(2021-05-23). Nicaragua's inspiring response to COVID-19. peoplesdispatch.org In a recent study conducted by the University of Oxford and the World Health Organization, socialist Nicaragua was placed number nine on a list of the ten safest countries to visit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicaragua is the only country within Latin America to appear on that list. As of Sunday May 22, the country had 7,193 confirmed cases and only 185 deaths. | Nicaragua's unorthodox but highly effective management of COVID-19 has so far been a great success. In an informative article written by John Perry for FAIR, Perry demonstrates how the country has approached the COVID-19 pandemic swiftly and thoroughly…
(2021-05-23). How to Fight Big Pharma — And Win. truthout.org 
The Biden administration's decision to support waiving World Trade Organization (WTO) intellectual property rules to help fight COVID-19 has the potential to help shift the global power balance toward governments and their people and away from mega-corporations. | At Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, an organization founded to dismantle corporate overreach of our "trade" and globalization policies, we celebrate the Biden-Harris administration's departure from decades of U.S. trade officials relentlessly attacking other countries' acc…
(2021-05-23). Elections in Peru: Shift to the Left or Slide Backwards to the Far Right? dsausa.org RSVP Here Stakes are high as Peruvians go to the polls to elect their next President on June 6th. The country has been devastated by the mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis, which has led to tens of thousands of reported deaths, mass employment, and economic decline. The two candidates in the second round of the…
(2021-05-23). The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is now available to children ages 12 through 15 in the U.S. Here's what parents, caregivers and children need to know about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, the possible side effects, and the benefits of getting vaccinated. This is written by Mayo Clinic Staff and you can …
(2021-05-23). New CDC guidance for fully vaccinated adults. What does it mean? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org On Thursday, May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updated COVID-19 guidance for masking for fully vaccinated people. For instance, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a protective mask indoors at a movie theater, shopping center or restaurant. But this new guidance does not apply to health care settings. Mayo Clinic …
(2021-05-23). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Guidelines and nuances of wearing a face mask. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Recent COVID-19 masking guidelines announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, continue to generate a public conversation. "The decision about masking needs to be nuanced," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "Wearing a mask should be based on the risk of infection, the percentage of the …
(2021-05-23). Mayo Clinic offers COVID-19 walk-in vaccine clinics in Minnesota. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic in Rochester and at its Health System sites continue to offer patients, visitors and staff additional convenient opportunities to be vaccinated for COVID-19. All domestic and international patients, visitors and staff who want to be vaccinated for COVID-19 have a couple of opportunities to do so at walk-in clinics this week: Mayo Clinic …
(2021-05-23). Unauthorized COVID-19 tests given to Navajos, used in marketing campaign. indybay.org An unauthorized type of COVID-19 tests were given to Navajos and the information wad used in an online marketing campaign. The Navajo Council said the contract, which included services during First Lady Biden's visit, was never approved. Many Navajos are calling for a probe of how virus relief funds were distributed by the Navajo government.
(2021-05-23). IMF Proposes $50 Billion Vaccine Plan to End Pandemic and Boost Economy. indybay.org As worldwide COVID cases peak, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva unveiled a $50 billion proposal to support vaccinations of 60% of the world's population. During a G20 and European Commission summit, Georgieva argued the global vaccine investment would end the pandemic and spur $9 trillion in economic gains by 2025.
(2021-05-23). USA "Iron Dome" media vaccine proved 99% effective in shielding Israel. indybay.org For the past 2 weeks, since the massive violence perpetrated by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza began(with massive use of US-made planes and bombs), the White House, alongside the "Corporate-bin-Laden" media, had unleashed a media vaccine, aptly coined, "Iron Dome" media shield, that proved to be nearly 99% effective against criticism from nearly the entire world, on the active support of Israel's virtual massacre of Palestinian civilians.
