Who Gets a Vaccine?
Development of a coronavirus vaccine is proceeding at a breakneck pace. What needs to happen to make sure it’s safe and effective? And if a vaccine is successfully made, who should get it first?
Back To School 2020: Can Kids Attend, Or Will Remote Learning Rule?
Many school districts are delaying decisions on whether students will attend in person or will be taught remotely once again to reduce the risk of Covid-19 to children and staff. Experts discuss the methods under consideration to lower risks and whether that will be enough to open for classes.
Work-At-Home Burnout and “Zoom Fatigue”
People working at home may have no commute and can work in their pajamas, but they may find themselves more exhausted than when they worked at the office. Two experts discuss reasons for this fatigue—patterns of working at home and the surprising stress of virtual meetings.
Lung Transplants: The Least-Transplanted Major Organ
Lung transplants are the least done of all major organ transplants because the lungs are so easily damaged in the death process. A lung transplant surgeon explains, using one particularly difficult case as an example.
PTSD in Children
Mental health experts once believed that children were too young to remember traumas well enough to suffer much from post-traumatic stress disorder. Now they know that children as young as 2 or 3 can be affected, often for the rest of their lives. An expert discusses PTSD in children and its treatment.
Autism and Substance Abuse (2020)
Studies show that people with autism are twice as likely as others to engage in substance abuse, contrary to previous belief that they are extremely unlikely to use drugs or alcohol. An expert and an author who has used alcohol to cope with his autism discuss the developments and their impact.
Medical Notes: Week of June 7, 2020
Researchers are working on an app with a sensor to test for Covid-19 using only a drop of saliva. Then, life was more stressful than it was 25 years ago… and for middle aged people, it’s much more stressful. Plus, a study shows that emergency room visits for children for mental health disorders has increased 60 percent of the last 10 years. And finally, a …
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
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 …
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.
Opening America Again: When Is It Safe?
Many Americans are impatient with social distancing as a result of Covid-19 despite the success of the tactic. However, reopening the country too quickly could allow the virus to come roaring back, resulting in thousands more deaths and even more economic damage. Two experts explain how the rollout should happen to get us back to work safely.
Healthcare for Children in Poverty
Poor children often can’t access healthcare or other needs in spite of decades of efforts. A pediatrician who has established clinics for the poor discusses the problem.
