Health
Wiping down groceries? Experts say keep risk in perspective
Cleaning wipes are harder to find on store shelves, and businesses are reassuring customers with stepped up sanitation measures. In New York, the subway system is shut down nightly for disinfecting. To avoid any traces of the coronavirus that might be lurking on surfaces, Americans have been wiping down groceries,… Read
AstraZeneca says its vaccine needs additional study
The head of British drug manufacturer AstraZeneca said on Thursday further research was needed on its COVID-19 vaccine after questions emerged over the protection it offers, but the additional testing is unlikely to affect regulatory approval in Europe. AstraZeneca and its partner, the University of Oxford, announced last Monday that… Read
Are dining tents a safe way to eat out during the pandemic?
Health experts say outdoor dining tents are generally safer than dining inside, but caution that they’re not all equal. Many restaurants are erecting individual tents, igloos and other outdoor structures that let people who are dining together avoid being indoors, where the coronavirus spreads more easily. Experts say the structures… Read
Coronavirus crippling fight against other pandemic: TB
The global community is missing the chance to end the "modern tragedy" of tuberculosis, the biggest infectious killer, experts say, warning how the world's other pandemic will worsen during COVID-19. The fight against tuberculosis -- a respiratory disease that is preventable and treatable yet kills more than 1.4 million people… Read
Curtailed Christmas could be safest bet: WHO
The World Health Organization says that avoiding family gatherings would be "the safest bet" over Christmas, insisting there is no zero-risk option for traditional holiday merry-making during the coronavirus pandemic. WHO officials said it was down to governments to weigh up the economic and social benefits of loosening pandemic restrictions… Read
Superspreader events key driver in COVID-19 pandemic
At churches, on cruise ships and even in the White House, superspreading events that can sicken dozens, even hundreds, of people have illustrated the potential for the coronavirus to infect in dramatic bursts. Experts say these large clusters are more than just extreme outliers, but rather the pandemic's likely main… Read
What does COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness mean?
What does COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness mean? It refers to the likelihood that a coronavirus shot will work in people. Two vaccine makers have said that preliminary results from their late-stage studies suggest their experimental vaccines are strongly protective. Moderna this week said its vaccine appears nearly 95% effective. This comes… Read
How two companies sprinted ahead in extraordinary race for a COVID vaccine
Just as the coronavirus was gaining a foothold in the United States in mid-March, Pfizer Inc Chief Executive Albert Bourla called on his top vaccine scientists and laid out a clear mission: “He basically said, ‘Your mandate is to get this vaccine made. And if you need resources, you come… Read
Health experts clash over use of certain drugs for COVID-19
Health officials around the world are clashing over the use of certain drugs for COVID-19, leading to different treatment options for patients depending on where they live. On Friday, a World Health Organization guidelines panel advised against using the antiviral remdesivir for hospitalized patients, saying there’s no evidence it improves… Read
What's with the confusion over masks?
A lot of the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus comes down to a seemingly simple concept: Wearing a mask. But the issue has proven a thorny one. Health authorities have changed their guidance on who should wear masks and when to wear them. This has led to… Read
