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Showing posts from July, 2020

'If Coronavirus Doesn't Kill Me, Hunger Will': Mexico's Poor Bear Brunt Of Pandemic

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Low earners have been doubly hit: They make up the highest share of virus-related deaths and lack the funds to stay afloat as the pandemic plunges Mexico deeper into recession. (Image credit: Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images)

Vaccine Candidate Delivers Protection In A Single Shot (In Monkeys)

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Studies COVID-19 vaccine candidates in monkeys show promise of an effective vaccine, but it will large scale human trials to know for sure if they work. (Image credit: Steve Parsons/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

'This Is History': NBA To Hold First Games In 'Bubble' Amid Pandemic

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Only 22 of the league's 30 teams will play in the truncated season. The NBA is experimenting with keeping players in a so-called "bubble" to try to keep the coronavirus from seeping into its ranks. (Image credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

NBA Players Share What It's Like To Live In A 'Bubble'

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The NBA season resumes Thursday night, with teams living and playing at Disney World. The temporary basketball campus is called a "bubble," and NBA players have documented their lives there.

'It's Very Daunting And Overwhelming': School Nurses On Preparing For The School Year

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School nurses are often the first line of health care for students. They are now working with their districts to help make plans for the upcoming school year — but some don't have much of a say.

HBCU President: 'I Slept Better' After Deciding On All Online Classes In The Fall

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Colette Pierce Burnette of Huston-Tillotson University says keeping students and staff safe was paramount. Black people are dying from COVID-19 at two and a half times the rate of white people. (Image credit: Hadewumi)

Michigan Restaurants And Bars Train Employees To De-Escalate Mask-Related Conflicts

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As governments make masks mandatory in public places, a restaurant industry group started teaching employees ways to de-escalate situations involving people refusing to wear them.

Diversity In Coronavirus Vaccine Trials Demanded From Drug Companies

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There are growing demands that drugmakers and investigators ensure diversity in coronavirus vaccine trials by including racial minorities, older people and those with underlying medical conditions.

More Than 150,000 People Have Died From Coronavirus In The U.S.

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The U.S. death toll is the worst in the world, by a large measure. Despite having less than 5% of the global population, nearly a quarter of all pandemic deaths have been reported in the U.S. (Image credit: Doug Mills/Pool via Getty Images)

Florida Will Pause Coronavirus Testing Due To Impending Storm

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After the state's testing sites close Thursday evening, they won't reopen until at least Tuesday morning — part of the safety precautions for a likely tropical storm. (Image credit: National Weather Service)

Irregularities in COVID Reporting Contract Award Process Raises New Questions

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The administration awarded a contract for a COVID-19 database to TeleTracking Technologies using a process reserved for innovative research. Its CEO had links to the New York real estate world. (Image credit: smartboy10/Digital Vision Vectors/Getty Images)

'Silent Epidemic': Nearly 1 In 3 Kids Exposed To Damaging Levels Of Lead

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It's the first time global data has been gathered on the extent of the problem. Experts are calling it a "groundbreaking" report. And the ill effects can last for a lifetime. (Image credit: Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Miami Marlins Games Postponed Until Sunday Over Coronavirus Cases

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At least 17 Miami Marlins players and staff members have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. The team is currently self-quarantining in Philadelphia. (Image credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

LA Health Official: 'Every Single' Person And Business Needs To Help Curb Virus Surge

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NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, about how the county has become a hotspot. (Image credit: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Gov. Hogan On The Coronavirus Cases In Maryland And The State's Economy

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NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan about how the coronavirus has affected his state's economy and how he's planning to approach budget shortfalls at the start of a new fiscal year.

What The Hajj Is Like During The Pandemic

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NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Vivian Nereim, a Bloomberg News reporter in Saudi Arabia, about how the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca will be different this year because of the pandemic.

Why We Grow Numb To Staggering Statistics — And What We Can Do About It

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The growing coronavirus death toll doesn't provoke the same type of emotional response that a plane crash might. It's a coping mechanism and how our neurons are wired, says psychologist Elke Weber. (Image credit: Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop)

Atlanta Mayor Defends Legal Face-Off With Georgia's Governor Over Masks

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Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' order requiring face masks in her city has prompted Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to sue. Bottoms discusses the legal battle and plans for schools in the fall. (Image credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)

Coronavirus Vaccine Developed In The U.S. Moves To Final Testing Phase

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A potential coronavirus vaccine developed by U.S. biotech company Moderna and the National Institutes of Health started its final phase of testing Monday. The trial includes up to 30,000 volunteers.

After Delays, Republicans Rolled Out A New Pandemic Relief Bill. Democrats Balked.

