health
Associated PressBiden to give away 400 million N95 masks starting next week
The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to U.S. residents starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government's Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand. The masks will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country.
The ConversationThe omicron variant is deepening severe staffing shortages in medical laboratories across the US
Thousands of physicians throughout the U.S. rely daily on the critical data provided to them by medical labs. xavierarnau/E+ via Getty ImagesMedical laboratory professionals form the backbone of health care and the public health system. They conduct some 13 billion laboratory medicine tests annually in the U.S. As of January 2022, these individuals had also performed more than 860 million COVID-19 tests and counting during the pandemic. Why should anyone care? Laboratory testing is the single hi
ReutersSwiss researchers launch trial for COVID "patch" vaccine
Swiss medical researchers said on Wednesday they have launched an early-stage study to test a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate which would be administered via an arm patch, the latest to look at alternative methods of giving injections. Unlike conventional vaccines that stimulate antibody production, the new PepGNP-Covid19 vaccine candidate focuses on T-cells, which are responsible for cellular immunity, to eliminate cells infected by the virus and prevent it from replicating. British company Emergex Vaccines Holding Ltd developed the potential vaccine, while Unisanté medical research centre in Lausanne in collaboration with the city's CHUV hospital will run the trial, which started on Jan. 10.
Business InsiderBreastfeeding study finds that mothers with COVID-19 didn't pass infection to babies through breast milk
UCLA study's researchers analyzed the breast milk of 65 COVID-19-positive women.
USA TODAYA pig's heart has given an ex-con a second chance, but is it ethical?
A pig's heart transplant may be a gift – or a curse – to an ex-con. How ethical is it? A look at the case of David Bennett Sr.
USA TODAYFree COVID-19 tests: What you need to know to order tests or get reimbursed
The Biden administration launched a new test-ordering website, COVIDTests.gov. Insurers also must reimburse consumers for home tests
The Guardian‘Nocebo effect’: two-thirds of Covid jab reactions not caused by vaccine, study suggests
US researchers show negative version of placebo effect behind many symptoms such as headaches and fatigue
ReutersAre hospital admissions still the best way to gauge the COVID crisis?
Using the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 to gauge the severity of the pandemic may not give an accurate picture in the Omicron era as more and more patients with the virus are being admitted for other reasons, some scientists say. Governments have focused on hospitalisations to determine the need for restrictions but the data does not typically differentiate between people admitted because of COVID-19, and those who test positive on wards during routine checks. "Say you're having a heart attack, come into hospital, and end up testing positive," said Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at Britain's University of East Anglia.
Associated PressIs it better to wear an N95 or cloth mask right now?
Health experts suggest stepping up protection against the highly contagious omicron variant with stronger masks such as N95s or KN95s. It's especially important now with health care systems under strain, and with people in higher-risk situations such as crowded, indoor settings for extended periods, says Linsey Marr, who studies viruses at Virginia Tech. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance to recommend the kinds of masks used by health care workers, but also noted it's important to pick a mask that fits well and that you’ll wear consistently.
ReutersValneva says early studies show COVID-19 vaccine effective against Omicron
All of the serum samples tested presented neutralizing antibodies against the ancestral virus and Delta variant, it said, while 87% of samples did so against the Omicron variant. "We are extremely pleased with these results," said Chief Medical Officer Juan Carlos Jaramillo in a statement, noting that these added to an earlier Phase III trial that showed improved immune response with two doses of the VLA2001 candidate. Valneva expects to receive potential approvals for its vaccine within the first three months of 2022, and is providing data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as well as regulators in the UK and Bahrain.
Yahoo LifePope Francis's parenting comments rile up those without kids: 'The word 'selfish' has been thrown at childfree people for so long'
"I was willing to take my chances and wait despite the fear-based advice I was receiving," one new mom in her late 30s says of delaying motherhood.
Associated PressUS begins offering 1B free COVID tests, but many more needed
For the first time, people across the U.S. can log on to a government website and order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. The White House also announced Wednesday that it will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free at pharmacies and community health centers. Both initiatives represent the kind of mass government investments long seen in parts of Europe and Asia, but delayed in the U.S.
ReutersCoronavirus spreading like never before in Americas, health agency says
BRASILIA (Reuters) -COVID-19 infections are reaching new peaks in the Americas with 7.2 million new cases and more than 15,000 COVID-related deaths in the last week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday. "The virus is spreading more actively than ever before," PAHO Director Carissa Etienne told a briefing. The Caribbean has had the steepest increase in infections since the start of the two-year-old pandemic, the regional agency said.
Business InsiderI'm an ER nurse who's comforted panicked COVID-19 patients as they beg to live. Too often, they die anyway.
"I'm urging everyone to put politics aside," ER nurse Thad Cummings told Insider. "COVID-19 has caused us to lose our humanity."
ReutersGreece imposes rolling fines to push COVID-19 vaccinations in older people
Greece has begun imposing recurring fines on those over the age of 60 who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 to try to boost inoculation in the most vulnerable age group even as infection rates from the fast-spreading Omicron variant are slowing. After hitting an all-time high of 50,126 registered coronavirus infections on Jan. 4, mainly driven by the spread of the Omicron variant over the Christmas holidays, cases have been falling in recent days. But with the more severe Delta variant still infecting many Greeks and causing serious illness in people over the age of 60, the country has been registering many dozens of daily deaths at its hospitals.
