Latest KFF Health News Stories
Skirmishes Between Local Leaders And State Officials Latest Battleground In Debate Over Reopening
Counties and towns in states that haven’t been hit as hard as their metro-area neighbors are trying to convince governors that a one-size-fits-all approach for shut-down measures isn’t fair. Meanwhile, as all 50 states start to lift restrictions, leaders look toward the government to recoup financial losses sustained in dealing with pandemic. And tourists towns brace for uncertainty heading into their — typically — busiest season.
Inadequate Resources, Misinformation And Privacy Fears Threaten Crucial Contact Tracing Efforts
Contact tracing is widely viewed as crucial for the country to reopen safely. But the states face an uphill battle in launching successful efforts to do so.
Florida Health Department Worker Claims She Was Fired For Refusing To Manipulate COVID Data
Developer Rebekah Jones, who created a dashboard for the state’s COVID-19 data, said she was fired because she was ordered to censor some information, but refused to “manually change data to drum up support for the plan to reopen.” Meanwhile, Florida isn’t the only state in the hotseat over accusations of either deliberately changing data or bungling it enough to be dangerous.
The administration announced a four-year, $354 million contract with Phlow, which aims to produce both drug ingredients and generic medicines in the United States. Eric Edwards has a dicey track record, though, which includes his company’s decision to increase the price of its opioid overdose antidote by more than 600% between 2014 and 2017.
Early Moderna Vaccine Results Should Be Taken With A Heaping Of Salt, Experts Say
Experts take a deep dive into what data Moderna released–and almost more importantly what the company withheld. Bottom line: no one should be getting their hopes up yet. Meanwhile, two FDA officials will recuse themselves from the race to approve vaccines over conflict-of-interest concerns.
Hundreds Of Immigrant Children Swiftly Sent Home Under Pandemic Border Policy
The deportations represent an abandonment of a decades-long policy that granted safety to migrant children by both Democratic and Republican administrations, reports The New York Times. Border news is also on the administration’s renewed policy to block migrants at the border without giving them access to asylum protections.
DOJ Warns Gov. Newsom That California’s Reopening Plan Unfairly Discriminates Against Churches
Under California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s reopening plan, restaurants and other secular businesses are being allowed to resume business under social distancing guidelines but not churches. The debate over religious services has continued to be a sore spot throughout the country since the beginning of the crisis.
CDC Quietly Releases Its Most Detailed Guidelines On Reopening Schools, Businesses, Mass Transit
The recommendations emphasize social distancing measures for schools and public transportation. The CDC guidance — which is still shorter than earlier leaked versions — was reportedly delayed for weeks over worries that it was “too prescriptive.” Meanwhile, voters have yet to warm up to the idea of reopening schools.
Member Nations Rally Around WHO, Chide Trump For Escalating Threats Against China, Organization
President Donald Trump released a scathing letter criticizing WHO and calling for a more targeted investigation into China’s pandemic response. But the move left the United States isolated, with other countries favoring an “impartial, independent” of WHO’s efforts in the beginning of the crisis.
Political Operatives Recruiting ‘Pro-Trump’ Doctors To Become Public Face Of Reopening Message
Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign communications director, confirmed that the doctors are being recruited, but said, “Anybody who joins one of our coalitions is vetted.” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump continues to disregard scientists’ advice even when it comes from his own administration.
Trump Defends Use Of Dangerous Malaria Drug, Falsely Claims VA Study Was Biased Against Him
President Donald Trump’s decision to use hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure against COVID-19 was blasted by health experts across the country. Trump, when asked about the VA study that showed the drug could have fatal side effects, shrugged the results off as a political attack against him. Meanwhile, scientists warn that the political furor is interfering with studies on the treatment.
Johnson & Johnson To Discontinue Sale Of Talc-Based Baby Powder In U.S. Amid Thousands Of Suits
Johnson & Johnson has often said that faulty testing, shoddy science and ill-equipped researchers are to blame for findings that its powder was contaminated with asbestos. In recent years, thousands of people — mostly women with ovarian cancer — have said that the company did not warn them of potential risks that the company was discussing internally.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers express views on these pandemic issues and others.
An Unforeseen Consequence: Lack Of Green Card Applications Could Financially Sink Immigration Agency
Advocates are angry that ICE is asking for a bailout, though. “This administration is asking taxpayers to bail out an agency as a result of the very policies it put in place which have caused revenue loss,” said Melissa Rodgers, the director of programs at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center in San Francisco.
NPR interviews medical residents about how the pandemic is impacting their lives and shaping their careers. Other news on health care workers reports on nurses and medical examiners, as well.
Enlargement Of Heart’s Right Ventricle Could Be Major Predictor In COVID Patients’ Mortality Risk
The enlargement may be caused by obstruction of blood flow in the lungs due to blood clots or lung tissue damage. In other scientific news on the virus: new symptoms, infection risks, how the virus sheds and more.
Powell, Mnuchin To Face Congressional Grilling Over How They’re Handling Emergency Spending
The Treasury Department has so far disbursed only $37.5 billion of the $500 billion carved out in the CARES Act. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will appear via videoconference to answer lawmakers’ questions about the spending.
Restaurant Owners Offer Reality Check To Trump As President Touts Progress Made Toward Reopening
During a meeting with restaurant owners, President Donald Trump was in a notably good mood. “It almost feels like today is the first day,” Trump said at another point in the meeting. “Last week didn’t feel the same. Now it feels good. People are starting to go out. They’re opening. They get it.” But restaurant owners said they’re a long way away from normal operations.
The drugmaker didn’t provide an explanation of why it was increasing the donation of its medication that has shown to help treat coronavirus patients. Meanwhile, Gilead seems eager to convince skeptical investors that the $1 billion spent this year on development and production can eventually yield a real return.
