OUTBREAK - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update, World and America

"Amid virus outbreak, U.S. communities brace for disruption" PBS NewsHour 3/9/2020

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SUMMARY:  As U.S. cases of COVID-19 rise, officials are stepping up efforts to control the outbreak's spread.  Communities across the country are bracing for disruption, with many schools closing or holding remote classes.  Also, two GOP congressmen who were with President Trump recently are self-quarantining after a conference attendee with whom they met tested positive for the virus.  Amna Nawaz reports.

"How economic effects of global virus outbreak ripple beyond stock markets and travel" PBS NewsHour 3/9/2020

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SUMMARY:  Monday was a tumultuous day in the global battle against coronavirus.  Italy’s government banned travel nationwide after new spikes in infections and fatalities.  Meanwhile, U.S. stocks had their worst day in over a decade.  Special correspondent Christopher Livesay reports from Rome, and Judy Woodruff talks to Mark Zandi of Moody’s Analytics and Ben Mutzabaugh of air travel website The Points Guy.

"Why clear, consistent communication is so important during a public health crisis" PBS NewsHour 3/9/2020

Which we are NOT getting from the Trump Administration.

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SUMMARY:  Amid the growing U.S. coronavirus outbreak, some experts have criticized the way President Trump, his team and top public health officials are communicating information to the public.  For example, Trump made inaccurate statements Friday about the availability of virus tests.  Dr. Joshua Sharfstein of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

"As impact of COVID-19 deepens, U.S. officials debate economic response" PBS NewsHour 3/10/2020

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SUMMARY:  The impact of the novel coronavirus in the U.S. is deepening.  On Tuesday, new cancellations, closures and quarantines were announced and President Trump and lawmakers huddled about potential measures to soften the crisis’ economic impact -- but the stock market rallied back from Monday’s major losses.  Amna Nawaz reports and Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

"How this school district is educating students at home during coronavirus outbreak" PBS NewsHour 3/10/2020

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SUMMARY:  A growing number of U.S. schools, including several colleges and universities, are shutting their doors to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Although only a small fraction of public elementary and high schools have closed, more than 430,000 students are affected already.  John Yang talks to Michelle Reid, superintendent of Washington state’s Northshore School District, about the decision to close.

"British government worries about virus outbreak, but residents carry on" PBS NewsHour 3/9/2020

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SUMMARY:  In the United Kingdom, novel coronavirus has killed six people as of Tuesday, with another 370 infected and quarantined.  The British government is watching how the illness spread quickly and pervasively in Italy, fearing the same could happen in the UK.  But as special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports, the current attitude among the British is very much to keep calm and carry on.

"What WHO doctor says Americans should do in face of COVID-19 pandemic" PBS NewsHour 3/11/2020

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SUMMARY:  The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak to be a global pandemic.  The illness has infected about 120,000 people worldwide and claimed 4,400 lives, and public health officials both within the U.S. and abroad are warning that the crisis will get worse.  Amna Nawaz reports, and Judy Woodruff talks to WHO’s Dr. Margaret Harris about how people should be preparing.

"Why UVA joined scores of other colleges in asking students to stay off campus" PBS NewsHour 3/11/2020

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SUMMARY:  As the U.S. novel coronavirus outbreak worsens, colleges and universities around the country are asking students to stay off campus -- and essentially shutting down.  Though some classes are migrating online, the closures may still represent a hardship for students who rely on school for housing, meals and other services.  Amna Nawaz talks to James Ryan, president of the University of Virginia.

"Pandemic’s ‘unique uncertainty’ creates market shockwaves" PBS NewsHour 3/12/2020

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SUMMARY:  The economic consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic are growing even more severe.  Stocks logged their worst day of trading since the 1987 market crash, cancellations and closures rippled across the globe and the fallout from President Trump’s decision to ban most travel from Europe became evident.  Nick Schifrin reports and Charles Schwab’s Liz Ann Sonders joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

"Can Congress, Trump put pandemic response ahead of politics?" PBS NewsHour 3/12/2020

Answer, no, at least not at first.  Republicans will see anything from Democrats as a threat.

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SUMMARY:  On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are working on a multi-billion dollar novel coronavirus aid package to help the Americans hit hardest by the pandemic.  They, along with Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, also weighed in on President Trump’s response to the crisis.  Lisa Desjardins reports and joins Nick Schifrin, Yamiche Alcindor and Judy Woodruff to discuss.

"Why Trump declared COVID-19 a national emergency — and what he denied responsibility for" PBS NewsHour 3/13/2020

Note the "and what he denied responsibility for."

