projections of where the country could be headed. But some supporters of President Donald Trump believe Fauci is trying to undermine the president in an election year.
Jared Kushner has taken charge of testing access, ramping up industry production of medical supplies and figuring out how to distribute those supplies. The efforts headed by Kushner are distinct from the White House task force led by Vice President Mike Pence, and some say it’s causing confusion in an already-chaotic situation. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump refocuses his argument on how many lives are being saved rather than projected death tolls. And fact checkers weigh the accuracy of his claims.
Staggering 6.6 Million Americans Filed For Unemployment Last Week In New Record High
Jobless claims in the U.S. skyrocket to historic levels, with twice as many people filing last week as they did the week before. Analysts forecast that the trend will continue as businesses continue to layoff more employees due to the coronavirus-driven shutdowns.
House Democrats Raring To Go On Another Stimulus Package, But Republicans Want To Pump The Brakes
At the very least, Republicans say, Congress should wait to see how the massive $2.2 trillion package plays out. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is eager to tackle infrastructure in the new legislation, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has already suggested he’s not on board with the idea. In other news, Social Security beneficiaries who typically do not file a tax return will automatically get the $1,200 direct payment from the stimulus package.
Florida Governor Relents To Mounting Public Pressure And Issues Stay-At-Home Order
Gov. Ron DeSantis had been resistant to taking the step, despite fears that Florida–with a largely aging population in combination with a lot of young travelers–could be among the states hit hardest by the virus. A phone call with President Donald Trump finally helped sway him. Meanwhile, Florida was one of four new states to declare such orders, which means that most Americans are now hunkering down at home. Meanwhile, the U.S. surgeon general warns that the recommendations may stay in place past April.
New York’s Death Count Doubles In 72 Hours To Nearly 2,000
The nation as a whole added at least 900 virus-related deaths to its overall tally on Wednesday, with New York state the hardest hit by the outbreak. New York City is particularly struggling beneath the strain and is taking measures such as deploying mobile morgues. Media outlets report on the parts of the city that have been impacted the most.
Trump Suggests Health Law Enrollment Might Be Reopened After His Administration Decided Against It
When President Donald Trump was asked what people should do who lose their jobs because of the outbreak and don’t qualify for Medicaid, he said, “I think it’s a very fair question . . . and it’s something that we’re really going to look at because it doesn’t seem fair.” Earlier in the week, administration officials said they would not launch a special enrollment session. Meanwhile, data released from last year’s health law enrollment for show about 11.4 million consumers signed-up for 2020 exchange coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Hospitals Face Surge With Proven Fixes And Some Hail Marys
California is entering the most critical period in its battle against COVID-19, and may need thousands of hospital beds and ventilators to accommodate a surge of critically ill patients. Hospitals are taking extreme measures, such as using 3D printers to make ventilator parts and turning cafeterias into wards.
Listen: COVID-19 Stresses Rural Hospitals Even Before They Have A Single Case
KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber appeared on WOSU’s “All Sides with Ann Fisher” to talk about the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on rural hospitals.
Under Pressure, Florida Governor Finally Orders Residents To Stay Home
Florida joins more than 30 other states and the District of Columbia that have similarly restricted residents and businesses. Florida was the only state with more than 5,000 coronavirus cases that had yet to act.
Listen: Why It Takes So Long To Get COVID-19 Test Results
KHN’s Julie Appleby talks about the behind-the-scenes steps that can add time to the process of testing for the coronavirus.
COVID-19: bajo presión, Florida finalmente ordena a los residentes quedarse en casa
Florida se une a más de 30 otros estados y a DC, que ya tienen restricciones similares para residentes y empresas. Era el único estado con más de 5,000 casos de coronavirus que aún no había actuado.
Tomarse la temperatura: consejos para monitorear un síntoma clave de COVID-19
Siempre nos han enseñado que la temperatura humana promedio es de 98.6 grados Fahrenheit. Sin embargo, esta medida difiere con la edad y hasta con el momento del día en el que se la toma.
“Esenciales” o no, estos trabajadores siguen en sus puestos
Entre las personas que siguen trabajando, sin el lujo de poder hacerlo desde casa, hay un alto porcentaje de trabajadores con salarios bajos, que ganan un promedio de $10,22 por hora.
Se hizo la prueba de coronavirus. Luego vino la catarata de facturas médicas
Nadie está haciendo mucho para rescatar a pacientes que necesitan desesperadamente protección contra este tipo de facturas, en un sistema que cobra libremente por cada atención que dispensa.
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Telemedicine Companies Struggle To Keep Up With Ever-Increasing Demand
It’s an industry that hasn’t always found success, but now amid the crisis, telemedicine is booming. That doesn’t mean companies are equipped to handle the surge of patients, though.
Their health services are chronically underfunded, which is a crisis in the best of times. During a pandemic its a devastating catastrophe.
Test Results Come Back Negative?: Don’t Assume You Don’t Have It If You’re Symptomatic, Doctor Says
A physician explains what happened to a patient, saddled by fevers, saying the problem might be with the tests which may have a particularly high rate of missing infections. Other public health news reports on isolating at home to protect loved ones, warnings about alcohol overuse, dealing with anxiety when alone, turning back immigrant children at the border, overcoming language barriers, disrupting fertility treatments, going without toilet paper and other supplies, and advice to keep walking (even in your living room).