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Every plan to re-open the country involves widespread, aggressive testing. But the government has yet to be able to rise to meet the challenge, and even more shortages loom on the horizon. Dr. Anthony Fauci, meanwhile, warns that it's not going to be like flipping a light switch, and that it's imperative that the government doesn't rush the decision.
President Donald Trump offered no particular reason for firing Glenn Fine, an inspector general who was known for his independence. The move is just the latest move by Trump to chip away at the watchdogs in charge of evaluating his administration. Critics say the behavior sends a message to government watchdogs to tread softly. “I cannot see how any inspector general will feel in any way safe to do a good job,” said Danielle Brian, the executive director of the Project on Government Oversight. “They are all at the mercy at what the president feels.”
President Donald Trump said the World Health Organization "really called every aspect wrong," and was too focused on China in its initial response. But Trump's criticism seemed aimed at shifting blame for the U.S. spread from his administration's early missteps to the international organization.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic-related health issues and others.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN's Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Advocates across the country are worried that if the coronavirus outbreak spreads to the prisons, it could be a catastrophe for those inside, who are often kept in close quarters with sub-par health and hygiene services. The Wall Street Journal interviews inmates and their families at one Louisiana prison who say that the invisible enemy is well entrenched inside the gates.
Scientists, political leaders and businessmen are trying to adopt ways to cut months off the vaccine development timeline. That includes wasting billions on preparing to develop vaccines that might not work. In the meantime, drugmakers race to find an effective treatment option.
Advocates are calling for the Trump administration to ramp up spending on outreach to make sure Americans who have been laid off during the crisis know there's an option out there for them. The administration instead seems to be focused on a plan to tap hospital stimulus funds to pay people’s bills if they get coronavirus and need treatment
In the first nationwide assessment for how hospitals are handling the pandemic, the facilities told HHS' Office of Inspector General that they're increasingly "turning to new, sometimes un-vetted, and non-traditional sources of supplies and medical equipment." The report finds that health systems need more help with tests, supplies and equipment; workforce flexibility; bed capacity; financial assistance; and centralized communication and information, including more and better data about the virus. President Donald Trump waved off the findings.
CMS has finalized a bump for Medicare Advantage plans that's a good deal higher than the agency's initial proposal that met with fierce industry opposition. Meanwhile, researchers look at a variety of factors when it comes to spending and safety nets.
Less than 2 percent of the confirmed U.S. coronavirus infections are pediatric cases, according to a new CDC report. Three kids under 18 so far have died though, and there is some evidence that babies may be at more risk, though data is incomplete. News reports focus on the health impact to pregnant women, as well.
The federal government's decision to use the Defense Production Act was key to shifting the trajectory of negotiations between the two sides, Trump administration officials say. Health care workers are issuing desperate calls for more masks. In one Detroit hospital system alone, 700 employees have tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, the military steps up its efforts to produce masks, as well. And despite experts' guidance, President Donald Trump has yet to don a mask in public.
Media outlets looks at news from D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Idaho, California, Oklahoma, Ohio, Massachusetts, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Nevada.
While a life-saving tool, ventilators can cause long-term physical and emotional side effects. And physicians say they can’t offer recovered patients who aren’t retested any guarantees about whether they can still transmit the virus. Meanwhile, experts warn of a mental health crisis brewing. More public health news related to the outbreak report on a drop in heart attacks and strokes, fears of dying alone, loneliness, how the virus attacks the body, an anticipated surge in foster care placements, uncertainty for cancer patients, and more.
Data on race and the impact of COVID-19 is too limited so far to draw conclusions, experts say. But disparate rates of sickness and death is emerging in many African-American and Latino communities. “We cannot have a colorblind policy,” Stephen Thomas, director of the University of Maryland’s Center for Health Equity tells Politico. “With a colorblind policy — ‘Hey, we're all in this together’ — we'll be left with an explosion of Covid-19 concentrated in racial and ethnic minority communities.”
So far, at least four grocery store workers have died. And employees at meat plants in several states are sick. Meanwhile, online grocers try to keep up with demand. And meal assistance programs try to reach vulnerable seniors.
Outbreak developments are reported out of the United Kingdom, China and Spain.
While House Democrats have been eager to start working on another stimulus package, Republicans have been more hesitant, although in recent days Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has talked about prioritizing health care in any potential legislation. Meanwhile, experts continue to warn about a deep and devastating hit to the economy. Some parts of the country may fare better than others, however.
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