(2021-05-23). Consumer Health: Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis — what's the connection? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org May is Arthritis Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about the connection between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart …
(2021-05-23). Dr. Prathibha Varkey named president of Mayo Clinic Health System. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. ? Prathibha Varkey, M.B.B.S., has been named president of Mayo Clinic Health System, effective August 16, 2021.Dr. Varkey will partner with Mary Jo Williamson, chief administrative officer, Mayo Clinic Health System, to lead the strategy and operations of the health system's 17 hospitals and nearly 50 community clinics across Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin."We're …
(2021-05-23). Consumer Health: Reducing your risk of breast cancer. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Breast cancer will affect 1 in 8 women, according to the American Cancer Society. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the U.S. Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer. And an estimated 5% to 10% of breast cancers are …
(2021-05-23). Consumer Health: What do you know about inflammatory bowel disease? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org World IBD Day will be observed on Wednesday, May 19, which makes this a good time to learn more about how these disorders are similar and different. Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Inflammatory bowel disease can be …
(2021-05-23). Mayo Clinic Cancer Center joins national call to get HPV vaccinations back on track. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. ? Mayo Clinic Cancer Center has joined 71 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in calling on the nation's health care providers, parents and young adults to help get HPV vaccinations back on track. HPV causes several types of cancers, and nearly everyone gets infected with HPV by age 50. "Mayo Clinic recommends …
(2021-05-23). Science Saturday: Explaining cholesterol, research and regeneration. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Isobel Scarisbrick, Ph.D., directs the Neural Repair Laboratory within Mayo Clinic's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her lab examines central nervous system repair after injury, such as traumatic spinal cord injury or a disease like multiple sclerosis (MS). A major area of innovation for the lab is improving nerve regeneration by identifying what helps or hinders that process. Cholesterol, the …
(2021-05-23). Consumer Health: How some types of osteoporosis drugs can hurt your bones. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about this bone disease, which affects approximately 10 million Americans, according to the Office on Women's Health. Your bones are living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn't …
(2021-05-23). Consumer Health: Recovering from a stroke. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org May is National Stroke Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about stroke and stroke rehabilitation. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and a major cause of serious disability for adults. More than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year, according to the Centers …
(2021-05-23). AI-enabled EKGs find difference between numerical age and biological age significantly affects health, longevity. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — You might be older ? or younger ? than you think. A new study found that differences between a person's age in years and his or her biological age, as predicted by an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled EKG, can provide measurable insights into health and longevity. The AI model accurately predicted the age …
(2021-05-23). Mayo named a 2021 DiversityInc No. 4 on the Top Hospitals and Health Systems for Diversity. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DiversityInc announced its annual Top 50 Companies for Diversity listings. Mayo Clinic was named to two specialty lists this year — No. 4 on the Top Hospitals and Health Systems list, up from No. 7 in 2020, and a new entry onto the Top Companies for People with Disabilities list at No. 19. DiversityInc's listing is …
(2021-05-22). [Correspondence] Women's and children's health in conflict settings: build on existing efforts — Authors' reply. thelancet.com We thank Sarah Chynoweth and colleagues for their kind comments about our Series on Women's and Children's Health in Conflict Settings, and for underscoring that future humanitarian health efforts for women and children should build on previous investments and achievements in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in crisis settings. We fully agree. SRH is arguably the area in which most progress has been made in terms of improving humanitarian response for women, and we recognise the decades-long work and leadership of the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) in driving that progress.
(2021-05-22). [Perspectives] An ironic guide to colonialism in global health. thelancet.com There is something axiomatic about the idea of an evidence-based approach to global health. Who could argue against such a noble enterprise? The uses of evidence and its applications—extended from individual patients to populations at large—are attractive whether in the boardrooms of Geneva or among humanitarian doctors in South Sudan's refugee camps. This approach rationalises complex and diffuse social processes, subtly reconstituting them as discernible medical problems to be solved through technical intervention.
(2021-05-22). San Antonio teacher fighting retaliation after speaking out against unsafe schools. liberationnews.org 
After months of outspoken advocacy for school safety during COVID, and retaliation from her school, this means that the school board has effectively fired Tucker.