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After days of delays, Congressional Republicans unveiled their $1 trillion proposal for a fifth wave of pandemic relief. Democrats are not on board — signaling tough negotiations ahead. (Image credit: Evan Vucci/AP)

On Amazon, Dubious 'Antiviral' Supplements Proliferate Amid Pandemic

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Federal law generally prohibits dietary supplements from claiming to treat specific diseases or viruses. Yet NPR found more than 100 products sold on Amazon that make unsubstantiated antiviral claims. (Image credit: David Becker/AFP via Getty Images)

Distrust Hurts U.S. Efforts To Stop Coronavirus, Former Obama Health Official Says

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NPR's David Greene talks to Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, about why trust could be a key issue in the fight against COVID-19. (Image credit: Andrew Harnik/AP)

Girls, Has The Pandemic Made You Think Of Quitting School? Call Your Mentor

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In Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries, counselors guide girls as they face tough choices during the coronavirus crisis — from giving up on their education to opting for early marriage.

What is Significant Exposure?

As more and more people venture out from quarantine, we have seen cases of COVID-19 rising. Many of our patients have been seeing friends and family, traveling and attending camps. Unfortunately, this results in potential exposures. However, not all exposures are created equally. It’s important to know what constitutes a significant exposure as that guides our decision making regarding testing. What’s a significant exposure? a. Significant exposures happen when you are around a COVID-19 positive person for 15 minutes or more within 6 feet of each other. – If there is adequate distancing and masks were worn by both parties, the risk of infection is drastically reduced. However, if you are closer – than 6 feet apart, you are still exposed if the encounter lasted more than 15 minutes whether or not you are wearing a mask. If the exposure was outside, that also reduces the risk of transmission. b. You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19 c. You had direct phys

What is Significant Exposure?

As more and more people venture out from quarantine, we have seen cases of COVID-19 rising. Many of our patients have been seeing friends and family, traveling and attending camps. Unfortunately, this results in potential exposures. However, not all exposures are created equally. It’s important to know what constitutes a significant exposure as that guides our decision making regarding testing. What’s a significant exposure? a. Significant exposures happen when you are around a COVID-19 positive person for 15 minutes or more within 6 feet of each other. – If there is adequate distancing and masks were worn by both parties, the risk of infection is drastically reduced. However, if you are closer – than 6 feet apart, you are still exposed if the encounter lasted more than 15 minutes whether or not you are wearing a mask. If the exposure was outside, that also reduces the risk of transmission. b. You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19 c. You had direct physic

Confusion Reigns Nationwide Amid Conflicting Coronavirus Rules

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The messaging around what to do to protect yourself in the pandemic has been mixed, and many say it's making them feel unqualified to make important safety decisions.

Food Bank Operators Brace For A Busy Month

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With millions of people out of work, food banks have seen a major surge in demand since March. But August is set to be one of the busiest months yet, and that worries food bank operators.

In Reopening, The Smithsonian Looks To Balance Safety And Disability Access

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NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Beth Ziebarth, director of Access Smithsonian, about how the museums are adjusting their approach to accessibility as museums begin to reopen amid the pandemic.

Mexico's Poor Bear Brunt Of Coronavirus Toll

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Wealthy jet-setters brought some of the first cases of the coronavirus into Mexico. But it's the poor who've suffered disproportionately, and the government's done little to ease their economic pain.

In Houston, Preparing For A Hurricane During A Pandemic

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NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Nickea Bradley, Houston's deputy director for emergency management, about the challenges of preparing for hurricane season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Flu Shot And Pneumonia Vaccine Might Reduce Alzheimer's Risk, Research Shows

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Two new human studies back earlier hints that vaccines designed to prevent respiratory infections might also provide some protection against Alzheimer's disease. (Image credit: Themba Hadebe/AP)

National Summer School Initiative Aims To Improve Online Teaching

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With many schools moving to remote learning or a hybrid format in the fall, a group of public and charter school leaders are trying to make sure students get a quality education, even if it's remote.

COVID-19 Threatens 500 Year Tradition At The Tower Of London

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Yeoman Warders who have guarded the Tower of London and the Royal Crown Jewels since the reign of Henry VII face layoffs because of a lack of tourists during the pandemic.

Larry Hogan On The Parallels Of Fighting Cancer And Maryland's Coronavirus Outbreak

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NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan about his new book Still Standing: Surviving Cancer, Riots, a Global Pandemic, and the Toxic Politics That Divide America. (Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Schools Face Shortage Of Nurses As Districts Consider Reopening

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NPR's Michel Martin talks with National Association of School Nurses Executive Director Donna Mazyck about the challenges facing school nurses amid the coronavirus pandemic.