Background:

Drugs are the fastest growing cost in the Canadian health care system, owing to the increasing number of high-cost drugs. The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of high–drug-cost beneficiaries of public drug plans across Canada relative to other beneficiaries.

At the end of 2019 and early 2020, an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology emerged in the city of Wuhan in China. The cases were found to be caused by a novel beta coronavirus, which was subsequently named SARS-CoV-2 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus has since spread further in China and to other regions of the world, having infected more than 88 K people, and causing close to 3000 deaths as of March 1, 2020. More than 50 million people remain in quarantine at this time. Scientists and clinicians globally are working swiftly to combat COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus. Notably, diagnostic assays have been developed rapidly in many countries, and have played significant roles in diagnosis, monitoring, surveillance, and infection control. Starting February 29, 2020, the development and performance of molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2 in high complexity Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) laboratories prior to emergency use authorization was allowed by the US FDA. Although the epidemic is evolving rapidly, many valuable lessons have been learned and many questions remain to be answered. Here we invited multiple experts across the globe from clinical laboratories, public health laboratories, infection control, and diagnostic industry to share their views on the diagnosis, infection control, and public perception of SARS-CoV-2.

A new national U.S. survey finds that nearly 80 percent of respondents would be concerned about themselves or an expectant mother in their life in the midst of the current COVID-19 outbreak, with almost half expressing fear of going to a scheduled prenatal appointment.

The White House is making "contingency plans" for a second wave of coronavirus after emails reportedly contradict their claims that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to safely reopen the economy were set aside because medical experts did not approve of them.

Bill Maher said Republicans "don't care" about Tara Reade's sexual assault allegations, saying such claims are simply used as a "unilateral weapon" against Democrats.

The DRC’s Ebola epidemic will be declared over on 12 April but there’s little time to celebrate as the country pivots towards tackling the coronavirus

Fresh cases of Ebola have been detected just days before the deadly epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was to be declared over

Five U.S. Senate Republicans introduced a bill on Wednesday seeking a review of U.S. participation in the World Health Organization and other international institutions, after President Donald Trump's administration suspended U.S. contributions to the U.N. health agency and accused it of mishandling the coronavirus pandemic.

A key U.S. Senate Democrat pushed back on Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's drive to protect employers from coronavirus-related lawsuits when the economy begins to reopen, saying it would be unnecessary if the White House set clearer standards.

The top Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives called for a pause in coronavirus legislation on Thursday, saying Congress should first assess the impact of earlier relief bills and then take a slower path forward through committee hearings.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration is talking to Republican senators about work visa issues, amid the coronavirus outbreak that has wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy.

Mike Bloomberg is agreeing to pay for health care through November for the more than 2,000 campaign staffers he laid off after suspending his presidential bid as he faces public pressure and multiple lawsuits.

Trump has long railed against the Postal Service, saying the agency has been swindled by e-commerce giants like Amazon.

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee said Friday repeated efforts to learn how the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service intends to become financially stable have been stymied by U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan.

The lawmakers say they've requested a financial plan from Ms. Brennan three different times, but it hasn't been ...

Parks have remained open amid the coronavirus and become a haven over the past week, prompting fears for staff and large crowds

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Even as Broadway shows were shuttered and Disneyland was closed due to the Covid-19, most US national parks were open for business on Tuesday, confounding public health officials and worrying park staff who did not want to be exposed to the virus.

National parks have become a haven over the past week as the public seeks places to go during spring break. One park employee reported on Facebook that a visitor center at Big Bend national park was full on Monday with hundreds of people. Another shared a photo of shoulder to shoulder crowds at Zion national park waiting to board shuttle buses. (The park closed its shuttle bus system later in the day.)

Planned sale of land to fossil fuel, mining and and timber concerns mirrors rollback of Obama-era pollution regulations

The Trump administration has ratcheted up its efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic to overhaul and overturn Obama-era environmental regulations and increase industry access to public lands.

The secretary of the interior, David Bernhardt, has sped efforts to drill, mine and cut timber on fragile western landscapes. Meanwhile, the EPA, headed by the former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler, has weakened critical environmental laws and announced in March that it would cease oversight of the nation’s polluters during the Covid-19 crisis.

The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in La Loche is being attributed to citizens who've ignored physical distancing measures.

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The British public appeared to stick to the Government's advice on avoiding beaches and parks even as the UK saw its warmest day of the year so far.

"You can use a scarf," the US Leader said as he addressed the demand for face masks. "A lot of people have scarves... scarves would be very good.

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The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to NHS staff who have made the "ultimate sacrifice" serving the British public during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Confusion over whether face masks would reduce the spread of Covid-19 in public places deepened today as a minister suggested that there may not be enough to go round even if scientists recommend their use on public transport and in offices.

The UK's coronavirus lockdown faces a stern test with the public urged to stay home for a fifth weekend running.

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The NHS is launching a campaign encouraging ill people to seek urgent care during the coronavirus outbreak after A&E visits dropped by 50 per cent this month.

Home Secretary Priti Patel revealed that police have been called to respond to some "extraordinarily dangerous driving" as car lovers take advantage of the quieter roads "as their own personal race track".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for a coronavirus lockdown "exit strategy" with the Government facing increasing pressure to reveal its next steps.

Members of the public will now have the chance to put questions to the Government, as the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing opens up for the first time.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have marked their ninth wedding anniversary with a throwback photo of their glittering wedding day.

An aerial photo of ocean sands in the Bahamas has been voted the NASA Earth Observatory's all-time best image.

Moves to ease restrictions in China's capital come after authorities record no new Covid-19 deaths for the 16th consecutive day

An aquarium in Japan has urged the public to video-chat their eels, who are forgetting that humans exist.

Kim Jong Un has reportedly made his first public appearance in 20 days amid speculation about the North Korean leader's health.

Ministers have been urged to "get ahead of the game" by assuring the public about what their plans are for stockpiling face masks before lockdown measures are eased.

A Labour MP has claimed she was sacked from her job as a temporary carer amid the coronavirus pandemic after speaking out about personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages.

The animal park behind Netflix hit Tiger King has official reopened its doors for business after closing due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Uncooked pet food could be source of pathogens dangerous to humans, research suggests

By Monday at least 31 states will be open or partially open. This as President Trump pushed for the country to get back to work despite public health experts warning that it's too soon.

Sasha Abramsky

The post Why Are Republicans Stampeding to Reopen? appeared first on The Nation.

Eric Foner

The post The Making of the Radical Republicans appeared first on The Nation.

Emily Berch

The post Iowa’s Republican Governor Sacrifices Citizens to Trump appeared first on The Nation.

"Now there is a stage three and stage four of digitisation, we will take a call on this only after taking all things into account."

The efforts to undermine Democratic governors who invoked stay-at-home orders are most pronounced in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, all three of which have divided government and are key to President Donald Trump's path to reelection.

Labour was embroiled in recriminations today over the leak of an internal report that apparently exonerated Jeremy Corbyn's team of failing to crack down on anti-Semitism and instead blamed his opponents for stoking up controversy to damage him.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will hold virtual meetings with members of the public over Zoom as he tries to resuscitate the party after its historic electoral defeat.