Journalists Allowed Into Texas Migrant Facility Where Over 4,000 Shelter
March 31, 2021
Morning Briefing
The media spotlight is focused on the Biden administration’s immigrant policies as journalists enter an overcrowded government facility in Texas. Meanwhile, over 10% of roughly 750 unaccompanied minors have tested positive for coronavirus at a San Diego facility.
US Invests $230M To Boost Access To At-Home Rapid Covid Testing
February 2, 2021
Morning Briefing
Australian-company Ellume’s coronavirus test delivers results in 15 minutes and already received authorization in December for over-the-counter sale by the FDA, but supply is scarce.
Study Says US Covid Infection Count Is Half Of Actual Infection Total
March 17, 2021
Morning Briefing
Scientists combing through covid data suggest that the real number of infections may be twice the official CDC count. Meanwhile coronavirus hotspots are flaring up and Florida’s positivity rate ticks upwards again.
Covid Cases Rise Globally, Particularly Where Few Are Vaccinated
March 30, 2021
Morning Briefing
Countries around the world are seeing significant increases in coronavirus cases, even as vaccine rollouts begin to take effect and some nations, like the UK, begin to unlock. Meanwhile a new variant emerging in India causes worries.
Even With A Shot, CDC Not Yet Encouraging Travel
March 9, 2021
Morning Briefing
Travel by vaccinated people can still add to the coronavirus’ spread, CDC officials say in defending their position. Politico reports that an earlier draft of the guidance included a travel section but it was removed before release.
CDC Probe Finds Trump Administration’s Covid Policies Not Guided Enough By Science
March 16, 2021
Morning Briefing
The Trump White House’s coronavirus guidance was at times influenced too much by political appointees and not enough by federal scientists, determines a new CDC review conducted in an effort to restore faith in the beleaguered health agency.
COVID-19 Bonanza: Stimulus Hands Health Industry Billions Not Directly Related To Pandemic
By Fred Schulte
March 30, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Congress retreats on long-planned cost cuts to benefit the health care industry with a grab bag full of incentives.
As COVID-19 Lurks, Families Are Locked Out Of Nursing Homes. Is It Safe Inside?
By Judith Graham
May 4, 2020
KFF Health News Original
“The awful truth is families have no control over what’s happening,” one advocate says.
Variants Vs. Vaccines: Scientists Prepare For Future Mutations
February 12, 2021
Morning Briefing
While identified variants’ response to existing vaccines is already an area of concern, vaccine makers must also look further ahead to new ways the coronavirus could change.
Trump Was More Severely Ill From Covid Than Revealed To Public: Reports
February 12, 2021
Morning Briefing
Low blood oxygen levels and lung infiltrates caused by the coronavirus prompted considerations of putting then-president Donald Trump on a ventilator last October, The New York Times reports.
‘It Hurts Our Soul’: Nursing Home Workers Struggle With Thankless Position
By Anna Almendrala
April 21, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Poorly rated long-term care facilities stand out in the COVID-19 crisis — but even the best are affected.
Walensky Warns Of ‘Pandemic Fatigue’ Amid Fourth-Wave Worries
March 4, 2021
Morning Briefing
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, voiced concerns about slipping anti-coronavirus habits as case numbers in the U.S. and across the world seem to stop falling.
One-Third Of Women Worldwide Suffer Violence, WHO Reports
March 10, 2021
Morning Briefing
A report from the U.N. highlights the physical and sexual violence that women experience around the globe. In other world news, Italy will make Russia’s coronavirus vaccine and Mexico plans to use China’s version.
Hopeful Milestone: More Americans Vaccinated Than Have Been Infected By Covid
February 2, 2021
Morning Briefing
According to Bloomberg’s data, the U.S. has already crossed this mark, with 26.5 million inoculated and over 26.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases.
Congress Inching Toward Deal That Includes Stimulus Checks
December 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
Progress is reported on a new round of coronavirus relief talks, as lawmakers face a Friday night government shutdown deadline.
Vaccines Tackle New York Variant, But Covid Isn’t Going Away
April 23, 2021
Morning Briefing
Axios reports that though vaccinations are available across the U.S., coronavirus’ spread is unchanged. Other reports cover improper Moderna doses at a military site, a study giving third doses of Pfizer vaccine to volunteers and hopes for yet another new vaccine maker.
Winter’s Coronavirus Deluge Already Straining Health Systems To Breaking Point
December 7, 2020
Morning Briefing
From new infections to hospitalizations to deaths, the U.S. COVID trends all continue to rapidly spiral up and experts say the worst is yet to come. “This is going to be the biggest stress test of American health care in history,” a doctor tells NPR.
Workers Filed More Than 4,100 Complaints About Protective Gear. Some Still Died.
By Christina Jewett Shefali Luthra Melissa Bailey
June 30, 2020
KFF Health News Original
As health workers were dying of COVID-19, federal work-safety officials filed just one citation against an employer and rapidly closed complaints about protective gear.
Variants ‘Barely Getting Started’ To Spread, Could Explode By March
January 14, 2021
Morning Briefing
Scientists fear that the progression of coronavirus mutations is only beginning to take hold and outbreaks will surge even further in the coming months, particularly in the U.S.
Maternal Health Suffered In Pandemic, But US Deaths Were Rising Before
April 1, 2021
Morning Briefing
A study covering 17 countries shows that maternal health complications, deaths and stillbirths rose during the pandemic. A separate CDC report shows that maternal mortality was up 15% in the U.S. in 2019 before the coronavirus had a major impact.
