Category: NPR

Crowded Prisons Are Festering ‘Petri Dishes’ For Coronavirus, Observers Warn

Indiana prisoners say they can’t protect themselves from the virus, as the governor resists calls to reduce overcrowding. “Scared for our lives,” says an inmate.

Opinion: Always The Bridesmaid, Public Health Rarely Spotlighted Until It’s Too Late

Because the public health system mostly operates in the background, it rarely gets the attention or funding it deserves ― until there’s a crisis.

Doctor Shares His Experience Of Working In One Of The Hardest-Hit Michigan Hospitals

Dr. Irfan Omar, head of nephrology at the DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, talks about working in one of the hardest-hit hospitals in Michigan and answers listener questions about the coronavirus.

Black Mississippians Are Being Hit Especially Hard By The Coronavirus

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.

Fauci Says It’s ‘Doable’ To Have Millions Of Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine By January

Noting that trials are still in the early phase, Dr. Anthony Fauci says the plan is to develop a vaccine that is safe, effective — and can be quickly scaled up for distribution.

A Next-Generation Coronavirus Test Raises Hopes And Concerns

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.

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

The announcement by Mayor Eric Garcetti makes L.A. 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.