(2021-07-10). CDC says vaccinated teachers and students don't need masks. wsws.org The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that vaccinated teachers and students don't need to wear masks inside school buildings, further loosening guidelines for reopening schools even as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the country.
(2021-07-10). Guide to safe grilling practices. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday weekend often means gatherings. Keep your gathering safe by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 guidance for activities. If you are looking forward to a weekend cookout, make sure to keep foodborne bacteria and germs off your guest list. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases physician, says warmer temperatures are when foodborne germs thrive and illnesses peak. Watch: Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse talks about safe grilling practices. www.youtube.com/watch?v=19v4oRLW-hw&… Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are…
(2021-07-10). New vaccine platform invented by Mayo enters COVID-19 clinical trial. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A Mayo Clinic lab member is purifying an adenovirus vector for preclinical testing. A novel single-cycle adenovirus vaccine platform developed by Mayo Clinic will be used to target multiple infectious diseases and cancer indications, beginning with a phase 1 clinical study using the platform as a vaccine for COVID-19. Developed to enhance the expression of target antigens, the single-cycle adenovirus platform is under investigation for its ability to amplify immune responses. In contrast to replication-defective…
(2021-07-10). What holiday travelers need to know about COVID-19. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday is a time when many people travel or host summer parties. While the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is on the decline, health experts say with stagnating vaccination rates and the circulation of the more contagious Delta variant, the nation is not out of the woods yet, and everyone should still be cautious if they're planning a trip or getting together in large groups. "Anyone planning to have a…
(2021-07-10). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: The new work-life balancing act. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way people work. As vaccination rates increase, some people are returning to the office. But many companies have opted to keep their employees working from home permanently. This change has positive and negative side effects, including the mental health aspects of working from home. "Any time there are changes, it can be challenging for people, particularly when you're not used to working from home," says Dr. Greg Couser, a…
(2021-07-10). Mayo Clinic Q and A: COVID-19 vaccination and precautions. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am due to get my second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in a few weeks. I understand this is an important step for me and my community, but I'm unsure what guidelines I should follow. Some of my friends are traveling, and they seem to have thrown all caution to the wind. What can I expect after being vaccinated for COVID-19, both physically and when in public? ANSWER: It is completely normal to have…
(2021-07-10). G20 Finance Ministers Meet in Venice on Global COVID Response. indybay.org G20 finance ministers begin two-day meetings in Italy on Friday on COVID response, economic recovery, vaccines, debt relief and global tax agreements. More than 265 groups signed a letter organized by Jubilee USA urging the G20 to act on debt relief, aid and COVID healthcare for developing countries.
(2021-07-10). Conspiracy Theories Aren't the Only Thing Holding Back US Vaccination Efforts. truthout.org 
When it comes to resistance to receiving the COVID vaccine, you've probably heard about the conspiracy theories — the wild assertions that vaccines contain microchip tracking devices, that they can alter your DNA, that they can "shed" or spread from person to person, or even the claim by some that the vaccine makes you
(2021-07-10). Scotland leads Europe in coronavirus transmission. wsws.org Scotland is facing another public health disaster as the Delta variant surges. The country accounts for four of Europe's top ten COVID-19 hotspots according to the World Health Organization.
(2021-07-10). Remaining public health measures abolished as ruling class intensifies Canada-wide reopening drive. wsws.org The reckless policies now being enforced by parties of all political stripes have been facilitated by the federal Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau, which declared in its throne speech last fall that all coronavirus-related measures must be "short-term" and implemented at the "local" level, i.e., totally ineffectual.
(2021-07-10). IMF Executive Board Approves Creation of $650 Billion Global Reserve Funds. indybay.org The International Monetary Fund Executive Board agreed to create $650 billion of emergency currency known as Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to help countries deal with the fallout from the coronavirus health and economic crises. The IMF's main governing body, the Board of Governors, will take a final vote in coming weeks to move forward the SDRs creation. In a statement, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva indicated she expects the allocation as soon as August.
