Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers express views on how leadership and policy issues can impact recovery from the coronavirus.
A number of states have also taken steps to help unburden patients and the government with high costs that have nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013.
The NBA has indefinitely suspended its season, the NCAA basketball tournament will be played without fans, and actor Tom Hanks announced that he and his wife Rita Wilson have been infected. The events helped crystallize just how serious the outbreak is and how much it will likely disrupt Americans’ daily lives in the months to come.
Many lawmakers said they felt uneasy about throngs of tour groups and lobbyists continuing to shuffle between offices on a daily basis, defying guidance from U.S. public health agencies. The news came as a staffer in Sen. Maria Cantwell’s (D-Wash.) office tested positive for the virus.
Judging by how the virus may have responded to temperatures so far, the study suggests areas just north of its current zone may be most vulnerable through April. But much like with everything on the virus at the moment, it’s hard to predict and take all influences into account. Meanwhile, a study finds that the virus can live on surfaces for up to three days. In other news: calming your anxiety over the outbreak; a look at what coronavirus does to the body; why closing schools matters; and more.
Scientists aren’t testing in animals first in a highly unusual step that some consider justified and others irresponsible.
Defense, Intelligence Officials Struggle To Respond To A Virus That Respects No Borders
The coronavirus adds a dangerous layer for national security officials who still have to assess threat levels from things beyond the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Defense Department has implemented a 60-day travel ban for service members and their families to and from countries whose populations have been the most stricken by coronavirus.
U.S. Hospitals Don’t Have Enough Ventilators, ICU Beds To Care For Surge Of Coronavirus Cases
Even if most cases of the coronavirus are mild, the health system can’t handle the uptick in critical patients that the outbreak is likely to bring, especially coming off the back of a difficult flu season. But over-stretched hospitals are doing their best to prepare for the crisis. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to increase the availability of respirators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Azar’s Waning Role In Crisis Gives Hints Into Politics Of Administration’s Response
While in the early days of the crisis, HHS Secretary Alex Azar took the lead, he has since been noticeably absent from a number of relevant briefings. In other news from the Trump administration, CMS is working with Medicare and Medicaid officials to craft responses to the outbreak.
Beware Of Fake Emails From Cybercriminals Trying To Piggyback On Virus Fears
In a growing number of phishing scams, fraudsters are using emails disguised as information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak to get people to click on malicious links. Meanwhile, the hand sanitizer shortage is leading to counterfeit products and people looking for alternate solutions.
Global Leaders Speak Out But Coordinated Messaging And Action Plan Is Missing
News outlets look at how world leaders, diplomats, cruise and airline executives as well as civil protesters are all shifting their messages and policies to adapt to global pandemic.
Candidates, President Put Public Campaign Events On Hold
“If coronavirus has the lasting impact that we all fear it will, it will also dramatically reshape the way a presidential campaign unfolds,” said Jesse Ferguson, a veteran Democratic strategist and former spokesman for Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Coronavirus infections climbed by more than 2,000 on Wednesday to surpass the 10,000 mark, with an additional 170 deaths in one day. Italy has been particularly hard hit by the virus, with the outbreak overwhelming its hospital system to the point that doctors are having to decide who to treat and who to let die. Experts have predicted that currently the United States is on the same trajectory as the country in terms of number of expected cases.
States Declare Emergencies, Ban Large Gatherings As Coronavirus Sweeps The Nation
States from California to Georgia to Michigan to New York cope with more cases while state leaders take containment precautions like canceling events or banning gatherings over 250 people.
The coronavirus outbreak shines a harsh spotlight on sick leave policies, and the fact that American workers aren’t guaranteed any paid days off. A Republican senator blocked an attempt by Democrats to pass an emergency bill on the issue, but more companies like Amazon are starting to adjust their policies amid the crisis. The outbreak is also disrupting the workplace with the first wave of layoffs and more organizations teleworking.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care issues and others.
House leaders rushed to put together multi-billion dollar legislation to help address the looming public health and financial crisis. The House is expected to vote Thursday on the sweeping package and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had been in close contact with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as they drafted the bill to ensure the lawmakers were on the same page as the administration. It’s unclear if Republicans in the Senate will support the package, though.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday night to announce an expanded travel ban. While he touched on the need for older Americans to take precautions, there were scant details in the speech. Meanwhile, airlines, travel officials and Americans abroad scramble to understand what the new restrictions on travel from 26 European countries means.
WHO Declares Coronavirus Outbreak An Official Pandemic: ‘We Have Rung The Alarm Bell Loud And Clear’
Critics have been wondering for weeks when WHO would decide to officially label the outbreak a pandemic, but the organization had been hesitating. Now, even as the head of WHO raised the health emergency to its highest level, he said hope remains that COVID-19 can be curtailed. Meanwhile, the markets tumbled on the news.
