Tests that give doctors answers quickly are critical during disease outbreaks, because they can help them know how much protective equipment they need to wear when they’re interacting with a patient, where in a hospital to send them, and what sort of care to provide. Tests done in a doctor’s office can also help diagnose patients with mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, and help stop them from unknowingly spreading the virus. … [Read more...] about A new COVID-19 test can return results in 5 minutes
Agile testing days
We’re still waiting for Trump’s coronavirus testing system
On the day Trump held his press conference, there were 2,133 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Two weeks later, there are more than 85,000, the most of any country in the world. If infections keep growing at this rate — roughly 35 percent each day — the next two weeks will put us over 5 million. An optimistic 1 percent mortality rate would project 50,000 dead from those infections alone, roughly the number of enlisted US soldiers who died in the Vietnam War. … [Read more...] about We’re still waiting for Trump’s coronavirus testing system
Homemade masks, home testing, PPE and every other coronavirus term to know
Mitigation, not containmentThis phrase acknowledges that at pandemic proportions, nations can't contain the spread of coronavirus. But with social distancing, self-quarantine and isolation, the burden of COVID-19 can be mitigated. In other words, slowing down the rate of infection can increase chances of survival by avoiding overcrowding hospitals, running short on pivotal supplies before they can be replenished and overworking medical staff. This is a deeply sobering account of what happens when the COVID-19 disease overwhelms medical and support systems. … [Read more...] about Homemade masks, home testing, PPE and every other coronavirus term to know
Nursing home residents tested positive for the coronavirus before showing symptoms
After the first person in the care facility was diagnosed with the virus, staff restricted visitors, began regularly screening all residents for symptoms, and isolated those who were sick. The report notes, though, that symptom-based precautions wouldn’t have been enough to stop the spread of disease. Residents who didn’t have symptoms had similar levels of the virus in their respiratory systems as those who did, and they could have passed it to others before it seemed like they were sick. … [Read more...] about Nursing home residents tested positive for the coronavirus before showing symptoms
Coronavirus pushes back tax day: How to get an extension to July 15
How do I get the federal tax extension as an individual taxpayer?According to the IRS, you don't have to do anything to qualify for the July 15 extension, such as filing a form or calling the IRS. If, however, you need to request an extension beyond July 15, head to the IRS free-file service and file Form 4868. According to the IRS, with Form 4868, you still have to pay estimated taxes by July 15 to avoid penalties but have till Oct. 15 to file your tax return. The Department of the Treasury was not immediately available to comment. … [Read more...] about Coronavirus pushes back tax day: How to get an extension to July 15