(2021-05-22). Missouri set to squeeze workers by cutting unemployment benefits. liberationnews.org 
On June 12, Missouri will end the enhanced benefits provided as supplements to unemployment benefits that are part of the latest COVID-19 relief bill. I…
(2021-05-22). China has Exported 700 Million Doses of its COVID-19 Vaccines Worldwide. orinocotribune.com In a recent column featured in Mundo Sputnik, Uruguayan journalist Raúl Zibechi provided some important data regarding the "vaccine race" taking place between China and the United States and its Western allies. | China "has been able to export no less than 700 million doses around the world, while the US has barely sold 3 million doses abroad," according to an Asia Times "Months ago, President Xi Jingping of China declared that vaccines were a 'global public good,' an…
(2021-05-22). 160+ Experts Slam COVID Vaccines as 'Unnecessary, Ineffective and Unsafe' in Powerful Letter. globalresearch.ca Dozens of medical …
(2021-05-22). [Comment] Excess COVID-19 mortality among critically ill patients in Africa. thelancet.com As of March 25, 2021, a global total of 124‚Äà215‚Äà843 cases of COVID-19, including 2‚Äà734‚Äà374 deaths, had been reported to WHO.1 COVID-19 is now the 12th leading cause of death worldwide, the sixth leading cause of death in high-income countries, and the 41st leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa.2 However, the reasons why there are lower numbers of cases and deaths reported in sub-Saharan Africa are unclear. One possibility is that there are inadequate levels of testing, which could translate to unreported COVID-19 deaths (both i…
(2021-05-22). [Perspectives] Yee-Sin Leo: a leader in Singapore's fight against infectious diseases. thelancet.com In January, 2020, Yee-Sin Leo, Executive Director of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore, and her team followed an unexplained pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China, very closely for any evidence of human-to-human transmission. Given population movement in the region, they knew that if they saw that evidence it meant "that Singapore will get hit with COVID-19 cases", Leo says. So the National Public Health Laboratory at NCID prepared to detect and diagnose cases, drills were done to smooth workflow, and the COVID-19 Research Workgroup was set up.
(2021-05-22). [Articles] Patient care and clinical outcomes for patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to African high-care or intensive care units (ACCCOS): a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. thelancet.com Mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 is higher in African countries than reported from studies done in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Increased mortality was associated with insufficient critical care resources, as well as the comorbidities of HIV/AIDS, diabetes, chronic liver disease, and kidney disease, and severity of organ dysfunction at admission.
(2021-05-22). [Correspondence] Gendered effects of COVID-19 on young girls in regions of conflict. thelancet.com The Series on Women's and Children's Health in Conflict Settings provides important guidance for addressing the health of women and children in areas of poor security and instability. However, we write to call special attention to the gender inequalities in areas of armed conflict and, in particular, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young, school-age girls (aged 5—18 years).
(2021-05-22). [World Report] What next for a COVID-19 intellectual property waiver? thelancet.com The USA has backed a waiver for intellectual property related to COVID-19 vaccines. What happens next? John Zarocostas reports from Geneva.
(2021-05-22). [Correspondence] Refugee access to COVID-19 vaccines in Lebanon. thelancet.com Lebanon is currently experiencing multiple unprecedented crises—political, infrastructural, and economic. The Beirut port explosion, in August, 2020, damaged 36% of health facilities.1 The Lebanese pound has lost 90% of its value, pushing more than half of the population into poverty.1 Complicating its desperate plight, Lebanon hosts the largest refugee population per capita in the world.2 The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this situation, leaving an ill-equipped health-care system overwhelmed.
(2021-05-22). State CDC Data Shows Persisting Racial Disparities in Vaccination. truthout.org 
Black Americans' COVID-19 vaccination rates are still lagging months into the nation's campaign, while Hispanics are closing the gap and Native Americans show the highest rates overall, according to federal data obtained by KHN. | The data, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in response to a public records request, gives a sweeping national look at the race and ethnicity of vaccinated people on a state-by-state basis. Yet nearly half of those vaccination records are missing race…
(2021-05-22). Canadian big business advocates policy of social murder as provinces move to dismantle remaining COVID-19 restrictions. wsws.org As far as the ruling elite is concerned, the pandemic is old news, and the time has come to rapidly dismantle all the remaining restrictions aimed at halting the virus' spread so that corporate Canada can boost its profits.
