Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from Colorado, Connecticut, Missouri, Virginia, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
As moderates coalesce around former Vice President Joe Biden a brighter spotlight falls onto his health plan. Because “Medicare for All” has dominated the Democratic race so far, the details of the moderates plans have been largely skated over in favor of simply calling it the moderate alternative. But there are still many questions to be sorted out.
What If Those Face Masks Everyone Is Hoarding Don’t Work? Can The Companies Be Held Liable?
There are two types of face masks and only one kind is protected against liability suits. Companies are asking Congress to protect them as the country faces a mask shortage.
For the rich, the threat of a pandemic might just mean a vacation in their isolated Hampton houses or Idaho cabin retreats. Meanwhile, stocks tumbled as global cases surged and economists look at the way the outbreak could affect the U.S. economy even more than China’s. In other economic news: price-gouging, airlines, working from home, and more.
Thirteen countries, with a total of nearly 291 million students, have closed schools nationwide because of the coronavirus, most notably in China. But it’s unclear what role children play in the spread of the coronavirus, and some question if the closures are necessary.
The Grand Princess is being held off the coast of San Francisco after a previous passenger became California’s first coronavirus death. The situation brings back memories of the disaster that followed aboard another quarantined ship off the coast of Japan in the early days of the outbreak.
If Too Many Health Care Workers Get Sick ‘We Aren’t Going To Have A Shot At Fighting This Thing’
Medical professionals are worried that there aren’t enough safety measures in place to keep them well enough to continue treating patients. In widespread outbreaks of infectious disease, health-care workers are almost always hit hard. “If nurses aren’t safe, then really our community isn’t safe,” said Jenny Managhebi, a clinical nurse at the University of California.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly misstated the number of Americans who have tested positive for the virus and claimed it would “miraculously” disappear in the spring, given a false timeline for the development of a vaccine, publicly questioned whether vaccinations for the flu could be used to treat the novel coronavirus and dismissed WHO’s death rate estimates. In a time when public faith in the government is critical to fighting panic and hysteria, experts worry the mixed messaging is doing anything but.
Lawmakers from both parties have stressed that Congress is “going to watch where the money goes.” Each state will be getting at least $4 million in assistance and HHS has also been ordered to use $3.1 billion of its quota on medical supplies, vaccine-making and ensuring health systems are up to handling the outbreak. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry was able to secure a win on vaccine price controls but progressives are still pushing the issue.
Con el coronavirus al acecho, grandes conferencias se debaten entre cancelar o no
Los virus tienden a infectar a más personas en eventos bajo techo como Comic Con, en el centro de convenciones de Seattle. Finalmente se canceló hasta el verano.
Preocupación por el coronavirus: cancelan eventos de donación de sangre
Los bancos necesitan tener una reserva de sangre de al menos dos o tres días, pero algunos tienen sólo para un día por las cancelaciones y la falta de donantes.
VA Unlawfully Denied Care To Thousands Of Veterans Because Of ‘Bad Papers,’ Study Shows
“I was supposed to be able to turn to them (the VA),” Marine Corps veteran Dwayne Smith told the Washington Post. He was turned away from the VA facility in Boston. Other news on the Trump administration reports on children separated at the border and new rules on sexual assault, as well.
$1.25B Opioid Settlement Date Set In West Virginia Where Death Rate Is Highest
The Aug. 31 trial date serves as a deadline for the proposed settlement, the nation’s first as businesses consider thousands of other lawsuits. Other news on the epidemic comes from Missouri, Vermont and Kansas.
The incidence of infectious disease events has more than doubled from the 1940s to 1960s, and researchers blame urbanization, globalization and increased human consumption of animal proteins. Meanwhile, scientists struggle to suss out just how many people actually have the coronavirus and how deadly the virus could prove to be.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite A Birth By A Colorado Legislator, Paid Family Leave Bill Feels Labor Pains
A Colorado lawmaker giving birth near the start of the state’s four-month legislative session highlighted the lack of comprehensive paid family leave. Yet a bill to add a statewide system that once seemed a sure thing is getting bogged down.
With Coronavirus Lurking, Conferences Wrestle With Whether To Cancel
Concerns over Comic Con in Seattle mount as HIMSS and other huge conferences halt their plans.
Blood Drives — And Donors — Fall Off As Coronavirus Worries Grow
Cancellations and no-shows for blood drives in states where the virus is spreading — and in ones where it’s not — pose risks for the nation’s inventories.
On Front Lines, First Responders Brace For Coronavirus ― And Their Own Protection
Emergency medical technicians, ambulance crews and some firefighters are facing new threats from the coronavirus, which could put their normal contingency plans to the test.
‘We Don’t Have Enough Tests’: Despite Promises, Pence Admits The Supply Can’t Yet Meet The Demand
Vice President Mike Pence initially claimed the government would be able to provide testing “for those that we believe have been exposed, for those who are showing symptoms.” HHS Secretary Alex Azar now says that the government will be able to provide testing for about 400,000 people by week’s end.