Why do some people refuse to get vaccinated or wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19? The biggest driver of that decision is a belief that the virus poses no threat to them, a new international study suggests. The researchers said their findings could help guide efforts to fight future pandemics. The investigators examined…  read on >  read on >

A deal for Merck’s COVID-19 pill to be made and sold cheaply in poor nations has been reached with Medicines Patent Pool, a United Nations-backed nonprofit organization. The royalty-free license means that companies in 105 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia, can sublicense the formulation for the antiviral pill molnupiravir and start making it, the…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 27, 2021 Do you like your burgers well done with a side of plastic? Probably not. But a new study suggests that fast food often comes with a sizable helping of plastic-softening chemicals that could potentially lead to hormone disruption, infertility and learning disabilities. At issue are phthalates and other so-called “replacement plasticizers.”…  read on >  read on >

Patients suffering from “long COVID” can have symptoms that last a year or more, putting their jobs and everyday routines in jeopardy, a new study finds. Looking at more than 150 people with long-lasting effects from COVID-19, researchers said the patients reported thinking problems, fatigue, brain fog, headache, sleep problems and dizziness. “The majority of…  read on >  read on >

Severely immunocompromised people may require a fourth mRNA coronavirus shot, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The agency didn’t provide an official recommendation about a fourth shot in its updated guidelines, but did say that people should talk to their doctors to determine if one is necessary, CNN reported. In August, the…  read on >  read on >

Routine face mask ventilation during an operation doesn’t increase the surgical team’s risk of coronavirus infection, according to a new study. Face mask ventilation is typically used for surgical patients under general anesthesia. However, its designation as an “aerosol-generating procedure” by the World Health Organization has altered operating room procedures and efficiency during the COVID-19…  read on >  read on >