health care

Black Mississippians Are Being Hit Especially Hard By The Coronavirus

5:16pm April 30, 2020

Shalondra Rollins tested positive for COVID-19 and died three days later. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with reporter Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today about lessons to learn from Rollins' story.

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An illustration shows spiky antigens studding the virus's outer coat. Tests under development that look for these antigens might be faster than PCR tests for diagnosing COVID-19, proponents say. But the tests might still need PCR-test confirmation.

A Next-Generation Coronavirus Test Raises Hopes And Concerns

2:19pm April 30, 2020

by Rob Stein

An antigen test could be quick, and much simpler and cheaper than the PCR tests now used to spot people infected with the novel coronavirus. But some scientists worry about an antigen test's accuracy.

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A woman gets a novel coronavirus test in Los Angeles earlier this month. The City of Los Angeles, in partnership with Los Angeles County, will offer free coronavirus testing to all residents regardless of whether they have symptoms.

Los Angeles City And County Offer Free Coronavirus Testing To All Residents

2:18pm April 30, 2020

by Scott Neuman

The announcement by Mayor Eric Garcetti makes LA the first major city to offer free testing to all its residents. It came as county health officials reported another 1,541 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

A booth was taped off to ensure social distancing at a coffee shop in Woodstock, Ga., on Monday, as Gov. Brian Kemp eased restrictions in the state and allowed dine-in service.

Compared With China, U.S. Stay-At-Home Has Been 'Giant Garden Party,' Journalist Says

5:19pm April 29, 2020

by Dave Davies

New York Times health reporter Donald McNeil points to China as one extreme way to stop a pandemic in its tracks. "We're reluctant to follow China, but they did it," he says. At least for now.

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Inmates are seen at the Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny, N.J. in 2015.

National

Internal ICE Reviews Of Two Immigrant Deaths Stoke Fears About COVID-19 Care

3:38pm April 29, 2020

by Joel Rose

As COVID-19 spreads in detention, ICE documents shared with NPR reveal new details about the health care provided to two immigrants who died in 2017. Those facilities now face coronavirus outbreaks.

Doctors are urging parents to keep all their child's vaccinations up to date — now, more than ever.

Health & Safety

Don't Skip Your Child's Well Check: Delays In Vaccines Could Add Up To Big Problems

1:24pm April 29, 2020

by Maureen Pao

Telemedicine has its limits. And postponing shots could lead to a resurgence of diseases like measles. Doctors are taking steps to make their offices safe for kids who need to come in.

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Mark Green has stepped down as administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) after nearly three years on the job.

Exiting USAID Chief On The Pandemic, Foreign Aid, Trump's Policies

12:59pm April 29, 2020

Mark Green talks to NPR about what it's like leaving during a global health crisis — and what the future may hold for the agency.

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Maria Nakalanda (right), Edward Arineitwe and Charles Batte are Ugandan health care workers who have faced difficulties in getting to and from work after their country's transportation lockdown.

Commuting In A Pandemic: These Health Workers Are Trekking And Canoeing

10:53am April 29, 2020

And a canoe is not the best option when the paddler can't swim. Here's how doctors and nurses are getting to work in Uganda after the government clampdown on traffic to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, seen in parliament on Tuesday in Tokyo, said it would be "impossible" to hold the already delayed Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2021 if the disease is not brought under control.

No Tokyo Olympics Next Year Unless COVID-19 Can Be Contained, Japan's Abe Says

9:54am April 29, 2020

by Scott Neuman

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it would be "impossible" to hold the already delayed Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2021 if the disease is not brought under control.

Health & Safety

Medics Question A Practice That Might Speed Up Testing Of A Coronavirus Vaccine

5:48pm April 28, 2020

by Joe Palca

One way to speed up the testing of a new vaccine is to deliberately expose volunteers to the coronavirus and see if they develop immunity. But the practice raises ethical questions among medics.

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