Models that estimate the pandemic duration are all over the place. Here's why.
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CNN's Arman Azad
notes in a piece out earlier today that one of most prominent models — the one from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation — says we'll have no more deaths after June 21. As the piece details, that seems quite unlikely. The
same model has peak deaths occurring right about now. The model makes a lot of assumptions, which are necessary to model. Some of those are likely to be wrong.
Other models, like one the state of California uses, differ greatly. It
suggests deaths in California won't peak until mid or late May. A number of experts think that is too pessimistic.
All models are dependent on how much distancing we do. ...
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Proposed voucher program would benefit farmers and food banks, groups say
Farmers around the country are tossing out food by the tons, while food banks are running low.
The American Farm Bureau and Feeding America are teaming up to call on the USDA to connect farmers lacking customers with food banks in desperate need for food during the coronavirus pandemic.
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How the CDC plans to expand a "public health force" at state level
Planning is now underway for a federally supported "public health force" to carry out the state-level epidemiology "that's going to be necessary to open the country back up," a federal health official with knowledge of the planning told CNN.
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"Hundreds of millions of dollars are going out to the state health departments right now,” the official said. “They are who are going to hire people to do this work. This is to beef up our public health infrastructure through individuals that the [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] hires and places in state health departments, as well as the state health departments themselves hiring people. This plan would really beef up capabilities for if in fact we reopen and we start to see a re-emergence of cases."
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Los Angeles models show 95% of residents will be infected if stay-at-home order is dropped now
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If current levels are maintained, about 30% of the county’s 10 million residents will contract the virus, the model shows. What the model does not address is how long the physical distancing needs to remain in place.
In order to drop the infection level to just over 5%, even stronger physical distancing measures will need to be implemented, according to the model.
Ford will start producing respirator masks and other equipment for health care workers
Ford announced that production of a new type of pressurized respirator face mask for health care workers will begin on Tuesday.
The mask, called a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator, or PAPR, is being developed in partnership with 3M.
A PAPR is a clear mask that fits over the entire face. Air is drawn in through a tube connected to a pump that filters contaminants from the air.
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More than 130,000 unemployment claims filed in the last three weeks in Kansas, governor says
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"Last week, we had 50,000 people file initial claims, the week before, we had over 55,000 initial claims," Kelly said. "Over the year, initial claims are up by 3,400%."
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More than 17% of the New York police force is out sick
At least 6,380 uniformed members of the New York Police Department are out sick — or 17.7% of the department, according to a law enforcement official. The number has been slowly going down for three days now.
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New Jersey law school grads can temporarily practice law without taking the bar, court rules
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Under these relaxed rules, graduates will be able to enter appearances, draft legal documents and pleadings, provide legal services to clients and engage in negotiations and settlements discussions.
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West Coast states make pact to work together on reopening based on health outcomes
California, Washington and Oregon are joining forces in a plan to slowly lift stay-at-home orders.
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“We will be driven by facts. We will be driven by evidence. We will be driven by science. We will be driven by pub health advisors,” Newsom said.
Newsom said he would unveil California’s plan tomorrow.
ESPN asks commentators to take a 15% pay cut because of coronavirus
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"We are asking about 100 of our commentators to join with our executives and take a temporary salary reduction," the sports network said in a statement today. "These are challenging times and we are all in this together."
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