Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drug That Calms Immune System Could Either Address Deadly ‘Cytokine Storms’ Or Backfire
Eli Lilly’s drug for rheumatoid arthritis will be tested in human patients. But concerns remain about giving patients a drug that quiets their immune system in the midst of a battle against a virus. Meanwhile, the CIA warns its employees about the deadly side effects of the malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump.
There is some history that shows that other vaccines can boost the immune system’s response, providing some cross-protection from other viruses. But there is no evidence that the technique will work enough with coronavirus. But development of a new vaccine is supposed to take at least a year, and some think using older vaccines might help bridge that gap.
Antibody Tests Touted As Lynch Pin To Reopening Economy Come With Serious Flaws
There are concerns about the accuracy and accessibility of the antibody tests, which may become the country’s next testing failure. More than 90 tests are now on the market, and most have bypassed FDA review. Still, very few Americans have undergone the testing.
Republicans want a no-strings attached bill for small businesses, but Democrats say the legislation is a non-starter without including funding for health systems, food assistance and testing. In other news from Capitol Hill: stimulus money finally gets to some Americans; groups urge lawmakers to free up $500 billion in unrestricted aid; rural hospitals have been shut out of emergency funding; and more.
Even When The Economy Reopens, It Will Look Quite Different Than What It Used To
Experts warn that reopening of the economy over the coming weeks and months will be fitful, fragile and partial—and a bit dystopian, with frequent temperature checks, increased monitoring of employees and customers, and, potentially, blood tests to determine whether workers have possible immunity to the virus.
President Donald Trump claimed he had been “brutalized” by the media and peppered his daily briefing with false claims–for example, that nobody sought federal help to acquire ventilators–that have been disproven multiple times. Meanwhile, Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci tried to counter rumors that Fauci was on the verge of being fired following comments about the country’s slow path toward shutting down. In other news on the president’s response efforts: the impetus behind his WHO funding threats; 18,000 false and misleading statements he’s made; and criticism from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
“Why New York? Why are we seeing this level of infection? … It’s very simple: It’s about density,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said at a news conference Monday. “The dense environments are its feeding grounds.” Although New York had some grim data released from the weekend, there are signs of hope that the outbreak might be waning. In other news from the hotspot: doctors use rain ponchos as gear shortages abound; the NYPD has less crime to deal with but many of its officers are sick; the feud between state leaders rages on; and more.
President Donald Trump, in response to a handful of governors announcing reopening pacts, claimed “total” authority for restarting the country lies with him. However, governors are the ones who have the power to issue stay-at-home orders. Meanwhile, speculation swirls about who will be appointed to Trump’s new task force dedicated to reopening the country. The president knocked down rumors that his daughter and son-in-law will be part of the efforts.
Northeastern Governors Team Up To Slowly Reopen As Cuomo Declares ‘Worst Is Over’ In New York
New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts and Rhode Island governors will draw up a unified plan with the acknowledgment that the virus doesn’t heed state boundaries. On the West Coast, California, Washington state and Oregon announced a similar partnership. “If you do it wrong, it can backfire, and we’ve seen that with other places in the globe,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “What the art form is going to be here is doing that smartly and doing that in a coordinated way.” The death toll in New York climbed past 10,000, but there are some positive signs the outbreak may be plateauing. Meanwhile, states that didn’t issue lock-downs are starting to see the repercussions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and others.
Food Bank Lines Stretch For Miles As Desperate Americans Struggle Amid Economic Crisis
“Sometimes we just don’t have it,” said Donna Furlong of Texas about her and her husband’s struggle to get food. “So, he’ll go one day without eating, so I eat. And I’ll go a day eating, and vice versa.” Across the country, Americans waited in lines that were a thousand-cars deep or more to try to get help from overwhelmed food banks.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Contact tracing is a labor-intensive process, but it’s also viewed as a crucial piece of getting the country back open. The two fierce tech rivals’ decision to partner up highlights just how serious the public health crisis is. While experts think the move could help mitigate the crisis, some critics worry about the privacy issues involved.
Federal Judge Rules Alabama Can’t Block Abortions During Coronavirus Crisis
Several states, including Alabama, have attempted to postpone abortions and shut down clinics, arguing they are not medically essential and the space and doctors might be needed to treat coronavirus patients. News on abortion rights is from Texas, Wisconsin, Ohio and Virginia, as well.
Media outlets report on news from Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Georgia, Alabama, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Arkansas, California, Texas and New York.
News outlets report on the impact of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, Israel, Spain, South Korea, Russia and China.
The 500,000 kidney patients required to get dialysis are among the most vulnerable because of the close quarters where they get treatments, The New York Times reports. Other public health news is on the opioid epidemic, virus “decision fatigue,” social-distance outliers, maternity wards, IVF postponement, demands for mental health services, virtual holiday celebrations, as well.
Pandemic Shines Harsh Light On Racial Disparities, As Well As Cultural And Class Divides In America
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus because of societal and economic factors that are rooted in deep disparities that existed long before the pandemic. The outbreak is largely falling on an urban-rural divide, which exacerbates a growing chasm between the two demographics that can be seen reflected in everything from political beliefs to the reaction to the crisis.
Grocery Store Workers Grow Increasingly Fearful In Workplace That ‘Feels Like A War Zone’
The nation’s 3 million grocery store workers have been on the front lines with little to protect themselves. “They’ve started telling people, ‘Go to the grocery store as little as possible.’ And yet I’m going there every day,” said Doug Preszler, a grocery store worker in Iowa. At least 41 workers have died. More news on the food supply reports on Smith shutting its pork plants, Amazon’s putting new shoppers on wait lists, and P&G’s efforts to make toilet paper in town that’s been hit hard.
