The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday that it would extend its flexible free school meals program through the fall, to help keep millions of kids fed as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hold the country in its grip. The program, which allowed parents and caregivers to collect free meals for their kids… read on >
Parents worry that COVID-19 can make a diabetic child’s condition worse, but an expert has some tips for keeping kids healthy during the pandemic. “If a child has good control of their diabetes, it does not seem as though there will be severe effects if they were to get the virus,” said Dr. Michael Yafi,… read on >
Drug use is common among people taking part in virtual raves and happy hours during the coronavirus pandemic, a new study finds. “We explored whether stay-at-home orders changed how people use drugs — and it appears that drug use during virtual gatherings is somewhat prevalent among the party-going population we studied,” said study author Joseph… read on >
Telemedicine might help people with stubbornly high blood pressure get their numbers down — and possibly lower their risk of heart disease and stroke in the long run, a new study suggests. Doctors already recommend that people with high blood pressure use a home monitor to track their numbers. But research suggests that home readings,… read on >
The new rapid COVID-19 test approved last week is probably not the most reliable option for determining whether someone is infected. But it’s cheap and it’s fast, and if used correctly, it could be the basis of a screening strategy to keep Americans safe as they return to school and work, infectious disease experts say.… read on >
Americans are generally well-versed about the use of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, although knowledge gaps about face coverings persist, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll reveals. About nine in 10 Americans said they are knowledgeable about mask-wearing and that they sometimes, often or always wear a mask when they leave their home and are… read on >
As the number of coronavirus cases in the United states passed the dubious milestone of 6 million on Sunday, a new report shows COVID-19 is now spreading at a faster rate in children and teenagers than among the general public. The troubling data, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, comes just as schools and universities… read on >
Older Americans with depression have held up well to the threat of COVID-19, a new study finds. Researchers saw no increase in their depression and anxiety during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. And they said these seniors showed resilience to the stress of physical distancing and isolation. “We thought they would be more… read on >
Some fall allergy symptoms mimic those of COVID-19, so seasonal allergy sufferers should follow treatment plans and take precautions to avoid any confusion, an expert says. “A rise in ragweed tends to mark the informal start of the fall allergy season, which typically begins in mid-August,” said Dr. Rachna Shah, an allergist with Loyola Medicine… read on >
Breastfeeding mothers are unlikely to transmit the new coronavirus to their babies via their milk, researchers say. No cases of an infant contracting COVID-19 from breast milk have been documented, but questions about the potential risk remain. Researchers examined 64 samples of breast milk collected from 18 women across the United States who were infected… read on >
