Americans are underestimating duration of coronavirus crisis, experts say

As government officials warn that the Covid-19 pandemic could reach a peak in the U.S. in the middle of this month, the expectation also seems to be that businesses can be reopened and life before the crisis could quickly resume. But health experts warn that this return to the pre-pandemic life could lead to a new surge of infections. Many states have pushed their guidance on social distancing to be in effect until at least May, but experts say that even this timeline is unlikely to result in a return to business as usual. And instead of focusing on when the restrictions can be lifted, some are urging the focus to be on the public health response, including expanded testing and having an army of tracers identify those who have come in contact with Covid-19 infections. STAT's Helen Branswell has more here. 

New FDA guidance eases restrictions on blood donors amid shortage

Responding to a dip in the supply of blood available across the U.S., the FDA yesterday issued new guidance on who would be allowed to donate blood. Canceled blood drives as a result of Covid-19 have meant 86,000 fewer blood donations compared to last year, according to the American Red Cross. The new guidance eases previous restrictions, which had been in place over the risk of spreading HIV through the blood supply. Under the old policy, gay or bisexual men who had had sex with men in the previous year were barred from donating blood. The same restriction was applied to people who had gotten tattoos or piercings as well as women who had had sex with gay or bisexual men. The new policy moves up that timeline to three months, after which these groups of people will be allowed to donate blood. The FDA said that it expects the new guidance to still be in place after the pandemic ends.