News That Matters

Tag: Coronavirus

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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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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Fauci says ‘full-blown’ COVID-19 pandemic is almost over in US.
17Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Fauci says ‘full-blown’ COVID-19 pandemic is almost over in US.

Dr. Fauci, the chief medical adviser for President Biden, believes that the full-blown pandemic phase is winding down. The government response to the pandemic will be handled on a local level as opposed to federal like it has been in the past. There are still mask mandates in much of the U.S., and that is coming to an end “soon.” Those hospitalized due to COVID, in the United States, has dropped significantly according to the CDC. If the Omicron surge continues to dwindle, and a new variant does not emerge, we will come out on the other side of this in the very near future. It is also believed that the need for frequent boosters will turn into a once every four or five years will be the norm. To learn more, click here.
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Lessons for Congress from Biden’s failed COVID ‘American Rescue Plan’
14Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Lessons for Congress from Biden’s failed COVID ‘American Rescue Plan’

In 2021, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law which was intended to boost the economy. Critics believe that the provisions were poorly crafted and would worsen the situation. Economists believe that the bill actually pushed inflation higher- which cis supported by the fact that inflation has reached the highest level in 40 years. The ARP failed to deliver on the promises that stated students would be educated despite the pandemic. It is imperative to move forward with the knowledge we gained over the past year, and prevent the waste of more money while trying to combat the virus. To learn more, click here.
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Antihistamines may help resolve long COVID, report suggests
14Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Antihistamines may help resolve long COVID, report suggests

A recently published case report revealed that two healthy women returned to normal life after taking antihistamine drugs, daily, to overcome long COVID. Long COVID refers to infected patients that have persistent symptoms that extend past the typical time frame. The report follows a woman that is thought to be one of the first people infected with COVID-19 in the United States. This woman reported that many of her initial symptoms subsided after 24 hours but then returned two months later. She had a relapse in symptoms which prompted more lab work. To learn more, click here.
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Africa ‘on-track’ to control the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO says
14Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Africa ‘on-track’ to control the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO says

The regional head of the World Health Organization for the continent states that African countries are on track to control the coronavirus and the variants that are emerging. Africa has faced a lot of challenges such as inequities in accessing the vaccine and the impact of the lockdowns on their economies. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa assures us that, “We are finally able to say that if current trends hold, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.” While the continent only has 11% of the adult population vaccinated, they are still expected to maintain control of the virus. To learn more, click here.
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The NFL says it has lesson for the country on handling Covid-19
13Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

The NFL says it has lesson for the country on handling Covid-19

As the 2021 season of football began, more than 90% of football players and staff had been vaccinated against coronavirus. After feeling as though control was regained, Omicron hit and impacted the schedule of the games. Most common places of transmission were are meetings, eateries, and during greetings until the latest wave. Cases within the NFL went from an average of less than 30 cases a week to over 300 in just a few weeks. Covid guidelines and practices were adjusted such as requiring boosters and more frequent testing. They have moved to symptom based testing which has been helpful in combating the virus within their organization. The NFL attributes most of their success to vaccines. Now, 95% of the players and almost 100% of the staff is fully vaccinated. To learn more, click h...
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