The Biden Administration is taking a far more aggressive, nationally coordinated approach to the pandemic. We hear more about how it plans to support vaccination efforts. SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Among that flurry of executive orders, President Biden signed several aimed at trying to jump-start the fight against the virus. He’s also touting his administration’s 200-page battle plan. NPR health correspondent Rob Stein joins us now. Rob, […]
Rob Stein
A patient lies on a stretcher in the hallway of the overloaded Emergency Room at Providence St. Mary Medical Center amid a surge in COVID-19 patients in Southern California in late December. Average new daily infections are now going down in California and much of the country. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images A patient lies on a stretcher in the hallway […]
A new at-home test for the coronavirus has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The test will cost about $30 and will be available over-the-counter, according to the company who makes it, Ellume. Ellume Health hide caption toggle caption Ellume Health A new at-home test for the coronavirus has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The test will cost about […]
Victoria Gray (second from left) with her three kids, Jamarius Wash, Jadasia Wash and Jaden Wash. Now that the gene-editing treatment has eased Gray’s pain, she’s been able be more active in her kids’ lives, and looks forward to the future. “This is really a life-changer for me,” she says. Victoria Gray hide caption toggle caption Victoria Gray Victoria Gray (second from left) with her three […]
The doorway to Jones Hall is shown at Utah State University in September, where about 300 students were being quarantined to their rooms as a precaution. Rick Bowmer/AP hide caption toggle caption Rick Bowmer/AP The doorway to Jones Hall is shown at Utah State University in September, where about 300 students were being quarantined to their rooms as a precaution. Rick Bowmer/AP Federal health officials are […]
Increasingly, many people in the U.S., like these teens in a Miami grocery story in August, now routinely wear face masks in public to help stop COVID-19’s spread. But social distancing and other public health measures have been slower to catch on, especially among young adults, a national survey finds. Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via […]
People wait in the shade while in line to get Covid-19 tests in Revere, MA. David L. Ryan/Boston Globe via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption David L. Ryan/Boston Globe via Getty Images People wait in the shade while in line to get Covid-19 tests in Revere, MA. David L. Ryan/Boston Globe via Getty Images People are getting the results of coronavirus tests in the U.S. […]
Regular coronavirus testing can be a valuable tool in preventing the spread of infection but only if accompanied with other critical health measures including quarantining of contacts of known positive cases, experts say. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Regular coronavirus testing can be a valuable tool in preventing the spread of infection but only if accompanied with other critical health measures […]
People wait in line outside of a COVID-19 testing site in Florida. The state has seen unprecedented surges in coronavirus cases in recent weeks. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption toggle caption Lynne Sladky/AP People wait in line outside of a COVID-19 testing site in Florida. The state has seen unprecedented surges in coronavirus cases in recent weeks. Lynne Sladky/AP When the coronavirus pandemic began, public health experts […]
Biomarin Pharmaceutical, a California company that makes what could become the first gene therapy for hemophilia, says its drug’s price tag might be $3 million per patient. Maciej Frolow/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Maciej Frolow/Getty Images Biomarin Pharmaceutical, a California company that makes what could become the first gene therapy for hemophilia, says its drug’s price tag might be $3 million per patient. Maciej Frolow/Getty […]
The coronavirus keeps spreading around the United States. New hot spots are emerging and heating up by the day. The death toll keeps mounting. So how can the U.S. beat back the relentless onslaught of this deadly virus? Public health experts agree one powerful weapon is something that’s gotten a lot of attention, but apparently still needs a lot more: Testing. A new analysis that researchers […]
Victoria Gray, who underwent a landmark treatment for sickle cell disease last year, has been at home in Forest, Miss., with her three kids Jadasia Wash (left), Jamarius Wash (second from left) and Jaden Wash (right). Victoria Gray hide caption toggle caption Victoria Gray Victoria Gray, who underwent a landmark treatment for sickle cell disease last year, has been at home in Forest, Miss., with her […]
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says a new analysis supports the effectiveness of the CDC’s system for spotting infectious disease outbreaks early. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says a new analysis supports the effectiveness of the CDC’s system for spotting infectious disease […]