‘Xi Has Been Stripped Of His Air Of Invincibility’: Coronavirus Rattles Politics In China, But It’s Not All Bad News For Leader
March 3, 2020
Morning Briefing
Although China’s leader Xi Jinping is facing anger over the government’s initial coronavirus response, the recent introduction of outbreak-related surveillance measures, many of them unlikely to disappear when the epidemic is over, have given Xi an opening to assert even tighter control over society. Meanwhile, as cases balloon elsewhere, Chinese are striking a more optimistic tone as recovered patients start heading home from hospitals.
Staggering 6.6 Million Americans Filed For Unemployment Last Week In New Record High
April 2, 2020
Morning Briefing
Jobless claims in the U.S. skyrocket to historic levels, with twice as many people filing last week as they did the week before. Analysts forecast that the trend will continue as businesses continue to layoff more employees due to the coronavirus-driven shutdowns.
Trump Threatens To Withhold Funding To Battleground States Michigan, Nevada Over Mail-In-Voting Push
May 21, 2020
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump made false claims about Michigan’s efforts to expand mail-in-voting and then launched similar attacks against Nevada. Trump has been vocal about his opposition to mail-in-voting despite the pandemic, but many states are moving toward the option as experts predict a second coronavirus wave in the fall.
Will Warmer Weather Prove To Be Coronavirus’ Kryptonite? Scientists Hope Summer Months Will Help Curb Crisis Just Like The Flu
March 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
There is some evidence that temperature and humidity are playing a role in where the virus is thriving. In other news: a look at how long the virus can live in a patient’s body, questions about quarantines, why soap is so effective, tips on cleaning your phone, and more.
McConnell, Governors Press Importance Of Wearing Masks
June 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took to the Senate floor to convey this message while other GOP governors asked Vice President Mike Pence to be more clear in communicating to the American public that masks can help curb the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, the state executives in Kansas, Georgia and Arizona — where case counts are surging — are issuing orders or otherwise pressing residents on the issue of face coverings.
Diminished Role Of Task Force Highlights White House’s Desire To Move Beyond Pandemic
June 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
At one point the coronavirus task force was meeting and providing public updates daily. But that’s dropped dramatically in recent weeks, as President Donald Trump and his White House team turn their attention toward the economy and election. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wants the task force to brief lawmakers on the recent surge in cases.
‘We’ve Resolved Most Of Our Differences’: House Barrels Toward Coronavirus Vote After Day Of Hammering Out Partisan Complaints
March 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
The legislation will include measures to boost paid family leave and unemployment insurance, ensure free coronavirus testing, and strengthen nutritional aid like food stamps. The final sticking points between House Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, the administration’s point person on the deal, involved paid sick leave. The House is expected to vote on Friday, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) canceled the Senate’s weeklong recess next week to assess the legislation.
‘Fast Carbs’ In Potato Chips, Cookies Might Be Stress Busters But Health Expert Says To Back Off
April 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
The snacks are rushing off store shelves, tend to be highly processed, devoid of fiber and can lead to the very kinds of diseases that make people more vulnerable to the coronavirus. Public health news is also on the health of cesarean-section babies and a spike in hepatitis C infections.
Wuhan Coronavirus: A Look At The Patients, A City In Quarantine, WHO’s Hesitation On Emergency Designation, And More
January 23, 2020
Morning Briefing
Media outlets offer broad coverage of the virus that China is working to contain during a busy travel season. Although the illness has caused at least 17 deaths so far, most of those patients were older men with previous health ailments.
Wuhan Coronavirus: Death Toll Climbs, Including A Healthy Young Man, As China Races To Contain Outbreak
January 24, 2020
Morning Briefing
The coronavirus has killed at least 26 people and sickened more than 800 in China and at least six other countries. Travel within and to China is being locked down as public health officials try to quell panic while keeping the virus from spreading. Already, criticism is bubbling up about how the government handled the start of the outbreak.
White House Relents In Face Of Lawmakers’ Pleading, Requests $1.25B In New Funding To Fight Coronavirus
February 25, 2020
Morning Briefing
The emergency spending request also includes accessing $535 million previously earmarked to fight Ebola and money from allocated to other federal agencies, for a package totaling $2.5 billion. “To this point, no agency has been inhibited in response efforts due to resources or authorities. However, much is still unknown about this virus and the disease it causes,” acting White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought wrote to congressional leaders. Democrat were quick to slam the funding request as too small for the scope of the outbreak. Meanwhile, Republicans were worried about potential drug shortages as fallout from the virus continues.
U.S. ‘Not Nearly As Prepared As We Need To Be’ For Big Pandemic, Experts Say As Coronavirus Looms On Horizon
January 23, 2020
Morning Briefing
The country has made big leaps in preparedness since the anthrax scare of 2001, but the United States still has a ways to go. Meanwhile, health officials scramble to contain the coronavirus after diagnosing the first U.S. patient with the illness. And a top NIH official says human trials for a vaccine could begin within three months.
Trump Administration Decides Against Re-Opening Health Law Enrollment In Midst Of Crisis
April 1, 2020
Morning Briefing
Facing the looming surge of coronavirus patients, some states have re-opened their marketplaces for residents to sign up for insurance coverage under the health law. Although the Trump administration considered following suit, it has decided to pursue other options.
Facebook Navigates No-Win Position Of Curbing Protesters’ Organization Efforts While Side-Stepping GOP’s Legal Threats
April 21, 2020
Morning Briefing
Facebook says it is not only trying to combat misinformation about the coronavirus online but also trying to mitigate efforts for protesters to gather in large groups against public health experts’ guidance. But Republicans have been quick to call the company’s actions a “chilling and disturbing” infringement of free speech.
Trump Signs Robust $8.3B Emergency Coronavirus Funding Bill That Congress Sent Through With Unusual Speed
March 6, 2020
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers from both parties have stressed that Congress is “going to watch where the money goes.” Each state will be getting at least $4 million in assistance and HHS has also been ordered to use $3.1 billion of its quota on medical supplies, vaccine-making and ensuring health systems are up to handling the outbreak. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry was able to secure a win on vaccine price controls but progressives are still pushing the issue.
WHO Officially Names Strain Of Coronavirus COVID-19 In Effort To Combat Any Negative Connotations For China
February 12, 2020
Morning Briefing
“Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
As Coronavirus Cases In China Jump 35% In Just Few Days, WHO Urges Improvement In Global Data Sharing
February 6, 2020
Morning Briefing
On Monday, the number of confirmed cases was put at 20,438. By Thursday that number is up to 28,018. Meanwhile, WHO said as of Tuesday it had received complete reports for only about 38% of coronavirus cases reported outside of China. Since then, “the number of countries we’ve received comprehensive data from is improving, but not complete,” said Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program. In other global news on the outbreak: home remedies, hospitals and medical staff, quarantined cruise ships, and more.
An Island In Washington State Hopes To Offer Contact Tracing Model To Understaffed Rural Areas
May 18, 2020
Morning Briefing
Vashon Island is geographically part of King County — which includes Seattle, the early epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Experts there want to provide a way for understaffed, but oftentimes nimble, rural areas to be able to test, track and isolate cases. Meanwhile, other states try to build up the armies needed for successful contact tracing.
