Latest Stories By Louis Jacobson

As states struggle under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress and the president have enacted a series of massive bills to try to bolster the health care response and help rescue the economy. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently made a comment that suggests he’s tired of big spending for cash-strapped states. […]

In recent days, a number of state capitals have faced protests against continued stay-at-home orders and business closures. These have put a spotlight on the dilemmas faced by the nation’s governors over whether, and how, to open their economies again. So how do Americans actually feel? Americans, many of whom have been stuck at home […]

As Americans yearn for a future with work, shopping and outings with friends, one concept may become a crucial prerequisite: the widespread use of antibody tests. Antibody tests, also known as serology tests, are designed to detect the presence of antibodies — proteins that are key elements of the body’s immune response to germs. Antibodies […]

As hospitals worry about their dwindling reserves of ventilators to battle coronavirus infections, interest has turned to another kind of device that aids in breathing: continuous positive airway pressure machines, or CPAPs. Entrepreneur Elon Musk has donated some, and some hospital groups have welcomed the machines, which are typically used to treat sleep apnea. A […]

The hunt for drugs to rein in the coronavirus is, like so much else in this crisis, filled with uncertainty. President Donald Trump sees great promise in a compound called hydroxychloroquine. That’s based on a couple of early trials in China and France that showed remarkable results after just a handful of days. Some medical […]

In more than half a dozen public events since March 19, President Donald Trump has touted a possible treatment for coronavirus infection — using the malaria drug chloroquine or a related drug hydroxychloroquine, sometimes in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin. “I hope they use the hydroxychloroquine, and they can also do it with Z-Pak (azithromycin), […]

As Americans retreat under orders to stay-at-home and stay socially distant, it’s hard to think too far in the future. But there’s one group of medical experts who are firmly focused on what is to come: Vaccine researchers. Most public officials have made clear not to expect a vaccine in the next few months. Even […]

How does the potential scale of mortality in the United States from coronavirus compare with the leading causes of death in a typical year? It’s not an easy question to answer. We put together the following chart to try to offer some context to the lower and upper projections of coronavirus deaths offered by the […]

UPDATED, April 2, 2020: This article has been updated to reflect the decision by the Democratic National Committee to delay its convention until August. Can the Democratic and Republican conventions survive in an era of coronavirus? That’s unclear, and it’s a question that needs to be resolved quickly. Historically, the parties’ conventions are a focal […]

In a dramatic session in which members social-distanced themselves throughout the House chamber, the U.S. House on March 27 passed the coronavirus relief bill that had already passed the Senate unanimously. The bill, which has a price tag north of $2 trillion, now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature. Previously, we detailed the […]

The coronavirus relief bill that unanimously passed the Senate on March 26 checks in at 880 pages and more than $2 trillion in expenditures. The bill — which will require the House’s approval and President Donald Trump’s signature before it becomes law — addresses everything from support for the airline industry to support for stressed […]

UPDATES: On March 28, New York announced that it would be moving its primary back from April 28 to June 23. (Our chart has been updated.) On March 31, Kansas announced that its primary on May 2 would be held entirely by mail. On April 1, West Virginia said it was delaying its primary. The coronavirus […]