Contrary to recommendations set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, many Americans are getting screened for cancer even when old age or poor health would likely render such screenings risky and pointless, new research finds. The task force notes that screening always entails some degree of risk, and cancer treatment can be harsh. So… read on >
All Mommy:
Will Your Kid Play School Sports This Fall? Here’s Some Guidance on Doing It Safely
If you’re thinking about letting your child resume sports while the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, a leading pediatricians’ group says there are a few things you should consider. To help families make informed decisions, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released guidance based on the most current research. “We recommend that parents talk… read on >
Seven States Join Pact to Speed Coronavirus Testing
As the daily U.S. coronavirus death toll averaged more than 1,000 for the ninth straight day on Tuesday, governors from seven states banded together to shorten turnaround time for COVID-19 test results. Three Republican governors and three Democratic governors signed an interstate testing agreement on Tuesday, The New York Times reported. Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,… read on >
Coronavirus Cases Now Climbing in the Midwest
Midwestern states are starting to see surges in coronavirus cases, just as Southern and Western states are scrambling to contain their own outbreaks of COVID-19. Missouri, Montana and Oklahoma are among those witnessing the largest percentage surge of infections over the past week, the Washington Post reported. At the same time, the number of new… read on >
Schools Can Reopen Safely If Precautions in Place, Australian Study Shows
Safeguards such as contact tracing and swift isolation of cases of COVID-19 could be the key to reopening U.S. schools safely this September, a study from Australia shows. In the study, which involved thousands of schools or preschools, a total of 27 kids or teachers were determined to have been present in schools while they… read on >
November Election Can Be Held Safely, Experts Contend
With the 2020 presidential election just three months away, new research suggests an election can be held safely if stringent steps are taken to lower COVID-19 infection risk. The conclusion follows a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigation that looked at what happened in the city of Milwaukee this past April after Wisconsin… read on >
Coronavirus Pandemic Becoming Far More Widespread, Birx Says
The White House coronavirus task force coordinator warned Americans on Sunday that the pandemic has entered a new stage where infections are far more widespread and face masks are crucial to curbing new COVID-19 cases. “What we are seeing today is different from March and April. It is extraordinarily widespread,” Birx told CNN. “So everybody… read on >
Even With PPE, Risk of COVID-19 Still High for Frontline Workers
At the peak of the pandemic in the United States and United Kingdom, frontline health care workers, especially minorities, had much higher risks for COVID-19 than other individuals, a new study finds. Paramedics, who are often the first to see sick patients, are at far greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 than others, the… read on >
Face Masks, Yes, But Don’t Forget Hand-Washing Too
For most people, wearing a face mask to protect against COVID-19 doesn’t lead to a false sense of security that leads them to forgo other precautions like hand washing, a new study finds. Although it’s not clear how protective face masks are, scientists and policymakers are urging people to use them. The World Health Organization,… read on >
Top U.S. Health Officials to Testify in Congress About Pandemic Response
As the number of U.S. coronavirus cases passed 4.5 million on Thursday, some of America’s top public health officials will return to Congress for another round of questioning on the federal government’s handling of the pandemic. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, will testify Friday in front of the House’s special select… read on >