News That Matters
Parents: Infant formula recalls and recent study on Pfizer COVID vaccine effectiveness for kids during omicron surge
14Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Parents: Infant formula recalls and recent study on Pfizer COVID vaccine effectiveness for kids during omicron surge

There has recently been a recall on Similac PM 60/40 cans after an infant who was exposed unfortunately died, according to the FDA. A study finds that the two dose Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine decreased in effectiveness during the omicron surge. This fact was noted for children aged 5 to 11 years old. If you have an infant that is experiencing symptoms that are related to Salmonella or Cronobacter infection, contact your primary health care provider as soon as possible and report their symptoms. To read more, click here.
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With mask mandates expiring, businesses bet on their own policies
11Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

With mask mandates expiring, businesses bet on their own policies

One salon owner opted to open her own shop in order to limit exposure for herself and her clients. Even with the CDC relaxing guidelines on masking, business owners are taking control of mask mandates for their own, private businesses. Polls show that there is almost an even split over mask mandates. This split is mostly due to opposing political views. To read more, click here.
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It’s safe to unmask in many places, says the CDC. These experts aren’t quite ready
11Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

It’s safe to unmask in many places, says the CDC. These experts aren’t quite ready

Even though the CDC has given new guidance that says we are able to ditch the masks, infectious disease specialists surveyed by NPR are choosing to keep their masks on. When you are deciding whether you should ditch you mask, or not, look at more than the infection rates globally or even nationally. It is important to take into account the risk calculations for your local county. For now, infection instances are at about 24 people per 100,000 per day and experts are looking for that number to decrease to about 5 to 10 cases before they take masks off. To read more, click here.
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How long COVID sheds light on other mysterious (and lonely) chronic illnesses
11Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

How long COVID sheds light on other mysterious (and lonely) chronic illnesses

COVID-19 cases have a steep decline, however, it is difficult to say how many people will develop lingering symptoms. Long COVID-19 is very difficult to detect as the symptoms are commonly associated with other, more mild sicknesses. Additionally, the symptoms can come and go at unexpected times, so lab tests are not always able to pick up on the presence of the sickness. O’Rourke advertises her book, The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness where she outlinesher personal experience with hopes that it helps someone else. To read more, click here.
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Pfizer’s COVID vaccine is not as protective against omicron for 5 to 11 year-olds, data suggests
10Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Pfizer’s COVID vaccine is not as protective against omicron for 5 to 11 year-olds, data suggests

Further studies of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine suggests that the vaccine is not effective at preventing infection from the omicron variant. This has been observed amongst 5 to 11 year-olds, making parents afraid and adding onto their list of things to be worried about. While the vaccine will still prevent serious illness, parents are asking should they still vaccinate their kids. Are their kids even safe? Will there now be a delay for vaccinations for the pre-school age group due to the new discoveries? To read more, click here.
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Immunocompromised Americans feel left behind by the loosening of COVID safety rules
10Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Immunocompromised Americans feel left behind by the loosening of COVID safety rules

There was an interview between Alisa Chang of NPR and Cass Condray, Johnnie Jae, and Charis Hill. All three people that are being interviewed are immunocompromised and share their thoughts about being a part of the immunocompromised population while COVID related restrictions are beginning to lift.  They express that pre-Covid, the conditions for disabled members of society were already very poor. They are not very excited about the return to what most people would call, “normal.” To read more, click here.
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The White House has a new plan for COVID-19 aimed at getting things back to normal
9Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

The White House has a new plan for COVID-19 aimed at getting things back to normal

The White House has released a plan that includes going back to normal, pre-Covid, by encouraging people to get tested and treated while remaining vigilant for new outbreaks and surges. With all of the interventions in place, leaders are confident that we are headed in the right direction. The newest initiative is “test to treat” where people can get tested and be offered anti-viral pills on the spot, at no cost. This is expected to be rolled out in March of 2022 per Biden’s State of the Union address that was delivered recently. To read more, click here.
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“I barely function some days”: Covid “long haulers” struggle to work amid labor shortage
9Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

“I barely function some days”: Covid “long haulers” struggle to work amid labor shortage

A year after battling Covid, a woman still fights post-Covid syndrome. She reports her symptoms as being sever fatigue, cognitive impairment, and constant pain. She is barely able to move around and has been laid off from her job due to her inability to work. Experts have estimated roughly 1.3 million individuals are out of work due to long haul Covid symptoms. The U.S. government know recognizes this as a disability and those that are suffering can apply for disability benefits. To read more, click here.
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How long can you wear your N95, according to experts
9Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

How long can you wear your N95, according to experts

An N95’s mask material and ability to filtrate pathogens is not compromised unless someone physically rubs or pokes holes in it. So how long can you wear one? According to a professor of civil and environmental engineering, you can wear then for a really long time. Some speculate that you can wear them up to 40 hours. They are only considered single use due to their nature of being used for medical professionals. In order to increase the amount of time appropriate to reuse the mask, avoid touching the outer part of the mask when you are putting it on your face. If the mask is visibly damp, dirty, or creased, consider swapping it out for a new mask. To read more, click here.
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