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Two years ago, Dr. Kelly McGregory opened her own pediatric practice just outside Minneapolis, where she could spend as much time as she wanted with patients and parents could get all of their questions answered. But just as her practice was beginning to thrive, the coronavirus hit the United States and began spreading across the country. (Abelson, 11/15)

Like many medical workers around the world, Fargo emergency room nurse Adam Johnston can’t escape the grim reality of the coronavirus pandemic. It follows him everywhere: at work, where people die every shift; at the grocery store, where people rail against his city’s mask requirement; and at home, where he struggles to sleep. He’s gotten through the long months, including North Dakota’s current virus wave that is among the worst in the U.S., by finding solace with fellow nurses during brief breaks where they can swap tips on beating insomnia or just vent frustrations. But he and many other nurses fear things are about to get even harder now that Gov. Doug Burgum has allowed the state’s beleaguered hospitals to use infected but asymptomatic workers to treat COVID-19 patients. (MacPherson and Groves, 11/15)

The Veterans Affairs Department has issued an interim final rule to make it easier for VA clinicians to practice across state lines, even when it conflicts with state requirements. The rule is designed to "preempt" state requirements that could be used to sanction VA clinicians for doing so, according to the rule published in the Federal Register Thursday. (Kim Cohen, 11/13)

KHN: Long-Term Care Workers, Grieving And Under Siege, Brace For COVID’s Next Round 

In the middle of the night, Stefania Silvestri lies in bed remembering her elderly patients’ cries. “Help me.” “Please don’t leave me.” “I need my family.” Months of caring for older adults in a Rhode Island nursing home ravaged by COVID-19 have taken a steep toll on Silvestri, 37, a registered nurse. (Graham, 11/16)