Category: Health
These at-home exercises can help older people boost their immune system and overall health in the age of COVID-19
Staying active can be challenging, as many older adults are remaining at home most, if not all, of the time to avoid the novel coronavirus. As a result, the very changes in lifestyle that keep people…
Starving Seniors: how America fails to feed its aging
Millions of seniors across the country quietly go hungry as the safety net designed to catch them frays. Nearly 8% of Americans 60 and older were “food insecure” in 2017. Laura Ungar and Trudy Lieberman September…
COVID-19 causes some patients’ immune systems to attack their own bodies, which may contribute to severe illness
More than half of the 52 patients in the study tested positive for autoantibodies. In patients with the highest levels of c-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) in the blood, more than two-thirds displayed evidence that…
An epidemiologist explains the new CDC guidance on 15 minutes of exposure and what it means for you
Despite the change, most public health professionals have been clear for months that there is nothing magic about six feet. In the same way, there is nothing magic about 15 minutes. These should be used as…
Indigenous data sovereignty shakes up research
In the COVID-19 era, tribal nations want research in service of their people. by Kalen Goodluck, High Country News Thursday, October 8 As U.S. government scientists work to understand how COVID-19 affects the human body, tribal…
Eerie emptiness of ERs worries doctors as heart attack and stroke patients delay care
Will Stone and Elly Yu, KPCC May 7, 2020 The patient described it as the worst headache of her life. She didn’t go to the hospital, though. Instead, the Washington state resident waited almost a week….
Wildfire smoke worsens coronavirus risk, putting firefighters in extra danger
by Luke Montrose, Boise State University As summer approaches, two forces of nature are on a collision course, and wildland firefighters will be caught in the middle. New research suggests that the smoke firefighters breathe…
Chronic conditions worsen coronavirus risk – here’s how to manage them amid the pandemic
Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia Amid the stress and confusion of coronavirus shutdowns and social distancing orders, it can seem to older patients as though everything is on pause. Clinics have postponed regular office visits. Patients…
EPA moves to allow more PM 2.5 particulate emissions
EPA particulate matter decision puts science, health aside to protect polluters Meteor Staff from press releases April 14, 2020 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it would not strengthen standards for particulate matter pollution…
Risk of pets spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to people and vice-versa
Meteor Staff from CDC press release April 14, 2020 Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels,…
Years of toxic leaks raise cancer risk in Western oil town.
The broader influence of the oil industry in Artesia, New Mexico is hard to miss. Bronze statues venerate roughnecks and wildcatters, a brewpub downtown is named the Wellhead, and the walls of the local Chamber of…
Millennial Zeitgeist: Attitudes about Covid-19 shift as cases among young adults rise
“Young people are equally at risk of becoming infected and spreading [the coronavirus] to others who then become infected,” said Denis Nash, a professor of epidemiology at The City University of New York School of Public…
Farmworkers are now deemed essential. But are they protected?
“They’re going to continue working because they don’t feel that they have a choice. You know, bear with it, work through it,” Elenes said. “It’s really distressing because these workers are the backbone of this country…
Early data shows African Americans Have contracted and died of coronavirus at an alarming rate
No, the coronavirus is not an “equalizer.” Black people are being infected and dying at higher rates. Here’s what Milwaukee is doing about it — and why governments need to start releasing data on the race…
Tuesday evening Coconino County reports 201 confirmed cases of COVID-19; and 2,726 active AZ cases, 80 deaths
Flagstaff Updated by Meteor staff Wed, April 8, 11:00 PM, MST. — CCHHS reports 15 deaths, 201 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 57 tests pending and 769 negative tests to date. Across Arizona there are…
Beyond sanitizing and social distancing – a healthy circadian rhythm may keep you sane and increase resilience to fight COVID-19
by, Satchin Panda, University of California San Diego Social distancing and washing hands have become the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, but there is another powerfully protective resource immediately available to all: your circadian rhythm….
Doctors are making life-and-death choices over coronavirus patients – it could have long-term consequences for them
by Neil Shortland, University of Massachusetts Lowell As the coronavirus spreads and demand for medical gear far outstrips the supplies, doctors in the U.S. may have to choose who among their patients lives and who dies….
Failures show Trump Is clear and present danger to the United States
Seven “pro-contagion activities” by Trump increased the coronavirus death toll in the United States. by Ralph Nader Trump ridiculed, then minimized, then delayed the federal government’s response to the coronavirus for weeks. Then finally he wrapped…
Temperature check: tips for tracking a key symptom of coronavirus contagion
by Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News April 1, 2020 After I was told I’d been exposed to the novel coronavirus, I tried to follow the best medical advice. I started working from home. I socially isolated….
This VA hospital cited “misleading” data to restrict mask use for health care workers
Workers at a VA hospital in New Mexico have been told not to wear face masks in certain cases, even though earlier CDC guidance said masks can protect against spread of the coronavirus. by Bryant Furlow,…
Reaching out to isolated older adults is essential during coronavirus – here are 7 specific things you can do, just for starters
by Basia Belza, University of Washington; Anita Souza, University of Washington, and Tatiana Sadak, University of Washington Older adults always need social connection, but they need it now more than ever. The novel coronavirus brings with…
County COVID-19 response exhausting resources and supplies
County requests support and supplies from federal and state government to continue response By Meteor Staff Sunday March 22, 9 AM MST An unexpected demand for COVID-19 tests has already found county officials scraping the bottom…
A medical worker describes terrifying lung failure from COVID-19 — Even in his young patients
“It first struck me how different it was when I saw my first coronavirus patient go bad. I was like, Holy shit, this is not the flu. Watching this relatively young guy, gasping for air, pink…
On the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic: A doctor’s view
The virus is exposing inadequacies in health systems all over the world, especially the U.S.’s abysmal health infrastructure. Health workers on the ground continue to provide care during the pandemic despite the severe lack of resources…
