(2023-03-11). [Comment] An alternative route to pertussis protection? thelancet.com Around 40 years ago, growing concern in many countries about severe adverse events in infants after receipt of parenteral whole-cell pertussis vaccines combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTP) drove the development of more highly purified acellular pertussis vaccines. These diphtheria—tetanus acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines, which are also administered parenterally, contain one or more purified pertussis proteins. DTaP provides excellent protection against disease in infants and toddlers and its safety profile is much better than that of DTP.
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: What is multiple myeloma? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon form of blood cancer that affects less than 1% of the U.S. population, according the American Cancer Society. March is Myeloma Awareness Month. People younger than 45 rarely get the disease, and it occurs more in older men than women. And your risk is doubled if you're African American. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/pShHvj3Y3Nw Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 06) is in the downloads at the end of this post….
(2023-03-11). Science Saturday: Researchers elucidate details about the role of inflammation in liver regeneration. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The liver has the greatest regenerative capacity of any organ in the body, making it possible for surgeons to treat cancerous and noncancerous diseases with extensive surgical approaches. However, underlying chronic liver diseases, like cirrhosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, are known to inhibit the liver's ability to regenerate after surgery. Without regeneration, the liver cannot function, and patients can develop postoperative liver failure — often a lethal complication. In a recent paper published in JHEP Reports, Mayo…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Why millennials should know colon cancer symptoms. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org More younger adults are being diagnosed with colon cancer — also known as colorectal cancer — and at more advanced stages of the disease, says the American Cancer Society. It's a trend experts have seen over the last decade. Colon cancer symptoms usually don't appear in early stages of the disease and when they do, they are often at an advanced stage. Dr. Johanna Chan, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, says it's important to recognize colon cancer symptoms and to seek…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Game-changing treatment for chronic kidney disease could slow down progression of the disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org About 15% of adults in the U.S. are estimated to have chronic kidney disease — that's about 37 million people. What if those people could be treated with medication that could slow the progression of their disease, and help avoid the need for dialysis and kidney transplantation altogether? Dr. Naim Issa, a Mayo Clinic transplant nephrologist says there is a class of medications to help people with chronic kidney disease that does just that. He says Mayo Clinic…
(2023-03-11). Consumer Health: What's the difference between kidney cysts and polycystic kidney disease? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is National Kidney Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about the difference between two kidney disorders — kidney cysts and polycystic kidney disease. Your kidneys are situated in the back of your abdomen under your lower ribs, one on each side of your spine. One of the important jobs of the kidneys is to clean the blood. As blood moves through the body, it picks up extra fluid, chemicals and waste….
(2023-03-11). [Comment] An alternative route to pertussis protection? thelancet.com Around 40 years ago, growing concern in many countries about severe adverse events in infants after receipt of parenteral whole-cell pertussis vaccines combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTP) drove the development of more highly purified acellular pertussis vaccines. These diphtheria—tetanus acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines, which are also administered parenterally, contain one or more purified pertussis proteins. DTaP provides excellent protection against disease in infants and toddlers and its safety profile is much better than that of DTP.
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: What is multiple myeloma? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon form of blood cancer that affects less than 1% of the U.S. population, according the American Cancer Society. March is Myeloma Awareness Month. People younger than 45 rarely get the disease, and it occurs more in older men than women. And your risk is doubled if you're African American. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/pShHvj3Y3Nw Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 06) is in the downloads at the end of this post….
(2023-03-11). Science Saturday: Researchers elucidate details about the role of inflammation in liver regeneration. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The liver has the greatest regenerative capacity of any organ in the body, making it possible for surgeons to treat cancerous and noncancerous diseases with extensive surgical approaches. However, underlying chronic liver diseases, like cirrhosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, are known to inhibit the liver's ability to regenerate after surgery. Without regeneration, the liver cannot function, and patients can develop postoperative liver failure — often a lethal complication. In a recent paper published in JHEP Reports, Mayo…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Why millennials should know colon cancer symptoms. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org More younger adults are being diagnosed with colon cancer — also known as colorectal cancer — and at more advanced stages of the disease, says the American Cancer Society. It's a trend experts have seen over the last decade. Colon cancer symptoms usually don't appear in early stages of the disease and when they do, they are often at an advanced stage. Dr. Johanna Chan, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, says it's important to recognize colon cancer symptoms and to seek…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Game-changing treatment for chronic kidney disease could slow down progression of the disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org About 15% of adults in the U.S. are estimated to have chronic kidney disease — that's about 37 million people. What if those people could be treated with medication that could slow the progression of their disease, and help avoid the need for dialysis and kidney transplantation altogether? Dr. Naim Issa, a Mayo Clinic transplant nephrologist says there is a class of medications to help people with chronic kidney disease that does just that. He says Mayo Clinic…
(2023-03-11). Consumer Health: What's the difference between kidney cysts and polycystic kidney disease? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is National Kidney Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about the difference between two kidney disorders — kidney cysts and polycystic kidney disease. Your kidneys are situated in the back of your abdomen under your lower ribs, one on each side of your spine. One of the important jobs of the kidneys is to clean the blood. As blood moves through the body, it picks up extra fluid, chemicals and waste….