(2021-05-22). UK covid cases rise due to ending containment and spread of Indian variant. wsws.org The Tories are responding to the demands of big business that no more lockdowns are imposed and to their support base in the more affluent suburban and rural areas of the country not living in the overcrowded urban centres being hit by the resurgence of the virus.
(2021-05-22). COVID-19 potentially killing tens of thousands in India every day. wsws.org In the seven weeks since April 1, India's official total of COVID-19 fatalities has risen by more than 125,000, or 75 percent, reaching 291,331 as of yesterday morning.
(2021-05-22). The Heat: U.S.-ROK Relations and Global Health Summit. america.cgtn.com 
China pledges three billion dollars to help developing countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic at the Global Health Summit. | And U.S. President Biden welcomes Republic of Korea President Moon at the White House.
(2021-05-22). Amid warnings of "catastrophic" COVID-19 third wave, Brazil's state governors reopen economy. wsws.org The scientific institute Fiocruz's warning that a new surge of current high infection rates "will be catastrophic" is being covered up by the mainstream media and ignored by federal and state governments.
(2021-05-22). Coronavirus Travels And Cruising With Viking. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | Written by Dr. Binoy Kampmark. | It starts off as an exercise of anticipation. First comes the softening drinks and teasing morsels which find their mark. The audience at this promotions gig is well heeled, of an age where they have money to burn, but nowhere to burn it. They have not travelled on a luxurious prison of bliss for eighteen months. The world has been ravaged by a pandemic, and they yearn to be ravished by the flavour, surrounds and excitement that is Viking Cruises.
(2021-05-22). [World Report] $6 ∑5 billion proposed for new US health research agency. thelancet.com The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health would fund high-risk, high-reward medical research, but its short-term planning could stymie basic research. Susan Jaffe reports.
(2021-05-22). [Perspectives] The intergenerational project: creating space for play in health care. thelancet.com If you were to ask adults about their experiences of hospitals, laughter and joy would not be typical responses. Hospitalisation can adversely affect mental and physical wellbeing, especially for older adults. The hospital environment may evoke feelings of distress, boredom, and isolation and can be a risk factor for functional decline, subsequently leading to increased morbidity and mortality. While paediatric wards tempt children towards escapism into a land of play with dedicated play therapists and toys, older adults can experience hours spent passively in bland surroundings with fleeting health-focused encou…
(2021-05-22). [Correspondence] Time to integrate congenital CMV testing into hearing screening for newborn babies. thelancet.com We congratulate the GBD Hearing Loss Collaborators for highlighting the magnitude of hearing loss as an important public health problem.1 Early detection of hearing loss in children can substantially improve their academic performance.2 Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common non-genetic and the only potentially treatable cause of sensorineural hearing loss; globally, it alone accounts for approximately 20% of moderate to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in children.3…
(2021-05-22). [Correspondence] Women's and children's health in conflict settings: build on existing efforts. thelancet.com We commend the authors of the Lancet Series on Women's and Children's Health in Conflict Settings, particularly their call for greater political commitment to, and prioritisation of, women's and children's health (WCH) in conflict settings. At the same time, we are concerned about some of the claims and conclusions, including (1) a call for the formation of a new international technical advisory group with a mandate to critique and field-test a WCH framework,1 (2) that a priority predefined package of WCH services is not commonly agreed on and implemented in conflict settings,2 and (3) that there is no central re…
(2021-05-22). Epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding calls CDC's mask reversal a "mess" wsws.org "If you go into a grocery store or a workplace, you don't know if the person not wearing a mask is vaccinated," Feigl-Ding told the WSWS.
(2021-05-22). Cricklewood depot bus drivers defend David O'Sullivan: "They want to make us into robotic slaves" wsws.org "Why do we have to place our lives on the line just to go to work? Why, when someone raises basic health and safety issues, are they threatened with the loss of their livelihood?"
(2021-05-22). As cases of coronavirus variants rise, Nebraska goes ahead with ceasing mask mandates and continuing in-person learning. wsws.org The state's government is forging ahead with in-person learning this summer as mask mandates are rolled back.