Science

News Brief: Economic Data, Meat Shortage Concerns, Research Funds Pulled

6:21am April 29, 2020

We get a measure of how much damage COVID-19 has done to the economy. President Trump orders meat processors to stay open. And, the government terminates funding for a coronavirus research project.

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A project in San Francisco to estimate spread of the coronavirus in hard-hit neighborhoods has expanded testing to everyone over age 4 in a broad swath of the Mission District this week, including at a pop-up site at Garfield Square.

San Francisco Enlists A Key Latino Neighborhood In Coronavirus Testing

4:43pm April 28, 2020

by Eric Westervelt

To get better data this week on a hard-hit community, the public health department and researchers are offering free testing for everyone over age 4 in a broad swath of the Mission District.

Vice President Pence joined President Trump on Monday to announce a federal "blueprint" to help states ramp up their testing of the virus.

Pence Says His Earlier Comments About Testing Were Misunderstood

3:00pm April 28, 2020

by Franco Ordoñez

At issue: test distribution versus test completion. The vice president said his statement in March about 4 million tests referred to test distribution.

People enjoy the Rock Creek Park in March in Washington, DC. While many Americans are following social distancing guidelines, others are not, and that worries people concerned about the spread of the coronavirus.

What To Do When People Don't Practice Social Distancing

11:18am April 28, 2020

by Jerome Socolovsky

Some people stand too close, or jog without masks, or go so far in their defiance as to throw "coronavirus parties." What should you do if you see people who are not maintaining social distance?

Vice President Pence tours a GE ventilator plant in Madison, Wis., last week — one of a series of trips the White House is learning from before President Trump resumes travel.

Pence Trips Show Challenges Of Returning To Political Normal

5:00am April 28, 2020

by Franco Ordoñez

Vice President Pence is road-testing the political and logistical hurdles the White House faces as it looks to try to return to some kind of new political normal.

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President Trump on Friday signed about $484 billion more in relief funds amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Americans Are Generally Skeptical Of Government, But Want It To Intervene In A Crisis

11:36am April 27, 2020

by Domenico Montanaro

The coronavirus pandemic is an example of when Americans want competence from their government at all levels and need to be able to trust their leaders.

Indiana gubernatorial candidate Dr. Woody Myers takes a COVID-19 test at Aria Diagnostics in Indianapolis last week.

CDC Adds 6 Symptoms To Its COVID-19 List

8:29am April 27, 2020

by Scott Neuman

The Centers for Disease Control now recognizes chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell as symptoms of the disease.

What It Takes To Be A Contact Tracer

5:27pm April 25, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with John Welch, the director of partnerships & operations for Massachusetts' COVID-19 response at Partners In Health, about their contact tracing program and training.

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Los Angeles city attorney Mike Feuer has taken action against several companies selling supposed treatments or "at-home" test kits for the coronavirus.

LA Reaches Legal Settlement With Company For 'False Advertising' Of COVID-19 Test

12:19pm April 25, 2020

by Tom Dreisbach

The Los Angeles city attorney reached a settlement with RootMD over sales of "at-home Covid-19 exposure and immunity tests." The city attorney alleged RootMD violated food and drug regulations.

Coronavirus FAQs: Does A Bigger Dose Make You Sicker? Can You Go To The Dentist?

5:28pm April 24, 2020

We also discuss the phenomenon of symptom-free cases — how many are there, do we know how much of a role they play in spreading the virus?