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SUMMARY:  Friday was another day of mass closings and cancellations as schools, sports and travel shut down amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.  President Trump also declared a national emergency to increase funding for a federal response, and he appears to have a deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for related legislation.  Amna Nawaz reports and Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff.

"What the U.S. health system needs now to fight COVID-19" PBS NewsHour 3/13/2020

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SUMMARY:  President Trump has declared the pandemic of novel coronavirus a national emergency, allowing him to direct additional funds toward the federal government’s outbreak response.  Will it mean faster virus testing and more ventilators?  Dr. Irwin Redlener, director of the Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, and The New York Times’ Dr. Sheri Fink join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

"South Korea proves pandemic response requires more than money" PBS NewsHour 3/13/2020

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SUMMARY:  South Korea’s government is spending nearly $10 billion to fight novel coronavirus, which has infected nearly 8,000 people there.  But the effort to contain the illness requires more than just money -- entire communities must come together, sharing information, volunteering at testing centers and limiting consumption of vital medical supplies.  Bruce Harrison of Feature Story News reports.

"New York launches drive-thru testing site for COVID-19" PBS NewsHour 3/14/2020

Again, a state responds better than the federal government.

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SUMMARY:  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has deployed the National Guard and created a one-mile containment zone around the town of New Rochelle, just north of New York City, where at least 158 cases of COVID-19 have been reported.  And on Friday, the state launched its first drive-thru mobile testing facility in the region.  NewsHour Weekend's Christopher Booker has more.

"The economic fallout from the new coronavirus outbreak" PBS NewsHour 3/14/2020

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SUMMARY:  With businesses shuttering, professional sports leagues suspending their seasons and widespread travel restrictions initiated around the world, the economic fallout from the new coronavirus outbreak may continue for months.  Vijay Vaitheeswaran, U.S.business editor for The Economist, joins Hari Sreenivasan for more on the financial impact of the virus.

"Outbreak tests Italy’s limits a week after lockdown began" PBS NewsHour 3/14/2020

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SUMMARY:  A week after Italy’s government began locking down the country due to the coronavirus outbreak, new cases are emerging as the death toll climbs.  The scenario is overwhelming a medical system already reeling from an influx of patients.  NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent Chris Livesay joins Hari Sreenivasan from Rome with updates on the coronavirus outbreak in Italy.

"Coronavirus in the US: things are ‘changing hour by hour’" PBS NewsHour 3/14/2020

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SUMMARY:  The response to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. is changing on an almost hourly basis.  But as health care workers face a volley of new challenges amid an American populace wary of the global pandemic, there has been an increase in testing and guidelines to consider.  Caroline Chen, a ProPublica reporter who is covering the outbreak, joins Hari Sreenivasan with more.

"Coronavirus outbreak is ‘a time of sacrifice for all of us’" PBS NewsHour 3/15/2020

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SUMMARY:  To help contain transmission of coronavirus, the CDC has issued guidelines for “social distancing.”  But as the virus continues to spread, many more questions on when to close schools, how to seek day-to-day healthcare and the extent of the outbreak in the coming weeks remain unanswered.  Crystal Watson, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, joins Hari Sreenivasan with more.

OUTBREAK - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Update, Political and Financial Fallout

COMMENT:  The U.S. response has been bungled, especially since the response has been put in the hands of a politician rather that our health experts.  At one point our political control has gagged our health experts from making comments.

"Why Washington health officials fear novel coronavirus may have been quietly spreading" PBS NewsHour 3/2/2020

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SUMMARY:  The novel coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. is now blamed for six deaths, all in Washington state.  Health officials worry the illness may have been spreading undetected near Seattle for weeks, possibly resulting in many undiagnosed cases.  Can hospitals in Washington and across the country accommodate a “surge” of patients?  Lisa Desjardins reports and talks to The New York Times’ Dr. Sheri Fink.

"With novel coronavirus deaths rising, health officials face grilling on Capitol Hill" PBS NewsHour 3/3/2020

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SUMMARY:  As states discover increasing numbers of new novel coronavirus cases, public health officials are scrambling to respond -- while also facing questions from a Senate panel on Tuesday about why the U.S. has been so slow to roll out effective tests for the virus.  COVID-19 is responsible for nine deaths so far, all of them in Washington state.  William Brangham reports.

"In Iran, government distrust rises amid deadly outbreak of novel coronavirus" PBS NewsHour 3/3/2020

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SUMMARY:  The global spread of novel coronavirus has hit Iran hard.  Nearly two dozen members of the nation’s parliament as well as its director of emergency services are infected with the illness, and a third government official died from the virus Tuesday.  Special correspondent Reza Sayah reports from Tehran about how the country is handling the crisis -- and where they are placing blame.

