News That Matters
Omicron is fading, but nobody knows when the pandemic will finally end
20Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Omicron is fading, but nobody knows when the pandemic will finally end

United States health officials continue to reassure citizens that we are moving closer to a time where Covid-19 does not dominate our lives. Covid will never be eradicated, but the virus is no longer expected to keep pushing hospitals to their breaking point in the coming months. Infections have skyrocketed with the emergence of the omicron variant, however hospitalizations and deaths have not. This is a good sign. The term endemic refers to a disease that occurs at a regular and predictable level. Experts believe that this is the current stage we are in. To read more, click here.
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Some European countries are scrapping all Covid rules despite scientists warning it’s too soon
20Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Some European countries are scrapping all Covid rules despite scientists warning it’s too soon

Officials in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway are lifting restrictions in regard to Covid. They now classify Covid as a non-threat to society. They hope to enact a law that revokes the previous one that required people that tested positive to self-isolate. As a result, WHO responds by warning government agencies that it is too premature to surrender or deem themselves victorious over the virus. In Sweden, social distancing requirements are changing g as well. There is no longer a limit on the amount of people gathering in one place. These disregard for past Covid rules are due to declining hospitalizations and the availability of the vaccine. To learn more, click here.
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Do you still need a mask? Here’s how the CDC determines if you should wear one
19Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Do you still need a mask? Here’s how the CDC determines if you should wear one

Americans continue to raise questions as to when the masks can come off as Covid related hospitalizations continue to fall. Last summer, the CDC recommended indoor masking and that guidance has not changed. Other factors are used when determining when to relax the protocols such as the overwhelming amount of people being hospitalized. The numbers are lower, it has been stated that, “Our hospitalization rates are still quite high,” and death data should be a key factor in determining when mitigation guidance should be lifted. To learn more, click here.
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How to fight the next new Covid variant after omicron? Plan for it now
19Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

How to fight the next new Covid variant after omicron? Plan for it now

We are currently in the middle of yet another Covid-19 variant surge. It is important that we plan ahead for the next one before it actually arrives. We have the high quality masks, more testing, and manageable techniques for those that are hospitalized, but as we enter the endemic world, we should think bigger. It is known that the virus can and will continue to mutate and plans should be enacted for inevitable surges There is no guarantee that the future variants will be mild. To learn more, click here.
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CDC issues urgent alert: Pregnant women need the Covid-19 vaccines
19Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

CDC issues urgent alert: Pregnant women need the Covid-19 vaccines

The CDC continues to urge pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Less than one third of pregnant women have been vaccinated and that is alarming. It has been noted that those with underlying conditions should be receiving the vaccine the most; and pregnancy is considered an underlying condition. The women trying to get pregnant or that are breastfeeding should follow the vaccination guidance as well. Pregnant women that are unvaccinated run the risk of delivering pre-term babies. Studies have shown that there is not an increased risk for miscarriage after a single dose of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNtech vaccines.  To learn more, click here.
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What you need to know about at-home rapid tests and their results
18Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

What you need to know about at-home rapid tests and their results

At-home tests have been helpful in the fight against Covid-19. However, with the emergence of the omicron variant, some are worried about the access and efficacy of the tests. The speedy results sacrifice some accuracy, but aid the decision in when to get additional treatment. PCR tests remain the most accurate tests that are available. On the other hand, rapid tests detect antigens on the surface of the virus and they provide results in 15 minutes. At-home test have a greater likelihood of false negatives as well. To learn more, click here.
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Covid booster shots are rolling out. What does that mean for you?
18Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Covid booster shots are rolling out. What does that mean for you?

Professionals in healthcare, teachers, and other essential worker positions are being hit the hardest by Covid-19. There has been a disproportionate impact on certain racial and ethnic minority communities causing a higher need for booster shots. Those that qualify for the booster are people aged 65 and older and people aged 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. These recommendations apply to people that received the first two doses on Pfizer. The effectiveness of the booster appears to be higher in the 65 and up age group. To learn more, click here.
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After Covid, risks of heart problems remain elevated for up to a year
18Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

After Covid, risks of heart problems remain elevated for up to a year

Michelle Wilson is an example of one patient that recovered from a mild case of Covid-19. Weeks later when she was due back at work, her heart problems began. She cites her heart racing erratically one morning after she thought she recovered. It was found that she developed high blood pressure. She had no known risks for heart disease until after Covid-19. Nature Medicine found that the illness increased heart irregularities in the year after an acute infection. The vast majority of those that have the heart problems are those that are unvaccinated. To learn more, click here.
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Will a mask protect me even if no one else is wearing one?
17Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Will a mask protect me even if no one else is wearing one?

Indoor mask mandates continue to decline as the Omicron surge dwindles. Americans have grown even more frustrated with indoor mask mandates causing states to rethink them for public spaces. The director for the CDC claims that the agency is working on up to date masking guidance in the midst of high and substantial COVID-19 transmission. While no one is around you, you can still receive benefit from masking. Assuming the mask is well fitted and worn correctly, the mask will provide some level of protection. It was found that people who wore a cloth mask decreased their chances of contracting the virus by 56% and those that wore a N95 or KN95 were 83% less likely to test positive for Covid. Masking still works. To learn more, click here.
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Lockdowns only reduced COVID-19 death rate by .2%, study finds: ‘Lockdown should be rejected out of hand’
17Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Lockdowns only reduced COVID-19 death rate by .2%, study finds: ‘Lockdown should be rejected out of hand’

During the first wave of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, it was found that there was only a .2% reduction in mortality within the United States and Europe. The analysis showed that the lockdowns had little public health benefit, but had a large negative impact on economics. In the analysis, researchers looked into school shutdowns, business closures, and mask mandates. The researchers concluded that limiting gatherings increased COVID-19 mortality. The only lockdown measure that reduced COVID mortality was closing non-essential businesses, which accounted for a reduction of 10.6%. To learn more, click here.
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