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Stories from March 30, 2020

Some insurers waive patients' share of costs for COVID-19 treatment

Some insurers waive patients' share of costs for COVID-19 treatment

Aetna, Cigna and Humana now say they will waive most treatment costs associated with COVID-19 that would normally be picked up by patients enrolled in their health plans. Will other firms follow suit?
by Selena Simmons-Duffin

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'Ship of fools'

Two Minnesotans are among those feeling sick aboard the Zaandam cruise ship, which is waiting for approval to dock in Florida. MPR News evening update for March 30, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson.

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FAQ: What's behind the N95 mask shortage?

FAQ: What's behind the N95 mask shortage?

What is an N95 respirator mask and how did we end up so short of those masks? Here we answer some key questions about shortages of N95 masks in the U.S. and across the globe.
by Martin Moylan

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Brighter days: Minnesota gaining 3 minutes of daylight per day now

Brighter days: Minnesota gaining 3 minutes of daylight per day now

Rapidly growing daylight and a higher sun angle now boosting temperatures on sunny days. Our daylight is now 12 hours and 42 minutes. We’ve gained nearly four hours of daylight since December’s winter solstice.
by Paul Huttner

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Gun sales soar amid coronavirus outbreak

Gun sales soar amid coronavirus outbreak

Law enforcement officials and gun sellers say over the last several weeks they’ve seen a spike in gun sales and applications for permits to buy handguns driven in part by first-time owners.
by Brandt Williams

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What to cook during a pandemic

What to cook during a pandemic

New York Times food writer Melissa Clark is back to tell us what to do with all the pasta, rice and canned beans we are hoarding. Plus, what you can and cannot freeze (Milk? Yes!)
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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The financial challenges coronavirus poses for the U.S. health care system

The financial challenges coronavirus poses for the U.S. health care system

COVID-19 cases are highlighting challenges and raising questions about our health care system. Millions of Americans are worried about their health insurance status as they apply for unemployment, while others continue to be uninsured. We look at what the new coronavirus means for the future of the U.S. health care system.
by Kerri Miller and Breann Schossow

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WHO official defends guidance: 'We're not seeing' airborne transmission

WHO official defends guidance: 'We're not seeing' airborne transmission

Dr. Hanan Balkhy of the World Health Organization says the evidence so far is that the coronavirus doesn't seem to linger in the air. Some virus transmission experts have criticized this guidance.
by James Doubek

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The U.S. was already deep in debt. This year's deficit will be 'mind-boggling'

The U.S. was already deep in debt. This year's deficit will be 'mind-boggling'

The economic rescue package just passed by Congress will push this year's budget deficit above $3 trillion. Such huge levels of deficit spending used to set off alarm bells in Washington, but no more.
by Jim Zarroli

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The Thread: Three spies you must meet

The Thread: Three spies you must meet

As we turn to books both new and familiar during this time of isolation, this week’s Thread post introduces you to three spies.
by Kerri Miller

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Authors, publishers condemn the 'National Emergency Library' as 'piracy'

Authors, publishers condemn the 'National Emergency Library' as 'piracy'

Citing the coronavirus, the Internet Archive expanded its lending program for the digital copies of millions of books. But many writers and publishers say it is sharing their work without permission.
by Colin Dwyer

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Macy's furloughs most of its 130,000 workers

Macy's furloughs most of its 130,000 workers

Citing the pandemic's "heavy toll" on its business, Macy's says it's furloughing the majority of its employees. Its stores have been closed since March 18 and there's no sign when they will reopen.
by Avie Schneider

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Pregnant women worry about pandemic's impact on labor, delivery and babies

Pregnant women worry about pandemic's impact on labor, delivery and babies

As pregnant women and their doctors consider how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting pregnancy and care, maternity wards across the country are reconsidering policies on deliveries and visitors.
by Sacha Pfeiffer

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Hazelden enlists unlikely allies in coronavirus fight: distilleries

Hazelden enlists unlikely allies in coronavirus fight: distilleries

The world famous Minnesota-based addiction treatment center says non-alcohol sanitizer is in short supply, so it called on local liquor makers to help stock up sanitizer for hundreds of patients.
by Tim Nelson

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Fact check: U.S. lags on testing, despite Trump's claims

Fact check: U.S. lags on testing, despite Trump's claims

The president repeated his claim that the U.S. is surpassing all other countries in coronavirus testing. But measured on a per capita basis, the U.S. is far behind other countries.
by Jane Greenhalgh

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Walz directs COVID-19 strategy while on quarantine

Walz directs COVID-19 strategy while on quarantine

Gov. Tim Walz has a week to go on his self-quarantine after coming in contact with a person who tested positive for coronavirus. He’s calling the state’s shots from home.
by Brian Bakst

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Amazon, Instacart grocery delivery workers strike for coronavirus protection and pay

Amazon, Instacart grocery delivery workers strike for coronavirus protection and pay

Amazon workers in New York and Instacart workers nationwide plan to walk off their jobs Monday. They want more access to paid sick leave as well as protective gear and other safety measures.
by Alina Selyukh and Shannon Bond

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Rock Steady Boxing: Fighting back against Parkinson's

Rock Steady Boxing: Fighting back against Parkinson's

The program's founder learned that boxing drills — which focus on agility, hand-eye coordination, footwork and speed — can alleviate some symptoms of Parkinson's.

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Distance learning begins for Minn. K-12 students

The state’s schools are closed due to the spread of coronavirus. Distance learning is set to continue through at least the beginning of May. MPR News morning update for March 30, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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Sunshine and warm for Monday

Following a cloudy and soggy weekend, Monday brings widespread sunshine.
by Nicole Mitchell

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March 30 update on COVID-19 in Minnesota: 10 dead, 24 in ICU; cases jump to 576

March 30 update on COVID-19 in Minnesota: 10 dead, 24 in ICU; cases jump to 576

Officials are working now on plans to build out space across the state that could accommodate a surge of COVID-19 patients. More than half of Minnesota's counties now have confirmed cases of COVID-19 as the state moves into its first workweek of stay-at-home orders.
by MPR News Staff

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Daily dose of sweetness: Family-friendly 'bear hunts' unite Rochester

Daily dose of sweetness: Family-friendly 'bear hunts' unite Rochester

If you're out for a walk in Rochester, keep your eyes open for stuffed bears and other critters. Everywhere around town, people are putting stuffed animals in their windows to surprise and delight cooped-up kids. Reporter Catharine Richert takes us on an expedition with her family.
by Catharine Richert

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Addiction recovery organizations scramble to keep treating patients

Addiction recovery organizations scramble to keep treating patients

As social distancing takes hold, along with the governor’s order to stay home, recovery organizations are racing to figure out how to keep treating patients during the coronavirus outbreak. Some places — from Hazelden Betty Ford to Alcoholics Anonymous — are moving their groups online. But others are still looking for how best to serve their clients.
by Alisa Roth

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Authority: Stranded ships begin transiting Panama Canal

Authority: Stranded ships begin transiting Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Authority says two cruise ships carrying more than 1,800 passengers and crew stranded off the Central American country and hoping to reach port in Florida had begun the process of transiting the canal.
by The Associated Press

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Singer John Prine in critical condition with COVID-19 symptoms

Singer John Prine in critical condition with COVID-19 symptoms

The family of John Prine said Sunday that the singer-songwriter is critically ill and has been placed on a ventilator while being treated for COVID-19-type symptoms.

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