Latest KFF Health News Stories
While experts say that technology can be a useful addition to traditional containment strategies, it comes with its own pitfalls. A look at how some countries have utilized it highlights tech’s potential but also the mistakes that can be made.
Hospitals are finding themselves rationing the masks that are key to keeping health care providers on the front lines of the outbreak safe. Meanwhile, it’s not just the mask supply that they’re worried about: with a potential surge of patients, cash-strapped hospitals may not have enough beds, equipment and staff to handle an epidemic.
Confusion persists over which patients can get tested for coronavirus as U.S. struggles to keep up with the demand. Meanwhile, Germany has only had two deaths despite confirming more than 1,000 cases. Rapid testing at the onset of the outbreak might be the reason behind that success.
Anxiety on Capitol Hill mounted even as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made it clear there was no plans as of yet to shut down the Capitol. Meanwhile, an increasing number of congressman–including those who were in contact with President Donald Trump–are self-quarantining themselves. Officials say Trump hasn’t been tested for the virus, but the situation is a stark reminder how quickly and easily anyone can become infected.
Trump Will Ask Congress To Pass Payroll Tax Relief In Effort To Stem Economy’s Downward Plunge
As stocks continued to tumble on Monday amid coronavirus fears, President Donald Trump, who has tied much of his reputation to the success of the economy, scrambled to alleviate the pain from the losses. Along with a proposed payroll tax cut, Trump said he was seeking help for hourly-wage workers to ensure they’re “not going to miss a paycheck” and “don’t get penalized for something that’s not their fault.” Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Democrats could release an economic aid package this week.
New York’s Decision To Make Its Own Hand Sanitizer Using Prison Labor Draws Mixed Reactions
It’s unclear how much prisoners are being paid to make NYS Clean, but working inmates in New York are typically paid between $0.10 to $0.33 an hour. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the initiative in attempts to soothe fears as the number of cases in New York climbed to 142. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump lobbed accusations at Cuomo, saying he was trying to politically “weaponize” the outbreak.
Federal Judge Orders Medical Panel For ’20th Hijacker’ At Guantanamo
Lawyers for the Saudi man, who has been held at the prison for 18 years, say he has suffered from mental health disorders since childhood and should be sent to his country for treatment.
Bad Flu Season Still Claiming Lives, CDC Reports, But It Is Tapering Off As Coronavirus Continues
There have been 30 to 40 million illnesses in the U.S. so far and about 20,000 deaths. The good news medical experts say is the vaccine this year was very effective. More public health news is on women’s brain health, obesity, mental health, and the marketing of aspirin.
Easing Access To Health Records: New Guidelines Finalize Digital Standards
HHS Secretary Alex Azar says that the new federal rule would give patients more control to pull data such as medications, lab test results and vital signs including blood pressure. But the changes are likely to sharpen a debate over privacy.
The coronavirus could shape the 2020 elections in more ways than one. For now, the candidates have been keeping up with their schedule–with extra doses of hand sanitizer–but that could change in the coming weeks and months.
Coronavirus Revives Push For Sick Leave Legislation That’s Been Stalled In Congress Since 2004
The outbreak may give congressmen the political capital to get a sick leave bill through. Under the bill, employers would be responsible for paying for the sick time; there would be no tax increase. Meanwhile, the SEC has become the first federal agency to direct employees to work from home.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
One of initiative’s first goals will be to test antiviral drugs that have already gone through preclinical development or have already been tested in humans.
Heart Association Puts Halt To Bayer’s Giant Displays Of Baby Aspirin
After Kaiser Health News’ questions, the association tells the aspirin maker to take down display bins at Walmart pharmacies that gave a false impression that the over-the-counter drug is recommended for everyone to prevent heart attacks.
Dental Shock: Six Pulled Teeth And One Unexpected Bill
One woman’s experience with the high cost of dental care and confusing Medicare coverage offers a teachable moment for other consumers. Her small church took up a collection, but the surprise bill — four times what she expected to pay — was sent to collections.
As Youth Suicides Climb, Anguished Parents Begin To Speak Out
The suicide rate for children ages 10 to 14 almost tripled in a decade and is still rising. As parents grapple with loss, some turn to activism.
Cruise Ship Allowed To Dock, But It’s Anything But Smooth Sailing As Locals Voice Resentment, Fear
“Everyone is mad and scared,” said perfume vendor Setareh Eb in Texas, one of the states accepting passengers from the cruise ship that’s been held off the coast of California. Residents of Oakland, California, voiced similar concerns even as the passengers themselves celebrated.
Experts say it’s too early to get an accurate sense of what’s happening with coronavirus fatalities, but a study of 116 deaths found that 114 patients had some kind of underlying medical condition. Meanwhile, another study looks at how infectious people are once they’ve contracted the virus. And in other news: “patient zero,” misinformation, the most vulnerable populations, and more.
From California To Virginia, More States Confirm Coronavirus Cases As U.S. Total Surpasses 700
As of Tuesday morning, at least 729 people in 36 states and Washington, D.C. have tested positive for coronavirus.
“What we don’t need in this situation are companies preying on consumers by promoting products with fraudulent prevention and treatment claims,” said Joe Simons, the FTC chairman. The agencies sent warnings to 7 companies about their products.