Covid-19: CDC director Robert Redfield on coronavirus, masks, and an agency gone quiet

CDC Director Robert Redfield describes the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as the greatest public health challenge of our time, but the agency has recently played a largely invisible role in the nation’s response. STAT's Helen Branswell spoke with Redfield on if the agency's been sidelined, the importance of masks, and what the next next year is going to look like. 

Here's more of the latest on Covid-19: 

• The White House on Friday issued new guidance urging the public to wear homemade cloth face coverings when they venture out of their homes. The guidance matches a similar recommendation that was issued by the CDC late last week. 
• Gilead is ramping up production of its experimental Covid-19 treatment remdesivir in response to growing demand. The company now has 1.5 million individual dosages that could be used for more than 140,000 patients, writes STAT's Ed Silverman. 
• More than 200 groups, including the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and patient advocacy and other medical organizations sent a letter to the Trump administration urging action on the shortage of personal protective equipment for heath care workers.
• Writing in a new STAT First Opinion, Aaron Edlin and Bryce Nesbitt argue that cities that have seen high caseloads of Covid-19 should institute a "certified recovered" program so that those who have recovered from the illness can slowly go back to work, especially in frontline positions to help keep vulnerable people safe. 
• ICYMI: The latest episode of our "Readout LOUD" podcast featured STAT's Sharon Begley talking when things in the U.S. might begin to go back to normal, as well as commentary from a patient advocate on how those with chronic illnesses are coping with the outbreak. Listen here.