The next step in beating the COVID-19 pandemic may be stepped up contact tracing and quarantine of people who’ve had contact with Covid-positive individuals. However, many people see that as too expensive and intrusive to be practical. An expert discusses how it might work, and how it might not.
Face Masks And Breathing
Some people insist that wearing a face mask smothers them and makes them feel like they’re not getting enough air. An expert discusses what might be going wrong and lays out the basics on how to wear a mask without needing to come up for air.
Long-Suffering Covid Survivors
While most people who contract COVID-19 survive, those who suffer often-changing symptoms for months on end can only wonder when they’ll get well. A survey of members of a long-haul survivors support group find that many who don’t have “textbook” symptoms suffer poor medical care and discrimination as a result. Two women who operate the support group discuss the issues.
Protecting Your Eyes From Summer UV Rays
Summer is when people want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Skin protection and sunscreen are something most of us consider, but overexposure to UV rays is extremely dangerous to the eyes as well. An expert discusses.
Disease Risk And Inheritance
Scientists have learned that the habits and environments of our parents and grandparents can have a strong effect on our health and longevity as a result of imprinting on egg and sperm cells. An expert explains.
What Every Parent Should Know: “It Doesn’t Look Like Drowning”
Seven hundred children under age 15 drown in the US each year, most within sight of a parent or other adult. Experts discuss one major reason: drowning doesn't look like most people picture it, and so are unaware the child is in trouble.
Covid And Choirs
Scientists have discovered that singing is an exceptionally effective way to spread viruses through the aerosolized particles it expels, which may travel much farther than the six foot safety zone many people follow. This means choruses and choirs may not get back to “normal” after the COVI-19 pandemic until much later than most activities, and only with rapid, effective testing or a vaccine. Experts explain.
Androgens And COVID-19
For people under about age 70, COVID-19 is much harder on men than on women, especially those with strong male characteristics like scalp balding and plentiful body hair. A group of researchers has a theory as to why—that male hormones provide the virus with an entry into the cell. One of the researchers discusses what that could mean in terms of treatment.
Medical Notes: Week of May 24, 2020
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 24, 2020 including: Scientists have come up with a blood test that screens for a panel of biomarkers for pancreatic cancer that's nearly 92 percent accurate. Then, a new study shows that heart valve blockages in men and women may be caused by completely different factors. Plus, a report is out indicating Americans are feeling depressed right now. And finally, doctors and nurses can’t go back and forth like they used to, and that can create communication problems. One solution at some hospitals? baby monitors.
Women, Alcohol, And Isolation
The COVID-19 lockdown has triggered increased alcohol use in many people, and an alcohol use disorder in some. Help can be difficult to access, as face-to-face counseling and group sessions have been halted. For women, it can be even more difficult, as they are much more comfortable in more rare single-sex sharing situations. Two experts discuss today’s dangerous alcohol triggers and how to seek help.
The Loss Of Rituals
Spring is the season of rituals—prom, graduation, commencement and weddings. Social distancing has taken most of these rituals away. An expert discusses the importance of rituals in our mental health and why it’s OK to grieve their loss. She also discusses how changing rituals can be successful save for the tragic loss of funerals.
Medical Notes: Week of May 17, 2020
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 17, 2020 including: People with heart attacks and other health emergencies are avoiding the emergency room for fear of contracting COVID-19. Then, a study showing that artificial intelligence can predict with about 80 percent accuracy which moderately-infected COVID-19 patients will get worse and which ones won’t. Next, a study saying that having your first child by C-section may lead to impaired fertility. And finally, men, if your wife says she needs just a little more sleep, believe her.
The Economy After The Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a quicker economic crash than we’ve ever seen. Opening the nation too fast will likely trigger a “W” shaped recovery with wide swings of growth then decline. Either way, the effects will last for years. Experts discuss likely scenarios.
Telemedicine Finally Gets Its Chance
Doctor’s appointments via smartphone have been available for some time but were little used except in remote areas due to insurance reluctance. Now telemedicine has been forced on us and on insurers by COVID-19 restrictions, and many providers swear by them. Three experts discuss.
Medical Notes: Week of May 10, 2020
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 10, 2020 including: A number of new treatments for COVID-19 are showing promise and could be fast-tracked if clinical trials continue to show good results. Then, another trial of 53 severely ill patients reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 68 percent showed clinical improvement with Remdesivir. Then, viruses like COVID-19 that jump from animals to people are going to become more common. Then, If you’re having trouble sleeping these days, you’re far from alone. And finally many people are concerned about getting COVID-19 from food they buy, but scientists say the risk of that is very, very low.
