Tag: Public Health
Trump says that the coronavirus ‘affects virtually nobody’
The virus has killed 200,000 and infected 7 million in the US “If you, or a family member, or a friend got sick or died of Covid-19, to Trump you are ‘virtually nobody.’” by Jake Johnson,…
Signs of an ‘October Vaccine Surprise’ alarm career scientists
Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News and JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News September 21, 2020 President Donald Trump, who seems intent on announcing a COVID-19 vaccine before Election Day, could legally authorize a vaccine over the objections…
Foreign Masks, Fear and a Fake Certification: Staff at CSL Plasma Say Conditions at Donation Centers Aren’t Safe
Trump’s FDA authorized emergency use of plasma therapy for COVID-19, despite a lack of proof that it saves lives. Staff at CSL Plasma, an industry leader, raised alarms about faulty masks as donors flooded in, but…
It’s tough to tell COVID from smoke inhalation symptoms — and flu season’s coming
by Mark Kreidler, KHN September 16, 2020 The patients walk into Dr. Melissa Marshall’s community clinics in Northern California with the telltale symptoms. They’re having trouble breathing. It may even hurt to inhale. They’ve got…
Senator demands HHS official Michael Caputo be fired for deranged ‘sedition’ rant against CDC scientists
The former Trump campaign aide-turned-federal official baselessly claimed “there are hit squads being trained all over this country” to prevent the president from winning reelection. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, September 15 Sen. Patty Murray…
Protecting, sharing, and hiding behind private health data
by Wade Rathke September 14, 2020 New Orleans Most of us think our own health is our business, that is until we find out it is big business, and that everyone wants to make it…
With integrity of election at stake, 14 states demand injunction to stop DeJoy’s sabotage of US Postal Service, mail-in voting
“With the national election less than two months away, we are seeking a judicial order protecting this critical government service.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, September 11 Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson this week…
Fauci warns pre-pandemic normalcy not likely until ‘well into’ or ‘towards the end of 2021’
The public health expert also addressed the need to reduce cases headed into fall, halted vaccine trials, and reported attempts to “muzzle” him. by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Friday, September 11 As the number of confirmed…
‘We sent 500 tests. They don’t answer calls’: Inside ICE’s coronavirus testing disaster
Internal emails show ICE rebuffed New Mexico public health officials offering to help contain COVID-19. by Patrick Michels and Laura C. Morel Thursday, September 10 This story was originally published by Reveal from The Center for…
Most adults wary of taking any vaccine approved before the election
Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News September 10, 2020 The public is deeply skeptical about any coronavirus vaccine approved before the November election, and only 42% would be willing to get a vaccine in that scenario, according…
Survey shows nearly half in US suffering serious economic hardship—and situation ‘going to get worse’
“There is nothing for the people we surveyed who earn under $100,000 a year to fall back on.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, September 11 As the United States endures its six month of the…
What a smoky bar can teach us about the ‘6-foot rule’ during the COVID-19 pandemic
How smoke moves inside a bar or outside in fresh air can help in visualizing how the coronavirus spreads. Shironosova/Getty Images Plus by Byron Erath, Clarkson University; Andrea Ferro, Clarkson University; Goodarz Ahmadi, Clarkson University, and Suresh…
Where’s the health and safety plan?
by Wade Rathke Friday, September 11, 2020 New Orleans Leaders and members of Local 100 United Labor Unions finally had enough of working on the frontlines without proper protection against the coronavirus in nursing homes, supported…
Teacher deaths and college-town outbreaks deepen concern over Covid-19 risks stirred by school reopenings
Rising infections among students and educators as reopenings begin appear to confirm warnings from teachers and parents that schools lack adequate resources to safely restart in-person classes. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, September 11 New…
Navigating the eviction relief labyrinth
by Wade Rathke Saturday, September 5 Pearl River All of the headlines read that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had directed no evictions for the rest of the year. Before we do the happy…
Cities and states look to crack down on ‘less-lethal’ weapons used by police
by Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News and Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY and Donovan Slack, USA TODAY Thursday, September 3 Following nationwide protests against police brutality in which law enforcement officers wounded or blinded protesters, state and…
As threat of Valley Fever grows beyond the Southwest, push is on for vaccine
by Jim Robbins, KHN September 4, 2020 One New Year’s Day, Rob Purdie woke up with a headache that wouldn’t quit. Vision problems, body aches and a slight fever followed. At the emergency room, the Bakersfield,…
108,000 US inmates infected with Covid-19
Among prisoners, the death rate from the potentially fatal virus is three times higher than average. Report: Only 7% of Inmates’ Loved Ones Say Prisoners Have Soap and Other Basic Necessities to Stop the Spread of…
Covid-19 Task Force reports withheld from public reveal Trump knew of threats as he spread lies
‘White House Cover-Up’ We already suspected this but now the documents are public. “Rather than being straight with the American people and creating a national plan to fix the problem, the president and his enablers kept…
DeVos says pandemic ultimately a ‘good thing’ for US public education
“Calling Covid-19 a ‘good thing’ for our schools just goes to show you how divorced this administration is from reality.” by Lisa Newcomb, staff writer Monday, August 31 On the heels of two federal judges halting…
Health experts horrified as new Trump Covid-19 adviser pushes ‘herd immunity’ strategy that could kill 2 million Americans
“It’s not edgy, contrarian,” one public health expert said of the “herd immunity” approach. “It’s dangerous and terrifying.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, August, 31 A top White House coronavirus adviser brought on earlier this…
As Hurricane Laura batters Louisiana, massive chemical leak spews toxic smoke near Lake Charles
“We knew this would happen. Lake Charles and Cameron Parish are petrochemical industry epicenters. The plants, export terminals, refineries, oil tank farms are ticking time bombs every hurricane season.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, August…
Swab, spit, stay home? College Coronavirus testing plans are all over the map
As with the uncoordinated and chaotic national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education has no clear guidance or set of standards to adhere to from the federal government or anywhere else. Policies for reentry onto…
Trump is sending fast, cheap COVID tests to nursing homes — But there’s a hitch
Point-of-care antigen tests distributed to nursing homes have been hailed by the Trump administration as a tool to root out asymptomatic carriers who might still infect others. But experts say the approach could add cost and…