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Q and A: What is bariatric surgery? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I've struggled with obesity for many years and have tried to lose weight through a healthy diet and exercise. My doctor recently told me that I could be a good candidate for bariatric surgery. What is bariatric surgery? And are there different types of procedures available? ANSWER: Obesity is a disease, and overcoming it often is not easy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines overweight or obesity as a "weight that is…
(2023-03-11). Cauliflower: A versatile nutrition superstar. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Like many consumers, you may be on a quest for healthier food options and willing to try something new or a new take on a familiar food. If you're diagnosed with celiac disease, you may be looking for gluten-free alternatives. Or maybe you're on the hunt for lower carbohydrate choices. Cauliflower may be just what you're searching for. This versatile veggie can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, grilled, baked into a pizza crust, or cooked…
(2023-03-11). Consumer Health: Do you check the Nutrition Facts label? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org March is National Nutrition Month, which makes this a good time to learn about using the Nutrition Facts label to make healthy choices. Most people in the U.S. don't eat a healthy diet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most consume too much sodium, saturated fat and sugar, increasing their risk of chronic diseases. The Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods is a tool created by the Food and Drug Administration to help…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic discovery leads to life-changing treatment for young girl with ultra-rare disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28 raises awareness of the 30 million people in the U.S. who have a rare disease. Months after young Maggie Carmichael started taking an experimental drug for her ultra-rare genetic disease, she was able to trade in her wheelchair for a walker. The 9-year-old Mayo Clinic patient even took a few of her first-ever steps on her own. She also became better at feeding herself, her speech improved and she…
(2023-03-11). Obesity makes it harder to diagnose and treat heart disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Being overweight impacts your heart health in more ways than you might think. A new JACC review paper from Mayo Clinic outlines how obesity affects the common tests used to diagnose heart disease and impacts treatments. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and globally, yet it is largely preventable. "Excess fat acts as a kind of filter and can skew test readings to under-or overdiagnosis," says senior…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Do you have dry eyes? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Dry eye disease is a common condition that can cause a range of discomfort. It can happen when the eye doesn't produce enough tears, or if the tears are not adequate quality to keep the eye properly lubricated. Dr. Dave Patel, a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist, explains some of the causes of dry eyes, treatments and some symptoms you shouldn't ignore. Watch this Mayo Clinic Minute www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU8CLcwtjLY Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 06) is in the downloads at…
(2023-03-11). Early Mayo Clinic research finds hope in stem cell therapy for perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — A dissolvable plug delivered stem cell therapy with few side effects in patients with single tract perianal fistulas, Mayo Clinic researchers discovered. Perianal fistulas are painful tunnels between the intestine and the skin that often do not go away with standard medical or surgical care. People with Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel conditions are most at risk for this condition. In a prospective, phase 1 clinical trial, researchers loaded stem cells…
(2023-03-11). [Articles] Immunogenicity and safety of BPZE1, an intranasal live attenuated pertussis vaccine, versus tetanus—diphtheria—acellular pertussis vaccine: a randomised, double-blind, phase 2b trial. thelancet.com BPZE1 induced nasal mucosal immunity and produced functional serum responses. BPZE1 has the potential to avert B pertussis infections, which ultimately could lead to reduced transmission and diminished epidemic cycles. These results should be confirmed in large phase 3 trials.
