Latest KFF Health News Stories
Emerging Fortresses: Three States Try To Restrict Travelers From Hot Spots; CDC Issues Advisory
While governors from Rhode Island, Florida and Texas, among others, took steps to keep travelers from virus “hot zones” away or to self quarantine, critics say the Constitution only gives the power to regulate interstate travel and commerce to the federal government, not the states. Also, the CDC urges residents from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to avoid nonessential travel for 14 days.
Indian Health Service Deficiencies Makes It Difficult To Track And Treat Outbreak Among Tribes
Those IHS gaps put the health of Native Americans at risk and may hinder national efforts to fully eradicate the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports on how the lack of electricity and running water for many on the largest reservation leads to fear and confusion for those Navajo Nation residents.
Texas Emergency Coordinator Knew Better Than To Believe Trump’s ‘We Have It Totally Under Control’
In late January, Kyle Coleman, who lives in Bexar County, home to nearly 2 million residents, including those in the city of San Antonio, started ordering more medical supplies, including 25,000 respirator masks. Media outlets have more stories out of New York, Florida, Chicago, California, Louisiana, Arkansas, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia, as well.
As New York Approaches 1,000 Deaths, Leaders Brace For A Tough Week Ahead
“I don’t see how you look at those numbers and conclude anything less than thousands of people will pass away,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has become well-known for his realistic and open communication during the outbreak. With New York City’s hospitals trying to keep up with the surge, Mayor Bill de Blasio projected supplies would run out by next weekend.
Visitors are banned from coronavirus wards in many hospitals, creating a situation where the patients are dying alone and friends and family don’t get to say proper goodbyes.
Private Lab Announces Portable 5-Minute Coronavirus Test Amid Nationwide Shortages, Slow Results
Many experts have pointed to the United States’ inability to test properly as a crucial failure in containing the crisis and say fixing that flaw is a major part of being able to return to normalcy. Abbot Laboratories gained FDA-approval for its quick test that it says could help health workers rapidly identify those who are actually sick. Meanwhile, the FDA still hasn’t approved any at-home kits, so those currently being promoted are unauthorized. And KHN looks at why the results take so long to get.
FDA Approves Emergency Use Of Malaria Drug Trump Touted Despite Scant Evidence That It Works
Scientists have been quick to try to counter President Donald Trump’s praise of a potential treatment for the coronavirus. But some say that since hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine at least don’t seem to worsen COVID-19, it might be worth the try. “We have literally nothing else to offer these patients other than supportive care,” said Dr. David Juurlink, an internist from Canada.
Fresh Off A Record-Shattering Stimulus Package, Lawmakers Are Already Gearing Up For Another One
The ideas being floated on Capitol Hill include extending last week’s package to make the benefits last longer, as well as plugging in holes in the hastily assembled bill.
Premiums Could Spike Next Year As Health System Absorbs Economic Challenge Of Treating Coronavirus
Depending on how many people need care, insurers, employers and individuals could face anywhere from $34 billion to $251 billion in additional expenses. “No insurer, no state, planned and put money away for something of this significance,” said Peter Lee, the executive director of Covered California. Meanwhile, two major health insurers say they will waive out-of-pocket costs for coronavirus treatment.
Why Florida, One Of Hardest Hit States, Is Going Its Own Way
The politics of the state have influenced its response to the coronavirus outbreak. But experts are nervous due to Florida’s large population of vulnerable residents and a lot of young super-spreaders who visit.
What’s To Become Of The 2020 Elections?
The coronavirus outbreak has upended the election season, and it’s hard to know how the following months will play out when it comes to politics and voting. Meanwhile, the outbreak has both deepened the partisan divide and created a shared experience for Americans to unify over. Meanwhile, 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden criticizes President Donald Trump’s response to the crisis.
Governors Tread Lightly Following Trump’s Comments About Leaders Needing To Show Proper Appreciation
Governors worry that they could inadvertently hurt their state’s residents, and so they’re making an effort to ignore President Donald Trump’s more aggressive style in handling states’ requests for medical equipment and supplies. “I don’t have the energy to respond to every slight,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who bore the brunt of Trump’s attention over the weekend. Meanwhile, California said it received broken ventilators from the national stockpile.
Public health experts have long known that a ventilator shortage is a vulnerability in the system. The government tried to rectify the problem, but efforts stalled. The New York Times takes a deep-dive into what went wrong. Meanwhile, manufacturers across the country say they lack federal guidance on where to ship new products. In other news, President Donald Trump blames hospitals for hoarding or mishandling ventilators and masks, though cited no evidence to back up the statement.
Facing grim figures from his health care advisers and other experts, President Donald Trump reversed course on earlier “aspirational” hopes that the country could re-open in two weeks. Meanwhile, experts across the country try to figure out how to ease off on physical distancing restrictions when the time is right. And psychologists and advocates worry about the mental toll the guidelines are taking on Americans.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump Swiftly Signs Historic $2.2T Stimulus Legislation After House Passage
The U.S. House passed the unprecedented financial rescue measure by voice vote to accommodate those lawmakers who couldn’t make it back to Washington. The bill represents the largest stimulus package in modern American history.
Editorial pages focus on these issues related to COVID-19.
Opinion writers express views about these health care issues during the pandemic.
Longer Looks: Public Housing, Small Pox Experts, Climate Change In The Time Of Coronavirus, And More
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Joseph Califano was the new secretary of health, education and welfare in President Jimmy Carter’s administration following a swine flu scare in the 1970s. He offers tips about what America needs to do to “crush the curve.” In other public health news: vulnerable populations may fall through cracks, experts debunk any conspiracy theories about virus’ origin, lawmakers call on FDA to loosen blood donor restrictions, and more.
