Whistleblower says HHS sent workers to handle possible coronavirus patients without gear, training

The Department of Health and Human Services “improperly deployed” more than a dozen workers to two California military bases receiving Americans evacuated from coronavirus without giving them training or protective gear for handling the possibly high-risk patients, according to a new whistleblower complaint.

The whistleblower alleged that HHS officials shot down her concerns and on Feb. 15 threatened to fire her if she did not accept a reassignment. The workers who may have been exposed to the coronavirus then were able to travel freely among the public, the complaint reportedly said.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/whistleblower-says-hhs-sent-workers-to-handle-possible-coronavirus-patients-without-gear-training

World at "decisive point" in bid to contain coronavirus: WHO

The head of the World Health Organization on Thursday urged countries around the world to take necessary measures to prevent the new coronavirus from becoming a pandemic, saying the situation has reached "a decisive point."

"If you act aggressively now, you can contain this virus. You can prevent people getting sick. You can save lives," WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus said in a press briefing.

"Our message continues to be that this virus has pandemic potential and WHO is providing the tools to help every country to prepare accordingly," he said.

- At least 80,000 global cases are confirmed - The death toll stands at over 2,800 - At least four Iranian officials confirm contraction - South Korea reports hundreds of cases - Italy places around 50,000 people in quarantine - Schools across Japan to close amid outbreak.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/02/550147e201b1-world-at-decisive-point-in-bid-to-contain-coronavirus-who.html

Top GOP rep suggests Durham probe will lead to charges

Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., suggested Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference that U.S. Attorney John Durham’s investigation into the origins of the Russia probe will lead to criminal charges.

Collins, who has served as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee but is leaving the role after announcing a Senate campaign, described at CPAC what he believes will come out of Durham’s probe.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-gop-rep-suggests-durham-probe-will-lead-to-charges

WATCH LIVE: California governor and state officials provide update on co...

The state of California is now monitoring more than 8,400 residents for coronavirus.

Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed the number in a press conference Thursday afternoon, during which he said the 8,400 residents were undergoing medical monitoring in 49 jurisdictions.

First coronavirus case of unknown origin confirmed in US. What does that mean?

Discovery of a Northern California coronavirus patient believed to be the first U.S. case from an unknown, community-spread source is an alarming twist that means it could be time to practice "social distancing," experts say.

The U.S. has confirmed 60 patients, but this one is alarming because no exposure chain has been found. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it remains possible that the female patient at UC Davis Medical Center was somehow exposed to a returned traveler who was infected in China. But investigators have been unable to find that connection.

The alternative is "community spread," meaning the source of infection is unknown, CDC said.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/27/coronavirus-update-cdc-test-covid-community-spread-case/4889999002/

If coronavirus spreads within the US, here's how daily life might change

"We expect we will see community spread in this country," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a press briefing Tuesday.

"We are asking the American public to work with us to prepare in the expectation that this could be bad."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/27/health/coronavirus-community-spread-us-response-explainer/index.html

CDC warns men about facial hair dangers as coronavirus spreads

Men may need to hack off their muttonchops, void their Van Dykes or pluck their ducktails if they plan on using a respirator, according to information from the CDC about how facial hair can interact with the devices.

A graphic released by the agency shows the fashionable facial-hair-wearer which styles will conflict with potentially life-saving respirators as the US braces for the quickly spreading coronavirus to emerge state-side.

https://nypost.com/2020/02/26/cdc-warns-men-about-facial-hair-dangers-as-coronavirus-spreads/