Latest KFF Health News Stories
Over 2,000 Ventilators In National Stockpile Are Unusable Because Of Months-Long Contract Lapse
The contract with a company that was maintaining the machines for the government expired at the end of last summer, and a new firm didn’t begin its work until January. Meanwhile, hospitals and doctors continue to think through the most humane way to ration care if the expected shortage of ventilators comes to pass.
Fauci’s Security Detail Beefed Up After Receiving Online Death Threats From Conspiracy Theorists
Dr. Anthony Fauci has emerged as a leading voice in the crisis and has not shied away from realistic projections of where the country could be headed. But some supporters of President Donald Trump believe Fauci is trying to undermine the president in an election year.
Jared Kushner has taken charge of testing access, ramping up industry production of medical supplies and figuring out how to distribute those supplies. The efforts headed by Kushner are distinct from the White House task force led by Vice President Mike Pence, and some say it’s causing confusion in an already-chaotic situation. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump refocuses his argument on how many lives are being saved rather than projected death tolls. And fact checkers weigh the accuracy of his claims.
Staggering 6.6 Million Americans Filed For Unemployment Last Week In New Record High
Jobless claims in the U.S. skyrocket to historic levels, with twice as many people filing last week as they did the week before. Analysts forecast that the trend will continue as businesses continue to layoff more employees due to the coronavirus-driven shutdowns.
House Democrats Raring To Go On Another Stimulus Package, But Republicans Want To Pump The Brakes
At the very least, Republicans say, Congress should wait to see how the massive $2.2 trillion package plays out. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is eager to tackle infrastructure in the new legislation, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has already suggested he’s not on board with the idea. In other news, Social Security beneficiaries who typically do not file a tax return will automatically get the $1,200 direct payment from the stimulus package.
Florida Governor Relents To Mounting Public Pressure And Issues Stay-At-Home Order
Gov. Ron DeSantis had been resistant to taking the step, despite fears that Florida–with a largely aging population in combination with a lot of young travelers–could be among the states hit hardest by the virus. A phone call with President Donald Trump finally helped sway him. Meanwhile, Florida was one of four new states to declare such orders, which means that most Americans are now hunkering down at home. Meanwhile, the U.S. surgeon general warns that the recommendations may stay in place past April.
New York’s Death Count Doubles In 72 Hours To Nearly 2,000
The nation as a whole added at least 900 virus-related deaths to its overall tally on Wednesday, with New York state the hardest hit by the outbreak. New York City is particularly struggling beneath the strain and is taking measures such as deploying mobile morgues. Media outlets report on the parts of the city that have been impacted the most.
Trump Suggests Health Law Enrollment Might Be Reopened After His Administration Decided Against It
When President Donald Trump was asked what people should do who lose their jobs because of the outbreak and don’t qualify for Medicaid, he said, “I think it’s a very fair question . . . and it’s something that we’re really going to look at because it doesn’t seem fair.” Earlier in the week, administration officials said they would not launch a special enrollment session. Meanwhile, data released from last year’s health law enrollment for show about 11.4 million consumers signed-up for 2020 exchange coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health topics and others.
Telemedicine Companies Struggle To Keep Up With Ever-Increasing Demand
It’s an industry that hasn’t always found success, but now amid the crisis, telemedicine is booming. That doesn’t mean companies are equipped to handle the surge of patients, though.
Test Results Come Back Negative?: Don’t Assume You Don’t Have It If You’re Symptomatic, Doctor Says
A physician explains what happened to a patient, saddled by fevers, saying the problem might be with the tests which may have a particularly high rate of missing infections. Other public health news reports on isolating at home to protect loved ones, warnings about alcohol overuse, dealing with anxiety when alone, turning back immigrant children at the border, overcoming language barriers, disrupting fertility treatments, going without toilet paper and other supplies, and advice to keep walking (even in your living room).
Their health services are chronically underfunded, which is a crisis in the best of times. During a pandemic its a devastating catastrophe.
The hard-hit city has also launched a website in 11 languages with updates for anyone who has symptoms. More than 40,000 New Yorkers have been infected. Media outlets report on news from Louisiana, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Ohio, Texas, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Michigan.
After talking with Japan’s prime minister, President Donald Trump has been pushing the FDA to allow use of a flu drug that scientists have warned could cause birth defects among other side effects. It’s just the latest unproven drug that Trump has touted in recent days, but the others have at least been approved by the FDA for other uses.
Federal Prisons Will Keep Majority Of Inmates In Cells For Next 14 Days To Slow Spread
Prisoners will only be allowed out in small groups in order to shower, eat and make phone calls. The federal Bureau of Prisons plans additional steps to try to stop COVID-19 spread, like limiting transfers between facilities. News on how prisons are handling with coronavirus also comes out of Louisiana, New York and California.
Aircraft Carrier’s Captain Calls For ‘Decisive Action’ From Navy Leadership For 5,000 Sailors Aboard
After the captain of the U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt–where at least 100 have tested positive for coronavirus–asked for the removal of 4,000 of the nuclear-powered ship’s sailors and isolating them, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said “I don’t think we’re at that point.” Military news is on infection spreading in veterans’ homes, as well.
Spikes In Demand, Shortages Bring ‘Dramatic Changes’ To Industry Transporting Goods
“Shippers are facing huge challenges to ensure that they have the tools and have capacity,” said Lily Shen, president of an online marketplace that connects companies with trucking services. Also, it takes manufacturers weeks to crank up production for when demand for products like face masks and toilet paper spike. Other supply news reports on Whole Foods workers wanting better pay and safety, a walkout at Amazon’s Staten Island, N.Y. plant, Walmart’s safety measures, an uptick in business for local farmers, nonessential businesses, and construction workers.
Politico reports on an awkward exchange between U.S. and Thai officials in which the U.S. requested supplies and were told the U.S. was shipping those same supplies to Bangkok. Global news is on the growing power struggle between China and the U.S., new worrisome COVID-19 controls in Asia, WHO’s relationship with China, the increasing infection rate in Japan, successful testing in Germany, an alleged coverup of deaths in Russia, and signs of hope in Italy, as well.
Field hospitals are being set up in parks, stadiums, hotels and even the tennis center where the U.S. Open is held as government leaders face grim projections about an expected surge of patients. Meanwhile, health care workers talk about what it’s like inside the hospitals that are being slammed by the outbreak.