(2021-07-10). Issues Related to State-Based 'Single-Payer' Healthcare. realprogressives.org To pass meaningful healthcare reform, we must meaningfully pressure politicians and their donors by threatening the former with loss of their seat and the latter with loss of their extracted wealth.
(2021-07-10). A Marxist history of HIV/AIDS — Part 2 The origins of HIV/AIDS. workers.org 
HIV refers to human imunodeficiency virus. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The reactionary, conservative response to AIDS post-1981 was to immediately blame and further condemn gays and lesbians, and later all LGBTQ+ people. World AIDS Day in El Fasher, Sudan, Dec. 1, . . . |
(2021-07-10). Heart health: Cities are badly Arranged — A Redesign can help us live longer. juancole.com 
By Tolullah Oni and Rizka Maulida | — ( The Conversation ) — By 2050, it is projected that almost 70% of the world's population will be living in cities, up from 55% today. The fastest urban growth is happening in Asia and Africa, which is also where we're seeing a rapid rise in people …
(2021-07-10). China, EU should remove distractions, push forward ties: foreign minister. ecns.cn China and the European Union should establish correct perception of each other, remove distractions, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties on the right track, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.
(2021-07-10). Defense Of For-Profit Health Care Hasn't Changed In Decades. popularresistance.org From Ronald Reagan's notorious 1961 rant against the horrors of socialized medicine to present-day propaganda of the insurance industry, right-wing and corporate efforts to halt the expansion of public health care seem to strike the exact same notes again and again — and draw on the same bogus arguments.
(2021-07-10). Mayo Clinic first to use next generation 4D ICE imaging to help patients with structural heart disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic recently became the first to use a next-generation 4D intracardiac echo (ICE) device in patients to guide heart procedures such as left atrial appendage closure, mitral valve repair and treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation. The technology can also help physicians perform procedures without putting patients under general anesthesia. An echocardiogram is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the heart's size, structure and function, as well as detailed images of…
(2021-07-10). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Keeping your fingernails in tip-top shape. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have noticed recently that my nails have an unusual color and shape, and I don't understand why. Although I do enjoy gardening, I don't have a job where I use my hands more than normal. I want my nails to be sturdy and healthy-looking. Can you provide some insight on how to achieve this and tips for properly taking care of my nails? ANSWER: For anyone concerned with nail health, the first step…
(2021-07-10). Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips to pick healthier oils. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Your body needs some fat to function normally. However, not all fats are created equal, and it's wise to choose healthier options whenever possible. Angie Murad, a licensed dietitian and patient educator with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, offers these tips for selecting cooking oils. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/LXCJR38di5E Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0: 59) is in the downloads at the end of…
(2021-07-10). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Kidney stones and calcium. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have trouble with kidney stones and recently found out they are calcium oxalate stones. While I have stopped consuming all dairy products, I know that I need calcium as I age for bone health. Would adding in almond milk or another type of plant milk help? How do I take care of both my kidneys and bones? ANSWER: It sounds like your concern about milk and other dairy products is that their calcium may spur…
(2021-07-10). Consumer Health: The importance of sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothing for adults and children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org July is UV Safety Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the harmful effects of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun damages your skin, and increases your risk of developing skin cancer, wrinkles and age spots. Children are especially vulnerable because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn easily. Here are four ways you can…
(2021-07-10). [Perspectives] Premonition ignored. thelancet.com Cholera devastated Hamburg in 1892: there were an estimated 10‚Äà000 deaths in 6 weeks. It was the only German city then affected seriously and it was the last major cholera outbreak in Europe.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] WHO COVID-19 therapeutic guidelines. thelancet.com In response to Nicholas White and colleagues,1 we offer these clarifications. WHO guideline development methods are prespecified,2 abiding by principles for producing trustworthy guidelines. The WHO COVID-19 Therapeutics Guideline Development Group (GDG) is composed of external experts, with geographical representation and gender balance, including COVID-19 survivors, ethicists, and methodologists who are vetted for potential conflicts of interest. The GDG prioritises outcomes and identifies subgroups to be considered for each recommendation, always including age and disease severity (using WHO COVID-19 definitio…
(2021-07-10). [Editorial] COVID-19 in Latin America—emergency and opportunity. thelancet.com Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 25% of recent global infections occurring in the region. Of the top ten countries with the highest death rate globally, eight are from LAC. The deaths from COVID-19 in the region stand at nearly 1.3 million people, but the pandemic will continue to drive excess mortality because of disrupted health services, economic instability, and deepening of existing inequalities. In addition, countries with high levels of infection can result in the emergence of more transmissible and vaccine-resistant variants.
