March 19, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Dr. Karen Kinsell is the only physician in Fort Gaines, Georgia, a town of 3,000 people, where 40 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Some of her patients can’t afford to pay her, but she says her office doesn’t turn anyone away, and there is no “bigger high” than that of saving lives. Dr. Kinsell offers her Brief But Spectacular take on being the only doctor in a poor rural area.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across the U.S. has surged past 11,000, and officials expect it to rise quickly in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Senate is working on a huge economic aid package, and President Trump is waiving some FDA restrictions to try expedite treatment development. William Brangham reports and Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

The U.S. military is gearing up to fight the novel coronavirus, which is spreading rapidly across the U.S. Plans include deployment of hospital ships as overflow for hospitals, allocation of critical medical supplies and research in military labs on development of treatment and a vaccine. Judy Woodruff speaks with Defense Secretary Mark Esper about these efforts and keeping service members safe.

In our news wrap Thursday, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii suspended her longshot bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. In a message to her supporters, Gabbard said that despite her political differences with former Vice President Joe Biden, he is the best choice to unite the country. Also, both Iran and Lebanon released American prisoners for medical reasons.

The 2018 film “Roma,” set in Mexico, won myriad awards and acclaim. But it also sparked a national debate about racial and social inequities. Now, its star, Yalitza Aparicio, has carved out a new offscreen role as an advocate for change, championing rights for indigenous people and Mexico’s domestic workers. Jeffrey Brown reports from Mexico City.

Many Americans have encountered long lines and empty shelves at grocery stores recently. But the problem is not one of supply; rather, stores say that most shortages are temporary and due strictly to an unprecedented surge in buying, as panicked consumers rushed to stock up on items they feared might become scarce. Amna Nawaz talks to Greg Ferrara, president of the National Grocers Association.

The coronavirus pandemic is causing immense economic damage. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits has surged as businesses nationwide close down and are forced to lay off workers. Has the country ever experienced anything like this? Paul Solman talks to Harvard University economist Ken Rogoff, whose book “This Time is Different” examines the history of financial crises.