News
House Democrats seek briefing from AG Barr on state stay-at-home restrictions
Several Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are asking Attorney General William Barr for a briefing on legal action the Department of Justice has taken – or has threatened to take -- against state governments that have imposed strict public health and safety restrictions to combat... Read More »
IAFC seeks congressional aid to offset job losses
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is asking Congress and the Trump Administration to help offset firefighter job losses amid COVID-19, requesting $10 billion for the nation’s fire departments. A recently released IAFC survey maintains COVID-19 related budget cuts have... Read More »
GAO assesses HHS recruitment, retention efforts
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently assessed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) efforts to recruit and retain personnel after the agency indicated challenges attracting science and technology professionals. The 21st Century Cures Act provides additional hiring and... Read More »
FDA further streamlining review, advice process for COVID-19 treatment options
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week moved to further development of prevention and treatment options for COVID-19 by providing new guidance with recommendations for innovators and researchers. The FDA previously launched the Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program to help... Read More »
Health experts advise coordinated strategy to accelerate multiple COVID-19 vaccine candidates
While many vaccine and treatment prospects have been put forward for dealing with COVID-19, health experts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have advised in a new Science-published paper that a collaborative strategy for testing, scale-up, and distribution of candidates is... Read More »
Fauci warns against premature reopening amid pandemic as health officials testify to U.S. Senate
Top U.S. health officials testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Tuesday, discussing the potential for future response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for and capabilities of testing, and the dangers of reopening workplaces and schools too... Read More »
Rep. Burgess seeks hearing on Strategic National Stockpile readiness
U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) is seeking to hold a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health to examine concerns on the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). In a letter to Subcommittee Chair Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Burgess made the request, saying the committee... Read More »
Senate bill would provide $9B to support global fight against COVID-19
U.S. Senate Democrats introduced legislation to provide an additional $9 billion to support international efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 International Response and Recovery Act (CIRRA) seeks to compel the Trump Administration to engage with other countries and... Read More »
At-home COVID-19 saliva sample collection approved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory for its COVID-19 laboratory developed test (LDT). The action allows the testing of samples self-collected by patients at home using the Spectrum Solutions LLC... Read More »
Office of the Director of National Intelligence implements organizational reforms
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) recently announced the implementation of a series of organizational changes to save government resources and enhance other initiatives. The actions would bolster ODNI's Department of Defense partner and customer support, strengthen the... Read More »
Gilead Sciences donates more than 600K vials of remdesivir for hospital use
Under a plan finalized on May 3, 607,000 vials of the drug remdesivir were donated for use in United States hospitals hosting COVID-19 patients by the drug’s creator, Gilead Sciences, Inc. These shipments began to roll out on May 7, packed into cases and dispatched to Connecticut (30 cases),... Read More »
NIAID begins clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of remdesivir and baricitinib on COVID-19
Remdesivir has been shown to shorten the recovery time for patients suffering from COVID-19, and as a result, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has begun a clinical trial to see how it fairs when paired with the anti-inflammatory baricitinib. “We now have solid... Read More »
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense delves into preparedness, response for next pandemic
The United States’ preparedness and response capabilities have buckled under the stress of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and proactive work is needed to meet the next infectious disease before it strikes, said experts during the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense May 8 virtual... Read More »
Sens. Feinstein, Graham introduce bill to move Secret Service to Treasury
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduce legislation designed to improve accountability and bolster investigative priorities of the U.S. Secret Service. The U.S. Secret Service Mission Improvement and Realignment Act of 2020 would move the Secret Service to its original... Read More »
Senate bill would create new positions for AmeriCorps and national service posts
A bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would expand national service programs like AmeriCorps to help the United States recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act would provide funding for 750,000 national service positions over... Read More »
TSA implements additional COVID-19 safety measure at US airports
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said employees must wear facial protection while at screening checkpoints to minimize COVID-19 spread and raise the airport environment's overall health and safety level. “TSA is making this change to protect our employees and travelers as... Read More »
FLIR Systems secures $20M Army contract to deliver Black Hornet 3
Industrial technology firm FLIR Systems has secured a $20.6 million Army contract to deliver Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems in support of surveillance capabilities. “Black Hornet has proven to be a game-changing technology – a small package that can deliver a big edge on the... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Collins pushes health officials toward increased COVID-19 testing capacity during Health Committee hearing
