Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Reality Check Undercuts Hopes Of Immunity Cards, Antibody Tests To Help Reopen Economy
There had been lots of talk about the key role antibody tests could play in lifting shut-down measures. But scientists in Italy are dousing those hopes with a bucket of cold water. “We don’t know if everyone who has had the disease has developed an acceptable protective immunity,” said Dr. Alessandro Venturi, the president of the San Matteo hospital in the Lombardy town of Pavia. In other news, testing remains patchy across the U.S., even as states continue to try to ramp up efforts.
The world’s scientists race to find a vaccine for the coronavirus, trying to compress a decade-long process into 10 months. While experts say safety concerns remain a top priority, there are other factors at play that could complicate it all — including the question over whether the winner will want to share.
Remdesivir Was Fated To Join Antiviral Drug Graveyard, But It’s Getting Another Shot At Success
The drug failed as a treatment for hepatitis and Ebola, but now it might be one of the most well-known drugs in the world. The New York Times takes a look at its startling rescue and transformation during the coronavirus outbreak and a Stat video explains how the medication works. In related news, the FDA allows emergency use of the drug and Gilead has donated more than 1.5 million vials of remdesivir to go to critically ill patients as soon as possible.
Without Health Law, Pre-Existing Conditions Could Have Complicated COVID-19 Insurance Coverage
And people seeking coverage after they contracted the coronavirus may have faced higher premiums or could have been turned down all together without the pre-existing protections provided under the Affordable Care Act. But the Trump administration remains adamant that the health law must be revoked.
A Country Divided: Masks Become Bigger Symbol Of Disagreements Over Coronavirus Response
For some a mask is unnecessary, the guidance confusing, and the risk low. For others, wearing a mask is a crucial act of solidarity to protect society’s most vulnerable. The issue reflects the tension between two Americas over the pandemic. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence admits that he erred in not wearing a face mask to tour the Mayo Clinic.
Intelligence Report Suggests China Hid Early Outbreak Information So It Could Hoard Medical Supplies
The report says that in January of this year, before sharing full details on the outbreak with the World Health Organization, Beijing dramatically increased its imports and decreased its exports of medical supplies.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo backed up President Donald Trump’s assertions that the coronavirus may have originated in a Chinese lab. While scientists have found that the virus is not man-made or genetically altered, some experts say it still could have come from a lab if a worker was exposed while studying the natural virus. Still, senior officials at U.S. intelligence agencies say in private that any evidence pointing to a lab accident is mainly circumstantial and based on public material.
A Story Of Desperation And Dysfunction: 34 Days Inside The White House’s Coronavirus Response
The Washington Post takes a deep dive into the span of time that President Donald Trump focused on the idea of a magical silver-bullet cure and a too-optimistic projection model for total deaths. Meanwhile, China has been watching the Trump administration’s bungled response.
Experts Try To Predict Unpredictable Future: ‘October 2020 Won’t Look Nothing Like October 2019’
The world has changed because of the coronavirus, but what does that mean for the months and years to come? Will there be a massive wave of new cases in the fall or a series of small outbreaks? Will a vaccine change the course of the pandemic?
Protesters’ Disregard For Social Distancing ‘Devastatingly Worrisome,’ Dr. Birx Says
Dr. Deborah Birx, who is helping to lead the White House pandemic response, said that protesters have a right to free speech, but it’s also important in times like this to watch out for each other’s health.
Trump Warns Death Toll Could Climb To 100,000 But Reiterates Importance Of Restarting Economy
“We’re going to lose anywhere from 75, 80 to 100,000 people,” President Donald Trump said at a virtual town hall held Sunday night. “That’s a horrible thing. We shouldn’t lose one person over this.” Trump then focused on the need for states to reopen.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
The Cleveland Clinic reports it is the first to build on an existing tool to its patient portal MyChart. After an initial outreach call giving patients isolation instructions and other vital information, patients engage with the tool. Worsening conditions trigger an alarm detected by medical staff. Other health technology news reports on an easing of rules about data sharing and a rising number of telemedicine visits.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and other.
Longer Looks: Thinking About The Unthinkable; Florida’s No-Rules Vibe; A Virus Cover Up; And More
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News on the global coronavirus outbreak is reported from Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan, Sweden, Italy and China.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Louisiana, Kansas, Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, Florida, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Georgia, Nevada, and Ohio.
At One Meat-Packing Plant In Colorado, Coronavirus Cases Doubled ‘In Number Of Days’
The union for workers at the JBS meat-processing plant also announced another employee died. The meat industry has emerged as a virus hot spot across the country, but with President Donald Trump’s executive order for them to stay open, employees are left with the choice between quitting or putting themselves at risk for infection. Meanwhile, Amazon extends its stay-at-home directive for workers who are able to do so — calling into question how the company plans to keep warehouse workers safe.
At the peak of the outbreak, the number of COVID-19 patients fighting kidney failure led to a soaring demand for dialysis at hospitals around New York City, but treatment was in short supply. Other public health news reports on Facebook’s efforts to quell misinformation, a JAMA report on the hard-hit poor and challenges for ”disconnected” youth, as well.