(2023-03-11). [Correspondence] The need for appropriate language in the debate on medicalisation of pregnancy. thelancet.com Although the majority of pregnancies progress smoothly and result in the birth of a healthy baby, this is not always the case. Pregnancy can have severe complications, including stillbirth, affecting eight in 1000 pregnancies in France;1 maternal hypertension, affecting 74 in 1000,2 or neonatal death, affecting three in 1000. Obstetrics and midwifery are the fields of study focused on pregnancy, childbirth, and…
(2023-03-11). New York City Retirees Fight Their Own Unions To Stop Health Care Cuts. popularresistance.org New York City, New York – Defying two years of protests and lawsuits by union retirees, New York City's Municipal Labor Committee voted Thursday to scrap some of the best retiree health care coverage in the country. The change aims to put 250,000 city retirees into a for-profit Medicare Advantage plan run by Aetna. | Twenty-six unions in the MLC voted no, while others abstained. But their votes were swamped by the votes of the largest unions on the committee, AFSCME District Council 37 and the New York United Federation of Teachers. | Retirees and active members protested during the MLC vote and marched to City H…
(2023-03-11). Three years since WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. america.cgtn.com 
Nearly seven million deaths. Three quarters of a billion infections. Countless lives upended. In the three years since the World Health Organization classified COVID-19 as a pandemic the whole world has been impacted.
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Help with hot flashes due to menopause. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Vasomotor symptoms — the medical term for hot flashes — are among the most common menopause symptoms women experience. Hot flashes, along with night sweats, can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Dr. Suneela Vegunta, a Mayo Clinic women's health physician, explains what happens to the body and offers ways to find relief. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/eRzYfnKjqzg Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (1: 00) is in the downloads at the end of…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Who should be screened for colorectal cancer? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Colorectal cancer cannot be totally prevented, but there are ways to lower your risk and that's with regular screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society encourage patients to start screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. Dr. John Kisiel, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, also says patients should begin screening at 45. He recommends checking with your health care team about your risks, and with your…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Exercise safety in cold weather. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I work out at least three days per week at the gym, but I also like to exercise and run outside. Although I know better than to be outdoors in a winter storm, do you have any tips for exercising safely outdoors in cold weather? ANSWER: It is great that you are dedicated to staying healthy through exercise. Being active at all ages is recommended to improve overall health. It's easy to lose motivation…
(2023-03-11). 5 ways to get better sleep. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org You're not alone if you have trouble falling or staying asleep. Many people struggle with sleep — and that's a problem, since sleep plays a crucial role in your health, energy levels and ability to function at your best. Most adults require seven to eight hours of sleep each night to feel well-rested and energized each day. If restless nights have become the norm for you or you find that your sleep is not refreshing,…
(2023-03-11). Mayo Clinic Minute: Does one moldy berry spoil the whole bunch? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Spring is around the corner, which means the beginning of berry season. Berries can be a great source of potassium and vitamins C and K, and can also promote a healthy gut. While berries are among the healthiest foods to eat, if not stored properly, they can get mushy and grow mold. But a little bit of mold doesn't necessarily mean the whole batch goes to waste. In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse,…
(2023-03-11). International Working Women's Day in Uruguay is the culmination of decades of mobilization. peoplesdispatch.org Feminist collectives in Uruguay held another day of action on March 8, building on decades of mobilization for women's rights in the country…
(2023-03-11). [World Report] New reform proposals for Australian health care. thelancet.com A Government report on primary care recommends a slew of changes to improve access to care. Sophie Cousins reports.
(2023-03-11). [Perspectives] Camara Phyllis Jones: anti-racism thought leader. thelancet.com Family doctor and epidemiologist Camara Phyllis Jones is an anti-racism thought leader and researcher. Presently in the UK as a Leverhulme Visiting Professor in Global Health and Social Medicine at King's College London, she says: "The racism denial that characterises the US…is even more entrenched in the UK" and her aim is "to equip anti-racism researchers and activists in the UK with additional communication and action tools to accelerate anti-racism work."
(2023-03-10). 'Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me' review: Raw unfiltered spotlight on mental health. peoplesworld.org 
Don't let the media's overzealous coverage of the alleged interpersonal drama between Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber distract you from the fact that one of these people recently put out an impactful documentary. Gomez's film, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, is a focused and unfiltered look at a six-year period of the singer's life …
(2023-03-10). China's basic medical insurance fund balance surpasses 4 tln yuan. ecns.cn China's basic medical insurance fund recorded an accumulated balance of 4.25 trillion yuan (about 610.15 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of 2022, statistics from the National Healthcare Security Administration showed Thursday.
