By Suresh V. Kuchipudi, The Conversation A new variant named omicron (B.1.1.529) was reported by researchers in South Africa on Nov. 24, 2021, and designated a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization two days later. Omicron is very unusual in that it is by far the most heavily mutated variant yet of SARS-CoV-2, […]
By Nancy S. Jecker & Caesar Atuire, The Conversation Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant dubbed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization, has prompted new travel restrictions in many nations. Although little is known about omicron, scientists have expressed concern that it may be more transmissible or vaccine-resistant than previous variants. On Nov. […]
By Tamra Burns Loeb, Gail Wyatt, Michele R. Cooley-Strickland, The Conversation With college students back on campus, and COVID-19 with us for the foreseeable future, it has become increasingly clear that educators need to develop a new definition of safer sex. Although the virus is not a sexually transmitted infection, students can spread COVID-19 through […]
By Maya Kaufman, Crains New York A Minnesota man tested positive for the Covid-19 omicron variant several days after returning home from New York City, where he attended an anime convention at the Javits Center, according to Minnesota health officials. The man, who is vaccinated, developed mild symptoms Nov. 22 and got tested two days […]
By ABC News The Biden administration is preparing to implement new travel guidelines that would require proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of flying into the U.S., including for vaccinated people, a spokesperson from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed. The expected change comes as the country beefs up surveillance […]
By David Leonhardt, NY Times The public reaction to new Covid-19 variants has followed a familiar cycle. People tend to assume the worst about two different questions — whether the variant leads to faster transmission of the Covid virus and whether it causes more severe illness among infected people. The first of those worries came […]
Air travelers with face mask queuing at UK border control in Heathrow Airport, London. – London, UK- August 6, 2021 (Shutterstock) By Axios Countries across Europe and Asia are rushing through new travel restrictions in response to a new COVID variant identified by scientists in South Africa. The big picture: Israel, Japan, the U.K., France, […]
By Dr. Dave A. Chokshi Recently, important updates about the COVID-19 vaccine were announced—that certain people are now eligible for a “booster” dose. Since the beginning of COVID-19, our scientific understanding of the virus has constantly evolved, and many New Yorkers understandably have questions about this new development. I would like to provide […]
By Alexander Wong, The Conversation I am an infectious disease physician. When it is our turn to vaccinate our five-year-old son against COVID-19, I will do so with confidence and without hesitation. I am encouraging every parent with eligible children between ages five and 11 to do the same. Here is why. The U.S. Food […]
Burnout, vaccine hesitancy, and plum traveling gigs are making it harder for hospitals to hire the nurses they need.
By Dylan Scott, VOX Covid-19 may no longer be surging widely across the United States, but America’s hospitals are still experiencing a staffing crisis that is putting critical care for patients in jeopardy. Hospitals all over the country are struggling, especially those in lower-population areas. A new survey of rural hospitals from the Chartis Group, […]