Category: NPR

Vaccine Expert: Once A COVID Vaccine Is Available, ‘Don’t Overthink it, Don’t Wait’

Dr. Peter Hotez is part of a team working to develop a low-cost COVID vaccine that could be distributed globally. “Vaccines are coming,” he says. “We have to get everybody through to the other side.”

What It Means When Hospitals Say They Have To Ration Care

As more hospitals across the U.S. reach the level of rationing care, NPR explains what that move, called “crisis standards of care,” means in practical terms.

Mask Mandates Work To Slow Spread Of Coronavirus, Kansas Study Finds

When the state of Kansas issued a mask mandate, 81 counties opted out. Researchers found coronavirus infection rates rose sharply in the opt-out counties, while falling in those that required masks.

Rural Areas Send Their Sickest Patients To The Cities, Straining Hospital Capacity

In Kansas City, hospitals are treating local COVID-19 patients as well as patients transferred from rural counties in Missouri and Kansas, where there’s no mandate or culture for wearing masks.

1,000 U.S. Hospitals Are Short On Staff — And More Expect To Be Soon

As COVID-19 hospitalizations surge, new data released by the federal government show how many hospitals are struggling with staffing.

Federal Data Show Growing Hospital Staff Shortages Across The U.S.

The federal government released data showing that the number of hospitals with staffing shortages is rapidly increasing. NPR digs into what these data illuminate and what data might be kept hidden.

Coronavirus FAQ: How Safe Is It To Work Out In A Gym Or Play Indoor Sports?

And what about those outdoor tents that gyms and spin studios are setting up? Is it safe to exercise in there, too?

WHO Trial Finds Remdesivir Has ‘No Meaningful Effect’ In COVID-19 Patients

The medicine is one of the few to win regulatory approval as a treatment for the disease, but has fallen out of favor with the health authority.

Why Does A Virus Cause Problems In One Region But Not Another? A Study Offers Insight

In 2015, the mosquito-borne virus Zika exploded in South America. Health experts predicted it would erupt in Africa. But a major outbreak never happened. Now scientists think they understand why.

As Vaccine Approvals Loom, U.S. Funds A Back-Up Plan For Delivery

As the U.S. prepares for what will likely be the largest vaccination program in its history, the Trump administration plans to loan $590 million to a Connecticut company with a novel technology.