The Food and Drug Administration’s chief said Sunday the therapy reduces deaths among COVID-19 patients by 35%. On Monday he apologized, acknowledging that statistic greatly exaggerates any benefit.
Category: NPR
Veteran’s Appendectomy Launches Excruciating, Months-Long Battle Over Bill
An uninsured Colorado man who had appendicitis owed $80,232 after two surgeries. After months of negotiating with the hospital, he still owes far more than most insurers would pay for the procedures.
HHS Chief On The Use Of Convalescent Plasma For COVID-19 Treatment
NPR’s Ari Shapiro talks with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about the Food and Drug Administration allowing the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19.
A Filipina Nurse On Working On The Front Lines Of The Pandemic
Nurses are among the Philippines’ most sought-after exports. One front-liner in New York City has won over colleagues with a morale-boosting performance and has mentored health care workers back home.
HHS Chief Alex Azar Defends Authorization Of Plasma To Treat COVID-19
NPR’s Ari Shapiro talks with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about the Food and Drug Administration allowing the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19.
Another COVID-19 Medical Mystery: Patients Come Off Ventilator, But Linger In A Coma
Doctors are researching why some patients remain unconscious for days or weeks, even after sedating drugs are withdrawn. They also worry that these patients aren’t being given time to recover.
Rural Hospitals Are Sinking Under COVID-19 Financial Pressures
America’s rural hospitals were struggling even before the pandemic. Now, the loss of revenue from months of deferred treatments and surgeries have pulled more to the brink, as federal relief fades.
As Pandemic Persists, Health Care Heroes Beginning To Crack Under The Strain
Many doctors are suffering burnout five months into the pandemic. But the toll is compounded for Latino doctors serving heavily affected Latino communities. Some are now beginning to seek help.
Daycare, Grandparent, Pod Or Nanny? How To Manage The Risks Of Pandemic Child Care
At least two thirds of U.S. families are struggling to find safe and affordable child care as the pandemic rages on. NPR asked infectious disease experts to help sort the health risks of each option.
White House Stokes Hopes That Key Hospital Data Tracking Will Soon Return To CDC
Dr. Deborah Birx says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is creating a new way to track COVID-19 hospitalizations, just a month after such data collection was moved outside the agency.
