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A New COVID Vaccine Is Here: Why You Might Not Want to Rush to Get It

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COVID, COVID-19, COVID vaccine, COVID shot, vaccinations, COVID vaccinations, vaccines, Flu/COVID season, COVID season, When should I get a COVID shot, When should I get a COVID booster, COVID booster, theGrio.com

The FDA has approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine for everybody ages 6 months and up, once more presenting Americans with a dilemma: Should they get vaccinated now, as the most recent COVID-19 outbreak rages across the country, or save their shot for the winter surge?

The latest vaccine should provide some protection for everybody. But many healthy individuals who have already been vaccinated or have immunity because they’ve been exposed to COVID enough times might want to wait a couple of months.

COVID has turn into widespread. For some, it’s a light illness with few symptoms. Others lie around with fever, cough, and fatigue for days or even weeks. A much smaller group—mostly the elderly or chronically in poor health—suffer hospitalization or death.

It’s essential for high-risk people to get vaccinated, but vaccine protection wears off after a couple of months. People who rush to get the brand new vaccine may very well be at greater risk of getting sick this winter when the subsequent wave hits, said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a spokesman for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

On the opposite hand, the main variants could change by late fall, making the vaccine less effective, Peter Marks, the FDA’s chief vaccine official, said at an Aug. 23 briefing. He urged everyone eligible to get vaccinated, noting that the chance of long COVID is higher amongst unvaccinated or undervaccinated people.

Of course, if last yr’s COVID-19 vaccination drive is any indication, few Americans will heed his advice, despite the fact that this yr’s surge in cases has been particularly intense and levels of the COVID-19 virus in sewage suggest infections are as common as they were last winter.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now turning to wastewater as fewer people report their test results to health officials. Wastewater data shows the outbreak is worst in Western and Southern states. In New York, for instance, levels are considered “high” — compared with “very high” in Georgia.

COVID hospitalizations and deaths are also trending upward. But unlike infections, these rates are nowhere near those seen during winter surges or in previous years. In July, greater than 2,000 people died from COVID—a big number, but a small fraction of the at the least 25,700 COVID deaths in July 2020.

Partial immunity built up through vaccines and former infections deserves credit for that relief. A latest study suggests that current variants could also be less virulent — one in every of the most recent variants within the study he didn’t kill the mouse exposed to it, unlike most previous COVID variants.

Public health officials note that even with the rise in cases this summer, people seem to be managing the illness at home. “We’ve seen a slight increase in cases, but it hasn’t had a significant impact on hospitalizations and emergency room visits,” Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said at an Aug. 21 news conference.

Unlike the flu or traditional cold viruses, COVID appears to be thriving outside of the cold months, when infected children at school, dry air and indoor activities are thought to allow airborne and saliva-borne viruses to spread. No one is certain why.

“COVID is still very contagious, it’s brand new, and in the summer, people are gathering in air-conditioned spaces,” said John Moore, a virologist and professor at Weill Cornell Medicine College at Cornell University.

“Or maybe COVID is more resistant to moisture and other environmental conditions in the summer,” said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University.

Because viruses evolve as they infect people, the CDC has beneficial updated COVID vaccines yearly. Last fall’s booster shot was designed to goal the omicron variant circulating in 2023. This yr, mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer and a protein-based vaccine from Novavax — which has not yet been approved by the FDA — goal the newer omicron variant, JN.1.

The FDA has determined that mRNA vaccines are effective at protecting people against severe disease and death — and can proceed to say so at the same time as earlier JN.1 variants are actually being displaced by others.

Public interest in COVID-19 vaccines has waned, with just 1 in 5 adults getting a shot since last September, down from about 80% who’ve received their first dose. New Yorkers were barely above the national vaccination rate, while in Georgia, only about 17% had received their final dose.

Vaccine uptake is lower in states where a majority voted for Donald Trump in 2020, and amongst those that have less money, less education, less access to health care, or less day without work work. These groups are also more likely The risk of hospitalization or death from the disease, according to a 2023 study published in The Lancet.

While newly developed vaccines are higher targeted at circulating COVID variants, uninsured and underinsured Americans could have to hurry in the event that they want to get the vaccine free of charge. The CDC program that has provided booster shots to 1.5 million people over the past yr has exhausted funds and is ending Aug. 31.

The agency has pocketed $62 million in unspent funds to pay state and native health departments to provide latest vaccines to people without insurance. But “that may not be enough” if the vaccine costs the agency about $86 per dose, because it did last yr, said Kelly Moore, CEO of Immunize.org, which advocates for vaccinations.

