Latest KFF Health News Stories
The advisory says if Americans decide to travel overseas, “you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite time frame.” Also, millions of Americans are still overseas and are struggling with finding a way home. Changes are in effect on passports and troop deployments, as well.
Newly Calculated Death Rate From Wuhan Lower Than Previous Estimates, Providing Some Hope
Previous estimates had put the death rate somewhere between 2% to 3.4%. The new study places it at 1.4%. In other news: understanding what containment strategies work; why more men than woman are dying; a look at who is spreading the disease; what herd immunity has to do with mitigation; and more.
Deaths In Italy Surpass China’s Count
As of Thursday afternoon, Italy registered 41,035 diagnoses of the coronavirus and 3,405 deaths. Globally the total number of deaths climbed past 10,000.
Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) dumped stocks before the coronavirus crisis erupted into the threat it has become today. As chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Burr received daily briefings on the outbreak and warned a small group of constituents three weeks ago to prepare for what was coming. Critics of the two senators have called for their resignations.
Public health experts have been vocal about the need for Americans to practice social distancing. Those not getting the message–or not believing it–could start facing the wrath of the ones who are abiding by it. Meanwhile, experts explain why flattening the curve is so important, as they try to figure out what America will look like when the country emerges from the crisis.
Health Care Workers Grow Increasingly Anxious About Lack Of Protective Gear During Crisis
Doctors and other health care providers are having to reuse face masks and replace FDA-approved protective gear with scarves, bandanas or homemade masks. Some hospitals say they’re going through months-worth of supplies in a week span.
Trump Shifts Onus To Governors Amid Criticism About Lack Of Government Action Over Medical Supplies
“The Federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping,” President Donald Trump said. “You know, we’re not a shipping clerk.” Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence said that new legislation will allow tens of millions more protective masks to reach health workers each month, but it still seems unclear if production can meet demand. Meanwhile, hospitals prepare to have to make tough ethical decisions amid bed and ventilator shortages.
Trump Touts Malaria Drug As Possible Virus Treatment But FDA Strikes More Cautious Tone
President Donald Trump put the spotlight on potential treatments that are showing some promising results, but FDA Commissioner reiterated the importance of not giving people “false hope.” Experts say that in times of crisis, it’s tempting to want to cut corners and move as fast as possible, but science moves at the pace it does for a reason: patient safety. Meanwhile, the company who makes the drug the president touted instituted a price hike in January that nearly doubled the cost. But its officials have since cut the cost again.
Jobless Claims Spike And Experts Warn It’s Going To Get Worse Next Week
Unemployment claims rose from 211,000 to 281,000, and the numbers come from before the worst of the shutdowns hit. State unemployment offices are buckling under the strain of the surge. Meanwhile, media outlets look at those most affected by the economic crisis, from mothers going without food so their children can eat to gig workers whose lives are upended. Meanwhile, the outbreak exposes vulnerabilities in America’s financial regulatory system, a decade after a massive overhaul was designed to prevent the next crisis.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) released his proposed $1 trillion package, but some financial experts think it’s still not enough to counter the financial devastation of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, lobbyists and hospitals scramble to get a piece of the action.
Funerarias, y familias, reflexionan sobre las muertes en la era de COVID-19
Se están promoviendo los funerales en internet, tomando precauciones extra al atender los cuerpos, y pidiendo que los servicios sean breves y con pocas personas. Un luto distinto.
Gig Economy Workers Hurt By Coronavirus Eye New Federal Funds For Relief
A law signed by Trump on Wednesday will provide financial help for self-employed workers, who generally don’t have paid leave. Some states also have family and medical leave programs that can be helpful.
Was The Novel Coronavirus Really Sneaky In Its Spread To The U.S.? Experts Say No.
Public health professionals dismissed the president’s claims that the spread of the coronavirus, in particular, and the threat of a pandemic, in general, snuck up on us as being “simply astonishing” and “simply untrue.”
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: The Affordable Care Act Turns 10
Next week is the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Millions of Americans have benefited from the law, yet its future is in the hands of both the Supreme Court and voters in November. For this special episode of “What the Health?” host Julie Rovner interviews Kathleen Sebelius, who was Obama’s secretary of Health and Human Services when the law was passed. Then Rovner, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News discuss its history, impact and prospects for the future.
Sebelius, Looking Back At ACA, Says The Country’s Never ‘Seen This Kind Of Battle’
On KHN’s “What the Health? ” podcast, the former secretary of Health and Human Services says she continued to believe during the debate 10 years ago on the health law that it would eventually gain some Republican support. But that never happened.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Research Roundup: Heart Health, Vaccination Rates, Pregnancy Risks And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
For First Time Since Crisis Began, China Reports No New Infections For The Day
The virus has killed 3,245 people in China so far, making up over a third of the global toll, but in recent weeks the country has been making strides in controlling the spread. Now, Beijing is mounting a humanitarian aid blitz in countries struggling with their own outbreaks.
While there are serious limitations to using telemedicine, it can be a powerful triage tool. Technology news is on smart thermometers and social media, as well.
In New York and California, officials tightened restrictions and opened up new shelters for homeless while cases continue to rise. More states, like Maine, took action to close restaurants and bars, and campuses made facilities available, like Middlebury in Vermont, which thawed its ice rink. But in Florida, the governor drew criticism for a slow response.