News That Matters

Tag: COVID-19

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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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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Covid-19 vaccine authorization for younger children delayed as FDA seeks more data
13Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Covid-19 vaccine authorization for younger children delayed as FDA seeks more data

Parents continue to wait to find out when their youngest children are able to get a Covid-19 vaccine. Pfizer and BioNTech have submitted a request to the FDA to authorize the use of their drug in people 6 months to 5 years old. The meeting that was originally scheduled for February 15, 2022 has been postponed due to new data. New data shows that while the vaccine is safe, it lacks true effectiveness. The FDA is requesting data from an ongoing trial of a third vaccine dose which is not scheduled to be completed until April 2022. This delay in authorization is not a “no,” more trials are needed in order to keep everyone safe. To learn more, click here.
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Covid-19 booster shot uptake is at all-time low in the US, CNN analysis finds
13Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Covid-19 booster shot uptake is at all-time low in the US, CNN analysis finds

Public health officials are concerned after reviewing the falling numbers of individuals that getting vaccine booster shots. Of the entire U.S. population, only 28% have received a booster shot against COVID-19. Evidence shows that people who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as their first dose were less likely than other groups to get their booster shot. 4 out of 10 people that are full vaccinate report that they will definitely not get a booster or will only do so if it is required. The choice to boost also seems to be connected to party lines as Democrats largely outnumber Republicans that got a booster shot. To learn more, click here.
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Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19
12Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19

Experts weigh in on the post-acute cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19. Using national healthcare databases, a cohort of 153,760 people were studied along with two different controlled groups. The purpose of the study is to explore the risks and one year burdens of cardiovascular outcomes. The results of their study proves that there are substantial risks of cardiovascular disease in individuals that survived acute cases of COVID-19. It is important that more time and effort go into cardiovascular health and disease in those that were found to have COVID. To learn more, click here.
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Third COVID-19 wave hit rural America especially hard
12Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Third COVID-19 wave hit rural America especially hard

The University of Cincinnati found that rural counties had 2.4 more infections per 1,000 people than urban areas during the delta variant surge. America has had a lot of variation in vaccination rates from state to state, which may account for this finding. The counties with low vaccination rates had more intense surges while the third wave of the virus was hitting America. Rural areas had less access to health care when compared to urban areas. This study shows the need for vaccination, especially in areas where the rate is low. To learn more, click here.
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What Should Our COVID-19 Strategy Look Like in 2022?
12Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

What Should Our COVID-19 Strategy Look Like in 2022?

The strategy for preventing COVID was preventing infection. It has now shifted to preventing hospitalizations and even death. The current approach has proven to be costly and not sustainable. Being that there has been a lot of collateral damage, such as kids missing school and others missing days from work, we must take all of that into account. Now, it is necessary to set goals, create strategies to achieve them, and hold ourselves accountable. Other things to consider when getting over the virus includes accurate testing, contact tracing, and following the footsteps of other places that have seen success. To learn more, click here.
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