News That Matters

Tag: covid

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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As Omicron cases fall, doctors anxiously await possible surge of dangerous child complication MIS-C
8Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

As Omicron cases fall, doctors anxiously await possible surge of dangerous child complication MIS-C

A record number of U.S. children were found to be sick right after the Omicron coronavirus variant made its appearance in the states. A rare and dangerous condition known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, MIS-C, is expected to create a surge in cases although that has not happened yet. The symptoms for MIS-C are non-uniform but they include: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, conjunctivitis, and low blood pressure. The cases for this particular condition vary by region, and they only represents a small number of child Covid cases. To read more, click here.
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Study finds that children release fewer respiratory droplets and aerosols, a clue to understanding Covid-19 transmission
8Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Study finds that children release fewer respiratory droplets and aerosols, a clue to understanding Covid-19 transmission

When compared to adults, children between the ages 8 to 10 only release a quarter of the aerosols that adults do. This information comes from a study where 15 children were studied. The number of particles emitted and the volume of the particles was the primary measure of the study. Another finding of the study was that children are less loud than adults which accounted for the difference of particle emission. Children were found to be less susceptible to infection and more likely to be asymptomatic than adults. The study showed that the main difference between children and adults in the severity of the disease. To read more, click here.
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Black and Brown communities had highest increases in drug overdose death rates during pandemic, study says
7Feb By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Black and Brown communities had highest increases in drug overdose death rates during pandemic, study says

Drug overdoses rose sharply during the pandemic, and ethnic communities were hit the hardest. Black people had the highest increase in deaths by overdose in 2020. This is the first time their rates were higher that White people since 1999. Of the groups in the black and brown community, American Indian and Alaska Natives had the highest rates of overdose deaths, and Black people came in with the second highest numbers. The pandemic has been accelerating trends that were already heading towards the wrong direction. Even when the pandemic ends, these trends will take at least a year to subside. To read more, click here.
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