U.S. President Donald Trump urged Americans not to “be afraid” of COVID-19 after he returned to the White House Monday evening after 72 hours of hospitalization for the deadly virus.In a show of fitness, he climbed the steps of the South Portico, standing on the Truman Balcony where he removed his mask, gave a double thumbs-up gesture and … continue reading -> “Back at White House, Trump Urges Americans ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ of COVID-19”
Hurricane Delta, the ninth storm of the Atlantic season, prompted forecasters to issue warnings for Mexico and Cuba, with the U.S. Gulf coast in striking distance later this week. The U.S.-based National Hurricane Center said Mexico issued a hurricane warning for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum north and west to Rio Largartos, including Cozumel. A hurricane watch remains in place for western Cuba, including the Province of Artemisia. The … continue reading -> “Hurricane Delta Forms in Caribbean Warnings Posted for Mexico and Cuba”
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday said COVID-19 can spread through virus lingering in the air, sometimes for hours, acknowledging concerns widely voiced by public health experts about airborne transmission of the virus. The CDC guidance comes weeks after the agency published – and then took down – a similar warning, sparking … continue reading -> “CDC Revises Guidance, Says COVID-19 Can Spread Through Virus Lingering in Air”
The list of treatments President Donald Trump has received for his coronavirus infection range from experimental to over the counter. Here are the four most notable. Antibody therapy Trump received an infusion of antibodies on Friday, the White House said. These germ-blocking proteins aim to prevent the coronavirus from entering cells and causing infection. Our immune … continue reading -> “What’s the President Taking for COVID-19?”
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday updated its guidance saying COVID-19 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission.It said some infections can be spread by exposure to the virus in small droplets and particles, or aerosols, that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. Monday’s update acknowledges published reports that … continue reading -> “COVID-19 Could Spread by Airborne Transmission, CDC Says”
The World Health Organization says roughly one in 10 people around the world may have been infected with the coronavirus. The head of the health emergencies program at the World Health Organization, Michael Ryan, said Monday that the agency’s “best estimates” indicate 10 percent of the world’s population could have contracted the virus. That estimate, … continue reading -> “10% of World’s Population May Have Been Infected with Coronavirus, WHO Says”
The 2020 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to scientists Harvey J. Alter and Charles M. Rice of the United States and Michael Houghton of Britain for their “seminal discoveries” into the identification of Hepatitis C virus. The three scientists “have made a decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis, a major … continue reading -> “2 Americans, Briton Receive 2020 Nobel Laureates for Medicine”
More than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, a handful of U.S. states are starting to roll out apps that promise to tell people if they’ve been exposed to someone with the virus — without revealing personal information. Now with the White House struggling with a COVID-19 outbreak, the goal to figure out a way to quickly notify people has gained … continue reading -> “US States Roll Out Apps Alerting People to COVID-19 Exposure”
Israel is struggling against a virulent second wave of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, with thousands of new cases diagnosed every day. A key element in the fight to contain the pandemic is contact tracing. In Israel, this is conducted by the Internal Security Service, the Shin Bet, using methods originally designed for … continue reading -> “In Israel, Shin Bet Security Services Is Responsible for Covid-19 Contact Tracing”
With tens of thousands of new coronavirus cases daily in the U.S., states are launching digital apps that alert people if they have been exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus. Virginia recently rolled out a COVID exposure app that became instantly popular with residents. Health officials are trying to determine whether such … continue reading -> “US States Turn to Apps in Fight Against Virus Spread”
European Commission Chair Ursula von der Leyen said Monday that she will self-isolate after learning she was exposed last week to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Von der Leyen was in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon on September 29, where she attended several meetings and met with various Portuguese officials.In a message posted on Twitter … continue reading -> “EU Commission President to Self-Isolate After COVID Exposure”
Alcohol-related deaths are increasing in the United States, according to a report this month from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The study found that while more men than women died each year from alcohol-related causes, the rate of increase in deaths was higher for women.And now, it appears, more women are turning to … continue reading -> “US Women Are Drinking More Than Ever”