(2023-03-10). Countries scrap COVID test requirement to attract Chinese travelers. ecns.cn Australia will scrap the requirement for travelers from China, including Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to test for COVID-19 before departure starting from midnight on March 11, the country's health minister said on Thursday.
(2023-03-10). Another Norfolk Southern Train Derailed as Its CEO Testified Before the Senate. truthout.org Another Norfolk Southern freight train derailment was reported on Thursday as CEO Alan Shaw testified before the Senate Environment and Public Health Committee examining the earlier derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals that caused an environmental disaster in East Palestine, Ohio. Shaw apologized multiple times to the residents of East Palestine but avoided making firm commitments to… |
(2023-03-10). Women's Rights At The Heart Of The Fight Over Pensions In France. popularresistance.org For the first time in the history of France, trade unions have called for a two-day general strike that will extend to March 8, International Working Women's Day. The general mobilization will begin on Tuesday, March 7, and it is expected to cause widespread protests all over the country. This is the first time since May 1968 that trade unions have issued a joint call for a general strike that will last for more than 24 hours. | While actions for March 8 have grown in strength over the past years, this year's mobilizations are expected to be particularly powerful. For the first time, it is social movements as a w…
(2023-03-10). Health workers' strikes to continue in the UK, government agrees to negotiations. peoplesdispatch.org Actions to protect the NHS and improve working conditions in healthcare are set to continue over the next days. Meanwhile, the government, which under pressure due to the protests, has come forward with the offer of a one-time payment…
(2023-03-10). Rep. Barbara Lee on Cutting the Military Budget, Abortion Rights & Why She's Running for Senate. democracynow.org 
As President Biden proposes his new budget, which expands military spending, as well as social services, we speak with Democratic Congressmember Barbara Lee, co-chair of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus. She recently reintroduced the People Over Pentagon Act to cut $100 billion from the Pentagon budget and reallocate funds to overlooked priorities like healthcare and education. Lee is one of three House Democrats who have announced their candidacy for outgoing California Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat. Lee is the highest-ranking Black woman appointed to House leadership and would be just the third Bla…
(2023-03-10). "Barbaric Restrictions": 5 Women Sue Texas After Being Denied Abortions Despite Deadly Health Risks. democracynow.org 
Five women in Texas who were denied abortions are suing the state for denying them necessary medical care even though their pregnancies were nonviable and posed serious risks to their health. "I cannot adequately put into words the trauma and despair that comes with waiting to either lose your own life, your child's life, or both. For days, I was locked in this bizarre and avoidable hell," said Amanda Zurawski, the lead plaintiff, during a press conference Tuesday in Austin to announce the case, which also includes two doctors. While the Texas abortion ban is meant to have exceptions, many doctors are…
(2023-03-10). Deluzio introduces bill to protect health care of striking workers. therealnews.com 
This story originally appeared in Democrats U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio and Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown are on Wednesday introducing legislation that would penalize employers who target the health care insurance of striking and locked-out workers. | The legislation, called the Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act, would create a separate unfair labor practices category…
(2023-03-10). Public Universities Run on Underpaid Labor. Now Grad Workers Are Fighting Back. truthout.org The public university is at a tipping point, says Manasa Gopakumar, a fifth-year graduate worker in the Philosophy Department at Temple University in Philadelphia. Since last January, Gopakumar and other graduate workers in the Temple University Graduate Students' Association (TUGSA) have organized around significant issues affecting them, including pay, health care, paid parental leave… |
(2023-03-10). US Justice Department investigation details widespread civil rights abuses by Louisville, Kentucky Metro Police Department. wsws.org The report attempts to present Louisville Metro Police Department's conduct as merely the case of poor training, inadequate facilities and equipment and a lack of mental health support for officers.
