As coronavirus cases exploded across the world, federal medical workers tasked w...
- As coronavirus cases exploded across the world, federal medical workers tasked with screening incoming passengers at U.S. airports grew alarmed: Many were working without the most effective masks to protect them from getting sick themselves.
The struggles within the CDC, an agency that advises the country’s health systems about how to protect against the virus, underscore the difficulties confronting health workers across the country and illustrate a challenge for the Trump administration, which has faced criticism over its response to the outbreak.
The CDC recommends that so-called “secondary screeners,” who meet with passengers who have traveled to certain countries, such as China, wear a surgical mask, gloves and eye protection, Nordlund said. Secondary screeners are advised to stand six feet away from passengers they observe and do not wear the sturdier N95 masks, also known as respirators, because they aren’t exposed to symptomatic travelers, she said.
Dr. Robert Kadlec, the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services for Preparedness & Response, said at a Senate hearing on Thursday that historically the plan for protecting front-line health care workers has been to focus on routine influenza, which can be prevented by vaccines or treated with antivirals. Coronavirus is not influenza.
The CDC’s airport screeners are part of the healthcare workforce at risk. But a health expert involved in the U.S. government response said the problem was more widespread. State and local first responders - firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and police - are expressing the same alarm.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump has many hunches about the coronavirus. Here's what the experts say.Trump has spread misinformation about the coronavirus, contradicting health officials on significant facts and advice.
Read more »
These cleaners kill coronavirus: Lysol, Clorox, Purell products make EPA's disinfectants listKilling coronavirus: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of disinfectants and wipes to protect against spread of the coronavirus.
Read more »
These cleaners kill coronavirus: Lysol, Clorox, Purell products make EPA's disinfectants listKilling coronavirus: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of disinfectants and wipes to protect against spread of the coronavirus.
Read more »
Spread of coronavirus on Grand Princess ship raises public health alarmsTesting was continuing on the ship, but its fate is emerging as a major public health challenge for California, where the number of coronavirus cases has pushed past 60.
Read more »
Factbox - How we die: coronavirus in perspectiveAs the new coronavirus spreads and worldwide deaths linked to it top 3,400, glob...
Read more »
Danny Trejo Worried Coronavirus Could Spread Like Crazy in JailDanny Trejo is worried about coronavirus spreading in jails and prisons.
Read more »