Latest KFF Health News Stories
Some Local Governments Try To Address Raising Economic Concern By Halting Evictions
Directives from state and federal officials to shelter in place is even more difficult for Americans facing eviction. Some local and state governments are trying to head off that brewing crisis. In other economic news: sending checks out en masse to Americans might be trickier then it sounds, workers face tough choices between caring for children and getting paid, a look at what’s needed to restart the economy, and more.
Some Prisoners Released Early As Crowded Jails Fear Prospect Of Widespread Outbreaks
Prisons in at least 16 states are sending home low-level offenders or inmates who are older or sickly home early due to coronavirus fears. Other steps taken by prison officials include banning visitors and restricting prisoners’ activities.
A Look Inside Army’s Efforts To Create Coronavirus Strains To Support Vaccine Research
The work being done at Maryland’s Fort Detrick provides a glimpse at the administration’s vaccine-related research efforts. “This is the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus,” said Army Chief of Staff James McConville of the Fort Detrick scientists. “And I would suggest that some of the people here are going to be the heroes that are going to help us defeat it.”
Little research has been done to see whether certain strategies would save more lives or years of life compared with a random lottery to assign ventilators or critical care beds. But doctors may be forced to make such decisions if the expected wave of coronavirus patients manifests. Meanwhile, health care providers continue to have to scrounge for protective gear and hospitals begin canceling elective surgeries.
Dr. Linda Quick left amid a bitter U.S. trade dispute with China when she learned her federally funded post, officially known as resident adviser to the U.S. Field Epidemiology Training Program in China, would be discontinued as of September. Meanwhile, a government watchdog is assessing HHS’ response to the coronavirus outbreak, amid criticism that early missteps exacerbated the pandemic.
Some Democratic Voters Want To See More Biden, But 2020 Candidate Has Slipped To Background
Former Vice President Joe Biden has not made an appearance on camera in front of the public since he gave a brief live-streamed address from his home last Tuesday. Biden says he plans to give remarks today, but Democratic voters are expressing frustration that he hasn’t been talking more to the public during this time of crisis.
The seasonal pattern is similar to what epidemiologists have observed with other viruses–but that means if it peters out in the summer it’s likely to re-surge in the fall. In some other research and science news: lung patterns reveal some clues about the illness; loss of smell might be symptom of virus; lessons from the 1918 flu pandemic; and more.
Scientists say the way the illness is mostly spreading is through close contact between friends, family members and colleagues. That means if officials can get ahead of the outbreak, they can test and isolate and then perhaps hold off the worst of the spread. Meanwhile, despite a rising sense of urgency around the globe and governments’ directives to practice social distancing, there are some who still won’t listen.
For Those Treated For Coronavirus, The Next Worry Comes In Form Of High Hospital Bills
Congress mandated that all testing for the virus should be free, but insurers can still bill patients for cost of care. Meanwhile, some states are moving to give uninsured residents a chance to sign up for their exchanges, while others ban insurers from canceling policies amid the crisis.
Media outlets report on COVID-19 news from New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Seattle, Pennsylvania, Illinois,
Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, District of Columbia, Georgia, Massachusetts and Michigan.
“This is not the place you want to skimp on resources if you want to hold the tide on this disease,” Stacy Bohlen, the CEO of the National Indian Health Board, told Politico. News on the spread among tribes is also on complaints about a lack of readiness at IHS clinics.
Gilead’s experimental drug remdesivir has shown promising results and been made available for compassionate use in critical cases. But the drugmaker is unable to meet the surging demand. Meanwhile, media outlets examine some of the drugs President Donald Trump touts as treatments that might help in the efforts to curb the pandemic. One of the medications is used by lupus patients–who now face shortages of their needed drug.
45-Minute Test Is Here But Will Only Be Used In Urgent Scenarios; FDA Warns About At-Home Kits
“This is not a test for the worried well,” said David Persing, the chief medical officer of Cepheid, the company that developed the test. Meanwhile, desperate Americans want a way to access tests, but the FDA is warning against fraudulent testing kits. Meanwhile, many are wondering why celebrities and officials can easily get tested while most Americans can not.
Trump’s Past Crisis Experiences Unlikely To Help Him Against A Pandemic
The issues that President Donald Trump has dealt with before tended to involve human adversaries on who he could deploy his trademark bluster-based crisis management style. But that won’t work as well against a virus. Meanwhile, governors grow alarmed with Trump’s insistence that the federal government take a back seat to states’ response.
Trump Resists Calls To Use War Powers, Says Private Companies Are Rising To Occasion
President Donald Trump faces criticism over not using the Defense Production Act to force private companies to make protective gear and other medical equipment during the crisis. Trump says that companies are doing so themselves without “putting the heavy hand of government down.” Administration officials point to the fact that 3M, a large manufacturer of protective N95 masks for medical workers, said it is shipping half a million masks to New York and Seattle. Meanwhile, automakers Ford, GM and Tesla have been given the green light to produce ventilators.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh on these health care issues and others during the pandemic.
Handful Of Senators Self-Isolate After Rand Paul Tests Positive For COVID-19
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is the first senator to test positive for the coronavirus, though he was showing no symptoms. Some colleagues, following medical advice, also removed themselves from the Capitol, which means, as of now, they can’t vote on the stimulus legislation. On the House side, Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) was hospitalized with the disease.
Both sides pointed fingers at the other following the vote, but Senate leaders say they are hopeful they’ll reach an agreement over the crucial legislation.
Editorial pages focus on these policy issues and others during the pandemic.
