Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages express opinions about ways to deal with COVID-19.
How A Straight-Shooting New Yorker Won Over The Public’s Attention
The Los Angeles Times takes a look at how Dr. Anthony Fauci got where he is serving under but Democratic and Republican presidents. Some have praised his ability to contradict President Donald Trump’s more optimistic messaging. Meanwhile, Fauci’s prediction that the death toll could climb past 100,000 may have swayed Trump’s decision to extend social distancing guidelines through April.
ProPublica and KHN have obtained emails that show missteps from the CDC and other agencies in the early, crucial days of the outbreak. What comes through clearly is confusion, as the CDC underestimated the threat from the virus and stumbled in communicating to local public health officials about what should be done.
Health care providers from the state that was among the first hit by the outbreak have stories about having to reuse masks and remove expiration date stickers from protective gear. The issue has raised red flags across the country, especially since health workers account for an outsized percentage of cases.
Advocates Plea For Inmates’ Release To Slow Contagion As First Death Occurs In Federal Prison
The Louisiana inmate was serving a 30-year sentence for drug trafficking. Other prison news is on the risk to the more than 2 million prisoners held in detention centers.
Coronavirus Patients Caught In Conflict Between Hospital And Nursing Homes
Hospitals need to clear out patients who no longer need acute care. But nursing homes are alarmed at the prospect of taking patients who may have the coronavirus.
Access To Abortion Shrinks Further As More States Halt The Procedure During Pandemic
In Texas, abortion providers talk about the way the state’s new restrictions on the procedure is already impacting patients. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s governor says its suspension of elective surgeries includes abortion, unless necessary to save the mother. And anti-abortion activists in Georgia want that state to make the same move.
“At this time, VA has not received specific requests from FEMA for assistance,” the agency said. Veterans Affairs hospitals are supposed to serve as backup in times of crisis, but VA Secretary Robert Wilkie has made clear the agency won’t spring into action absent guidance from the federal government. Meanwhile, states across the country scramble to figure out what to do with their overflow patients. And some hospitals wrestle with federal guidance to scrap elective surgeries.
Because Humans Have Never Experienced This Coronavirus, We Are ‘Kind Of Sitting Ducks’ In Its Sights
Experts take a look at how contagious the virus is on a population that’s never experienced it before. In other public health news: the painful xenophobia that comes with the outbreak, pregnancy and the coronavirus, smart thermometers and artificial intelligence, increased substance abuse risk, the stress of fighting addiction while social distancing, and more.
Orders have surged more than 150% as people order groceries and other supplies from their homes. Other news on essential workers is on meat packers, farm and trash industry jobs, as well.
Emerging Fortresses: Three States Try To Restrict Travelers From Hot Spots; CDC Issues Advisory
While governors from Rhode Island, Florida and Texas, among others, took steps to keep travelers from virus “hot zones” away or to self quarantine, critics say the Constitution only gives the power to regulate interstate travel and commerce to the federal government, not the states. Also, the CDC urges residents from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to avoid nonessential travel for 14 days.
Indian Health Service Deficiencies Makes It Difficult To Track And Treat Outbreak Among Tribes
Those IHS gaps put the health of Native Americans at risk and may hinder national efforts to fully eradicate the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports on how the lack of electricity and running water for many on the largest reservation leads to fear and confusion for those Navajo Nation residents.
Texas Emergency Coordinator Knew Better Than To Believe Trump’s ‘We Have It Totally Under Control’
In late January, Kyle Coleman, who lives in Bexar County, home to nearly 2 million residents, including those in the city of San Antonio, started ordering more medical supplies, including 25,000 respirator masks. Media outlets have more stories out of New York, Florida, Chicago, California, Louisiana, Arkansas, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia, as well.
As New York Approaches 1,000 Deaths, Leaders Brace For A Tough Week Ahead
“I don’t see how you look at those numbers and conclude anything less than thousands of people will pass away,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has become well-known for his realistic and open communication during the outbreak. With New York City’s hospitals trying to keep up with the surge, Mayor Bill de Blasio projected supplies would run out by next weekend.
Visitors are banned from coronavirus wards in many hospitals, creating a situation where the patients are dying alone and friends and family don’t get to say proper goodbyes.
Private Lab Announces Portable 5-Minute Coronavirus Test Amid Nationwide Shortages, Slow Results
Many experts have pointed to the United States’ inability to test properly as a crucial failure in containing the crisis and say fixing that flaw is a major part of being able to return to normalcy. Abbot Laboratories gained FDA-approval for its quick test that it says could help health workers rapidly identify those who are actually sick. Meanwhile, the FDA still hasn’t approved any at-home kits, so those currently being promoted are unauthorized. And KHN looks at why the results take so long to get.
FDA Approves Emergency Use Of Malaria Drug Trump Touted Despite Scant Evidence That It Works
Scientists have been quick to try to counter President Donald Trump’s praise of a potential treatment for the coronavirus. But some say that since hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine at least don’t seem to worsen COVID-19, it might be worth the try. “We have literally nothing else to offer these patients other than supportive care,” said Dr. David Juurlink, an internist from Canada.
Fresh Off A Record-Shattering Stimulus Package, Lawmakers Are Already Gearing Up For Another One
The ideas being floated on Capitol Hill include extending last week’s package to make the benefits last longer, as well as plugging in holes in the hastily assembled bill.
Premiums Could Spike Next Year As Health System Absorbs Economic Challenge Of Treating Coronavirus
Depending on how many people need care, insurers, employers and individuals could face anywhere from $34 billion to $251 billion in additional expenses. “No insurer, no state, planned and put money away for something of this significance,” said Peter Lee, the executive director of Covered California. Meanwhile, two major health insurers say they will waive out-of-pocket costs for coronavirus treatment.
Why Florida, One Of Hardest Hit States, Is Going Its Own Way
The politics of the state have influenced its response to the coronavirus outbreak. But experts are nervous due to Florida’s large population of vulnerable residents and a lot of young super-spreaders who visit.