Mass gatherings are making their way back into US life but may not look the way we remember

WHO urges doctors to look out for inflammatory syndrome in children

It said there is an “urgent need” to collect more data on the syndrome’s clinical presentations, severity, outcomes and epidemiology.

“It is not yet clear the full spectrum of disease, and whether the geographical distribution in Europe and North America reflects a true pattern, or if the condition has simply not been recognized elsewhere,” the brief reads.

The WHO’s brief provided a preliminary case definition, saying the syndrome is typically seen in children up to 19 years old who have a fever for at least three days, and who have some symptoms including rash, hypotension or shock, myocardial dysfunction, diarrhea, vomiting or elevated markers of inflammation.

The condition has been described as similar to Kawasaki disease — another inflammatory disease most commonly diagnosed in children — and toxic shock syndrome.

British doctors first sounded the alert about the syndrome last month. Doctors in Italy and France also reported the syndrome.

Bill Gates-backed at home testing program on pause

Experts have long said that widespread testing would be an important tool in combating the virus and reopening safely, but an innovative test-at-home program for the Seattle area has been put on pause.

The Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network, or SCAN, provided a swab-based sample collection kit that people could use at home and send in for results. The program was backed by Bill Gates.

SCAN said in a statement on its website that the Food and Drug Administration had temporarily stopped the program.

The test was authorized by the Washington State Department of Health, but the FDA recently clarified that for the program to give users back their results, it would need emergency use authorization.

“There are no issues or concerns with the safety and accuracy of SCAN’s test. Laboratories applying for an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA are often asked to provide additional information to support their test application,” SCAN said.

SCAN said it is still asking people to submit answers to a survey it offers on its website, to continue its work to keep tabs on the novel coronavirus.

An FDA spokesman was not immediately able to provide details.

‘This is not how we treat heroes in America’

The nation’s largest grocery store chain, Kroger, will end its “Hero Pay” hourly bonus to employees on the frontlines for the pandemic beginning Sunday.

The announcement made Friday said that instead, employees would receive a one time “thank you pay.”

The announcement was met with criticism by lawmakers and unions in support of the people who have been deemed essential workers during a time of fear and uncertainty.

“Our message is clear — you can’t end Hero Pay when your heroes are still on the front lines,” six US House Democrats said in a letter to Kroger executives Thursday night.

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union President Marc Perrone said in a statement Friday that the union is “extremely disappointed by Kroger’s decision to end Hero Pay,” especially considering that grocery store sales and profits have gone up.

“The simple fact is that the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Social distancing continues,” the statement said. “Kroger workers are still required to wear masks. There is no vaccine.”

Health officials rush toward vaccines and treatments

Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health is using drugs once considered dangerous in a new trial for people with mild coronavirus cases.

The NIH said it would enroll 2,000 people infected with coronavirus to try the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine combined with the antibiotic azithromycin.

The NIH did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

The FDA says the combination should not be used outside of a hospital setting because it causes heart rhythm problems. In addition, several trials have shown the combination does not help coronavirus patients.