Associated PressMexican abortion advocates look to help women in US
Decades ago, Mexican activists drove women into the United States to terminate their pregnancies at clinics. Now it’s women in the U.S. who are facing more challenges to accessing abortion services and again Mexican activists are stepping up to offer support. The changing dynamic has to do with the reversal of the legal fortunes of abortion rights on both sides of the border and the expertise of Mexican activists in helping women overcome legal and social barriers.
Associated PressUK lifts COVID restrictions, says omicron wave 'has peaked'
Face masks will no longer be mandatory in public places and schools in England and COVID-19 passports will be dropped for large events as infections level off in large parts of the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday. Johnson told lawmakers that the restrictions were being eased because government scientists believed it was likely that the surge of infections prompted by the highly contagious omicron variant “has now peaked nationally.” While hospitals in northern England are still under pressure because of high caseloads, Johnson said hospital admissions and patients in intensive care units elsewhere in England were stabilizing or falling.
Associated PressMedical workers fear Polish hospitals can't handle new surge
Doctors and medical workers in Poland fear the country's health care system may not be able to cope with the latest surge of COVID-19 infections. Poland has about 31,000 hospital beds for COVID-19 patients, and the current infection rate poses a “great risk to the efficiency of the health care system,” Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said. Medical staff are exhausted and overworked and stress that dedicated hospital beds and equipment alone cannot care for the patients.
ReutersWith eagles and elephants, Philippines lures public for 'zoo jabs'
The Philippines opened a zoo on Wednesday as a makeshift vaccination centre in the hope its elephants and eagles can attract young and elderly people hesitant about getting inoculated against COVID-19. Manila zoo was giving vaccinations to young people age 12-17 and the elderly and allowing recipients of jabs to spend time observing its elephant enclosure, peacocks and more. "Aside from being safe and also getting vaccinated, the kids can also enjoy the outdoors, the scenery, and the animals that are here inside," said Joyce Pablo, mother of one of the children being inoculated.
The ConversationCORBEVAX, a new patent-free COVID-19 vaccine, could be a pandemic game changer globally
CORBEVAX uses recombinant DNA technology that many countries already have the infrastructure to produce. Artis777 via iStock/Getty Images PlusThe world now has a new COVID-19 vaccine in its arsenal, and at a fraction of the cost per dose. Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has seen over 314 million infections and over 5.5 million deaths worldwide. Approximately 60% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. But there is still a glaring and alarming
ReutersBillionaire Soon-Shiong opens new vaccine plant in South Africa
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -South African-American businessman Patrick Soon-Shiong opened a new vaccine plant in Cape Town on Wednesday, intended to help his local NantSA company make COVID-19 shots in future and address the continent's deadly dearth of manufacturing capacity. The pandemic has exposed a global lack of access to life-saving vaccines, particularly in Africa, where just about 10% of the population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 compared to over half the world's population. Soon-Shiong, who is also a medical doctor, will transfer technology and materials from his California-based NantWorks to scientists in South Africa, where they will also work on vaccines targeting cancer, TB and HIV.
Business InsiderA restaurant that was temporarily closed after accepting customers' dog pictures instead of COVID-19 vaccination proof has reopened
The Calgary restaurant's staff made it seem like they were scanning QR codes on phones when the customers were actually showing dog photos.
ReutersAustrian coronavirus cases shatter record as Omicron spreads
VIENNA (Reuters) -Austria's new daily coronavirus infections on Wednesday shattered the previous record as the highly contagious Omicron variant continued to spread, government data showed. Austria is bracing for a further surge in cases, in line with what has happened in other European countries. Austria emerged from its fourth full coronavirus lockdown last month, when only a small number of Omicron cases were recorded, and the government wants to avoid imposing another one during this wave.
Associated PressOptum again a big revenue driver for UnitedHealth in 2021
UnitedHealth Group's fourth-quarter profit soared as the nation's largest health insurance provider branched deeper into offering care as well as covering the bills. The health care giant said Wednesday that operating earnings from its Optum division grew nearly 10% to $3.4 billion in the quarter. Optum runs one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefits managers and provides care through its Optum Health network of doctors, clinics and surgery centers.
Associated PressWHO counts 18 million virus cases last week as omicron slows
The number of new coronavirus cases globally rose by 20% last week to more than 18 million, marking a slowdown in the surge caused by the omicron variant's spread, according to the World Health Organization. In its weekly report on the pandemic, the U.N. health agency said the number of new COVID-19 infections increased in every world region except for Africa, where cases fell by nearly a third. Confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped by about 50% the week before last, and earlier this month, WHO reported the biggest single-week increase in cases of the pandemic.
“Cooking is the No. 1 way you’re polluting your home … You’re basically living in this toxic soup.”
“People (myself included) like cooking with gas! It’s one of the few energy uses that inspires brand loyalty to the fuel consumed.”
“It’s time to start making new buildings all-electric and switching out all those existing gas appliances, including gas stoves.”
“If you're looking for personal ways to protect the environment and your health right now, you have much bigger fish to fry.”
“Market-based solutions have not achieved their desired goals, thus new ways of thinking need to emerge.”