As more of the country reopened for business, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) used a recent Senate Health Committee hearing to press top health officials on the need for rapidly developing and scaling up production of COVID-19 tests and supplies. The hearing, titled Shark Tank: New Tests for... Read More »
HHS awards nearly $583M to US health centers to expand COVID-19 testing
Nearly $583 million has been dispatched to 1,385 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded health centers throughout the United States and its territories to bolster COVID-19 testing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week. “Widespread... Read More »
LLNL researchers develop new fabric to protect against biological, chemical agents
Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed smart, breathable fabric designed to protect against biological and chemical warfare agents. The material could be used by healthcare workers and first responders in clinical and medical settings as well as military... Read More »
Federal government works with private industry to combat COVID-19 fraud
Representatives from private industry and the federal government have joined forces to combat fraud and other illegal activity surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Homeland Security Investigations National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) is working with... Read More »
VA updates COVID-19 PPE guidance
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials said the agency has updated guidance regarding distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to VA health care workers assisting veterans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Ensuring our VA health care workers’ safety during this global pandemic must... Read More »
Report examines nation’s defense budget
A report from the independent, nonpartisan policy institute Center for American Progress (CAP) maintains the proposed fiscal year 2021 defense budget should more than adequately offer national security protections. CAP officials said the analysis offers eight reasons why the $740 billion defense... Read More »
Defense Dept. signs $126M contract for N95 masks from 3M
Beginning October 2020, the U.S. government will benefit from an additional 26 million N95 medical-grade masks per month, as part of a new deal struck between the Department of Defense (DoD) and 3M. The $126 million contract was funded through the CARES Act, which was passed by Congress and... Read More »
Siemens Smart Infrastructure launches rapid body temperature analyzer as building infection security
Siemens Smart Infrastructure this week released the Siveillance Thermal Shield, a product capable of rapid, contactless temperature measurement at building entry points, as a means of adding potential illness tracking to general security. The package consists of thermal imaging cameras capable... Read More »
Johns Hopkins to begin convalescent plasma trials focused on high-risk and at-home COVID-19 infectees
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health expect to shortly begin two trials of convalescent plasma – plasma taken from recovered COVID-19 patients – next week, with an eye on reducing hospital strain and helping both high-risk populations and those getting sick at... Read More »
Clinical trials begin in four potential COVID-19 vaccine candidates
Clinical trials on four potential vaccine candidates to prevent infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. The first U.S. patients have been dosed in a clinical trial conducted by Pfizer and BioNTech. They are being held at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the University of... Read More »
Rep. Higgins to introduce bill establishing new pandemic agency within HHS
U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) will introduce a bill that would create a new agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Medical Command (NMC). This new independent agency would be charged with preparing for, monitoring, and responding to pandemics. Further, it would... Read More »
FEMA pushes increased COVID-19 testing, community testing sites and reimbursement
One of the areas the United States has struggled with during the COVID-19 pandemic is testing capacity, but now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is moving to expand testing, testing sites and supplies, and federal reimbursement efforts. All of this is meant to be in line with the... Read More »
New CEPI funding opportunity aims to speed up COVID-19 vaccine production
The search for potential COVID-19 vaccines continues, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has issued a call for proposals that could put funds in the hands of organizations with plans to boost development, manufacturing and geographic reach of vaccine candidates. The... Read More »
Healthcare industry receives cybersecurity alerts
Security agencies from the United States and the United Kingdom are warning healthcare policymakers and researchers to be on the lookout for cybersecurity threat campaigns amid the COVID-19 response. Officials representing the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the... Read More »
CBP Rochester seizes counterfeit COVID-19 test kits
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said the recent inspection of express-consignment shipments at the Rochester New York Airport yielded seizure of counterfeit COVID-19 test kits. “I’m proud of the continued efforts of our CBP officers here in Rochester,” Rochester Port Director... Read More »
Sen. Sanders, Rep. Khanna introduce bill to fund increased production of healthcare supplies in COVID-19 fight
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced legislation to fund the increased production of health care equipment in the fight against COVID-19. The Emergency Medical Supplies Procurement Act would provide $75 billion for the Trump administration to purchase or manufacture... Read More »
Congress members call on Trump administration to extend Iran arms embargo
An overwhelming bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is calling on the Trump Administration to extend the United Nations arms embargo on Iran. The embargo is set to expire in October of this year. A group of 387 members of Congress -- including Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick... Read More »