News That Matters

Tag: covid

White House unveils plan to move America to a new stage of the Covid pandemic
26Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

White House unveils plan to move America to a new stage of the Covid pandemic

The White House has a plan to approach the pandemic in a way where it does not disrupt the lives of citizens and where we are better equipped for possible variants to arise. The National Covid-19 Preparedness Plan will fund treatments for the virus, keeps schools and businesses open, and push vaccination. Biden has presented a plan, “Test to Treat” where Americans get tested for the virus and receive an antiviral pill, for free, on the spot, should they test positive. His plan will also address Americans living with long-term impacts of the virus. To read more, click here.
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Hong Kong reports record COVID-19 cases; movements could be restricted
25Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Hong Kong reports record COVID-19 cases; movements could be restricted

Hong Kong is enforcing COVID-19 testing for its more than 7 million residents. Health officials are reporting a record of 55,353 daily infections and over one hundred deaths due to the virus. Even with these high numbers, they have no plan to block entry or exit from the city. U.S. officials are warning travelers to not travel to Hong Kong after discovering the high level of threat. To read more, click here.
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As Covid Cases Fall, Biden Says It’s Time to Return to Normal Life
25Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

As Covid Cases Fall, Biden Says It’s Time to Return to Normal Life

President Biden states that we have made a lot of progress over the past year in regard to COVID-19. Therefore, it is time to return the pre-COVID normal we once lived. Federal and local governments are minimizing their restrictions, and citizens should feel safe returning to their offices. Biden can not say whether a new variant will arise, but he has put plans and initiatives in place should the arise. With his plan, Biden hopes that we will never have to return to the restricted life we once lived during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more, click here.
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COVID reinfections, sneezing hamsters and huge methane emissions
25Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

COVID reinfections, sneezing hamsters and huge methane emissions

It has been reported that after the emergence of the Omicron variant that the amount of reinfections has risen sharply. A genomic analysis of viral samples from pet hamsters makes experts believe that the Delta outbreak was caused by a pet store that carried SARS-CoV-2 into Hong Kong. Hamsters are highly susceptible to the virus and can easily transfer it to other rodents and humans. While recent studies support the idea that pet trading contributes greatly to the spread, it is still more likely to be passed from human to human. To read more, click here.
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COVID-19 takes serious toll on heart health—a full year after recovery
24Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

COVID-19 takes serious toll on heart health—a full year after recovery

Data from patients that recovered from COVID-19 supports the claim that SARS-CoV-2 can damage the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists are stunned at the lasting effects of even acute cases, one year after recovery. The exact reason for the long term damage is unknow at this time, but this also goes to show that this virus is much worse than the flu. COVID-19 has lasting effects that are possibly life-threatening. To learn more, click here.
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The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron
24Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron

Over the course of the pandemic, there have been several variants to arise. With this is mind, people are wondering when the next one will happen and how serious it will be. However, there is no way to know this information. When considering the history of past variants, it is predicted that new variants will arise every few months. Omicron caused much more mild symptoms when compared to other variants, but that doesn't mean it won't cause severe disease. It is unlikely that vaccines will completely protect from new variants. Omicron has several mutations, and the vaccine's protection is reported to be relatively high. To learn more, click here.
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Babies are protected from hospitalization for Covid if their moms get vaccinated, study suggests
21Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Babies are protected from hospitalization for Covid if their moms get vaccinated, study suggests

After studying the effects of vaccination on unborn babies, the CDC found that infants that were younger than 6 months old were 61% less likely to be hospitalized with Covid if their mother received a vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna while pregnant. Research suggests that this is possible because antibodies from the vaccine can transfer across the placenta to the fetus. For mothers that got vaccinated later in the pregnancy, 21 weeks to 14 days before delivery, the baby had an even higher level of protection. It went from 61% to 80%. To read more, click here.
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Covid will always be an epidemic virus- not an endemic one, scientist warns
21Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Covid will always be an epidemic virus- not an endemic one, scientist warns

Omicron is not expected to be the last Covid-19 variant. WHO warns that the next one to arise will be more contagious than Omicron. The CDC in the United States considers an epidemic occurrence to happen when the number of cases for a particular disease increases suddenly, above expectations. WHO declares a pandemic when the growth of a disease is extremely large and spreads across the globe. Despite many opinions on the topic, a biosecurity expert believes that this virus will always behave as an epidemic virus. To read more, click here.
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Drugstores struggle to keep Covid at-home tests in stock as omicron rages across U.S.
20Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Drugstores struggle to keep Covid at-home tests in stock as omicron rages across U.S.

While at-home COVID tests are convenient, they have been hard to come by. This is especially true in hot-spots like New York City. Pharmacies have been overwhelmed with the orders as the kits are being sold out before they arrive in the stores. President Joe Biden is trying to remedy the situation by offering 500 million tests for free. However, the short supply has more to do with material shortages. They still continue to work around the clock and hire more employees to get the tests out as fast as possible. To read more, click here.
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