Who will get Covid-19 vaccine next? Frontline essential workers and Americans 75 and older, says CDC panel
Who will get Covid-19 vaccine next? Frontline essential workers and Americans 75 and older, says CDC panel

First responders, those who work in the education sector, food and agriculture, manufacturing, corrections workers, US postal service, public transit and grocery store workers are in line

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

How dangerous is new Covid-19 strain? All you need to know about mutant variant that spreads more quickly
How dangerous is new Covid-19 strain? All you need to know about mutant variant that spreads more quickly

The latest variant of Covid-19 is known as the VUI-202012/01 is now getting tested to check if it can trigger dramatic changes

Can wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases? Study says it's possible and stresses upon need for investigation
Can wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases? Study says it's possible and stresses upon need for investigation

It contains living microbes such as bacteria and fungi, which are aerosolized from burning materials like soils, detritus, and wild woods and transported in smoke plumes

Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine approved for emergency use in US, 5.9 million doses to be shipped to states
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine approved for emergency use in US, 5.9 million doses to be shipped to states

US officials have said that between the two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, there will be enough doses to immunize 20 million Americans by the end of December 2020

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Oral birth control pills may protect women from ovarian and endometrial cancer even after decades, says study
Oral birth control pills may protect women from ovarian and endometrial cancer even after decades, says study

The protective effect remains significant up to 35 years after discontinuation of the pills

Drug overdose deaths in US spike amid Covid-19 pandemic as country records largest numbers ever in a year
Drug overdose deaths in US spike amid Covid-19 pandemic as country records largest numbers ever in a year

Synthetic opioids are the main culprit, with 10 western US states reporting a 98% increase in deaths involving them

New study reveals why having a clown by your child's hospital bed can help
New study reveals why having a clown by your child's hospital bed can help

Children in the presence of hospital clowns reported significantly less anxiety during medical procedures and improved psychological well-being

Emergency room visits for child abuse in US may be down but injury severity has not decreased, finds CDC
Emergency room visits for child abuse in US may be down but injury severity has not decreased, finds CDC

Implementation of strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect, including strengthening household economic supports and creating family-friendly work policies, is important, particularly during public health emergencies, suggest experts

Waterborne illnesses sicken more than 7 million Americans and kill over 6,600 every year, warns CDC
Waterborne illnesses sicken more than 7 million Americans and kill over 6,600 every year, warns CDC

The estimates are based on not just water that people in the US drink, but also the water in swimming pools, waterparks, water playgrounds and hot tubs

Alaska healthcare worker suffers serious allergic reaction to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, first such case in US
Alaska healthcare worker suffers serious allergic reaction to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, first such case in US

The worker, who is middle-aged and had no previous history of allergies, is now in a stable condition

High levels of cadmium in cigarette and veggies linked to higher death rates in people with flu: Study
High levels of cadmium in cigarette and veggies linked to higher death rates in people with flu: Study

Long-term exposure to cadmium, even at low levels, may undermine the body’s defense system in the lungs, explain scientists

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

When will the Moderna coronavirus vaccine be available? FDA set to give nod
When will the Moderna coronavirus vaccine be available? FDA set to give nod

Preliminary evidence also suggests that the vaccine candidate may prevent some asymptomatic cases

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

FDA approves genetically modified pigs to facilitate safer food, medical products for people with allergies
FDA approves genetically modified pigs to facilitate safer food, medical products for people with allergies

GalSafe pigs may potentially provide a source of “porcine-based materials” to produce human medical products that are free of detectable alpha-gal sugar

Utah mink found near infected fur farm confirmed as first known Covid-19 case in a wild animal
Utah mink found near infected fur farm confirmed as first known Covid-19 case in a wild animal

There is currently no evidence that the coronavirus is circulating or has been established in wild populations surrounding the infected mink farms

Utah News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)

New Covid-19 variant detected in UK, scientists say there’s no reason to panic and call for more research
New Covid-19 variant detected in UK, scientists say there’s no reason to panic and call for more research

Experts say there is currently no evidence to suggest that the variant is more likely to cause serious disease. 'This kind of evolution and mutations are quite common.'

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Who is Sandra Lindsay? NYC ICU nurse among first to get Covid-19 vaccine, says 'healing is coming'
Who is Sandra Lindsay? NYC ICU nurse among first to get Covid-19 vaccine, says 'healing is coming'

She said, 'I want to instill public confidence that the vaccine is safe. We’re in a pandemic and so we all need to do our part to put an end to the pandemic and to not give up so soon'

New York News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Americans with allergies can get Pfizer's Covid-19 shot if they don't have severe reactions to vaccines: FDA
Americans with allergies can get Pfizer's Covid-19 shot if they don't have severe reactions to vaccines: FDA

About 1.6% of the US population has had a severe allergic reaction of some sort or another to food or some environmental aspect

Trump’s White House staff, other top US officials could be among the first to get Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine
Trump’s White House staff, other top US officials could be among the first to get Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine

