Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nearly 3,000 Sailors To Leave Aircraft Carrier; Medical Specialists En Route To Guam
The Navy announced that about 1,000 crew members will remain on the USS Theodore Roosevelt while it is docked in Guam to keep the ship running and to secure it. About 100 sailors aboard have tested positive so far, leading the captain to ask for additional protections and evacuations.
Alarm Grows For Federal Prison Inmates, Workers As Testing And Treatment Resources Fall Short
Red tape and contract restrictions mire Bureau of Prison officials’ efforts to secure enough staff and personal protective equipment. Outbreak news from jails in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts and Louisiana is reported, as well.
The facility’s administrator has been put on paid leave after at least six people have died at the state-funded hospital. The state investigation started Wednesday after the Holyoke mayor received a tip on deaths that weren’t made public.
Lockdown measures were put in place weeks ago in many states, but failures to test doctors and nurses who work with the nation’s most frail could be leading to the spike of deaths seen in nursing homes in Tennessee, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland. Other nursing home news is on deaths in Massachusetts and Louisiana, California’s orders to accept coronavirus patients and a plea from a 400,000-member union of longterm care workers for better protections.
Scientists Try To Counter Phenomenon In Which Immune System Attacks Patient’s Own Organs
The “cytokine storms” are being seen especially in young patients with the coronavirus. A drug that’s sometimes used to soothe an immune system in distress is being considered as a possible treatment. In other news: the science behind the 14-day quarantine, the gender disparities seen with the virus, a look at adverse neurological effects being seen in some patients, and more.
Escalating infection numbers across the D.C, Maryland and Northern Virginia area could impede the government’s ability to deliver unemployment checks, small-business loans and safety-net services. Media outlets cover news on the outbreak out of Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, Nevada and Montana.
As Federal Government Wavers On Wearing Masks, LA Mayor Tells City’s Resident’s To Cover Up
Many public health officials have been hesitant to recommend mask-wearing in fear that it could exacerbate the shortage for health care workers. But Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti wants people to take precautions–while staying away from medical-grade gear. Meanwhile, police officers and firefighters are desperate for protective gear as hospital workers are prioritized when it comes to supplies.
Wisconsin is set to play host to the Democratic National Convention in July, which has still not been canceled or rescheduled. The state is already drawing fire from some for the decision to hold their primaries next Tuesday. Public opinion in the state is split about evenly. Meanwhile, the fact that state governors are gaining national attention over their pandemic response, could shake up the 2024 presidential race.
Small Study Shows Malaria Drug Touted By Trump Helps, But Scientists Warn More Research Is Needed
The study was small and limited to patients who were mildly or moderately ill, not severe cases, but the hydroxychloroquine did seem to help patients’ recovery times. Meanwhile, a Chicago hospital starts a trial on another potential drug.
“The ultimate goal is to identify and isolate,” said Justin Bahl, a professor of infectious diseases. “If we can shorten the time frame, then we can control the epidemic.” But testing shortages and lag times on results, two areas where the U.S. has struggled, can impede those efforts. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has to decide who needs the newly approved rapid tests from Abbott Laboratories the most. And some countries are doubling-down on testing efforts, while others go with a different strategy.
Over 2,000 Ventilators In National Stockpile Are Unusable Because Of Months-Long Contract Lapse
The contract with a company that was maintaining the machines for the government expired at the end of last summer, and a new firm didn’t begin its work until January. Meanwhile, hospitals and doctors continue to think through the most humane way to ration care if the expected shortage of ventilators comes to pass.
Fauci’s Security Detail Beefed Up After Receiving Online Death Threats From Conspiracy Theorists
Dr. Anthony Fauci has emerged as a leading voice in the crisis and has not shied away from realistic projections of where the country could be headed. But some supporters of President Donald Trump believe Fauci is trying to undermine the president in an election year.
Jared Kushner has taken charge of testing access, ramping up industry production of medical supplies and figuring out how to distribute those supplies. The efforts headed by Kushner are distinct from the White House task force led by Vice President Mike Pence, and some say it’s causing confusion in an already-chaotic situation. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump refocuses his argument on how many lives are being saved rather than projected death tolls. And fact checkers weigh the accuracy of his claims.
Staggering 6.6 Million Americans Filed For Unemployment Last Week In New Record High
Jobless claims in the U.S. skyrocket to historic levels, with twice as many people filing last week as they did the week before. Analysts forecast that the trend will continue as businesses continue to layoff more employees due to the coronavirus-driven shutdowns.
House Democrats Raring To Go On Another Stimulus Package, But Republicans Want To Pump The Brakes
At the very least, Republicans say, Congress should wait to see how the massive $2.2 trillion package plays out. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is eager to tackle infrastructure in the new legislation, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has already suggested he’s not on board with the idea. In other news, Social Security beneficiaries who typically do not file a tax return will automatically get the $1,200 direct payment from the stimulus package.
Florida Governor Relents To Mounting Public Pressure And Issues Stay-At-Home Order
Gov. Ron DeSantis had been resistant to taking the step, despite fears that Florida–with a largely aging population in combination with a lot of young travelers–could be among the states hit hardest by the virus. A phone call with President Donald Trump finally helped sway him. Meanwhile, Florida was one of four new states to declare such orders, which means that most Americans are now hunkering down at home. Meanwhile, the U.S. surgeon general warns that the recommendations may stay in place past April.
New York’s Death Count Doubles In 72 Hours To Nearly 2,000
The nation as a whole added at least 900 virus-related deaths to its overall tally on Wednesday, with New York state the hardest hit by the outbreak. New York City is particularly struggling beneath the strain and is taking measures such as deploying mobile morgues. Media outlets report on the parts of the city that have been impacted the most.
Trump Suggests Health Law Enrollment Might Be Reopened After His Administration Decided Against It
When President Donald Trump was asked what people should do who lose their jobs because of the outbreak and don’t qualify for Medicaid, he said, “I think it’s a very fair question . . . and it’s something that we’re really going to look at because it doesn’t seem fair.” Earlier in the week, administration officials said they would not launch a special enrollment session. Meanwhile, data released from last year’s health law enrollment for show about 11.4 million consumers signed-up for 2020 exchange coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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