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COVID-19 News from Around the Web

A roller coaster six months leaves U.S. recovery still uncertain
Reuters - September 24, 2020
As businesses shuttered and millions hit the unemployment line last spring, the most dour predictions saw the US heading for another Great Depression of spiraling collapse and years of massive joblessness. The worst has been avoided. But new academic research and commentary this week from Federal Reserve officials suggest the path of the U.S. recovery remains much in doubt, and the programs approved last spring to buffer the economy from the pandemic may still be in for their stiffest test.
‘No One Can Live Off $240 A Week’: Many Americans Struggle To Pay Rent, Bills
NPR - September 24, 2020
The poll found many people reported problems with housing, health care and unsafe workplaces, and a high percentage of Americans — 46% — said they're having "serious financial problems." Nearly one out of three respondents had used up all or most of their savings. ... the poll was conducted during July … One in six households even reported missing or delaying paying major bills just so they could buy food.
Three Million People Lost Health Coverage From Their Employers During The Pandemic
Forbes - September 24, 2020
In all, there were 3.3 million adults under the age of 65 who lost employer-sponsored health insurance and almost two-thirds of them, or 1.9 million, “became newly uninsured from late April through mid-July,” according to a new analysis by The Urban Institute and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The loss of employer coverage has hit Hispanic adults particularly hard with 1.6 million losing health benefits, Urban Institute researchers said. And it could get worse.
CDC director: More than 90% of U.S. remains susceptible to coronavirus
AJC - September 24, 2020
One day after the U.S. recorded more than 200,000 coronavirus-related deaths, the director of the Atlanta-based CDC said an overwhelming majority of Americans remain susceptible to the deadly pandemic. Dr. Robert Redfield made the remarks during a U.S. Senate hearing on Capitol Hill.
Trudeau says Canada is in a second COVID-19 wave
AP - September 24, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that Canada is in a second wave of COVID-19 and warned the country is on the brink of a fall season that could be much worse than the spring. Trudeau noted that when Canada went into lockdown March 13 there were 47 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, and that Tuesday alone, Canada had well over 1,000. Many provinces slowly reopened over the summer.
US experts vow ‘no cutting corners’ as vaccine tests expand
AP - September 24, 2020
Top U.S. health officials sought Wednesday to assure a skeptical Congress and public that they can trust any shots the government ultimately approves. … “Science will guide our decisions. FDA will not permit any pressure from anyone to change that,” Hahn said. “I will put the interest of the American people above anything else.”
Changing Age Distribution of the COVID-19 Pandemic
CDC - September 24, 2020
Early in the pandemic, COVID-19 incidence was highest among older adults. During June–August 2020, COVID-19 incidence was highest in persons aged 20–29 years, who accounted for >20% of all confirmed cases. Younger adults likely contribute to community transmission of COVID-19. Across the southern United States in June 2020, increases in percentage of positive SARS-CoV-2 test results among adults aged 20–39 years preceded increases among those aged ≥60 years by 4–15 days.
New Dashboard Tracks Coronavirus Cases In Schools Across 47 States
NPR - September 24, 2020
A new national effort asks K-12 schools to voluntarily — and anonymously — report their confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases, along with the safety strategies they're using. … Right now it shows an average of 230 cases per 100,000 students, and 490 per 100,000 staff members, in the first two weeks of September. The responses come from public, private and charter schools in 47 states, serving roughly 200,000 students both in person and online, as of Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Virus shutdown took a toll on routine health care for kids
AP - September 24, 2020
A sharp decline in routine medical care for low-income children during the coronavirus shutdown could cause long-term harm if not reversed, federal officials warned Wednesday. … dropped precipitously from March through May. … The data, based on an analysis of billing records, come from Medicaid and CHIP, which together cover nearly 40 million low-income children. Among the findings: Early childhood vaccinations declined by 22%, or 1.7 million fewer immunizations for kids up to age 2; time-sensitive screenings for cognitive or developmental problems fell by 44%; even after accounting for increased use of telehealth, there were 6.9 million fewer mental health visits; visits to dentists plunged by 69%.