While White House Downplayed COVID Threat To Public, It Privately Warned ‘Red Zone’ States
September 1, 2020
Morning Briefing
A House committee released eight secret White House Coronavirus Task Force reports that were only shared with states and reveal the government’s awareness of the state of the pandemic in recent months. The Center for Public Integrity had previously obtained and reported on the secret reports.
FEMA Might Stop Paying For PPE, Other COVID Supplies, States Say
August 26, 2020
Morning Briefing
According to a top official in Vermont, FEMA officials told cities and states that they may have to use other federal programs to cover the costs of their coronavirus supplies, including protective gear for government employees and disinfection supplies for schools, the Washington Post says.
CDC Leadership Urges Mask Wearing
July 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly urges Americans to wear masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus while President Donald Trump’s reluctance to wear one influences the public more.
Quarantined Mizzou Students Say School Forgot To Bring Them Food
September 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
In other higher-education developments: students at Michigan State are quarantining after an “alarming” outbreak of cases; Arizona State University says nearby bars aren’t following COVID protocol; LSU students who get coronavirus tests will have priority for football tickets; and more.
A Vaccine People Already Get May Help Prevent COVID, Too
November 23, 2020
Morning Briefing
A small study found low death rates in coronavirus patients with high MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination rates. Older adults—including virtually all people born before 1957—likely have MMR antibodies already, but they may have waned over time. “Based upon our study, it would be prudent to vaccinate those over 40,” co-author David Hurley said.
As More Health Care Workers Die From Coronavirus, Colleagues And Friends Are Left With ‘What Ifs’
June 18, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post tells the stories of the undercounted doctors, nurses, and other medical and support personnel who have died during the pandemic, as well as the co-workers left to deal with grief, anger, frustration and fear. More news on health care worker safety is also reported.
Testing Is Key To Keeping COVID-19 Outbreaks At Bay – But Resources Aren’t Always Where They Are Needed
June 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
News outlets also report on how people are following the coronavirus epidemic through online tools such as the one offered by Johns Hopkins, and on Britain’s missteps in testing and tracing the virus.
States Act To Reduce Partying
July 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
States facing major health problems, some not related to the coronavirus epidemic, seek federal help. Meanwhile, some state officials are realizing that maybe, just maybe, people are partying too hard and spreading COVID.
In Minnesota, No Major Hike In COVID-19 Cases After Protests
June 23, 2020
Morning Briefing
More coronavirus news from Kansas, Iowa, South Carolina, Texas, Rhode Island, Florida, Washington, D.C., and other areas across the U.S.
COVID Survivors May Lose Insurance Or Pay Much More If ACA Is Overturned
September 23, 2020
Morning Briefing
The law guarantees the ability to buy health insurance and bans insurers from denying coverage or charging more to people with preexisting conditions such as diabetes, cancer — and potentially COVID-19. Any change would affect the almost 7 million people in the United States who have already had the coronavirus.
With No Ventilators, Prisons Transport Inmates To Local Hospitals For Coronavirus Treatment
April 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
Most in-prison health facilities are not properly equipped to treat severe COVID-19 cases, The Marshall Project reports. So they must lean on local hospitals for acute care. Other prison-outbreak news reports on new Justice Department guidance for early releases, a judge’s criticism of pre-release quarantine practices, the deaths of Rikers Island jail guards, and more.
More Americans Have Officially Died Of Coronavirus Than Number Who Were Killed In WWI
June 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
The total number of confirmed deaths in the U.S. hit 116,854 Tuesday, just passing the 116,516 American service members believed to have died in the first World War.
To Blow Off Steam, Doctors Play — What Else? — A Game Called ‘Pandemic’
June 29, 2020
Morning Briefing
How doctors are coping with the coronavirus outbreak. Also, should you go to the dentist now? In other news: Noted sleep disorder researcher William Dement dies at 91.
Disasters Collide: Wildfires Drive Californians To Shelters During Pandemic
August 21, 2020
Morning Briefing
The deadly fires have created unhealthy breathing conditions across several Western states and raise coronavirus concerns for evacuees. The dangerous situation also set off a war of words between President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Trump Counters Testimony Of His CDC Director On Vaccines, Masks
September 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
CDC Director Robert Redfield told senators Wednesday that a coronavirus vaccine would not be widely available until the next summer or fall and that masks are an effective tool to combat spread. At a press conference hours later, President Donald Trump contradicted both of those statements, calling Redfield “confused.”
Hackers Capitalize On Coronavirus Chaos By Launching Particularly Aggressive Attack On HHS
March 17, 2020
Morning Briefing
The attack highlights the vulnerabilities federal and state agencies face as their attention is devoted to the coronavirus outbreak.
While Many Mysteries About Novel Coronavirus Remain, Scientists Have Learned Plenty
June 2, 2020
Morning Briefing
The New York Times looks at things we know, like that the trauma from the illness will likely be long lasting in severe cases; and things we don’t, like what is the actual death rate. In other scientific news: WHO officials push back on the idea that the virus is weakening; experts offer tips on reading medical articles; doctors report a wide range of neurological symptoms; and more.
