Excess U.S. deaths hit estimated 37,100 in pandemic’s early days, far more than previously known

The Yale team’s analysis suggests that the number of excess deaths accelerated as the pandemic took hold. There were 16,600 estimated excess deaths just in the week of April 5 to April 11, compared with 20,500 over the prior five weeks. https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2020/05/02/excess-deaths-during-covid-19/ -Washington Post; 5/2/2020

Trump replaces HHS watchdog who found ‘severe shortages’ at hospitals combating coronavirus

President Trump moved to replace the top watchdog at the Department of Health and Human Services after her office released a report on the shortages in testing and personal protective gear at hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-replaces-hhs-watchdog-who-found-severe-shortages-at-hospitals-combating-coronavirus/2020/05/02/6e274372-8c87-11ea-ac8a-fe9b8088e101_story.html -Washington Post; 5/2/2020