Nearly 9,000 U.S. Workers Have Contracted Coronavirus, Though CDC Says More Unreported Cases Are Likely
April 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
The CDC report also stated that the numbers of health care professionals testing positive and dying from COVID-19 were likely to go up. Meanwhile, KHN and The Guardian team up to track and profile the health care workers who have died from the virus.
Gilead Increases Its Remdesivir Donation To U.S. As Executives Tout Drug’s Long-Term Profit Potential
May 19, 2020
Morning Briefing
The drugmaker didn’t provide an explanation of why it was increasing the donation of its medication that has shown to help treat coronavirus patients. Meanwhile, Gilead seems eager to convince skeptical investors that the $1 billion spent this year on development and production can eventually yield a real return.
How Coronavirus Is Shutting Down America: Normal Daily Life Grinds To A Halt As People Take Measures To Flatten The Curve
March 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Experts are recommending that anyone who can practice social distancing–like working from home and avoiding large public gatherings–should do so to help curb the coronavirus outbreak, which left uncheck has the potential to spread like wildfire through the states. Meanwhile, organization, companies, universities and state leaders are instituting policies that keep people from congregating in tight spaces together.
New California Coronavirus Case May Be First In U.S. Without A Link To Travel Abroad
February 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
The patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital on Feb. 19. The staff requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, but because the patient didn’t fit the CDC’s existing criteria for the virus, a test wasn’t immediately administered. “We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S., and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health.
FDA And FTC Go After Companies Capitalizing On Coronavirus Panic By Selling Teas, Tinctures And Colloidal Silver
March 9, 2020
Morning Briefing
“What we don’t need in this situation are companies preying on consumers by promoting products with fraudulent prevention and treatment claims,” said Joe Simons, the FTC chairman. The agencies sent warnings to 7 companies about their products.
Gov. Cuomo’s Order To House COVID Patients In Nursing Homes Scrutinized
July 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Critics have called for investigations to see if the Cuomo administration’s directive forcing nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients from hospitals created a dangerous environment that allowed the virus to quickly spread in New York. But state officials are fighting back. Meanwhile, visits to residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in parts of the country are slowly resuming and other nursing home news.
States Begin Lifting Shutdown Measures Even As Experts Remain Wary
April 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
Quarantine fatigue and economic concerns weigh heavy on governors as they move to slowly reopen their states. But Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus task force coordinator, says that social distancing measures should remain in place through the summer.
Trump Once Blamed Vaccines For Autism, But Now In Face Of Coronavirus Outbreak He’s Changed His Tune
March 9, 2020
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump in the past has been an outspoken vaccine skeptic who has bragged about not getting a flu shot. Now, he’s looking at it as a solution to the overwhelming crisis on his hands. Meanwhile, even if scientists develop a vaccine, they have to continuously out-think an ever evolving virus.
‘We’re Back’: On A Warm Summer Day, New York City Finally Reopens
June 9, 2020
Morning Briefing
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) emphasized that the reopening wasn’t “reckless” and that the numbers justify the city doing it safely. New Yorkers ventured out in masks, some for the first time in months. New York City accounts for roughly 1 in 5 of the more than 111,000 coronavirus deaths nationwide.
Can We Really Bank On Hotter Weather Saving Us From Coronavirus? Scientists Say It’s Unlikely To Disappear
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
Judging by how the virus may have responded to temperatures so far, the study suggests areas just north of its current zone may be most vulnerable through April. But much like with everything on the virus at the moment, it’s hard to predict and take all influences into account. Meanwhile, a study finds that the virus can live on surfaces for up to three days. In other news: calming your anxiety over the outbreak; a look at what coronavirus does to the body; why closing schools matters; and more.
Report Notes Neglect, Mistakes Made By For-Profit Vermont Nursing Home Where 11 Died
June 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
More than 40% of the coronavirus fatalities in the U.S. are tied to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The New York Times investigates what went wrong at the Burlington (Vermont) Health & Rehab Center. Other news on nursing homes comes from Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, Texas, Louisiana and Nevada, as well.