Initial doses will be limited and the CDC recommends that healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents get the vaccine first

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Biogen's superspreader Boston event in February may have led to 245,000 Covid-19 cases in US, other nations: Study
Biogen's superspreader Boston event in February may have led to 245,000 Covid-19 cases in US, other nations: Study

While Massachusetts accounted for most early spread related to the conference, Florida accounted for the greatest proportion of cases overall

Boston News|Florida News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)|Massachusetts News

FDA gives Pfizer coronavirus vaccine green light, Americans could get first shot as early as Monday
FDA gives Pfizer coronavirus vaccine green light, Americans could get first shot as early as Monday

The emergency use authorization comes at a time when over 294,000 have died in the Covid-19 pandemic in the US

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Tennessee firm recalls drugs after factory mix-up of erectile dysfunction and anti-depressant pills
Tennessee firm recalls drugs after factory mix-up of erectile dysfunction and anti-depressant pills

Unintentional intake of sildenafil may pose serious health risks to people with underlying health issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes

Do people share health risks with pets? Owners of dogs with diabetes more likely to develop disease: Study
Do people share health risks with pets? Owners of dogs with diabetes more likely to develop disease: Study

Owners of dogs who are diabetic are at a 38% higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes. No association was found between type 2 diabetes in cat owners and diabetes in their cats

FDA panel recommends Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, here's what will happen next
FDA panel recommends Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, here's what will happen next

This paves the way for FDA to authorize the shot and within 24 hours of an emergency use authorization, the vaccine could be shipped out to distribution sites across the US

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Can increased use of social media cause depression? Study finds a link between the two
Can increased use of social media cause depression? Study finds a link between the two

According to the analysis, young adults who used more than 300 minutes per day were 2.8 times as likely to become depressed within six months

Should Americans with severe allergies avoid Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine? Here's what we know so far
Should Americans with severe allergies avoid Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine? Here's what we know so far

Moncef Slaoui, chief vaccine adviser for Operation Warp Speed, said he expected that the UK allergic reactions would be considered in the US authorization process

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Where did Covid-19 ACTUALLY start? Origins story gets murkier after Italian boy, 4, infected in November 2019
Where did Covid-19 ACTUALLY start? Origins story gets murkier after Italian boy, 4, infected in November 2019

According to the researchers, the findings, in agreement with other evidence of early Covid-19 spread in Europe, 'advance the beginning of the outbreak to late autumn 2019'

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Will sharing personal info discourage Americans from getting Covid-19 vaccine? States refuse to give data to CDC
Will sharing personal info discourage Americans from getting Covid-19 vaccine? States refuse to give data to CDC

CDC explains that it has requested such information to assess and verify second-dose vaccination, evaluate vaccine safety and to allow for critical vaccine effectiveness monitoring

Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine offers ‘some protection’ after first dose, FDA says it meets ‘success criteria’
Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine offers ‘some protection’ after first dose, FDA says it meets ‘success criteria’

The FDA had earlier indicated it would authorize a vaccine that is safe and at least 50% effective. The agency’s analysis shows that Pfizer's vaccine candidate appears to meet the safety requirements

Mental health, depression and suicide references in US rap songs have more than doubled in 20 years, says study
Mental health, depression and suicide references in US rap songs have more than doubled in 20 years, says study

According to the authors, artists through their lyrics have the potential to shape mental health discourse and reduce stigma

Covid-19 rocks NY and California hospitals, as Fauci warns that even 10 people may be a lot for Christmas gathering
Covid-19 rocks NY and California hospitals, as Fauci warns that even 10 people may be a lot for Christmas gathering

If hospitalization rate does not stabilize, indoor dining will be closed in New York City, while it will be reduced to 25% in the rest of the state

California News|New York News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Medical school applications jump by 18% in US amid Covid-19 pandemic, is this the ‘Fauci effect’?
Medical school applications jump by 18% in US amid Covid-19 pandemic, is this the ‘Fauci effect’?

Some admission officers say that public health experts such as Dr Anthony Fauci have inspired the youth to join the medical profession

What is Art With Me festival? How Tulum event turned into Covid-19 super-spreader in New York
What is Art With Me festival? How Tulum event turned into Covid-19 super-spreader in New York

A private testing company claims 60-70% of the positive tests in the last few weeks in New York City were among those who attended the event or people who had become exposed to someone who did

New York News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Teenagers unhappy with their physical appearance at 50-285% higher risk of depression by age 18, warns study
Teenagers unhappy with their physical appearance at 50-285% higher risk of depression by age 18, warns study

Nearly 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys were dissatisfied with their figure by age 14, says study

Over 50% of New York City firefighters may refuse Covid-19 vaccine, some don’t want to be ‘test subjects’: Poll
Over 50% of New York City firefighters may refuse Covid-19 vaccine, some don’t want to be ‘test subjects’: Poll