People who pay out of pocket at pharmacies face higher prices: CVS plans to sell the improved vaccine for $201.99, said Amy Thibault, an organization spokeswoman.

“Price can be a barrier, access can be a barrier” to accessing vaccinations, said David Scales, an assistant professor of drugs at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Without an access program to provide vaccines to uninsured adults, “we will see disparities in health care outcomes and disproportionately high disease outbreaks among the working poor who cannot afford to take time off,” said Kelly Moore.

New York state has about $1 million to fill gaps when the CDC program ends, said Danielle De Souza, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health. That will allow it to buy about 12,500 doses for uninsured and underinsured adults, she said. There are about 1 million uninsured people within the state.

Last yr, CDC and FDA experts decided to promote annual fall vaccinations against COVID and influenza, in addition to a one-time vaccination against RSV for certain groups.

It could be impractical for vaccine manufacturers to change the COVID-19 vaccine formula twice a yr, and giving three shots in a single or two doctor visits looks like the easiest way to increase the number of individuals vaccinated, according to Schaffner, who’s a consultant to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

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He added that at its next meeting in October, the commission will likely appeal to people prone to infection to receive a second dose of the identical COVID-19 vaccine within the spring to protect themselves against one other wave of infections in the summertime.

If you’re in a vulnerable group and are waiting until after the vacations to get vaccinated, Schaffner said it’s value wearing a mask and avoiding large crowds, and getting tested in case you think you could have COVID. If the test comes back positive, people in these groups should seek medical attention, because the antiviral pill Paxlovid can ease symptoms and keep them out of the hospital.

For conscientious individuals who feel they might be sick and don’t want to spread COVID-19, the most effective advice is to take a single test and, if it comes back positive, try to isolate for a couple of days, then wear a mask for a couple of days while avoiding crowded spaces. Retesting after a positive result’s pointless, because virus particles can linger within the nose for days, with no risk of infecting others, Schaffner said.

The Department of Health and Human Services will make 4 free COVID-19 tests available to anyone who requests them starting in late September through the web site covidtest.gov, Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said at an Aug. 23 briefing.

The government is focusing its fall vaccination drive, which it has dubbed “Less Risk, More Life,” on older people and nursing home residents, HHS spokesman Jeff Nesbit said.

Not everyone may really want a fall COVID booster, but “it’s not a bad thing to give people options,” said John Moore. “A 20-year-old athlete is less at risk than a 70-year-old overweight guy. It’s that simple.”


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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Health and Wellness

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler is now available – Essence

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Moncler

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler has been launched. The capsule is a mixture of the inside of a musician, actress, writer and creator. In it, a futuristic and unbelievable world is explored through clothes. Smith’s personal style was also showcased. The lineup was originally revealed in Shanghai.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“Minimalism and utilitarianism. Femininity and masculinity. Black and white. “Putting ideas together in an elegant way is something that really excites me and I wanted to explore that with this collection,” Willow shared.

“Willow’s magnetic energy is captured in a series of images exploring the primary themes of the collection: clashing contrasts, rebirth and renewal, yin and yang, recent beginnings – inspired by Moncler’s mountain origins and love of nature. “Willow’s creativity influences every aspect of the videos and photos accompanying the collection: she not only drives the concept, but also models her designs, narrates the short film and provides the soundtrack,” the brand said in a press release. The launch is accompanied by black and white campaign photos – the dramatization of those photos ushers in an exciting era for Smith.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

The collection is dominated by knitwear perfect for layering, a down jacket and heavy sweatshirts created in shrunken proportions. The capsule is accomplished with extensive outerwear options and a brief-sleeved T-shirt with silver eyelet. The T-shirt is also available in an extended-sleeved version. The collection includes cream and black shades. The down vest with a hood and a brief cut stands out.

Salix leather boots are characterised by an interesting design. In addition to nodding to punk influences, this footwear option is designed with a Moncler logo on the toe, elastic panels on the front and a rubber sole.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“I am incredibly passionate about the outdoors and exploring this wonderful land. I imagine these pieces can easily transition from overnight camping to fashionable evening wear,” Willow added, emphasizing the natural duality of the collection.

Moncler X Willow Smith is currently available in chosen Moncler stores and more moncler.com .

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Women are less likely to undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation than men. Training on breast mannequins could be helpful

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If someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, this may increasingly have happened minutes of life. Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation may increase their probabilities of survival. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation keeps blood pumping, delivering oxygen to the brain and vital organs until specialized treatment arrives.

