Pelosi Ignores COVID Strictures, Claims ‘Set-Up’
September 3, 2020
Morning Briefing
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ignored California’s coronavirus restrictions, got caught on camera and now claims she was set up by the hair salon owner. Predictably, her adversaries relish the moment. And Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) falsely claims pandemic statistics are inflated.
Time To Prepare For Fall’s Anticipated ‘Surge 2.0,’ Experts Warn
September 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
After the last holiday weekend of summer and school reopening, public health experts warily eye coronavirus stats for an expected spike. Cases could peak a few weeks after Election Day. And a new model forecasts that the U.S. could reach 400,000 deaths by January.
How Much Will It Cost If You Get Coronavirus?
March 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Federal and state officials are working to figure out the complexity of costs facing a patient who is exposed to or contracts COVID-19, from testing to treatment. Meanwhile, Lyft and Uber drivers sue over sick leave benefits.
Even If Coronavirus Was Contained Tomorrow, Economic Ramifications Would Likely Be Felt For Years
May 11, 2020
Morning Briefing
Lifting social distancing restrictions aren’t going to fix the economy with a flip of a switch. There will be businesses that won’t be able to rebound from the closures, shifting dynamics between workers and employers and a general weariness from American consumers to engage with services again. Meanwhile, White House advisers warn unemployment numbers are likely to get worse before they get better.
Florida Shatters COVID Case Record Reported In A Single Day By Any State
July 13, 2020
Morning Briefing
Florida’s Sunday report of 15,299 new coronavirus cases broke the largest single-day increase of any state. The previous mark of 12,274 came from New York on April 4.
Perspectives: Medical Teams In U.S. Lack Funding, Staff To Prevent Big Coronavirus Outbreak
February 10, 2020
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers weigh in on issues surrounding the coronavirus.
Understanding Architecture Of This Particular Coronavirus Can Help Scientists Destroy It
March 24, 2020
Morning Briefing
This coronavirus is sneaky and deadly, utilizing some of the most effective weapons in viruses’ toolbelts. For example, it had a proofreading mechanism that allows it to fix mutations before they grow out of control and effect the spread of the virus. In other news: early symptoms to watch for, what it’s like to be infected, scientists scramble to find answers, and social distancing.
Positive COVID Test? Isolate For 10 Days, CDC Now Says
July 22, 2020
Morning Briefing
Updated guidelines from the CDC for those who’ve gotten a positive coronavirus test result recommend isolating for 10 days after symptoms begin. For asymptomatic patients, it’s 10 days from the testing date.
Many Hospitals Are Struggling To Absorb Financial Losses From Non-Coronavirus Patients
May 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
In an odd twist to the pandemic, hospitals are actually struggling financially as beds that would have been taken by non-COVID patients sit empty. Health care workers are bearing the brunt of the distress, having their hours and pay cut. In other hospital and costs news: price disclosures, CARES grants, and unused field hospitals.
Unpacking The Circumstantial Evidence That Novel Coronavirus May Have Escaped From A Lab In China
May 5, 2020
Morning Briefing
NBC News looks at the facts about why some think the outbreak may have started with a worker accidentally infected at either the Wuhan Institute of Virology or the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The bats that carry the family of coronaviruses linked to the new strain aren’t found within 100 miles of Wuhan — but they were studied in both labs. Dr. Anthony Fauci dismissed any talk about the origins, saying that even if it was an accident from a lab, the virus still exists in the wild so the conversation is not worth having.
Trump, Trailing In Polls, Turns To An Old Campaign Standard: Health Care
July 27, 2020
Morning Briefing
The president is promising a speech soon in which he will lay out his health care plan but similar promises in the past have not materialized. Meanwhile, a new poll finds voters fault him for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
For First Time In 22 Years, Global Poverty Levels Expected To Increase With 500 Million At Risk Of Destitution
May 1, 2020
Morning Briefing
News on the global coronavirus outbreak is reported from Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan, Sweden, Italy and China.
Biden Campaign Laughs Off Trump’s Debate Drug Test Suggestion
September 28, 2020
Morning Briefing
Health care issues, including coronavirus management, the Affordable Care Act and drug prices, are expected to feature heavily during the first debate between President Donald Trump and the Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden — an event that will break with past debate traditions, like the candidates’ handshake and a large audience, due to COVID-19.
Russia Tries To Distance Itself From Cyberattack Allegations
July 20, 2020
Morning Briefing
“I don’t believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it,” Andrey Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to Britain, told the BBC of claims from the U.S., Britain and Canada that Russian hackers are targeting coronavirus treatment and vaccine research.
Lawmakers Reject Notion Of ‘Skinny’ Bill As Stimulus Legislation Stalls
July 30, 2020
Morning Briefing
Little progress was made to bridge the vast differences between House and Senate proposals for the next round of coronavirus relief, though lawmakers did find common ground in dismissing White House officials’ push for a smaller, short-term bill.