Several healthy firefighters in their 30s and 40s have become less fearful of the virus as they have overcome it themselves or know of colleagues who have recovered after a diagnosis

New York News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Covid-19 vaccine will NOT be made mandatory, says Joe Biden even as poll suggests 60% of Americans may take shot
Covid-19 vaccine will NOT be made mandatory, says Joe Biden even as poll suggests 60% of Americans may take shot

About 39% of US adults said they 'definitely or probably would not' get a coronavirus vaccine

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The NEXT coronavirus pandemic? Bats in China are carrying other viruses that may infect humans
The NEXT coronavirus pandemic? Bats in China are carrying other viruses that may infect humans

Close relatives of Covid-19 virus may be circulating in places beyond China, says Dr Zheng-Li Shi from the Wuhan Institute of Virology

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Cannabis is removed by UN from the list of ‘most dangerous substances’, what are the implications?
Cannabis is removed by UN from the list of ‘most dangerous substances’, what are the implications?

However, it will still be subjected to restrictions under the Schedule I category that labels substances with ‘addictive properties, presenting a serious risk of abuse’

With Covid-19 cases rising across US, here’s a look at what restrictions are being imposed to curb the spread
With Covid-19 cases rising across US, here’s a look at what restrictions are being imposed to curb the spread

California health officials announced a regional stay-at-home order that will be triggered if ICU capacity drops below 15% in a given region

California News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Pfizer expects to roll out only 50% of coronavirus vaccine doses it had planned globally by 2020-end: Report
Pfizer expects to roll out only 50% of coronavirus vaccine doses it had planned globally by 2020-end: Report

Pfizer’s and BioNTech’s combined manufacturing network has the potential to supply worldwide up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

CDC warns against travel during Christmas, says Covid-19 crisis in coming months may be worst US has ever seen
CDC warns against travel during Christmas, says Covid-19 crisis in coming months may be worst US has ever seen

White House coronavirus task force suggests that if state and local policies do not reflect the seriousness of the current situation, all public health officials must alert the state population directly

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

CDC shortens Covid-19 quarantine period: 7 days after exposure with a negative test or 10 days minus symptoms
CDC shortens Covid-19 quarantine period: 7 days after exposure with a negative test or 10 days minus symptoms

CDC still recommends staying home for 14 days after contact with a person who has coronavirus as the best way to reduce transmission but said it hopes the shorter alternatives will increase compliance

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Airlines no longer required to accommodate passengers with ‘emotional support’ animals, rules US department
Airlines no longer required to accommodate passengers with ‘emotional support’ animals, rules US department

It defines a service animal as a dog and permits airlines to limit the number of service animals that one passenger can bring onboard an aircraft to two service animals

Does cannabidiol in cannabis affect one’s ability to drive? It doesn't but THC  does, claims analysis
Does cannabidiol in cannabis affect one’s ability to drive? It doesn't but THC does, claims analysis

In people who used a THC/CBD mixture, there was mild impairment during driving measured at 40 minutes later but not after four hours

41% of US’ essential workers, 34% in high-risk group ‘not likely’ to take Covid-19 shot once authorized: CDC
41% of US’ essential workers, 34% in high-risk group ‘not likely’ to take Covid-19 shot once authorized: CDC

Coronavirus vaccine should go to healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents first, recommends CDC’s advisory panel

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Was Covid-19 present in US in December 2019? It may have infected Americans earlier than thought, says study
Was Covid-19 present in US in December 2019? It may have infected Americans earlier than thought, says study

CDC scientists found antibodies to coronavirus in 106 samples taken from blood donated by 7,389 people in the US in December 2019 and January 2020

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Moderna says Covid-19 vaccine 100% effective in preventing severe disease, applies for FDA authorization
Moderna says Covid-19 vaccine 100% effective in preventing severe disease, applies for FDA authorization

The efficacy was reportedly consistent across age, race, ethnicity and gender

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Who is Dr Joseph Varon? Photo of Houston doctor comforting elderly Covid-19 patient on Thanksgiving floors Internet
Who is Dr Joseph Varon? Photo of Houston doctor comforting elderly Covid-19 patient on Thanksgiving floors Internet

Dr Joseph Varon, chief of staff at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas, said the patient was crying as he wanted to be with his wife

Texas News|Houston News|Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Can air pollution increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease? It may be possible, study of US seniors suggests
Can air pollution increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease? It may be possible, study of US seniors suggests

People in the most polluted areas had a 10% increased probability of a PET scan showing amyloid plaques, a signature of Alzheimer’s, compared to those in the least polluted areas

Fauci warns Americans to brace for ‘surge upon a surge’ in coronavirus cases after Thanksgiving holiday
Fauci warns Americans to brace for ‘surge upon a surge’ in coronavirus cases after Thanksgiving holiday

He urged travelers to be safe when returning from holiday travels, encouraging them to quarantine if possible and to get tested

Coronavirus (Covid-19)