Beyond Ventilator And Mask Shortages: High Demand For Drugs To Ease Breathing Difficulties Pose A Looming Threat
April 3, 2020
Morning Briefing
While there’s no approved treatment for the coronavirus, patients are still receiving medication to ease some of the symptoms, such as medications used to keep airways open. With the surge in demand, those drugs could be the next fronts of the shortages war.
Spread Of Virus Will Not Be ‘Easy To Snuff Out’ Despite Latest Actions By States To Pause Reopenings
June 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
The number of confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases rose by another 41,000 on Monday. In response to the surge, governors in California, Texas and Florida in particular are taking steps to slow or reverse reopening measures as cases in those states hit record levels. Meanwhile, New York and New Jersey — former hot spots — aim to protect their states from slipping back.
Deaths, Coronavirus Cases Climb In U.S., But Some Experts Push Back Against Waving White Flag Of Inevitability
March 4, 2020
Morning Briefing
Top U.S. health officials say they want people to be prepared for more community spread as the number of coronavirus cases, but also to “to continue their daily lives.” There are now at least twelve states and 60 confirmed cases within the United States, and that number is expected to balloon in coming days.
Another Study Finds No Benefit From Malaria Drug That Was So Often Touted As ‘Game Changer’
May 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
For a while, President Donald Trump and others talked about hydroxychloroquine like it was going to be a magic cure. But more extensive testing has dashed hopes that it can help in the fight against the coronavirus. Meanwhile, states now have to decide what to do with all the pills they ordered.
Trump ‘Unleashes Full Power Of Government’ By Declaring Coronavirus Outbreak A National Emergency. What Does That Actually Entail?
March 16, 2020
Morning Briefing
By declaring the outbreak a national emergency, President Donald Trump frees up billions of dollars of aid through FEMA funds. HHS will also be allowed to modify or waive regulations for Medicare, Medicaid and other programs.
So You’re Returning Home From A Coronavirus Hotspot. What Do You Do Next?
March 4, 2020
Morning Briefing
Without strict guidance, a lot of people are guessing at what to do. Experts say it’s indicative of the problems with the response from both local and federal officials. “I feel like we’re on a high-speed train, and they’re making decisions based on where we are right now on that train and not where we’re going to be in an hour,” said Lawrence Gostin, of Georgetown University.
Trump Administration Mulls Using Disaster Relief Funds As Concerns Over Coronavirus Medical Bills Mount
March 4, 2020
Morning Briefing
In a country with a health insurance system “designed to make you think twice to seek care every time you get a runny nose, fever and cough,” many are worried about the costs of getting tested, despite the fact that it’s crucial to containing the outbreak. The federal government and states are trying to figure out ways to ease that burden.
U.S. Health Officials Warn That Coronavirus Will Likely Gain ‘Foothold’ As 15 Americans Tests Positive
February 14, 2020
Morning Briefing
While the 15th American to test positive for the coronavirus was an evacuee from China, public health officials are braced for human-to-human transmission in the longterm. “This virus is probably with us beyond this season, beyond this year, and I think eventually the virus will find a foothold and we will get community-based transmission,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield. Meanwhile, the U.S. said it will help North Korea fight the virus.
5 Evacuated Americans Hospitalized With Coronavirus Symptoms; CDC Begins Shipping Tests To Local Health Officials
February 7, 2020
Morning Briefing
There has not been confirmation yet that the five Americans evacuated from China have coronavirus as many other illnesses present with similar symptoms. But doctors in California, where the evacuees landed, say they’ll treat the patients under special protocols laid out by the CDC. Meanwhile, local and state health departments will be able to do their own testing for the virus rather than sending it to the CDC. “Our goal is early detection of new cases and to prevent further spread of the coronavirus,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield.