(2021-07-10). [Comment] The Wakley—Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay 2021: the hidden life in medicine. thelancet.com In 2019, The Lancet launched the Wakley—Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay in honour of physician Wu Lien Teh, who led the fight against the plague in the 1910s and pioneered public health in China. This prize gives Chinese health workers an international platform to share their thoughts in their native language.1 Through the prize we hope to enhance relations between doctors and patients, and to improve medical professionalism in China. With the support of Chinese partners such as Peking University People's Hospital, which was founded by Wu Lien Teh, The Lancet has successfully held the Wakley—Wu Lien Teh Prize…
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Addressing the real trajectory of COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean region. thelancet.com Pierre Nabeth and colleagues1 highlight the resurgence in COVID-19 cases in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region and identify factors that might have contributed to this rise. They identify changes in testing capacity, mass gatherings, decreased adherence to public health measures, and increased transmissibility of new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerging globally.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Addressing the real trajectory of COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean region — Authors' reply. thelancet.com Our Correspondence1 was based on the analysis of available data on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The objectives were to highlight the upsurge in COVID-19 cases since February, 2021, and to alert about the risk of further degradation of the epidemiological situation due to the evolution of key determinants, such as the decreased adherence to public health and social measures, emergence of more transmissible variants, and insufficient vaccination coverage.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Benzodiazepines for the long-term treatment of anxiety disorders? — Authors' reply. thelancet.com We thank Prashant Tibrewal and colleagues for their Correspondence, in which they argue that benzodiazepines are an important medication for refractory anxiety disorders. We agree. We wrote our Seminar1 for a broad clinical readership, and we were particularly careful about treatment recommendations that would apply for general care. Although benzodiazepines might be an option in specialised settings, the risk of inappropriate over-medication potentially leading to long-term use is considerable in primary care, leading to substantial public health problems.
(2021-07-10). [Correspondence] Surviving syndemics — Authors' reply. thelancet.com In a response to our Comment,1 Yudit Namer and Oliver Razum argue that focusing on the vulnerabilities of populations disproportionately affected by HIV rather than their resilience serves to only further marginalise already disadvantaged groups. They posit that an intersectionality of resilience framework would generate the development of more strengths-based community health interventions. Although we agree that there is evidence of great resilience in Black communities, our Comment focused on the social inequities that have required Black communities to be more resilient than other communities to survive.
