At One Meat-Packing Plant In Colorado, Coronavirus Cases Doubled ‘In Number Of Days’
May 1, 2020
Morning Briefing
The union for workers at the JBS meat-processing plant also announced another employee died. The meat industry has emerged as a virus hot spot across the country, but with President Donald Trump’s executive order for them to stay open, employees are left with the choice between quitting or putting themselves at risk for infection. Meanwhile, Amazon extends its stay-at-home directive for workers who are able to do so — calling into question how the company plans to keep warehouse workers safe.
Understanding Architecture Of This Particular Coronavirus Can Help Scientists Destroy It
March 24, 2020
Morning Briefing
This coronavirus is sneaky and deadly, utilizing some of the most effective weapons in viruses’ toolbelts. For example, it had a proofreading mechanism that allows it to fix mutations before they grow out of control and effect the spread of the virus. In other news: early symptoms to watch for, what it’s like to be infected, scientists scramble to find answers, and social distancing.
‘Single Dumbest Decision’: Thousands Of Recovering Coronavirus Patients Sent To New York Nursing Homes
May 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Associated Press reports on troublesome efforts undertaken for a while in New York where recovering patients were sent to nursing homes, places that even Gov. Andrew Cuomo called “optimum feeding grounds for the virus.” Other nursing home developments include CMS’ new policy for recording deaths as well as reporting from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Massachusetts.
How Much Will It Cost If You Get Coronavirus?
March 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Federal and state officials are working to figure out the complexity of costs facing a patient who is exposed to or contracts COVID-19, from testing to treatment. Meanwhile, Lyft and Uber drivers sue over sick leave benefits.
Gilead Reports ‘Positive Data’ From Drug Trial Of Experimental Coronavirus Treatment
April 29, 2020
Morning Briefing
Gilead announced Wednesday that its closely watched drug trial of remdesivir, conducted by NIH, shows that at least 50% of patients treated with a 5-day dosage improved, and more than half were discharged from the hospital within two weeks.
Some Hospitals In New York Are Pushed To Financial Brink By Surge Of Coronavirus Patients
April 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
New York City’s hospital systems are losing up to $450 million a month on coronavirus care. In other news on hospitals: federal grant distributions questioned; lessons from a disaster-zone ICU; the struggle to decide what should be converted into a backup hospital; a look at how some hospitals are staying ahead of the demand for ICU beds; and more.
Concerns About Spread Of COVID Tempers Heat Relief Efforts
July 24, 2020
Morning Briefing
Keeping in mind that the coronavirus that can spread indoors, cities and relief organizations are adjusting how they keep people safe in the sweltering summer heat. Also in news on public health, a look at mental health apps, weapons used against protesters, vaccination rates and children’s brain development.
Getting Past The Peak In The South May Not Signal End Of Outbreak
July 24, 2020
Morning Briefing
Some officials point to signs that the sudden increase in coronavirus cases in the South are peaking, but public health officials suggest the pandemic is moving to other regions and infections could spiral further out of control. News outlets examine what the case numbers are showing about the track of the virus.
Lungs Might Be The Main Battlefield, But Coronavirus Attacks The Body Like Its A World War
May 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
As more research continues to emerge on how patients are affected by the virus, the scope of the damage that’s done on the body is crystallizing. The virus goes after not only the lungs, but the heart, kidneys, skin and other organs. In other scientific news: virus found in semen, blood thinners show promise in treating severe patients, racial disparities found outside the U.S., and more.
Coronavirus Outbreak Hits Close To Home For Trump After Military Aide Tests Positive
May 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump announced that the White House staff would be tested daily after he found out that an aide who has had contact with him has COVID-19.
Which Nursing Homes Have Coronavirus Outbreaks? That Data Is Still Not Being Consistently Tracked
May 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration announced in April that it would start collecting data on outbreaks and deaths at long-term care facilities. But there is still no federal count and the information is not expected to be made public for weeks. “There’s no way to actually get ahead of this if we don’t have any data — it tells us where we have a problem. We know nothing about these facilities in terms of their personal protective equipment or in terms of their staffing or their infection control capability,” David Grabowski, a professor of health policy at Harvard Medical School, told NBC News. The lag in data collection is just one of a number of bottlenecks in federal effort to slow the virus’ deadly spread in nursing homes across the U.S. News from senior facilities in New York, New Jersey, Louisiana and Maine is also reported.
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.
With Mount Rushmore Celebration, Trump Courts Danger From Dual Threats Of Wildfires, Virus
June 25, 2020
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump wants to put on a massive fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, where pyrotechnics have been banned for at least a decade. Public health experts are alarmed not only about the potential spread of coronavirus but by the wildfire threat.
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.
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.