However, research shows that bystanders are less likely to intervene to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person is a girl. AND latest Australian study analyzed 4,491 cardiac arrest cases between 2017 and 2019 and located that bystanders were more likely to perform CPR on men (74%) than on women (65%).

Could this be partly because CPR training mannequins (so-called dummies) shouldn’t have breasts? Our recent research we checked out mannequins available all over the world to train people to perform CPR and located that 95% of them were flat-chested.

Anatomically, breasts don’t change the cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique. However, they’ll influence whether people try to accomplish that – and hesitation at these key moments could mean the difference between life and death.

Differences in heart health

Cardiovascular diseases – including heart disease, stroke and cardiac arrest – are probably the most common diseases important reason behind death for ladies all over the world.

But if a girl goes into cardiac arrest outside the hospital (meaning her heart stops pumping air properly), that is actually what happens. 10% less likely receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation than a person. Women too less likely survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and are at greater risk of brain damage following cardiac arrest.

Bystanders are less likely to intervene if a girl needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to a person.
Doublelee/Shutterstock

These are just among the many health inequalities experienced by women, in addition to transgender and non-binary people. Compared to men, their symptoms they are more likely to be rejected or misdiagnosed, or it could take longer to receive a diagnosis.

Reluctance of the witness

There can also be growth evidence women are less likely to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to men.

This may be partly due to the concerns of those being accused of sexual harassmentworry may cause damage (in some cases based on the assumption that ladies are more “fragile”) and discomfort related to touching women’s breasts.

Bystanders may also get into trouble recognition the lady has a cardiac arrest.

Even in simulated scenarios, researchers found that interveners were less likely to remove women’s clothing prepare for resuscitationcompared to men. And there have been women less likely to receive Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation (an electrical charge to restart the center) – even when the training was in the shape of a web based game that didn’t require touching anyone.

There is evidence of how people behave in resuscitation training scenarios reflects what they do in real emergency situations. This means it is amazingly vital to train people to recognize cardiac arrest and prepare for intervention, no matter gender or body type.

Attached to men’s bodies

Very Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training resources depict male bodies or don’t specify gender. If bodies shouldn’t have breasts, it’s a male default.

For example, the 12 months 2022 test taking a look at CPR training in North, Central, and South America, it was found that nearly all of available mannequins were white (88%), male (94%), and slim (99%).

The woman's hands press the torso of a mannequin wearing a blue jacket.
It is amazingly rare for a mannequin to have breasts or a bigger body.
M Isolation photo/Shutterstock

This research reflects what we see in our work once we train other healthcare professionals to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We noticed that every one the mannequins available for training are flat chested. One of us (Rebecca) had difficulty finding training mannequins with breasts.

Single mannequin with breasts

Our recent research we checked what cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins are available and the way diverse they are. In 2023, we identified 20 cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins in the worldwide market. Mannequins are often torsos with no head and without arms.

Of the 20 available, five (25%) were sold as “female”, but only considered one of them had breasts. This implies that 95% of obtainable CPR training mannequins were flat-chested.

We also checked out other diversity characteristics, including skin tone and bigger bodies. We found that 65% had more than one skin tone available, but just one had a bigger body. Further research is required on the impact of those elements on bystanders when performing CPR.

Breasts don’t change cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique doesn’t change when someone has breasts. The barriers are cultural. And although you could feel uncomfortable, starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation as soon as possible can save your life.

Signs that somebody may have cardiopulmonary resuscitation include not respiration properly or completely or not responding to you.

Perform effective cardiopulmonary resuscitationit’s best to:

  • place the heel of your hand in the middle of your chest

  • place your second hand on top of the primary and interlace your fingers (keep your arms straight)

  • press firmly to a depth of about 5 cm before releasing

  • press your chest with a frequency of 100-120 beats per minute (you may sing a song) in your head to show you how to keep time!)

An example of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation – using a flat-chest manikin.

What a couple of defibrillator?

You haven’t got to remove someone’s bra to perform CPR. But you could need to accomplish that if a defibrillator is required.

AND defibrillator is a tool that uses an electrical charge to restart the center. An underwired bra may cause minor skin burns when the debrillator pads apply an electrical charge. However, in case you cannot take your bra off, don’t let it delay your care.

What should change?

Our research highlights the necessity for a big selection of breast CPR training mannequins, in addition to a wide range of body sizes.

