Federal Judge Rules Alabama Can’t Block Abortions During Coronavirus Crisis
April 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
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.
N.H. Joins List Of States That Allow Prescription Drugs From Canada
July 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
In other state news: New York cracks down on alcohol sales; Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf cuts funding to county that defied shutdown orders; Missouri will spend $15 million in coronavirus relief funds on promoting tourism; and more.
Coronavirus Cases As Early As December? Diagnosis Of French Patient Shakes Up Pandemic Chronology
May 6, 2020
Morning Briefing
A sample taken on December 27, 2019 from a French man presenting with pneumonia has since tested positive for COVID-19. That date is nearly a month before the disease was previously known to be circulating in France and a weeks earlier than Chinese authorities acknowledged the virus. In other news on mapping the outbreak, scientists debate if a more contagious strain of the disease exists.
Trump And Spokeswoman Contradict One Another On How Often He’s Tested
July 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Tuesday that the president gets tested for coronavirus multiple times a day. Yet later in the day, President Donald Trump put the frequency closer to one test every two to three days.
CDC Struggles To Address COVID Racial Inequities Without Adding To Stigmas
July 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
The coronavirus crisis has hardest hit Black, Hispanic and Native American communities. But labeling entire races or ethnicities as “high risk” could also backfire, public health officials worry. News outlets examine other health care disparities, as well.
In Shadow Of Coronavirus Vaccine Rush, Experts Wonder Why There Isn’t One For Herpes
May 5, 2020
Morning Briefing
In 2016, two-thirds of the world’s population under 50 — about 3.7 billion people — had herpes simplex virus type 1. But scientists have been struggling to come up with a vaccine for at least 40 years and have failed. In other health news: cancer treatments, global AIDS funding, prosthetic arms, and more.
Pence Vows End-Of-Year Vaccine In Speech, Then Greets Maskless Supporters
August 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
During his keynote speech on the third night of the Republican National Convention, Vice President Mike Pence said, “I’m proud to report that we’re on track to have the world’s first safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year.” He also praised health care workers.
Trump Defends Playing Down Dangers Of Virus While Denying That He Lied
September 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
In a contentious press conference, President Donald Trump faced questions over recorded statements he made in the early months of the pandemic in which it is clear he knew far more about the severity of the coronavirus than he was telling the American public. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden calls those actions “almost criminal.”
Global Health Watch: Origin Of Virus Remains A Mystery; Outbreak Escalates In Brazil While Tamed In New Zealand
April 28, 2020
Morning Briefing
Coronavirus news is reported out of China, New Zealand, Brazil, Russia, France, Spain, Japan, El Salvador and other nations.
Trump Getting ‘False’ Information From Atlas, Redfield Overheard Saying
September 29, 2020
Morning Briefing
Referring to Dr. Scott Atlas — the member of the coronavirus task force who is currently believed to have President Donald Trump’s ear — CDC Director Robert Redfield said during a phone call made on a commercial flight heard by NBC News that, “everything he says is false.” Dr. Anthony Fauci also voiced concerns about the advice Atlas is delivering to the president.
What Happens To Rural Coronavirus Patients In Distress When Nearest Hospital Is 30 Minutes Away?
April 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
Americans living in rural areas are dying from COVID-19 because “there’s only so much one paramedic can do in the back of an ambulance,” and an epidemic of hospital closures already undermined the country’s health system long before the pandemic broke out. In other news, the differences between the aid and supplies rich and poor hospitals receive is made all the more startling by the outbreak. In other hospitals news: the costs of coronavirus care, extra precautions, homeless patients and more.
Private White House Warnings About Virus’ Threat Inflamed Market Sell-Off
October 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
The rosy picture the Trump administration painted for the public in the early weeks of the coronavirus outbreak contrasts with the more dire closed-door briefings provided by economists to administration officials and Republican donors and passed along to investors, the New York Times reports. In other administration news: Dr. Deborah Birx’s role in undermining WHO and efforts to halt Nevada from using Chinese-made COVID test kits.
Coronavirus Upends Day-To-Day Operation Of Criminal Justice System
March 20, 2020
Morning Briefing
“The new normal is complete chaos right now,” said Steven Halpert, juvenile division chief for the public defender’s office in Harris County, Texas. Meanwhile, advocates ask for the release of inmates amid fears that the outbreak could spread like wildfire in the nation’s jails.
Doctors Call On HHS To Help Address Racial Disparities In Treatment Of Coronavirus Patients
April 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
Research has found that black Americans have a disproportionately higher risk of contracting and dying of COVID-19, which is a reflection of broader disparities in the health system that have just been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Pelosi Says She’s Finding Out About Trump’s Health Through The Media
October 5, 2020
Morning Briefing
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she hasn’t been briefed on President Donald Trump’s health status since he was diagnosed with the coronavirus last week. In other news from Capitol Hill, talk of testing more lawmakers and staff for COVID-19; no deal yet on a relief package; and Jaime Harrison and Lindsey Graham battled it out face-to-face on the debate stage.
Coronavirus Highlights Humans’ Psychological Shortcomings In Assessing Danger
February 14, 2020
Morning Briefing
How the world is reacting to the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has killed far less people than the common flu, illustrates the unconscious biases in how human beings think about risk, as well as the impulses that often guide our responses — sometimes with serious consequences. “We’re hearing about the fatalities,” said said Paul Slovic, a University of Oregon psychologist. “We’re not hearing about the 98 or so percent of people who are recovering from it and may have had mild cases.” In other news: the “thermometer guns,” the infection rate, the symptoms and treatment for coronavirus, and more.
