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Officials in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania take drastic steps to try to slow down the virus spread.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Former Federal Virus Hunter Says U.S. Needs To Act Before New Germs ‘Kick Your Door In’
In an interview, Dennis Carroll, who until last fall headed up the emerging threats unit at USAID, spoke about the threat of more germs, like the novel coronavirus, appearing and whether the world is prepared for this pandemic.
How Intrepid Lab Sleuths Ramped Up Tests As Coronavirus Closed In
Drs. Keith Jerome and Alex Greninger fast-tracked a test for the deadly new coronavirus weeks before it began spreading in the U.S. Their work has been key to detecting community transmission and ramping up the nation’s testing capacity.
The High Cost Of Being Trump’s Enemy
The ongoing feud between President Donald Trump and California’s Democratic leaders is costing the Golden State hundreds of millions of health care dollars — with billions more at stake.
And Then There Were Two: Biden, Sanders Debate With Coronavirus On Everyone’s Mind
The candidates talked about their views on how this public health crisis should be managed. Though they disagreed on many points, they shared disapproval of the Trump administration’s response.
Pictures started hitting social media of airports clogged with hundreds of passengers jammed shoulder-to-shoulder just as public health experts were telling people to practice social distancing. The bottlenecks were created by Americans abroad rushing to get home after the Trump administration announced travel bans and Homeland Security officials try to implement medical checks.
Although the two Democratic candidates addressed other issues, the COVID-19 outbreak was front of mind during Sunday night’s Democratic presidential debate. Both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said they were using a lot of soap to avoid infection. They also laid out their plans for how they would address such a crisis if they were in the Oval Office.
“Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement Sunday night.
President Donald Trump said there’s no need for Americans to hoard food and toiletries as the nation’s supply chains remain intact. But shoppers who went out over the weekend to stock up for weeks of isolation were met with empty shelves in many stores. Behavioral experts say the psychological drive behind the impulse to hoard is very human and understandable in times like these. Meanwhile, state attorneys general try to crack down on scams.
Testing will begin with 45 young, healthy volunteers with different doses of shots co-developed by NIH and Moderna. But public health officials warn that it could be up to 18 months before the broader public has access to the vaccine for safety reasons. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration reportedly tried to get a German firm to move its vaccine development to the United States.
By slashing its benchmark short-term rate and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system, the Federal Reserve’s moves recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.
Federal Officials, State Leaders Have One Message To America: ‘Hunker Down’
Dr. Anthony Fauci, state leaders, and other public health officials warned that it could be a while before America returns to normal. In the meantime, they say, stay inside and away from gatherings of over 50 people, when possible.
Strain On Italy’s Health Care System Soars As Deaths Rise 25%, Thousands Of New Cases Appear
Italy is the second hardest hit country after China. “Our priority is to keep doctors, nurses and all our health personnel safe,” Italy’s Prime Minister Conte said in a statement. News is from England, China, Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, the Philippines, France, Austria, Germany, El Salvador, Rwanda, and more.
The Enormous Impact Social Distancing Can Have On The Spread Of A Deadly Virus
A Washington Post interactive drew even former President Barack Obama’s attention for the way it explains how social distancing can help flatten the curve. In other news: a closer look at the virus itself and how it spreads, questions about the safety of food delivery, the way all this news is impacting people’s mental health, what you should do if you feel sick, and more.
Experts have been sounding the alarm bells over the number of medical supplies and beds that the country has available to deal with a critical surge in patients. Even with a stockpile of gear, there might not be enough supplies, and doctors may have to start rationing care. Meanwhile, Veterans Affairs medical centers prepare to act as back-up to handle spill-over patients.
The government continues to make ambitious promises about increased testing, following an outcry about the issue. But public health experts are skeptical it can meet the level of demand. Federal officials say they will prioritize testing for the elderly and health care workers.
Testing Shortages Force Extreme Shift In Strategy By Local Health Officials
California’s capital region is among the areas that have had to shift response to the coronavirus outbreak because of a shortage of test kits in the U.S.
Looking For Answers After Coronavirus Contact? Welcome To The Gray Zone
The COVID-19 outbreak has spawned confusion among health officials, doctors and the public, especially for people who fall into the gray area for testing and deciding whether they need to quarantine themselves. Where to turn for answers about isolation and quarantine varies by locale. All this means agencies are sometimes delaying needed advice and giving people incorrect information.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.