Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others relating to the pandemic.
Travel To China, Italy And Iran Fueled Start Of Pandemic, Research Shows
Nearly two-thirds of the first confirmed patients in each affected country outside of China had traveled to those places, the findings show. Global pandemic developments are also reported out of Europe, Hong Kong, Brazil, Poland, Russia and the Philippines.
Coronavirus Cases Slide In Oregon, But Many States Are Battling Uphill
The latest case tallies from Oregon, Hawaii, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Indiana.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on COVID, eating disorders, PTSD, the art of play, mosquitoes and more.
Social Distancing Around The World Pushes Flu Rates To Record Low
In China, new reports of mumps, measles and some sexually transmitted diseases have also fallen off. In other public health news: turning the Diamond Princess’ outbreak into a case study; research on ventilation systems; the impact of air conditioning; West Nile virus in Austin; and more.
Losing Buddy: First Dog In US To Test Positive For Coronavirus Dies
Other news on pandemic-related topics includes reporting on prison conditions; income and physical distancing; immunity; pregnancy; primary care; and more.
Message From Birx To States, Local Officials: A Mask Mandate Would Help
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers did exactly that on Thursday, issuing a statewide mask mandate. Meanwhile, men are dying from the virus at higher rates than women in Los Angeles.
Can Safety In Schools Be Guaranteed?
President Donald Trump replies: “Can you assure anybody of anything?” Meanwhile, parents worry about their children falling behind without in-class instruction, especially parents of special-needs children.
Double Lung Transplants Saving Lives Of COVID Patients
Performing the surgery, normally reserved for otherwise strong people with irreversible lung damage, is a ”paradigm change” for COVID patients, says Dr. Ankit Bharat. Several patients have received them.
Pharma Flexes Its Political Power
Big Pharma executives ignore the president’s invitation to meet at the White House. Cerevel plans to go public. Meanwhile, medical charities are forced to cut back on galas and other charity events they use to raise money.
Attention Focused On Distribution Of COVID Vaccines
As drugmakers race to develop a vaccine, exactly how those vaccines will be manufactured and delivered to Americans is also being planned. In other vaccine news: Johnson & Johnson moves to human trials of its vaccine. And a Moderna board member resigns.
FDA Chief: Doctors Can Make Own Decisions About Hydroxychloroquine
While Stephen Hahn says the FDA is not in a position to “regulate the practice of medicine,” a group of researchers oppose doctors prescribing the anti-malarial drug for COVID.
Missouri Medicaid Expansion Fight Heats Up Ahead Of Vote
Whether Missouri should expand its Medicaid program will be put to voters next Tuesday. In other Medicaid news: Texas extends pandemic flexibility; telehealth users want permanent change; and many doctors support benefits for unemployed.
Most Americans Do Not Approve Of Trump’s Response To Pandemic: Survey
The coronavirus crisis–and health care more broadly–are swing issues in the upcoming presidential contest between President Donald Trump and Vice President Donald Trump.
GOP Lawmakers Don Masks After Cain’s Death, Gohmert’s Diagnosis
On the House floor Thursday, there was effectively universal compliance after Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s mandate to wear a mask. In other news, former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain’s death from COVID reverberates across Washington, D.C.
Democrats Rebuff Trump’s Pitch For Interim Extension Of $600 Jobless Aid
With progress on a larger stimulus package at an impasse, the White House floated a short-term bill to extend the $600 unemployment benefit that expires today. House Democrats knocked down the idea.
Wearing A Mask? Good. Now Add A Face Shield, Too
Face shields can protect against droplets, according to Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator. Along those same lines, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is testifying before Congress this morning, suggested the U.S. may eventually recommend eye goggles.
Recovered From COVID? Donate Blood For Plasma Treatment, Trump Urges
During a roundtable at the Red Cross headquarters, President Donald Trump and other public health officials called on coronavirus survivors to donate. “You’ve gotten through it, and I guess that means you have something very special there,” Trump said.
Study: Little Kids Carry A Large Load Of Coronavirus
A new study says children younger than age 5 may host up to 100 times as much of the coronavirus in the upper respiratory tract as adults. While it does not prove that infected children are contagious, the findings will undoubtedly figure in the contentious the debate on how to reopen schools.
Surge Of New COVID Cases Appears To Be Stabilizing, But Deaths Still Rising
Public health experts warn that the positive trend could slip back if Americans aren’t vigilant. And states like Arizona, Florida and Mississippi continue to break records for confirmed new cases.