"As virus deaths rise, Congress agrees on $8.3 billion to fund public response" PBS NewsHour 3/4/2020

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SUMMARY:  The novel coronavirus has claimed more lives in the U.S., with a total of 10 deaths in Washington state and one in California.  As the number of infections also continues to rise, the House and Senate have agreed on a bipartisan, multi-billion dollar emergency spending measure to fight the outbreak.  The bill includes money for vaccine research, medical supplies and more.  William Brangham reports.

"How the IMF is trying to reduce the economic fallout of novel coronavirus" PBS NewsHour 3/5/2020

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SUMMARY:  Restrictions intended to control the global outbreak of novel coronavirus continue to increase.  In many countries, schools are closed, travelers face quarantine and business has ground to a halt.  William Brangham reports and Judy Woodruff talks to Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, about how it is attempting to offset the economic implications of the virus.

"Can $8 billion in emergency spending help the U.S. curb novel coronavirus?" PBS NewsHour 3/6/2020

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SUMMARY:  On Friday, President Trump signed a bipartisan, $8 billion emergency spending package to fund the U.S. government response to novel coronavirus.  Still, concerns remain over how quickly health officials are able to conduct tests for the illness.  Meanwhile, the number of novel coronavirus cases across the globe is approaching 100,000, according to the World Health Organization.  Amna Nawaz reports.

"How lack of paid sick leave is complicating U.S. virus response" PBS NewsHour 3/6/2020

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SUMMARY:  As COVID-19 spreads to communities nationwide, financial and logistical concerns about its impact are rising.  Among the major questions are whether employers will require workers to take unpaid sick leave, and who will pay for potentially significant medical bills.  William Brangham talks to Georgetown University’s Sabrina Corlette and Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz of Capital Area Asset Builders.

"With the coronavirus, ‘pay attention to the basics’" PBS NewsHour 3/8/2020

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SUMMARY:  As the novel coronavirus continues to spread in the U.S., the National Institute of Health on Sunday advised vulnerable people, particularly the elderly with underlying health conditions, to avoid large crowds and trips.  ProPublica reporter Caroline Chen, who has been reporting on the virus, joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss what people need to understand about testing, infection rates and more.

"Italy’s coronavirus outbreak sparks ‘a lot of panic’" PBS NewsHour 3/8/2020

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SUMMARY:  The coronavirus has now spread to 107 countries and there are close to 108,000 cases worldwide.  Italy is one of the hotspots, where more than 230 people have died from the virus.  In response, Italy's government this weekend issued a quarantine restricting travel for more than 16 million people in portions of the country.  Special correspondent Christopher Livesay joins Hari Sreenivasan with more.

OUTBREAK - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

"How U.S. health officials are responding to the threat of novel coronavirus" PBS NewsHour 2/17/2020

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SUMMARY:  With the novel coronavirus crisis gripping parts of Asia, thousands of passengers have been quarantined aboard cruise ships.  Among them were several hundred Americans, who are now being evacuated back to the U.S., where they will undergo another quarantine in case they are infected with the virus.  Amna Nawaz reports and talks to Vanderbilt University’s Dr. William Schaffner for insight.

"The big question that researchers are trying to answer about novel coronavirus" PBS NewsHour 2/19/2020

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SUMMARY:  There are many unanswered questions about the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak, but the Chinese government has released new information about the mortality rate and other important concerns.  William Brangham talks with Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health about whether some patients are catching the virus without getting sick and the global effort to contain it.

OUTBREAK - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

FOR CONSPIRACY THEORISTS:  Is COVID-19 a natural virus or an escaped bio-weapon?  Will China turn it into a weapon?  Note that there is NO evidence of this theory.

"Can China’s information about the novel coronavirus be trusted?" PBS NewsHour 2/10/2020

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SUMMARY:  China is struggling to contain an outbreak of novel coronavirus that has now spread in small numbers to at least 25 other countries or territories.  Both the official death toll and the number of confirmed cases have doubled in recent days, and there are doubts about the accuracy of data the Chinese government is reporting.  William Brangham is joined by Georgetown University’s Lawrence Gostin.

"How novel coronavirus outbreak has disrupted life across China" PBS NewsHour 2/11/2020

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SUMMARY:  China continues to struggle with novel coronavirus and is only now starting to allow scientists and public health officials from outside to assist in its efforts.  While the majority of infections and fatalities are centered in Hubei province, the illness is increasingly being felt across China.  William Brangham talks to The Economist’s David Rennie for an inside look at how the country is coping.

