This story is part of a partnership that includes ,  and Kaiser Health News.Behind a nondescript strip mall in Carmel, Indiana, a short line of cars gathers mid-afternoon next to a large tent. Medical professionals stand out front, dressed head to toe in blue medical coveralls. People in the cars — many of them first responders — drive up to be tested for COVID-19.The test involves a really long swab placed deep into the nose, toward the back of the throat.“No, it’s not fun, but it’s quick. I would say painless, but it is a little painful,” Carmel firefighter Tim Griffin said....…This story is part of a partnership that includes ,  and Kaiser Health News.Behind a nondescript strip mall in Carmel, Indiana, a short line of cars gathers mid-afternoon next to a large tent. Medical professionals stand out front, dressed head to toe in blue medical coveralls. People in the cars — many of them first responders — drive up to be tested for COVID-19.The test involves a really long swab placed deep into the nose, toward the back of the throat.“No, it’s not fun, but it’s quick. I would say painless, but it is a little painful,” Carmel firefighter Tim Griffin said....WW…

This story is part of a partnership that includes , , and Kaiser Health News.Scottie Edwards died of COVID-19 just weeks before he would have gotten out of the Westville Correctional Facility in Indiana.Edwards, 73, began showing symptoms of the disease in early April, according to the accounts of three inmates who lived with him in a dormitory. He was short of breath, had chest pain and could barely talk. He was also dizzy, sweaty and throwing up.Edwards was serving a 40-year sentence for attempting to kill someone in 2001. He would have been released to home detention on May 1 but died on...…This story is part of a partnership that includes , , and Kaiser Health News.Scottie Edwards died of COVID-19 just weeks before he would have gotten out of the Westville Correctional Facility in Indiana.Edwards, 73, began showing symptoms of the disease in early April, according to the accounts of three inmates who lived with him in a dormitory. He was short of breath, had chest pain and could barely talk. He was also dizzy, sweaty and throwing up.Edwards was serving a 40-year sentence for attempting to kill someone in 2001. He would have been released to home detention on May 1 but died on...WW…

This story is part of a partnership that includes , and Kaiser Health News.Rebecca and Bruce Austin in central Illinois have six kids — ranging in age from 4 to 22.Five kids still live at home, and all of them came to the Austins through the foster care system. All told, they see 14 doctors.Many states promise to provide health care to help foster and adoptive families keep kids healthy, but recently in Illinois, thousands of children temporarily lost coverage when the state switched their health plans. Some of Rebecca and Bruce’s children got caught in the coverage gap, which has the...…This story is part of a partnership that includes , and Kaiser Health News.Rebecca and Bruce Austin in central Illinois have six kids — ranging in age from 4 to 22.Five kids still live at home, and all of them came to the Austins through the foster care system. All told, they see 14 doctors.Many states promise to provide health care to help foster and adoptive families keep kids healthy, but recently in Illinois, thousands of children temporarily lost coverage when the state switched their health plans. Some of Rebecca and Bruce’s children got caught in the coverage gap, which has the...WW…

This story is part of a partnership that includes ,  and Kaiser Health News.Mayra Ramirez remembers the nightmares.During six weeks on life support at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Ramirez said, she had terrifying nightmares that she couldn’t distinguish from reality.“Most of them involve me drowning,” she said. “I attribute that to me not being able to breathe, and struggling to breathe.”On June 5, Ramirez, 28, became the to undergo a double lung transplant. She is strong enough now to begin sharing the story of her ordeal.Mysterious ExposureWhen the COVID-19...…This story is part of a partnership that includes ,  and Kaiser Health News.Mayra Ramirez remembers the nightmares.During six weeks on life support at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Ramirez said, she had terrifying nightmares that she couldn’t distinguish from reality.“Most of them involve me drowning,” she said. “I attribute that to me not being able to breathe, and struggling to breathe.”On June 5, Ramirez, 28, became the to undergo a double lung transplant. She is strong enough now to begin sharing the story of her ordeal.Mysterious ExposureWhen the COVID-19...WW…

This story is part of a partnership that includes Side Effects Public Media,  and Kaiser Health News.On April 6, an inmate named Dennis stayed up late at Indiana’s Plainfield Correctional Facility. He wrote to his wife, Lisa, and told her he was scared.“I can tell you right now, with nearly 100% certainty, that I am going to get this virus,” he wrote. Lisa said Dennis suffers from , which could cause complications if he contracts COVID-19. (KHN agreed to omit their last names because they fear retaliation from prison staff.)“I just need you to know how sorry I am for not being...…This story is part of a partnership that includes Side Effects Public Media,  and Kaiser Health News.On April 6, an inmate named Dennis stayed up late at Indiana’s Plainfield Correctional Facility. He wrote to his wife, Lisa, and told her he was scared.“I can tell you right now, with nearly 100% certainty, that I am going to get this virus,” he wrote. Lisa said Dennis suffers from , which could cause complications if he contracts COVID-19. (KHN agreed to omit their last names because they fear retaliation from prison staff.)“I just need you to know how sorry I am for not being...WW…

This story is part of a reporting partnership that includes , and KHN. It can beA bag of Doritos, that’s all Princess wanted.Her mom calls her Princess, but her real name is Lindsey. She’s 17 and lives with her mom, Sandra, a nurse, outside Atlanta. On May 17, 2020, a Sunday, Lindsey decided she didn’t want breakfast; she wanted Doritos. So she left home and walked to Family Dollar, taking her pants off on the way, while her mom followed on foot, talking to the police on her phone as they went.Lindsey has autism. It can be hard for her to communicate and navigate social situations. She...…This story is part of a reporting partnership that includes , and KHN. It can beA bag of Doritos, that’s all Princess wanted.Her mom calls her Princess, but her real name is Lindsey. She’s 17 and lives with her mom, Sandra, a nurse, outside Atlanta. On May 17, 2020, a Sunday, Lindsey decided she didn’t want breakfast; she wanted Doritos. So she left home and walked to Family Dollar, taking her pants off on the way, while her mom followed on foot, talking to the police on her phone as they went.Lindsey has autism. It can be hard for her to communicate and navigate social situations. She...WW…

October 2, 2020In August, Robert Pettigrew was working a series of odd jobs. While washing the windows of a cellphone store he saw a sign, one that he believes the “good Lord” placed there for him.“Facing eviction?” the sign read. “You could be eligible for up to $3,000 in rent assistance. Apply today.”It seemed a hopeful omen after a series of financial and health blows. In March, Pettigrew, 52, learned he has an invasive mass on his lung that restricts his breathing. His doctor told him his condition puts him at high risk of developing deadly complications from COVID-19 and advised him to...…October 2, 2020In August, Robert Pettigrew was working a series of odd jobs. While washing the windows of a cellphone store he saw a sign, one that he believes the “good Lord” placed there for him.“Facing eviction?” the sign read. “You could be eligible for up to $3,000 in rent assistance. Apply today.”It seemed a hopeful omen after a series of financial and health blows. In March, Pettigrew, 52, learned he has an invasive mass on his lung that restricts his breathing. His doctor told him his condition puts him at high risk of developing deadly complications from COVID-19 and advised him to...WW…