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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Gig Economy Workers Hurt By Coronavirus Eye New Federal Funds For Relief

KFF Health News Original

A law signed by Trump on Wednesday will provide financial help for self-employed workers, who generally don’t have paid leave. Some states also have family and medical leave programs that can be helpful.

Take A Deep Breath: Making Risk-Based Decisions In The Coronavirus Era

KFF Health News Original

There’s an array of recommendations about how to adjust our lives to reduce the spread of the novel virus. All are motivated by the same guiding principle: The better the public does in these efforts, the better off everyone will be.

Is The Bay Area’s ‘Unprecedented’ Lockdown The First Of Many?

KFF Health News Original

About 7 million people across the San Francisco Bay Area began to “shelter in place” Tuesday to limit the spread of the new coronavirus. Although public health officials acknowledged the orders were drastic, they also agreed they were necessary.

As Coronavirus Testing Gears Up, Specialized Swabs Running Out

KFF Health News Original

Nationwide, testing for coronavirus is ramping up. But the supply of specialty swabs needed to collect potential coronavirus specimens can’t keep up with demand, creating a bottleneck in testing capabilities. So two top manufacturers are working with U.S. and Italian governments to increase production.

Many Schools Have Closed ― But Not All. What Parents Need To Know About That Tough Call.

KFF Health News Original

Closing K-12 schools is part of a broad strategy to limit public interactions and slow the spread of COVID-19 cases. But the decision is far from easy, with conflicting science about how effective such closures are weighed against the massive disruption to families’ lives.

Listen: How Coronavirus Looms Over Prisons

KFF Health News Original

KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber joined WAMU’s “1A” show to talk about the unique threats coronavirus is putting on those who are behind bars and those who guard them.

Former Federal Virus Hunter Says U.S. Needs To Act Before New Germs ‘Kick Your Door In’

KFF Health News Original

In an interview, Dennis Carroll, who until last fall headed up the emerging threats unit at USAID, spoke about the threat of more germs, like the novel coronavirus, appearing and whether the world is prepared for this pandemic.

How Intrepid Lab Sleuths Ramped Up Tests As Coronavirus Closed In

KFF Health News Original

Drs. Keith Jerome and Alex Greninger fast-tracked a test for the deadly new coronavirus weeks before it began spreading in the U.S. Their work has been key to detecting community transmission and ramping up the nation’s testing capacity.

The High Cost Of Being Trump’s Enemy

KFF Health News Original

The ongoing feud between President Donald Trump and California’s Democratic leaders is costing the Golden State hundreds of millions of health care dollars — with billions more at stake.

Looking For Answers After Coronavirus Contact? Welcome To The Gray Zone

KFF Health News Original

The COVID-19 outbreak has spawned confusion among health officials, doctors and the public, especially for people who fall into the gray area for testing and deciding whether they need to quarantine themselves. Where to turn for answers about isolation and quarantine varies by locale. All this means agencies are sometimes delaying needed advice and giving people incorrect information.