(2021-07-10). [Perspectives] Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu: innovator in mental health. thelancet.com Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu is a rising researcher and clinician doing innovative work in mental health and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. She is a Senior Lecturer and psychiatric epidemiologist in the Department of Psychiatry at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) and head of the consultation—liaison psychiatric service at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Almost a decade ago, she recalls that "around that time, there were researchers who had resolved that Africans cannot comprehend psychotherapy; therefore, they gave persons living with HIV antidepressants as first-line tr…
(2021-07-09). Headlines for July 9, 2021. democracynow.org "I Will Not Send Another Generation of Americans to War": Biden Steps Up Afghanistan Pullout, Haiti Arrests Colombian Ex-Soldiers and Two U.S. Citizens for Assassination of President MoàØse, Africa Suffers Worst Week Since Start of COVID-19 Pandemic , White House Coronavirus Task Force Warns of Surging Cases in Low-Vaccination Areas , Pfizer Tweaking Vaccine to Target Delta Coronavirus Variant, Will Seek Authorization for Third Shot, Texas GOP Unveils Sweeping Voter Suppression Measures in Special Legislative Session, 15 States Drop Case Against Purdue Pharma's Bankruptcy Plan in Landmark Opioids Case, Whi…
(2021-07-09). The Assange Case Isn't About National Security, It's About Narrative Control. strategic-culture.org The Assange case receives so much attention not because of interest in one man's fate, but because of interest in everyone's fate. If humanity is ever to turn away from its self-destructive patterns and create a healthy world, it will necessarily need to do so guided by the light of truth and transparency.
(2021-07-09). Cape Verde Violates Human Rights: Alex Saab Forced to Undergo Medical Examination in Front of Military & Police. orinocotribune.com By orders of the Cape Verdean government, and violating doctor-patient confidentiality, a team of medical oncologists who were finally permitted access to the Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab were forced to examine him in the presence of the military and the police. | According to a report by the African news agencies Noticias do Norte and Business Day Ghana, this group of specialists traveled to Cape Verdean soil in order to monitor Alex Saab's health, deteriorating as a result of his prolonged illegal detention and the prison conditions to which he has been subjected. | Only after legal pressure was applied, and a…
(2021-07-09). How One Union Uses Kitchen Table Economics To Advance Medicare For All. popularresistance.org Using kitchen table economics is critical for winning workers over to Medicare for All. Before this training, members may be wary of trading something they're familiar with for something that's unknown. But in the workshop, they see for themselves that what they have now is robbing them blind—and that Medicare for All would bring them real economic gains. | What threads its way through much of our conversation is that the insurance companies are a big part of why we pay so much for health care. For example, a Center for American Progress study shows that more than 8 percent of U.S. health care spending goes…
(2021-07-09). Big Pharma Firms Spend More on Executive Pay and Dividends Than on Research. truthout.org 
The largest drug companies are far more interested in enriching themselves and investors than in developing new drugs, according to a House committee report released Thursday that argues the industry can afford to charge Medicare less for prescriptions. | The
(2021-07-09). Low Vaccination Rate Increases COVID-19 Cases in Louisiana. telesurenglish.net With the increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Louisiana, health experts believed the more contagious Delta variant is established in the state with higher vulnerability among the unvaccinated. | RELATED: | Over the last week, cases have increased by 3,360 in Louisiana, the biggest spike since March 4. Cases have more than doubled over the last 14 days. Health experts said this was likely an effect of the Delta va…
(2021-07-09). Guide to safe grilling practices. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday weekend often means gatherings. Keep your gathering safe by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 guidance for activities. If you are looking forward to a weekend cookout, make sure to keep foodborne bacteria and germs off your guest list. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases physician, says warmer temperatures are when foodborne germs thrive and illnesses peak. Watch: Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse talks about safe grilling practices. www.youtube.com/watch?v=19v4oRLW-hw&… Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are…
