Special Committee To Oversee Stimulus Spending Will Be ‘Forward-Looking,’ Clyburn Says
April 6, 2020
Morning Briefing
While some Democrats want the special committee to investigate the Trump administration’s early missteps, top House leaders said it will be focused on “the here and now.” House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn will head the panel. Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans are already clashing over a potential fourth coronavirus package.
Slew Of Ethical Guidelines For Health Workers In Charge Of Rationing Ventilators Vary Significantly
April 29, 2020
Morning Briefing
But many of the plans give preference for scarce ventilators to health care workers. Providers have been struggling with the threat of shortages since the pandemic began. In other heath worker news: airway experts fear excessive exposure, lack of N95s endanger workers, the mental toll coronavirus care is taking on medical professionals and more.
As Mainland China Coronavirus Cases Continue To Climb, One City Offers $1,400 Reward For Patients Who Self-Report
February 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
China is continuing to take measures to try to contain the rapidly spreading outbreak after there was a slight uptick in number of cases reported from the previous day.
One Of Indiana’s Worst Public Health Crises Happened Under Pence. Critics Ask, Can He Handle A Coronavirus Outbreak?
February 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
A spike in HIV cases leading to a state of emergency was attributed to decisions made by then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Now that Pence is tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the federal COVID-19 response, critics wonder if he’s up to the task. Meanwhile, CDC Director Robert Redfield fends off a wave of criticism over how the agency handled the early days of the outbreak and a faulty CDC test that has left states unable to detect new cases.
WHO Holds Off On Declaring Global Emergency Over Coronavirus, Saying There Are Few Cases Outside China
January 24, 2020
Morning Briefing
“Make no mistake,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.’s director general. “This is an emergency in China, but it has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one.” The committee weighing the decision was divided.
Georgia’s Election Deemed ‘Hot, Flaming Mess’ In A Troubling Preview Of What November Could Bring
June 10, 2020
Morning Briefing
Georgia’s primary elections were besieged with issues creating long lines of people waiting to vote in the midst of a pandemic. Predominantly black areas experienced some of the worst problems with voting machines. Many watched the events unfold with trepidation as they brace for a general election during another predicted wave of the coronavirus that could potentially be worse than the first. And the RNC eyes Jacksonville, Florida as a potential spot for its national convention.
What We Know About Wuhan Coronavirus: For One Thing It Appears Far Less Dangerous Than SARS, MERS
January 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
Officials now say that there’s a possibility the coronavirus may have sustainable human-to-human transmission, much like the flu virus. But public health experts warn these are still early days in the outbreak. Beyond that, symptoms appear to be much more mild than with its virus cousins, SARS and MERS.
Number Of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases In U.S. Climbs To 11 As Other Possible Patients Await Test Results
February 3, 2020
Morning Briefing
Health officials in Northern California announced Sunday that three more people have been infected in the state. Media outlets take a look at how states are responding to the outbreak and possible cases within their borders.
Much-Hyped Malaria Drug Linked To Higher Rates Of Death In VA Study
April 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
More than 27% of patients treated with hydroxychloroquine died, compared with an 11.4% death rate in those not treated with the drugs. The Veterans Affairs study results came as the National Institutes of Health released guidance on coronavirus treatment, saying there is not enough data for or against the vast majority of the medicines, including the combination of hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin.
McConnell Unveils $1T Stimulus Plan: $1,200 Checks For Some Americans, Loans For Airlines, $300B Pot For Small Businesses
March 19, 2020
Morning Briefing
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) released his proposed $1 trillion package, but some financial experts think it’s still not enough to counter the financial devastation of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, lobbyists and hospitals scramble to get a piece of the action.
Coronavirus Death Toll, Number Of Cases Climb As Chinese Officials Try To Contain Outbreak During Busy Travel Time
January 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
Nine people have died and the number of cases of the coronavirus has climbed well past 400. Chinese officials are scrambling to contain the spread of the illness as the Spring Festival — when hundreds of millions of people travel via planes, trains and buses to return to their hometowns to ring in the new lunar year — tests their logistical capabilities.
‘Where Are We Supposed To Put These People?’: States Grapple With Trump’s Strict Travel Regulations, Quarantines
February 4, 2020
Morning Briefing
The restrictions ban non-U.S. citizens who recently visited China from entering the country and quarantine Americans who visited Hubei province within the past 14 days. But state officials are panicked about meeting those regulations. Meanwhile, a poll shows that two-thirds of Americans say they believe the coronavirus poses a “real threat” and has not been “blown out of proportion.” Media outlets cover stories about how the coronavirus is playing out in the states, as well.
Senate Gavels In Monday, But Lawmakers Are Nowhere Close To Agreement On Another Relief Bill
May 4, 2020
Morning Briefing
Senators were called back to Washington even as the House decided to keep members at home. But don’t expect any quick action on another coronavirus stimulus package, Capitol Hill watchers say. Disagreement over business liability and ongoing issues with prior hospital and small business emergency funding are among the obstacles in the way of a new bill.
Tech To Aid Contact Tracing Released By Apple, Google To Drive Apps That Track COVID-19 Exposure
May 21, 2020
Morning Briefing
Health authorities in several U.S. states and 22 other countries have requested access to the new technology, developed for use on mobile devices to notify someone who was exposed to the coronavirus. Apple and Google have placed some restrictions — for instance, governments can’t require phone numbers or access location data — which have prompted some nations to work on their own tech.
13th Case Of Coronavirus In United States Confirmed; Experts Worry About Overreaction From Germ-Phobic Trump
February 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
The individual was taken to the University of California San Diego Medical Center for observation and isolation and is “doing well,” the hospital said in a statement. Meanwhile, nearly 200 evacuees are preparing to leave their two-week quarantine in California.
Old Vaccines Being Dusted Off To Potentially Provide Stopgap During Months-Long Development Of A New One
April 14, 2020
Morning Briefing
There is some history that shows that other vaccines can boost the immune system’s response, providing some cross-protection from other viruses. But there is no evidence that the technique will work enough with coronavirus. But development of a new vaccine is supposed to take at least a year, and some think using older vaccines might help bridge that gap.
Trump’s Decision To Take Malaria Drug With Dangerous Side Effects Blasted By Health Experts
May 19, 2020
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump dropped a surprise on reporters on Monday when he announced he was taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure. Studies have found that the medication can have serious cardiovascular side effects and FDA has warned against its use related to coronavirus. Health experts and Democratic lawmakers decried Trump’s decision, worrying that it lead to Americans taking the unproven, dangerous drug.
Indian Health Service Deficiencies Makes It Difficult To Track And Treat Outbreak Among Tribes
March 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
Those IHS gaps put the health of Native Americans at risk and may hinder national efforts to fully eradicate the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports on how the lack of electricity and running water for many on the largest reservation leads to fear and confusion for those Navajo Nation residents.
Pandemic Shines Harsh Light On Racial Disparities, As Well As Cultural And Class Divides In America
April 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus because of societal and economic factors that are rooted in deep disparities that existed long before the pandemic. The outbreak is largely falling on an urban-rural divide, which exacerbates a growing chasm between the two demographics that can be seen reflected in everything from political beliefs to the reaction to the crisis.
‘We Had No Idea What Was Going To Hit Us’: Community Physicians From Queens Face Unique Challenges In Virus War
April 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
The coronavirus has exacted a severe toll on the patchwork of community clinics and storefront doctors in New York City’s central Queens neighborhoods. In other news on health-care providers: a respiratory therapist talks about working “code to code;” workers staying at hotels; recovered doctors go back to the front lines; and more.