The experimental antibody drug given to President Donald Trump has been called one of the most promising approaches to preventing serious illness from a COVID-19 infection.Its maker, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., said the company agreed to supply a single dose, given intravenously, for Trump at the request of his physician under “compassionate use” provisions, when an … continue reading -> “Trump Gets Experimental Drug Aimed at Curbing Severe Illness”
Cameroon says more than 9 million girls aged 9 and above risk developing cervical cancer because their parents have been convinced the human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine makes their daughters sterile. Some communities that had accepted the vaccination are now refusing it, claiming that what is being administered now are dangerous experimental COVID-19 vaccines. The … continue reading -> “Cameroon: Millions of Girls at Risk for Cervical Cancer as Parents Reject HPV Vaccination”
While the world wants flashy quick fixes for everything, especially massive threats like the coronavirus and global warming, next week’s Nobel Prizes remind us that in science, slow and steady pays off. It may soon do so again. Science builds upon previous work, with thinkers “standing on the shoulders of giants,” as … continue reading -> “Nobel Prizes and COVID-19: Slow, Basic Science May Pay Off”
White House Chief-of-Staff Mark Meadows said Friday U.S. President Donald Trump is experiencing mild effects of the coronavirus after he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19.“The president does have mild symptoms and as we look to try to make sure that not only his health and safety and welfare is good, we continue to look at that for all of the … continue reading -> “Trump Experiencing ‘Mild Symptoms’ After Testing Positive for COVID-19”
A flight carrying NASA’s new $23 million titanium space toilet, designed as a better fit for female astronauts, failed to launch late Thursday and has another window Friday night. NASA tweeted late Thursday the launch was canceled about 2 minutes before liftoff “due to an unknown problem with a component of ground support equipment.”To recap: Tonight’s … continue reading -> “NASA to Launch $23 Million Titanium Space Toilet”
Leaders and prominent figures from around the world Friday sent their best wishes to U.S. President Donald Trump and his family after he announced that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for coronavirus.The president revealed his diagnosis on Twitter early Friday, with leaders across the globe sending their well wishes. The head of … continue reading -> “World Leaders Send Support After Trump COVID Diagnosis”
The world’s democracies are suffering under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new Freedom House report. The report, titled Democracy Under Lockdown, says “the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened a crisis for democracy around the world, providing cover for governments to disrupt elections, silence critics and the press, and undermine the … continue reading -> “Democracies Suffering Under COVID-19 Pandemic, Report Finds”
A little more than a month before the U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump announced early Friday via Twitter that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus and have begun quarantining themselves. In response, Vice President Mike Pence tweeted: “Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump. We join millions across America praying for their full and … continue reading -> “How Politicians Worldwide Reacted to Trump COVID-19 Infection”
New research suggests that the collision of space objects that created Earth’s moon may have robbed it of 10% to 60% of its original atmosphere. Most scientists believe that about 4 billion years ago when Earth was still developing, a massive object the size of Mars hit the planet, sending vaporized particles from the collision into … continue reading -> “Earth Lost Significant Portion of Atmosphere to Moon, New Study Suggests”
Italian scientists this week showed evidence of Martian salt water, raising hopes of finding tiny Martian life swimming in it. NASA says an air leak aboard the International Space Station does not threaten the crew. And SpaceX’s next batch of StarLink satellites will need to find another ride into orbit. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has the … continue reading -> “Italian Scientists’ Evidence Raises Hopes of Finding Life on Mars”
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department announced a new funding opportunity Thursday for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic Thursday. The $20 billion relief fund will be provided through the Health Resources and Services Administration and will allow providers who previously have received Provider Relief Fund payments to apply for … continue reading -> “New US Relief Funding Package to Include Eligibility for Mental Health, Substance Abuse Providers”
Britain’s primary environmental agency announced that beginning Thursday a ban on all “single-use” beverage straws is in effect, making it illegal for businesses to sell or supply them to individual customers. The ban was passed and set to take effect in April, but the COVID-19 pandemic prompted law makers to postpone its implementation so … continue reading -> “Britain Bans Plastic Straws”
British Health Minister Matt Hancock announced Thursday the government will broaden new COVID-19-related restrictions to Liverpool and other areas in northwest Britain after a surge in new cases in that region.Speaking to parliament, Hancock said the restrictions are being extended to Liverpool city region, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. The restrictions are the same as those … continue reading -> “Britain’s Health Ministry Broadens COVID-19 Restrictions”