The World Health Organization has declared coronavirus a global emergency. The declaration comes as cases surpass 8,000 globally. The virus has been confirmed in 18 countries. (CNBC)
The Trump administration has formed a coronavirus task force. The 12-person group will be led by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. They are tasked with ensuring Americans have the latest information on the virus and coordinating the response. (Reuters)
U.S. life expectancy rose for the first time in four years, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The increase, which was only about a month, was due to lower death rates for cancer and drug overdoses. (Associated Press)
Altria has taken a $4 billion charge because of its investment in Juul. The company will continue to help Juul submit its premarket authorization to sell vapes, but will stop providing logistics, distribution and access to retail shelf space. (Reuters)
Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn has pledged to take further action on teen vaping if the current measures don’t do enough. Hahn said the FDA’s new policy that bans the sale of flavored vapes could be easily changed to include menthol or mint flavors, if teens switch to those. (Washington Post)