(2023-03-10). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand. wsws.org Philippines: Jeepney drivers' unions end national strike without resolution; Sri Lanka: Public health sector workers hold national protest; Australia: Aircraft refuellers strike for higher pay in Melbourne; New Zealand primary teachers reject pay offer, threaten strike…
(2023-03-10). CO Dems Introduce Bills That Would Protect Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care. truthout.org Democratic lawmakers in Colorado just unveiled the Safe Access to Protected Health Care Package, which would legally enshrine abortion access and gender affirming care in the state. These bills, if passed, would expand Coloradans' access to reproductive, abortion, and gender-affirming health care and protect out-of-state patients from investigations and prosecutions. In April 2022… |
(2023-03-10). Silicon Valley Bank Fails Like Lehman Brothers: We Warned About This Bubble Bank In 2017. moguldom.com 
Silicon Valley Bank collapsed Friday into receivership of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) after it failed to raise more than $2 billion in capital to cover losses on a massive bond sale, spooking depositors and investors who made a run on the bank, and talks failed to sell itself. SVB stocks went over a …
(2023-03-11). The Covid "Killer Vaccine". People Are Dying All Over the World. It's A Criminal Undertaking. globalresearch.ca First published on November 26, 2022 | *** | We are being accused of "spreading disinformation" regarding the Covid-19 vaccine. | The Reuters and AP media "trackers" and "fact checkers" will be out to smear the testimonies of parents who have lost their …
(2023-03-10). Children Who Were Injured by Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Hallucinations, Self-harm, Suicide Attempts, Permanent Disability. globalresearch.ca
(2023-03-11). Many People Fully Vaccinated for COVID Are Now Going Blind. globalresearch.ca
(2023-03-11). NATO's Trojan Horse Behind Europe's COVID-19 Response. globalresearch.ca
(2023-03-11). Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganà≤: The COVID Pandemic Farce Served as a Trial Balloon for the New World Order. globalresearch.ca
(2023-03-11). [Editorial] Long COVID: 3 years in. thelancet.com March 11 marks 3 years since WHO declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. While the world is determined to move on from the acute phase, at least 65 million people are estimated to struggle with long COVID, a debilitating post-infection multisystem condition with common symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction, impairing their ability to perform daily activities for several months or years. Although the majority of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 recover within a few weeks, long COVID is estimated to occur in 10—20% of cases and affects people of all ages, including children, with mo…
(2023-03-11). Excess deaths in Australia highest since World War II. wsws.org Labor, the Coalition and the Greens are all responsible for the murderous "let it rip" COVID-19 policy that has led to more than 20,000 excess deaths.
(2023-03-11). Three years and 21 million dead from the COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, the focus of the American ruling elite has been to use the pandemic to transfer massive amounts of money to the financial oligarchy.
(2023-03-11). [Correspondence] International cooperation to end the COVID-19 pandemic. thelancet.com The recent COVID-19 pandemic in China has brought new uncertainties to the world. I am glad that an Editorial1 has brought this situation to the attention of the international community. However, I disagree with how the editors described the international community (ie, "far from showing compassion"1) when discussing the many reasons why China is facing difficulties.
(2023-03-10). Criminal Investigation for Excess Deaths Due to Covid-19 Remdesivir Medication. globalresearch.ca
(2023-03-10). Report: U.S. to scrap COVID test for travelers from China. ecns.cn The United States is planning to lift COVID-19 testing requirements on travelers from China as soon as Friday because of a decrease in cases, hospitalizations and deaths in China.
(2023-03-10). College enrollment in U.S. continues to decline. ecns.cn America's college enrollment has fallen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the downward trend since 2018 persists, with millions of fewer students in classrooms, the most ever.
(2023-03-10). OPS insta a cerrar brechas en la vacunación anticovid para poder poner fin a la pandemia. cubadebate.cu La Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) instó este jueves a los países de la región de las Américas a aumentar la vacunación para combatir la covid-19 y llamó la atención sobre la existencia de personas que no han recibido al menos una dosis de alguna de las vacunas contra la covid-19, a la altura de tres años desde el inicio de la emergencia sanitaria.
(2023-03-10). OPS insta a continuar con vacunación para combatir la Covid-19. telesurtv.net Solicitó aumentar la vacunación para evitar secuelas como el Covid de larga duración que ya padecen hasta un 20 por ciento de las personas.
(2023-03-10). Alertan sobre nuevo ascenso de casos de Covid-19 en Chile. telesurtv.net Las autoridades sanitarias chilenas destacaron que los contagios aumentaron en 30,6 por ciento.
(2023-03-10). Investigarán a Jair Bolsonaro por desperdicio de vacunas anticovid. telesurtv.net Según el Tribunal de Cuentas de la Unión, alrededor de 2.000.000 de vacunas que habían sido dejadas vencer por el Gobierno de Bolsonaro.
(2023-03-10). Racist witness complicates Democrats' efforts to promote "lab leak" conspiracy theory. wsws.org On Wednesday, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held its first hearing, with all participants, Democratic and Republican, seeking to promote the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 escaped from a laboratory in China as a possible explanation for the origins of the pandemic.