Researchers Eye An Anti-Malaria Pill As Possible Cure For COVID-19

Scientists and pharmaceutical companies have discovered another drug that shows very promising results in treating patients affected with COVID-19 on Thursday.

Researchers have been repurposing old drugs in an effort to curb the effects of coronavirus while vaccines are being developed. One such drug found to have encouraging results is chloroquine.

Chloroquine was originally developed to treat malaria in the United States in 1949. The drug would provide patients a simpler and cheaper alternative treatment option compared to the currently expensive, next-generation therapeutic option healthcare workers are using to cure infected individuals.

The drug is known to cause certain side effects such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, stomach problems, and, in worse cases, damage to the eyes.

Chloroquine has yet to undergo clinical trials.

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The Trump Administration Will Send Two Waves Of Direct Payments to Americans

The Trump administration released details about their proposed stimulus package on Wednesday. The financial package will be distributed in two rounds of direct payment to taxpayers. According to documents, the checks would total to $500 billion.

The government hopes to roll out the first checks on April 6, with the second check on May 18. The amount of financial support received will depend on income level and family size.

The administration is also planning to set aside more than $50 billion for the airline industry, as well as $150 billion for other sectors. It is unclear which industries would benefit from the financial package.

$300 billion will go to small businesses as a business interruption loan program in hopes of helping them curtail commerce during the lockdown measures.

Trump Signs Relief Package Including Sick Leaves, Jobless Benefits, Free Testing, and Other Benefits

President Donald Trump signed a bill to provide Americans sick leaves, unemployment benefits, free COVID-19 testing, and food and medical aid.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Aid was signed into law on Wednesday after it passed the Senate on a 90 to 8 vote.

The response package would help those affected by the outbreak by increasing programs like unemployment insurance and food stamps.

The law adds $1 billion in food aid and an increase in spending on health insurance for the poor.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Aid provides a huge number of workers with two weeks of paid sick leave if they are undergoing COVID-19 testing or treatment.

Workers who have been told to stay home by doctors or government officials are also eligible for the financial package.

Under the new bill, big businesses will be exempted from offering their workers paid sick leave or family leave.

US Healthcare System Facing Drastic Supply Shortage Amid Climbing Coronavirus Cases

Health officials have sounded the alarm as supplies are quickly vanishing as COVID-19 cases continue to soar.

Experts now fear the US will resemble the healthcare crisis currently happening in Italy.

Read More: Running Out Of Ventilators: Experts Say the US Could Be The Next Italy

The Trump administration announced it would deploy two hospital ships to help increase medical capacity and potentially curb medical supply shortages.

The ships will be serving in coronavirus hot zones to help take the pressure off of local hospitals and to open up space for patients carrying the infectious disease.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said field and expeditionary hospitals are prepared to provide help should more support be needed.