Researchers are gathering data from thousands of Americans to create an “early warning system” that can identify people in the early stages of COVID-19. More than 12,000 people — including thousands of health care workers in California and West Virginia — are already wearing specially designed Oura rings that track their temperature, breathing, heart and…  read on >

It’s a tough task, but parents need to keep kids away from playgrounds, shared toys and sports equipment during the coronavirus pandemic, experts emphasize. The coronavirus can stick around on surfaces for a long time, a recent New England Journal of Medicine study found. It takes 72 hours for the virus to become undetectable on…  read on >

Public health officials have been warning that a COVID-19 vaccine will not be available to the public for 12 to 18 months, dampening hopes that there will be a quick end to the global pandemic nightmare. But Chinese researchers cracked the virus’ genetic code within weeks of its emergence late last year, and two vaccine…  read on >

The White House announced new guidance on Friday that urges all Americans to wear face coverings in public to curb the spread of COVID-19. As President Donald Trump told the American public about the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation during a coronavirus task force briefing, he noted he will not be following…  read on >

Parenting a teenager can be an emotional minefield in the best of times, but the social distancing of the coronavirus pandemic could really strain young people’s mental health. Teens and young adults who are confined to home during the coronavirus pandemic face numerous disappointments, including not being able to hang out with friends, missing out…  read on >

Pregnant women with COVID-19 may be susceptible to pregnancy complications, an obstetrician-gynecologist says. Pregnant women have physiologic changes in their chests that may make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, according to Justin Brandt. He’s assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal-fetal medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School…  read on >

Even if your takeout dinner was prepared by a cook who has COVID-19, there’s little need to worry about your risk of infection, according to an expert in viruses. “Restaurant kitchens can be one of the safest places in this coronavirus outbreak because they already practice strict hygiene protocols to avoid foodborne illness,” said Paula…  read on >