"In China, political fallout from novel coronavirus outbreak continues" PBS NewsHour 2/13/2020

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SUMMARY:  As novel coronavirus continues to plague China, the country’s president, Xi Jinping, fired two high-level Communist Party officials in the region at the outbreak's center.  The move comes as both death toll and number of cases are surging, partly as a result of changes in the way infections are defined.  John Yang sits down with Jude Blanchette of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

MEASLES OUTBREAK - The Anti-Vax Movement

IMHO:  The Anti-Vax Movement is by people who deny science and believe life-saving vaccinations are harmful despite lack of actual evidence.  The problem is this belief puts OTHER people at risk.

"Measles outbreak sparks fears, renews tensions over mandatory vaccination" PBS NewsHour 3/5/2019

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SUMMARY:  Over 200 cases of measles have been confirmed in the U.S. in the past few months.  About half of them occurred in the Pacific Northwest, leading Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to declare an emergency and the state legislature to propose further restricting, or even eliminating, inoculation exemptions.  Nonetheless, opposition to mandatory vaccines remains fierce.  Special correspondent Cat Wise reports.

DISEASE DETECTIVES - Thailand

"In Thailand, tracking animal health to prevent outbreaks of human disease" PBS NewsHour 1/23/2019

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SUMMARY:  Viruses like avian flu, Ebola and Marburg often fester in animals before moving into human populations.  Animals in regions that are geographically remote present particular challenges for disease containment.  But in Thailand, local residents are using technology, including digital scanning, to track animals and stop outbreaks before they start.  Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.

HEALTH - Legionnaires Outbreak

"What caused the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in NYC?" PBS NewsHour 8/6/2015

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SUMMARY:  New York is facing the largest outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in its history; eight people have died from the respiratory illness since early July, and nearly 100 cases have been reported.  Hari Sreenivasan learns more from Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HARI SREENIVASAN (NewsHour):  The disease is often characterized as a severe form of pneumonia.  And it appears that water cooling towers have been a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes it.  Legionnaires is rarely the focus of much public attention, but there were more 4,500 cases in the U.S. in 2013.

Let’s get some further information about the disease itself, the outbreak and the risks to people.

Dr. Anne Schuchat is the director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.  She joins me now from Atlanta.

So tell me, first of all, what does this do to the body?

DR. ANNE SCHUCHAT, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:  Legionnaire’s disease is a form of pneumonia.  It can cause fever, cough, difficulty breathing and other complications.

It’s one of the more severe pneumonias.  And we think between 5 percent and 30 percent of people who develop Legionnaires’ disease can have fatal infections.

HARI SREENIVASAN:  And how widespread is it?  That 4,500 number is probably not something people are familiar with.

DR. ANNE SCHUCHAT:  Well, actually, we think there is under-reporting.

So, based on some studies that we have done, we think there are probably between 8,000 and 18,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the United States.  Many of them don’t get diagnosed specifically.  They’re just treated as pneumonia, and even those that do get diagnosed may or may not get reported to the public health authorities.

HEALTH - Think Ebola is Scary, There Are Others

"Ebola sounds scary, but these diseases are the real health threat" PBS NewsHour 10/22/2014

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GWEN IFILL (NewsHour):  The government’s latest steps illustrate again just how much anxiety remains about the prospect of Ebola’s spread.  But as public health officials continue to emphasize, the real risk to most Americans remains small.

In fact, there are a number of other illnesses that continue to pose bigger threats.

We outlined some of those concerns online, and it attracted a great deal of public interest.  So we decided to provide that context on our broadcast as well.

Hari Sreenivasan recorded this conversation in our New York studios.

HARI SREENIVASAN (NewsHour):  We get more information and perspective on this now from Dr. William Schaffner.  He is an infectious disease expert joining us from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

So, first off, there were quite a few cases that we heard out just a few months ago about Enterovirus D68.  This is something that was discovered in the ’60s, but this is really first outbreak that we have had.

DR. WILLIAM SCHAFFNER, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:  Yes, Hari, it’s a very large outbreak.  It’s run across the entire country.

Children, many of them, have been affected.  And, of course, there are some children who had difficulty breathing and asthma attacks.  And now there’s even the question about whether this virus is capable of producing a paralytic illness.  That’s still under investigation.  But that was a big surprise that came upon us, yes.

HARI SREENIVASAN:  OK.

And then something that we thought was long gone, measles, we have kind of seen a reemergence of measles, almost 600 cases this year.

DR. WILLIAM SCHAFFNER:  Yes.  Can you imagine that?

And that’s because there’s still measles out in the world, but our parents, many of them, are withholding their children from vaccination.  And so when someone from — with measles comes into this country, it can spread among our own children, causing a whole lot of illness, illness that we thought was long gone.

And, actually, you know, before we had measles vaccine, measles caused 400 to 500 deaths of our children each year.  We’re letting down our guard a little bit there.