health
USA TODAYNew York City reports possible monkeypox case as outbreak spreads to 7 countries
A day after a case was reported in Massachusetts, health officials in New York City reported a possible case of monkeypox Thursday evening.
CBS NewsNearly half of Americans live in areas where they should consider masking, CDC data says
The CDC published updated data Thursday on counties at "medium" and "high" levels of COVID-19.
USA TODAYHow adoptees, parents can access adoption support groups and mental health services
Parents who have adopted internationally or privately have fewer options if things go wrong. These mental health and support group resources can help.
USA TODAYFact check: No, goat's milk is not a substitute for baby formula, experts say
Goat milk is not healthy for babies and should not be used as an alternative to store-bought formula, multiple experts told USA TODAY.
Yahoo Life'Suicide is an incredibly painful crisis in our country,' says U.S. surgeon general
"People like me and many others have lost family members to suicide and it feels very personal, even though years pass," U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told Yahoo Life at the Mental Health Youth Action Forum.
Associated PressMonkeypox spreads in West, baffling African scientists
As more cases of monkeypox are detected in Europe and North America, some scientists who have monitored numerous outbreaks in Africa say they are baffled by the unusual disease's spread in the West. Cases of the smallpox-related disease haven’t previously been seen among people with no links to central and West Africa. France, Germany, Belgium and Australia confirmed their first cases of monkeypox on Friday.
ReutersItaly confirms two more monkeypox infections, brings total cases to three
MILAN (Reuters) -Italy on Friday confirmed two more cases of monkeypox infection at the Spallanzani hospital in Rome, bringing the total cases to three so far in the country. The Lazio region health commissioner Alessio D'Amato said in a statement that the two other suspected infections related to the first detected case had now been confirmed.
Business InsiderMeta told employees they can't discuss abortion at work in groups of more than 5 people, report says
Group discussion of abortion at work should only be among "like-minded" people, a top Meta exec said in an internal message seen by The Verge.
ReutersBelgium detects first two monkeypox cases
Belgian health experts were due to meet on Friday after the country detected its first two cases of monkeypox, authorities said. The cases were diagnosed in different cities, though Flemish broadcaster VRTNWS said both patients had attended the same party in an undisclosed location. A leading virologist said the number of cases in the country would probably rise.
ReutersThailand to lift curbs on nightlife from June
Thailand will allow night clubs and karaoke bars to resume regular hours starting in June, a senior official said on Friday, dropping most of its remaining pandemic restrictions as daily infections decline. Thailand's nightlife is a major attraction for tourists, but most entertainment venues have been shuttered or faced a strict curfew since the pandemic began, with some bars forced to convert to restaurants to stay in business. The government hopes the latest easing of restrictions will help revive the Southeast Asian country's battered tourism sector, a key growth engine that accounted for about 12% of the economy before the pandemic.
Associated PressReligious backers of abortion rights say God's on their side
It was lunch hour at the abortion clinic, so the nurse in the recovery room got her Bible out of her bag in the closet and began to read. “I trust in God,” said Ramona, who asked that her last name not be used because of the volatility America’s abortion debate. Out in the parking lot, protesters bellowed at patients arriving for appointments, doing battle against what they regard as a grave sin.
ReutersAustralia reports first monkeypox case in traveller from Britain
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia on Friday reported its first monkeypox case in a traveller who recently returned from Britain, while a probable case of infection was identified with testing being carried out to confirm it. A man in his 30s who arrived in Melbourne on Monday has the virus, Victoria state's health department said, while the probable case was identified in Sydney in a man in his 40s who had recently travelled to Europe. Both men developed mild illness after arriving back in Australia with symptoms clinically compatible with monkeypox, health officials said.
ReutersChina reports 1,183 new coronavirus cases on May 19 vs 1,082 a day earlier
China reported 1,183 new coronavirus cases on May 19, of which 193 were symptomatic and 990 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Friday. There were no new deaths, leaving the country's death toll unchanged at 5,218. As of May 19, mainland China had confirmed 222,775 cases with symptoms.