(2021-07-09). New vaccine platform invented by Mayo enters COVID-19 clinical trial. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A Mayo Clinic lab member is purifying an adenovirus vector for preclinical testing. A novel single-cycle adenovirus vaccine platform developed by Mayo Clinic will be used to target multiple infectious diseases and cancer indications, beginning with a phase 1 clinical study using the platform as a vaccine for COVID-19. Developed to enhance the expression of target antigens, the single-cycle adenovirus platform is under investigation for its ability to amplify immune responses. In contrast to replication-defective…
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: The new work-life balancing act. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way people work. As vaccination rates increase, some people are returning to the office. But many companies have opted to keep their employees working from home permanently. This change has positive and negative side effects, including the mental health aspects of working from home. "Any time there are changes, it can be challenging for people, particularly when you're not used to working from home," says Dr. Greg Couser, a…
(2021-07-09). What holiday travelers need to know about COVID-19. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The July Fourth holiday is a time when many people travel or host summer parties. While the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is on the decline, health experts say with stagnating vaccination rates and the circulation of the more contagious Delta variant, the nation is not out of the woods yet, and everyone should still be cautious if they're planning a trip or getting together in large groups. "Anyone planning to have a…
(2021-07-09). Mayo Clinic Q and A: COVID-19 vaccination and precautions. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am due to get my second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in a few weeks. I understand this is an important step for me and my community, but I'm unsure what guidelines I should follow. Some of my friends are traveling, and they seem to have thrown all caution to the wind. What can I expect after being vaccinated for COVID-19, both physically and when in public? ANSWER: It is completely normal to have…
(2021-07-09). Cuban Authority Approves Abdala COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use. telesurenglish.net On Friday, Cuba's Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment, and Medical Devices (CECMED) granted authorization for the emergency use of the Abdala COVID-19 vaccine, which showed an efficacy rate of 92.2 percent in clinical trials. | RELATED: | The vaccine complied with CEMED requirements and international standards in terms of quality, safety, and efficacy, which opens the way to its massive use in Cuba and its commercialization t…
(2021-07-09). Cuba's Soberana 02 vaccine shows 91.2% efficacy against COVID-19. peoplesdispatch.org With the historic achievement, two out of the five Cuban vaccine candidates, Soberana 02 with 91.2% and Abdala with 92.28% efficacy, are among the top 5 most effective anti-COVID-19 vaccines worldwide…
(2021-07-09). Efficacy of 91.2% with two doses of Soberana 02 and one of Soberana Plus. en.cubadebate.cu Results of clinical trials of this combination of Soberana candidate vaccines were announced yesterday at a meeting of the government's COVID-19 task force, led by First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. The combination of two doses of the candidate vaccine Soberana 02 and one of Soberana Plus administered in a 0-28-56 day regimen, was found to have an efficacy of 91.2 percent, in preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19, reported Dr. Vicente Vérez Bencomo, director of the Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV).
(2021-07-09). FDA Safety Surveillance of COVID-19 Vaccines. Analysis of "Adverse Event Outcomes" globalresearch.ca
(2021-07-09). FDA Safety Surveillance of COVID-19 Vaccines. Analysis of "Adverse Effects Outcomes" globalresearch.ca
(2021-07-09). Mom, 45, Who Got Job at Johns Hopkins Hospital Dies After Reaction to Work-Mandated COVID Vaccine. globalresearch.ca
(2021-07-09). 'Science, Not Speculation': Scientists Blast Obsession with 'Unsubstantiated' COVID Lab Leak Theory. orinocotribune.com 
By Morgan Artyukhina — Jul 7, 2021 | When rumors began that the newly discovered novel coronavirus had escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in February 2020, an international group of scientists penned a letter in defense of their Chinese colleagues, who had sequenced the virus' genome, concluded it was of natural origin, and denied claims the virus had been stored at the lab. | Two dozen prominent scientists from around the globe, including physicians, veterinarians, epidemiologists, virologists, biologists, ecologists, and public health experts, penned a letter published in the British medical jour…
(2021-07-09). Data Show Far-Right Media Could Be Fueling Growing Partisan Vaccination Gap. truthout.org 
A new analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) shows that the Republican-Democrat divide in COVID vaccination rates is stark — and growing. | In April,
(2021-07-09). Scientists demolish "Wuhan lab" conspiracy theory of coronavirus origins. wsws.org On Wednesday, 21 of the world's leading experts on the origins of infectious diseases published a preprint paper demolishing the conspiracy theory promoted by the Biden administration and the US media that COVID-19 was a man-made virus.