Latest KFF Health News Stories
Aid Groups Raise Alarms Over Dwindling U.S. Assistance; Outbreak ‘Accelerating’ In Africa, WHO Warns
Global pandemic developments are reported out of Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, India, Lebanon, the Maldives, Mexico, Sweden and other nations.
How Massachusetts Waded Into The Guy-Who-Knows-A-Guy World To Secure Protective Gear
The Boston Globe pulls back the curtain on the early days of Massachusetts scramble to procure protective gear for health care workers. In other news on masks: federal contracts, the benefits of hiding a smile, mandates and more.
Majority Of Nation’s Blood Banks Have Less Than One-Day Supply For Some Types
“We are preparing for the worst,” said Chris Hrouda, president of biomedical services at the American Red Cross. In other public health news: school safety, social distancing, gender identity, UV light, mental health, Americans’ drinking habits and more.
After Standoff Over Coronavirus Safety Measures, Trump To Accept Republican Nomination In Florida
The Republican National Convention was going to be held in North Carolina, but the governor couldn’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be restrictions in place to protect those attending from the coronavirus. Meanwhile, advocates and state officials are nervous that the chaotic Georgia primaries could be a preview of things to come in November.
White House ‘Very Seriously Considering’ Throwing Weight Behind Another Stimulus Package
But lawmakers still need to negotiate on what exactly that legislation would include. Right now, there’s a wide divide between the parties. Meanwhile, the July 31 deadline for extra aid for unemployed Americans is looming. In other news on the economic toll of the virus: mortgages, the markets and college loan relief.
“You see that with very few respiratory diseases,” said Bruce Farber, chief of infectious diseases at Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health system. “Even with influenza for the most part, you live or die.” In other scientific news: survivor plasma, antibodies, and immunity data.
First-Known Double Lung Transplant For COVID-19 Offers Potential Path Forward For Severe Cases
The patient had been healthy before becoming infected with the virus. “This could serve as a lifesaving intervention,” said Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery and surgical director of Northwestern’s lung transplant program.
As Billions In Taxpayer Funds Are Pumped Into COVID-19 Therapies, Pharma Walks Tightrope On Pricing
The eyes of the world are on the pharmaceutical companies racing to develop therapies for COVID-19. But it’s still unclear whether they will use the crisis to try to improve their reputation that’s taken a hit in recent years over price gouging.
Could Decades-Old Vaccines Jump Start The Immune System To Help Protect Against COVID-19?
The vaccine development process can take years, but some scientists posit that older, tried-and-true vaccines could help bridge the gap and save lives as a new one is created for COVID-19. Some experts remain skeptical, however. In other news on vaccines: supplies and bottlenecks, mosquito spit, clinical trials and more.
Public Health Experts Who Support Of Protests On Race Grapple With Their Own Conflicting Advice
When some Americans protested shutdown measures, public health experts staunchly warned against mass gatherings. But as thousands pour into the streets to demonstrate against police violence and racial disparities, some of those same experts now say the benefit is worth the risk in terms of long-term public health gains. Meanwhile, cities and states across the country review police tactics and their implications on public health.
New York’s Virus Response Riddled With Missed Warning Signs, Flawed Policies And Mixed Messages
The Wall Street Journal takes a deep dive into what went wrong in the early days of the pandemic in New York City. In other news from New York: the virus wreaks financial havoc on safety-net hospitals; laid-off workers expected to flood state’s Medicaid program; and more.
Trump Rally Attendees Must Agree Not To Sue Campaign Over Coronavirus Exposure
President Donald Trump will host a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, getting back in front of his supporters after months mostly stuck in the White House. Despite Trump’s recent silence on the pandemic, his campaign is requiring that attendees sign a liability waiver surrounding the coronavirus threat. No social distancing practices are planned for the rally. Meanwhile, Trump says he’s working on an executive order to address police violence and racial disparities.
Cases, Hospitalization Rates Climb In Previous Cold Spots In Post-Memorial Day Surge
Public health experts are alarmed by several indicators such as hospitalization rates. Some states are nearing their ICU bed capacity, a warning sign from the early days of the pandemic. This week, confirmed cases in the U.S. climbed past 2 million and over 113,000 Americans have died.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Data And The Pandemic; HIV Prevention; And Suicide Rates In Millennials
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the web.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
The suit argues that the pandemic’s public-health law doesn’t create a separate immigration process, and that the administration is illegally using it to create one. News on immigration is on challenges for asylum seekers, as well.
18M High-Risk Americans Were Underinsured At Onset Of Pandemic
Some of the groups that have been most susceptible to COVID-19 were also the ones with the highest rates of being underinsured or completely uninsured. “In a way lower-income people and racial minorities are in double jeopardy because of the way our healthcare system is financed,” said lead study author Dr. Adam Gaffney.
