Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health providers are among the most vulnerable workers to contract the coronavirus. But even as hospitals try to take measures to protect their staff during the crisis, shortages of masks and other protective gear threaten those efforts.
Governors Become Generals Of Coronavirus Crisis As Federal Government Dawdled
While President Donald Trump downplayed the seriousness of the outbreak, governors were thrust into the spotlight as they tried to manage the crisis in their states. “Our leaders in the federal government at every level ought to be thinking of this moment as December 8, 1941,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, whose state was one of the first hit by the pandemic. He said states should be calling for “the same federal response we had the morning after Pearl Harbor.” Meanwhile, about half of Americans support stringent measures to curb the outbreak, and New York City leaders warn that a “shelter in place” order may be coming eventually. Media outlets look at how other states are dealing with the crisis, as well.
It’s difficult to determine the exact numbers for how much the health system will be taxed, especially now that states are taking measures to slow the spread. But one resounding message is that many hospitals are braced to be overwhelmed. The New York Times offers a look at what areas in the country are the most vulnerable.
McConnell Vows Senate Will Work At ‘Warp Speed’ And Won’t Leave Washington Until Deal Is Passed
There’s reportedly a high-level of interest among Republicans to support the administration’s proposal to send checks to Americans to help stimulate the economy. The Senate will also take up, and expects to OK, a House-passed, $100 billion coronavirus stimulus bill referred to as “Phase 2.” Senate GOP aides said the bill could be through the chamber as early as Wednesday. Meanwhile, as industries scramble to get emergency money, Democrats try to stave off Congress writing business blank checks.
When asked in January if he was worried about a pandemic, President Donald Trump said, “No, not at all. We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.” This week he claimed he knew it was going to be a pandemic before it was called a pandemic. Meanwhile, a recent poll finds that many Americans don’t trust his response to the crisis.
Frustration has been growing over the country’s inability to properly test Americans to get an accurate count on just how bad the outbreak is. Meanwhile, rumors that the U.S. turned down tests offered by WHO are false — WHO does not sell tests to wealthy countries, which usually prefer to make their own.
Although the military and some other agencies are ramping up efforts to address the crisis, many government resources are awaiting orders. Hospital ships are at port; the VA, which is legally designated as the backup health care system in national emergencies, awaits requests for help; and HHS’ system of of emergency doctors and nurses has yet to be deployed.
Trump Administration Calls For ‘Big’ Stimulus Package, Including $1,000 Checks To Every American
The idea of sending checks to Americans isn’t new: During the Great Recession, the federal government sent about every adult a $300 to $600 check. Economists concluded that it was one of the most effective measures deployed to blunt the impact. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin warns of a grim economic future, including a 20% jobless rate, if lawmakers don’t act.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages weigh in on these issues surrounding COVID-19.
Amazon announced a three-week pause of shipments of things like electronics and toys in order to get people groceries, baby products, pet supplies, health and household products and personal care items like shampoo.
The U.S. and governments around the world are taking extreme measures to stop the spread of the virus. But as a result the economy is tanking. “Everything else will come back,” President Donald Trump said. “Lives won’t come back.” But the economic health of a country is deeply tied to the physical health of its people, and the long-term stress could play out for years in the future. Meanwhile, media outlets take a look at some of the industries that have been hard-hit, including hotels, restaurants, gig jobs and small businesses.
Concerns Inside Prisons: ‘Staff Are Starting To Get Fearful’, Inmates Argue For Release
Prisons are taking steps to stem the flow of infection, according to a The New York Times report, as prisoners and guards fall sick.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drug Coverage Is Shrinking, Leaving Vulnerable Patients In A Lurch. What’s Going On?
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Opinion writers weigh in on the historic measures being taken at the state level and in other places around the world to control the spread of COVID-19.
Italy’s Morgues Inundated With Coronavirus Victims As Loved Ones Mourn In Isolation
In Italy, with the oldest population in Europe, the toll has been heavy, with more than 2,100 deaths — the most outside of China. On Monday alone, more than 300 people died. The nation is grieving, and yet cannot grieve together with everyone in isolation.
Dozens of officers on the ship were called into tight quarters to be briefed on the situation, even as health experts have emphasized the need for social distancing to stop the spread of the virus.
Doctors and other medical professionals are on the front lines of the crisis, and experience all the trauma that comes with that. In other news on how humanity is reacting to the outbreak: anxiety inspires charity in some, distilleries do their part to help with sanitizer shortage, fraudsters abound, and more.
Australia opens grocery stores early for elderly shoppers who are more threatened by COVID-19. Other news on shopping looks at what to buy, risks for grocery store workers and panic buying, as well.
