Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others.
Longer Looks: A Sidelined Epidemiologist; Trump’s Reelection Chances; Broken Agencies
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Americans Shouldn’t Expect Contagion To Abate Just Because Of Warmer Weather, Science Adviser Warns
A new report points to cases in Australia and Iran as warnings that high temperatures and increased humidity may do little to curb outbreak. “There have been 10 influenza pandemics in the past 250-plus years — two started in the Northern Hemisphere winter, three in the spring, two in the summer and three in the fall,” the report said. “All had a peak second wave approximately six months after emergence of the virus in the human population, regardless of when the initial introduction occurred.”
Health professionals say even young patients can look healthy one minute and then be at death’s door. In other public health news: assisted living facilities, baby booms, origin of New York’s virus, tracking down cases, recovery, mask tips, domestic violence, and more.
As outbreaks spread in facilities across the country that care for older Americans, developments are reported out of California, New Jersey, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Maryland and Louisiana.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Delaware, Florida, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Massachusetts, California, the District of Columbia, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana. Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada.
Pinprick Blood Test Touted At A ‘Game-Changer’ Falls Flat On News Of Inaccurate Results
The British findings came days after the Spanish government said it had sent back another shipment of inaccurate antibody tests. Experts remain hopeful that they will be able to design an accurate blood test soon. Meanwhile, the SEC suspends trading shares of a company that sold at-home testing kits.
“Stressors caused by the pandemic may contribute to an individual’s decision to commit an attack or influence their target of choice,” DHS warned religious leaders. Meanwhile, churches and religious Americans approach holy week with trepidation, stress and faith.
A provision in one U.S. law grants emergency powers to the CDC to prohibit the entry of people or things that might “introduce” infectious disease. But lawmakers say “DHS is blatantly misinterpreting its limited authorities” to preempt the government’s obligation under another section of federal law protecting migrants fearing persecution in their home countries. In other news, advocates and officials continue to be concerned about the state of detention facilities amid the crisis.
Opinion writers weigh in on public health issues stemming from the pandemic.
News on health conditions in Illinois, Washington state, Louisiana, New York, California and Texas prisons is in the news.
Poorer Countries Losing Out In Race To Secure Medical Supplies
In Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia, where health care systems are underdeveloped, medical professionals also find they can’t compete for much needed supplies with richer countries. The outcome for those countries is potentially catastrophic, health officials say. Other global news reports on the deluge of aid requests to the IMF and World Bank, aid packages in the U.S., Europe and Japan, a positive update on Boris Johnson and the “chilling” number of deaths in France’s nursing homes.
‘Never Seen Anything Like This’: Food Banks Face Unprecedented Number Of Hungry Americans
TV footage recently showed cars lined up on the interstate in Pittsburgh waiting in line for food assistance. That scene is typical of the rest of the country, and the industry isn’t built to withstand the need, The New York Times reports. For the next six months, Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks, has projected a $1.4 billion shortfall. In other news on food shortages, celebrity chefs pitch in to help out New York City and the District of Columbia.
Insiders At VA Hospitals Say There’s A Serious Shortage Of Masks, Other Supplies
While an internal memo warns there’s only enough surgical masks to distribute one a week to medical personnel, a Veteran Affairs spokesperson refutes any shortages, The Wall Street Journal reports. News on veterans hospitals also reports on charges against a Nevada man who is accused of stealing boxes of surgical masks at a Reno medical center.
Small Rural Hospitals Just Managing To Climb Out Of Financial Black Hole Now Face A Pandemic
Rural hospitals have long worked under the extra challenge of navigating uncertain government funding to deliver health care to a population that is statistically older, poorer and sicker than much of the country. This outbreak will only make things worse for those struggling hospitals. Hospitals news comes out of California and Georgia, as well.
Biggest Champion Of ‘Medicare For All’ Bernie Sanders Ends Presidential Campaign
Supporters of “Medicare for All,” Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) health care plan, are now more pessimistic than ever that the legislation would have a shot at getting passed. Sanders’ decision to end his campaign leaves former Vice President Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Meanwhile, Republicans launch an aggressive attack against mail-in-voting even as the pandemic rages on.
“This is all being mismanaged, and we’re being put at risk unnecessarily,” said Barry Schapiro, an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Palm Beach, Fla. “We had ample time to prepare. It didn’t have to be like this.” Health workers across the country have been desperately pleading for protective gear as they brace themselves for a surge of patients, which they might have to ration care for because of a lack of equipment. And medical personnel are still not being offered tests. In other news: volunteer health workers have been left sitting idle in New York, a look at doctors who have succumbed to the virus, creative solutions for shortages, and more.
CDC Releases Demographic Data: Black Americans, Older People And Men Among Hardest Hit By Pandemic
The release of the information comes amid a national outcry for more data as it appears that black Americans make up a disproportionate amount of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. Experts say the numbers represent systemic problems throughout the country that lead to black Americans having higher rates of underlying conditions and less access to care.
Scientists Race To Develop Vaccines, Treatments At Unprecedented Pace
Several vaccines in development are moving toward human trials. Before the pandemic, it could take years to develop a vaccine, but the scientific community is operating at an all-hands-on-deck pace. Meanwhile, other researchers are focusing on innovative treatment ideas.
CDC Shifts Guidance For Workers In Critical Fields Who Have Been Exposed To The Coronavirus
The old guidance directed workers to quarantine for 14 days, while the new rules say that they can return to work as long as they’re asymptomatic and take precautions, such as tracking their temperature. The loosened guidelines are intended to allow health care workers, food supply workers, and others in critical industries to go back to work sooner. However, experts say that even asymptomatic people can spread the virus.
