Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Moved by Plight of Young Heart Patient, Stranger Pays His Hospital Bill
A retired college professor in Las Vegas saw Matthew Fentress’ story and felt called to help. So she paid off $5,000 of his medical bill. “When you help other people, it gives you joy,” the Good Samaritan said.
Hard Lives Made Harder by COVID: Homeless Endure a ‘Slow-Moving Train Wreck’
This was supposed to be the year California finally did something about its homelessness epidemic. COVID-19 upended that promise, along with the cobbled-together services many homeless people rely on for survival. Interviews across the state reveal a new magnitude of hardship and indignity for tens of thousands of people living on the streets.
Distrusting Trump, States Plan to Vet COVID Vaccines Themselves. Bad Idea, Say Experts.
California and at least five other states have said they may independently vet any vaccines. Experts warn that could needlessly confuse the public.
One School, Two Choices: A Study in Classroom vs. Distance Learning
Most students at one Marin County school attend in person, while a dozen study from home. Those on campus are constantly nagged to use hand sanitizer and submit to the thermometer. Home-schoolers yell to their parents for help, while the parents pray that Zoom doesn’t freeze.
Comienzan a popularizarse las pruebas de saliva para COVID, que son fáciles de usar
Ocho meses después del inicio de la pandemia, la prueba de saliva gana adeptos y decenas de miles de personas en todo el país se someten a estas pruebas diariamente.
‘No Mercy’ Chapter 2: Unimaginable, After a Century, That Their Hospital Would Close
After Mercy Hospital Fort Scott shut its doors, investigative reporter Sarah Jane Tribble traveled to Kansas and spent time with former hospital president Reta Baker and City Manager Dave Martin — to understand what their town lost.
Campus Dorm Resident Assistants Adjust to a New Role: COVID Cop
Students charged with keeping their peers in line on college campuses say they are dealing with hostility, unclear policies and health risks as they try to enforce policies to prevent COVID-19.
Analysis: ‘Don’t Be Afraid of COVID’? Not Buying It, Unless Businesses Do Job Right
COVID precautions may seem like overkill. But I won’t set foot in a store unless certain steps are taken.
Easier-to-Use Coronavirus Saliva Tests Start to Catch On
Regulators and scientists have been leery of introducing the tests, preferring to rely on tried-and-true methods, but evidence is mounting that the spit and swab tests may be more convenient and just as accurate.
5 cosas que debes saber sobre la vacuna para COVID. Primero: no será una “bala mágica”
Hay docenas de vacunas candidatas que se están probando, y 11 de ellas están en la etapa final de investigación, cuatro en los Estados Unidos.
Not Pandemic-Proof: Insulin Copay Caps Fall Short, Fueling Underground Exchanges
Although sharing prescription medicines is illegal, many people with diabetes are turning to underground donation networks when they cannot afford their insulin. Caps on insulin copays enacted in Colorado and 11 other states were designed to help. But the gaps between insulin costs and many patients’ financial realities are only widening amid the economic crisis of the COVID pandemic.
5 Things to Know About a COVID Vaccine: It Won’t Be a ‘Magic Wand’
Approval of a vaccine will be an important step in defeating COVID-19. But it won’t immediately end the pandemic.
Inside the Flawed White House Testing Scheme That Did Not Protect Trump
President Trump relied heavily on testing as protection against COVID exposure, eschewing masks and social distancing.
El sistema de pruebas para COVID de la Casa Blanca no protegió al presidente
El diagnóstico de COVID-19 del presidente Donald Trump está generando nuevas preguntas sobre la estrategia de la Casa Blanca para realizar pruebas y contener la propagación del virus.
Usa una máscara. Como si fuera tan simple…
La forma más simple y fácil de combatir una nueva ola de infecciones es lograr que la mayoría de las personas usen máscaras la mayor parte del tiempo.
Wear a Mask. If Only It Were That Simple.
Health experts agree masks are the cheapest, best weapon against the coronavirus pandemic. But how should mask-wearing be enforced? Mandates? Fines? Polite requests? It’s hard to figure out what works as President Donald Trump’s behavior keeps the debate alive over whether they should be worn at all.
Evictions Damage Public Health. The CDC Aims to Curb Them ― For Now.
A survey of 17 cities found more than 50,000 pandemic-related eviction filings. Housing advocates worry that increased housing instability will lead to more COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Thousands of Minks Dead as COVID Outbreak Escalates on Utah Farms
COVID-19 is killing minks. So far, it appears infections likely spread from people to minks, not from minks to people.
Cumplimos reglas con el cinturón de seguridad o el cigarillo. ¿Por qué no con las máscaras?
Treinta y cuatro estados y Washington, D.C., tienen algún tipo de mandato sobre el uso de máscara, pero muchos ciudadanos y agencias del orden los ignoran descaradamente.
New Laws Keep Pandemic-Weary California at Forefront of Health Policy Innovation
Gov. Gavin Newsom approved many consequential health care bills by his bill-signing deadline Wednesday, including a ban on the sale of menthol and other flavored tobacco products, the creation of a state generic drug label and better coverage for mental health disorders.
