As states wrestle with whether to prioritize essential workers or the elderly, Tennessee is setting aside shots for especially vulnerable areas.
By Isaac Stanley-Becker and Lena H. SunDec. 18, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. PST
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use for two new coronavirus vaccines, one developed by the drug company Pfizer and the biotech company BioNTech and the other by the biotech company ModernaTX. Both are mRNA vaccines and have similar structure.
Both vaccines contain modified mRNA that provides the instructions for the synthesis of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein antigen. Its mRNA is enveloped in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to prevent degradation and enhance uptake into cells.
This updated in-depth summary (previously released on December 21, 2020) is issued in response to new information that we received about updated definitions of aerosol particles that show that larger respiratory particles (<100 μm) can remain airborne for extended periods, and that in enclosed areas with poor ventilation, these aerosols containing infectious SARS-CoV-2 can spread beyond 6 feet and build up in a room. We apologize for not including this information in the earlier version of this summary.
By Jacqueline Howard and Jen Christensen, CNN
(CNN)Vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted 13-1 on Sunday to recommend that both older adults, ages 75 and older, and "frontline essential workers" including first responders be next in line to receive Covid-19 vaccines.
That would put those people in "Phase 1b" of allocating the vaccine nationwide.
Dr. Paul Drain, Associate Professor of Global Health and Medicine, and Dr. Matthew Thompson (Family Medicine) will lead UW’s arm of the RADx-UP program, “Protecting Our Community: A Pragmatic Randomized Trial of Home-based COVID Testing with American Indian and Latino Communities”.
The December 2020 issue of Health Affairs is the first-ever focused exclusively on the intersection of climate and health. It covers topics including the health sector’s contribution to carbon emissions and other forms of pollution, how communities are affected by and adapting to the changing climate, and policies to protect against further damage. Kristie Ebi, UW CHanGE, served as theme adviser of the issue.
A global report and U.S. brief published in The Lancet show that further climate protections could save millions of lives.
Each year, The Lancet Countdown tracks more than 40 indicators on links between health and climate change. This year presents the most worrisom outlook to date as key trends worsen. The latest report finds that, with climate action, the lives of millions could be improved and saved.
By Judith Wasserheit and Larry CoreySpecial to The Times
The holidays are upon us, albeit the magic of extended time with family and friends, mixed with stories of miracles and wonderful gifts, appears more imagery this year than reality.
By Sandi Doughton Seattle Times staff reporter
We’ve all noticed that fellow shopper at the grocery store with a mask snugged over his mouth — but not his nose. Maybe you’ve also got a neighbor who tugs her mask down to talk. Or perhaps you’ve detoured around groups of barefaced teenagers jostling each other in a park.
BY EMILY BOYNTON. Right as Rain, UW Medicine