Trump’s Unfulfilled Promises; What Contact Tracing Could Look Like

Exactly one month ago, President Trump declared a national emergency and promised a mobilization of public and private resources to attack the coronavirus. NPR’s Investigations Team finds that few of those promises have come to pass.

The CDC says they’ll soon release a plan to help state and local governments with contact tracing, but Massachusetts has already started building its own contact tracing system.

NPR’s Allison Aubrey discusses why some are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others, and looks ahead at what opening up the country may look like.

And if you’re one of the many families feeling a budget squeeze right now, Life Kit has some tips for you.

NPR’s Investigations Team’s full story on each claim Trump made one month ago

Tips on budgeting from Life Kit.

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Q & A: Masks, Unemployment Aid, And Recovering From COVID-19

Public health experts and NPR journalists answer listener questions on ‘The National Conversation with All Things Considered,’ NPR’s nightly radio show about the coronavirus crisis. Excerpted here:

Dr. Abraar Karan on wearing masks
Dr. Lucy McBride on what to do if someone is recovering from the coronavirus at home
NPR’s Scott Horsley on unemployment relief and how to get it

We’ll return with a regular episode of Coronavirus Daily on Monday.

Some Infection Rates Drop, But U.S. Hasn’t Peaked Yet

Dr. Deborah Birx said despite signs of progress in New York and elsewhere, the United States hasn’t reached the peak of the pandemic yet.

Rigorous testing and contact tracing specifically are being called for, but Birx said the White House Task Force is being realistic about “how strategically that very valuable resource can be used” in the U.S.

Despite empty grocery store shelves, there’s an excess of food other places, like farms. NPR’s Dan Charles reports on the struggling supply chain.

Chaplain Rocky Walker’s full conversation with Morning Edition host David Greene.

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Antibody Tests Coming “Very Soon”; Is The Coronavirus Seasonal?

Antibody tests that could help determine who has had the virus are being developed Dr. Anthony Fauci said. There’s hope those people will have some measure of immunity.

The CDC issued return-to-work guidelines for critical workers who had contact with someone who had a confirmed or even suspected case of COVID-19.

Scientists are trying to figure out whether changing seasons will affect the spread of the coronavirus.

Plus, how public health experts create models to help us predict where the outbreak is headed.

Wuhan resident Piso Nseke’s conversation with Mary Louise Kelly about his first day outside after almost three months of lockdown.

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Social Distancing Is Working; Why The Virus Hits Hard In The Second Week

New York state saw its highest daily death count today, but Dr. Anthony Fauci says because of mitigation strategies like social distancing, a turnaround may be in sight.

Some people who get COVID-19 will experience relief from symptoms, only to crash in the second week. NPR’s Geoff Brumfiel reports doctors think they may have found a treatment for these patients.

Plus, U.S. states are competing against each other for the same scare medical resources.

Scott Horsley’s reporting on women losing more jobs than men.

Nell Greenfieldboyce’s reporting on why men appear to be more likely to die from COVID-19 than women.

Video of Fenway Park’s organist Josh Kantor.

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Deaths Climb In Louisiana; Delays In Aid For Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program was created to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. But the program got off to a rocky start, with some businesses having trouble applying for and getting the money.

In Louisiana, an alarming number of black people are dying from COVID-19.

Plus, how the coronavirus affects animals and what you can do to protect your pets.

Derek Thompson’s article in The Atlantic ‘The Four Rules of Pandemic Economics.’

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Fauci: Half Of Those With Coronavirus May Have No Symptoms

Even as the total number of deaths grows, White House officials said Sunday that if the public forcefully practices social distancing, the United States might see the curve bending soon.

Experts say masks can help prevent those who are asymptomatic from unknowingly spreading COVID-19.

Plus, health care worker who have recovered from the virus share their experiences.

And while many companies are required to offer sick leave and other benefits to their employees, gig workers are running into hurdles to get the help they were promised.

Life Kit’s episode, ‘How To Get Therapy When You Can’t Leave The House’ is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and NPR One.

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Masks Now Recommended; Not All States Are ‘Staying Home’

The CDC now recommends Americans cover their nose and mouth when they leave their home, but to save medical masks for healthcare workers. And as deaths from the coronavirus climb, some states have yet to declare a stay-at-home order.

Plus the groups racing to produce a vaccine for COVID-19.

And some physicians say racial and economic disparities are emerging in the testing and treatment of the virus.

Links:

Rough Translation’s episode, ‘WeChats From The Future’ is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and NPR One.

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Ventilator Shortages; 6.6 Million New Unemployment Claims

6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, doubling the record-setting numbers from the week before. The rapid increase has overwhelmed state offices.

Ventilators are a scare resource right now. While they are lifesaving for some, NPR’s Jon Hamilton reports when it comes to COVID-19, they do not guarantee survival.

Plus, how to protect essential workers when ordering delivery and going to the grocery store.

Links:

The Indicator’s episode on scarcity in the emergency room on Apple, Spotify and NPR One.

Camila Domonoske’s reporting on grocery store worker safety.

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The Mask Debate; Preventing More New York-Sized Clusters

Officials on the White House coronavirus task force have a goal: to limit the number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 to 100,000 people. But they say preventing more clusters the size of New York and New Jersey is key.

And with conflicting opinions about who should be wearing masks, NPR’s Allison Aubrey reports new guidance may be coming soon.

Plus, what a 1995 heat wave can teach us about fighting today’s pandemic — and the scientific debate over what could be early symptoms of COVID-19 — a loss of taste and smell.

Links:

Short Wave’s episode, ‘Is This Real? Loss of Smell And The Coronavirus’ on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and NPR One.

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