Science

Behind The Race To Develop Antibody-Based Treatments For COVID-19

4:59pm March 26, 2020

by Joe Palca

Several teams are racing to develop therapies for COVID-19 based on antibodies, the components of immune systems that can be collected from the blood of patients who have survived the disease.

President Trump's letter to U.S. governors about the coronavirus.

READ: President Trump's Letter To Governors On New Coronavirus Guidelines

4:33pm March 26, 2020

by NPR Staff

Trump said his administration is working on new guidelines for governments to use when making decisions on relaxing or increasing coronavirus measures.

Science

Hidden Brain: How Trust May Help To Limit A Disease Outbreak

7:31am March 26, 2020

by Shankar Vedantam

What helps to contain an epidemic? A study of the Ebola crisis suggests that patients' trust in health workers can encourage patients to report illnesses and receive treatment.

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Why The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Hit New York City Especially Hard

10:03pm March 25, 2020

NPR national and science correspondents answer listener questions about why the coronavirus outbreak has been especially bad in New York City and the surrounding region.

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After the Food and Drug Administration granted Gilead Sciences orphan drug status for its experimental drug remdesivir on Tuesday, Gilead asked that the agency rescind that status Wednesday.

Gilead Declines 'Rare Disease' Status For Experimental Coronavirus Drug

7:30pm March 25, 2020

by Sydney Lupkin

By renouncing the special status, Gilead Sciences lets go of tax breaks, fee waivers and seven years without generic competition for remdesivir, its experimental COVID-19 treatment.

President Trump takes questions from reporters Monday. Joining him at the press briefing on coronavirus are Vice President Pence; Attorney General William Barr; Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator; and Navy Rear Adm. John Polowc

As The Coronavirus Crisis Heats Up, Why Isn't America Hearing From The CDC?

6:00pm March 25, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Usually in health emergencies — HIV, vaping and more — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is key to shaping policy and explaining it. That's changing to America's detriment, leaders say.

Dr. Anthony Fauci Emerges As Rare Public Face Of Scientific Guidance

4:42pm March 25, 2020

by Richard Harris

Dr. Anthony Fauci has advised six U.S. presidents, and has been visible during the coronavirus epidemic. He has often stood beside President Trump — often contradicting Trump's incorrect statements.

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Gilead Sciences CEO Daniel O'Day (center) took part in a meeting of the White House Coronavirus Task Force on March 2.

FDA Grants Experimental Coronavirus Drug Benefits For Rare Disease Treatments

7:26pm March 24, 2020

by Sydney Lupkin

Gilead Science's remdesivir, an antiviral medicine being tested for treatment of COVID-19, would get a seven-year monopoly if approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using supercomputers to calculate which drugs may help in the fight against the coronavirus.

Supercomputers Recruited To Hunt For Clues To A COVID-19 Treatment

2:01pm March 24, 2020

by Joe Palca

Scientists hope a machine can do what a person can't: quickly analyze every physical and chemical aspect of the coronavirus and sift through the world's drugs for subtle clues that might prove useful.

Transmission electron micrograph of particles of SARS-CoV-2 — the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Why Hoarding Of Hydroxychloroquine Needs To Stop

8:47pm March 23, 2020

by Martha Bebinger

Despite Trump's public remarks, infectious disease experts say it's premature to think hydroxychloroquine will help against COVID-19. And patients with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis rely on the drug.

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