ReutersChina's international schools hit by exodus of teachers dejected by COVID curbs
After teaching for three years at an international school in Shanghai, Michael is preparing to break his contract and leave, worn down by stringent measures against the coronavirus. Following two years of nearly-shut borders, onerous health checks and quarantine norms, a decision at the beginning of April to lock down China’s commercial centre proved the last straw for the 35-year-old. Michael is one of hundreds of international teachers heading for the exits as the COVID-19 pandemic and new rules on education reshape the working environment in China.
USA TODAY'Rare and unusual' monkeypox cases are causing global concern. Here's what we know.
The U.S. recorded one case of monkeypox, in Massachusetts and a suspected case in New York City. Here's all you need to know about the virus.
ABC NewsCDC signs off on booster shots for children ages 5 to 11
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has signed off on expanding COVID-19 booster eligibility to include all children over the age of 5 years old, the agency announced Thursday evening. Booster shots will now be authorized for use in children ages 5 to 11, at least five months after completing their first round of shots. Children 5 through 11 should receive a booster dose at least 5 months after their primary series.
USA TODAYKids 5-11 can start receiving 3rd doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine as CDC committee, director OK boosters
Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on the recommendation Thursday. The booster dose is now available to children 5 months after their second dose.
CBS NewsCOVID cases up 76% among kids in recent weeks
It's not just among kids — infections are on the rise nationwide.
CBS NewsCDC clears Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine boosters for children as young as five
The agency also upped its recommendation for second boosters in adults 50 and older, as well as the immunocompromised.
NBC NewsCDC signs off on Pfizer Covid booster for kids 5-11
The CDC signed off on booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine for children 5- to 11-years-old. The extra dose adds protection against omicron.
Business InsiderThe CDC recommends a booster shot for 5-11s as new Omicron subvariants emerge
Most kids haven't even had their first COVID-19 shot yet. Public health experts are concerned they're most at risk as new variants emerge.
Associated PressCDC urges Pfizer booster for children ages 5 to 11
Kids ages 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the U.S. government said Thursday. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quickly adopted the panel’s recommendation, opening a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids — just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older. The hope is that an extra shot will shore up protection for kids ages 5 to 11 as infections once again are on the rise.
ABC NewsMonkeypox cases detected in US, Europe, but experts caution against comparing it to COVID-19
Countries in Europe and North America are continuing to report more cases of monkeypox, but experts say the disease so far does not pose a serious risk to the public. At least 17 infections of the rare disease have been confirmed in non-endemic areas such as the United States, United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden and Italy, and dozens of possible cases are under investigation in those nations as well as in Canada and Spain. Most cases occur when people encounter infected animals in countries where the virus is endemic -- typically central and western Africa as occurred with the outbreak's first case, reported in England on May 7 among a person who had recently traveled to Nigeria.
ReutersVaccination after infection may curb long COVID; desktop 'air curtains' may deflect virus particles
Vaccination after infection with SARS-CoV-2 may contribute to a reduction in the burden of long COVID symptoms, a new study suggests. Researchers tracked 6,729 volunteers ages 18 to 69, who got two shots of either AstraZeneca's viral vector vaccine or an mRNA vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna after recovering from an infection with the coronavirus and who reported long COVID symptoms of any severity at least once between February and September 2021. The odds of reporting long COVID - symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks - fell by an average of 13% after a first vaccine dose, the researchers reported on Wednesday in The BMJ.
Associated PressReports: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcome baby boy in LA
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have welcomed a baby boy, according to multiple reports. The couple, who first revealed her pregnancy with a belly-baring Harlem photo shoot in January, became parents May 13 in Los Angeles, said TMZ, the first to report the birth Thursday based on unnamed sources. A representative for Rihanna did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press seeking confirmation.
“It could give millions a chance to finally buy a house or start their business or help their kids get an education, too.”
“You signed a contract…If you don’t want to deal with the financial pressure of debt, don’t take out the loan.”
“Without action from Biden, Black student debt will hinder his agenda with respect to eliminating racial inequities.”
“Blanket relief could end up routing too much relief to those who do not need it and too little to those who do.”
“Unlike a number of other policy issues, student debt relief doesn’t need to be pushed through a narrowly controlled Congress.”