Training resources need to higher prepare people to intervene and perform CPR on individuals with breasts. We also need greater education on the chance of developing and dying from heart disease in women.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Ant stings can be painful. Here’s how to avoid getting stung this summer (and what to do if it happens)

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The starting of summer is just a couple of days away, and plenty of of us will be looking forward to long, sunny days spent on the beach, by the pool, camping or having a picnic within the park.

Insects love summer too. Most of them right then grow and feed. However, this shared appreciation of the season can sometimes lead to conflict.

Insects have long been preyed upon by many species, including birds, mammals, amphibians, and other insects. Accordingly, quite a lot of defense mechanisms have evolved – perhaps none more familiar to humans than the sting.

Many ants have a stinger on their rear end which they use to deliver venom. It will not be the sting itself that causes pain, but relatively venom. Ant venom accommodates a mix of various chemicals, a few of which have evolved specifically to manipulate the nerve endings in our skin to cause pain.

Let’s take a have a look at the several ant stings chances are you’ll experience this summer in Australia and how to respond.

Bull ants

Bull ants (also often called bulldog ants, jumper ants, or jumper ants) are large for an ant. Some species can grow to length 4 centimeters. They are easily identified by their large eyes, long mandibles (jaws), and aggressive nature.

Their sting is immediate, hot, sharp and unambiguous, similar to that of a honey bee. The intense pain will only last a couple of minutes before being replaced by redness and swelling across the sting site.

There are many differing kinds of bull ants in Australia.
Sam Robinson

Green-headed ants

Green-headed ants are also called green ants (but not to be confused with green ants). green tree ants northern Australia, which do not sting). Green-headed ants are common and love our lawns.

About Length 6 millimetersthey’re much smaller than bull ants. They can be recognized by their shiny green-purple exoskeleton.

Green-headed ants are frequently less aggressive than bull ants, but they can still deliver a big sting. The pain from a green ant sting can construct up step by step and cause intense, sticky pain.

Green-headed ant.
Green-headed ants can be identified by their color.
Sam Robinson

Fire ants

Fire ants (or imported red fire ants) are native to South America. They were detected first in Brisbane in 2001it probably moved in containers and has since spread across south-east Queensland.

Fire ants are reddish brown and black and range in size from Length 2–6 millimeters.

You will almost certainly encounter fire ants of their nests, which appear like a pile of loose dirt. A hearth ant nest has no obvious entrance, which is way to distinguish it from other similar ant nests.

Disturbing a hearth ant nest will awaken an offended mass of a whole bunch of ants and expose you to being stung.

The initial pain from a single sting seems like an intense, hot itch, although it can be controlled. However, fire ant stings rarely occur in the only digits. One ant can sting multiple times, and plenty of ants can sting one person, which can lead to a whole bunch of stings. A hearth ant sting can cause pus-filled ulcers and scarring in the next days.

If you reside in an area where fire ants are present, it’s price taking a couple of minutes to learn how to do this recognize and report their.

Electric ants

Electric ants is one other nasty random import, coming from Central and South America. Currently limited to Cairns and surroundingsthese are tiny (1.5 millimeters long) yellow ants.

Like fire ants, these ants are frequently defensive, so lots of them will sting without delay. Their sting is more painful than you’ll expect from such a tiny creature. I compare it to being showered with red, hot sparks.

If you think that you see electric ants, please report it Biosecurity in Queensland.

Australian ants should not the worst

You may be surprised to hear that Australian ants don’t even make it to the rostrum when it comes to essentially the most painful ant stings. The winners include: harvester ants (North and South America), which cause severe, sticky pain, comparable to a drill slowly rotating in a muscle – for up to 12 hours.

The gold medal goes to the sting of the South and Central American bullet ant, which has been described How:

Pure, intense, sensible pain. It’s like walking on burning charcoal with a 3-inch nail stuck in your heel.

How to avoid getting stung (and what to do if you do)

Fortunately, the answer is frequently quite simple. Look around before you sit on the bottom or unfolded a picnic blanket, avoiding places where you see ant nests or a lot of foraging ants.

The selection of footwear might also be necessary. In my experience, most stings occur on the feet of those wearing thongs.

If you get stung, generally the situation will improve by itself. The pain often subsides after a couple of minutes (sometimes slightly longer within the case of a green ant sting). The redness, swelling and itching that sometimes follows may last for several days.

In the meantime, if mandatory, ice pack it will help with the pain. If it’s particularly bad, a topical numbing cream containing lidocaine may provide temporary relief. You can get it over-the-counter at a pharmacy.

A small proportion of individuals may experience an allergic response to ant stings. In very severe cases this may include respiratory problems or ingestion. If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms after an ant sting, you need to seek urgent medical attention.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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