Italy’s Morgues Inundated With Coronavirus Victims As Loved Ones Mourn In Isolation
March 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
In Italy, with the oldest population in Europe, the toll has been heavy, with more than 2,100 deaths — the most outside of China. On Monday alone, more than 300 people died. The nation is grieving, and yet cannot grieve together with everyone in isolation.
House Democrats Knock $1T Off Stimulus Proposal To Jump-Start Talks
September 25, 2020
Morning Briefing
After stalling for months, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says coronavirus stimulus negotiations would resume as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells key House committee chairs to craft a new proposal that backs down on a previous $3.4-trillion ask. The new plan under discussion would cost closer to $2.4 trillion — which Republicans say is still too high.
‘Flatten The Curve’: A Mantra Emerges As Coronavirus Spreads In U.S. Beyond Containment
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
Public health experts are adamant that all Americans must do their part to “flatten the curve” to help contain the virus spread. That means taking precautions even by people who are not sick or at high-risk. Such steps will help mitigate a surge in cases that could overwhelm the hospital system. Meanwhile, past outbreaks and other countries’ responses to the coronavirus pandemic help highlight what courses of action are best.
From The Swimming Pool To The Dating Pool, How People Are Reclaiming Their ‘Normal’ Lives
June 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
Churches in New York City are offering free coronavirus tests. Airplanes may add shields between seats or ask you to fill out a questionnaire. Still, life goes on for Americans as they adapt to new safety rules.
Still Much To Learn About Immunity From COVID-19, Scientists Warn
June 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
Questions linger about whether herd immunity, antibody tests actually make a difference in the spread of coronavirus. Experts say you shouldn’t let your guard down even if you’ve tested positive.
Curve Keeps Rising At Alarming Pace: US Sets Another Daily Case Record
July 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
Nearly 1,000 infected Americans died over the last 24-hours from COVID-19 as the death rate also continues to climb. Meanwhile, India joins the U.S. and Brazil in a grim group: countries with more than one million confirmed coronavirus cases.
Scientists Are Learning Hard And Valuable Lessons About COVID-19, But Many Questions Are Still Unanswered
March 26, 2020
Morning Briefing
It’s been about 3 months since the coronavirus came onto the scene. Stat looks at what scientists know about it and where there are still question marks. In other news: smoking found to increase risk, why the coronavirus is not like the flu, the life of a scientist during an epidemic, the threat to older Americans, and more.
Hospitals Plan To Restart Non-Coronavirus Procedures, But Risk Of Infections Hovers Like A Dark Cloud
April 23, 2020
Morning Briefing
Opening up for surgeries will be a welcome decision for anxious patients who waited weeks for procedures that are important. But hospitals are still trying to figure out the best way to keep patients safe amid the pandemic.
U.S. Surpasses China In Number Of Coronavirus Cases To Become Epicenter Of Pandemic
March 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
Nearly 86,000 cases have been confirmed in the United States as of Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins’ data tracker, including 1,300 deaths. China had previously been leading the world in number of cases, but the United States passed that total on Thursday.
Arkansas Senator Stokes Debunked Conspiracy That Coronavirus Was Manufactured By Chinese Government
February 18, 2020
Morning Briefing
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) later walked back his comments about the origins of the coronavirus, but the statement reflects a worrying trend of high-ranking people spreading misinformation about the outbreak. In other news on how the United States is handling the crisis: 5 cities to start testing any patients with flu-like symptoms for coronavirus, Asian-Americans continue to face unsettling weight of public scrutiny in wake of outbreak, and more.
Dems Want Formal Coronavirus Protections For Workers As States Start To Ease Shut-Down Restrictions
April 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
So far, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has kept a low profile in the pandemic, leaving it up to employers to keep workers safe. But Democrats say that’s not going to cut it.
CDC Shifts Guidance For Workers In Critical Fields Who Have Been Exposed To The Coronavirus
April 9, 2020
Morning Briefing
The old guidance directed workers to quarantine for 14 days, while the new rules say that they can return to work as long as they’re asymptomatic and take precautions, such as tracking their temperature. The loosened guidelines are intended to allow health care workers, food supply workers, and others in critical industries to go back to work sooner. However, experts say that even asymptomatic people can spread the virus.
World Braces For Global Economic Toll Coronavirus Will Likely Take
February 5, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Chinese economy now accounts for about 17% of global GDP and it’s the largest trading partner for most of its neighbors. The impact of the coronavirus is likely to send shockwaves across the globe.
Trump Describes ‘Good’ Relationship With Fauci While Calling Out ‘Mistakes’
July 20, 2020
Morning Briefing
“He’s a little bit of an alarmist — that’s OK,” President Donald Trump said of his top infectious disease expert. Despite recent criticisms from a few fellow administration officials, Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to urge Americans to take more precautions to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
Markets Tumble Worldwide On Fears Of Coronavirus Outbreak
January 28, 2020
Morning Briefing
Experts caution that it is still too early to understand how big an economic impact the virus will have, but the stock market took a hit on Monday on news of how quickly the virus was spreading within China.
Total Hospital Charges From Coronavirus Treatments Projected To Soar Into The Hundreds Of Billions
March 26, 2020
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, states and Congress are trying to make it easier for Americans who lose health coverage because their job has been affected by the outbreak to get insurance. And CMS withdrew its proposed rule to crackdown on state Medicaid eligibility.
Because Humans Have Never Experienced This Coronavirus, We Are ‘Kind Of Sitting Ducks’ In Its Sights
March 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
Experts take a look at how contagious the virus is on a population that’s never experienced it before. In other public health news: the painful xenophobia that comes with the outbreak, pregnancy and the coronavirus, smart thermometers and artificial intelligence, increased substance abuse risk, the stress of fighting addiction while social distancing, and more.
States Declare Emergencies, Ban Large Gatherings As Coronavirus Sweeps The Nation
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
States from California to Georgia to Michigan to New York cope with more cases while state leaders take containment precautions like canceling events or banning gatherings over 250 people.
Trump Ousts Watchdog Overseeing Coronavirus Stimulus Package In Latest Attack On Inspector Generals
April 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
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.”
Different Takes: Americans Want, Need Steady Leadership During Pandemic; Important Time To Benefits Others Instead Of White House
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers express views on how leadership and policy issues can impact recovery from the coronavirus.