Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Clock Is Ticking On Shifting Voting Practices For General 2020 Election
Turnout was expected to break records in November, but with two-thirds of Americans saying they’re scared to go to the polls and states not moving quickly enough to adapt to mail-in voting, election officials worry about what the general election is going to look like. Meanwhile, 2020 Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden raises significant doubts that the Democratic National Convention will happen as planned. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is relying on approval of his response efforts to help him in the election, but what do the polls say?
Of the 184 deaths with complete information on risk factors in the study, 173 occurred among patients with at least one underlying condition. The conditions include renal disease, heart and lung issues and diabetes, among others.
While Political Leaders Lock Down Borders, Scientists Have Been Razing Theirs To The Ground
The global science community is uniting in an effort to rise to fight the virus. Never before, researchers say, have so many experts in so many countries focused simultaneously on a single topic with such urgency. Meanwhile, as scientists learn about the coronavirus as they go, uncertainty can sometimes translate into mixed messages for an already confused and desperate public. In other innovation news: a nasal swab produced by a 3D printer, the backstory of the now famous image of the virus, and the race for a vaccine.
As the pandemic continues to spread, there’s a growing push for public health agencies to change the guidance against healthy Americans wearing masks. Such a recommendation though would worsen the shortage of desperately needed protective gear for front line workers.
Tension Ramping Up Between Health Care Workers, Hospitals Over Personal Protective Equipment
Health care workers are not only facing a shortage of protective gear but are also a group that’s hard hit by the outbreak. As states, advocates and other leaders scramble to try to rectify the problem, some health care workers fight for their rights to be protected on the front lines of the pandemic. Meanwhile, a major medical staffing company has slashed benefits for its workers in the midst of the outbreak.
Plans To Re-Start Society All Rely On This Blood Test To Identify People Who Might Be Immune
The serology tests serve a dual purpose: finding Americans who can safely return to some normalcy and helping researchers find treatments for the disease.
Testing Blindspots In South And Midwest Cripple Efforts To Contain Spread Of Outbreak
The attention of the nation is on the coasts, but that doesn’t mean other parts of the country are safe. Testing is crucial to identify the next hot spots, but shortages and wait times continue to undermine containment efforts. Meanwhile, as new data shows nearly 25% of people infected with virus don’t show symptoms, advocates double-down on calls for social distancing. And the outbreak is changing social norms when it comes to how people should interact in public.
“I’ve never had to actually do this,” said Dalen Lacy said, a warehouse worker. “But I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do for my kids.” Lacy is among a wave of Americans who are seeking unemployment aid for the first time as the pandemic upends the economy. Meanwhile, what happens to those who can’t pay rent today? And consumer confidence plunges to its lowest level in nearly three years.
Overseeing Distribution Of Stimulus Trillions Might Be Easier Said Than Done For Democrats
Democrats are confronting the fact that it might be hard to oversee the $2.2 trillion stimulus spending when the physical act of congregating in the Capitol is dangerous. The Trump administration is also using the pandemic as a way to stop senior officials from having to report to Congress. Meanwhile, differences between Republicans and Democrats on the need for a fourth stimulus package signal rougher governing waters ahead.
Some states are receiving more medical equipment than they’ve requested while others are only getting a fraction, with some of it broken at that. Governors are making increasingly frantic requests to FEMA, but say they’re having to outbid each other for supplies. “You now literally will have a company call you up and say, ‘Well, California just outbid you,’” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “It’s like being on eBay with 50 other states, bidding on a ventilator.”
Trump Administration Decides Against Re-Opening Health Law Enrollment In Midst Of Crisis
Facing the looming surge of coronavirus patients, some states have re-opened their marketplaces for residents to sign up for insurance coverage under the health law. Although the Trump administration considered following suit, it has decided to pursue other options.
President Donald Trump and his coronavirus task force, including Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, struck a serious tone Tuesday saying Americans must brace for a “bad two weeks.” They also projected that at least 100,000 Americans could succumb to the coronavirus even with strict social distancing measures in place. Without the shutdown, the number would skyrocket higher.
Opinion writers weigh in on public health topics stemming from the pandemic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: COVID-19 Vaccine Might Be Worth Government Turning A Blind Eye To Pharma Profits
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pre-Term Birth Drug Calls Into Question FDA’s Prolific Use Of Expedited Approval Process
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Editorial pages focus on these topics stemming from the pandemic and others.
The Washington Post takes a look at Johnson & Johnson’s operations in Tasmania, which produced genetically modified “supper poppy” plants. In other public health news: e-cigarettes, mental health services, Alzheimer’s treatments, and dementia.
Outbreaks In Los Angeles County Nursing Homes Nearly Quadruple
The county released names of 11 homes with outbreaks and is working with them on infection control, quarantine and isolation protocols. Also, NBC reports more than 400 long-term care facilities have confirmed cases. News on nursing homes comes from New York and Louisiana, as well.
‘Ticking Time Bombs’: Inmates Express Concerns About Inability To Escape Pandemic In NYC Jails
An inmate tells The New York Times about lying ”back to back” with other men like on a “slave ship” and being guarded by men who had little protective gear. So far, about 170 prisoners have tested positive in the city. Officials around the country grapple with how to respond to the crisis as at least 8 states have inmates who tested positive. News on the prison system is from California, Illinois, Indiana and Georgia, as well.
