Doubly Vulnerable: Older People Are Already Prone To Chronic Loneliness, What Happens To That Population In Midst Of Social Isolation?
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
The elderly are getting hit hardest by the coronavirus and public health experts are recommending they avoid large crowds and other social gatherings. But for a group that already struggles with loneliness — which can lead to poor health outcomes — social distancing due to coronavirus will likely exacerbate the issue. Meanwhile, health officials and medical providers are having a difficult time convincing older Americans to take the threat seriously.
From Elbow Bumps To Missing Audience, Coronavirus Pandemic Was Omnipresent At Debate Between Biden And Sanders
March 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
Although the two Democratic candidates addressed other issues, the COVID-19 outbreak was front of mind during Sunday night’s Democratic presidential debate. Both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said they were using a lot of soap to avoid infection. They also laid out their plans for how they would address such a crisis if they were in the Oval Office.
Trump Attempts To Reassure Public That There Are No Food Shortages Amid Panic-Buying Induced By Coronavirus Fears
March 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump said there’s no need for Americans to hoard food and toiletries as the nation’s supply chains remain intact. But shoppers who went out over the weekend to stock up for weeks of isolation were met with empty shelves in many stores. Behavioral experts say the psychological drive behind the impulse to hoard is very human and understandable in times like these. Meanwhile, state attorneys general try to crack down on scams.
Fed Slashes Benchmark Interest Rate In Extraordinary Attempt To Blunt Financial Damage From Coronavirus
March 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
By slashing its benchmark short-term rate and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system, the Federal Reserve’s moves recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.
Novartis To Conduct Malaria Drug Study Even As Early Data Hint That It Doesn’t Fully Protect Against Coronavirus
April 20, 2020
Morning Briefing
The study will be a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, unlike the research being done on the fly treating severely ill patients. The decision was announced as emerging data show people who are taking hydroxychloroquine are still becoming infected with the virus. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s tendency to tout possible cures in the early stages of testing is upending pharma’s traditional PR machine. And Reuters offers an overview of where we stand on drug and vaccines.
Smartphones Could Become Savior In War Against Coronavirus, But Some Obstacles Stand In The Way
March 2, 2020
Morning Briefing
“Telehealth can be a force multiplier that helps protect health workers and extends their reach, and should absolutely be seized upon,” said Eric Perakslis, of Duke University. But there are obstacles to telehealth in the U.S., since its health care system is not well-suited to widely adopt digital health tools.
Chinese Legislature To Fast-Track Ban On Trade, Consumption Of Wild Animals Amid Coronavirus Epidemic
February 25, 2020
Morning Briefing
Some of the earliest coronavirus infections were found in people exposed to a wildlife market in Hubei’s provincial capital Wuhan, where bats, snakes, civets and other animals were sold. Since the inception of the outbreak, health experts have been outspoken about how such places are fertile breeding grounds for viruses. Other news from China looks at health care workers’ infections, pregnant women, and evacuations from Wuhan.
As COVID Hits Hard In Minority Communities, Concerns Rise About Mental Health And Suicide Risks
July 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Social distancing urged by health officials to stave off the virus may lead to other health problems for some people with depression and anxiety. At the same time, new data looks at the toll in Black and Hispanic areas, and some communities are reaching out to minority neighborhoods to inform residents about efforts to stop the infections; plus other developments in the fight the coronavirus.
In Wake Of Nightmarish Outbreak At Wash. Nursing Facility, CMS Ramps Up Infection-Control Inspection Efforts
March 5, 2020
Morning Briefing
“To make sure that we’re doing everything we can as a health care system to contain the spread of the coronavirus, that our focus should be on infection control,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma said of the agency’s directions to state agencies that survey nursing homes and hospital accrediting organizations. Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus, as the mortality rate climbs sharply in elderly patients.
Why Florida, One Of Hardest Hit States, Is Going Its Own Way
March 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
The politics of the state have influenced its response to the coronavirus outbreak. But experts are nervous due to Florida’s large population of vulnerable residents and a lot of young super-spreaders who visit.
Series Of Sports Cancellations, Two Celebrity Cases Help Drive Home Seriousness Of Coronavirus Threat
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
The NBA has indefinitely suspended its season, the NCAA basketball tournament will be played without fans, and actor Tom Hanks announced that he and his wife Rita Wilson have been infected. The events helped crystallize just how serious the outbreak is and how much it will likely disrupt Americans’ daily lives in the months to come.
Details Of House’s Swiftly Moving Package: Unemployment Insurance, Food Aid, Free Coronavirus Testing
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
House leaders rushed to put together multi-billion dollar legislation to help address the looming public health and financial crisis. The House is expected to vote Thursday on the sweeping package and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had been in close contact with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as they drafted the bill to ensure the lawmakers were on the same page as the administration. It’s unclear if Republicans in the Senate will support the package, though.
Day-Long Email Crash Crippled Federal Health Offices As Coronavirus Was First Gaining Grounds In U.S.
March 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
A test of CMS’s email crashed the system on Feb. 23, frustrating health officials just as they were trying to negotiate the first bloom of the coronavirus in the United States. Meanwhile, CDC Director Robert Redfield counters claims that closing the borders would help prevent the spread of the virus.
Respiratory Disease Typically Fade Out In Summer, But Don’t Count On COVID-19 To Do So
June 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
There are positive signs–like the fact that coronavirus spreads far less easily in humid temperatures–that indicate the summer may help curb the pandemic. But it’s unlikely to mostly disappear like the flu and other respiratory illnesses. In other scientific news: ventilators, risk factors, rare symptoms in kids and more.
Trump Downplays Americans’ Coronavirus Risk, Puts Pence In Charge Of Handling Outbreak Response
February 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump’s messaging about just how low a risk Americans face was at odds with other top administration officials, who have warned in recent days that the virus is likely to be disruptive to Americans’ lives. “We can expect to see more cases in the United States,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar was quick to point out at the press conference. Health experts have been critical about the mixed messages. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence said his role would be to work with the task force to bring the “best options for action” to the president and to “see to the safety and well-being and health of the American people.”
Nearly 60,000 Cases In One Day: U.S. Sets Another Daily COVID-19 Record
July 9, 2020
Morning Briefing
Over 3.1 million cases have now been confirmed in the U.S. and the death toll is nearing 135,000. By Election Day, that number could grow to 200,000, according to a new projection. Florida and Texas continue to be two hot-spot states in the latest surge. Worldwide, known coronavirus infections pass the 12 million mark.
Bad Flu Season Still Claiming Lives, CDC Reports, But It Is Tapering Off As Coronavirus Continues
March 10, 2020
Morning Briefing
There have been 30 to 40 million illnesses in the U.S. so far and about 20,000 deaths. The good news medical experts say is the vaccine this year was very effective. More public health news is on women’s brain health, obesity, mental health, and the marketing of aspirin.
Coronavirus Revives Push For Sick Leave Legislation That’s Been Stalled In Congress Since 2004
March 10, 2020
Morning Briefing
The outbreak may give congressmen the political capital to get a sick leave bill through. Under the bill, employers would be responsible for paying for the sick time; there would be no tax increase. Meanwhile, the SEC has become the first federal agency to direct employees to work from home.
Gates Foundation, Charitable Groups Launch $125M Effort To Speed Development Of Coronavirus Treatment
March 10, 2020
Morning Briefing
One of initiative’s first goals will be to test antiviral drugs that have already gone through preclinical development or have already been tested in humans.
